This is one worn-out mama coming to you today! So if I misspell anything, please, forgive me.
1. Today I arranged to have lunch with my mom and have my sister show up to surprise her. Mom loves showing off her grandkids, and it's nice for her coworkers to see them as she talks about them often (I presume). Melissa hadn't yet had a chance to show Tommy off for her, and it will only be a few more weeks before maternity leave is up. Mom was definitely "tickled pink". However, I'm wiped! It ended up being about 2.5 hours together between lunch and letting Mom finish her work before going over the Capital Building to let a friend of the family see little Tommy. And we walked everywhere: to lunch and back, to the Capital (just across the street, but it's about a half block to get to the building, you know). All while wrangling a boisterous six-year old, four-year old, and a very excited 15 mo. old. It's a little more than this 7 mo. pregnant body wants to take. I might need a nap and let the dishes go (again).
2. Plans are underway for our yearly CIY youth trip. This year, instead of going to the "Move" conference as we usually do, we are going to attend Know Sweat in Denver. This, I am very excited about. A large portion of Know Sweat involves the kids going out into the community and participating in service projects. This takes up the day, while the evening then is spent in worship and teaching and small groups. I love it because it gives us an opportunity to put into practice everything we're learning. It also will helpfully get us out of our comfort zone and serving others. I know that sometimes our students don't like a change in the line-up of youth events, for fear they might be missing out on something. But I think this is a step-up. I already know about a few things in the works (possibly) that will just make the trip all that more sweet. As for myself, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to be involved, having a small child and a baby. We're going to work on that. But hopefully, I'll be able to be involved in some way. And the great thing about it being in Denver means that we get to spend some time with Nick's parents who live nearby! This will be a great opportunity for Eliza to spend some time with Nana and Papa Kemper!
3. I have a new haircut. I love it. Enough said. (And sadly, I can't seem to get a decent picture of it on my own, otherwise I would post a picture of it for you.)
4. Eliza has suddenly decided she is capable of climbing the steps up to our apartment on her own. And thank You, Lord, that she is! This is a wonderful thing for me, as on nice days when I don't want her walking through muck, she can walk up to the door herself while I carry groceries or whatever, and then she climbs the stairs herself. This is also in plenty of time for lots of practice before baby brother comes. I love it.
5. It snowed again this week, yesterday, actually. We had been enjoying sixty-seventy degree weather, and then it snows. There are a lot of very disgruntled people around, having had that delicious taste of spring in their mouths for a few days. I can understand. However, it's still late February. And February tends to be like this, as if it's not content being a winter month and stretches itself to reach for spring. I admit, it will be nice when spring comes and we can walk around without the burdens of coats and hats, when I can take my daughter outside to play any time she gets a hankering to "go bye-bye." But... it's four weeks until spring, folks. Maybe just a little less. I won't rule out the chance of snow and colder temps until then. (And maybe not even then. I remember some snowy Marches!)
That's it for today, folks. I still owe this blog a post about the beautiful necklace my hubby gave me for Valentine's. I've been a bit weepy without provocation lately, however, and writing a post like that is guaranteed to get me going. So I think I'll wait for a day where the emotional waters are a bit calmer to pull that out.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Quick 5
This post is coming a little late today, but that's alright. It's been a busy day. I could have used naptime to do it, but instead I chose to eat lunch and wash the dishes. I know; I gotta get my priorities straight.
1. Last weekend was a sick weekend. I'm still surprised Nick came away unscathed. The flu hit Eliza and then it hit me. Not the vomiting-every-ten-minutes-kind, but still, there was some unpleasantness, and as for myself, it sapped any ounce of strength of energy I had. It took me a couple of days to recover, even after the symptoms went away. Gotta love being pregnant. So, though I made tremendous headway on my housework last Friday, I'm still catching up today. But it's looking better. Sort of.
2. It's been a busy week. "Busy" really seems to be the theme of the week: we had places to go, people to see, shots to endure, doctor's appointments, hair cut appointments, appointments, appointments, appointments. That's alright, though. It allowed us to get out of the house after we'd basically cooped ourselves up during a lot of the weather. For the past several weeks the majority of our time was spent with just Eliza and I in the living room. By the time Wednesday hit, we were supposed to go to the zoo but I was on the fence because of recent illness and the dense, damp fog and chilly temps outside. Eliza overruled it by banging on the door and insisting "bye-bye" until we actually went "bye-bye". If not for the company, it wouldn't have been a fun zoo trip. But we survived, and Eliza got to "go bye-bye".
3. We are T-minus seven weeks out and counting. It both seems very soon and very far away. This next week my mother-in-law will be bringing us a dresser and I can finally take Simon's things out of bins and put them in drawers. I'm also hoping that tomorrow will see us in their room getting things moved around, organized, and hopefully another bar set up in the closet for Simon's hanging things (or things that could be hanging things).
4. I'm still working away at the daily Bible reading blog. It's not been perfect attendance (or publishing, or writing, that's for sure!), but I'm glad to be continuing. I've lived through Leviticus; I'm almost done with Numbers, and then on to Deuteronomy. I have trepidations about Deuteronomy. For instance, it was the most quoted book by Jesus in the New Testament, which makes me very eager to reread it with that fact in mind; why did Deuteronomy have such weight with Christ? A well summarized version of the Law? Eloquence? I have no idea, but I'd like to know. I'm also intimidated to read through more "law". But it also has the blessings and cursings chapters, which a professor in Bible college convinced me that the rest of the Old Testament hinges on (and it does! It's so cool!). I know there's good stuff in Deuteronomy, in fact all of it is God-breathed, which means it's all good. Just, will I be able to appreciate it?
5. As well, I've got another iron in the fire, and I'm contemplating the intentional life. Not Dr. Randy Carlson's on Family Life Radio, exactly. I've looked through his site and it's got a lot of really good stuff. But more specifically, I'm thinking about how to intentionally live out my life in Christ, how do I put into action the things that He teaches? I know that is the general gist of Carlson's program, but I find much of his information on his website more oriented to family life. I haven't yet figured out how to articulate the difference to me, but I'm working on it. More on that to come.
That's it. Pretty much. My life really does revolve around housework, Eliza, and my expectant child, doesn't it? But here's an extra tidbit (so I guess that's six?). For Valentine's, which my husband and I don't normally celebrate, he surprised me with a beautiful necklace. But it deserves a post all it's own, really. So I think I will try to share that tomorrow, picture and all.
1. Last weekend was a sick weekend. I'm still surprised Nick came away unscathed. The flu hit Eliza and then it hit me. Not the vomiting-every-ten-minutes-kind, but still, there was some unpleasantness, and as for myself, it sapped any ounce of strength of energy I had. It took me a couple of days to recover, even after the symptoms went away. Gotta love being pregnant. So, though I made tremendous headway on my housework last Friday, I'm still catching up today. But it's looking better. Sort of.
2. It's been a busy week. "Busy" really seems to be the theme of the week: we had places to go, people to see, shots to endure, doctor's appointments, hair cut appointments, appointments, appointments, appointments. That's alright, though. It allowed us to get out of the house after we'd basically cooped ourselves up during a lot of the weather. For the past several weeks the majority of our time was spent with just Eliza and I in the living room. By the time Wednesday hit, we were supposed to go to the zoo but I was on the fence because of recent illness and the dense, damp fog and chilly temps outside. Eliza overruled it by banging on the door and insisting "bye-bye" until we actually went "bye-bye". If not for the company, it wouldn't have been a fun zoo trip. But we survived, and Eliza got to "go bye-bye".
3. We are T-minus seven weeks out and counting. It both seems very soon and very far away. This next week my mother-in-law will be bringing us a dresser and I can finally take Simon's things out of bins and put them in drawers. I'm also hoping that tomorrow will see us in their room getting things moved around, organized, and hopefully another bar set up in the closet for Simon's hanging things (or things that could be hanging things).
4. I'm still working away at the daily Bible reading blog. It's not been perfect attendance (or publishing, or writing, that's for sure!), but I'm glad to be continuing. I've lived through Leviticus; I'm almost done with Numbers, and then on to Deuteronomy. I have trepidations about Deuteronomy. For instance, it was the most quoted book by Jesus in the New Testament, which makes me very eager to reread it with that fact in mind; why did Deuteronomy have such weight with Christ? A well summarized version of the Law? Eloquence? I have no idea, but I'd like to know. I'm also intimidated to read through more "law". But it also has the blessings and cursings chapters, which a professor in Bible college convinced me that the rest of the Old Testament hinges on (and it does! It's so cool!). I know there's good stuff in Deuteronomy, in fact all of it is God-breathed, which means it's all good. Just, will I be able to appreciate it?
5. As well, I've got another iron in the fire, and I'm contemplating the intentional life. Not Dr. Randy Carlson's on Family Life Radio, exactly. I've looked through his site and it's got a lot of really good stuff. But more specifically, I'm thinking about how to intentionally live out my life in Christ, how do I put into action the things that He teaches? I know that is the general gist of Carlson's program, but I find much of his information on his website more oriented to family life. I haven't yet figured out how to articulate the difference to me, but I'm working on it. More on that to come.
That's it. Pretty much. My life really does revolve around housework, Eliza, and my expectant child, doesn't it? But here's an extra tidbit (so I guess that's six?). For Valentine's, which my husband and I don't normally celebrate, he surprised me with a beautiful necklace. But it deserves a post all it's own, really. So I think I will try to share that tomorrow, picture and all.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
It feels like it should be Friday
The weather is BEE-OOO-tiful! We woke this morning shortly before 6am with Eliza to find the air a soft 54 degrees. Lovely. I had asked permission to leave the window open a little to try to keep our room cooler, and was happily surprised by the smell of spring wafting past our curtains. Days like these are gems! After the cold and snow, the dry air, the bitter wind, a soft and gentle breeze bringing warm temperatures is like a kiss from heaven. It may sound cheesy, but it's true!
Days like these, really, make me ready for all sorts of things. I want to take walks and bike rides, read a good book by an open window, drink lemonade or fruity limeades from Sonic. I start thinking about summer activities with the youth and the things out of doors I can do with Eliza. This spring, as she's bigger and mobile, I look forward to taking her outside and letting her play (though our yard could really use some work.) Days like today, well, they should just be Fridays, shouldn't they? They are so full of hope and expectation, you feel like the wide-open weekend is just around the corner! (Though, who's ever heard of a wide-open weekend when you're an adult?)
Spring was always my favorite season growing up. It hasn't been until recent years that I've grown to appreciate the respite winter gives us from summer's oppressive heat and to feel that every season has it's place. I loved spring for it's mild weather, thunderstorms and rain, the delicate green that began to haze the branches of trees and bushes and the grass on the ground. I loved the wet, black roads and the dark, gray skies that meant the transition from cold to warm. I almost feel like I'll see them tomorrow.
But today is Thursday. And I don't mind: I like Thursdays. I usually take the morning, if I can, to study during Eliza's nap or do quiet things like this, blogging. I have my ladies' Bible study in the afternoon, and if she's available, one of the high school girls come over and we talk about the Bible. It's not exactly a day of rest, because somewhere in there is a frantic dash of cleaning and an effort to get dinner done and cleaned up before the evening commences. But I do like Thursdays. Tomorrow won't be the same; it will be more chill, and it's a busy day. But right now, life feels pretty good!
Days like these, really, make me ready for all sorts of things. I want to take walks and bike rides, read a good book by an open window, drink lemonade or fruity limeades from Sonic. I start thinking about summer activities with the youth and the things out of doors I can do with Eliza. This spring, as she's bigger and mobile, I look forward to taking her outside and letting her play (though our yard could really use some work.) Days like today, well, they should just be Fridays, shouldn't they? They are so full of hope and expectation, you feel like the wide-open weekend is just around the corner! (Though, who's ever heard of a wide-open weekend when you're an adult?)
Spring was always my favorite season growing up. It hasn't been until recent years that I've grown to appreciate the respite winter gives us from summer's oppressive heat and to feel that every season has it's place. I loved spring for it's mild weather, thunderstorms and rain, the delicate green that began to haze the branches of trees and bushes and the grass on the ground. I loved the wet, black roads and the dark, gray skies that meant the transition from cold to warm. I almost feel like I'll see them tomorrow.
But today is Thursday. And I don't mind: I like Thursdays. I usually take the morning, if I can, to study during Eliza's nap or do quiet things like this, blogging. I have my ladies' Bible study in the afternoon, and if she's available, one of the high school girls come over and we talk about the Bible. It's not exactly a day of rest, because somewhere in there is a frantic dash of cleaning and an effort to get dinner done and cleaned up before the evening commences. But I do like Thursdays. Tomorrow won't be the same; it will be more chill, and it's a busy day. But right now, life feels pretty good!
Friday, February 11, 2011
Friday Quick 5
Slow and steady wins the race, right? I had anticipated a flurry of cleaning today, but I guess I'm just not the sort. Instead, I've been making slow but steady progress down the mental list of things that need to get done. I'm not nearly "there" yet, though, which means this Quick 5 has to be really quick.
1. Congratulations to my brother's girlfriend! She is now a grandma! This may sound strange, if you know my family's age, but, though Christina is a little older than my brother, the main factor is that she had her children quite young, and so she has the chance of being a young grandmother. Her daughter had a little baby boy early this morning and from the pictures, he's a cutie.
2. I've decided that I am not Martha Stewart. I'd love to be Martha Stewart, or at least that put-together with a nice wardrobe and nice, clean, organized house and a kitchen full of delectables, but I am just not. The state of my house the past week or so just testifies to the fact. I think Maybe when I get a bigger kitchen, or Maybe if I had a cleaning schedule I could stick to, or Maybe when the kids are old enough to help. Anyone else hear a "Yeah, right" coming out of that? I know all about the party line about you don't need to be perfect, that it's okay to let the housework go, etc. But admit it, folks: we like to think we can achieve perfection. Well, I can't. But that doesn't mean I still don't want a clean and comfortable home and to have tasty food to offer my family. I read all these blogs about women who are achieving it, despite their disclaimers that they're not (otherwise, they're very good liars), and think, "Surely, I can do that, too?" Of course I can. I just need to... work something out. But Martha Stewart, I am not.
3. We bought a car! Yes, that's very exciting! Yes, I really like it. It's a 1998 Isuzu Trooper. I've never owned an Isuzu. I still can't say, "I've never owned a car this new" (though technically, the newest I've had to date is a '93 Jimmy), but that's ok. Someday. With the minivan. I'm putting my foot down on that one. Even if we have to save for it a little longer than we'd hoped. But I do like the Trooper. It's standard, very standard; no optional options here. But that's okay. It still has everything we said it had to have, plus tons of room. And it maneuvers like my old Blazer, which I loved driving. So. I'm happy.
4. I've made a goal that within the next two weeks my place will be clean enough to invite my sister-in-law over to help me hang pictures. I just hope she doesn't turn me down.
5. We are less than two months from our due date! Can you believe that? Maybe you can't, but I almost can. The first two trimesters flew away. This one is dragging. I don't mind, exactly. I know I'll be "SO ready" by the time he comes to not be pregnant anymore, but if I had my "druthers" it certainly wouldn't be the first trimester to drag! Which means the third trimester going low and slow is just fine. We still have lots to do. Lots and lots and lots. So, speaking of that. I'm ending this not-so-quick-Quick 5 and getting back to work! When Eliza is up from her nap, I intend to go into her room and get some work done!
1. Congratulations to my brother's girlfriend! She is now a grandma! This may sound strange, if you know my family's age, but, though Christina is a little older than my brother, the main factor is that she had her children quite young, and so she has the chance of being a young grandmother. Her daughter had a little baby boy early this morning and from the pictures, he's a cutie.
2. I've decided that I am not Martha Stewart. I'd love to be Martha Stewart, or at least that put-together with a nice wardrobe and nice, clean, organized house and a kitchen full of delectables, but I am just not. The state of my house the past week or so just testifies to the fact. I think Maybe when I get a bigger kitchen, or Maybe if I had a cleaning schedule I could stick to, or Maybe when the kids are old enough to help. Anyone else hear a "Yeah, right" coming out of that? I know all about the party line about you don't need to be perfect, that it's okay to let the housework go, etc. But admit it, folks: we like to think we can achieve perfection. Well, I can't. But that doesn't mean I still don't want a clean and comfortable home and to have tasty food to offer my family. I read all these blogs about women who are achieving it, despite their disclaimers that they're not (otherwise, they're very good liars), and think, "Surely, I can do that, too?" Of course I can. I just need to... work something out. But Martha Stewart, I am not.
3. We bought a car! Yes, that's very exciting! Yes, I really like it. It's a 1998 Isuzu Trooper. I've never owned an Isuzu. I still can't say, "I've never owned a car this new" (though technically, the newest I've had to date is a '93 Jimmy), but that's ok. Someday. With the minivan. I'm putting my foot down on that one. Even if we have to save for it a little longer than we'd hoped. But I do like the Trooper. It's standard, very standard; no optional options here. But that's okay. It still has everything we said it had to have, plus tons of room. And it maneuvers like my old Blazer, which I loved driving. So. I'm happy.
4. I've made a goal that within the next two weeks my place will be clean enough to invite my sister-in-law over to help me hang pictures. I just hope she doesn't turn me down.
5. We are less than two months from our due date! Can you believe that? Maybe you can't, but I almost can. The first two trimesters flew away. This one is dragging. I don't mind, exactly. I know I'll be "SO ready" by the time he comes to not be pregnant anymore, but if I had my "druthers" it certainly wouldn't be the first trimester to drag! Which means the third trimester going low and slow is just fine. We still have lots to do. Lots and lots and lots. So, speaking of that. I'm ending this not-so-quick-Quick 5 and getting back to work! When Eliza is up from her nap, I intend to go into her room and get some work done!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Love Project
One of my first classes freshman year at Grace University was Foundations of Bible Study, and to this day is one of the most influential classes I have ever taken. Thank You, Lord, for the grace and wisdom to lead GU to institute and teach that class! I learned how to study my Bible effectively and deeply. I learned about prayer. Discipleship. Service. Fellowship. The whole "wheel" of the Christian life. I am particularly grateful for Dr. Ron Rushing who taught that class, as the projects he assigned still have a lasting impact on me today. This is where I learned to do my first word study (something I now love doing!). It's also where I encountered the Love Project.
The Love Project was assigned to every freshman who came through Grace's doors, as they had to take this class. We were to choose one person who drove us crazy, whom we didn't like, whom our attitude towards was admittedly poor, or worse. Then we were to spend the semester praying for them and encouraging them from time to time. This often meant sending a small note through campus mail, though if you really wanted to you could even send them gifts. We tracked our activity, and at the end of the semester we wrote a paper on the outcome of the experiment. Talk about a project that flies in the face of every human inclination! How many people outside the Body of Christ do you think would willingly attempt to love on someone they hated? Inside the body? Here's the amazing thing: by the end of the semester, we didn't really hate them anymore. One friend of mine attested to the fact that she had chosen a friend within our circle who grated on her a little; by the end, she loved her! I didn't grow to really like the person I chose, but I did learn to feel compassion towards her and to not disdain her as I was tempted to do in the beginning.
It strikes me that maybe we could use something like the Love Project as an ongoing effort to love the body of Christ more, even today. Why should it be confined to just a single semester in college? Are there not people in my own fellowship that I do not love as I should? I know there are. So, I've decided. I'm going to embark on a Love Project once again. I have someone in mind already. I won't share who it is, as that would be dishonoring to both them and myself to reveal a struggle like that. But I do intend to pray for this person and to encourage them and to ask the Lord to change my heart. Now, if you suddenly start receiving some encouragement notes from me, do not be alarmed! The contemplation of this project has made me realize that I do not encourage enough as it is. There are many people I esteem or appreciate who may have no idea that I do! And so, it is my intention to not only encourage this person, but others around me. To be more intentional about being a Barnabas.
I'd like to challenge you to join me. Not because it's February, the month of love (please, please, hear the sarcasm in that word love). In Christ, every month should be an outpouring of love for those around us. I ask you to join me as I suspect I'm not the only one who struggles to love others as Christ loves us. From experience, I can tell you how much you'd be amazed to see Christ change your heart in this matter, how much He draws you to Himself when you earnestly seek to honor Him in such a way. I'd love to teach a class or monopolize a portion of a conference so I myself could assign this project to others so that they can see the power prayer and love can have on someone's heart, particularly your own! But as I don't have that power (probably a good thing), I am simply challenging anyone who is willing to do it to join me. If you like, leave a comment and let me know you are. You don't have to be conspicuous in doing it; in fact, it's best not to be, so that the focus is on the Lord and on the other person, not our own efforts. But simple, regular prayer and an occasional kind word will suffice. And watch how the Lord changes you!
The Love Project was assigned to every freshman who came through Grace's doors, as they had to take this class. We were to choose one person who drove us crazy, whom we didn't like, whom our attitude towards was admittedly poor, or worse. Then we were to spend the semester praying for them and encouraging them from time to time. This often meant sending a small note through campus mail, though if you really wanted to you could even send them gifts. We tracked our activity, and at the end of the semester we wrote a paper on the outcome of the experiment. Talk about a project that flies in the face of every human inclination! How many people outside the Body of Christ do you think would willingly attempt to love on someone they hated? Inside the body? Here's the amazing thing: by the end of the semester, we didn't really hate them anymore. One friend of mine attested to the fact that she had chosen a friend within our circle who grated on her a little; by the end, she loved her! I didn't grow to really like the person I chose, but I did learn to feel compassion towards her and to not disdain her as I was tempted to do in the beginning.
It strikes me that maybe we could use something like the Love Project as an ongoing effort to love the body of Christ more, even today. Why should it be confined to just a single semester in college? Are there not people in my own fellowship that I do not love as I should? I know there are. So, I've decided. I'm going to embark on a Love Project once again. I have someone in mind already. I won't share who it is, as that would be dishonoring to both them and myself to reveal a struggle like that. But I do intend to pray for this person and to encourage them and to ask the Lord to change my heart. Now, if you suddenly start receiving some encouragement notes from me, do not be alarmed! The contemplation of this project has made me realize that I do not encourage enough as it is. There are many people I esteem or appreciate who may have no idea that I do! And so, it is my intention to not only encourage this person, but others around me. To be more intentional about being a Barnabas.
I'd like to challenge you to join me. Not because it's February, the month of love (please, please, hear the sarcasm in that word love). In Christ, every month should be an outpouring of love for those around us. I ask you to join me as I suspect I'm not the only one who struggles to love others as Christ loves us. From experience, I can tell you how much you'd be amazed to see Christ change your heart in this matter, how much He draws you to Himself when you earnestly seek to honor Him in such a way. I'd love to teach a class or monopolize a portion of a conference so I myself could assign this project to others so that they can see the power prayer and love can have on someone's heart, particularly your own! But as I don't have that power (probably a good thing), I am simply challenging anyone who is willing to do it to join me. If you like, leave a comment and let me know you are. You don't have to be conspicuous in doing it; in fact, it's best not to be, so that the focus is on the Lord and on the other person, not our own efforts. But simple, regular prayer and an occasional kind word will suffice. And watch how the Lord changes you!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Snug-a-snug
That's what I call it when Eliza is willing to snuggle up with me. I know, a gross and blatant display of mommy-baby language. I can't help myself. I'm often asking for quick snug-a-snugs. She, though, is invariably picky about when and for how long she is willing to give them.
I'm not a big proponent of co-sleeping, unless you're talking about my husband. One of the things I love about marriage is that he is the last person I see before I fall asleep and the person I wake up to, even in the middle of the night when the womb and bladder aren't getting along. As for kiddos in the bed, Nick and I agreed early on: we prefer to keep our bed to ourselves. I can count on one hand the times Eliza has slept in bed with us (during moments of sheer desperation for sleep). She has now developed a decided taste against sleeping with Mama and Daddy, and as far as the no-co-sleeping policy goes, that's fine. But there are times I wish it was different.
I love to cuddle with my girl. If you know the five love languages, one of mine is physical touch. Which means I want to hug and kiss my kiddo quite often. She doesn't mind, much. But she is best at snuggling when she's tired or sleepy. Or just out. And then there are times I wish she'd lay down with me on the couch or on our bed and we could take a nap together. But it's a no-go. She hates having to lie down on our bed (she'd rather play) and really only goes to sleep in her car seat or in her own bed.
Currently, I'm listening to her moan and try to mutter with her binky in while she lays in her crib. She was up at 5:30 this morning (no uncommon occurrence in our household), and it's time for some sleep. I don't think she knows if she's willing to do it yet, though. It's one of those mornings where I myself would love a nap, would love to snuggle down with her on my bed and take a good morning snooze together. That pretty picture is not how things will go, though. So I will let her roll around and muffle and moan and continue working away to get the laundry done. Maybe I'll get a nap this afternoon.
I'm not a big proponent of co-sleeping, unless you're talking about my husband. One of the things I love about marriage is that he is the last person I see before I fall asleep and the person I wake up to, even in the middle of the night when the womb and bladder aren't getting along. As for kiddos in the bed, Nick and I agreed early on: we prefer to keep our bed to ourselves. I can count on one hand the times Eliza has slept in bed with us (during moments of sheer desperation for sleep). She has now developed a decided taste against sleeping with Mama and Daddy, and as far as the no-co-sleeping policy goes, that's fine. But there are times I wish it was different.
I love to cuddle with my girl. If you know the five love languages, one of mine is physical touch. Which means I want to hug and kiss my kiddo quite often. She doesn't mind, much. But she is best at snuggling when she's tired or sleepy. Or just out. And then there are times I wish she'd lay down with me on the couch or on our bed and we could take a nap together. But it's a no-go. She hates having to lie down on our bed (she'd rather play) and really only goes to sleep in her car seat or in her own bed.
Currently, I'm listening to her moan and try to mutter with her binky in while she lays in her crib. She was up at 5:30 this morning (no uncommon occurrence in our household), and it's time for some sleep. I don't think she knows if she's willing to do it yet, though. It's one of those mornings where I myself would love a nap, would love to snuggle down with her on my bed and take a good morning snooze together. That pretty picture is not how things will go, though. So I will let her roll around and muffle and moan and continue working away to get the laundry done. Maybe I'll get a nap this afternoon.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Friday Quick 5
1. Hooray! Our tax returns are in and we finally get to look for a new car! I am so ready to pass on my Jimmy to Nick. We've already sold our Camry (to a good friend who is willing to wait until Nick can do a few things to it before passing it on). I am so ready for a new[er] car! We don't intend to get anything too new or extravagant. The plan is to buy a sturdy SUV for the time being for me to drive, and Nick will take over the Jimmy until it falls apart. We are hoping by then that we can afford to buy a newer minivan for the family and Nick will then take over whatever we buy at this present time. I'm so ready to start looking! We've been watching Craigslist, looking at Autotrader.com, inspecting local dealerships' online inventories... It's all just a matter now of finding the right car for the right price. We're praying we'll make the right decision and it's a car that will be able to stick around for several years!
2. On the news they said this morning that we've already had 26.00 inches of snow. That's 12" above the average for January and 8" above our yearly average! And we're expecting more for next week! A lot of people around here are ready for spring, but I have to admit, though I don't like that our alley becomes a little treacherous if everything doesn't melt off, I like having a winter where it looks like winter. And I know it will make me all the more glad to appreciate the warmer temperatures and the greens and pinks and yellows and blues of spring. But for now, you have to admit, my friends: white looks a lot better than brown and dead!
3. The women's Bible study I'm a part of is doing a study on the book of Daniel written by Beth Moore. I'm liking this one so far. Not too much fluff, makes me think, and the homework assignments don't have me watching the time to see how long before I'm finished! The only complaint is that it does put a bit more time constraint on my own Bible reading and my other blog. But good study never hurt anybody, right? It's definitley not keeping me from regular life, either. I like Daniel, both the book and the person. He was courageous and had integrity; the book is full of some pretty deep stuff. It was once taught to my fifth and sixth grade Sunday school class and it scared the crud out of me! But I learned to appreciate it in college and I'm liking it now. I'm looking forward to the next portion.
4. Eliza's pink-eye is lingering. Can we just say, "Urgh!"? The irritation mostly seems to be gone, but she's still oozing green stuff. If it's not gone by Sunday, I will be calling the Dr. on Monday. However, she does in fact have a well-child visit next week, so maybe we can wait for that? We shall see.
5. Best for last! My sister had her baby boy last Sunday! So exciting! I haven't seen the little guy yet except in pictures, but I can definitely tell you he's a cutie. They named him Tommy. (Jimmy, Mikey, Tommy, do you see a theme? Yes, it's deliberate.) That makes four nephews and one niece for me! I have to admit, I'm liking the fact that Simon will have a boy cousin just his age that they can grow up together and wrestle and have fun. I just hope we won't be worrying about them when they turn sixteen and head out in a car together! I plan to go see them tomorrow and hopefully Eliza won't try to poke his eye or anything. It will help us acclimate her to having someone younger than her around. She still stoutly refuses to acknowledge any sentence containing the words "brother" or "Simon".
Doesn't seem like a very momentous Quick 5, but the week really has been dominated by pink-eye and heavy snow! I haven't even had much chance to read this week, beyond my Bible studies. Still, that's good reading! I can't complain.
2. On the news they said this morning that we've already had 26.00 inches of snow. That's 12" above the average for January and 8" above our yearly average! And we're expecting more for next week! A lot of people around here are ready for spring, but I have to admit, though I don't like that our alley becomes a little treacherous if everything doesn't melt off, I like having a winter where it looks like winter. And I know it will make me all the more glad to appreciate the warmer temperatures and the greens and pinks and yellows and blues of spring. But for now, you have to admit, my friends: white looks a lot better than brown and dead!
3. The women's Bible study I'm a part of is doing a study on the book of Daniel written by Beth Moore. I'm liking this one so far. Not too much fluff, makes me think, and the homework assignments don't have me watching the time to see how long before I'm finished! The only complaint is that it does put a bit more time constraint on my own Bible reading and my other blog. But good study never hurt anybody, right? It's definitley not keeping me from regular life, either. I like Daniel, both the book and the person. He was courageous and had integrity; the book is full of some pretty deep stuff. It was once taught to my fifth and sixth grade Sunday school class and it scared the crud out of me! But I learned to appreciate it in college and I'm liking it now. I'm looking forward to the next portion.
4. Eliza's pink-eye is lingering. Can we just say, "Urgh!"? The irritation mostly seems to be gone, but she's still oozing green stuff. If it's not gone by Sunday, I will be calling the Dr. on Monday. However, she does in fact have a well-child visit next week, so maybe we can wait for that? We shall see.
5. Best for last! My sister had her baby boy last Sunday! So exciting! I haven't seen the little guy yet except in pictures, but I can definitely tell you he's a cutie. They named him Tommy. (Jimmy, Mikey, Tommy, do you see a theme? Yes, it's deliberate.) That makes four nephews and one niece for me! I have to admit, I'm liking the fact that Simon will have a boy cousin just his age that they can grow up together and wrestle and have fun. I just hope we won't be worrying about them when they turn sixteen and head out in a car together! I plan to go see them tomorrow and hopefully Eliza won't try to poke his eye or anything. It will help us acclimate her to having someone younger than her around. She still stoutly refuses to acknowledge any sentence containing the words "brother" or "Simon".
Doesn't seem like a very momentous Quick 5, but the week really has been dominated by pink-eye and heavy snow! I haven't even had much chance to read this week, beyond my Bible studies. Still, that's good reading! I can't complain.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Pink-eye, go away!
I am not my daughter's favorite person in the world right now. In fact, I just may be her least favorite person. She lets me hold her with distrust. She won't even let me clean her cheeks. Why? Because I am the person who, four out of four times a day, holds her down and puts drops into her eyes. The drops don't hurt, but that doesn't mean she doesn't hate it or refuse to cooperate and making the hold down necessary. (And yes, we've tried doing it when she's asleep, and inevitably, she wakes up.) The only thing she likes about the eye drops is shaking the bottle and hearing the sloshing sound inside and chewing on the cap. Which Mom won't let her do, so that's out.
I'm ready for this stuff to go away. Her eyes still get gunked up, and she still fights anytime we need to clean them so she can see out them. Her nose has begun to run again, which means her face is an all around mess. She's made it clear she doesn't trust me and doesn't want me to hold her (because, you never know, I might just be holding her to hold her down).
Don't think Nick isn't around to help. He is, two out of the four times. Apparently, though, that's two-enough-less for her to be perfectly willing to sit with him and cuddle up next to him on the couch while Daddy plays video games. After all, Daddy plays video games.
Part of me says, "Buck up. This is part of being a mom and you're going to be a mom for... EVER." How's Mr. Tumbles-and-Somersaults going to react if we ever have to do this for him? The other part of me just wants to kneel down when my daughter refuses to let me tell her I love her after a particularly bad tussle and just cry. But this, too, shall pass. And if not in seven days from beginning of treatment, believe me I'll be back in the doctor's office lickety-split for help! And pink-eye is, pink-eye. It's not tuberculosis, it's not cancer, it's not serious brain trauma. It could be oh-so-much harder. So I think I'll listen to the tougher side of me and buck up. I can be a tough mama, too.
I'm ready for this stuff to go away. Her eyes still get gunked up, and she still fights anytime we need to clean them so she can see out them. Her nose has begun to run again, which means her face is an all around mess. She's made it clear she doesn't trust me and doesn't want me to hold her (because, you never know, I might just be holding her to hold her down).
Don't think Nick isn't around to help. He is, two out of the four times. Apparently, though, that's two-enough-less for her to be perfectly willing to sit with him and cuddle up next to him on the couch while Daddy plays video games. After all, Daddy plays video games.
Part of me says, "Buck up. This is part of being a mom and you're going to be a mom for... EVER." How's Mr. Tumbles-and-Somersaults going to react if we ever have to do this for him? The other part of me just wants to kneel down when my daughter refuses to let me tell her I love her after a particularly bad tussle and just cry. But this, too, shall pass. And if not in seven days from beginning of treatment, believe me I'll be back in the doctor's office lickety-split for help! And pink-eye is, pink-eye. It's not tuberculosis, it's not cancer, it's not serious brain trauma. It could be oh-so-much harder. So I think I'll listen to the tougher side of me and buck up. I can be a tough mama, too.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)