(Yes, I'm pregnant). Haha, I'm a funny one. :)
The child within my womb, formerly known as poor-nameless-boy, has officially acquired a name. We decided for sure a few weeks ago, but decided to tell our family at Christmas. We specifically decided to wait and tell my grandfather, whom he will be named in honor of.
So, since tens of you are in the edges of your seats, I will commence.
His name will be Jack Henry. Precious, isn't it? (and if you disagree, you may keep your opinions to yourself. Ahem.).
Jack means "God's precious gift", which, clearly, he is (Also, it is a derivitive of John, a family name many times over on Chris' side of the family. In addition to that, Janelle and Jack--derivitives of John and Jane--mean the same thing, so it's triple-y special). :)
Henry means "strong ruler of the home" and our prayer is that he will grow into a strong leader--a man of God who loves his future wife and children and leads them with the wisdom of the Lord. Henry is my dear Papa's middle name who Chris and I both adore. We are so pleased to honor him in this way, and hope that our little Jack will be like him one day.
So, there you have it. Aren't you glad you waited so long for that? :)
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Anna-Kate: part psychic, part doctor
So, I promise to post about Christmas, but this was just too funny...
Ryan got a doctor kit from my grandparents for Christmas and both kids have really enjoyed it.
AK: "Mommy, can I doctor you?"
Me: "sure."
AK: "are you sick?"
Me: "well, I don't think so..."
AK: (listening to my heart-beep) "oh, you are so sick!" (takes me temperature) "and you have a bad cough!"
Me: "and you can tell that by taking me temperature? Amazing."
AK: "oh yes. I think you have a bad fever too" (gives me a "shot") "your cough is all better now."
Me: "oh good."
AK: "let me check your eyes" (then looks at my eyes with the little thing) "oh dear, this tells me you are going to get very, very sick."
Me: "oh no, when will I get sick?"
AK: "um, next week. now I'm going to doctor you and the baby" (and puts the thing on my arm for blood pressure). "He's good, now I'll doctor daddy."
(Chris lays down as if dead on the floor)
AK: (listens to his heart-beep) "Oh daddy, what a large tummy you have!"
I may or may not have laughed so hard that I started coughing, which may or may not have made me wet my pants a little bit. I'm blaming the pregnancy for this one.
Ryan got a doctor kit from my grandparents for Christmas and both kids have really enjoyed it.
AK: "Mommy, can I doctor you?"
Me: "sure."
AK: "are you sick?"
Me: "well, I don't think so..."
AK: (listening to my heart-beep) "oh, you are so sick!" (takes me temperature) "and you have a bad cough!"
Me: "and you can tell that by taking me temperature? Amazing."
AK: "oh yes. I think you have a bad fever too" (gives me a "shot") "your cough is all better now."
Me: "oh good."
AK: "let me check your eyes" (then looks at my eyes with the little thing) "oh dear, this tells me you are going to get very, very sick."
Me: "oh no, when will I get sick?"
AK: "um, next week. now I'm going to doctor you and the baby" (and puts the thing on my arm for blood pressure). "He's good, now I'll doctor daddy."
(Chris lays down as if dead on the floor)
AK: (listens to his heart-beep) "Oh daddy, what a large tummy you have!"
I may or may not have laughed so hard that I started coughing, which may or may not have made me wet my pants a little bit. I'm blaming the pregnancy for this one.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
I appreciate that!
I'm gonna not be writing about Christmas or traditions today (though, I am very excited for my extended families get-together tonight!).
Let me preface this by saying, my children are not perfect. I am not a perfect parent. We are all sinners born with a sin nature, I get it.
With that said, I am so sick of parents excusing bad behavior. If your kid is ugly, pushes, what have you, do something about it. Your "perfect" little child will not magically become sweet one day without a little intervention. If you are at a playground, playdate, whatever, pay attention to your child, maybe they could act a bit kinder.
Anyway, today we went to Chick-fil-a with my mom. She had a meeting she had to go to, so the kids and I stayed to play for a bit. While on the playground, as inevitably happens, a child stepped on another child's hand. In this case, the stepee was Ryan, who began to cry. I saw it happen, it was in no way intentional or ugly (and I don't think the other little boy even knew he stepped on Ryan's little hand). Anyway, thinking nothing of it, I went to get Ryan and console his little fingers. The other boys mom (of which there were about 8 kids playing, so she did not know it was him) came up to me and asked what had happened. I said that a little boy had accidently stepped on fingers, quite unintentionally and that's just what happens at playgrounds, no big deal. She immediately called her son (maybe age 4 or 5) and reminded him to be careful for little fingers and slow down, be mindful of younger kids playing etc. What a fantastic job! It required so little on her part, was a great chance for her to talk to her son about kindness to others in a non-emotional setting (ie, he wasn't in trouble) and it warmed my soul to know there was another mom out there who had high expectations and actually watched her older kid at the playground.
That's all. Happy Wednesday! :)
Let me preface this by saying, my children are not perfect. I am not a perfect parent. We are all sinners born with a sin nature, I get it.
With that said, I am so sick of parents excusing bad behavior. If your kid is ugly, pushes, what have you, do something about it. Your "perfect" little child will not magically become sweet one day without a little intervention. If you are at a playground, playdate, whatever, pay attention to your child, maybe they could act a bit kinder.
Anyway, today we went to Chick-fil-a with my mom. She had a meeting she had to go to, so the kids and I stayed to play for a bit. While on the playground, as inevitably happens, a child stepped on another child's hand. In this case, the stepee was Ryan, who began to cry. I saw it happen, it was in no way intentional or ugly (and I don't think the other little boy even knew he stepped on Ryan's little hand). Anyway, thinking nothing of it, I went to get Ryan and console his little fingers. The other boys mom (of which there were about 8 kids playing, so she did not know it was him) came up to me and asked what had happened. I said that a little boy had accidently stepped on fingers, quite unintentionally and that's just what happens at playgrounds, no big deal. She immediately called her son (maybe age 4 or 5) and reminded him to be careful for little fingers and slow down, be mindful of younger kids playing etc. What a fantastic job! It required so little on her part, was a great chance for her to talk to her son about kindness to others in a non-emotional setting (ie, he wasn't in trouble) and it warmed my soul to know there was another mom out there who had high expectations and actually watched her older kid at the playground.
That's all. Happy Wednesday! :)
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Happy Birthday, Jesus!
On Sunday our church had its annual Birthday party for Jesus for the kids. I volunteered to help with set-up and clean-up. Somehow I got in charge of leading singing and keeping the thing running. (but I didn't have to do the puppet show or anything, thankfully!).
There were so many kids (We planned for 80, but not sure if that counts parents or not!) and they really seemed to enjoy it. (This would be where AK told everyone we were going to the 'cracker afterwards. :) ).
Yesterday, was our birthday party for Jesus (let's just say, cake consumption is at an all time high right now in our house). I co-hosted with 2 of my good friends at another friends' house (who is so patient and much more laid back than me and didn't even sweat the ground in cake in her rug. A Christmas miracle?) This year, for the most part, the children we chose to invite are not believers. Since I was co-hosting, we had to be careful for numbers, so I opted to mostly invite those who I pray will hear and receive the Gospel one day. Unfortunatley, a lot of families are already out of town, so many couldn't be there.
Heather read a story to the kids who all got to hold a stuffed (animal like) part of the Nativity story and add it when their "part" came around.
Anna-Kate and Emma with their cow and donkey, respectively (and Lydia trying to be one of the girls and listen, but about to join the little ones and play).
The littles:
At the end of the story, Heather did something really special. She gave a crown to Lauren, Adam and Anna-Kate, those children who have asked Jesus to live in their hearts this year and talked about how they are children, princes and princesses, of the King because of what Jesus has done in their hearts.
Our newest royalty:
Next came our craft, a huge sticker thing of the nativity and the kids got to put it on the paper wherever they wanted (unless they were Ryan and were seeking help from their type-A mom in which case I gently directed him where to put them "correctly").
Next came lunch, grilled cheese, fruit and pretzels (soon to be followed by cake, which upon arrival was promptly taste tested for quality assurance. Evidently, it passed muster):
After the meal we had our second craft...decorating cookies for our favor/to take home to daddy. Well, that was the specification. I asked each of the kids who they were going to make their cookies for and all kindly offered up various family members names. Of all of the children who were there, only 3 actually took some home (and of those, only 1 didn't eat a cookie). Sugar high anyone? (and, you're welcome other moms!)
A sweet Christmas tradition.
There were so many kids (We planned for 80, but not sure if that counts parents or not!) and they really seemed to enjoy it. (This would be where AK told everyone we were going to the 'cracker afterwards. :) ).
Yesterday, was our birthday party for Jesus (let's just say, cake consumption is at an all time high right now in our house). I co-hosted with 2 of my good friends at another friends' house (who is so patient and much more laid back than me and didn't even sweat the ground in cake in her rug. A Christmas miracle?) This year, for the most part, the children we chose to invite are not believers. Since I was co-hosting, we had to be careful for numbers, so I opted to mostly invite those who I pray will hear and receive the Gospel one day. Unfortunatley, a lot of families are already out of town, so many couldn't be there.
Heather read a story to the kids who all got to hold a stuffed (animal like) part of the Nativity story and add it when their "part" came around.
Anna-Kate and Emma with their cow and donkey, respectively (and Lydia trying to be one of the girls and listen, but about to join the little ones and play).
The littles:
At the end of the story, Heather did something really special. She gave a crown to Lauren, Adam and Anna-Kate, those children who have asked Jesus to live in their hearts this year and talked about how they are children, princes and princesses, of the King because of what Jesus has done in their hearts.
Our newest royalty:
Next came our craft, a huge sticker thing of the nativity and the kids got to put it on the paper wherever they wanted (unless they were Ryan and were seeking help from their type-A mom in which case I gently directed him where to put them "correctly").
Next came lunch, grilled cheese, fruit and pretzels (soon to be followed by cake, which upon arrival was promptly taste tested for quality assurance. Evidently, it passed muster):
After the meal we had our second craft...decorating cookies for our favor/to take home to daddy. Well, that was the specification. I asked each of the kids who they were going to make their cookies for and all kindly offered up various family members names. Of all of the children who were there, only 3 actually took some home (and of those, only 1 didn't eat a cookie). Sugar high anyone? (and, you're welcome other moms!)
A sweet Christmas tradition.
Monday, December 21, 2009
The Nutcracker
We had a wonderful time at the Nutcracker yesterday. Anna-Kate had been asking for days leading up to it when we would be going, and all Sunday at church she told anyone who was listening we were going to a tea party and then the "'cracker". (We went to a tea room for lunch).
At the tea room (a friends' friends' granddaughter, (Isabel), Lauren, Hannah and Anna-Kate). Such grown up girls!
Waiting for the show to begin (kept asking, "why are the lights still on??")Sidenote, I was PUMPED when I put on last year's Christmas dress and it still fit (more surprising bonus, Ryan's 12 mos matching outfit from last year fit as well--SCORE!) She was so proud to get to pick jewelry from her jewelry box to wear. She chose a silver bracelet that she received as a baby. As it was silver, and she has no silver necklaces, I let her borrow one of mine to wear--you'd think I had just given her a million bucks by the look on her face. She showed everyone and was so proud and very careful. She's certainly growing up!
With the stage behind us, you just can't really see it. :)
She L-O-V-E-D watching the ballerinas!
Of course, as there were no words spoken or sung, I had to do a decent amount of explaining what was going on, but we've read the story many times, so that helped. Also, I was extremely impressed with her whisper voice and behaviour in general. It was a very special mommy/daughter day--a tradition I hope to continue for many years. :)
At the tea room (a friends' friends' granddaughter, (Isabel), Lauren, Hannah and Anna-Kate). Such grown up girls!
Waiting for the show to begin (kept asking, "why are the lights still on??")Sidenote, I was PUMPED when I put on last year's Christmas dress and it still fit (more surprising bonus, Ryan's 12 mos matching outfit from last year fit as well--SCORE!) She was so proud to get to pick jewelry from her jewelry box to wear. She chose a silver bracelet that she received as a baby. As it was silver, and she has no silver necklaces, I let her borrow one of mine to wear--you'd think I had just given her a million bucks by the look on her face. She showed everyone and was so proud and very careful. She's certainly growing up!
With the stage behind us, you just can't really see it. :)
She L-O-V-E-D watching the ballerinas!
Of course, as there were no words spoken or sung, I had to do a decent amount of explaining what was going on, but we've read the story many times, so that helped. Also, I was extremely impressed with her whisper voice and behaviour in general. It was a very special mommy/daughter day--a tradition I hope to continue for many years. :)
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Does this happen to you too?
Have you ever heard yourself talk and realized you were over-reacting and wondered why the words coming out of your mouth were coming out of your mouth?
Ya, me too. (I'm just sayin', it happens to the best of us sometimes, right?)
So at 6:41 this morning I woke up as Chris pulled the sheet off of me. I was holding the sheet over my tummy, about halfway covering me and I said, in a half awake fog, "stop it, I don't have any sheet!". Chris said, "you have it all" then did the clutch and roll. (you know, the famous, I'm rollingintothesheetsothereisnopossibilityofyouevergettinganysheet move. I was furious. (I like my sleep). I got out of bed, went to his side and tried to logically reason with him that in fact, he had all of the cover. (And by logical, I mean I grabbed the handfuls of sheet and waved it at him saying with intensity, "SEE? You have it all!". I got back on my side, my point clearly made only to find that I had awakened my baby who had previously been sleeping in my gestating womb. I never fell back asleep.
I resigned myself to it and got up, took a shower, cleaned the kitchen and started making muffins for breakfast. (All the while fuming. I know, mature.) When Chris came down about 8:25 he said, "your hair is wet, I didn't think you were gonna take a shower until after you went out" (to be fair, I had an appointment with some friends to get a manicure and pedicure at a new spa in the area. If you haven't heard of groupon, get on it--major money saving fun things to do). I said, "well, I wasn't planning to wake up early, but as I couldn't fall asleep after my 6:41 abrupt awakening I decided to go ahead."
Then he said it. "Well babe, why'd you wake up so early?" I think I breathed fire when I said, "yooooooou. YOU woke me up" and I recounted our earlier exchange. He started laughing and had zero recollection of said exchange. (which just made me madder, because clearly he was doing it on purpose. Like I said, I knew I was being irrational, but I was peeved. Like, when you wake up from a dream and it's so real that you really think it happened enough to be mad or really happy with someone...does this happen to other people than me??).
I guess I was snippy enough that Chris encouraged me to leave...and stay gone. Uh-oh.
Thankfully, after a wonderful time (almost 2 hours in fact) with some friends getting pampered, I wasn't as tired and felt better. I met Chris and the kids at chick-fil-a for lunch, then played until nap time. I got some sewing done too (though, side note, I am OVER the project I'm currently on. I am beyond stressed with it and just want it to be done so I can mail it off and never think about it again. And, my serger became unthreaded today. BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. It took me 45 minutes to get that blasted thing rethreaded.).
Tonight we are heading to Chris' office party and then gonna hit our next door neighbor's bash--tis the season. Chris said his party has door prizes. I thought, "yippee" until he told me they included a 42" tv...so we're crossing our fingers for that. :)
On a completely unrelated note, Anna-Kate and I will be attending the Nutcracker tomorrow and she is beyond excited (I mean, I am too, but she has that child-like excitement that is absolutely contagious!). Pictures to come, so stay glued to the edge of your chair for those. :)
Ya, me too. (I'm just sayin', it happens to the best of us sometimes, right?)
So at 6:41 this morning I woke up as Chris pulled the sheet off of me. I was holding the sheet over my tummy, about halfway covering me and I said, in a half awake fog, "stop it, I don't have any sheet!". Chris said, "you have it all" then did the clutch and roll. (you know, the famous, I'm rollingintothesheetsothereisnopossibilityofyouevergettinganysheet move. I was furious. (I like my sleep). I got out of bed, went to his side and tried to logically reason with him that in fact, he had all of the cover. (And by logical, I mean I grabbed the handfuls of sheet and waved it at him saying with intensity, "SEE? You have it all!". I got back on my side, my point clearly made only to find that I had awakened my baby who had previously been sleeping in my gestating womb. I never fell back asleep.
I resigned myself to it and got up, took a shower, cleaned the kitchen and started making muffins for breakfast. (All the while fuming. I know, mature.) When Chris came down about 8:25 he said, "your hair is wet, I didn't think you were gonna take a shower until after you went out" (to be fair, I had an appointment with some friends to get a manicure and pedicure at a new spa in the area. If you haven't heard of groupon, get on it--major money saving fun things to do). I said, "well, I wasn't planning to wake up early, but as I couldn't fall asleep after my 6:41 abrupt awakening I decided to go ahead."
Then he said it. "Well babe, why'd you wake up so early?" I think I breathed fire when I said, "yooooooou. YOU woke me up" and I recounted our earlier exchange. He started laughing and had zero recollection of said exchange. (which just made me madder, because clearly he was doing it on purpose. Like I said, I knew I was being irrational, but I was peeved. Like, when you wake up from a dream and it's so real that you really think it happened enough to be mad or really happy with someone...does this happen to other people than me??).
I guess I was snippy enough that Chris encouraged me to leave...and stay gone. Uh-oh.
Thankfully, after a wonderful time (almost 2 hours in fact) with some friends getting pampered, I wasn't as tired and felt better. I met Chris and the kids at chick-fil-a for lunch, then played until nap time. I got some sewing done too (though, side note, I am OVER the project I'm currently on. I am beyond stressed with it and just want it to be done so I can mail it off and never think about it again. And, my serger became unthreaded today. BANE OF MY EXISTENCE. It took me 45 minutes to get that blasted thing rethreaded.).
Tonight we are heading to Chris' office party and then gonna hit our next door neighbor's bash--tis the season. Chris said his party has door prizes. I thought, "yippee" until he told me they included a 42" tv...so we're crossing our fingers for that. :)
On a completely unrelated note, Anna-Kate and I will be attending the Nutcracker tomorrow and she is beyond excited (I mean, I am too, but she has that child-like excitement that is absolutely contagious!). Pictures to come, so stay glued to the edge of your chair for those. :)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
School at Christmastime!
Today was Anna-Kate and Ryan's school parties. Hers was at 11, his was at 12. (Just wait until you hear about the rest of my day/weekend. Ya, that's just how I live my life evidently).
So I arrived at Anna-Kate's party with sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles and knives in tow (and, bonus, I was even a few minutes early!). The kids came in a few minutes later and Anna-Kate immediately went from skipping down the hall life-of-the-party to whiny, needy and clingy. Say what? (sidenote, is this normal?) See, this is me making her play Christmas bingo (am I mean or what? According to this picture, it's a form of torture).
She changed her tune when she realized that a candy cane was the reward for finishing. She's showing us her prize.
Obligatory picture (with me tickling her to get her to smile. Sigh.).
After pizza, a few games and exchanging book presents with her classmates, it was cookie decorating time! Here she is with Emma:
Poor Ryan. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 12:15! (usually, Anna-Kate's parties are struggling to make it 20 minutes, so I never dreamed I'd be late...). I ran down the hall and in his classroom, he looked up from his meal of chick-fil-a, fruit, juice box and cookies (that I for some reason volunteered to make 2 batches of last night. Well, scratch that, AK and I made one batch yesterday and I decided this morning at 7 I didn't have enough for both classes, so I made another batch this morning. Ya, I did.) and this was his sweet face:
Sadly, I have no pictures of him with his little friends or teachers because as soon as I got him out of his highchair he immediately started saying and waving "bye-bye" to his teachers and threw a fit that I was there to stay and socialize, not leave.
So, we finally got home and everyone down for naps when I realized that in my (only)1 1/2 hours of no kids that morning (where I had cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed, put away laundry, eaten breakfast and finished addressing the new batch of Christmas cards that just came.) I had forgotten to go to Publix to get more sweet potatoes for the casserole I was making for our church home group potluck Christmas party tonight. Sigh. I just made the 5 I had and called it good. We got to that party right at 5:30 (and were the first to arrive, a first for us for sure). Everyone was finally ready to pray and eat at 6:25. Chris and I shoveled food (I'd fed the kids during appetizers) as we had to leave at 6:35 for Anna-Kate's school Christmas program. Of course.). We had so much fun and hated to leave!
We arrived at school, thankfully, the Crabbs had saved us seats near the front. Anna-Kate and I had been in talks for the past 2 weeks about not repeating the performance from Thanksgiving (as if a loyal reader of mine would need a reminder. Ha!) She said she thought she'd just sit by me and watch. I said that she would actually be singing this time. She said she was scared, so we prayed for Jesus to make her brave. I said, "well, since Jesus answers our prayers, if you do not stand up there and obey your teacher this will be a problem in your heart with disobedience, and we don't want that, do we?". Thankfully that, and a candy cane afterwards, did the trick. She did amazing! I am so proud of my girl!!
She sang her little heart out, did the motions and smiled the whole time. Way to go Anna-Kate!
So I arrived at Anna-Kate's party with sugar cookies, icing, sprinkles and knives in tow (and, bonus, I was even a few minutes early!). The kids came in a few minutes later and Anna-Kate immediately went from skipping down the hall life-of-the-party to whiny, needy and clingy. Say what? (sidenote, is this normal?) See, this is me making her play Christmas bingo (am I mean or what? According to this picture, it's a form of torture).
She changed her tune when she realized that a candy cane was the reward for finishing. She's showing us her prize.
Obligatory picture (with me tickling her to get her to smile. Sigh.).
After pizza, a few games and exchanging book presents with her classmates, it was cookie decorating time! Here she is with Emma:
Poor Ryan. I looked at the clock and saw that it was 12:15! (usually, Anna-Kate's parties are struggling to make it 20 minutes, so I never dreamed I'd be late...). I ran down the hall and in his classroom, he looked up from his meal of chick-fil-a, fruit, juice box and cookies (that I for some reason volunteered to make 2 batches of last night. Well, scratch that, AK and I made one batch yesterday and I decided this morning at 7 I didn't have enough for both classes, so I made another batch this morning. Ya, I did.) and this was his sweet face:
Sadly, I have no pictures of him with his little friends or teachers because as soon as I got him out of his highchair he immediately started saying and waving "bye-bye" to his teachers and threw a fit that I was there to stay and socialize, not leave.
So, we finally got home and everyone down for naps when I realized that in my (only)1 1/2 hours of no kids that morning (where I had cleaned the kitchen, vacuumed, put away laundry, eaten breakfast and finished addressing the new batch of Christmas cards that just came.) I had forgotten to go to Publix to get more sweet potatoes for the casserole I was making for our church home group potluck Christmas party tonight. Sigh. I just made the 5 I had and called it good. We got to that party right at 5:30 (and were the first to arrive, a first for us for sure). Everyone was finally ready to pray and eat at 6:25. Chris and I shoveled food (I'd fed the kids during appetizers) as we had to leave at 6:35 for Anna-Kate's school Christmas program. Of course.). We had so much fun and hated to leave!
We arrived at school, thankfully, the Crabbs had saved us seats near the front. Anna-Kate and I had been in talks for the past 2 weeks about not repeating the performance from Thanksgiving (as if a loyal reader of mine would need a reminder. Ha!) She said she thought she'd just sit by me and watch. I said that she would actually be singing this time. She said she was scared, so we prayed for Jesus to make her brave. I said, "well, since Jesus answers our prayers, if you do not stand up there and obey your teacher this will be a problem in your heart with disobedience, and we don't want that, do we?". Thankfully that, and a candy cane afterwards, did the trick. She did amazing! I am so proud of my girl!!
She sang her little heart out, did the motions and smiled the whole time. Way to go Anna-Kate!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas Party, part 1
Last week began our Christmas party extravaganza. On Thursday we had two parties, the Moms Club party for the family, and the annual Christmas bunco for the neighborhood ladies--always a good time.
I tried to get some pictures of Ryan with his little friends, there were cookies promised. Clearly, that means a lot to Ryan and Lauren. Patrick, not so much, and Jack looked like he could take or leave the offer. :)
Ryan still hanging on to hope for a second cookie...
It was a poor showing of older kids, but Anna-Kate rallied, despite the lack of friends (her buddies Andrew and Adam were there, so that was good!).
I then came home, grabbed my sparkling raspberry juice from World Market (which, incidently is SUPER, especially if other, um, options aren't available to you) and headed straight out to Christmas bunco (don't tell, I skipped choir rehearsal! But shoot if I was going to miss 2 parties in one night! That just isn't how I roll. Ahem.)
I tried to get some pictures of Ryan with his little friends, there were cookies promised. Clearly, that means a lot to Ryan and Lauren. Patrick, not so much, and Jack looked like he could take or leave the offer. :)
Ryan still hanging on to hope for a second cookie...
It was a poor showing of older kids, but Anna-Kate rallied, despite the lack of friends (her buddies Andrew and Adam were there, so that was good!).
I then came home, grabbed my sparkling raspberry juice from World Market (which, incidently is SUPER, especially if other, um, options aren't available to you) and headed straight out to Christmas bunco (don't tell, I skipped choir rehearsal! But shoot if I was going to miss 2 parties in one night! That just isn't how I roll. Ahem.)
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Survey says...
I'm officially not the "fun" parent.
Bummer. But, we all knew it. :)
Last night was our annual decorate the gingerbread house night. Anna-Kate had been looking forward to it for weeks. I put the house part together and was stressed out by 4 little hands interfering. I then realized it wasn't about me. I also know myself, and I can't sit there. So, I picked up the camera and took pictures as Chris decorated the house with the kids. They LOVED it. Anna-Kate has said 3 times since its completion, "Mommy, I just had so much fun decorating my candy house!".
Ya, she never said that last year.
I'm not gonna lie, it looks horrible. Almost all of the candy is on the roof, with very little on the front, back and sides. You know what? They think it looks great (although, Anna-Kate noticed that there isn't any on the back and said so earlier today. I told her I would have put some candy there, but she got to do it however she and Ryan wanted). (I'm such a good person. Bless my little heart).
Enjoying the process:
Showing me her "candy house" and the tree for outside she decorated.
The finished product (*shudder* it doesn't look like the picture! Side note, good mommy, letting go...)
Bummer. But, we all knew it. :)
Last night was our annual decorate the gingerbread house night. Anna-Kate had been looking forward to it for weeks. I put the house part together and was stressed out by 4 little hands interfering. I then realized it wasn't about me. I also know myself, and I can't sit there. So, I picked up the camera and took pictures as Chris decorated the house with the kids. They LOVED it. Anna-Kate has said 3 times since its completion, "Mommy, I just had so much fun decorating my candy house!".
Ya, she never said that last year.
I'm not gonna lie, it looks horrible. Almost all of the candy is on the roof, with very little on the front, back and sides. You know what? They think it looks great (although, Anna-Kate noticed that there isn't any on the back and said so earlier today. I told her I would have put some candy there, but she got to do it however she and Ryan wanted). (I'm such a good person. Bless my little heart).
Enjoying the process:
Showing me her "candy house" and the tree for outside she decorated.
The finished product (*shudder* it doesn't look like the picture! Side note, good mommy, letting go...)
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Random
I'll just warn you...there is no rhyme or reason to this post. Just a few random thoughts/stuff going on.
I've got a cold, and I'm miserable. The worst part is that baby has gotten so active that his kicks are actually making me sick. Like, I have to lie down and concentate on not throwing up. Seriously? This is no bueno and (Please God!) cannot last 15 more weeks!
***
I'm heading to the OB tomorrow. That's all. I'm sure everything is fine. Though, this is my first trip since the Northside visit a few weeks ago. I'm sure there will be questions a'plenty.
***
I had my first "seriously, I have to start thinking about this?" moment today with Anna-Kate. We were in the car and there was no fussing/whining/complaining happening. (which is why what follows is so random, she clearly doesn't get the context). I got out of the car and she said, "you are such a stupid". "What did you say?" I said (I truly said it not accusatatingly as I was sure I had not heard what I thought I heard.) "Umm, you are such a mommy" she said.
Me: "Anna-Kate, are you telling the truth? What did you really say just then?"
AK: "umm, I forgot."
Me: "Anna-Kate, are you telling Mommy a lie? Who is the father of lies? (the devil, in case you don't know)."
AK: "I just can't remember right now Mommy."
Me: "well, you sit on the stair until you remember what you said."
5ish minutes later...
Me: "did you remember?"
AK: "No, I just forget..."
Me: "You realize that by telling lies your consequences get worse, right?"
AK: "Umm, I said stupid" (this was so faint I could hardly make it out).
Me: "What did you say?"
AK: "stupid, I said stupid Mommy."
Me: "Do you know that that word is unkind and only ever used to be ugly and unkind to others? ("uhh, no", voice shaky) Do you think Jesus would use that word? ("no ma'am", crying a little)Do you think He would be proud of you for using that word? ("no ma'am" with hysteric tears)Where did you hear that word?"
AK: "in that bee movie" (that would be a movie we saw one time last June.)
In case you were wondering why we shelter our kids. X-ray memory. That's why.
("Oh be careful little ears what you hear...")
I've got a cold, and I'm miserable. The worst part is that baby has gotten so active that his kicks are actually making me sick. Like, I have to lie down and concentate on not throwing up. Seriously? This is no bueno and (Please God!) cannot last 15 more weeks!
***
I'm heading to the OB tomorrow. That's all. I'm sure everything is fine. Though, this is my first trip since the Northside visit a few weeks ago. I'm sure there will be questions a'plenty.
***
I had my first "seriously, I have to start thinking about this?" moment today with Anna-Kate. We were in the car and there was no fussing/whining/complaining happening. (which is why what follows is so random, she clearly doesn't get the context). I got out of the car and she said, "you are such a stupid". "What did you say?" I said (I truly said it not accusatatingly as I was sure I had not heard what I thought I heard.) "Umm, you are such a mommy" she said.
Me: "Anna-Kate, are you telling the truth? What did you really say just then?"
AK: "umm, I forgot."
Me: "Anna-Kate, are you telling Mommy a lie? Who is the father of lies? (the devil, in case you don't know)."
AK: "I just can't remember right now Mommy."
Me: "well, you sit on the stair until you remember what you said."
5ish minutes later...
Me: "did you remember?"
AK: "No, I just forget..."
Me: "You realize that by telling lies your consequences get worse, right?"
AK: "Umm, I said stupid" (this was so faint I could hardly make it out).
Me: "What did you say?"
AK: "stupid, I said stupid Mommy."
Me: "Do you know that that word is unkind and only ever used to be ugly and unkind to others? ("uhh, no", voice shaky) Do you think Jesus would use that word? ("no ma'am", crying a little)Do you think He would be proud of you for using that word? ("no ma'am" with hysteric tears)Where did you hear that word?"
AK: "in that bee movie" (that would be a movie we saw one time last June.)
In case you were wondering why we shelter our kids. X-ray memory. That's why.
("Oh be careful little ears what you hear...")
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Baby
Chris finally felt the baby move. :) I've been feeling him since 14 weeks pregnant (I'm 24 weeks now). I was watching my belly move (Oh my! I'm scared of how active he's gonna be...this is way earlier and waaaaay more active than my others. Dun, dun, duuuuuun!). Anyway, he ran up to feel and got a good solid kick. :)
Living vicariously, or not....
So, if you know us in real life, you know that Anna-Kate is about a carbon copy of me. We look a decent amount a like, but share a very similiar personality (and from what I keep hearing, she is just like I was at her age to boot). Guess that apple doesn't fall too far, huh?
Anyway, I was asked by the powers that be (at church) if Anna-Kate would open our huge Christmas program by doing the a solo (in a completely dark room with just a spotlight on her--can you imagine anything more precious?!?!?!?!) to "Happy Birthday Jesus". I was so proud (clearly, I understand this is not me they were asking to sing, but still. Whole "Mama Bear" thing I guess. I was proud.) I was told, "this can't be a 'probably' thing, she either has to say she's doing it and do it, or don't." I talked about solos in general all week. We watched the Rockettes on TV with friends and talked about dancing solos, we heard Christmas songs on the radio with singing solos...you get the picture. Anyway. Rubber meets the road. I said that if she wanted to she could have a special solo singing the happy birthday Jesus song and Mommy would sit right in front of her blah blah. She said, "I don't think that's a very great idea. I don't want to sing at morning church." I said, "well, it's for a nighttime singing." "Ooooh!" she said, "then I think I would like to do that. But only if you stand by me and hold my hand."
That clearly would not work. I am not a cute little three year old that would be the dramatic beginning to the show.
Can I tell you that it killed me to tell my music director no?
I know I did the right thing, not making her do something just because I wanted her to do it, but dangit, it would have been awesome...I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, so that I can try and complete a thought here, I vividely remember when I was younger (maybe 7?) and I desperately wanted a solo in my school (or church?) Christmas show. I got it, and then freaked. I remember being so scared and hating it. I desperately wanted to be in the spotlight and to get the attention, just couldn't handle the pressure, I guess. I think that's where she is.
So, maybe another year. Or, another kid. :)
Anyway, I was asked by the powers that be (at church) if Anna-Kate would open our huge Christmas program by doing the a solo (in a completely dark room with just a spotlight on her--can you imagine anything more precious?!?!?!?!) to "Happy Birthday Jesus". I was so proud (clearly, I understand this is not me they were asking to sing, but still. Whole "Mama Bear" thing I guess. I was proud.) I was told, "this can't be a 'probably' thing, she either has to say she's doing it and do it, or don't." I talked about solos in general all week. We watched the Rockettes on TV with friends and talked about dancing solos, we heard Christmas songs on the radio with singing solos...you get the picture. Anyway. Rubber meets the road. I said that if she wanted to she could have a special solo singing the happy birthday Jesus song and Mommy would sit right in front of her blah blah. She said, "I don't think that's a very great idea. I don't want to sing at morning church." I said, "well, it's for a nighttime singing." "Ooooh!" she said, "then I think I would like to do that. But only if you stand by me and hold my hand."
That clearly would not work. I am not a cute little three year old that would be the dramatic beginning to the show.
Can I tell you that it killed me to tell my music director no?
I know I did the right thing, not making her do something just because I wanted her to do it, but dangit, it would have been awesome...I'm just sayin'.
Anyway, so that I can try and complete a thought here, I vividely remember when I was younger (maybe 7?) and I desperately wanted a solo in my school (or church?) Christmas show. I got it, and then freaked. I remember being so scared and hating it. I desperately wanted to be in the spotlight and to get the attention, just couldn't handle the pressure, I guess. I think that's where she is.
So, maybe another year. Or, another kid. :)
Friday, December 4, 2009
Coffee
I love it. I even drink de-caf now that I'm gestating and all. (Call it the placebo effect, I still love it, and it "works"). Chris gets peeved with me for using flavored coffee in the pot, evidently, the "abomination" flavor stays through to the next pot.
So, if you read this blog often, you know that this past week has been quite busy and stressful for me. I went to bed at 2am for four nights in a row. Let's just say that yesterday morning I was quite tired upon waking up. (Can you blame me? I mean, I am gestating and all). I stumbled out of bed at 8:30 to make a pot of coffee. I had slept late (so had Anna-Kate, thus my ability to sleep. God bless his little heart, Ryan had patiently waited in his big boy bed for me to get him-VICTORY!). We were of course running late for school so by the time I got the kids fed and lunches made, the pot was only half way through brewing. No biggie I thought, I'll just pour some into my beyond-giant-sized travel mug and it can finish after I get some and go. This is our new coffee pot. Evidently it doesn't have the feature where it stops brewing when the pot is not under the thing. Can you guess how I know this now? Ya, it spilled everywhere, but dangit, I was gonna finish pouring. Well, idiot that I am, put the pot back on to catch the drips and it splattered the coffee all over the counter. If you know me well you know that my biggest OCD tendency in life is my sink and counters. (Until about 6 months ago I bleached both daily. I still wipe them obsessively...I mean really, if you see yuckiness on the counters don't you just assume the kitchen is dirty and any food prepared there isn't clean?). Anyway, so I freaked and jumped for the paper towels, which in turn knocked over the entire contents of afore mentioned beyond giant travel mug. The old me would have flipped. I think I was too tired to exert that much energy. I walked to the laundry room, grabbed two clean dish towels (yes, that's how much coffee it was) and cleaned it up. At this point, school had already started, but, on a brighter note, my coffee had finished brewing. I poured the remaining contents into my mug and hit the road.
When I got back home I got a phone call as I was walking in and put my coffee mug down somewhere. When I got off the phone I couldn't for the life of me remember where it was. Do you know I never found it? Chris found it when he came home from work. Eight and a half hours later. It was on my desk.
Clearly, I need more sleep.
So, if you read this blog often, you know that this past week has been quite busy and stressful for me. I went to bed at 2am for four nights in a row. Let's just say that yesterday morning I was quite tired upon waking up. (Can you blame me? I mean, I am gestating and all). I stumbled out of bed at 8:30 to make a pot of coffee. I had slept late (so had Anna-Kate, thus my ability to sleep. God bless his little heart, Ryan had patiently waited in his big boy bed for me to get him-VICTORY!). We were of course running late for school so by the time I got the kids fed and lunches made, the pot was only half way through brewing. No biggie I thought, I'll just pour some into my beyond-giant-sized travel mug and it can finish after I get some and go. This is our new coffee pot. Evidently it doesn't have the feature where it stops brewing when the pot is not under the thing. Can you guess how I know this now? Ya, it spilled everywhere, but dangit, I was gonna finish pouring. Well, idiot that I am, put the pot back on to catch the drips and it splattered the coffee all over the counter. If you know me well you know that my biggest OCD tendency in life is my sink and counters. (Until about 6 months ago I bleached both daily. I still wipe them obsessively...I mean really, if you see yuckiness on the counters don't you just assume the kitchen is dirty and any food prepared there isn't clean?). Anyway, so I freaked and jumped for the paper towels, which in turn knocked over the entire contents of afore mentioned beyond giant travel mug. The old me would have flipped. I think I was too tired to exert that much energy. I walked to the laundry room, grabbed two clean dish towels (yes, that's how much coffee it was) and cleaned it up. At this point, school had already started, but, on a brighter note, my coffee had finished brewing. I poured the remaining contents into my mug and hit the road.
When I got back home I got a phone call as I was walking in and put my coffee mug down somewhere. When I got off the phone I couldn't for the life of me remember where it was. Do you know I never found it? Chris found it when he came home from work. Eight and a half hours later. It was on my desk.
Clearly, I need more sleep.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Quick Post
I am beyond tired. I've been up to close to 2 the last 2 nights. I don't do that anymore, I'm far too old.
I've gotten the tree up and house as decorated as it's getting this year (no party for me means no garland on the stairs, that saved about an hour). I am almost done with pressing projects. My Christmas card is written, the pictures are ordered (which, spoiler alert, is the picture at the top of my blog), I hope to get them out tomorrow (or maybe Thursday, we'll see). The gifts are wrapped, only lacking ribbon.
Now, to the 16 (yes, really, that many. And yes, I have a very specific list. I'm a list person, so shoot me.) things on my To-Do list. Some day I will sleep again.
I've gotten the tree up and house as decorated as it's getting this year (no party for me means no garland on the stairs, that saved about an hour). I am almost done with pressing projects. My Christmas card is written, the pictures are ordered (which, spoiler alert, is the picture at the top of my blog), I hope to get them out tomorrow (or maybe Thursday, we'll see). The gifts are wrapped, only lacking ribbon.
Now, to the 16 (yes, really, that many. And yes, I have a very specific list. I'm a list person, so shoot me.) things on my To-Do list. Some day I will sleep again.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Change of Plans
We went to church this morning, after arriving home at midnight (yes, pat us on the back...but, the kids were gonna wake us up anyway, why wouldn't we go?). Anyway, then we went to the mall where for some reason Santa is having a generous heart and giving out free 5x7 pictures this year. You know me...so we got there at 11 to discover he didn't make his debut until 12. Oh, and none of the stores opened until 12 except for Sears. Sears? That place is still open? We dawdled around there a while until the kids got hungry (ok, my tummy was growling..) and we split a pretzel. I'd been talking up meeting Santa to Anna-Kate, taking a picture, telling him that she'd been a good girl and to tell him what she wanted for Christmas (which, incidently, is a Tinkerbell costume). She was so excited to meet him. I wish our scanner was working to show you the picture. Lets just say that it is a really good thing I wasn't paying for the picture. In other news, evidently Santa isn't going to stop by our house this year (as the rule was if she didn't tell Santa what she wanted he wouldn't know what to help the elves make and so he wouldn't bring her anything). It's a tough world. Screaming and gnashing of teeth I tell ya, pitiful. Of course her hysterics set off Ryan and the other kids in line. Poor Santa, he was actually pretty good too. Even a real beard.
Here is what Chris caught on our camera before his assistance in slinking out of the mall was necessary.
Walking in, Ryan is excited, I'm dragging reluctant Anna-Kate:
Here is what happened when I put her on Santa's lap, she freaked out and, in the process, freaked Ryan out. SERIOUSLY??? (Alternate title for this photo, "Yes, in fact pictures really are worth 1,000 words").
As we drove home in forced silence, the kids fell asleep. At 12:15. UGH. They were passed out so we just stuck them straight to bed. Anna-Kate woke up at 1 wanting lunch, Ryan woke up at 1:15, but I thought I'd leave him for a while and see if he fell back asleep. No such luck. So here's what I learned today:
THUD followed by hysteric screaming is never a good thing to hear.
Did you catch that? Because when I went tearing up the stairs I found that Ryan had decided today was a good day to fling himself out of his crib and found him on the floor holding his head saying "ow, boo-boo". I asked him why he fell down and he said, "out". Well, ya, I can see that. So as if the laundry, unpacking, mountain of work and Christmas decorations looming (in addition to the side dish I was supposed to make for the dinner at church tonight and having to run to the fabric store for more material...) wasn't enough, now we were going to have to rearrange furniture today. So, in the middle of "naptime" we played musical furniture. Anna-Kate's toddler bed is now in Ryan's room, her room is a jumbled mess and the queen bed from the guest bedroom is in the playroom, her new room.
I feel so much stress to get their big kid rooms done NOW on top of everything. AHHH!! That would be, making a bed skirt and headboard for her, painting both rooms, and making shams, drapes and bedskirts for the boys (we are planning for the boys to share eventually, so I've gotten 2 twin quilts etc). I have plans every night this week. Panic.attack.coming.on.
Well, at least you get some cute pictures of the kids. They were, of course, beside themselves with their good fortune.
We need a new camera, badly. It was taking forever, so I kept saying, "keep saying cheese". She said, "I am saying cheese".
Sweet, happy boy climbing in his new bed:
All tucked in, GOODNIGHT!
Here is what Chris caught on our camera before his assistance in slinking out of the mall was necessary.
Walking in, Ryan is excited, I'm dragging reluctant Anna-Kate:
Here is what happened when I put her on Santa's lap, she freaked out and, in the process, freaked Ryan out. SERIOUSLY??? (Alternate title for this photo, "Yes, in fact pictures really are worth 1,000 words").
As we drove home in forced silence, the kids fell asleep. At 12:15. UGH. They were passed out so we just stuck them straight to bed. Anna-Kate woke up at 1 wanting lunch, Ryan woke up at 1:15, but I thought I'd leave him for a while and see if he fell back asleep. No such luck. So here's what I learned today:
THUD followed by hysteric screaming is never a good thing to hear.
Did you catch that? Because when I went tearing up the stairs I found that Ryan had decided today was a good day to fling himself out of his crib and found him on the floor holding his head saying "ow, boo-boo". I asked him why he fell down and he said, "out". Well, ya, I can see that. So as if the laundry, unpacking, mountain of work and Christmas decorations looming (in addition to the side dish I was supposed to make for the dinner at church tonight and having to run to the fabric store for more material...) wasn't enough, now we were going to have to rearrange furniture today. So, in the middle of "naptime" we played musical furniture. Anna-Kate's toddler bed is now in Ryan's room, her room is a jumbled mess and the queen bed from the guest bedroom is in the playroom, her new room.
I feel so much stress to get their big kid rooms done NOW on top of everything. AHHH!! That would be, making a bed skirt and headboard for her, painting both rooms, and making shams, drapes and bedskirts for the boys (we are planning for the boys to share eventually, so I've gotten 2 twin quilts etc). I have plans every night this week. Panic.attack.coming.on.
Well, at least you get some cute pictures of the kids. They were, of course, beside themselves with their good fortune.
We need a new camera, badly. It was taking forever, so I kept saying, "keep saying cheese". She said, "I am saying cheese".
Sweet, happy boy climbing in his new bed:
All tucked in, GOODNIGHT!
Friday, November 27, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
We had a very nice Thanksgiving...very relaxing which is super. We went to a special service at my in-laws church. Not so much worship time, but many sweet stories of thanks to our God for His goodness!
Our big meal was at 6 our time with my inlaws, Chris' brothers, Hunt and Pete, Pete's wife Joy and their kids, Elias and Isabel. The kids played so well together and it was a nice time of eating and fellowship. We had the usual, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (the SOUTHERN version) green beans, sister schubert rolls, stuffing (not the Southern version...) cranberries and pumpkin pie (again, my Southern recipe--well, kinda. It was my recipe not closely followed because of a lack of measuring cups and spoons. It was quite cinnamin-y, ahem.).
This year, as always, there is so much to be thankful for. Obviously, for Jesus, who has saved me and who has made Himself known so recently to Anna-Kate. I am so thankful for family, specifically for Chris--what a great husband and friend--God certainly knew what I needed when He gave us each other. I am thankful for my kids, and poor unnamed boy on the way--what treasures they are with their individual quirks and personalities. I am thankful for health, especially for that of Ryan who spent so many days of the past year sick. I am thankful for Chris' job and his ability to provide for us so that I can stay home. I am thankful for friends who really know me, who encourage me and pray with me as we walk through life together. I am thankful for our church and the sweet friends that have encouraged and prayed for me. What a year 2009 has been!
Thank you Jesus for providing for me, You are so faithful!
Our big meal was at 6 our time with my inlaws, Chris' brothers, Hunt and Pete, Pete's wife Joy and their kids, Elias and Isabel. The kids played so well together and it was a nice time of eating and fellowship. We had the usual, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (the SOUTHERN version) green beans, sister schubert rolls, stuffing (not the Southern version...) cranberries and pumpkin pie (again, my Southern recipe--well, kinda. It was my recipe not closely followed because of a lack of measuring cups and spoons. It was quite cinnamin-y, ahem.).
This year, as always, there is so much to be thankful for. Obviously, for Jesus, who has saved me and who has made Himself known so recently to Anna-Kate. I am so thankful for family, specifically for Chris--what a great husband and friend--God certainly knew what I needed when He gave us each other. I am thankful for my kids, and poor unnamed boy on the way--what treasures they are with their individual quirks and personalities. I am thankful for health, especially for that of Ryan who spent so many days of the past year sick. I am thankful for Chris' job and his ability to provide for us so that I can stay home. I am thankful for friends who really know me, who encourage me and pray with me as we walk through life together. I am thankful for our church and the sweet friends that have encouraged and prayed for me. What a year 2009 has been!
Thank you Jesus for providing for me, You are so faithful!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
What I learned yesterday
1. If you leave Northside hospital at 12:48 am, there is no parking attendant and you don’t have to pay to park.
2. From the parking deck to my garage is 21 minutes with no traffic, who knew?
Wanna know why I know this?
Well, yesterday Anna-Kate and I were reading for our special time (between when Ryan goes down for a nap at 1 and she goes down for nap/rest time at 2). I sat in the lazy boy and she was trying to scoot into my lapp. In so doing that, she elbowed me right in the belly, trying to get leverage. It hurt. In fact, I screamed out because it hurt. Poor thing, I startled her (obviously, I didn’t mean to scream). I said, “honey you need to be a little more gentle with mommy”. Her immediate response was to burst into hysteric tears and say, “I don’t want another baby boy to come, I just want my mommy”. I felt like a horrible mother. Then I started having a few contractions. Not the really bad kind, but I've NEVER had a contraction prior to 40 week. Ever. I’m 22 weeks now. After a few minutes they went away and I went about my day.
I was driving to choir practice, at a little before 7 and could still feel the spot was I got elbowed. It wasn’t by any means painful, just a bit sensitive, like there was a bruise there, but there is no skin discoloration. Since we were planning to leave for St Louis the next day (today, I’m writing in the car) I decided to call my nurse line to have them reassure me that everything was OK. Well, the nurse did little to make me feel better, instead called the doctor and me back within about 10 minutes with news that I was to leave choir (of which I had been present for about 5 minutes) and go straight to Northside Hospital. The on-call doc knew I was coming and was waiting to see me to make sure everything was OK. I have negative blood, so in any sort of belly “trauma” (even a fender bender) the docs get really worried that there might be some blood cross-contamination between me and the baby. In case you are unfamiliar, with an RH negative mom, if my blood crossed and this baby had positive blood, my body could begin to form antibodies against the baby and potentially “kill off” the foreign thing, ie baby. Anyway. I was highly freaked out. Thankfully, a sweet friend from church walked me out and prayed with me before I left. Chris was home with the kids, so for the first time, I entered Labor and Delivery by myself, registered alone and waited alone. (Chris obviously offered to come, but I knew he couldn’t really do anything and knew that he was going to have to drive all day the next day so I told him to stay home.)
When I was finally checked into my room it was WEIRD. They gave me a gown and put the monitor on my belly and I was left alone for them to track contractions. I was having some, but they weren’t painful (at all), and were pretty minimal, like one every 7-13 minutes that was barely registering. Of course, as soon as I was settled, the doctor got called into an emergency C-section, so by the time he finally came in to see me it was 9:20. He checked me out and ordered a bunch of tests to check me and the baby and for cross contaminated blood. He then told me it was a “full house” (what else is new at northside?) and that the lab could take up to 4 hours to get my results back. All I could think about was the LONG LIST of things I needed to do. Thankfully, I had already packed and wrapped our Christmas gifts, but there is always last minute stuff, cleaning, some cooking and baking I needed to do as well as a few sewing/monogramming projects I had to finish before we left town. Well, I guess the Lord knew I needed to rest, so I sat in the hospital bed until 12:35 watching HGTV and napping. I remember hospital beds being more comfortable, but maybe that’s because when you’ve gone through 2 or 3 day long labors, a rock would feel comfortable if it allows you to sleep with no pain.
The nurse finally came in at 12:35 am and said I was free to go, there was no blood transfer and unnamed baby boy was safe as could be. I told her I felt silly for being there all night and she assured me that I had done the right thing, because if there had been blood transfer it could have been a really bad thing.
So, if you see me, I’ll be the one with big bags under my eyes (I just couldn’t go to bed until I finished a majority of stuff as my mind was racing with “to-do’s last night) who’s a bit more protective of my belly.
Oh ya, and in the future, I’ll be staying late at the hospital to visit friends. Maybe just until midnight.
2. From the parking deck to my garage is 21 minutes with no traffic, who knew?
Wanna know why I know this?
Well, yesterday Anna-Kate and I were reading for our special time (between when Ryan goes down for a nap at 1 and she goes down for nap/rest time at 2). I sat in the lazy boy and she was trying to scoot into my lapp. In so doing that, she elbowed me right in the belly, trying to get leverage. It hurt. In fact, I screamed out because it hurt. Poor thing, I startled her (obviously, I didn’t mean to scream). I said, “honey you need to be a little more gentle with mommy”. Her immediate response was to burst into hysteric tears and say, “I don’t want another baby boy to come, I just want my mommy”. I felt like a horrible mother. Then I started having a few contractions. Not the really bad kind, but I've NEVER had a contraction prior to 40 week. Ever. I’m 22 weeks now. After a few minutes they went away and I went about my day.
I was driving to choir practice, at a little before 7 and could still feel the spot was I got elbowed. It wasn’t by any means painful, just a bit sensitive, like there was a bruise there, but there is no skin discoloration. Since we were planning to leave for St Louis the next day (today, I’m writing in the car) I decided to call my nurse line to have them reassure me that everything was OK. Well, the nurse did little to make me feel better, instead called the doctor and me back within about 10 minutes with news that I was to leave choir (of which I had been present for about 5 minutes) and go straight to Northside Hospital. The on-call doc knew I was coming and was waiting to see me to make sure everything was OK. I have negative blood, so in any sort of belly “trauma” (even a fender bender) the docs get really worried that there might be some blood cross-contamination between me and the baby. In case you are unfamiliar, with an RH negative mom, if my blood crossed and this baby had positive blood, my body could begin to form antibodies against the baby and potentially “kill off” the foreign thing, ie baby. Anyway. I was highly freaked out. Thankfully, a sweet friend from church walked me out and prayed with me before I left. Chris was home with the kids, so for the first time, I entered Labor and Delivery by myself, registered alone and waited alone. (Chris obviously offered to come, but I knew he couldn’t really do anything and knew that he was going to have to drive all day the next day so I told him to stay home.)
When I was finally checked into my room it was WEIRD. They gave me a gown and put the monitor on my belly and I was left alone for them to track contractions. I was having some, but they weren’t painful (at all), and were pretty minimal, like one every 7-13 minutes that was barely registering. Of course, as soon as I was settled, the doctor got called into an emergency C-section, so by the time he finally came in to see me it was 9:20. He checked me out and ordered a bunch of tests to check me and the baby and for cross contaminated blood. He then told me it was a “full house” (what else is new at northside?) and that the lab could take up to 4 hours to get my results back. All I could think about was the LONG LIST of things I needed to do. Thankfully, I had already packed and wrapped our Christmas gifts, but there is always last minute stuff, cleaning, some cooking and baking I needed to do as well as a few sewing/monogramming projects I had to finish before we left town. Well, I guess the Lord knew I needed to rest, so I sat in the hospital bed until 12:35 watching HGTV and napping. I remember hospital beds being more comfortable, but maybe that’s because when you’ve gone through 2 or 3 day long labors, a rock would feel comfortable if it allows you to sleep with no pain.
The nurse finally came in at 12:35 am and said I was free to go, there was no blood transfer and unnamed baby boy was safe as could be. I told her I felt silly for being there all night and she assured me that I had done the right thing, because if there had been blood transfer it could have been a really bad thing.
So, if you see me, I’ll be the one with big bags under my eyes (I just couldn’t go to bed until I finished a majority of stuff as my mind was racing with “to-do’s last night) who’s a bit more protective of my belly.
Oh ya, and in the future, I’ll be staying late at the hospital to visit friends. Maybe just until midnight.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
A battle of wills
And, I'm not sure who won.
Here's the scenario. Anna-Kate came home from school on Wednesday proclaiming, "I'm not going to sing tomorrow!" (in her Thanksgiving program at school). I asked why not, since she loves to sing. "Beacause I just don't want to." Whatever.
I went in to get her this morning and the first words out of her mouth were, "I don't want to go to school because I don't want to sing." I informed her that she was going to school and she was singing. I showed her...
Fast forward through drop off at 9, me having until 10:20 until I had to be seated at the program (in case you miss the significance, that is not very long. Did you catch the part about where I need all the time I can get these days??). Anyway, I rushed back from finishing my Christmas shopping (ya, that's right) and sat down on the front row, camera poised to capture my precious angel singing. Her class filed in with their fingers on their lips. All of the proud mama's started waving quietly and snapping pictures. Anna-Kate saw me, broke from line and came running, while sobbing, directly to me as her teacher said, "Anna-Kate, come back!". I asked her if she was OK or if something had happened and all she said was, "I just dont' want to sing!" (and by "said" I mean wailed it not quietly). It got to the point where I said, "you are disobeying Mommy, Jesus and your teacher and that is sin. You need to obey even when it isn't fun and even when you don't want to. You can obey the easy way, or the hard way, but you will obey and go stand with your class." Her teacher grabbed her hand and walked her up on stage where she stood, not singing, or even moving her mouth except in a sucking her whole hand kinda way, the entire time.
Filing in, pre-drama (oh, and they are "indians" in case you couldn't tell, she told me she was "Pocohontas Princess", figures. She's the 4th child from the right):
Post talk with Mama, obeying "letter of the law" if you will:
Not even throwing me a bone and mouthing a word or moving her hands as the rest of her friends did:
Clearly, she recovered:
Post "singing" eye-redness during the "feast" (of pretzels, grapes, marshmellows, apples and raisins. You know, typical fair for the Pilgrims and Indians...what are we teaching our children?)
Ironcially (I guess?)her teacher told me that yesterday at practice she had been worried how the show would go because only Anna-Kate and her best friend Emma were singing and doing the hand motions (as a side note, halfway through the songs, Emma ran from the backrow crying to her Mom. It made me feel better. I'm not gonna lie). Today? They were the only two of all of the kids (4 classes today) not singing or doing motions. Stage fright much?
So, who won this battle of wills? Not sure. All I said was she had to stand with her class. And she did.
Here's the scenario. Anna-Kate came home from school on Wednesday proclaiming, "I'm not going to sing tomorrow!" (in her Thanksgiving program at school). I asked why not, since she loves to sing. "Beacause I just don't want to." Whatever.
I went in to get her this morning and the first words out of her mouth were, "I don't want to go to school because I don't want to sing." I informed her that she was going to school and she was singing. I showed her...
Fast forward through drop off at 9, me having until 10:20 until I had to be seated at the program (in case you miss the significance, that is not very long. Did you catch the part about where I need all the time I can get these days??). Anyway, I rushed back from finishing my Christmas shopping (ya, that's right) and sat down on the front row, camera poised to capture my precious angel singing. Her class filed in with their fingers on their lips. All of the proud mama's started waving quietly and snapping pictures. Anna-Kate saw me, broke from line and came running, while sobbing, directly to me as her teacher said, "Anna-Kate, come back!". I asked her if she was OK or if something had happened and all she said was, "I just dont' want to sing!" (and by "said" I mean wailed it not quietly). It got to the point where I said, "you are disobeying Mommy, Jesus and your teacher and that is sin. You need to obey even when it isn't fun and even when you don't want to. You can obey the easy way, or the hard way, but you will obey and go stand with your class." Her teacher grabbed her hand and walked her up on stage where she stood, not singing, or even moving her mouth except in a sucking her whole hand kinda way, the entire time.
Filing in, pre-drama (oh, and they are "indians" in case you couldn't tell, she told me she was "Pocohontas Princess", figures. She's the 4th child from the right):
Post talk with Mama, obeying "letter of the law" if you will:
Not even throwing me a bone and mouthing a word or moving her hands as the rest of her friends did:
Clearly, she recovered:
Post "singing" eye-redness during the "feast" (of pretzels, grapes, marshmellows, apples and raisins. You know, typical fair for the Pilgrims and Indians...what are we teaching our children?)
Ironcially (I guess?)her teacher told me that yesterday at practice she had been worried how the show would go because only Anna-Kate and her best friend Emma were singing and doing the hand motions (as a side note, halfway through the songs, Emma ran from the backrow crying to her Mom. It made me feel better. I'm not gonna lie). Today? They were the only two of all of the kids (4 classes today) not singing or doing motions. Stage fright much?
So, who won this battle of wills? Not sure. All I said was she had to stand with her class. And she did.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
To my 10's of readers:
My apologies for being absent. I know it's been hard. :)
I'll give you a peek at life since my last post.
I spent the weekend at Lake Martin (down near Auburn, AL) with 3 of my mommy friends. SO fun. I left the camera at home so Chris could document the cuteness that is my kids in my absense. He did not. Therefore, there are no pics of either my cute kids or of me with my friends(except one we took upon my insistence before leaving. Heather, I want it when you get a second!). We did a whole lotta nothing, it was super! We went shopping at World Market, Target and Hobby Lobby then grabbed dinner at a Hibachi place. Yum. The eating trend continued all weekend, you know how happy this makes my heart. We stayed up way too late chatting, then I slept until 9. When it got to be 6:30 we decided it was time to put on makeup and drive back in to town for dinner. Dinner at Olive Garden. I have a funny feeling my friends were totally indulging me, but it was good. Unnamed boy likes sub-par Italian, what can I say? We got home on Sunday around 5. When I was tucking Anna-Kate in that night I asked her what her favorite part of the day was (as I do every night). Her response, "when you came home to see me and gave me a big hug." Incidently, Monday, Tuesday and tonight her answer has been the same. I told her she had to pick something from today, she said that was still her favorite since she missed me.
Monday obviously involved getting back into life, grocery shopping etc. I try and have at least 1 pj morning a week, Monday was it and it was fabulous! :) I tried to get a lot of work done that I had acquired (is that the right word??) from the craft fair last Friday, but as I left my stuff set up at my friends' house, I had very little, material wise, to work with. So frustrating. That evening I had my neighborhood Bible study, which I love. The topic was hot, it was in regards to children. The book is called "The Lies Women Believe (and the Truth that Sets Them Free)" and the biggest "lie" of the night was something along the lines of, "it is up to us to determine the size of our family." I don't have an answer to that to be completely honest. I don't quite understand how one can truly believe in the Sovereignty of God and be on the pill etc, but, I'm also not interested in having 25 kids. Clearly, I'm a work in progress.
A side note, I have been experiencing severe pain in my butt and tailbone the past few weeks with this pregnancy. It's to the point that sometimes I can't sit down and if I have to (even in my car which is uber-comfy) I'll have tears in my eyes. Anyway, a girl at my Bible study offered to check me out and give me her advice (this is what she does professionaly, it wasn't weird, ha!). We were both free Tuesday during naps so she was going to come to me, what an answer to prayer! When I got home to put it on the calendar (yes, I put things that will happen in a few hours on my calendar...) I realized I had forgotten about Anna-Kate's allergy appt. So I had to cancel. I can't tell you how bummed I was.
Tuesday I took Anna-Kate to school, went to the post office, picked up my stuff from the craft fair and took Ryan to the pediatrician. He told me twice on Monday that his left ear hurt and Chris twice over the weekend. Either it cleared up on it's own (totally a possibility) or he said his left ear hurt 4 times. Regardless, he has no infection. We picked AK up from school, and took lunch to eat at our friends' house so I could put Ryan down and take her to the allergist. As excited as I was to get the appointment, it was terrible timing. I'm slammed with work and really needed naptime to get stuff done (and to get healing for my tailbone!). The doctor was very nice, though Anna-Kate seems to not like men. She flipped when he walked in and looked at her ears and listened to her heart. She reacted fine to the nurse and only cried about 30 seconds with the skin tests. Results are that she has a small allergy to dust mites (my extreme allergy) and this 15 week cough is a sinus infection that has gotten worse over time as it hasn't been treated. She is on a heavy duty antibiotics for 20 days. The pharmacist warned it could be a long road as this almost always causes diarhea. Yippee. I think I'm going to look into some probiotics I can add to her food/drink. She and I shared an icecream at McDonalds (where, oh where, have I failed her? She chose McDonalds over Chick-fil-A icecream??? WHAT?) Anyway, I rushed back from there to get Ryan then hurried home to cook dinner for company. It was a lot of fun, as always. Put there just is never a dull moment around here people!
Today, I was slated to host playgroup, but noone showed. To be completely honest, I was a bit relieved. Chris has asked me to step back from a commitment or two just to give myself some breathing room. I struggle with that as I was definately raised that if you commit to do something, you follow through. Period, the end. So, I'll let you know how that goes. Anyway, my coffee maker broke so we had an impromptu trip to Target. I picked up Anna-Kate, rushed to get her prescription, got the kids down late, Ryan napped horribly, and I spent from 1:50 until dinner cooking. We had 2 other families over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner. It was FANTASTIC! All of the food was so delicious. I"m still full, 3 hours later. Anyway, I spent my day making a pumpking pie, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, getting the house ready and table set (thankfully, I got the apple cake made yesterday!). A lot of fun, but I'm pooped. My camera had no batteries, but Katie got some pictures I'll try and post later this week.
Tomorrow is Anna-Kate's Thanksgiving party at school, followed by choir tomorrow night. Friday I'm taking the kids to Macon to see my parents and grandparents (my grandmother is in rehab for surgery down there and my grandfather is staying with my parents while she's down there). Should be fun, but quite the busy week. I'll be glad to see Saturday.
Are you still glad you wished for a new post from me? :)
I'll give you a peek at life since my last post.
I spent the weekend at Lake Martin (down near Auburn, AL) with 3 of my mommy friends. SO fun. I left the camera at home so Chris could document the cuteness that is my kids in my absense. He did not. Therefore, there are no pics of either my cute kids or of me with my friends(except one we took upon my insistence before leaving. Heather, I want it when you get a second!). We did a whole lotta nothing, it was super! We went shopping at World Market, Target and Hobby Lobby then grabbed dinner at a Hibachi place. Yum. The eating trend continued all weekend, you know how happy this makes my heart. We stayed up way too late chatting, then I slept until 9. When it got to be 6:30 we decided it was time to put on makeup and drive back in to town for dinner. Dinner at Olive Garden. I have a funny feeling my friends were totally indulging me, but it was good. Unnamed boy likes sub-par Italian, what can I say? We got home on Sunday around 5. When I was tucking Anna-Kate in that night I asked her what her favorite part of the day was (as I do every night). Her response, "when you came home to see me and gave me a big hug." Incidently, Monday, Tuesday and tonight her answer has been the same. I told her she had to pick something from today, she said that was still her favorite since she missed me.
Monday obviously involved getting back into life, grocery shopping etc. I try and have at least 1 pj morning a week, Monday was it and it was fabulous! :) I tried to get a lot of work done that I had acquired (is that the right word??) from the craft fair last Friday, but as I left my stuff set up at my friends' house, I had very little, material wise, to work with. So frustrating. That evening I had my neighborhood Bible study, which I love. The topic was hot, it was in regards to children. The book is called "The Lies Women Believe (and the Truth that Sets Them Free)" and the biggest "lie" of the night was something along the lines of, "it is up to us to determine the size of our family." I don't have an answer to that to be completely honest. I don't quite understand how one can truly believe in the Sovereignty of God and be on the pill etc, but, I'm also not interested in having 25 kids. Clearly, I'm a work in progress.
A side note, I have been experiencing severe pain in my butt and tailbone the past few weeks with this pregnancy. It's to the point that sometimes I can't sit down and if I have to (even in my car which is uber-comfy) I'll have tears in my eyes. Anyway, a girl at my Bible study offered to check me out and give me her advice (this is what she does professionaly, it wasn't weird, ha!). We were both free Tuesday during naps so she was going to come to me, what an answer to prayer! When I got home to put it on the calendar (yes, I put things that will happen in a few hours on my calendar...) I realized I had forgotten about Anna-Kate's allergy appt. So I had to cancel. I can't tell you how bummed I was.
Tuesday I took Anna-Kate to school, went to the post office, picked up my stuff from the craft fair and took Ryan to the pediatrician. He told me twice on Monday that his left ear hurt and Chris twice over the weekend. Either it cleared up on it's own (totally a possibility) or he said his left ear hurt 4 times. Regardless, he has no infection. We picked AK up from school, and took lunch to eat at our friends' house so I could put Ryan down and take her to the allergist. As excited as I was to get the appointment, it was terrible timing. I'm slammed with work and really needed naptime to get stuff done (and to get healing for my tailbone!). The doctor was very nice, though Anna-Kate seems to not like men. She flipped when he walked in and looked at her ears and listened to her heart. She reacted fine to the nurse and only cried about 30 seconds with the skin tests. Results are that she has a small allergy to dust mites (my extreme allergy) and this 15 week cough is a sinus infection that has gotten worse over time as it hasn't been treated. She is on a heavy duty antibiotics for 20 days. The pharmacist warned it could be a long road as this almost always causes diarhea. Yippee. I think I'm going to look into some probiotics I can add to her food/drink. She and I shared an icecream at McDonalds (where, oh where, have I failed her? She chose McDonalds over Chick-fil-A icecream??? WHAT?) Anyway, I rushed back from there to get Ryan then hurried home to cook dinner for company. It was a lot of fun, as always. Put there just is never a dull moment around here people!
Today, I was slated to host playgroup, but noone showed. To be completely honest, I was a bit relieved. Chris has asked me to step back from a commitment or two just to give myself some breathing room. I struggle with that as I was definately raised that if you commit to do something, you follow through. Period, the end. So, I'll let you know how that goes. Anyway, my coffee maker broke so we had an impromptu trip to Target. I picked up Anna-Kate, rushed to get her prescription, got the kids down late, Ryan napped horribly, and I spent from 1:50 until dinner cooking. We had 2 other families over for a pre-Thanksgiving dinner. It was FANTASTIC! All of the food was so delicious. I"m still full, 3 hours later. Anyway, I spent my day making a pumpking pie, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes, getting the house ready and table set (thankfully, I got the apple cake made yesterday!). A lot of fun, but I'm pooped. My camera had no batteries, but Katie got some pictures I'll try and post later this week.
Tomorrow is Anna-Kate's Thanksgiving party at school, followed by choir tomorrow night. Friday I'm taking the kids to Macon to see my parents and grandparents (my grandmother is in rehab for surgery down there and my grandfather is staying with my parents while she's down there). Should be fun, but quite the busy week. I'll be glad to see Saturday.
Are you still glad you wished for a new post from me? :)
Friday, November 13, 2009
Update to wow.
We were driving home from a little holiday sale (a bunch of women with at-home business' sold our stuff at a friends' house today--great idea!) and we passed a church with a cross outside.
AK: "O look, the cross Jesus died on Mommy!"
Me: "That's right honey, do you remember why Jesus had to die?"
AK: "Because I sin."
Me: "That's right, and because Mommy and Daddy and Ryan and everyone else sinned, Jesus lived here and never ever one time sinned and then He died to take all of the sins away. That's why it makes Him so sad when we sin, right?"
AK: "That's right Mommy, and now that He lives in my heart, I don't want to make Him sad anymore!"
AK: "O look, the cross Jesus died on Mommy!"
Me: "That's right honey, do you remember why Jesus had to die?"
AK: "Because I sin."
Me: "That's right, and because Mommy and Daddy and Ryan and everyone else sinned, Jesus lived here and never ever one time sinned and then He died to take all of the sins away. That's why it makes Him so sad when we sin, right?"
AK: "That's right Mommy, and now that He lives in my heart, I don't want to make Him sad anymore!"
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Wow.
So we were sitting at the dinner table last night and Anna-Kate said, (completely out of the blue with zero prompting or even being near this subject-wise) "Mommy, last night I asked Jesus to live in my heart."
"What did you say??" I said, "tell me exactly". She said, "well, I was sitting in my bed and I thanked Jesus for you and for me and then I told Him I would like for Him to live in my heart." I teared up a bit and gave her a big hug and told her I was so proud of her and excited and asked if she wanted to call Nana and tell her what Jesus had done to her heart. She said, "no, I think we should just play now, or, can we just get our stuff and you and me go to heaven now?".
I'll let you know how future conversations along this line go. Despite the fact that she is very observant and has asked a ton of questions about Jesus and heaven etc, I was so surprised when she said that yesterday. It makes my heart so happy to know that she will be in heaven rejoicing one day. At the very least, she is gaining sensitivity to the things of the Lord and, I pray, will continue to have a heart always becoming more closely aligned to Christ's. What a great reminder for myself as well!
"What did you say??" I said, "tell me exactly". She said, "well, I was sitting in my bed and I thanked Jesus for you and for me and then I told Him I would like for Him to live in my heart." I teared up a bit and gave her a big hug and told her I was so proud of her and excited and asked if she wanted to call Nana and tell her what Jesus had done to her heart. She said, "no, I think we should just play now, or, can we just get our stuff and you and me go to heaven now?".
I'll let you know how future conversations along this line go. Despite the fact that she is very observant and has asked a ton of questions about Jesus and heaven etc, I was so surprised when she said that yesterday. It makes my heart so happy to know that she will be in heaven rejoicing one day. At the very least, she is gaining sensitivity to the things of the Lord and, I pray, will continue to have a heart always becoming more closely aligned to Christ's. What a great reminder for myself as well!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Halfway!
Well, a little more, but I had my 20 week doctor's appointment today along with my big ultrasound. Little (still unnamed) boy looks perfectly strong and healthy, weighing in at a whopping 13 oz (so thaaaaat explains the 8 lbs I've gained...). All of his measurements were right on, and, he's a thumb sucker. The entire 5ish minutes she spent on facial measurments he was either sucking his thumb (with lips moving) or trying to get the thumb back in. OH NO!!! (But oh.so.cute).
I'd post pictures, but honestly, the last ones were clearer. We had confirmation on boy though, which is always comforting to my type-A self. :)
I'll say, he is a lot more active in the womb than my previous babies have been. Dun, dun, duuuuun! It was SO weird to see him kicking in the ultrasound and feel it. The kid can pack a punch (or, a kick, I guess)! Geesh. I have a feeling I will be quite uncomfortable and kept awake many a night before he makes his big debut!
In other news, I had made plans for a couple of friends to keep Ryan (who were getting together already) but he has been so clingy (not in an obnoxious way, it is really quite sweet), so I brought him with me instead. He did great! Despite the inevitable delays that I always experience, he was sweet and relatively calm. :) He did throw the ball with Chris and chase after it for close to 40 minutes, but the rest of the two and a half hours we were there, he was great! (Of course they were late today, I was just relieved that the fire alarm went off yesterday, not today. Perhaps my luck is turning?). All this to say, Ryan is definately all boy in that he runs and prefers to play with balls and be on the move, but he is so quick to jump in my lap and snuggle up for a few minutes. I LOVE cuddling with my boy!!
I'd post pictures, but honestly, the last ones were clearer. We had confirmation on boy though, which is always comforting to my type-A self. :)
I'll say, he is a lot more active in the womb than my previous babies have been. Dun, dun, duuuuun! It was SO weird to see him kicking in the ultrasound and feel it. The kid can pack a punch (or, a kick, I guess)! Geesh. I have a feeling I will be quite uncomfortable and kept awake many a night before he makes his big debut!
In other news, I had made plans for a couple of friends to keep Ryan (who were getting together already) but he has been so clingy (not in an obnoxious way, it is really quite sweet), so I brought him with me instead. He did great! Despite the inevitable delays that I always experience, he was sweet and relatively calm. :) He did throw the ball with Chris and chase after it for close to 40 minutes, but the rest of the two and a half hours we were there, he was great! (Of course they were late today, I was just relieved that the fire alarm went off yesterday, not today. Perhaps my luck is turning?). All this to say, Ryan is definately all boy in that he runs and prefers to play with balls and be on the move, but he is so quick to jump in my lap and snuggle up for a few minutes. I LOVE cuddling with my boy!!
Monday, November 9, 2009
So I don't forget.
Anna-Kate's constant phrases (which sometimes, admittedly, drive me nuts).
"Are you gonna take me a bath?" (instead of "give").
"What you said?" (instead of "what did you say?")
"What you talkin' 'bout?" (that's not weird, just nosy and constant). :)
***
Ryan's new things:
He makes this noise that I'm not sure will translate to being written down, it's "tuckatuckatuckatucka". He says it really fast and when he gets excited he does it while running around, generally clutching his football.
His vocabulary is finally really taking off. I mean, I've been able to understand him for quite a while (bad mommy for not posting!), but it's finally to the point where daily there is a new word. Here are some of my favorites, and most often said words.
"suuuuz" (shoes)
"sew" (show)
"boo ball" (his favorite blue bouncy ball)
"fooball!" (football, a constantly yelled thing around here as it is his absolute favorite toy!)
"tu-dow!" (touchdown! it goes without saying that both arms are up by his head and he's yelling this!)
"ba-ball" (basketball) Are you noticing a trend in his word selection?
"Melmo" (his other love, Elmo)
"Mimey" (and his absolute favorite, which evokes shouts and clapping and big smiles, Mickey, as in, the Mouse.)
"Are you gonna take me a bath?" (instead of "give").
"What you said?" (instead of "what did you say?")
"What you talkin' 'bout?" (that's not weird, just nosy and constant). :)
***
Ryan's new things:
He makes this noise that I'm not sure will translate to being written down, it's "tuckatuckatuckatucka". He says it really fast and when he gets excited he does it while running around, generally clutching his football.
His vocabulary is finally really taking off. I mean, I've been able to understand him for quite a while (bad mommy for not posting!), but it's finally to the point where daily there is a new word. Here are some of my favorites, and most often said words.
"suuuuz" (shoes)
"sew" (show)
"boo ball" (his favorite blue bouncy ball)
"fooball!" (football, a constantly yelled thing around here as it is his absolute favorite toy!)
"tu-dow!" (touchdown! it goes without saying that both arms are up by his head and he's yelling this!)
"ba-ball" (basketball) Are you noticing a trend in his word selection?
"Melmo" (his other love, Elmo)
"Mimey" (and his absolute favorite, which evokes shouts and clapping and big smiles, Mickey, as in, the Mouse.)
Friday, November 6, 2009
Tis the season
So I do believe that Christmas shouldn't officially begin the day after Halloween, I mean Thanksgiving is a wonderful day to stop and praise and thank our Lord for the multitude of blessings with which we've been provided. That said, I LOVE Christmastime, and evidently have a mini-me (duh!) who does too! In my world, Christmas officially begins at 12:01 am the morning after Thanksgiving. Chris absolutely refuses any evidence of Christmas before then, but be assured, we listen to the Christmas channel on the radio the whole way home from wherever we celebrated Thanksgiving that year (yet another thing to be thankful for!).
Christmas choir began Thursday night. Ahhh, how I love singing Christmas music and the music director at our church is so stinkin' talented that he makes us sound amazing (not bragging on myself here, he is just really that good! You should come hear the performance, it'll knock your socks of musically!). Anyway, I drove home singing happily along to my choir cd last night thankful (see, early even, for Thanksgiving) for the opportunity to "legitimately" sing Christmas carols before Thanksgiving! Ha!
Anyway, one of the songs on the cd is a portion of Handel's "Messiah". I was almost in tears from the beauty of it and Anna-Kate pipes in from the backseat, "Mommy, this sure is some silly sounding baby Jesus music." Wow, I failed her musically.
UPDATED TO ADD: This morning (Sunday) before we even got out of the driveway to drive to church Anna-Kate said, "can we please listen to some more Chrismas music?". Ahhh. :) As we were listening to Casting Crowns "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" and I heard singing in the back. I turned around to see Anna-Kate singing the words "peace on earth" and Ryan doing his best to sing the same. I could cry it was so precious. Peace on Earth, indeed!
***
In other, unrelated news, Anna-Kate saw presents out and wrapped for her cousins for Christmas and their birthdays (in November). She asked if she could go to cousin "Goliath, wait, what his name, O, Lias"(Elias') birthday party. I said that it was in Texas and that was too far away. I added that since we had just been to Texas we had used all of our flying to Texas money already. Later she asked Chris, "daddy, Mommy's Texas money is all gone, can you please give her some more so we can go back to Texas?". We explained that mommy and daddy share all of our money and all of the Texas money was gone. Her response, "O, well daddy you better go back to work and get some more money so then you can give mommy Texas money." He said, "well Anna-Kate, wouldn't you rather daddy stay home and play with you instead of go back to work?" She said, "no, you should go to work, I like Texas." HA.
Christmas choir began Thursday night. Ahhh, how I love singing Christmas music and the music director at our church is so stinkin' talented that he makes us sound amazing (not bragging on myself here, he is just really that good! You should come hear the performance, it'll knock your socks of musically!). Anyway, I drove home singing happily along to my choir cd last night thankful (see, early even, for Thanksgiving) for the opportunity to "legitimately" sing Christmas carols before Thanksgiving! Ha!
Anyway, one of the songs on the cd is a portion of Handel's "Messiah". I was almost in tears from the beauty of it and Anna-Kate pipes in from the backseat, "Mommy, this sure is some silly sounding baby Jesus music." Wow, I failed her musically.
UPDATED TO ADD: This morning (Sunday) before we even got out of the driveway to drive to church Anna-Kate said, "can we please listen to some more Chrismas music?". Ahhh. :) As we were listening to Casting Crowns "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" and I heard singing in the back. I turned around to see Anna-Kate singing the words "peace on earth" and Ryan doing his best to sing the same. I could cry it was so precious. Peace on Earth, indeed!
***
In other, unrelated news, Anna-Kate saw presents out and wrapped for her cousins for Christmas and their birthdays (in November). She asked if she could go to cousin "Goliath, wait, what his name, O, Lias"(Elias') birthday party. I said that it was in Texas and that was too far away. I added that since we had just been to Texas we had used all of our flying to Texas money already. Later she asked Chris, "daddy, Mommy's Texas money is all gone, can you please give her some more so we can go back to Texas?". We explained that mommy and daddy share all of our money and all of the Texas money was gone. Her response, "O, well daddy you better go back to work and get some more money so then you can give mommy Texas money." He said, "well Anna-Kate, wouldn't you rather daddy stay home and play with you instead of go back to work?" She said, "no, you should go to work, I like Texas." HA.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
In case you were wondering...
This is how I've been spending my time since Anna-Kate won them Saturday at the fall festival. Eating candy. Sunday was mostly milky way, 100 grand and twix. Then, there's this...
Ya, that's right, a box of nerds the size of my head. My tounge has sore spots on it from eating them and my belly hurts, yet I haven't been able to put them down. (Hi, I'm Janelle, and I love nerds...). So today (after above said side effects coupled with throwing up on Monday from consuming too much candy over the weekend and making myself sick) I've decided to grow up and throw the remainder of my nerds away. Sniff.
Ya, that's right, a box of nerds the size of my head. My tounge has sore spots on it from eating them and my belly hurts, yet I haven't been able to put them down. (Hi, I'm Janelle, and I love nerds...). So today (after above said side effects coupled with throwing up on Monday from consuming too much candy over the weekend and making myself sick) I've decided to grow up and throw the remainder of my nerds away. Sniff.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
From the mouths of babes...
It's about time for another peek around our dinner table...
We were sitting at the dinner table the other night when Anna-Kate asked if Daddy would marry her when she grew up. Fabulous learning opportunity that no, you only get married one time to one person. Perfect. So she says, "Oh, then I can marry Ryan when I grow up". "No", I say, "we don't marry our brothers, you will marry someone not in our family". "Oh. Well I need to get workin' on findin' a man to marry me and be my husband!" As I try not to laugh, "O really? I think you have time honey". She responded with, "Mommy, do you think we could stop eating and pray about my husband?" So, mid-dinner, we prayed for her future husband and that God would keep her safe for him and him safe for her. After the prayer concluded she said, "I think there are plenty of Joseph's out there for me to find one; don't you think so Mommy?" (She would be needing a Joseph in her imagination as she's Mary, you know, mother of Jesus).
Always thinking of others she said, "well now we need to pray about finding a girl to be Ryan's husband." "Woooah" I said, "the girl he marries will be his wife!". (Ha!) "Oh, well we should pray for her too Mommy."
We were sitting at the dinner table the other night when Anna-Kate asked if Daddy would marry her when she grew up. Fabulous learning opportunity that no, you only get married one time to one person. Perfect. So she says, "Oh, then I can marry Ryan when I grow up". "No", I say, "we don't marry our brothers, you will marry someone not in our family". "Oh. Well I need to get workin' on findin' a man to marry me and be my husband!" As I try not to laugh, "O really? I think you have time honey". She responded with, "Mommy, do you think we could stop eating and pray about my husband?" So, mid-dinner, we prayed for her future husband and that God would keep her safe for him and him safe for her. After the prayer concluded she said, "I think there are plenty of Joseph's out there for me to find one; don't you think so Mommy?" (She would be needing a Joseph in her imagination as she's Mary, you know, mother of Jesus).
Always thinking of others she said, "well now we need to pray about finding a girl to be Ryan's husband." "Woooah" I said, "the girl he marries will be his wife!". (Ha!) "Oh, well we should pray for her too Mommy."
Monday, November 2, 2009
Rant for today
...actually, yesterday, but we are still experiencing repercussions.
I hate daylight savings time. Growing up and in college I found it to be a nuisance, a minor irritation, but since having children (children on a very specific schedule, no less) have come to loathe and despise this waste of effort that occurs bi-annually in most of the United States. I realize that historically it began to save electricity/energy, the resurgance for it most recently during WW2, but began with Franklin back in our countries founding (did you know that?). While it's comforting that there actually was a reason and it wasn't just an arbitrary decision made by some random guy, the time has come for us to reverse this foolishness and be done with the "fall back" and "spring forward". Seriously, are you any more likely to go to bed when the sun goes down, thereby conserving your lightbulbs? No, we all watch our shows or read a book etc, until "time" for us to go to bed.
So, Saturday night we kept the kids up until about 8:45, hoping they would sleep a little later, to compensate for theirritating, useless time change. This, of course, didn't work. The kids woke up at "new" 6:30 and 7, respectively. Then they were just extremely tired at church (Ryan even fell asleep on someone shoulder's in the nursery! (He gave up his morning nap last early March!) Of course this resulted in a poor afternoon nap, fussy kids at bedtime because they were tired, and both woke up early again this morning. Sigh.
OK, enough whining. At least I got my Publix trip done for the week last night--and it was a doozy! I spent $54.74 and saved (drumroll please--this is a good one!) $109.37!
I hate daylight savings time. Growing up and in college I found it to be a nuisance, a minor irritation, but since having children (children on a very specific schedule, no less) have come to loathe and despise this waste of effort that occurs bi-annually in most of the United States. I realize that historically it began to save electricity/energy, the resurgance for it most recently during WW2, but began with Franklin back in our countries founding (did you know that?). While it's comforting that there actually was a reason and it wasn't just an arbitrary decision made by some random guy, the time has come for us to reverse this foolishness and be done with the "fall back" and "spring forward". Seriously, are you any more likely to go to bed when the sun goes down, thereby conserving your lightbulbs? No, we all watch our shows or read a book etc, until "time" for us to go to bed.
So, Saturday night we kept the kids up until about 8:45, hoping they would sleep a little later, to compensate for the
OK, enough whining. At least I got my Publix trip done for the week last night--and it was a doozy! I spent $54.74 and saved (drumroll please--this is a good one!) $109.37!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween, y'all!
Whew, BUSY day!
Chris ran his first 1/2 marathon today and I am SO PROUD of him! He had a great time, despite the cold and rain (what a rockstar to power through!). I forgot my camera (actually, to be clear, I thought I forgot my camera, but it was, in fact, in my purse the whole time). Anyway, we were there to watch him cross the finish line, umbrellas and all! So while Chris went home to clean up and warm his muscles I took the kids to their school for the churches fall festival. As it was raining everything was moved in doors. We got there at 10:59. It started at 11. Needless to say, we did all the games twice before anyone else got there (but hey, more candy for us! And clearly, that's what we all need more of!).
At the lollipop tree. Pick a lollipop and if it has a red dot you win additional candy (and it was movie size boxes of candy!)
Ryan "fishing". We won a lot of skittles here. (Notice what a multi-tasker already, eating a lollipop while fishing.)
After, we enjoyed hotdogs, popcorn and some candy. Then, we walked in the cake walk. First round, Anna-Kate won a cake (she's evidently inherited my good luck at winning games). Two rounds later, she won again. Unreal.
We headed home for naps, then woke and made a mad dash for Halloween party #1 of the night, it's the party we annually go to at the Cook's. I'm telling you what, my friend Ashley goes all out! We had a blast and even enjoyed Pumpkin Chili (sounds disgusting, I know, but it was delic!!). The kids had a great time playing!
Here are the kids, all dressed up. (To be fair, this was actually taken yesterday at another Halloween party we went to).
Anna-Kate with her friend Campbell
Family picture
The kids at party 1 (and yes, this is Ryan picking his nose. Unfortunately the trend continued throughout the night...):
We then dashed off to party #2 of the night where I took the 2nd batch of Ghost rice krispie treats (yet, both days I forgot to take a picture. Ugh).
Picture of kids at party 2.
We had a great time chatting with lots of neighbors, then left to begin our trick-or-treating (In the rain. And it was quite cold. Overall, a poor showing by the weather if you ask my opinion).
Here are the kids' at my sweet neighbor/friend, Beth's, house:
Anna-Kate, post (2) parties, a little dirty from all the junk:
How we "rolled"
Look Mama, it's CANDY!!!!
How Ryan ended the evening
and of course
We're clearly versatile, at the close of the evening, we all transformed into Ninjas
Anna-Kate got the BIGGEST kick out of passing candy out to trick-or-treaters (we kept the kids up late tonight since the time change happens tonight). She sat by the door looking out the window just waiting for people to come, then ran to get the bucket, then ran back very excited. :)
Classic quote of the night...Anna-Kate had taken off her Minnie dress and tights and only had on her shirt and panties. I suggested putting her dress back on or choosing another dress-up "so we don't show our panties". Her response? "but I like people to see my panties, they're pretty".
***
Here's a bonus, a picture of my kids and our family friends yesterday at the party. The kids were non-plussed with the idea of another picture, clearly. (this half smile from Anna-Kate came after I informed her "you want to smile in this picture Anna-Kate" as menacingly as I could sound.)
Chris ran his first 1/2 marathon today and I am SO PROUD of him! He had a great time, despite the cold and rain (what a rockstar to power through!). I forgot my camera (actually, to be clear, I thought I forgot my camera, but it was, in fact, in my purse the whole time). Anyway, we were there to watch him cross the finish line, umbrellas and all! So while Chris went home to clean up and warm his muscles I took the kids to their school for the churches fall festival. As it was raining everything was moved in doors. We got there at 10:59. It started at 11. Needless to say, we did all the games twice before anyone else got there (but hey, more candy for us! And clearly, that's what we all need more of!).
At the lollipop tree. Pick a lollipop and if it has a red dot you win additional candy (and it was movie size boxes of candy!)
Ryan "fishing". We won a lot of skittles here. (Notice what a multi-tasker already, eating a lollipop while fishing.)
After, we enjoyed hotdogs, popcorn and some candy. Then, we walked in the cake walk. First round, Anna-Kate won a cake (she's evidently inherited my good luck at winning games). Two rounds later, she won again. Unreal.
We headed home for naps, then woke and made a mad dash for Halloween party #1 of the night, it's the party we annually go to at the Cook's. I'm telling you what, my friend Ashley goes all out! We had a blast and even enjoyed Pumpkin Chili (sounds disgusting, I know, but it was delic!!). The kids had a great time playing!
Here are the kids, all dressed up. (To be fair, this was actually taken yesterday at another Halloween party we went to).
Anna-Kate with her friend Campbell
Family picture
The kids at party 1 (and yes, this is Ryan picking his nose. Unfortunately the trend continued throughout the night...):
We then dashed off to party #2 of the night where I took the 2nd batch of Ghost rice krispie treats (yet, both days I forgot to take a picture. Ugh).
Picture of kids at party 2.
We had a great time chatting with lots of neighbors, then left to begin our trick-or-treating (In the rain. And it was quite cold. Overall, a poor showing by the weather if you ask my opinion).
Here are the kids' at my sweet neighbor/friend, Beth's, house:
Anna-Kate, post (2) parties, a little dirty from all the junk:
How we "rolled"
Look Mama, it's CANDY!!!!
How Ryan ended the evening
and of course
We're clearly versatile, at the close of the evening, we all transformed into Ninjas
Anna-Kate got the BIGGEST kick out of passing candy out to trick-or-treaters (we kept the kids up late tonight since the time change happens tonight). She sat by the door looking out the window just waiting for people to come, then ran to get the bucket, then ran back very excited. :)
Classic quote of the night...Anna-Kate had taken off her Minnie dress and tights and only had on her shirt and panties. I suggested putting her dress back on or choosing another dress-up "so we don't show our panties". Her response? "but I like people to see my panties, they're pretty".
***
Here's a bonus, a picture of my kids and our family friends yesterday at the party. The kids were non-plussed with the idea of another picture, clearly. (this half smile from Anna-Kate came after I informed her "you want to smile in this picture Anna-Kate" as menacingly as I could sound.)
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