An Old Post That Never Got Posted

My Life

Is about to get crazy! Three kids under three?! I've said all along that I felt like I could totally handle another baby. It's the pregnancy that was hard to "accept" and has been a hard one, BUT as this little one gets more and more "done" I'm beginning to realize how drastically my life is going to change. Some days I have panic attacks just thinking about it. Don't get me wrong! I can't wait to hold and snuggle this tiny little bundle! That sweet baby smell, and those tiny little sounds they make....I'm getting all excited just thinking about it, but the weight of adding another one to the mix when I've already got two that are still so needy gets a little heavy. 

I was sitting on the couch watching the birdies in the front yard with the girls. I felt sick to my stomach and thought, "yuck. This feels like morning sickness...GASP....What if I'm pregnant?!?! Oh my word! What in the world would....Oh. I. AM. Pregnant. !!! EIGHT MONTHS pregnant!!" That was a scary moment. I told Jake about it later and his reaction was to shake his head and say, "Yeah, you shouldn't have told me that."

This summer has been so incredibly busy! I was hoping for that so that time would go by quickly and we do better on a routine. So we have park days and swim days planned out plus the other things that you do and get invited to during the summer. I can't believe I only have 5 weeks left!! If you think about it...I could have a baby in two weeks. :-0 Prolly won't, but I COULD. 

I must complain about all my aches and pains quite often. I know I share when the baby has hiccups or moves. I'll grab Haddie's hand and let her feel. But lately when getting in to bed or doing something strenuous, Haddie will grab her belly and say, "Oh, ouch, *sigh* oh *groan*" Also she'll just be walking along and stop suddenly and excitedly say as she pulls up her shirt, "My baby just kicked!" She is pretty excited about meeting this little one. 

Jenna has no clue how much her world is about to change. She is such a sweet little thing that I think she'll handle it OK. She is getting so big! Not necessarily growing so big, just doing big girl things. She is so close to walking. I was hoping she would be steady on her feet by the time this one arrived, but it's not looking that way (I can feel a panic attack coming on now just thinking about it!) I do have to remind myself that I won't be pregnant AND carrying around two little ones. Believe it or not that does make a HUGE difference! She is now in 3-6 and 6-9 month clothes! I was getting so tired of her wardrobe options! She has got quite the appetite lately. As she eats I look at her tiny little body and wonder where she is putting it.

I'm so germ conscious it kills me to take Haddie to the bathroom in public places. I tell her as we're walking in, "don't touch ANYTHING." When I set her on the toilet I put her hands on her thighs and tell her not to touch the toilet. And of course I stand there dancing waiting for her to finish so I can go. As soon as I start to sit down she'll tell me, "Don't touch the toilet, Mommy! Don't touch ANYTHING!" She is doing so many cute things. At this age it's hard tho because to sit here and explain it to you it's not really that funny, but to witness it, it cracks you up.

Mommy guilt

Mommy Guilt

Why is it that mommies are plagued with guilt?! There is always this constant nagging that I didn't do enough today. I didn't do a craft with them today, I didn't stop what I was doing and read a book every time they asked, I didn't get to the snot on that little nose before it dried, I didn't have the patience that I ought to have had . Even the moms that I think have it all together and are on top of things all the time admit to having that ugly guilt remind them of their constant "failures". 

But who says they're failures?!?! 

Who sets those standards?!?! 

There are those legitimate things that we do as fleshly humans, things that we know are wrong, but we know they're wrong because our conscious is pricked, our hearts are heavy. We repent and ask God for patience, a soft spoken word instead of an angry one, wisdom in the situations we face day to day. But I'm not talking about those things.

We think we have to do it all, on time and right every time. 

We as their mothers want to give them the best. So why do we think we don't?! We do what we can and probably more and come out feeling like it's not enough, but if it's what we can do and it's the best of what we can do. Why is that not enough?!

There is always more to do, ALWAYS. So at the end of the day rest in knowing you did what you could. Leave tomorrows worries and tasks for tomorrow and rest in the joy of doing what God has called you to do FOR THAT DAY.  

I didn't get to the dishes, or the laundry, or the bathrooms, so what? They will be there tomorrow, only difference is they won't flourish in the time I spend with them. So when all I've gotten to today leaves my house looking neglected, instead of tallying up all the "failures", I'm going to delight in the fact that my children went to bed with full love tanks.

“You can pretend to be serious; you can't pretend to be witty.” – Sacha Guitry

The Difference Between a 1st Time Mom and 2nd or 3rd Time Mom

Phone conversation of a 1st time Mom: Sorry, I think I hear the baby. I better go.

Phone conversation of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Sorry, Haddie took a toy from Jenna and Jackson is hungry.  I can't hear you. Can you speak up?

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Diaper check of a 1st time mom: 1st time mom gingerly checks to see if it's a poopy diaper.

Diaper check of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: 2nd or 3rd time mom leans forward as daddy brings diaper up to mom's nose to check if any offending odors are being emitted.

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Transport of a newborn of a 1st time mom: The whole car seat along with blanket, a car seat cover, and the visor attached and up.
 

Transport of a newborn of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: The infant

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Diaper bag of a 1st time mom: A cute, large diaper bag full to the brim of ANY possible item that we MIGHT need.

Diaper bag of a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Her purse with a few diapers thrown in...and hopefully baby wipes.

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The putting away of baby clothes by 1st time mom: Folded neatly with all matching pieces together. Each drawer perfectly organized according to pants, shorts, shirts, long sleeve and short sleeve, socks...etc...

The putting away of baby clothes by a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Stuffed in the drawer that once was the designated place for such items, but is now a jammed mess of random articles of clothing. (The drawer is just going to be emptied AGAIN in a day or two by older siblings anyway)

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Handling of a crying newborn by a 1st time mom: Comforting words lovingly whispered as 1st time mom gently soothes baby while worriedly going through a mental check list of any possible reasons as to why the tears.

Handling of a crying newborn by a 2nd or 3rd time mom: Comforting words lovingly whispered as 2nd or 3rd time mom gently soothes baby.

*The opinions given do not represent the opinions of Blogger and do not apply to all first time moms, nor 2nd or 3rd time moms. If you feel these opinions are stereo typical or do not give an accurate description you may take it up with the Editor, who is on vacation. Time of return is unknown. If you would like to add to this document you may leave a comment below, but know that any comment can be deleted at the Editors discretion. By leaving a comment you acknowledge that the Editor is not responsible for the response you may receive. By participating, Followers agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless the Editor from any and all injuries, liability, losses, and damages of any kind resulting from their participation. To leave a comment you must be a Follower, 18 years of age or older, must be a legal resident, and must posses a valid government issued driver's license or other form of identification, such as a state-issued ID card or passport. No purchase is necessary. By participating, Followers agree to be bound by these official rules, and the decisions of the Editor are final. Failure to comply with these rules may result in Followers disqualification at the sole discretion of the Editor. By participating, Followers agree that the Editor may use his/her name, voice and/or likeness for advertising and publicity without compensation and, upon Editors request.

It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop. ~Vita Sackville-West

Jenna's First Birthday

My baby is ONE! Yikes! When and how did that happen?!?! I cannot believe how fast her first year of life flew by! 

I decided to keep with the pattern I've created of just doing small, easy birthday. Especially since it's just 1. But since it is summer and we could do it at a park I decided to invite a FEW friends. 40 people and an entire day on my feet preparing was not what I had in mind. Melyssa the Great had the GENIUS ( http://thedazeofus.blogspot.com/ ) idea of putting things on a stick for her daughter's birthday, fruit, meat and cheese, desserts. It was so yummy, summery, and looked fairly easy. Bah! I slaved over this all day Saturday. It was worth it tho. It was so yummy and it was a hit. Thanks Melyssa!! I know I'm vain. I took pictures of the food. If you're really not that interested just scroll down and you'll get to see my beautifully precious 1 year old. :)

I promise she started out with a very pretty dress on. It was off the first couple minutes we were there. This girl is a fruit lover like her mommy, who, doesn't like to use stain remover :)

 Singing to her. She sat there looking around quite confused as to why we were all singing and staring at her

 The cake!

 I wish I could have gotten her reaction after she would take a bite, the few that she actually took. She would crinkle up her nose and a shiver would run up her spine.

 She enjoyed flinging it all over the table with her fork. Surprisingly she didn't get very messy  :(

Despite what some of you may have seen on Facebook and how misleading these pictures are since Tawni is the one helping her open her gifts...I DID NOT give my girls away! I was right next to Tawni...most of the time.

 This was the funnest one to watch!

 If I didn't know better I'd say she knew what money was and it's value. She was hilarious with that $10!

 Best buds with their babies :)

 Haddie froze, but must have had lots of fun cuz she kept heading back out once she was warmed up

 I know the first one isn't the greatest picture of Jenna, but look at that guy holding her. Quite the stud muffin if you ask me! :)

 She had a blast! She conked out as soon as we got into the car.

She is my little fearless girl. She has no fear of animals, edges (no matter how far the fall), pretty much anything. She is such a sweet little girl. She loves to play with her big sister and up till recently would only blow Haddie kisses. She is ALMOST walking. Auntie Erin, Uncle Matt, and her cousins got her a walk behind toy and I swear since that night her walking has improved leaps and bounds. (No pun intended :) ) She is quite the verbal little girl. She does more yelling than anything else. She loves to imitate animals and her Daddy's infamous cackle. She is probably saying more than I realize. Well, there is a small update on my little sweet pea, altho not quite so little anymore. She is gaining weight and moving up in clothes sizes. Pretty soon I'll be posting pics of graduation and her car packed to the brim as she pulls away..sniffle..sniffle. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET PEA!!!

...Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it..." ~Sylvia Plath

 Our Day at the Zoo

We loved the monkeys! Some of them really put on a show for us, swinging like crazy from the trees and ropes.

 That is the only picture I got of Jenna. She fell asleep right away and napped the whole time..almost. Poor girl. We'll have to go again soon and get lots of pics with her. Taking these 3 gave me an idea of what next summer will be like...I was so incredibly exhausted and achy by the time we got home. And I still have 3 months left!

She looks like a little girl! :(

She LOVES elephants. I don't think she realized these weren't real. She touched it very hesitantly.

 She kept giving this silly face every time I asked her to smile.

I think this was my favorite moment!

Her first ice cream cone.

She had a blast. I have NEVER heard her talk so much! When we got home she went on and on telling daddy about all the animals in a very animated and excited way. Hearing her talking and then looking at these pictures I'm realizing she isn't a baby any more. :( I'm sure I'll be happy about that when this little one arrives tho. :)

We were all exhausted by the time we got home! We all took a nap from like 6:30 to 8....and then went to bed at 10 :S My wonderful husband gave me a foot massage before bed. I love that man!

P.S. I promise the middle little girl had lots of fun and was quite happy! She just has a very serious face most of the time.