Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas!

We hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas Day celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

"We don't do Santa"

It was a small, crowded post office.  I had made it to the halfway point of the line, holding Robby as well as a bag containing all of the packages and cards I needed to mail.  Robby was being precious, smiling at everyone who would look his way.  Then the question came.  It's a question I've dreaded for, well, forever.  It was the Santa question.  To be specific, it was "Have you gotten his picture made with Santa yet?"

Let me make a side note here.  I have strong beliefs and views about things.  I don't stand on the mountain top, yelling them for all to hear.  If someone approaches me directly and asks my opinion or belief about something, I will share it with them.  But I don't like it when people are pushy with me and I never want to come across that way to other people.  I find that a lot of time when people express their beliefs, it comes across as very "holier than thou" and that is not how I desire to be.  I never want people to feel that I have judged them because they have decided to do something other than what I do.  I don't believe celebrating Santa means you have completely forgotten about the time to celebrate Christ's birth.  I just think it is important for us to be clear with our boys about what is the most important.  Tim and I discussed very early on in our relationship how our families celebrated certain holidays and how we wanted to celebrate them with our own family.  We grew up with very similar beliefs, so it was rather easy for us to decide that we will not "celebrate" halloween or Santa.  Since having Robby, we have talked of how we don't want to pretend that these things do not exist, but instead provide a complete explanation to our children as to the meaning behind everything.  I do want our boys to know who good ole St. Nick was and all the good he did, but we have chosen to focus on celebrating the birth of our Savior (and, yes, I know that Jesus wasn't born on December 25 and that it was originally a pagan holiday, but it is now the day set aside for us to celebrate).  Something that goes along with this is the materialism that goes along with Christmas nowadays.  We have decided that each of our boys will receive 3 presents each Christmas (if 3 presents were good enough for Jesus to celebrate His arrival on earth [again, I know they wise men were not there the night He was born], then 3 presents are good enough for our boys) and possibly one larger, shared present for them.  I don't want them to only care about what they will be getting and lose site of the true reason for Christmas.  

Back to the post office situation, before I could think through my response (I am a very "think through and rehearse all my words before they come out of my mouth" person, probably because I don't want to upset anyone or hurt their feelings or anything), I just said, "We don't do Santa".  A hush suddenly came over the entire post office and everyone just looked at me.  I realized how it sounded so I quickly added, "But we are so excited to celebrate his first Christmas this year!"  I felt so uncomfortable that I didn't elaborate on what we DO celebrate.  I know, I know.  A total missed opportunity to share the true meaning of Christmas.  I'm kicking myself for not saying anything.  That's the point of this post.  

This situation has caused me to ponder a better way to respond to the Santa question.  It will be coming up again.  Many, many times again.  I want to have a perfect response that is quick, doesn't come across as condemning to the person who asked the question but also provides an explanation of what we DO celebrate and believe in instead.  One of the main reasons I want to have this perfect response prepared is so our boys will grow up hearing it and won't think twice about their response when people ask them.  I'm hoping I can address the next situation with more confidence.  


Wordless Wednesday: I'm 11 Months Old!


Tuesday, December 13, 2011

28 Weeks



Pregnancy Highlights
How far along: 28 weeks
Size of baby: 17 inches, 2.9 pounds (about the size of a small cabbage)
Maternity Clothes: Yessiree!
Movement: This boy is quite the mover and shaker!  He is all over the place from the time I wake up to the time I go to bed.  This morning he woke me up at about 5 because he was moving all over the place.  I didn't mind, of course!  
Sleep: I am sleeping alright.  Some nights are better than others.
Symptoms:  I'm still in a lot of pain in my hips and my back.  Also, carrying Robby is quite the chore and does a number on my lower back.  
Food cravings/aversions:  I am loving carbs and cheese!  It's going to be so hard getting back on a healthy diet after Charlie gets here!  I'm enjoying it while I can get away with it, though!
What I am looking forward to: Just the general excitement of his arrival.  I wish I just knew the date he was coming (what mom-to-be doesn't wish that!) so I could have a countdown!  I'm excited about going through the labor and delivery again. I'm hoping to remember and note things better this time around.  

Friday, December 9, 2011

"Little" Blessings

Here recently I've been almost overwhelmed by simple frustrations.  I'm tired and I hurt all the time.  I feel like I am fighting off tears almost constantly.  Robby has been so whiney in the afternoons for some reason (actually, it's more like for no reason!).  We are in the process of entering into something very big but it's taking longer than expected to get answers, so I'm anxious and feel helpless.  This afternoon as Robby was napping and I was rushing around to get things at least picked up to look presentable, I began to realize all the blessings I have received this week.  This past weekend, Tim didn't have to work.  We were able to spend time together and just enjoy each other.  Tuesday we were able to hear precious Charlie's heartbeat then grab some breakfast together after my appointment before Tim had to go back to work.  Thursday I went to a cookie exchange and while I was struggling with Robby (it's difficult to hold a wiggly boy with this big belly of mine!) one of the moms grabbed him from me and told me take a break for a minute.  That day, Tim was able to come home for lunch (something he hasn't been able to do in a while) AND he got to come home pretty darn close to the time he's supposed to get off work!  I also was able to get a haircut yesterday.  My last haircut was at the beginning of June, so I was long overdue for a trim!  Then this morning, a friend watched Robby for about 3 hours while Tim and I had some business to take care of.  Although it wasn't a "date", it was nice to be kid-free midday and enjoy some time together.  We even got to eat lunch together.

These aren't big things, but I need to remind myself to note and thank God for every little blessing that occurs.  Right now I'm focused on a particular big thing we want (and need) to work out, but I need to remember that my life is a culmination of "little" blessings.  The little things I think don't matter tend to be the things I look back on to realize have had a big impact on me and my life.

Of course, I know that two of the big blessings in my life are my wonderful, self-sacrificing husband and this super cute little guy:


Toes are quite tasty, don't you know?

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

27 Weeks



Pregnancy Highlights
How far along: 27 weeks
Size of baby: 16 inches, 2.5 pounds (about the size of a head of cauliflower)
Maternity Clothes: Yessiree!
Movement: Still a ton of movement.  I remember Robby taking breaks throughout the day (naps, if you will) but Charlie is moving all day long.  I think I'm going to have my work cut out for me with him!  He actually flipped this week.  I had been feeling all of his kicks up high (meaning he was head down) but, starting a few days ago, I've been feeling his kicks very, very low.  
Sleep: I finally found a way to sleep that is somewhat comfortable, so I've been sleeping a little better.  I still wake up exhausted most days, but I am actually sleeping so that's good.
Symptoms:  I'm in quite a bit of pain.  I've had several bouts of BH contractions as well as cramping.  I'm drinking a ton of water to keep them at bay.  My hips and back are giving me some trouble, too.  I just keep telling myself that it's only about 10 weeks longer, probably!
Food cravings/aversions:  I want pasta and pizza.  Badly!  I have craved carbs more this time than the last.  But I love carbs under any circumstance!  :-)
What I am looking forward to: I start going to my doctor appointments every two weeks starting with my next appointment.  It means we're coming down the home stretch!  Also, I touched on my birth plan with my doctor today at my appointment.  She's happy with everything that I'm thinking.  I asked if they would send me home if I'm in labor but not to a certain point (like they did in Amarillo) because I was nervous they would send me home and I would have Charlie in the car on the way back up to the hospital (San Antonio is just a tad bigger than Amarillo and it takes longer to get back and forth than it did there!). She said they wouldn't.  So that made me feel good!  

Monday, December 5, 2011

Mmmmm!

This is waiting for me for the morning.



I know it's not as bad as I make it out to be in my head. I just dread how I feel afterwards. I am drinking this right before we leave in the morning so they can do the bloodwork as soon as I get there, followed by my 27 week appointment with my doctor. I cannot believe I am almost to my 3rd trimester!

Then I became a mom...

I used to wonder if parents didn't realize that wet spot on their child's pants and why they didn't immediately rush to change their diaper when they were at the store...then I became a mom and realized sometimes you just need to grab one last thing so you can get home or you forgot that extra pair of pants.

I used to wonder why moms didn't take 5 minutes to clean up their mom-mobile to keep it from getting so out of control...then I became a mom and realized some days there literally isn't an extra 5 minutes in the day.

I used to wonder why parents didn't keep socks and shoes on their children's feet...then I became a mom and realized the children DO leave with socks and shoes on, but are immediately taken off when they get in their car seat.

I used to wonder why moms felt the need to have "play groups" or get together with their kids at Chick-fil-a...then I became a mom and realized you look forward to that day each week that you are going to be around other moms just to get a morale boost to make it through the rest of the week.

I used to wonder why parents would spend all that money on snacks and were constantly handing them to their kids while they were out...then I became a mom and realized that full mouths are quiet mouths and full tummies are happy tummies.

I used to wonder why moms always said they were tired, even when they had a full night of sleep the night before...then I became a mom and realized there is no way you could catch up on enough sleep to make you feel rested unless you slept for at least a week straight uninterrupted.

I used to wonder why there were always 15,000 pacifiers all over the place...then I became a mom and realized you can never find a dang paci when you need it most.

I used to swear I wouldn't default to putting my hair in a ponytail more than once a week...then I became a mom and realized that ponytails aren't really that bad.

I used to pass judgment on moms based on what I observed in 5 minutes...then I became a mom and realized we all do things differently, not wrong, just differently, but we all love our children and that is what guides our decisions.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Just like his mama!

Looks like I'm going to have to start fighting for my popcorn!













YouTube Video


Thursday, December 1, 2011

Kai-kai (or Guy-guy, we can't really tell)

Robby has had a little stuffed monkey since he was about 3 1/2 months old.  We put him to bed with the monkey but that was about it.  Last week, I decided to give it to him before we left the apartment and he just latched on to him.  He now wants Monkey to tag along while he plays, while he rides in the car, while we shop at the grocery store, etc.  We just call him "Monkey" so when we ask Robby if he wants Monkey, Robby replies by saying "kai-kai" although at some times it sounds like "guy-guy" and other times he'll actually say "key-key", but usually it's "kai-kai".  Anytime we hand Monkey to Robby, Robby puts Monkey's mouth right into his own and gives him a good bite.  Here is a video of how he greets Monkey (I was trying to get him to say "monkey" because he had just been saying it!)

Here I finally am able to get him to say it at almost the end of the video.  I promise you he says it every time we give Monkey to him, unless I'm videoing him, of course!

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Wordless Wednesday: Busy Boy







Tuesday, November 29, 2011

26 Weeks



(Yes, I'm wearing the same shirt as last week.  I probably should start planning out my Tuesday outfits a little better!)

Pregnancy Highlights
How far along: 26 weeks
Size of baby: 15 inches, 2.2 pounds (about the size of an cucumber)
Maternity Clothes: Yes!  Either that or Tim's shirts and lounge pants!
Movement: Lots of movement, pretty much all day.  He starts kicking and moving around as soon as I wake up in the morning and he's still dancing when I get into bed at night!  
Sleep: I'm sleeping a lot better.  We started using a white noise app on Tim's old iphone that we use in Robby's room.  So Robby is sleeping in a little later in the morning because he can't hear Tim's alarm clock or the doors opening and closing when Tim gets up and leaves.  So that gives me the chance to sleep a little bit more.  Also, Annie has been sleeping in her kennel instead of on a blanket on the floor, because she would get up in the middle of the night and poop on our bedroom floor then whine about it.  Ugh!  So, I haven't had all those factors keeping me from sleeping in the past half a week or so.
Symptoms: Just some sore hips and back.    
Food cravings/aversions:  I'm not really wanting chicken lately, but other than that I'm wanting pretty much anything!
What I am looking forward to: I'm super excited about Robby's first Christmas and his first birthday.  As soon as those things are done, it will be time for Charlie to be here!  I haven't really thought of it that way, but we have some big milestones each of the next three months!  

Monday, November 28, 2011

It's been quite the day, y'all!





And I'm beginning to feel a little like my tree!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

When we found out that the pharmacy remodel would be going on the week of Thanksgiving and Tim would have to work the entire weekend afterwards, we knew we weren't going to be able to travel to any of our family for the holiday.  And just the thought of hosting in our apartment while pregnant and chasing around Robby just about did me in!  We considered just getting a turkey breast to make and making only our favorite sides for just us.  That seemed like what we were going to do until the other active duty pharmacist and her husband (who is a JAG in the Army) invited us over for dinner.  They don't have any family nearby so we were happy to be joining them.  The only thing they requested we bring was pumpkin pie.  Tim decided he would make the gravy, also.

Here is our sweet little turkey

You might remember seeing this shirt on this precious boy last year
I love that Graham wore it, Robby wore it, and next year Charlie will wear it!

We started our day watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, or as Tim calls it "The Macy's Lip Synching Parade".  In my opinion, the lip synching really was worse this year than in years past!  I really kind of wish they would have a version that just focused on the balloons and some of the traditional floats and performances like the Rockettes.  Oh well, I'm not the parade planner!  It did seem awfully strange to just watch the parade with Robby (until his naptime) and not have a schedule running through my head of when to start what dish to make sure it would all be done at the perfect time!
After Robby woke up from his nap, we headed over to the Johnson's house around 1:00.  He was quite excited to be in a new place so he did a little exploring.

Here is the table full of food:
Robby LOVED the rolls!
He also ate some turkey and potatoes.
And he shared quite a bit with the floor!
After dinner, Robby discovered the stairs.  We weren't quite sure what he was going to do at first.  He just stood up and patted on them.  Then he decided to go at it and climb those suckers!




By the end of the evening Robby was exhausted.  We took the pack n play with us, hoping he would take a nap in the afternoon.  We got him all set up in their guest bedroom but he only slept for about 20 minutes, if even that long.  So he essentially went from about 12:30-7:30 with no nap.  I was actually quite surprised and pleased that he didn't have any meltdowns.  But we knew that at any point it could happen, so we slipped away before dessert.  He was asleep before we even left their neighborhood!  Tim carried him up to the apartment and laid him down without even a peep.

We had so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, as we do everyday!  Most of all, we are thankful for a precious, healthy baby boy here and the precious, healthy baby boy on the way!  I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

E-I-E-I-O

Robby is getting really good about repeating whatever sounds or his version of the words we say.  Whenever I ask him if he wants some juice he'll reply with "jsssss".  He loves "s" words!  He's been pretty much repeating "e-i-e-i-o" after I sing it to him for a while now, but I finally got it on video last night!

I have still yet to capture him saying "Hi" on video, but it really is the sweetest thing!

Fun with Daddy!

Robby's newest favorite thing to do with Tim is crawl to the edge of the bed and slide down the side.  He thinks it's such a fun "game".  I was able to capture it on video a few evenings ago.  He will just laugh and laugh when they are doing this!

Don't worry, I don't put him on the bed unless I know one of us is on guard and prepared for him to slide off the edge of the bed!

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our turkey to yours!





Wednesday, November 23, 2011

How to unload the dishwasher: A picture tutorial by Robby

Step 1: Approach machine cautiously
Step 2: Identify object you wish to unload

Step 3: Pull very hard on desired object
Step 4: (Very important, don't forget!) Smile sweetly so mommy thinks it's cute and won't stop you

Step 5: If object continues to resist, climb on door and pull on said object with all your might

Step 6: If it still doesn't come out, stand all the way up and try to reach the pan of brownies on the counter
I hope your dishwasher unloading is more successful than mine was!
Love, 
Robby



Wordless Wednesday: He sure does make me laugh!


Tuesday, November 22, 2011

25 Weeks

I'm finally getting back on track!
Pregnancy Highlights


How far along: 25 weeks
Size of baby: 9.2 inches, 2 pounds (about the size of an eggplant)
Maternity Clothes: Ummmm, YA!  If I could live in loungepants, I so would!  When I'm sitting for a long period of time, the band on my maternity jeans starts to dig into my stomach.  This didn't happen with Robby so I'm not sure if I'm carrying Charlie higher this time or if I'm just bigger all around!
Movement: Yes!  Same little kicks like Robby used to do.  It's funny that Charlie favors my right side, just like his big brother!
Sleep: I'm sleeping ok.  I usually wake up around 2-3am for about an hour but am able to fall asleep for a couple more hours usually.  I still wake up exhausted, unfortunately!
Symptoms: Well, if you read my earlier post, you will know what I'm dealing with right now!  I'm also feeling a lot of low pressure, especially when I've been walking or going up and down the stairs.  
Food cravings/aversions:  I'm not having any specific cravings.  I still just want to eat anything!!
What I am looking forward to: I'm just ready for Charlie to get here.  Tim made his prediction this weekend that it would be 10 more weeks, I'm hoping for a couple more than that just to make sure he's completely full term!