It's 3:45 am on Sunday night. I'm up again, timing contractions. This is the fourth or fifth time I've done this in the last few weeks. It's really wearisome. Wake up with a good, strong contraction and immediately my hopes soar. Is this it? Are we really going to do something this time? Wait for the next one. No, too far apart, too weak, too sporadic. But, wait, are you sure? That last one was pretty strong. Better break out the timing app on the phone. It's more objective. Half an hour later....
Let's see if I can make them go away. Haul my sore self out of bed, pause to let the muscles loosen up, begin laps around the living room and kitchen. Big glass of water, maybe a snack. Yeah, they're going away. Better get some sleep. Oh, great, they come back when I lay down. You know this isn't the real thing, just go to sleep. It's labor, Sarah! You're not going to sleep through it and it's not going to go away. Get some rest so you won't be a bear tomorrow. When, when is it going to be real?
Each time it's just enough different to get my hopes up and wreak havoc with my emotions. Maybe I spent the day running errands, doing a lot of walking, so I think surely this is it. Or this time the contractions start in my back, so surely that means something. Tonight it started with a splitting headache. I sometimes get raging headaches on just one side of my head that are usually related to hormones. So, naturally I assume something different is going on; surely this is it. And, yes, the contractions feel different--coming on more in waves than all at once.
Even though this is baby #3, I've never had the experience of going into labor on my own. The first two were induced. Be at the hospital at 5am, have a baby by supper. No need to really pay attention to what your body may be trying to tell you. No need to strike the right timing of waiting long enough to be sure this is really it, but not so long that you miss the golden window of opportunity for pain relief.
There's something else a little different this time, too. It's the first time I've begged God to let it be real with every contraction. But the longer I sit here, the more the numbers look very familiar and the more subtle the symptoms become. I can't completely give up hope that this is it, but the longer I stay awake and the higher I let myself get on possibility, the more disappointed and depressed I will be tomorrow.
One of these days, I really will have a baby. I won't be pregnant forever. In fact, there is good reason to believe I won't be pregnant for more than 10-12 more days. It's just ten days, right? I can do anything for ten days. Right? Get some sleep, Sarah. I promise to post if we go to the hospital; please don't lose sleep waiting.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Friday, May 27, 2011
A Magical Childhood
I found a new blog that I'm in love with called A Magical Childhood. This lady excels at my deepest weakness...fun. Every Monday she posts "10 Ways to Make Today Magical." Ten new ideas, every week. Ten. Every week, y'all. I don't have that kind of magic in my pinky nail. And they are ideas that I can actually see myself doing. Well, at least, when I'm not big pregnant. Granted some are beyond my comfort zone, but there are plenty to choose from!! It's so inspiring!
Since I feel prepared for baby to arrive, I've been trying to make life less horrible for my daughters. Pregnancy has not been easy on them. Lots of angry, tired, achy mommy does not promote a magical childhood. So I've been trying to say "yes" more often than "no" in the last week or so and really evaluate if I can do what they are asking or if I'm just saying no because I'd rather lie on the couch and eat ice cream.
Tuesday afternoon, I tried my hand at a little magic. I told them I had a few chores to do and if they helped, we might get done in time to do something fun together before supper. They cheerfully pitched in to fold the laundry and occupied themselves while I did some filing. So I told them to put on their swimsuits and head to the backyard. They were very surprised when I walked out in my swimsuit as well! My sister had suggested I sit in a patio chair and let them spray me with the hose and there really wasn't a good reason not to. We had a good time taking turns squirting each other, holding the hose on the slide, running in the sprinkler. Letting them soak me with the hose was about the only way I would play outside with them in this heat. And I was only out there about 45 minutes before coming in to finish dinner plans. That was just long enough for J to get home and wonder what he had missed out on. I'm glad someone else witnessed the event, because I wasn't going to break out the camera while wearing a maternity swimsuit. No amount of magic can salvage that mental image.
Since I feel prepared for baby to arrive, I've been trying to make life less horrible for my daughters. Pregnancy has not been easy on them. Lots of angry, tired, achy mommy does not promote a magical childhood. So I've been trying to say "yes" more often than "no" in the last week or so and really evaluate if I can do what they are asking or if I'm just saying no because I'd rather lie on the couch and eat ice cream.
Tuesday afternoon, I tried my hand at a little magic. I told them I had a few chores to do and if they helped, we might get done in time to do something fun together before supper. They cheerfully pitched in to fold the laundry and occupied themselves while I did some filing. So I told them to put on their swimsuits and head to the backyard. They were very surprised when I walked out in my swimsuit as well! My sister had suggested I sit in a patio chair and let them spray me with the hose and there really wasn't a good reason not to. We had a good time taking turns squirting each other, holding the hose on the slide, running in the sprinkler. Letting them soak me with the hose was about the only way I would play outside with them in this heat. And I was only out there about 45 minutes before coming in to finish dinner plans. That was just long enough for J to get home and wonder what he had missed out on. I'm glad someone else witnessed the event, because I wasn't going to break out the camera while wearing a maternity swimsuit. No amount of magic can salvage that mental image.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Enough About Me
I have been very neglectful of late to talk about my amazing husband. While I've been whining about the woes of pregnancy, he has been laboring on the birth of an exciting new brainchild of his start-up company, Collective Labs. They launched snoball.co at the beginning of this week to rave reviews at a technology conference in New York. Of course, he did not go with his partners to said conference because it was in New York and his very pregnant wife was not. He stayed behind to babysit servers and sit in the quiet office watching a live stream of the conference. If you know J at all, you know that he lights up at those conferences, rubbing elbows with other techies and comparing notes on the best way to do things. It is no small thing that he stayed home with me. Thank you, babe.
So what is snoball? I've been asked this several times and the best way I can explain it is to say that it is a social giving site. You can create "rules" for giving to your favorite charity and snoball will manage the giving for you. For example, I could create a rule that says, "Every time I eat at xyz restaurant, donate $1.00 to the local crisis pregnancy center." I can link to my facebook and twitter accounts, so my friends can see my rules and join the giving, too. Rules can be based on anything....personal spending habits, sports scores, places you go, etc. If you go to the site and watch the video, it explains it much better than I can.
To be honest, the whole thing totally overwhelms me. When I think about all the contingencies that go into creating the rules, it makes my head spin. But it's an incredible testament to the genius of my husband and the guys he is blessed to worked with.
Next month, they pitch another genius idea, blinksend.com, at yet another conference. This is a web-based document management tool that also overwhelms me because of its scope. But so many people who hear about it are so excited about it, that I know they're on to something.
Owning your own business is a scary endeavor, but it's an exciting kind of scary, like a roller coaster that makes you want to lose your lunch but that you can't resist getting in line for again. J is loving every minute of it and that smooths the ride for me. I love that he loves his job and can't wait to see what's around the next curve.
So what is snoball? I've been asked this several times and the best way I can explain it is to say that it is a social giving site. You can create "rules" for giving to your favorite charity and snoball will manage the giving for you. For example, I could create a rule that says, "Every time I eat at xyz restaurant, donate $1.00 to the local crisis pregnancy center." I can link to my facebook and twitter accounts, so my friends can see my rules and join the giving, too. Rules can be based on anything....personal spending habits, sports scores, places you go, etc. If you go to the site and watch the video, it explains it much better than I can.
To be honest, the whole thing totally overwhelms me. When I think about all the contingencies that go into creating the rules, it makes my head spin. But it's an incredible testament to the genius of my husband and the guys he is blessed to worked with.
Next month, they pitch another genius idea, blinksend.com, at yet another conference. This is a web-based document management tool that also overwhelms me because of its scope. But so many people who hear about it are so excited about it, that I know they're on to something.
Owning your own business is a scary endeavor, but it's an exciting kind of scary, like a roller coaster that makes you want to lose your lunch but that you can't resist getting in line for again. J is loving every minute of it and that smooths the ride for me. I love that he loves his job and can't wait to see what's around the next curve.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Ballet Recital
The big recital was last Saturday and it went really well. There was an element of "pageant mom" that seemed to creep into my head despite knowing that the performance was no big deal. I think the large group of mommies backstage sort of fed off each other and upped the level of nerves as we sprayed hairspray at our little stars.
The highlight was definitely watching A do her tap dance. She was having so much fun! She was looking back and forth at the little friends on either side of her and just smiling with a big, open grin. She loved it! When it was all over, she asked if we could do ballet again, but just another recital. I think the idea of a whole year's worth of lessons for that one moment is a little overwhelming for both of us.
I tried to film her rehearsal performance to share with you, but my camera and the stage lights did not get along at all. All I got was a line of little white bouncing blurs; very disappointing. Fortunately, a friend backstage with a better camera caught a little bit of diva...
and a lot of delight...
The highlight was definitely watching A do her tap dance. She was having so much fun! She was looking back and forth at the little friends on either side of her and just smiling with a big, open grin. She loved it! When it was all over, she asked if we could do ballet again, but just another recital. I think the idea of a whole year's worth of lessons for that one moment is a little overwhelming for both of us.
I tried to film her rehearsal performance to share with you, but my camera and the stage lights did not get along at all. All I got was a line of little white bouncing blurs; very disappointing. Fortunately, a friend backstage with a better camera caught a little bit of diva...
No Progress
The irony is not lost on me that this baby is making no progress in entering the world. Another doctor's appointment this morning. Everything looks good, nice and healthy, hang in there, yada, yada. More of the same, unfortunately. I'll be sure to post if anything changes.
Friday, May 20, 2011
New Seeds Album
If you still haven't checked out the Seeds Family Worship music, you really need to give it a go. It's my favorite kids' music by far and I love that it embeds scripture straight into my head. Of all the nefarious tunes my children hear throughout the day and repeat over and over and over again, at least some of it is scripture set to awesome music.
They have released a new cd called Seeds of Character and extended my coupon code for a few months so we could get 20% off the new cd or any of their previous cds. (I don't think the coupon code can be used on clearance items.) Don't forget that when you buy a cd, you will actually get two copies--one to keep and one to give away. Click over to their store and use coupon code SKELLEY.
No, I don't get any kickbacks or free stuff for plugging their music.
They have released a new cd called Seeds of Character and extended my coupon code for a few months so we could get 20% off the new cd or any of their previous cds. (I don't think the coupon code can be used on clearance items.) Don't forget that when you buy a cd, you will actually get two copies--one to keep and one to give away. Click over to their store and use coupon code SKELLEY.
No, I don't get any kickbacks or free stuff for plugging their music.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Have I Mentioned She's FOUR?!
I violated at least 96 of my own personal rules of motherhood a few days ago to bring you these photos...
There is more gel in her hair and make-up on her eyes than I use in a week! And let's just rewind that sentence because I'm referring to my FOUR-YEAR-OLD!! And the really disturbing part is that you can't see the make-up in the photos....that means I didn't use enough and will have to apply more for the real recital!
This was our own at-home dress rehearsal for the ballet recital. Boy, am I glad we did a walk-through. Took me an hour to get her runway ready. An hour. She's four. And for all the other ballet moms reading this, just know that I did bribe her with a new toy and let her sit in front of the tv the whole time I was doing it. Still....an hour.
She's been begging for a "strap" swimsuit this summer and I've been so conflicted about it. Break out the ballet costume with nude spaghetti straps, maribou trim and bunny ears. Yes, it has a little fluff tail in the middle of her tutu. How do we back peddle from there to a rash guard swimsuit?
The only saving grace was that she fought me tooth-and-nail on the make-up. She was so scared to get it in her eyes or in her mouth that I don't think she's going to be asking for it on a regular basis. We were told to emphasize that it is part of the costume so people can see her face from far away. Really?! That's what the zoom is for on your camera. She's four!!
I really want to be laid back and easy-going about this. I mean it's part of a stage performance, right? Special circumstances call for special costumes. I get it. But she's four! And she's one of the oldest ones in her class! Surely it would be okay if her hair weren't so tight that it gave her a headache and does anyone else really care if they can't see my daughter's eyes from their seat? Do the other little girls enjoy this more than mine? Is that the missing piece to this puzzle? Maybe if she were excited about it and looking forward to performing, I would be more at ease with what seems like a little much for a FOUR-YEAR-OLD!
Somewhere around the time I was telling her to make a kiss with her lips so I could put on more lipstick, I finalized the decision in my head that we're doing gymnastics next year. Stay tuned for recital details.
This was our own at-home dress rehearsal for the ballet recital. Boy, am I glad we did a walk-through. Took me an hour to get her runway ready. An hour. She's four. And for all the other ballet moms reading this, just know that I did bribe her with a new toy and let her sit in front of the tv the whole time I was doing it. Still....an hour.
She's been begging for a "strap" swimsuit this summer and I've been so conflicted about it. Break out the ballet costume with nude spaghetti straps, maribou trim and bunny ears. Yes, it has a little fluff tail in the middle of her tutu. How do we back peddle from there to a rash guard swimsuit?
The only saving grace was that she fought me tooth-and-nail on the make-up. She was so scared to get it in her eyes or in her mouth that I don't think she's going to be asking for it on a regular basis. We were told to emphasize that it is part of the costume so people can see her face from far away. Really?! That's what the zoom is for on your camera. She's four!!
I really want to be laid back and easy-going about this. I mean it's part of a stage performance, right? Special circumstances call for special costumes. I get it. But she's four! And she's one of the oldest ones in her class! Surely it would be okay if her hair weren't so tight that it gave her a headache and does anyone else really care if they can't see my daughter's eyes from their seat? Do the other little girls enjoy this more than mine? Is that the missing piece to this puzzle? Maybe if she were excited about it and looking forward to performing, I would be more at ease with what seems like a little much for a FOUR-YEAR-OLD!
Somewhere around the time I was telling her to make a kiss with her lips so I could put on more lipstick, I finalized the decision in my head that we're doing gymnastics next year. Stay tuned for recital details.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
37 Weeks
I've made it to 37 weeks! The doctor said this morning that everything looks great. She measured the amniotic fluid levels and I'm still around 14, which is well within normal. According to the ultrasound (which is not always accurate), he's weighing in at 6 lbs, 3oz already. That's how much A weighed when she was born! So, even with all the contraction craziness, looks like I need to just buck up and take it a day at a time for at least another week or so. Hanging in there!
Sur-prize, Sur-prize, Sur-prize!
I have been blessed by not one, not two, but three surprise baby showers in the last month! Our home group was the first to pull it off and we really didn't have a clue it was coming. They had a yummy buffet waiting for us and oodles of sweet gifts for our little guy. I was really impressed that they managed to surprise us, because apparently we're kind of hard to surprise...
The wives of J's business partners were the next to attempt a surprise. They disguised it as a "let's all get together for a pizza party after work before the guys' big product launch." See how that was a little bit of a personal conflict for my hubby--the whole party before the launch thing? He made a stink about how much work they had to do and how little time they had to do it and we didn't have time for parties now, wait until after. So they had to let him in on the surprise. When his tune changed so effortlessly, my suspicions went up. Then I really threw a wrench in the works on the day of the "pizza party" when C came down with a fever. I let the other wives know I wouldn't be making it and J would just have to bring me some leftovers, so sorry. Then they had to let me in on the surprise. Even more sorry! It turned out to be a really fun evening, though. The guys all went home with the kids and the ladies got to hang out and compare birth stories over pizza, presents and brownies. Good times!
While sitting at that shower, I mentioned that my suspicions were now up for any other large gathering of my friends before the baby arrives and oh, isn't it convenient that bunko is tomorrow night? Sure enough, this month's bunko theme was "Baby!" More fun with sweet ladies, good food, and loads of gifts.
My dining room table is now overflowing with gifts to put away and my heart is full of the good wishes and fun memories of so many friends who are eager to welcome our son. Thank you, Lord, for the community you have blessed me with!
The wives of J's business partners were the next to attempt a surprise. They disguised it as a "let's all get together for a pizza party after work before the guys' big product launch." See how that was a little bit of a personal conflict for my hubby--the whole party before the launch thing? He made a stink about how much work they had to do and how little time they had to do it and we didn't have time for parties now, wait until after. So they had to let him in on the surprise. When his tune changed so effortlessly, my suspicions went up. Then I really threw a wrench in the works on the day of the "pizza party" when C came down with a fever. I let the other wives know I wouldn't be making it and J would just have to bring me some leftovers, so sorry. Then they had to let me in on the surprise. Even more sorry! It turned out to be a really fun evening, though. The guys all went home with the kids and the ladies got to hang out and compare birth stories over pizza, presents and brownies. Good times!
While sitting at that shower, I mentioned that my suspicions were now up for any other large gathering of my friends before the baby arrives and oh, isn't it convenient that bunko is tomorrow night? Sure enough, this month's bunko theme was "Baby!" More fun with sweet ladies, good food, and loads of gifts.
My dining room table is now overflowing with gifts to put away and my heart is full of the good wishes and fun memories of so many friends who are eager to welcome our son. Thank you, Lord, for the community you have blessed me with!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
More Robots
After showing the girls the new crib bedding for baby brother, we sat down to make collage robots to help add to the room decor. This has been such fun for A. She's asked to make robots almost every day since and probably has a dozen for us to pick from when we get ready to frame them. Here's a sampling...
Most of the nursery decorating is on hold until C moves out of the crib to the bottom bunk in A's room. While this is an exciting prospect to her, it's not quite enough to persuade her to give up her room yet.
I recently put the changing pad back on the changing table in her room and moved some toys off the shelves in favor of canvas bins with diapers, wipes, etc. She was highly offended that baby brother's stuff was encroaching on hers. Fortunately, I had two bins left with nothing in them and offered them to her to put anything she wanted in. That soothed the insult and she filled them with baby dolls and stuffed animals.
I know she will be more willing to give up her crib once brother is actually here and the need is more tangible. She is so over-the-moon about babies that she'll probably give up her crib the first day he is home. No need to push the the issue now. I promise to post pics of the robot nursery make-over as soon as she lets me do it.
I recently put the changing pad back on the changing table in her room and moved some toys off the shelves in favor of canvas bins with diapers, wipes, etc. She was highly offended that baby brother's stuff was encroaching on hers. Fortunately, I had two bins left with nothing in them and offered them to her to put anything she wanted in. That soothed the insult and she filled them with baby dolls and stuffed animals.
I know she will be more willing to give up her crib once brother is actually here and the need is more tangible. She is so over-the-moon about babies that she'll probably give up her crib the first day he is home. No need to push the the issue now. I promise to post pics of the robot nursery make-over as soon as she lets me do it.
False Alarm
Well, that was most disappointing! Made it to the hospital around 7pm last night only to find that a day's worth of contractions had gotten me nowhere. I was so hoping we were having a baby last night. Instead, I was given a sleeping pill to help me sleep through the contractions. I had to take it before I left the hospital, so I'm pretty sure I was out of it by the time we got home. J probably has some good stories to tell because I don't remember anything past the milkshake we got on the way home as a very poor consolation prize.
I did something similar with C's pregnancy, but hadn't waited so long to go. With her, it was just a few hours of contractions. When I got there, they made me drink lots of water and the contractions faded. This time around, I knew better (I thought). There have been a couple of intermittent days of contractions, and then yesterday's annoying stretch. I'd been drinking water, changing my position, etc. and they kept coming, so I thought we were ready. Nope. And they gave me more of that magical hospital water last night...haven't had a contraction since. Not sure what they put in that cup with the water, but it stalls contractions faster than the stuff at home.
I'm trying to tell myself this morning that it's really for the best. Yes, I had to pull on the compression stockings again, but I'm still not at 37 weeks, so he could use a few more days-weeks to grow. We also have a ballet recital this weekend that will be much easier to navigate without a newborn. And J's company launches their new product on Monday. It really will be better to be patient. Maybe we'll decide on his name!
I did something similar with C's pregnancy, but hadn't waited so long to go. With her, it was just a few hours of contractions. When I got there, they made me drink lots of water and the contractions faded. This time around, I knew better (I thought). There have been a couple of intermittent days of contractions, and then yesterday's annoying stretch. I'd been drinking water, changing my position, etc. and they kept coming, so I thought we were ready. Nope. And they gave me more of that magical hospital water last night...haven't had a contraction since. Not sure what they put in that cup with the water, but it stalls contractions faster than the stuff at home.
I'm trying to tell myself this morning that it's really for the best. Yes, I had to pull on the compression stockings again, but I'm still not at 37 weeks, so he could use a few more days-weeks to grow. We also have a ballet recital this weekend that will be much easier to navigate without a newborn. And J's company launches their new product on Monday. It really will be better to be patient. Maybe we'll decide on his name!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Stand By...
We interrupt the regularly scheduled blog posts to bring you....contractions!! Looks like our little guy will be arriving sooner rather than later. J and I will be heading to the hospital later this evening. I just hope I haven't misread my body and get sent home to wait. Only time will tell.
I wrote up several posts over the weekend and scheduled them throughout this week. So if it seems a little strange to be seeing everyday posts while we're having a baby, that's why. Enjoy the filler until the much anticipated news is announced. No, we still don't know his name.
I wrote up several posts over the weekend and scheduled them throughout this week. So if it seems a little strange to be seeing everyday posts while we're having a baby, that's why. Enjoy the filler until the much anticipated news is announced. No, we still don't know his name.
Robots and Spaceships
I have a very sweet, uber-talented friend who asked if she could make some baby bedding for our little guy. I could not turn down that offer because we all know how crafty I am and that my idea of nesting involves furniture assembly and bookends. She asked me to pick out some fabric and J even got in on the selection. Isn't it cute?!
She made crib bumpers out of this fabric with contrasting blue stripes on the other side and sweet red ribbon ties. She also made some valances for the windows out of the blue stripe fabric. And a wonderful quilt...
She showed up at my house last week with two more matching lightweight blankets, a beautiful bouquet of flowers and these precious outfits for the girls...
My girls were so excited to have matching outfits. Those are pretty rare when one of you is wearing the other's hand-me-downs. C immediately took off dancing and spinning to make her skirt twirl, and A attempted to show off her ballet moves.
Needless to say, we have been overwhelmed by her talent and generosity. (To think, she has 10-month-old twins!!) Thank you so much, T, for helping us celebrate our little guy and make his arrival so special!
Needless to say, we have been overwhelmed by her talent and generosity. (To think, she has 10-month-old twins!!) Thank you so much, T, for helping us celebrate our little guy and make his arrival so special!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Here I Am!
Congrats! You found the new blog site. All the old posts are here, so no need to hang on to any old bookmarks. Be sure to update your RSS Feed, if you use that. You can scroll all the way to the bottom of this page and click the "subscribe" link. Or, you can subscribe by entering your email in the box on the right under the girls' pictures. Please let me know if you have any trouble switching over. Thanks for keeping up with us!
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Flower Baby!
From about 15 months old or so, both of my girls have loved to see themselves wrapped up in their towels after bath time. It's a fun way to get them out of the tub. C is on the last hooded towel that will wrap around her and it has petals for the hood...our little flower baby:
Friday, May 6, 2011
Into the Cave
I feel myself slowly sneaking into the cave that is mommy-of-newborn. The last few days of cool weather have brought a welcome pause to this procession as I've been more comfortable to leave the house or just play with the girls outside. The heat and humidity is definitely a force that propels me into the isolation of my home. It's hard to want to go out for much of anything when you just can't get comfortable.
And I'm feeling pretty comfy in my little cave. I've got things washed and ready for baby, I've got a good grip on school for the fall, I've got some meals in the freezer, I have help lined up. I feel like we're in as good a place as we can be for this new addition.
Because I'm feeling comfortable with the condition of my cave, I'm hoping I'll be able to relax and really relish the days ahead. I need to be sitting more than standing these days and that should be of great benefit to my girls. I can read with them more, play games with them, color with them, etc. Hopefully I can fill them up with some quality mommy time before I get snatched away by baby. And then I hope to be able to take those newborn days for what they are and let life happen for a month or two, knowing that I planned to concentrate on my kids during this time rather than feeling pressure to do other things.
Just typing that makes me squirm a little. I don't do "unstructured" very well and I thrive when my to-do list is long and looming. But I want to make this a special time, a relaxed time, an easy time for my family, not a nightmare. I want to enjoy the cave this time and all it has to offer. I know that will make the sunshine even more spectacular when we emerge as a family of five.
And I'm feeling pretty comfy in my little cave. I've got things washed and ready for baby, I've got a good grip on school for the fall, I've got some meals in the freezer, I have help lined up. I feel like we're in as good a place as we can be for this new addition.
Because I'm feeling comfortable with the condition of my cave, I'm hoping I'll be able to relax and really relish the days ahead. I need to be sitting more than standing these days and that should be of great benefit to my girls. I can read with them more, play games with them, color with them, etc. Hopefully I can fill them up with some quality mommy time before I get snatched away by baby. And then I hope to be able to take those newborn days for what they are and let life happen for a month or two, knowing that I planned to concentrate on my kids during this time rather than feeling pressure to do other things.
Just typing that makes me squirm a little. I don't do "unstructured" very well and I thrive when my to-do list is long and looming. But I want to make this a special time, a relaxed time, an easy time for my family, not a nightmare. I want to enjoy the cave this time and all it has to offer. I know that will make the sunshine even more spectacular when we emerge as a family of five.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Nesting
Some expectant mommies feather their nest by painting the nursery, sewing bedding, picking out clothes. Me? I buy shelves and organize!
Don't get me started on the saga that is the mismatched IKEA shelves. Apparently, holding out to buy the same piece from the same line at the same store doesn't do you any good if you wait too long. They no longer offer that color, size or door style. I was absolutely disgusted. You cannot begin to imagine how much the lack of symmetry bothers me if I open the door to that obsession. So I hid the new shelf in the corner as best I could and filled it up.
I'm planning to do school in the dining room next year, so now all of our school resources are in one place. I did such a good job of purging the shelves that I even ended up with room to grow. All of our art supplies are here, too, and I've got the table covered with a cheap clear, vinyl tablecloth so it is ready to go when they want to grab a bucket of supplies and some paper and create. It's fun that both girls are at an age where I can trust them with this now (at least at the table).
I covered some diaper boxes in fabric and filled them with board books on the lower shelves for little hands to grab easily. In theory, our littlest will understand the concept of "no" and "don't eat the books" by the time he can reach the third shelf. My two lower cabinets have locks on them that A can operate by herself and that's where I'm going to put her school workboxes. More on that later, but I'm super excited about this method of organizing our assignments.
What you don't see is the extra purging of toys and books I had to do in C's room so that I could move some of our grown-up books onto the high shelves in there. This has been a process, y'all. I still need to reclaim some wall space in the dining room for hanging art work, maps and posters. That will be a gradual migration of our current decor to the living room, I think. Then some major wall patching since we have some shelves anchored to the wall. That's probably why I haven't started with that yet. All in good time.
For now, I'm quite pleased with the results and trying to restrain myself from breaking into the school goodies too soon. We've already enjoyed the ease of doing art at the big table with supplies at arm's reach. And they can help clean up, too. Isn't it a cozy, particle-board nest?
I'm planning to do school in the dining room next year, so now all of our school resources are in one place. I did such a good job of purging the shelves that I even ended up with room to grow. All of our art supplies are here, too, and I've got the table covered with a cheap clear, vinyl tablecloth so it is ready to go when they want to grab a bucket of supplies and some paper and create. It's fun that both girls are at an age where I can trust them with this now (at least at the table).
I covered some diaper boxes in fabric and filled them with board books on the lower shelves for little hands to grab easily. In theory, our littlest will understand the concept of "no" and "don't eat the books" by the time he can reach the third shelf. My two lower cabinets have locks on them that A can operate by herself and that's where I'm going to put her school workboxes. More on that later, but I'm super excited about this method of organizing our assignments.
What you don't see is the extra purging of toys and books I had to do in C's room so that I could move some of our grown-up books onto the high shelves in there. This has been a process, y'all. I still need to reclaim some wall space in the dining room for hanging art work, maps and posters. That will be a gradual migration of our current decor to the living room, I think. Then some major wall patching since we have some shelves anchored to the wall. That's probably why I haven't started with that yet. All in good time.
For now, I'm quite pleased with the results and trying to restrain myself from breaking into the school goodies too soon. We've already enjoyed the ease of doing art at the big table with supplies at arm's reach. And they can help clean up, too. Isn't it a cozy, particle-board nest?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
When Did That Happen?!
Since I've been hiding from the heat, I've been relying on other people to play outside with the girls. My mommy's helpers have been invaluable and J has spent a lot of time with them, too. Imagine my surprise, then, when I went out this morning with them while the weather was tolerable and discovered that C can pedal her tricycle!! When did that happen?!
I had tried to show her a few times earlier this spring how to let her feet take turns pushing the pedals, but then my belly got too big to bend over and it got so crazy hot. I knew she would figure it out eventually. But I was still a little sad that I wasn't there when she did. Go, C! Such a big girl! Maybe if I hide inside all summer with the baby, she'll figure out how to potty train herself, too.
I had tried to show her a few times earlier this spring how to let her feet take turns pushing the pedals, but then my belly got too big to bend over and it got so crazy hot. I knew she would figure it out eventually. But I was still a little sad that I wasn't there when she did. Go, C! Such a big girl! Maybe if I hide inside all summer with the baby, she'll figure out how to potty train herself, too.
35 Weeks
We're in the final month of this pregnancy and I could not be more thrilled! Had another check-up this morning and everything looks healthy and normal. I've been feeling every little stretch and pop of my bones and muscles and complained about the pain to my doc, but she was not nearly as impressed by my symptoms as I was hoping she would be. Guess I'm more of a wimp than I thought and I need to just suck it up for a few more weeks. I told J this summation of my appointment and he wisely said that he wasn't going to be the one to tell me that.
We took the girls for a sibling tour of the hospital last night. I was really impressed by the way the hospital structured this introduction for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters. We got to see the rooms, the nursery, the waiting areas. More importantly, they got to push the buttons on the bed to make it go up and down, blow up latex gloves like balloons, and bring home sample bottles and diapers for their baby dolls. We are all getting really excited to meet our little brother.
We took the girls for a sibling tour of the hospital last night. I was really impressed by the way the hospital structured this introduction for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters. We got to see the rooms, the nursery, the waiting areas. More importantly, they got to push the buttons on the bed to make it go up and down, blow up latex gloves like balloons, and bring home sample bottles and diapers for their baby dolls. We are all getting really excited to meet our little brother.
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