Due to my growing belly and her growing curiosity, Addie and I have had some interesting conversations recently. A few weeks ago I was doing my make-up and Addie came in to use the bathroom. "Let's talk, Mom," she stated while doing her business. She tells me this a lot lately, wanting to soak things up and see what stories and knowledge we have to share, but I found her timing interesting considering I don't usually engage in deep conversation while using the bathroom, I guess.
When I inquired what she'd like to talk about, she began her own inquisition, the one that every parent knows is coming, but isn't sure when or how. "How does a baby get in a mommy's body?" She didn't use those same cliche words, but I knew I was about to embark on the road of "Where do baby's come from?". I'd pondered this scenario many times, knowing how I'd like things to be open and honest and informative, but also knowing I didn't want to offer a drink from a fire hose when really she just wanted a water fountain. I decided to go with less is more and expand upon my explanations if her questions continued.
"Well, when a mommy and a daddy love each other," I heard myself begin, words from the script you hear teased about, but I really couldn't think of a better lead in while I tried to act normal and continued applying eye shadow. "Heavenly Father wants His children to come to earth and get a body, so when a mommy and a daddy love each other they work together with Heavenly Father and He helps them have a baby."
Did I say enough? Was I about to be shot down with a rapid-fire of questions? "Did I answer your question, Addie?" She focused on tearing toilet paper and the task at hand. "Yeah, mom." Long pause while she finished up, flushed the toilet. "The potty answered my question. Hahahaha." Potty humor won out again, but I think I handled our first foray into the birds and the bees respectably.
This post is prompted by the latest assignment in the school days seminar. And yes, as per the last prompt, Addie has asked how the baby will get out. At this point she knows that the doctor will help the baby get out- sticking with my water fountain vs. fire hose approach (really the midwife will help the baby out this time, but I'm not quite sure how to explain the difference in a way that would be meaningful to her, so we'll stick to doctor this time). I'm sure I'm in for many more questions as we make it through the next 10 or 11 weeks...
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Nostalgia
Addie is really enjoying preschool this year. I'm really enjoying her preschool, too. She comes home so full of enthusiasm and new knowledge. I knew it was going to be a good year on day 1. They have a theme everyday, and the theme for the day was songs. Although we sing a lot around here, when Addie came home I realized I had neglected one of my childhood favorites. We watched Puff over and over on Youtube, Mary in the gold sequined coat I remembered from the favorite PBS special of my youth, Peter and Paul goofy and folksy alongside her. Then we watched more. Blowin' in the Wind, Right Field, If I Had a Hammer. Suddenly I was 6 again. Over the past few weeks I've loved listening to Sam sing "Puff da Ma-geek Da-gon" and Addie making up her own rocking variations on the same melody. Thanks, Mary, for this piece of my childhood soundtrack, now shared with my own kids.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Five for Friday
Really, I'm hoping to blog on days besides Friday. This is just my rhythm right now, I guess, so we'll go with it.
1. I've arrived at 28 weeks and my third trimester. I have an ultrasound Monday to make sure the placenta has moved, and also the lovely glucose test. They've expanded beyond just the orange nastiness and added another flavor, so I decided to try the new fruit punch variety this time.
2. This week I've been humbled and reminded of Heavenly Father's mindfulness of each of us. Pat's Crohns has been flaring, so we laid low Monday, Pat worked from home Tuesday, and he's been making it through the rest of the week. I was feeling frustrated on Wednesday for a lot of reasons. Dealing with a chronic illness is hard. There is nothing I can do for him to make things better. His doctor is often difficult to get into, and I knew even if I called we may not get in for a few weeks. We weren't sure when his next appointment was because it didn't make it to the calendar. I had a pretty good pity party going Wednesday and decided dinner making was not going to happen, but self-medicating at Kneader's most definitely was. While I was out picking up my first loaf of caramel apple bread of the season, we received a message from Central Utah Clinic, the robotic voice informing us that Pat had an appointment with his doctor the next day. I was so grateful. I still am. We went to his appointment yesterday and left with a few new medicines to try, and a lot of plans to make things better soon. Gratitude filled in the spaces where self-pity had been dwelling thanks to a loving Heavenly Father.
3. Today I got to spread the Costco gospel with a good friend and {gasp} Costco virgin. It was lovely. While there I made this even better discovery. Costco has the CHI right now for 59.99. Cheaper than I've ever seen it anywhere, and I've watched in Amazon for about 2 years, always too cheap to take the plunge. But today I did. And I promise not to open it until Christmas. Unless I'm feeling really desperate. And right after I have a baby and feel gross I may feel desperate. But let's not focus on that.
4. Tomorrow Pat's work is having an open house. Lots of simulators and cool geeky things. He'll be in heaven. I'll enjoy the bbq. The kids have been talking about seeing dad's work for weeks because we're not allowed to go there (security clearances, etc.), so it really will be cool to see where he goes everyday while we miss him at home.
5. Our tomatoes are on right now and I'm so excited. If anyone has a fantastic marinara recipe, please share. I'd love to freeze some, but I'm a little worried that the variety of my large tomatoes (better boys, I think) are too watery for this sauce. Oh, and any ideas on how to use cucumber that are not your favorite variety are also appreciated. I don't want to toss them, but they don't have the crisp crunch I love in a cucumber.
Happy Weekend
1. I've arrived at 28 weeks and my third trimester. I have an ultrasound Monday to make sure the placenta has moved, and also the lovely glucose test. They've expanded beyond just the orange nastiness and added another flavor, so I decided to try the new fruit punch variety this time.
2. This week I've been humbled and reminded of Heavenly Father's mindfulness of each of us. Pat's Crohns has been flaring, so we laid low Monday, Pat worked from home Tuesday, and he's been making it through the rest of the week. I was feeling frustrated on Wednesday for a lot of reasons. Dealing with a chronic illness is hard. There is nothing I can do for him to make things better. His doctor is often difficult to get into, and I knew even if I called we may not get in for a few weeks. We weren't sure when his next appointment was because it didn't make it to the calendar. I had a pretty good pity party going Wednesday and decided dinner making was not going to happen, but self-medicating at Kneader's most definitely was. While I was out picking up my first loaf of caramel apple bread of the season, we received a message from Central Utah Clinic, the robotic voice informing us that Pat had an appointment with his doctor the next day. I was so grateful. I still am. We went to his appointment yesterday and left with a few new medicines to try, and a lot of plans to make things better soon. Gratitude filled in the spaces where self-pity had been dwelling thanks to a loving Heavenly Father.
3. Today I got to spread the Costco gospel with a good friend and {gasp} Costco virgin. It was lovely. While there I made this even better discovery. Costco has the CHI right now for 59.99. Cheaper than I've ever seen it anywhere, and I've watched in Amazon for about 2 years, always too cheap to take the plunge. But today I did. And I promise not to open it until Christmas. Unless I'm feeling really desperate. And right after I have a baby and feel gross I may feel desperate. But let's not focus on that.
4. Tomorrow Pat's work is having an open house. Lots of simulators and cool geeky things. He'll be in heaven. I'll enjoy the bbq. The kids have been talking about seeing dad's work for weeks because we're not allowed to go there (security clearances, etc.), so it really will be cool to see where he goes everyday while we miss him at home.
5. Our tomatoes are on right now and I'm so excited. If anyone has a fantastic marinara recipe, please share. I'd love to freeze some, but I'm a little worried that the variety of my large tomatoes (better boys, I think) are too watery for this sauce. Oh, and any ideas on how to use cucumber that are not your favorite variety are also appreciated. I don't want to toss them, but they don't have the crisp crunch I love in a cucumber.
Happy Weekend
Friday, September 4, 2009
Five for Friday
Sorry about the absence. Here are a few snippets from the past little while, and don't worry, the wedding will be blogged about soon with its own post!
1. I've been busy laying low in an attempt to recover from the wedding and trying to catch up on everything that's been neglected around here. I think I've been successful in recovering- I'm back to feeling good and can't believe that I'm due 3 months from tomorrow. Who knows if December 5th will actually be the day, but it's nice to know that in hopefully 3 months or less we'll have a new sweet boy around here. It's got my nesting instincts kicking in- lots to do before then!
2. Sam is cracking me up lately. Last night he asked me to sleep in his crib with him (yes, item #1 on the list is to get him moved to a big boy bed pronto). When I informed him I couldn't fit he started laughing and said, "Just teasing, mom." And he really is such a tease. His sense of humor and personality are just exploding right now. Nursery is improving (knock on wood) and I'm enjoying time with my boy. When Addie's at school I'm trying to soak him up and give him my undivided attention. Wednesday I had hopes of running errands after we dropped Addie off, but Sam wanted no parts of it. Instead I let him choose and he took me on a date to Wines Park and then to Sonic for a drink. And I have to say, I agree with him- it was much more fun than errands.
3. Addie is back to school and loving it. Really, truly loving it. Thriving. Learning. It's so fun to see her come home and spout off the life cycle of a frog or the reasons why dinosaurs are extinct. Switching to a different preschool this year has been a great change for her. I admit the kinds of things she's learning are the things that I really thought I'd be teaching her as a mom. Before having kids I imagined all sorts of themed days full of exploration and discovery. It makes me a little sad to realize I am not that kind of mom. Maybe one day. Addie has also been extremely helpful lately (on her terms, of course). Maybe she has her own nesting going on because in the past week she's organized the toy closet, cleaned her room (which currently needs cleaned again), and started to tidy up my room. What a girl!
4. Although I've been reading so many farewell summer posts, I really don't feel that way at all. Instead, I feel like I'm clinging to the last bits and not wanting fall to arrive and weather to change for a while. I need a few more warm days to sit outside and get wet with the kids and to eat more tomatoes and more fruit and more hamburgers and more ice cream and to not dress in layers and wear lots of ponytails and to be a little lazy with no excuses necessary, just because it's summer. I'm really hoping to squeeze everything I can out of the next few weeks before fall officially arrives. And I have a lot of green tomatoes that had better hurry and get red before the cold comes!
5. I've got my own version of back to school going. The class series I was most interested in during this 12 week seminar is Thursdays on Home and Family Relations (although all of the topics are excellent and I really could benefit from each one). Yesterday's homework was meant to be done privately, but I may have some of these posts popping up on my blog in the future. Check it out and get in on the fun. I thought the whole concept went along perfectly with last month's visiting teaching message about life long learning. I've felt myself neglecting that pursuit lately, so I was excited when I came across this course series which totally filled my need for learning and growth.
Have a fantastic weekend. Pat has today off, so it's a 4 day weekend for us- love it! Hoping for lots of play and lots of work. With a pedicure already scheduled for tomorrow morning and date night tonight, I think things are off to a great start!
1. I've been busy laying low in an attempt to recover from the wedding and trying to catch up on everything that's been neglected around here. I think I've been successful in recovering- I'm back to feeling good and can't believe that I'm due 3 months from tomorrow. Who knows if December 5th will actually be the day, but it's nice to know that in hopefully 3 months or less we'll have a new sweet boy around here. It's got my nesting instincts kicking in- lots to do before then!
2. Sam is cracking me up lately. Last night he asked me to sleep in his crib with him (yes, item #1 on the list is to get him moved to a big boy bed pronto). When I informed him I couldn't fit he started laughing and said, "Just teasing, mom." And he really is such a tease. His sense of humor and personality are just exploding right now. Nursery is improving (knock on wood) and I'm enjoying time with my boy. When Addie's at school I'm trying to soak him up and give him my undivided attention. Wednesday I had hopes of running errands after we dropped Addie off, but Sam wanted no parts of it. Instead I let him choose and he took me on a date to Wines Park and then to Sonic for a drink. And I have to say, I agree with him- it was much more fun than errands.
3. Addie is back to school and loving it. Really, truly loving it. Thriving. Learning. It's so fun to see her come home and spout off the life cycle of a frog or the reasons why dinosaurs are extinct. Switching to a different preschool this year has been a great change for her. I admit the kinds of things she's learning are the things that I really thought I'd be teaching her as a mom. Before having kids I imagined all sorts of themed days full of exploration and discovery. It makes me a little sad to realize I am not that kind of mom. Maybe one day. Addie has also been extremely helpful lately (on her terms, of course). Maybe she has her own nesting going on because in the past week she's organized the toy closet, cleaned her room (which currently needs cleaned again), and started to tidy up my room. What a girl!
4. Although I've been reading so many farewell summer posts, I really don't feel that way at all. Instead, I feel like I'm clinging to the last bits and not wanting fall to arrive and weather to change for a while. I need a few more warm days to sit outside and get wet with the kids and to eat more tomatoes and more fruit and more hamburgers and more ice cream and to not dress in layers and wear lots of ponytails and to be a little lazy with no excuses necessary, just because it's summer. I'm really hoping to squeeze everything I can out of the next few weeks before fall officially arrives. And I have a lot of green tomatoes that had better hurry and get red before the cold comes!
5. I've got my own version of back to school going. The class series I was most interested in during this 12 week seminar is Thursdays on Home and Family Relations (although all of the topics are excellent and I really could benefit from each one). Yesterday's homework was meant to be done privately, but I may have some of these posts popping up on my blog in the future. Check it out and get in on the fun. I thought the whole concept went along perfectly with last month's visiting teaching message about life long learning. I've felt myself neglecting that pursuit lately, so I was excited when I came across this course series which totally filled my need for learning and growth.
Have a fantastic weekend. Pat has today off, so it's a 4 day weekend for us- love it! Hoping for lots of play and lots of work. With a pedicure already scheduled for tomorrow morning and date night tonight, I think things are off to a great start!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
31
I know, I know, a lot to catch up on. Until I'm back in the swing of things, I had to give a birthday shout out to Patrick. This man was a rock star throughout all of the wedding stuff this past weekend. He is one of the hardest workers I know. He's good at lightening the mood when I get too serious, and good at making me laugh, even if his jokes are totally corny. He's an incredible dad. He's fiercely loyal. I'm so grateful for him and what his next 31 years may hold!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
A Few Musings While Pregnant and Crazy
-Wedding preparation is in full swing. I'm at full stress, I think. Running errands all day is getting harder and harder right now. I'm sure after it's done I'll be so excited to get back and post pictures of how amazing everything turned out. Right now I can't wait for it to be done. :)
-Today I put on a new pair of maternity pants purchased when not pregnant and put them on. They were big 6 weeks ago and now they don't fit. After I took them off I pulled out the pants I save for about month 8 of pregnancy, thinking surely they'd still be a little baggy. They fit perfectly. I'll try not to dwell on this fact as I continue to search for appropriate wedding attire.
-I had a breakdown this week while driving. Going downhill is not my favorite in any aspect of life- water slides, ice blocking, and mountain driving all give me anxiety (although for some reason, maybe because I'm strapped in so securely, I don't mind roller coasters). I was running wedding errands with my mom and the kids this week and saw what I thought would be a frontage road between two towns. Instead it was a road that connected them by driving over a mountain. I started ascending and realized my mistake, but it was too late. I did ok going up, but by the time I started down I was a sobbing mess. I looked out and all I could see was sky and I totally lost it. We made it down safely, but I think I've had as much high adventure as I can handle while pregnant.
-Today I put on a new pair of maternity pants purchased when not pregnant and put them on. They were big 6 weeks ago and now they don't fit. After I took them off I pulled out the pants I save for about month 8 of pregnancy, thinking surely they'd still be a little baggy. They fit perfectly. I'll try not to dwell on this fact as I continue to search for appropriate wedding attire.
-I had a breakdown this week while driving. Going downhill is not my favorite in any aspect of life- water slides, ice blocking, and mountain driving all give me anxiety (although for some reason, maybe because I'm strapped in so securely, I don't mind roller coasters). I was running wedding errands with my mom and the kids this week and saw what I thought would be a frontage road between two towns. Instead it was a road that connected them by driving over a mountain. I started ascending and realized my mistake, but it was too late. I did ok going up, but by the time I started down I was a sobbing mess. I looked out and all I could see was sky and I totally lost it. We made it down safely, but I think I've had as much high adventure as I can handle while pregnant.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Flying Solo
Pat's out of town, which means survival mode around these parts. Yesterday wasn't too bad with church as our main event of the day and dinner with cousins to keep everyone distracted. I did however experience my first heartburn of this pregnancy with a little too much chocolate last night. Today our distractions included a morning donut run, lunch with grandpa (his birthday present is BLT lunches for the week- his favorite summer lunch), a few small errands, and lots of reading. Hopefully tomorrow will fly by without too many meltdowns and early bedtimes so I can have my presidency meeting here in peace. Wednesday my mom will be here and we'll be in full wedding prep mode, and Pat gets back late Wednesday night. I'm definitely not cut out to do this gig alone!
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