A few weeks ago I attended a training for American Christian Schools Int'l and learned some really motivating and inspiring tidbits. The presenter told us to search YouTube for a video of an infant boy playing with wrapping paper and giggling with sheer delight. I just did a search and it turns out lots of babies get a kick out of playing with wrapping paper. I don't know that I ever found the one she was talking about, but I did find this one and found myself crying after a few laughs. Watch the video and then I'll tell you why at the end.
Did you notice the pure, fully engaged love that mother has for her little boy? She couldn't care any less about the gift she just unwrapped-- she is so moved and delighted by the sound of her baby's laughter that she could go on all day. How powerful it must be to reach that point in your life when the sound of your child's happiness outweighs any beautifully wrapped, probably carefully selected, and possibly long-saved-for gift that poor ol' dad spent hours pining over. Yet even Dad laughs with delight from behind the camera. Because that's what parents do. I simply cannot wait:) (No, I can wait. I am willing to wait exactly 2 weeks. But after that I can't wait!!)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
11.23.08
As I sit here, secluding myself from "family time" with the in-laws while my mother-in-law starts cooking meals #4, 5, and 6 for us to freeze, I feel like such a brat. I am so thankful for all the hard work she's put into preparing all these meals and for the nice dinner she made for us last night, but I need them to leave. Now. Here is why.
I am feeling a huge need to be alone with my husband. As the days tick by and this baby pushes further and further down (I am not kidding you, I fear that my water will break every time I get out of a chair or roll out of bed-- and by roll, I mean ROLL), it's becoming quite clear that the end is in sight. Mark my word, she will be here within the next 2 weeks, if not very, very soon. And that will be the end of just "us".
Matt and I have been married for a little over 4 years and they have been the best 4 years of my life. We have so much fun together and find ourselves saying at least a few times a year (and usually after a family member or friend has royally irked us) that at least we have each other-- and we really mean it! If there was only one person I could have by my side, sharing life with, I would want no one else! He makes me that happy and I love making him happy.
Soon we will no longer have Saturday mornings lying in bed with the dog, we'll no longer be able to throw together an impromptu weekend trip at the last second, to name a couple of the little changes that are about to happen. Am I excited for this chapter in our lives? You bet! Did I pray and beg endlessly for this chance? Asolutely. Would I change anything? No way.
But I am realizing that "our" time is quickly coming to an end. After being away from each other last week and fearing that each day could quite possibly be the last we have as a family of 2 (ok, 3. I can't deny Midas.) I want-- no I need- some alone time.
I wish my in-laws were the type that would realize this on their own, but I know better. And there is no kind way to put it, so I just have to be patient and hope they leave at a decent time.
(And Lisa, I know you're probably thinking I'm going to feel this way when you and David come this week and I promise you it will be totally different. That could quite possibly be our very last couples "weekend" (even though its the middle of the week!) EVER and I plan to fully take advantage of that time! We can't wait for you guys to get here.)
I am feeling a huge need to be alone with my husband. As the days tick by and this baby pushes further and further down (I am not kidding you, I fear that my water will break every time I get out of a chair or roll out of bed-- and by roll, I mean ROLL), it's becoming quite clear that the end is in sight. Mark my word, she will be here within the next 2 weeks, if not very, very soon. And that will be the end of just "us".
Matt and I have been married for a little over 4 years and they have been the best 4 years of my life. We have so much fun together and find ourselves saying at least a few times a year (and usually after a family member or friend has royally irked us) that at least we have each other-- and we really mean it! If there was only one person I could have by my side, sharing life with, I would want no one else! He makes me that happy and I love making him happy.
Soon we will no longer have Saturday mornings lying in bed with the dog, we'll no longer be able to throw together an impromptu weekend trip at the last second, to name a couple of the little changes that are about to happen. Am I excited for this chapter in our lives? You bet! Did I pray and beg endlessly for this chance? Asolutely. Would I change anything? No way.
But I am realizing that "our" time is quickly coming to an end. After being away from each other last week and fearing that each day could quite possibly be the last we have as a family of 2 (ok, 3. I can't deny Midas.) I want-- no I need- some alone time.
I wish my in-laws were the type that would realize this on their own, but I know better. And there is no kind way to put it, so I just have to be patient and hope they leave at a decent time.
(And Lisa, I know you're probably thinking I'm going to feel this way when you and David come this week and I promise you it will be totally different. That could quite possibly be our very last couples "weekend" (even though its the middle of the week!) EVER and I plan to fully take advantage of that time! We can't wait for you guys to get here.)
Saturday, November 22, 2008
11.22.08
My Gma sent me this:)
PREGNANT TURKEY STORY
One year at Thanksgiving, my mom went to my
sister's house for the traditional feast. Knowing
how gullible my sister is, my mom decided to
play a trick. She told my sister that she needed
something from the store.
When my sister left, my mom took the turkey out of
the oven, removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen,
and inserted it into the turkey, and re-stuffed the
turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back in the oven.
When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the
turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the
stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something,
she reached in and pulled out the little bird.
With a look of total shock on her face, my mother
exclaimed, 'Patricia, you've cooked a pregnant
bird!' At the reality of this horrifying news,
my sister started to cry.
It took the family two hours to convince her that
turkeys lay eggs!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
PREGNANT TURKEY STORY
One year at Thanksgiving, my mom went to my
sister's house for the traditional feast. Knowing
how gullible my sister is, my mom decided to
play a trick. She told my sister that she needed
something from the store.
When my sister left, my mom took the turkey out of
the oven, removed the stuffing, stuffed a Cornish hen,
and inserted it into the turkey, and re-stuffed the
turkey. She then placed the bird(s) back in the oven.
When it was time for dinner, my sister pulled the
turkey out of the oven and proceeded to remove the
stuffing. When her serving spoon hit something,
she reached in and pulled out the little bird.
With a look of total shock on her face, my mother
exclaimed, 'Patricia, you've cooked a pregnant
bird!' At the reality of this horrifying news,
my sister started to cry.
It took the family two hours to convince her that
turkeys lay eggs!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Friday, November 21, 2008
11.21.08
I really do wonder how many of my little one's "characteristics" will still hold true once she is born. Clearly, she's headstrong (literally) and maybe even determined, although she does have gravity playing a large role in her latest stunts, so I'll cut her a small break.
But I wonder about little things like in the mornings lately she'll start hiccupping around 5:45/6:00 and will not stop until I get a little something in my stomach. Most mornings I try to sleep through it, but I'm learning that 20 minutes will easily pass by and to her, hiccupping ain't no thang. She could go on forever, so I might as well get up and "feed" her. Is this a hint of what to expect in the coming weeks?
Also, when I lay on my back (yes, I lay on my back-- it's more like a pit stop en route to rolling over from side to side, as this takes A LOT of effort and sometimes I need a little break... that lasts 20 minutes) many times she'll start to wiggle and make it known that she is not comfortable. Once I roll to my side, she's happy again. Since her bottom is under my left rib and her feet are under my right rib, that means she's on her right side when I lay on my back. Perhaps she is not a right (or any) side sleeper?! Then again, maybe she just can't breathe. Either way, she lets me know.
She still gives Dad one nice kick each night, although her kicks have become more like sticking her bottom out and holding it for 10 seconds, rolling her shoulder or tickling my ribs with her toes. But she knows her Daddy's hand and will connect with him 99% of the time. It is amazing to me. Will she be a Daddy's girl?
Remember this photo from a couple weeks ago?
No, I don't lay around with my belly hanging out most days, but Midas does rest his head on my belly several times a day, especially now that I'm home. I wonder if they are at all aware of each other and if they'll sense a familiarity once the baby is here. I never feel any movement when his head is there, but maybe she feels calm when he's around. Which reminds me of when Midas' puppy training teacher told me he was the best dog in the class and should be trained as a therapy dog... and then he promptly went home and destroyed the living room of our apartment. That little angel:)
Who will you be, Little Beansie? I'm so excited to meet you!
But I wonder about little things like in the mornings lately she'll start hiccupping around 5:45/6:00 and will not stop until I get a little something in my stomach. Most mornings I try to sleep through it, but I'm learning that 20 minutes will easily pass by and to her, hiccupping ain't no thang. She could go on forever, so I might as well get up and "feed" her. Is this a hint of what to expect in the coming weeks?
Also, when I lay on my back (yes, I lay on my back-- it's more like a pit stop en route to rolling over from side to side, as this takes A LOT of effort and sometimes I need a little break... that lasts 20 minutes) many times she'll start to wiggle and make it known that she is not comfortable. Once I roll to my side, she's happy again. Since her bottom is under my left rib and her feet are under my right rib, that means she's on her right side when I lay on my back. Perhaps she is not a right (or any) side sleeper?! Then again, maybe she just can't breathe. Either way, she lets me know.
She still gives Dad one nice kick each night, although her kicks have become more like sticking her bottom out and holding it for 10 seconds, rolling her shoulder or tickling my ribs with her toes. But she knows her Daddy's hand and will connect with him 99% of the time. It is amazing to me. Will she be a Daddy's girl?
Remember this photo from a couple weeks ago?
No, I don't lay around with my belly hanging out most days, but Midas does rest his head on my belly several times a day, especially now that I'm home. I wonder if they are at all aware of each other and if they'll sense a familiarity once the baby is here. I never feel any movement when his head is there, but maybe she feels calm when he's around. Which reminds me of when Midas' puppy training teacher told me he was the best dog in the class and should be trained as a therapy dog... and then he promptly went home and destroyed the living room of our apartment. That little angel:)
Who will you be, Little Beansie? I'm so excited to meet you!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
11.20.08 part 2
First, to answer 2 questions...
Trisha, I haven't decided how I'm working my time off. I may just take it unpaid since it will only amount to about 2.5 weeks, assuming I go back at 36 weeks. Thankfully I have some days off for Thanksgiving, so I have that on my side. I'm just not ready to give up that extra time with Beansie once she's here! And I want to save my vacation time for a trip to the Outer Banks this summer-- if I can't go for Thanksgiving, I'm taking my baby and going this summer, darnit!
Katie, the whole unit is from Lowe's, made by Sauder House (or Home?). You can mix and match all the available parts. It was very easy to assemble... well, OK I only did the drawer and Matt did everything else, but it LOOKED easy!!
*****
I had to get the nursery cleaned up for Matt's parents (it's also our guest room) so I thought I'd take pictures now that it's neat and tidy for the first time ever! I hope LB likes her room!!
Trisha, I haven't decided how I'm working my time off. I may just take it unpaid since it will only amount to about 2.5 weeks, assuming I go back at 36 weeks. Thankfully I have some days off for Thanksgiving, so I have that on my side. I'm just not ready to give up that extra time with Beansie once she's here! And I want to save my vacation time for a trip to the Outer Banks this summer-- if I can't go for Thanksgiving, I'm taking my baby and going this summer, darnit!
Katie, the whole unit is from Lowe's, made by Sauder House (or Home?). You can mix and match all the available parts. It was very easy to assemble... well, OK I only did the drawer and Matt did everything else, but it LOOKED easy!!
*****
I had to get the nursery cleaned up for Matt's parents (it's also our guest room) so I thought I'd take pictures now that it's neat and tidy for the first time ever! I hope LB likes her room!!
11.20.08
My sweetie is home!!!!!! Nevermind that I won't really see him again until tomorrow around 4-- post in-law arrival-- I'm just so relieved he's back and accesible:)
When he got home last night, he barely took two breaths before he was hard at work in LB's closet, getting the organization system installed. It looks fantastic!!
She now has an organized walk-in closet, a basket of dolls and a drawer full of shoes. What more could a girl want?
I would like to hang a growth chart on one of the closet walls, but have a little time to find the right one! Unless this little girl comes out 3 feet tall, which would explain her shenanegans as of late. Hmmm... perhaps I don't have as much time as I thought...
When he got home last night, he barely took two breaths before he was hard at work in LB's closet, getting the organization system installed. It looks fantastic!!
She now has an organized walk-in closet, a basket of dolls and a drawer full of shoes. What more could a girl want?
I would like to hang a growth chart on one of the closet walls, but have a little time to find the right one! Unless this little girl comes out 3 feet tall, which would explain her shenanegans as of late. Hmmm... perhaps I don't have as much time as I thought...
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
11.19.08
I have been catching up on reading pregnancy books and childbirth books this morning. I was still on month 6 and learning about linea negra, which turned out to be fitting considering THIS showed up within the last week.
It started at the top, about an inch long, and then became about 2 inches... and within a day or so it developed into the big mamba jamba. It's still light, but I don't count on it staying that way for long!
I also had a stressful conversation with my mother in law, who will be arriving Friday morning now, instead of afternoon. For once I actually suggested something when she asked if there was anything she could do to help while they are here, and I think she got so excited that she insisted they get here early in the day so she could take care of it pronto! I can't really argue since she is offering a helping hand, so I just have to bite the bullet and tough it out until Matt gets home from work.
I've been waiting for 11:00 to get here so I could check the mail for my new movies! "Made of Honor" and "This Christmas" are on this afternoon's agenda:) "The Final Season" is coming tomorrow (saving it for inlaw purposes) and if I get todays two back in the mail tomorrow I might have 2 new ones to entertain them with.
It started at the top, about an inch long, and then became about 2 inches... and within a day or so it developed into the big mamba jamba. It's still light, but I don't count on it staying that way for long!
I also had a stressful conversation with my mother in law, who will be arriving Friday morning now, instead of afternoon. For once I actually suggested something when she asked if there was anything she could do to help while they are here, and I think she got so excited that she insisted they get here early in the day so she could take care of it pronto! I can't really argue since she is offering a helping hand, so I just have to bite the bullet and tough it out until Matt gets home from work.
I've been waiting for 11:00 to get here so I could check the mail for my new movies! "Made of Honor" and "This Christmas" are on this afternoon's agenda:) "The Final Season" is coming tomorrow (saving it for inlaw purposes) and if I get todays two back in the mail tomorrow I might have 2 new ones to entertain them with.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)