How much could possibly happen in a week?

Mommy Thoughts
There are things that you can not possibly prepare for when you cross the threshold into parenthood.  You hear all the time about what you'll learn: a new kind of love, a new level of exhaustion, a new sense of responsibility, a new outlook on the world.  It's all true.  A sister-friend (totally different from a sister-wife!) made an observation on Facebook recently about a conversation she overheard between some suburban moms.  She wondered if there was anything else in the world that they found interesting or substantial.  She was concerned.  I can say, almost confidently, that they do have other interests.  I'm still just as interested now as I was in politics, television, my social life, and my husband as I was pre-baby.  It's just that a person was introduced into my life who depends on me completely.  When you pair his dependence with this newly unlocked maternal love, everything else fades into the background.  (Don't let me forget to mention that I'm also one of those working moms.  I leave my house when it's still dark outside, and I get precious little time to sit and snuggle.  I feel like I only see him on weekends, so I spend a lot of time missing him, thinking of him, wishing I was with him.)  If I seem to have a one track mind, it's because I do.  He's growing so fast.  Almost 2 months have flown by.  The people who understand me best are the women who are living with their little ones - savoring moments as they slip away.  Put us together, and I'm sure we'd seem boring to almost anyone without kids.

Side note to SB: When it's you, people will wonder the same thing about you.  You'll smile, look at the tiny face that you formed and shrug it off, knowing that there will be plenty of time to catch up on news, sports, pop culture, or whatever it is that you're missing.  You're going to be awesome when it's your turn.  <3!

State of the Bebe

Bo will be 8 weeks old tomorrow.  He's holding his head up like a champ.  He's working up some facial expressions - I've seen fleeting smiles, and I'm waiting breathlessly for an honest to goodness big toothless grin.  I feel like we've passed a milestone with nursing.  He was slow to latch a couple of days this week, but we soldiered on and prevailed.  We're working up a bedtime routine - last feeding, lotion/massage, swaddle, singing, book, prayer, and bed.  Tonight was the second night.  He went down pretty quickly, and I felt vindicated.  He's still waking up between 11PM and 1AM and then sometime between 4AM and 6AM.  We're scheduled for the first round of vaccinations next week.  I'm already stressed about it. 

((ETA: He's still wobbly with the head holding... but definitely starting to get the hang of it.))

Family Plans
Cameron is going to pick up Tyler and Des tomorrow.  He'll finally get to meet their teachers for this year.  Des will be staying for a whole week - Tyler for the weekend only.  I'm excited for some girl time, and I know how much she wants to help take care of the baby.  My second set of parents are coming up on Saturday to meet the Bebe.  I can't wait for him to meet them!

Aunt Juliet and Uncle Jonathan will be here next weekend, and we have tentative plans for a pumpkin patch / haunted corn maze trip.   I'll probably definitely be sitting out anything described as haunted.  Someone has to keep watch for the Great Pumpkin after all.  :)  My guess is that Daredevil Des will be beside herself with excitement.

Routines
It's our second week back on the FlyLady program.  The house looks great.  The routines are starting to set in.  My filing cabinet is in better shape that it has been in at least a year.  The dreaded Tupperware cabinet has been organized.  The laundry is caught up, and I even gave myself a manicure.  I've built a family binder that keeps me organized and on track.  (I'm really geeking out about it - it may get it's own post.  Don't judge me.)  We can have a guiltfree restful and snuggle filled weekend.  I may even break out a fun kid activity or two from Pinterest.

Work
I'm learning about the sales world.  It's an interesting creature.  This week I overcame my fear of cold calling.  I drove to an industrial park, drove around, and talked to people.  I have to remind myself that people are, for the most part, nice.  The worst that anyone can say is no.  I even had one very nice man give me a tour of his warehouse. 

It was incredibly sad to see how many plants and factories have closed their doors.  Empty parking lots form desolate and dusty perimeters around sad buildings with dark windows.  It's a world that I've never seen before.  I'm relieved and terrified that there is an election around the corner.  I pray that in the near future, cars will fill the parking lots again and send the weeds that have set up residence in cracks in the pavement packing.

Research

I'm reading a book about attachment parenting.  It's an interesting take, and while I'm not exactly soliciting advice, I'd like to hear opinions that you might have on it.  Comment, shoot me an email, or give me a call.  We'll chat.  :)

This is getting tough, kids.

18 days until my due date.  18 days. 

Pregnancy, for me, has been relatively easy.  I've said it time and time again, and I say it now to remind myself just how blessed I am.  It would be easy to forget at this point.

I'm tired.  I'm swollen.  I have a healthy, squirmy, 7-ish pound boy killing time and getting fatter as we creep toward the finish line.

My brain is mush.  My sleep schedule is jacked up.  Work is exhausting. 

This post was supposed to be about how much fun I had at the wedding this weekend.  Congrats to Mr. and Mrs. Brown.  We ate; we laughed; we were inappropriate.  I realized that I no longer consider this group of people to be Cameron's friends.  They are our friends.

And my corned beef sandwich at Fado was out of this world.

And the Rodemoyers are excellent hosts.

Did I mention that brain-mush phenomenon? 

Blah.

My Intervention

Since being placed on husband-enforced couch rest for the 15 hours per day that I am not at work, I sit after work and stare longingly at hot spots in my house that just need a touch up before Baby Bo’s arrival.  Cameron does an excellent job of taking care of things – he is a smart guy and learns quickly.  Gone are the days when he didn’t know how to turn on the vacuum or which of my clothes CANNOTGOINTHEDRYER!  Keep in mind that if I sound like I am complaining, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that any issues that I have stem strictly from the fact that in my mind, no one can keep my house like I can. 

Last weekend, my aunt and my cousin offered to come over and help me set up my baby spaces.  Our house has limited square footage, and while Bo and Tyler will share a bedroom, I do NOT want Tyler to feel displaced by the new baby at all.  The crib and a dresser will go into Tyler’s room, but for the foreseeable future, Baby Bo will reside in a bassinet in our room.  I had plans to keep his clothes and a changing station in our room.  I was a little overwhelmed by what seemed to me to be 7 million tiny decisions and by my admitted lack of any decorative eye.  After 2 amazing showers, there were clothes, toys, nursery decorations, and all the miscellaneous baby things that inevitably go with bringing home baby.

We decided that Auntie M and Rebecca would come over on Wednesday evening, and we’d put everything in its place.  By Tuesday evening, it was clear to me that I was not going to be comfortable having anyone in my house in its current condition.  Cameron assured me that everything would be just fine, that no one expected my house to be spotless, and that he would clean Wednesday morning before work.  Wednesday morning, I texted Rebecca to tell her that I just couldn’t do it.  I just couldn’t have them at my house.  She asked me to call her, which I did.  She informed me in no uncertain terms that this was an INTERVENTION.  They were coming.  They were bringing dinner, and I just needed to tell her what I wanted for dinner.  (This might have lead to another mini-breakdown where I begged her to just bring ANYTHING for dinner as long as I didn’t have to make a decision.)

At 5:30PM, I arrived home from work and under strict orders from Rebecca, I changed my clothes, but I cleaned nothing.  Thankfully, Cameron - true to his word - had basically cleaned the entire house.  I sat down and wrote a few thank you notes and waited for the reinforcements.  They arrived with spaghetti (all ingredients fresh from the farm), garlic bread, AND dessert.  Once we had eaten and talked Bumbo recalls and baby shoes, we moved into my bedroom.

Rebecca refolded all my onesies.  Apparently there's an art to it.

  We sorted through ALL the baby stuff.  They helped me decide what needed to stay in arm’s reach and what could be put away for a while.  

Major life lesson: Diapers can NOT live in the linen closet.

They hung decorations and took tags off of toys.  

Auntie M made the quilt!  Super cute.  Letters were crafted by One Rad Mother and Mellow.

Thanks for these also goes to One Rad Mother.  She's amazing.

Basket of fun!

Super awesome wash cloth dinosaurs, made by Ben, for my diaper cake.   Love them.

Auntie M made a trip to the closest store for Rubbermaid drawers and baskets for sorting.  

Thank you, Margaret!!

We laughed.  We talked about packing a hospital bag.  We looked at bringing home baby outfits.  We oohed and aahed over onesies with whales that said “Little Squirt”.  We worked until almost 9PM.  Then we ate dessert. 

As quickly as they came, they were gone – leaving me tired and thankful for my family and friends who don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. 

*** Edited to Add*** 

The finished product!!

Wordless Wednesday (with big thanks to Ashley!)

36 weeks down!

I need longer weekends.

I love it when my sister comes to visit.  She got to town on Friday night with husband and dog in tow.  She and I watched Olympics giggled and talked about nothing in particular while the Olympics played in the background.  Our hubbies played together and put together my new chair.

Chair courtesy of Moma, Bepaw, Aunt Christina and family, and Kevin and Bessie!  Thanks, y'all!

It was waaaaay too late when we decided to make a trip into town to the Waffle House.  Aunt Juliet thought it was hilarious to tell the waitress that I was "10 months pregnant" which made them eyeball me suspiciously through the rest of our dinner.  Turns out that we're too old to be out that late or to consume that much grease.

The next morning while Uncle Jonathan played golf and Cameron worked, Aunt Juliet and I got pedicures and frozen yogurt.  My sissy spoils me like you wouldn't believe.  

I had nothing to wear to my shower on Saturday, but thankfully, a dear neighbor offered to let me borrow a few more maternity items to get me through the next few weeks.  Her dresses were fantastically cute, and definitely got me lots of compliments on Saturday.

You can't tell, but my toenails totally match. :)

The shower was thrown by my aunt and darling cousins.  The food was scrumptious - especially the lemon and blueberry cupcakes.  The company was amazing.  Baby Bo and I received several very special handmade gifts that I will treasure forever.  I didn't take a lot of photos because I was staying off my feet like a good little preggo, but here are a couple of my favorites.

2 of my hostesses and me - with mustaches, of course!

Useful and fantastically CUTE!

My first best friend and sculptor of washcloth dinosaurs for the top of my diaper cake.

I learned several things on Saturday - not least of all, just how many people are ready and willing to come to the aid of this terrified new mother.  I've said it before, and it only becomes more true every day - Rockmart is my home.

I'm loved.  My family is loved.  I did not only receive gifts for Bo and me, but also for Tyler and Destyni.  Cameron got a to-go box of shower food.  All in all, it was a great day for everyone.

10 things about ME!

It’s official – I’m a little obsessed.  I’ve started reading blogs – not just blogs of people that I know – but blogs of people at random.  It started as curiosity – I just wanted to know what other people wrote about and what their blogs look like.  Then I realized that there are all these women out there who are blogging, and I have things in common with them!  Could be pregnancy or stepchildren or just seeking inspiration on how to be a better Christian wife.  Knowing that there are people out there who have the same struggles, triumphs, and occasional losses makes me feel better about my life.  I’m going to give all credit to Jenni from the Blog for this – 10 things about me (before the baby comes and no one cares about me anymore.)  Just kidding.  I think.  Also, I’m going to try my best to leave pregnancy out of this – but it’s harder than it sounds at this point.  Let’s go!

Home Sweet Logging Camp - Ketchikan, AK

1.  I live in Georgia, and I love it.  I’ve lived in California and Tennessee with holdovers in Oregon, Alaska, Florida, and Africa.  I’ve done my share of travelling, and one day I’ll strike out again.  Wanderlust runs in my family. 

2.  I was always one of those smart kids in school.  I was tested in kindergarten, deemed ‘gifted’ and got to spend a couple of hours a week doing word puzzles and the like.  I was the salutatorian in my graduating class.  As an adult, it doesn’t seem to make much difference.  My husband says that my logic doesn’t make sense to anyone but me, and left vs. right still sometimes escapes me.  I married one of the smartest people that I’ve ever known.  He challenges me and makes me think critically (even when I’d rather not).  I love him for it.

3.  I work 40+ hours a week for a logistics company.  I was promoted to Account Manager about 3 months ago.  I don’t blog about work.  It’s not that interesting anyway.

4.  I wish I was one of those people who just seem to be born organized.  I’m not.  I’m scattered and always seem to have something better to do than clean or organize anything.  I wanted my life in order, but I just couldn’t figure it out.  I found FlyLady about 6 months ago, and I am now proud to have people come over and visit.

5.  I have a B.A. from Mercer University in Leadership and Community Service (specializing in non-profit business) with a minor in French.  (Go Bears!) I spent 2 years living the sorority life, but it was too much of a time commitment once I moved off campus and got a job.  I believed for some time that I had spoiled any relationships that I might have had with my ADPi sisters for not making it work, but 10 years later, they are some of my nearest and dearest friends.  The last two years of my college career were devoted to historic houses, waiting tables, WesleyFoundation, and this girl.

Pi Love for life!

6.  When I was 15, I met a boy on the interwebs.  We had just gotten AOL, and I was kind of a rebel.  He and I corresponded via email for sometime, then progressed to late night chats on the telephone.  I think it was late in my Junior year of high school that I met him face to face, and I’ll say that I fell in love with him then – though – I probably loved him for some time before that.  We were friends until the summer after my Freshman year of college.  We went our separate ways, learned a few things about life, and grew into adults who knew what they wanted.  In 2009, we reconnected.  In 2010, we moved to Nashville, TN.  In 2011, we moved back to Georgia and got married.  We are expecting our first son a few weeks before our 1 year anniversary.  His big brother and sister are anxiously awaiting his arrival. 

Once upon a long, long time ago!

7.  I have trouble saying ‘no’.  I love to volunteer for things, and I tend to get myself in over my head. 

8.  I am a Christian.  I was raised in the Methodist Church, and I consider the congregation there to be just another part of my huge, extended family.   I am a member of CrossviewCommunity Church, and I serve in the Preschool.  

9.  I am a sucker for puppies.  I am a sucker for dogs.  I have to ration the cute puppy photos that I allow myself on my Facebook because I’m pretty sure that if I posted everything that made me melt with cute, I’d start losing friends.  I adopted Gus from the Walmart parking lot 4 years ago.  Per the little girl who gave him to me, “His daddy was a lab, and his mama was a FOX.”  My mom thinks that he belongs to her, and he wouldn’t be very happy in our little house.  I settle for dog-sitting when she goes out of town.

My favorite puppy and my beautiful sissy!  Double win!

10.  I don’t have much of a filter.  I’m incredibly adept at saying ridiculously inappropriate things at all the wrong times.  My friends think I’m funny.  They say that they love me fiercely, but I think they may just keep me around for entertainment.  It’s easier to keep in check when I’m writing instead of talking, so if you want the true experience, you’ll have to take me to dinner or something.  (I like Chinese food...)

GET ON MY BELLY!

33.5 weeks!

So - I had avoided taking another belly photo.  I was waiting for a day when I might actually be wearing make-up or putting in some effort.  However, getting out of bed and working 9 hours is about all I've got right now, and the rest is just the cherry on top.  Don't expect any cherries out of me for the foreseeable future.

So - here I am... in all my pregnant splendor.  And let me tell you something about my belly: I'm proud of it. I get tons of emails everyday about pregnancy and everything that goes into it.  There seem to be a ridiculous number of women who want to know how to keep people's hands off their bellies.  I can't completely identify - maybe I haven't been fondled by enough strangers yet.  I've always been a hugger, so I don't have much of a problem with physical closeness. 


I rub my belly all the time.  I feel for little feet or knees or elbows or whatever that is that's poking me now, and I poke back.  I massage.  I knead.  I love on him.  I play with him.  


Bo is already my most incredible accomplishment ever, and I want to share him with the world.  I want other people to know how strong he is, how hard he can kick, how squirmy and fun he is.  I'll gladly share him with you.  Just let me know.

Lessons learned.

I love my hometown.  I do.  I love most small towns, but I love mine the most.  I can probably say this truthfully because I left for most of my 20's, and came back to kick off my 30's. 

Homespun is a yearly festival with arts and crafts, music, rides, food, a parade, a 5k, a duck derby, and topped off with fireworks.  It's always hot and crowded, and for me, at least, it's always worth it.

This year was the first year that I've attended avec bebes, and like pretty much everything else, they only made it more fun.  I have a lot to learn about life with kids, and Saturday was no exception. 

I started the day at 6:30AM by greeting runners who were registering for the 5K.  This was special for me because it is run by our church - Crossview Community Church - and it was the first event that I volunteered for last year when we started attending.  This year was almost twice the size as last year, as now we are a qualifier for the Peachtree Road Race.  It was a busy morning!

After the race, I met Mom, Cameron and the kiddos at the First Methodist church for my favorite Homespun tradition - hot breakfast cooked by the Methodist men.  Unfortunately, after breakfast, Cameron had to head off for work, leaving the kiddos and me to our own devices.  We made one lap around the festival to check it all out and decided that as soon as the parade was over, we'd head back toward the bouncy houses.

1st lesson - You CAN have too many balloons.

Too many balloons leads to tangles and general mayhem.  These are fantastic kids, though - Tyler lost a balloon, so Des let him have one of hers.  A little later, Des lost her remaining balloon and Tyler gave her one back.  This was all with NO prompting.  *happysigh*

Des loved the parade - it was her favorite part of the day.  She loved the clowns, and she positively beamed when one threw confetti on her.  I watched her jump up and down on her toes in an act of completely unbridled joy.  {For a minute, in my eyes, she was 4 years old again.}  She also wanted to ride on the firetruck.  She says that she'll be a cheerleader if she can ride on the firetruck.  That brought me back to the present.

We did some bouncing on the bouncy houses post-parade and then headed home for cool-down, lunch, and naptime.

When Cameron got home, we headed back down for his favorite part, the food trucks.

There was chicken on a stick, homemade chips (ribbon fries?), fried fish, fried pickles, a blooming onion, and fried cheesecake.

2nd lesson - Take a blanket.

We sat in the grass to eat our fill of greasy fried deliciousness.  The tables were all full, and because I'm usually content to stand and eat, the logistics of sharing platefuls of food off the ground with two kiddos under 7 who were overly concerned with grass and every tiny bug that crawled by didn't occur to me until we were in the moment.  No harm, no foul, I suppose.

3rd lesson - Kiddo tummies are much MUCH more hardy than mine at this point.

Just watching this happen directly after eating made me queasy - but the boys enjoyed it.  Each of the kids got to choose one activity post-dinner.  This was explained to them very specifically.  Destyni did a great job standing with me and watching the boys go round and round.  Once his ride was over, we walked back to the bouncy houses.

4th lesson - Des will ALWAYS choose the bouncy houses.

Tyler was very unhappy to watch his sister bounce without him.  Those blue eyes welled up, and the bottom lip started to quiver.  It hurt my heart - and Cameron's too, but he had been presented with his options.  We had to stick to it.  I would not tell him, for obvious reasons, but I will tell you, dear Peekers, that sometimes working to raise responsible human beings sucks.  My heart wants to give them everything that they want now.  It's so hard to say 'no', but my prayer is that they will learn the hard lessons, and one day say 'no' to their children - so that I won't have to.  (Isn't that what we have to look forward to as grandparents??)

5th lesson - There's always time for one more ride.

As we walked to the car, we saw a train of carts pulled by a John Deere lawnmower making laps around the park.  We had seen it in the parade earlier, and it was just too good to pass up.  The kiddos hopped in for a spin, and Cameron and I stood in the relative quiet, holding hands, and taking it all in.  I love my family.  I love my life.  I love Homespun.  I already can't wait for next year.

Final lesson - ...