Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent.
I am not Catholic or Lutheran or a member of any mainstream big name denomination but I do have an appreciation for the Church calendar. I thank the time I went to a Lutheran school for that. At times I thought it was torture but even then I knew I was learning things that would increase in value as I grew in knowledge and understanding. Lent is one of those things growing in value.
In my layman's terms Lent is the season leading up to Easter where we consciously turn our thoughts on the life that we have been born into... that depraved live, this depraved me... while knowing that there is a perfect Father God that is all good... the utter opposite of who we are without Christ. It is a sobering season of reflection and repentance.
BUT! Oh I love that "but"! There is hope, there is light, there is life! That hope, light, life is in Christ. The perfect Son of God who willingly gave up His life so that I might have the hope of eternal fellowship with God our Father!
See, just as I typed those words hope flared new in my heart, a smile touched my lips. This probably happened for you too as you read those simple inadequate words.
For me personally, in an effort to bring a bit more stillness to my world so that I can truly contemplate all that I want to during this season, I try to choose something to "give up" for a while. Something that tends to not lead me to Christ. Some give up meat, some give up dairy or sweets, some give up TV, the list goes on. Being pregnant I will not be curtailing my diet as we already try to eat balanced and healthy. I gave up chocolate a couple years ago, that was hard, but this year I am giving up something that truly occupies more time than I devote to God (including going to church, prayer, reading the Bible, etc). Facebook.
It will be hard. In the 12 hours I have been observing Lent (yes, I was sleeping for 6 of those hours) I have already thought of at least 4 "status updates" that would get lots of responses. I have thought of things I know will happen during this season that I would love to share with my friends globally (like finding out if Gummy Bear is a boy or a girl), I have thought of things that I will miss seeing. But, there's that word again, in the end, when I celebrate the glorious resurrection of my Lord and Saviour on Easter morning, it will be worth all the silly little things that I will find hard to give up in the meantime.
So here is to a little self sacrifice so I will have an appreciation of the ultimate sacrifice.
This website gives a pretty good overview of Lent. And he also gives a pretty good explanation of why some churches don't observe Lent.
About Me
- Kathie
- Life is ever changing. Each new day offers new challenges, opportunities, and blessings; the question is now what are we going to do with all that life offers.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
14 weeks!
Went to the doc this morning. Blood pressure looks good, baby's heart rate was 145 and all is well. :)
A wonderful friend sent me her doppler (we both went through losses so when she found out I was pregnant the week after her little girl was born she said she would send her doppler to me). I have listened to that little heart beat for the last two nights and it is just about the most wonderful sound! The first night the sound was mesmerizing to Bubby. It was sweet watching him stare wide eyed at that little machine making noises.
A wonderful friend sent me her doppler (we both went through losses so when she found out I was pregnant the week after her little girl was born she said she would send her doppler to me). I have listened to that little heart beat for the last two nights and it is just about the most wonderful sound! The first night the sound was mesmerizing to Bubby. It was sweet watching him stare wide eyed at that little machine making noises.
When I can figure out how to post pictures not on their sides I'll add a picture of my growing belly, even though there isn't much there yet.
EEE! So excited!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Preoccupied
So I have been a bit preoccupied lately.
"With what?" you say.
Well, besides a job, a husband, a rambunctious toddler, and a house to attempt to care for, I am also blissfully pregnant. Yeah, I know you knew that already (and if not, sorry, I wasn't trying to keep it a secret from anyone any longer), but what you may not know is how our "story" dictates how I approach this little life growing.
You see, when C and I got married we purposely decided that we wanted to get to know each other for a year before we got pregnant. In my mind as soon as that year was up we were going to magically become pregnant. That waiting year passed... and another... and another. We were devastated; the one think I knew I wanted to be, a mom, was being denied. Those two years and another 10 months were filled with a lot of learning, tests, conversations, and learning to trust God would do what He said He would do. I would have completely lost hope had God not given me to my best friend and helped me to use C's faith where mine was wavering. I think C was concerned not about whether we would be parents but how I would weather the storm of trying to get there.
Anyway, I was convinced that we were going to have to do something more involved like an IUI but hoping not for an IVF (for those who don't know what those are I hope you never HAVE to know what they are). I went through the medicines my doc prescribed more to get them out of the way before we moved on. I had received calls for months saying it literally was impossible that month to be pregnant. Then Mid February 2009 the nurse called and I knew I was going to be late to work due to crying... I was but not due to sad tears. She said its possible, I went to our local doc's office took a test and called C to come home. Poor guy, he thought he was going to have to help me through another "impossible" call. You know the end to that story, we moved (for many reasons) and although 3.5 weeks early Bubby arrived and life has been wonderful.
When Bubby was three months old we started trying for a sibling. It didn't happen. Went back to the doc to start the same regime that worked to get pregnant with Bubby. It didn't work. We doubled the time I took the medicine. It worked. For 5 wonderful days we knew I was pregnant. Then probably the saddest days of my life so far happened. We have a little one that will wait in heaven for us to meet her (just a gut feeling here).
And I thought trying and failing to have children was hard, trying and losing is harder.
We took some time, re-anchored ourselves (really me) in trusting God. And I was really surprised when I felt a peace to go back to the doctor to ask for assistance. Even more surprised when C said yes too. I returned armed with more information and questions and started on a new regime, fully expecting it to take months again. Imagine my surprise when just a month after I started I felt like I needed to test. We found out at the beginning of December that we were pregnant. Bliss and fear gripped my heart. That first week was terrible. I am pretty sure I didn't get a thing done at work or at home. Then we passed the point where we experienced our loss. The fear didn't go away. It took more days and conversations with C before I finally sat down and had a heart to heart with God. You see, perfect love casts out fear, I wasn't living in the love of God, I was growing a new life that God has a plan and destiny for, I was growing an amazing miraculous gift from our loving Father and not living in His love. After some tears, repenting, and quiet listening I felt peace in my heart. The following week we saw our little gummy bear's heart beating so we told our family on Christmas day that we were expecting. Four weeks later gummy bear was waving his/her arms at us and wiggling all over so we started telling our friends. Then we came up to the end of January. Our Maybaby's due date was January 26th. I was not looking forward to that day. On the 23rd, I felt a little flutter, then later in the day I felt it again, I tried to dismiss it. On the 24th I felt it again and there was no denying I was physically aware of my little August baby. The morning of the 26th I felt a sadness that I didn't dislike but I didn't enjoy either, how else is a person supposed to celebrate someone who is now gone. That day I felt Bear moving more than either day before and more than the days since. I am sure that was God's mercy.
In all the research I have done, which just barely scratches the surface of what there is to know, I have learned that every child is truly a miracle. Not only are there rigidly strict parameters for conception to occur but there are rigidly strict parameters for eggs to mature and be released and for sperm to develop into baby making material. Then there are the formative weeks where the slightest thing being off kilter can mean the life of your unborn child much less everything else that could go wrong. Then there is labor, granted true emergencies are rare but they do exist.
So, I am a bit preoccupied with the life growing inside me, with those little flutters that reassure me Bear is growing, with the fact that there is a call of this little one's life already. And I am a bit preoccupied with God talking to me about this little life, about what Bear is called to do and be and how Bear and Bubby will be together.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Little distractions
Well, the Hubby is out of town this weekend. I don't particularly like him being gone but I know I am incredibly blessed to have him around as much as I do, so I gladly let him go and spend time with the guys, help out other church's tech teams, and whatever else takes him out of town while Bubby and I stay home.
Anyway, I tried to take advantage of him being out by practicing a couple recipes. The first was a rolled sugar cookie recipe that looks like a pinwheel (I'll try to post the final products when they are done) and I made my first ever butter toffee. Oh my goodness!!! That one is definitely going to become a holiday tradition.
I want to get started making a couple gifts but have a hard time doing so with a toddling helper. So that will have to wait till there is another set of hands to help with Bubby. Perhaps then I will start taking and posting some pictures.
On a totally unrelated note, I saw my OB's nurse today and it reminded me that I'll be going to talk about still trying for a sibling for Bubby for nearly two years. We're still hoping for a miracle.
Anyway, I tried to take advantage of him being out by practicing a couple recipes. The first was a rolled sugar cookie recipe that looks like a pinwheel (I'll try to post the final products when they are done) and I made my first ever butter toffee. Oh my goodness!!! That one is definitely going to become a holiday tradition.
I want to get started making a couple gifts but have a hard time doing so with a toddling helper. So that will have to wait till there is another set of hands to help with Bubby. Perhaps then I will start taking and posting some pictures.
On a totally unrelated note, I saw my OB's nurse today and it reminded me that I'll be going to talk about still trying for a sibling for Bubby for nearly two years. We're still hoping for a miracle.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Its beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...
Ok, well may-be not. Its 70 degrees out, the leaves haven't all turned yet and the fall decorations were just put out yesterday. However I just got my notification from Christmas Countdown saying that the Christmas Countdown has begun!
Now I am not the most organized person nor am I the most frugal so things like this website and the planner they freely offer is very helpful. Add my almost addiction to Pinterest and I think I may be able to get away with spending less $$$ if I will spend more time.
I already have decided on a couple treats that I want to make: Peanut Butter Bon Bons; peanut clusters; coated pretzels; and coffee spoons; and there are a couple gift ideas I have saved on . Those two things alone make the holiday season better. Oh and we KNOW that we will be going to Carson to see G&G on the farm for Christmas, that by itself makes things so much simpler. It helps to know these things prior to December 1st.
I hope to include this blog a bit more to help me with the planning, prepping, making, crafting, etc part of Christmas planning. We'll see.
Now I am not the most organized person nor am I the most frugal so things like this website and the planner they freely offer is very helpful. Add my almost addiction to Pinterest and I think I may be able to get away with spending less $$$ if I will spend more time.
I already have decided on a couple treats that I want to make: Peanut Butter Bon Bons; peanut clusters; coated pretzels; and coffee spoons; and there are a couple gift ideas I have saved on . Those two things alone make the holiday season better. Oh and we KNOW that we will be going to Carson to see G&G on the farm for Christmas, that by itself makes things so much simpler. It helps to know these things prior to December 1st.
I hope to include this blog a bit more to help me with the planning, prepping, making, crafting, etc part of Christmas planning. We'll see.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Laundry Soap Adventures
So I started an adventure today: I made my own laundry soap!
I ran out of soap and still had two loads to do and really did not want to interrupt everything else going on to just go to the store for soap. So I pulled up a site that I had been looking at for a little while, found a recipe that I already had everything for and made it. Barely skipped a beat between making lunch, a load of dishes, preparing turkey for roasting and other laundry. Now I will have to remember to come back in two weeks (after vacation) and report on how the soap did.
Here is the site I looked at: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
Here is the recipe I did except that I just can't do things exactly the way they are prescribed.
*2 gallons Water (hot) - I used one and cut the amount used per load in half.
*1 bar Soap (grated) - I had a bar from melalueca (a citrus smelling bar) that had glycerin which helps laundry soap stay more in a solid state from what I understood from this site: http://www.ehow.com/way_5572202_can-soap-homemade-laundry-soap.html)
*2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda) - I actually had this much on hand.
-Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
-In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well. (I used a rinsed out laundry jug I already had)
-Then add the baking soda, stir well again.(rolled solution around in jug for a couple minutes, gently so as to not create a bunch of suds)
-Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load. (since I cut the water in half I cut the amount used in half too)
I ran out of soap and still had two loads to do and really did not want to interrupt everything else going on to just go to the store for soap. So I pulled up a site that I had been looking at for a little while, found a recipe that I already had everything for and made it. Barely skipped a beat between making lunch, a load of dishes, preparing turkey for roasting and other laundry. Now I will have to remember to come back in two weeks (after vacation) and report on how the soap did.
Here is the site I looked at: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/
Here is the recipe I did except that I just can't do things exactly the way they are prescribed.
*2 gallons Water (hot) - I used one and cut the amount used per load in half.
*1 bar Soap (grated) - I had a bar from melalueca (a citrus smelling bar) that had glycerin which helps laundry soap stay more in a solid state from what I understood from this site: http://www.ehow.com/way_5572202_can-soap-homemade-laundry-soap.html)
*2 cups Baking soda (yes baking soda this time–not washing soda) - I actually had this much on hand.
-Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
-In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well. (I used a rinsed out laundry jug I already had)
-Then add the baking soda, stir well again.(rolled solution around in jug for a couple minutes, gently so as to not create a bunch of suds)
-Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load. (since I cut the water in half I cut the amount used in half too)
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Just some thoughts
So, we are smack dab in the middle of our second cycle after losing our little miracle. And yes, it still hurts. Bubby has been a wonderful source of comfort and distraction and Hubby has been extra wonderful. I love my family!
So why a post now? Well, let me tell ya, there have been some interesting thoughts going on in our house lately.
First about two weeks ago Hubby asks my opinion on a name, I love it and he says it should be our next baby's name. A minute later I throw out a middle name and he says "that's what I was thinking". Hmmm.
Later that week I am singing at Church and in the middle of the song I hear God say that my next child will be a "priest" (no we are not Jewish or Catholic); the name we both decided we liked means "priest".
Then there is the feeling that we will not have long to wait before our next child's presence is known to us.
So, now I am sitting here just a couple days past ovulation and the crazy analyzing every twinge and feeling is driving me batty. I am trying to not put my hope in anything but God, its all up to Him anyway and His timing is perfect. Hopefully even just getting this post out there will help me focus a bit more. Hopefully. :)
So why a post now? Well, let me tell ya, there have been some interesting thoughts going on in our house lately.
First about two weeks ago Hubby asks my opinion on a name, I love it and he says it should be our next baby's name. A minute later I throw out a middle name and he says "that's what I was thinking". Hmmm.
Later that week I am singing at Church and in the middle of the song I hear God say that my next child will be a "priest" (no we are not Jewish or Catholic); the name we both decided we liked means "priest".
Then there is the feeling that we will not have long to wait before our next child's presence is known to us.
So, now I am sitting here just a couple days past ovulation and the crazy analyzing every twinge and feeling is driving me batty. I am trying to not put my hope in anything but God, its all up to Him anyway and His timing is perfect. Hopefully even just getting this post out there will help me focus a bit more. Hopefully. :)
Thursday, May 26, 2011
He gives and takes away
There is a song that is running through my head, has been all day. Its by Matt Redman called "Blessed be the Name of the Lord". The part that is touching my heart the most is based off of Job 1:21. This verse is at the end of a brutal chapter in the Bible where Job has lost his possesions and his servants, then he loses his children... all of them, on top of that his health is taken away as well. Pretty tragic. But then he is quoted as saying
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.[c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21 NIV)
And it goes on to say that in all of this he did not sin by blaming God for his losses.
I've always admired this and thought "well, Job's just a good guy, of course he didn't blame God". Now I don't think there is any "of course" about it.
Last week I took a home pregnancy test and it was positive. C and I were so excited, we had been trying for a while and even were taking medicine to help conceive and it finally worked! I eagerly waited for pregnancy symptoms to develope and while I did get tired and some food wasn't settling well, I never felt very pregnant. So of course my fears kicked in. Then last night my worst fear came true... I started spotting.
Ok, I know many ladies have spotting and go on to have perfectly healthy children and I knew that there was nothing I could do last night so I waited till this morning to check again. I was still spotting. I took my BBT and it was low. I took another pregnancy test and while a second line was faintly there it was fainter than the one from last week. And the spotting continued... continues.
I called the nurse and she sent me to get my HcG levels checked at the hospital. I sat there waiting pretty calmly, composedly. That is until at the end of admissions the clerk asks, with a bright happy smile, "When's your baby due?" As I stand up I tell her I am afraid I am losing my baby, the smile falters and the apologies start coming but I am leaving as quick as I can so I don't break down in front of a bunch of people.
So now, I don't think I am blaming God, I don't want to anyway. A friend wrote a song talking about how she never wanted to be God before but now that He is holding her little baby she never got to hold she wants to be Him for just a while. This song too keeps coming up in my mind.
I don't know the results of the labwork yet, I am still hoping that this will just be a story in my pregnancy journal showing the miracle my child is. But either way, my desire is that this is my response:
"My soul will choose to say:
Lord, blessed by your name."
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart.[c]
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised.” (Job 1:21 NIV)
And it goes on to say that in all of this he did not sin by blaming God for his losses.
I've always admired this and thought "well, Job's just a good guy, of course he didn't blame God". Now I don't think there is any "of course" about it.
Last week I took a home pregnancy test and it was positive. C and I were so excited, we had been trying for a while and even were taking medicine to help conceive and it finally worked! I eagerly waited for pregnancy symptoms to develope and while I did get tired and some food wasn't settling well, I never felt very pregnant. So of course my fears kicked in. Then last night my worst fear came true... I started spotting.
Ok, I know many ladies have spotting and go on to have perfectly healthy children and I knew that there was nothing I could do last night so I waited till this morning to check again. I was still spotting. I took my BBT and it was low. I took another pregnancy test and while a second line was faintly there it was fainter than the one from last week. And the spotting continued... continues.
I called the nurse and she sent me to get my HcG levels checked at the hospital. I sat there waiting pretty calmly, composedly. That is until at the end of admissions the clerk asks, with a bright happy smile, "When's your baby due?" As I stand up I tell her I am afraid I am losing my baby, the smile falters and the apologies start coming but I am leaving as quick as I can so I don't break down in front of a bunch of people.
So now, I don't think I am blaming God, I don't want to anyway. A friend wrote a song talking about how she never wanted to be God before but now that He is holding her little baby she never got to hold she wants to be Him for just a while. This song too keeps coming up in my mind.
I don't know the results of the labwork yet, I am still hoping that this will just be a story in my pregnancy journal showing the miracle my child is. But either way, my desire is that this is my response:
"My soul will choose to say:
Lord, blessed by your name."
Saturday, May 21, 2011
It finally happened!
As I have mentioned I deal with infertility. I am insulin resistant and because of that I don't ovulate consistantly. We receive assistance via Clomid to "make" me ovulate which doesn't guarantee I'll ovulate. Well, on the 10th I had labwork done to check and see if I ovulated. The nurse called back the next day saying they needed to redraw, so I went back the next day for a redraw. The next day (Friday) they call and say the level is too low, can we redraw on Monday. I almost freak out but I know from taking my BBT (Basel Body Tempurature) that I did ovulate. By the next Thursday I still hadn't heard from the doctor's office which I take to be a good sign. Friday morning I woke up at 5 am needing to go to the bathroom (4th day in a row), blurry eyed I took a pregnancy test. After waiting for the mandatory 3 minutes I looked at the test and saw TWO lines! I was wide awake at that point. I went back to bed and laid there waiting for C to wake up. Around 6 I started to get antsy so I started moving around. When he finally opened his eyes around 6:10 I looked at him and said "Good morning Daddy, are you ready for another?" He mumbled something and started to roll over, stopped, looked at me smiling and asked what I meant.
So after 13 months of TTC, 7 months with the doctor's assistance, 6 rounds of Clomid I am finally pregnant!
So after 13 months of TTC, 7 months with the doctor's assistance, 6 rounds of Clomid I am finally pregnant!
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Potty Training.
So Baby Bubby has been showing some signs that he may be getting ready to start potty training, you know, going to hide when he goes poo, becoming increasingly curious about C or I using the restroom.
So, we will be getting a potty chair soon and start to talk even more about going potty and being a "big boy" using a potty. We haven't decided yet whether to try for a all in one day method or more of a gradual method.
So, we will be getting a potty chair soon and start to talk even more about going potty and being a "big boy" using a potty. We haven't decided yet whether to try for a all in one day method or more of a gradual method.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Trying for #2
This is a very sensitive subject that I actually like to talk about. It has changed how I view so many things.
Life offers many challenges. Some are easier to deal with than others. One challenge that I have found to be just about the most difficult challenge I have ever faced was trying to conceive Bubby. I may post more details later but for now the short version. It took us 2 years 10 months of actively trying to conceive (TTC) for us to finally conceive. After some heartache and disappointment under the care of one physician we took a break from ttc for a couple months when we went to a new doctor. Within one cycle we had a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and a plan towards conception. It took 10 months of metformin, and three months of Clomid and finally that wonderful Friday morning when I finally saw TWO pink lines!
Pregnancy treated me well (possibly more on that as well as there were some crazy things too). Labor and delivery was surprisingly good, and motherhood is the best thing ever! I should be content right?
Well, Bubby is 18 months old now and we have been trying for... 10 months. We've already done four rounds of Clomid and now I am just waiting to see if this cycle worked for us. I've learned a lot since the early days of ttc and struggling with infertility, I've grown up a lot and trust God more now too. While we are actively ttc and each time it is apparent I'm not preggo C and I both are sad, we are at peace and trust that God has a good plan for us and our little family.
So now, we keep going, keep living life, keep loving Bubby, keep loving each other, and keep trusting God.
Life offers many challenges. Some are easier to deal with than others. One challenge that I have found to be just about the most difficult challenge I have ever faced was trying to conceive Bubby. I may post more details later but for now the short version. It took us 2 years 10 months of actively trying to conceive (TTC) for us to finally conceive. After some heartache and disappointment under the care of one physician we took a break from ttc for a couple months when we went to a new doctor. Within one cycle we had a diagnosis, a treatment plan, and a plan towards conception. It took 10 months of metformin, and three months of Clomid and finally that wonderful Friday morning when I finally saw TWO pink lines!
Pregnancy treated me well (possibly more on that as well as there were some crazy things too). Labor and delivery was surprisingly good, and motherhood is the best thing ever! I should be content right?
Well, Bubby is 18 months old now and we have been trying for... 10 months. We've already done four rounds of Clomid and now I am just waiting to see if this cycle worked for us. I've learned a lot since the early days of ttc and struggling with infertility, I've grown up a lot and trust God more now too. While we are actively ttc and each time it is apparent I'm not preggo C and I both are sad, we are at peace and trust that God has a good plan for us and our little family.
So now, we keep going, keep living life, keep loving Bubby, keep loving each other, and keep trusting God.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
A year in review
It has been over a year since I last posted. A long year that offered many challenges and changes.
Finances determined that I needed to go back to work. After working two long months at a fast food restaurant I got a job as an administrative assistant for an electrical contractor. Now we are doing well.
C has been given a raise in order to get internet at the house... and he has earned it as well. His boss is pleased with his work and the income he is bringing to the company.
Bubby isn't a baby anymore. He has been walking for almost 10 months already, he's climbing, tormenting the cats, and exploring all that life has to offer.
I do not have much time for crafting, photography, sewing, etc. That is as of yet, but, soon I am determined to add some creativity here. Also some stories of adventures with Bubby.
Oh, yes, we moved to a new, better house. It is lower in cost about $100 to $150 a month and we all love it.
Finances determined that I needed to go back to work. After working two long months at a fast food restaurant I got a job as an administrative assistant for an electrical contractor. Now we are doing well.
C has been given a raise in order to get internet at the house... and he has earned it as well. His boss is pleased with his work and the income he is bringing to the company.
Bubby isn't a baby anymore. He has been walking for almost 10 months already, he's climbing, tormenting the cats, and exploring all that life has to offer.
I do not have much time for crafting, photography, sewing, etc. That is as of yet, but, soon I am determined to add some creativity here. Also some stories of adventures with Bubby.
Oh, yes, we moved to a new, better house. It is lower in cost about $100 to $150 a month and we all love it.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
The Pincer Grasp
So I had no idea what the pincer grasp was until about 2 months ago when I started to look at what signs to look for before feeding solids to a baby. The first "grasp" a baby does is a raking kind where they use all their fingers to get something. The pincer grasp is where they actually use their thumb and first finger to pick something up or hold it.
Well two things have happened this week that have completely surprised me. First Sunday at church Bubby started to grab at his bottle. We don't do bottles often so this was totally unexpected by me. I decided to just see what he did with it and well, he held it in his own mouth for quite a while. I was pleased as pie, it even overshadowed me hitting the guy sitting next to me with the bottle lid when I "popped" it off the bottle.
Also, this last weekend C told me that Bubby uses a pincer grasp at times. I didn't believe him. I should have. I went to check on Bubbs during his nap Tuesday morning and he had spit his paci out as is usual for him. He started to stir a bit later and when I got to the crib to check on him again he had put the paci in his mouth and gone back to sleep! So we have been playing a game this week where I hold his paci out in front of him and he grabs it and tries to put it in his mouth. He has won the game a couple of times.
I am pretty sure he will be rolling over soon as he will almost bend over backwards to look at his mobile or his daddy and I when we look in his crib. He can also sit by himself for almost five seconds. He is an amazing kid!
Well two things have happened this week that have completely surprised me. First Sunday at church Bubby started to grab at his bottle. We don't do bottles often so this was totally unexpected by me. I decided to just see what he did with it and well, he held it in his own mouth for quite a while. I was pleased as pie, it even overshadowed me hitting the guy sitting next to me with the bottle lid when I "popped" it off the bottle.
Also, this last weekend C told me that Bubby uses a pincer grasp at times. I didn't believe him. I should have. I went to check on Bubbs during his nap Tuesday morning and he had spit his paci out as is usual for him. He started to stir a bit later and when I got to the crib to check on him again he had put the paci in his mouth and gone back to sleep! So we have been playing a game this week where I hold his paci out in front of him and he grabs it and tries to put it in his mouth. He has won the game a couple of times.
I am pretty sure he will be rolling over soon as he will almost bend over backwards to look at his mobile or his daddy and I when we look in his crib. He can also sit by himself for almost five seconds. He is an amazing kid!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Dreams
There really is no theme to this blog yet. When one comes out I will probably have to start a new one for that theme as I enjoy having a place to write about the "new" twists life is offering. So, for today the topic on my mind is dreams.
For several days I have been having dreams. Dreams in and of themselves are not odd for me to have but dreams that I can remember days later... those I pay attention to. Sometimes I chalk the dream up to pizza (or almost a whole tub of popcorn) or to getting too hot at night. Dreams that happen under those circumstances are generally pretty interesting, usually have slightly scary aspects and in general I don't like very much.
Since last Thursday I have been having dreams that have their "pizza" quality but each night there is one thing that each has in common and those parts I can remember past C, my little alarm clock, waking me up. In each dream I have been part of a team of musicians leading worship in a large venue. In none of the dreams have I seen the congregation, just the team. And in each team there has been a combination of people that I would never expect to see; they are from several churches I have gone to and from different generations. For the last 20 years I have gone to 4 churches and served on the worship teams in each of them so I know these people in my dreams.
I am not entirely sure but I think this is happening in response to a prayer I pray and a desire to serve a worship team and with a worship team. Just recently I have been asking God to help me help the current worship team I am joining at Life Church. I don't know everything, I don't have all the answers, but I do have some experience and some desire and with those things I want to serve and try to help better this team and the situation we are in equipment wise. I think these dreams are happening in response to a thought I have had where I have tried to quiet the sound technician in me so that I can "just" be a singer and frankly, it is just about impossible if not completely impossible.
Finally, I think this may be happening in response to a desire that has woken up in me the last 7 or so months to see what worship will be like in heaven. I had a dream about a dance that had hundreds of people in it each doing their own dance but if you looked at them all together the dances worked together. Similarly, in my recent dreams many members of many teams are coming together and together directing worship to God Almighty. I think I may be getting a glimpse of what worship will be like in heaven. I think we should be trying to work towards that here on earth. I think this may be some of my most exciting dreams yet... despite the pizza parts.
For several days I have been having dreams. Dreams in and of themselves are not odd for me to have but dreams that I can remember days later... those I pay attention to. Sometimes I chalk the dream up to pizza (or almost a whole tub of popcorn) or to getting too hot at night. Dreams that happen under those circumstances are generally pretty interesting, usually have slightly scary aspects and in general I don't like very much.
Since last Thursday I have been having dreams that have their "pizza" quality but each night there is one thing that each has in common and those parts I can remember past C, my little alarm clock, waking me up. In each dream I have been part of a team of musicians leading worship in a large venue. In none of the dreams have I seen the congregation, just the team. And in each team there has been a combination of people that I would never expect to see; they are from several churches I have gone to and from different generations. For the last 20 years I have gone to 4 churches and served on the worship teams in each of them so I know these people in my dreams.
I am not entirely sure but I think this is happening in response to a prayer I pray and a desire to serve a worship team and with a worship team. Just recently I have been asking God to help me help the current worship team I am joining at Life Church. I don't know everything, I don't have all the answers, but I do have some experience and some desire and with those things I want to serve and try to help better this team and the situation we are in equipment wise. I think these dreams are happening in response to a thought I have had where I have tried to quiet the sound technician in me so that I can "just" be a singer and frankly, it is just about impossible if not completely impossible.
Finally, I think this may be happening in response to a desire that has woken up in me the last 7 or so months to see what worship will be like in heaven. I had a dream about a dance that had hundreds of people in it each doing their own dance but if you looked at them all together the dances worked together. Similarly, in my recent dreams many members of many teams are coming together and together directing worship to God Almighty. I think I may be getting a glimpse of what worship will be like in heaven. I think we should be trying to work towards that here on earth. I think this may be some of my most exciting dreams yet... despite the pizza parts.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Eternal Things
I had planned on detailing the products I put on Etsy, however I received news yesterday that a friend passed away. Dan Thompson was my Pastor when I lived in Lincoln.
Times like this make me think and contemplate eternity and heaven. I am so grateful for the input Dan had in my life and the foundations he helped to instill in me. I am literally eternally grateful that I will see him again. This is my comfort during this time where feelings of loss threaten to overwhelm.
My heart goes out to his wife, kids, and congregation.
Times like this make me think and contemplate eternity and heaven. I am so grateful for the input Dan had in my life and the foundations he helped to instill in me. I am literally eternally grateful that I will see him again. This is my comfort during this time where feelings of loss threaten to overwhelm.
My heart goes out to his wife, kids, and congregation.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Unusual Valentines Weekend
Well, I am sure I won't get online tomorrow so I am taking advantage of a few moments this morning.
Last year, tomorrow (2/13/09) I found out I was pregnant. C and I went to Columbia so he could take his EMT test and we had fun just trying to wrap our minds around the fact that we were finally having a baby. It took us awhile. I didn't realize then that the quiet evening dining and back at the hotel snuggling (I was tired), that we had that day was out last Valentines day just the two of us. Yes we may ship the kids off for a Valentines day in the future but we will have a kid to come home to or pick up for a long time and when they all move out (yes, I am planning on having more already) we will still not be "just the two of us" and I love that!
Anyway, with a 4 month old that is still nursing and needs quite a bit of attention we decided to not try to go to the Church Marriage retreat, rather we are watching my brother's three kids overnight and a good friends two little girls for a couple hours.
The plan for them is a afternoon of decorating sugar cookies, possibly playing out in the snow, and possibly making valentines. Tomorrow we will be doing "scavenger hunts" for the valentines they make for each other and a nice-ish breakfast and an afternoon of wii, playing outside (C will be here so he can help with it then), and eagerly looking for Mom and Dad to come home.
Not a typical Valentines weekend but we will have our family Valentines Sunday evening. We will be doing steak, Oreos, a side dish and a movie. Camping out on the living room floor till bed time. Pretty sure we will enjoy our evening even if we aren't out at a hotel or a restaurant. Especially if I get some spray whip cream. :)
Fun times... busy times.
Last year, tomorrow (2/13/09) I found out I was pregnant. C and I went to Columbia so he could take his EMT test and we had fun just trying to wrap our minds around the fact that we were finally having a baby. It took us awhile. I didn't realize then that the quiet evening dining and back at the hotel snuggling (I was tired), that we had that day was out last Valentines day just the two of us. Yes we may ship the kids off for a Valentines day in the future but we will have a kid to come home to or pick up for a long time and when they all move out (yes, I am planning on having more already) we will still not be "just the two of us" and I love that!
Anyway, with a 4 month old that is still nursing and needs quite a bit of attention we decided to not try to go to the Church Marriage retreat, rather we are watching my brother's three kids overnight and a good friends two little girls for a couple hours.
The plan for them is a afternoon of decorating sugar cookies, possibly playing out in the snow, and possibly making valentines. Tomorrow we will be doing "scavenger hunts" for the valentines they make for each other and a nice-ish breakfast and an afternoon of wii, playing outside (C will be here so he can help with it then), and eagerly looking for Mom and Dad to come home.
Not a typical Valentines weekend but we will have our family Valentines Sunday evening. We will be doing steak, Oreos, a side dish and a movie. Camping out on the living room floor till bed time. Pretty sure we will enjoy our evening even if we aren't out at a hotel or a restaurant. Especially if I get some spray whip cream. :)
Fun times... busy times.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
So many ideas...
I have the two baby sets I started two weeks ago almost done. As soon as I find my camara I will post pictures. Anyway, I think they are cute. The pink has bright green turtles on it and the two layers of the blanket are held together by yarn ties. The yellow has a mischeivious monkey playing. I am not sure how I will hold the two layers of the blanket together but I will hopefully figure it out soon. I should probably finish these before I start on anything else but I have been looking at how to make homemade babylegs (legwarmers for babies, ideal for potty training or when it starts to warm up but isn't quite warm enough for shorts). And I figured out how to make my first baby quilt. And I found a simple way to make baby pants. And I want to finish crocheting C's camo blanket. And... And...
So my goal is to finish the two projects I started, take pictures of them, and get them ready to ship so Daddy can post them on E-bay or I can post them on Etsy by Friday midmorning. Then I can start on something else. I would put that goal at tomorrow (Thursday) morning but with a baby in a growth spurt I am not sure that would be realistic.
So my goal is to finish the two projects I started, take pictures of them, and get them ready to ship so Daddy can post them on E-bay or I can post them on Etsy by Friday midmorning. Then I can start on something else. I would put that goal at tomorrow (Thursday) morning but with a baby in a growth spurt I am not sure that would be realistic.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Being accountable for a dream
Accountability according to the Mirriem-Webster dictionary means an obligation or willingness to accept responcibility or to take account for ones actions. This week I posted on my facebook page about a dream the C and I have been talking about. I want to start making some baby items to sell online and in local craft shows. Up until that post we had just been talking about it and dreaming but now I have a community of friends who know about my plans and will be following up with me on whether I have started to make products yet. The more people I tell the more accountable I am for this dream.
I put my dream out there now I have to act on it. Well, I could just tell people I gave up on it but who could really do that?
I have spent the week so far checking online to see how much the items I am interested in making go for looking for cute fabric, checking the cost and trying to make sure this could eventually be a profitable endeavor because yes this is a dream and I am looking forward to the fun of making things but it is also supposed to help supplement C's paycheck to help me stay home longer with Connor.
To make myself more accountable, here is the dream: I want to make unique reasonably priced baby related items to sell online (etsy or e-bay) and/or in shops here in town and at craft functions. Items I am going to start with are: burp cloths, coordinating blankets, pee pee tee pees, breast pads and nursing covers. Some ideas I am thinking of are: cloth wipes, headbands, slimline wallets for diaper bags, quilts with modern prints, bibs. I think I will call my "business" Baby Bubby.
So here is to being accountable for a dream!
I put my dream out there now I have to act on it. Well, I could just tell people I gave up on it but who could really do that?
I have spent the week so far checking online to see how much the items I am interested in making go for looking for cute fabric, checking the cost and trying to make sure this could eventually be a profitable endeavor because yes this is a dream and I am looking forward to the fun of making things but it is also supposed to help supplement C's paycheck to help me stay home longer with Connor.
To make myself more accountable, here is the dream: I want to make unique reasonably priced baby related items to sell online (etsy or e-bay) and/or in shops here in town and at craft functions. Items I am going to start with are: burp cloths, coordinating blankets, pee pee tee pees, breast pads and nursing covers. Some ideas I am thinking of are: cloth wipes, headbands, slimline wallets for diaper bags, quilts with modern prints, bibs. I think I will call my "business" Baby Bubby.
So here is to being accountable for a dream!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Decency
Wow, I totaly meant to post more often, I mean come on I spend several hours a day in front of a computer everyday! Although it is hard to type with a nursing child in your lap.
So today I went to a site that I enjoy, not because I win free stuff all the time but because I learn about all sorts of stuff that is available, www.todaysgiveaway.net . The item up for grabs today is a topless undershirt from Blush, www.toplessundershirt.com .
"Why are you posting about this?"
Well, my little boy is 10 weeks old (wow, that happened fast) and not only am I nursing him but he has started to grab hold of my shirt or cover when nursing. I am so paranoid about flashing poor unsuspecting bystanders if I were to nurse in public that I just don't, if I know we will be out during a feeding time I just pump and before hand and deal with being uncomfortable until I can relieve pressure later. I know the areguments that nursing is a natural thing and nothing to be ashamed of, but... and for me this is a big BUT... I think that even though it is natural and not yucky that does not give me permission to flash my...ahem... ladies. The act that produced my little boy is perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed of, doesn't mean I am going to do IT in public. So, back to the product at hand, if there is a way to nurse decently in public then I am interested in it.
Before my lil boy was born I looked into nursing covers for this reason. I couldn't afford the $35-$50 tag for them so I looked online at www.littlebirdiesecrets.com and found instructions to make my own nursing cover with all the bells and whistles of the $45 one I was drooling over for less than $10 (I think less than $5). That has me covered up top, and I thought I made it wide enough to cover my mid section too but I did not know just how much my lil boy would wriggle around when he had something covering his head when he ate! So seeing a product that won't get in the way, or complicate nursing anymore than it is already ( I still am not very "good" at nursing yet) gets me interested. Yes, I could probably try to find a diy tutorial to make my own but I don't have nearly the time that I thought a stay at home mom has. So for now, this "topless undershirt" has my interest and has earned a place on my wishlist.
Why? Because, for me decency is a must!
So today I went to a site that I enjoy, not because I win free stuff all the time but because I learn about all sorts of stuff that is available, www.todaysgiveaway.net . The item up for grabs today is a topless undershirt from Blush, www.toplessundershirt.com .
"Why are you posting about this?"
Well, my little boy is 10 weeks old (wow, that happened fast) and not only am I nursing him but he has started to grab hold of my shirt or cover when nursing. I am so paranoid about flashing poor unsuspecting bystanders if I were to nurse in public that I just don't, if I know we will be out during a feeding time I just pump and before hand and deal with being uncomfortable until I can relieve pressure later. I know the areguments that nursing is a natural thing and nothing to be ashamed of, but... and for me this is a big BUT... I think that even though it is natural and not yucky that does not give me permission to flash my...ahem... ladies. The act that produced my little boy is perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed of, doesn't mean I am going to do IT in public. So, back to the product at hand, if there is a way to nurse decently in public then I am interested in it.
Before my lil boy was born I looked into nursing covers for this reason. I couldn't afford the $35-$50 tag for them so I looked online at www.littlebirdiesecrets.com and found instructions to make my own nursing cover with all the bells and whistles of the $45 one I was drooling over for less than $10 (I think less than $5). That has me covered up top, and I thought I made it wide enough to cover my mid section too but I did not know just how much my lil boy would wriggle around when he had something covering his head when he ate! So seeing a product that won't get in the way, or complicate nursing anymore than it is already ( I still am not very "good" at nursing yet) gets me interested. Yes, I could probably try to find a diy tutorial to make my own but I don't have nearly the time that I thought a stay at home mom has. So for now, this "topless undershirt" has my interest and has earned a place on my wishlist.
Why? Because, for me decency is a must!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Fighting Sleep
I am holding Connor right now. This wouldn't be odd except that he should be sleeping and I should be doing laundry. Connor doesn't usually fight sleep. I typically lay him down for sleep and walk away. He may fuss for a little bit but no more than five minutes. If he doesn't go to sleep right away he will lay there and look at his hands. We had a long weekend at Grandma's and he wasn't quite on a schedule there, today we are recovering and he had been sleeping really well as he is so tired. I know that he is tired and should sleep, he knows he is tired but is fighting sleep. He doesn't know what he needs just what he wants.
Funny, I am like that too at times. Not only do I fight sleep at times when I know I need it, but I also fight other things even though I need them too. How often does God hold me in His arms knowing what I need and just watching me do what I want to do fighting what I need, be it resting in Him, trusting that He is in control, or even that I physically need to go to sleep.
Having some fight in you is a good thing. I know a little girl who fought to live, now she is 7 years old and doing well. But at times the same fight that can save our life physically or spiritually can keep us from what is good. Yet another case of our biggest assets being our greatest weaknesses.
Now Connor has finally gone to sleep, worn out from fighting it, but it is not a restful sleep. He is stirring, sucking on his pacifier and doesn't want to be put down. You see he may be asleep but he didn't willingly give in to it. He is only asleep because his little body has given up. How many times have I finally given in to what God has in store only because I didn't have a choice not because I actually wanted to.
So for now, I am learning lessons in life by watching my son.
Funny, I am like that too at times. Not only do I fight sleep at times when I know I need it, but I also fight other things even though I need them too. How often does God hold me in His arms knowing what I need and just watching me do what I want to do fighting what I need, be it resting in Him, trusting that He is in control, or even that I physically need to go to sleep.
Having some fight in you is a good thing. I know a little girl who fought to live, now she is 7 years old and doing well. But at times the same fight that can save our life physically or spiritually can keep us from what is good. Yet another case of our biggest assets being our greatest weaknesses.
Now Connor has finally gone to sleep, worn out from fighting it, but it is not a restful sleep. He is stirring, sucking on his pacifier and doesn't want to be put down. You see he may be asleep but he didn't willingly give in to it. He is only asleep because his little body has given up. How many times have I finally given in to what God has in store only because I didn't have a choice not because I actually wanted to.
So for now, I am learning lessons in life by watching my son.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)