Happy Birthday Aaron!

This is the birthday boy after a night of virtually no sleep! But I think he was still really happy!

Nanny came by on her lunch break to snuggle her newest granddaughter! And wish her son a happy birthday if course!

Sid and Zoe came to snuggle baby sister! They were so gentle with her right away! They also wished Aaron a happy birthday!

Happy Birthday Aaron! Hope you like your birthday gift ;)

I Know This Little Girl!

I didn't sleep at all last night! My mind was reeling with what the next day would hold. I "slept' in the recliner in the living room while Aaron slept in the bedroom. I think he didn't really sleep much either.

We arrived at the hospital about 3o minutes before we were suppose to. (Probably around 4:30) Just Aaron and I and our carefully packed diaper bag, over night bag, with my secret letter from Zoe and my pics of the the family to focus on durong contractions.

There wasn't a room yet ready for us, so we sat out in the waiting room for what felt like forever! I was a little nervous.

Then it was time and we got into a room and I got my lovely hospital grade gown on and on went the monitors and your little heart beat filled the room, and I relaxed. We could hear babies crying and other moms delivering all around us! I thought it was neat to think that ewould be us in a few hours. Aaron I think was disturbed by us. One new mama was doing her share of screaming! We later found out she had opted to have her baby natural!

Sid, Zoe, Grandma and Grandpa came to the hospital after things got underway! I think Sid and ZOe might have been worried about me if they hadn't seen me with there own eyes that I wasdoing great! I think they loved being able to hear Aubrey's heartbeat. Nicole and Nanny and Pop pop did too! Nanny and Pop Pop brought me roses. Aaron and Nicole watched the contraction monitor and talked me through some contractions. I was so glad for the company. I drifted to sleep a few times after I got my epidural.

Then about 2 o'clock I started feeling a lot of pressure and contractions, very strong. I assumed the epidural was wearing off. So Aaron called the nurse. All of our family left the room while she checked me. She said it was time! Aubrey was ready!

We told our families to sit tight- it was time. Everyone kissed us and went out to the waiting room.

As the nurses got things ready, they commented to Dr. K was currently delivering twins and would do her best to get in here as soon as possible! Ha ha! I wasn't sure who would catch Aubrey if need be, but here she came anyway.

Finally the room was ready and Dr K made it. Aubrey was here pretty quickly. Aaron was right next to my head the whole time talking me through it.

Immediatley they put sweet Aubrey on my chest and she was red and LOUD! Her little body was strecthed out stiffly, her eyes shut tight and her mouth was wide open! I thought "I know this little girl"! She was exactly as I had envisioned her.

I remember just saying over and over, "Hi baby, hi, sweet baby!" "I love you Aubrey, its okay, mommy's here!" I kept whispering to this little distraught angel! She had obviously been very comfortable in her mommy's tummy, and being forced out was no picninc!

!

As they cleaned her up, Aaron took these pictures! She definatley was letting us know that no part of that was fun for her. I couldn't wait to get her in my arms. The nurses announced 7 lbs, 15 oz and 19 inches!!

She held tight to daddy's finger!

After they wrapped her up Aaron brought her to me. She was perfect!

Everyone came in to marvel at our sweet baby after that! She made a few squeaky noises and yawned. Sid and Zoe were so quiet and amazed by her instantly!

I am so thankful that our sweet baby came into this world so easily! She is such a gift from God!

Completley Ready

Tomorrow morning, Aaron and I will drive to the hospital, all giggly, and ready for my induction. I am due to be there at 5 AM- not sure they will actually start at that time, but, maybe something will be started by 6. LOL

I have to say, we cannot wait to meet this sweet little angel baby!

Mama is READY, Aaron is ready!, Zoe is ready, and Sid is ready.

The house is ready.

The crib is ready.

Car seat, diaper genie, tiny little booties are all ready.

Hospital bag is ready, gifts for Sid and Zoe are ready, camera is ready.

I think Aubrey is ready too.

The last sonogram showed her lungs were very active :) The sono tech said she has hair and guesstimated about 8 lbs, or just under. I guess tomorrow we will see :) I have been having full blown contractions- just not in any sort of pattern. Due to my bed rest, I notice every little pain, and I immediately think- is this it? And wait for some sort of pattern. But nothing. Hopefully they will have helped me dilate even more, so that things progress quickly.

Next post should be pics of Aubrey, and all about her delivery!!

AND daddy's birthday- he will be 25 Tuesday :)

Sweet Friends and Gifts For Aubrey

My friends from church threw me a baby shower on the 11th. They came over to my house and did the entire set up and clean up, since I am on bed rest!! In the picture above Jan, me and Aubrey, Darla, Kelly and Angie. Kelly shared with me while at the shower that her and her husband and little girl are expecting another baby! This is AWESOME news!!

Jan, myself and Natalie! It was such a joy getting together with them and catching up with everyone. Angie just had her baby, named Ella, and I got to hold her while we chatted. She is a sweet slice of heaven. I couldn't believe the nice things they brought for Aubrey. I was blown away!!

This picture doesn't even do it all justice- there were so many tiny cute outfits and diapers and toys. Darla's son, Nathan, has been in Sid's class at school the last few years and Darla told us how he picked out a lot of the gifts for Aubrey!! Ha Ha- too cute!

Then on Monday the 12th, My boss from work, Amy, and co-worker John, surprised me with lunch (CHIK-FIL-A) and MORE gifts for Aubrey. This is the best pic I have of the two of us- Sid was our photographer ;)

They got me the neatest stuff and I really feel like we are officially ready for this sweet baby girl to make her appearance!

This Diaper Genie is going to be a life saver I am pretty sure!! (or a nose saver rather)

I got tons of cute outfit for Aubrey at all of my showers- this girl is gonna be the best dressed in the whole house!!

I am planning on breast feeding, but it is SO nice to have the bottle back up- especially since I am heading back to work :( Something I don't like to think about.

I am so blessed and so thankful for all the gifts for Aubrey and our family. My friends from church are planning to provide meals for our family in the days after Aubrey is here and I cannot tell you how happy that makes me- these women can cook (and some husbands too!!)

13 Days Till Aubrey and Lots on My Mind

I can't sleep, so I thought I would BLOG- LOL

We are just under 2 weeks out from holding our little girl in our arms- I just can't believe it! Aaron is excited too, closing in on this date is making it more and more of a reality for him. He laughs at how huge my belly is- I am glad it makes him happy :)

The kids are excited too- Zoe would like for me to drive to the hospital and just ask if I can go ahead and have her- these last 13 days are dragging for her (I feel your pain, sweet girl, believe me)

And Sid is cracking me up with boyish predictions of how she will look, and what she will do. His predictions have taken an odd sci fi turn- but that's ok- I know my boy and he is really looking forward to her being here.

I think we are pretty much prepared! The crib is ready, changing station ready, house completely clean, baby monitors plugged in, car seat ready- which reminds me, I need to take off the manufacturer booklets and pack the hospital bag. I washed my nursing bra and gown last night, so those are ready to be packed.

Here is a list of things that are on my mind:

1. I need to send thank you notes to friends from work and church that showered me with even more precious things for Aubrey
2. I need to figure out what gifts Aubrey is bringing to her big brother and sister
3. I need to get Aaron a card and gift for his birthday (his birthday will be the day after Aubrey's)
4. I need to call the Middle School Sid will be attending next year and get all the nitty gritty on his schedule- they were suppose to be mailed out and i haven't received his yet
5. I need to find a support group about the fact that my son is about to start middle school- I can't sleep at night thinking about my boy roaming the halls with actual 7th graders (never mind the fact that he too will be a 7th grader)!!! And playing football!! It is such a HUGE chapter that is about to begin in his life!!
6. I need more thank you cards.
7. I need to put add upcoming appts for the kids and I on the calender- my brain PDA is about to malfunction due to pregnant brain!
8. Need to find an at home bible study that I can do every morning- opening my bible to random pages and reading for 10 minutes isn't exactly working for me.

That's about it for today.

God Has Plans For Me and For You

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? Genesis 17:17

When God gives you a glimpse of what your true calling is, does it make you want to fall on your face and laugh, just as Abraham did? Does it seem ridiculous that God might choose little 'ol you to do something that might change the world? Once you pick yourself up from laughing, consider that He just might mean what He says! Live it up!

Girls Just Want.....Really Cute Stuff

I follow a lot of other blogs, and not too long ago, one of those blogs asked people who make things to post a link to there sites. That is when I came across something so cute, I knew I had to have it! Christy Hutchins makes the cutest wipee cases I have ever seen in my life!! And they are really reasonably priced. I think I may have to order one from now on for everyone I know that has a baby coming.

I contacted Christy not long after seeing the wipee case and in no time, she made one up for Aubrey......

I mean how stinking cute is that!! She has a ton of different designs featured on her blog with all sorts of color schemes. I love the way it turned out! She is very creative and super sweet! Now with Aubrey so close to being here, I will toss it in the bag that is going to the hospital with us.

Contact her if you want one too! These would make the cutest gifts!!

www.sassystoragecase.blogspot.com

Two Little Fish

Summer Lovin'

Yesterday went amazingly well.

The kids actually stayed here with us, and had a really great day! We all got so much accomplished, the front hall closet got cleaned (all those blankets now have a home), our bedroom got cleaned and organized. Aaron worked on the crib, which had a missing slat. The kids got a long (for the most part) and made lists of things that would make this summer truly awesome- now who can take them to NRH20? And Six Flags?

We finished the day by Aaron grilling the best garlic herb chicken breast in the world! And watching Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief together on the couch.

It was a perfect summer day full of just enough accomplishments and just enough chillin.

I did almost die though while Aaron was working on the crib. It was the closest I have come to death since Father's Day 2009.

But I will save that for another post :)

Hope y'all had a great weekend!

Rain, Organizing and a New Vacuum

Even I, who cannot enjoy the summer sun rays, due to having to sit on the couch, am getting a little tired of the rain. I really did appreciate it at first- I DID! It cools everything off, makes the grass the most vibrant green, and I have always enjoyed watching big ominous thunderheads rolls in while the wind whips the trees to and fro.

But my kids have cabin fever of the worst kind- they need to swim! They need to jump! They need to be able to go outside and run-a-muck!

So, nothing personal, but rain, please go on! It was fun at first, then annoying and now just down right inappropriate- I guess you haven't heard, but this is Texas, we don't get you in the summertime here.

SO, on this July 4th Independence Day, the kids have plans to go up to the Harwell's, the spend the day with their Grandma and Grandpa and cousins, and if the rain takes a hike, some much needed outside time followed by fireworks.

Aaron and I will be organizing (not sure if Aaron knows this yet) I actually only have two major projects for today, that shouldn't take that long considering how motivated I am (If it isn't nailed down- toss it).

First we will tackle the front hall closet. We have two entry closets by our front door. One is for coats (and the vacuum, and the suitcases). THE OTHER one is shelved and houses: puzzles, games, craft supplies. large cookware things that won't fit in the kitchen, hamster food, dog treats, commonly used household tools, flash cards, about 23 VHS tapes from years ago, a half eaten dog pillow, various batteries and holiday stuff. This is the one that we are going to clean out and organize, making room for all the other things in the house that are just cluttering things up and don't actually have a home.

Second, comes the master bedroom. I frankly don't know where to begin with the master bedroom. Weekly it becomes a catch-all for things that have no home. Vases. blankets, shoes, yearbooks, magazines- etc. So every surface will be cleared, cleaned and left cleared and clean. The only thing on top of this dresser will be XY and Z and so on.

Does that sound pretty anal? Probably not. I am sure all of you can't stand clutter as well.

By the way- while I was typing this Aaron got up and I began to tell him my ideas for the day and he quickly ate some cereal and headed out the door to Home Depot. I shouted "Be back soon!" No response could only mean he is really really excited about my organizing project.

I know its difficult with me on bed rest. I want things clean, but others have to be my arms and my legs! Speaking of which- every item of clothing, every hooded towel and every burp cloth for Aubrey has been cleaned and put away thanks to Sid and Zoe!! WHO KNEW they could be such marvels when it comes to laundry! There are so many surprises with those too! They make me smile all the time! (Except when day 4 of no rain brings on sibling rivalry like you have never seen!! They are beginning to make Cain and Abel look like saints) But the house is getting clean and ready for the arrival of this baby and that does make me smile.

Which brings me to the new vacuum. We have a vacuum cleaner that isn't working- meaning its lost its suck. We really over work a vacuum too, so this next one is going to have to be INSANELY sucky!! I am assuming Aaron is in search of one today. He didn't say much before he fled- I mean left- for Home Depot and various other places pregnant women do not hang out.

I wonder what he is going to say about me needing him to pick me up a nursing bra and nursing night gown. I'll let you know!

25 Days Till Aubrey

We are really in the home stretch till our Aubrey is here :)

I cannot believe we have a little over 3 weeks till that little monkey is here. Next week I will be focusing on getting things ready, which will involve more de-cluttering (where does all this stuff keep coming from?!) packing the hospital bag, washing the last items for her (blankets, towels, and little clothes- oh and her crib sheets, socks and hand mittens- I FINALLY got the hand mittens- my husband LOVES me so much!)

Time to get the kids ready too. We read a book yesterday that was all about welcoming a new baby into your home. It was aimed at much younger children, so we had a hard time getting through it with out laughing a lot. Sentences like "Do you notice your mom is getting rounder? What could that mean!!" The kids are so above such literary cuteness. But the part about love not being like Apple Pie, that it eventually runs out was really neat to me- A parents love never ever runs out. They acted like they knew that too already- but it was such an awesome analogy, I think it helped them to be able to think about our love for them in that way.

Aaron is still doing it all while I sit still and let this sweet baby grow. There is so much I wish I could do for him, and I can't wait till I am on my feet again and can fill my days with little ways of making his life peaceful and easier and happy. I feel like I am limited to what I can do to help him right now. But it has occurred to me lately that I have been turning down offers of help from others because I don't want to feel like a burden. It never dawned on me that put more burden on my superman husband. So I have created a LIST for what others can do for us to help. That way when people eagerly offer "Is there anything you need? Anything we can do for you?" I don't reply with the programed "No thanks, we are fine". Instead I can reference the list which is essentially an ongoing menu of things that we need help with: return DVDs, pick up milk, drop off dry cleaning, unload dishwasher, switch over laundry, take the kids for a swim, dog for a walk- these things seem small one by one, but when Aaron gets home and these things are done it will make a world of difference for him. I know people offer to help because they want to. I need to let them.

So, let the "Friday" countdown begin till this sweet baby arrives. Until then, here I sit :)

Lists, Lists, and more Lists

If you don't know that I am a list person, then you don't know me at all.

I make grocery lists, things to do lists, things to pack lists, movies to watch lists, lists of books I need to return, lists of lists I need to make- its a sickness I think. But I like it, so I continue.

Here is my current to do list:

1. Do a bible lesson with the kids
2. Reschedule Zoe's Dr's apt so that she can skip town with my dad and watch fireworks in Kansas with my sister and her family
3. Do laundry for said trip (AKA have Aaron bring me dirty clothes so that I can point to clothes that need to be washed)
4. Marinade Pork Chops for Aaron to grill (AKA shout directions from the couch to my dear 12 year old son, on how to dump pork chops in a bowl and cover with garlic herb marinade and cover and put in fridge and then holler the importance of scrubbing his hands thoroughly to avoid salmonella or swine flu or something equally horrible)
5. Organize my bed rest station (the coffee table) (AKA ask mom to stack magazines, return books to the library and throw away Kleenex, candy wrappers and other items that have found there way into "my" area)
6. Make a list of things that need to be done before my baby shower that my sweet friends from church are throwing for me on the 11th- CAN'T wait to see these amazing girls!!
7. Watch Valentine's Day movie with Aaron

That's it for today! I'll let you know how much I actually get done!! Sid just made the pork chops, so that is one thing off the list~!

Share whats on your list for today!

Happy Thursday!

Bed Rest- The Silver Lining

Stole this from an article I found on the internet and I had to share it. I love the hilarious outlook and the truth behind the comments. It really brightned my day.



15 Benifits of Taking Pregnancy Lying Down



By Laurie Krauth



How often do the one in five pregnant women assigned to bed rest get to brag about the experience? Yet here we lie, accumulating perks unknown to our mobile counterparts. So here's a reminder to horizontal pregnant women, and a lesson to our vertical sisters, about just 15 of the benefits I've accrued in taking pregnancy lying down.


1. My husband has learned to cook. And not just in the microwave.


2. He can run the house. (He no longer puts the first load of wash in the machine and leaves it to mold. He regularly fills--and empties--the dishwasher, notices when we're out of milk, creates a shopping list, hits more than one store to get the goods, buys in bulk and looks out for sales.)


3. I am amassing a quantity of sleep-time that I won't see again until my baby is 2.


4. I am tearing through novels, mastering (in theory) the football hold for breastfeeding and gossiping with friends with a laziness that my baby won't permit again until preschool.


5. I'm losing my type A-ness-is it possible? Before this bed rest thing, I couldn't talk on the phone or have a friend over without also cooking or filing papers.


6. My old definition of a top-flight evening--one spent eviscerating eight items on my to-do list has been replaced by one spent watching two videos with my husband.


7. I can stare aimlessly into space (without mentally adding tasks to said to-do list).


8. My athletic virtuosity no longer depends upon at least one sweaty set of tennis, three jogs and a night of swing dancing a week. Tackling the stairs now makes me proud..


9. Lying on the couch in the living room (aka Bed Rest Central), I savor sightings of cardinals and chubby snowflakes. Gone is the muttering about barren, skinny trees and steel gray sky. This is a cornucopia of earthly delights compared with the medical building that stared back at me from the hospital bed I occupied the other week (and could occupy again any time).


10. I relish my baby's increasingly zealous kick-boxing because I know he's well and happy, and that matters more than anything.


11. Forget any worries that my new husband loves me conditionally for the sex, or how I take care of business around the house, for my fanatical energy, or for my lithe body. These are a distant memory and still he treats me like his bride.


12. No doubts left about how he'll handle Real Life with me. As our honeymoon giddiness has been replaced by his holding me from 3 to 5 a.m. while I await crisis-level bleeding, as well as preparing my meals and cleaning up after me, we've cruised seamlessly through a decade's worth of marital developmental stages in less than a year.


13. Improbably, he still makes me feel like a honeymooner, despite my girth, exhaustion and periodic fear. Curling up together on Bed Rest Central beats a night at a Parisian café with a new lover. I feel this exquisite bittersweet appreciation of each moment we spend together that's intensified by the knowledge that a hospital bed may beckon at any moment.


14. I am finally ready to have my baby. All this lying around finally put a stop to my obsessive worries about handling the transition to motherhood, leaving in its wake the searing desire to get on with toughening up my nipples and changing diapers for the kick-boxer I'm carrying.


15. I'm actually looking forward to being liberated by childbirth. While my fellow expectant mothers anticipate losing mobility and independence, I can't wait to be off bed rest and carry my baby and his hundreds of accoutrements through the house and out into the world. I'll be free!


Laurie Krauth is a psychotherapist and writer in Ann Arbor, Michigan, whose complete placenta previa required that the last month of pregnancy be spent at Bed Rest Central. She has a healthy, delicious seven-month-old boy.

Opportunity

I have been really really emotional this week.

I am use to the mood swings at this point. I expect them, not surprised when they are here, but I don't enjoy them. No one in my house enjoys them.

But this week was a little more difficult. The combination of bed rest, lack of control over anything and physical discomfort I am in, has got me wound so tight, it doesn't take much to get me crying. And on top of all that, I am sick and tired of hearing myself complain. Not even out loud, just in my head. Some of it is out loud- Aaron gets the brunt of that. And I hate that too.

I am in a nesting phase that would put TLC's "Clean House" to shame. I have a million projects in my head that I want done, 70,000 of which I can't even properly explain, I just wanna get rid of stuff/ organize stuff/ disinfect stuff. For example, I want to clean out my front hall closet, by the front door. It is not overly messy or disorganized, but half the stuff in there can be permanently removed and put together better, to make room for the large wicker basket that I need to buy at Ross that will house the 100 blankets that are floating around the house. I mean, these blankets are about to be the death of me!! Who needs 25 blankets on the couches and beds in piles? In July? I'll tell you what I need, I need them to have a home behind a closed door and go to that home, only to come out when we are watching a movie, or winter arrives- whichever comes first.

That is only one item on the to do list.

But anyways, back to me being emotional. With my hormones running-a-muck, it was no surprise to me that, as I drove alone to my sonogram yesterday, I started crying. It was a "sick and tired" of everything cry. And I started to think about God looking down on me, while crying and driving to the Dr's office. And something dawned on me.

God wasn't born yesterday, He has always been here. He is magnificent. He is wise. He is all knowing.

He hasn't been surprised, or taken a back by any of this difficult pregnancy. Not one word from the dr's mouth, not one blood test result, or recommended treatment has come as a shock to Him. He knew all of this all along, and He knew it before we even conceived. Not only did he know it, it was part of His plan.

With that realization, I drove the last few blocks to Dr K's office, and silently pondered what that meant to me? How does that change my outlook? He has been here, by my side, watching me react to news of this and news of that, waiting for me to get it. Waiting for me to take from this exactly what He wanted me to take from it.

I remember one night this winter I was closing down at work, walking around turning off lights and locking doors. It had been a particularly grueling week at our house- kids fighting, exhaustion on my part, Aaron always busy. But I recall having a sense of peace as I walked from lamp to lamp turning them off, an actual looking forward to going home and knowing that what ever the night brought me, no matter how stressful, it was what God wanted for me for some reason. And I was excited to see what was in store, and what He was trying to say to me, by allowing, the chaos. I was excited for His plan, no matter what it brought. I saw it as an opportunity.

This realization, humbled and quieted me as I parked in the parking garage, and took the elevators and sat in the waiting room.

Here, this whole time I have been going in and out of days, just trying to get through them, distracting myself from feeling miserable or irritable. I have been lulled into just knocking the weeks out and getting them behind me.

But I am missing the bigger picture.

I thought I have got to OPEN MY EYES!

What is He doing to our marriage by allowing stressful moments, utter dependence, and a need for solid communication? How will we come away stronger?

What is God changing in me, with lack of control, and stillness? How will this help me help others?

What is He trying to bring out of us for His glory?

How is He shaping us for something else that is to come?

Last night when Aaron got home, we hunkered down in our room for some alone time. On particularly rough days, I tend to shut down and quietly sulk- horrible words flood my mind like "Aaron doesn't understand, nor does he want to" or "He will think you are weak and reject you if you complain about anything" but I felt an encouraging from with in, like God speaking to my heart.

"Reach out to him"

So I did.

I turned to Aaron and told him about the pain I was in, and I told him about the worry, and I told him that I hate myself like this and that I feel like I am failing- I am letting everyone down.

And a wall came down. Aaron took me in his arms, and massaged the pain, and told me I am not a failure- far from it. He told me I am sweet, and a perfect wife, and a perfect mama and that he was so sorry that I was in pain and that he wished he could take it from me, and that I am so good to our sweet baby Aubrey.

And we talked back and forth about little things and big things and the pain lessened and I got drowsy. As I drifted off wrapped in the warm security of my husbands love, I thought about God nodding at us with approval. It doesn't just solve everything. The pain doesn't instantly stop and the hard days are easy. It was a very small step in the direction He wants us to go.

But for the first time in a long time, I am so excited to see where He takes us.

Favorite Picture :)

Father's Day and a Crib

We had a great father's day weekend.

Aaron requested some rest and relaxation and I hope he got enough- I tried to let him sleep in on Saturday and Sunday. Hard to do when you are on bed rest. But he deserves it :)

We had my dad over on Saturday along with my mom and Aunt Sandy. We ate chicken, okra, and mashed potato's and opened gifts and laughed and had so much fun together. The kids got grandpa a water bottle cause he is a bike rider (or a bicyclist rather) and he needs to stay hydrated. We got him a Starbucks gift card cause he is a busy grandpa and he needs to stay caffinated :)

Zoe got Aaron a grill set with tongs, scrubby brush thing and burger flipper thing. He is really good with a grill and made awesome pork chops the other day :) Sid got Aaron Shutter Island DVD starring Leonardo DiCaprio. I think Leo DiCaprio is the best- him and Matt Damon. You see a movie with those guys and you know its gonna be a good one. Aaron and I saw Shutter Island in the theatre and it was creepy- I mean super creepy!! But good.

We went over to the May's (I sat on the couch) Saturday night- the kids swam and we watched Transformers 2- I cannot remember the actual name- but it was great. Dellis grilled burgers and they were delicious!

Today Aaron's parents went out to Nicole's for father's day lunch and brought back the crib that Nicole is going to let us borrow for Aubrey! Its amazing! We promptly put it together and put in the bedding- when I say we I mean the kids and Aaron. Here are the pictures :)

Summer Reading

I have the best memories of The Summer Reading Club, from when I was a little girl. It was a thrill to to write down my minutes, see my progress and turn in my log sheet. Every time my sister and I turned in a certain number of minutes we would get a prize, something that only a nostalgic memory can turn into the best prize ever: a pencil, a book mark, or a coupon for free a small free french fries at McDonald's. Those were the days.

We spent our summers reading all about the Brown's finding a bear at Paddington Station in Paddington Bear, I sat wide eyed at the idea of "gnashing of teeth" in the Wild Things and Cesi's first Posada Party in 9 Days till Christmas. As I got older I became absorbed in the adventures and real life problems of Ramona and Beezus, the romance of long ago in the Little Women and the mystery and heartache of Anne Frank's diary.

It helps that my mother loves books. Not only was she a librarian but as I found out in my later years of life, she is a very good writer. Her love for words was contagious to my sister and I, and we grew up in the libraries amongst the musty smell and tall rows and rows of books. There was something so enchanting about the volumes of old books at the downtown library. And something magical about being allowed to go to the "back" of the library were mom worked reserved for only the staff, where we played with due date cards and stamps and saw promotional posters of celebrities encouraging reading before they were hung in the public area. And always stacks and stacks of books.

Mom use to take us to an old bookstore downtown, usually just to browse, as we got the majority of our material at the library. This bookstore was 2, maybe even 3 levels high, with the first floor being a larger open shop type area, and up the old narrow staircase to the other levels, rooms and rooms, like an old apartment building and every room was full of bookshelves and volumes and volumes of books. It was a really neat place. Old chipped paint, and creaky wood floors and I remember that feeling you had as you walked through the aisles that people put there personal words on paper for the world to see. And that meant something so deep to me, I couldn't get over it.

So as you can see my love for books and reading and writing is deep rooted. We grew up reading, being read to and were taught the marvel of a good story very early on.

The kids and I signed up for the Summer Reading Challenge at the library yesterday (Zoe is an avid reader, Sid could take it or leave it- which is probably pretty typical for a 12 year old boy). Aaron took them to the library with their library cards and got us time log cards, crisp and empty, and checked out books. Now the prizes are chances to win things like an MP3 Player, or a netbook or a Kindle. That's a far cry from my bookmark! But its great incentive to get the kids to read for 30 minutes every day over the summer expanding there imagination and keeping there minds fresh.

Zoe is reading a book in the series of Vet Volunteer books, which is what she wants to be. Sid is reading a book called Bull Rider which I don't believe is what he wants to be. And I am reading a book called In the Woods which is an amazingly written mystery set in Dublin.

I will let you know what we think of these books, as book reviews should be a part of our scheduled summer activities :)

Happy reading- if you don't have a book you are reading this summer, go to your local library and get one- join your summer reading club!! Who doesn't like a free Kindle or a bookmark :) Or at the very least, a magical adventure.

Pictures and Laughter

Wednesday morning the kids and I scrummaged through one of my pictures boxes that is waiting to be scrapbooked. The picutres in there range from Sidney being a baby (12 years ago), to much more recent events, like Sea World 2005.

Its amazing to me how time seems to have passed so quickly. Those images and stories about what we were doing this day or that day feel literally like yesterday to me.

There is this one picture of a 4 year old Zoe and 5 year old Sidney (before kindergarten). Zoe is on the couch not feeling well, having come home from school with an upset tummy- and Sid brought her every stuffed animal in the house and placed them on top of her to help her feel better. So in the pic all you really see are sweet brown eyes peering out from under a mountain of stuffed lovies. And the kids remembered all the details about that day.

There is another one of us at the beach the summer Sid broke his collar bone. I didn't think the kids remembered that trip very well, but as we started to look through image after image of the house we stayed at, and the abundant dinners we had, and the sun kissed shoulders, they started telling story after story about each picutre- and all the things they remembered really did happen.

I think it will be neat to scrapbook these memories with them and have them journal on the pages about what they remember.

To me it really does feel like it was yesterday.

But to hear it from there point of view is a treasure to me. Kids remember sights, smells and other details that I have long since forgotten. Its funny how much laughter can come out of old vacation photos.

I am hoping for more and more of that for many years :)

Bed Rest Part 2 Day 1 and a Night Gown

Well, it was short lived, but it was sure sweet~ I am back to bed rest.



Yesterday morning, I started bleeding and contracting. We called the doctor and they sent me to the downtown office for a sonogram and then to the Hulen office for a non stress test.



The results? More bed rest. My contractions were at about 4 an hour and the bleeding could be a sign of pre term labor or another subchorionic hematoma. We may never know. But there take on it is what ever I was doing while off bed rest isn't working. So back to bed I go.



MAJOR difference this time though. The kids are out of school. So I am getting my dreams of becoming a true stay at home mom with all the time in the world with my kids!! There is only one tiny catch. I can't "get up". This may seem troublesome to you. On the surface- I mean how much fun can a mama be when she has to stay on the couch or bed all day.



Let me tell you, I have been thinking about that non stop since yesterday mornings doctors visit. I am so bound and determined to make everything a success, that I have come up with a daily schedule (not on paper yet- but bouncing around my mind, much like an inventor that sees math equations just when thinking of his invention) (I don't actually know if that is how it works- I think Einstein probably thought that way and Good Will Hunting did too- and that man portrayed by Russell Crowe in A Beautiful Mind) (But without the schizophrenia, and horrid foster families) (Aaron is super smart and mathematical too- much like those 3 people I just mentioned, but again without the drama). Anyways, scheduled days with morning, afternoon and evening routines, with happy well rounded children are my goal. I want them to have the downtime they crave as part of the lure of summer, but too much free time causes CHAOS of the worst kind (I am reminded of a Lee Ann Rimes song about idle hands and jail time- fun to sing, but serious subject). So, structure it will be.



While I was having my small taste of sweet sweet freedom from the couch, the kids, Aaron and I went in search of some new work clothes for me. I found a couple of shirts and no pants and no shoes. But while I sat in the shoe dept, waiting for Sid and Aaron to finish trying on shoes, I remembered how my one major delima seemed to be itchy sleep attire. So I got up and was in search for a super soft, slightly modest night gown. (I mean it is summer and I am already hot all the time, so short and sleeveless was the goal)



I have never felt more loved than I did while shopping for that night gown. The opinions of my sweet family during this small search was astounding. "Mom, this one is so soft for you- you will sleep so well!" "But the lace on the edge will bother you- it feels itchy" "Hey look this one is reversible, you know in case you get tired of the same print" "This one is too short, it won't cover your belly" It was like I had been sent to the store with 3 personal shoppers that were taking my needs for a peaceful, non itching, night sleep very seriously. And I ended up with the best gown ever!! It is soft, thin and short and sleeveless, but still covers my enormous belly!



Thanks to my sweet kids and perfect husband I can "bed rest" in complete comfort!!
Happy Wednesday!

Empty House and a Visit to Dr. K

So, the kids left for Kansas Sunday morning, before the sun had fully risen yet.

Jennifer drover her car with Kayla, Ashley and Zoe and Dad followed in his Highlander with Sid and Rex (the schnauzer). I normally fret and worry and fret some more over the kids going anywhere with out me- much less out of state! But this time, it felt right. I KNEW they were going to have a great time! Jennifer is the FUN MAKER and what better place to start the summer than with the FUN MAKER and her super fun family and my dad!

The rest of Sunday, I think I sat on the floor and oohed and ahhed once more over the dozens of things we got at the shower for little miss Aubrey!

Aaron's mom Pam has these friends Vicki and Alice (actually Pam, Alice and Vicki are the cutest adult best friends I have ever seen). Vicki and Alice came to the shower and Vicki gave Aubrey this hand crocheted pink blanket that it took her two weeks to make!! When I lifted it out of the bag, I knew right away that she had hand crafted this baby soft snugly wrap with loving care for our baby. It puts my tiny remnants of crocheted string to such shame- I can't believe I thought in the short time I was on bed rest, I would be able to make anything like this- it is a work of art- from the heart of Vicki to our daughter!! I will post a picture! (later)

We had a Dr's apt with Dr. K on Monday. I am released to go back to work!! (SIGH GASP!) I cannot climb stairs, I cannot walk for more than 4 hours, I cannot be exposed to sudden temperature change (hello Texas summer). Other than that, I am a working girl once again!

I will miss you couch, but not THAT much.

We also changed the inducing date to July 26th- Aaron's birthday is the 27th. So we feel really good about this date- it gives Aubrey a little more time to cook and us another week to prepare. We talked a little bit about the induction and our hopes for how it goes. We are scheduled for 5 AM, as we get closer, we will re evaluate the "condition" of my cervix and if I should spend the night at the hospital the night before. I think Dr. K is very happy with the way Aubrey is handling the Lovenox and growing. She was all smiles this visit.

I don't even have to go back and see her until June 28th!!

Keep praying this baby keeps flourishing and PRAISE! No More Bed Rest :)

Now, with this empty house, I think I will just settle in to bed and watch Glee .