Someone posted a video link on Facebook of "Mary Did You Know" about a month ago, and I stared at my computer moniter with tears streaming down my cheeks. I don't know why this year, but the song's not "speaking" to me, it's beating me over the head. Maybe because this Christmas, I am watching my first baby morph into her own little person - she's still some of me and some of my husband, all blended together, but she's her own person. It's amazing. It's miraculous. And this Christmas, I'm holding another baby - and have a better idea of what is ahead for us. It's overwhelming.
Merry Christmas, blog readers. Merry Christmas.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
And Another Thing!
Also alternatively titled: ILoveMyJobILoveMyJob
BG: I've been training to be back up for someone else's position, which includes learning the ins and outs of a bajillion reports. The first two gems came from the girl training me - and keep in mind, she's responsible for single-handedly compiling and generating stacks of reports with flawless accuracy. The third came from my indirect boss, who is supposed to be responsible for making sure that I don't get overloaded.
#1:
Her: Team #1 always has more revenue because there are like 10 times as many of them.
Me: Actually, it looks like there are 15 on Team #1 and 10 on Team #2. So it would be like 30% more... haha.
Her: Yeah, well, same difference.
Me: ...
#2: (In the Method of Procedure that she wrote for me to use as a guide while she's on vacation for the next two weeks)
"XXX never happens. But if it does, PERSON A will send you an email and will help you to correct it in DATABASE B. She should remember how, since she fixed it both times it happened last year."
#3:
Indirect Boss: We have these files that were saved incorrectly and I need you to fix them. It'll only take a minute.
Me: Great, how many are ther?
IB: I think there are about 100.
Me: That sounds pretty time intensive, where will it fall on the priority list?
IB: I fixed 3 of them and it took less than 10 minutes. Do you think you can have them done by the end of today?
Me: ... It's 4:15
IB: I know.
BG: I've been training to be back up for someone else's position, which includes learning the ins and outs of a bajillion reports. The first two gems came from the girl training me - and keep in mind, she's responsible for single-handedly compiling and generating stacks of reports with flawless accuracy. The third came from my indirect boss, who is supposed to be responsible for making sure that I don't get overloaded.
#1:
Her: Team #1 always has more revenue because there are like 10 times as many of them.
Me: Actually, it looks like there are 15 on Team #1 and 10 on Team #2. So it would be like 30% more... haha.
Her: Yeah, well, same difference.
Me: ...
#2: (In the Method of Procedure that she wrote for me to use as a guide while she's on vacation for the next two weeks)
"XXX never happens. But if it does, PERSON A will send you an email and will help you to correct it in DATABASE B. She should remember how, since she fixed it both times it happened last year."
#3:
Indirect Boss: We have these files that were saved incorrectly and I need you to fix them. It'll only take a minute.
Me: Great, how many are ther?
IB: I think there are about 100.
Me: That sounds pretty time intensive, where will it fall on the priority list?
IB: I fixed 3 of them and it took less than 10 minutes. Do you think you can have them done by the end of today?
Me: ... It's 4:15
IB: I know.
Something to think about...
(alternative title: I don't think I'll be spanking my kids)
I ran across a Peaceful Parenting website the other day, and this gem was part of a discussion:
I ran across a Peaceful Parenting website the other day, and this gem was part of a discussion:
Legal definitions: Assault is an act that creates an apprehension in another of an imminent, harmful, or offensive contact. The act consists of a threat of harm accompanied by an apparent present ability to carry out the threat. Battery is harmful or offensive touching of another.While I was looking for that to get the exact quote, I did find this story on a private board of a popular online parenting community:
...so it's legally ok to spank a child, but not an adult that is fully capable of defending himself.
(paraphrased, because I can't find it again)
"When I was about 20 years old, I met an old pastor's wife who told me that when she was young and had her first child, she didn't believe in striking children, although spanking kids with a switch pulled from a tree was standard punishment at the time.
One day when her son was four or five, he did something that she felt warranted a spanking - the first of his life. And she told him that he would have to go outside and find a switch for her to hit him with. The boy was gone a long time. And when he came back in, he was crying. He said to her, "Mama, I couldn't find a switch, but here's a rock that you can throw at me."
All of a sudden the mother understood how the situation felt from the child's point of view: that if my mother wants to hurt me, then it makes no difference what she does it with; she might as well do it with a stone. And the mother took the boy onto her lap and they both cried. Then she laid the rock on a shelf in the kitchen to remind herself forever: never violence.
And that is something I think everyone should keep in mind. Because violence begins in the nursery - one can raise children into violence."
Friday, December 17, 2010
The Tablecloth
“The Tablecloth” - Author Unknown
A pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, reopened a church in suburban Brooklyn. Excitedly arriving in early October, they saw the opportunities to accomplish something good before them. When they first laid eyes upon the church, they found it to be very run down and in need of much work. They set a goal, though, to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc., and on Dec 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest hit the area, lasting two days.
On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed a local business having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in.
One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she said, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. To his astonishment, he found that they were. These being the initials of the woman. She had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria. The woman could hardly believe it, for the pastor told how he had just acquired the tablecloth.
The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.
One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighbourhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare at the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to the one that his wife had made many years ago in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.
Sometimes small acts of service bring about miracles. May we all do something kind for someone unexpectedly for someone else this Christmas season.
A pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, reopened a church in suburban Brooklyn. Excitedly arriving in early October, they saw the opportunities to accomplish something good before them. When they first laid eyes upon the church, they found it to be very run down and in need of much work. They set a goal, though, to have everything done in time to have their first service on Christmas Eve.
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls, painting, etc., and on Dec 18 were ahead of schedule and just about finished. On December 19 a terrible tempest hit the area, lasting two days.
On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church. His heart sank when he saw that the roof had leaked, causing a large area of plaster about 20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit, beginning about head high. The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor, and not knowing what else to do but postpone the Christmas Eve service, headed home. On the way he noticed a local business having a flea market type sale for charity so he stopped in.
One of the items was a beautiful, handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross embroidered right in the center. It was just the right size to cover up the hole in the front wall. He bought it and headed back to the church. By this time it had started to snow. An older woman running from the opposite direction was trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor invited her to wait in the warm church for the next bus 45 minutes later. She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and it covered up the entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor," she said, "where did you get that tablecloth?" The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into it there. To his astonishment, he found that they were. These being the initials of the woman. She had made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria. The woman could hardly believe it, for the pastor told how he had just acquired the tablecloth.
The woman explained that before the war she and her husband were well-to-do people in Austria. When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave. Her husband was going to follow her the next week. She was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her husband or her home again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth; but she made the pastor keep it for the church. The pastor insisted on driving her home, that was the least he could do. She lived on the other side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the spirit were great. At the end of the service, the pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door and many said that they would return.
One older man, whom the pastor recognized from the neighbourhood, continued to sit in one of the pews and stare at the tablecloth on the front wall because it was identical to the one that his wife had made many years ago in Austria before the war and how could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he forced his wife to flee for her safety, and he was supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home again all the 35 years in between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten Island and to the same house where the pastor had taken the woman three days earlier. He helped the man climb the three flights of stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on the door and he saw the greatest Christmas reunion he could ever imagine.
Sometimes small acts of service bring about miracles. May we all do something kind for someone unexpectedly for someone else this Christmas season.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Big Things
...are on the horizon, just thiiiiiiis far away.
If they are what they appear to be, it will mean several incredible changes are in store for my family. We should know by the end of the month, and until then, I'm trying not to wring my hands and to remember that God's plans are better than I can imagine.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
I Am The Face Of Miscarriage
Tomorrow is National Pregnancy/Infant Loss Awareness Day. I am remembering my first two babies today, tomorrow, and always. At least one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage and many more babies are stillborn or pass from SIDS. We remember all babies born straight to Heaven, whom we have carried but never met; those we have held but could not take home, and the ones that came home but didn't stay.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Covet this!
A while ago, I posted about a recipe out of my grandma's cookbook .
Well, I ran across some more grandma cookbooks, in better shape, with none of the sentimental attachments. If anyone's interested, cough*gauntlets*cough, I could ship one or both out in something sort of resembling a hurry.
Both are 1950 editions, both in pristine condition. Betty wrote her name in them, in pencil, because I guess that's what you did in 1950 when you had a cookbook you were never going to use. ;)
Well, I ran across some more grandma cookbooks, in better shape, with none of the sentimental attachments. If anyone's interested, cough*gauntlets*cough, I could ship one or both out in something sort of resembling a hurry.
Both are 1950 editions, both in pristine condition. Betty wrote her name in them, in pencil, because I guess that's what you did in 1950 when you had a cookbook you were never going to use. ;)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Fabulocity
When my youngest sister was getting married, I was about eleven months pregnant with Callie, and needed some bronze, gold, or brown pretty shoes to wear with my super pretty bridesmaid's dress. In the store, I drooled over a bronze strappy pair, but knew that I'd have to buy them two sizes bigger than my normal and they would look decidedly un-fabulous when my feettops swelled through the delicate straps. I bought a pair of more sensible muffin pan type shoes, but never forgot the bronze lovlies.
On Sunday, I went to the mall to exchange a pair of pants and Dillard's had their shoes out in the walkway, on clearance. The bronze lovelies were there, clearanced down to $14.99. One pair left, size 7 1/2. Yes, they're now on my unswollen feet.
On Sunday, I went to the mall to exchange a pair of pants and Dillard's had their shoes out in the walkway, on clearance. The bronze lovelies were there, clearanced down to $14.99. One pair left, size 7 1/2. Yes, they're now on my unswollen feet.
pretend they're bronze, not silver, okay?
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Struggle of Faith
Because it's not exactly a crisis, yet. Or maybe it is.
Once upon a time, at a bible study long long ago, the subject of babies came up, as it usually will when various women of various ages come together. I think I mentioned that I was on the Pill, and someone asked if I believed that God had a Plan for me, and did I trust that it was better than mine. Then, she dared me to prove it. And my journey to CSPP began, though I didn't know what it was called at the time.
Fast Forward 5-ish years, 3 pregnancies, one miscarriage, and two bouncing babies later. My husband is concerned about what might happen in a few months when my cycles return. We have a financial plan - and it requires us cutting the household budget and funding a debt snowball by having me work full time for another couple of years. On his income, we can pay the necessities (house payment, utilities, food, etc) but not the medical bills, car payments, and other debt that we worked so hard at racking up until a few years ago. After a couple of years of working this plan (slowed considerably by our new and improved double daycare bill), I can stay home with the current two babies and whatever other ones come after that...
It seems that the "responsible" thing to do would involve a visit to the friendly neighborhood OB and thumbing our collective noses at God and his divine plan.
I feel torn between being a good, obedient, trusting child of God and a good, faithful, submissive wife to my husband.
(sigh) Pray for us, because we are poor, miserable sinners. Scum, actually.
Once upon a time, at a bible study long long ago, the subject of babies came up, as it usually will when various women of various ages come together. I think I mentioned that I was on the Pill, and someone asked if I believed that God had a Plan for me, and did I trust that it was better than mine. Then, she dared me to prove it. And my journey to CSPP began, though I didn't know what it was called at the time.
Fast Forward 5-ish years, 3 pregnancies, one miscarriage, and two bouncing babies later. My husband is concerned about what might happen in a few months when my cycles return. We have a financial plan - and it requires us cutting the household budget and funding a debt snowball by having me work full time for another couple of years. On his income, we can pay the necessities (house payment, utilities, food, etc) but not the medical bills, car payments, and other debt that we worked so hard at racking up until a few years ago. After a couple of years of working this plan (slowed considerably by our new and improved double daycare bill), I can stay home with the current two babies and whatever other ones come after that...
It seems that the "responsible" thing to do would involve a visit to the friendly neighborhood OB and thumbing our collective noses at God and his divine plan.
I feel torn between being a good, obedient, trusting child of God and a good, faithful, submissive wife to my husband.
(sigh) Pray for us, because we are poor, miserable sinners. Scum, actually.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
A real live negotiation with a 2 year old
Toddler: Mama. Book. Read.
Mama: Okay, go pick one out.
Toddler (holding up one pudgy little toddler finger): One!
Mama: Yes, baby, pick out one book.
Toddler (holding up both hands, fingers spread): FOUR!!!
Mama: (sigh)
Mama: Okay, go pick one out.
Toddler (holding up one pudgy little toddler finger): One!
Mama: Yes, baby, pick out one book.
Toddler (holding up both hands, fingers spread): FOUR!!!
Mama: (sigh)
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
My kid had a birthday
and I'll blog about it later. :P
Some friends also came to visit.
and I'll blog about it later. :P
and some other stuff.
Some friends also came to visit.
and I'll blog about it later. :P
and some other stuff.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Katie's a Child of God, Too!
Katie was baptised this morning!
Pastor Hall
My sister, Dora, and her husband, Mike (Godparents set #1)
Ron and Carolyn (Godparents set #2)
Linda and Robert Dale (Godparents set #3)
Wes and Robbie and the Traditional Baptism Family Picture. :)
Those guys sure do make some good looking kids!
And us.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
A proposal
My friend, Ashley, proposed to his long time girlfriend last night. He asked me to document the event. I could NOT have been more pleased. I've known Ashley almost my entire life, and when I say that I have 3 "past lives", Ashley has been an integral part of all three of them. And Brooke is pretty swell herself.
the lovely couple
I hope that they live happily ever after.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
This Mama
does not, in any way, deserve the beautiful children and wonderful husband that have been loaned to me to care for.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Ahem.
To Whom It May Concern -
Yes, it is my goal to be the best mom I can be, and I will not apologize for it. I assume that your* goal is/was to be the best parent that you can be as well. I stand by most of the parenting decisions that my husband and I have made, but I do not think that yours are any less valid than mine, just because they are different.
Of course, if you think that there is something that I have overlooked or could do better, I invite you to share those thoughts with me. However, if your reasoning is that whatever I'm doing is "wierd" or "not what they did 20, 30 or whatever years ago" and you don't have any more concrete reasoning than that to back it up with. I'm probably going to disregard it. In fact, I reserve the right to disregard any suggestions/advice/whatever without further discussion with anyone, including you.
You* have/had your own children (or not) and are/were entitled to parent them the best way that you see fit. In turn, these two little girls are the Wonderful Husband's and mine, and we get to parent them the best way that we see fit. Which means - we outrank every single other person on the planet when it comes to Callie and Katie. Even you.
Love and kisses,
Me
*general you, of course, because this wouldn't be directed at any one person in particular, would it?
Yes, it is my goal to be the best mom I can be, and I will not apologize for it. I assume that your* goal is/was to be the best parent that you can be as well. I stand by most of the parenting decisions that my husband and I have made, but I do not think that yours are any less valid than mine, just because they are different.
Of course, if you think that there is something that I have overlooked or could do better, I invite you to share those thoughts with me. However, if your reasoning is that whatever I'm doing is "wierd" or "not what they did 20, 30 or whatever years ago" and you don't have any more concrete reasoning than that to back it up with. I'm probably going to disregard it. In fact, I reserve the right to disregard any suggestions/advice/whatever without further discussion with anyone, including you.
You* have/had your own children (or not) and are/were entitled to parent them the best way that you see fit. In turn, these two little girls are the Wonderful Husband's and mine, and we get to parent them the best way that we see fit. Which means - we outrank every single other person on the planet when it comes to Callie and Katie. Even you.
Love and kisses,
Me
*general you, of course, because this wouldn't be directed at any one person in particular, would it?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Going back to work
Thursday, July 8, 2010
My Week in Facebook Status Updates
MooreMama thinks that I'll go and visit my friend that is two states away. Tomorrow. With an infant and a toddler, but otherwise by myself.Monday 2:34 pm
MooreMama is on the road. This isn't so bad. :)
Tuesday 10:56 am
MooreMama just realised that I'm going to have to stop somewhere on this road trip. Maybe I should pray for protection from the creepies.
Tuesday 10:59 am
MooreMama 's babies want out of their carseats. I really should have stopped at that last travel stop and gotten them some lunch.
Tuesday 12:34 pm
MooreMama is thanking God for the gaggle of Mennonite women on a playdate at the McDonald's. I was debating whether to go thirsty, carry both babies back in to the other part of the resteraunt, or take my eyes off of the Toddler long enough to go... one of the Mennonite ladies saw my delima and offered to go get my drink for me. :)
Tuesday 1:40 pm
MooreMama is happy that her daughter took so well to the Gauntlet children and parents. And is even happier that the Toddler fell (almost) right asleep in a strange bed in a strange house.
Tuesday 8:22 pm
MooreMama enjoyed conversating with Mr. and Mrs. Gauntlets. :) And wishes that our towns were closer so it could be a more frequent happening.
Tuesday 11:31 pm
MooreMama is on her way to the park with my friend and her children. The Toddler is very much wishing that the train tracks would be beside the highway for the entire trip. "Train! Train!"Wednesday 8:07 am
MooreMama really likes those Gauntlets. Toddler agrees. She wanted to go home with them. "Bye, bye, Mama!"
Wednesday 10:48 am
MooreMama 's girls were both asleep befor we got to the Interstate. :)Wednesday 11:06 am
MooreMama 's girls think that this trip should be ending about now. And whoever designed the travel station restroom with the hand dryers right next to the baby changing station was obviously not the mother of small children.
Wednesday 4:49 pm
MooreMama and her girls are home, safe and sound and hungry and tired and happy.
Wednesday 6:33 pm
MooreMama 's girls are making up for the disruption of their schedules. The Toddler is on her second very long nap of the day and the Newbie has been nursing every two hours and sleeping most of the time in between.
Thursday 4:16 pm
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Just for Sue. :)
My precious little girls on Tuesday night. :)
The one of Callie is a bit out of focus because, well, it was dark in her room. I can't believe the flash didn't wake her up, but I needed the photographic proof of how she was sleeping.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Monday
sucked.*
First, I had a bad attitude, which meant that I was less than my usual lovable self, and Callie fed off of it, which meant that she was less than her usual lovable self. And since I was not very patient, and she was less than lovable, naps were a struggle. And she (happily) played very loudly. All day. Keeping her sister awake. Which made Katie less than lovable. And (loudly) cranky.
So, by dinnertime, we were all tired and cranky and short-fused.
But both girls went to bed easily, within a couple of minutes of each other. And then, I found this:
Courtesy of the owner of a red vehicle in the Ross parking lot who was apparently caught in that one super strong gust of wind on an otherwise windless day (in Oklahoma, I know) and was either so busy helping a elderly grandmother into the car that they didn't notice or were called away on a Very Important Emergency and forgot to leave their insurance information.
Then, my sewing machine needle broke. In 6 years of owning this machine, I have never broken a needle. I don't have any spares.
* It's just now Wednesday and I'm almost over the trauma. A road trip, some sewing, and two very cuddly, lovable girls have helped immensely.
Monday, June 14, 2010
How to clean the bathroom when you have a helpful toddler(s)
1) Gather supplies. It's helpful if your cleaning products don't have harmful fumes, but we can see where it could be entertaining...
2) Fill the bathtub to an appropiate water level. If you toddler is anything like mine, she'll come running as soon as you turn the faucet. Put the toddler into the tub. Tell her that she can splash as much as she wants. :)
3) Clean the bathroom.
4) When the toddler is sufficiantly pruny, let her out.
5) Clean the bathtub.
6) While the toddler naps, indulge in the chocolate of your choice. You've earned it.
2) Fill the bathtub to an appropiate water level. If you toddler is anything like mine, she'll come running as soon as you turn the faucet. Put the toddler into the tub. Tell her that she can splash as much as she wants. :)
3) Clean the bathroom.
4) When the toddler is sufficiantly pruny, let her out.
5) Clean the bathtub.
6) While the toddler naps, indulge in the chocolate of your choice. You've earned it.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Katie
is napping on a blanket in the middle of the floor. Every now and then, she smacks her lips and smiles. She makes my heart happy.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Got ees good.
All dee time. (says an African Pastor via my friend Joy)
The pulmonary artery going from Katie's heart to her left lung is "kinked", sort of like a garden hose. And, like a garden hose, the kink is making the flow loud, but the important part is that all of the blood that is supposed to be going to the left lung is getting there. As she grows, she'll get more room in her chest cavity and it should allow the blood vessel to spread out a little and unkink. We go back in a year to check it out.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Scratch that
We have an appointment with a pediatric cardiologist and an echocardiagram tomorrow morning.
Miracle Gro
Katie had her one month well baby check. As a refresher, she was 20 1/4 inches long and 7 lbs, .06 ozs at birth.
Her big sister, Callie, was 6 lbs, 11.8 ozs and 19 inches long at birth and at one month was 20 3/4 inches long and 9 lbs even at one month. Callie has slid down the lower half of the percentile charty dodad for her entire life. I think that she's currently at about 20%.
Yesterday, Katie tipped the scales at NINE POUNDS, 11 ozs. Then she nursed. And then the nurse asked if I wasnted to weigh her again and she was a smidge under ten pounds. And she's 22 inches long. This little growth spurt puts her in the 79th percentile for height and 61st for weight.
In Other News, she also has a heart murmur. Our pediatrician sent us straight to the hospital for an EKG and a chest xray. The EKG was normal and I haven't heard back about the chest xray. I don't actually know what they would have been looking for on an xray. I'm assuming that if there was anything glaring, they wouldn't have let us leave yesterday and/or we would have heard something by now. Right?
Her big sister, Callie, was 6 lbs, 11.8 ozs and 19 inches long at birth and at one month was 20 3/4 inches long and 9 lbs even at one month. Callie has slid down the lower half of the percentile charty dodad for her entire life. I think that she's currently at about 20%.
Yesterday, Katie tipped the scales at NINE POUNDS, 11 ozs. Then she nursed. And then the nurse asked if I wasnted to weigh her again and she was a smidge under ten pounds. And she's 22 inches long. This little growth spurt puts her in the 79th percentile for height and 61st for weight.
In Other News, she also has a heart murmur. Our pediatrician sent us straight to the hospital for an EKG and a chest xray. The EKG was normal and I haven't heard back about the chest xray. I don't actually know what they would have been looking for on an xray. I'm assuming that if there was anything glaring, they wouldn't have let us leave yesterday and/or we would have heard something by now. Right?
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Ever wonder why your baking never turns out as well as your Grandma's?
It's because she had all the best recipes.
fudge icing, sandwiched between butter cookies
recipe from the 1950 Betty Crocker Cookbook
Friday, May 14, 2010
What is it about
this book? I know that it's considered a classic, and that kids everywhere love it. My kid, in fact, brings it to me at least thirty-eleven times a day, and we pore over every single page. Is it horribly un-American that I really just don't love this book? That she has shelves full of books that I'd rather read, and that I groan on the inside most times that she picks THIS ONE? Can't we read the sweet Mommy Kisses one instead?
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Sunday, May 2, 2010
April 30, 2010
... was the day that our sweet second daughter stole our hearts.
Katie Ann was born at 12:35 pm, was 7 lbs, .06 ozs, and is 20.25 inches long. Her birth was so different from her sister's, and after some precautions that necessated a trip to the nursery, she is nursing well and wiggling into her very own spot in our family.
Since it's a tradition, here's the outline of our day:
2:00 am - After tossing and turning and sweattung for the first half of the night, I give up on the hope of catching any sort of cool breezes through the open windows, get up, close the windows, and crank the a/c.
5:55 am - Apparently, we slept well. I still need to wash my hair, Wes needs to shower, too, we need breakfast, and we're supposed to be at the hospital at 7:00...
7:45 am - Dr K comes in to check on me and convinces me to let him break my water. He says it will help to speed things along. I'm not entirely sure if that's a good thing or not. I'm 2-3 cm dialated, 50% effaced, and Katie's head is engaged! Dr K breaks my water, says "Oh, good, it's clear... oh, wait, no it's not." About that time, the nurse tells him that I also had protien in my urine. He looked at me and said "It's a damn good day to have a baby, Jess!" He's got some patients to see this morning, but will be back in a few hours.
9:00 am - contractions are about 2 minutes apart, and Katie's heartrate is dropping (and coming back up) with each one. We have to readjust the moniters because she's moving down. I'm 4 cm, 75% effaced.
9:30 am - concractions are starting to get more ... intense. I'm playing a game with myself. It's called "Let's re-evaluate the pain in 15 minutes". Because I'm going to get charged for the epidural by the time that it's in and I'm all about being thrifty. And because I didn't love not being able to feel my legs. And because I didn't love the catheder, either. And because I'm still convinced that it's going to be a very long day, remember?
10:30 am - asked for the epidural. It's going to take 30+ minutes for him to get here and by then, I'm pretty sure that I'll be glad to see him.
11:18 am - Asked the nurse if I can get up and go to the bathroom. (tricky, huh? This way, I can get out of bed, walk, and not worry about the moniters - because they're all unhooked!) In the bathroom, I asked if it would be okay if I poop. She says only if I promise not to push out a baby... It feels ... different, so I didn't push any more and apologized in advance for any messes I might make later. :) Oh, look! The epidural guy is here!
(at this point, I should have had the nurse check me BEFORE the epidural guy starts his thing. Remind me next time.)
11:56 am - The epidural is in. I might have not been able to not push 4 or 5 times in that 38 minutes. I'm also pretty sure that Wes was completely unprepared for how to help me through those contractions, but he did a great job and was only a little bit freaked out.
11:58 am - I'm complete, under orders to "not push", and the nurse is on the phone with Dr K. He'll be here in 5 minutes. The epidural will take about 15 minutes to kick in...
12:05 pm - It's okay if I push now. Pushing is a lot more effective and a lot easier if you can feel what you're doing.
12:15 pm - Dr K is there, putting on his own party dress, and they can see Katie's head. She's face up, like Callie was, but her hand is not above her head, or maybe it was and the nurse was able to put it down. The nurse did some other manuvering of my daughter, which felt about like it sounds like it would. Very very wierd. The epidural is starting to kick in, but at this point, I can still feel - it's just maybe taking the edge off.
12:25 pm - "her head is out that much" says Dr K, holding his fingers about an inch apart. I can feel it, and push it out more. He tells me to stop, because they need to suction her before I push her the rest of the way.
12:33 pm - (the nurse said 12:35, but I was looking at the stupid clock. It was 12:33) I felt my daughter's shoulders, then the rest of her, slide out. She cried a beautiful little bleat, and I could look down to see her. This time, they put her on my chest while they cleaned her off a little and I delivered the placenta, then Wes cut her cord and we stared at her, memorizing her face.
Praise God!
Katie Ann was born at 12:35 pm, was 7 lbs, .06 ozs, and is 20.25 inches long. Her birth was so different from her sister's, and after some precautions that necessated a trip to the nursery, she is nursing well and wiggling into her very own spot in our family.
Since it's a tradition, here's the outline of our day:
2:00 am - After tossing and turning and sweattung for the first half of the night, I give up on the hope of catching any sort of cool breezes through the open windows, get up, close the windows, and crank the a/c.
5:55 am - Apparently, we slept well. I still need to wash my hair, Wes needs to shower, too, we need breakfast, and we're supposed to be at the hospital at 7:00...
6:56 am - I stuff the last of my Braum's bacon, egg, and cheese bagel into my mouth and get out of the truck. We're ready to have a BABY!
7:15 am - We're checked in, walking the long way to our room. This time, there's not a soul to be seen, and we've got a lot of time to get all settled in and hooked up. I'm a little bit nervous about his induction. With Callie's, I thought I had won the induction lottery, but our conditions then were at least "favorable" (she was engaged, I was dialating and my cervix was effacing, plus, I'd already started leaking water the night before she was born). This time, when Dr K had checked on Tuesday, I was only dialated to a 1, not effacing, and Katie was still "floating". At this point, I'm pretty convinced that I'm in for a long, hard labor.
7:45 am - Dr K comes in to check on me and convinces me to let him break my water. He says it will help to speed things along. I'm not entirely sure if that's a good thing or not. I'm 2-3 cm dialated, 50% effaced, and Katie's head is engaged! Dr K breaks my water, says "Oh, good, it's clear... oh, wait, no it's not." About that time, the nurse tells him that I also had protien in my urine. He looked at me and said "It's a damn good day to have a baby, Jess!" He's got some patients to see this morning, but will be back in a few hours.
9:00 am - contractions are about 2 minutes apart, and Katie's heartrate is dropping (and coming back up) with each one. We have to readjust the moniters because she's moving down. I'm 4 cm, 75% effaced.
9:30 am - concractions are starting to get more ... intense. I'm playing a game with myself. It's called "Let's re-evaluate the pain in 15 minutes". Because I'm going to get charged for the epidural by the time that it's in and I'm all about being thrifty. And because I didn't love not being able to feel my legs. And because I didn't love the catheder, either. And because I'm still convinced that it's going to be a very long day, remember?
10:30 am - asked for the epidural. It's going to take 30+ minutes for him to get here and by then, I'm pretty sure that I'll be glad to see him.
11:18 am - Asked the nurse if I can get up and go to the bathroom. (tricky, huh? This way, I can get out of bed, walk, and not worry about the moniters - because they're all unhooked!) In the bathroom, I asked if it would be okay if I poop. She says only if I promise not to push out a baby... It feels ... different, so I didn't push any more and apologized in advance for any messes I might make later. :) Oh, look! The epidural guy is here!
(at this point, I should have had the nurse check me BEFORE the epidural guy starts his thing. Remind me next time.)
11:56 am - The epidural is in. I might have not been able to not push 4 or 5 times in that 38 minutes. I'm also pretty sure that Wes was completely unprepared for how to help me through those contractions, but he did a great job and was only a little bit freaked out.
11:58 am - I'm complete, under orders to "not push", and the nurse is on the phone with Dr K. He'll be here in 5 minutes. The epidural will take about 15 minutes to kick in...
12:05 pm - It's okay if I push now. Pushing is a lot more effective and a lot easier if you can feel what you're doing.
12:15 pm - Dr K is there, putting on his own party dress, and they can see Katie's head. She's face up, like Callie was, but her hand is not above her head, or maybe it was and the nurse was able to put it down. The nurse did some other manuvering of my daughter, which felt about like it sounds like it would. Very very wierd. The epidural is starting to kick in, but at this point, I can still feel - it's just maybe taking the edge off.
12:25 pm - "her head is out that much" says Dr K, holding his fingers about an inch apart. I can feel it, and push it out more. He tells me to stop, because they need to suction her before I push her the rest of the way.
12:33 pm - (the nurse said 12:35, but I was looking at the stupid clock. It was 12:33) I felt my daughter's shoulders, then the rest of her, slide out. She cried a beautiful little bleat, and I could look down to see her. This time, they put her on my chest while they cleaned her off a little and I delivered the placenta, then Wes cut her cord and we stared at her, memorizing her face.
Praise God!
Baby!
is here. Safe and sound, after an accidentally almost unmedicated 4-ish hour labor. :)
Short stats:
Katie Ann Moore
7 lbs, .06 ozs, 21.25 in.
4/30/10 @ 12:35 pm
Birthstory coming, but toddler + newborn = mama's hands FULL. Not that I'm complaining, of course. Life's pretty grand round these parts lately.
Short stats:
Katie Ann Moore
7 lbs, .06 ozs, 21.25 in.
4/30/10 @ 12:35 pm
Birthstory coming, but toddler + newborn = mama's hands FULL. Not that I'm complaining, of course. Life's pretty grand round these parts lately.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday.
I won't post a picture of my feet, but trust me on their manatee-like state. BP is getting closer to my-almost-normal, which bought me a few days. Dr. Fabulous told me that he's not going to insist that I come in tomorrow, but that he'd like to have Ralphy out by the end of the week.
So, we go in on Friday. Pray for us?
So, we go in on Friday. Pray for us?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Another car seat article
Great, easy to understand, not too preachy article on carseat safety. :)
EDIT: Except that some of the comments are downright wrong. Got questions? Ask away.
What is this, Mama? Turn me back around!
For the record, C is almost 20 months old, 23-ish pounds, and 31 inches tall. Age and weight-wise, she's legal to turn front facing. If I were interested, I'd check the manual on her Marathon and see if she's tall enough, but I think she's right at the borderline.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
My Plan? HA!
OB visit yesterday. None of the progress that I want, only the progress that I don't want.
I'm mayyyybe one cm dialated, and he said I was 50% effaced, but it was after seeing the disappointment on my face, so I suspect that was a gimme.
On the flip side, my blood pressure is creeping up, the edema is rapidly spreading up my body, and I can't go on bedrest with a toddler. I get way more "rest" at work than I do at home.
Ugh. God's plan. It's better than mine, right? RIGHT?
I'm mayyyybe one cm dialated, and he said I was 50% effaced, but it was after seeing the disappointment on my face, so I suspect that was a gimme.
On the flip side, my blood pressure is creeping up, the edema is rapidly spreading up my body, and I can't go on bedrest with a toddler. I get way more "rest" at work than I do at home.
Ugh. God's plan. It's better than mine, right? RIGHT?
Friday, April 16, 2010
In case you're interested...
I'm pretty sure that Little Sister dropped on Tuesday evening and is now engaged. I felt something odd, and she's still wiggly, but is a couple of inches lower and not doing somersaults anymore.
Out of curiosity, yesterday, I wrote down contractions and length and they were pretty regularly 10-11 minutes apart and 2-3 minutes in length.
Husband thought I was going to go into labor last night because we had a cold front coming in and storms predicted for the whole weekend. As of yet, I have (obviously) not. Besides, I have a garage sale PLANNED for tomorrow. As long as it stops raining. :)
Out of curiosity, yesterday, I wrote down contractions and length and they were pretty regularly 10-11 minutes apart and 2-3 minutes in length.
Husband thought I was going to go into labor last night because we had a cold front coming in and storms predicted for the whole weekend. As of yet, I have (obviously) not. Besides, I have a garage sale PLANNED for tomorrow. As long as it stops raining. :)
Monday, April 12, 2010
Progress
not "I'm having a baby" progress... but "we're getting the house in order" progress. :)
We have a garage sale planned for this weekend (assuming, of course, that Ralphy stays put and it doesn't rain). If you're in the area, come by and buy mycrap treasures. Once we get these treasures sold and space cleared out, we can get the computer/manly stuff out of Callie's Big Girl Room and her stuff moved in.
(getting ready for the garage sale also inspired me to clean out not just one or two closets, but ALL SIX, and the attic.)
If Ralphy decides not to cooperate, well, Wes can pull the cradle down from the attic and we can pick up some diapers on the way home from the hospital. :)
We have a garage sale planned for this weekend (assuming, of course, that Ralphy stays put and it doesn't rain). If you're in the area, come by and buy my
(getting ready for the garage sale also inspired me to clean out not just one or two closets, but ALL SIX, and the attic.)
If Ralphy decides not to cooperate, well, Wes can pull the cradle down from the attic and we can pick up some diapers on the way home from the hospital. :)
Monday, April 5, 2010
I'm not ready
Contrary to all the free time that I SHOULD have (you know, not blogging and all), I have not done one thing to rearrange life for this Girl growing in my belly.
I'm full term TOMORROW.
I have the next 7 weekends booked up.
She's going to have to come during the week or something else is going to have to get shoved to the side.
Anyone want to come move my toddler from the nursery to the toddler room (currently the computer/TV/manly things room) and clean out a closet or 4 for me? Wash up a mess of pink and purple very small clothes? Research, buy, and prepare a few newborn diaper covers to go with my nifty slighly used newborn sized prefold cloth diapers? Bring the cradle down from teh attic, wipe off, and install appropiate sheets?
Avoid the rush. Sign up in the comment section. :)
I'm full term TOMORROW.
I have the next 7 weekends booked up.
She's going to have to come during the week or something else is going to have to get shoved to the side.
Anyone want to come move my toddler from the nursery to the toddler room (currently the computer/TV/manly things room) and clean out a closet or 4 for me? Wash up a mess of pink and purple very small clothes? Research, buy, and prepare a few newborn diaper covers to go with my nifty slighly used newborn sized prefold cloth diapers? Bring the cradle down from teh attic, wipe off, and install appropiate sheets?
Avoid the rush. Sign up in the comment section. :)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Just a Question
1) how old was your child (were your children) the first time they spent the night away from you?
2) what were the circumstances?
and 3) are you, as the Mama, really supposed to be able to relaaaax when all of your chickens are not in the nest, where they're supposed to be?
Just wondering.
2) what were the circumstances?
and 3) are you, as the Mama, really supposed to be able to relaaaax when all of your chickens are not in the nest, where they're supposed to be?
Just wondering.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Ashes to Ashes
My mommy heart hurts for my friend, Stacie, but my faithful heart knows that, while the World may think that Cash lost his battle with Cancer yesterday, he actually won. His tiny body has been perfectly healed and we can rejoice that Cash Caywood is Home.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Nuts?
because I'm thinking that quilting is so much fun... I'm not even finished with this one, but I'm really considering doing this one, too. I picked up this great layer cake on sale a couple of weeks ago and was wondering what to do with it, and I think this pinwheel quilt is beeyoooooooootiful!
p.s. i quilt: pinwheel sampler quilt along.
p.s. i quilt: pinwheel sampler quilt along.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
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