Booted

I've officially been booted from my own bed, yes it's true. Only, it's been by my 2-year-old daughter. You see, pregnant days often call for a nice nap in a comfy cozy bed. The best time of day around here lately has been Little Miss Sunshine's nap time as it calls me to nap as well. May as well take advantage of it while I can. However, this routine was upset on our recent vacation to Florida where her resting spot (little crib) was just not as comfortable or large as hers at home. This led to some great naps for her while on vacation in my bed and it has continued now that we are at home. Let's just say I'm really stepping up my efforts to get her new room with a "big girl bed" organized and ready for her presence so we can both be off to dreamland!

Tongue Tied

Lately I have felt less articulate and unable to express myself verbally or in written form. Perhaps my brain is softening now that I have been at home for two years and I haven't been engaging my mind as much I potentially could. I struggle finding words to match my intent. I have all kinds of thoughts and ideas, but they just don't come out, requiring too much effort on my part to formulate them into words. I've decided I need to increase my reading time and hopefully that will be the first start to regaining a more skillful mind.

14 Days Summary

Well, I didn't do all the things on my plan for the two weeks and I had to adjust here and there, but here's a summary of what I did. Mostly low key since I was away for 8 days of it (really cut down on my baking plans, oh well.)
Not in any particular order (I mainly focused my 14 days on Guitar Daddy)

1. Ironed Guitar Daddy's Sunday clothes (my least favorite chore)
2. Made heart shaped pumpkin muffins for a surprise breakfast served on our red, "You are Special Today plate.
3. Sacrificed the last scoops of Chocolate fudge Brownie ice cream.
4. Sent a special surprise text message from Florida after Guitar Daddy left to go back to work (I never text)
5. Emailed a cheesy ecard to let Guitar Daddy know he was missed.
6. Called Guitar Daddy and told him about hidden candy treat that was waiting for him.
7. Left heart brownies with decadent chocolate frosting as an extra sweet treat when he came home from Florida and was lonely at home without us.
8. Gave Guitar Daddy and Grandma and Pop Pop photo valentine of Little Miss Sunshine that had been stowed away in my suitcase.
9. Shared a homemade collage Valentine made with love by Little Miss Sunshine and modge podged by mommy (to Guitar Daddy and Grandma). We made it before we went to Florida and packed them up as a surprise while we were there.
10. Presented framed photo of me and Little Miss Sunshine to be proudly displayed on Guitar Daddy's office desk.
11. Made an effort to turn the other cheek all day- no smart or rude remarks for one day- just tried to be kind all day.
12. Pillow kisses with candy (copied Jennie's idea)
13.Enjoyed red sparkling lemonade in fancy champagne glasses.
14. Valentine with another round of top ten reasons.....

Looking Back to See Ahead

Little Miss Sunshine - 5 1/2 months old

So as it slowly hits me that I actually will have a second child in a few months, I'm beginning to worry as I can't really remember what it's like to have an infant. Oh, and if I haven't mentioned it already, I'm expecting another girl. I think from my teaching years, I'm just more comfortable with toddlers and up. I felt like once Little Miss Sunshine hit six months or so, I was ok and I could do it. I could be a mom after all! I've been trying to look back a bit to remember what it was like. I know each baby is different so I should not expect this one to be the same or act the same. We've really had it pretty good so far with Little Miss Sunshine. She's been a sweet little girl. Naturally she has her moments as we all do, but she has blessed our lives greatly. I worry that I will have forgotten how to nurse, how to function on not very much sleep, how to hold her so I don't drop her, how to swaddle, how to give birth (uggh!) and it goes on. And, what if, what if she fits that 25% chance that she too has a hearing loss but hers is really severe or profound. What if she is compeletely Deaf, with a capital D? What if she can't hear at all? It would break my heart again but we'd move forward and deal with it. Why do we even think of these things? Why do waste time worrying? Perhpas, just perhaps I could just allow myself to bask in the joy of the moment- I'm going to have a baby girl!

A First For Everything

Hard to believe that I've been married for 7 1/2 years now and just christened the Kitchen Aid stand mixer today. How sad is that?! I do really enjoy baking, but I tend to use my hand mixer. I suppose I never really make anything complicated enough that really warrants lugging out the heavy mixer. Today I tried it while making some valentine treats. Nothing difficult, but just thought I'd give it a try. Wow, I've really been missing out. Technology really does make things easier. I suppose I'll be baking a lot more now with my new discovery!

What is Love?

Last night as I was going through our bookshelf, I stumbled across this little children's book, Love Is... written and illustrated by Wendy Anderson Halperin. The illustrations are gorgeous and the book is an adaptation from the Book of Corinthians, Chapter 13 in the Bible. At the back of the book, the illustrator shares a beautiful thought of her own on love:

If there's one thing I've learned from experience, it is that how we respond to any person, any object, any situation is our choice. We can choose to approach these things with envy or arrogance, impatience or selfishness......

The quote struck me deeply,indicating that I need to make some personal changes. Sometimes I am quick to respond in an irritable, unkind tone, lash out, etc. So, my goal for the day, the 2nd day of Valentine's, is to be more mindful of my responses to Guitar Daddy and Little Miss Sunshine. My gift for today, aside from some little treats to eat, is to choose kinder, more patient responses.

Valentine Smackdown Day # 1

Most of you who actually visit my blog are already familiar with the 14 Days of Valentines challenge given by smartmama. You know how it goes. 14 days to do extra nice things for family members at home, helping them feel how loved they are.

To start off on day #1, I had planned on making my friend's yummy pumpkin choc. chip muffins for breakfast in heart shaped pans of course! Then I realized, that is was fast Sunday, so that would not really be showing much love to Guitar Daddy as Little Miss Sunshine and I munched away at breakfast. I'll save them for another day.

So, since I NEVER iron clothes for my husband, he's really much better than me; I decided to surprise him by ironing his Sunday clothes. Yay, he even made it to his meeting on time this morning!