20 Months

Our Little Man has hit his 20's.  Well, in months that is.  I have learned this month that I might have a problem with the age of "2".  It has hit me a little that he is growing, and fast.  I might shed a few tears in a few months...

He is ornery.  I think I have only myself to blame.  He has figured out that he can "hide" if he closes his eyes.  It's hilarious.  He has come up with new ornery faces and loves to give his daddy some of that "Ankrom Ornery", especially at bath time.  I think daddy is rethinking his decision to be in charge of bath time, so I am taking full advantage of each evening trying to get as much done as possible before I get that duty back.

He adds to his vocabulary everyday and has started to put a few words together.  This is primarily when he wants something: "more blueberries" or "water please".  These are said with much emphasis and he hasn't quite figured out that yelling "please" at your parents doesn't quite have the same effect as asking nicely.  He is learning "thank you" but it's hard to tell as it's still hard for him to say.  If he says anything remotely close to "thank you" after I ask him to I consider it a victory.

We have finally figured out that he is indeed old enough to have a little more structure at mealtimes.  Really, this just means that we are making him sit for longer periods of time.  Well, to be honest, we are just making him SIT, and mealtimes have suddenly taken longer and more seems to go into his mouth.  Weird how that happens.  He only fought us that first afternoon for all of five minutes, so I think he may have been secretly hoping his parents would figure out he likes routine/structure/rules.  Silly parents.  Although, his appetite has taken off anyway, so I'm not too sure it's the new rules about sitting.  He has put on visible weight so I am anticipating a major growth spurt soon.

He still loves cars, legos (the bigger kind), books, and his awesome dog Billy.  This month he started reading books to his stuffed animals.  This afternoon he was reading Elmo's ABC's to his moose and he just kept reading "Elmo Elmo Elmo Elmo" to the mouse.  Awesome.  I wish I recorded it.  But as in all time-recording device (ie cameras) he is a difficult subject to capture.  Maybe I need to invest in a camera with a faster shutter speed...

We have cleaned out the office with the goal of finishing his "Big Boy" room in February.  He hasn't quite grasped that he is A)getting a new room or B)getting a new sibling, but we aren't too worried.  He has let us know when he is ready for whatever the next step is in the last 20 months and I'm sure that will continue long into the future. 

Home birth Vs. C-Section

We had planned on having an ultra-sound free pregnancy this time around.

God had other plans.

We are home birthing people.  Our first was born 3 weeks and 1 day late at home rather quickly.  Baby and Mom were wonderfully healthy and I wouldn't trade that experience for the world.  It was awesome.  Two hours after his birth we were all cleaned, fed, and back in our beds as a family of three.

This pregnancy I am convinced God is using to give me empathy for other pregnant moms.  I had morning sickness and an intense craving for junk food I have battled. I had an aversion to vegetables and I could no longer stomach quinoa.  I am still tired at week 25, although I think I have only myself to blame on that one.  And now we have a second  ultrasound scheduled for next weekend in which we find out if we take the home-birth or highly medical c-section route.  This is a weird place to be.

We are not anti-medical people.  We do think we are overdependent on the medical system in all areas of health care and see this especially in giving birth.  Yes, the hospital is definitely there for many scenarios but we don't believe a healthy pregnancy, baby, and momma are one of them.  We would feel comfortable trying a breech birth at home and our 1st got stuck against my pelvic bone and with a little change of position on my part he was "un-stuck" (actually I would have received an "emergency" c-section twice in our labor with Asher, but that's for another day).  Alas, placenta previa is not something the hubs and I, or our wonderful midwife are about to attempt, nor should we.  So we wait.

I am actually quite content with either way this plays out.  If we need a c-section, so be it.  We would actually be more comfortable knowing ahead of time them to have to leave home after hours of natural labor to enter a hospital where some people would look down on us or treat us differently.  We would be able to go to my OB that I prefer in a bigger city. 

We are pretty excited about this opportunity at a second ultrasound though.  I know I said that we weren't planning on having any, but it sure it nice to see a healthy active baby on that screen and there is no sound more thrilling than a baby heartbeat over the speakers.  I get to hear the heartbeat at every midwife appt, but seeing little squirmy limbs is so cool.  Now to just make it through an ultrasound at 26 weeks without "accidentally" learning the gender...

Potty Time

We purchased a child's potty when the Little Man turned one and set it out in the bathroom.  We thought that we would just expose him to it and he would show interest when he wanted. We talk about going potty and I'm embarrassed to say that I've told the girls at work a time or two that "I'm going to the potty, be right back!". 

Well it was worth it, because we had our first correct use of it last night! After weeks of sitting on the potty before getting in the bath only to watch him pee 5 seconds after getting IN the bath we had success. 

Our initial reaction was lots of clapping and cheering and general hoopla in our small family bathroom.  His initial reaction was pointing and very concerned "uh-ohs".  That kid cracks me up!

Once he figured out that it was a GOOD thing he sat down a few more times to keep us clapping.  It's so funny what phase we are in our lives right now.  I am celebrating going "pee-pee in the potty" but I'd much rather be here than anywhere else.

A Simple Saturday

We had one of those mornings as a family on Saturday that is still sticking with me today, 3 days later.  It was completely unplanned and awesome, so I wanted to write it down so I would remember.

It wasn't anything special but it was the spontaneity and time spent together that has captured my heart.

We took a trip to the library and on a whim decided to walk the block to Athens (a local Greek restaurant) for some falafel.  It wasn't open yet so we decided to try to walk another block to the Carrousel Park (an oddity we have here in our small town).  Also not open. 

We have been taking Asher outside everyday it's above 20 degrees but I had forgotten a hat this trip and I was concerned that his little exposed ears and short hairdo were making him cold.  So we walked another 1/2 block to a local bakery for a cookie and a couple donuts for mom and dad.  It was toasty and Asher is always up for a cookie.  Well, we were right around the corner from a Coney Island (another small town oddity) and I had told the owner I would stop in sometime to see what all the fuss was about.  So we decided to give it a try with a toddler in tow.

Not only was the treat of a coney and onion rings delicious, but our Little Man made it the entire way through lunch, in a booster seat, without complaining.  It was truly awesome.  We thought we could try some ice cream too, but knew when to walk away.  It was a good thing we did too because as soon as I said "I think he's hit his limit" he started squirming and said "All Done!".  We would do well in Vegas!

On our way back to the car we stopped by the Carrousel again to sadly find it closed.  Yet a lady appeared with two ride tokens and an invite to the Grand Re-Opening the following day.  A perfect cap to our awesome family morning.  We walked back to the car with a little boy that had figured out he no longer wanted to hold our hand when crossing the street, but the sunshine felt good anyway even if I felt it on my back while trying to capture the hand of a rebellious 19 month old.

It is moments like these that I treasure.  The spur-of-the-moment adventures that I remember doing with my family as a child.  Asher probably won't remember this later in life but I hope he just remebers the fun time with his family.  As for me it reminded me what this is all about.  While my writing style and lack of descriptive details doesn't do that day justice, I am content to get it down as a reminder on the difficult days and as a reminder of just how far we have come.

An Open House

I grew up in a house that didn't entertain others very often.  That's just the way it was.  We had a lot a fun family memories and with a house full of 6 people, sometimes it felt like you WERE having a party!

So when I got married and then moved to a smaller town where so many people DID entertain I was nervous.  I was excited about the possibility of having an open house, but actually opening it up to others was a difficult thing for me.  I was afraid that people would see the imperfections in my home that are glaringly obvious to me.  I didn't know what to cook, prepare, or say.  My biggest fear was (and still is) that the conversations would be stagnant and that awkward silence would creep into the room.

We have lived in this house for three years now and each time we have people over it gets a bit easier.  I realized that stressing out days before an event only stressed out my hubby so now my goal is to make it through from the invites to the first guest without snapping at the hubby or running around the house like a crazed lunatic.

I have been pleasantly surpirsed what happens when we open our door to others.  I have realized that it's not what's on the table or how the house is decorated that matters.  It's how you make the people feel.  If you care for others, they feel comfortable.  If I am open, they will be too.  The biggest surprise of all is how blessed and happy I feel that these people are seemingly having a nice time.  There is such a warmth that fills the house with other people's laughter.

We have had some strange/awkward/miserable experiences once we opened up this big front door of ours but to look back on them makes for great stories and a lot of incredulous laughter.  I have learned so much and have so much more to learn but am enjoying every opportunity.

Our social life is one I have felt God speaking to me about.  The hubs and I are very comfortable staying in and our favorite times are relaxing in some sweat pants and maybe a "Top Chef" episode.  However, I am feeling lead to spend a bit more time this year fellowshipping with others.  I'm not talking about filling up our calendar with every playdate under the sun, but a once a month commitment to welcome others.  Let's hope someone accepts the invitation!

The Woman I Want to Be in 2012

I can't believe the New Year is here.  I am thankful that we made it through the busy holiday season.  It was our busiest yet even though I made an effort to keep it simple.  I always love New Year's because I get excited thinking of all the possiblities that could appear.

This year so far is shaping up to be a big one and we have a lot to be thankful for:

The Hubs starts his new job today (praying!)
A new baby will be arriving (I keep going back and forth on the gender, it's so fun to be surprised!)
Our Little Man will turn 2
I will be turning 30! (For the record I still feel like I'm 23)
I will be returning to a career at home, which I am starting to get super excited about!

I have finally found a routine that works well for me, and although I know it will all change again in a matter of months the most importnat thing is that I've gotten in the habit of daily time in the Word.  The past three months have really built me up spiritually and after daily reading of random chapters and verses I am ready for a study.  I am thinking of one pertaining to being a wife and mother. 

I have never liked making resolutions.  I think it's a lot of pressure and a set-up for failure.  Maybe I'm just not commited enough, but I do have ideas on how I want to continue to grow as a woman this year and what direction I want to help steer my family.  There are so many Bible verses applicable here and so much to say that is relevant to our lives, but a few have been speaking to me lately.  Here they are for your reading pleasure:

   An excellent wife who can find?
  She is far more precious than jewels.
 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
  and he will have no lack of gain.
 She does him good, and not harm,
  all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax,
  and works with willing hands.
 She is like the ships of the merchant;
  she brings her food from afar.
 She rises while it is yet night
  and provides food for her household
  and portions for her maidens.
 She considers a field and buys it;
  with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
 She dresses herself with strength
  and makes her arms strong.
 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
  Her lamp does not go out at night.
 She puts her hands to the distaff,
  and her hands hold the spindle.
 She opens her hand to the poor
  and reaches out her hands to the needy.
 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
  for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
 She makes bed coverings for herself;
  her clothing is fine linen and purple.
 Her husband is known in the gates
  when he sits among the elders of the land.
 She makes linen garments and sells them;
  she delivers sashes to the merchant.
 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
  and she laughs at the time to come.
 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
  and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She looks well to the ways of her household
  and does not eat the bread of idleness.
 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
  her husband also, and he praises her:
 “Many women have done excellently,
  but you surpass them all.”
 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
  but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands,
  and let her works praise her in the gates.

(Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV)

 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
(1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)

  Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 
(Titus 2:3-5 ESV)

Happy New Year!!