Monsoon

Well, once again, it's been too long, old blog.

I guess I've been hoping that our little one would arrive and then I would have something exciting to write about.

...but she hasn't.

Sure, I could write about the wonderful playdates this week, or the dinners that I thought might 'be my last before giving birth.' (bad idea, FYI. But I'm all about the last-time-before-life-changes moments)

Or, I could document the moments of panic of thinking, "oh no. I have to give birth again." but that fades with the hope of a successful epidural and swift delivery.

My sweet little niece Juniper is growing so quickly! I can't believe she's already a week old!

            

I should have written about how precious Jack has been and although his naps have somehow shortened this week, I am loving every second we get to share. I'm somehow learning to love this kiddo more and more each day. Like right now, he's also cozied up to me like a little bear in our bed. John snores softly and Zoey kicks/turns her shoulders/I don't know but it's kinda uncomfortable. I have found the blogger app and write in the dark because, hello, it's a Saturday morning at 7am. We like to pretend we get to sleep in.

I should have also written about my incredible man and how he took the morning off yesterday so we could go on a date one last time. We saw the movie Hugo (absolutely incredible and beautiful and inspiring) and in the middle of the movie I got a little starving (no surprise there.) John returned with a pretzel and reece pieces in hand and we snacked away like two teenagers. After the 10am movie (best time to see a movie, in my opinion) we were off to lunch and some coffee with a good book. It was a time I won't forget.

Those days will be missed. For a little while anyway. Not that that they happen regularly or that life can't go on without them, but man. It sure is nice to get away with the one you love. I've learned that I love any kind of afternoon dates compared to evening dates. I just get too sleepy in the evenings. I have so much to say first thing in the morning (obviously. Its only 7:07am.)

I reckon that might be all I would/should have written about in the last week. I'd try to leave out the occasional meltdowns of wondering "will she ever be born?" or the painful contractions that caused frustration and fear-of-whats-to-come. Those times are good to be forgotten and didn't help much anyway.

But here we are, the last Saturday in January, a day I've looked forward to for many, many months. Hopefully, this time next week we will have met our little Zoey bird. I feel ready. In fact, I'm kind of out of stuff to do and everything on my list is done. To which John asked, "do you want something from my list?" or "we don't need to spend any more money." he generally is saying one of the two. ;)

Maybe I should savor this time. The calm before a storm. A beautiful, mid-July, whirlwind of a monsoon kind of storm. Like most summer days in Arizona, I can't wait for that monsoon.

 

one down. one to go.

My brother and his wife had their baby this morning at 2am! After a very long labor, she finally arrived and is as cute as can be.

I woke up a few times last night in hopeful anticipation that she would be here. Only this morning did we finally see her little, perfect face. Juniper Rose, in all her beauty.

She's just perfect!

Once my sister in law Mel (yes, her name is Melanie too) had her kiddo I knew I was next. The reality of that sentence freaks me out/fills me with so much excitement I can't even sleep. And its only 6:50am and for the first time in WEEKS, Jack is still asleep. Why is it that when he sleeps in, I can't? Ps. My stomach is growwwlling right now.

I am seriously large at this point and feeling so ready. I've been having a lot of contractions, but trying not to get my hopes up. I have a doctor appointment this morning and pretty much counting on her to say, "you are barely a one." but I can hope for more, right?

nearly there

So, I think we are on the home stretch. 37 weeks.


I am feeling so, so ready. and huge. Oh, did I mention huge? 

On Friday I had THREE different strangers comment on how big I am. 

#1 said: "Wow, I bet you can't wait until that's over." To which I ignored and kept walking.

#2 said: (after looking at me and whispering something to his wife. who then went and picked up a snickers candy bar." they looked back at me again and she said, "yeah, she was even bigger than her." 

#3 was an over weight guy with a family and his wife who commented (in the same line) "wow! she is HUGE!" 

Ok, okay, I get it. Alright? I am large. But seriously? A little respect for the pregnant peeps? Can we say something like, 

"Oh mam, you look exhausted. Can I carry out your groceries for you? Oh, and how about I just pay for them too."
 
or

"Wow, mama, you look tired. Do you want some free cookies?"
 
Thankfully, the Lord knows my tender, hormonal heart and brought forth a delightful cure on Sunday afternoon. 

After a frustrating morning with Jack (mostly because he can outrun, out jump, out kick and out energize me these days) and a long morning without John, I drove home solo and stopped in at Safeway for some shampoo, eye liner and root beer. 

When I walked in, everyone smiled like we were in a Disney movie or something. I felt like Belle in the beginning of Beauty and the Beast. Best part? When I walked up to the Starbucks island to FREE mocha frappachino samples. It was heavenly. Just what I needed. The nice stranger next to me said, "You should take two, mama! Enjoy!" I declined (mostly because Pizza hut was waiting around the corner) but also because one was just enough.

Oh yeah, and the shampoo and eyeliner were on sale, yo! It's the little things. Truly.

I feel like a planning maniac these days. Now that I've spent almost two months worth of our grocery budget worth (hey, I'm skipping February all together this year. I'm hoping to not go to the store unless it is for cabbage leaves or nursing pads.) I am beginning to feel ready. To settle into this idea that in just a couple of weeks time I'll be snuggling a fresh, little newborn. So tiny and beautiful. So prayed for and anticipated. Also, so loved. I've started in on my raspberry leaf tea and evening primrose oil capsules and can hardly believe I'm already at 37 weeks. The time has just flown.

Jack got to meet his first real newborn last week. A friend of mine had a baby boy and we went up to meet him. Of course Jack wanted to touch his eyes and nose and face, but he also didn't seem overzealous about the idea. At least he didn't hit him. I'm not kidding. And somehow I could help him put tires back on his car and hold this little swaddled being at the same time. I was so encouraged.

Some of my last month craving are:

-anything with cinnamon. preferably red hots or hot tamales. yum.

-greek yogurt with a little bit of nutella mixed in. hello.

-slices of mild chedder cheese. still. kills me.

-clementines. i've downed so many of those guys.

-cinnamon chex cereal.

-all sorts of soups.

still not lovin'...

mexican food

salsa

or anything with too much kick to it.

//

I've declined the impossible responsibility to do a 366 picture a day this year. it's just not the year. I am attempting to do a 366 on instagram with my phone, but those pictures are more for fun. I'm going to just try and take pictures, period.

....still thinking of goals and dreams for this next coming year. last year the goal ended up becoming quite a bit more of a reality that I have anticipated. I love it when Jesus works that way.

that post is in the making...

//

On Saturday morning we had a full breakfast and a nice sleep in. Well, for John and I. Jack was up at 6am. Per usual. We just keep on sleeping. Or at least we try to.

I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge how I'll miss the three of us. So thankful for the foundation that has been set, but sad to see our time as a trio leave. I'm so nostalgic.

I pray that they can continue to have a deep bond that lasts a lifetime. That they're a safe place for each other full of acceptance and grace.

This boy loves his do-do's. Oh, and also sitting in a 'big-boy chair.'

a whirlwind.

I apologize so greatly for my inconsistency of writing on this 'ol blog. I had high hopes for writing more random and fun things, but I'm afraid I might still be inconsistent this year. That's alright. I blame it mostly on the fact that our computer doubles as our tv and so blogging time is mostly limited to evenings (when we are watching some of our fav shows) or nap time (which has kind of gotten shorter as of late.) But here we are. 2012. Our little Zoey bird is due in 28 days. My heart is so full (and so is my womb) and sleep has become a distant dream of the past. I definitely feel like I am gearing up for those sleepless nights once again.

But this time, I pray that I will savor those late night feedings. I hope I don't cry in frustration at the lack of sleep (and lack of help from my hubby who can't nurse a newborn. Who knew?) and try to embrace each moment and the quiet times with them. Because it goes so quickly and I can hardly believe Jack was ever that little. 

On that note, I am making a daring attempt to do a 366 project this year. 

Bear with me, for it probably won't happen. But I can dream. Right?

We'll see how far I get by January 31st. Go here to follow my 355 journey.

//

Christmas was magical. Though, being nine months pregnant wasn't quite as magical, but it sure helped me to identify with Mary. Man oh man. I don't think I could do it on a camel, I honestly know I couldn't. I am such a wimp.

 We got snow early this year and it was just incredible.

In preparation for a baby sister, I've been trying to make Jack feel like a big boy as much as possible. My favorite? Whenever we go somewhere to eat he says, "big boy chair? big boy chair?" 

I taught my kiddo all I know on how to eat cookies. And lots of them this year. I loved watching him play with his little Christmas cookie before he ate it. 

 And Zoey bird? Growing like crazy...and so is the rest of me. Sigh.

 Christmas morning was relaxing for the most part. Although we went to church and then to my parents after that, we tried to let the morning take its time. It went too fast. Per usual.

 MnM's. One of his top five favorite Christmas gifts, easily.

His other favorite may have been this gift. A dear couple in our church blessed Jack with this (a Christmas gift that will never be beat in our home.) and he. was. in. heaven. So fun to see his face (and John's too.)

Then we headed to my parents for some cousin love and delicious food.

Oh, and how Jack loves his baths lately. Please excuse his boogers.

This was last year and here is this year. I can't believe how fast they grow! Please slow down, little one.

 

This picture of Jack cracks me up.

Some for real Christmas-cousin love right here!

Dad and Jack with the airplane. Can hardly believe this is Jack's third Christmas.

I love seeing Jack change, but my dad stays the same. 

 They are two peas in a pod, they are. 

//

After Christmas, my dear cousin and his wife came up for an afternoon visit. The boys played outside and later we enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner. Boys are so fun.

Precious Noah.

//

For New Years, a dear high school BFF friend and her hubby came in town for a weekend visit. My goodness, was it fun! Too short, but just enough time to catch up and share plenty of laughs. So thankful for old and dear friends.

 

 Yup, I'm large, ya'll.

 //

By Monday, our little family was back to their routine. We played outside and Jack enjoyed his ten dollar wagon (thank you after-Christmas Goodwill!) with his daddy. He was obsessed with finding a way to make it a trailer.

"Bye, bye Mama!" He shouts.

Johnny did his best with what was on hand. a big stick.

With December so quickly gone and Zoey's arrival swiftly approaching, I am finding myself up at 3am once again making lists in my head and imagining cuddling our little girl. We are so excited. 

When Jack was born we were excited, but had no idea what we were getting ourselves into. With Zoey, we feel prepared, ready, excited, and a little scared all at once. Sometimes I wonder if I'll treat Jack differently because it's always just been me and him and we have a way of doing things. But then I imagine the friendship that the two of them will share and my worries diminish. Siblings really are some of the best friends.

I just can't wait.