Preparing

The cradle is all set up, the blankets are washed and put away, the box of newborn girl and boy clothes are sitting.  Waiting.  The neutral clothes have been washed and put away, and I've picked out both a boy and a girl outfit to bring home baby in. 

I started preparing now, because I assumed it would take longer.  I thought I had so much to do.  But, I have already been through this twice, and now know that there's really not much to do.  As long as baby has a place to sleep, a few clothes to wear, and plenty of diapers what else does he or she need?

One area I am working on that takes a bit more thought and preparation is the food department.  I hope to have a freezer stocked with frozen lasagnas, enchiladas, breads, cookies, ect. before too many more weeks pass.  I've already had good plans, but they keep being thwarted because I don't have enough baking pans to store it all in.  Guess I'm going to have to go buy a few of these.

And remind me to tell you about the flowers I planted.  I'm still trying to find the humor there....

The Pajama Houdini Strikes Again

Ladybug has recently discovered how to take off her footy pajamas.  And her diaper.  Every morning for the past few mornings, I've gone in her room to discover a naked, but happy, Ladybug.  The first morning, she was so proud of herself and had even given her wet diaper to her lovey (Horsie), and had wrapped her pajamas around Horsie as well.

This morning I caught her in process, and she had only managed to get out of the top half of her pajamas, and her diaper was still intact.  "Ladybug," I told her, "Mommy takes off your pajamas and diaper, not Ladybug."

Her response?

"Ladybug take off my diappy.  I two yeaws od."

Two going on fifteen.

I Love, Love, Love

...my doula.  How amazing is it to be able to email someone anytime with any sort of question?  She gets back to me so quick.  I gotta tell you, it takes the "I'm embarrassed because I feel like I'm asking a stupid question" scenario away.  It's not a phone call (although I could do that if I wanted to), so I don't feel like I'm bothering anyone.  It's an email.  She has the freedom to check it whenever she wants to, and get back to me whenever she has time to.  So no matter how many "stupid question" emails I send her, I still don't feel like a burden.  (I know, I know!  Why should I feel like a burden when I'm paying her to do her job?  It's just me.)

And the best part comes later.  In two weeks, I have my relaxation visit.  That's where she comes over to my house (while the kids are napping!) and will do either a guided relaxation or a massage.  And then?  Then, during labor and delivery, she comes to my house when I'm ready for her.  This is awesome, because she helps us decide when to go to the hospital, so we don't get there too early (or too late).  Because I'm a VBAC, having a doula allows us to stay at home and labor for as long as we can, thus reducing the chances of having any unnecessary interventions.  And she helps us navigate the tricky medical waters while there. 

Not to mention how much of a help she is during the actual labor.  While I labored with Ladybug, I had horrible back labor.  She gave my back counter pressure pretty much the whole time.

And then?  Then?!  After the baby is born and we're home, she comes over to our house again to check up on us, see how nursing is going, and then does SOME LIGHT CLEANING!!!!  I can't tell you enough how amazing it was to have her vacuum my floors while I nursed Ladybug.  Amazing.

So.  If you have never thought of having a doula while expecting, or you've thought about it but it seemed frivolous or whatever, trust me.  It's so worth it.

When Life Gives You Lemons

Or in this case a friend gives them to you...

...make lemon bars.  Just make sure you share with your family.  They are that good.

A Boy...

...after his mother's heart:

Fritter: What kind of rocket is that?  (Rockets are what he insists on calling cars.  He's four.)
Me: That is a Volkswagon.
Fritter: That's a pretty cool, blue, Bolkswagon, rocket!  (It was really, very pretty.)

~~~

...after his father's heart:

Fritter at naptime: When I grow and get bigger, I'm going to be a pilot and fly a fast, green airplane.  Am I bigger yet?

Messy But Fun

Ladybug's creation.



Fritter's creation.  He cut them out himself.  I'm so proud. ;-)



Another One Bites The Dust

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I cannot wait until summer hits Arizona.  I am so tired of this cold and flu season, I would rather put up with 110+ temperatures outside and be stuck inside all day.  Our little family has been sick all.winter.long.  This weekend it finally caught up with my dear husband.  This is a man who rarely gets sick, and even when he does is able to power quickly through it, and I can usually barely tell when he is sick.  But not this time.

This morning I banned him from going to work, under punishment of a worried wife.  He is stuck in bed with specific instructions to do nothing but watch tv, read books, drink water, and sleep.  It's going to drive him crazy. 

Me?  Oh, I'll be spending the day with Lysol can in hand.  Nothing will be safe from me.  Not even the cat.  I am determined that no one else will get sick this year.  Not if I can help it anyway.  Viruses, watch out.  I'm a momma on the war path.

Baby Shower

A friend hosted a baby shower today for us.  I can't tell you how spoiled (yet again) I feel, as I was surrounded by such a wonderful array of friends.  Of course, I forgot to take pictures (I even brought my camera, and didn't think about it once there). 

What is it about baby showers that are just so fun?  Oh, and the food!  So good!  I think we'll keep having babies, just so we can keep having showers.  ;-)

My Sick Girl

At least she has everything she needs.

Spoiled Again

After what has seemed like an incredibly long, tiring, stressful day, my dear wonderful husband has gone out to brave the night and bring home an apple pie.  Just because I asked for one.  I love my husband.

Spoiled

Most mornings, Saturdays included, I am awoken as soon as the sun comes up by Fritter.  But this morning, I woke and looked at the clock to find it was already 8:30!  I can't remember the last time I got to sleep until 8:30.  After strolling out of the bathroom, I found my husband standing in the bedroom with a breakfast tray, super cold orange juice, and a hot cup of coffee.  I was instructed to get back into bed and enjoy my meal, while he opened the curtains, and shooed out the little feet that were threatening to organize into a protest march.  He even remembered my vitamin.

What a spoiled lucky girl I am!

Reading Tradition

Lately, when my boy wakes from his nap, I'm still in nap mode on the couch.  So we've gotten into a little habit, which I love.  He'll bring a stack of books and pile them on the couch beside us, and while I'm slowly waking up, he reads to me.  Well, not really reads, but he has most of his books memorized, and those he doesn't he improvises.  Today he grabbed Does God Know How To Tie Shoes? which happens to be one he doesn't have fully memorized.  It was super cute hearing his interpretation of the pictures and to see what he's gotten out of some of the books I've read to him.  And, in true Fritter style, he takes this reading time very seriously.

I think we're going to hang onto this tradition for some time.

Tea Party

Never heard of bacon in tea?  It's this girl's speciality!  ;-)