another step toward NCB

I'll be meeting with a prospective affordable doula this week or next! (I'd do it today if I didn't have my stupid cough/allergies back in full force.) While hubby is supportive of my aspirations to deliver this little guy with as few interventions as possible but still in a hospital, getting a doula is something I have been pondering. I can't swing the $500+ fee that some of my friends paid for their doulas (and said it was well worth every penny), but through a serious of fortunate events, or perhaps divine intervention, I've received a contact who seems like she might be a good fit. Stay tuned...

Tackle It Tuesday


I really don't feel much like tackling things today. Bear and I were supposed to meet up with a Mom and daughter from her Kindermusik class, but my allergies complete with bark, I mean cough, have come back and I do not feel like going out into the smothering heat and allergens.

A couple of weeks ago, I began a master list of tackles to do before Little Guy arrives. I think I need to revisit that and get some things crossed off... or at least begun. Even if I don't feel like it. If Little Guy is as good a sleeper as his sister, I will credit it to learning to tune out my coughs while in the womb.

coming soon: Elisha's Bones
by Don Hoesel

Do you know someone who has chased a dream, prayed for the Lord to open doors, and then seen those doors open? I do. A couple of someone's, actually. First, some guys I know from college got a recording contract. Well, today I learned that a friend of ours from church has his first novel available for pre-order from Amazon.com and through his publisher.

Congratulations, Don!!!! We're so excited for you!

Because this blog needs something other than baby talk on it.....

1. Leave one memory that you and I had together, as a comment on my blog. Anything goes :)

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll check to see if you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Thanks to Allison for this meme. :) Many of you are online friends, so maybe the memory could be a particular post or comment from past conversations/posts on either one of our blogs or message boards?

An old hymn- rediscovered.

The following lyrics belong to one of the many hymns we sing at our church. This was today's closing hymn, following Pastor Scotty's poignant message on prayer. It has been one of my favorite hymn arrangements for a while, but was especially meaningful following today's message and in light of a period of waiting and praying in which God has placed us.

Jesus, I am Resting, Resting

words by Jean S. Pigott,
music by David Hampton

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee
And Thy beauty fills my soul
For by Thy transforming power
Thou hast made me whole

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart

O, how great Thy loving kindness
Vaster, broader than the sea
O, how marvelous Thy goodness
Lavished all on me
Yes, I rest in Thee, beloved
Know what wealth of grace is Thine
Know Thy certainty of promise
And have made it mine

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus
I behold Thee as Thou art
And Thy love, so pure
So changeless, satisfies my heart
Satisfies its deepest longings
Meets, supplies its every need
Compasseth me round with blessings:
Thine is love indeed

Ever lift Thy face upon me
As I work and wait for Thee
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee
Brightness of my Father's glory
Sunshine of my Father's face
Keep me ever trusting, resting
Fill me with Thy grace

©1998 New Spring Publishing / ASCAP / a div. of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.

could it be?

is there the slightest bit of nesting instinct in my body after all. now, before you think i've been going crazy, scrubbing every single thing three times and the nursery is ready, do not be fooled.
however, progress is being made in our preparation for our little guy's arrival. yesterday's project was to thoroughly scrub the bathrooms. i ended up having to get hubby to scrub around the toilet in the 2nd bathroom, because all the squatting was taking it's toll on my back. not to mention my gag reflex. i am ashamed to say, both bathrooms were pretty gross... it doesn't take much for them to get that way. so now they are better, albeit temporarily. and should contractions hit and i need to rest in a warm bath, i can now do so without worrying about lingering germs in the tub (though the tub was actually in decent shape... it's just nice to know something is really, really clean.)

today's project was operation baby clothes. hubby pulled down boxes of bear's clothes for me to go through. i pulled out all the neutral things that i found suitable... and was reminded of how much pink we had. between the old clothes, what i have picked up gifts we have received, little guy is pretty well set in the smallest sizes, especially in sleep and plays and onesies. so if he were to make an early exist from his cozy home, he'd have clothing.

there's still so much to do, but it's a start...

i saw a 4 week old baby tonight!

i brought a meal to a friend from church and got to meet her little girl. their family dog seemed traumatized by the new addition, hiding out in his little house in the living room. poor thing. but the baby girl... oh, so sweet!!!

i can't believe how much time has passed since we first learned i am carrying a new baby. this pregnancy has been soo much different overall. with bear, i was sick-sick-sick for 2/3 of the time. once the nausea stopped, the heartburn began. i don't recall feeling like she was getting low until at least week 36 or so. little guy, or "lg"?, well he was much easier on me earlier on. oh, I still threw up once or twice a day, but that's nothing compared to 5 or 6 times a day i had grown accustomed to during pregnancy #1. bear was fairly tranquil in the womb, though i did not think so at the time. little guy is making his presence known several times a day. he may even be responding to his sister's voice. he definitely responds to daddy and sis's pokes and jabs, and sometimes kisses. he either loves or hates milk and juice, because he moves constantly after i've had a glass. or maybe that's his response to the cookies i ingest along with them. hiccups are common.

the idea of caring for a newborn again seems to foreign and mysterious, as i can barely remember when bear was that small. sure, i have pictures, but looking at my friend's little girl... so fragile, so tiny (and she's probably 8 lbs...)... so tender....

sigh....

about 35 week belly shot

Almost 35 week check up

Bear and I went for my check-up at the OB today. It was an uneventful belly check and pee-in-a-cup visit. The Group B strep test will be in 2 more weeks at my next visit, and after that I'll go every week until Little Guy decides he's had enough of being inside.

Mommy's weigh in: 162 lbs (up 2 from 2 weeks ago)
BP: 100/60
Little Man's Heartbeat: 156 BPM. He had Whole Foods' pure cane sugar ginger ale and some candy before we went in, so I think that got him moving. Gotta love mommy's strange cravings.

Dr. S said it feels like he's head down, but of course it's early enough that he could reposition himself if he wanted to. Still, based on the fact that I feel him at both extremes of my abdomen, I think I'll feel if he does a complete 180. So that means the hard thing at various spots I keep feeling between my belly and ribs must be his buttocks.

I went to print out my birth plan this morning, a FYI list of preferences for labor and delivery, and the printer was out of ink. Grrr... Oh, well, I've already verbally told the OB's my preferences, and hopefully well get ink between now and the next visit.

While we waited in the waiting room, a Daddy and his two beautiful daughters shared their toys with Bear while they were waiting for their Mom during her check-up. His younger daughter appeared to be around Bear's age, but was actually six years old. She has Down's syndrome, and will be a big sister to a little boy come October-something. They seemed like such a sweet family, and when I asked the 8 year old if she liked being a big sister, she said she loves it and can't wait to have a brother. Awwww... no mention of her younger sister's struggles, just her love for her. Bear did not appear to notice that the younger girl was different, either.

Friday Felicities- a day late

This was a good week for me. Steph at Punkin' Press participates in this meme, which keeps alive the memory of a dear W@H sister in Christ who God healed of cancer by taking her home to Him. Becky posted a reminder on the W@H message boards, and I thought I'd go ahead and jump on board for this week, even if it is a day late.

So here are my -Friday-Felicities-on-Saturday:

1) Celebrating 9 years of marriage with my beloved. He even made it back in town on Wednesday night, so we were able to celebrate our actual anniversary on Thursday!
2) Receiving a beautiful pair of earrings from my Beloved. When I feel especially frumpy, jewelry helps. He did good.
3) A sweet, affectionate 2 1/2+ year old who likes bugs, chalk, and cars as much as she likes wedding dresses and princesses. Sometimes more.
4) The same little girl is a great sleeper, so I'm getting all the rest I can before my days and nights are turned around with a newborn. Well, except when the insomnia kicks in from taking that afternoon nap...
5) My prenatal Yoga DVD. It helps me relax.
6) Mexican food with my Mom and Dad, who celebrated their 38th anniversary the day after our 9th.
7) Admiring classic cars in the K-mart parking lot... a little bittersweet because some of the cars reminded us of hubby's favorite uncle, who collected and restored mopars.
8) Hearing that a friend who had previously miscarried one baby heard new little one's heartbeat this week.

Visit Becky's blog to see who else had a Friday Feliz!

Are you missions minded?

I just wanted to point out a couple of blogs a read that belong to missionaries. I met both of these ladies online, one through my sister in law, and one through a meme (probably from 5 minutes for mom) well over a year ago.

Both blogs incorporate a touch of what's going on in their family life and their families' ministries, and I know they would appreciate your prayers!

Between Diapers and Dishes
The Arteaga Family

Baby prep...

Tonight, I finally emptied all but one drawer of the dresser we'll use for little guys clothes. The remaining drawer holds some miscellaneous gift-wrapping supplies which need to join the rest in a closet. Next step: line the drawers. I'm debating between splurging on scented drawer liner or just sticking with plain wax paper. I've heard of lining the drawers with wrapping paper from baby gifts, but these days most people seem to be using gift bags with tissue paper. (Including myself.) So, it will most likely be the wax paper.

Space is tricky. We have a bedroom set in our guest room which includes a wide dresser, a tall dresser, and a full sized bed. The kids' room has the crib (currently still toddler bed awaiting hubby's help), a small book cabinet, a dresser, and Bear's twin-sized bed. If we moved the book shelf upstairs, we could fit a small taller dresser in that corner, but then that would disrupt our bedtime routine of choosing stories and crawling onto the bed. So I decided to utilize the wide dresser in the guest room for our little guy's clothes and changing station. (I don't think I could manage to use the one dresser effectively for both kids' clothing. If you know me, you know why.) With so much of our family living out of town, we just can't afford to get rid of our guest room. And the sweet thing is that Bear already knows that the crib will be her brother's. She points it out just before laying down for a nap. Hopefully she won't think the laundry is supposed to be there all the time and dump clothes on top of him once he is here.

Wooden letters were purchased on sale at Joann's for 99 cents a piece, they just need a little sanding before painting.

Anyway, that's a glimpse of what's going on to prepare for our new addition. God apparently did not gift me with the pregnancy-long nesting instinct, so I am trying to be purposeful and do a little at a time before it gets too difficult. That means I need to stop taking that afternoon nap when Bear naps... and if I do that, perhaps insomnia won't be as much of a problem.

God is teaching me not to be a skeptic.


Those who know me well, know that along the way hubby and I became very disheartened with the SBC. Yes, my brother in law is a youth minister at a SBC affiliated church. My brother and his wife are music ministers and seminary students. I am very proud of them and thankful to see how the Lord has led them in their callings into ministry. But after being in one SBC-related church after another where building programs seemed to be top priority over the Gospel's impact on our lives, and polity more important than relationships, when we moved to Nashville we basically decided we no longer wanted to be members of a denomination that seemed to pride itself on numbers. That's not to say we aren't grateful for the good teaching we received or friends we made through our involvement in SBC-related ministries prior to the disheartening experiences, we just got fed up with the numbers game, church-marketing agendas, and top few sermon topics ... "Are you saved?" "Are you sure you're saved?" "Have you been baptized?" "What are you doing for God?" "What are you giving to God?"....not that these are bad, I mean Jesus did come to save us. But some of the teaching we heard went over the basics so much that discipleship, deepening our faith through God's word, was pretty weak. Maybe it was a problem in the city where we lived after we were married, because the preaching I heard there never compared to Brother Sing's teaching in college. Ironically, were it not for the college/career ministry at one of the building-program-pushing churches, we may not have met. And I cannot forget the fact that my involvement in the BSU and my college church made my college experience. Having spent some time in a fundy/separatist environment during childhood, God used the SBC- related ministries to show me Christian community within a secular environment, and opportunities to share Jesus' love in places as simple as the dorm hallway.

Gramma called to wish us a happy anniversary yesterday, and in our conversation she mentioned that the she met one of the Disaster Relief volunteers from the SBC.
Her hometown was flooded recently, filling basements and causing evacuation. Well, the residents have since returned to their homes, the Red Cross has moved on, and the SBC Disaster Relief Teams have apparently been there to continue assistance. The lady Gramma met was from Jackson, TN and surprised that Gramma knew where it was. The skeptic in me wonders if they were scouting for future church-planting locations under the guise of helping an area in need. But after a good smack in the head, regardless of any ulterior motives by the powers that be further up, the fact is that their help was greatly appreciated and the volunteers who went sacrificed their time. Although once the rain quit, I bet the Southerners enjoyed the break from the smothering heat that we have here. And I pray that the light they shared will encourage the small Bible church in southwestern WI to love their neighbors and love them well, so they might come to know Christ. I am amazed that the SBC somehow picked this tiny little town on the Wisconsin River to serve out of all the flood-ravaged areas. And grateful. And simply trying to trust that the mission was more than a statistical objective, which I'm sure it was for those directly involved. Having been involved in short-term mission trips, my top priority and my fellow team-members priority was to serve, first and foremost, and hopefully share the gospel in the process. So, this is one time where I must put my skepticism aside and simply say "thanks" to whoever responded to the short-term call North. Gramma and those around her appreciate you.

6 1/2 weeks

The OB's have me 1/2 a week behind the tickers. I've been defaulting to going with what the tickers say because it is just easier, and I couldn't get them to reconfigure way back in the beginning. I'm not about to start now. Anyway, that means if little guy hangs out patiently, we have 6 1/2 weeks until he joins us and we can feel just how hard his head, butt, and limbs really are. (They feel pretty hard with all the judo kicks going on inside me.) And Zann is technically within a month of her due date, if I am not mistaken!

Hubby was born by this point in his gestational development.

Our little guy is definitely sitting lower, and I hate standing or walking for too long as I feel like he's going to start pushing his way out of me. I don't remember feeling like this until the whole red-felt laying experiment about 4 weeks before Bear was due. But at least my heartburn is much milder than it was with Bear.

DH and his coworkers finished what they needed to do, so he got home this afternoon. That means he'll be home for our anniversary tomorrow. 9 years.

I just haven't been in the blogging mood lately...

the name game

In light of how I began my pregnancy and my current state of health, I propose the following options for names/nicknames for our little guy:

Azithromycin (Z)
Singulair(Sing... hey, it was my pastor's name in college. Well, the nickname was. But I suspect it was because he liked to sing, not after the drug).
Guafinasen (Fin)
Azamacort (Cort)
Xopenex (Xoe/Zoe)
Insomniac (Som)
Bronchiospasm (Bronco)

I am a walking pharmacy right now. It's apparently my bi-annual onset of the crud, as I went to my doc to make sure my misery was just allergies, and found out an infection was setting in. I was just trying to double check which meds were ok for me to take... I am only taking the inhalers as needed, the Xopenex if I have a coughing fit/asthma attack.

Anyway, I have a check-up later this morning to make sure all these meds aren't killing my little jicama (that's his approximate size this week). I need to pack for our weekend north, do some housekeeping that has been neglected, yada, yada, yada.... so hopefully this little spell of insomnia will end quickly. I need energy, which comes from rest...

cultural norms

While most Americans will at least give lip-service to the idea that breastmilk is best for our newborns/infants, if nursing doesn't work out, for whatever reason, formula takes over. That's our norm.

Bear and I were outside playing one evening last week, and one of the girls in the neighborhood talked about how excited she was to see her other brother. She picked up on my confused expression, and explained that her aunt had difficulty nursing her cousin, who was around the same age as her younger brother. So her Mom nursed him for her. The baby was born in the US, he could have had free formula from WIC. But in their culture the question is apparently, "Why wouldn't you give a newborn breastmilk?"

Now, I love my niece, but I don't think I would have nursed her. (Ignore the fact that I only nursed Bear for about 3 months.) For one, she lives an hour and a half away. Feeding an infant is a round the-clock-adventure. The reason the girl calls her cousin her brother is because while her mother fed him, he lived with their family. (I don't know if his Mom moved in, too, or what...) And quite frankly, even if it were something I was up to doing, I don't picture my sister as being one to go for it. It's just not normal here. Change a baby's diaper? Check. Burp someone else's baby? Check. Give a bottle to another Mom's baby? Check. Breastfeed someone else's baby? Ummm... second thoughts there.

I find the fact that this 9 year old girl talked about her "other brother" with no inhibitions fascinating. In her family's culture, what happened is normal. And though I am 99.999% sure I would not make the choice to let someone else breastfeed my child (unless they were severely allergic to formula, and then I would prefer the breastmilk to be given in a bottle so I could feed my baby), instead of thinking "ew, gross..." I find myself fascinated by the cultural differences.... and how even though they live in the USA now, some aspects of their culture are being preserved.

let the nesting begin

baby boy's blanket is done!
it's not perfect. if you are type "A", then just looking at the picture may drive you nuts because there are some obvious imperfections.
but it is the 1st crochet project i began and the 2nd to be completed.
i could easily name 5 people i would like to make blankets for... and those are just the pregnant ones! that wouldn't include the friends who have been there through thick and thin, family members, etc....

i am hoping this approx. 26 x 29 inch blanket will make a perfect carseat blankie. it's not as thick as the other blanket i made, since i only used 1 strand of yarn.

it sure feels good to have not just one, but two projects completed!!!
now to tackle that list of things to do before little guy makes his appearance....

Ahh... refreshed

There's nothing like a trim at the salon and a lip and brow wax to brighten my day. Bear has noticed the peach fuzz above my lip again for a couple of weeks. Every time she does, she says, "Mommy, get a haircut?!" Now, the waxing process is not particularly relaxing, but the end result is soo worth it. No looking like the Italian Great-Aunt or uni-brow. Vain, yes. I admit it. But if your hair were almost as course as a horse's mane, you would be self-conscious, too. Especially when your 2 year old points it out.

rose babies

Hubby dusted my roses with Sevin last week, and I bought some more plant food and fed them last night. (I just use the generic miracle gro powder stuff). I'm already seeing improvement.

i love the lavender hue in my "blue girl". Love it. And the previous 3 buds were eaten by something, so the Sevin is definitely helping, though it's not in perfect form.

the "gold glow" has rebloomed. ...

with several more on the way!

32 weeks



I'm in my 8th month! Where has the time gone? Fortunately, I have not spent as much of it hovered over the toilet as I did when Bear was inside. Even with outdoor temps in the 90's with uncomfortable humidity, I'm enjoying this pregnancy overall. The 3rd-time-expectant-Mom and previous-pregnancy-loss nerves have gradually been replaced by a wonder and joy. And our little guy's kicks and rolls. He's currently upset that my bout of insomnia disturbed his restful slumber. I'm hoping the peach, nutty bars & milk which I have just consumed will make him feel better... though the sugar level is probably not helping him sleep, either. Anyway, it's a vicious cycle. Bear still naps, so I take one, too. Then I either can't get to sleep, or wake up to use the restroom and can't return to sleep.

Yes, I am aware that my blog has been overtaken by pregnancy related posts. That's a central theme in my life right now. THE central theme. It's really a lot of fun, and if you are married and still of child-bearing age, you should try it. Again, for some of you. Not just the posting.
The miracle of life is even more amazing the second time around than the first. While I am still loving observing the process of becoming a parent the first time through, perhaps I am captivated by my 2 1/2 year old's curiousity. She seems very aware of what's going on, though she may not have a clue about the changes that will come with her brother's arrival. (Similar to the changes that her cousins could not foresee with the arrival of a new puppy and kitty in their house within a couple of weeks' time, perhaps? crt, I think you're exempt from the "you should try it" until things settle down at your place... ;-P) I know some people so desperately want more kids and for whatever reason, struggle with either getting pregnant or keeping their little babies growing. My heart aches; I can't imagine having to deal with that pain and heartache over and over. I am reminded that even each day of waiting for this little one is a gift in itself.

Little Guy's blanket is coming along. I do a couple of rows at a time. I kind of wore myself out tackling the gift for a friend, so I am finishing this one at a more leisurely pace. I loved making it, and it is all boxed up and waiting to be taken to the Post Office along with a gift (made by a neighbor, not me) for another friend's new baby girl.

Our Childbirth Education "Class" arrived in the mail this week.
We are foregoing taking the course at the hospital; hubby sometimes travels and committing to ANY 6- week course was pretty much impossible. So I ordered a video we can watch at our leisure. And instead of briefly skimming over the comfort techniques, etc., we can focus on those parts. Hubby has been told that unless he wants to fork out the money for a doula, he IS my doula. He can do it. He's wrestled drunks in the city, and he's seen childbirth before. (Don't tell me "just get an epidural," I might smack you through cyberspace. ) I'm all for medical interventions and help when needed, but they are not always required and do have risks when used unnecessarily. And from experience, something as simple as helping a first time Mom relax can be reason enough to choose them, depending on the Mother. The benefits definitely outweighed the risks with my previous induction, and given the same set of circumstances, I would do that again. When used because they're needed the interventions outweigh the risks, and I am grateful for the availability.

Ok, anyway... enough ramblings. Really, I would rather be sleeping right now. Perhaps if I get into a crochet rhythm I'll stitch myself to sleep... and catch a couple of hours before Bear awakes, ready drink a glass of "mealk" and hit the floor running. Or twirling.

pray for a grieving mommy, daddy & siblings...

Baby Genny had a stroke and they removed her from life support. She has now joined her big sister in Heaven with her Heavenly Father. Please, please lift KayCee (her Mommy) up to the Lord. She is a believer, and really needs to feel the comfort of the Holy Spirit right now.

Genesis Rebekah (Genny)

6-23-2008 through 6-25-2008

pray for baby Genny

A Mom on one of my chat boards had her little girl yesterday.

26 wks
1 lb 8 oz
12.5 inches long

After a VERY difficult pregnancy, the placenta abrupted and the cord was wrapped around Genny's neck. The good news is that she is breathing (with assistance, not on her own) and alive!

Please pray for this sweet little one to gain strength and for her Mommy as she recovers!

bittersweet

Yesterday and today ended up being busier than we had anticipated, in mostly a very good way. Tech Mom and Dad rode over from their house on their motorcycle yesterday, and left after breakfast this morning. They gave us just enough notice to make the main areas of the house presentable, and since I knew they were coming to see Bear, anyway, I didn't worry about the rest. I did manage to scrub some nastiness out of the fridge. You don't want to know how bad it was. Anyway, we relaxed with them, and Bear had fun climbing on them, playing with blocks, and demonstrating her newfound fascination with wedding dresses (blankets draped over her head.. thanks to the Little Mermaid). Before they drove off, she sat in front of Papa on the bike and giggled as he started the engine. Usually the noise frightens her if she is too close, but she held onto Papa's arms and grinned. She knew she was safe.

After they left for their 5 or 6 hour ride home (scenic route, on motorcycle, not interstate), we headed down to my parents as we had planned for dinner. Their house is on the market, as they are planning to downsize. Their property is 2 1/2 acres, and as they age and like to venture around the country visiting relatives and friends, it's a lot of upkeep. There are 2 water garden areas, fruit trees line the driveway, and all sorts of vegetation. They did not plant a veggie garden this year. We had a very nice visit. I love the fact that my daughter has been able to begin relationships with all of her grandparents, and she loves spending time with them.

Dad and I walked with her up the driveway, where we picked fresh granny smith apples which were within arms' reach. Bear laughed hysterically as Grandaddy shook the peach tree, trying to loosen out-of-reach peaches from near the top. She also tried to climb the trees herself. We saw bunnies, baby frogs, and of course, the ever-popular goldfish in the lily-pad covered pond. Bear also laughed as she heard the frogs "ribbit"... which I have decided sounds more like a burp.

In a way, I can't help but hope it takes a while for the house to sell. I want her to remember days like yesterday and today. There are connections being formed that I hope will grow stronger. I pray that we will always live near enough for those bonds to be strengthened more than once or twice a year...

Mission Completion!

I finished my 1st crochet project around 12:15 this morning.
Here's a picture of Bear inspecting it when she woke up this morning. (Pre hair-brushing).

Click HERE to see the pattern I sort-of used.
I started with 100 chain stitches instead of 62 and used a smaller hook.
Perhaps that's why it took me more than 3 hours to complete, and more yarn.
Even so, I'm pretty happy with the results, and hope my friend likes it!
Now back to work on our little guy's blankie...

It's done!

Tech Mom has been working hard on a special gift for me and baby, a sling. I sure hope he likes it. (I don't care if he likes the colors, I hope he is comfortable in it!) She just changed her status to say it's done. I can't wait to try it! A couple of my friends from church love their hotslings, and I am looking forward to having the option to "wear" my little one in something other than that awkward snugli thingy that my nieces hated so much. (It was an old design, and getting the babies into it was sheer torture for both Mom and baby if there was not a second adult to assist. Bear used it a few times, and after she was in, she seemed to like it alright... especially at the aquarium when she was 4 weeks old.)

Hubby says he won't wear a sling. But when he has the almost 3 year old tugging at him while he holds the little guy, I suspect he might find SOMETHING that works better than toting the infant seat. Even if it is the old snugli. Or perhaps Bjorn.

blue girl?

Here's what my 1st blue girl bud looked like yesterday. Unfortunately, it looked a little brown around the edges after last night's rain showers. It might have something eating it, too...
I'm glad I captured it yesterday. I may have to do some research on rose TLC.
"Caslon" can correct me if I am wrong, but I think I see a little hint of blue in it's shade of pink. Or perhaps it's the name of the rose that makes me think I see blue undertones.
Anyway, it WAS pretty... I hope the future blooms turn out pretty and it's not infested or infected by something!

A bloggy baby shower

Ok, so just the guest of honor and I blog, to my knowledge. We met each other in high school youth group, and have stayed in touch through the years. She and her husband are about to join the adventure called parenthood, with their baby due in early August, about 3 weeks ahead of me. The adorable cakes were made by one of the hostesses, and tasted as yummy as they were cute. I'll let Zann share more pics if she so chooses, but I had to share a couple.

zann & me

congratulations, zann and mr. zann!
i'll try to finish your gift before your baby girl makes her appearance!

PROGRESS

my 1st attempt at crocheting something... i gave up months ago

progress made on new project in less than a week!

1st crochet lesson

I've made a few unsuccessful attempts to teach myself to crochet, and so far my efforts have resulted in mere swatches. A sweet neighbor, who embroidered personalized burp cloths and a little snuggle duck for Bear when she was born, has offered to teach me on several occasions. So today, since hubby was off, I headed to her house during Bear's nap time.

Progress is being made. I'm sure it won't be perfect, but the pattern is forgiving AND makes the yarn softer than what I was attempting to do before. I've already worked on it longer than the 3 hour project estimate states and am just getting started (2-3 inches done), but maybe, just maybe it will be done before little man decides to come out. It should be a good size for tucking over him in his car seat. I decided to start small.

another sling to check out...

As our little guy's due date approaches, I can't help but wonder if he'll be naturally clingy or independent, and the idea of chasing a toddler and carrying an infant seat does not appeal to me. Someone on a birth board swears by the Lite-on-shoulder pouch/hybrid sling.
The price tag is certainly better than some... now to choose a pattern that isn't too girly... hmmm... these are my 2 favorites so far:

"Urban Garden"

"Sandcastle Stripes"

"Fern Batik"

... because little man is sure to spit up on the one Tech Mom makes for me using these fabrics,it will need to be washed on occasion.

Thoughts

I just learned that another blogger had a miscarriage yesterday. Or blighted ovum. Part of me hopes she doesn't stumble back over here because my blog has pretty much become a pregnancy journal, and I don't want that to hurt her to read. I hadn't been to her blog in ages, no good reason, I just hadn't.

But there was a time when I found myself in a similar situation, not all that long ago in the grand scheme of things. I felt the hope of our baby torn from my heart, and the emotional pain was far worse than the physical. And there were times I felt silly for grieving so much over something that was still practically microscopic.

Please pray for Kimberly as she recovers. I learned that the loss of hope of that one child is not easy. I went on to name my little one something that could be gender neutral, but it took months for me to feel at peace with what happened. No matter how early, blighted ovum or loss of embryo, the hopes dashed when a wanted and loved child is no longer a reality are still a loss.

I pray for all my friends who have lost children, now matter the stage, even if science says there wasn't a baby. I pray that each of you who have kids will hug them a little tighter when they wake up in the morning (or before the go to sleep tonight) and thank God more deeply for them. And for my still-expectant friends, I pray that you and your babies are healthy and well.

29 Weeks

These are my recent "mug shots", taken tonight.
Baby Boy is kicking like crazy today; but whenever Bear tries to feel her brother,
he does a nose dive away so she doesn't feel his elbow, knee, head, bottom, or whatever part had previously been protruding from my abdomen.

Wordless Wednesday

I don't feel like taking pictures of my mundane chores for Tackle It Tuesday, so here's the visual update on my flowerbeds:

salvia, impatiens, irises, scabiosa, columbine, clematis, stargazer lillies, acidanthera, sea pink...
not all blooming at once

gold glow rose and soon-to-be firecracker red gladiola (it's taller than my 2 1/2 year old!)

pink calla lillies- 1st blooms of 2008

asiatic lily buds, holly bush, hosta buds in background

Wouldn't you agree that these pics are better than photos of laundry? I did save a neat picture for tomorrow's Wordless Wednesday post... unless I get a better shot before then.

I just haven't been in a posting mood lately...

I did reduce the "tornado effect" in our kitchen, dining room, and living room today... it took 2 hours, and I cannot remember the last time I had dusted the piano and mantle. Apparently, neither could Bear. "What are YOU doing?" she asked. But that was better than yesterday's observation that the kitchen floor was so dirty that she could feel the grime on her bare feet... or today's later admonition to "clean the house, Mommy!" I had just spent two hours cleaning. I told her as much and that "Mommy needs a break."

My garden is coming along. I've decided planting seeds does me no good. Of the pack of lavendar I planted, I have one sprig popping up. One. Measley. Tiny. sprig.
I am not giving up on it yet, though. Thankfully, my bulbs/perennials appear to be thriving. 4 of the stargazer bulbs I bought at Wal-mart have poked through. 3 of the asiatics from last year came back, and they will have more blooms than they did last year.... one stem has 7 buds on it. Last year I had 3 on one, but only two actually bloomed. They are also twice as tall. Gramma's hostas and black-eyed susans are thriving. One of my gladiola stalks is approaching the blooming phase... the braided/woven looking stem is poking out above the spiky leaves, and I swear it will hit 4 feet tall by the time it blooms. I may have to stake it up from the weight of the flowers. The clematis has more blooms coming, the purple salvia are thriving, yellow day lillies are in bloom, AND my first calla lily bloomed today! Plus, my cherry tomato plants in the back pot appear to be growing well. I am hoping to see yellow flower on them soon, with fruit soon to follow. Or are tomatoes veggies? I can never remember their official classification. Anyway, Bear eats them like candy, so it will be nice if they produce regardless of their official classification.

Belly is getting tighter. Heartburn is kicking in, especially at night. I could sleep all day. But I am determined to start nesting, whether the instinct kicks in our not. (Knowing me, it won't, so I just have to push myself to get things done.)

There you have it... my blog update. Not much is new.

Back to the blogosphere!

Our family vacation snuck up on me so quickly that I don't think I even posted about it before we left. I am currently at a motel near Louisville, KY. We ate dinner with my brother and sis in law, after a nice long drive south from hubby's gramma's in rural southwestern WI. Bear is sound asleep on her really big bed in our room, and I hope tonight's sleep will be more restful for all of us. While in WI, we discovered that she and air mattresses are not the best of friends. She ended up in our bed with us every single morning or night. It was nice in the big beds we slept in... a little overcrowded in the full sized one.

anyway, we had a very good visit with hubby's side of the family, though I think the older Gramma gets, the more overwhelmed she gets by having her routine disturbed by us when we come to visit. Yet I know she also gets lonesome in that old farmhouse, and I think all of us who live so far away are equally grateful for the relatives and friends who drop in or go out with her. And though there are many gramma-isms I could share, her quirks that make her Gramma, those closest to her already know them and I will keep them between us. The young 'uns had fun getting a taste of country life... feeding tall grass to the cows, visiting a duck farm, riding a pony for the very first time. And of course, chasing Gramma's kitty around her sprawling front yard. Mostly, I think Bear was just happy to be with the older cousins whom she idolizes.

I haven't visited my regular haunts yet; it will take some time for me to catch up with my friends in the blogosphere and elsewhere online. But I did see that I won something from Carolyn's blog party over at Scrappin' Servant. Thanks, Carolyn! Now I really need to get back to that tackle I intended to do for the party in May. Better late than never???

My belly, and I assume the baby inside, have grown a lot this past week. It's tighter and rounder, and though Gramma's eyesight isn't the best, she says I am sticking out farther than someone who is due 3 weeks before me. Maybe that's because I had to ask her to push in her chair so I could squeeze past it. Baby Boy did not like the direct sunlight shining on my belly today. As we rode in the car, and the sun warmed my tummy, he kicked as if to say "it's hot in here already!" Is that a sign he'll have his father's internal temp gauge? (I hope not!)

We'll spend some more time with my brother and sis in law tomorrow, and head home on Friday. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

Pray for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family, as they mourn the tragic death of their 5 year old little girl. (click to see news story)

You can also visit the Steven Curtis Chapman website for links to a blog with some sweet moments with Maria.

26 week check-up

Mommy's BP: good
Mommy's weight: 158 lbs.
Baby's HB: 145 bpm
"He's definitely growing like he should!" Dr. M's comment after measuring fundal height.
Still waiting for the results of the Gestational Diabetes screening, but so far, so good!

4 weeks til the next appt, after that they will be every 2 weeks until he decides he is ready to come out.

100 days...

until the little guy is expected to make his appearance.
That doesn't sound like much time in the grand scheme of things.
He's a kicker... I wonder if that means he'll be a hyper boy. Given the nature of boys in our family, and girls for that matter, I would assume so. Thankfully his big sister is not a priss, even though she does like dressing girly in her flowered skirts and pastels.

It's National Scrapbook Month

Carolyn, over at Scrapping Servant, is hosting a blog party to celebrate. (See the button or her link in my sidebar.)
Now, personally, I enjoy scrapbooking, but am WAY behind. embarassingly behind. So this little blog party might just motivate me to get a few pages done. I have enough papers and embellishments to do some basic layouts, so I really have no excuse. They may not win an award from Creating Keepsakes, but something has got to be better than leaving my pics on the hard drive.

Anyone care to join me in dusting off their supplies and getting scrap happy? How about if we set small goals...

1) make a list of 10 pages to complete (or whatever # is achievable for you)
2) find pics in storage (online or printed stacks, whatever is your "pile up" of choice and organize them. If they are not printed, get them printed.
3) Design and create at least one layout a week for the rest of the month... the list of 10 will give us something to keep working toward.

Baby steps, people, baby steps...

Let me know if you are going to play along! And jump on over to Carolyn's to see what giveaways are going on for the par-tay!

four friends

two of us have known each other since high school.
the other two met in middle school, i think.
i was in the flag corps, they actually played instruments in the band.

we've been through a lot together, when we were near and now that we're spread out.
our friendship is a true blessing.

maternal instincts (warning, might be tmi if you aren't a woman, or one who has ever been pregnant)

It's funny how when you're pregnant, your body knows exactly what to do and when. Apparently mine has decided that it's time to start producing food, or the precursors to feed, for the little one, even though he won't be born for a while yet, Lord willing. I guess holding a rooting 3 month old in your arms (or being in the same room) does that. ;)

Some of our good friends came over tonight. They included two of my college roommates, the hubby and adorable daughters of one of them and another friend from college. I am so thankful that God has given me friends with whom to walk through life with, even from a distance at times.

Bear enjoyed playing with Caroline, and doted on baby Kimberly. She wanted to help put her paci in her mouth, and she even "held" her on the couch, with the support of a big pillow and myself. I love seeing her tender heart come out with the little ones. Though she was not an angel every second (and even showed some of her toddler temper at times), and did not want to share every little thing the whole time we had visitors, she did pretty well overall. I hope she is as gentle and patient with her little brother when he arrives.

Bear claimed the rose I received from our waiter at lunch today.
(All the mommies were given roses.) We enjoyed our time with my parents, sister and niece.

Mother's Day 2008-
25 weeks 4 days pregnant with our Baby Boy!

By the time I remembered to take a Mother's Day picure WITH my little girl,
she was ready to climb into the bathtub. Oh, well.

Happy
Mothers'
Day!

Wishing lots of love to all of you Moms with kids to chase at home, Moms in waiting, and Moms whose nests are now empty!
******

Look what I got in the mail today:

There was a special offer in American Baby magazine for free Itsy Bitsy Yoga DVD's to the first 100 responders. Well, I wasn't in the first 100, but I then got an e-mail from the company saying if I sent them a check for 4.95 s/h, they would send me the dvd otherwise free. So I dropped the check in the mail to New England a little over a week ago, and the DVD arrived today.

I can't wait to try it out with our little guy when he arrives in a couple of months. They have a toddler book or program, too, which I could see Bear getting into, since she does like to copy me (and climb all over me) if/when I actually do my prenatal yoga exercises.

Review to come after baby is born...

adventures in gardening, continued...

about 3 weeks ago, i decided to humor the hoa and send in my approval request for the big garden pots in my yard. i haven't heard anything back, so i am assuming no news is good news. i added basil to the herb pot last week, transplanted green bean sprouts into one pot, and today i planted 2 varieties of cherry tomatoes, some beefsteak tomato seeds, a red pepper plant, and some green pepper seeds. It's probably too much for the small space, I don't know. But I think I had too many coffee grounds and not enough dirt in the pots way back when I first planted seeds, so I have added potting soil since then. Well, hubby poured the soil into the pots for me. Anyway, hopefully at some point this summer we will have two or three types of home-grown veggies. Bear eats cherry tomatoes like candy, so I figure it's worth a shot if I can get them to grow again. (I am not exaggerating, either. She still loves them. While her toddler pickiness has manifested itself in other ways, toe-toes are still yummy to her.)

hubby worked on the lawn for 2 1/2 hours today. yes, you read that correctly. no, our yard did not grow overnight. he mowed, trimmed the weeds, roughed up some patches where the grass was spindly at best with the mantis, used the spade to rough up some really bare patches a little more deeply, spread 120 pounds of lime, fertilizer, spot seeded, and put a little left over soil over the seeds by the sidewalk... we're hoping tonight's expected rain doesn't wash all the seed away. He's heading out for a ride on the road, the wind blowing over his protective helmet instead of through his freshly chopped hair (trimmed by yours truly). I think he deserves the break.

Hope this Saturday finds you well!

Did you know...

...today is Military Spouse Appreciation day?
Thank all the military wives you know for their personal sacrifices AND their husband's.

Thanks to Patti from w@h for sharing this bit of trivia!

****
Steph, I am so proud of you and Ashley for your sacrifices that you make together to serve our country!

We came home from Memphis today, and of course the addict had to see what's new in my flowerbed. Yes, almost immediately.....

"Gold Glow" rose bush

(5/9)

...not bad for $5 at Wal-mart. There are at least 3 more buds in addition to the bloom. In the first photo, I believe the blanketflower (gaillardia) seeds I planted have resulted in what I hope will be one plant (the thing growing to the left). The Blue Girl Rose is running behind this one. It doesn't get the sun quite as early in the day. No buds on that one yet, but the leaves are coming in. I read that it doesn't tolerate the extreme heat quite as much, but hopefully the spot I chose for it is not too shady!

I baked tilapia and sauteed yellow squash for dinner tonight. I love sales on fresh seafood at Publix! If my dishes would just do themselves, I would be a very happy girl. We went for a walk with Bear, who asked for the stroller, but around the halfway point decided she wanted to run free. She only wiped out on the sidewalk a couple of times.

Wordless Wednesday

TP Tuesday
5/6/08
24 w 6 days

10 1/2 sheets.

This is definitely not an exact science. I know I am bigger than I was, but whether Tech Mom's TP is smaller than mine, or the rest of my belly has started filling out somehow without increasing my widest point, who knows... I mean, my belly button seems to be flattening out and I am beginning to wonder if I will develop an outie this time around. Anyway, I hadn't played the TP tuesday game in a while, so I thought I would measure with TP today. Hubby helped me. My pants sure feel tighter and are fitting tighter, and I feel lots of movement going on in there, so everything is good.

Happy Birthday, Hubby!

He's officially out of his 20's. Maybe Tech Mom can post about the adventures of having a baby 7 weeks ahead of her due date, since she hasn't posted in ages. (not so subtle hint.) We went to a cookout with some friends from his work (and a couple of my blogging buddies, the co-workers wives) last night. This morning I actually made him eggs and toast for breakfast and Hannah and I gave him his cards and gifts. One of which we ended up returning, but my feelings are not hurt. It was more of a symbolic gift, as I didn't want to just say "here, go buy this." So Bear and I found something somewhat similar to what we knew hubby wanted and bought it anyway. Shockingly, it didn't quite work, but since hubby has my "approval", he has found a couple of contender's for his motorcycle jacket birthday gift picked out online. (I do have to say that Bear was smitten by the Kayak's and bikes at the store where we found the jacket that didn't quite work. It was adorable.)

This afternoon, our next door neighbor's had a cookout for their son's 1sst birthday, and this evening another neighbor and friend had a cookout for her 30th birthday, which is actually tomorrow. Hubby didn't seem to mind having the spotlight off him.

5 minutes for Mom has another contest/giveaway going on... and there's a photo contest. I have posted this lots of places, possibly even on here already... but this photo reflects a little bit of what motherhood means to me right now.
My sis in law, Caslon, took this one with my camera. Bear already loves to kiss her baby brother. She also likes to lift my shirt up to "feed" him dinner rolls or milk from her sippy cup. It's pretty sweet. I'm amazed by how much she seems to "get" about the "baby in mommy's belly." Watching her grow from an only child into a big sister is going to be an adventure around here!

Coming Soon: Allybug Bowtique

Do you like hair bows and clippies? Does your dear daughter actually wear them for more than 30 seconds without pulling them out? Are you obsessed with finding the perfect accessory for your child's every outfit? Than you have to check out Allybug Boutique. Our friend Becky (whose hubby was a groomsman in our wedding) is a SAHM mom to two adorable little girls. She's taken her creativity from being a Kindergarten teacher and applied it to making hair bows and clippies for her daughters. Now she is sharing her creations with the public on her photobucket site, and soon she'll have an online store.

Check it out!

another gardening tip

• Buy summer bulbs as the stores are running out and chopping their prices. I did this last year, and grew beautiful asiatic lilies. I found a pack of 5 stargazer bulbs for 2.50 at Wal-mart yesterday. That's half off. ONE stem of stargazer lilies at a florist can go for $6. That's without any roots or chance for return on investment! They were starting to sprout in their bag, but I planted them today by the mailbox and we'll see what happens.Some people say bulbs are a lot of work, and they don't like waiting for them to come up. To me, they are worth it because they save money in the long run (especially if they are perennials), and I don't mind waiting to watch them grow. (Though I am kind of jealous of all the pretty annuals my neighbor planted in her bed and am thinking I still have a long way to go to catch up to the cost of hubby's bike. j/k. sort of.) By planting all 5 bulbs, maybe I'll have some to spare to bring inside.
• Try to plant immediately before rain showers. Then you don't HAVE to water right away (though it doesn't hurt).
  

Do as I say, not as I do....

If I applied my advice for yardwork to inside chores (the not doing everything at once, do things little by little, etc...)...

I would be in much better emotional state any time visitors are about to come over.

I must admit, getting sympathy for being pregnant and having a toddler is a nice break.

Things I've learned about "gardening" (flowerbeds)

• Starting flowers from seeds is low-cost but also low return on investment. If you want instant gratification, spend a little extra on plants. If you do start from seed, opt for bigger plants and be sure to use better potting soil to increase your odds that the seedlings won't shrivel up and die. Once they get to be a couple of inches tall, transplant them where you want them. Also, check seed-depth instructions on your packets. Don't smother them in too much dirt and mulch.
  
• Bulbs/rhizomes/tubers do not fall under the previous generalization about return on investment... even though they do cost more than seed packets. But don't just stick bulbs into poor soil, and plant them at the appropriate depths. Buy a cheap bag of potting soil and/or compost and mix a couple of cups in with the existing dirt. This year my daffodils planted in previous years returned. It looks like my gladioli, calla lilies, and asiatic lilies are well on their way to coming back. (Hopefully they will bloom), I did plant some acidanthera bulbs because I couldn't help myself. Day lilies are also pretty fool proof... the builder planted some 5 years ago, and they are still thriving. I did thin them out last fall.
  
• Don't try to tackle it all in one day. You'll end up tired, sore, and frustrated or bitter. Do a little at a time.
• Plant a base bed of perennials and add extra color with annuals. Otherwise, you may have to spend all day tackling the planting of annuals. Or, if you just absolutely prefer annuals, do a little at a time.... the mailbox bed, a row or two in main flowerbed, etc.. Some bulbs are technically annuals and need to be lifted out of the ground before it gets too cold, but in some areas you can get away with leaving bulbs in the ground. Ask around or check online to see if the bulbs you like can be grown as perennials where you live. If you want to save trouble, don't mess with the bulbs that HAVE to be lifted in your growing zone.
  
• Also try to plant things that bloom at different times of the growing season. I'm still working on this one.
  
• When/If hubby complains about the cost of mulch, nicely tell him to get over it. It's protecting the investment you've put into your plants. Plants need good soil and protection. You wouldn't refuse to feed your children if they were whithering away, and though plants don't have souls, they need water and nutrition, too. Though if you have to choose between tending to your kids or your flowers, please let the flowers die. At the same time, too much mulch CAN smother the roots of trees and plants... so don't go overboard.
  
• Follow watering, sunlight and feeding guidelines for plants. A plethora of info is available online.... that's where I get most of my info. I also pick my parents' and in-laws brains from time to time, but not everyone will get the info they need by doing that.
  
• Before you put a layer of fresh mulch down, sprinkle some fresh compost or potting soil on top of the old mulch. If you are really ambitious, grab a hand cultivator (rake) and mix the old mulch and the new soil together to help stimulate breakdown of the old mulch.
• Use a wooden toothpick to mark where you have planted seeds in your yard or flowerbed, if applicable.
• Fertilize using miracle grow or the generic equivalent according to package recommendations or what the plant tag recommends.
• If you have toddlers, you might want to check to see if plants are poisonous before planting them. For example, lantana is a pretty and drought resistent flowering shrub thing, but its berries are poisonous. And berries ARE tempting.
• If someone offers you plants from their yard, take them. Odds are they will just throw them out if you don't take them, as many plants need to be thinned out at least every couple of years. Even if you don't LOVE them, they will grow on you as you think about the money saved by not spending it at the store (and hopefully knowing who gave them to you will also be a good thing). My Mom planted one variety of sedum about 2 weeks after Bear was born. When we went to Gramma's farm last Memorial Day, she gave me some hastas, black-eyed susans, and another variety of sedum. A neighbor gave me some iris rhizomes that she dug up this spring; I'm hoping at least some of then take to their new home.
• Let your kids help. Bear calls bulbs "onions", and I let her drop them into holes. I also let her scoop dirt into the holes. Yes, it's messy, but that's clean-up is what hoses and bathtubs are for. Teach them how to water plants. Odds are, they will water everything but what you want them to, like rain gutter trays and rocks, but at least they will be occupied while YOU water. (Give them their own small watering can that they can hold/carry.) Teach them what flowers they can pick and what ones they cannot, and tell them why. This Spring, I had tulips and pansies in bloom. Pansies rebloom shortly after being picked. Tulips do not. While we did have some casualities of toddler curiousity, we also had a toddler who identified tulip leaves in the garden center because she listened to Mommy tell her the names of the green things that were poking through the ground. Praise them for what they do right- for not stepping on the flowers, for being nice to the flowers that don't want to be picked, etc... And I still have a few tulips that have not whithered away or been picked yet.
  
• Don't try to tackle everything in one day. Pull old weeds and plants on one day, add dirt/soil on another day, plant new plants shortly after (within a couple of weeks), and mulch within a week or so after that. If you are building a new bed from scratch, after you have killed the grass and weeds and given the weed killer (whether organic or not) time to "fade" so you don't poison the plants you want to keep, it's actually better to till up the old dirt and add in some new dirt, then let them sit and "stew" before planting so the soil pH levels out.
• Be generous with mulch... it keeps weeds down and water in. As your bed is established, you won't have to add so much. The finer to medium mulches compost themselves, adding to the soil over time, but the thicker chipped mulches get ugly and don't break down as well. We prefer a medium colored mulch to the blackest mulch... fading is less noticeable.
  
• To spruce up the look of your beds after the mulch fades, try raking lightly with a hand cultivator/rake so the faded mulch gets turned over. Be careful not to rake out your flowers in the process.
• If a plant doesn't sem to be thriving where you put it, move it before it starts to struggle. I planted 2 columbine flowers a couple of weeks ago. One took well and has lalready doubled in size, the other has stayed about the same size as it was when I bought it. I noticed it was getting less sun, so I moved it to a bare spot that needs color.
  

A good friend spent ALL day yesterday doing yard improvement. Her flowerbed is going to look great (I saw it after sunset, but I am sure it will look great). But I hate that she was sooo exhausted and ready to swear off gardening when I saw her last night. I often tend my garden while Bear naps.... because though there are times I want her to "help", there are times she does get on my nerves being underfoot. I do think if I tried to do everything in one day, it would drive me to need Prozac again. By spreading things out, I enjoy the process more. Especially when things start to bloom.

I should be doing dishes, but I don't want to wake up the rest of my family, so hopefully someone will find this post helpful. Really, I should be sleeping... now maybe I will be able to get some sleep... after I pee again.