Thursday, February 21, 2008

This & That

Things you can do with a baby strapped to your chest:

Pay bills
Balance checkbook (Has it really been since February first?! Whoops.)
Write thank yous
Send the last few birth announcements
Recycle mail
Print tax documents
Reserve a rental car for Florida (Woo Hoo!)
File and organize important info
Blog
Eat breakfast and lunch
Sort your pre-pregnancy clothes that fit from your pre-pregnancy clothes that don't
Sort your maternity clothes that you still want to wear from your maternity clothes that are huge
Laundry--Wash and/or fold
Dishes
Send emails
Pick up around the house
Listen to music
Drink lots of water
Make a list of what to take to on vacation
Go to the bathroom


Things you cannot do with a baby strapped to your chest:

Make a bowl of cereal. Apparently, you will pour in orange juice instead of milk.
Wash a load of white clothes. Apparently, you will forget to put in the clothes and need to run the wash cycle again.
Feed the cat. The baby would probably fall out as I'd have to bend over so far. No need for that.
Paint my toenails. Needs to get done though, we're going to Florida!

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Walk the Walk: A Post of Randomness

Busy busy weekend...my dad was in town, plus we went to church two days in a row for the first times since I had the baby. This morning I even got myself and the baby ready, picked up hot chai and made it to church all by myself! In the midst of an unbelievable amount of rain, snow and slush. On time, no less!







I had to lay out our clothes, pack the diaper bag and have everything ready to go last night, but we got the job done!! And golly, she was cute. Is there anything cuter than leopard print on a baby? I think not.









There is nothing better to me than a Monday and tomorrow will be no exception. A quiet day in to rest and recoup from a chaotic weekend.

Tuesday will be a pretty full work day. Also claiming the official 6 week mark with corresponding doctor's appointment. Yikes. How could it really have gone so fast? I'm sure I'm the only one in the house who thinks it went fast, but I'm pretty sure it did.

A week from today we will be in Sunny, Warm Florida. It's to be a short trip, but we'll hopefully get tons of sun regardless! We borrowed a pile of warm weather baby clothes including the tiniest bikini and flip flops. Only one more week forging through the snow and ice.

When we got home from church today we helped our neighbors get their car out of their driveway. We've had so much snow lately that coupled with the excessive rain this morning, the entire street and most driveways became sheer ice, slush and were extremely difficult to maneuver. Andy walked down to help push the car out and quickly called me to come help. I first wondered if I would really be of any use but then found that my assistance was needed in the actual driving.

I'm pretty good in winter weather. Plus, they had a manual transmission with which I am adept. I made quick work of getting that car out and in the process managed to spray everyone with freezing snow. But the car was out. No one gave me a caveat of staying dry.

One last picture that just cracks me up. We swaddle her every night before we put her to bed and she usually prefers it. However, lately we have discovered that she keeps trying to break out of her wrapping. Maybe she is tired of the straight jacket?

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Mac Day!

We talked about it for months. Computers abound in our home, but we don't own any of them. Some software, sure, but none of the actual hardware. 

We finally decided that it wouldn't be feasible to save enough for Christmas like we wanted. Maybe one of our birthdays later in the year.

And then money started going missing.


I would ask if he got paid for a wedding or a recording project I knew he had just finished and the subject would subtly get changed. In one instance I remember saying, 
"Are you hiding a lie?" and being answered in the affirmative. 

In my mind, the assumption was that he was saving up to buy me some fancy jewelry as a gift after having the baby. 

But then one day...one day I was sitting on the couch trying to figure out why he hadn't given me the gift yet. It had been a month since the baby was born and no word of any presents. I didn't want to ask and make him hedge around it again, but I was dying to know. With more thinking 
I was wondering what the gift could possibly be. 

He doesn't actually ever buy me jewelry if I don't select it first, a habit that comes after my working in a jewelry store. So what could it be? 

What indeed. 

All of a sudden, it came to me. I just knew that I was getting the computer. 

Little comments started making sense to me. Like the fact that he was so up to date on all the new Mac products. 

I even told a girlfriend last week that I guessed what I would be getting. Just so I'd have proof that I really knew.

He even opened a secret savings account at a different bank to stash away money. There's nothing better than a good present-secret.

I love secrets. I love surprises. I can honestly say I was surprised. Just that it was a week ago. 

We finally have a computer we can call our own. 

Mac, I love you. And I love that you are Red. 

Our little Apple Baby. You've got to train them early, right?

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

It's Tuesday, but it Feels Like Sunday


Baby is sleeping, (look, see? there she is!) so I'm scrambling to get a blog post in, do the dishes, put away her clean laundry, start another load of poopy laundry (how can such a small person poo so much!?) and do a bunch of work for work.

I have prep for next month to work on, planning for next year to think and write through and reading for a meeting tomorrow. Tomorrow is my first real day of being in the office. Fortunately, it should only be for a few hours. I've had a few Saturday nights of work, but since it's performance-based, and only for about 15 minutes or so, it doesn't feel a whole lot like work.

I'm really looking forward to my few days of working here and there, but also a little anxious. Baby gets her first real babysitting experience tomorrow!

Uh-oh. Sounds like she's stirring. Poor thing has her first cold. Stuffy and snorty and a little bit of coughing. Just makes me feel so bad for her. Here's to another first. But a yucky one.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Sunday. A Day for Doing Stuff.

For the last few years, we have been attempting Sabbath. After some time of each of us working more than one job, we were still sure to take one day of the week to rest. We will read, watch movies & snuggle on the couch, or hang out with friends. Sometimes work was involved in our Sabbath, but only if it refreshed us. Like if I wanted to plant flowers or Andy wanted to finish his video game. (Somehow it fits.)

With a baby this isn't quite the same. I can't put her aside to do whatever I want to do for longer than an hour or so. How do I redefine my Sabbath now? Hubby can (and should) still take a day not to work but does my Sabbath now mean I don't do laundry or the dishes one day? Do I take a day away from my computer and emails? Does it mean giving myself permission to take four naps along with the baby? She still needs feeding and changing and soothing, etc.

I never really thought about it until just now.

On Saturday nights, hubby doesn't wake up for any feeding help as he has to get up so early to leave for work on Sunday morning. So baby and I snuggle in late on Sunday morning.

I got laundry, dishes, organizing, tidying and the taxes done today. Praise the Lord for tax returns. Seriously. We'll get some chunks of debt paid off this year. It's not all gone (heavens, I don't think it ever will be with the house and school loans) but it is much more manageable and eases my mind to know it's lower.

Baby discovered the fun of sticking out her tongue and blowing bubbles. I'm not sure she knows it is fun yet, but all the same, it was discovered.

Also, she has now worn her first cloth diaper. I don't have good covers for them yet, so she's not wearing them regularly. However, I have ordered the fabric and snaps needed to make covers as well as more diapers. I'm pretty excited about it. She has enough regular diapers for probably another month, but I'd love to have enough cloth made by then to not have to buy more.

Plus, darn it, isn't she cute!? Her little diaper matches her socks! And me? In my new work uniform of jammie pants and a sweatshirt. Way to be a hot mama. Hey, I put on real clothes and make-up at least once a week. That's good, right?!

Thursday, February 07, 2008

New Life Experiences.

This past week marked the beginning of the Lenten season as well as Ash Wednesday. I've never been to an Ash Wednesday service and have always wanted to.

I'm not sure why this is not a part of many church practices. Are we afraid of the liturgy or of being associated with something with which we're not familiar?

Growing up I ever really participated in following any traditions related to Lent. Yet I love the idea of sacrificing something (usually irrelevant and often relatively trivial) personal for a period of time leading up to the celebration of the sacrifice of Christ. My giving up coffee for a month is so insignificant, but every day I am reminded of my small choice and therefore reminded of the reason for it.

At the recommendation of a friend, I have also been striving to add in something beneficial to my daily spiritual diet. Nothing huge, but it's a small step.

I've always understood and respected the importance of regular time spent in scripture and prayer with my Lord. But hardly have I been capable of following through on any kind of good habit. I set goals, make resolutions, ask for accountability, and still I find myself disappointed with my lack of effort.

The truth of the matter is that it doesn't make me a better person or a better christian if I have daily devotions or if I don't. Yet I know the benefits. My heart beats truer and my spirit is fuller. How can I say I have a relationship with someone whom I never talk to? I can see how friends from high school and college have fallen by the wayside because we never take the time to talk or meet or even email anymore. I think about them, sure, but if asked whether or not we have a relationship I would have to say no.

I don't want to have to admit that God is a friend from the past. I want to put time, effort and love into my relationship and see actual growth and purpose. My time at work is spent teaching children and adults how good it is to worship God, how fun. And I mean every word I speak. My time leading music is something I treasure deeply.

I just don't want my heart to feel so stale and always find myself wishing I was more committed.

This month I am at least trying to keep up with the daily Lenten readings and prayers. If I'm honest, I know I won't make it every day. Maybe as I remember not to drink a cup of coffee and choose tea instead I'll remember to pull out my book of common prayer.

This week we were smudged with ashes and chose to receive communion for a reason. Even the baby got a smudge for the very first time and I want to be able to set a precedent for teaching her meaningful traditions and finding the depth in church history to lead into true relationship.










Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Month 1

My sweet Randall, you have had one heck of a first month. Lots of visitors, presents, cards and food! True, you can't fully appreciate any of that just yet, but there are so many people who love you already, it's possible that you will be spoiled rotten. But sweet rotten, of course.



You've gotten to tour the neighborhood from the comfort of your little baby-pack. Granted, you slept through most of it, but you brought smiles to everyone we passed. Soon, the weather will let us go out every day and you can visit the park and the zoo and help mama garden. I'm sure you'll love getting into the dirt!


You are finally fitting into most of your clothes and are almost ready to move up into the next size of diapers. You eat like you're afraid it's your last meal and you can poo more than seems possible. I'm going to start trying to make some diapers for you and save a little money. Laundry seems easier than buying those expensive little bricks of gold all the time.


You don't seem to have any preferences on what I eat. You get fussy at the same time of day each day regardless of my diet. I appreciate that as I've never been very good at giving up any of my favorite foods. You don't mind that I need a cup of coffee every day and a few handfuls of chocolate as well. I do try to throw in as many fruits and veggies as I can, but I'm afraid you are going to love sweets as much as your mama.

You hate getting into your car seat, but love being there once you're settled. I'll try to be better at remembering to buckle you in. What a bad mom! I've forgotten twice now.

It doesn't really matter where you are, if you're tired enough you can fall asleep anywhere.

And your sleeping? We can't believe how good you are at it. Some nights you only give us three hours at a time, but quite often it's four or five and last night it was more than 7! We sure hope you can keep that pattern up.


I don't want to miss any moment that we have together. It's so hard to share you with other people. You're mine after all, right? You are so sweet when we snuggle and nap on the couch. Your little head just burrows into my neck all warm and cozy.

At the same time, we can't wait to see what your second month will be like. It's exciting to discover your little personality and watch your tiny little self grow. We pray for your health and your heart and that we will make the best decisions for you. Soon we will be playing and laughing and reading and you will love it all!