I would post about our lovely Christmas at home, just the two of us, but now that there are three people in our home, we all know the most exciting thing to happen in my life happened somewhere between Christmas and New Years. Actually, it happened on December 30th at 8:13pm. WE HAD A SON. That's right. I GAVE BIRTH. I know no one really cares about the details of my birth story, so the short of it is: I went to the hospital, they gave me drugs, I laid around reading The Picture of Dorian Gray and napping until I went into the last phase of labor, I pushed, a baby came out. (I have recorded a detailed record of what happened in my personal journal for posterity in the event that you were worried I was diminishing the experience. never fear.) This baby is named Pearson David, was 21.3" long, and weighed 8 lbs 11 oz. He is beautiful. I'll post pictures tonight.
As soon as we came home from the hospital, we had visitors. My mom and sisters came on the 1st and stayed for 10 days. My mom was an angel. I cannot even begin to say how much she helped me, so I will just say that I love her and I am so grateful for her. It should go without saying that since my sisters left, I have missed them every day. Also, I have had to seek outside sources for entertainment. We tried to have as much cuddle time as possible. Let's face it: everyone would rather cuddle with baby then with me. Except for Chandler. I don't think she is partial to one or the other.
I then had a few days to fend for myself before Boyf's mom and dad came to visit. They couldn't have adored Pearson more, and I was worried he would never let us put him down after such a long string of visitors!
So now it is just me and the little guy most days. He is really such a good baby! And I have become much better at taking pictures now that he is around. Granted those pictures are always of him, having grandparents so far away makes a great excuse for taking pictures on my phone and sending them into cyberspace. (Yes, I just used cyberspace in a sentence. Dare me to use "information superhighway"? Bet you forgot/aren't old enough to remember that one!)
We are still working through things--like how to digest milk without getting terrible gas/how to avoid explosive poo/how to not pee all over ourselves when getting our diaper changed--but we are doing great! I have gotten a shower almost every day and have even started doing a few things I would consider productive! (like blogging, obviously!) Leaving the house is still tricky, but since it is essential for my well-being, we haven't been too horribly cooped up. We have watched several episodes of "Psych" and "Hoarding: Buried Alive" and read several books. Also, Pearson has greatly contributed to my use of instagram, facebook, and scramble.
Now, we are gearing up for our first big outing! This weekend we have A LOT of visitors, so we are going to go into the city on Friday. Lets hope all goes well...
29.12.11
IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY! HOLLA!
Since I have NO NEW BABY TO ANNOUNCE, I am going to dedicate this post to Corinne, who this day turns 16. I've written her a poem.
Jogging
Corinne
No longer a child.
When you were a wee one, I held you in my arms.
Now we don't hold each other because you hate that.
Even though I am far away and when I get to see you I just want a lot of hugs.
You are good at a lot of things.
Like:
Doodling
Harry Potter Lego on the Wii
Dancing
Sistering
Anything.
When I grow up, I want to be like you.
And OF COURSE, this post would not be complete without some great pictures that dad left behind on this computer.
Gymnast Corinne!
Easter Corinne!
Harry Potter Corinne!
Fourth of July Corinne!
FACE!
Shark Attack! Corinne!
You just look so nice, Corinne!
Nice 'stache! Corinne!
(remember how much you hated the world this Halloween day? hahaha)
We're both smiling and you're hugging me, Corinne!
the real reason I even started looking at photos. I still love you like this many years later.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORINNE!
23.12.11
Day #124
I have been postponing this post hoping that a baby will come and then I will really have something exciting to write about. Not happening yet. The most exciting thing that has happened today is this conversation:
My husband is a hard worker. And I should remember that the next time he mentions coming home early, because 5 or 6 is way earlier than what has been happening other nights.
David: A lot of people are out of the office, so I will probably come home early.
Me: REALLY?! Like, what time?!
David: like 5 or 6.
Me: (silence....followed by more silence)
David: hello?
Me: Okay, well, I guess I should go to the grocery store without you, then. Can you tell me what you need to cook Borscht?
Me: REALLY?! Like, what time?!
David: like 5 or 6.
Me: (silence....followed by more silence)
David: hello?
Me: Okay, well, I guess I should go to the grocery store without you, then. Can you tell me what you need to cook Borscht?
My husband is a hard worker. And I should remember that the next time he mentions coming home early, because 5 or 6 is way earlier than what has been happening other nights.
15.12.11
Day 116: Larger than Life
Remember back in the day when Backstreet Boys came out with that awesome song "Larger than Life"? Because I do. It changed the face of boy bands forever. Let's review some of the lyrics:
That was absolutely NOT related to my thoughts whatsoever. Except for the Larger than Life part. I feel larger than life. I cannot even tell you how strange my body feels. I feel like I am going to explode or something. Also, I can't fit into any of my clothes except for leggings and about 3 tops. (Maternity, not other clothes, obviously.) AND this baby isn't coming any time soon as far as I can tell. I have a countdown on my computer that calculates how long it will be until baby comes (assuming he comes on his due date) and it was slightly refreshing to see that there are only 19 days left. NINETEEN DAYS! Those might be the longest 19 days of my life, but being under 20 is really a big deal.
Since we last spoke, I've been running around like crazy. Even though we are new here, or maybe BECAUSE we are new here, I've been asked to do any number of things, and I decided it was a good idea to say yes to all of them. Since I said yes to the majority of them quite a while ago, it was before I realized that I might not feel up to doing so much when I am so pregnant.
So, right after Thanksgiving I spent a week and a half living at our church building. Each year they do what is called a creche exhibit, and I helped with the Children's Room. (Creche = Nativity) It really turned out so wonderfully and we had so much help putting it all together, I could never thank everyone enough! My two main projects were a huge map of the world from which children could pull cards out of pockets and learn about the Christmas traditions in those countries, and a holy family made of chicken wire then covered in burlap.
The entire room was pretty magical. There was a great display of nativities that the children in one of the primaries had made with their picture and a little bio by each one.
There was an I Spy game with stuffed animals that had been hidden in the awesome paper trees around the room:
And there was a dress-up area with a mirror wall. All the kids loved it. Even the older ones.
I had a lot of fun reading through what some of the children wrote down as their gifts. There was a lot of "I will give Jesus my love" and a lot of really colorful drawings. But a few choice cards really struck my fancy.
The point is, the exhibit was successful! And then after 5 days and 12,000+ visitors, we tore it all down in a matter of hours. Now it is on to the next! I'm working on things for the Christmas party we are having this Saturday. One of the things I'm in charge of is a service activity we are doing. We are making little signs/decorations that people in nursing homes can put up in their rooms and have of their own for the holidays. Naturally, that means I got completely distracted while trying to make examples for the tables where people will be working on the signs. The idea was that they can just use markers, glue, and strips of paper to make things. I thought it would be a great idea to try and draw a few things as well so people don't have to deal with the glue and paper strips if they don't want to... and this amazing Christmas card happened:
I don't think it will be on display as an example of something to make for the nursing home... but when all is said and done, it will be going in my bag of tricks to perfect for the day I start selling cards on Etsy or somewhere.
Well, that was the perfect card to ring in the Christmas spirit! And now I'm going to go look at more baby names... bane of my current existence: thinking of baby names and being pregnant. I wish this guy would just get here so I can enjoy myself more. (kidding...kind of)
I may run and hide when you're screaming my name, alright
but let me tell you now there are prices to fame, alright
all of your time spent in flashes of light
All you people, can't you see, can't you see
How your love's affecting our reality
Every time we're down, you can make it right
and that makes you larger than life.
That was absolutely NOT related to my thoughts whatsoever. Except for the Larger than Life part. I feel larger than life. I cannot even tell you how strange my body feels. I feel like I am going to explode or something. Also, I can't fit into any of my clothes except for leggings and about 3 tops. (Maternity, not other clothes, obviously.) AND this baby isn't coming any time soon as far as I can tell. I have a countdown on my computer that calculates how long it will be until baby comes (assuming he comes on his due date) and it was slightly refreshing to see that there are only 19 days left. NINETEEN DAYS! Those might be the longest 19 days of my life, but being under 20 is really a big deal.
Since we last spoke, I've been running around like crazy. Even though we are new here, or maybe BECAUSE we are new here, I've been asked to do any number of things, and I decided it was a good idea to say yes to all of them. Since I said yes to the majority of them quite a while ago, it was before I realized that I might not feel up to doing so much when I am so pregnant.
So, right after Thanksgiving I spent a week and a half living at our church building. Each year they do what is called a creche exhibit, and I helped with the Children's Room. (Creche = Nativity) It really turned out so wonderfully and we had so much help putting it all together, I could never thank everyone enough! My two main projects were a huge map of the world from which children could pull cards out of pockets and learn about the Christmas traditions in those countries, and a holy family made of chicken wire then covered in burlap.
(pre-burlap family)
The entire room was pretty magical. There was a great display of nativities that the children in one of the primaries had made with their picture and a little bio by each one.
There was an I Spy game with stuffed animals that had been hidden in the awesome paper trees around the room:
And there was a dress-up area with a mirror wall. All the kids loved it. Even the older ones.
the fact that the family is framed so perfectly in that mirror may almost have been an accident...
The other really neat thing that was done was a wall/trees where kids could hang up cards on which they had written their "gifts to Jesus". It was based on the idea that we can give Christ something in return through our service, our love, etc. It looked SPECTACULAR with so many cards on it! And I brought most of the cards home to decorate our own barren Christmas tree.
I had a lot of fun reading through what some of the children wrote down as their gifts. There was a lot of "I will give Jesus my love" and a lot of really colorful drawings. But a few choice cards really struck my fancy.
I loved this book. It was 4 pages long and about Cats. In Space.
I was really grateful for the clarification written by the mothers on a few cards
The last clarification leads perfectly into my favorite nativities offered by the artists of the group
The next two are the same card, front and back, by the poet:
 |
A few gifts were a little more practical:
A few maybe a little ambitious....
Although I think this kid had the right idea:
And then there were a few that were completely unrelated:
But my VERY VERY FAVORITE OF ALL was this one:
Because who DOESN'T want that?
The point is, the exhibit was successful! And then after 5 days and 12,000+ visitors, we tore it all down in a matter of hours. Now it is on to the next! I'm working on things for the Christmas party we are having this Saturday. One of the things I'm in charge of is a service activity we are doing. We are making little signs/decorations that people in nursing homes can put up in their rooms and have of their own for the holidays. Naturally, that means I got completely distracted while trying to make examples for the tables where people will be working on the signs. The idea was that they can just use markers, glue, and strips of paper to make things. I thought it would be a great idea to try and draw a few things as well so people don't have to deal with the glue and paper strips if they don't want to... and this amazing Christmas card happened:
I don't think it will be on display as an example of something to make for the nursing home... but when all is said and done, it will be going in my bag of tricks to perfect for the day I start selling cards on Etsy or somewhere.
Well, that was the perfect card to ring in the Christmas spirit! And now I'm going to go look at more baby names... bane of my current existence: thinking of baby names and being pregnant. I wish this guy would just get here so I can enjoy myself more. (kidding...kind of)
30.11.11
Remember that time when...
Well, a lucky winner has a custom card in the mail. On their way to them. I don't want to spoil the surprise for them, but as soon as I think the card has arrived, I'll put a picture of the card up here.
Today I was looking through some photos of a friend's honeymoon. She and her new boyf really looked like they had a blast. I mean, seriously. Then in my head I thought "Remember that time when we went on a honeymoon and only took one picture?" which led me to think about how we have been married for almost a year now and have less pictures from that year than months... This could be a really bad thing, except for it has helped me to decide that I will be taking at least one picture a day from this day forward. The downside to that is it may not help the problem since getting pictures of the two of us together seems to be the hardest part of this equation.
In other news, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It came and it went! Lucky for David and I, we had TWO Thanksgivings. One on Sunday in Texas and one on the real day of Thanksgiving in Park City. I took some pictures! These are the pictures I took: (I'll insert those pictures later. I can't be bothered to upload them to my computer at the moment...)
It was a dream come true to spend a full week with my sisters and my madre. Chandler and Corinne (Chandler especially) were enjoying torturing my child. Chandler would jiggle my belly until Tiny kicked her and then laugh and laugh. Yes, she is 13. Speaking of bellies, Chandler took a few great pictures of my belly:
I'm getting rather large. Today a woman asked me when I was due and when I told her January 2nd she told me she didn't know if I would make it that far. I felt validated. I did not, however, let my hopes rise. Fortunately, I have crammed the next few weeks with so many projects and so much volunteering that they should fly by. Although my inability to sleep has made my days rather long, so that is also questionable.
Also, I crocheted mustaches for Chandler, Corinne, and my mom. I did so at 8am while David was doing Yoga. I am very active these days. Naturally, I had to take a few pictures of myself sporting a mustache, and I know you all want to see them.
Today I was looking through some photos of a friend's honeymoon. She and her new boyf really looked like they had a blast. I mean, seriously. Then in my head I thought "Remember that time when we went on a honeymoon and only took one picture?" which led me to think about how we have been married for almost a year now and have less pictures from that year than months... This could be a really bad thing, except for it has helped me to decide that I will be taking at least one picture a day from this day forward. The downside to that is it may not help the problem since getting pictures of the two of us together seems to be the hardest part of this equation.
In other news, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! It came and it went! Lucky for David and I, we had TWO Thanksgivings. One on Sunday in Texas and one on the real day of Thanksgiving in Park City. I took some pictures! These are the pictures I took: (I'll insert those pictures later. I can't be bothered to upload them to my computer at the moment...)
It was a dream come true to spend a full week with my sisters and my madre. Chandler and Corinne (Chandler especially) were enjoying torturing my child. Chandler would jiggle my belly until Tiny kicked her and then laugh and laugh. Yes, she is 13. Speaking of bellies, Chandler took a few great pictures of my belly:
I'm getting rather large. Today a woman asked me when I was due and when I told her January 2nd she told me she didn't know if I would make it that far. I felt validated. I did not, however, let my hopes rise. Fortunately, I have crammed the next few weeks with so many projects and so much volunteering that they should fly by. Although my inability to sleep has made my days rather long, so that is also questionable.
Also, I crocheted mustaches for Chandler, Corinne, and my mom. I did so at 8am while David was doing Yoga. I am very active these days. Naturally, I had to take a few pictures of myself sporting a mustache, and I know you all want to see them.
The end.
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