Brave

Oct 30th, 2011

Fine, time to be "brave"... weird pictures of me. When I first got pregnant, I obviously was overweight, so I've been keeping close tabs on it and so far have officially only gained 4 pounds. Yea me!

Jan 2012

Stressed

I've tried to make myself a promise. In the last 6 1/2 years anytime I've ever been around anyone that was pregnant- they have complained about something. I could write a book of complaints. Each one left me thinking, "At least you can get pregnant." As my friend Karena said, "I would take the most difficult pregnancy in the world, just to know what it is like."

So, I'm trying very hard not to complain, because regardless of the pains, pregnancy is a complete miracle and absolutely wonderful in every regard.

Goals for the next 10 weeks:

1. Finish organizing bedroom--baby things that we've started collecting.

2. Keep house clean

3. Organize garage (I think I better let Rew do this, entirely.)

4. Complete fostercare license renewal

5. Prepare kiddos for change--Sarah darling is having a hard time with transitions.

6. Potty train Michael--hopefully next weekend

7. Purchase: carseat, pump, pack n play/bassinet (what do you put your newborn in?), diapers, wipes, baby hygiene things.... I've never had a newborn.

8. Complete lesson plans for a full 8-ish weeks for long term sub-a student teacher intern.

9. Upgrade teacher license to level 2 - I submitted everything, but it looks like I'll need to do fingerprinting again. (8th time in the last 3 years that I will be fingerprinted.)

10. Attend Science Olympiad Regionals/Prep. students and parents to attend state without their coach-I'll be on maternity leave.

11. Complete grades for Science Fair...

12. Pray that Rew is able to find a good job.

"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow, for babies grow up we've learned to our sorrow. So, quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby for babies don't keep."

Goodnight to do list. I'm sleeping. :)

Infertility

There is nothing more painful than being told that you cannot have children. There is an overwhelming rush of guilt and shame when you are told that it will probably never happen. It is hard for couples that can't have kids to hang out and talk with couples that do have children--this is not caused by animosity towards the other couple, but instead just a barren and raw reminder to the infertile couple of their lack of ability in fulfilling their family dream.

My children are miracles. It does not seem fair to me that we have been able to have children in our home so quickly. I know many couples who have been waiting 5, 10 plus years for even one child. I have been blessed with many children, and each one I know without a single doubt that they are meant to be in my home and I was meant to be their mother.

I'm shocked and anxious for the miracles that will be arriving in the next few weeks and continue to pray for my friends that they will be able to experience the miracles that I have.

Names

I need help with names.

I refuse to use any names that have already been taken by my brothers and sisters. So the following are off limits.

Girls: Christine, Melissa, Jennifer, Rebecca(2), Rachel, Elisha, Emily, Madeline, Julia, Kaylee, Amber, Hannah, Breanna, Emma, Jessica, Amanda, Lindsey, Ashley, Hailey, Elizabeth, Samantha, Dannielle, Abrielle, Talia, Kate, Mia, Victoria, Arianna

Boys: Jared, Matthew(2), Jacob, Tyler(2), Ryan, Caleb, Spencer, David, Ethan, Dane, Cole(2), Jonathan-Jeremy, Christian, Finn, Brandon, Merek, Tommy, Sebastian

I like common names for first names but I'm okay with unusual middle names.

My Kids:

Sarah (named after my friend Sara) Ruby (Her original name from her birth mother. A gem.)

Michael (named after my husband, Andrew-his middle name is Michael) Rigel (constellation- actually means "foot" but I prefer of thinking of it as keeping on the right path)

We're trying to decide if we want to follow "tradition" and have another astronomy middle name for our little boy or not... what's a good boys middle name? (J. Middle) We already know what his first name is... it starts with a J but who knows that may change when he is born.

For future reference, what's a cute girls name? (First and Middle)

Remodeled

Sigh, no pictures of the kitchen or master bedroom - Rew is currently fixing our countertop in the kitchen and the master bedroom is littered with baby things I need to sort. And I forgot to take pictures from the balcony or entryway... Otherwise enjoy:

Living Room: repainted, new lights, new baseboard, new carpet.

Living Room

Craft Room

Mikey's room is hard to photograph because his room is L-shaped.

Mikey's

Mikey's - I fell in love with the animal decals-this picture doesn't show them off very well and the wall is actually light blue, though you cannot tell.

Sarah's Room

Master Bath: Yeah... go STARE at the old picture, then come back. Yes, they are the same room. This picture doesn't show my butterflies- another decoration find I fell in love with and couldn't leave behind. Also, the checkered rug you see on the floor- I kept going back to Bed Bath and Beyond just to look at it, finally decided that yes, I really loved it and still do. New tile, paint plumbing...

Storage...

Oh! and another picture of my kitty Calysto! She is so sweet. She wasn't too happy about bright lights in her eyes.

House

House

Okay, we moved in March to this lovely house. Then promptly tore it apart, painted, cleaned, replaced...blah, blah, blah...

Here's the before:

House Front, you can't tell, since this picture is from Google maps, but we trimmed all the trees, cut down the overgrowth in the front and put in a stone path leading to the gate (on the far right). Also, put down wood shavings in the flowerbeds around the plants.

Back of house...wish I had a picture pointing the other direction-love the view from our balcony and we have terraced gardens around the west perimeter.

Sarah's Room:

Entryway/Stairs:

Master Bath:

Upstairs Bathroom:

Kitchen:

Entryway looking into livingroom:

Master bedroom:

Living Room:

We don't have any pictures for the Mikey's room, craftroom, garage, cold storage, laundry or balcony. But enjoy! and when I find my computer cable, I will post pictures of the refinished areas! :) Yea!

Hello Baby

Stomach Flu today. :p not fun when baby likes to kick your aching stomach!

I've known for awhile, I'm expecting a boy. He was incredibly active during the ultrasound and wouldn't let us see his profile. Dr. had to find the heartbeat 5 times because he kept moving.

Rew and I had given away all of our baby stuff so we have been purchasing one item a month. We finally have a crib, swing, some blankets and a few outfits. I've been very slowly getting over the shock of even finding out I'm expecting--but with this new basketball belly I have constant reminders.

Rew and I watched an animated video on labor and delivery, my guess is that Rew will pass out. Or else get very queasy- I'll pack him some juice and crackers for the maternity bag.

Speaking of which... what do you put in the maternity bag to take to the hospital?