I know it's kind of tacky to praise a group that I belong to, but I'm hoping it's a broad enough category as to be cleared of all tackiness charges. The deal is women are amazing. Not all of them, of course, I think we've all known some that are less than impressive, but generally speaking they are amazing.
Everyone who has a baby in my ward/neighborhood gets a shower, whether it's your first baby or 7th. Well, last night I got one. There are two other girls who very recently had their 3 an 4th babies and because there were three of us having babies so close together the women who organized the shower asked us if we'd mind combining. We were worried about people having to bring 3 gifts so they came up with a brilliant solution of doing a casserole shower where guests could bring one casserole/frozen meal and then it would all be divided amongst the three of us.
The guests arrived and most women showed up with three meals either that they had spent a great deal of time or money or both on. The other guests of honor had their sweet new babies there to show off, I had well nothing cute to show off. The babies were doted over and I was given enough sympathy and kindness and offers for help to carry me through the next few days. Every one of them showed such concern as if I was doing something they had never done when most of them did it more times. As I looked around the room at the totally diverse group - some stay at home moms, some working, some new young mothers, some who are braving the drama of teenagers, and some who are enjoying their grandkids, some who've had 5 or 6 or 8 kids and some who are struggling with infertility - I was just blown away. It was truly humbling and so gratifying to know that I belong to this group. A lot of the guests were women who are not particularly close with the three of us moms, different stages of life, new to the neighborhood, etc., but it doesn't matter --we're sisters and we're women.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Sunday Evening Walk
Tonight was a gorgeous night so we decided to head to a nearby trail and walk up to the pond. It was beautiful and a great little outing. As we drove to the trail Benny said, "Where are we going?" I answered, "We're going to go for a walk." He looked confused and said, "This is not a walk, this is a car." We straigtened it all out and had a lovely evening.
Friday, June 26, 2009
"All You Need is Love"
I feel very blessed to be loved by my sweet little family. Not only do they love me, they do it in very colorful ways. There are times I miss the love because I'm busy scratching my head at all the "color", but today is one of those days that I see all those little extras as nothing but endearing and entertaining.
First of all there's Brennan. He's been kind of wreck ever since we found out I tested positive for Strep B. About 40% of pregnant women do and it's rarely a risk to the mother, but can potentially be dangerous to the baby. However, with a couple of doses of antibiotics given to me during delivery the baby should be just fine. We did hear that we need four hours before the baby comes to get a couple of treatments in and given that this is my 5th baby we are a little nervous about things happening a little faster than that. Anyway, when Brennan cares about something, he worries. He's convinced that all our other babies were born in about 5 minutes and that my OB has no idea what he's talking about whenever I pass along his reassurances. He, of course, looked online and has read every horror story ever told about Strep B and manages to talk to people who have only very bad stories to tell.
Yesterday when I went to the doctor he discovered the baby was breech. He arranged to have me go to the hospital at 6:00 am to try and turn the baby. I literally didn't tell one women that who had experienced that process without them involuntarily groaning in agony. I was exhausted and scared and looking forward to calling Brennan. He could tell I was sort of overwhelmed and wisely remained outwardly calm. He went back to work and to the temple and checked on me throughout the day.
Last night we took the kids over to my parents' house to sleep so my Mom wouldn't need to come here at the crack of dawn. My parents were cheerful and gracious as always. Brennan told my mom that if they couldn't flip the baby I would need to have a circumcision. He caught himself immediately and corrected that to Cesarean (c-section), but the four of us still had a hearty laugh about that and my mood was definitely lifted.
When we got to the hospital this morning we checked in and they got an IV going just in case they needed to do an emergency c-section and they strapped all the monitors on. My doctor came in and brought in an ultra-sound machine to take a peek and much to our delight our sweet, wonderful, loving, adorable little child had turned him/herself around all on his/her own. Such a relief!
Brennan headed off to work and I drove myself home and crawled my grateful but exhausted self into bed. I awoke to the phone ringing and when I answered there was an irate man on the other end. It was Brennan. Evidently he had been trying to get a hold of me (called my cell about 6 times, my parents a couple of times and the hospital 3 times, but not the home phone.) I assured him I was fine and thanked him for his concern. I closed my eyes again with a smile knowing I have a good man, perhaps a little crazy, but a very good man. I love Brennan.
As for my kids, well they were in tears before we left for my parents' home. They were worried about me and sad we wouldn't all be together for a night. We reassured them that everything would be fine and tried to remind them how blessed they are to be able to go to their grandparents' home where they are completely comfortable and loved and adored. They bravely choked back their tears and packed their bedtime necessities, (a suitcase for Anna, a tiny backpack for Abby and a pillow case for the boys). We tucked them in and hugged and kissed them about 30 times each and went upstairs to chat with my parents. They soon came up like a little row of ducklings no longer able to hold back the emotion. They gave us several hundred more hugs and reminders to call them and to lock all our doors so we'd be safe at home and went back downstairs. A couple more trips upstairs for urgent things like fingernail clippers etc. and finally Brennan got them to sleep. There couldn't be 4 more tender-hearted affectionate little kids than ours. We love Anna, Abigail, Nathan, and Benjamin.
Earlier that day I called Brennan's Mom to give her the update and she said, "I told Brennan 'she'll be fine, she talks to God'". Her sweet words gave me courage throughout the night and morning and helped me remember that I can talk to God and how everything's less scary when I do. When I got back Abby said, "Mom, I know why the baby turned by itself. Grandma and I prayed that it would." Doesn't get much better than this, does it?
First of all there's Brennan. He's been kind of wreck ever since we found out I tested positive for Strep B. About 40% of pregnant women do and it's rarely a risk to the mother, but can potentially be dangerous to the baby. However, with a couple of doses of antibiotics given to me during delivery the baby should be just fine. We did hear that we need four hours before the baby comes to get a couple of treatments in and given that this is my 5th baby we are a little nervous about things happening a little faster than that. Anyway, when Brennan cares about something, he worries. He's convinced that all our other babies were born in about 5 minutes and that my OB has no idea what he's talking about whenever I pass along his reassurances. He, of course, looked online and has read every horror story ever told about Strep B and manages to talk to people who have only very bad stories to tell.
Yesterday when I went to the doctor he discovered the baby was breech. He arranged to have me go to the hospital at 6:00 am to try and turn the baby. I literally didn't tell one women that who had experienced that process without them involuntarily groaning in agony. I was exhausted and scared and looking forward to calling Brennan. He could tell I was sort of overwhelmed and wisely remained outwardly calm. He went back to work and to the temple and checked on me throughout the day.
Last night we took the kids over to my parents' house to sleep so my Mom wouldn't need to come here at the crack of dawn. My parents were cheerful and gracious as always. Brennan told my mom that if they couldn't flip the baby I would need to have a circumcision. He caught himself immediately and corrected that to Cesarean (c-section), but the four of us still had a hearty laugh about that and my mood was definitely lifted.
When we got to the hospital this morning we checked in and they got an IV going just in case they needed to do an emergency c-section and they strapped all the monitors on. My doctor came in and brought in an ultra-sound machine to take a peek and much to our delight our sweet, wonderful, loving, adorable little child had turned him/herself around all on his/her own. Such a relief!
Brennan headed off to work and I drove myself home and crawled my grateful but exhausted self into bed. I awoke to the phone ringing and when I answered there was an irate man on the other end. It was Brennan. Evidently he had been trying to get a hold of me (called my cell about 6 times, my parents a couple of times and the hospital 3 times, but not the home phone.) I assured him I was fine and thanked him for his concern. I closed my eyes again with a smile knowing I have a good man, perhaps a little crazy, but a very good man. I love Brennan.
As for my kids, well they were in tears before we left for my parents' home. They were worried about me and sad we wouldn't all be together for a night. We reassured them that everything would be fine and tried to remind them how blessed they are to be able to go to their grandparents' home where they are completely comfortable and loved and adored. They bravely choked back their tears and packed their bedtime necessities, (a suitcase for Anna, a tiny backpack for Abby and a pillow case for the boys). We tucked them in and hugged and kissed them about 30 times each and went upstairs to chat with my parents. They soon came up like a little row of ducklings no longer able to hold back the emotion. They gave us several hundred more hugs and reminders to call them and to lock all our doors so we'd be safe at home and went back downstairs. A couple more trips upstairs for urgent things like fingernail clippers etc. and finally Brennan got them to sleep. There couldn't be 4 more tender-hearted affectionate little kids than ours. We love Anna, Abigail, Nathan, and Benjamin.
Earlier that day I called Brennan's Mom to give her the update and she said, "I told Brennan 'she'll be fine, she talks to God'". Her sweet words gave me courage throughout the night and morning and helped me remember that I can talk to God and how everything's less scary when I do. When I got back Abby said, "Mom, I know why the baby turned by itself. Grandma and I prayed that it would." Doesn't get much better than this, does it?
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Random Musings and Photos
This morning I woke up with an overwhelming sense of anticipation. There is something happening tonight and I just know it will change my life just as it has each previous Wednesday night. That's right, it's kind of embarrassing how much I look forward to it but tonight "So You Think You Can Dance" is on!!!!! Woo hoo!!! This is the first year I've really gotten into this show and I'm afraid I have taken my devotion to an extreme level. I think part of the reason this season is so thrilling for me is the fact that for me to get off the couch or walk across the room is a struggle and anything but graceful so to watch these superhuman people leap and lift and kick and just be amazingly graceful and strong just kind of holds extra fascination for me. Anyway, can't wait to see what these crazy (crazy as in off the charts creative and VERY colorful) choreographers come up with tonight for some seriously amazing dancers.
Now so that this post isn't entirely about my pathetic tv show devotion I am posting some random pictures from the last few weeks that I have been previously too lazy to post. Here you go:
Celebrating his birthday at the fun center. We actually went there to play laser tag, but eventually found our way over to the little arcade section. Anna mastered the claw, and the kids happily turned their tokens over so she could win them treats.
Nate taking a racing game VERY seriously
Cousin sleep over last night, the boys have spent the morning doing the marble track.
Now so that this post isn't entirely about my pathetic tv show devotion I am posting some random pictures from the last few weeks that I have been previously too lazy to post. Here you go:
Nate's birthday
Celebrating his birthday at the fun center. We actually went there to play laser tag, but eventually found our way over to the little arcade section. Anna mastered the claw, and the kids happily turned their tokens over so she could win them treats.
Nate taking a racing game VERY seriously
Cousin sleep over last night, the boys have spent the morning doing the marble track.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Update
Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there. I have the utmost respect for good Dads and am so grateful the ones in my life. I feel so blessed to have been raised by such a great man for a Dad. He is still such a huge support and Brennan and I both rely on his wisdom, insight, generosity and love on a regular basis. I also feel so grateful to have Brennan as my partner in raising our kids. He knows how to make everything fun, but also knows when to be serious. He seems to just intuitively understand when to be gentle and tender and when to be firm. He helps keep things in perspective when I start to focus too much on one of the kid's challenges.
For Brennan's paragraph this week I'll share something that I don't mean to be obnoxious about, but as this is our family history this is something I want our kids to read about their Dad. As previously mentioned Brennan has been beyond-my-ability-to-describe-happy about qualifying for the State Am. However, this week as he was out golfing he realized he had 15 clubs in his bag and that he did during his qualifier. Evidently that's very illegal in a tournament. He knew of a guy who won his (like got first place) qualifying tournament walked out to the parking lot, realized he had 15 clubs, went back in to report it and was disqualified. Brennan was sick about his discovery, but called the UGA and told them what happened. Evidently because it was 2 weeks after the fact, he wouldn't be disqualified. Had he or anyone else discovered it that day he would be out. He risked all that hard work to be honest about an innocent mistake. We love Brennan.
I am doing well. It's an odd time right now in that there's a lot of discomfort and anticipation of even more discomfort; however, the miraculousness of it all has started to dawn on me. I feel an overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude to be part of such an amazing process of bringing a new life into the world and into our family.
Anna has had a really great week. She is loving tennis and is showing some great potential. She's also had so much fun playing with and taking care of her little nieces. We've been with cousins a lot lately and I'm always so grateful that even though none of the cousins who live around here are even close to her age, she LOVES any chance to be with them. Most of the time she devotes her time to her 4 yr old and two 18 monthish little girl cousins. They all absolutely love her and relish the attention she gives them. We love Anna.
The other day Abigail was telling me about why she no longer liked a little girl who had been in her school class. After she finished telling me all the drama she said, "Sometimes I wish I was a boy. One day they're like 'I hate you!' and then the next day they're all 'Hey, wanna play football?' Girls just don't forgive and forget like that." Last night she said, "Mom, I know this will be really hard for you, but could you please get up early and help us make breakfast for Daddy?" LOL, it was hard, but I did it. Abby is also loving tennis and we're so excited to have them learn some fundamentals so we can go hit with them. We love Abigail.
Nathan is in swimming lessons and loves it. Which is so great considering two years ago I literally could not get him out of the car. He got a marble track racer thing for his birthday from Grandma Jamie and Grandpa John which he has spent HOURS on. He begged for marbles for his birthday and is so great at occupying himself with these simple pleasures. He and Ben and I were the only ones awake the other morning and I was helping them set up the marble thing when Nate spontaneously said, "I love you Mom, I love you Ben." We love Nate.
Yesterday I walked into my room where Ben was napping and discovered him awake. "How long have you been awake?" I asked. In his taking-himself-super-seriously-voice he replied, "Furty-seven (thirty-seven)". We then went to the pool at Liza's neighborhood and he was decked out in Nate's swimming mask, a big huge swimming floaty suit in the kiddie pool which is not more than a foot deep. He was jumping and diving and struggling in a way that we just knew in his mind he was conquering waves in the unexplored oceans far far away for a very important purpose. We love Benjamin.
For Brennan's paragraph this week I'll share something that I don't mean to be obnoxious about, but as this is our family history this is something I want our kids to read about their Dad. As previously mentioned Brennan has been beyond-my-ability-to-describe-happy about qualifying for the State Am. However, this week as he was out golfing he realized he had 15 clubs in his bag and that he did during his qualifier. Evidently that's very illegal in a tournament. He knew of a guy who won his (like got first place) qualifying tournament walked out to the parking lot, realized he had 15 clubs, went back in to report it and was disqualified. Brennan was sick about his discovery, but called the UGA and told them what happened. Evidently because it was 2 weeks after the fact, he wouldn't be disqualified. Had he or anyone else discovered it that day he would be out. He risked all that hard work to be honest about an innocent mistake. We love Brennan.
I am doing well. It's an odd time right now in that there's a lot of discomfort and anticipation of even more discomfort; however, the miraculousness of it all has started to dawn on me. I feel an overwhelming sense of humility and gratitude to be part of such an amazing process of bringing a new life into the world and into our family.
Anna has had a really great week. She is loving tennis and is showing some great potential. She's also had so much fun playing with and taking care of her little nieces. We've been with cousins a lot lately and I'm always so grateful that even though none of the cousins who live around here are even close to her age, she LOVES any chance to be with them. Most of the time she devotes her time to her 4 yr old and two 18 monthish little girl cousins. They all absolutely love her and relish the attention she gives them. We love Anna.
The other day Abigail was telling me about why she no longer liked a little girl who had been in her school class. After she finished telling me all the drama she said, "Sometimes I wish I was a boy. One day they're like 'I hate you!' and then the next day they're all 'Hey, wanna play football?' Girls just don't forgive and forget like that." Last night she said, "Mom, I know this will be really hard for you, but could you please get up early and help us make breakfast for Daddy?" LOL, it was hard, but I did it. Abby is also loving tennis and we're so excited to have them learn some fundamentals so we can go hit with them. We love Abigail.
Nathan is in swimming lessons and loves it. Which is so great considering two years ago I literally could not get him out of the car. He got a marble track racer thing for his birthday from Grandma Jamie and Grandpa John which he has spent HOURS on. He begged for marbles for his birthday and is so great at occupying himself with these simple pleasures. He and Ben and I were the only ones awake the other morning and I was helping them set up the marble thing when Nate spontaneously said, "I love you Mom, I love you Ben." We love Nate.
Yesterday I walked into my room where Ben was napping and discovered him awake. "How long have you been awake?" I asked. In his taking-himself-super-seriously-voice he replied, "Furty-seven (thirty-seven)". We then went to the pool at Liza's neighborhood and he was decked out in Nate's swimming mask, a big huge swimming floaty suit in the kiddie pool which is not more than a foot deep. He was jumping and diving and struggling in a way that we just knew in his mind he was conquering waves in the unexplored oceans far far away for a very important purpose. We love Benjamin.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Update
We have had a great first week of summer vacation with the kids. The girls are in tennis lessons twice a week and LOVING it. Tuesday we went swimming with Eliza and her kiddies even though it was only 68 degrees that didn't stop us. Wednesday the kids entertained themselves while I got to go to a shower for my cousin and visit my Grandma and then we all went to Nate's last t-ball game. Thursday we had our first playgroup with a bunch of my aunts and cousins and kids (it's officially called "Cousin Camp"). We did a talent show and the definite highlight was an indescribably cute 5 year old little cousin of mine decked out in a spiderman costume running around the stage doing various awesome spidey poses. Cannot begin to explain how funny and cute it was. Friday was pretty mellow ending with the kids and a bunch of neighbor kids playing night games. There are times when living in the house I grew up in just makes me so nostalgic I could choke. Night games in this yard and this street just brought my wonderful childhood all right back. Saturday, Nate's birthday topped off by Brennan taking all the kids to a nearby golf course where he had arranged with the manager to come at night and ride a golf cart down to a little pond where there are always tons of frogs. Summer is a beautiful thing.
Brennan had a big week. He set a goal four years ago to qualify for the State Amateur Golf Tournament. He was pretty devastated the first time he went for it and didn't make it. Two more years same thing. He's not used to really putting his mind to something and not getting it. Well, this year was his year, he did it! He shot a 75 and on a rough, rainy day. They were predicting that 74 would be the cut off, but it ended up being 75 so he is in, he qualified! The tournament starts the day before the baby is due and goes for 5 days. He is suddenly a huge proponent for having the baby induced early :). Don't worry, I will do all in my power to make sure he doesn't miss this. I'm really so happy for him. We love Brennan.
I pulled out lots of little baby girl clothes and baby boy clothes and washed them and smelled them and got SO EXCITED to meet this little one. There just isn't anything like a baby, and the fact that we get one soon is finally hitting me. Oh, and here's something funny. Each time I go for a check up at the OB, my blood pressure is 110 over something. Week after week it was the same and then a few weeks ago it was 130 over something. I was kind of alarmed, but the following week it was back to 110. Hmmm, which week do you think I had two little boys with me trying to keep them contained in the tiny room?
Anna has suddenly matured so much. She is wanting to be more helpful to me and has really stepped it up. The other night we had breakfast for dinner. With a few instructions from me she totally made and cooked the pancakes all by herself while mercifully distracting Benny from a huge meltdown and letting him help her. She also voluntarily cleaned out her bedroom closet, 4 garbage bags later it's almost done. Yeah, kind of a pack rat, but she called me down and I was brutal. She only protested a little while I chucked her 2nd grade math notebook, note that Abby wrote about a pretend party they were having, etc. She did however refuse to part with some tiny foam animals and a broken snow man. She's so creative she's always seeing some way of re-using things in the future. We love Anna.
Abby, inspired by the beloved pancakes we had for dinner the other night as well as a few movie favorites, "Nacho Libre" and "Three Amigos" donned a cowboy hat, stick horse and rode around the house delivering messages rolled up and tucked in her hat. Each message, one for each member of our family, said the same thing, "I love you, from: El Pancake" She was cracking herself up. It was so Abby -- out of the blue, affectionate and entertaining. We love Abigail.
Brennan had a big week. He set a goal four years ago to qualify for the State Amateur Golf Tournament. He was pretty devastated the first time he went for it and didn't make it. Two more years same thing. He's not used to really putting his mind to something and not getting it. Well, this year was his year, he did it! He shot a 75 and on a rough, rainy day. They were predicting that 74 would be the cut off, but it ended up being 75 so he is in, he qualified! The tournament starts the day before the baby is due and goes for 5 days. He is suddenly a huge proponent for having the baby induced early :). Don't worry, I will do all in my power to make sure he doesn't miss this. I'm really so happy for him. We love Brennan.
I pulled out lots of little baby girl clothes and baby boy clothes and washed them and smelled them and got SO EXCITED to meet this little one. There just isn't anything like a baby, and the fact that we get one soon is finally hitting me. Oh, and here's something funny. Each time I go for a check up at the OB, my blood pressure is 110 over something. Week after week it was the same and then a few weeks ago it was 130 over something. I was kind of alarmed, but the following week it was back to 110. Hmmm, which week do you think I had two little boys with me trying to keep them contained in the tiny room?
Anna has suddenly matured so much. She is wanting to be more helpful to me and has really stepped it up. The other night we had breakfast for dinner. With a few instructions from me she totally made and cooked the pancakes all by herself while mercifully distracting Benny from a huge meltdown and letting him help her. She also voluntarily cleaned out her bedroom closet, 4 garbage bags later it's almost done. Yeah, kind of a pack rat, but she called me down and I was brutal. She only protested a little while I chucked her 2nd grade math notebook, note that Abby wrote about a pretend party they were having, etc. She did however refuse to part with some tiny foam animals and a broken snow man. She's so creative she's always seeing some way of re-using things in the future. We love Anna.
Abby, inspired by the beloved pancakes we had for dinner the other night as well as a few movie favorites, "Nacho Libre" and "Three Amigos" donned a cowboy hat, stick horse and rode around the house delivering messages rolled up and tucked in her hat. Each message, one for each member of our family, said the same thing, "I love you, from: El Pancake" She was cracking herself up. It was so Abby -- out of the blue, affectionate and entertaining. We love Abigail.
Since the whole previous post was on Nate, I'll keep his paragraph brief. On his birthday Brennan asked, "So, Nate do you feel a lot older?" Nate responded thoughtfully, "No, not really, but I do feel a lot taller." We love Nathan.
The other day at our cousin camp I was holding my cousin's brand new baby and Ben walked up to me and said, "Mom, did your baby comed out?" Oh, if only it were that simple. Ben also told me tonight that the fan was making his eye grumpy. We love Benjamin.
Happy Birthday, Nate!
Six years ago today, on Friday the 13th, Natey joined our family. We were so excited to welcome a little boy into our very girl home.
He was the chubbiest, happiest baby. He was ready to laugh and smile at anyone or anything. There really is something to being fat and happy. He also developed a rather remarkable and adorable bond with his cousin 6 months older than him, Rex. Seriously, they have loved each other since the very beginning.
He was the chubbiest, happiest baby. He was ready to laugh and smile at anyone or anything. There really is something to being fat and happy. He also developed a rather remarkable and adorable bond with his cousin 6 months older than him, Rex. Seriously, they have loved each other since the very beginning.
He has always been so easy to delight and is so grateful for the simple pleasures life has to offer him. He knows what he likes and what he doesn't and doesn't care to spend a lot of time negotiating. He is stubborn and sensitive and funny, sincere and oh so sweet. He's also passionate about the things he's into. Whatever is on his radar is all consuming and he wants to eat, sleep and talk nothing else.
For his birthday all he really really wanted besides a mini motorcycle which I told him wouldn't be happening was a basketball video game for the playstation my brother gave us. We traded in some of the games Davis gave us for a few sports ones including a basketball game. I'm always telling him that we've really got to limit his game time because video games suck people's brains out. He got the biggest grin on his face when he opened the games and then looked at me with a sheepish smile saying, "Mom don't be sad if I die from my brains being sucked out."
Tonight we had Chinese food for dinner and he asked me to read his fortune to him. It said something like, "you will soon have a chance for a profitable transaction." His eyes got really big and he asked, "What, you mean I'm going to be a prophet?"
I can't imagine our family without Nate. He brings all of us so much, so much laughter, fun, love, affection, craziness, tenderness, a whole new way of looking at things and just plain joy. Happy birthday my sweet big boy! We love Nate!!!
Tonight we had Chinese food for dinner and he asked me to read his fortune to him. It said something like, "you will soon have a chance for a profitable transaction." His eyes got really big and he asked, "What, you mean I'm going to be a prophet?"
I can't imagine our family without Nate. He brings all of us so much, so much laughter, fun, love, affection, craziness, tenderness, a whole new way of looking at things and just plain joy. Happy birthday my sweet big boy! We love Nate!!!
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