As of today, I feel like we officially stepped over to the "other side" - the side that requires us to be parents. We did it. We had coupons that expires tomorrow. We'll need them in the not-too-distant future.
We bought diapers.
Seems strange that it seems like such a milestone to me. Perhaps as significant as buying cigarettes at 18 (they were for my dad, but I could at least purchase them legally). Maybe something akin to having my first drink (a white russian) with my sister after turning 21. But alas, one more piece of this puzzle we call life. At least, for the time being, they will remain very clean. I can't promise that my next blog about diapers will be so pleasant. :)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
I get the worm!
If the early bird gets the worm, then I get the worm!
My pattern of being up before the crack of dawn started when I was very young. I remember my mom walking past my room when I was in elementary school and turning the light on - - and I would promptly call back to her, "I'm up!"
In middle school and high school, computer time around our house was precious! The only way I would get mine was to go to bed early, and then wake up early to play online. I also have always enjoyed taking the first shower. Some days, even before the sun is up, it's nice just to enjoy the peace of the birds outside - and the quiet of an as-of-yet undisturbed house.
In College, my "early bird" was taken advantage of when I was on the crew team. I was the coxswain, and had to be the one with the most energy for our 5am practice. We'd always joke that we did more before 8am than most people did all day long! With a team of 20-30 people at any given time, the only way our schedules would match up would be to have the 5-7am practice.
Even as an adult, I've always taken the "early" shift. Starting work at 7am. Being the first up in the house (even before the dogs on most days). While training for marathons, even running first thing in the morning before getting ready for work.
I enjoy mornings. I've always had the best energy early in the morning - - and I'm not one of those people who need coffee or a shower in order to "get going." I guess I've never had a bed with a "wrong side" - - or at least, I don't recall the last time I got up on the "wrong side" of the bed!
My pattern of being up before the crack of dawn started when I was very young. I remember my mom walking past my room when I was in elementary school and turning the light on - - and I would promptly call back to her, "I'm up!"
In middle school and high school, computer time around our house was precious! The only way I would get mine was to go to bed early, and then wake up early to play online. I also have always enjoyed taking the first shower. Some days, even before the sun is up, it's nice just to enjoy the peace of the birds outside - and the quiet of an as-of-yet undisturbed house.
In College, my "early bird" was taken advantage of when I was on the crew team. I was the coxswain, and had to be the one with the most energy for our 5am practice. We'd always joke that we did more before 8am than most people did all day long! With a team of 20-30 people at any given time, the only way our schedules would match up would be to have the 5-7am practice.
Even as an adult, I've always taken the "early" shift. Starting work at 7am. Being the first up in the house (even before the dogs on most days). While training for marathons, even running first thing in the morning before getting ready for work.
I enjoy mornings. I've always had the best energy early in the morning - - and I'm not one of those people who need coffee or a shower in order to "get going." I guess I've never had a bed with a "wrong side" - - or at least, I don't recall the last time I got up on the "wrong side" of the bed!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Back Porch, Ice Cream....
Today my favorite flavor is the "flavor of the day" at the local Frozen Custard spot - - so we are headed there after dinner.
It seems that every city has some local frozen treat... Like Ted Drewes in St Louis, and Amy's Ice Cream in Austin. For some cities, it's Raspas instead... and in places like Minneapolis, MN where it never gets cold - maybe they don't have quite the same fondness for sweet frozen items - - although I do remember eating a Monkey Tail at my friend's once (dark chocolate covered frozen bananna) - yum!
What's my favorite flavor? Well, I guess it depends on the day. :) A few I generally like above others include mint-chocolate chip and coffee. Today's flavor is mint chocolate chip!
We live within walking distance, but will we walk? We might if it weren't for the threatening rain. I warned my hubby that rain or no rain, we're going. He owes me a date. Plus, we've got our lovely screened-in back porch if we decide to bring our tasty treat home. We even sat out there together this morning and had breakfast.
It's the middle of the summer! Although the weather here has been pretty moderate, it's time for frozen summer treats.
When we visit my sister-in-law in Kansas, we typically go to her work and she buys our ice cream for us. She's a very sweet girl.
Anyhow - enjoy a tasty frozen treat today!
It seems that every city has some local frozen treat... Like Ted Drewes in St Louis, and Amy's Ice Cream in Austin. For some cities, it's Raspas instead... and in places like Minneapolis, MN where it never gets cold - maybe they don't have quite the same fondness for sweet frozen items - - although I do remember eating a Monkey Tail at my friend's once (dark chocolate covered frozen bananna) - yum!
What's my favorite flavor? Well, I guess it depends on the day. :) A few I generally like above others include mint-chocolate chip and coffee. Today's flavor is mint chocolate chip!
We live within walking distance, but will we walk? We might if it weren't for the threatening rain. I warned my hubby that rain or no rain, we're going. He owes me a date. Plus, we've got our lovely screened-in back porch if we decide to bring our tasty treat home. We even sat out there together this morning and had breakfast.
It's the middle of the summer! Although the weather here has been pretty moderate, it's time for frozen summer treats.
When we visit my sister-in-law in Kansas, we typically go to her work and she buys our ice cream for us. She's a very sweet girl.
Anyhow - enjoy a tasty frozen treat today!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Birds & Bunnies & Squirrels - Oh my!
To look at the dogs, chilling on the sofa, you wouldn't think they could possibly ever do anything wrong.
And is you really think that- boy, do they ever have you fooled!
Recently, we finished our first major "new house" project - - we installed a fence. The upside is that the dogs can now run free and do as they please! The downside? The dogs can now run free and do as they please!
It's a bit more difficult to get them to come inside since they now have this huge territory to explore!
And they are at one with nature. This morning, my husband sent a report that they caught a bunny. He said, "I had to pull it out of both of their mouths - but it appeared to still be alive, so I released it in the front yard."
When dogs catch animals, they are so full of themselves. They are very proud. They bring you their catch like now they can give YOU dinner. (No wild birds, bunnies, or squirrels are on the "approved for pregnant women" list, as far as I know.) From being around dogs often - including my Kobe for 9 years now - I have seen this before. When we had a dog door, I came home in Texas one day to find a bird (dead) on the living room for. Kobe wanted to share his "catch" with me. And once in agility, a Weimreiner caught a baby bunny. It was dead enough that the trainer (whose dogs are more accustomed to eating "raw" - bones and all) released her dogs to come "clean up" the mess.
As for this morning's recent Bunny experience, I can honestly say that I am glad that I was not the one pulling said bunny out of dog mouth.
So where do the squirrels fit in?
Well, that is one of the biggest reasons for installing the fence! And one reason why the dogs (especially the one who has climbed fences to chase squirrels - Miss Katie Girl) can not yet be completely trusted to be outside, even with the fence, without some degree of adult supervision.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Baby... Child... or Childish?
I have a confession to make: I'm not so sure about the baby thing. A week or so ago, a coworker asked me if I'm a baby person or if I'm a kid person. I could honestly answer that I'm definitely a kid person. I've always wanted a kid, mind you. But the pregnancy and the baby thing that goes with it? I hope it's worth it (and I have no doubt that it will be!)Why a child? Well, I am a tad bit Childish for one. This picture, taken by my 6 year old niece, captures the essence of my crazy faces. My coworkers will agree that I often will make people smile by making a face - - sticking out my tongue is definitely among my favorite past times. Even as I grow older, I hope I don't grow out of being childish. Whether I'm walking through an airport (or Spain) singing camp songs, the only adult at a party jumping on the trampoline with the kiddos, or simply ignoring the adult "chatter" while I do gymnastics or yoga on the floor - - I fully enjoy embracing my childish endeavors. It's part of who I am.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Mom 'n Me
Before Baby, my hubby and I agreed to one last trip to each of the families before I was too big to travel. We started with a very quick visit to Wichita in May, and now we are doing a little more extended visit with the in-laws in Texas.
The in-laws were gracious enough to host not only my hubby and I, but also a baby shower! This led to them also hosting my mother for the duration of our visit.
Yesterday morning, my MIL started making lasagna. On one of my prior visits to the in-laws, she had shown me how to make my own lasagna noodles. I even now have the hardware to do it at home! My mother, however, doesn't have a kitchen aid and has never had homemade noodles. So in the kitchen, there we are -- mom and me making lasagna noodles. Perhaps one of the first cooking things I've ever been able to "teach" my mom. What's even more priceless, is my MIL took a picture (and gave me copies).
This picture captures not only my mom and I cooking together, but our shared history of cooking in some ways. A few years ago, we put together a cookbook and distributed to family and friends alike. My mom keeps asking for volume two. I can assure you that homemade lasagna noodles will be in that version!
Hope everyone had a wonderful fourth! Today is the day of the baby shower --- which means lots more family to see and spend time with, along with a few friends from Austin (who are bringing fresh figs... yum!)
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Irrational Emotions
These days, it seems that ordinary events I used to be able to "deal" with have become much bigger issues. Suddenly, you've got a downward spiral. I'm upset about something - - but then, because of who I am, I'm even more upset that I'm upset because even though I am upset, I can recognize that I am being irrational!
Example 1:
After we got back from Europe, I really wanted to catch up on laundry. Not just the clothes we took with us, but also all the sheets/towels/etc that were used for packing purposes and were strewn about the house. So, I spent a Saturday doing 7-8 loads of laundry, and then spent an hour or two on Sunday going through everything and folding, hanging, etc.
I got to the end of the laundry - - - and I couldn't find the one pair of Maternity shorts that I can comfortably wear. I'm not sure why this upset me so much - - but it did. I think I must have cried for 30 minutes - - - even though my wonderful husband found the shorts within 15 minutes of me being upset about it!
Example 2:
This morning at work, I was putting together some information for my boss. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, and just beyond my water glass was a roach, crawling on my desk, and twice the size of my thumb. I shrieked... looked back... and then left my office. By the time the "exterminator" (facilities person) got downstairs, another coworker had taken the liberty of removing said roach for me. It was pretty simple for her to take outside, too - - since it was ON my water glass.
Now mind you, I'm not the squeamish person around bugs, normally. Just yesterday, I removed a spider from the wall in my office. And on a relatively regular basis, I'll stomp on something in the ladies restroom. This episode, however, had me more than just a little freaked out. After the shock wore off, the crying began. Luckily it was only a few minutes before I could garner control of myself (while at the office, mind you) and return to my desk to... work a little.... and then update my blog.
I guess I'm just preparing for figuring out who this new "me" will be after I add "mom" to my responsibilities. Hopefully this emotion thing can get a little bit more under control!
Example 1:
After we got back from Europe, I really wanted to catch up on laundry. Not just the clothes we took with us, but also all the sheets/towels/etc that were used for packing purposes and were strewn about the house. So, I spent a Saturday doing 7-8 loads of laundry, and then spent an hour or two on Sunday going through everything and folding, hanging, etc.
I got to the end of the laundry - - - and I couldn't find the one pair of Maternity shorts that I can comfortably wear. I'm not sure why this upset me so much - - but it did. I think I must have cried for 30 minutes - - - even though my wonderful husband found the shorts within 15 minutes of me being upset about it!
Example 2:
This morning at work, I was putting together some information for my boss. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye, and just beyond my water glass was a roach, crawling on my desk, and twice the size of my thumb. I shrieked... looked back... and then left my office. By the time the "exterminator" (facilities person) got downstairs, another coworker had taken the liberty of removing said roach for me. It was pretty simple for her to take outside, too - - since it was ON my water glass.
Now mind you, I'm not the squeamish person around bugs, normally. Just yesterday, I removed a spider from the wall in my office. And on a relatively regular basis, I'll stomp on something in the ladies restroom. This episode, however, had me more than just a little freaked out. After the shock wore off, the crying began. Luckily it was only a few minutes before I could garner control of myself (while at the office, mind you) and return to my desk to... work a little.... and then update my blog.
I guess I'm just preparing for figuring out who this new "me" will be after I add "mom" to my responsibilities. Hopefully this emotion thing can get a little bit more under control!
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