Long Week

On Tuesday I knew I was in trouble when I actually felt like the next day should be Sunday and I would be starting my week all over again. That is just how much stuff we had already packed into two days. I think I must be in over-drive mode with a major nesting instinct now that we know the baby is a boy. That mixed with high temperatures and hormones makes for a very long day, which turns into a very long week. I have been buzzing around trying to finish projects, start new ones and get everything settled before Christmas. I have been working on Christmas. Working on planning a little "school year" for Isaac and now I am onto Fall. I know I'm the one "in charge" of all this family stuff, and I know if it doesn't get done now, it won't get done. I did get a lot done, but each completed activity lead to a feeling of something else that needed done next… and this morning I am just exhausted. And I have a two year old who is ready to do something and all I want to do is relax. Oh well. We'll manage through and I will go to bed early.

I did get a chance to journal in my family calendar everyday and take pictures, so I thought I would just share from that since I did not get a chance to blog a lot this week.

On Monday we got around to adding the green tomatoes to our menu. We just got some more handed to us on Thursday, so we are eating those too and letting them ripen on our window sills. Isaac always, always wants to get into what I am doing. Today (Saturday) it feels like I have a Siamese twin attached to my hip. Some days it is extremely tiring. But this day he did okay and I had the patience to work with it, thankfully!

He also got his hair cut that night before taking his bath. It wasn't too long, but it was thick and furry on top of his head and I was ready to take it off! He did so well with the trimmer, no videos, no nothing. Just sat there. Towards the end we did need to call in the reinforcements and Daddy came in to read a book while I finished trimming up with some scissors.

The next day (Tuesday), Stephen took the morning off and we checked out a local Children's Museum. it was a lot of fun. It had several play areas upstairs, and we didn't have to pick up after ourselves (we did-- but it's not the same as having to do it at your house). I thought it extremely funny that we go out and all Isaac wants to do is play with the trains... we could have stayed home and done that. We had fun with several experiments on the first floor. Like trying to roll a ball down a slope at just the right height and speed to get it into a bucket that was spinning around at the bottom. Probably our favorite was the wind tubes. It was so funny watching Isaac's face as he watched them go around and waiting to come out on him.

The next day (Wednesday) was our day to go to see our new Baby Boy. Isaac did well. He was glad to go to the doctor for our "bay-ee." He lasted halfway through the ultrasound before Stephen had to take him out, but they were in their to find out he was a boy. When we were driving home we told Isaac we had to pick a name now, what should it be? He said "Jaw." As in Josh and the Wall, a favorite bedtime Bible story. So we are running Joshua through several different middle names to see if it works for us. Once we got home I tried taking him to a Splash Pad since it was extremely hot and we could not just play outside without dieing! But he had nothing doing with that, which disappointed me a little. We'll try again another day.

Thursday was grocery day, an all day affair for us since I go shopping every other week. Getting so many groceries I have to re-stock and re-organize my shelves and prep stuff before it goes bad, but I enjoy doing this all on one day rather than several days through out the next few weeks. Between stops we stopped off to register Isaac for the Park Districts two-year-old program. One hour a week, every Monday, Isaac will be a little "Pebble." (The pre-school program is called "Stepping Stones" so that makes him the one underneath.) That will be fun for him.

And yesterday we had a wonderful day at the park. The sun was hiding behind clouds, making it quite bearable to be outside, dare I say actually enjoyable! And what is not to enjoy with an adorable two year old sliding down slides and pretending the rocks below are water, as he wiggles his body all through the dirt to get to the safe grassy area to the other side (his imagination is beginning to be quite active, it's a lot of fun).

That's our week so far. I don't know what will be written for today, but I have to start the day sometime. Maybe a little sweet tea will help... it always does!!!

Big Boy

On Friday, Isaac and I took a trip to our local Salvation Army Thrift store. I was tired of trying to squeeze t-shirts over his head and hear his hilarious sound effects as he struggled to get free. Our last trip to the thrift store ended as soon as we walked in the door, so I was not too excited about this trip, thinking the same thing would probably happen. But it actually didn't. He had fun pushing hangers around, eating his snack, drinking juice, and sitting in the back of the cart since the front was broken. We enjoyed finding a couple toys also for him to play with as well as a brand new Elmo game I will keep undercover until Christmas comes around.

We found some nice church pants for forty cents… and got a couple pairs. So Sunday morning he was quite tickled, after our fun trip to get "big boy stuff" to wear his "big boy pants" to church for the first time. The picture doesn't fully capture his fun attitude, but the church shoes, the bow tie… all Isaac's doing. He had fun.

Fried Green Tomatoes

I was just mentioning to Stephen yesterday during our "last supper" that I didn't get enough stuff for sides in our meals this week. Then low and behold that night we arrived home from church to find green tomatoes, bagged, on our doorstep from our next door neighbor. How exciting. Extra food and not just any extra food… green tomatoes!!!

So all day now these things are sitting on the sink ledge, calling to me, and creating anticipation for our evening meal. I think perhaps it has been four years since I have had the privilege of eating fried green tomatoes!

My Simple Daybook

For Today, Saturday, July 24, 2010

 

Outside my window...

I am watching a thunderstorm pass through. It woke me up early but I didn't mind too much today since thunderstorms are rare for our mornings. I enjoyed coming out and opening the window to watch it pass through as I read. The darkness it makes in the house and the dryness within our walls makes a calm, quiet feeling. Now I love sunny days, they are very motivating, but especially on a Saturday morning… a cloudy, rainy morning just says, Relax, come out only when you want to. Enjoy. Breathe.

 

I am thinking...

I will have to get up and go get Isaac from his crib before his gentle voice turns into a cry. When it reaches that point it is just a struggle to get him to happily up and ready for the day. It's a fine line.

 

I am thankful for...

A dry house. I keep anticipating that something is going to start dripping and leaking with all this rain we are getting (the road outside and part of our backyard are flooding, I have never seen them do that before) that something is going to give in… but so far… nothing. Not even a window sill.

 

From the kitchen...

Is my own light I have on. And the smell of coffee.

 

I am reading...

Family Feasts For $75 a Week. Still a really good book that I am learning so much from and putting so much more into practice.

 

I am hoping...

We are able to get out today for a couple must-have items we ran out of. (Part of my learning to shop skills I am gleaning from the book above. Except, I am not a pro at it yet, so must-have trips are still on my agenda this week.) I also hope that the Hartells are able to have their graduation party for their boys ( a pig roast) because it does not look like a promising day!

 

I am creating...

Sanity from chaos. I have come the conclusion that we are actually staying in this house another year… and it's time to officially move in. I think with Isaac being one last summer and us jumping into things and now with the baby on the way… I am officially realizing a lot of stuff I just threw out of the boxes and never actually decided if we should keep it, if we need it, how we use it… you know what I mean. So now, anticipating the baby, anticipating keeping an 8 month old when her mom starts school next month (two days a week) and having Isaac start his own little "school" (being intentional about challenging him since he is starting to enjoy numbers and colors), it is time to get things operating smoothly around here.

 

I am hearing...

Isaac begin to wake himself up, talking and making funny sounds with Tigger (who seems to be his favorite over Pooh Bear, probably because he and Tigger have similar bouncing personalities). Yesterday he took absolutely, positively, no nap. I was surprised. I put him down several times and left, but he was just not going to nap. He was a good boy, letting me do a couple jobs while he was up, but right around supper time he began to fall apart. Stephen came home and we ate, and then he got his bath… we read and prayed and then Isaac went off to bed about an hour early. And he did not make a sound all night long, even through a long line of thunderstorms we had come through at different times through the night. This is the first I have heard of him since he went to sleep twelve hours ago. I am nervous to see if he will have a rough day because he is still tired from yesterday. I hoping this isn't a sign that afternoon naps are gone. He is too young for that! I am too old for that…and too pregnant. I want my naps too.

 

Around the house...

I never quite know what to put for this one. If it was around a holiday I would have lots to say. But this is just ordinary… so we have "ordinary" around the house.

 

One of my favorite things...

My being able to have a few quiet moments before anyone else wakes up and responsibilities start calling.

 

A few plans for the rest of the (upcoming) week…

-Go to the Children's Museum together

-Wait for our new ladies' Bible study material to come in

-Make final plans for a quick family get-away to Wisconsin

 

Isaac… here I come!!!!

 

 

Appointment

I made our appointment to get the 20-week ultrasound. Next Wednesday (the 28^th) at 12:30.

That gives us enough time to let Stephen take me out to lunch, right?

Glad

This is day number five. And I am wishing I had taken his pacifier away sooner! It is so freeing! And makes him such an independent boy! I noticed already on day three he was starting to know when he was tired and laying himself down on the carpet. Well, yesterday when we were out with friends, he climbed up in my lap and put his head down. And if he had not been handed an ice cream bar… I am sure he would have fallen asleep. And then today!...

Me: (seeing Isaac leave our water play fun and lay down on the hot dark asphalt of our driveway… on his back, face up, eyes closed… sorry, no camera!!!) Isaac, are you tired?

Isaac: Naw.

Hahaha. Needless to say, he was scooped up, dried off, and eagerly closed his eyes as soon as he could wrap his arms around Tigger. I like no pacies!!

Summer

It was been so hot… too hot… must just be me. But after being up since six o'clock (early sunrise wake up) with Isaac this morning, and already days of building trains and Lego towers, there is only so much of being cooped up inside that a body can take. So, Stephen helped us venture outside early this morning, filled the pool and new water play table Isaac got for his birthday. It was not long AT ALL before I got in the pool with Isaac. And he LOVED it! We had a lot of fun being and silly and playing. I was wishing for the beach today, but this was just as fun. Cool water. Warm sunshine. Lots of water. Fun and giggles. And as we were inventing games together I remembered I used to be the Summer Camp teacher… HOW did I come up with all that crazy stuff to do! And I am a bit disappointed that I have forgotten so much.

Sing-Along

Song: Who built the ark?

Isaac: "Knome-uh! Knome-uh!"

Song: Who built the ark?

Isaac: (Brother) Knome-uh (built the ark).

A Daybook

For Today, Sunday, July 18, 2010...

Outside my window...

It's hot. Miserably hot. I don't know what is wrong with me this summer, but the time I spend outside is just awful. I think it's because I'm pregnant. It has been a really funny discovery though: One night we went to a park or somewhere as a family. And Stephen (who is always, ALWAYS hotter than I am) turned to me and asked if I was ready to turn the air conditioning down… it was then that I knew I had a problem. I wasn't even close to being cooled down, in fact, I was still very warm. I talked to the doctor about it and a few friends who have been pregnant before and they said it is just because I'm pregnant. The doctor asked if I had a pass to the pool, he advised spending my time in the pool, soaking up the coolness of the water. As the weeks go by with the end to these "dog-days," the gigantic size of Isaac's pool is looking quite comforting.

I am thinking...

It is nice to not have anything due or places to go for a while. Summer is fun, and I love the people and places we see, but it is also nice to be at home. Looking forward to the heat being over, but not exactly ready for summer to be done.

I am thankful for...

Air conditioning.

From the kitchen...

Are cries from the dishes to be cleaned. I hate when they do that!

I am reading...

Family Feasts For $75 a Week, I highly recommend it. It's not really so much about making that specific dollar amount, but it is a wealth of practical, non-pressure-ful information on how to take care of your budget and in particular, managing a menu, home, and pantry.

I am hoping...

I can hustle around and get Isaac up so we are not late for evening service.

I am creating...

This post for now!

I am hearing...

My husband asking me questions I am not really paying attention to. Focus, focus!

Around the house...

Are chaotic signs that Sunday has come to our house again: Isaac has fully taken advantage of the quiet time mom needs to finish getting ready and getting lunch… and who has time to fix it all up again when we need to find shoes, tuck in shirts, comb hair and get out the door? I despise the chaos Sundays make at our house. It always makes Mondays so hard, too much work and plain dreadful.

One of my favorite things...

Air conditioning.

A few plans for the rest of the week…

-Write a few notes

-Look at the calendar

-Celebrate our anniversary!!!

Transitions

Now that our young guy is officially two years old, it's time to transition off the pacifier. We had narrowed it down to just bedtimes successfully since last Winter or Spring. And just the past couple days we have cut it out altogether.

My first plan of action was to snip some of the end off it. He still got his pacifier's presence and comfort, but it wasn't doing the old job for him. One night of that was enough for me, we needed a clean break. So the next day he and I made a special Big Boy Day, road the train at the mall, played in the playground and went off to find a much coveted Pooh Bear he had wanted at a gas station stop but was denied. So we went off to find Pooh to replace "pacie." We were excited to find him on extreme clearance at the Disney Store and were able to get Tigger (his other favorite) on sale too! Both much less for the price I was expecting to pay for just one. Last night went so smoothly! I was surprised. He woke up bright and chipper talking to Pooh and Tiger, brought them out and snuggled down on the living room carpet to finish waking up. (A normal tradition now that we have a new carpet he very much adores.)

But naptime… this is not going as smoothly. Which I have heard does not go as well. Understandable. It's the middle of the day, and learning to soothe one's self to actually stop and go to sleep could be hard for an active little guy. He's just saying, "Mum, cum. Mum, cum." But I have noticed his little voice is just singing now, must be talking to Pooh or Tigger, and it's getting softer… softer… softer. I have a feeling that after being in there for almost an hour now, he'll fall asleep.

We do have a routine before naptimes, which has helped so much. I noticed today though, since he's been trying to put himself to sleep a couple days now, that the closer we got to our "normal" naptime, the quieter he got. He actually laid down on the floor and rolled his trains around. I could tell he was able to start feeling that he was getting tired, which he has never had to do before. So I scooped him up and he cheerfully waved bye to his train, "She yuh!" (See ya.) We did a bathroom run and while putting on his pants again he saw Pooh waiting in his bed for him. He told Pooh he was coming, and started snoring. He was ready. He was so ready I thought for sure he would be asleep by now! I know I could be. But when I personally take naps, my days just get so behind. Maybe once I finally here zero noise from his room I can drift off for a quick pick-me-up.

You know… do you ever have one of those days where you wish you were blogging and posting your pictures from your most recent trip to Hawaii. That thought just struck me… huh! Nice. Aloha!

Try, Try Again

So… I have this notebook I write in almost every day, about what's going on in our schedule, Isaac's development, things I've learned or am in the process of learning, and "profound" thoughts that cross my mind about life in general that I might perhaps one day want to remember or give to Isaac. Because of that my blog is extremely lacking. There are only so many minutes in my day. And writing all those things over again in a "censored" manner is not appealing to me in the least.

When I look at our blog stats and see names or accounts I don't recognize, regularly logging onto our site, I do not have any desire to post my personal thoughts and information. Our blog started (four years ago to be exact… can you believe it has been that long!!!) to be for our family and friends. Now when I follow links left behind I see our blog is posted on someone else's (several someone else's) blog for others to click on through and read. And then some even have our blog somehow linked up in such a manner that every time I post something it pops up on their front page and lets others click on through so they can read the rest of the story. And then to meet people in random places who say "Yes, I follow your blog."… People I have never met… ! It's just a little unsettling for me personally. I know there are some who would debate that, but I can only speak for myself. Each time I even think about writing something I am thinking of all those OTHER people who are reading, knowing that it is not for them that I ever intended to write.

So I am going to give this blog a try. I know I can't keep complete strangers from reading it, but it's a fresh start and won't be given out to an endless amount of people. If you are reading… don't be tempted to link this blog to your own, please! We love connecting with family and friends and want to keep it as simple as possible. I don't have the time to maintain a blog which requires invitations and passwords for everyone to come and read. So I'll just try this one more time and see if it works out.

Here's to trying again!