22 posts from 2005

You Are Getting Sleeeeeeepppppyyyyy

A relative of Matt's sent me a great package the other day--a book and CD about Hypnobirthing. For anyone not familar with the technique, it's basically being able to put yourself in a trance like state of relaxation during labor and delivery so you can have an almost painfree, calm, unmedicated experience. I'm really excited to train myself and try it out. Anyone interested in learning more, here is the site.

Lysse Strikes Again

Let me share a story with you all...

Tonight was Jules' first Girl Scouts meeting; it was also a duty night for Matt (where he has to go back into work and work an overnight shift). So the time comes for me to take Jules to her meeting and low and behold, I can not find the truck keys. I am searching all over and nothing. I ran her over to the meeting in the car and left promising her I'd be back soon. Matt was close to running late for work and I needed those keys to be able to pick Jules back up.

So we begin to tear apart the house only after asking Lysse if she had seen the keys or played with them that day. "No, Mommy" she insisted. We looked in the laundry area, the bedroom, the living room, the kitchen. "Lysse, did you take the keys, honey?" "No, Mommy!" We looked in drawers, in cabinets, in closets. "Lysse, did you take the keys?" "No, Mommy!" We looked under the couch, under the computer desk, under beds. "Lysse, where did you put the keys?" "I not touch them, Mommy!" We flipped through stacks of papers, tore apart the fresh pile of laundry, looked outside. Then it dawned on me. Lysse had been playing with some purses and bookbags earlier in the day. I ran to the closet and BINGO, they were hidden in a small pocket of one of the bags. "Alyssa! Did you play with the keys today?" "Sorry, Mommy!"

Ahhhh....three year olds

:)

Little Flutters

Sunday morning I was laying in bed on my side and felt what was like a finger flicking my insides four times in a row, in the same spot. It was my first time thinking I might be feeling the baby move. I knew I couldn't be sure until I felt it again. Well, last night, I was sitting on the couch and felt what was like a bubble popping three times in the same spot. I'm now pretty sure that our little one is making himself known! I'm a little surprised since I am only 14 weeks along, but I guess I shouldn't be after seeing how active "he" was at the 10 week ultrasound.

I'm sure it won't be long before a foot or hand is pushing it's way out of my stomach or a toe is getting stuck in my ribs!

Excuse me while I get all "churchy" for a moment.....

I am just so proud of Jules. After I hadn't attended a church in 10 years, Jules was my inspiration to find one to attend regularily. At around 6 years of age, she started asking to go every Sunday. Not wanting her to resent me for never taking her, I started doing research and finally, a while later, we found a church right by us that welcomed us with open arms and felt like home.

Fast forward to this past Sunday. During the Pastor's time with the children, she asked them to play follow the leader. A few children were picked to be the "leader" and proceeded to take a walk around the church, clap hands, etc. When Jules was called upon, she said she wanted them all to head back to the alter and pray together. She sat down, folded her hands, bowed her head and loudly said, "Thank you, God, for electricty....for homes...for good weather...for all that we can do." I am not exaggerating when I say that everyone melted and people said the hair on their arms standed on end. It was a simple prayer but one that came truely from the heart of a 7 year old..on her own, with no coaxing. Members have told me she has a gift for prayer and is an inspiration and example for all of us. The pastor stated she had no need to do a sermon after such a touching moment. Later, after service, the children started rehearsing for the Christmas play and who was picked to play Mary? Yep! Jules! I, of course, have been wearing a huge 'old proud momma smile.

Now let me move on to a funny side story about Alyssa that very same day. After the children were settled on the alter, the pastor went into her lesson for the day. She asked all the children who our leader was (she was, of course, looking for the answer of "God"). Well, little lysse jumped up with her hand in the air and yelled "I AM!!!!!!!" We all giggled over that one :)

As many moms to multiple children can probably attest, with subsequent pregnanices, you tend to show earlier. If it's possible, I think I started showing as soon as my home pregnancy test came up with two lines. Now at 11 weeks, 3 days, I am sporting a little pot belly. Cute, right? Well, not exactly..not when the pot isn't baby but rather air. I am so bloated that sometimes I look like I am about 6 months pregnant. I went into school the other day and a fellow PTA mom said, "Awww, you're showing!" and put her hand on my stomach. I felt like saying, "No..that's not the baby you're touching, that's gas."

Maybe this little one can just be named flatulence (sigh).

Citizen of the Month

Jules received Citizen of the Month for October at her elementary school! She was awarded the honor for her diligence....she actually received the same award for the very same thing last year! Her teacher wrote:

"Julianna's work ethic is one of her favorable characteristics. She enjoys learning while working carefully and steadily. Even the students around her notice her working hard. This characteristic aids in her success. Keep it up!"

Jules rocks :)

Just Let Them Be Kids

I see families all the time with so much on their plates that they become strangers to one another. All I can do is shake my head and wonder "why?" At 8 years old, many children are not only putting in full days of school but then being shuffled off to soccer practice, swim lessons, karate, dance, gymnastics, music lessons..sometimes all happening in the same timeframe! Why? Can someone explain this to me? Sure studies show that being involved in some extracurricular activities can lead to a lower risk of drug use, being involved in gangs and violence, but, honestly, what good can come from giving a young child a schedule that not even an adult could manage? What good can come from burning out and melting down before the age of 10? There is such a thing as overdoing it.

Here's a thought...at younger ages, limit extracurricular activities to one favorite and then start a family centered schedule . I'll give an example of what I mean:

Monday: Hit the playground with the kids. Play with them. Yes, this actually means you get on a swing, climb through tunnels and go down a slide no matter what anyone else might think of you.

Tuesday: Take a hike or bike ride. Pack a little picnic snack, turn it into a nature lesson, sing songs, etc.

Wednesday: Extracurricular activity day. This is the one day where they can participate in karate, gymnastics, whatever they want to do.

Thursday: Arts and crafts or music day. Get creative, use your talents and let your child explore theirs.

Friday: Free play. Let your child invite a friend over and play sports outside, a board game inside..whatever they enjoy doing together.

Saturday and Sunday: Here's a novel idea: instead of filling up your weekends with soccer games or running errands, make it family time! Take a road trip, visit the zoo or a museum..sit around and watch movies or bake together. You'd be amazed how much this means to your child.

If you are worried about social interaction (as if school wasn't enough), invite your child's friends over for arts and crafts day or see if they would like to take a hike with you.

Of course this family oriented, parent and child centered schedule means that parents actually have to be involved in their child's life..they have to be plugged in and actually be present in the day to day.

In the end, I can guarantee you, a child's most cherished memories as they grow up won't be all those soccer practices and piano lessons, they will be the special moments they shared with their parents. Those times with family are what make life so great.