Just because.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Transitions
Wow...where to start. It's been awhile! I love the Christmas season and spending time with family and friends, and this year has been awesome. We are so blessed with such wonderful people in our lives. After all of the things that our little family has gone through this year, we come to the end of it and praise the Lord for all He has done. I've said it before and I'll say it again: God is good.
Mitch took this week off of work and it's been so nice. This is our last week of 'normal' before life changes again because I go back to work on Tuesday and Mitch's shift changes from working 5 days a week to 4 (just longer hours). He's going to be spending a day at home a week with Tyler while I work, which is SUCH a blessing. I have to admit, I'm completely torn between excitement for my new job and sadness at having to give up some of my days at home with Tyler. I do know though that all of us will benefit from this new arrangement.
We're working on partially weaning Tyler so that he can take a bottle during the day while I'm gone and we're both finding it a little rough. I read somewhere that this can be an emotional transition, and who am I to say no to a good cry? I'm thankful that Mitch can be around during this. It's nice to have this quiet family time before we step over the edge into the unknown.
Ha, how's that for being a little over dramatic? Let's face it: as long as I still have time to have brunch with my mat leave girls on my days off I can survive anything :)
Mitch took this week off of work and it's been so nice. This is our last week of 'normal' before life changes again because I go back to work on Tuesday and Mitch's shift changes from working 5 days a week to 4 (just longer hours). He's going to be spending a day at home a week with Tyler while I work, which is SUCH a blessing. I have to admit, I'm completely torn between excitement for my new job and sadness at having to give up some of my days at home with Tyler. I do know though that all of us will benefit from this new arrangement.
We're working on partially weaning Tyler so that he can take a bottle during the day while I'm gone and we're both finding it a little rough. I read somewhere that this can be an emotional transition, and who am I to say no to a good cry? I'm thankful that Mitch can be around during this. It's nice to have this quiet family time before we step over the edge into the unknown.
Ha, how's that for being a little over dramatic? Let's face it: as long as I still have time to have brunch with my mat leave girls on my days off I can survive anything :)
Monday, December 6, 2010
Recipe Time
Okay I am a little bit proud of the supper I made today so I'm going to share the recipe. I LOVE pasta, especially when it's an alfredo or some sort of cream sauce. What I don't love is the fat. I went through a bunch of different sauce recipes today, both high cal and low, and put together my own recipe. It turned out amazingly if I do say so myself!
The only problem with putting the recipe in print is that I have no idea how much I used of anything...I don't believe in measuring. I will do my best to estimate.
1 or 2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
3 or 4 cups milk
1/2 roasted bulb of garlic
2 tsp chicken stock
2 tsp thyme
1/3 cup parmesean cheese
2 cup sauteed mushrooms
few handfuls of shredded spinach
Melt butter in pot. Add flour and mix well. (Very) gradually add milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Once warm, add chicken stock and the roasted garlic (to roast: cut tips off the entire bulb, cover exposed tops with a light layer of butter, wrap in tin foil at bake at 425f for an hour Squeeze out of bulb into sauce. WORTH it). Bring sauce to boil, stirring often. Add cheese, mushrooms, spinach, thyme. Salt and pepper to taste.
So there you go. It made a nice thick alfredo-like sauce with tons of flavour, no cream, and very little butter. And trust me on the thyme...I would never have thought to add it, but it is a great flavour. And if you do try it, let me know what you think!
The only problem with putting the recipe in print is that I have no idea how much I used of anything...I don't believe in measuring. I will do my best to estimate.
1 or 2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
3 or 4 cups milk
1/2 roasted bulb of garlic
2 tsp chicken stock
2 tsp thyme
1/3 cup parmesean cheese
2 cup sauteed mushrooms
few handfuls of shredded spinach
Melt butter in pot. Add flour and mix well. (Very) gradually add milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Once warm, add chicken stock and the roasted garlic (to roast: cut tips off the entire bulb, cover exposed tops with a light layer of butter, wrap in tin foil at bake at 425f for an hour Squeeze out of bulb into sauce. WORTH it). Bring sauce to boil, stirring often. Add cheese, mushrooms, spinach, thyme. Salt and pepper to taste.
So there you go. It made a nice thick alfredo-like sauce with tons of flavour, no cream, and very little butter. And trust me on the thyme...I would never have thought to add it, but it is a great flavour. And if you do try it, let me know what you think!
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Challenge
I was blog browsing this morning (I had plenty of time for this as my dear son decided to wake up at 6:30, stay up just long enough for me to fully wake up, and then go back to sleep, thus leaving me up) and while reading my friends' blog over here, I saw her reading list on the side of her blog and felt inspired.
Okay so I need to compile a list of books for 2011 that I am going to read. I think I'd like to make up a list of 75 to read. I was going to pick 111 in honour of the year 2011, but I'm not feeling quite that ambitious. So. I need your book picks. Suggestions, please! Give me at least three of your favorite books...I'd love to know what's out there worth reading that I have not yet discovered. I prefer fiction, but am really open to anything.
Please and thankyou :)
Okay so I need to compile a list of books for 2011 that I am going to read. I think I'd like to make up a list of 75 to read. I was going to pick 111 in honour of the year 2011, but I'm not feeling quite that ambitious. So. I need your book picks. Suggestions, please! Give me at least three of your favorite books...I'd love to know what's out there worth reading that I have not yet discovered. I prefer fiction, but am really open to anything.
Please and thankyou :)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
These days
Okay so I know I talk a lot about loving mat leave...but I'm going to do it again. I was saying to my mom the other day that it is hard for me to even begin to describe how happy I am in life right now. Recognizing that mat leave will soon be over, I'm just going to record what my days look like right now. I know that happiness won't cease when I start my job, but my days will just look different. I'm actually really looking forward to being out of the house for a few days a week. Okay okay...I can hear mitch in my head saying "Out of the house?? You can't wait to get out of the house?? You are never IN the house!"
So I admit...Tyler enjoy a lifestyle of being out and about.
One of the constants every week (or nearly every week) is brunch with my fellow mat leave and very close girlfriends. We take turns concocting unbelieveable brunches and giving the old 'screw you' to losing our baby weight for the duration of that meal. Almost every brunch so far has included whipped cream or icing. Dessert Brunch!
Tyler time. I love to just sit on the floor with Tyler and play. He develops so much every day and watching him and helping him learn is one of my day to day favorite things. It's incredible how much pride I feel from him doing something as simple as putting a cheerio in his mouth or stand up while holding onto my knees.
I'm really enjoying cooking, too! I LOVE having the time every day to plan meals. I absolutely HATE coming home at 5:00pm and THEN having to decide what to make. I like having lots of time, and with that time has come lots of inspiration. Don't get me wrong, I still order pizza every now and then, but MUCH less than we used to. I'm discovering many of my mom's cooking talents and enjoying putting them into practice myself.
Now that winter has come it's been getting a little trickier, but Tyler and I go for walks as often as we can. We bought the best stroller ever that is small and lightweight and yet still acts as a travel system so I am totally mobile. Now instead of walking outside we walk around the mall with starbucks in hand with friends. (umm...also, I have become a starbucks addict. No, seriously. I think I have a problem. It's been 2 days since my last caramel macchiato and I'm getting shaky)
Haha okay this doesn't really correspond with the rest of my post, but I have to tell you something I love: having a baby gives me an excuse to be a hidden pentecostal! I get to dance in church and no one cares because it just looks like I'm rocking my baby. HA!
Now that the Christmas season is here I'm also enjoying time just...relaxing. I always feel a deep relaxing feeling when this season hits. It's full of puzzles, tea drinking, burning candles, snuggling under blankets, and classical - then transitioning to christmas - music. I also currently enjoy dragging my child by the ankles away from the tree again and again.
Yes, I realize this is turning into kind of a directionless list, but I dont' feel like stopping yet.
I was contacted by the MB herald recently to write a book review for them! I submitted it last week and I will soon be a published writer. Kind of. It's a start, right? I'm kind of hoping I did a good enough job that they'll continue to ask me to contribute. I'm feeling like my opportunities door has been thrown wide open with this camp job and the world is my oyster. Taking over the world doesn't seem too hard right now. Armed with optimism, I'll keep walking through this wonderful time in life right into the next.
So I admit...Tyler enjoy a lifestyle of being out and about.
One of the constants every week (or nearly every week) is brunch with my fellow mat leave and very close girlfriends. We take turns concocting unbelieveable brunches and giving the old 'screw you' to losing our baby weight for the duration of that meal. Almost every brunch so far has included whipped cream or icing. Dessert Brunch!
Tyler time. I love to just sit on the floor with Tyler and play. He develops so much every day and watching him and helping him learn is one of my day to day favorite things. It's incredible how much pride I feel from him doing something as simple as putting a cheerio in his mouth or stand up while holding onto my knees.
I'm really enjoying cooking, too! I LOVE having the time every day to plan meals. I absolutely HATE coming home at 5:00pm and THEN having to decide what to make. I like having lots of time, and with that time has come lots of inspiration. Don't get me wrong, I still order pizza every now and then, but MUCH less than we used to. I'm discovering many of my mom's cooking talents and enjoying putting them into practice myself.
Now that winter has come it's been getting a little trickier, but Tyler and I go for walks as often as we can. We bought the best stroller ever that is small and lightweight and yet still acts as a travel system so I am totally mobile. Now instead of walking outside we walk around the mall with starbucks in hand with friends. (umm...also, I have become a starbucks addict. No, seriously. I think I have a problem. It's been 2 days since my last caramel macchiato and I'm getting shaky)
Haha okay this doesn't really correspond with the rest of my post, but I have to tell you something I love: having a baby gives me an excuse to be a hidden pentecostal! I get to dance in church and no one cares because it just looks like I'm rocking my baby. HA!
Now that the Christmas season is here I'm also enjoying time just...relaxing. I always feel a deep relaxing feeling when this season hits. It's full of puzzles, tea drinking, burning candles, snuggling under blankets, and classical - then transitioning to christmas - music. I also currently enjoy dragging my child by the ankles away from the tree again and again.
Yes, I realize this is turning into kind of a directionless list, but I dont' feel like stopping yet.
I was contacted by the MB herald recently to write a book review for them! I submitted it last week and I will soon be a published writer. Kind of. It's a start, right? I'm kind of hoping I did a good enough job that they'll continue to ask me to contribute. I'm feeling like my opportunities door has been thrown wide open with this camp job and the world is my oyster. Taking over the world doesn't seem too hard right now. Armed with optimism, I'll keep walking through this wonderful time in life right into the next.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
On life, transitions, and the desires of our hearts.
I have exciting news!!
I am going back into camp ministry.
Ooooo even typing that gives me just a few shivers. I am PASSIONATE for camp ministry. I worked as a camp counsellor for 5 years combined at two different camps and loved every minute of it. The first summer I spent away from camp in my entire life (as a staff or camper from the age of 7 on) was the summer I got engaged. It was actually pretty hard for me to accept that the camp 'era' of my life had ended. I told Mitch that I was still going to pray that God would bring the two of us back to camp ministry one day. He was somewhat skeptical that this would happen as he's the exact opposite of passionate towards camp ministries. (Bad camper experiences will do that to you...) Nonetheless, I prayed.
I had truthfully somewhat given up on this dream at this point in my life. Going back to camp with a small child realistically in my mind did not work so I didn't entertain the thought. Then this winter I was approached about the possibility of a job at camp. I left the converstaion and wept. I had forgotten how desperately my heart wanted to be there. It was a wakeup call for me, and also for Mitch I think. We talked about it for many hours over the next little while and Mitch told me straight out that if this was something I wanted, he was going to do his best to make it possible on the home front for me to explore this opportunity. Just in the last few weeks I entered into conversation about the camp again about working for them. It turns out a position had opened that was PERFECT for me. It's an office administrative position. I'll be working part time (half or a little less), in the city, close to Mitch and home, and during the summers I get to spend it out at camp. They are also excited about my past camp experience and are looking forward to expanding my job description to include things like music and other areas as I grow in the job.
I can't begin to explain how my heart feels with the decision Mitch and I made to take the job. God KNOWS me. He knows my heart and my innermost desires. He has given me several jobs before this one that have perfectly prepared me for this one. He has put me back in camp ministry in the capacity I was hoping to work in while having kids. He has given me a boss who understands having small children and is willing to be flexible. I feel so blessed. I went in to my previous work today to tell them that I won't be coming back after my mat leave is up. They were sad to see me go and I left on a very positive note. The road before me holds so much promise. Remember how I said I was excitable? Yeah...I'm bouncing.
So here we go. It's so interesting how just a few short months ago I blogged about how I felt like something was coming. Remember that? I blogged that I needed something that I'm passionate about. Mitch and I have been feeling for a long time that we've been in a state of 'waiting'. Content where we are, but knowing this is not where we'll stay. Perhaps this is the first step forward in where God is wanting to move us.
I am so excited.
I am going back into camp ministry.
Ooooo even typing that gives me just a few shivers. I am PASSIONATE for camp ministry. I worked as a camp counsellor for 5 years combined at two different camps and loved every minute of it. The first summer I spent away from camp in my entire life (as a staff or camper from the age of 7 on) was the summer I got engaged. It was actually pretty hard for me to accept that the camp 'era' of my life had ended. I told Mitch that I was still going to pray that God would bring the two of us back to camp ministry one day. He was somewhat skeptical that this would happen as he's the exact opposite of passionate towards camp ministries. (Bad camper experiences will do that to you...) Nonetheless, I prayed.
I had truthfully somewhat given up on this dream at this point in my life. Going back to camp with a small child realistically in my mind did not work so I didn't entertain the thought. Then this winter I was approached about the possibility of a job at camp. I left the converstaion and wept. I had forgotten how desperately my heart wanted to be there. It was a wakeup call for me, and also for Mitch I think. We talked about it for many hours over the next little while and Mitch told me straight out that if this was something I wanted, he was going to do his best to make it possible on the home front for me to explore this opportunity. Just in the last few weeks I entered into conversation about the camp again about working for them. It turns out a position had opened that was PERFECT for me. It's an office administrative position. I'll be working part time (half or a little less), in the city, close to Mitch and home, and during the summers I get to spend it out at camp. They are also excited about my past camp experience and are looking forward to expanding my job description to include things like music and other areas as I grow in the job.
I can't begin to explain how my heart feels with the decision Mitch and I made to take the job. God KNOWS me. He knows my heart and my innermost desires. He has given me several jobs before this one that have perfectly prepared me for this one. He has put me back in camp ministry in the capacity I was hoping to work in while having kids. He has given me a boss who understands having small children and is willing to be flexible. I feel so blessed. I went in to my previous work today to tell them that I won't be coming back after my mat leave is up. They were sad to see me go and I left on a very positive note. The road before me holds so much promise. Remember how I said I was excitable? Yeah...I'm bouncing.
So here we go. It's so interesting how just a few short months ago I blogged about how I felt like something was coming. Remember that? I blogged that I needed something that I'm passionate about. Mitch and I have been feeling for a long time that we've been in a state of 'waiting'. Content where we are, but knowing this is not where we'll stay. Perhaps this is the first step forward in where God is wanting to move us.
I am so excited.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Family Traditions
We participated in a fun family activity yesterday...we went searching for the perfect tree. Granted, it was not from a forest but rather from Michael's, but still. A beautiful tree.
If you know Mitch and I at all, you will know that I am enthusiastic and excitable, whereas mitch is...stable. :) Last year's christmas tree event involved him muting the football game so he could still at least watch while I decorated the tree and listed to christmas music. Don't get me wrong - he was in the room the whole time...but decorating just isn't his thing. However, this year was different.
There is something about starting a family that makes you also start thinking a family tradition. This year started off much like last - the football game was put on mute to make room for James Taylor's christmas album. Tyler was asleep so I was able to get started with hands free. However, about five minutes in I realized that the football game had been turned off, and mitch had his head buried in my christmas decorations box. He then proceeded to help me and we had such a nice 15 minutes of decorating the tree before Tyler woke up. Mitch went and picked him up, and held him on the couch as they watched me finish. Tyler was AWEstruck and couldn't take his eyes off the tree. It was such a wonderful time of having my family together participating in preparing for the season.
If you know Mitch and I at all, you will know that I am enthusiastic and excitable, whereas mitch is...stable. :) Last year's christmas tree event involved him muting the football game so he could still at least watch while I decorated the tree and listed to christmas music. Don't get me wrong - he was in the room the whole time...but decorating just isn't his thing. However, this year was different.
There is something about starting a family that makes you also start thinking a family tradition. This year started off much like last - the football game was put on mute to make room for James Taylor's christmas album. Tyler was asleep so I was able to get started with hands free. However, about five minutes in I realized that the football game had been turned off, and mitch had his head buried in my christmas decorations box. He then proceeded to help me and we had such a nice 15 minutes of decorating the tree before Tyler woke up. Mitch went and picked him up, and held him on the couch as they watched me finish. Tyler was AWEstruck and couldn't take his eyes off the tree. It was such a wonderful time of having my family together participating in preparing for the season.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Udder Covers
(part of this post is borrowed from Niki at www.whatelseisred.blogspot.com)
If anyone missed out on the last giveaway at uddercovers.com, you have another chance at a free nursing cover! Just go to the site, choose the cover you want (or gift set for $5 extra), add it to your cart and enter the promotional code: Thanksgiving.
This should bring your order to $0 (or $5 if you chose a gift set) and all you need to pay is the shipping - about $10 I think. That's a pretty good price for a nursing cover, whether for yourself or as a gift. Oh, and if you want more than one, you'll just have to place separate orders and pay the shipping for each cover.
It's totally worth it...trust me. I originally bought a $7 cover that is smaller and now that Tyler is older he can basically just tear it off me while I'm feeding. Awkward. Also, for $10 this would also make an awesome shower gift. Anyway...just wanted to let you know!
If anyone missed out on the last giveaway at uddercovers.com, you have another chance at a free nursing cover! Just go to the site, choose the cover you want (or gift set for $5 extra), add it to your cart and enter the promotional code: Thanksgiving.
This should bring your order to $0 (or $5 if you chose a gift set) and all you need to pay is the shipping - about $10 I think. That's a pretty good price for a nursing cover, whether for yourself or as a gift. Oh, and if you want more than one, you'll just have to place separate orders and pay the shipping for each cover.
It's totally worth it...trust me. I originally bought a $7 cover that is smaller and now that Tyler is older he can basically just tear it off me while I'm feeding. Awkward. Also, for $10 this would also make an awesome shower gift. Anyway...just wanted to let you know!
Excitable Me
I truly am an excitable person. It doesn't take much for me to be joyously anticipating something or other. Today it is brunch because I am making the following:
Pumpkin spice waffles with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Oh baby.
...Just had to share that.
Pumpkin spice waffles with caramel sauce and whipped cream.
Oh baby.
...Just had to share that.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Baby Baby
I read a blog where every month the author posts an "all things loved in *insert month here*". Here is my list of all things loved...at my time in life. My heart feels so full.
1. This song. Baby Baby by Amy Grant. I'm pretty sure I sing this to Tyler every single day. I don't mean to, but it just jumps out while I'm staring at him with all my love and adoration. Also, there is something about that 80s synth that puts me in such a good mood. "STOP for a minute...baby, I'm so glad you're mine". If you listen to it, make sure you turn your speakers up...it's a song that deserves to be cranked..
2. Starbucks and all that it entails. I make it a rule not to enjoy starbucks alone. (Okay except in the mornings when I have my cup of freshly ground and brewed starbucks after Tyler goes down for his first nap. ahhh mat leave) But a purchased caramel macchiato (drink of choice) must be shared. Yesterday it was with Dominique and Isaiah as we walked down by the river wearing only sweatshirts in NOVEMBER. Which brings me to number three...
3. Friendship. Can't say enough about the wonderful people God has put in my life.
4. Puzzels. Tyler bounces in his jolly jumper in the mornings and growls with glee (I've got to get a video of that as it's SO cute) as I do my puzzle. (Have I already said how much I love mat leave?)
4. My mom. She makes me apple waffles and brings me caramel macchiatos and is the one who introduced me to Amy Grant. What a good woman!
I could go on, (you know, Grey's Anatomy, cookie dough, spending birthday money on a size of jeans I never thought I'd fit into, etc etc) but that's enough for today.
mmm. I always feel good after writing a good list.
1. This song. Baby Baby by Amy Grant. I'm pretty sure I sing this to Tyler every single day. I don't mean to, but it just jumps out while I'm staring at him with all my love and adoration. Also, there is something about that 80s synth that puts me in such a good mood. "STOP for a minute...baby, I'm so glad you're mine". If you listen to it, make sure you turn your speakers up...it's a song that deserves to be cranked..
2. Starbucks and all that it entails. I make it a rule not to enjoy starbucks alone. (Okay except in the mornings when I have my cup of freshly ground and brewed starbucks after Tyler goes down for his first nap. ahhh mat leave) But a purchased caramel macchiato (drink of choice) must be shared. Yesterday it was with Dominique and Isaiah as we walked down by the river wearing only sweatshirts in NOVEMBER. Which brings me to number three...
3. Friendship. Can't say enough about the wonderful people God has put in my life.
4. Puzzels. Tyler bounces in his jolly jumper in the mornings and growls with glee (I've got to get a video of that as it's SO cute) as I do my puzzle. (Have I already said how much I love mat leave?)
4. My mom. She makes me apple waffles and brings me caramel macchiatos and is the one who introduced me to Amy Grant. What a good woman!
I could go on, (you know, Grey's Anatomy, cookie dough, spending birthday money on a size of jeans I never thought I'd fit into, etc etc) but that's enough for today.
mmm. I always feel good after writing a good list.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Edmonton
We are going to Edmonton for a shopping trip! Super excited...taking in West Ed, Ikea, and of course a football game. I have list after list made of what I want to buy, where I want to buy it from, how much I will be spending, what colors of shoes I want, etc. I have new music downloaded on my Ipod ready for the trip. I have a wonderful sister ready to take us in and bake me a cake. I have wonderful in laws who are taking the trip with us.
I also have huge apprehension.
Weird, right? Or at least I thought it was until I mentioned it to Mitch last night and he said he's feeling the same thing. I start to feel panicky at the thought of bringing Tyler back to Edmonton. My sister lives only blocks from the hospital and is where we stayed when Ty was in for surgery. We went to West Ed the day before the surgery to take our minds of the gravity of our trip.
We travelled this road six months ago to have our baby boy's chest broken open
I'm getting emotional just writing this. I think merely thinking of Edmonton brings back the memories of that time and how hard it was. God has been good and gracious and Tyler thrives now. We have nothing but praise for the way things have turned out. However, Edmonton is where we spent some of our darkest days. I think all three of us bear scars from the experience.
So we go to Edmonton and remember. I think remembering is so important. I'll probably tell a few strangers in the mall about Tyler. I might even walk by the hospital. And then I'll kiss my boy and thank God for every minute with him.
I also have huge apprehension.
Weird, right? Or at least I thought it was until I mentioned it to Mitch last night and he said he's feeling the same thing. I start to feel panicky at the thought of bringing Tyler back to Edmonton. My sister lives only blocks from the hospital and is where we stayed when Ty was in for surgery. We went to West Ed the day before the surgery to take our minds of the gravity of our trip.
We travelled this road six months ago to have our baby boy's chest broken open
I'm getting emotional just writing this. I think merely thinking of Edmonton brings back the memories of that time and how hard it was. God has been good and gracious and Tyler thrives now. We have nothing but praise for the way things have turned out. However, Edmonton is where we spent some of our darkest days. I think all three of us bear scars from the experience.
So we go to Edmonton and remember. I think remembering is so important. I'll probably tell a few strangers in the mall about Tyler. I might even walk by the hospital. And then I'll kiss my boy and thank God for every minute with him.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Friday, October 8, 2010
Life Group
In our church we have something called "Life Groups". They used to be called care groups, which is a much more familiar term, but have since changed. Not gonna lie...I haven't been a fan of calling it a life group. However I was thinking about it this week and my perspective has changed a bit.
We joined a life group I think it was just over two years ago with three other couples. We knew one out of the three couples well, and the other two pretty much not at all. It's amazing how quickly the bonds grew and I came to call them all some of our closes friends. One of the main topics of conversation for the first year was babies...who was going to be first?
I was the first to get pregnant with Tyler at the beginning of June. (Competitive much?) Christmas time rolled around Jeff and Jen announced their exciting news. Tyler was born in March and that same night Joel and Dominique announced THEIR exciting news - and were due within 4 days of Jeff and Jen. (How's that for timing??) Then just a few months later Daniel and Alisa gave us their news...baby number 4 was on the way. Since then, Maelle Ava and Isaiah James have been born and we are just waiting for Funk baby due in January.
Since Tyler was born quite a bit before the other two, our friends have spent quite a bit of time getting to know him and love him. As far as he (and we) are concerned, they're family. He knows them just about as well as he knows our blood relatives. However I'm not going to lie, I have been preparing myself for when the new babies were to be born as I assumed Tyler would be lost in the shuffle a little bit. It would make sense as there were more babies to love, and they would be their own. I was so wrong.
It is an amazing thing to watch someone else love your child. I can't quite describe it. It really does feel like our group is our family. The new babies have been born and are LOVED. It actually felt weird how much their births affected me. I was away for Maelle's birth and I cried in the middle of a group of people when I got the news because I wasn't around to greet her. When Isaiah was born I couldn't sit still until I held him. After the first time I held him I couldn't get his face out of my mind. I have watched the rest of our group love each child and continue to love ours. Us girls have started getting together for breakfast once a week and it's so much fun to have our kids together and anticipate the fourth on the way. It doesnt' matter much to me who is holding Tyler as I know he's perfectly happy with any of them. Maelle was sleeping so Jen read books to Tyler. He wouldn't go to sleep so he Alisa took him and played with him.
I could go on, but where I was really going with this post is focusing on the term "life" group. prepare for cheese ball
This group has become so life giving. We were talking about it the other day how our kids better learn to get along because they are going to be friends for life whether they like it or not. But that's just it - family doesn't always get along, but you know you're in it for the long haul. Tyler won't have blood cousins for a long time, but Isaiah, Maelle, and baby Funk will be his family. We are so blessed.
We joined a life group I think it was just over two years ago with three other couples. We knew one out of the three couples well, and the other two pretty much not at all. It's amazing how quickly the bonds grew and I came to call them all some of our closes friends. One of the main topics of conversation for the first year was babies...who was going to be first?
I was the first to get pregnant with Tyler at the beginning of June. (Competitive much?) Christmas time rolled around Jeff and Jen announced their exciting news. Tyler was born in March and that same night Joel and Dominique announced THEIR exciting news - and were due within 4 days of Jeff and Jen. (How's that for timing??) Then just a few months later Daniel and Alisa gave us their news...baby number 4 was on the way. Since then, Maelle Ava and Isaiah James have been born and we are just waiting for Funk baby due in January.
Since Tyler was born quite a bit before the other two, our friends have spent quite a bit of time getting to know him and love him. As far as he (and we) are concerned, they're family. He knows them just about as well as he knows our blood relatives. However I'm not going to lie, I have been preparing myself for when the new babies were to be born as I assumed Tyler would be lost in the shuffle a little bit. It would make sense as there were more babies to love, and they would be their own. I was so wrong.
It is an amazing thing to watch someone else love your child. I can't quite describe it. It really does feel like our group is our family. The new babies have been born and are LOVED. It actually felt weird how much their births affected me. I was away for Maelle's birth and I cried in the middle of a group of people when I got the news because I wasn't around to greet her. When Isaiah was born I couldn't sit still until I held him. After the first time I held him I couldn't get his face out of my mind. I have watched the rest of our group love each child and continue to love ours. Us girls have started getting together for breakfast once a week and it's so much fun to have our kids together and anticipate the fourth on the way. It doesnt' matter much to me who is holding Tyler as I know he's perfectly happy with any of them. Maelle was sleeping so Jen read books to Tyler. He wouldn't go to sleep so he Alisa took him and played with him.
I could go on, but where I was really going with this post is focusing on the term "life" group. prepare for cheese ball
This group has become so life giving. We were talking about it the other day how our kids better learn to get along because they are going to be friends for life whether they like it or not. But that's just it - family doesn't always get along, but you know you're in it for the long haul. Tyler won't have blood cousins for a long time, but Isaiah, Maelle, and baby Funk will be his family. We are so blessed.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Dream house dreaming
We are getting a new house! It's being given to us along with maid service, yard service, and chef service.
...As long as we win the wish home lottery, that is.
I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life, but Mitch and I decided that since it's a cause we believe in, we may as well support it and have a chance at a sweet house while we're at it. So...October 5th we find out if that new house and chef service is really mine all mine. It's funny though how I let my mind run away with me. I've already picked out which house I would live in, how I would save and spend the rest of the prize money, and how our lives would be infinitely better. Isn't that interesting though, how I could think one moment that life couldn't get any better, and then the next moment be convinced that life could never be as good unless I win the house?
I've been working on my perspective this week. Realizing that while there is a rediculously slim chance that we will have a new house, we are already happier than I could ever have imagined. We already have a house, I'm a good cook if I do say so myself, we have landscaped ourselves an awesome yard, and I have been known to clean a bathroom from time to time. We really don't need anything more. We have been blessed with exactly what we need when we need it.
Therefore I will be content to win second prize - vacation for life.
...As long as we win the wish home lottery, that is.
I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life, but Mitch and I decided that since it's a cause we believe in, we may as well support it and have a chance at a sweet house while we're at it. So...October 5th we find out if that new house and chef service is really mine all mine. It's funny though how I let my mind run away with me. I've already picked out which house I would live in, how I would save and spend the rest of the prize money, and how our lives would be infinitely better. Isn't that interesting though, how I could think one moment that life couldn't get any better, and then the next moment be convinced that life could never be as good unless I win the house?
I've been working on my perspective this week. Realizing that while there is a rediculously slim chance that we will have a new house, we are already happier than I could ever have imagined. We already have a house, I'm a good cook if I do say so myself, we have landscaped ourselves an awesome yard, and I have been known to clean a bathroom from time to time. We really don't need anything more. We have been blessed with exactly what we need when we need it.
Therefore I will be content to win second prize - vacation for life.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Pieces of me.
I think I expected to have a rotton child.
Seriously...I think I did. One of the biggest questions that is asked, contemplated, mulled over, and discussed while pregnant is who the baby will look like. You think about traits that you and your spouse posess which could turn out to be dominant, traits which you SURE hope your child doesn't get, and hope that "at least they get my eyes/teeth/hair/whatever". On the personality side, Mitch and I joked for a long time that we were going to have an unbelievably headstrong, bull headed child because, well, that's what we both are. I didn't think much about personality beyond this, but I'm finding myself surprised again and again by Tyler's personality now that he is here and showing himself to us.
He is one happy kid. He is happy at least 92% of his awake time, if not more...I kid you not. However I'm not telling you this to brag, but to reflect. I keep expecting Tyler to, say, frown at strangers. Think about it - he is my descendant. Shouldn't he therefore check others out judgementally first? Shouldn't he be a bit more cautious and a bit less trusting? Nope. He bares his toothless smile to anyone who will give him the time of day, no matter who they are or what they look like. Another example: I will have finished changing his diaper, making him royally mad for some reason or another, but when I pick him up he shows no grudge but rather puts his head on my shoulder and starts to coo. Okay if that was me and I was mad, there would be no way I'd be over it that fast. And I'll probably bring up how I was made angry again in a few weeks.
I'm not really just talking about being in awe of the sweetness of babies (though I am in awe of that, no question) but more about how I think subconsiously the phrase "I hope you have a child just like you" (which was never uttered to me, though it probably could have been) scared me a little. I keep waiting for my bad traits to show up in my child and am surprised again and again with his sweet little disposition. Instead of seeing my temper, I see my eyes. Instead of experiencing my mistrust of others, I watch Tyler reach both hands out to love. It's amazing how much I feel both convicted and thankful when I watch my son. What have I done to deserve this?
Seriously...I think I did. One of the biggest questions that is asked, contemplated, mulled over, and discussed while pregnant is who the baby will look like. You think about traits that you and your spouse posess which could turn out to be dominant, traits which you SURE hope your child doesn't get, and hope that "at least they get my eyes/teeth/hair/whatever". On the personality side, Mitch and I joked for a long time that we were going to have an unbelievably headstrong, bull headed child because, well, that's what we both are. I didn't think much about personality beyond this, but I'm finding myself surprised again and again by Tyler's personality now that he is here and showing himself to us.
He is one happy kid. He is happy at least 92% of his awake time, if not more...I kid you not. However I'm not telling you this to brag, but to reflect. I keep expecting Tyler to, say, frown at strangers. Think about it - he is my descendant. Shouldn't he therefore check others out judgementally first? Shouldn't he be a bit more cautious and a bit less trusting? Nope. He bares his toothless smile to anyone who will give him the time of day, no matter who they are or what they look like. Another example: I will have finished changing his diaper, making him royally mad for some reason or another, but when I pick him up he shows no grudge but rather puts his head on my shoulder and starts to coo. Okay if that was me and I was mad, there would be no way I'd be over it that fast. And I'll probably bring up how I was made angry again in a few weeks.
I'm not really just talking about being in awe of the sweetness of babies (though I am in awe of that, no question) but more about how I think subconsiously the phrase "I hope you have a child just like you" (which was never uttered to me, though it probably could have been) scared me a little. I keep waiting for my bad traits to show up in my child and am surprised again and again with his sweet little disposition. Instead of seeing my temper, I see my eyes. Instead of experiencing my mistrust of others, I watch Tyler reach both hands out to love. It's amazing how much I feel both convicted and thankful when I watch my son. What have I done to deserve this?
Sunday, September 19, 2010
A change would do you good...
Ever do something you could never do again, no matter how hard you try?
K so yesterday Mitch and I stuck Tyler in the stroller and went for a walk down by the river. No walk by the river is complete (in my opinion) without ice cream, so we walked down to the ice cream shop. I opened my wallet to pay, opened up my change section in my wallet, stuck my wallet back in my purse, and as the lady went to hand me my cone, tried to shrug my bag further up onto my shoulder. SOMEhow as I did this, it all aligned so that my wallet turned, the change part opened, and my upward shrugging force literally sprayed my whole wallet worth of change in the lady's face. Seriously. There were coins everywhere. I tried to be embarassed but I was laughing so hard that there was no time. Mitch just shook his head and picked up my coins from the surrounding area.
You know how I keep saying I shouldn't be allowed out in public? Yeah...
K so yesterday Mitch and I stuck Tyler in the stroller and went for a walk down by the river. No walk by the river is complete (in my opinion) without ice cream, so we walked down to the ice cream shop. I opened my wallet to pay, opened up my change section in my wallet, stuck my wallet back in my purse, and as the lady went to hand me my cone, tried to shrug my bag further up onto my shoulder. SOMEhow as I did this, it all aligned so that my wallet turned, the change part opened, and my upward shrugging force literally sprayed my whole wallet worth of change in the lady's face. Seriously. There were coins everywhere. I tried to be embarassed but I was laughing so hard that there was no time. Mitch just shook his head and picked up my coins from the surrounding area.
You know how I keep saying I shouldn't be allowed out in public? Yeah...
Monday, September 13, 2010
More appointments, snarky mother.
Took Tyler to is 98874535th appointment today...this time for physio. I don't think I was overly pleasent. Not to the social worker anyway, who when introducing herself to me at the beginning said "I'm the one who spoke on the phone with you a few weeks ago". Ah yes. The lady with whome I have been royally pissed off at for awhile now. Here is the problem:
I was the one who diagnosed Tyler with torticollis. My GP didn't notice it in her visits with him until I pointed it out. She then referred me to a physio place at the beginning of July, which we FINALLY got into today. I was not willing to wait for months to begin Tyler's treatment however, and had phoned several friends and a coworker who had experience with torticollis. The general consensus was that physio was alright, but chiropractic really made a difference. I booked Tyler into a highly recommended pediatric chiropracter and we've been seeing her frequently. We have seen a HUGE difference in Tyler's neck and she has been fantastic. However, most people in the medical profession are extremely leery about chiro, and from what I hear, this concern can be warranted. When this social worker lady from the physio clinic called me awhile ago (and may I point out again - SOCIAL WORKER. Not MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL) I told her I had been seeing a chiropractor while waiting to get in to physio. She immediately questioned me and said I should have waited. I told her I was not willing to wait 2.5 months to get treatment for my son when everything I hear tells me that torticollis needs to be dealt with at as young an age as possible. We had a little argument on the phone which resulted in me throwing things around my house afterwards in tears and anger.
Do not question my intentions for my son. I have spent his entire life trying to do what is absolutely best for him. Unless you can show me your medical certificate, you have zero right to tell me what is right and wrong in terms of his treatment.
Okay. So anyway. Deep breaths.
Physio happened today and I will rephrase...I was very pleasant to all involved except said social worker. She can take her good intensions and shove...right. Deep breaths. Do I sound angry? It's more of my overwhelmed-ness taking the form of anger. We will now be going to physio every week until his neck begins to show forms of improvement. I'm so unsure what to do about chiro. Everyone at the physio clinic told me today that Tyler's condition is not a serious one. I kept telling them that is because I took him to the chiropractor last week and his neck improves every time he sees her. They kept telling me it's coincedence. They haven't seen him when he can't lift his ear off of his shoulder.
So what do I do? Every single person I know whose child has dealt with torticollis says that chiro worked the best on their child. Every single medical professional tells me that it's sketchy. Are there politics involved in why they don't like chiropractors or is it actually as dangerous as they say? I just want to help Tyler hold his head up straight. Maybe even go a few weeks one day without another appointment. That would be nice.
I was the one who diagnosed Tyler with torticollis. My GP didn't notice it in her visits with him until I pointed it out. She then referred me to a physio place at the beginning of July, which we FINALLY got into today. I was not willing to wait for months to begin Tyler's treatment however, and had phoned several friends and a coworker who had experience with torticollis. The general consensus was that physio was alright, but chiropractic really made a difference. I booked Tyler into a highly recommended pediatric chiropracter and we've been seeing her frequently. We have seen a HUGE difference in Tyler's neck and she has been fantastic. However, most people in the medical profession are extremely leery about chiro, and from what I hear, this concern can be warranted. When this social worker lady from the physio clinic called me awhile ago (and may I point out again - SOCIAL WORKER. Not MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL) I told her I had been seeing a chiropractor while waiting to get in to physio. She immediately questioned me and said I should have waited. I told her I was not willing to wait 2.5 months to get treatment for my son when everything I hear tells me that torticollis needs to be dealt with at as young an age as possible. We had a little argument on the phone which resulted in me throwing things around my house afterwards in tears and anger.
Do not question my intentions for my son. I have spent his entire life trying to do what is absolutely best for him. Unless you can show me your medical certificate, you have zero right to tell me what is right and wrong in terms of his treatment.
Okay. So anyway. Deep breaths.
Physio happened today and I will rephrase...I was very pleasant to all involved except said social worker. She can take her good intensions and shove...right. Deep breaths. Do I sound angry? It's more of my overwhelmed-ness taking the form of anger. We will now be going to physio every week until his neck begins to show forms of improvement. I'm so unsure what to do about chiro. Everyone at the physio clinic told me today that Tyler's condition is not a serious one. I kept telling them that is because I took him to the chiropractor last week and his neck improves every time he sees her. They kept telling me it's coincedence. They haven't seen him when he can't lift his ear off of his shoulder.
So what do I do? Every single person I know whose child has dealt with torticollis says that chiro worked the best on their child. Every single medical professional tells me that it's sketchy. Are there politics involved in why they don't like chiropractors or is it actually as dangerous as they say? I just want to help Tyler hold his head up straight. Maybe even go a few weeks one day without another appointment. That would be nice.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Music List
I think it's time for a list.
Artists whose music I want to buy:
Rosi Golan
Florence and the Machine
The Weepies
Hey Rosetta
Adele
Paul Simon
Mumford and Sons
Every time I go to BC my eyes are musically open. I hear of very little new good music out here in the prairies...
ok ok I realize Paul Simon is not new...but I have gained NEW appreciation for him!
Artists whose music I want to buy:
Rosi Golan
Florence and the Machine
The Weepies
Hey Rosetta
Adele
Every time I go to BC my eyes are musically open. I hear of very little new good music out here in the prairies...
ok ok I realize Paul Simon is not new...but I have gained NEW appreciation for him!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
When The Rain Falls...
"I'm sorry but we have determined that since Tyler had heart surgery recently, he will not be eligible for health coverage for one year from your application".
Yep, awesome.
The Solid Rock I'm standing on is still solid, but my legs are feeling pretty shaky. Think I'm going to have to sit down for a bit.
Yep, awesome.
The Solid Rock I'm standing on is still solid, but my legs are feeling pretty shaky. Think I'm going to have to sit down for a bit.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Staying Home
I was in a terrible, very bad, no good mood the other night. It was one of those moods where I didn't know why, but everything just made me ripping mad. Took me all evening to sort out my mood, but I think I have it figured out...
That was the day I realized that my mat leave is half over. I know, I still have almost 6 wonderful months left, but it also means that 6 months have gone by. 6 MONTHS! I don't know where the time has gone. I also realized a shift in my mentality. At the beginning of my time at home with Tyler I surprised myself by how much I missed work. I craved the outside responsibility and obligations. Not to say that I didn't enjoy and feel fulfilled at home, but rather just wanted a piece from both worlds. Now I can't imagine going back to work. Tyler blesses me daily and to think about missing out on even one of those smiles or giggles just about kills me. We're in a place right now where I'm quite sure it won't be financially possible for me to be a stay at home mom, so I know that working (whatever that will look like) will be a reality for awhile. I am going to have to figure out how to just enjoy each day without thinking "this is one less day".
I'd love to hear from you if you've gone back to work after babies...how difficult was it? What were some things that made it easier? Any advice?
That was the day I realized that my mat leave is half over. I know, I still have almost 6 wonderful months left, but it also means that 6 months have gone by. 6 MONTHS! I don't know where the time has gone. I also realized a shift in my mentality. At the beginning of my time at home with Tyler I surprised myself by how much I missed work. I craved the outside responsibility and obligations. Not to say that I didn't enjoy and feel fulfilled at home, but rather just wanted a piece from both worlds. Now I can't imagine going back to work. Tyler blesses me daily and to think about missing out on even one of those smiles or giggles just about kills me. We're in a place right now where I'm quite sure it won't be financially possible for me to be a stay at home mom, so I know that working (whatever that will look like) will be a reality for awhile. I am going to have to figure out how to just enjoy each day without thinking "this is one less day".
I'd love to hear from you if you've gone back to work after babies...how difficult was it? What were some things that made it easier? Any advice?
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Vacation
I really don't know how to blog about our vacation to BC because if I told you everything about it we'd be here all day. This was one of the best vacations that I've had. We took 10 days off and spent time in the lower mainland, hitting up White Rock, Vancouver, Cultus Lake, the Zoo, and spent so many wonderful days with friends and family. Tyler was at the perfect age for travelling and LOVED everything we did, and everyone we met. I am so proud of my boy. Here are some highlights:
Tyler getting to meet my girls. It's such a wonderful thing when friends love your child and I loved watching them get to know him. It was so important to me.
Putting our feet in the ocean. Oh I love the ocean.
Taking Tyler to the zoo. Meeting a giraffe...how cool is that!
My own girl time. These girls are amazing and I do not get to see them nearly enough. I love it that a while a whole year has gone by since I've seen most of them, we just pick up where we left off - laughing :)
Getting to spend time with my wonderful husband and son. Spending 10 straight days together with no thoughts of work or other obligations was so much fun. I love my family :)
Tyler getting to meet my girls. It's such a wonderful thing when friends love your child and I loved watching them get to know him. It was so important to me.
Putting our feet in the ocean. Oh I love the ocean.
Taking Tyler to the zoo. Meeting a giraffe...how cool is that!
My own girl time. These girls are amazing and I do not get to see them nearly enough. I love it that a while a whole year has gone by since I've seen most of them, we just pick up where we left off - laughing :)
Getting to spend time with my wonderful husband and son. Spending 10 straight days together with no thoughts of work or other obligations was so much fun. I love my family :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Sleep Experiments
I am the kind of person who likes to know what's going on. I like to know as much as possible about subjects so that I can always sound like I know what I'm talking about. I like to be informed. Tyler has taken this preference and thrown it out the window. He refuses to be figured out. We are currently experiencing adventures in the sleep department...I'm not sure if I should call this morning a victory, or just a momentary lapse in his resolve.
Tyler began sleeping through the night fairly early on. He was very scheduled, which I loved. He would go to bed around 8-8:30, sleep until somewhere between 5:30 and 7, wake up to feed, and go back to bed until 9. Every night. SO glorious. However about 2.5 weeks ago...everything changed. He suddenly decided that nighttime is not for sleeping, but rather for eating. Every three-four hours, in fact. I figured this would not be a problem as babies go through growth spurts. Two weeks later? Yeah...still every three to four hours. We've thought it could be a growth spurt, teething, uncomfortableness, but none of these are helping him (okay me) sleep.
Second aspect to this is how I put Tyler to sleep. He does not fall asleep on his own...I generally rock him to sleep with the necessary soother and geeeently put him down so he doesn't wake up and then quietly back out of the room. This doesn't often work and usually results in him stretching, stirring, and me going in and out of his room multiple times to plug the soother and sing songs. Every time he wants to sleep. 3+ naps a day, and then night time. I suppose I've done this to myself, but there is a large part of me that thoroughly enjoys having him reliant on me to put him to sleep.
This weekend I decided enough was enough. I was told the theory that if babies learn how to put themselves to sleep in the environment that they will be sleeping in, they will be less likely to wake up hoping for the same rocking and soothing that they want to be put back to sleep to. Trouble is...this results in a lot of screaming and crying...and I generally cave within the first, well, 47 seconds. Last night I decided not to cave. I was going to let Tyler cry for at least five minutes. I did it. It almost killed me. However, after he screamed his little face off for those five minutes, I went back in to plug the soother, and after leaving he (miraculously) calmed down. He proceeded to chatter to himself in his crib for close to 20 minutes. Thinking he was sleeping I peeked in a little while later. He heard me, turned over, flashed me the brightest grin ever, and went back to chattering. Process started at 8pm...baby sleeping by 9. No rocking or singing done. This morning I decided to try it again. I put Tyler in his crib, gave him his soother, and walked out. He is now sleeping...no crying has ensued.
This is a long post, I know...but I just need to process the fact that maybe...PERHAPS...my baby doesn't need me to put him to sleep anymore. I don't know if I should celebrate or cry. I'll probably do both.
Tyler began sleeping through the night fairly early on. He was very scheduled, which I loved. He would go to bed around 8-8:30, sleep until somewhere between 5:30 and 7, wake up to feed, and go back to bed until 9. Every night. SO glorious. However about 2.5 weeks ago...everything changed. He suddenly decided that nighttime is not for sleeping, but rather for eating. Every three-four hours, in fact. I figured this would not be a problem as babies go through growth spurts. Two weeks later? Yeah...still every three to four hours. We've thought it could be a growth spurt, teething, uncomfortableness, but none of these are helping him (okay me) sleep.
Second aspect to this is how I put Tyler to sleep. He does not fall asleep on his own...I generally rock him to sleep with the necessary soother and geeeently put him down so he doesn't wake up and then quietly back out of the room. This doesn't often work and usually results in him stretching, stirring, and me going in and out of his room multiple times to plug the soother and sing songs. Every time he wants to sleep. 3+ naps a day, and then night time. I suppose I've done this to myself, but there is a large part of me that thoroughly enjoys having him reliant on me to put him to sleep.
This weekend I decided enough was enough. I was told the theory that if babies learn how to put themselves to sleep in the environment that they will be sleeping in, they will be less likely to wake up hoping for the same rocking and soothing that they want to be put back to sleep to. Trouble is...this results in a lot of screaming and crying...and I generally cave within the first, well, 47 seconds. Last night I decided not to cave. I was going to let Tyler cry for at least five minutes. I did it. It almost killed me. However, after he screamed his little face off for those five minutes, I went back in to plug the soother, and after leaving he (miraculously) calmed down. He proceeded to chatter to himself in his crib for close to 20 minutes. Thinking he was sleeping I peeked in a little while later. He heard me, turned over, flashed me the brightest grin ever, and went back to chattering. Process started at 8pm...baby sleeping by 9. No rocking or singing done. This morning I decided to try it again. I put Tyler in his crib, gave him his soother, and walked out. He is now sleeping...no crying has ensued.
This is a long post, I know...but I just need to process the fact that maybe...PERHAPS...my baby doesn't need me to put him to sleep anymore. I don't know if I should celebrate or cry. I'll probably do both.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Bragging Rights
Caution: The next few sentences may contain messages of extreme vanity, pride, and other such nonesense.
I bought a pair of jeans yesterday. They were two sizes smaller than what I was wearing before. Before...as in BEFORE I GOT PREGNANT.
*ahem*
I just had to tell you.
I bought a pair of jeans yesterday. They were two sizes smaller than what I was wearing before. Before...as in BEFORE I GOT PREGNANT.
*ahem*
I just had to tell you.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Reflecting
I watched a dear friend of mine walk down the aisle yesterday and promise herself to the love of her life. It was a beautiful ceremony, and as weddings pretty much always do, it caused me to reflect a bit.
I was rocking Tyler to sleep this morning for his nap and thinking about how blessed I am. I am so happy it hurts. There is an ongoing debate out there if there really is just one perfect person for you, or if who you pick to be your soul mate is circumstantial. I don't know that I could have found a better man for me. We will be married for four years this month, and I am still blown away by how lucky I am. It is so true that God knows the desires of our hearts and he has given me mine.
Now, four years after our wedding, we've been blessed with Tyler. He coos and laughs and puts his fingers in my mouth and giggles with delight when I kiss them. He greets me every morning with smiles, and as far as I'm concerned is absolutely perfect. There's a song by Lifehouse called Everything, and the one line has been running through my head all morning:
"Could you tell me how could it be any better than this..."
See, I told you weddings make me sentimental. What a great journey I'm on.
I was rocking Tyler to sleep this morning for his nap and thinking about how blessed I am. I am so happy it hurts. There is an ongoing debate out there if there really is just one perfect person for you, or if who you pick to be your soul mate is circumstantial. I don't know that I could have found a better man for me. We will be married for four years this month, and I am still blown away by how lucky I am. It is so true that God knows the desires of our hearts and he has given me mine.
Now, four years after our wedding, we've been blessed with Tyler. He coos and laughs and puts his fingers in my mouth and giggles with delight when I kiss them. He greets me every morning with smiles, and as far as I'm concerned is absolutely perfect. There's a song by Lifehouse called Everything, and the one line has been running through my head all morning:
"Could you tell me how could it be any better than this..."
See, I told you weddings make me sentimental. What a great journey I'm on.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Shark Attack!
Lately Tyler has gotten into the funniest habit. If I go to pick him up and turn him towards myself, he will often let out a guttural yell and latch fiercely onto my shoulder with his mouth. It's not always a s sign of hunger, and usually done while happy. I don't pretend to understand what is going through his head, but if it's anything like this, I think we may be in trouble...
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Oops...
"Oops, I didn't know that was yours".
Now that is an embarassing statement to have to use once...but twice? In the same week? In two different situations? Yeah...
So the other day Mitch and I were shopping to buy him some shorts. We walked into the store and began browsing, and at the exact same time a man decided he needed to browse in the exact same section as us. He gave us a little sneer and pushed his way around us (several times). We ignored him and moved on. Mitch found a few pairs of shorts to try on and so as he was doing that I waited to give my approval. While he was trying them on, I looked over and saw an empty change room with some clothes hanging in it. I had been standing there for about five minutes and couldn't remember anyone coming in and out of the change room and assumed that those clothes had just been left there. I took a little peek and saw that there was a nice pair of shorts JUST Mitch's size. I snagged them and tossed them over his door. Not FIVE seconds later, sneering man walks into the stall, looks around, and begins to throw a hissy fit. Like seriously. "Where are my shorts?!" he raged. I began to panic. Thinking mayyyybe he would just leave it, I was wrong. He went to find the store clerk and demanded to know where his shorts were. By this time I figured I better fess up as there are now two people looking for the shorts and any minute Mitch is going to walk out of the stall WEARING said shorts looking for my approval and thus condeming me as the shorts thief. So I pipe up as sneery walks by: "Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't know those were yours. I gave them to my husband to try on. He should be done with them soon!" Was I rewarded for my honesty? Nope. He looked at me like the shorts probably now had the plague and stormed off. I immediately ran out of the store and hid until Mitch was done.
Then just a little while later I went to grab Starbucks for Mitch's mom and I. I walked into the store where there was a man standing kind of in the middle of it. I asked him if he was in line to order and he said no. I forgot all about him, placed my order, and went to wait for the drinks. Very shortly afterwards a caramel frappacino came up. Pleased at how quickly they made my drink, I stuck a straw in it and began to drink as I waited for the next one. Then I wondered - I had ordered this to be light and she didn't say light. Did they forget? So as she brought over my second drink I asked if that was the case. "No, I didn't forget...that isn't your drink. I'm making yours next". CRAP! Turning around I once again noticed the man standing in the middle of the store, now obviously waiting for his drink. I not only have deprived him of his rightful drink, I have also forced a light one upon him. I stammered something about how I had already taken a drink out of this one, how I hoped the next one wouldn't be light, how sorry I was, how I didn't know this was his drink and then fled the scene. Thankfully he seemed to be a nice guy and didn't care much, but seriously. I'mm not going to allow myself to go into public again for awhile...it just causes problems.
Now that is an embarassing statement to have to use once...but twice? In the same week? In two different situations? Yeah...
So the other day Mitch and I were shopping to buy him some shorts. We walked into the store and began browsing, and at the exact same time a man decided he needed to browse in the exact same section as us. He gave us a little sneer and pushed his way around us (several times). We ignored him and moved on. Mitch found a few pairs of shorts to try on and so as he was doing that I waited to give my approval. While he was trying them on, I looked over and saw an empty change room with some clothes hanging in it. I had been standing there for about five minutes and couldn't remember anyone coming in and out of the change room and assumed that those clothes had just been left there. I took a little peek and saw that there was a nice pair of shorts JUST Mitch's size. I snagged them and tossed them over his door. Not FIVE seconds later, sneering man walks into the stall, looks around, and begins to throw a hissy fit. Like seriously. "Where are my shorts?!" he raged. I began to panic. Thinking mayyyybe he would just leave it, I was wrong. He went to find the store clerk and demanded to know where his shorts were. By this time I figured I better fess up as there are now two people looking for the shorts and any minute Mitch is going to walk out of the stall WEARING said shorts looking for my approval and thus condeming me as the shorts thief. So I pipe up as sneery walks by: "Oh I'm so sorry, I didn't know those were yours. I gave them to my husband to try on. He should be done with them soon!" Was I rewarded for my honesty? Nope. He looked at me like the shorts probably now had the plague and stormed off. I immediately ran out of the store and hid until Mitch was done.
Then just a little while later I went to grab Starbucks for Mitch's mom and I. I walked into the store where there was a man standing kind of in the middle of it. I asked him if he was in line to order and he said no. I forgot all about him, placed my order, and went to wait for the drinks. Very shortly afterwards a caramel frappacino came up. Pleased at how quickly they made my drink, I stuck a straw in it and began to drink as I waited for the next one. Then I wondered - I had ordered this to be light and she didn't say light. Did they forget? So as she brought over my second drink I asked if that was the case. "No, I didn't forget...that isn't your drink. I'm making yours next". CRAP! Turning around I once again noticed the man standing in the middle of the store, now obviously waiting for his drink. I not only have deprived him of his rightful drink, I have also forced a light one upon him. I stammered something about how I had already taken a drink out of this one, how I hoped the next one wouldn't be light, how sorry I was, how I didn't know this was his drink and then fled the scene. Thankfully he seemed to be a nice guy and didn't care much, but seriously. I'mm not going to allow myself to go into public again for awhile...it just causes problems.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Surprise!
I am full of surprises lately. Mitch would roll his eyes at me finding myself surprising becuase it's just like how I find myself super funny. Hey at least someone is always laughing at my jokes, even if it's me.
But I digress. What I'm finding surprising is how I'm feeling an almost desperate need to work towards a passion. I don't even know what that looks like yet...but I'm exploring it. If you have known me for longer than 10 minutes you will know that I am an extremely passionate person. Small things get me so excited that I can hardly stand it. A new cd I got, for example - I can't stop talking about it because I'm so cotton picking excited about it. I'm realizing though that more and more small (insignificant?) things are getting me all pumped up because I don't have elsewhere to direct my energy. Don't get me wrong - I am super passionate about my new roll as a mom. However I'm still feeling the pull towards something...else. Not more, just else. Perhaps ministry? Okay now THERE is a broad term. Does ministry mean leading worship more often? I haven't lead since I was 7 months pregnant and I miss it desperately. Or does ministry mean calling up those that be powerful in the MB conference and asking what's available? Or does ministry mean leading a bible study at a young mom's group? I don't know. But I do know that I am feeling prompting and I suspect that the Spirit is at work.
I obviously have a lot of questions. I met yesterday with a good friend/mentor who spoke good words into my life. I'm now blogging because writing is how I process. I don't have any answers yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store. Perhaps a lesson in being still? Or perhaps He's getting ready to move me. Could be tomorrow, could be in five years. The only thing I know is that I need to be ready. I feel ready. I'm so excited.
But I digress. What I'm finding surprising is how I'm feeling an almost desperate need to work towards a passion. I don't even know what that looks like yet...but I'm exploring it. If you have known me for longer than 10 minutes you will know that I am an extremely passionate person. Small things get me so excited that I can hardly stand it. A new cd I got, for example - I can't stop talking about it because I'm so cotton picking excited about it. I'm realizing though that more and more small (insignificant?) things are getting me all pumped up because I don't have elsewhere to direct my energy. Don't get me wrong - I am super passionate about my new roll as a mom. However I'm still feeling the pull towards something...else. Not more, just else. Perhaps ministry? Okay now THERE is a broad term. Does ministry mean leading worship more often? I haven't lead since I was 7 months pregnant and I miss it desperately. Or does ministry mean calling up those that be powerful in the MB conference and asking what's available? Or does ministry mean leading a bible study at a young mom's group? I don't know. But I do know that I am feeling prompting and I suspect that the Spirit is at work.
I obviously have a lot of questions. I met yesterday with a good friend/mentor who spoke good words into my life. I'm now blogging because writing is how I process. I don't have any answers yet, but I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store. Perhaps a lesson in being still? Or perhaps He's getting ready to move me. Could be tomorrow, could be in five years. The only thing I know is that I need to be ready. I feel ready. I'm so excited.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Rare sighting
Tyler has decided that naps are for suckers. Normally if it comes down to a fight I end up as the winner, but not the last few days! He normally has a 2-3 hour nap every afternoon (not to mention a few snoozes in the morning and evening). Yesterday he refuuuuused to sleep all afternoon and screamed at me through all of my efforts. Today began the same way. I now know the secret behind post-pregnancy weight loss: kids who wont' go to sleep! I bounced and rocked until my arms almost fell off but to no avail. Finally I had to put him down for a bit because we were both frustrated with each other. I set Ty down on the middle of my bed and left the room. Sure enough, he calmed right down and became surprisingly happy. After awhile I peeked my head in after the cooing and giggles had stopped and saw this:
...awwwwwwwww. He slept like this for about 20 minutes before waking himself up, but it was a relished 20 minutes.
...awwwwwwwww. He slept like this for about 20 minutes before waking himself up, but it was a relished 20 minutes.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Challenged
We have been blessed with a FANTASTIC preacher in our church. Do you ever have those moments where your soul feels like it's just been filled to the brim? I feel like that every time he preaches.
Yesterday I came away from church feeling thouroughly challenged in my life. I won't give you all the details of what he said because I think what I ended up taking from the sermon wasn't really the main point, but here's what I came away with:
I need to change my perspective. Why am I angry with God for Tyler's torticollis? I need to stop seeing things in the negative. Instead of asking the question of why God allowed 'yet another thing to be wrong', I need to be lifiting praise to the fact that Tyler is here to deal with these things. Life is not perfect, nor is it going to be without hardships. God kept Tyler on this earth to live to see those things. His life is not going to forever be without problems, but he is here. I will pray every day that he will grow up to love his Creator and Sustainer as his dad and I do. My prayer is that as he grows he will be able to praise God with his own mouth and say the words that run through my mind almost daily:
All of my life, in every season, you are still God; I have a reason to sing...I have a reason to worship.
Yesterday I came away from church feeling thouroughly challenged in my life. I won't give you all the details of what he said because I think what I ended up taking from the sermon wasn't really the main point, but here's what I came away with:
I need to change my perspective. Why am I angry with God for Tyler's torticollis? I need to stop seeing things in the negative. Instead of asking the question of why God allowed 'yet another thing to be wrong', I need to be lifiting praise to the fact that Tyler is here to deal with these things. Life is not perfect, nor is it going to be without hardships. God kept Tyler on this earth to live to see those things. His life is not going to forever be without problems, but he is here. I will pray every day that he will grow up to love his Creator and Sustainer as his dad and I do. My prayer is that as he grows he will be able to praise God with his own mouth and say the words that run through my mind almost daily:
All of my life, in every season, you are still God; I have a reason to sing...I have a reason to worship.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
One day at a time
I took Tyler to his first chiropractor appointment yesterday to get his Tortocollis further assessed, and hopefully begin the road to fixing this thing. I thought things were going well as he was assessed as the chiropractor kept telling me things like "oh, this looks good", and "it's not in his lower back, that's awesome" and "this is actually really straight!" So I was feeling quite optimistic until the end of the appointment where she finished by saying "Tyler's case is actually quite severe..."
*Insert profanities here*
I guess we haven't done anything else halfway...why start now? We are now going to have to go back to her TWICE a week as well as physio and home stretching. Does anyone else find it baffling that while Tyler has spent endless amounts of time in the company of doctors, no one noticed this? Medical profession dropping the ball, round two.
I asked my friend a question yesterday...I know that God knit Tyler together in the womb, but what the heck was he doing? Maybe I'm contradicting my last post when I said I wasn't angry at God. I think I am a little bit. I'd just like to know why all of this is going on. Like I said before, I know that this condition isn't life threatening, but it doesn't make me any less frustrated or confused. I'm not sure why, but I'm having so much more of a hard time with this than I did with the heart surgery.
I have so many other things running through my head but I don't know how to say it all. I just don't understand any of this.
*Insert profanities here*
I guess we haven't done anything else halfway...why start now? We are now going to have to go back to her TWICE a week as well as physio and home stretching. Does anyone else find it baffling that while Tyler has spent endless amounts of time in the company of doctors, no one noticed this? Medical profession dropping the ball, round two.
I asked my friend a question yesterday...I know that God knit Tyler together in the womb, but what the heck was he doing? Maybe I'm contradicting my last post when I said I wasn't angry at God. I think I am a little bit. I'd just like to know why all of this is going on. Like I said before, I know that this condition isn't life threatening, but it doesn't make me any less frustrated or confused. I'm not sure why, but I'm having so much more of a hard time with this than I did with the heart surgery.
I have so many other things running through my head but I don't know how to say it all. I just don't understand any of this.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Fissures
Torticollis confirmed.
The doctor is trying to get us into physio at the hospital, but she was not optimistic about how long it would take. I talked to a few people with experience/knowledge in this area and they suggested trying a chiropractor first, so we're taking Tyler in tomorrow to try it out.
I have no idea how serious or not Tyler's state is so I'm trying hard not to get worked up until I know something more concrete.
I have nowhere to vent my frustrations. I have no anger towards Tyler as he has done nothing but be the sweetest boy in the whole world. Mitch is a wonderful dad who cares for him and me. The doctors would be my main lightning rod, but really...the system is the system. There's nothing I can do about them not noticing it. You know, something about them being busy noticing his heart condition??
I know this isn't my fault so it does no good being frustrated inwards. God is faithful and good and does not deserve my anger. But I am angry. I feel it spilling through cracks in my life as steam finds it's way through fissures around a volcano. I have this intense need to protect Tyler and am being shown yet again that I really am not in control whatsoever. Trust trust trust. Okay fine. I trust that God will care for Tyler and hold us together. But why do we need to be put in this position again? Did I not learn my lesson the first time? Is this about me?
Torticollis is not that big of a deal and I know that. I know of a few babies who have had it and are totally fine now. It's just that it's one more thing to gear up for. More appointments, more time spent trying to fix/adjust Tyler's little body.
I get annoyed when people fish for things like compliments, but at this point in time I could use your encouragement so I'll just say that straight out. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated. I don't care if I know you or not. Words held us up so much before, and I need it again.
The doctor is trying to get us into physio at the hospital, but she was not optimistic about how long it would take. I talked to a few people with experience/knowledge in this area and they suggested trying a chiropractor first, so we're taking Tyler in tomorrow to try it out.
I have no idea how serious or not Tyler's state is so I'm trying hard not to get worked up until I know something more concrete.
I have nowhere to vent my frustrations. I have no anger towards Tyler as he has done nothing but be the sweetest boy in the whole world. Mitch is a wonderful dad who cares for him and me. The doctors would be my main lightning rod, but really...the system is the system. There's nothing I can do about them not noticing it. You know, something about them being busy noticing his heart condition??
I know this isn't my fault so it does no good being frustrated inwards. God is faithful and good and does not deserve my anger. But I am angry. I feel it spilling through cracks in my life as steam finds it's way through fissures around a volcano. I have this intense need to protect Tyler and am being shown yet again that I really am not in control whatsoever. Trust trust trust. Okay fine. I trust that God will care for Tyler and hold us together. But why do we need to be put in this position again? Did I not learn my lesson the first time? Is this about me?
Torticollis is not that big of a deal and I know that. I know of a few babies who have had it and are totally fine now. It's just that it's one more thing to gear up for. More appointments, more time spent trying to fix/adjust Tyler's little body.
I get annoyed when people fish for things like compliments, but at this point in time I could use your encouragement so I'll just say that straight out. Any words of encouragement would be appreciated. I don't care if I know you or not. Words held us up so much before, and I need it again.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Defeated
I realize that one should never expect raising a child to be easy. There will be late nights and explosive poop. There will be screaming fits and scraped knees. There will be messes and laundry and puke over all my nice clothes. These things I can deal with and prepare for. I did not plan for heart surgery, but we survived it.
I was kind of hoping for a little bit of a lull in the excitement of our lives, but it's looking like we're not going to get that. All signs are pointing to Tyler having Torticollis. This means that the neck muscles on one side are shortened so his head is always held on a tilt. We have a doctor's appointment to confirm this, but he's also got a lump on his neck which is a telltale sign of this condition. If I'm right, it's going to mean months of physio and stretching his neck multiple times a day. Apparently it should have been caught between the ages of 2-3 months, which it was not. Now he is 4 month old, and in severe cases (about 15% of them) surgery is needed to correct the damage.
So...yeah. What the heck? I don't really know what to think now. So many babies are born and grow up without a hitch larger than a scraped knee or a broken bone. Does Tyler really have to deal with yet something else? This means more x-rays, more testing, and more uncomfortable procedures. I'd like this to all end, please. No more frustrations for my child.
I was kind of hoping for a little bit of a lull in the excitement of our lives, but it's looking like we're not going to get that. All signs are pointing to Tyler having Torticollis. This means that the neck muscles on one side are shortened so his head is always held on a tilt. We have a doctor's appointment to confirm this, but he's also got a lump on his neck which is a telltale sign of this condition. If I'm right, it's going to mean months of physio and stretching his neck multiple times a day. Apparently it should have been caught between the ages of 2-3 months, which it was not. Now he is 4 month old, and in severe cases (about 15% of them) surgery is needed to correct the damage.
So...yeah. What the heck? I don't really know what to think now. So many babies are born and grow up without a hitch larger than a scraped knee or a broken bone. Does Tyler really have to deal with yet something else? This means more x-rays, more testing, and more uncomfortable procedures. I'd like this to all end, please. No more frustrations for my child.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Sunny days
Know what I'm doing right now? Sitting on my deck! It has been at least four minutes and I haven't had a single mosquito bite yet. What a great four minutes.
Just got back from getting Tyler his first vaccinations. First, you might ask? Aren't you a little late on those? Yes...yes I am. He's almost four months old now and was supposed to have them when he was two months old. I just couldn't bring myself to take him in. So today we took a deep breath, drove down to the civic center, and the whole way there (all 3 minutes of driving) I told myself "Josie, you can do this. It's not like YOU'RE getting a needle...just Tyler. All you have to do is be strong for him. No problem". So you can imagine my great delight when some of the first words out of the nurses' mouth were "So there has been an outbreak of whooping cough and so it's a good idea if the moms get a vaccine as well". Okay hold on, lady. I was not prepared for this. I need at least 24 hours notice before I allow needles into my body, not to mention one strong as a rock husband to hold my hand so I don't pass out and lots of ice cream afterwards to calm me down. I have none of those things today.
Did I say these things? Nope. I cooly, calmly, and collectedly told Tyler that this would hurt me more than him (and actually meant it), took my needle first without a single flinch, and then proceeded to bawl as he got his. Yessir, this is evidence that my priorities have definitely shifted. I can take a needle like NOBODY'S business now. But hurt my child...hoo boy. Good thing the lady was nice and also told me her dad grew up in Coaldale. Mennonite connections bonded us.
Okay my neighbor is cranking Eminem. Is it weird that I like it?
Back to reality, OOPS there goes gravity.
Just got back from getting Tyler his first vaccinations. First, you might ask? Aren't you a little late on those? Yes...yes I am. He's almost four months old now and was supposed to have them when he was two months old. I just couldn't bring myself to take him in. So today we took a deep breath, drove down to the civic center, and the whole way there (all 3 minutes of driving) I told myself "Josie, you can do this. It's not like YOU'RE getting a needle...just Tyler. All you have to do is be strong for him. No problem". So you can imagine my great delight when some of the first words out of the nurses' mouth were "So there has been an outbreak of whooping cough and so it's a good idea if the moms get a vaccine as well". Okay hold on, lady. I was not prepared for this. I need at least 24 hours notice before I allow needles into my body, not to mention one strong as a rock husband to hold my hand so I don't pass out and lots of ice cream afterwards to calm me down. I have none of those things today.
Did I say these things? Nope. I cooly, calmly, and collectedly told Tyler that this would hurt me more than him (and actually meant it), took my needle first without a single flinch, and then proceeded to bawl as he got his. Yessir, this is evidence that my priorities have definitely shifted. I can take a needle like NOBODY'S business now. But hurt my child...hoo boy. Good thing the lady was nice and also told me her dad grew up in Coaldale. Mennonite connections bonded us.
Okay my neighbor is cranking Eminem. Is it weird that I like it?
Back to reality, OOPS there goes gravity.
Friday, June 18, 2010
These are a few of my favorite things...
Favorite Thing #1: Having some randomly stop by and drop me off a Starbucks caramel macchiato.
Favorite Thing #2: Having some randomly stop by and drop me off cupcakes.
Favorite Thing #3: Having wonderful people in my life who do such things :)
Favorite Thing #2: Having some randomly stop by and drop me off cupcakes.
Favorite Thing #3: Having wonderful people in my life who do such things :)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Lists
I love lists. Just thinking about making lists makes me happy...so today I figured I'd start the day off right and make a list. These are the things I am thankful for/enjoying lately, in no particular order:
-Sunshine. Nothing like a month of straight rain to make you say "Mosquitos? Who cares! It's sunny!" (Wait...okay I admit I haven't said that yet, but I'm sure someone has)
-Our house. I love our house and our huge back yard and quiet cul de sac. Now we have a deck so I love that too.
-Tyler. He smiles and giggles and screeches and fills my days with too much joy to handle. He also slept for 10 straight hours last night which could be why I'm feeling a slight sense of euphoria this morning.
-Mitch. We laugh together every day. Last night it was while he watched two hours of the Bachelorette with me. (okay seriously, anyone else watching...does it not sound like Kacy always has a mouth filled with marbles?? If you don't watch it and are judging me for watching it...DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.)
-Our town. If you get past the ugly main street and make your way in, it's full of ball diamonds, nice little ponds, and wonderful walkways that go through them. Love walking here.
-My mom. I bugged her the other day that she never phones me...but then laughed because I phone her so often that she doesn't get the chance to return the favour. She makes me lunches and walks with me and bakes me whatever my heart desires and offers advice and changes Tyler's poopy diapers with delight. What more could I ask for?
-Friends. Having good friends makes my heart so SO full. We have an amazing group of friends who bless us on a regular basis. Also, they are all now pregnant. Yep, one baby down, three on the way. SO FUN!
-Cupcakes. Because what about cupcakes is there not to love?
So on that note, with all of those wonderful things fresh in my mind, I'm off to do something I do not love...laundry.
-
-Sunshine. Nothing like a month of straight rain to make you say "Mosquitos? Who cares! It's sunny!" (Wait...okay I admit I haven't said that yet, but I'm sure someone has)
-Our house. I love our house and our huge back yard and quiet cul de sac. Now we have a deck so I love that too.
-Tyler. He smiles and giggles and screeches and fills my days with too much joy to handle. He also slept for 10 straight hours last night which could be why I'm feeling a slight sense of euphoria this morning.
-Mitch. We laugh together every day. Last night it was while he watched two hours of the Bachelorette with me. (okay seriously, anyone else watching...does it not sound like Kacy always has a mouth filled with marbles?? If you don't watch it and are judging me for watching it...DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT.)
-Our town. If you get past the ugly main street and make your way in, it's full of ball diamonds, nice little ponds, and wonderful walkways that go through them. Love walking here.
-My mom. I bugged her the other day that she never phones me...but then laughed because I phone her so often that she doesn't get the chance to return the favour. She makes me lunches and walks with me and bakes me whatever my heart desires and offers advice and changes Tyler's poopy diapers with delight. What more could I ask for?
-Friends. Having good friends makes my heart so SO full. We have an amazing group of friends who bless us on a regular basis. Also, they are all now pregnant. Yep, one baby down, three on the way. SO FUN!
-Cupcakes. Because what about cupcakes is there not to love?
So on that note, with all of those wonderful things fresh in my mind, I'm off to do something I do not love...laundry.
-
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Finding My Identity
One of the things I love about blogging is that it allows me to process as I write. I often won't realize I think or believe something until I've spoken or typed it, so maybe my post today will help me out :)
I have seriously surprised myself with my mindset of being a stay at home mom. Let me say first that I absolutely LOVE it. These days with Tyler are such a gift and I would not trade them for anything. However I can't figure out why I keep dreaming about work (literally...almost every night). I hear bits and pieces from co workers about how things are going in my absence and every now and then I yearn to be there.WHAT? . For so many years this has been my dream - staying home and raising our child. How on earth could I even think about missing work?
This is not a fleeting question...I've actually been quite bothered by this in the last few weeks. I was talking to my mom about this the other day and she (being the wise woman she is) commented that I'm quite likely struggling to figure out my new identity right now. This made sense to me. Being a stay at home mom has no real concrete parameters. You could say that every day you should be able to say that
-Baby is fed, slept, and happy
-House is clean, supper ready for when mitch gets home
-Inspirational book has been read
-Walk has been taken, baby weight lost
Doesn't that sound nice? However I'm quickly learning that NOTHING is a given. Of all those things on the list, the only thing I can say I've accomplished consistently on a day to day basis is "baby is fed". You just never know what each day will bring. At work I knew close to exactly what to expect every day, and had become quite task oriented. I enjoyed the feeling of finishing a project before moving on to the next one. I liked having strong lines outlining what I was supposed to do every day.
This is NOT to say that I'm not enjoying my days, but rather I'm just not quite sure what to do with myself and my own expectations yet. I need to start asking myself the question of 'what do I need today to feel accomplished?" This is important to me.
I think that today I will feel accomplished if I can sit here and enjoy my son's smiles for as long as he wants to give them to me. And I think I'll eat a banana.
I have seriously surprised myself with my mindset of being a stay at home mom. Let me say first that I absolutely LOVE it. These days with Tyler are such a gift and I would not trade them for anything. However I can't figure out why I keep dreaming about work (literally...almost every night). I hear bits and pieces from co workers about how things are going in my absence and every now and then I yearn to be there.
This is not a fleeting question...I've actually been quite bothered by this in the last few weeks. I was talking to my mom about this the other day and she (being the wise woman she is) commented that I'm quite likely struggling to figure out my new identity right now. This made sense to me. Being a stay at home mom has no real concrete parameters. You could say that every day you should be able to say that
-Baby is fed, slept, and happy
-House is clean, supper ready for when mitch gets home
-Inspirational book has been read
-Walk has been taken, baby weight lost
Doesn't that sound nice? However I'm quickly learning that NOTHING is a given. Of all those things on the list, the only thing I can say I've accomplished consistently on a day to day basis is "baby is fed". You just never know what each day will bring. At work I knew close to exactly what to expect every day, and had become quite task oriented. I enjoyed the feeling of finishing a project before moving on to the next one. I liked having strong lines outlining what I was supposed to do every day.
This is NOT to say that I'm not enjoying my days, but rather I'm just not quite sure what to do with myself and my own expectations yet. I need to start asking myself the question of 'what do I need today to feel accomplished?" This is important to me.
I think that today I will feel accomplished if I can sit here and enjoy my son's smiles for as long as he wants to give them to me. And I think I'll eat a banana.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Ups and downs
My life feels somewhat 'rollercoasterish' lately. I am surprised to find that my trust in Jesus has been put to the test much more in the last week than it has been in the last three months. I find that every little thing that looks like it could be wrong with Tyler sends me into a frenzy of questions, what ifs, and pleading prayers upwards. It seems my most frequent phrase uttered under my breath is "Jesus, he's been through so much already, you wouldn't do this to him". It's from little things like having a stuffy nose and having a hard time breathing, to having diarrhea and not knowing what is causing it. I kind of feel sometimes like since we've been through something so hard, nothing else difficult should ever happen now. I used to think that way with my dad actually - I was convinced that my mom was basically invincible because God would never take TWO of my parents.
Flawed logic, I know...but I can't help what goes through my head. I feel like I'm in a constant state of watch. Ty's hands get cold frequently so I try all day to convince myself that it's not because his circulation is bad and that his heart is not doing what it's supposed to do. However I'm also all about appearances and I know full well that this is to be expected at some level, so I want to come accross like I've got everything under control and that his little issues don't phase me. I feel exhausted. Is he sleeping enough? Is he sleeping too much? He didn't each much that feed...is he having trouble breathing and eating? He's crying during those hiccups...did I jar his chest somehow?
Tyler is doing so well, and I see evidence of this every day. However before his heart issues were discovered we thought that everything was fine too. What if I miss something now? What if I try to downplay something being wrong with him and he gets sick? I don't know how to balance being caring and overbearing. I think on the outside I am physically doing an okay job of this, but it's my mind that I have to fight.
Flawed logic, I know...but I can't help what goes through my head. I feel like I'm in a constant state of watch. Ty's hands get cold frequently so I try all day to convince myself that it's not because his circulation is bad and that his heart is not doing what it's supposed to do. However I'm also all about appearances and I know full well that this is to be expected at some level, so I want to come accross like I've got everything under control and that his little issues don't phase me. I feel exhausted. Is he sleeping enough? Is he sleeping too much? He didn't each much that feed...is he having trouble breathing and eating? He's crying during those hiccups...did I jar his chest somehow?
Tyler is doing so well, and I see evidence of this every day. However before his heart issues were discovered we thought that everything was fine too. What if I miss something now? What if I try to downplay something being wrong with him and he gets sick? I don't know how to balance being caring and overbearing. I think on the outside I am physically doing an okay job of this, but it's my mind that I have to fight.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Test driving
We recently decided that the stroller and carseat we had bought before Tyler was born just wasn't a fit for our needs/lifestyle...so we decided to see if we can sell the system and find something better. It's interesting how you think something will work until it's tried, and discover that life looks much different than you thought it would. So Mitch and I did hours of research, talked, argued discussed, and decided on the beautiful, classy, wonderful Peg Perego Vela (Java color): 
and the Peg Perego Viaggio car seat (kiwi color).
I am in love. I could rave for a long time about what I love about these two pieces, but I will just tell you a few things.
1. The stroller weighs 9 pounds and folds up wonderfully small.
2. The carseat is extremely well padded and has a fabric that helps prevent the baby from sweating, which was a frustration of the previous carseat.
3. The stroller is so easy to maneuver
4. They are both so pretty :)
and the Peg Perego Viaggio car seat (kiwi color).
I am in love. I could rave for a long time about what I love about these two pieces, but I will just tell you a few things.
1. The stroller weighs 9 pounds and folds up wonderfully small.
2. The carseat is extremely well padded and has a fabric that helps prevent the baby from sweating, which was a frustration of the previous carseat.
3. The stroller is so easy to maneuver
4. They are both so pretty :)
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Processing
We got rid of our cats this week, which I was extremely reluctant to do, but am so glad now that we did. We are now in the process of decatifying (yes I made that word up) our house, and just really doing a gradual deep clean of the house. This is forcing me to do things like update our baby book which I haven't written in since before Tyler had surgery (I mean, what do you put in the one line that is provided for "first doctor's visit"?), go through hospital records that haven't been filed, and put away the hospital bag provided to us from parents of children with heart problems. I realize that it's been almost a month since we've been home, but these things just haven't happened yet. I was looking some of the papers we were given in Edmonton, and I found a short essay written by a parent of a sick child. It hit me hard. She wrote that preparing for a child is like preparing for a trip to Italy. It is exciting and unknown, and you spend months preparing. You are all ready for what to expect - the beauty of the landscape, the amazing food, and excited for the unknown that you will discover. You have bought guide books and learned some of the language. You are ready! However as the plane is landing, it is announced that you will be in fact landing in Holland. This is not what you had planned for! You know nothing about Holland. You will have to learn a whole new language, and will be lost without buying new guidebooks. Holland is not bad though - just different. It may be less flashy and much less traveled, but it has beauty just the same. Many people you know will go to Italy and tell you their wonderful stories and you will think "I was supposed to go there...that is what I had planned". However life is different. The author concludes by saying "...if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't go to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things about Holland".
This is a paraphrase, and I know that Mitch and I are lucky...Tyler will still (Lord willing) live a completely (and complete) normal life. He will thrive and grow as a normal child. However we just took a different route to get there...and our experience will forever be different.
This is a paraphrase, and I know that Mitch and I are lucky...Tyler will still (Lord willing) live a completely (and complete) normal life. He will thrive and grow as a normal child. However we just took a different route to get there...and our experience will forever be different.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Transferring back
Crisis has passed, life moves forward, and spring blooms. Tyler is sleeping beside me right now and as I stare at him I just can't believe what has all passed in the last two months since he was born. If you didn't know Tyler had surgery you would never be able to tell anymore. He thrives, smiles, wails, and wiggles.
How am I doing? I'm so used to answer how TYLER is doing, I'm not actually always sure how I am. I am...a bit shell shocked I think. I told Mitch the other day that it almost feels like none of this happened. I feel like I maybe should feel more traumatized, but I don't. I feel blessed and carried and have my beautiful boy home with me every day. I feel stronger, that's for sure. I feel a bit like I've been put through the fire and come out on the other side a little scarred, but tougher than I was before. I feel like I can handle life better, with a somewhat of a 'bring it on' mentality. I should be careful saying that out loud though...you never know what might happen.
haha...Tyler is snoring...
How am I doing? I'm so used to answer how TYLER is doing, I'm not actually always sure how I am. I am...a bit shell shocked I think. I told Mitch the other day that it almost feels like none of this happened. I feel like I maybe should feel more traumatized, but I don't. I feel blessed and carried and have my beautiful boy home with me every day. I feel stronger, that's for sure. I feel a bit like I've been put through the fire and come out on the other side a little scarred, but tougher than I was before. I feel like I can handle life better, with a somewhat of a 'bring it on' mentality. I should be careful saying that out loud though...you never know what might happen.
haha...Tyler is snoring...
Friday, April 9, 2010
Surviving
Where to start...
My life feels like it's transferred into a whole different dimension in which everything looks the same, but nothing is. This morning Mitch got up and went to work, I fed Tyler like any other morning, I've already changed 3 poopy diapers, and now we're sitting on the couch together all snuggled up. It's been this way for the last 4.5 weeks. However the glaring difference is that as Mitch leaves, I praise God that we have the money to pay for what's coming. As Tyler eats, I marvel at the fact that he is able to breathe and eat at the same time. As I change his diapers I check his body for signs of blue, and inspect the hole where the catheter was inserted. As I sit and stare at him while he sleeps on my lap I can't help but feel despair as I think about what's coming next for him. My poor baby boy. I wish I could save him from the pain he's going to feel. I feel so helpless knowing that for a few weeks after the surgery there will be nothing normal I can do for him as a mother. I won't be able to hold him, change him, feed him, burp him. I will only be able to sit there and hold his little hand and talk to him and let him know I'm here.
Something I've been thinking about lately is the effects of prayer. We have been so unbelievably supported by everyone imaginable. Mitch and I talked last night about the fact that the only reason we can think of for our feelings of peace is the prayers being sent up around the world. I find myself asking questions though...do we pray expecting healing, or do we pray expecting God's will, which may be so different than ours? What do we do if this surgery doesn't go well? How do we respond?
Here is my answer:
Mitch and I have been reading Job for our devotions lately. We started before we knew about any of Tyler's heart problems, and I remember thinking that I didn't know how much I was going to get out of reading it. However as I look at Job's life and everything he had taken away, I realize that he still says in the midst of it all that God is faithful. Therefore Mitch and I stand together and will proclaim that God is faithful. Now all we can do is wait to see how God will choose to reveal his faithfulness, as he has done again and again for us.
My life feels like it's transferred into a whole different dimension in which everything looks the same, but nothing is. This morning Mitch got up and went to work, I fed Tyler like any other morning, I've already changed 3 poopy diapers, and now we're sitting on the couch together all snuggled up. It's been this way for the last 4.5 weeks. However the glaring difference is that as Mitch leaves, I praise God that we have the money to pay for what's coming. As Tyler eats, I marvel at the fact that he is able to breathe and eat at the same time. As I change his diapers I check his body for signs of blue, and inspect the hole where the catheter was inserted. As I sit and stare at him while he sleeps on my lap I can't help but feel despair as I think about what's coming next for him. My poor baby boy. I wish I could save him from the pain he's going to feel. I feel so helpless knowing that for a few weeks after the surgery there will be nothing normal I can do for him as a mother. I won't be able to hold him, change him, feed him, burp him. I will only be able to sit there and hold his little hand and talk to him and let him know I'm here.
Something I've been thinking about lately is the effects of prayer. We have been so unbelievably supported by everyone imaginable. Mitch and I talked last night about the fact that the only reason we can think of for our feelings of peace is the prayers being sent up around the world. I find myself asking questions though...do we pray expecting healing, or do we pray expecting God's will, which may be so different than ours? What do we do if this surgery doesn't go well? How do we respond?
Here is my answer:
Mitch and I have been reading Job for our devotions lately. We started before we knew about any of Tyler's heart problems, and I remember thinking that I didn't know how much I was going to get out of reading it. However as I look at Job's life and everything he had taken away, I realize that he still says in the midst of it all that God is faithful. Therefore Mitch and I stand together and will proclaim that God is faithful. Now all we can do is wait to see how God will choose to reveal his faithfulness, as he has done again and again for us.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
So good.
I'm sitting here watching my baby boy sleep and realized that I should probably blog about it while I have a free minute. I already decided that we're ordering pizza tonight so I don't have to worry about supper...
Tyler Daniel is such a beautiful baby. I know that every parent thinks that about their child, but who am I to buck the trend? He looks so much like Mitch that it blows me away, and he's got the biggest eyes that just melt us every time. I LOVE being a mom! I knew I would, and Tyler has exceeded all of my expectations so far of what it would be like to have a baby. I realize that one day poop won't be cute at all, but I am still delighting in changing diapers at this point in time.
I am feeling really good, which is a blessing. I tore during labour and had to get stiches, so I was pretty nervous about how long it would take to heal, but I'm feeling close to 100% again. I do have to keep reminding myself however that my body did just go through something fairly traumatic and that I need to take things slowly, but so far so good. I'm looking forward to the weather getting a little nicer (ok or just less windy??) so Tyler and I can start going for walks. I bought a little snowsuit on sale today at Extra foods that is SO cute. Yes, I realize it's now spring, but ball season is just around the corner and Tyler is going to be cheering on his daddy's home runs right beside me so he's going to have to be just as bundled as I am at every game.
Okay so this is kind of a point form update, but that's alright. Life is good...so good.
Tyler Daniel is such a beautiful baby. I know that every parent thinks that about their child, but who am I to buck the trend? He looks so much like Mitch that it blows me away, and he's got the biggest eyes that just melt us every time. I LOVE being a mom! I knew I would, and Tyler has exceeded all of my expectations so far of what it would be like to have a baby. I realize that one day poop won't be cute at all, but I am still delighting in changing diapers at this point in time.
I am feeling really good, which is a blessing. I tore during labour and had to get stiches, so I was pretty nervous about how long it would take to heal, but I'm feeling close to 100% again. I do have to keep reminding myself however that my body did just go through something fairly traumatic and that I need to take things slowly, but so far so good. I'm looking forward to the weather getting a little nicer (ok or just less windy??) so Tyler and I can start going for walks. I bought a little snowsuit on sale today at Extra foods that is SO cute. Yes, I realize it's now spring, but ball season is just around the corner and Tyler is going to be cheering on his daddy's home runs right beside me so he's going to have to be just as bundled as I am at every game.
Okay so this is kind of a point form update, but that's alright. Life is good...so good.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Famous Last Words
"Honestly, it's been so easy so far! We're kind of just waiting for things to get hard because right now we're just having fun."
Uh...can we say jinx?
Okay never say that to someone who asks how things are going with a new baby, because something is bound to go wrong. I do have to say, Tyler has been a JOY and we love every minute of him, and this weekend being tough has absolutely nothing to do with him directly...except that trying to care for a newborn amidst the flu is probably the hardest thing I've had to do thus far.
Saturday was a good friend's wedding, and while thankfully we were able to attend the ceremony, about an hour after we got home from that I was flat on my back in bed MISERABLE. Thus started the worst 12 hours ever. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who graciously and kindly took care of Tyler and I the whole time. The amazing thing is that Tyler slept through the worst of it, waking to eat each time when I had just enough energy to accomplish getting him fed before collapsing again (or rushing to the bathroom...)
Yesterday morning I woke up feeling much better, though it had been a long night and Mitch had been up with Tyler quite a bit. We figured the worst was over and concentrated on me eating and getting rehydrated.
"I'm so glad you didn't catch what I did"
*sigh* mistake number two.
Mitch woke up at 2am with the exact same thing I had, and has been sick ever since. Thankfully I had a day of recovery before it started for him, but this has not been a fun last few days. Both of us seem to be on the mend now, but I will make no direct positive statements as to our well being, because apparently you just never know...
Uh...can we say jinx?
Okay never say that to someone who asks how things are going with a new baby, because something is bound to go wrong. I do have to say, Tyler has been a JOY and we love every minute of him, and this weekend being tough has absolutely nothing to do with him directly...except that trying to care for a newborn amidst the flu is probably the hardest thing I've had to do thus far.
Saturday was a good friend's wedding, and while thankfully we were able to attend the ceremony, about an hour after we got home from that I was flat on my back in bed MISERABLE. Thus started the worst 12 hours ever. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who graciously and kindly took care of Tyler and I the whole time. The amazing thing is that Tyler slept through the worst of it, waking to eat each time when I had just enough energy to accomplish getting him fed before collapsing again (or rushing to the bathroom...)
Yesterday morning I woke up feeling much better, though it had been a long night and Mitch had been up with Tyler quite a bit. We figured the worst was over and concentrated on me eating and getting rehydrated.
"I'm so glad you didn't catch what I did"
*sigh* mistake number two.
Mitch woke up at 2am with the exact same thing I had, and has been sick ever since. Thankfully I had a day of recovery before it started for him, but this has not been a fun last few days. Both of us seem to be on the mend now, but I will make no direct positive statements as to our well being, because apparently you just never know...
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Okay this made ME cry! What a beautiful song!
I Haven't Even Heard You Cry
Aaron Lines
Well I don't drive through the night these days
It's just not a chance I'm willing to take
And I don't spend my money foolishly
Cause there's important things that you're gonna need
You already got a hold on me
And I haven't even heard you cry
I haven't even looked into your eyes
I haven't held you one time but you've changed my life
And I don't even know your name
But I know I'll never be the same
Oh I can't wait to show you you can fly
And I haven't even heard you cry
You might look like your mom, you might look like me
I don't really care as long as you're healthy
And I'll make mistakes there's no doubt
But loves one thing you won't live without
Cause you own a place in my heart now
And I haven't even heard you cry
I haven't even looked into your eyes
I haven't held you one time but you've changed my life
And I don't even know your name
But I know I'll never be the same
Oh I can't wait to show you you can fly
And I haven't even heard you cry
Well I don't even know your name
But I know I'll never be the same
Oh I can't wait to show you you can fly
I'm thinking about first steps and bike rides
And I haven't even heard you cry
Aaron Lines
Well I don't drive through the night these days
It's just not a chance I'm willing to take
And I don't spend my money foolishly
Cause there's important things that you're gonna need
You already got a hold on me
And I haven't even heard you cry
I haven't even looked into your eyes
I haven't held you one time but you've changed my life
And I don't even know your name
But I know I'll never be the same
Oh I can't wait to show you you can fly
And I haven't even heard you cry
You might look like your mom, you might look like me
I don't really care as long as you're healthy
And I'll make mistakes there's no doubt
But loves one thing you won't live without
Cause you own a place in my heart now
And I haven't even heard you cry
I haven't even looked into your eyes
I haven't held you one time but you've changed my life
And I don't even know your name
But I know I'll never be the same
Oh I can't wait to show you you can fly
And I haven't even heard you cry
Well I don't even know your name
But I know I'll never be the same
Oh I can't wait to show you you can fly
I'm thinking about first steps and bike rides
And I haven't even heard you cry
Friday, February 26, 2010
umm...
I have a foot sticking out of the side of my stomach, my husband's t-shirt on, and a spoon sitting beside a cherry pie that has been used several times today. Oh please, come soon baby, before I break a rib, lose all self esteem, and the rest of my self control.
On the bright side...finished season 4 of Grey's today...forgot how good that final episode was! On to season 5.
On the bright side...finished season 4 of Grey's today...forgot how good that final episode was! On to season 5.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
I don't know how to say I don't know!
Had an interesting piece of self-realization today that I figured I'd share:
First of all, there are a few things you need to know about me.
1. The last few places I've worked, I have been in the position to be the person answering questions. I love being in that position. I like helping to solve problems, pointing people in the right direction, and being able to provide information when needed. I like being the 'go to' person. I try my harderst to know as much as possible about every topic that might come up so that I can be as effective as possible.
2. Over the last few weeks, I have become increasingly ornery. I skipped church two weeks ago because I didn't want to be around people. I am incredibly cynical and emotional. Mitch continuously has to remind me to 'be nice'.
So here's the thing: why are people suddenly driving me nuts? Because I can't answer their questions!!
"What are you having?"
"When do you think the baby will be born?"
"Are you nervous for labour?"
"Are you ready for the baby?
I don't know, I don't know, I DON'T KNOW!! The baby wasn't in the right position so we don't know what it is. Trust me, if I knew when it was going to be born, I would be a lot more relaxed right now. I don't know what to expect so I don't really fear labour. I have no idea if I'm ready...I guess we'll find out when the baby gets here. And so on and so forth. So really...the problem is not with those asking me questions, because I know they mean well and are asking out of love. The problem is with me (and my pride?). I like knowing the answers to things. And trust me...no one wants the answers to these questions more than me :)
So my goal from now 'till baby time is to be nice. To answer people graciously when they ask, remembering at ALL times that they ask because they care.
It's a good thing I've got Mitch around who will continue to remind me to be nice when I continue to screw up...
First of all, there are a few things you need to know about me.
1. The last few places I've worked, I have been in the position to be the person answering questions. I love being in that position. I like helping to solve problems, pointing people in the right direction, and being able to provide information when needed. I like being the 'go to' person. I try my harderst to know as much as possible about every topic that might come up so that I can be as effective as possible.
2. Over the last few weeks, I have become increasingly ornery. I skipped church two weeks ago because I didn't want to be around people. I am incredibly cynical and emotional. Mitch continuously has to remind me to 'be nice'.
So here's the thing: why are people suddenly driving me nuts? Because I can't answer their questions!!
"What are you having?"
"When do you think the baby will be born?"
"Are you nervous for labour?"
"Are you ready for the baby?
I don't know, I don't know, I DON'T KNOW!! The baby wasn't in the right position so we don't know what it is. Trust me, if I knew when it was going to be born, I would be a lot more relaxed right now. I don't know what to expect so I don't really fear labour. I have no idea if I'm ready...I guess we'll find out when the baby gets here. And so on and so forth. So really...the problem is not with those asking me questions, because I know they mean well and are asking out of love. The problem is with me (and my pride?). I like knowing the answers to things. And trust me...no one wants the answers to these questions more than me :)
So my goal from now 'till baby time is to be nice. To answer people graciously when they ask, remembering at ALL times that they ask because they care.
It's a good thing I've got Mitch around who will continue to remind me to be nice when I continue to screw up...
Monday, January 25, 2010
What I've Learned
Five weeks. FIVE WEEKS. That's how long we've got until I'm due. Yes I know, the baby will probably be late, but still. Five weeks.
So I thought I'd take this time to reflect on pregnancy. Here are a few of the things I've learned during pregnancy, in no particular order of importance or occurrence:
1. Pregnancy in the later stage can cause cankles. They tell me these will go away once the swelling goes down. All I can say is: they'd better.
2. Bladder control is completely lost when standing while baby decides to direct a well thought out kick right to it. Haven't peed my pants yet, but I've come darn close.
3. Hugging is not easy anymore when there's a basketball between the two of you.
4. Heartburn can strike at any time for any reason.
5. Emotionalrampages tendencies can strike at any time for any reason.
6. Grunting every time I move is perfectly acceptable, but my husband needs to be reminded of this every now and then. If he comments too many times...well...see #5.
7. Rolling over at night requires much thought and contemplation. Unless I have to pee.
8. I didn't know it was possible to pee that many times during the night.
9. Men generally don't know how to respond to a pregnant woman, so expect phrases like "you're HUGE!" or "wow, you got big fast, hey?" or, my favorite thus far "hey can you stand up? I wanna get a better look at you...I bet I can guess the gender!"
10. Feeling the baby move around all day is the most wonderful feeling
11. No chair is comfortable for more than five minutes
12. From seeing how he's been through the pregnancy, Mitch is going to be a fantastic dad
13. Every shirt will get stains on it the first time I wear it. No more of this whole 'wearing more than once between washes' jazz
And that's all I can think of right now...I've learned lots of practical medical stuff too, but that's boring. Come on, 5 weeks...
So I thought I'd take this time to reflect on pregnancy. Here are a few of the things I've learned during pregnancy, in no particular order of importance or occurrence:
1. Pregnancy in the later stage can cause cankles. They tell me these will go away once the swelling goes down. All I can say is: they'd better.
2. Bladder control is completely lost when standing while baby decides to direct a well thought out kick right to it. Haven't peed my pants yet, but I've come darn close.
3. Hugging is not easy anymore when there's a basketball between the two of you.
4. Heartburn can strike at any time for any reason.
5. Emotional
6. Grunting every time I move is perfectly acceptable, but my husband needs to be reminded of this every now and then. If he comments too many times...well...see #5.
7. Rolling over at night requires much thought and contemplation. Unless I have to pee.
8. I didn't know it was possible to pee that many times during the night.
9. Men generally don't know how to respond to a pregnant woman, so expect phrases like "you're HUGE!" or "wow, you got big fast, hey?" or, my favorite thus far "hey can you stand up? I wanna get a better look at you...I bet I can guess the gender!"
10. Feeling the baby move around all day is the most wonderful feeling
11. No chair is comfortable for more than five minutes
12. From seeing how he's been through the pregnancy, Mitch is going to be a fantastic dad
13. Every shirt will get stains on it the first time I wear it. No more of this whole 'wearing more than once between washes' jazz
And that's all I can think of right now...I've learned lots of practical medical stuff too, but that's boring. Come on, 5 weeks...
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