Slap on the Wrist

A week ago FoTB had court.  He plead guilty to two class D felonies and last Tuesday was his sentencing.

Before he was sentenced, the state of Iowa did an investigation.  The Pre-sentencing investigator basically looks at the person's history, previous crimes, etc and recommends what their sentence should be.  The pre-sentencing investigator said that he has a high instance of recidivism and that he should be sentenced to prison.

My parents and I went to the hearing.  Because he stole from them, they were both allowed to give a statement.  They both said he should go to prison.

The county attorney came up to us before the sentencing and he told us he ALSO thought that FoTB should be given prison time.

The judge gave him two years of probation and another year long stint in his 10th, or 11th or hell, I can't remember how many treatment centers.  Seriously?

In our state right now there is a high profile case of a former police officer who was just arrested again for cutting off his ankle bracelet.  The first time he was sentenced the judge gave him a 16 1/2 year sentence and they suspended it and gave him 3 years of probation.  From what I understand he is now going to have to do his 16 1/2 year sentence.

FoTB needs to go to prison.  If he fails probation he is supposed to go for 10 years.  I think he will end up there for 10 years.  He has never been sober for 2 years and he has never successfully completed an intensive treatment program.  He was kicked out of his 6 month one for failing to write his life story and he has to do that in the first two weeks in this new one.

I think it is a joke and I think the reason we have all of these people in and out of the court system is because they know it is a joke.  Why should they change when they know they will just get probation and another slap on the wrist?

HOWEVER, in happier news, Zack's last name was officially changed on the 8th so no matter what happens with FoTB, it no longer affects us.  He has no say in Zack's life any more and now he doesn't even share a last name with him.

BFF

Mom, Ava's not just my sister. She's also my best friend. And we live together, so we're going to be friends forever right?

I hope so buddy. I hope so.

Good Morning

"Good Morning beautiful, how was your night? Mine was wonderful with you by my side. When I,  open my eyes and see your sweet face it's a good morning beautiful day." - Steve Holy

Parenthood

That moment where you pick her up, squeeze her in tight and she snuggles into you. Her breathing slows, she completely relaxes and you know, without a doubt that everything you went through, the sickness, the swelling, the heartburn,  the insomnia, the labor, was all worth it for this moment. Happiness, joy, love.

The Pump

I have a love hate relationship with my pump.  On one hand it allows me to feed my daughter.  On the other hand it ties me to my office every three hours.  It feels like I am always in the middle of something when it is time to pump.

I got one of those hands free bra things but it feels like it is a bigger waste of valuable time to put that on then to just suck it up and type with one hand.

On the upside, Ava is growing and happy.  She is a peanut, only in the 8th percentile for weight but the doctor seems unconcerned.  Last night she slept from 8 - 5 which was awesome.  Only thing that would have made it better would have been if I wasn't up pumping at 2:45.  I suppose I will adjust to the longer stretches eventually.  I know I did with Zack.