Over the last few weeks I have shared some stories with people about the family and have heard a lot of, “I didn’t know that!”

I thought it would be fun to share some random facts about the five of us, and the story behind them! I am sure you will find at least one thing on the list you didn’t know! These are in no particular order!

Enjoy!

1. The first verbal encounter Steve and I had was not pleasant.

Story- Steve and I were both getting our masters at the same time, and ended up in a few classes together. He took his work and grades very seriously. I was a tad bit more laid back. We had a test in class and Steve did well. I did not. I made a comment, he found to be obnoxious, about him f**cking up the curve. He clearly had yet to fully appreciate my sarcasm. Lucky for him, he came around.

2. When CJ was born I screamed at the ob so loud that I am pretty sure I scared everyone in the room.

Story- I realize now that this man, whom I had only met once in my life, was trying to be supportive, but at the time it felt like he was scolding me. It’s important to understand that my epidural failed me during the birthing process, so you can imagine the kind of pain I was feeling. Doc kept yelling at me to push. Over and over. I mean he was yelling. Loud. I get it dude. I finally looked at him and screamed back, “I am pushing”. I must have sounded scary because the room got silent for a good thirty seconds. After that, all verbal support came at a much lower volume.

3. Four out of five Zurlnick’s living in this house have blue eyes.

Story- Steve is the only brown eyed Zurlnick. He constantly jokes that none of the children are his because they don’t look anything like him. I think at some point that all did look like him, but he’s being fresh because they all have beautiful blue eyes like their mama. There is a history of light eyes on his moms side so clearly all of my kids got that recessive gene (I think that’s how that works).

4. When CJ was little he received early intervention services for speech.

Story- CJ decided that he didn’t want to talk. I would like to say that he was having trouble, but I think he was fooling us all. His speech teacher came for months and he barely said two words. Then one day she bribed him to talk by promising him a police car would stop by the house. From that day forward he was speaking in full sentences. She discharged him about two weeks after that because he was using pronouns and prepositions in every sentence. His vocabulary is still amazing.

5. All my kids have names connected to family members.

Story – This you might already know, but for those who don’t, here’s the scoop. When Steve and I got pregnant with CJ, we immediately knew what his name was going to be, and why. We wanted to honor our fathers. With Ella, it was our grandmothers, and with Jack, our grandfathers. It was important to us to have names for them that had a connection to people in our family line. We often remind CJ the significance of his name, and Ella too. When Jack is old enough we will share the story behind his name as well.

6. When I was in 8th grade I got hit in my left eye with a softball. A line drive came right at my face.

Story- I know what you are thinking. Why wasn’t I paying attention? The truth is, my coach had just called my name from the dugout and instructed me to move up for a potential bunt. I was at first base, and before I even knew what was happening I was in the dirt, and my face was throbbing . My dad took me to the emergency room, where they took x rays and advised us to go see a plastic surgeon. I missed school for two weeks because my face was so swollen and I had the imprint of a softball on it. We did follow up with a plastic surgeon, but the wait was too long so my dad walked out. I never went back. To this day the bone under my eye still is not right, and I can no longer wink on my left side.

7. Steve has a self made dimple on his cheek and I think it’s the cutest thing ever.

Story- When Steve was a young child he was being rambunctious, fell off his bed, and banged his cheek into a side table. That fall resulted in a permanent dimple on his cheek. I think it adds such character to his handsome face, and I love seeing it come out when he smiles.

8. Two weeks after Steve got his F150, I backed up in the Target parking lot, hit a yellow pole, and knocked the side view mirror off the truck.

Story- It was about a week after I had Jack and I hadn’t left the house yet. Steve was being super sweet and insisted I get out for time to myself. He was even nice enough to offer the truck for me to take. I was nervous to drive it but thought it was time to rip the bandaid off. I went to Target and parked on the side, away from all other cars. I did great getting there. When I was leaving, things got hairy. Behind the truck some kids were playing, and I was very focused on not hitting them. As I was backing up, I turned sooner than I should have, hit a yellow pole next to the truck, and off came the side view mirror, and on the truck went a nice yellow streak. I don’t need to share the end of the story, but I will say hubby took the news better than expected. Needless to say, I try NOT to drive the truck anymore. A lovely woman named Bridget totally saved my butt on that one.

9. Jack and I have the same birthmark on our ear.

Story- My entire life I have had this bump on my right ear. It looks like an extra piece of skin just sitting next to my ear. When Jack was born the doctor immediately pointed out the same bump next to Jack’s ear. Everyone since had also made sure to mention it as well. We were told it was a birthmark and completely fine. At one point they did tell us to make sure he was peeing ok when he was first born, because there was a slight chance it could be something else related to kidney function. It turned out to be fine, and we are forever connected with matching birthmarks. Love it!

10. Ella can walk when she is in the pool.

Story- When Ella was in pre-k she started pool therapy. At first she was very resistant. She drank the water and didn’t want to participate in the pool exercises. About halfway through the year, I got a call to come in and see her during therapy. It was the most amazing experience. I got to see her walking in the water. I cried like a baby. We were told this year that she did attempt to walk again. My hope is once school starts she will continue to progress. These milestones are the best kind to hear about.

Ok, let’s be honest, some of these are NOT fun facts for me, but hopefully were fun to read.

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