Friday night Kristian went to hang out with his friends like he usually does and I stayed home with Anne. I considered calling some people to hang out, but I didn't feel like going anywhere and I wanted the option of going to bed early. It was the first night in a long time that I haven't watched any tv; we're trying to follow the practice of no tv for Anne before she's 2 years old (although admittedly sometimes she watches Scrubs with us or whatever else is on if she doesn't fall asleep right after dinner). So I played with her, had leftovers for dinner, and then when it became apparent that she had no intentions of going to sleep early, I needed something else to do with her. She only has so many toys and even if she's not bored with them quickly, I am.
So I turned on Pandora.com, chose my "Better Than Ezra" station, and danced around my living room with Anne in my arms. She enjoyed it, I had fun doing something I love to do, and it was a little bit of exercise. I got tired after about 4 or 5 songs (Anne is getting heavy!!) and decided to go to bed finally, but it was fun. This Friday I might break out some pop/dance music.
Saturday morning we got up at the crack of dawn to go to the DMV to get our address changed on our driver's licenses. After waiting for half an hour for our number to be called a supervisor announced that they couldn't do address changes because of a system update. Needless to say we were not very excited about this. The good part though was that it meant Kristian didn't sleep until almost noon so I got to spend some more time with him. Anne took a nap on my lap when we got back and Kristian and I played Tetris. It's one of the few video games I really enjoy. We spent the rest of the day bumming around the house, and we finally watched Inglorious Basterds. It was a good movie, very Tarantino.
Sunday we slept too late to make it to church but I started our morning off with a delicious breakfast of blueberry pancakes, sausage, and eggs. Then we went to Fini's Pizza to support a fundraiser for Ground Zero Grace (http://www.groundzerograce.com/) for lunch. I cooked for one of the new moms in our church and we drove her meal up to her house in Gainesville, then we spent the rest of the evening watching Scrubs.
Both Saturday and Sunday nights I got to fall asleep on the couch with Anne, which is one of my favorite things to do. Kristian likes to stay up later than I do, and I don't like going to bed without him, so I'll lay on the couch with Anne, nurse her, and fall asleep while he plays a video game or reads nearby to keep an eye on us. I think I sleep so well like this because I know Kristian is there watching over us; I feel safe. I never sleep with Anne on the couch when he's not there, though, so I look forward to being able to do it on the weekends.
In three more weeks we'll start Anne on solids. We're doing Baby-Led Weaning and I'm really excited about it. Should be interesting (and messy!) She's sitting up on her own really well now. Every new little thing that she learns how to do just amazes me. Babies really are like a blank slate. You have to teach them everything. I didn't realize how many things we take for granted until I had a child, like the simple things like knowing what a cup or a fork is. Still no signs of crawling, but she's so strong I won't be surprised if she walks first. She loves to stand up and she only needs your hand or an object nearby to balance.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Mom Moments
I had the best Mom moment the other day. I got off work late, so Kristian had to feed Anne an extra bottle. Keep in mind that I'm usually home shortly after she is every day; even if Kristian feeds her any leftover milk from daycare she gets to nurse with me right afterward. There have been days that Anne screamed until I got home because she just wanted me, and so I asked Kristian how it went when I walked in the door.
"Did she scream today?"
"No, but she's been whining and grumpy for over an hour."
The second I said hello to her and she realized I was home, she grinned from ear to ear and was perfectly content.
I love being a mom.
"Did she scream today?"
"No, but she's been whining and grumpy for over an hour."
The second I said hello to her and she realized I was home, she grinned from ear to ear and was perfectly content.
I love being a mom.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Marital Romance
Life changed a lot when I got married, and even more so after Anne was born. Kristian and I have only seemed to grow closer as a couple. I'm not a wife who has to complain that my husband doesn't do his fair share around the house, because it's quite the opposite; he does things I don't even ask him to do. Even so, I was lamenting to myself the other day that we don't do a lot of typical "romantic" things anymore, and I miss that. But then I got to thinking...
The roses he brings me look like fresh ground coffee made and ready to be brewed for the next morning.
The mushy cards he writes me look like blue painters tape with our daughter's name, the date, and the word "breastmilk" on them for her bottles to take to daycare the next day.
Our fancy dinners out look like a dishwasher that's been unloaded and reloaded before I get home, and dessert is when he cleans up the kitchen after dinner is over.
Our pillow talk sounds like his comfortable "ok, baby" whenever I ask him to get me something to drink because I'm nursing our daughter and don't want to disturb her.
The box of chocolates he gives me looks like the bottle of water and cup of juice he brings upstairs for me so I can take my vitamins before bed.
And these are only a few of the things that he does around our house, every single day. And it may not sound like anything is a big deal, but all these little things make my life so much easier. He also takes out the trash, cleans the cat litter boxes twice a week, puts clothes away after I fold them, and works a job he's not particularly fond of to help support us and provide our family with good health insurance. He picks up Anne from daycare and holds her when I need an extra hand. I could go on and on.
Kristian never fails to tell me he loves me, and even though I rarely get actual roses anymore, he shows me every day how much he loves me. If this is the romance of marriage and parenthood, I'll take it.
The roses he brings me look like fresh ground coffee made and ready to be brewed for the next morning.
The mushy cards he writes me look like blue painters tape with our daughter's name, the date, and the word "breastmilk" on them for her bottles to take to daycare the next day.
Our fancy dinners out look like a dishwasher that's been unloaded and reloaded before I get home, and dessert is when he cleans up the kitchen after dinner is over.
Our pillow talk sounds like his comfortable "ok, baby" whenever I ask him to get me something to drink because I'm nursing our daughter and don't want to disturb her.
The box of chocolates he gives me looks like the bottle of water and cup of juice he brings upstairs for me so I can take my vitamins before bed.
And these are only a few of the things that he does around our house, every single day. And it may not sound like anything is a big deal, but all these little things make my life so much easier. He also takes out the trash, cleans the cat litter boxes twice a week, puts clothes away after I fold them, and works a job he's not particularly fond of to help support us and provide our family with good health insurance. He picks up Anne from daycare and holds her when I need an extra hand. I could go on and on.
Kristian never fails to tell me he loves me, and even though I rarely get actual roses anymore, he shows me every day how much he loves me. If this is the romance of marriage and parenthood, I'll take it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Baby Showers
Baby showers are on my mind because I just paid for a breastfeeding class for a friend of mine who is due in June as part of her shower gift. I'm excited to be able to do that for her. I started reminiscing about my own baby showers, which gifts I loved the most, which ones suprised me, etc. I also remembered the baby showers I went to last year.
I remember thinking that it was frustrating to get so many clothes as shower gifts when I was convinced the things I really "needed" were those big ticket items. I don't know if someone forgot to tell me, or I just didn't pay attention, but babies go through anywhere from 2-4 outfits or so a day depending on how much their diapers leak or they spit up. That's a lot of clothes. Thank God for all the people that bought Anne clothes and all the consigment items that were given to me! My frustration is especially funny to me because some of those "big ticket items" have gotten barely any use. Yes, the clothes are easier to purchase a few at a time because they're less expensive, but it was still definitely worth getting all of those little outfits.
Also, looking back, I realized that I don't think I bought the best things to give for shower gifts either. I wanted to get stuff that was on my friends' registries, and I did, but now that I'm 5 months into this mom thing there were definitely more useful items I could have gotten them. Oh well, you live and you learn, right?
My very favorite things were the hand-made items or the personalized gifts. Someone bought me a necklace that says "Anne" on it and I wear it nearly every single day. Unfortunately there were several ladies at that particular shower that I didn't know, and I can't remember who gave it to me. But I love it. I'm a sucker for the sentimental things. My favorite practical gift was nursing pads and breastmilk bags. Those particularly came in handy when Anne arrived 3 weeks early, leaving me really unprepared for a few things. I was so grateful my friend had thought to give me those as a shower gift so I didn't have to run out and get them my first week home from the hospital.
I remember thinking that it was frustrating to get so many clothes as shower gifts when I was convinced the things I really "needed" were those big ticket items. I don't know if someone forgot to tell me, or I just didn't pay attention, but babies go through anywhere from 2-4 outfits or so a day depending on how much their diapers leak or they spit up. That's a lot of clothes. Thank God for all the people that bought Anne clothes and all the consigment items that were given to me! My frustration is especially funny to me because some of those "big ticket items" have gotten barely any use. Yes, the clothes are easier to purchase a few at a time because they're less expensive, but it was still definitely worth getting all of those little outfits.
Also, looking back, I realized that I don't think I bought the best things to give for shower gifts either. I wanted to get stuff that was on my friends' registries, and I did, but now that I'm 5 months into this mom thing there were definitely more useful items I could have gotten them. Oh well, you live and you learn, right?
My very favorite things were the hand-made items or the personalized gifts. Someone bought me a necklace that says "Anne" on it and I wear it nearly every single day. Unfortunately there were several ladies at that particular shower that I didn't know, and I can't remember who gave it to me. But I love it. I'm a sucker for the sentimental things. My favorite practical gift was nursing pads and breastmilk bags. Those particularly came in handy when Anne arrived 3 weeks early, leaving me really unprepared for a few things. I was so grateful my friend had thought to give me those as a shower gift so I didn't have to run out and get them my first week home from the hospital.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Happy 5 Months, Anne!
Dear Anne,
Today you are 5 months old. You're learning to sit up on your own but you still fall over, you can roll over from your stomach to your back in both directions although you've apparently decided it's not worth your time and you don't do it anymore, and you can take a rattle in your hand and shake it for a few seconds. You haven't learned to crawl yet, but it will come. Last night you discovered the fun of kicking your feet and splashing in the bath water. You love to stand up and just need someone to balance you, but it's still too early for you to walk. In another month we'll introduce regular food to you. I'm excited to see what you'll like and what you won't.
I'm in love with your laughter and your smiles; one tiny smile from you makes even the worst day seem full of sunshine. I can't even imagine my life without you.
So happy 5 months! It's going by so fast.
I love you.
Always and Forevers,
Mom
Today you are 5 months old. You're learning to sit up on your own but you still fall over, you can roll over from your stomach to your back in both directions although you've apparently decided it's not worth your time and you don't do it anymore, and you can take a rattle in your hand and shake it for a few seconds. You haven't learned to crawl yet, but it will come. Last night you discovered the fun of kicking your feet and splashing in the bath water. You love to stand up and just need someone to balance you, but it's still too early for you to walk. In another month we'll introduce regular food to you. I'm excited to see what you'll like and what you won't.
I'm in love with your laughter and your smiles; one tiny smile from you makes even the worst day seem full of sunshine. I can't even imagine my life without you.
So happy 5 months! It's going by so fast.
I love you.
Always and Forevers,
Mom
Thursday, March 10, 2011
On the Plus Side
(an exercise in finding the positive)
I hate taking Anne to daycare. I am so grateful that we found an affordable daycare to take Anne to, and that there are good, loving teachers and directors there to watch over my daughter while I'm at work.
We have a busted pipe. I am so grateful that we can afford our own house, and that Kristian's dad is awesome and is teaching me how to do home repairs so we hopefully won't have to hire out for them.
My cat threw up on Anne's playmat. I am so grateful that our cats have not responded to the baby in a violent way so I'm fairly sure we'll be able to keep our pets.
House is a mess. I am so grateful that I have steady employment and weekends off to spend time with my daughter and husband.
Money is super tight / health insurance went up / no raises I am so grateful that Kristian has survived two lay-offs at his office and that we both are still employed; also I am grateful that, although we're living paycheck to paycheck, we haven't had to put anything on a credit card.
My body ain't what it used to be. I am so grateful to be healthy and to have a loving husband who can see past my physical flaws.
It's all about attitude. I think I might start trying to turn as many negative statements into positive ones as I can.
It's all about attitude. I think I might start trying to turn as many negative statements into positive ones as I can.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Dear Anne: (an open letter)
I meant to keep a journal of letters to you. I even wrote you a couple of letters before you were born, but I just haven't found the time to write again since then. So much going on; taking care of a newborn is the most time-consuming thing I've ever done. But, better late than never, right?
You are almost 5 months old and I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. Every day I hold you in my arms and thank God for you, this tiny miracle that your Daddy and I helped create. Sometimes I feel like I must be dreaming, and sometimes it feels like you've always been there.
Our life right now has settled into a pretty good routine (although other moms warn me that you'll shake things up on me periodically!). Daddy is working at Shumate Mechanical and I'm a legal assistant at a law office in Decatur. We have a pretty good life and are comfortable financially, even if our budget is a bit tight now that you're here.
I look around our split-level house and I'm amazed at how different your life will be from mine. When I was born, my parents and I lived in a single-wide trailer with a built-on living room and master bedroom in Florida. There was one bathroom and the kitchen was so small I could open the cupboard doors and play "house" because the doors reached across far enough that they felt like a door to the tiny room. The only part of the house that had air conditioning was the living room and master bedroom, so I grew accustomed to listening to a large box fan in my room to cool the hot Florida air. God willing, you will never know what it's like to live without air conditioning unless you choose to do so someday. You were born into a fairly nice house with substantially well-off parents. We're not rich, but I feel like I've come so far from my roots, and I'm so glad to be able to give these things to you.
You will also never know what it's like to have alcoholic parents (my dad and stepdad), what it's like to hear your parents scream at each other, what it's like to be kept awake until almost time to go to school because of a radio being blasted by a drunk parent. Your daddy and I have such an amazing relationship, one founded on respect and consideration for each other, and I'm so glad you will get to see what a loving marriage looks like. We keep God at the center of our relationship and He truly sustains us. Every day I fall more and more in love with your Daddy; he has been such a good father to you so far and he helps me even when I don't ask him to. I hope that he can show you what to expect in a husband some day so that you will marry a man as wonderful as your Daddy.
Speaking of being in love, my love for you grows every day and it already feels like my heart must burst. There is nothing more awesome to me than when I'm nursing you and you pause, look up at me, stare straight into my eyes, and smile. You don't have the words for it yet, but I know it's your way of telling me you love me too. Every new sound you make, every laugh, every new skill you learn leaves me full of awe; watching your little life unfold before my eyes is the best thing I have ever done with my life. I hate being away from you when I have to go to work but Daddy and I need two incomes to support all of us and give you the very best things we can. Please know that my insistence on giving you only breastmilk (no formula) is a testament to my love for you; pumping at work is not fun and can be very stressful some days because I always worry if I will make enough for you. You'll be starting solid foods soon though and hopefully that will make things a little easier.
I love being your Mom. I can never get enough time with you, and even when you're sleeping I have a hard time putting you down because I love to hold you in my arms and stare at your beautiful, perfect little face. I hope that Daddy and I can be the best possible parents for you.
I love you.
Always and Forevers,
Mom
You are almost 5 months old and I cannot believe how quickly the time has flown by. Every day I hold you in my arms and thank God for you, this tiny miracle that your Daddy and I helped create. Sometimes I feel like I must be dreaming, and sometimes it feels like you've always been there.
Our life right now has settled into a pretty good routine (although other moms warn me that you'll shake things up on me periodically!). Daddy is working at Shumate Mechanical and I'm a legal assistant at a law office in Decatur. We have a pretty good life and are comfortable financially, even if our budget is a bit tight now that you're here.
I look around our split-level house and I'm amazed at how different your life will be from mine. When I was born, my parents and I lived in a single-wide trailer with a built-on living room and master bedroom in Florida. There was one bathroom and the kitchen was so small I could open the cupboard doors and play "house" because the doors reached across far enough that they felt like a door to the tiny room. The only part of the house that had air conditioning was the living room and master bedroom, so I grew accustomed to listening to a large box fan in my room to cool the hot Florida air. God willing, you will never know what it's like to live without air conditioning unless you choose to do so someday. You were born into a fairly nice house with substantially well-off parents. We're not rich, but I feel like I've come so far from my roots, and I'm so glad to be able to give these things to you.
You will also never know what it's like to have alcoholic parents (my dad and stepdad), what it's like to hear your parents scream at each other, what it's like to be kept awake until almost time to go to school because of a radio being blasted by a drunk parent. Your daddy and I have such an amazing relationship, one founded on respect and consideration for each other, and I'm so glad you will get to see what a loving marriage looks like. We keep God at the center of our relationship and He truly sustains us. Every day I fall more and more in love with your Daddy; he has been such a good father to you so far and he helps me even when I don't ask him to. I hope that he can show you what to expect in a husband some day so that you will marry a man as wonderful as your Daddy.
Speaking of being in love, my love for you grows every day and it already feels like my heart must burst. There is nothing more awesome to me than when I'm nursing you and you pause, look up at me, stare straight into my eyes, and smile. You don't have the words for it yet, but I know it's your way of telling me you love me too. Every new sound you make, every laugh, every new skill you learn leaves me full of awe; watching your little life unfold before my eyes is the best thing I have ever done with my life. I hate being away from you when I have to go to work but Daddy and I need two incomes to support all of us and give you the very best things we can. Please know that my insistence on giving you only breastmilk (no formula) is a testament to my love for you; pumping at work is not fun and can be very stressful some days because I always worry if I will make enough for you. You'll be starting solid foods soon though and hopefully that will make things a little easier.
I love being your Mom. I can never get enough time with you, and even when you're sleeping I have a hard time putting you down because I love to hold you in my arms and stare at your beautiful, perfect little face. I hope that Daddy and I can be the best possible parents for you.
I love you.
Always and Forevers,
Mom
Monday, March 7, 2011
Weekend Adventures
Friday night Anne and I visited "Aunt" Chey, "Uncle" Darren, Tyler, and Lucas. The babies seemed to get along, Tyler had the usual antics of a 7 year old jealous for attention (and I tried to pay attention to him as much as possible, I know it has to be hard when you're competing against a baby, let alone two), and we generally had a good time. Chey cooked dinner and I let Anne sit in Lucas' bumbo seat and she made it almost the whole meal before she started to get fussy. It was the first time in a long time I've eaten dinner without her on my lap. I think daycare has really calmed her down a lot (either that or it's just her age). The coffee I drank when I first got to their house kept me sufficiently awake and I made it to 10:30 before I started yawning and needed to head for home. It was nice to socialize though, I don't get as much of that anymore. Kristian has set plans with friends of his twice a week but I'm often at home by myself with the baby. It's just the nature of being a mom; most of the time I'm too tired or too busy to hang out with anyone anyway. But I miss my friends regardless.
Saturday we went with Kristian to get his hair cut and I got to say hello to our stylist. Of course, Anne spit up on me 2 minutes after we got there, but that's just life. We stopped by IHOP and had brunch, went to the grocery store, and then went home. I spent my afternoon playing with Anne while Kristian napped, and then he tooled me at Tetris while Anne napped. I can't believe how rusty I am at that game; it's been years since I played it but I've always loved it. I used to be really good when I played it on my Gameboy all the time when I was in middle school. Kristian's consistent video gaming has honed his hand-eye coordination though and his scores were well above mine. I'll just have to practice when he's not home....It's one of the few video games I can play for hours. I like that the controls are simple, and that the gameplay is simple. RPGs are too complicated, and even platform games, while I do enjoy somewhat (like Little Big Planet...awesome game) I still get tired of them in about an hour or so.
Sunday we slept in and skipped church in an effort to have a pajama day that got derailed by Kristian's parents coming over so his dad could help us replace the broken fascia board on the front of our house. It needed to be done and I'm grateful for Chuck's help; we certainly don't know how to do house repair things. We just have really busy schedules and it seems like we never get a whole day to just lounge and spend time with each other and Anne. After his parents left we ate dinner and watched Beauty and the Beast. I haven't seen it in years. I still love it; it's a beautiful movie and has a great soundtrack. I still hate it when the Beast turns into the Prince though. A friend of mine suggested that every one hates that part because you don't want the Beast to seem perfect...but honestly, I think it's just because I don't like the way they drew the Prince. I want the Prince to look like Gaston; that blonde hair and feminine face just doesn't do it for me. He's just not....manly. It's like they went from the very manly Beast to a little boy. Blech. Still an awesome movie though. Then we watched the last episode of Psych on Netflix before they kick over to the dvds and I'm currently in Psych withdrawal. Love that show, and Season 4 got really intense. They started making the episodes a little more serious. Oh well, will have to start watching old seasons of Scrubs again to get my tv comedy.
Also, new developments for Anne...she's getting closer to sitting up on her own and I heard her make some new sounds the past couple of days so she might be getting closer to consonants. Babies are awesome :-D
Saturday we went with Kristian to get his hair cut and I got to say hello to our stylist. Of course, Anne spit up on me 2 minutes after we got there, but that's just life. We stopped by IHOP and had brunch, went to the grocery store, and then went home. I spent my afternoon playing with Anne while Kristian napped, and then he tooled me at Tetris while Anne napped. I can't believe how rusty I am at that game; it's been years since I played it but I've always loved it. I used to be really good when I played it on my Gameboy all the time when I was in middle school. Kristian's consistent video gaming has honed his hand-eye coordination though and his scores were well above mine. I'll just have to practice when he's not home....It's one of the few video games I can play for hours. I like that the controls are simple, and that the gameplay is simple. RPGs are too complicated, and even platform games, while I do enjoy somewhat (like Little Big Planet...awesome game) I still get tired of them in about an hour or so.
Sunday we slept in and skipped church in an effort to have a pajama day that got derailed by Kristian's parents coming over so his dad could help us replace the broken fascia board on the front of our house. It needed to be done and I'm grateful for Chuck's help; we certainly don't know how to do house repair things. We just have really busy schedules and it seems like we never get a whole day to just lounge and spend time with each other and Anne. After his parents left we ate dinner and watched Beauty and the Beast. I haven't seen it in years. I still love it; it's a beautiful movie and has a great soundtrack. I still hate it when the Beast turns into the Prince though. A friend of mine suggested that every one hates that part because you don't want the Beast to seem perfect...but honestly, I think it's just because I don't like the way they drew the Prince. I want the Prince to look like Gaston; that blonde hair and feminine face just doesn't do it for me. He's just not....manly. It's like they went from the very manly Beast to a little boy. Blech. Still an awesome movie though. Then we watched the last episode of Psych on Netflix before they kick over to the dvds and I'm currently in Psych withdrawal. Love that show, and Season 4 got really intense. They started making the episodes a little more serious. Oh well, will have to start watching old seasons of Scrubs again to get my tv comedy.
Also, new developments for Anne...she's getting closer to sitting up on her own and I heard her make some new sounds the past couple of days so she might be getting closer to consonants. Babies are awesome :-D
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