The Challenge of a Lifetime

Pink Running Shoes

2012-02-01T05:22:00.001-05:00

I started running again this past August... Somehow in June, my youngest sister convinced me (and my other younger sister) to run a half marathon with her in November. I felt badly because at the time, The Youngest was approximately 4,852 weeks pregnant and really missing her pre-baby (marathon-running!) body. Boy oh boy, do I know that feeling! So I thought I'd help her out and commit to a race with her. For me it wasn't about how fast I could run the race, it was the training. I need something to get me exercising again!

I really wish I would've started training at the time I agreed to the race in June. My plan, at that time, was to start training immediately and to run in the evening, after everyone else went to bed. I'm always up late, really late, so running at 9pm wouldn't be a big deal. Except I didn't do it. At all... Like, not even once.

I needed a new plan. Mornings were not an option.
#1 I am not a morning person (see above- up really late at night.)
#2 The Hubs gets up before the Butt-Crack-of-Dawn. (Seriously.) So running before he goes to work is not an option, unless I wanted to run at 4am.

So I started running during/right after dinner. I'd make dinner, get ready to run, get the Hubs & kiddos eating, then take off. Not really my favorite, since I was missing Family Dinner Time. And it's dark out in the Fall in PA. But. It works.

Before running the Western Reserve Half Marathon

The finish line is in sight!

The half marathon ended up turning into a quarter marathon- we only did one lap, instead of two- and I barely made it through that. Seriously. Three weeks before the race, I got The Plague, so training came to a halt (and during the race, an inhaler that the doctor prescribed was needed to stop an asthma-like attack.) There were Female Problems (yeah... I won't elaborate.) The road was sloped, and my hips revolted and did NOT like it one bit. It was a struggle for me, but my sisters helped me through! They were awesome! (Hubs claims he's going to make me a "6.05" sticker to put on the back of my vehicle.) I cried (bawled) when it was over. Out of disappointment. Out of relief.

After that race I kinda stopped running for a bit. I was discouraged. Then The Youngest decided she needed another goal, to keep her running. A new race! An attainable distance! At the local park next to mom & dad's house! Flat terrain! Surprisingly, I agreed. Eagerly, almost. I was so excited for this race. Why? I don't know. Redemption, perhaps.

I started running again in mid-December and discovered that I love outside winter running. No sweat dripping everywhere. No dogs outside to chase you. I don't even listen to music anymore because I'm concentrating on my steps so I don't slip on the snow & ice. I KNOW! It sounds like insanity, but I love it.

So, at the end of January, The Youngest and I ran the Chilly Cheeks Five Mile Challenge. The Middle Sister didn't join us because of an awful snow storm the night before. Yeah... I said an awful snow storm the night before the race! The course had some ice, but nothing I hadn't dealt with before. There was only one hill, and if you know where I live, a hill is not a big deal... but the downhill part of the was on the sledding hill of the park. That means they didn't plow that portion of the race. We had orange painted lines in the snow to follow, and a path of others before us. It was fun! I felt great! Hallelujah! Redemption! We finished 2 seconds under our goal time. We had fun. There were no problems along the way. It was just what I needed!

Before running The Chilly Cheeks Five Mile Challenge

(The Youngest sent me my "girls kick butt" headband after our previous race. She said she was proud of me for pushing through and finishing what I had said I was going to do. She probably thought I was going to die, and was impressed when I didn't.)

Now I don't have a race to work towards, but I am still running. There are plenty of 5K races available in the spring, and I am going to be ready! I am excited to find another one that I can run with my sisters!

All that to say. I bought new running shoes when we started this whole process. They are pink. I am NOT a fan of the color pink. I tried not to buy them. I looked and looked for other shoes. But the gods of running have cursed me, and every super comfortable item of running clothing that I find, the only color available in my size is pink. Pink. Not cool.

daredevils

2011-10-07T01:00:00.001-04:00

Looks of pure adrenaline and joy. When we ski, they're going to be jumping off of cliffs with Daddy, aren't they??? Excuse me while I go get a prescription for Xanax.

Three year olds are good for my self-esteem

2011-10-06T16:56:00.000-04:00

I have kind of an open-door policy in the house during the day. I mean, I generally have company no matter where I'm going... Ya know what I'm sayin? So when B walked into my bedroom with me while I was putting on a clean pair of jeans, no biggie...

Miss B, observing: "Mama, you have kinda a bigger bum, don'tcha?"
Me: "Yeah... But I'm running and trying to lose it!"
Miss B, very upset: "Oh no! Don't lose it! Where will you find it??? I like your bum!"

She then got smothered in hugs and kisses b/c she loves her Mama, just the way I am... even when I don't like the bigger bum.

Cousins...

2011-09-21T00:28:00.001-04:00

To all you brave souls out there that photograph kids on a regular basis... My hat is off to you!

This is my failed attempt to get a picture for Grammy & Papa's picture frame.

Hmmm, let's see. A thumb-in-the-mouth toddler, a grimace-smile from the preschooler, and a very awkward newborn face.

Let's try that again, shall we?

This time, I got a slouching toddler, an eye-roll from the preschooler, and a newborn looking away.

One more time.

A non-smiling toddler, a giggly preschooler, and a newborn that is looking at me! Eh... one out of three ain't bad.

A Good Sign

2011-09-20T23:57:00.000-04:00

I mean, the papers aren't signed yet....

but THIS is a step in the right direction! :)

(The Hubs had business in Ohio today.)

Recipe for a Death Trap

2011-09-09T16:17:00.000-04:00

I hate fruit flies. They seem so slow, so sluggish, when buzzing around. Yet I never can seem to catch/smash them. Plus they're always all over my food or flowers. Disgusting.

And apparently I'm not the only one that was invaded by fruit flies this past week. My factors included over-ripe peaches and open windows/doors. Luckily I stumbled across this suggestion a while ago. (Sorry, I don't remember where, so I can't give credit where credit is due.)

Fruit Fly Death Trap
1 part red wine
1 part white vinegar
a squirt of dish soap (I use Dawn... which I'm not sure why I use Dawn- probably b/c my mother uses it.)

*Make enough to fill a wide mouth glass to the brim.
*Mix it up good, but try not to make too many bubbles. (You will make some bubbles- don't worry, they will pop over night.)
*Set the glass out on your counter top for 24-48hrs.
*Put away all other fruit fly temptations- fruit into the frig, trash closed up tight, no fresh flowers for the next day...
*Watch the little suckers drown.
**Also, you may want to let your significant other know about your Death Trap, so they don't pour it down the drain.**

Seriously, that's it. The wine/vinegar mixture attracts them.... well, like flies. And the soap makes the surface tension of the liquid next to nothing. They land to take a drink, slip in, and drown. (I love a little science in my home remedies! I also love home remedies, that use things that I actually have in my house all the time!)

Once they are all gone, you now have a glass of vinegary-smelling wine, with dead fruit flies on the bottom. But, I'd rather clean that up than deal with those little pests!

Neglect

2011-09-07T15:26:00.001-04:00

Webster's synonyms for neglect: disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget. Yeah.... you could say this blog has been neglected! I won't go into the reasons, but I've got some. Now that some of those reasons have resolved themselves (anyone have a way to resolve "busy-ness?") I plan on writing here again. Some topics I have brewing.

*My kids' birth stories. Amy did such an awesome job with her boys' c-section stories! And her c-section & VBAC experiences were so different than mine, I feel inspired write down my stories. (Before I forget them!)

*A quick potty training update. Because I didn't leave that one at a very good place.

*House hunting news. YES! Because *knock on wood* *fingers crossed* the old house is almost sold!

*Pictures. I have lots of new ones to share. These kids are growing like weeds. (If you count a 27.2 lb three year old and a 26 lb 21 month old "growing" -- which I totally do!)

*Running. Yes, I've been running... It's quite a challenge for me.

Until later!!!

Regression

2011-05-19T00:05:00.000-04:00

Potty Training, Day 3.

Since we started Miss B potty training on Monday morning, we've been here at home, watching a lot of movies. (I know, I know... I hate it.) And we've had her little potty in the living room, so she doesn't really "miss" anything, if she goes. (I'm using every advantage I can right now.) I think maybe tomorrow we'll move the potty to the bathroom and she'll have to go into the bathroom in order to go. You know, like a normal, socially acceptable person.

Then there's the fact that she's hasn't gone #2 since Sunday. (She usually goes #2, two or three times per day. Yes. Seriously.) So I imagine she was ready to explode. She went #2 in her little potty twice this morning, and then she had a #2 accident in her pants (too busy playing with trains to stop and go.) When she went in the potty, it was disgusting b/c I had to clean the potty out. (Worse.than.diapers.) And then I had to clean up the mess that was made in the training pants. Those suckers are over $2 a piece, so I'm not going to just throw them away!!! And we don't have a utility sink in the basement anymore, so I had to use my kitchen sink, which disgusted me so I Cloroxed the kitchen sink after I cleaned up the mess.

And then two more pee accidents after that. But at least the new Gerber training pants are doing what they are supposed to do and are absorbing the pee accidents. There literally were no "puddles" to deal with today.

This is such a hassle. She's petite... she'd fit into Pampers for at least two more years.... Right?

Shock and Awe

2011-05-16T23:20:00.000-04:00

Potty Training, Day 1.

I figured, a week of forecasted rain, we have non-essential plans one day this week (Tuesday, library story time.) I might as well jump in with two feet. Of course, I decided this at 8am this morning. (WHY do I always make these Big Change Decisions at the last minute!?!?!)

She did great! I'm shocked. I shouldn't be- she's always been pretty adaptable, and never gotten riled up about big changes. Moving, new brother, nothing has ever phased her much. (We'll see how moving out of the crib and losing the paci go....) But for now, why should potty training be any different!?!?

Today we had about 20 attempts (my fault and not needed,) 5 successful pees, 0 successful poops, and 0 accidents! I have to admit, the no #2's has me a little worried- that's not like her at all... She usually goes #2 several times per day, unless we are out and about, and then she'll usually wait until we get home, and then explode.

At first, I was setting a timer for every fifteen minutes, taking the undies off, sitting on the potty and trying. Then after she went twice this morning, both were in between the timed "try times" when she looked at me, took off the undies, sat down, waited, and then went. I decided that my timer and making her sit was not working or even necessary. To be fair, it was a very low-key day. We watched a lot of movies and her little potty was in the living room, so she didn't have to miss out on much when she did go.

But I'm so encouraged, and I'm thinking maybe* we'll try Library Story Time tomorrow. It's a risk....

*I already have an extra outfit packed.

Dun..Dun..Duuunnnnn.....

2011-05-03T17:10:00.000-04:00

I keep saying things like, "After this weekend." Or "After Easter." And now, "After our trip to Michigan." But in reality, I don't want to do it at all! I'm scared.

Potty Training.

It's staring at me with its horrible eyes. I don't wanna look back. I'm not ready.

Parenting books, magazines, websites will all rattle off the signs of when your child is ready to be potty trained. They always forget to mention is the fortitude, determination, and willingness needed by the parents. Oh yeah, and all those "signs from the child." Miss B has shown exactly none of those. As a matter of fact, she's been very resistant to potty training! And I'm kind of okay with that so far. But the time is coming. She's two and a half- she'll be three in July. My time is coming where I can't stall anymore and it's not going to be socially acceptable for my girl to poop in her pants. One of these days Mama is going to have to put on her big girl panties, and... well.... put on the big girl panties.

In the meantime, I won't take the portability of my children for granted!

April's a Goner

2011-04-30T17:14:00.000-04:00

Well, April is over and I blogged, what? Once? There are a few reasons, but the three main reasons are:

#1 Sometimes the weather is nice, meaning we're outside (and I'm away from the computer.)

#2 My sewing machine and I got to know each other intimately. Between B's Easter dress and some of the other things I was making, I spent a lot of time with that machine this past month.

#3 Brad's actuarial exam was last Friday. So he was in his major study/cram mode. For the past few months we saw him from 6pm-9pm (his bedtime) Monday through Saturday. (Saturdays he spent all days at Panera, studying) And even on Sunday afternoons he'd disappear for 3-4hrs to study. This "single parenting" thing? No.Fun.

And apparently, all this studying he's been doing.... it was all for not. Because he didn't take the test today. He never registered for it. *and he wonders why I have gray hairs*

I think we're confusing her....

2011-04-05T22:12:00.000-04:00

The other day, the Hubs and Miss B were playing their guitars while I finished getting dinner on the table....

Miss B: "Daddy! We're playing the guitar song of the ants!!!" (after hearing the opening chorus of Guitar Hero).
Hubs: "What? What's ants?"
Miss B: "This is ants! We heared it at Giant Eagle last morning!"
That’s where I had to step in and interpret. They were playing The Beatles… And I had pointed them out to her at GE the previous day.

After they played "Octopus's Garden" it was time for dinner. She sat there slurping her spaghetti noodles singing, "Under the Sea" then she changed it to, "Under the K" and then, "Under the S!" :)

And then we were having a conversation earlier today where we were talking about her "aquarium" (A Tupperware container where we put all of the "water animals"- a shark, a seahorse, a dolphin, an octopus, etc.)
Me: "What else lives in the ocean?"
Miss B: "Beatles live under the sea!!!"
Me: "I don't think beatles live under water..."
Miss B: "Yes, Mom! Beatles live in the Octopus's Garden under the sea!"

And then I tried to explain that the name of the band- guys that play the guitars and sing- is The Beatles, and that they aren't the actual bugs that live under water.

Sheesh. This is getting more complicated than I expected.

The Streak

2011-03-16T21:10:00.003-04:00

Thirty-three months. We've been parents for thirty-three months. I've had a streak going for thirty-three months, and today.... Well. Today it ended.

Miss B and SD always get their bath in the mornings. She's not a fan of the hairdryer and I hate to send her to bed with wet hair. Since we have that flexibility, this works for us.

Tonight at dinner, SD put chicken noodle soup in his hair AND placed his bowl of yogurt on his head as a hat. Miss B's face and arms were covered in Nutella and Cheetos. (Yeah, don't ask about the eclectic nature or nutritional value of dinner- the both had awesome, healthy lunches and The Hubs wasn't here tonight, so sometimes it just goes that way....) SO, while they were both finishing up their dinners, I ran the water and into the tub they went! I didn't really get a chance to prep, like I usually do- towels at the ready & clothes set out in Miss B's room (which is where we all go after a bath.) SO, I grabbed a basket of clean laundry, brought it into the bathroom, and was digging around finding onsies and pjs. Miss B said something, I walked over to the tub, and saw it.

TURD IN THE TUB!!!!

I acted with the efficiency and decisiveness of a Navy Seal. Turd scooped out and into the toilet (luckily it was SD- the always constipated one- so it was easily scooped!) both kids hauled out of the tub, washclothes thrown into the laundry, tub drained, quickly wiped down, new water run (they're faces/hair were not clean at all yet!) kids back in, new washclothes, toys scrubbed in the sink!

(AND he had the nerve to poop more, right there on the bathmat while waiting for the new water to run in the tub! Luckily I caught it with some toilet paper- skillz, I haz them!- wiped his bum, and back in the tub he went. I'm just glad he finished before he got plunked back into the tub!)

The rest of bathtime/bedtime went off without a hitch. They're both in bed (not necessarily snoozing yet, but I'm not worried about that...) and it's before 9pm. And The Hubs is not even home yet!

That's me- in times of emergency/dire circumstances, I am the calm, collected one. I can be counted on when kids are puking, fingers get smashed in doors... or if there's a turd in the tub.

Lent, a few days late.

2011-03-10T17:04:00.004-05:00

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. The ever present question of "What are you giving up?"

My response is usually something along the lines of, "Um, I grew up Methodist. We don't really do that. Isn't that a Catholic thing?"

But for me the underlying thought has always been, WHY? Why give up chocolate or coffee? There are obvious reasons- self-denial and discipline are two that instantly come to mind for me. Consequently both of those are things I really suck at and could definitely need more practice...

But I've always perceived Lent as a time to prepare yourself for the awesome experience of Easter. To grow closer to God. To me, I don't feel or see the rational of giving up chocolate and growing closer to God.

All that being said.... This year, I gave up Nutella. I do need more self-discipline, I believe Christ was very self-disciplined and I desire to be more like Christ. (And on a side note: that stuff is seriously sabotaging my diet.)
I've decided to cut down on my Twitter/FB time, especially while the kiddos are awake so I can be more "present." (@melissity made a good point when she quit Twitter for Lent, sharing @OurLittleAshley's post as her inspiration.)

But, the big things that I have committed to are DOING things during Lent.
#1 Exercising every day. My body is a temple if the Lord's. And I abuse it. Not horribly with drugs, alcohol, smoking. But I do- laziness and sugar being my main enemies.
#2 Every day I am reading my Bible & a Christian thought book (first up is Moments Together which came recommended from my mom, after that I have a few to choose from- we'll see how many I finish in 40 days.)

And today a friend shared this. And I couldn't agree more. Yes, I gave something up for Lent, but what am I giving? That is the real question for me.

Hitting My Stride

2011-03-10T01:12:00.000-05:00

I remember in the months just before SD was born, feeling like I was pretty good at this Mom-thing. Miss B and I were on fire- playgroups, library time, visiting relatives, making dinners, exploring new activities, DOING things. Then SD was born and I floundered for about four months. (One to two kids was a big adjustment for me!)

And I'm doing it again. I feel like I'm Hitting My Stride.

Then I realized something. It has nothing to do with ME.... It's the age. SD is 15.5 months. Miss B was 16 months & 2 days when SD was born.

Oh.........

Whatever the reason, I don't care. We're exploring new places- Lilliput, the Pgh Zoo. Next we're going to try the library here in PA and gymnastics this spring. This summer I plan on spending a lot of time at the playground, pool, visiting my parents and riding on their boat.

I'm hitting my stride (again!) and there's no newborn in the near future. :)

The Personality On This One.

2011-03-10T00:54:00.001-05:00

This guy... He has turned into quite a character. He is wicked good with using a spoon! He can follow simple instructions. He understands most everything I say. He remembers so many things! (Like at what page in a book Lightening McQueen screams.) He is a stinker, a dare-devil, a cuddler, a sweetie-pie (random kisses!) and such a good boy- and definitely all BOY! Loud, dirty, stinky feet, food in hair, and loves any kind of vehicle! He thinks he can do everything that his older, more agile, sister can do. And has the bruises to prove that he'll try no matter what. He talks a lot, incoherently, but it's coming- one of these days an entire sentence is just going to come pouring out of his mouth. And Oh my! that giggle. How did we ever live without him?

Problem Solver

2011-03-10T00:44:00.000-05:00

Me: "Are you sleepy at all?"
Her: "Not really at all."
Me: "Are you going to try to take a nap today?"
Her: "Probably not."
Me: "Well, I'm kinda stinky and need to take a shower."
Her: "Wellllll, actually, I can relax on your bed when you shower."
Me: "That'll work."

She's TWO AND A HALF and I'm having an adult conversation with her! (And yes, she uses the word, "actually" quite a bit, and in perfect context.... Sheesh.)

Remember when I was complaining about Twos and OMG!Shoot Me! if Threes are worse. Well dare I say, *whispers* Two and a Half has been enjoyable!

Mommy = Clean Up Slave

2011-02-28T23:51:00.000-05:00

Before bedtime, The Hubs was getting Miss B to clean up some of the mess that had accumulated in the toy room, and I overheard this conversation....

Hubs: "Time to clean up some of this mess!"

Miss B: "You will clean up this mess, Daddy???"

Hubs: "No, but we can clean it up together!"

Miss B: "No. I don't think so. Maybe Mommy will clean it up!" (Not in the form of a question at all- it was definitely a statement of fact.)

Just as I suspected...

PS- no worries, The Hubs didn't let her get away with it- they cleaned up the mess together so Mommy wouldn't have to do it. :)

Living in Steeler Nation

2011-02-14T22:21:00.008-05:00

(I've been waiting to post this F.O.R.E.V.E.R. I thought I'd be respectful and wait until the season was over, but alas here in Pittsburgh, this year football season lasted until FEBRUARY. Sheesh.)

One of the most difficult parts of moving from Lyndhurst to Cranberry was leaving our church family. We love our small group, and both The Hubs and I were heavily involved at Mayfield UMC in leadership rolls- Trustees, Administrative Board, Executive Committee, the Garden Ministry, Mentoring, and our awesome Bible Study. Replacing what we had is going to be very difficult.

But we're trying to find a new place of us to fit in. We've been trying out new churches since we've moved in August. Some we've gone to repeatedly, some we only went to once. But, everywhere we've gone, there's one thing I've noticed.

The Jerseys. Black and Gold.

They're everywhere. On everyone. Every Sunday.

I am NOT a church snob. I can have a foul mouth, I lose my temper, I can hold a grudge like nobody's business... I am NOT perfect. (Doesn't that list just make you want to be my friend?!?!) And I do not believe you must wear your Sunday Best to church. I love wearing my jeans to church and carrying in my coffee mug! However, the jerseys bug me. And it took me a while to figure out why...

To me, when you wear a sports jersey, it is a signal that the most important thing you are going to do that day is cheer on your team. And specifically, Steelers jerseys, the one thing you are anticipating that day is FOOTBALL! But when it's Sunday morning, when you're at church to worship, commune, and fellowship... the most important thing I'm doing that day is spending time with God and other believers. Not cheering on my football team. So... the jerseys rub me the wrong way.

This wasn't an issue for me in Cleveland. Maybe (probably?) it's because the Browns are such a bad team. Maybe it's just the culture. But you did not see jerseys in church. Or even sports related t-shirts. And I'm pretty sure it wasn't just our church- when we were searching for a church home when we moved to Lyndhurst, I don't remember seeing jerseys on anyone in the churches that we visited.

But down here, in Steeler Nation, I guess it's definitely something that I'm going to have to get used to seeing!

later Note: Gah! Hockey Jerseys!!! I guess it doesn't end!

Coming Out

2011-01-14T16:36:00.000-05:00

I like to stay in the background. Not draw attention to myself. Stay under the radar. I don't like to give my opinion on something unless it's something that I am VERY passionate about OR I am an expert. (Ironic for someone who has a blog and reads lots of blogs...) But it's time for me to go comment about ten different places today. After all, I'd like others to let me know that they are here!

Happy Delurking Day!

Out of The Mouth of My Babe...

2011-01-09T13:45:00.006-05:00

These were all this morning before even lunchtime:

"Mommy, I need a pointy tail in my hair."

"I'm getting the rectangles out of my hair." while using a comb. I guess the word "tangles" is short for "rectangles?" :)

"Just shooting the shit...." She was just repeating what her father had just said. It was SO hard not to laugh at that one. But we just ignored it and she let it go....

It suprised me too...

2010-12-22T23:15:00.009-05:00

I was watching AMC last night while wrapping Christmas presents... Road House came on- if you don't know this one (and I didn't!) it's Patrick Swayze, circa 1989. Since I'm female, therefore I'm a Swayze fan (I mean how can any woman NOT be a Swayze fan? The man is so incredibly graceful and looks like he's dancing even in sex scenes!) I watched.

I do not have many celebrity crushes. There are a few:
-Brad Pitt in "A River Runs Through It"
-Robert Redford in "The Sting"
-Val Kilmer in "Heat"
(Can you tell that I've got a thing for the guys that are just a little rough around the edges and like to get into trouble....) Well, you can add another one to that short list- Sam Elliot (he's Virgil in Tombstone) in Road House. The flowing salt and pepper hair, the scruff (no cowboy mustache in this movie!) that deep raspy voice, the tough guy attitude.... *swoon*

Thanks, Juno

2010-10-30T00:25:00.004-04:00

Thanks to Netflix convincing my husband that they are a good idea, we have a ton of movies just waiting for us.... And since we've gone to the movies, like, four times in the past two years, we have a lot of catching up to do.

Juno was tonight's selection, and it was a great movie! Smart, quirky, good music, not too heavy, it respected motherhood. HOWEVER, I don't know if like what it did to my husband. He got caught up in the "decorating the nursery" and the "baby's kicking!" talk. At the end he was "Aaaawwww, baby!" Meanwhile, I was thinking, "Ugh... Morning sickness! Third trimester! Labor! Newborn nursing schedule!" Yeah. I'm definitely not ready for another one yet.

Assignment: A Rainbow on the Farm

2010-10-24T22:32:00.022-04:00

I'm trying... TRYING to learn how to use my camera better. As a matter of fact, that's one of my goals for this coming winter. Read and learn how it actually works. Maybe take a class. Get the right equipment to help me.

We were at my parent's house this past week, it was a gorgeous day, and the kids were napping, so I decided to take my camera for a walk. I gave myself an assignment, aimed at improving my artistic view. Find a rainbow of pictures: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, and Purple. My dad was shelling corn with his combine, so I tried to draw from that as much as possible.

Red:
Crab apples. The only thing crab apples are good for is apple sauce... or throwing at one another.

Red peppers. We have canned a ton of pepper relish this past month. My husband is very much enjoying this part of farm life.

Orange:
Corn cobs. Seldom do you see this part of the corn.

A bumble bee on a mum.

Yellow:
Corn, still on the stalk.

Shelled corn on the dump truck, with the combine in the background.

Green:
The John Deere Combine. (That was an easy one to choose to photograph.)

Innards of the John Deere Combine.

A green tomato. A hard frost was predicted for that night, so who knows if this guy survived to the next day.

Blue:
The Ford tractor that helped get the job done.

The sky.

Purple.
Violets.

Seed pods.

And finally, Black.
The craft that my mom made with Miss B.

It went okay. There are a few of these that I really like. Some are ho-hum. But that's what it's about- seeing what you did and thinking of how to improve it next time.

Artistic Expression

2010-10-24T21:55:00.008-04:00

Miss B..... She's been wanting and wanting to take pictures. And there's no way in HELL I'm going to let her touch my good camera.

*Ahem* I mean.... Being the enriching mother that I am, I want her to encourage any interests in self-expression. Soooo, I dug out the point and click camera, put some new batteries in it, and let her go to town.

I haven't actually viewed any of the photos that she's taken, but I think her subject matter and composition are going to be..... um.... shall we say, very interesting? :)

Pictures in the bathroom, while sitting on multiple toilets. She is SUCH her father's child.

Spoiled Rotten?

2010-10-04T15:14:00.015-04:00

The Hubs... I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He is extravagant, too extravagant, with his gift giving...

Our ninth anniversary was last week. On Saturday night we went out to dinner, just the two of us. Bella Vista on Mount Washington, reservations were for 7pm, window table. We got to see the city while it was still light out, the fireworks after the Pitt game ended, and then the sun went down and the majority of our meal was spend looking out over the city at night. A gorgeous way to spend time together and start making Pittsburgh our own, our home.

After dinner, he gave me my gift. I knew the price range, but I didn't know the future cost of my gift. He gave me Rosetta Stones' learning Italian, lessons one through five. He's giving me a year to learn Italian so that next year, for our tenth anniversary, we can spend two weeks wandering around Italy. No tour guide, no plan, just the two of us.

The Pros:
It would be a wonderful trip!!! I love spending time with just him! It would be a fantastic adventure! I mean, come one, who wouldn't love to wander around Italy in the crisp fall weather with their spouse?!?!

I'm not planning on being pregnant or having a newborn at this time next year! The kids will be three and almost two. No one will be in school, (B isn't going to preschool until she is four) so they can go stay with someone, no problem!

The Cons:
This trip is going to cost a lot of cold hard ca$h. A lot. I know we will be able to afford the trip- it's not going to put us into debt, or anything. But, we are currently in the process of saving up for the down payment on The Dream House. The big one- five bedrooms, a master bath, walk in closets, a huge kitchen, first floor laundry, swing set out back, big yard.... You know, THAT house. Currently (while we save up) we are in a three bedroom, all one floor so it seems smaller than it really is, loud at all hours upstairs neighbors, no yard, condo. I do NOT like living in this condo and want to get out of here ASAP! I'm afraid that this trip would mean spending $8,000 (I'm guessing, here) that would've gone toward a house's down payment, and will cause us to stay here in the condo for an extra year.

The kids. Where do they go? At this time next year, none of our parents could watch them. It's his mom's busy time of the year at school so she couldn't take two weeks off of work. His dad is still in a contract job, so taking two full weeks off would be impossible. My mom is a teacher- I don't think she even has two full weeks of vacation days that she could even use. It's harvest season for my dad, who is retired and almost any other time of year it would be no problem. But at planting time and harvest time, he's gotta get stuff done when the weather allows it.

This is The Hubs' dream trip. He's the wine lover, he's the one that wants to go to Europe. I know, I know, it's his anniversary too! But don't mask this gift as giving me something that I want. MY dream trip is going someplace hot- as in, all I have to pack is a suitcase full of bathing suits, sundresses, and sandals. He knows this. Every time we've gone on a ski vacation, I mention something about, "When am I going to get my cruise?"

Then today, I find out from my brother that The Hubs has been planning this for a long time. Great. How do I not offend him if I suggest we wait on this? Because I'm not saying we don't do this trip at all!!!!! I'm just saying we wait a few more years! In five years we'll have The Dream House. In five years, my mom will be retired and can watch kids. In the next five years I (hopefully) will have gotten my cruise.

Maybe I'm just spoiled rotten, and I'm unappreciative.

Thoughts??? Comments, please!!!

Done

2010-08-29T01:33:00.007-04:00

It's over... Thank goodness. These past two months have been ridiculous... Like, I've-lost-9lbs-because-of-all-the-stress-and-busyness-ridiculous.

I've survived:
3 weeks of my husband living in a different city. He started his job at the end of July and we couldn't move into the condo until the middle of August. I don't like going two nights in a row without him around. This was torturous for me. Luckily, my parents stepped up with helping with the kids. Majorly stepped up. Like, I may owe one of them a kidney.

Moving. Packing, sorting through stuff, donating, throwing out, putting stuff on craigslist. With two mobile little kids. (Yes, 7month old SD started crawling exactly one day after we made the decision for Brad to accept the Pittsburgh position.)

840,937,638 home-improvement projects. Okay, so maybe it was more like 37 projects. Big ones like painting the garage. Small ones like nailing that piece of trim into place that we had just never got around to doing. Ones that got added to the list per my dad's suggestion while he was at the house helping. (Grrr!) Ones that I didn't mind doing- like getting the carpets cleaned (two phone calls was all the effort it took from me.) Ones that I hated- cleaning the kitchen (that took waaaay longer than we expected!)

Five straight weeks of my parents. I love them. We get along great. And this move never would've happened without them. But they are typical grandparents and can't keep themselves from spoiling my kids. Throws the kids' schedules off, their diets off, their normalcy off.

My sister's wedding in Maryland. Yes, this is in the "survived" category. First, traveling four+ hours with a 25month old and a 9month old. Heaven help me. Second, all four of us sharing a hotel room. Normally Miss B can't have SD looking at her when she's trying to fall asleep. Somehow this worked. It think the fact that she skipped naps three out of the four days we were there and therefore just passed out at night might have had something to do with it. Third, have YOU ever been IN a wedding and had your two year old be in it also? It's stressful, nerve-wracking, and busy. Yet all the fretting was for not. Miss B was perfect. As the Hubs said, if I would've imagined the best case scenerio of how she would do, she did that and then exceeded it. She stayed still, was quiet, and adorable!

Everyone getting head colds. SD and the Hubs came down with it on the Monday after the wedding. (Damn you, whoever was germy and touching my baby!) Miss B and I got it on Wednesday. There's still some random sneezes and snotty noses, but we're pretty much all over it.

Unpacking. Well, this isn't officially done yet. There are still no pictures/decorations on the wall, and a stack of boxes in the living room containing such items. BUT, the condo is definitely livable and almost baby-proofed.

Therefore, I'm done. We're having fun, and I'm not worrying about the laundry piling up and the boxes all around us. We'll take care of those things this winter when the snow has us trapped inside. In the meantime, I'm refusing to let summer be over. These past few days we've gone swimming, playing at the park, gone to the zoo, grilled out every night, eaten corn on the cob and watermelon, and this weekend we're going to water ski on my parents' boat and we're picking up the motorcycle so the Hubs and I can do some riding. I'm making up for some lost time, and loving it!

Freaking Out

2010-08-03T23:30:00.007-04:00

Oh no... Hit the panic button! We move in 10 days and very little is actually packed. We've been too busy with Projects To Get The House Ready to sell, that packing has gone by the wayside. Until today... and when I started the actual packing process this afternoon, I realized what a HUGE, GARGANTUAN, OHMYGODTHISISGOINGTOKILLME project this is.

And to top it all off....

Tonight The Hubs- you know, the guy who isn't here during the week, will be here for approximately 48hrs this weekend (and he's planning on doing 9,374 projects in that time,) and then won't be here again until approximately 13 hours before we are actually loading up the truck to move!- calls and says, "Hey, the company picnic is on Sunday afternoon. I had forgotten about it until they were handing out tickets today. We said 'Yes, we'll go!' a month ago on the day I accepted the job. I know we thought we'd already be moved down here. I know it would be a challenge, but I'd still like to go. I hate to back out of anything this soon into the new job."

Okay, I understand the not wanting to back out thing... But A Challenge?!?! You want to leave the house around 3pm (exactly in the middle of nap time) to go to a baseball game in Washington, PA, that starts at 6:30pm and ends at God Knows When:Thirty, and want me drive back to Cleveland BY MYSELF with the kids at midnight. AND this will be the first time our (probably) GRUMPY children (you know, because we're leaving in the middle of nap time!) and your (definitely) grumpy wife meet all your brand-spank'n new co-workers, boss, owner of the company....

And that's not even counting that we would have to miss our last Bible Study class. *sob* And that we just told his parents, "Yes! Come out this weekend and help us because we have a butt-load of things that need to get done!" *ugh* And the fact that WE'RE MOVING IN TEN DAYS!

Laser beams came out of my eyes and burned a hole in his skull and melted his brain into a puddle of lumpy mush on the other end of the phone line. Or at least that's what I was trying to do.

In reality, I think there was a long silence (laser beams, people!) and then I said something along the lines of, "I don't know if that would be the best idea." To which he responded, "Well, let's sleep on it, and we'll talk tomorrow." I think I'll go with the "We really risk the kids being super grumpy, and I don't want them to be like that the first time we meet all your new coworkers" angle, rather than the "If we go, I will lose my ever-loving mind" angle. What'cha think???

This past week...

2010-07-11T17:29:00.000-04:00

B: "Whatcha doin?"
Mommy: "Making a cake."
B: "Roll it, pat it, mark it with a B!"

B: "Bye-bye Mommy! Come on guys" (Dragging her rocking horse behind her.)
Mommy: "Where you going?"
B: "Church! Okay? Okay?"
Good for you, girly, good for you!

"Ear-tips!" - what she calls Q-tips. Makes sense, since we use them to clean out her ears!

At her birthday party this weekend, commanding the kids, "Sing Happy Birthday! Sing Happy Birthday to ME!"

EVERY TIME she sees my sister's ankle tattoo (a single star) she starts singing "Tinkle, Tinkle, little star...."

Since the first line and the last line in "Baa Baa Black Sheep" are the same, she sings it in a never ending loop.

Teeth!

2010-06-05T01:13:00.004-04:00

That's right! We've got some more!
FINALLY!!!!

The two bottom incisors are all the way in (as seen here,) the back right one-year molar is in, back left one-year molar is breaking through, and both top incisors are coming through- top right has already broken through, top left is riiiiight there. That makes a grand total of (almost) six teeth! And all before her second birthday!!!
*end sarcasm*

Of course, this guy is a big eater, and I'll be cutting up his food soon anyways.... *sigh* a mother's work is never done.

Figuring things out

2010-04-15T00:43:00.005-04:00

Disclaimer: Not me!!! I still have no idea what the heck I'm doing! ;) The past few days, B is really starting to put things together!

At lunch SD was eating sweet potatoes for the first time and really enjoying them. "umm" Umm" "UMM" B's response was "Mommy, brother piggy!" "making piggy noises!"

A red Shearer's (the potato chip) truck followed* us out of the grocery store parking lot, and B pointed out the "big tuck!" I responded with, "Yes, I see the big red truck!" To which B replied, "Papa, Gammy, big red tuck!" (Yes, my parents have a red pickup truck.)

A bird was kind enough to leave a deposit on B's window the other day. After waking up from her nap, she pointed it out for me. "Mommy, dirty!" Me, "Yep, you're window is dirty." B, "Wash window" (making circular motions with her hands.) "Need water."

I asked her the other day if she was sad (she was sitting there looking forelorn at the door where Daddy had just left.) B replied. "Sad, me cry...." And gave me a fake boo hoo. (And then she smiled when I started laughing at her drama.)

"Shud up" and put her hand over SD's mouth when he was making a lot of noise while we were reading books the other night. I have no idea where she learned this. I know the Hubs and I don't use it!

*Yes, she still sits backwards in the carseat- she's a pipsqueak and still fits, it's safer, and we had a bad experience of her sitting facing forwards and carsickness.

Neglect....

2010-03-31T14:28:00.002-04:00

Dear Blog,

Oh, how I abuse you. One of these days, things will slow down, I will feel more confident in my writing, and you will get more use...

In the mean time I'm going to use you, and maybe win an awesome camera bag! :)
Have you seen all the beautiful new products & contest for pro photographers on http://www.DesignAglow.com?

Love you, Kisses
~me

It's all about the timing

2010-02-06T22:31:00.003-05:00

My kids are 16 months apart. Believe me, I know- that is close! I read other blogs, with people that have kids farther apart, 2-3-4 years, and they are having problems with the older children- jealousy, tantrums, etc. In the last 2.5 months, we haven't had any of that. It's almost like B's too little to realize that she even could be acting out because of SD.

Of course, he's not mobile and trying to steal her toys yet.....

B-isms

2010-01-05T15:30:00.014-05:00

Things I will miss when B outgrows them...

"Ello" when she sees any phone!

"Hi Maac" (and waves) whenever she sees Max (the cat.)

"zeeba" (Zebra)

"Bubbles! Pop, pop, pop!" and points to the circles on her pjs.

"Are uuu?" to her toys, to me, to her blankie- whenever she's looking for it.

"Rawr" for Lion, "Baa" for Sheep, "Umm Umm" (snorting) for a Pig,

"Tumming" (Coming) during that half millisecond in between every. single. song on a cd. Super cute, but also can get old after the 20th song. :)

The super excited, old man with no teeth O-face. She does it when she's excited, surprised, or showing you something. Hilarious!

"I got it." Clear as day! This comes from me asking, "You got it?" constantly... :)

"C 'em" (I see him!) when I ask where Daddy or SD are. Or if you ask if she hears something, she also answers with "C 'em!" Too cute! :)

And EVERY person with white hair (the guy on the Quaker Oatmeal box) is "Seeta!" (Santa!) (Can we keep her worried about Santa and behaving well all year 'round?)

Introducing.....

2009-11-23T23:19:00.003-05:00

Our little angel-boy. Seriously, he has not been a lick of trouble. From his birth until now, a week later. The only time he cries is when he is VERY hungry, and I can usually catch him before it gets to that point. He whines a little bit when you get him naked, but I'm sure that'll change... if he's anything like his father. He sleeps all the time, except for 1-1.5hrs in the evening. And he is a good eater! I am counting my blessings with this guy!

Sidenote: whether it's the bf-ing, or the fact that my stomach is not squished anymore, but suddenly am hungry ALL THE TIME. This does not bode well for a holiday season that is just starting...

Homemade Caramel Apple Dip

2009-11-09T00:40:00.007-05:00

My new obsession: Homemade "Caramel" Apple Dip.
Disclaimer: It doesn't taste exactly like caramel, but it is yummy, none-the-less.

8 oz cream cheese (B doesn't seem to like this stuff, so I make it with fat-free.)
1 c brown sugar
2 t vanilla extract

Mix together until creamy.
Allow to come to room temperature, so that the sugar will fully dissolve.
Cut up an apple and dip repeatedly.
Store in the refrigerator.

I just thought I'd share, it's just that good! :)

36 weeks

2009-11-06T22:04:00.006-05:00

We had a Bito doctor appt on Thursday morning! Some Highlights from the appointment!

He's head down (I could've told her that- he's been that way for ~3wks now- his kick placement changed from my bladder to my ribs!)
His heartbeat in the 130's (he's always slower in the mornings unless I drink oj- which maybe that means he'll be a slow-waker-upper like B and I!) :)
The super exciting news: we're already dilated 1-2 cm!!! Like my cousin said (she's a labor and delivery nurse) "The more work you do now, the less you'll have to do later." To which I reply, "AMEN, Sister!"
And in other news: I had a little protien and white blood cells in my urine sample this morning, so I had to have a urinalysis done to look for preeclampsia. But, no swelling in the hands/feet, and my blood pressure is 120/78 which is in the "good" and "normal" range, but is still a little high for me (I'm usually 110/60 to 65) I'm not worried at all- the same thing happened around 37 weeks with B (although my feet were swelling last June/July!) and it turned out to be nothing.
I'm officially not supposed to travel anywhere that will take over an hour to get the hospital. So, no cross country trip for me this next month!

I guess it's time to start packing a hospital bag, or at least make a list of what to pack in the hospital bag! Also on the To Do List: preregister at the hospital. I know my ob has those forms at her office, I just have to remember to ask for them next week!

The bassinet has been washed/assembled, a few loads of baby boy laundry have been done. I know he needs to "bake" for at least a week longer to be officially full term, but anytime after that I am READY!!! Can you tell I haven't been sleeping well this past week?!?! It's not going to take too much longer before it gets to, "I'd rather have a newborn than be pregnant any longer!" :)

Failure

2009-11-03T23:39:00.000-05:00

"Failure to Thrive." Wow, that label (given to Miss B by the medical community for only weighing 19lbs 1 oz,) makes me feel like a Failure as a Mom. As a SAHM, there are many things in my job description, but the #1 thing is to take care of my kids.

*sigh* The real problem is that B is in the 75th percentile for her height, but has dropped off the bottom of the chart for weight. If she were short and light, then they'd just call her a petite girl, but she's tall and light, giving her a BMI of 13.5, and that is the crux of the matter.

Three- make that Four- things could be contributors.
#1 Still no teeth. She does well gumming everything, but it limits her in what she can eat. When things are hard or too chewy, she gets frustrated and just stops eating (I've really noticed this in the past week.)
#2 She's been walking.... no, running since she was 10 months old. She's already got her Toddler Body, which the charts don't take into consideration.
#3 The girl never stops. Unless she's sleeping she's in motion- even when El-bo (Elmo) is on tv.
#4 She's never been a great eater. When nursing she had a five minute time limit, and she was done. Not that I minded that much back then- it kept me from feeling excluded, even when I needed to seclude us for breastfeeding- we were never gone that long.
I forgot! #5- Her uncle (on the Hubby's side) was a skinny freakazoid when he was younger, so that gives her "family history" of being skinny-minis.

We have some recommendations for increasing her caloric intake (adding powdered milk to everything, french toast instead of regular toast for breakfast, adding butter to all her veggies, etc.) Thank goodness for an aunt who is a dietician!

I'm trying hard not to blame myself. I've always taken the "what you eat, is what you eat" approach. (As has been recommended to me by the lactation consultant, the pediatrician, and others from the beginning.) I can't force food down her throat, and I can't be happy/upset when she eats a lot/a little. And I don't want her to only like deep fried, sugary, fatty foods. I want her to like fresh veggies and fruits. But, for a while you can bet that everything that she DOES eat, is going to have some additive in order to increase the caloric intake!

TGIF

2009-10-28T23:00:00.002-04:00

The Hubby is in a field where in order to move ahead, you must be accredited, approved, and have a designation from the IRS. In order to get the full accreditation, there are nine-ish tests (it keeps changing,) four papers, and other continuing education requirements. You don't have to take any tests and still have an entry level job. Or you can go about half way, get a partial accreditation and still have a pretty good job. But.... if you want to be the boss, if you want the responsibilities, and if you want to make the big bucks, you need to go all the way. It usually takes someone 10-15 years to complete everything. Exams are offered once every six months (some exams are offered only once a year) in the spring and in the fall.

My Hubby is driven. He's a hard worker. He wants to be The Big Boss. He already has much of the responsibility. And he wants to make the big bucks. I admire him. When I finished 4.5yrs of college, I was done with school and with studying! He usually puts in 250-400 hours of studying for each exam. (That's in addition to working 50 hours a week, year round.) He's been taking tests since November of 2000.

Basically since we've been together, I've done everything that is house/home related. Mow the lawn? Yep- that's me! Clean the deck? Right here! Cooking/cleaning/shopping/all laundry related things? Oh yes! Home improvements? Yeah, I'm pretty handy. Even packing to go away for a weekend. I do his stuff too.

All that, because I wanted to say... There is an end in sight!!! Test #8 is tomorrow. If he passes this exam (which is not a given, no matter how well you know the material.) There is one more Exam- which will be offered in May, 2010, and two more papers, which he can complete anytime.

Poor guy is getting worn down. I can see it in his eyes on Saturdays, when he has to leave to go to Panera and study instead of staying home and playing with B or mowing the lawn. I can tell when he collapses into bed before 9pm, because he got up at 4am that day to study for three hours before actually going to work. For all of our sake, I hope he takes a breather (even if it's only a month long) before he starts hitting the books for the next test. So THIS Friday will be TGIF, if there ever was one!!!

A House Full!

2009-10-25T22:39:00.009-04:00

Inspired by Melissa at MoodyPeach.net! (Thanks!)
http://moodypeach.net/2009/10/25/by-definition/

I always pictured myself as the mother of all boys. Maybe it's because I'm not your typical girly-girl. (I can't remember the last time I wore a skirt or dress- and it has nothing to do with being pregnant.) Maybe it's because I only babysat boys when I was in high school (luck of the draw?) Maybe it's because I grew up on a farm, and your gender didn't matter- you were expected to work just the same.

But honestly, girls always scared me to death. The ear-piercing squeals (Ack!) the teenage attitudes (Oy!) the delicate balance of empowering them without making them into a b#*%h (Ugh!) However, now that we have a girl, I'm just rolling with the punches. She'll be fine- she's a rough and tumble girl already, but oh the drama sometimes.

ANYWAYS, now that we have a boy coming, numerous times these past weeks people (acquaintances, church members, the server at Panera,) have asked, "One of each! Are you done after this?"

Um, NO frick'n-frack'n way!!! (If for medical reasons, we are done, that's fine, but it's not The Plan.) My actual response has been a surprised look and a pleasant "Nope!" I know the American dream is a boy, a girl, a dog, and a house with a white picket fence. (Seriously, we have a cat instead of the dog, but otherwise...) And I guess two is the social norm. But my desire for a house-full of kids has NOTHING to do with their gender!!! I came from a big family, and I want a big family of my own! (Even if it is all girls!) To us, the determining factor on how many kids we have, is how well we can provide for their quality of life and for the opportunities that we desire for them! If our ___ (actual # still TBD) kids are happy and healthy, that's what matters!

I mean, how could I NOT want twenty more of these?

Oy, the questions that random people ask...

PS- I know, I know- carbon footprint, overpopulating the Earth, etc. Don't worry, I'm not going to give Michelle Duggar a run for her money! Besides, I'm a chemist- I'll find a way to help those things through science! :)

It's Just Me....

2009-09-23T23:24:00.012-04:00

I know, I shouldn't complain. I've had relatively easy pregnancies. But Dude, I am feeling huge!

I can't eat more than 2 bites of food without feeling uncomfortable and bloated. Heartburn is starting to creep in (spaghetti, why do you do me wrong?!?) Tums are my new best friends.

I am about to give up the fight, and just start waddling. I've already had to wear the over-the-belly pants for the past two months. Those ones that go below the belly get pushed down too far (b/c the belly is HUGE) and therefore my pants would fall down. Regular t-shirts are a joke. The ones that are big enough to fit over the belly have huge arm holes that I just don't find comfortable. It's all-maternity clothes, all the time.

My back hurts- I've been sleeping with a pillow between my knees...

Playing with B is a chore, anymore. Getting up and off the floor is something that I avoid at all costs! Once I'm there, we're going to play, damnit! :) And once I'm up, you're going to have to live with me sitting in a chair instead of on the ground.

These next eight weeks can't go by fast enough for me. I had kinda forgotten about The End of Pregnancy Awkwardness. We picked up Bito's bassinet today, so officially we have everything we'd need for him- clothes, diapers, and a place to sleep!

At least my feet aren't swollen yet. I think the cooler weather is helping stave that off, for at least a few more weeks! *knock on wood!*

{And end Self-Pity Party.}

That being said.... I love being a mom- even at 3am when B needs to be held and comforted! I love feeling Bito kick and wiggle! I love my life!

My Man

2009-07-31T21:18:00.000-04:00

Have I mentioned that I love this guy? Sure he's funny, smart, hard working, and good looking. But he's all that, and he does what's best for our kid(s.) (Can I make that plural yet? I mean Bito is very real to us, even if we can't see him yet.) :)

This evening, B and Hubby went outside to swing while I was cleaning up dishes (don't feel bad for me- it was my suggestion. It's impossible to load/unload the dishwasher with B around.) When I look out the window, I discover that he has taken her swing down and turned it around- so he would be the one looking into the sun and not her. What a good Dad! :)

(PS- I know it's a crappy picture, but I was trying to be stealthy, and I don't have a zoom lense for my camera yet.)

Kung Fu King

2009-07-19T22:38:00.001-04:00

In case I haven't mentioned it.... Okay, so I haven't mentioned it, but anyone who reads this probably already knows- we're going to have a baby boy in December. Currently we are 21.5wks along. And I'm worried.

For the past ~3weeks I've been feeling this guy move. And I mean he moves! It seems like he NEVER settles down. Bridget was active in utero, but this guy- HOLY COW! And it worries me because B was all wrapped up in her umbilical cord (around her arm, around her waist twice, and then around a leg....) which was the cause of her emergency c-section. If she did all that with her movement, I can't even imagine what this guy is doing. He's going to have is cord in knots- literally. I'm hoping to try for a VBAC, but if he's in knots and requires a c-section, I have NO problem telling the doc, "Go for it!"

Don't get me wrong- I LOVE feeling him and knowing that he's doing okay. But, settle down, Dude. You're making me worry over things that I never would have thought about, if it hadn't been for B's experience. :)

Year One

2009-07-14T22:04:00.000-04:00

A year ago today, was the best and scariest day of my life. Looking at my healthy, active, smart little girl, you'd never guess she had such a rough start. B had some breathing problems.... a lot of breathing problems. And by this time at night she was intubated and on 100% oxygen, sedated, and being fed through a tube in her nose. But... she was finally improving! After a week in the NICU, we went home with our healthy baby girl, and she's been going, going, going ever since! Her first year has been amazing. I never thought motherhood would be so challenging, or so rewarding. My heart gets filled every day with just that smile- the scrunch of the nose and the toothless grin. I never thought parenthood would bring Hubby and I closer together, but it definitely has.

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY, B!!! We love you so very much!!!

Edna Mae Lynch Fair

2009-06-29T23:50:00.001-04:00

My great grandmother died last Wednesday night. She was so frail and weak. The only sad part about her passing is that she was so excited about turning 100, and she was just 12 days short of her goal. Yesterday was calling hours, today was the funeral, so I’ve spent the last two days surrounded by family.

I thought I knew my great-grandmother well. After all, from the ages of three until I was eighteen and I went to college, she sat right behind us at church every single Sunday. Two different summers, when I was fifteen and sixteen, I mowed her lawn (and yacked with her afterwards.) But in the past few days I’ve learned so much more about her. How feisty she was. How frugal she was. How funny she was. What a strong woman she was. What she valued. How she lived. Although I wish it could have been under different circumstances, I’m glad to have gotten to spend so much time listening to stories and getting to know my great-grandmother even better.

You will be missed, Gma. But, I know you are so much more comfortable now. You are with your Savior. And you’ve waited 20 years to see your beloved husband again. That part makes me happy. Thank you for being such a wonderful example of how everyday, normal people are truly are the best people to be. And good people change the world in the most significant and most meaningful ways- one person, one day, one conversation at a time.

Forgiveness

2009-06-16T23:38:00.000-04:00

Forgiveness is a very tricky thing....

So, apparently I'm very gracious in that person to person "it's okay" moment... But in my heart, by myself, days later, is where the real work begins... Where the real forgiveness needs to take place. It's rough.

And how does one go on interacting with people when you've said that you've forgiven them, but you have a hard time respecting them? You've always struggled with respecting them, but now.... NOW, it's really hard.

(Sorry, I'm getting so dark here... But I haven't been able to share these feelings or even the situation with anyone, and I need to release somewhere before I say something I shouldn't.)

Learning to say "No"

2009-05-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

I did it... I told the members of Garden Ministry at church, "Thanks, but no thanks. I can not be chairperson." I knew it was coming. I knew they were going to ask me. I had already made up my mind. I just had to prep myself to be mean, which is not easy for me. I'm a people-pleaser. The gentleman who has always lead the group is getting older, he and his wife are both having health issues, and he thinks it's time to hand over the reins. Since I have headed up the last two big plant sales at church (Christmas & Easter,) I knew my name would come up. I just didn't realize mine would be the ONLY name to come up. We are still leader-less, but I will not give in. I'm too busy at home, and things are only going to get busier.

Of course, I didn't come away completely responsibility-free. With the huge Annual Tent Sale coming up this weekend, I'll be working all week- even though I'm not going to even be in town this weekend!

My Gift

2009-05-07T23:26:00.002-04:00

So my sister, Miss Wild & Wonderful WV, is coming to stay for the weekend! She makes this treck every month or so, and I love it. This weekend just happens to be Mother's Day, my first "official" Mother's Day (I was preggo last year.) Let me just say, I am so happy that she is going to be here. See, I've been itching, and I mean itching to get the lawn mowed. The Hubby is MIA until next Thursday when his BIG BIG TEST is over, and I have yet to do it while B is napping. So Sunday, I am mowing the lawn! I know, it's Mother's Day.... but that is exactly what I want to do..... Well, not true, I want to go to a spa and have my pores cleansed and my hair deep conditioned and a pedicure, WHILE someone is at my house scrubbing it from top to bottom.... BUT, we don't have the $$ for that, so mowing the lawn is a close second. :)

My entire family (all ten of us) will be at my house on Saturday for lunch. Which means, unfortunately, my day tomorrow will involve some cleaning.... Oh well, I guess you can't get everything. :)

Sunday afternoon

2009-05-03T22:11:00.000-04:00

Church, hubby's baseball game, then backyard BBQ with the team. *sigh* I love summer. :) There are a few details I'd change. You know, like our team winning and B wouldn't have skipped her afternoon nap. (Tired 9 month old = bear at bathtime.... Literally. She growls.) Now that B and Hubby are in bed, and I had some Tylenol & a quick nap, it's time to survey the wreckage. How can being out of the house all day = total disaster when we return home?

sidenote: still trying to think of a good nickname for Hubby.... So far, I like DrivenHoney the best. But, I'm not sure if it's too long to type. I think I'll brainstorm a little more.

Here we go!

2009-04-29T22:13:00.000-04:00

I've had this blog set up for about six months now, but never actually started. Why??? I'm afraid.... Afraid of what I should/shouldn't reveal. Afraid of who might be reading. Afraid that I'm going to be very inconsistent with my posts. But especially, afraid of my poor writing skills- there's a reason I was a Chemistry major! :)

But screw it. Here I go.... I'll learn as I go. And maybe, just maybe, my writing skills will improve! (One can only hope.) Besides, I have zero readers right now- I can only go up from here!