The Combs Krewe

When I was in high school, I signed up to be on the school paper. It might have been just an attempt to get an easy credit for some people, but I really got into it. Writing was and is so much fun for me. I dreamed of being a journalist one day. I couldn't decide what might be better--being Carrie Bradshaw or Dear Abby. Carrie Bradshaw because, well, of all obvious reasons. Dear Abby because, you know, I think I know it all and would love to single-handedly solve all your problems. LOL. The third fabulous option I considered was being a writer for Hallmark because I rock at dishing out B.S. ; ) A job as a writer wasn't in the cards for me, but I do enjoy writing in my journal and blogging. It's so freeing. As an introvert I don't have very deep conversations even with people I consider true friends. Give me a pen and paper (yes, I still use these ancient utensils!) or a keyboard, however, and I will bare my soul. So, anyway, I've had this idea for quite some tim...

Friday marked 2 months for the twins! The last month has been such a special time because the girls have grown so much and there have been so many firsts. The best "first" has been their first social smiles. I noted Brooklyn's in my nursing log on April 9th. Since that morning she's been happily grinning at us each and every morning. It's no wonder because she sleeps SO WELL. Most nights she sleeps 5 hours; one night this week she slept 6 and a half. This is just unheard of in the Combs household! She has also gained great head and neck control. She has been called the "Traci baby" since she was born but I didn't think she really looked much like me until this week. A friend had her on her lap; she sat there looking around wide eyed and it was like looking at one of my baby pictures! I also see a lot of my dad in her. She definitely takes after the Ladd side of the family! Braelyn has definitely been stingier with her smiles. She has suffered th...

They say confession is good for the soul and since I missed church this morning, I thought I'd do a little something good for my spirit. Here are some things I've been keeping to myself that have made me feel wholly inadequate lately. 1. I have never eaten quinoa. 2. I don't even know what steam punk means. 3. I've never done a Beth Moore Bible study or heard her speak in person. I'm afraid this might be the reason Jackie hasn't gotten a ministry position yet...his wife isn't a true Southern Baptist lady. = P So there. I said it. What secrets have you been keeping lately?

When I was pregnant with Jathan, I had this whole plan which included a natural, hypnobirth and exclusive breastfeeding afterwards. Yes, I was just getting into my hippy dippy crunchy mama phase! However, my natural, hypnobirth went out the window when I was induced at 33 weeks for preeclampsia. His birth and the days after were perhaps the worst experience I've ever had. Not only was I in extreme physical pain and stressed to the max, I was also emotionally distraught over the fact that suddenly my birth experience  had been pretty much the exact opposite of everything I'd hoped and planned for. I think it was because of that that I clung to breastfeeding. All my other plans had fallen apart but I could still do this and, by God, I would. Over the next few days I would pump milk for my boy sometimes struggling to even sit upright because of my blood-pressure induced headaches. Jackie or my mom would transport the milk from the Ronald McDonald house where we were staying to t...

Brooklyn has become quite the morning person. After sleeping FIVE WHOLE HOURS, it's no wonder. And her mama is loving this whole sleeping, smiling stage!