This has been one extra special holiday season already - and its only Christmas Eve! For those who are interested I have baby Sara's "birth story" to share! But first, this year brings new meaning to some of my old favorite Christmas songs:
I'll Be Home For Christmas - while I usually shed a tear (or a few) over this song, longing to be in Colorado to share Christmas with my parents and brothers and their families, this year I am celebrating getting out of the hospital with my favorite Christmas present yet, baby Sara, and in time to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my family. The picture would be even more perfect if my brothers and their families could be here with us, but they are here in spirit if nothing else!
I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas - Oh how I have been dreaming of a white Christmas! After 5 years in California I practically begged God for a White Christmas. Most people here laughed at me and said it would happen maybe once in a lifetime, and you know what? Maybe they are right, but that once in a lifetime is happening this very minute! It is snowing great big white flakes outside, and even beginning to cover the ground a bit! Its wonderful!
For those who were surprised to hear that baby Sara made her grand entrance prior to Christmas, here's the story - its nothing too dramatic, well, it was for us, of course. Sara was scheduled to be born on 12/28 by Csection, but after a month of increasing contractions and signs of labor, my wonderful Dr. decided that, as I had suspected, the chances of my spending Christmas in the hospital in an emergency C were growing fairly strong. So to avoid any complications and/or interrupted Christmas dinners, she gave me a call Monday the 21st asking if I could be at the hospital at 5:30am on Tuesday to have little Sara! We all decided it was the best thing, and guessed that she'd already be (ahem) 7 1/2 lbs at least (giggle giggle). So after a little bit of a long surgery due to scar tissue, Sara made her entrance at 7:52am on 12/22 (15 months to the day after Maddox's birth) at a whopping 8 lbs 13 oz!! She is a big, beautiful girl with a head FULL of the most beautiful dark hair I have ever seen. Her cheeks are big and round and precious. I couldn't be happier, neither could her father! Gabriel is completely smitten as well, although Maddox is still deciding what he things of her.
I have been utterly blessed with the help of my parents, my amazing husband, my sister in law, and my friends here, who have corralled to take care of the boys, bring loads of clothes for our little bundle to make sure she is warm in this cold weather, and keeping me company in the hospital. I also have an amazing Dr and had amazing nurses who did everything they could to get me home as early on Christmas Eve as possible while making sure I am as comfortable as possible. We may be opening Christmas presents in our bedroom, but hey, we'll do what we have to! We are just happy to all get to be together!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Another 10 on Tuesday
So I'm going to copy a friend, and in an effort to blog more regularly try a 10 on Tuesday thing... meaning, a list of 10 things currently making me happy. Now whether or not I do this every Tuesday I cannot say, and I will certainly promise nothing. So, in the spirit of Thankfulness and positivity, here is my Ten on Tuesday:
1. At this very moment, I am sitting next to my 3 year old son Gabriel, who gives me a happiness all his own, but currently I am being made happy by his beautiful and carefree giggle. I love this boy's giggle. Seriously, since the first time we really got him laughing as a baby till now - and probably forever more in my mind - there is nothing better and never will be.
2. Watching baby Maddox learn to walk, and seeing the smile on his face when he knows he did well! I love how he sticks his little arms straight up in the air for balance.
3. My sewing machine. I know, I know, I'm such a nerd, but the crazier and crazier life has gotten (and will continue to get) the more thankful I am for this gift that my husband gave to me even though he didn't have to... and even though it meant spending a LOT of money on something he truly didn't understand the purpose of. But, as always, he was and is supportive and was willing to splurge because he knew it would make me happy. The hours (or hour) of quiet I get after the kids go to bed when I am upstairs sewing away keep me sane. They really do. For that short bit of time, just like math, A + B = C. There are simple steps, and simple answers, and things go together just as they should. Uncertainty disappears and suddenly I am in a place where I have a little bit of control in the middle of chaos. Suddenly I can pull messy scraps of a million colors together into something with straight lines and perfect curves - even if the rest of my world remains in chaos. I can try and fail without guilt, and when I succeed I can feel proud.
4. Don't roll your eyes - my sewing room. Yes, the room is a shared room with my husband's office on one side and my stuff on the other, but never in a million years did I dream I'd have my own dedicated space for sewing or whatever other creative pursuits I try out. Certainly not while we still had kids in the house, and certainly not one where I can truly spread out and feel at home and comfortable. Makes me want to read "A Room of Ones Own" again! Again - thank you Dan for obliging me!
5. My husband and his sense of humor. I make a million mistakes on a regular basis. Some big and some small, and just when I start to really get down on myself, or to think that this time I've really blown it and Dan is going to be super mad, I come to him, confess, and what does he do? He smiles, makes a joke, and helps me make a plan to fix whatever I've gotten into without ever a moments condemnation. How lucky I am. How I love this man.
6. The weather! Yes, I said it, I am happy about the current weather in Texas! A few months ago - or less - I was fairly convinced I could never survive in this climate and had no idea for the life of me why anyone would want to! I couldn't even remember anymore why we left Southern California for THIS!?! Of course I remembered how much it cost to live there, but still. Well, then it started to rain. And it rained buckets. And you know what? I never got sick of it. And now that it has cleared up I like it even better! I don't mind cold - in fact I like it. But the perfect weather for me is probably in the 60's and we've had a lot of that lately. Thank you Texas! I may stay here after all!
7. Planning for Christmas this year. I have been bitten by the Christmas bug earlier than I ever have in my life this year. I think partially because Christmas just wasn't Christmas last year due to a death in the immediate family. It feels like ages since we really had Christmas, and I am ready. This year, after what we went through last year, I am really feeling the spirit of family and tradition, and joy that Christmas is supposed to be all about. And now that Gabriel is old enough to start really understanding Christmas I am so ready to really start teaching him in fun new ways all about Santa, and more importantly, about a little baby named Jesus.
8. New Friends! It has taken me awhile to start getting connected here in Texas, but now I really feel things turning around. I've been in two mom's groups for awhile now, and have finally gotten myself and the kiddos out of the house and to the events often enough that I am really starting to get to know some of the ladies, discover things we have in common and things we can share with each other. And while the friendships we developed over 5 years in California will never be replaced, I finally feel I have some true friendships here that can be developed as well. Goodbye lonely days! Now if I can just convince my hubby to stay in one place for awhile, haha!
9. Being a SAHM. It is not easy. It is actually harder than any job I have ever had...but very different. Hard to find ways to keep my mind active and challenged (in realms other than discipline and how to potty train), and hard to find ways to keep my kids challenged and engaged. There are days I moan and groan and bitch and gripe and lament. But that is mostly because its a steep learning curve. One thing I know for certain though, each and every day, is that I am blessed to have the opportunity to raise my children personally, to be close to them every single day, and for them to know that everything I do is devoted to them. When I was a working mom, although our childcare was phenomenal and we loved our daycare, it always broke my heart to know that someone else was spending more time with my child than I was. I am thankful and happy today to have the opportunity to stay at home that many just can't pull off, and that for a long time, neither could we.
10. Thinking about Baby Sara and counting down until the day we will finally meet this little spitfire. Yes, I already can tell you that she is a spitfire and probably has nothing to fear when it comes to two older brothers... I am fairly certain she will hold her own quite well, thank you. My organs can attest to this! I already have a picture of her in my head...maybe wishful thinking, but who knows. I picture lots of dark brown hair and big round cheeks...wait, this is sounding oddly like what I looked like when I was born...who knows, we shall see!! So far we've got one brown hair/brown eyed boy and a blonde and blue eyed boy...anything could happen... red hair? Green eyes? That is also a possibility when you look at our gene pool! So much to look forward to!
And that's my 10 on Tuesday. What are yours?
1. At this very moment, I am sitting next to my 3 year old son Gabriel, who gives me a happiness all his own, but currently I am being made happy by his beautiful and carefree giggle. I love this boy's giggle. Seriously, since the first time we really got him laughing as a baby till now - and probably forever more in my mind - there is nothing better and never will be.
2. Watching baby Maddox learn to walk, and seeing the smile on his face when he knows he did well! I love how he sticks his little arms straight up in the air for balance.
3. My sewing machine. I know, I know, I'm such a nerd, but the crazier and crazier life has gotten (and will continue to get) the more thankful I am for this gift that my husband gave to me even though he didn't have to... and even though it meant spending a LOT of money on something he truly didn't understand the purpose of. But, as always, he was and is supportive and was willing to splurge because he knew it would make me happy. The hours (or hour) of quiet I get after the kids go to bed when I am upstairs sewing away keep me sane. They really do. For that short bit of time, just like math, A + B = C. There are simple steps, and simple answers, and things go together just as they should. Uncertainty disappears and suddenly I am in a place where I have a little bit of control in the middle of chaos. Suddenly I can pull messy scraps of a million colors together into something with straight lines and perfect curves - even if the rest of my world remains in chaos. I can try and fail without guilt, and when I succeed I can feel proud.
4. Don't roll your eyes - my sewing room. Yes, the room is a shared room with my husband's office on one side and my stuff on the other, but never in a million years did I dream I'd have my own dedicated space for sewing or whatever other creative pursuits I try out. Certainly not while we still had kids in the house, and certainly not one where I can truly spread out and feel at home and comfortable. Makes me want to read "A Room of Ones Own" again! Again - thank you Dan for obliging me!
5. My husband and his sense of humor. I make a million mistakes on a regular basis. Some big and some small, and just when I start to really get down on myself, or to think that this time I've really blown it and Dan is going to be super mad, I come to him, confess, and what does he do? He smiles, makes a joke, and helps me make a plan to fix whatever I've gotten into without ever a moments condemnation. How lucky I am. How I love this man.
6. The weather! Yes, I said it, I am happy about the current weather in Texas! A few months ago - or less - I was fairly convinced I could never survive in this climate and had no idea for the life of me why anyone would want to! I couldn't even remember anymore why we left Southern California for THIS!?! Of course I remembered how much it cost to live there, but still. Well, then it started to rain. And it rained buckets. And you know what? I never got sick of it. And now that it has cleared up I like it even better! I don't mind cold - in fact I like it. But the perfect weather for me is probably in the 60's and we've had a lot of that lately. Thank you Texas! I may stay here after all!
7. Planning for Christmas this year. I have been bitten by the Christmas bug earlier than I ever have in my life this year. I think partially because Christmas just wasn't Christmas last year due to a death in the immediate family. It feels like ages since we really had Christmas, and I am ready. This year, after what we went through last year, I am really feeling the spirit of family and tradition, and joy that Christmas is supposed to be all about. And now that Gabriel is old enough to start really understanding Christmas I am so ready to really start teaching him in fun new ways all about Santa, and more importantly, about a little baby named Jesus.
8. New Friends! It has taken me awhile to start getting connected here in Texas, but now I really feel things turning around. I've been in two mom's groups for awhile now, and have finally gotten myself and the kiddos out of the house and to the events often enough that I am really starting to get to know some of the ladies, discover things we have in common and things we can share with each other. And while the friendships we developed over 5 years in California will never be replaced, I finally feel I have some true friendships here that can be developed as well. Goodbye lonely days! Now if I can just convince my hubby to stay in one place for awhile, haha!
9. Being a SAHM. It is not easy. It is actually harder than any job I have ever had...but very different. Hard to find ways to keep my mind active and challenged (in realms other than discipline and how to potty train), and hard to find ways to keep my kids challenged and engaged. There are days I moan and groan and bitch and gripe and lament. But that is mostly because its a steep learning curve. One thing I know for certain though, each and every day, is that I am blessed to have the opportunity to raise my children personally, to be close to them every single day, and for them to know that everything I do is devoted to them. When I was a working mom, although our childcare was phenomenal and we loved our daycare, it always broke my heart to know that someone else was spending more time with my child than I was. I am thankful and happy today to have the opportunity to stay at home that many just can't pull off, and that for a long time, neither could we.
10. Thinking about Baby Sara and counting down until the day we will finally meet this little spitfire. Yes, I already can tell you that she is a spitfire and probably has nothing to fear when it comes to two older brothers... I am fairly certain she will hold her own quite well, thank you. My organs can attest to this! I already have a picture of her in my head...maybe wishful thinking, but who knows. I picture lots of dark brown hair and big round cheeks...wait, this is sounding oddly like what I looked like when I was born...who knows, we shall see!! So far we've got one brown hair/brown eyed boy and a blonde and blue eyed boy...anything could happen... red hair? Green eyes? That is also a possibility when you look at our gene pool! So much to look forward to!
And that's my 10 on Tuesday. What are yours?
Monday, October 26, 2009
A Quiet Morning
This morning (and yesterday morning, and probably tomorrow morning) I woke up at about 4:45 and was never able to return to sleep. Not an uncommon occurrence, but one that comes in cycles of about 3 mornings. No big deal, I have just learned to get up and make use of the rare opportunity I have to sit quietly at my computer and do whatever I wish. Now at 5:45 I have finished Facebooking, emailing, making a list of items for my hospital bag, and looking up a pattern to use to make burp clothes for baby Sara! Now its time to blog. I must note that the second I start blogging I take the risk that one or both of my children will likely wake up immediately. That's just how it works, so I have to wait until I am truly ready for the day before I start. And sure enough, as predicted, as I typed the words "tomorrow morning" Maddox has begun to stir, so my time is short. That's OK though, because he happens to be kinda cute, and I always get a good smile out of him when I go to him that makes it OK no matter what time it is! Gabriel too, he always comes out of his room happy, sleepy, and pretty much adorable. There is a reason God made kids so cute!!
The last few weeks I have truly enjoyed something of a sewing frenzy! I have gotten so much done, and sadly taken so few pictures which, after all, was sort of the point of this blog - showing pictures of what I make to share with any who might care, but more importantly so that I can sort of log them and remember them for myself. Oh well, what can I say! I'll try to make a list if I can remember, and dig up any photos I have later today, although I think most of them are on my phone if anywhere, and probably have been deleted by now!
First there was the turquoise jumper dress and bloomers for a friend's baby girl who will be joining us on November 2! I also made her a flannel blanket (that I SO wanted to keep for baby Sara once I was finished with it!). The blanket was made of squares of white, pink/white gingham pattern, and pink/red ladybugs and (I thought) turned out SO cute!! Next I finished up an art bag for nephew #2 (#3's bag is on my "to do" list for his December birthday). The art bags are simply long rectangular bags with a pocket on the outside (with their name), and on the inside I sewed up a little colored pencil roll up organizer thing (much like you see for knitting needles), and then filled with colored pencils, markers and other age appropriate art materials along with their own bound art book.
Next I made a blanket for my mom to give to a co worker's new grand baby with cute little sailor/anchor cotton on the outside and fleece inside (for Colorado weather), and a simple swaddler blanket made out of monkey print fleece. I finished baby Sara's crib set (this I can get pictures of) with the exception of her fitted sheet which I am in the middle of now (my laptop is actually sitting on the cut pieces of fabric now!) I went through a bout of hate for the set last night, but have been assured that it was purely hormonal, hubby gave his seal of approval which means a lot to me, so I am trying not to worry about it. The set includes crib skirt, bumper with pockets, quilt, pillow, and I'm also making her wall hangings out of a combo of fabric from the set as well as some matching(ish) fabric with butterflies. Its a little out there, but I'm hoping it makes for a fun set. We'll see. Lastly I just need to make some small room things out of those last two fabrics to tie them in with the set. We picked up the crib yesterday, so I'm all ready to get her room set up! Hubby keeps reminding me that she won't even use the room for several months, but I don't care. :) How often do I get to set up a baby girls room I ask you?!? And in case you aren't 100% clear on the answer to that, it is once. There will be no more girls or boys for us!
This week I sewed up three aprons for friends, including one cute little ginger apron for a friends' little boy (one coming for Gabriel shortly), a Thanksgiving apron for Flutterby Threads, which I am now actively trying to stock. And finally I sewed up one major project consisting of several smaller projects which I can't say any more about at the moment because they are for Christmas! The project is not so much done as it is "done for now" as I will have to spend some more cash on it to finish, so I'm going to wait till closer to Christmas. After Christmas though I'll be just about dying to share pictures of it!
Pretty much other than that, nothing has been new! Sewing has kept me pretty busy in the kids sleeping hours, and they have kept me busy in their waking hours. Speaking of which, it is officially time to go get me that baby Maddox smile!
The last few weeks I have truly enjoyed something of a sewing frenzy! I have gotten so much done, and sadly taken so few pictures which, after all, was sort of the point of this blog - showing pictures of what I make to share with any who might care, but more importantly so that I can sort of log them and remember them for myself. Oh well, what can I say! I'll try to make a list if I can remember, and dig up any photos I have later today, although I think most of them are on my phone if anywhere, and probably have been deleted by now!
First there was the turquoise jumper dress and bloomers for a friend's baby girl who will be joining us on November 2! I also made her a flannel blanket (that I SO wanted to keep for baby Sara once I was finished with it!). The blanket was made of squares of white, pink/white gingham pattern, and pink/red ladybugs and (I thought) turned out SO cute!! Next I finished up an art bag for nephew #2 (#3's bag is on my "to do" list for his December birthday). The art bags are simply long rectangular bags with a pocket on the outside (with their name), and on the inside I sewed up a little colored pencil roll up organizer thing (much like you see for knitting needles), and then filled with colored pencils, markers and other age appropriate art materials along with their own bound art book.
Next I made a blanket for my mom to give to a co worker's new grand baby with cute little sailor/anchor cotton on the outside and fleece inside (for Colorado weather), and a simple swaddler blanket made out of monkey print fleece. I finished baby Sara's crib set (this I can get pictures of) with the exception of her fitted sheet which I am in the middle of now (my laptop is actually sitting on the cut pieces of fabric now!) I went through a bout of hate for the set last night, but have been assured that it was purely hormonal, hubby gave his seal of approval which means a lot to me, so I am trying not to worry about it. The set includes crib skirt, bumper with pockets, quilt, pillow, and I'm also making her wall hangings out of a combo of fabric from the set as well as some matching(ish) fabric with butterflies. Its a little out there, but I'm hoping it makes for a fun set. We'll see. Lastly I just need to make some small room things out of those last two fabrics to tie them in with the set. We picked up the crib yesterday, so I'm all ready to get her room set up! Hubby keeps reminding me that she won't even use the room for several months, but I don't care. :) How often do I get to set up a baby girls room I ask you?!? And in case you aren't 100% clear on the answer to that, it is once. There will be no more girls or boys for us!
This week I sewed up three aprons for friends, including one cute little ginger apron for a friends' little boy (one coming for Gabriel shortly), a Thanksgiving apron for Flutterby Threads, which I am now actively trying to stock. And finally I sewed up one major project consisting of several smaller projects which I can't say any more about at the moment because they are for Christmas! The project is not so much done as it is "done for now" as I will have to spend some more cash on it to finish, so I'm going to wait till closer to Christmas. After Christmas though I'll be just about dying to share pictures of it!
Pretty much other than that, nothing has been new! Sewing has kept me pretty busy in the kids sleeping hours, and they have kept me busy in their waking hours. Speaking of which, it is officially time to go get me that baby Maddox smile!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Our Anniversary
5 years ago Friday, I married my husband Dan and started on the whirlwind journey that would be our lives to this point, and will probably continue to be a whirlwind journey for the rest of our lives, since, well, that's just how we roll. Looking back at who I was 5 years ago I can hardly believe how far I/we have come. Marriage and parenting has put us on a learning curve I never could have fathomed, and while I've often felt like I'm hanging on for dear life, knuckles white, arms screaming and tired from being whipped around on this roller coaster, I wouldn't trade it for the world.
5 1/2 years ago, or any point prior to Cinco de Mayo 2004, my life revolved around me, and that was pretty much all that mattered to me. I had no purpose and no direction other than living for the moment and pleasing myself. I flew by the seat of my pants, refusing to be pinned down to anything or anyone. Literally the ultimate commitaphobe. I had started a promising career (in an industry that would soon take down our economy) making good money assessing risk in securitizations, I was living in downtown Denver which I loved, and I thought that I was happy. Dancing, partying, yoga, and work were all I needed.
Then I met my husband on Cinco de Mayo 2004 on a blind date, married him 5 months later, moved across the country, had two children, three jobs in two industries, got laid-off from a giant mortgage company, got work in Marketing and then quit to be a Stay-at-home-mom, experienced the deaths of three Grandmas (two of mine and one of Dan's), lived with my mother-in-law for 2 years until her untimely and unexpected death, moved across the country again, got pregnant again, and bought a house. Which brings me to today. It has not been a quiet five years. But through it all, my husband and my best friend has been by my side, and I have been by his. We have been through the highest highs filled with joy we can never describe or top, and we have been through some of the lowest lows filled with money troubles, deep grieving, and pain. And we have come through it, almost cemented together now. Its crazy how love develops and changes through time and trials. One thing is for sure, I am eternally grateful to God for bringing us together. Only He could have orchestrated a pair like us, and He loved us enough to make sure we found each other.
I want to take this opportunity on our anniversary to thank my husband for what he has meant to me, and to tell him what I am most grateful for.
-I am so thankful for the sense of humor he has always carried with him and taught me.
-For teaching me to relax and let go a little bit - perfection is not always worth all the strife it entails.
-For his ability to go with the flow, and for teaching me how to be a little better at it myself (an ongoing lesson). How refreshing when the world takes another sudden turn, big or small, or when I make some huge mistake and expect it to be met with anger. Instead it is constantly met with a dose of humor, and always with an attitude that we will get through this too. Together.
-For his patience.
-For always having the right words when they are needed most, and enough silence when that is what is needed instead of words.
-For teaching me that I am capable and strong, and that he will always be there for me, and always willing to give me a kick in the butt, but for not being willing to simply be a rescuer. He will always support me and give me as much help as I need as long as I too am giving it my all.
-For his trustworthiness which I have never had to question, and have never had to worry about.
-For loving me from the inside out, and standing by me no matter what I look like, and for always making me feel good about myself when I feel giant and ugly. This one requires and example: The other day when I was feeling fat and ugly, Dan said "You're not fat, you're just pregnant." and when I responded that I'm always fat, he didn't miss a beat before saying "Well, to be fair, you're always pregnant!" Again, just the right dose of humor, combined with just the right words leaving me no room to feel sorry for myself.
The list goes on and on. I am blessed to be married to this man, and thrilled to be celebrating our 5th anniversary. I look forward to many more -although I hope they will be a little less eventful! :)
5 1/2 years ago, or any point prior to Cinco de Mayo 2004, my life revolved around me, and that was pretty much all that mattered to me. I had no purpose and no direction other than living for the moment and pleasing myself. I flew by the seat of my pants, refusing to be pinned down to anything or anyone. Literally the ultimate commitaphobe. I had started a promising career (in an industry that would soon take down our economy) making good money assessing risk in securitizations, I was living in downtown Denver which I loved, and I thought that I was happy. Dancing, partying, yoga, and work were all I needed.
Then I met my husband on Cinco de Mayo 2004 on a blind date, married him 5 months later, moved across the country, had two children, three jobs in two industries, got laid-off from a giant mortgage company, got work in Marketing and then quit to be a Stay-at-home-mom, experienced the deaths of three Grandmas (two of mine and one of Dan's), lived with my mother-in-law for 2 years until her untimely and unexpected death, moved across the country again, got pregnant again, and bought a house. Which brings me to today. It has not been a quiet five years. But through it all, my husband and my best friend has been by my side, and I have been by his. We have been through the highest highs filled with joy we can never describe or top, and we have been through some of the lowest lows filled with money troubles, deep grieving, and pain. And we have come through it, almost cemented together now. Its crazy how love develops and changes through time and trials. One thing is for sure, I am eternally grateful to God for bringing us together. Only He could have orchestrated a pair like us, and He loved us enough to make sure we found each other.
I want to take this opportunity on our anniversary to thank my husband for what he has meant to me, and to tell him what I am most grateful for.
-I am so thankful for the sense of humor he has always carried with him and taught me.
-For teaching me to relax and let go a little bit - perfection is not always worth all the strife it entails.
-For his ability to go with the flow, and for teaching me how to be a little better at it myself (an ongoing lesson). How refreshing when the world takes another sudden turn, big or small, or when I make some huge mistake and expect it to be met with anger. Instead it is constantly met with a dose of humor, and always with an attitude that we will get through this too. Together.
-For his patience.
-For always having the right words when they are needed most, and enough silence when that is what is needed instead of words.
-For teaching me that I am capable and strong, and that he will always be there for me, and always willing to give me a kick in the butt, but for not being willing to simply be a rescuer. He will always support me and give me as much help as I need as long as I too am giving it my all.
-For his trustworthiness which I have never had to question, and have never had to worry about.
-For loving me from the inside out, and standing by me no matter what I look like, and for always making me feel good about myself when I feel giant and ugly. This one requires and example: The other day when I was feeling fat and ugly, Dan said "You're not fat, you're just pregnant." and when I responded that I'm always fat, he didn't miss a beat before saying "Well, to be fair, you're always pregnant!" Again, just the right dose of humor, combined with just the right words leaving me no room to feel sorry for myself.
The list goes on and on. I am blessed to be married to this man, and thrilled to be celebrating our 5th anniversary. I look forward to many more -although I hope they will be a little less eventful! :)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Where I've Been
I've never been a very consistent blogger. I probably never will be. But I have a few legitimate reasons for my most recent absence!! Life has been crazy. And good. As for the bigger picture, we bought a house (what a process it is to search for a house, negotiate a deal, and close a loan!!), moved again (5 times in 4 1/2 years of marriage!), and are starting to get settled. We have a list of new homeowner projects that will provide us with new challenges every chance we can take! We had blinds installed already, and on the horizon there are rooms to be painted, furniture to be found (and saved up for!), rooms to be shuffled still, boxes of less used items to be unpacked, etc etc etc. But we aren't really in any rush to do any of the above. It will all happen in its own good time, and we've got plenty of other little things to keep us occupied in the meantime!
We are currently potty training Gabriel (or trying, that is... it should be obvious, but still came as a surprise that very strong-willed children are more difficult to potty train than most!) We've been fairly home-bound during the process in order to get a good foundation. Our little man has shown himself totally capable of using the potty as well as knowing when he needs to go #1 and #2 (YAY!!!!). However. He has also shown himself uninterested, and otherwise fascinated with his bodily functions. He has "successfully" peed in a bucket, on several toys, off of a chair (this was his personal favorite), and right up over the top of the potty, and in our bedroom, as well as once or twice in his bedroom because he was mad at me. This has been a challenge I have to say I was not anticipating. But with the support of Dan, my mom, my sister-in-law (who potty trained 3 boys herself - some also very strong-willed) -as well as other friends and family, we are getting through it one day at a time. Tonight was a big success when after being put to bed in a diaper (night training happens much later and pretty much on its own) Gabriel came to find us to tell us he had to use the potty, and he was right! And his diaper was dry! Yay!
Little G-man will be starting preschool in September! Wohoo!! I can't wait, and I think it will be so good for him! Enough potty talk!! Baby Maddox is cruising all over the place at high speeds. He can walk anywhere with a hand or two on something, and he is beginning to practice standing and balancing on his own for longer and longer! We think he'll be walking by his first birthday in September or shortly afterward. HIS FIRST BIRTHDAY!!! IN SEPTEMBER!!! I am having such a hard time fathoming that my little baby boy is turning one! And Gabriel will be turning 3 in October which is no less difficult to swallow! I have to say, there are times when I just can't wait till this phase in our lives is past and the kids are a little older, but then there are those moments at naptime or in the middle of the night when I am cradling little Maddox in my arms and listening to his sweet breath, that I know I will truly miss these times when they are gone. As for Casebolt baby #3, we recently found out its a GIRL!! Yay!! We could not be more excited! I think Dan might actually be even more excited than I am... well, maybe not...I don't think that is possible! She is ahead of schedule by about a week, so we are looking at a delivery of December 21 or earlier, we hope. It will all depend on how she's looking a little later on. We are doing our best to schedule the C-Section so that I will be home for Christmas Eve and Christmas. We are excited to have my parents and my sister-in-law join us here for Christmas and for the birth of our baby girl. And yes, we have a name. She will be named after her two grandmothers; one of whom she will meet, the other who will have passed away one year before her birth. Sara Katherine Casebolt will be her name. :)
Sewing/crafting! Believe it or not I have been fitting in quite a few little sewing projects, mostly in the last few days, and certainly not as many as I had hoped. I have no pictures for you tonight because I can't find the cord to my camera!! Most recently I finished my first "quilt". The "" refer to the fact that it is nothing more than squares pieced together, and as for the actual quilting, I only "stitched in the ditch" since I really don't know how to do the real thing. As for the binding which I was most intimidated by, I ended up taking the easy route and bough Quilt Binding at JoAnns and simply sewed it on! It was actually the easiest part of the quilt. Next time I hope to do it the real way - whatever that is. I used fat quarters from Anna Maria Horner's "Garden Party" collection, as well as a few from her "Chocolate Lollipop" line - both out of need and just because I had them and they were cute! She is definitely my favorite fabric designer! I had to buy the backing, binding, and batting, but the entire quilt-top was made from fat-quarters that I already had in my stash! I also sewed a little curtain for our kitchen window...I hope to sew curtains for at least all of the downstairs windows that open up into the kitchen/breakfast nook/living room. lastly I sewed several diaper inserts for Maddox's diapers using old receiving blankets and some microfiber cloths.
On the list of things to do next are: A rag bag - we plan to start using old T-shirts and other discarded items to replace some of the zillion paper towels we use, so I'd like to sew up a cute little bag to hold them in. This as well as the other ideas I have coming up all come from Amanda Blake Soule's books "Handmade Home" and "The Creative Family." I love both of them, but especially "Handmade Home" which I just got this week. Next I'll be making a little flag banner for Gabriel's room to keep "bad men" and monsters out. Poor kid has a lot of fears these days. Then maybe a quick cute purse for me, and lastly, I'm toying with the idea of making Baby Sara's crib/bedroom set on my own instead of spending the exorbitant amount of money it costs to buy them new. The only ones I like (not really into the whole pastel pink thing) cost like $300...literally...so if I can just make the time for it, I can probably knock a good $200 or $225 off of that by making it on my own. I already have the pattern in Amy Butlers book "Little Stitches for Little Ones". As for what I've been reading...here is the list:
Completed:
The Reader
The No Cry Potty Solution
In Progress:
Potty Wise
The No Cry Nap Solution
The Strong Willed Child
Three Cups of Tea
Hopefully I haven't bored you with too many details, but that's pretty much where I've been and what I've been doing over the last month or so!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Happy Upheaval
Our lives these days have been anything but settled! With 2 little ones, a third on the way, our first home purchase in the works, and trying to potty train, we have our hands full!
Since this pregnancy is so close to the last, I am showing very very early. I mean, like really showing. This creates for some interesting conversations and a lot of funny looks. I just love watching people (over and over and over!) look from Gabriel to Maddox, to my belly two or three times, and then looking me straight in the eye like they are completely perplexed. Usually I try to pin down what they are thinking based on their expression: "Surely not...", "Are you kidding me?", "Are you mormon?", "Are you CRAZY?!?", "Didn't anyone teach you about birth control!", and "Oh you poor thing!" are the most common things people seem to say. Its pretty entertaining!
I have finished one more purse:
Now I'm on to a birthday project for my nephew, a snuggy blanket for Dan's coworker's baby, and one for ours! We think its a girl by the way! Next I want to make a very basic quilt, mostly to put on the ground at parks etc for the babies to sit on.
As far as I know, our home purchase is moving forward, although my lender is playing hard to reach, so who knows what that is about. As long as that's all good we are set to close on the 24th!
Also, last weekend we visited friends in San Antonio and went to Seaworld which was lots and lots of fun! That's pretty much all I have time for!
Since this pregnancy is so close to the last, I am showing very very early. I mean, like really showing. This creates for some interesting conversations and a lot of funny looks. I just love watching people (over and over and over!) look from Gabriel to Maddox, to my belly two or three times, and then looking me straight in the eye like they are completely perplexed. Usually I try to pin down what they are thinking based on their expression: "Surely not...", "Are you kidding me?", "Are you mormon?", "Are you CRAZY?!?", "Didn't anyone teach you about birth control!", and "Oh you poor thing!" are the most common things people seem to say. Its pretty entertaining!
I have finished one more purse:
Now I'm on to a birthday project for my nephew, a snuggy blanket for Dan's coworker's baby, and one for ours! We think its a girl by the way! Next I want to make a very basic quilt, mostly to put on the ground at parks etc for the babies to sit on.
As far as I know, our home purchase is moving forward, although my lender is playing hard to reach, so who knows what that is about. As long as that's all good we are set to close on the 24th!
Also, last weekend we visited friends in San Antonio and went to Seaworld which was lots and lots of fun! That's pretty much all I have time for!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Always Changing
I am SO not doing well at this whole blogging thing, but I am NOT giving up! Life has been hectic and sometimes slow...very slow...lately. About a month and a half ago we found out we were pregnant with baby #3! We are very excited (and the teeniest bit terrified) for what is to come. We aren't really sure how we're going to manage, but we'll figure it out when we get there, and we know God wouldn't give us more than we can handle... which is reassuring when we consider what it will be like to have (possibly) 3 boys under 3 1/2 years old! Yikes!! We are thinking pink, but boy or girl will be a blessing.
Shortly after finding out about the little bean I was hit with some super miserable morning sickness unlike anything I had experienced with either of our boys... I was literally parenting my children from the floor for about 3 weeks, and would bury my head in shame if anyone calculated the actual amount of TV we watched in that time. But! We are at week 10 and I am feeling MUCH better! Thank goodness, life can resume!
Also, we have stepped up our potty training efforts for Gabriel, our search for a house, put Gabriel in (and then took him out of) preschool (I'll wait for a cheaper spot to open up thank you very much), and watched Maddox start to army crawl! It has been an exciting time for sure!
Gabriel is doing pretty well with potty training. He loves going #1 on the potty (like Daddy, lol) but is not so keen about #2. Oh well...in time I guess! For now he pretty much prefers to run around with only a Tshirt on, and announce with glee each time he successfully goes. "I Pee!" is the newest and most popular household phrase these days.
We put an offer in on our dream house and backed out at the last minute for a variety of reasons, and then made an offer on a house that would be much more suited to a family with small children. They accepted, and barring any unexpected inspection items, etc, we will be homeowners for the first time on July 17!!! We are so excited! We have been glued to HGTV, and spent tonight at Home Depot picking out paint colors, imagining the fun things we can do with the house, etc.
I've been busy on the sewing front too -although I'm too lazy to post pictures right now. I have made 2 out of 3 bags that my cousins wife's mother requsted, and have been working on making some 4th of July shorts/pants for the boys out of bandanas! The first one I tried to eyeball for size for Gabriel and they ended up too small for Maddox! Oh well, at least bandanas are cheap! I wish I could say I learned my lesson and won't do that again...but we all know I will.
That's about it for now! Hopefully I'll get back on before as much time goes by, but if not, keep in mind that we'll be in the middle of moving and spending a week in Colorado over the next month, so we'll probably be a little busy!
Shortly after finding out about the little bean I was hit with some super miserable morning sickness unlike anything I had experienced with either of our boys... I was literally parenting my children from the floor for about 3 weeks, and would bury my head in shame if anyone calculated the actual amount of TV we watched in that time. But! We are at week 10 and I am feeling MUCH better! Thank goodness, life can resume!
Also, we have stepped up our potty training efforts for Gabriel, our search for a house, put Gabriel in (and then took him out of) preschool (I'll wait for a cheaper spot to open up thank you very much), and watched Maddox start to army crawl! It has been an exciting time for sure!
Gabriel is doing pretty well with potty training. He loves going #1 on the potty (like Daddy, lol) but is not so keen about #2. Oh well...in time I guess! For now he pretty much prefers to run around with only a Tshirt on, and announce with glee each time he successfully goes. "I Pee!" is the newest and most popular household phrase these days.
We put an offer in on our dream house and backed out at the last minute for a variety of reasons, and then made an offer on a house that would be much more suited to a family with small children. They accepted, and barring any unexpected inspection items, etc, we will be homeowners for the first time on July 17!!! We are so excited! We have been glued to HGTV, and spent tonight at Home Depot picking out paint colors, imagining the fun things we can do with the house, etc.
I've been busy on the sewing front too -although I'm too lazy to post pictures right now. I have made 2 out of 3 bags that my cousins wife's mother requsted, and have been working on making some 4th of July shorts/pants for the boys out of bandanas! The first one I tried to eyeball for size for Gabriel and they ended up too small for Maddox! Oh well, at least bandanas are cheap! I wish I could say I learned my lesson and won't do that again...but we all know I will.
That's about it for now! Hopefully I'll get back on before as much time goes by, but if not, keep in mind that we'll be in the middle of moving and spending a week in Colorado over the next month, so we'll probably be a little busy!
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