Things You Just Can't Do in Houston

Climb fences.....

Wear your cousin's boots with your skirt.....

Walk hand-in-hand along a fence....

Play so hard that your hair is soaked with sweat....

Shell peas.....

Play in the yard until bedtime with cousins and dogs....

Visit with your miniature horse.....

Good times, people.  That's what we had!

Ready or Not.....

• I'm ready to not be so uncomfortable.
• We do not have names picked out.
• I'm ready to shop for clothes that will make me look/feel more "normal".
• The nursery is not as ready as it should be.
• I'm ready for this baby to hurry up and get here.
• I'm not so ready for this baby to hurry up and get here.
• I'm ready to see how Sadie will act with her new sibling.
• I do not have any bags packed - should probably start thinking about that in the next couple of weeks.
• I'm ready to stop having bathroom breaks every hour.
• Am I ready for this life changing event?  Yes and no.  

The Most Intimidating Place in the World

The community swimming pool.  Ugh.  It's bad enough during a "normal" summer, but this being a pregnant summer....the intimidation level is multiplied.

Moms, you should not look that good after having children.  It's really not fair at all.  Do you starve yourself and/or workout like crazy five days a week?  Please say that you do.  If you say that you're just blessed with such bodies, I will gag.  And must you wear such small swimsuits while I'm wearing one as big as possible to cover up?  Skinny pregnant women....I just have no words.

Women, is it really necessary to wear your giant rings to the pool?  You realize when the sun hits multiple carats of diamonds it can be blinding, don't you?  Oh, you do know that.  Of course you do.

Dads, if you're sent to the pool with the responsibility of watching your children, please do so.  Watch your children and make them behave.  Don't let them climb up the slide or let your big kids run over the little ones.  When the lifeguard has to correct your children, don't act like you didn't see what was happening when you were standing right there witnessing it all.

Men, please don't wear white swim trunks or Speedos.  Please.

I wonder if Kris will ever let us build a pool of our own.  Hhmmm.....

It's Been a Day!!

Today's been one of those days.  After one of those nights.  We had a rough night with Sadie not sleeping well, as usual.  It was a rough night, but the morning was actually pleasant.  Sadie played downstairs for a while and then decided she'd play in her room.  Alone.  Amazing.  I was getting a few things done when she started calling me.  I went up to check on her and found this standing at the top of the stairs:

I let her pick out her clothes today since we were staying home.  I take no credit for this lovely outfit.

She's holding diaper cream and was very proud of herself.  She then runs into her room to show me this:

Yeah, she's going to be a great helper when her little brother or sister gets here!

Her legs were covered.....

As I tried to clean things up, she did this:

I tried not to laugh too hard as I was telling her that diaper cream is messy (and not cheap) and she shouldn't be playing in it.  Anyway, it was funny, we got things cleaned up, and all was well.  She ate a good lunch and started getting tired.

When she began yawning before her usual nap time of 1:00, which is no surprise since she didn't sleep well and was up before 7, I put her in bed.  Everything was fine for a few minutes until she started coughing.  Lots of coughing.  Then crying.  I tried to settle her down.  Yeah, that didn't work.  We came downstairs, more crying, I got her calm....and then FedEx bangs on the door.  That set things off again.  Then the phone rings.  And the dogs bark.  Then it's UPS.  I give up.  Well, not really.  I got in bed with her for a while.  That didn't work.  Long story somewhat shortened....it's almost 6:00 and she's been in bed for about 30 minutes now.  Time to go wake her up.  What will things be like tonight?!  I think I'm going to send her to the park with her daddy.  I need a break!

A Bit of Baby Anxiety

Please know that I/we are thrilled about our baby who will be here in July.  We can't wait to meet him/her, however.......


I'm beginning to get a little anxious!  From the beginning, I've had moments of thinking - I'm happy with one baby, Sadie is our world, we love her so much, how could we love another as much as we love her?  In the past, I heard other parents express the same concern, and I always thought - OF COURSE you can love a second baby as much, why would you think that?  But now I totally understand.

How am I going to deal with two little ones?  People do it all the time and have much "worse" situations like twins/triplets/etc. in addition to other children.  They survive.  So will I.  But how will I go grocery shopping?  Target?  Anything?  Will I be able to take a nap?  I pray that they get on the same afternoon nap schedule.  This is seriously a concern.  I need my rest!  Speaking of rest.....Sadie still does not sleep well at night.  Will I have two children on different schedules at night?  Will I be up every single hour?  Stress!

Names.  We can't decide.  And it's not that we can't decide between multiple names that we have picked out.  We can't even decide on one!  I might like one but Kris doesn't, and vice versa.  Oh, and since we don't know if we're having a boy or a girl, we need TWO names!

Do I have a nursery ready?  Nope.  We moved the crib into the guest room, along with all the other furniture that was already in there.  It's crowded.  Oh well.  But I do know that it's time to get serious about figuring out how we're going to set things up.  This baby deserves a cute room just as much as Sadie did.

Speaking of being crowded.....Sadie has taken over our living room since we have no play room (I really wish she'd learn to play in her bedroom).  So, where will we put a baby swing and other baby gear?

Went to the doctor today.  Everything is good.  But when the doc told me that it's time for me to start coming every two weeks, it hit me.  Wow!  this is really happening!  And soon!  I need to get ready!  Names, nursery, organization, mental preparation.....where do I begin?

Oh dear....this is overwhelming me.  I think it's time for a nap!  I better get as many as I can before this baby shows up and rocks our world.

My Life in Pictures

Kris's office

The living room.  Come on in, have a seat.  Wait, scratch that.

Stairs that should have been completed on Monday.   They might look finished, but they're not.

Our bedroom.   But where is the bedroom furniture?  Behind the plastic doorway, in our bathroom.

I know, I know, this won't last forever.  But since last Friday we've been without a place to sit, Kris and I are in the full size guest bed (until one of us ends up in bed with Sadie), our closet also has furniture in it, there is dust EVERYWHERE, things are scattered, people in and out of the house all day, Sadie feels trapped since she can't run around and play in the house.... thankfully, we are getting away next week.  That's when all the sanding and staining *should* take place.  I'm praying that when we come back, everything will be in its place - because this is getting old!

That Makes Me Crazy!!

Today has been a day.....things making me crazy:

• barking dogs
• maternity pants - they just will not stay up.  I need suspenders!  Actually, let's just say maternity clothes in general - shirts included.  Gross.
• waiting.  and more waiting.
• the fact that it's a nice day and I can't go out and enjoy it.  Why?  Because I'm waiting....on people, on projects, on paint to dry, etc.
• And the fact that I'm letting stupid little things make me crazy today when I have a friend who is going through things way worse than this.  Who am I to complain about such things?  

So, how about things that I should be thankful for today instead:

• the fact that I have dogs?  uhm.....maybe.  ok.
• the fact that my baby is growing and I need bigger clothes
• the projects being done around my house.  Even if it requires a lot of waiting, I'm blessed to have improvements going on.
• so thankful for my strong friend and how she fiercely loves her special little boy!!