Oh my goodness, how could I forget?

Keith won an award at work, for all of his hard work! It's equal to about half of his net pay! I am so thankful for God's favor, which so clearly rests upon that man! My husband! God is so faithful. He provides every time! Every time I start wringing my hands about money, and start wondering if I should pick up some kind of part-time work, God comes through, reinforcing His desire for me to raise my children. He is marvelous!

Quick Question

Does anyone know how to properly store potatoes? Everytime I buy a bag, whether russet, Idaho, or redskin, they grow a million of those disgusting looking "things" sticking out everywhere. Are those things called ears, or spuds? At any rate, what am I doing wrong? Why do they go bad before I can use them? I'm talking about 3# or 5# bags, not 10#. I used to store them in the fridge, then I tried the kitchen counter, then I tried the pantry. I get the same result every time. Am I supposed to use them all up in a week? What am I doing wrong here?

Anyway, still reading 1984. It's slow-going because I've also been reading about Universal Orlando, Disney's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM), and Magic Kingdom. Yes, yes, I know I've been to Disney at least 15 times, but I haven't been there as a toddler or preschooler in about 25 years. I've actually forgotten about most of the rides that are geared toward small children (like Isaac). This is the first trip I'll have to forgo my favorite adult attractions and head for the kiddie stuff! I'm looking forward to it! I've also begun a new Bible study with my mom's group called The Power of a Woman's Words. Call me what you want, but I truly love Bible studies!

Isaac is getting more molars too. I wasn't expecting that. He's also napped two days in a row now.

Josiah loves to self-feed, as he loves to put everything in his mouth. He's also echoing Isaac a lot, I noticed. It's really cute.

More next week, as we get ready for our vacation!

A Fresh Word

I've recently blogged about feeling restless. It went a little deeper than that. I'm ashamed to admit now that this restlessness had stretched into the realm of motherhood to the point where I didn't even want to work on letters, numbers, or colors with Isaac. I just trudged along through the basics of taking care of the boys day in and day out: changing diapers, preparing bottles and meals, reading books (though I didn't even want to do that anymore), singing the same songs, naptime, baths, bedtime, etc. I really felt like I was in a rut, that I wasn't cut out for being a stay-at-home mom. I began to reconsider my thoughts on homeschooling thinking, "I'll never survive if I don't send these kids off to school!" I started to feel guilty that I was just doing enough to "get by" as a mom to these boys. I began feeling anxious, and a little depressed, that I would be adding one more to the brood this fall.

So what changed?

I went to church alone today because the boys had a rough night sleeping last night, but it was my turn to work in the nursery. Believe me, as soon as I realized it was my Sunday in the nursery, I got a really bad attitude about the whole thing. I mean, a really bad attitude. But I went. I took a seat in the very back row because, going along with my bad attitude, I had worn simple jeans and a sweatshirt. I figured I wasn't about to get dressed up to work in the nursery. Of course, as soon as I walked in worship had already begun, and it's impossible not to get caught up in that wonderful atmosphere of worship at Covenant. Already my heart began to soften.

Next was prayer and annoucements. We prayed for one of the pastor's grandson in Germany in need of supernatural healing, as Bishop put it. I almost began sobbing immediately. I just can't even hear about another kid who is in the hospital or seriously ill or anything like that ever since having children of my own without getting emotional. My defenses continued to come down.

It was also announced that there would be a workday this Saturday in preparation for a soup kitchen, food pantry, and clothing ministry to be started at the church. When I resigned from my position at West Penn to devote my life to my family, I thought it'd be a good idea to use my skills as a dietitian in some volunteer efforts, should any arise. I thought of food pantries in the area as a place to possibly start. This announcement that my church may soon run a food pantry really piqued (sp?) my interest. Now I was actually getting excited.

Then I made my way to the nursery. There were actually more adults than children in there for some reason today. I spent most of my time talking to a woman named Robin who has a son just a few months younger than Isaac. Just the womanly commradarie (sp?) that was shared in the nursery today helped to transform my attitude in a big way. But I still wasn't there yet.

Cynthia, the lady who runs the nursery, offered to let me go home, as she obviously had plenty of help, and the service was almost over. I gladly accepted! Keith told me before I left that he intended to take the boys to my parents this afternoon so I could take a nap (remember, the boys did not sleep well last night and, therefore, neither did I). Feeling somewhat rejuventated, however, I decided to call him to make sure he didn't want me to come to my parents anyway. He left it up to me, so I decided to stick to my original plan, kind of. I was still going to lay down, but after I spent some time in prayer.

As I mentioned before, I'm keeping a small prayer journal for my kids and my niece and nephew, and I started rereading The Power of a Praying Parent as a sort of a prayer guide. At the end of each chapter in that book, the author gives five scriptures one might use in praying for their child(ren). Two verses completely melted away my bad attitude and even gave me a newfound energy and purpose as a stay-at-home mom. That is the power of God's word! They are...

Behold, children are a gift of the Lord,

The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3

Children are not a misery, a curse, or a burden, as I've been feeling they are lately. They are a gift and a reward!

They will not labor in vain,

Or bear children for calamity;

For they are the offspring of those blessed by the Lord,

And their descendants with them.

Isaiah 65:23

I do not labor in vain! I am not bearing these children for trouble or misfortune! We are blessed!

My week so far

My face is terribly broken out, & I just downed about a 1/3 of a container of rainbow sherbet. Hope it doesn't make me sick. Oh, yeah, I haven't been sick for about a week now. This morning was tougher, but I think it's because I woke up so early.

Monday is laundry day here at my house. It proved to be a very productive day too, as I was able to get all of the laundry done in one day. I didn't have it all folded & put away until last night, but that's beside the point. Isaac loves to "help" with the laundry, which just means he has to come downstairs with me every time I put another load in. He also likes to play with the caps that I use to measure the detergent & fabric softener. I throw them in the wash with every load, so they're perfectly clean when they come out. It's not like I'm letting him play with sticky gooey caps.

Both boys took wonderful naps on Monday, which is a blessing because Isaac has begun to give up his naps I believe. If we're at my mom's I don't even bother trying to lay him down anymore. My new rule is if he isn't alseep in like 45 min., I just get him out of his crib.

I made chicken & biscuits with french style green beans for dinner on Monday. Delicious! Isaac practically cleaned his plate. Oh, I almost forgot, for lunch on Monday I made grilled cheese & tomato soup and Isaac licked his bowl of tomato soup clean! It's no surprise that he ate his sandwich, but I was a bit surprised that he ate every last drop of soup! That's a first.

Monday was bath night and Keith is really great at helping me with baths. Basically he takes one boy and I take the other-yet another comfortable little system that will completely break down when no. 3 comes along! I can't remember what I did after bedtime. I haven't done a whole lot of reading lately. I have been reading a bit about Universal Studios Orlando because we're going there in less than 3 weeks!!! I also began rereading The Power of a Praying Parent, and keeping a prayer journal, not only for my children but standing in the gap for my niece and nephew as well.

Tuesday (yesterday) I went to my moms group-which I love! I stopped at McDonald's on the way home (something I rarely do) to pick up lunch for me & my parents, as I was going straight to their house. I know it sounds weird, & disgusting, but McDonald's little hamburgers were one of a few things I could get down when I was really sick. Feeling a bit more adventurous yesterday, however, I opted for a quarter-pounder without cheese over the little regular hamburger. No fries. Just an unsweetened tea (another pregnancy thing). I got Isaac a hamburger happy meal but, don't you know, that kid just doesn't like McDonald's-Praise God! He had a few fries, and all of his Hi-C orange drink, that's it! He also does not like macaroni & cheese or chicken nuggets. Am I blessed or what?

After lunch my parents pretty much had the boys occupied, so I started going through some old books from when I was growing up. I had always remembered this story my dad read me when I was little about a swan that spun bolts of fabric. Well my parents finally found that book in a box in the attic Monday night! It wasn't a swan, it was a crane, and the name of the book is The Crane Maiden, by some Japanese author. I am happy to report that the book is once again in my possession, along with several others from my childhood! I am still looking for a book called The Olden Days though. I hope we never sold it at a yard sale or anything. My mom saves everything (literally), so I'd be surprised if it wasn't in another old box somewhere.

Anyway, Isaac was playing with my mom in the basement so I laid Josiah down for his nap & then left to go grocery shopping. As I was taking all of the groceries upstairs Keith came home. I had just planned on having leftovers for dinner, so he started heating everything up while I went back to my mom's to get the boys. We had dinner, took a walk outside (the weather has been fabulous), talked to some neighbors, then it was bathtime again. I called last night a bonus bath as I usually only bathe them every other night. But Josiah got his 9 month pictures taken at Penney's this am, so they had to have baths last night.

This morning I woke up at 6 to get showered before the boys woke up, which is why I felt a little crappy I think. My mom watched Isaac again while Josiah got his 9 month pictures taken. The pictures turned out beautifully. I spent more money than I wanted to of course. We got back to my mom's, had lunch, then came home, and it was nap time. Thankfully, again, both boys are napping!

Book #5

I finished Atonement last night. For the very first time in my life, I'm going to say that the movie was about as good as the book. Don't get me wrong, the book was very good. But the movie pretty much covered it all! The movie did not deviate from the book much at all. For the first time the book was kind of ruined because I'd already seen the movie. The novel was every bit as sad as the movie was too. In fact, when Keith & I walked out of the theater I didn't even know if I could call it a good movie because it was so heart-wrenching & tragic. I don't know if I'll read any more books from this author, Ian McEwan, unless they're highly recommended.

Next I'm going to read 1984 by George Orwell. This is one of Keith's favorites that he's been dying for me to read ever since we got married. I don't know why but I finally have an interest in it-probably because of today's political climate. I may read the Duggar's book at the same time too. I haven't decided yet.

Restless in the 'Burgh

I was telling Keith last night how terribly restless I am lately. It's probably cabin fever. I feel like I must have a change of scenery. I'm so bored with the same old same old routine, day after day. I just can't describe it. Along with this feeling comes the same itch I get from time to time for a smaller church. I love CCOP. Bishop Garlington is such a gifted leader, and the worship is second to none, but it's such a huge church. I actually told Keith that I'm in the mood to go back to my old Lutheran church I grew up in. I know I could never go back to a non-Spirit-filled church again, but I'm just craving a more close-knit congregation. I go through this from time to time. We have no intention to leave CCOP. Every now & then I just get so sick of the mega-church. I long for a women's Bible study that meets once a week, or a simple pot-luck dinner or something. I'll go to church on Sunday, it'll be wonderful, and I'll be completely over it. As far as the cabin fever goes, I'm just looking forward to our Orlando vacation coming up in a few weeks!

Isaac & I are sitting here watching Sesame Street. I see so many repeats I can't believe it. I mean, they play shows that they just played last week sometimes! Sesame Street has been on since the 70's or something. How could they ever play the same episode twice?

Here's something really cute about Isaac...he says the Lord's Prayer! Well, I begin each phrase and he finishes it. So adorable, it makes me want to cry!

I thought for sure Josiah would be walking by now, but he isn't. I guess crawling satisfies his need for mobility, so he doesn't have any interest in walking right now. He stands on his own really well, & walks along holding onto furniture, but he won't take one step independently toward anyone or anything. One thing he does do already though, that's really bad & dangerous, is climbs the stairs! Who ever heard of a baby that climbs stairs before he can walk! I really gotta keep my eye on that kid!

I should mention that I had my ultrasound yesterday and it looks like I'm 9 weeks along, which was my first guess. Estimated due date is Oct 11! I was surprised ( I don't know why) at how tiny the baby is! I always got 12 week ultrasounds, & I could see arms & legs and everything! Yesterday I could make out the heart for sure, beating very nicely, and the head & rump, & I think there were legs too, but the arms were just little buds! To be honest, it still had some resemblance to a tadpole! It's amazing to think how much it's going to develop in the next 3-4 weeks!

I've made lots of progress in Atonement over the last couple of days. I think I have just over 100 pages left. Then I'll be onto either the Duggar's book Twenty & Counting, or 1984.

Book #4!

Finally, I can add another book to my list! Keith & I just finished reading The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. I started reading this with my moms group, and invited Keith to read it with me. We actually started reading it right after we got married, but gave up or got sidetracked, or something. Tonight, we finished it!

That said, we have discovered that my primary love language is quality time, and his is acts of service. Our #2 & #3 is the same though...words of affirmation and physcial touch. Though, my physical touch is completely different from his, if you know what I mean! #4 for me was acts of service. His #4 was quality time. #5 for both of us was receiving gifts. I'd say we have a lot in common!

Still working on Atonement too. I got sidetracked by reading so much about vaccines this past week, but I'm getting back to it tonight.

Kelly is still kicking my tail in this book reading competition too, I might add!

Today

While I'm on the computer I'd better get a post out there!

Ever since we turned the clocks forward, my boys have been sleeping until 8:30-9am! It's so wonderful! I just hope it lasts! I actually wake up before Josiah. Amazing. Only problem is that it makes getting out the door in the morning harder. My moms group starts at 9:30, but I didn't make it until 10:30. Isaac has been doing great going into the nursery and playing with the other kids at moms group. He's gone through a couple of spells where he cries his eyes out & has to sit on my lap the whole time. I'm glad he's doing better now.

After moms group we came home and ate lunch. Then it was the normal routine...put Isaac on the potty, change Josiah's diaper, unload & reload the dishwasher, handwash the bottles, etc. I laid the boys down for their naps and then my mom came over so I could go grocery shopping. First I hit Oakmont Bakery for some bagels for me & a couple doughnuts for Keith for tomorrow. Next I went to Community Market for the big grocery shopping. Lastly, to Walgreen's because I found on Sunday when the boys had their fevers that I was completely out of Children's Tylenol & Motrin! Plus I had to replace a bottle of Children's Benedryl my mom loaned me when Isaac got a hold of some peanut butter and immediately broke out into hives. Also, we needed an adult, oral thermometer. I swore I had a fever too when the boys did, but had no working thermometer to check. Oral thermometer that is.

Sidenote...Isaac doesn't seem to nap at all anymore. I don't know what to do. He napped Fri & Sat, but hasn't napped Sun, Mon, or today. Most weeks are like this, where he'll only nap a few days. I'm so set in my daily routine, I just don't know what I'll do with him all afternoon when he gives up his naps entirely. Josiah definatey still needs and takes morning & afternoon naps.

After putting the groceries away I started dinner. I made simple veggie burritos. It's really hard for me to make grocery lists, shop, & cook lately because I have absolutely no appetite. Nothing is appealing. If it were up to me, my grocery list would consist of crackers, cereal, juice, ice tea, hot tea, fruit, and popsicles. Yep. That would about do it!

Keith came home. We ate dinner, cleaned up, and went to the mall to walk a couple of laps. Keith is really stressed out with work, as usual, so he thought it would help him to get his mind off of work if we got out. It worked! We just talked and talked as we did two laps around the mall.

When we got home from the mall it was bedtime for the boys. I put away the last baskets of clean, folded laundry in the boys' rooms while Keith put their pj's on. Tonight was my turn to put Josiah to bed & Keith to put Isaac to bed. We've got a good system down for bedtime that I'm sure will be completely shaken up when #3 comes along! Anyway, after laying Josiah down I checked my email, briefly logged onto facebook, read a couple of blogs, and decided to post a new one!

Very soon I will have my bedtime snack and go upstairs to get in bed myself! Good night everyone!

Back Again

Once again I resume blogging after a long hiatus. I've just been so tired, and mornings are so rough for me right now. I don't feel up to getting off of the couch & out of my pj's until after noon. One morning I actually fell asleep while Isaac watched Sesame Street. I woke up as soon as the show was over and discovered he had fished the lemon out of my water and was sucking on it, and there was water all over the coffee table. Another morning I was just laying on the couch, not sleeping, while both boys were up. I could hear Josiah the whole time so I thought I knew where he was. I got up & started doing something when I turned & looked at Josiah & he had red foam coming out of his mouth! He had gotten hold of Isaac's red crayon, and was eating it. Thank goodness they're non-toxic. But it was all stuck to his teeth so I had to really rub it off pretty hard with a damp cloth. I've never made the mistake of laying on the couch while he is awake again.

I probably shouldn't blog about such things. People may think I'm negligent. I figure this is the real world. This is my life. And that's what I blog about.

I have spent a good bit of time this past week reading about vaccines. I've made up my mind. I believe the benefits outweighs the risks. What was most helpful to me in reaching this conclusion was actually reading all of the product inserts for the vaccines, which one of the nurses at our pediatrician's office was so kind to provide me with. I had recently watched a DVD on vaccines that scared the crap out of me and made me sick at my stomach, so I decided to investigate a further. Simply reading the package inserts for the vaccines put holes in many of the arguments made in the DVD. So I'm very comfortable and confident with my decision.

However, there is a HUGE moral and ethical dilemna for me regarding the Varivax (chicken pox), M-M-R-II (measles, mumps, rubella), and HAVRIX (hep A) vaccines. The dilemna is that these vaccines are made using human embryonic lung cell cultures and human diploid cells from aborted fetuses. The product inserts for these vaccines clearly state this, and I even called the manufacturers (Merck and GlaxoSmithKline) to confirm and make sure I wasn't misinterpreting anything. All it took was one phone call to each. This information was not difficult to obtain, rather, they were very forthcoming with it. Merck even sent a pdf document to my inbox within minutes of hanging up the phone with their response. So, I cannot consent to these particular vaccines. I will call around to see if any doctors' offices offer the single measles and mumps vaccines, not combined. However, I'm afraid there is no ethical alternative to the chicken pox, rubella, or hep A vaccines.

This vaccine thing has been a major stressor on me and it feels so good to finally come to a confident decision and have it lifted off of my shoulders. I mean, I've been so stressed out about this I think I was actually making my morning sickness worse. I would wake up in the middle of the night thinking/worrying about it! I feel so much better now.

What else is going on?

Um, the boys had little fevers yesterday, but their temperatures have been normal so far today.

I finally had my first visit with the midwife last week. It went well. I'm having a first trimester ultrasound to confirm how far along I am because I'm not certain of the date of my last period. I like the midwife that I saw a lot. There is one other in the practice who I've not yet met.

Sounds like Josiah is crying when he's supposed to be napping. He probably lost his pacifier. I'd better go help him.