Lately

This time last year I was training for a half marathon...quite the contrast to what I'm doing this year.

34 weeks today...
This time has been different in many ways. I've taken less pictures and documented the journey less, I've done much less "preparing" nursery and delivery-wise, and as I'm closing in on the last 6 weeks I've got a mix of thoughts and feelings. My baby boy is most active at night, or maybe that's just when I'm the most still so feel him more. Over the last week I have started feeling him have hiccups too...which is the strangest/sweet sensation. At my midwife appointment this week she said she could feel he had grown quite a bit since my last appointment (yes, I could tell you that, also). While it is an amazing miracle that a tiny person is growing within my body, I'm ready to not be carrying a basketball in my belly and be miserable in pain while I'm sleeping at night. But I also know that the newborn days will have other responsibilities and my life will revolve around a feeding schedule. So I'm trying to be at peace with what is now, knowing what's to come will be here before I know it. I've had to start taking naps again most days to combat my sleepless nights, which means I'm not getting as many things done as I would like, but that's OK. I wonder about what Benjamin's personality will be like, what he will look like, and it what ways he will complete our family that we won't be able to imagine our family without him. And I think about that moment when I will see my son for the very first time and hold his tiny body to my heart.

Until then...attempting to soak up these last "only child" days...

We went to the zoo last Thursday to get some sunshine and play outside.

She asked to ride the carousel, which we've never done there. Prior to this time she has been really scared of riding on anything except the bench on a carousel. But she told me she wanted to ride an animal and picked an ostrich. She did not like it when I stepped away to take the second picture, "hold me mama", but was very brave otherwise. I might have cried just a little bit. :) Luckily I had on sunglasses to hide my hormonal/pregnancy/mama tears...she's growing up.

Some of this week:

The evenings have been nice and she has been playing on the patio while I get dinner ready.

Serious painting.

Cinnamon banana wake up bread for breakfast.

She spotted Ronald walking into wal-mart yesterday. She asked if she could take a picture with him, and I said if she stayed sitting in the cart for the whole trip she could on the way out. So on our way out she says "I sit in his lap? You take my picture?!" She has no idea who the slightly creepy clown is, but I love her cheese/crinkle nose face!

 Everyone mows in the pool right?

The last couple of weeks have been hard for a few reasons. But there has been plenty good too, as there always is. I'm grateful for good test results, warmer weather, longer hours of sunshine, our parents' that help us with Isabella and in so many other ways, a healthy baby growing in me, and good friends.

Thankful

We went out on a date night this week to have a child-free dinner while my friends were in town. And because our family members that usually would watch Isabella are spread out traveling between Virginia, Australia, and Buenos Aires we hired a recommended babysitter that was not family or one of my close friends for the first time. I was a little nervous about the whole thing, but Isabella was happy when we left and asleep when we got home, so it was a success. (And this morning when she was in time out and was calling for everyone she knows: Dada! Mimi! Cappy! Nana! Papa!, the babysitter she knew for 3.5 hours made the list of people she wanted to come save her from time out. CARLY!!!)

Headed out with no diaper bags or car seats. (I still thought about her a lot.)

We poured over restaurant choices for a long time to find a place that would entice the foodies along with the not-so-adventurous ones in our group, and settled on The Metro. The cheese plate was great, my filet was very good, and the bread pudding was possibly the best thing anyone had.

It was a really fun evening! We laughed a lot and enjoyed finishing our conversations without interruptions.

The past two weeks have really flown by. Today was our last day together and time to say goodbye. 

I will miss talking about everything, laughing together, scouring Whole Foods for fresh ingredients for dinner and Emily saying things like "I was just thinking we could throw together a deconstructed ratatouille for dinner", and cooking together.

We knew this trip was planned for several months so it was great to look forward to. I'm not sure when we will see each other again so it makes goodbye a little more sad this time.

So I'm going to end today with some of my gratitudes from the week:
- Having friends in our home
-Isabella's funny personality and crazy faces this week
-My mom coming home in two days
-Laughter 
-Being married to my best friend
-Leaving for vacation tomorrow and getting to spend time together as a family and with friends in a beautiful part of God's creation.

Thankful Thursday

We headed downtown to the myriad gardens to play this afternoon. Unfortunately the splash pad was not on, but we had fun anyway.  
I love how her tongue is out in concentration...perhaps she is trying to not let her baby fall out that is haphazardly thrown in her stroller. 
Checking out the massive fish. 

 Stopping for a muffin break (Thanks for my new dress Mimi!)

This week I've been thankful for:
*Sunsets over the lake
*The library
*Our home
*Caramel lattes
*Parks
*Nap time
*New words
*My sister
*ice cream dates 
*Isabella's relationship with her Grandparents

It is hard to believe another week has gone by and we are on the brink of the weekend!

Thankful Thursday

This week I've been thankful for:

She often wears a flower clip in her hair so when she saw these flower stickers she started putting them all in her hair.

-New words: sticker (stikhor), color (Cholhor), bus, doggie, bubbles, happy

-Celebrating 60 years of my dad. What a kind, calm, patient, faithful father he has been!

While it can try my patience, at times, I love her determination.

-Spending time with Isabella. I was missing her Tuesday with working on Monday and being gone for a CEU training Tuesday. I soaked her in yesterday and today.

-I am so grateful for family and friends that have kept Isabella while I have worked or enjoyed child free things with Michael. 
- The warm weather. We've been enjoying sidewalk chalk and blowing bubbles, playing at the park, and the zoo.

-Isabella's spirit, and watching her be brave in trying new things.

-Surprise blessings
-Good books

Thankful Thursday

At the beginning of this year, I had a talk with a friend late at night in a sketchy McDonald's parking lot. (Where else would you want to have a great conversation?) Basically the ending theme was that our lives are really great right now, but sometimes we find things to be unhappy about and focus on those things. The talk has really stuck with me over the last month. I don't claim my life is perfect, because its not. My life has had seasons of loss, grief, and struggle. But for now, things are good. And life has taught me that can change with one hour, one phone call, or one statement. What I walked away from that conversation thinking was that, I know hard seasons and trials will come again, and I don't want to regret that I didn't enjoy the good times as much as possible. It was a good perspective check for me. I hope as I continue journaling my gratitudes that gratitude will become an even greater part of my character, and I will always be able to find things to be grateful for and happy about, regardless of my circumstances.

Some from this week:
*new beginnings
*family meals at our dinner table
*sunshine
*playing at the zoo
*watching isabella's delight when chasing bubbles
*hot chocolate chip cookies and ice cold milk
*my mom
*Michael graciously eating part of our dinner I charred and acting like it was still good. :)


We had a last minute diversion from our dinner at home to chilis for dinner and dessert. A fun mid-week change up!


I love hooded towels!

My goals for 2012 are:
1. Hang my clothes up every night
2. Read my Jesus Calling book every day and the verses included
3. Write in my gratitude journal every day
4. Read at least 24 books this year
5. Do one DIY craft/cooking/creating project each month
6. Run a half marathon in the memorial run.

I love goal setting and continuing to work on becoming the person I want to be. So I don't look at these as resolutions, but rather intentionally deciding things I want to accomplish this year. Basically the themes are taking care of myself physically, spiritually, and emotionally through exercise, quiet time, being grateful, reading, not having so much clutter laying around, and creating. And when I'm in a better place I am a better wife, friend, Mom, and so on! I am sure I will reassess as the year goes on to see if I have developed some good habits and need to add some more to work on, but for now I want to keep things very achievable. Michael and I also sat down and wrote down some family, couple, and financial goals we want to work toward this year. I'm excited!

I'm bringing back Thankful Thursday to remind myself of all the many blessings that happen over the week no matter how small. This weeks are as follows:
-Family breakfasts
-Michael's time off for the holidays
-More referrals than I need right now
-Great weather
-Running with Hayli
-Seeing Isabella make people smile
-The book club girls
-Facetime
-good health


We are faring alright with Michael being away, and we are half way through. But also ready for him to come home!

Here are some pictures from our day:

Thankful Thursday

Something I'm very thankful for is Isabella's health. Sure, she has had some mild colds, has thrown up, struggled with teething, but in the grand scheme of illness those things are small.

She had a hemoglobin test at her one year appointment and her iron count came back low. So low, that they said it could mean she needed a transfusion. To be sure it was accurate, I had to take her to a lab to get her blood drawn. No big deal, except that I HATE getting my own blood taken and become nauseous and panicked every time. Let alone, that this time I had to pin my child against my body while she screamed and writhed for me to let her go so they could get her blood. I felt like I was really brave because I held her tight so they could get their work done. I tried not to cry, but I just couldn't help it. Our super "caring" nurse made it even better when she looked at me and said "really?".
Um, yes, really...I'm crying. Thanks for pointing it out.
Long story short, they said they must not have got the sample correctly the first time from the finger prick and her level from the blood draw was in the normal range. At first I was angry that we had gone through the blood draw for nothing due to them not getting the test right in the first place, but later I was just grateful that she is OK.

Isabella as we were about to head home from the doctor.
(And if you feel like commenting on this picture as others did- Yes, I know that her chest clip is not high enough. I took this picture before I tightened straps and raised the clip- thankyouverymuch.)

Anyway, it was a terrible experience for both of us, and it left me thinking a lot. I thought about clients I have worked with that had a terminally ill child or children that were sick for a long time and died. My heart always broke for them, but even more now having my own child. I can't imagine a life where blood draws, doctors, and hospitals are a routine part of life. Seeing your child be in pain and terrified is a terrible experience. I am so thankful that our sicknesses so far have been limited to some runny noses and congestion.


She hasn't felt good over the past week or so and has been a bit of a crab some days. You can see it in her eyes in this picture. This day she just wanted to be held, so I held her a lot and wore her in the sling while I vacuumed and picked up the house. A new tooth has cut through so hopefully she will feel better soon.

And this day, she wasn't having it that daddy needed to cook dinner and couldn't hold her. So on she went and dinner got made.

Michael has had to work late this week and we have missed him.
I was thankful to his Dad for keeping Isabella on the night I had work. My mom hung out with us two other nights this week. We had fun and it made the time on our own go by faster. I don't know how single parents make it. They have my utmost respect.

I'm thankful for our families, my dear friends, and my life that is blessed in so many ways.

Thankful Thursday

I saw this picture on etsy and love the quote! It is easy to always be wanting something other than what we have. I love the concept of taking care of the things and relationships we already do have and enjoying them rather than wanting what others have or what we think "need".

Its Friday-friidaaay and Thankful Thursday (Rolled into one)

There are days and moments that being a parent is not easy. Like the day a couple of weeks ago I told a friend I was going to go INSANE if I didn't get some real sleep.

(Her crinkle-nose-smile this morning when we were playing)
Luckily, with the ebb and flow of things, sleep has returned. I know it will be gone another time again-but for now things are good. Even with difficult times, Isabella has brought so much joy to my life. I was missing her the other night after she went to bed. When she woke up crying in the morning for someone to get her out of bed, I went in, she stopped crying, and as clear as day she said "hi!" with a big smile on her face. So our new word is hi, and I've heard it a lot lately.

Lately I've been thankful for:
*Open windows and cool breezes in our home
*More time outside
*Watching the wonder on Isabella's face as she takes in the world at the park, grocery store, watching out our front windows...
*Running
*Family that's willing to keep Isabella
*New words
*Friends

Isabella and I enjoyed a bagel, latte, and yogurt at panera this morning. She was the star of a table with some old men having coffee, smiling and babbling to them. Then we were off to go by the office, the bank, and later to SAM's, party galaxy, and target. She was a trooper for *most* of the errands. After a while she gets tired of being in the stroller and will attempt to stand up in it. At that point, I switched her to a sling and she was content to just be close to me. We've been preparing for Michael's 30th birthday bash tomorrow night and are looking forward to celebrating with friends.


Isabella got a birthday present in the mail today from my best friend in New Jersey. It is a super cute grocery set with milk, veggies, and fruit. She loved it! My favorite one is a banana with velcro you can peel and repeel.

I've been feeling nostalgic thinking about this time last year how I was in my final weeks of pregnancy and also in preparing for her upcoming first birthday. Every time I think how I can't believe my baby is almost one, I am reminded of how quickly time passes and the importance of being present in each moment with her and soaking it all in.

After Daddy got home tonight we loaded up and ran by the Patty Wagon to grab a burger and fries to share and headed to the lake. (Their burgers and fries are delicious, so check them out!)
It was wonderful to be together outside.






Have a great weekend!

Thankful Thursday

My girl was extra cuddly this morning and wanted to just be held and rocked, rather than play. (This was prior to our hour nap battle). She is not always cuddly for long periods of time these days so I was happy to soak in a 20 minute rocking. She wasn't going to sleep or wild with play, she was just happy to be held by me.

During this I was reminded of the many times I sat in her rocker before she was born. I would go in there during the night when I couldn't sleep, in the wee hours of the morning when my body was too uncomfortable to lay anymore, and when I got home from work...it was a frequent ritual. I would sit in there, my favorite place in the house, and "ponder things in my heart". I would stare at the crib graciously purchased for our baby by Michael's parents. I would stare at the bedding lovingly made by my Mom. I would dream of holding my baby and her sleeping in this room marked with love and gifts by so many people who already loved her before she was born. My heart felt so full and I was thankful for so many things.

A year later, looking around her room, while rocking the gift I prayed for, I still feel that fullness in my heart and even more.

Thankful Thursday

This week I have been thankful for:

*Saturday Chick-fil-a family breakfast time
*God's grace
*air conditioning
*the answered prayer for RAIN
*waking up to thunder storms
*morning walks with Isabella
*Isabella's laugh
*our needs and wants being provided for in ABUNDANCE
*friends that took our frozen food in a power outage
*family to stay with in the power outage
*a date night
*family lunch on Sunday

Sadly, at times, it can be easy to loose sight of how richly blessed I am. I have not done great at writing down my gratitude list daily over the past weeks, and I'm going to get back to that today. Have a great Thursday! Be Thankful!

Thankful thursday...

I missed thankful thursday last week as we were on vacation- which I was super thankful for! :)
Here is my list for this week:
*Safe travel
*Light rain
*Beautiful wooded countryside
*God's faithfulness
*A week of Michael off work
*A week somewhere where the temperature was lower than 106 degrees!
*AIR CONDITIONING!!
*watching a deer scamper by while drinking coffee on the back porch at our cabin
*Michael's positivity
*Michael's calm attitude when I'm hyped up
*Both of our parents' safe return to the USofA
*StowNgo compartments
*friends
*our washer and dryer

Have a lovely Thursday!