The silliness that transpired during our prayer before dinner tonight.
Danny: "Thank you Jesus"
Logan: "Kank oo Jeus"
Danny: "For dinner"
Logan: "Or dinner"
Danny: "And Mommy"
Logan: "Mommy"
Danny: "And Daddy"
Logan: "Daddy"
Danny: "And Taylor"
Logan: "Apple juice, Amen!"
Not sure where we've gone wrong...it was really seeming like he liked her!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
A doctor's appointment, prenatal massage, and a...baby?! (Part 1)
So, I never intended to wait this long to write this blog! From the moment our little girl entered this world, I've wanted to write down what happened that day before I forgot. No matter how much I try to cement these memories in my mind, I know that they will not stay as fresh as I wish they would, and in time, I will forget precious parts. Forgive me for the length of this, as it's partially for whoever cares to read, and also for us to remember how it all happened. Also, so you have fair warning, this is a birth story, and I won't be graphic at all, but it is a BIRTH story, and the nature of it makes it a little hard to share details without it being somewhat specific! There you go, there's your warning. ;)
It started out just like most other mornings these days. Not great sleep the night before, time in the middle of the night spent reading books and keeping up with facebook on my iTouch while still in bed, thinking about our girl and wondering when she'd be here. Hoping and praying for a healthy baby girl, and hoping she wouldn't be too big because of the gestational diabetes I had.
Contractions started around 6am, also a normal part in my nighttime routine! Now I know that everybody talks about the 5-1-1 rule (contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting for a minute, for at least an hour) and how that means you should go to the hospital. But you see, with both of my babies, I started having contractions early, and towards the end, if I'm having any regularity to my contractions, they fall within this rule. If I went in every time they were like that, we'd have an awful lot of extra medical bills, and spend a whole lot of nights in L&D! So, I wasn't paying much extra attention to them, especially because I had a doctor's appointment that morning.
Danny's mom was kind enough to drive all the way down here to watch Logan for me while I went to Towson that morning. Because you see, the plan was to head to the doctor at 10:20, and then head to the spa for a prenatal massage thanks to a gift card from my SIL, then head home in time to put Logan down for a nap! Needless to say, that's not exactly what happened.
At the doctor, she checked and said that I was 4cm, and since that was progression from 2.5 the week before, she wanted me to stay in the area and come back after lunch. (My doctor is in Towson, 45 minutes away from home.) She said if I was still 4, even if I was still contracting, I could go home, and if I was more, I'd stay. When I left, I called Danny to warn him that he would have to head home for a bit so his Mom could leave for work since I'd be a little bit later, but that it shouldn't be for more than a half hour or so.
Then I headed into the spa for my massage. Brief aside here...prenatal massages are incredible, and I think they should be covered by health insurance for every pregnant woman past about 20 weeks! Looking back, it was such a gift from the Lord meant to be for me on that specific day! I had tried several other times to use that gift card. There were three other times that I had an appointment scheduled that I had to cancel for various reasons. The hour I spent in that room was such a wonderful blessing. It was quiet, peaceful, and I HAD to relax. I have quiet in my life, but it's usually quiet at home, when it is still so easy to be distracted by the to-do list, facebook, or any other number of things. That hour, I spent time just praying for our girl, that she would be healthy and arrive just in His perfect timing. I prayed for her future, her character, and her safety getting here. I prayed for my heart and mind, that He would protect me from anxiety about delivery, impatience and frustration with the inconveniences of pregnancy, and worry about my little man and what this would change for our relationship. I prayed for my little boy, that he would do well with family while we were in the hospital and that he would adjust well to the new little girl in our life. I thanked Him for my wonderful husband and his love and care for me during these months! He so graciously serves me when I'm pregnant, everything from carrying laundry baskets to 2am juice/snack runs! I also found myself talking to our girl, telling her how much I loved her and couldn't wait to meet her, telling her to come just when she was ready, telling her all about her room and family waiting for her. It was bliss. So wonderful.
More to come soon...
It started out just like most other mornings these days. Not great sleep the night before, time in the middle of the night spent reading books and keeping up with facebook on my iTouch while still in bed, thinking about our girl and wondering when she'd be here. Hoping and praying for a healthy baby girl, and hoping she wouldn't be too big because of the gestational diabetes I had.
Contractions started around 6am, also a normal part in my nighttime routine! Now I know that everybody talks about the 5-1-1 rule (contractions 5 minutes apart, lasting for a minute, for at least an hour) and how that means you should go to the hospital. But you see, with both of my babies, I started having contractions early, and towards the end, if I'm having any regularity to my contractions, they fall within this rule. If I went in every time they were like that, we'd have an awful lot of extra medical bills, and spend a whole lot of nights in L&D! So, I wasn't paying much extra attention to them, especially because I had a doctor's appointment that morning.
Danny's mom was kind enough to drive all the way down here to watch Logan for me while I went to Towson that morning. Because you see, the plan was to head to the doctor at 10:20, and then head to the spa for a prenatal massage thanks to a gift card from my SIL, then head home in time to put Logan down for a nap! Needless to say, that's not exactly what happened.
At the doctor, she checked and said that I was 4cm, and since that was progression from 2.5 the week before, she wanted me to stay in the area and come back after lunch. (My doctor is in Towson, 45 minutes away from home.) She said if I was still 4, even if I was still contracting, I could go home, and if I was more, I'd stay. When I left, I called Danny to warn him that he would have to head home for a bit so his Mom could leave for work since I'd be a little bit later, but that it shouldn't be for more than a half hour or so.
Then I headed into the spa for my massage. Brief aside here...prenatal massages are incredible, and I think they should be covered by health insurance for every pregnant woman past about 20 weeks! Looking back, it was such a gift from the Lord meant to be for me on that specific day! I had tried several other times to use that gift card. There were three other times that I had an appointment scheduled that I had to cancel for various reasons. The hour I spent in that room was such a wonderful blessing. It was quiet, peaceful, and I HAD to relax. I have quiet in my life, but it's usually quiet at home, when it is still so easy to be distracted by the to-do list, facebook, or any other number of things. That hour, I spent time just praying for our girl, that she would be healthy and arrive just in His perfect timing. I prayed for her future, her character, and her safety getting here. I prayed for my heart and mind, that He would protect me from anxiety about delivery, impatience and frustration with the inconveniences of pregnancy, and worry about my little man and what this would change for our relationship. I prayed for my little boy, that he would do well with family while we were in the hospital and that he would adjust well to the new little girl in our life. I thanked Him for my wonderful husband and his love and care for me during these months! He so graciously serves me when I'm pregnant, everything from carrying laundry baskets to 2am juice/snack runs! I also found myself talking to our girl, telling her how much I loved her and couldn't wait to meet her, telling her to come just when she was ready, telling her all about her room and family waiting for her. It was bliss. So wonderful.
More to come soon...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Happles and babies
At least once a day right now, we've been trying to have some short conversation with Logan about his little sister's impending arrival, reminding him that I'll be going to the hospital when she comes out, and he'll get to come see us and then we'll bring her home. Usually these conversations are sparked by some mention of the baby equipment around the house. The other time it comes up is before naptime or bedtime when he's sitting on my lap snuggling and she starts pushing him around!
I wasn't surprised a few days ago when he asked to bring her ultrasound picture from the fridge upstairs with him, and we started chatting about it. While we were chatting, he started telling me about the "happles", and "baby out", and "hug kiss". The latter two phrases I got, but I was awfully confused about the "happles"! I couldn't figure out what apples had to do with her, or how he had made this connection. When I asked him if he was saying apples, he just kept saying "No mommy, happles". Okay...still not getting it. Finally he said "grandma happles", and I realized that he was saying hospital!! I said "Oh!! You mean hospital?" He grinned at me and said "Yes Mommy" as if that really is exactly how it sounded coming out of his mouth and I really was the less intelligent one here.
Then as I put him in his crib with his baby sister's picture and frame, he insisted that "baby sit nap". Thinking he meant for me to sit on his little couch while he napped, I said no, and he thrust the frame through the crib slats, and repeated it. Ahh, I get it.
So, all in all...my little boy's current thoughts about his baby Taylor consist of "Mommy happles, baby out, hug kiss" (Mommy goes to the hospital for baby to come out, I come and hug and kiss her), and "Baby sit nap" and his little picture frame is still sitting on his couch, watching over him while he naps :)
Silly boy.
I wasn't surprised a few days ago when he asked to bring her ultrasound picture from the fridge upstairs with him, and we started chatting about it. While we were chatting, he started telling me about the "happles", and "baby out", and "hug kiss". The latter two phrases I got, but I was awfully confused about the "happles"! I couldn't figure out what apples had to do with her, or how he had made this connection. When I asked him if he was saying apples, he just kept saying "No mommy, happles". Okay...still not getting it. Finally he said "grandma happles", and I realized that he was saying hospital!! I said "Oh!! You mean hospital?" He grinned at me and said "Yes Mommy" as if that really is exactly how it sounded coming out of his mouth and I really was the less intelligent one here.
Then as I put him in his crib with his baby sister's picture and frame, he insisted that "baby sit nap". Thinking he meant for me to sit on his little couch while he napped, I said no, and he thrust the frame through the crib slats, and repeated it. Ahh, I get it.
So, all in all...my little boy's current thoughts about his baby Taylor consist of "Mommy happles, baby out, hug kiss" (Mommy goes to the hospital for baby to come out, I come and hug and kiss her), and "Baby sit nap" and his little picture frame is still sitting on his couch, watching over him while he naps :)
Silly boy.
Monday, January 31, 2011
These days
A little over two years ago my life changed drastically, beyond what I ever could have imagined, the day my little man was born. For the last two years, we've spent all our days together, with him as my constant companion, no matter where I am (bathroom included!).
These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about just how much our lives are about to change again when Taylor is born. There's a lot to be done before she gets here, and it's easy to get lost in the busyness of preparations for her. But when I sit and really think about it, my heart feels really torn! I am so incredibly excited to meet our little girl, to do the "baby thing" again, and for Logan to have a little sister. However, I also know that the special time I've had with my boy is coming to an end. No longer will he have my full attention as much as he does now.
This is probably going to sound crazy, and I know I'm a little overly sentimental at times, but sometimes it almost feels like I'm cheating on him! It's just been us for so long now, and it feels weird to think about another one. I love her so much already, but at the same time, I can't imagine loving another one as much as I love him! He's my little boy, my baby! Like I said, I know this sounds completely crazy, but it is what goes on in my head.
So, I'll spend the next several weeks rocking him just a little longer, playing just a little more, seeing how many giggles I can get out of him, because I know our time as just us is short. If our entire house isn't as clean as it was when Logan was born, or if we're not 1000% prepared for her, it's okay. I'd rather cherish the time I have before Taylor's arrival rocks his little world.
These days, I spend a lot of time thinking about just how much our lives are about to change again when Taylor is born. There's a lot to be done before she gets here, and it's easy to get lost in the busyness of preparations for her. But when I sit and really think about it, my heart feels really torn! I am so incredibly excited to meet our little girl, to do the "baby thing" again, and for Logan to have a little sister. However, I also know that the special time I've had with my boy is coming to an end. No longer will he have my full attention as much as he does now.
This is probably going to sound crazy, and I know I'm a little overly sentimental at times, but sometimes it almost feels like I'm cheating on him! It's just been us for so long now, and it feels weird to think about another one. I love her so much already, but at the same time, I can't imagine loving another one as much as I love him! He's my little boy, my baby! Like I said, I know this sounds completely crazy, but it is what goes on in my head.
So, I'll spend the next several weeks rocking him just a little longer, playing just a little more, seeing how many giggles I can get out of him, because I know our time as just us is short. If our entire house isn't as clean as it was when Logan was born, or if we're not 1000% prepared for her, it's okay. I'd rather cherish the time I have before Taylor's arrival rocks his little world.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Searching for...simplicity?
So, I'm not exactly sure what it is I'm searching for this year, but consistency might be a better word. I'm craving a little more routine in our lives. Well, in my life. There are several areas where I'm hoping this will play out!
My first and highest priority is consistency in my time spent with my Jesus. This has always been an area where I struggle, even though I know the importance of it and see the results of it in my life! This year I am again planning to read through the Bible in a year, and have been going for 4 days strong so far by His grace. I'm already noticing a change in my heart and attitude today, and finding the Lord reminding me of His grace when I am feeling impatient or short with Logan.
Secondly, I'm looking forward to finding (or re-finding I guess?) consistency in how and when I care for our home. Since we've moved to Frederick, our life has slowed down significantly, which I am so grateful for! But somehow I still struggle to find/make time to clean our house. Entering the first trimester of pregnancy very soon after moving made it a little difficult to ever really settle into a routine here. Then I was sick for a large portion of my second trimester as well (non pregnancy related). However, as I've entered the third trimester, I'm feeling more energetic and also beginning to nest a little as well I think! I spent a while today recreating a weekly cleaning/chore routine and am looking forward to putting it into motion! I'll work on the monthly and quarterly type things once I get into the swing of things with this schedule. The time for monthly and quarterly type projects is going to be taken up right now with getting things ready for Taylor anyway.
I'm trying to be sure that I don't overwhelm myself with plans that I can't achieve. I'm starting pretty slow for sure! One of the sites I looked at for some information was flylady.net. While there is a lot of helpful information, I know that at least in this season of my life, getting the sink clean once or twice a day is challenging enough, much less drying/shining my sink each time I put anything in it! I just know I won't do it. She (and many others) also suggest getting up and getting ready all the way (shoes, hair done, makeup, etc.) right away. Right now, getting some extra sleep is far more necessary for me! Pregnancy and sleep don't really coincide for me, and the extra hour or so I would need in the morning to do these things and have a quiet time before Logan's up is just really more needed to be spent in bed! Later this year, when she's here and we've found a little more of a sleep routine, I do look forward to returning to this habit.
It's been nice to live more simply with our schedule the last several months, but instead of just ending up bored and feeling slightly purpose-less, I'm looking forward to really staying on top of our home, having less evenings where we go out simply because I didn't have what I needed for dinner, or didn't think about it. I'm hoping to spend more time keeping a clean house instead of simply cleaning my house and always feeling behind.
What about you? Do you have any cleaning/chore routine that you do that helps you stay on top of things?
My first and highest priority is consistency in my time spent with my Jesus. This has always been an area where I struggle, even though I know the importance of it and see the results of it in my life! This year I am again planning to read through the Bible in a year, and have been going for 4 days strong so far by His grace. I'm already noticing a change in my heart and attitude today, and finding the Lord reminding me of His grace when I am feeling impatient or short with Logan.
Secondly, I'm looking forward to finding (or re-finding I guess?) consistency in how and when I care for our home. Since we've moved to Frederick, our life has slowed down significantly, which I am so grateful for! But somehow I still struggle to find/make time to clean our house. Entering the first trimester of pregnancy very soon after moving made it a little difficult to ever really settle into a routine here. Then I was sick for a large portion of my second trimester as well (non pregnancy related). However, as I've entered the third trimester, I'm feeling more energetic and also beginning to nest a little as well I think! I spent a while today recreating a weekly cleaning/chore routine and am looking forward to putting it into motion! I'll work on the monthly and quarterly type things once I get into the swing of things with this schedule. The time for monthly and quarterly type projects is going to be taken up right now with getting things ready for Taylor anyway.
I'm trying to be sure that I don't overwhelm myself with plans that I can't achieve. I'm starting pretty slow for sure! One of the sites I looked at for some information was flylady.net. While there is a lot of helpful information, I know that at least in this season of my life, getting the sink clean once or twice a day is challenging enough, much less drying/shining my sink each time I put anything in it! I just know I won't do it. She (and many others) also suggest getting up and getting ready all the way (shoes, hair done, makeup, etc.) right away. Right now, getting some extra sleep is far more necessary for me! Pregnancy and sleep don't really coincide for me, and the extra hour or so I would need in the morning to do these things and have a quiet time before Logan's up is just really more needed to be spent in bed! Later this year, when she's here and we've found a little more of a sleep routine, I do look forward to returning to this habit.
It's been nice to live more simply with our schedule the last several months, but instead of just ending up bored and feeling slightly purpose-less, I'm looking forward to really staying on top of our home, having less evenings where we go out simply because I didn't have what I needed for dinner, or didn't think about it. I'm hoping to spend more time keeping a clean house instead of simply cleaning my house and always feeling behind.
What about you? Do you have any cleaning/chore routine that you do that helps you stay on top of things?
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
2 years already?!
**Sidenote...this was supposed to be completed last week, on the 10th, when my boy turned two. But, life caught up with me. I'm determined to make it happen though!
Two? Already? No way! You can't be two yet. But the little shirt I put on you this morning says you are, and you look so handsome in it. You've grown up on me so much these last few months little boy. Maybe it's knowing that our time together with just you is shorter with each passing day now. Maybe it's looking through the tiny things you used and wore, realizing just how much bigger you've gotten since you sat in that bouncer, and I washed you for the first time in that little bathtub, and dried you with that towel for the first time.
I can't count the number of times I've been told to "cherish every second, they go too fast, he'll be big before you know it". The crazy thing? I HAVE. Almost every day, at some point, I think about the fact that you might never make that funny face again, or maybe next time you say movie it won't just sound like "eee-ee". I've tried to cherish everything, maybe not encouraging you to get big as much as I should, because sometimes I don't really want you to get big yet. Even with this knowledge, you grow too fast. It seems like just yesterday that I was examining your tiny hands and feet, studying your sweet tiny face, soaking in every inch of that tiny baby that was finally here. Now I watch you as you run and jump, slowly learn to talk, learn all your animal noises and all the other funny things you do, and I don't really want to blink because I know that then all these things you're doing now will be just as distant as all your newborn moments are to me now. But as much as I want to keep you little, I want you to grow more. I want to teach you and guide you, and watch you grow into the boy and then the man that God wants you to be. But for now, I'll just let you be little, and be happy to do so.
I love the time we've had together my little man. I love that I've gotten to soak in so much of your babyhood while it's just us. It won't be this way for long, but I love it. And I love you, my big two year old.
Two? Already? No way! You can't be two yet. But the little shirt I put on you this morning says you are, and you look so handsome in it. You've grown up on me so much these last few months little boy. Maybe it's knowing that our time together with just you is shorter with each passing day now. Maybe it's looking through the tiny things you used and wore, realizing just how much bigger you've gotten since you sat in that bouncer, and I washed you for the first time in that little bathtub, and dried you with that towel for the first time.
I can't count the number of times I've been told to "cherish every second, they go too fast, he'll be big before you know it". The crazy thing? I HAVE. Almost every day, at some point, I think about the fact that you might never make that funny face again, or maybe next time you say movie it won't just sound like "eee-ee". I've tried to cherish everything, maybe not encouraging you to get big as much as I should, because sometimes I don't really want you to get big yet. Even with this knowledge, you grow too fast. It seems like just yesterday that I was examining your tiny hands and feet, studying your sweet tiny face, soaking in every inch of that tiny baby that was finally here. Now I watch you as you run and jump, slowly learn to talk, learn all your animal noises and all the other funny things you do, and I don't really want to blink because I know that then all these things you're doing now will be just as distant as all your newborn moments are to me now. But as much as I want to keep you little, I want you to grow more. I want to teach you and guide you, and watch you grow into the boy and then the man that God wants you to be. But for now, I'll just let you be little, and be happy to do so.
I love the time we've had together my little man. I love that I've gotten to soak in so much of your babyhood while it's just us. It won't be this way for long, but I love it. And I love you, my big two year old.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Yummy yummy pot roast!
I did it! I finally made a pot roast that wasn't dry and chewy with mushy veggies. Several people on facebook asked what I had done, so I decided to just put it here.
Sear meat on all sides until brown.
Peel and cut carrots into large chunks, add to bottom of crock pot. If they're cut too small, they won't be able to stand up to the long cooking time. I did mine in half and the top portion in quarters.
Place roast in crock pot on top of carrots.
Mix one envelope onion soup mix into 3 cups of water, pour on top of roast.
Cook on low for 12-16 hours. I put mine in on Saturday night around 9, and we ate it around 1:30 on Sunday...so it was in there for 16 hours. I really think this time difference is what resulted in such tender meat.
Right at the end, I removed a cup or so of the broth, and whisked in a few tablespoons of flour to thicken up the sauce a bit.
Bake potatoes at 350 for 3 hours, mash with some butter, serve roast and veggies on top!
Next time, I may try doing fresh onions, with some beef broth and fresher spices instead of the envelope, but this was nice and quick, and I already had the ingredients.
Although it's a bit strange to wake up in the middle of the night smelling pot roast, it's worth it to me to have such yummy meat, instead of the tough chewy stuff that usually gets stuck in my teeth!
This will definitely be a regular around here this winter. Enjoy!! Let me know if you try it or if you have a similar recipe what you do!
- Chuck roast (mine was about 4-5 pounds) ~ From what I have read, it is important to use the right cut of meat, and the chuck roast has definitely been the best I've tried. It is a more fatty cut, and requires a little more picking through when you're eating it, but has the most tender meat.
- Carrots
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Onion soup mix
- Flour
- Baked potatoes
Sear meat on all sides until brown.
Peel and cut carrots into large chunks, add to bottom of crock pot. If they're cut too small, they won't be able to stand up to the long cooking time. I did mine in half and the top portion in quarters.
Place roast in crock pot on top of carrots.
Mix one envelope onion soup mix into 3 cups of water, pour on top of roast.
Cook on low for 12-16 hours. I put mine in on Saturday night around 9, and we ate it around 1:30 on Sunday...so it was in there for 16 hours. I really think this time difference is what resulted in such tender meat.
Right at the end, I removed a cup or so of the broth, and whisked in a few tablespoons of flour to thicken up the sauce a bit.
Bake potatoes at 350 for 3 hours, mash with some butter, serve roast and veggies on top!
Next time, I may try doing fresh onions, with some beef broth and fresher spices instead of the envelope, but this was nice and quick, and I already had the ingredients.
Although it's a bit strange to wake up in the middle of the night smelling pot roast, it's worth it to me to have such yummy meat, instead of the tough chewy stuff that usually gets stuck in my teeth!
This will definitely be a regular around here this winter. Enjoy!! Let me know if you try it or if you have a similar recipe what you do!
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