Happy Easter!

We didn't really have any big Easter plans again this year.  We read scripture this morning, then worshipped, and had lunch with Blake's mom, step-dad, and sister.  I think next year Jackson would enjoy an egg hunt, so we may try to plan something fun at our home.

I'm not really one to buy special Easter outfits, so thankfully my mom had recently given Jackson some very preppy items from the Polo outfit.  He looked like such a cute prepster today (even though I'm generally not a sweater vest fan:)  Sadly the three stores we tried this afternoon were all sold out of Cadbury eggs, so I had to settle for some Robin Eggs to satiate my Easter sweet tooth.  I hope you all had a wonderful day of celebration!

 

p.s. I'm thankful for a project-oriented and handy husband who is currently installing wainscoting in our dining room.  Then we'll be hitting the rest of our serious nesting list, like Jackson's big boy room.

You're Already Pregnant, AGAIN?

"Is he your only child?" the lady behind me in line asked.

"Yes, but he'll become a big brother this summer." I replied.  And that's when the twenty-something year old in front of me whipped around and said "You're already pregnant, again?!!"  You would have thought I was 16 and unmarried or otherwise appearing totally irresponsible by the shock and derision in her tone.  Lately the response has been more to the tune of "Wow. You're going to have your hands full."  I don't doubt that is true.  Honestly I think I'd have my hands full no matter when we were to have our second child because infants are incredibly labor-intensive and adding a person to your family is a tremendous adjustment.  Sure, Jackson won't be able to help me like an older child might be able to do, but there are upsides to siblings being really close in age.  And really given our ages (34 & 38) and desire to adopt our third child, I feel blessed the Lord chose to give us another child so soon.

Today, however, I was really encouraged by a stranger.  Jackson and I were shopping at Sam's Club (yeah for all of the free samples he enjoyed), and a lady told me how adorable Jackson was and how she had three sons.  I told her we were having a daughter in July, and she exclaimed "Oh you'll love having them so close together.  Mine were 18 and 20 months apart, and I would do it again in a heartbeat."  Her obvious joy was such a pleasure to see as is my friend Michelle's Instagram photographs of her 3 boys (each about 18 months apart).  An older one often has his arm around a younger one, or they're playing together or helping one another.  It's just precious to see.

These examples stand in such stark contrast to the woman at Walmart who told me her 2 children were 18 months apart and that she was suicidal for years and that it was awful.  I hadn't even told her I was having another child but what a warning!  I'm guessing she probably really needed some help but didn't receive it.

Thankfully I'm not very sensitive to these comments, or all of the other insensitive things people say to pregnant people, but more find it a source of entertainment--or today a source of encouragement as I think about all that my family has to look forward to.  Sure it's going to be hard and stressful, but it's also going to be joyful, exciting, and sweet.

p.s. I'm thankful for a day at the aquarium with my mom, niece Mallie, and Jackson.  Such a fun day!

 

I Wonder....

how I can be so blessed yet still find things to complain about throughout the day.

how many more intrusive or annoying things Facebook will have to do before I'll quit.

why my belly itches all the time even though I'm using Bio-Oil & lotion twice a day.

why Jackson has been waking up every other morning around 5:30 and only able to put himself back to sleep for a few minutes.

how some people make it through life given how complicated it can be (I'm working on our taxes, tag renewal, will, and medical bills today).

how I will be different with a second child.

if our dog will run away when we bring home another baby.

how many Cadbury Eggs I'd have to eat to satisfy my craving.

when I'll see my next really great movie (recommendations welcome).

p.s. I'm grateful for the internet as I sit in an eight hour CLE course all day.

Wordless Wednesday: Seasonal Craving

p.s. I'm thankful for the awesome weather forecasted for the next few days...bring on the walks, time at the park, and energy.

We Need Our Rest

Historically I have undervalued sleep.  As an elementary-aged child I would hide in my closet with the light on and read for hours after bedtime. During summer vacation in high school I would sometimes be going to bed as my step-father was showering for work at 5:30 a.m.  During my year as a teacher with a 35 minute commute and thus a wake-up time of 5:20 a.m., I discovered the beauty of going to bed early and waking up somewhat rested and wondered how I had ever lived on so little sleep.  But that lesson didn't last all that long, and I returned to my night owl ways. 

Now as a first time mom I am a huge proponent of sleep...for my son at least.  In fact, one of my little pet peeves as a mom has been how much attention our society seems to give to the breast milk versus formula debate while ignoring how incredibly important sleep is to basic human development.  I guess that's because my son quit napping (except in the Ergo) for a week around 2 months of age or so until I began offering a bottle after nursing, and on the occasion I had to use formula to supplement I had to read a label that reminded me that breast milk was the superior choice for my son.  Could you imagine any other product bearing such a label? Couldn't everything on the junk food, juice, or cereal aisle be labeled "Fruits or vegetables are better choices for your children?" Anyway, I digress.

I wonder how much of the misbehavior and fussiness we see in young children is because they are overtired, and their parents lack the knowledge of how important a decent sleep schedule and short wake times are--particularly at young ages.  I imagine some parents have an inkling but don't want to be inconvenienced by a schedule, and then other people like me may be at the other extreme and a little over-zealous or analytical with the schedule.  I figure a second child will break me of some of this, but almost every time I veer too far from our schedule, my son's temperament takes a nose-dive in the form of crying and fussiness which generally are not part of his routine behavior.  Seriously--when it gets close to bedtime Jackson hits a wall.  We describe it as "melting," and it's marked by falling down and sometimes even hitting his head on the ground.  It's so pitiful, and sometimes it begins just 3 hours after he's woken from his last nap.  We try to keep him awake until 7 but often poor guy just can't make it.  Now if I could just get myself in bed 8 hours before my alarm (a.k.a. Jackson) sounds around 6 a.m. :)

p.s. I'm thankful that most nights my son sleeps without making a sound for 11 hours.

Wordless Wednesday: Halfway There!

p.s. I'm thankful for all the hand-me-downs my sister has already lent me for my daughter. I love pink!

Our Family Harlem Shake Video

Yesterday my husband had just one goal: to make a family Harlem Shake video.  Definitely not my thing, but I played along, and Jackson LOVED it.  He couldn't stop watching his daddy act silly. 

 

p.s. I'm grateful for a husband who still surprises me and makes our son smile and laugh so often.