List of Words My Son Says... Nearly Chronological!

I haven't been writing that much about DHH's development or anything, since I do that on the blog I kept for him.  Also I worry about being judged that he is either not saying enough words, and therefore I am Bad Mom, or that he's saying more than normal, and I am a Mom That Brags.  

I decided to just post them anyway, because they are really random words.  Yeah, there's "mom" and "dad" in there... but 'hot diggity', 'Jeez-mom', and "foof'? Those can make some interesting conversations!

So, sandwiched between these funny photos of DHH playing with sidewalk chalk "aggs", you'll find a list of the words I can remember that he says.  Or the ones that I can distinguish, because he does have a strange, thick toddler accent.  

Mom, Mom-Mom, My Momma, Mom- Ma
Dad, Da-Dad, Dad-Dad
That
Yeah
No
Cheese
Please
Jeez - (Jesus)
Jeez-Momma (Mary)
Jeez-Dad (Joseph)
Pizza (sometimes ZA!)
Out
Bath
Hot (as in temperature)
Hot! (the grill, the oven)
Hot (a hot dog)
Nanas (banana)
Nana (Grandma Douglas)
Nana Pop, Pop (Grandpa Douglas)
Shh...
UP
Fooz (Juice)
Foof (Snow)
Dog
Mmmmmoo (cow)
Hat
Ow
Oh
On
Off
Ern (Ernie from Sesame Street)
At (Aunt Rachel)
Oon (moon)
Oon (balloon)
feesh (fish)
Fiii (fire, fire place)
Eeeow, meeow (cat)
Ite (write)
I Ites (I write)
ashes, ashes (as in, we all fall down)
Block
Chock (chocolate)
Bap (bath)
Bup (cup)
Bamp (lamp)
Wish-Wish (washing, laundry)
Nigh-nigh (good night, sleep)
Een Up! (clean up, always sang)
Repeats many letters in alphabet song, especially A, B, C, E, H, S, T, P, R, Z

Pa - Grandpa Zeke

Nod

Spin

Toot toot (as in honking or train whistle)

Elm (Elmo)

Tap

Clap

Hot Diggyty (hot diggety, the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse)

Hot Dog (what he calls Mickey Mouse)

Sings They Might Be Giant's Song "No, NO, No!"

snack

Doots - boots

Tweet (for birds or flying)

Out

Poop

Oot (means hook or hang up)

Hey!
Shake!
Ahhh (sigh from Wiggles song... 

Repeats lots of alphabet now, new letter he loves is H.  

Tries counting, favorite numbers to say are 6 and 8

Here Is My Little Splasher.

I mentioned yesterday that we went swimming, and it was the perfect solution to a barely above freezing weekday.

Today, we went again.  This time, DHH was excited from the moment I told him we'd be going at breakfast time.  He said something that sounded a lot like POOL and also like SWIMMY but really... he had a mouth full of oatmeal and when he gets excited, all words sound a lot like his word "foolf!".  The happy, sing-song voice becomes a very thick accent that only his parents can understand.

First we visited a friend and her daughter, who loaned me these tiny little things  which are so tiny and adorable that my baby fever peaked again!

When we got to the pool, DHH was a little tired for some reason.  I think it was because the pool area was so humid.  It sort of exhausted me, too.  It felt like a hot tub in there.  Maybe he will also become exhausted by hot tubs, rather than energized by them, and therefore make some responsible decisions while in them (you know, if he's ever THE Bachelor).

Yes, the camera lens actually fogged up.  I brought the 5 year old point and shoot Lumix, which still did a pretty darn good job.  I noticed recently that two or three of the pockets in our Peg Perego messenger bag diaper bag are waterproof! (I know, should be for the price! But I did get it on clearance at Target).  So it was a perfect way to bring a camera to the pool, something I should never do otherwise.

We think this photo is also hilarious.  I like to get to noisy places and chaotic situations early for both of our sanity, so we can take in the place and get prepared.  DHH listened well to me about just looking, and he also respected the pool rules of NO DIVING.  The life guard kind of freaked out when he bent down to show me the letters in the tile.  He was amazed by these AC8Hs (or whatever gibberish alphabet he was saying).

Our friends H, T, and E came this time, too!  It was fun to have more children there that DHH knew, and I loved that there was another 9 month preggo mom at the pool with me, too.  I just feel more secure not being the odd man out.  (I guess that phrase doesn't really work though.  The egg shaped woman out. That's better.)  Its like if there are more preggo people in one place, there is less panic by others about her falling or going into labor and giving birth in the city pool.

We won't be going back tomorrow because my sister is visiting (DHH's "At"), and so the next time we'll go is probably on Monday, so his father can enjoy the fun time this little guy has.  Though this photo doesn't show the enthusiasm, believe me, its there once the splashers turn on and other kids start to shriek! 

On Becoming 29...

This weekend my husband turned 29.   It seemed like a lot older than 28, and it seemed especially older because for some reason, I forgot that I was 28, too, and will be for another six months or so.

Note to self: Don't expect to open any presents of your own on your 29th birthday.  There's a kid here who will do that for you! 

Now that he is 29 and not the 20 year old I first met and fell in love with, I can confidently say he is better with age.  He's got a career to be successful in, a family to be loyal to, and more laugh lines that are so attractive.  The only thing he really hasn't got... new jokes.  What a recycler!

Then this morning, I saw Britney on GMA.  She's 29.  She's got 2 kids.  She's gotten less dancy, less sexy costumes, less energy, too... JUST LIKE ME!  (Except she's older.)

I decided I will never think that I am an old person since I'm the same age as Britney and her songs sort of have been my soundtrack from age 17 on.  And really, Britney won't ever be some haggard old woman, so I won't be either, right?

Source

See?  She's not the same as back when... but neither am I anymore!! There's less lip gloss and sparkle, and I blame it on the pregnancies.  And paparazzi . 

I will probably always think of Britney as a beauty icon, based on our similar ages and such, but it is such a relief that she doesn't look like Petra on last night's dancing... that would make me sort of fear 30 because she's just so... super model-ly.

I decided I will never think that I am an old person since I'm the same age as Britney and her songs sort of have been my soundtrack from age 17 on.

Little Splashers! Only Pregnant Mom There!

We were SO BORED this morning, and with it being only 40 degrees and my sanity being able to play pegs or watch Sesame  for only an hour this morning, I knew we needed to get out of the house.  We didn't need groceries or to shop at all... so we went to the city gym's toddler swim time called Little Splashers.

I can't believe I haven't taken him to this in the last few months.  Last summer he was too young as a non-walker, and I worried that his sensitive skin wouldn't handle the chlorination.  We would take him on Mondays a few times while I did water aerobics, so his dad could enjoy that time playing with him, too.

But its been MONTHS since swimming.  Like, July in our neighbor's pool.  In size 9-12 month trunks, not 18-24 month shorts!

This is from when DHH was 11 months old in June 2010.  I couldn't take any photos today, obviously, what with the water and splashing and pandemonium of the pool.

Today, he was fine!  He was a little nervous at the beginning.  There were lots of rowdy kids ages 5-9, since this week is Spring Break, but after awhile, those kids played elsewhere than the baby pool.  DHH warmed right up and wanted to touch all the showers (sprinklers) and throw the balls (diving toys).  He was elated that he could stand up and wade, and thought it was just too funny that his pockets floated in the water.

Swim diaper?  Oh, yeah, this is what we did:

(in blue, a second from CottonBabies for $4.95)

And a pair of mesh shorts.   It worked SO WELL.  And really, he could have worn this diaper to swim in last summer, and probably can wear it next summer, too (do 2.5 year olds still need swim diapers? IDK) So, anyway, its a really, really great swim diaper option, since swim diapers are just solid waste catchers anyway.

I wore this for my swim suit:

(Just picture the woman with a beach ball under the suit, and you got it! From LandsEnd)

And yes, I was the only pregnant mom there.  There were moms in lovely bikinis with tans.  But with 4 and 8 year olds.  Or maybe they were nannies?  Yes, let's say they were college aged nannies and of course, who doesn't look hotter ... a college aged nanny or a 9 months pregnant mama?  The only guy there that had my attention is 20 months old, he he gives hugs and kisses no matter what. :o)

We also used this Wet Bag from Bummis 

(it held my water shoes, 2 cloth diapers, my swim suit and DHH's, and one towel)

It was quite a work out for me - or I used it as an opportunity to stretch, to do lunges and lift DHH in an UP and DOWN! game to work my arms - and I think it was a work out for him, too.  He conked out just five minutes from our house and is sleeping quite soundly in his crib.

I think we'll go back tomorrow, or perhaps make a regular even of Tuesdays/Thursdays from now until delivery time! Then... well, I've seen mesh baby slings, but I doubt I'll be able to manage a newborn and a toddler in the pool, so by then it will be SPLASH PARK time!  And I can hand that, its on dry land with just sprinklers!

I am glad I had this idea and the opportunity to do it with my kid!

DWTS, Season 12, Week 2, Notes. Call Me Fourth Judge!

Here's Week 2 Recap Notes of my favorite two hours of TV... Dancing with the Stars.  


If you watched it, what did you think of...

•  Brooke's dress? 
• Anna's comic book heroine wig? 
• Romeo's excessive flirting with Chelsea Hightower?
• Kendra's crying?
• the fact Obama spoke BEFORE it was on? (bet you can guess I was delighted it was a short speech!)
• Lacy's and Petra's unnecessarily small clothes?  They are surely NOT Edyta.

Here's my favorite dance from the night because

1) Bizarre costumes

2) Panic at the Disco on DWTS?

3) It kept my attention the best

This Baby's Baby Shower Will Help Sonrise Babies in Uganda!

One reason why I wanted to have a baby shower to celebrate the birth of our daughter is to start her life off as a life of philanthropy and caring about other children.  I want HER to have a baseline that sharing is normal, and helping others is our family's norm.

Secondary reasons for this shower are to promote cloth diaper awareness and to encourage social awareness of humanitarian issues in my friends, family, and social network circle.

So along with the cute invitation my sister created for the shower, I sent out this letter.  Its kind of long... but I couldn't really cut any detail out.

                                                                                                                      March 22, 2011

To my friends and family:

I am thrilled that my family is hosting a party to prepare for and celebrate the birth of our daughter. The anticipation of her arrival (mid-April!) has been the highlight of my spring. I look forward to enjoying the company of family and friends and the conversations about mothering and babies! It will be a great time to relax and really welcome this new baby. I am so happy that other people want to help celebrate this baby and wish our family the best. Thanks in advance for taking the time to participate in this baby welcoming event.

During the last two years, I have become very concerned about the plight of babies and kids who aren’t so fortunate as my own sweet children. More than ever Jesus’s commandments to show love to one another and to care for orphans and widows are poignant and applicable. I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to have superior prenatal and medical care, including protection from disease, access to proper nutrition, and safe drinking water. I’m not a widow or a single mom, and my husband can provide both love and financial support for our family. My extended family and friends are a great support network for me and for my kids. My daughter will come into a world that is safe, nurturing, and can meet her developmental needs. She will be given all kinds of presents – adorable clothing, technology that makes her parents’ lives easier, books and toys, and plenty of cuddles. She probably won’t know that routine pediatric visits are rare for most kids worldwide, and she won’t know the pain of a hungry belly. God has blessed her and our family with so much already!

And because we have so much, I think I am noticing just how little some others have. I want my daughter to appreciate our lifestyle, but more than that, I want to teach her how to love others and serve others. I want her to know that she is fortunate and I want her to be generous. I want this baby shower to be a time to show love to and help other babies who aren’t born into such luxurious conditions. I want this shower to give her a foundation and create a legacy for giving in our family.

Therefore, it’s my desire that this baby shower be an opportunity to raise awareness for other babies and provide tangible help to them and their care takers. I’ve learned about a fantastic program in Uganda that rescues infants from starvation and provides them with a safe, clean, and loving home. Its called Sonrise Baby House (http://sonrisebabies.com/) in Jinja, Uganda. The woman who founded this orphanage felt a similar pain in her heart when she considered these helpless, hungry babies. I want to support her efforts to nurture these kids and provide them with an education and an understanding of Christ’s love for each of them.

The main needs for Sonrise now are pretty basic. Their children need diapers! It’s a common sight to see African babies and toddlers without diapers, soiling themselves day and night. Obviously, this is uncomfortable and not hygienic! This really speaks to me because its my kids wear the same type of diapers that the babies at Sonrise need – cotton prefolds and waterproof diaper wraps! I want to help provide for this basic need. I’d also like you to urge you to help in this high need area. The ways we can help are collecting extra or “retired” cotton cloth diapers and waterproof diaper covers to send to them.

Alternately, there’s an online diaper store called Go Green Baby Co. (http://www.gogreenbabyshop.com/donations) that allows us to shop for the babies’ diapers, and they ship them to the organization. A third way is to create cloth diaper covers in a sewing party! We’re planning to do it this summer and would love to have expert and novice crafters help us cut and sew these diaper covers.

I would like you to go online and research the Sonrise Baby Home and look at the photos and stories the beautiful children they are helping. They also have a Facebook page! I’d also like you to consider forgoing a gift for my daughter to instead give a gift to the needy babies. If at all possible consider the three options I’ve outlined: donating cloth diapers you already own and bringing them to the shower, donating money buy cloth diapers and bringing it to the shower or shopping online at the Go Green Baby Co website, or donating your time/money to sew diaper covers for these children.

I want to be clear that we are thankful for the generosity people have already shared with us. We are so thankful for the baby presents! I know many people show love through presents, and thus want to recognize that we do so appreciate the little pink packages our baby girl has already received. I just wanted to emphasize that there is so little she truly NEEDS and there are so many NEEDS around the world that I feel called to support.

Please do contact me with additional questions! I want to share with you more information and tell you more about this burden on my heart. Here’s my contact info:

(If you bloggies want my contact info to participate, just ask!!! I have an email contact on this blog... mamahaid@gmail.com... the real shower letter of course had my contact info!)

Sincerely,\

What Happened This Saturday...

Today...
it snowed some more.


I rested on the couch for an absurd amount of time.  My body is fatigued because the baby is estimated to  weigh 6.5 lbs now.  That's pretty heavy since its not like I am working out with weights these days.


didn't mind at all doing diaper laundry.  Everything got so clean with the new detergent I've been using called Country Save!


we watched a movie called "Life as We Know It" and I am alternating between feeling happy about the sweet story and depressed about dying and not knowing who will raise our child/children.


I attempted a junk drawer clean out.  Not much got moved though.  Just stacked nicer... so the drawer shuts and there is a huge box of pencils all together, rather than strewn through the drawer.  Better than nothing!


made a list of things I will do for Husby's birthday tomorrow.  The list needs to be finished before he gets up at 6:45 AM.  Hint: a special breakfast is planned!


I also experienced mild cramping and some pretty intense contractions, though they were just 10 minutes apart now, and continue to be about as frequent.  Closer together when I am working or walking.  Working is used loosely. Working as in picking up a shirt from one room and moving it to another.  Or tucking chairs back in the table.  Not working like actually doing something physical!  I think if I were running a 5K the baby would be born by the end of the race!


I noticed not many photos on my blog... so here are some!

The are all from the same afternoon, when the silly boy had to practice his writing "ite! ite! ite!!" and had already gotten two changes of clothes dirty by 3 PM.  So it was acceptable for him to run around like a jungle book boy in a diaper and socks and be a wild man - as long as the markers stayed on the table!

Change of Perspective About Baby Showers; Directly Related To Change of Perspective in Trust in God.

When I was pregnant with DHH, I really disliked the notion of having a baby shower.  I felt so uncomfortable with a bunch of rarely-seen relatives asking me personal questions about my cervix and playing dumb games like guess how many inches around the mom's belly is.  These things seemed just to personal... after all, I didn't want to know the answers to these questions if I asked THEM about themselves!

I wrote about it two years ago, and said this about them:

Ugh. Please no baby shower.

I looked at some photos online of a friends' shower. Those games look like torture or just a major source of public humiliation. And (IMHO) who wants to eat a small, pink mint shaped like a baby?

While I agree its nice to celebrate a new baby, its definitely not okay to decorate every little nook and cranny with baby ducks or fake plastic babies. Ew.

And its not okay to have to be surprised and delighted at every little miniature baby accessory. Ew, ew.

I think I'll pass on all showers that involve "guess what strange brown substance is really in the diaper" or "guess how much weight the mother has gained" or involves gory and nightmare-inducing stories about terrible labor. Ew, ew, ew.

I did have a work party for him, was only mildly uncomfortable.  I was seven months pregnant, and it was one of the last days of the school year.  People were chatty, but mostly just busy since it was a breakfast shower and teachers have a million things to do before their day begins.

My family was really interested in there being some event for the first grandchild, and ultimately, we had a smaller party of less than twenty people at my own home a month or more before the baby was born.  It was at my house for a few reasons... I needed some control over the situation and environment, there would be no other shower in another town, so this was a mid-distance driving trip for both sides of the baby's famlily, and I wanted to show off all the painting my husband had done and our cute nursery.

There weren't any games at the shower and the food was also something I had control over.  That was important to me especially then since I was struggling with eating and weight gain and nutrition and ED thoughts.

I think mostly though, the root of my distaste for a baby shower was a total fear that my baby would die.

• My son would die, and we'd have all this stuff and photos from his shower and memories made with others.
• My son would die, and I would be even more upset.
• He was a high risk pregnancy. 
• He was my first successful pregnancy.  
• It makes sense that I was cautious.

It doesn't really make sense that I didn't trust God with this baby and the shower plans and my coping skills. I wanted to be in control of all of these things, which I knew was totally impossible, but it was what I wanted.

In fact, I didn't really trust God with my son's life for a long time.  Maybe it was after a month of time he'd been sleeping in his crib and the first time I did anything without carrying around a baby monitor.  I realized I just had to LET GO, because there was absolutely no sense or logic or good in me constantly checking to see if he was breathing and living.  It was making me nuts and it was really interfering with any type of personal relationship I could have with God.

I am not sure exactly when I realized that things were different with this pregnancy.

• Perhaps it was when I asked the OB if it were possible to move from weekly appointments (which I totally needed for moral support and scientific data last time) to every other week or each month appointments.  
• Perhaps it was when I graciously accepted (CUTE!) newborn girl gifts at Christmas time without worrying about returning them to the store or keeping them in some special memory box as a memorial to another dead daughter.
• Perhaps it was earlier when I actually went to church instead of avoiding it and avoiding praying.

But anyway, I don't feel so threatened by death in this pregnancy.  I have a totally healthy child gestating now at 35.5 weeks.  The frequent intense (but not longer, stronger, closer together!) contractions aren't really freaking me out.

I even feel like celebrating this baby.  I don't feel like its a premature celebration, either.  Its totally okay to celebrate this early, because I am celebrating the healthy baby I have right now.  I can share hopes for her future with others, and just share prayers of thankfulness for life so far right now.

I have so wanted to have a baby shower this time around, ever since I was about six months pregnant.

• I wonder if its remorse for not being emotionally present for DHH's shower.  
• I wonder if its a sign of maturity of self as a mother and as a Christian.
• I wonder if its because I had such a fun time planning my friend Ann's shower earlier this year.

My ever-generous sister and mother are organizing a shower for ME and little Baby H2 at my kind cousin Katherine's house in two weeks.  I am sincerely excited to be a part of this shower, and I am not feeling at all upset about future what ifs about the gifts, the photos, the shared memories with relatives.

I am ready to put those fears aside and just be JOYFUL that we are having another child and ENJOY the blessings a baby shower provides for new moms.


But... in case you were wondering...I am still of the same opinion about tacky showers with tacky decorations and tacky games and tactless relatives asking personal questions.  But I have great confidence in my sister's party planning skills... I mean, she does this for a LIVING... and we've planned a few other extraordinary events to do instead of goofy games... so it will be AWESOME.

Hurry Up, Weather... We Need More Green!

Two weekends ago, we did some front yard maintenance.  We started it, anyway, and it continues to occur on warm days when we are all outside working together.

First, we washed the windows and doors.  It needed it.DHH loved washing the doors and all the surfaces below three feet.  I could not take a photograph because my hands were wet (actually, my feet and forearms, too!).

My husband washed and cleaned the front porch. It needed it.

He also scraped splintery finish off our large bench and washed it.  It needed it.

He installed a new doorbell.  It needed it. Ours has been broken since before Halloween, and the friendly UPS guy seems a lot less friendly when he's banging on the door in the afternoon instead of ringing the bell. (Yes, we get lots of UPS deliveries since I do the Amazon Mom thing now).

DHH selected pansies and violas for the front garden.  He actually ONLY wanted the red and yellow, but I added purples since I love purple violets/violas/pansies.

DHH waters the flowers meticulously each day.  We call it "giving the flowers a drink".  He could do it all afternoon with his little watering can.

I created a wreath for the front door.  I really like how it turned out!

The last two photos don't look like much, I know.  Nothing fancy!  But the important thing to focus on is that the snow shovels have been put away, the door mat is cleaned from all the winter gunk that collects on our boots, the flag is not tattered and torn like it was in the fall, and that there are SPROUTING tulips and lilies that will make the flower bed SO appealing this spring!  AND... the windows are OPEN! :o)

Dancing With the Stars Season 12 Premiere ... Notes, Scores, and First Thoughts Bracket!

Okay... if you are Ann you might be really excited to see this.  

(If you aren't her, I don't know if you even have the desire to click on the images to see them larger to read my notes!!  I am not offended though.  I like being a DWTS junkie.)

(If you are her, you should update your blog with at least some photos... I know are so busy feeding twins and all... so no major birth story is required... just a few photos!)

Okay, for this post, I scanned in the notes to a PDF file.  Then I transfered to paint.  WOW.   That took some effort!!  I suppose I could have just typed notes as I went, but I think the laptop would have been too distracting from my fabulous show.

Note:  My scores are very ON with the judges, especially Len.  Usually my comments are more in line with Bruno's though... seriously...  I also wrote down funny things they said during the show and as always, remarked about Brooke Burke's unfortunate wardrobe choices.

And Ann found this bracket from her local Mississippi news station.  I've googled DWTS bracket for several seasons and always had to make my own... but this is nice, too!  I've just circled who I think will go the farthest and put a heart next to the performers I instantly liked.

Original Source

I think this week I'll work on my bracket and post it officially before the first elimination!

I Am Having a Great Spring So Far!

- Lame title, I know.  I am sleepy, but I wanted to calm down to write and process all these thoughts... or else I won't sleep for hours anyway.

- Really excited about the baby shower and fundraiser/donation drive for the Sonrise House. I am going to call some corporate sponsors to see if they can get on board or at least be generous with a discount off new merchandise for this Ugandan orphanage.

- Got a shipment of organic, unbleached cotton flats from Green Mountain Diapers today.   I am using them as "research" to answer the hardest cloth diapering question I've been faced with yet... "How can we diaper a baby when we're overseas and don't have a clothes dryer or access to any modern cloth diaper stores?".  Hint:  I think its Flip covers and WeeHugger covers + Flats + Hemp Babies doublers.  I'll be testing this out though before I let the mama know!

- Loved watching Dancing tonight.  Haven't finished my bracket yet, but I did scan in the NOTES I took during the show.  Yes, that is how I roll.  I have to be able to compare thoughts with my friend Ann.  This is just how we do it, folks.  I have to tell you... I couldn't believe I loved Kirstie Alley.  There was so much hype!  She is a bit irritating, but no more than Maxim.  BUT... wow.  It was a great premiere finale act!

- My mom had a great visit with her endocrinologist today.  Great news... she is dismissed from her care for another decade! No thyroid cancer/surgery/issues that are important.  Just the basics... diet, exercise, continue to be a healthy person, expect medication levels to continue to drop...  :o)

- So tired today.  Almost too tired to shop.  I even had an extra hour of sleep last night AND a Starbucks drink this morning.

- Not too tired to shop.  I've been wanting a pair of sturdy, awesome sandals to wear with everything for everything... work, splash park, etc... and found some Tevas I liked.  (Source) I actually like the shoes; I know they aren't ultra fashionable or anything.  Plus, I haven't bought ANY shoes this calendar year.  I walked about 2 miles in them today and have minimal achy feet, so that is a good thing for a fresh-out-of-the-box shoe.

- My mom was able to stay with us for 2 nights this weekend.  Its amazing how much less work there is... or how much less energy is required in parenting - when there is another adult around.  Especially one who dotes on the child and distracts him so the parents can do things they'd like to do.  We didn't take full advantage of this situation, however... we didn't do a date or anything.  But we did have a person willing to be a bubble blower so we could both work together on making a super-fab stir fry meal in half the time it takes me to do it!  So that's great!

- DHH started saying some new words this weekend.  The best is FLIP FLOP.  Usually its said, fiop fop.  I Its hilarious because he really likes saying the word and repeats it a lot! He doesn't technically have flip flops...they are more like store-brand Keen toddler closed toed sandals, but I will encourage him to call them flip flops for my own personal enjoyment!

- We had a really challenging message at church from the non-senior pastor.  It was about the greatest commandment being love one another.  I thought about how that wasn't too hard for me.  Its easy for me to love children and women and people who are my peers and the nameless orphans and sad stories from the news.  But... its hard for me to love a certain few people in my life.  I can think of 2.  They really, really bother me with their behaviors, choices, attitudes, etc.  Its so hard to love the unlovable, isn't it?  I am going to make a more steady effort to pray for them and their lives that they might be blessed and happy, and also pray for opportunities to act in ways that are loving.  I think I'll have to fake it until I can do it naturally.

- Chipotle for lunch!  So good.

- I wore some preggo jean shorts today that WERE TOO BIG but were too small in July 2009 when I was preggo with DHH.  I think this means I have not started any swelling happening.  Also, I don't have any properly fitting preggo capris or shorts to wear for this warm weather.  I don't want to buy something for a month, so I am going to switch to those easy to wear jersey skirts and wear the life out of the 2 properly fitting pairs of preggo kaiki pants I bought off craigslist for $30 last fall.  They rock.  As long as I have a tank top or bella band to cover the bottom portion of my protruding belly, that is great.   Otherwise... I guess its yoga pants and athletic shorts with the XL shirts Husby gets from winning softball but doesn't wear since they are too large for him!

- The weather has been SO AWESOME.  I've been able to do things like go to the park with my family, get in the mood for some lemonade and iced tea (due to pregnancy thirst, perhaps, but also the sun!), and watch my guys work out in the lawn.  I also started to line dry some clothes, if its windy and warm and I'm home for at least 4 hours before sun down... and I found some detergent I really like - Country Save - as well as a fabric softener I feel is necessary for linens and shirts dried on the line... its called Caldrea... and basically all the scents are amazing!  Source:

Heart-Sad for Sonrise Babies. Hopeful Though About Ways to Help!

I've felt just so privileged lately.

Both my children are healthy.

We actually throw out food from the fridge each week and table scraps get composted.

Our clothes are always clean - the laundry pile is big, so that means we have more than enough clothes.
Our house is dry when it rains, warm when its cold, cool when its hot.

I have the luxury of cook books and kitchen gadgets to make delicious food.  Or I can simply pick up a take and bake pizza or rotisserie chicken from HyVee if I am too bothered to cook fresh.

My son has more than enough cloth diapers, and I imagine he could go at least 5-7 days with what we have before we ran out of diapers, and then, we could go to the market and buy some.  We could even get the fancier, compost-able, bleach free ones to help me cope with Green Guilt.

My family is hosting a celebration for Baby H2 to welcome her into our lives, and I am thrilled for this.  However, a second born child really doesn't need too many presents.  She could wear little boy socks of course.  And certainly we could make due without much at all, just needing a car seat and bed for her.

Tonight I read through this website called Sonrise Baby Home.  Look at these precious babies who have a life SO UNLIKE the one my baby will have and the one my son has lead.

I have felt my heart pulled towards doing SOMETHING helpful and big and charitable and meaningful for this shower.  I do not want a big party with lots of frou-frou decorations and paper plates and etc that will get thrown away.  She doesn't have to have 100 pink newborn outfits.  We don't need to have idle chatter and silly games the whole time!

I have been crafting this idea of having a shower with a purpose for awhile.  I just learned of the wonderful shower hosted by Britt, a former hometown classmate.  You can see the marvelous party she had on Ashley's and Mindy's blogs.  Now THIS is more like what I would like to do!

They really need cloth diapers... and I am a total cloth diaper advocate (basically, you already knew that if you read the blog or look in our house...).  They are looking to gather cloth diapers and the waterproof diaper wraps.  They have partnered with this company, Go Green Baby Co. and people can donate by ordering diapers through them.

So ... I am still thinking and communicating with my sister and mom about this (and contacting this orphanage), but maybe by Monday we'll have the details sorted out by the April 2 shower!  I am not sure if we will just collect cloth diapers, collect money for the diapers to be sent from the Go Green Baby Co, OR if we can have a chance to do a sewing party and cut/make/sew waterproof diaper wraps like the ones my mom made for DHH in his newborn days.  They also have T Shirts, which we could perhaps all wear.

So, I feel heart-sad when I read the stories about the babies with dead parents, parents who cannot provide, etc. but I feel heart-pumped and enthusiastic about this opportunity!