We watched "The Business of Being Born" last night.
I have to say, I am not a big fan of talk show hosts in general. However, this may be Ricky Lake's best work yet. I am glad I did not discredit the documentary based on who thought it up, as I have done with other so-called documentaries. Documentaries by nature document an agenda of some type. They are not so objective these days.
Yes, it is very pro-midwifery/natural childbirth. Yes, it criticizes aspects of the medical industry. However, it does not portray all OB's as Ogres, and based on my limited experience from working in the medical insurance industry for a couple of years, it portrays the red-tape people have to go through the get care pretty accurately.
What this movie does is challenge women to think for themselves. Do not accept the misconception that just because medical interventions (pitocin, epidurals) are becoming the norm, they are always best.
In my opinion, the growing incidence of elective interventions is another symbol of how we as Americans want the "easy way". Ignore the risks, or don't even find out what they could possibly be. If it makes it easier, sign me up.
As one whose first childbirth was completely scheduled and full of drugs, I can honestly say that given our circumstances, it was best for us at that time. I wanted hubby there. Period. He might not have been if we had not induced.
The main arguments I hear from people who won't even consider natural childbirth include 1) What are you trying to prove? and 2) We have the tools, why not use them?
In response to #1- So what if you want to prove to yourself that you can do something God created you to do? People train to run marathons all the time. They are applauded for their strength, while women who choose to attempt one thing they were created to do are often called crazy. What if you are trying to prove that you can do what's best for your baby, if nothing less than to give yourself and your baby that chance. There should be no shame in that.
I can't say I liked being stuck in a bed, unable to feel the lower half of my body for hours, and unable to move. I am a pretty lazy person, but laying that long was just un-natural. And I don't normally get drunk on alcohol, so why would I want the fogginess and drunk feelings that I got from the medications on one of the most important days of my life? Oh, and why was hearing from the lactation consultants that Baby Bear had "pit lips" AFTER she was born the first time I had heard that the drugs could effect our nursing relationship? They either left that part out of the breastfeeding crash course or I wasn't listening.
#2- Who says the tools/medicines are always best for baby and mom? I am not denying the need exists for them. My niece and sister may not have been here today if it weren't for fast-acting doctors and nurses who God placed in their lives when the placenta randomly decided it couldn't handle contractions anymore and separated. I have several friends who have needed c-sections for various reasons. THAT's what they are there for. And yes, the epi is there when needed, when a Mom decides she need a break from the labor.
Medical treatments and procedures have potential side effects to consider along with their benefits. Antibiotics kill good and bad germs and are not always needed. I don't think it's overly simplistic to compare antibiotics and elective obstetrical procedures. If my daughter sneezes, I don't put her on antibiotics. If she needs them, I do.
Whether or not I get that epi this time around remains to be seen... but I am not convinced that getting one out of fear that I can't handle the pain before I'm in the process is the best way to go into labor. (I wasn't before watching this movie, either, it's been a gradual process... beginning with reading The Red Tent.)
There, that's my rant. Maybe I'll just go down to the Farm and see if Ina May will deliver this one. But then again I do like my doctor, hospital and room service. :)
Nothing like waking up for milk and a granola bar and putting your two cents into cyberspace.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
southern "hospitality"
so, i after she fell and bruised her cheek on a cd rack at the store, i asked her whether she wanted salad from Wild Oats or a corn dog from Sonic for lunch. To my pleasant surprise, she declared, "salad" without thinking twice. eating from their deli bar is always an adventure with the little one in tow. i can only imagine the realities of several kids that some of my friends face. their 3-salad sampler and a bottle of water are not much more expensive than a value meal (shoot, they are cheaper than for both of us to eat at sonic), and it's healthy. so we ordered potato salad, chicken salad with grapes and celery and poppy seeds in it, and greek salad with artichokes, feta cheese, and green and red peppers. well, i had her in a cart, but as soon as i set our food on the table, she wanted me to pick her up. we needed a high chair, so there i was, breaking whatever rule of how much weight a pregnant woman should lift, holding my 2 year old on one hip and the high chair in the other arm. a nice man looked up from his paper and offered to help, but at that point we were 3 inches from the table.
there weren't any knives in the little silverware area, and i wasn't about to leave Baby Bear by herself or put her back in the cart just for a plastic knife. the forks looked pretty sturdy, so i figured they might do the trick. well, baby bear didn't have a problem picking up her big chunk of red pepper and nibbling on it, but i know her... big bites don't usually get processed enough to make it to her stomach. or she drops the whole piece of whatever she's trying to nibble.
in hindsight, i should have turned around and asked the gentleman behind if i could take him up on his offer to do us a favor. instead, there were two women about to sit at the table in front of us, which was closer to the salad bar where the knives were available. so i politely asked one of them, who had not sat down yet, if she would mind grabbing a knife for me while she was up.
at first i thought i asked her in japanese. then, her belly bearing friend (i don't care that it was a flat belly to be somewhat proud of for a 40-something year old woman, she should have at least had the sense to not wear her real-estate company logo with her belly showing if she is indeed a realtor) asked, "what did she ask you?"
"To get her a knife." They apparently thought I was invisible.
"Oh, I thought she was offering a place at her table or something." The belly-barer replied.
"Really, if it's a problem, I'll pick up my 30 pound two year old, put her in the cart, squeeze past you guys, possibly bumping into you or other people, and get it myself." I wanted to say.
"If it's a problem, don't worry about it," was what I replied.
The woman was "kind" enough to do it, but she acted like it was taking up half her lunch break. I thanked her and Baby Bear and I had a wonderful lunch together.
But all I have left to say is those women must not really be from the South. Especially if one of them thinks 50 degree weather is warm enough for belly bearing.
Oh, our salads were dee-li-cious.
so, i after she fell and bruised her cheek on a cd rack at the store, i asked her whether she wanted salad from Wild Oats or a corn dog from Sonic for lunch. To my pleasant surprise, she declared, "salad" without thinking twice. eating from their deli bar is always an adventure with the little one in tow. i can only imagine the realities of several kids that some of my friends face. their 3-salad sampler and a bottle of water are not much more expensive than a value meal (shoot, they are cheaper than for both of us to eat at sonic), and it's healthy. so we ordered potato salad, chicken salad with grapes and celery and poppy seeds in it, and greek salad with artichokes, feta cheese, and green and red peppers. well, i had her in a cart, but as soon as i set our food on the table, she wanted me to pick her up. we needed a high chair, so there i was, breaking whatever rule of how much weight a pregnant woman should lift, holding my 2 year old on one hip and the high chair in the other arm. a nice man looked up from his paper and offered to help, but at that point we were 3 inches from the table.
there weren't any knives in the little silverware area, and i wasn't about to leave Baby Bear by herself or put her back in the cart just for a plastic knife. the forks looked pretty sturdy, so i figured they might do the trick. well, baby bear didn't have a problem picking up her big chunk of red pepper and nibbling on it, but i know her... big bites don't usually get processed enough to make it to her stomach. or she drops the whole piece of whatever she's trying to nibble.
in hindsight, i should have turned around and asked the gentleman behind if i could take him up on his offer to do us a favor. instead, there were two women about to sit at the table in front of us, which was closer to the salad bar where the knives were available. so i politely asked one of them, who had not sat down yet, if she would mind grabbing a knife for me while she was up.
at first i thought i asked her in japanese. then, her belly bearing friend (i don't care that it was a flat belly to be somewhat proud of for a 40-something year old woman, she should have at least had the sense to not wear her real-estate company logo with her belly showing if she is indeed a realtor) asked, "what did she ask you?"
"To get her a knife." They apparently thought I was invisible.
"Oh, I thought she was offering a place at her table or something." The belly-barer replied.
"Really, if it's a problem, I'll pick up my 30 pound two year old, put her in the cart, squeeze past you guys, possibly bumping into you or other people, and get it myself." I wanted to say.
"If it's a problem, don't worry about it," was what I replied.
The woman was "kind" enough to do it, but she acted like it was taking up half her lunch break. I thanked her and Baby Bear and I had a wonderful lunch together.
But all I have left to say is those women must not really be from the South. Especially if one of them thinks 50 degree weather is warm enough for belly bearing.
Oh, our salads were dee-li-cious.
I bought the CD today.
(scroll down if you're not sure which one).
It's really good. Wow. I knew Daniel was talented. I mean, his whole family is. You should hear him harmonize with his siblings. I knew that in college He had a heart for leading worship and I liked some of his songs then.
Let's just say I'm leaving it in my car right now because I don't want to forget it on our 3 hour drive tomorrow. I love the scripture memory in Baby Bear's favorite CD, but definitely needed a change.
I was fully prepared to pay full cd price for it, too, since I do actually sort of know the guy. I won't be getting free tickets or anything, but college acquaintance counts as knowing someone if you actually talked to them, right? :)
Anyway, the CD was on sale for 9.99 at my local Christian bookstore. Woo hoo!
(scroll down if you're not sure which one).
It's really good. Wow. I knew Daniel was talented. I mean, his whole family is. You should hear him harmonize with his siblings. I knew that in college He had a heart for leading worship and I liked some of his songs then.
Let's just say I'm leaving it in my car right now because I don't want to forget it on our 3 hour drive tomorrow. I love the scripture memory in Baby Bear's favorite CD, but definitely needed a change.
I was fully prepared to pay full cd price for it, too, since I do actually sort of know the guy. I won't be getting free tickets or anything, but college acquaintance counts as knowing someone if you actually talked to them, right? :)
Anyway, the CD was on sale for 9.99 at my local Christian bookstore. Woo hoo!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Monday, February 25, 2008
Over 10 years have passed since I met Daniel Doss and Brian Wolski, two of the members of the Daniel Doss Band, whose debut CD on a record label is coming out tomorrow. We went to the same college, and our paths crossed. I always looked up to Daniel's sister for her cheerful outlook, and their family's God-given musical talent was amazing. I can't honestly say I was close to either guy, but that's okay (in fact, I'm not sure that both of them remember me, though I'm pretty sure DD does, since I lurk and comment on his wife's blog). They were still a part of a time in my life when God taught me that being "saved" was more than the legalism we as believers try to impose on each other and others, that were it not for His grace alone through Jesus Christ alone, faith would be empty and futile.
Anyway, I plan to buy my copy of their new album soon. I still have some of the chords to some of the songs Daniel wrote and we played in the praise band of the campus ministry we were involved in, and every once in a while I find myself humming one the tunes. It sounds like his music and heart for ministry have grown by leaps and bounds in the past 10+ years.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Faces of Autism Website
is a FINALIST in ideablob's February contest, thanks to everyone who had voted for it! Please click on the button below to ensure your vote gets counted and help Sunny win!
is a FINALIST in ideablob's February contest, thanks to everyone who had voted for it! Please click on the button below to ensure your vote gets counted and help Sunny win!
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
My heart is aching for several women this week. Between friends in real life and online friends who I have never actually met in person but am blessed to know, I know 7 women who have lost a baby in less than a month's time. Seven. Some of them had miscarriages and somebarely knew they were pregnant. One of them, Kristi, lost her little boy, Eli, around 16 weeks, and he was delivered still-born this morning at the hospital.
This song carried me through the grief of my own early miscarriage, and I am posting it with prayers for each of these women and their loved ones who need the arms of the Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit's peace to surround them.
****
Also, please keep a couple of other ladies in your prayers. Kimm is a Mom I met online who is 30 weeks along. She'll have some testing done tomorrow... she has had preterm labor, but is home now, and we're praying that her little guy will stay in a few more weeks! Click HERE to visit her new blog.
JoJeanne is a girl I went to elementary school with, and we reconnected online. She has had several miscarriages and recently learned she is expecting again.
Stick babies stick!!!
TP Tuesday... a wee bit late
9 1/2 sheets... I know it's been 2 weeks since my last belly shot, but I'm beginning to think taking one will be pointless. I can still get most of my regular pants to fit below what belly I have... especially the exercise pants and even the jeans. Unbuttoning them does help.
Anyone else want to play along? Take a roll of TP and wrap it around the thickest part of your belly. You don't have to be pregnant, you could use this as an alternative to tracking your weight loss if you are trying to get smaller instead of bigger! Bueller? Anyone?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
growing before my eyes...
yes, baby bear is growing before my eyes. but today i decided to water the daffodil bulbs i transplanted a couple of weeks ago. plus, a few more had sprung up in the back, and i decided to put them in a pot of dirt and see if they'll bloom for me. the bulbs are pretty tiny, so i'm not holding my breath, but i have this pretty urn/flower pot thing that held the birdseed packets at our wedding, and the only things its held recently are baby bear's rocks. anyway, i decided to mix some multi-purpose plant food in with the water (yes, i wore gloves to keep the chemicals off my skin). and i decided to water the whole bed and the transplanted daffodils under the birch tree. i didn't feel like connecting the hose, dragging it out, etc., so it meant at least 10 trips to the faucet and back. the daffodils were also peeking through the ground at the biltmore, but none had bloomed yet. there was a really pretty purple flower that looked like a miniature iris... unfortunately i did not see it in the conservatory, where many plants were labeled.
anyway, i could swear some of my previously sprouted daffodil and tulip bulbs looked higher and i know for a fact a few more pushed their way through the mulch so i could see them in the 30 minutes i spent outside. there's a grand total of 16 tulips sprouting... out of 30-ish tulip bulbs planted. (if i remember correctly).
hello, my pseudonym is a wandering heart, and i am obsessed with my flower bed. my hubby wishes i'd take half as much care inside. but hey, he'll have clean gym shorts and khakis for work when he gets home, so he can't complain too much. today, anyway.
yes, baby bear is growing before my eyes. but today i decided to water the daffodil bulbs i transplanted a couple of weeks ago. plus, a few more had sprung up in the back, and i decided to put them in a pot of dirt and see if they'll bloom for me. the bulbs are pretty tiny, so i'm not holding my breath, but i have this pretty urn/flower pot thing that held the birdseed packets at our wedding, and the only things its held recently are baby bear's rocks. anyway, i decided to mix some multi-purpose plant food in with the water (yes, i wore gloves to keep the chemicals off my skin). and i decided to water the whole bed and the transplanted daffodils under the birch tree. i didn't feel like connecting the hose, dragging it out, etc., so it meant at least 10 trips to the faucet and back. the daffodils were also peeking through the ground at the biltmore, but none had bloomed yet. there was a really pretty purple flower that looked like a miniature iris... unfortunately i did not see it in the conservatory, where many plants were labeled.
anyway, i could swear some of my previously sprouted daffodil and tulip bulbs looked higher and i know for a fact a few more pushed their way through the mulch so i could see them in the 30 minutes i spent outside. there's a grand total of 16 tulips sprouting... out of 30-ish tulip bulbs planted. (if i remember correctly).
hello, my pseudonym is a wandering heart, and i am obsessed with my flower bed. my hubby wishes i'd take half as much care inside. but hey, he'll have clean gym shorts and khakis for work when he gets home, so he can't complain too much. today, anyway.
Monday, February 18, 2008
home from our "valentine's" weekend
we made it home safely. while baby bear partied with her cousin j, hubby and i spent a relaxing weekend in asheville. we went out to eat and ate too much (well, he ate too much, i ate for two, LOL), picked up some yummy ice cream and kept it in our freezer to snack on whenever we wanted, and visited the biltmore. "america's largest house" is simultaneously mind boggling, fascinating, and disturbing. the fact that a tiny village pretty much revolved around one family disturbs me. the architecture and sprawling gardens (which were obviously not blooming) fascinates me. i'm not quite sure if i'm more fascinated or disturbed my such excessive wall coverings such as 22K gold-plated burlap and pressed leather, but the library was definitely impressive. it was something like i would imagine the library in the beast's castle from a favorite Disney movie. i must admit, i was jealous of the floral design rooms (both of them) in the basement. and the bowling alley and indoor swimming pool. i am thankful that i wasn't raised in a society with so many rules and expectations. we think "keeping up with the jones'" is a problem today... try keeping up with the equivalent of American's royalty. hubby and i declared that we would be content in the servants' quarters (they were bigger than baby bear's bedroom). the audio tour was very informative, and made the 2 hour stroll through the mansion so much more interesting.
the best part of the weekend was spending time with my beloved, just the two of us. of course, we were ready to see our little girl again and checked out an hour before we had to this morning. throughout the weekend we thought of things she would have said if she had been there. the second best part was knowing she was spending quality time with her cousin, aunt and uncle.
anyway, i would like to go back when the gardens are in bloom. that shouldn't surprise anyone.
we made it home safely. while baby bear partied with her cousin j, hubby and i spent a relaxing weekend in asheville. we went out to eat and ate too much (well, he ate too much, i ate for two, LOL), picked up some yummy ice cream and kept it in our freezer to snack on whenever we wanted, and visited the biltmore. "america's largest house" is simultaneously mind boggling, fascinating, and disturbing. the fact that a tiny village pretty much revolved around one family disturbs me. the architecture and sprawling gardens (which were obviously not blooming) fascinates me. i'm not quite sure if i'm more fascinated or disturbed my such excessive wall coverings such as 22K gold-plated burlap and pressed leather, but the library was definitely impressive. it was something like i would imagine the library in the beast's castle from a favorite Disney movie. i must admit, i was jealous of the floral design rooms (both of them) in the basement. and the bowling alley and indoor swimming pool. i am thankful that i wasn't raised in a society with so many rules and expectations. we think "keeping up with the jones'" is a problem today... try keeping up with the equivalent of American's royalty. hubby and i declared that we would be content in the servants' quarters (they were bigger than baby bear's bedroom). the audio tour was very informative, and made the 2 hour stroll through the mansion so much more interesting.
the best part of the weekend was spending time with my beloved, just the two of us. of course, we were ready to see our little girl again and checked out an hour before we had to this morning. throughout the weekend we thought of things she would have said if she had been there. the second best part was knowing she was spending quality time with her cousin, aunt and uncle.
anyway, i would like to go back when the gardens are in bloom. that shouldn't surprise anyone.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
rest
Hubby and I are away. Our first time for just the two of us since Baby Bear's birth. Of course, I had to wake up to pee and can't sleep now.
Eating at a restaurant without a toddler is bittersweet. Sweet for the obvious reasons.... no telling her not to climb out of the high chair, fewer messes to clean up, neither of us having to get up from the table with her to explore the restaurant and make new friends. Bitter, well, okay, not really bitter, but you just can't help but think of the cute things your little one does or says while you are away from them. She's in good hands, and has a playmate her own age. She was so excited about going to visit her cousin, aunt and uncle.
I am glad to report the aversion to steak which hit head-on while I was expecting Baby Bear has not returned with this pregnancy (so far). Mmmm...
I'm going back to bed... we have a day of sight-seeing to look forward to tomorrow, and if I don't get more sleep, I will be dreading it.
Hubby and I are away. Our first time for just the two of us since Baby Bear's birth. Of course, I had to wake up to pee and can't sleep now.
Eating at a restaurant without a toddler is bittersweet. Sweet for the obvious reasons.... no telling her not to climb out of the high chair, fewer messes to clean up, neither of us having to get up from the table with her to explore the restaurant and make new friends. Bitter, well, okay, not really bitter, but you just can't help but think of the cute things your little one does or says while you are away from them. She's in good hands, and has a playmate her own age. She was so excited about going to visit her cousin, aunt and uncle.
I am glad to report the aversion to steak which hit head-on while I was expecting Baby Bear has not returned with this pregnancy (so far). Mmmm...
I'm going back to bed... we have a day of sight-seeing to look forward to tomorrow, and if I don't get more sleep, I will be dreading it.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
updates
steph's new daughter kimberly was born yesterday! mommy and baby are doing well.
i splurged on that smoothie. and took bear to lunch at wild oats. you can tell that's what i fed her while she was in my belly, because she scarfed down the food pretty well, better than mcdonald's!
if hubby doesn't spend is per diem while he's out of town, then i reserve the right to claim it for myself. i am growing his baby, after all.
baby bear is loving getting valentines in the mail from our relatives.... i opened the mailbox and took out the mail, she saw the envelope, and said, "a valentine for me!!!" i had grand intentions of making valentines with her. that's about as far as we got... sorry.
happy valentine's day, everyone!
steph's new daughter kimberly was born yesterday! mommy and baby are doing well.
i splurged on that smoothie. and took bear to lunch at wild oats. you can tell that's what i fed her while she was in my belly, because she scarfed down the food pretty well, better than mcdonald's!
if hubby doesn't spend is per diem while he's out of town, then i reserve the right to claim it for myself. i am growing his baby, after all.
baby bear is loving getting valentines in the mail from our relatives.... i opened the mailbox and took out the mail, she saw the envelope, and said, "a valentine for me!!!" i had grand intentions of making valentines with her. that's about as far as we got... sorry.
happy valentine's day, everyone!
Thankful Thursday
I'm thankful for....
I'm thankful for....
- my beloved. his unconditional love and support.
- my sweet little girl and the baby on the way
- my friends... in real life and online
- my dishwasher. have i mentioned how undomestic i am?
- my friend's healthy new baby girl
- bulbs that peek through the ground to tell me that Spring is going to come
- a daughter that loves learning new things, like how to kill slugs with salt
- my vaccum
- smoothie king... think i need to treat myself today
- sunshine
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
i've got sling lust...
It's reversible, black on the other side. And it's on SALE! I only used the snugli a handful of times with DD... it was too darn awkward to get her in and out of. Some mamas on my babycenter birth board recommended this brand... I like that it is not as bulky looking as some of the other slings I have seen. Anyway, click here or here to see what I am drooling over... I have to confess, the price of the one pictured makes it especially appealing.
I really need to go to sleep now. I tried reading to Bear in our bed, but after a few minutes of squirming and asking to go potty, she left the bathroom and walked to her bed. She fell asleep almost immediately. (Don't shoot me, Sam or Steph, or crt!!!) It's just not the same when DH is out of town.
As much as I am enjoying kindermusik with Bear, I think I'll be glad when it's over and can accompany him when he works near tech mom and dad.
small town life
we don't live in a small town, but i like to pretend we do. we actually live closer to the post office in the neighboring zip code than our own, and it is never as crowded as the other one. plus, one of the workers knows me and baby bear. this is a town that needs some stoplights due to the rapid growth in the area, at least at a couple of intersections. it has a quanit strip of antique shops, a kids' consignment store, and a hand-made jewelry artists' studio. oh, and a bed and breakfast and picturesque methodist church... white, with stained glass windows, and an old-fashioned steeple. it also has several new developments which will quickly transform the area into a not-so-small town, and rumor has it that home depot will be footing a retail project on the north side (but actually in its' county instead of our neighboring county).
we arrived at the post office, and bear immediately charmed the grandmotherly women who were in the lobby. they complemented her purple boots (thanks mad), white and purple-flowered hair bow (thanks bec), striped sweater coat(i knew that was a purchase i would not regret... she gets soo many compliments in it. they asked her name, and she replied. one of them asked her age, and she played shy, or "made shy" as they say down here in the south. so one of them asked ,"are you 2?" and bear exclaimed, "Yeah!" then they said the other little girls in n-ville better watch out, because she was in the running for the cutest. i confessed that we don't actually live in the town. "oh, that's ok, we'll claim you anyway."
anyway, after they left, i presented the mail i was verifying postage on. verified the amount... i owed 17 cents... i had forgotten to bring my stamps (other than the one already affixed to the envelope). i opened my purse, almost certain i had the change. i didn't. this was one of those times i really wish hubby would not clean out the car so often, because otherwise i would have had plenty of change in the door. anyway, i was told not to worry about it, just bring it in next time if i remembered.
now that's country life for you. :) i'm sure having the adorable toddler in tow telling her that mommy has a baby in the belly helped earn sympathy points.
we don't live in a small town, but i like to pretend we do. we actually live closer to the post office in the neighboring zip code than our own, and it is never as crowded as the other one. plus, one of the workers knows me and baby bear. this is a town that needs some stoplights due to the rapid growth in the area, at least at a couple of intersections. it has a quanit strip of antique shops, a kids' consignment store, and a hand-made jewelry artists' studio. oh, and a bed and breakfast and picturesque methodist church... white, with stained glass windows, and an old-fashioned steeple. it also has several new developments which will quickly transform the area into a not-so-small town, and rumor has it that home depot will be footing a retail project on the north side (but actually in its' county instead of our neighboring county).
we arrived at the post office, and bear immediately charmed the grandmotherly women who were in the lobby. they complemented her purple boots (thanks mad), white and purple-flowered hair bow (thanks bec), striped sweater coat(i knew that was a purchase i would not regret... she gets soo many compliments in it. they asked her name, and she replied. one of them asked her age, and she played shy, or "made shy" as they say down here in the south. so one of them asked ,"are you 2?" and bear exclaimed, "Yeah!" then they said the other little girls in n-ville better watch out, because she was in the running for the cutest. i confessed that we don't actually live in the town. "oh, that's ok, we'll claim you anyway."
anyway, after they left, i presented the mail i was verifying postage on. verified the amount... i owed 17 cents... i had forgotten to bring my stamps (other than the one already affixed to the envelope). i opened my purse, almost certain i had the change. i didn't. this was one of those times i really wish hubby would not clean out the car so often, because otherwise i would have had plenty of change in the door. anyway, i was told not to worry about it, just bring it in next time if i remembered.
now that's country life for you. :) i'm sure having the adorable toddler in tow telling her that mommy has a baby in the belly helped earn sympathy points.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
i love blogging...
but nothing beats a good long phone call with an old friend. then, as i flipped through the box of pictures and yearbooks that my parents brought from their house, bear found a picture from the Christmas dance at my school (which i helped decorate for, but don't remember actually dancing at, lol). she saw the previously mentioned old friend in it, pointed to it, and said her name!
speaking of said friend, steph, she's scheduled to deliver her 2nd daughter by c-section on wednesday. :) please pray for a healthy delivery and recovery for mommy and baby kimberly, and for big sister caroline to adjust well.
i could cry if i really took the time to think about everything we've been through in our friendship. that's how special she is. i wish texas were closer.
but nothing beats a good long phone call with an old friend. then, as i flipped through the box of pictures and yearbooks that my parents brought from their house, bear found a picture from the Christmas dance at my school (which i helped decorate for, but don't remember actually dancing at, lol). she saw the previously mentioned old friend in it, pointed to it, and said her name!
speaking of said friend, steph, she's scheduled to deliver her 2nd daughter by c-section on wednesday. :) please pray for a healthy delivery and recovery for mommy and baby kimberly, and for big sister caroline to adjust well.
i could cry if i really took the time to think about everything we've been through in our friendship. that's how special she is. i wish texas were closer.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Friday, February 08, 2008
THEN & NOW
11 weeks 4 days pregnant with Baby Bear, 2005
11 weeks 4 days pregnant with Baby Bear, 2005
12 weeks with sweet pea
February 7, 2008
February 7, 2008
Many of my pics are trapped on my old computer (at least, I hope they are still there), which has the broken monitor and is not working with the other monitor we tried to connect it to. But at some point, some of the files were retrieved and put on here, and one just happens to be right around the same stage of pregnancy...
12 week checkup
My checkup. is at 3 p.m. cst this afternoon. Hope to hear baby's heartbeat! My morning/anytime sickness has picked up a notch, but that's not surprise. I knew it was too good to be true to not throw up once a day minimum! I don't feel like I've gained weight, but my shape is changing bit by bit... bump by bump, I should say (tummy and rear).
******
I've lost about a pound, which is not surprising. This visit was pretty routine; a review of medical history, my plans for birth, etc... the most exciting part was that we heard our sweet pea's heartbeat for the first time. It took the doctor a while to find it, but once she did, that steady swoosh of our baby's heart echoed through the doppler at 159-160 bpm.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
heavenly sunshine and good clean dirt
it's 47 degrees here right now. sunny, clear blue skies with some fluffly clouds. in addition to the bulbs that have peeked through after being planted last fall, some old daffodil bulbs were poking though the grass underneath our bay window. i decided that this would be the year to move them. while underneath a bay window sounds like the perfect place for flowers, it's not when there's no flower bed there. the fronds get mowed with the grass, which makes it difficult for the bulbs to get the nutrients they need to bloom again the next year. anyway, there appeared to be 9 or 10 narrow leaves poking through the ground, so I grabbed my spades and knee pad and dug them out. the bulbs are pretty small, but you never know... maybe, just maybe they are big enough to actually bloom along with the others... as long as we don't get a deep freeze to stunt their growth.
i moved them under the birch tree, which is one place i didn't plant bulbs last fall. i covered them with extra starbucks soil (more coffee grounds than dirt) from my handy-dandy earth-pots, which tech dad handed down to me and will house my cherry tomatoes and whatever else i decide on when spring comes, and replace the mulch that i had cleared out of the way. i should probably go sprinkle some grass seed over the disturbed spots from which i uprooted them.
i thought about taking pictures, but i felt like i might be jinxing myself.
anyway, even if the transplant is not successful, i got some fresh air whie baby bear napped. and i didn't spend more money on bulbs. now to take care of some of the indoor chores i've been neglecting. maybe it will help if i crack open the windows and let some fresh air in along with the sunshine...
it's 47 degrees here right now. sunny, clear blue skies with some fluffly clouds. in addition to the bulbs that have peeked through after being planted last fall, some old daffodil bulbs were poking though the grass underneath our bay window. i decided that this would be the year to move them. while underneath a bay window sounds like the perfect place for flowers, it's not when there's no flower bed there. the fronds get mowed with the grass, which makes it difficult for the bulbs to get the nutrients they need to bloom again the next year. anyway, there appeared to be 9 or 10 narrow leaves poking through the ground, so I grabbed my spades and knee pad and dug them out. the bulbs are pretty small, but you never know... maybe, just maybe they are big enough to actually bloom along with the others... as long as we don't get a deep freeze to stunt their growth.
i moved them under the birch tree, which is one place i didn't plant bulbs last fall. i covered them with extra starbucks soil (more coffee grounds than dirt) from my handy-dandy earth-pots, which tech dad handed down to me and will house my cherry tomatoes and whatever else i decide on when spring comes, and replace the mulch that i had cleared out of the way. i should probably go sprinkle some grass seed over the disturbed spots from which i uprooted them.
i thought about taking pictures, but i felt like i might be jinxing myself.
anyway, even if the transplant is not successful, i got some fresh air whie baby bear napped. and i didn't spend more money on bulbs. now to take care of some of the indoor chores i've been neglecting. maybe it will help if i crack open the windows and let some fresh air in along with the sunshine...
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
almost wordless wednesday
(it's hard to practice yoga with a monkey on your back)
for more ww posts, visit 5 minutes for mom or the ww hq.
(it's hard to practice yoga with a monkey on your back)for more ww posts, visit 5 minutes for mom or the ww hq.
cravings of the day...
hummus: publix had it on sale, i bought the roasted red pepper variety along with garlic italian toast chips...
our breath stinks, but baby bear and i enjoyed our snack. and there's plenty leftover.
for dessert, i picked up raspberry sherbet and fresh blueberries... mmmmmm.
see what happens when you go into a store to pick up fresh broccoli and you're pregnant?
hummus: publix had it on sale, i bought the roasted red pepper variety along with garlic italian toast chips...
our breath stinks, but baby bear and i enjoyed our snack. and there's plenty leftover.
for dessert, i picked up raspberry sherbet and fresh blueberries... mmmmmm.
see what happens when you go into a store to pick up fresh broccoli and you're pregnant?
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
storm central
tornadoes are rolling across the south... they've hit hard in memphis and jackson, tn, and our sirens our going. maybe tech mom will post about her adventures in the storm on her blog. surely some of princess' antics are blog worthy.
pray for everyone's safety. apparently there were injuries at union u. in jackson, a nursing home in jackson, and there have been multiple car/semi pileups on i-40....
so far baby bear is sound asleep in he crib, oblivious...
****
10:35 p.m.- i made the mistake of peeking at baby bear and she sat right up. so i took her into my bed, where we cuddled for an hour. we've just put her back down in her bed, and i don't hear anything, so that's a good sign. as we tucked her in, she was talking to her winnie the pooh figurine.
2 dorms were destroyed at union u., and some students are still trapped in the rubble. they THINK they are ok. it hits close to home, as we know many people who have attended there, and i went to college just an hour north of there.
one of the towns west of here was also hit pretty hard, but so far all of our family and friends are safe, as far as we know.
this is what happens when the weather goes into the 70's during the winter....
tornadoes are rolling across the south... they've hit hard in memphis and jackson, tn, and our sirens our going. maybe tech mom will post about her adventures in the storm on her blog. surely some of princess' antics are blog worthy.
pray for everyone's safety. apparently there were injuries at union u. in jackson, a nursing home in jackson, and there have been multiple car/semi pileups on i-40....
so far baby bear is sound asleep in he crib, oblivious...
****
10:35 p.m.- i made the mistake of peeking at baby bear and she sat right up. so i took her into my bed, where we cuddled for an hour. we've just put her back down in her bed, and i don't hear anything, so that's a good sign. as we tucked her in, she was talking to her winnie the pooh figurine.
2 dorms were destroyed at union u., and some students are still trapped in the rubble. they THINK they are ok. it hits close to home, as we know many people who have attended there, and i went to college just an hour north of there.
one of the towns west of here was also hit pretty hard, but so far all of our family and friends are safe, as far as we know.
this is what happens when the weather goes into the 70's during the winter....
Monday, February 04, 2008
I need professional help.
(with photography, that is. )
I stepped outside in the warm-ish drizzle to check the mail, and notice my garden's first crocus bud peeking out through the mulch. So of course, because of the odd fascination I have with capturing my meager flowerbeds' life processes, I present to you the next additions to my garden "family." Perhaps I'll get better at using the macro feature on my new camera, but these were the best shots I could capture today.
The spikes had surfaced last week, but I hesitated to photograph them for fear they could have been a stray clump of grass.
See the yellow tip of the bud, at the base of the green grass-like spikes? That's a crocus on its way...
Then I peered around the corner and found a few daffodil spikes shooting up in the flower bed extension I added last fall:
They COULD be tulips, but they look like daffodils to me. Time will tell. Let's hope they actually bloom, and the rest of the bulbs do too.
Welcome to a glimpse of the Southern USA, where contrary to what the calendar may indicate, Spring comes in February.
(with photography, that is. )
I stepped outside in the warm-ish drizzle to check the mail, and notice my garden's first crocus bud peeking out through the mulch. So of course, because of the odd fascination I have with capturing my meager flowerbeds' life processes, I present to you the next additions to my garden "family." Perhaps I'll get better at using the macro feature on my new camera, but these were the best shots I could capture today.
The spikes had surfaced last week, but I hesitated to photograph them for fear they could have been a stray clump of grass.
See the yellow tip of the bud, at the base of the green grass-like spikes? That's a crocus on its way...Then I peered around the corner and found a few daffodil spikes shooting up in the flower bed extension I added last fall:
They COULD be tulips, but they look like daffodils to me. Time will tell. Let's hope they actually bloom, and the rest of the bulbs do too.
Welcome to a glimpse of the Southern USA, where contrary to what the calendar may indicate, Spring comes in February.
a full night' sleep....
aaahhh. went to bed around 11, woke up around 7:45-ish. BIG improvement.
i've been contemplating the question of whether or not to get rid of the guest room when baby arrives or ust have the kiddos share the nursery. i'm leaning toward the latter, though the thought of disrupting baby bear's great sleeping habits does not excite me. however, considering i am planning to breastfeed, sweet pea will be in our room for a good while anyway, if all goes well. (and
hubby may need that guest bed for himself.) since our couches don't pull out, i just really hate the thought of reducing our accommodations for company. we happen to like having our family visit. especially after a baby is born when they help take care of me. :) and of course, there are all the lessons kids can learn from sharing a bedroom with a sibling.
aaahhh. went to bed around 11, woke up around 7:45-ish. BIG improvement.
i've been contemplating the question of whether or not to get rid of the guest room when baby arrives or ust have the kiddos share the nursery. i'm leaning toward the latter, though the thought of disrupting baby bear's great sleeping habits does not excite me. however, considering i am planning to breastfeed, sweet pea will be in our room for a good while anyway, if all goes well. (and
hubby may need that guest bed for himself.) since our couches don't pull out, i just really hate the thought of reducing our accommodations for company. we happen to like having our family visit. especially after a baby is born when they help take care of me. :) and of course, there are all the lessons kids can learn from sharing a bedroom with a sibling.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
I've got insomnia again...
no shock, really. I had a snack and plan to try to get another wink of sleep before my alarm goes off and I have to wake up to make muffins for Teacher Appreciation at church.
But I was perusing some of my blogs, and noticed that one of my blogging buddies (who also speaks some Spanish, BTW) is in week 39 of her pregnancy. That means 1) she's probably getting somewhat uncomfortable 2) her precious DD doesn't know how her life is about to change.
Anyway pray for my friend Sara as her family's newest addition prepares to make her presence known!
Oh, and if you're like my DH and missing real winter weather, she has some great pics of their recent snow posted!
no shock, really. I had a snack and plan to try to get another wink of sleep before my alarm goes off and I have to wake up to make muffins for Teacher Appreciation at church.
But I was perusing some of my blogs, and noticed that one of my blogging buddies (who also speaks some Spanish, BTW) is in week 39 of her pregnancy. That means 1) she's probably getting somewhat uncomfortable 2) her precious DD doesn't know how her life is about to change.
Anyway pray for my friend Sara as her family's newest addition prepares to make her presence known!
Oh, and if you're like my DH and missing real winter weather, she has some great pics of their recent snow posted!
Saturday, February 02, 2008
If you haven't voted yet....
PLEASE do so by clicking the button in my sidebar. You'll need to register and then vote for your vote to be counted. (Registration is free.) I have been following my friend Sunny's blog-summary of her kids' battle with Autism on her family's blog, Ode de Trio. Can you imagine facing the challenges of raising triplets as a first-time parent? Then throw extreme, confusing health difficulties into the mix....
I haven't seen or spoken with Sunny in person since college. But upon stumbling upon her blog a year or so ago, I have kept her family in my prayers. Now I know there was even more to the reason they were on my heart than I knew before.
PLEASE do so by clicking the button in my sidebar. You'll need to register and then vote for your vote to be counted. (Registration is free.) I have been following my friend Sunny's blog-summary of her kids' battle with Autism on her family's blog, Ode de Trio. Can you imagine facing the challenges of raising triplets as a first-time parent? Then throw extreme, confusing health difficulties into the mix....
I haven't seen or spoken with Sunny in person since college. But upon stumbling upon her blog a year or so ago, I have kept her family in my prayers. Now I know there was even more to the reason they were on my heart than I knew before.
Friday, February 01, 2008
One of my bestest friends in real life is blogging!
Steph and I have been through a lot together. I met her shortly after moving here during my junior year of high school. Her hair was all the way down her back. We went to college together, and shared an apartment with another good friend. If you can live with someone (me) and still be friends, then you know our friendship is meant to be. Anway, I'm so excited to be able to go to her blog and see pics of her sweet Caroline and soon-to-arrive Kimberly! It stinks that she lives so far away, but this will help us keep in touch!
Steph and I have been through a lot together. I met her shortly after moving here during my junior year of high school. Her hair was all the way down her back. We went to college together, and shared an apartment with another good friend. If you can live with someone (me) and still be friends, then you know our friendship is meant to be. Anway, I'm so excited to be able to go to her blog and see pics of her sweet Caroline and soon-to-arrive Kimberly! It stinks that she lives so far away, but this will help us keep in touch!
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