Friday, December 31, 2010

Better late than never

Christmas 2010

We spent Christmas morning at my moms house with the whole clan of siblings,cousins, parents,grandparents and great grandparents. The kids did pretty well with sharing and taking turns and it was a joy to be able to spend Christmas with my lovely family and grandparents(this is the first time we have all spent Christmas together in the same house).
Not sure what Owen is doing with his face here but it was the best of the photos of him...



my sweet grams

Oh and the dogs and cats were there too...they all watched a movie after lunch together. such sweet littles.(Owen has his shirt off all the time these days...if he can swing it the shirt and as many other articles of clothes as possible are off)
Happy Holidays!!


Monday, December 20, 2010

Rat

We have a rat...its not a pet. We have a trap that we put peanut butter on every night in different ways to try and catch him...he eats it every night with out being caught...I can see why these animals were domesticated...they are smart! I want him and his potential germs out from behind my oven. Any suggestions?

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Party Time

This is a semi annual event...the kiddo party for Owens birthday...we plan it every year but some years he has been too sick to have a party. This year I was a little too sick to throw him one but powered through anyway because he didn't get one last year and no party two years in a row just seemed sad to me.

We always decorate sugar cookies and everyone gets there own frosting and knifes...less germs spread this way.

Owen-and pretty much every other kid-ate lots of frosting straight from the little cups and then did a couple cookies then decided playing was a better use of there time...wonder if they will learn to like this more or less over time?? I suppose we could try a different party theme next year...one that doesn't involve hours of prep time on my behalf...this always just seems so fun and festive tho... I am sure Owen will have something to say about it at some point and we will adjust as needed.

For now he is always more than content to go along with I think is fun...I am sure that will change too. I just hope not too soon.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

4 Years old

Dear Owen,
Today you turned 4! I cannot believe how fast the time has flown by. I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday and since you love to hear me tell the story...
Here it is...On the night you were born there was a huge storm. There was thunder and lightning and rain and wind. Trees fell down on power lines and people everywhere had no power.There was floods in the streets and in our basement. The wind and rain were so fierce that they shook the windows in the hospital. You arrived 4.5 weeks early and were delivered by surgery from my tummy. Right after they took you out of my tummy the power actually went out in the hospital(even the generators were out) and some one in the operating room yelled GET THE FLASH LIGHTS!! Then they said to me "don't worry everything will be fine"...and it was. You were safe and healthy and mine.

You love to here the part about the flash lights most of all and ask me to repeat that part...you love flashlights. I couldn't believe how precious and perfect you were when you were placed in my arms. I thought I would burst from joy and pride. I look at you today blowing out 4 candles on your cupcake and feel exactly the same way.I cannot even express in words how much I love being your mama.

Tonight we asked if you would like anything special for dinner...not sure what we expected you to say... you asked for cottage cheese, bananas and hummus and chips and said "that's a really special dinner" your Papa and I just laughed and said "sure why not"... you eat those foods on at least an every other day basis.

I love you kid and I am so happy God gave you to us.

Love Mama

Monday, December 13, 2010

Bronchitis

Went to the Dr. today because the sickness wasn't letting up...I have bronchitis. And she could not tell that I was pregnant...really!!!???

Friday, December 10, 2010

32 Weeks

I cannot tell you how quickly this pregnancy has gone by. It feels all so sudden that I am now really pregnant. It seems like time has just flown by...and I am nowhere near ready. me at 32 weeks

Honestly I don't know what I expected but I guess I thought that because this is the second time around that I would feel ready for what was to come this time. I mean I know what to expect so I should feel ready...right? Not so much.
What I do feel is nervous about unknowns. I have never really been in labour before... I had Owen a little over a month early and he was delivered by C-section when the induction process failed. I am trying it a whole new way this time...as I was not satisfied with the process last time(end result of Owen=awesome but the process...not a fan). I am not using an OBGYN I am using midwives at a birthing center(not a hospital) and I am going to-if all goes according to plan-have a vaginal birth. So all that is new and I have no clue what to expect from that. I find myself wondering how its all going to come together...reading books and researching the heck out of it just to find my self back to square one...no clue what lies ahead.

I also know that having another child in my charge day in and day out will have challenges and obstacles that I am still unaware of. I know its going to be amazing alot of the time but also hard and different. I am not even a professional at mothering the one I have yet so I am unsure of how I will manage two. Point in case: this week Owen drew with crayon(the hardest thing to get out)all over my living room walls-all 4 of them-and fire place. He toilet papered his room and the hall, and he pored watter(inches of it) all over the hard wood floors. He doesn't do this sort of thing often but it takes time to discipline and clean up after these types of messes.How will I find energy and capacity for this when I am divided?

This is an epic post...sometimes you just have to vent.. I know that having children is a reward from God and that I am truly blessed to have a second little in my belly growing strong and healthy. I know that the Lord will give me the strength to live on and to do his will. I just feel a little bit nervous...I will try and remember what is true. God is good and everything He does is for good even in my tiny life.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Sick again

I had all these grand plans to write about all the fun activites from our advent project but the last week has been brutal for me. I have yet another flu/cold and this one was a duzy. I think the worst is behind me now but I feel unmotivated and like any momentum I may have had prior to illness is now lost. Being 8 months pregnant and sick is probably the worst thing ever(I may be feeling a little dramatic). So now the task of breaking my child of his new found TV habit lies ahead of me(we watched alot of opb during this last week)hopefully he will embrace the oppertunity to do fun things outside and in the kitchen instead of on the couch. Please pray that I will stay healthy for the last months of this pregnancy...and that I will find a new reserve of energy to make this holiday season warm and delightful.
Speaking of delightful...
Owen posed for this picture at the Christmas tree farm completely un-prompted by anyone.

Tree


We have a tree. And we have a small boy who honestly thought he could carry it himself... he said "just trust me mama I can do this" we let him try...then he asked for some help and all ended well.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Advent


This year I decided to do an advent activity thing. I got this advent "tag calender" from here. I have never done any kind of advent with Owen before so this year I really wanted to do some fun things together and make the true meaning of Christmas clear to him. We do a fun activity everyday(like make hot cocoa...or buy a christmas ornament..or get our tree)you get the idea. Then we read a part of the Christmas story every night...we started in Isaiah with the prophesy of Christs birth and are working through the gospels for the rest....its really neat to discuss this with my little(soon to be big)boy he has really interesting insight into things.

I have a lot more to write about but will end here for now. Hope your season is shaping up to be Merry and Bright.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Few of My Favorite Things

My water bottle. This is a Camelbak water bottle with a straw type thing...it is seriously the best thing ever. It fits in my stroller and my car and I drink SO much more water when I use it!!

Oh La Croix bubbly water I have loved you for years but during pregnancy you are a staple in my shopping cart...ok you or your close cousin San Pellegrino. Bubbles are a blessing!

This body pillow is such a friend it has the best support and MG can use the side that encroaches on his side of the bed...unless I am using it...

Ok so not a thing but a Friend who will give up 4 hours of sleep to accompany me to the emergency room on what turned out to be not an emergency.

Sunday night after consulting my midwife I decided that having 6 contractions per hour for the whole day was a little off so we decided I should go make sure I wasn't in preterm labor. I wasn't. But my Friend Lysa sat lovingly by my side as they poked and swabbed and listened to the baby. She never complained that in the morning...well later that morning she would be dead tired caring for her own 4 children. I really appreciated the support! It was so nice to chat through what could have been a stressful night. Thanks friend.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Stick Hunt


Today Owen and I went on a stick hunt.We decided to go down the alleys. Our neighborhood is old and so the alleys are a charming detour from the side walks sometimes.This kid loves sticks... he loves them with a passion and since we don't allow them in the house any more(after that fateful incident with the smelly oil jar breaking)we have about 10 of them strewn about our yard and porch.

Today we went looking for sticks for me though. I am throwing a baby shower this weekend and needed a couple of small downed branches to help with decor.
It was a successful trip I got two small branches and Owen got one new stick.

I am super passionate about walking with him right now as you may have noticed so the point of the walk was only an excuse really to get out and enjoy his chatter for a while. Owen took it fairly seriously and brought me numerous sticks for inspection.

He told me today "Momma(I love that he still calls me momma)I really love alleys...I have always wanted to live in an alley they are really beautiful"
I feel like my heart will burst some days because of his complete earnestness. He is such a special little and I am a lucky momma.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

This time

Pregnancy is a kind of weird thing. I feel like there are pregnant people and everyone else...pregnant girls all follow fairly similar rules that only apply to pregnant girls and when we are together we all huddle around and discuss the similarities and differences in our pregnancies.

I just keep marveling at the differences in my experiences with pregnancy. I mean everyone has a different experience but usually one persons experiences with multiple pregnancies are pretty similar...not mine.
I was never morning sick with Owen...this time I was sick enough to loose weight until week 16.
I was addicted to sugar in my first go round...this time I like sweets but can pass them up.
I gained 55 lbs while pregnant with the baby who weighed only 5.5lbs of that...this time I have gained 10lbs(granted we are not finished yet but I have a feeling we aren't gonna break 40 this time)...
I had no stretch marks with the first pregnancy and... this time I have about 7(not giants but they look like they could be runners).
I feel way more tired this time as well...probably because I am older and running around after #1 all the time.

Those are just the physical differences...the emotional stuff is different this time round too. I guess you would have to ask M.G-to be sure-but I feel way more stable and less all around moodiness.

Some things never change...getting up every couple hours to go to the bathroom at night,needing the water I drink-all day long-to be heavily iced,my face being a puffy pregnant chub fest,my need for pinto beans-and Mexican food in general-sky rocketing,loving the feeling of my baby kicking,stretching and possibly doing some wii sports inside of my womb(I think I felt a bowling ball in there with him the other night for sure!)
Over all I feel like this is a better experience. I have had a few more physical symptoms this time but the emotional stability wins it for me.

This probably isn't a super exciting post for others to read but I wanted it written out for my own records.


Me at 26.5 weeks

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Stream of conscious

We went on another fall walk yesterday. I can tell that the leaves are going to be gone in a week or so. I really wanted the chance to enjoy them again before their fire and gold brilliance is gone and we are left with nothing but gray for 5 months.




When we go on walks together I make sure and answer(well try to anyway) every question you ask. I ask your opinion on things like the sound of crunchy leaves under our feet and patiently listen to your 10 minute responses. It is good for me to hear you. It helps me to know you...to know your heart and soul.



I feel a little nervous sometimes about having another child in my care...I don't know what it will be like to have two kids or to raise "boys" plural. How will I ever get to really know this baby the way I know you little O? We have been just you and me for so long now that its hard to even imagine it any other way. I am a little afraid of what is to come and how my life will change, but I am so excited to meet this new person God is making inside me. I know he is someone very important for our lives and that we need him in ways we are not even sure of yet... I feel so glad to have this opportunity and so terrified of it at the same time.



Owen you are the one who mad me a momma and I am so happy that you did... it just seems foreign to think that I will be someone elses momma too... I hope that doesn't sound like I'm not excited about it because I am...but its a whole new world that's completely uncharted for me and I am a slow explorer.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Cousins

They really love each other... they always have. Even before Mia was born Owen used to lay quietly on my sisters pregnant belly and listen to his sweet cousin move. Now he sits and listens to her talk and recite nursery poems and lets her tell him what they will do next. She snuggles him on the couch and shares her princess toys with him.



They love to have a sleep over and they never get bored of being together. I hope it stays this way the rest of their lives. I hope he always wants to listen to her talk and that she always wants to snuggle up to him on the couch. I know someday they will be teen aged and it won't be as cool to hang with each other all the time... I hope they don't care.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Colds



I have another cold and so does Owen... this is the second one this month and I am feeling really discouraged by it. When your pregnant you cant take cold meds and that is all I want to do right now. I want to toss back some day quill and feel better. Alas this is not my fate and I will have be snarfely and sneazy until its over.

Side note... I am really enjoying the fall weather and all the beauty that is present. The fall leaves and wonderful pumpkins are really making my heart swell with joy!

Monday, October 25, 2010

Alone time together



It seems Like its been a long time since MG and I went on a getaway together. I had totally been starting to feel the strain of the every days when MG was asked to be the key note speaker for a Campus Crusade for Christ retreat. The retreat came at such a perfect time as we had just had our 4th anniversary so we planned to celebrate after the event.
We went away about two weeks ago and I am just now getting around to sharing about the wonderful time we had. A combination of our family watched Owen so we could have the weekend to our selves and it was a much needed break from the regular routines of life.
MG had the opportunity to teach three times in two days so the actual retreat was not as restful for him as it was for me. It is always a great experience to be able to listen to your husband teach and really grow from it.

After the retreat he treated me to a hotel stay in Portland where we just relaxed and enjoyed some great alone time together.


A view from our hotel room. This room was great it was all windows except the wall the bed was against the views were amazing!


Breakfast at this sweet little french bakery that MG always takes me to when we stay in Portland.

Yes this is a chocolate filled chocolate eclair... that pretty much sums up our time together...Lovely.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch with a few of our friends the other day. It was a really nice warm day and we had fun running around looking for the perfect pumpkins.


We just got this new hat for Owen...it matches one that his Papa has and he really loves wearing it.

We found some really good pumpkins that were just Owens size.


A great shot of the whole crew! Such amazing kids...and super cute!!!


A couple more of Owen in the hat... seriously can't get enough of that face!!

Owen your smile is like sunshine to me!!

Fun with Fall

Sometimes it's fun to just go on a walk with your kid. Don't get me wrong I take Owen on lots of walks ...but usually he is sitting in his stroller while I push and chat with a friend or while we both just zone out. This time I decided that we would actually walk together and talk to each other... it was great.
We took the time to discuss all manner of things from why the leaves change color to why we can see our shadows only some of the time.

We had so much fun together. I cant wait to do this again.

We collected leaves to do a little contact paper project when we got home. This is how it turned out. Not spectacular... but the conversation was rich and the weather was beautiful so the quality of the project really didn't matter that much in the end.

Friday, October 8, 2010

4 years Married


Dear sweet MG,
We have been at it for 4 whole years now and it feels amazing to be your wife.
I know it hasn't always been easy for us-and that it will always have peaks and valley's to come-but this marriage is great. It brings me an incredible amount of joy to be married to a man so devoted to his God and his family. I love your commitment to the things that really matter in life and I love how strong and reliable you are.

I became the luckiest girl I know when you married me(even if I didn't know it yet then).
So thanks for your love and your life. I am so great-full to be sharing this adventure with you
Love
D

Renovations

We have been a busy little family around these parts getting ready for #2. We decided that any thing that needed changing or organizing better get done before the baby gets here or it would be put off for at least a year(it takes me a while to "bounce back" after having a baby).

My dear friend Mrs. N came over and helped me to organize my basement-something that has been on every new years resolution list I have made since living here-and wow does it feel good. There are no before pics because I don't want to remember it that way. I only want to think of it this way. Which may not look awesome to you ...but is a beautiful sight to me!

To actually be happy to do laundry. I have not had a back up for 3 weeks!!


But most of all be able to say "yes of course!" when some one asks to see my basement(instead of "Ummm....probably not a safe plan").


We also re-purposed two rooms making the office the play room and the play room the office...which it was before it was the playroom... but its better than ever with a new set of book shelves in each room and a new desk for the office area.
The new office ( which is still being unpacked but is way more organized than the old one.



The new "play room"


I have also been busy in the kitchen, re-arranging some things and just getting a better system going for the future. I am using this shelf as an external pantry to free up space in my cupboards so I can actually see what I have in them.

Needless to say IKEA was our best friend while gathering shelves to make all these projects happen... gotta love something that really makes a difference on a very tight(non-existent) budget.

So-other than fighting a severe cold for a solid two weeks-that is what the deal has been around here.

Retro fitted


So I am finally showing!
At 23 weeks I don't just look chubby anymore I look mostly pregnant! The reason I have not just popped right on out(like I thought-and was told-I would in my second pregnancy) is because I have a retro-flexed uterus... sounds awesome right? It is-I mean kinda-it basically means my baby oven is tilting towards my back instead of my stomach which is fine. There is nothing wrong with that and there is no reason to worry its just different-which fits me really-so there ya go. I always forget the real term and just tell people who ask why Im not getting as round as fast as other pregnant ladies "its because of my retro fitted uterus"

Monday, September 20, 2010

Stories



Today Owen told Papa and I that "on my way home from work ...on the freeway... there was a man with a snake on his head... I saw him far away while he was doing this(he mimes someone stopping traffic) he was way up there on the freeway but i saw him and he had a snake but it was all part of his costume..."

Then at dinner "I saw a rainbow elephant once...when my daddy(not sure why he chose to say daddy unless he was trying to separate fact from fiction in some way)my DADDY(serious look at me) took me to the zoo in a far away place... it was a real colorful one and that elephant walked right up to me and squirted his trunk right at ME"

Owen you are great and I love being your Mama!

Friday, September 17, 2010

BOY OH BOY!!


Dear sprout,
Your a boy!!! A son, a little brother , a nephew, a grandson and a great grand son!!! We are so excited for boy number two!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Sickness



Dear Owen,
I took you to the Dr. today, because after 5 days of fever and complete lethargy you told us your ear hurt. You have been laying on us and doing noting that is normal for you. We have been living on children's fever reducer and relying on the littlest of joys to get us through-even if that is in the form of an tiny Pepsi can-and letting you take my temperature, playing wii game and watching so much tv all of our brains are rotting...



The Dr. was supposed to help us feel better. Instead it made things worse... you had a really bad ear wax build up so they couldn't see if the ear was infected or not. They proceeded to use a poky tool to try and clean it-but that hurt you-so they got the water plain device out and that was a total disaster. They tried to do it while I held you but you kicked and screamed in pain...then they tried to have another nurse(the kind that you see on old movies who works at the mental hospital and holds the big men down) help but at that point you were so scared your face held nothing but terror and I broke down and joined in the sobbing. I called an end to the trying for today and got some drops that may help drain things and numb the pain...we go back tomorrow.
Owen today was bad-well the past 5 days have been-but tomorrow is a new day and His mercies are new each morning so tonight I pray that things will go easy tomorrow and we will finally get you on the road to healing.