Well, I am officially fatter than I am wide.
That's a great day folks.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Have You Forgotten?
It's Veteran's Day. I heard the song today, "Have You Forgotten?", by Darryl Worley. I was listening to NPR talk about the war, yeah, that's right, I listen to NPR sometimes. :) Anyways, in listening to them talk about the war & in hearing that song I was reminded of the fact I have forgotten. Although, truth be told, I probably block it out more than actually forgetting, but that's another whole post. I am more grateful than I even know how to express for the men & women defending and protecting our country. We truly live in a great place, not perfect, but great. We have so many "rights" and freedoms that we don't even stop to be grateful for and mostly we don't even realize that we have them.
I know of the sacrifice that it takes the men and women and their families. Chad's been home from deployment for 3 1/2 years and I assure you that we still feel the repercussions on a weekly basis. I am an expert at blocking people, thoughts, and feelings so that I don't have to deal with them. It's a little something I learned while Chad was gone. I could teach you if you like.
Since today is a day of honoring those who have served I dug up some pics to help myself, and maybe you too, to remember. I hope you enjoy them. They represent but a few small moments of 16 months of our life.
(I couldn't figure out how to rearrange them so forgive the randomness of their order.)
This is how a soldier reaches out to the country that's war torn.
This is, hopefully, how a soldier comes home!
This is how a soldier lives during training.
This is a soldier & his happy wife.
This is how a soldier gives to the children who don't get enough to eat (an MRE).
(And some sunglasses which make me smile every time!)
This is what a soldier fears...an explosive that is meant to kill him.
This is what a soldier sees through night vision...on all night patrol.
This is how a soldier rests.
This is how a soldier lives.
This is what a soldier calls home.
This is how a soldier travels.
This is how a soldier works.
This is what a soldier protects...rebuilding.
This is who a soldier protects.
This is how a soldier does special missions. (Did I say special...I meant dangerous.)
This is how a soldier finds peace.
This is what happens to a soldier's vehicle when hit by an IED.
This is what a soldier searches for...weapons cache.
This is street patrol...soldier style.
This is who a soldier serves beside. 2/130 2nd platoon 1st squad.
Thank you, soldiers. Thank you, Husband.
I know of the sacrifice that it takes the men and women and their families. Chad's been home from deployment for 3 1/2 years and I assure you that we still feel the repercussions on a weekly basis. I am an expert at blocking people, thoughts, and feelings so that I don't have to deal with them. It's a little something I learned while Chad was gone. I could teach you if you like.
Since today is a day of honoring those who have served I dug up some pics to help myself, and maybe you too, to remember. I hope you enjoy them. They represent but a few small moments of 16 months of our life.
(I couldn't figure out how to rearrange them so forgive the randomness of their order.)
This is how a soldier goes muddin'...except it's sewage and trash, not mud.
This is how a soldier drives at night...night vision...for like 8 hours.
This is how a soldier reaches out to the country that's war torn.
This is, hopefully, how a soldier comes home!
This is how a soldier lives during training.
This is a soldier & his happy wife.
This is how a soldier gives to the children who don't get enough to eat (an MRE).
(And some sunglasses which make me smile every time!)
This is what a soldier fears...an explosive that is meant to kill him.
This is what a soldier sees through night vision...on all night patrol.
This is how a soldier rests.
This is how a soldier lives.
This is what a soldier calls home.
This is how a soldier travels.
This is how a soldier works.
This is what a soldier protects...rebuilding.
This is who a soldier protects.
This is how a soldier does special missions. (Did I say special...I meant dangerous.)
This is how a soldier finds peace.
This is what happens to a soldier's vehicle when hit by an IED.
This is what a soldier searches for...weapons cache.
This is street patrol...soldier style.
This is who a soldier serves beside. 2/130 2nd platoon 1st squad.
Thank you, soldiers. Thank you, Husband.
I'm not a total hater
Ok, just so everyone knows...I'm not a total hater. There are some aspects of pregnancy that I adore. Yep, that's right, pregnancy and adore in the same sentence. I'm growing a human here folks. I mean that's pretty much the biggest deal ever. We humans think we're so cool. We build buildings, make things out of wood, plastic, metal, paint, etc. However, none of those even compares to pregnancy. I mean, the God of the Universe invites man and woman to join together with Him in creation. Literally, life out of 2 cells. In my body, there are 2 of everything (well, maybe not everything since I'm not sure if Lil Baby Stu #2 is a boy or a girl!), 2 hearts, 2 sets of lungs, 2 entire humans. I'm growing a person. Seriously, that is unbelievable and I adore the fact that I get to be part of that. People are always pondering the great question of "what am I here for?", "what am I doing with my life?". Some people build empires on clothes, real estate, money, sports, etc., but moms and dads get to say, I created life. What trumps life? Not much.
Also, I adore feeling the baby. Now, not so much when I get a swift kick to the bladder or other internal organ, but most times I love it. I love knowing that baby is inside my womb just hanging out and growing. Twisting, turning, summer saulting, kicking, punching, yawning, and who knows what else he/she is doing. But, it's a wonderful joy. (A joy that often serves to remind me why I'm so miserable!)
Only 6 days to go!
Also, I adore feeling the baby. Now, not so much when I get a swift kick to the bladder or other internal organ, but most times I love it. I love knowing that baby is inside my womb just hanging out and growing. Twisting, turning, summer saulting, kicking, punching, yawning, and who knows what else he/she is doing. But, it's a wonderful joy. (A joy that often serves to remind me why I'm so miserable!)
Only 6 days to go!
Monday, November 9, 2009
I'm so pregnant...
...that I can literally cry and laugh in the same breath.
...that as badly as I don't want to go through delivery it seems like a walk in the park compared to being pregnant for 6 more weeks.
...there is no quality sleep.
...that just getting out of bed overwhelms me.
...that I could eat about anything...and then immediately regret it knowing that tums will be my dessert.
...that even my sweatpants aren't comfortable. :(
...that all I can think about is delivering the acrobat living inside me.
...that any liquid looks appetizing.
...that any offer of help will not be turned down.
...that the thought of nesting makes me want to lay down and take a nap.
...that sitting, standing, or lying I'm not comfortable.
...that as badly as I don't want to go through delivery it seems like a walk in the park compared to being pregnant for 6 more weeks.
...there is no quality sleep.
...that just getting out of bed overwhelms me.
...that I could eat about anything...and then immediately regret it knowing that tums will be my dessert.
...that even my sweatpants aren't comfortable. :(
...that all I can think about is delivering the acrobat living inside me.
...that any liquid looks appetizing.
...that any offer of help will not be turned down.
...that the thought of nesting makes me want to lay down and take a nap.
...that sitting, standing, or lying I'm not comfortable.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
So, for those of you who have never my little girl there's one thing you should know about her. She's not friendly. And she doesn't hide it well. She has a pretty standard furrowed brow look that she'll give you to let you know that she is not going to be bothered by you. She also will just flat ignore you and turn away. And on rare occasion she'll just reach over and hit you, just to prove that she doesn't have to deal with you.
She was pretty crabby the other day because she wasn't feeling well. We had to run some errands, which we knew was pretty dangerous. Our first stop was the eyeglasses place. Husband was on guard with her while I looked around. She seemed to think that she should be able to touch every pair of glasses in the store so she ended up being held. And she's pretty vocal, which of course the lady working thought was very cute and funny. Well, the nice lady working in the store came over to put some glasses away and peeked around the corner at Hannah. Hannah was pretty fussy at this point because she had lost all freedom. So as the lady peeked around she said "peekaboo" to Hannah. Hannah's response, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." And then she turned around to ignore the woman. Yep, my child totally yelled at her.
Now, I found great humor in this since Husband was the one in charge of the situation. And he appropriately got onto Hannah for telling the woman no. I got to laugh at the whole situation since I wasn't in eyesight...ironic don't you think? ha
The more I'm around Hannah the more I find great humor in children. They just say whatever they think. Their emotions totally shows on their face at all times. And rarely do you have to guess what they're thinking or wanting. They are just who they are all the time with no regard for social norms. It's kind of liberating and stretching for me, because I follow social norms very closely and get very irritated and nervous around people who do not follow them.
She was pretty crabby the other day because she wasn't feeling well. We had to run some errands, which we knew was pretty dangerous. Our first stop was the eyeglasses place. Husband was on guard with her while I looked around. She seemed to think that she should be able to touch every pair of glasses in the store so she ended up being held. And she's pretty vocal, which of course the lady working thought was very cute and funny. Well, the nice lady working in the store came over to put some glasses away and peeked around the corner at Hannah. Hannah was pretty fussy at this point because she had lost all freedom. So as the lady peeked around she said "peekaboo" to Hannah. Hannah's response, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." And then she turned around to ignore the woman. Yep, my child totally yelled at her.
Now, I found great humor in this since Husband was the one in charge of the situation. And he appropriately got onto Hannah for telling the woman no. I got to laugh at the whole situation since I wasn't in eyesight...ironic don't you think? ha
The more I'm around Hannah the more I find great humor in children. They just say whatever they think. Their emotions totally shows on their face at all times. And rarely do you have to guess what they're thinking or wanting. They are just who they are all the time with no regard for social norms. It's kind of liberating and stretching for me, because I follow social norms very closely and get very irritated and nervous around people who do not follow them.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Me and the Mall Don't Mix
So, I probably shouldn't be allowed to go to the mall anymore. I'd like to blame it on the pregnancy, but I'm not sure that was the entire problem. To be fair, tonight was mall trick-or-treating so that added a little to the craziness, but still that didn't account for all the crazy. As a side note, when did they start trick-or-treating at the mall?? Not a bad idea in my opinion. Well, it's nice for the parents and kids, maybe not so great for normal mall shoppers.
People at the mall just make me angry. I mean, do they have to be so rude? It's not like I'm a little kid, I'm pregnant and pretty hard to miss! If I'm already walking in a pretty consistent path why would you suddenly veer over and cut me off?? There is too much disorganization and people just meandering slowly around like they have no purpose. If you come to the mall you really ought to have a plan people. And please do not stand outside the store door/window and debate whether to go in. Either go in or keep moving, that's how you keep the traffic flow going. If you have to think about it that hard you probably don't need to go in.
And then there was this little girl who wouldn't eat her chicken or her french fries and cried when she couldn't get the stickers off the paper of her toy. And she kept wanting out of her stroller and screaming and saying "No, Mommy. I want Daddy to.". Oh wait, that was my kid. I guess I can't blame that one on the mall.
At any rate, I did meet 4 nice people. One mom in the elevator who was also pregnant, one store assistant who rang us out and asked about the pregnancy, one man in line at Chick-fil-A, and the manager at Chick-fil-A. (I do have to admit that I almost always have a good experience at Chick-fil-A...they're just nice people who serve me great food!) Oh, and there was the brave mom who had like 8 kids with her trick-or-treating. Like 6 of the kids were going to cut in front of us and she made them stop and stay where they were so that they didn't cut us off. That's good parenting. Teach your children to watch where they're going...then people like me don't have to get so irritated.
Anyways, I'm hoping to do the rest of my shopping at regular stand alone stores or online so hopefully I won't have to endure the mall again for a while. I just don't think my nerves can handle it. Or maybe I just need to be thankful that I did run into 5 nice people.
People at the mall just make me angry. I mean, do they have to be so rude? It's not like I'm a little kid, I'm pregnant and pretty hard to miss! If I'm already walking in a pretty consistent path why would you suddenly veer over and cut me off?? There is too much disorganization and people just meandering slowly around like they have no purpose. If you come to the mall you really ought to have a plan people. And please do not stand outside the store door/window and debate whether to go in. Either go in or keep moving, that's how you keep the traffic flow going. If you have to think about it that hard you probably don't need to go in.
And then there was this little girl who wouldn't eat her chicken or her french fries and cried when she couldn't get the stickers off the paper of her toy. And she kept wanting out of her stroller and screaming and saying "No, Mommy. I want Daddy to.". Oh wait, that was my kid. I guess I can't blame that one on the mall.
At any rate, I did meet 4 nice people. One mom in the elevator who was also pregnant, one store assistant who rang us out and asked about the pregnancy, one man in line at Chick-fil-A, and the manager at Chick-fil-A. (I do have to admit that I almost always have a good experience at Chick-fil-A...they're just nice people who serve me great food!) Oh, and there was the brave mom who had like 8 kids with her trick-or-treating. Like 6 of the kids were going to cut in front of us and she made them stop and stay where they were so that they didn't cut us off. That's good parenting. Teach your children to watch where they're going...then people like me don't have to get so irritated.
Anyways, I'm hoping to do the rest of my shopping at regular stand alone stores or online so hopefully I won't have to endure the mall again for a while. I just don't think my nerves can handle it. Or maybe I just need to be thankful that I did run into 5 nice people.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Dec 21
Well, it looks like Lil Baby Stu #2 will be (hopefully) arriving on Dec 21 bright & early. My c-section is planned for 6 AM. That means I have to be at the hospital at 4 AM and we live about 45 minutes away. It's going to be a long first day I have a feeling. But, at least we'll have a baby! And since I can't get out of bed for about 24 hours it means that Husband will be on diaper duty and transport duty and any other duty that seems necessary. That makes me happy. Look, husband, more meconium.
We are still accepting name suggestions for anyone who would like to contribute. (Except for a certain cousin who knows who he is...he's been cut off and we will no longer take suggestions from him.)
So far we're looking at Eli & Noah for boy first names. And no ideas for a girl's name.
Lately I've been trying to talk to Hannah about having a baby come live with us. She usually just gives me her normal furrowed brow look...I think that means that she's not impressed. I often try to ask her, "What's in Mommy's belly?". Her pretty standard reply is "Daddy's belly. My belly." So, I'm going to take that as her dodging the question.
We are still accepting name suggestions for anyone who would like to contribute. (Except for a certain cousin who knows who he is...he's been cut off and we will no longer take suggestions from him.)
So far we're looking at Eli & Noah for boy first names. And no ideas for a girl's name.
Lately I've been trying to talk to Hannah about having a baby come live with us. She usually just gives me her normal furrowed brow look...I think that means that she's not impressed. I often try to ask her, "What's in Mommy's belly?". Her pretty standard reply is "Daddy's belly. My belly." So, I'm going to take that as her dodging the question.
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