Oh my...you have no idea how many postings I've started in my head over the past week. That's just the problem - they don't get out of my head and actually into the computer. The reason is because I lack any and all motivation right now. Somehow, I've miraculously completed all Christmas shopping and wrapping, but I've completely plateaued!
Kirby was born almost three weeks early and Connor was born 12 days early. For this pregnancy, 12 days early would have been yesterday. Still, no sign at all of this little guy wanting to come early. I mean yes, I have been 1 cm dilated for the past two weeks, and yes I'm having contractions, but nothing regular. I'm starting to worry that this is going to be the kid who never wants to leave home. He seems pretty content just hanging out where he is.
The boys are beside themselves with anticipation, and we've got a stocking up for our new little Christmas baby. It's amazing how full our railing now looks with 5 stockings. After I got them all in place, Husband and I stood back and just admired them; he had a huge smile and a look of pride on his face that melted my heart.
Speaking of the boys...are anybody else's kids acting kind of crazy? Ours have been quite hyper lately and pretty fresh. I'd like to think it's the excitement over the upcoming Christmas break. I hope it's not all for the baby, because I fear what may become of their behavior once he's here and my reinforcements (that would be my mother- and father-in-law, who just got here yesterday) go home!
Could this blog post be more disjointed? I think that in the interest of my own pride, I should sign off before I launch into any more random thoughts. Perhaps the next time I blog, I'll have a new little baby. Let's hope!
Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Baby. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Fall Fun
Kirby and Connor enjoy an 80 degree day at the pumpkin patch.Whew! This past weekend was a doozie! Husband and I put on our big boy & big girl pants (respectively) and turned down tickets to the Wyoming vs. Air Force game to stay home and get some projects done. In the end, it was a good thing because UW lost big-time, and we were very productive. The beautiful 80 degree weather we enjoyed all weekend made for three great soccer games and a nice trip to the pumpkin patch; and all of our outside work seemed a lot more fun.
Okay, let me be straight with you...I didn't really do outside work. I took on more of a "director" role, walking around from flower bed to flower bed, pointing out what needed to be pruned or cut back, and how to do it. In addition to gardening, husband also did the final lawn mow and blew out the sprinklers. I spent much of the day in the kitchen puttering and having a hard time staying organized, so that my favorite fall meal (cabbage burgers and cheesy potatoes) took me three times as long as it usually would. However, the cabbage burgers tasted wonderful after a day of work.
Husband removed our old, failing dishwasher and replaced it with a new one that my sister and her husband happened to have on hand and not be using. For quite some time now I've been a real snob about having mismatched appliances - we hate our bisque appliances, but can't afford (and don't need) to replace them all at once, so there was a big debate about whether or not to accept the free black dishwasher. In the end, frugality and practicality won out. This will tend to happen when you're dealing with the amount of home/vehicle/electronic and appliance repairs we've been dealing with lately. At any rate, it turns out I love how the black looks, and when other appliances need to be replaced, that is the direction we will go!
Husband puts the finishing touches on the dishwasher...did I mention he also had to do a little mold remediation?
It seems our old dishwasher had been leaking and we didn't know it!
The fact that whoever built this house didn't finish the hardwood
floor underneath didn't help either. Can you say moldy sub floor?
I'm also quite proud of the little bit of crafting I did this weekend. I used to craft a lot in high school and college, and found that since I've been married with children, I have rarely done anything crafty. I had so much fun making these ghosts, which I found on one of my favorite blogs, Fly Through Our Window. The craftsmanship involved is not really what I'm proud of - they're felt and were assembled entirely with fabric glue - but it's the fact that I actually followed through with it!
Felt ghosts - I even made one for the baby for next year!And finally, it must be said that I have hit the height of nesting. Unfortunately, I am "not a very good pregnant person", as husband says (and this is a fair statement - I'm really not. If you know me well you know my issues, and in addition I've had terrible back pain during this pregnancy and extremely low blood pressure which makes me feel fluttery and get really quickly out of breath). So, my nesting has to rely on the charity of others, which is very very hard. I'm so blessed to have an AMAZING support network. My aunt was here the other day and got started painting the nursery, Husband plowed through everything I asked over the weekend and tonight he vacuumed the entire house (I can't push the vacuum anymore - which drives me nuts!), and this morning, my little cleaning fairy (more like angel) came. TGFM - Thank God For Mom! While she cleaned today, I was able to get a couple of organizational projects done. Check this out...
Contents of junk drawer, emptied onto table...
I had put this project off far too long!
Contents of junk drawer, emptied onto table...
The junk drawer after a huge amount of purging -plus I found our museum membership card,
four free skating passes, and several gift cards!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Coming to Terms
It's become very apparent to me that, although the boys are completely excited about the upcoming birth of their little brother, they truly do not understand what it entails. In the car yesterday, Connor asked,
"Mom, the day your baby comes out of your tummy, can we take him to Chuck E. Cheese? You can come too!"
Connor is obviously on the "stork" end of the spectrum - he assumes our little bundle of joy is just going to somehow magically arrive one day. Kirby however, is savvy enough to understand that there is a bit more involved. He gets the fact that I'll need to be in the hospital for awhile. He followed Connors comment with...
"Dad, remember when Mom had Connor and you took me to do something fun? Can you take me and Connor to do something fun while Mom's in the hospital having the baby?"
"Kirby!" I said. "I need Daddy at the hospital while I'm having the baby. I can't do it alone!"
"Why not?" he asked quite innocently.
I tried to use my most chipper voice to casually mention that it was kind of a big deal to get a baby out of a mommy's tummy, and sometimes it hurts a little, and it would be nice to have his dad there to hold my hand.
Sometimes, I think about the stork, and I kind of start to trip out. It's a little bit like Santa Claus. I find myself asking, "Why not? Maybe he's really real." I think it's pure denial about what is waiting for me in three months.
"Mom, the day your baby comes out of your tummy, can we take him to Chuck E. Cheese? You can come too!"
Connor is obviously on the "stork" end of the spectrum - he assumes our little bundle of joy is just going to somehow magically arrive one day. Kirby however, is savvy enough to understand that there is a bit more involved. He gets the fact that I'll need to be in the hospital for awhile. He followed Connors comment with...
"Dad, remember when Mom had Connor and you took me to do something fun? Can you take me and Connor to do something fun while Mom's in the hospital having the baby?"
"Kirby!" I said. "I need Daddy at the hospital while I'm having the baby. I can't do it alone!"
"Why not?" he asked quite innocently.
I tried to use my most chipper voice to casually mention that it was kind of a big deal to get a baby out of a mommy's tummy, and sometimes it hurts a little, and it would be nice to have his dad there to hold my hand.
Sometimes, I think about the stork, and I kind of start to trip out. It's a little bit like Santa Claus. I find myself asking, "Why not? Maybe he's really real." I think it's pure denial about what is waiting for me in three months.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
We're Still Here
Over the past few days, my creativity has been stifled by our busy schedule. (Isn't that just the story with most moms?) Anyway, my mother-in-law arrived Tuesday and is here for a 2 week stay. It's always fun for us when Gramma comes to visit. For me, it's an extra excuse to ease up on the house work, and take some time to just sit and visit (of course, I'm not going to lie - I so appreciate the extra hand on the laundry and housework that I get when she's here). For the boys it means treats and snacks they don't normally get, and Gramma always comes with little goodies. We also like to use it as an excuse to go out to eat.
This trip, poor Gramma is spending a lot of time by herself, as the boys are in school all day and I'm working a part-time job. I lucked into a spot working for some Ph.D. students who are researching a particular strategy for teaching reading. For the entire month of September, I will go to a different middle school every week and spend the whole day testing 7th and 8th graders. It goes without saying that this easy money. My hourly pay adds up to what I would make subbing, and I also get paid for my mileage. And, while the job is a bit boring, it is good experience to add to my resume, as I've learned to administer 5 new standardized tests, and I'm getting a chance to work with middle-schoolers (who, by the way, I really am enjoying).
I continue to get bigger each day. I love it when other moms try to guess just how pregnant I am. I am inevitably placed somewhere between "7 or 8 months" and "must be getting close...". Don't I wish! With fully 3 1/2 months to go, I have a hunch this could be the biggest baby to come down the Federocko pipeline yet. And, he's quite active. I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to "Babywise" him in-utero so that he'll come out on a normal schedule. Because right now, I'm a wee bit concerned at his late-late-night activity patterns!
This trip, poor Gramma is spending a lot of time by herself, as the boys are in school all day and I'm working a part-time job. I lucked into a spot working for some Ph.D. students who are researching a particular strategy for teaching reading. For the entire month of September, I will go to a different middle school every week and spend the whole day testing 7th and 8th graders. It goes without saying that this easy money. My hourly pay adds up to what I would make subbing, and I also get paid for my mileage. And, while the job is a bit boring, it is good experience to add to my resume, as I've learned to administer 5 new standardized tests, and I'm getting a chance to work with middle-schoolers (who, by the way, I really am enjoying).
I continue to get bigger each day. I love it when other moms try to guess just how pregnant I am. I am inevitably placed somewhere between "7 or 8 months" and "must be getting close...". Don't I wish! With fully 3 1/2 months to go, I have a hunch this could be the biggest baby to come down the Federocko pipeline yet. And, he's quite active. I'm trying to figure out if there's a way to "Babywise" him in-utero so that he'll come out on a normal schedule. Because right now, I'm a wee bit concerned at his late-late-night activity patterns!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Family Viewing
Wednesday morning our whole family headed downtown to the Perinatologist's office for my second Stage II ultrasound. This is apparently what you do when you're of "Advanced Maternal Age". Being all of 35, I can tell you that I don't think of myself as being nearly as advanced in age as the American Medical Association does. After an hour-long wait and some confusing results from a blood test, we were all given a glimpse of the next Federocko. More than a glimpse actually. We were treated to 40 minutes of ultrasound including 3-D images. The boys (and we) were amazed at how much they could see, as they pointed out the ear, eyes, hands, mouth, etc. At one point, Kirby said, with a note of relief in his voice, "Mom, I thought you were going to have to swallow a tube with a camera on it so we could see this baby."
No doubt the most exciting - and memorable - moment came when the doctor informed us that he could see a "stubby little penis" (a statement I'm sure Husband had mixed feelings about). That's right...IT'S A BOY!!!
A lot of people have asked us if we'd be disappointed to have another boy. There's certainly the disappointment of knowing that this will likely be our last baby, and we won't have the opportunity to raise a daughter. However, the thought of having adding to our testosterone-laden little brood is so fun for both of us. We both thoroughly enjoy all of the boy-ness. Plus, there's the added benefit for me of being the only girl - fewer bathroom trips over the years and a free weekends during all of the future father/son camping trips!
No doubt the most exciting - and memorable - moment came when the doctor informed us that he could see a "stubby little penis" (a statement I'm sure Husband had mixed feelings about). That's right...IT'S A BOY!!!
A lot of people have asked us if we'd be disappointed to have another boy. There's certainly the disappointment of knowing that this will likely be our last baby, and we won't have the opportunity to raise a daughter. However, the thought of having adding to our testosterone-laden little brood is so fun for both of us. We both thoroughly enjoy all of the boy-ness. Plus, there's the added benefit for me of being the only girl - fewer bathroom trips over the years and a free weekends during all of the future father/son camping trips!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
An Unorthodox Moment
Monday was my monthly exam with the baby doctor, and I found it necessary to take the boys. I checked before-hand to make sure there wouldn't be any sort of examination. I know some people are okay with their kids in the room, but it's not a boundary I'm comfortable crossing. Regardless, it was neat that they could be there because they got to hear the baby's heartbeat.
As we were leaving the house, I asked both the boys to go potty (anticipating my trip to pee in the cup at the doctor's office, and not wanting to share that time with my children!). Connor went, and Kirby insisted he didn't have to go. When I checked in, the first thing I was asked to do - as per usual - was leave a urine sample. I handed the boys, who were settled in watching TV, my purse and said, "Watch my purse, I have to go to the bathroom and I'll be right back."
"Oooh, I have to go too!" said Kirby.
"Me too!" piped up Connor
What? I thought I had anticipated this and nipped it in the bud? We all traipsed into the bathroom, and after the boys went, they chatted away as I picked up a cup and began to write my name on it. All of a sudden, the chatter tapered off and Kirby gave me a suspicious look.
"Uh, what's the cup for mom?" he asked.
"Well," I explained, "I have to pee in it, and then the doctors will test it to make sure that I'm healthy and the baby is healthy." (I honestly don't really know what the heck they test for, or why they take a urine sample, but it must be important, right?)
Kirby like that. "Cool," he said. "Can I try it?"
"Oooh, can I hold the cup?" Connor asked with too much excitement for my comfort.
I did the trick, all the while trying to ignore the boys' gaping stares. Then, I opened the little door in the wall and put the cup in the two-way cupboard. This completely baffled the boys, and as they started to question me, I told them to listen. We could hear the nurse opening the door on the other side. I said, "Look!" and opened the door to an empty shelf.
"Where'd it go?" they asked.
I couldn't resist. I proudly told them, "The pee fairy took it!" then had to giggle at my quick wit. Kirby saw right through that but Connor, completely taken in said:
"There's a pee fairy? Does she leave money?"
As we were leaving the house, I asked both the boys to go potty (anticipating my trip to pee in the cup at the doctor's office, and not wanting to share that time with my children!). Connor went, and Kirby insisted he didn't have to go. When I checked in, the first thing I was asked to do - as per usual - was leave a urine sample. I handed the boys, who were settled in watching TV, my purse and said, "Watch my purse, I have to go to the bathroom and I'll be right back."
"Oooh, I have to go too!" said Kirby.
"Me too!" piped up Connor
What? I thought I had anticipated this and nipped it in the bud? We all traipsed into the bathroom, and after the boys went, they chatted away as I picked up a cup and began to write my name on it. All of a sudden, the chatter tapered off and Kirby gave me a suspicious look.
"Uh, what's the cup for mom?" he asked.
"Well," I explained, "I have to pee in it, and then the doctors will test it to make sure that I'm healthy and the baby is healthy." (I honestly don't really know what the heck they test for, or why they take a urine sample, but it must be important, right?)
Kirby like that. "Cool," he said. "Can I try it?"
"Oooh, can I hold the cup?" Connor asked with too much excitement for my comfort.
I did the trick, all the while trying to ignore the boys' gaping stares. Then, I opened the little door in the wall and put the cup in the two-way cupboard. This completely baffled the boys, and as they started to question me, I told them to listen. We could hear the nurse opening the door on the other side. I said, "Look!" and opened the door to an empty shelf.
"Where'd it go?" they asked.
I couldn't resist. I proudly told them, "The pee fairy took it!" then had to giggle at my quick wit. Kirby saw right through that but Connor, completely taken in said:
"There's a pee fairy? Does she leave money?"
Monday, June 8, 2009
Great Expectations
I know it's a little unorthodox of me to post twice in the same day, but there is definitely a subject that is screaming for attention in my blog...especially since it is taking me on a new path in my journey. I'm 11 weeks pregnant.
I hate the fact that some very good friends will find out this information by reading my blog, and not by me in person, but the fact is that if I waited until I was able to reach everyone, I'd probably be 20 weeks along by the time I was posting about it! I've been wanting to write about this for weeks and weeks, as it has had a huge impact on my plans for the future.
After much debate, which could have been strung out on this blog, but which would have caused you to wonder if I had completely lost my mind (and for awhile, I think I did!), I have decided not to pursue a teaching job for next year. I plan to substitute teach until the baby is born (due December 27th - but more on that later) and take a class (one of the final 3 to finish up my master's). The job search was causing me great anxiety in and of itself, but knowing that if I was hired, I would have to turn around and tell them I need 2 months off was very unsettling. The whole process of interviewing while pregnant and not telling anybody just made me feel like I was duping people. While it's perfectly legal, it's not something I am comfortable with.
When I say that there was "much debate" about what to do next year, what I mean is that I drove every person I know crazy with my hashing and re-hashing of the various scenarios that could take place, based upon me either being employed or unemployed. God bless my sister Megan, also a special ed teacher, who fielded countless questions from me and supported my decision to teach, and then not to teach - also my parents, mother-in-law and other friends who served as sounding boards. My biggest fear, which is that I won't be able to find a job next spring, was cast aside by my adviser (a professor, friend, and mentor). My sheer will to start teaching after 2 years of hard work has now been replaced by the knowledge that I will be a far better wife and mother if I concentrate on having a baby and wait a year to teach. I also realize that being a first-year teacher would be very stressful if I had to take 8 weeks off - especially in special education, where the legalities of paperwork and annual meetings do not pause for maternity leave. I know I couldn't be the kind of teacher that I want to be if I tried to do it all.
Funny...my mom reminded me a couple of weeks ago that during the process of applying for my program, I was so reluctant to go back to school, which I knew would mean giving up being home full-time with the boys. She reminded me of how I sat across from her over lunch the day of my orientation and cried because I wasn't ready for that season of my life to be over. I have loved nothing as much as being a full-time mom. "What would you have said if I told you then", she asked me, "that you would spend two years in school, and then get a year off to have a baby and stay home with the baby?" I thought about that. Actually, it would have been a great comfort and something to look forward to. So my whole dilemma over whether or not to work? I've decided it was more about expectations. And, as my wise sister Heather reminded me, sometimes you have to shift your expectations.
So - here we go...this mom's journey has just been re-routed!
I hate the fact that some very good friends will find out this information by reading my blog, and not by me in person, but the fact is that if I waited until I was able to reach everyone, I'd probably be 20 weeks along by the time I was posting about it! I've been wanting to write about this for weeks and weeks, as it has had a huge impact on my plans for the future.
After much debate, which could have been strung out on this blog, but which would have caused you to wonder if I had completely lost my mind (and for awhile, I think I did!), I have decided not to pursue a teaching job for next year. I plan to substitute teach until the baby is born (due December 27th - but more on that later) and take a class (one of the final 3 to finish up my master's). The job search was causing me great anxiety in and of itself, but knowing that if I was hired, I would have to turn around and tell them I need 2 months off was very unsettling. The whole process of interviewing while pregnant and not telling anybody just made me feel like I was duping people. While it's perfectly legal, it's not something I am comfortable with.
When I say that there was "much debate" about what to do next year, what I mean is that I drove every person I know crazy with my hashing and re-hashing of the various scenarios that could take place, based upon me either being employed or unemployed. God bless my sister Megan, also a special ed teacher, who fielded countless questions from me and supported my decision to teach, and then not to teach - also my parents, mother-in-law and other friends who served as sounding boards. My biggest fear, which is that I won't be able to find a job next spring, was cast aside by my adviser (a professor, friend, and mentor). My sheer will to start teaching after 2 years of hard work has now been replaced by the knowledge that I will be a far better wife and mother if I concentrate on having a baby and wait a year to teach. I also realize that being a first-year teacher would be very stressful if I had to take 8 weeks off - especially in special education, where the legalities of paperwork and annual meetings do not pause for maternity leave. I know I couldn't be the kind of teacher that I want to be if I tried to do it all.
Funny...my mom reminded me a couple of weeks ago that during the process of applying for my program, I was so reluctant to go back to school, which I knew would mean giving up being home full-time with the boys. She reminded me of how I sat across from her over lunch the day of my orientation and cried because I wasn't ready for that season of my life to be over. I have loved nothing as much as being a full-time mom. "What would you have said if I told you then", she asked me, "that you would spend two years in school, and then get a year off to have a baby and stay home with the baby?" I thought about that. Actually, it would have been a great comfort and something to look forward to. So my whole dilemma over whether or not to work? I've decided it was more about expectations. And, as my wise sister Heather reminded me, sometimes you have to shift your expectations.
So - here we go...this mom's journey has just been re-routed!
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