Yesterday morning, I walked into the kitchen and it occurred to me that the decorating schemes I love do not include the color yellow or plastic or kitsch. And yet, it makes me smile to see that giant inflatable duckie bathtub on top of my fridge. In pondering this, I realized, I’m a Mom. I still don’t necessarily feel like a Mom. But when I look around my house, I can’t avoid the fact that anyone who glimpsed past my front door would see that one lives here. Along with the said duckie, there are bottles, teethers, a swing, an exersaucer, a play-mat, tiny articles of clothing, a high chair, a monitor, the list goes on. So many garish (I’m speaking of the color schemes that baby things are manufactured in) examples of how my life has changed. The time that I wake up in the morning is determined by when I need to feed the baby. I plan my errands around her naps. It takes me five times as long to complete chores because I tote her with me and explain all the details behind my actions (“dust first, then vacuum or vacuum then dust, which should we do?”) I don’t sleep in anymore and going anywhere requires a mini luggage set. My life has become a study of sacrifice. Not that I always do things with the right attitude or motives or even do things at all, I am a work in progress. But some evenings I look back over my day and can see that in taking care of another, I am fulfilled. I have a new understanding of 1 Timothy 2:15 “But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self restraint”. In notes I have written in my Bible, the word “preserved” also has the connotation of “finding meaning” and that we, as women, have our greatest achievement in bearing children. I can say without any hesitation, that the birth of Luca is one of the single most important events of my life. In addition, the oft quoted Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift from the Lord” has new significance. The full import of being a Mother is still settling in, and I know that I will have days when I don’t feel joy, meaning or satisfaction but I trust that God’s grace is sufficient. In the meantime, I am in awe of the gift of this baby and am so thankful that she has been entrusted to me, kitschy décor and all.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Motherhood Musings
Yesterday morning, I walked into the kitchen and it occurred to me that the decorating schemes I love do not include the color yellow or plastic or kitsch. And yet, it makes me smile to see that giant inflatable duckie bathtub on top of my fridge. In pondering this, I realized, I’m a Mom. I still don’t necessarily feel like a Mom. But when I look around my house, I can’t avoid the fact that anyone who glimpsed past my front door would see that one lives here. Along with the said duckie, there are bottles, teethers, a swing, an exersaucer, a play-mat, tiny articles of clothing, a high chair, a monitor, the list goes on. So many garish (I’m speaking of the color schemes that baby things are manufactured in) examples of how my life has changed. The time that I wake up in the morning is determined by when I need to feed the baby. I plan my errands around her naps. It takes me five times as long to complete chores because I tote her with me and explain all the details behind my actions (“dust first, then vacuum or vacuum then dust, which should we do?”) I don’t sleep in anymore and going anywhere requires a mini luggage set. My life has become a study of sacrifice. Not that I always do things with the right attitude or motives or even do things at all, I am a work in progress. But some evenings I look back over my day and can see that in taking care of another, I am fulfilled. I have a new understanding of 1 Timothy 2:15 “But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self restraint”. In notes I have written in my Bible, the word “preserved” also has the connotation of “finding meaning” and that we, as women, have our greatest achievement in bearing children. I can say without any hesitation, that the birth of Luca is one of the single most important events of my life. In addition, the oft quoted Psalm 127:3 “Behold, children are a gift from the Lord” has new significance. The full import of being a Mother is still settling in, and I know that I will have days when I don’t feel joy, meaning or satisfaction but I trust that God’s grace is sufficient. In the meantime, I am in awe of the gift of this baby and am so thankful that she has been entrusted to me, kitschy décor and all.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Indulge Me.
This is kind of long, and nothing really happens but I'm a new mommy, so watch this mini film of a baby sitting. (I know, thrilling!) Can't help it, I love her!
More Hiking
We are having such a great time with our baby carrier! Last weekend we tackled another, longer trail and Ms. Bean did so well that this morning we packed up and hit the mountain again. While touring the Visitor Center at South Mountain last weekend (giving Luca a break between carrier and car seat) we saw pictures of some pretty cool rock formations and got directions from a helpful park ranger. The goal today: Fat Man Pass and an unnamed tunnel. The first 20 minutes of the trek Luca was voicing her displeasure about who knows what (babies are confusing, I tell you!) but after a quick break and full tummy she settled in for a nap. Joe navigated several tricky spots, clambering and scrambling without knocking the pack, I was very impressed. Luca was too, I could tell by the fact that she paid no attention whatsoever to the scenery. ;-) What a great day in God's creation!
Joe and Luca are too wide for Fat Man Pass :-(
A Happy Baby!
The City
Time For a Rest!
Surveying Her Kingdom (a cyclist passing by saw her hat blowing in the breeze and asked "is that baby wearing wings?". No, no wings but she's still our angel!)
"Phhhhhthhhhht"
Daddy? check. Dolly? check. Shade? check. Fun? check!
This is why Joe carries Luca
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My Bonny Baby
Five months old! I can't believe how big she is, cute she is, confusing she is, smart she is, funny she is, lovable she is! Everyday it seems she tries something new. Miss Bean has become a very mellow little girl. She's willing to lay on my lap and even let me read a chapter or two, as long as her tummy is full and I let her pummel the binding. (I've learned to read moving pages). We're also getting very good at sitting up, Bean Style, which is arms spread wide and lots of emphatic sighing. She's still digging the cereal, we've ventured into new grains and will soon be adding veggies. However, she seems to think that you can't dine without singing and keeping your fingers in your mouth. (see pic) I've tried holding her arms down but she throws a fit. If anyone has any advice here, I'd love to hear it! I don't particularly enjoy mealtime right now as it is also "clean cereal out of hair/eyes/neck/toes/chair/clothes/table/mommy time". Hopefully it's just a phase!
This Mommy is on a mission to get in shape and Luca has been quite helpful. She is content in her stroller (as long as I swaddle her first), she's been a trooper in her new hiking pack and she gives chastising looks whenever I start eating sweets. Okay, maybe the looks are really curiosity but if I pretend that she's disapproving, it helps me put down the chocolate. The exersaucer is intriguing (thank you Mishelle!) and she loves to slowly rotate, stomping her feet and tasting each plastic attachment. Now here are some pictures from the Bean's portfolio:
Just chillin'. She's very into pulling up one pant leg while lounging. It's her gangsta look.
The Purple Monster says "Whaaaaas-up?!?!?!"
Baby toes! Oh to be so flexible! She prefers this trick sans jammies so that she can chew on her feet. Only when you're less than a year old is this cute, after that it's just disturbing.
Her look says "What? I didn't do it." but she did, in fact, do it. 
For Yia-Yia
Hi Mom (Yaya)! Miss Bean thanks you for Dolly, she LOVES it! (The fact that I've had to wash it three times already proves it). It's the first toy that we've noticed her recognizing. Whenever we hold it out to her she grins and starts wiggling and "tummy punching". Then, the minute she gets her hands around her she does the crazy excited "bite and cuddle". Joe and I find this hilarious as you can tell by our cheesy audio.
her
her
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Chihuly Exhibit
On Monday Luca and I went to the Desert Botanical Garden and saw the Chihuly exhibit with our friends Kristin and Henley. It was amazing! I can't claim to be any sort of art buff, I only like what I like and some art just confuses me, however, I am in love with Chihuly glass. For those of you who are in the valley, I highly recommend it! Go spend an afternoon in the garden and the sunshine! http://www.dbg.org/index.php/chihuly
Saturday, January 17, 2009
South Mountain
Luca went on her first hike this morning! She started out really well, then about 45 minutes in she got a bit fussy. We took a break and had a little picnic then back into the carrier for the trek down. She soon gave up on fussing and decided a nap was in order. A good first try!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Christmas Post
Ahhhhhh…Christmas. I love it! We got to go home to Nebraska for two whole weeks! The flight there was delayed so Luca and I didn’t get into Omaha until 3am but my Mom was a trooper and drove us back to Lincoln and tucked us in at about 4am. One thing I’ve discovered with babies; you can mess with their night and they still pop up in the morning at the same crack of dawn hour. (I suppose that could just be my baby). In any case, Luca was a champ and stuck to her schedule which made my days much easier than I had anticipated. I know some of you Mommy’s don’t need the schedule thing but I am a planner and I like to know what comes next. Lucky for me, Luca can be scheduled.
We had lot’s of fun with family, I invited myself over to Zach & Sarie’s a few times ( bathtime in the kitchen sink!). We of course got in lots of Yaya, PapaDu (my Mom and step-Dad) & Grandma Cindy (Joe’s Mom) time. Got to see bunches of other family, had a transcontinental phone call with my baby brother, watched some movies, slept in lots of new places, drove a go-kart, played tennis on the Nintendo Wii (an upstart of a machine that told me my age is 7 years older than I actually am!), ate lot’s of yummy Nebraska food and caught up with good friends. I also had a surreal moment on Sunday when I dropped Luca off at the same nursery door that my Mom dropped me off at 28 years ago. Weird. ;-)
You know those friends that no matter how long you’re away, as soon as you meet up again, it’s as though you were never apart? Sarie, Melissa and I have that kind of friendship and I am SO blessed by it. The three of us met at Melissa’s house and spent all day together getting caught up and just “hanging out”. So fun! Our babies are each two weeks apart, Miya, (7-31-08) Isaiah (8-9-08) and Luca (8-24-08). What a gift from God to be able to go through this baby journey with best friends!
All told, we had a very happy holiday. Miss Bean traveled well (thanks in a large part to Yia-Yia having a swing. Thank you Yia-Yia!) and participated in her first Christmas with smiles and a few shouts. We are so grateful for our family!
I got to meet my nephew Isaiah, I am so in love with that little boy! Luca may like him too, it’s a little hard to tell when she’s always kicking him in the head, rolling over him or chewing on him! He’s such a sweet spirit, he puts up with it. Hopefully he can teach his cousin some manners when they’re older!
We had lot’s of fun with family, I invited myself over to Zach & Sarie’s a few times ( bathtime in the kitchen sink!). We of course got in lots of Yaya, PapaDu (my Mom and step-Dad) & Grandma Cindy (Joe’s Mom) time. Got to see bunches of other family, had a transcontinental phone call with my baby brother, watched some movies, slept in lots of new places, drove a go-kart, played tennis on the Nintendo Wii (an upstart of a machine that told me my age is 7 years older than I actually am!), ate lot’s of yummy Nebraska food and caught up with good friends. I also had a surreal moment on Sunday when I dropped Luca off at the same nursery door that my Mom dropped me off at 28 years ago. Weird. ;-)You know those friends that no matter how long you’re away, as soon as you meet up again, it’s as though you were never apart? Sarie, Melissa and I have that kind of friendship and I am SO blessed by it. The three of us met at Melissa’s house and spent all day together getting caught up and just “hanging out”. So fun! Our babies are each two weeks apart, Miya, (7-31-08) Isaiah (8-9-08) and Luca (8-24-08). What a gift from God to be able to go through this baby journey with best friends!
All told, we had a very happy holiday. Miss Bean traveled well (thanks in a large part to Yia-Yia having a swing. Thank you Yia-Yia!) and participated in her first Christmas with smiles and a few shouts. We are so grateful for our family!Teething?
Luca is really, really, into chewing lately. Over our Christmas holiday she started grabbing at toys and actually taking objects from me when I held them out to her. (One of those small milestones that I was ecstatic about) She's even more dexterous this week, now we're grabbing Mommy's shirt, the food on Mommy's plate, Mommy's hair, Mommy's nose, Mommy's ears...I need to trim her little fingernails, they are sharp! So far she hasn’t been significantly fussier so I don't think we’re into full on teething yet but we’re on our way! Oh boy! The new Teethers:
Isaiah's Shoulder: 
The Spoon:
Mommy's Hand:
Baby Big Bird:
Silk Flowers:
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Residual Effects
Hello everyone! We're home from a wonderful visit to Nebraska, however, we still feel a bit like this:
While we are recovering, we are praising the Lord for wonderful family and friends, snowstorms and Christmas. Once we are caught up with laundry, etc. I will post something better. Until then, this is the 2008 Christmas picture from my side of the family (minus baby brother (and now, Uncle) Max who is in Chambery, France for school). The babies are mesmerized by some funny guy laying on the floor. ;-)
While we are recovering, we are praising the Lord for wonderful family and friends, snowstorms and Christmas. Once we are caught up with laundry, etc. I will post something better. Until then, this is the 2008 Christmas picture from my side of the family (minus baby brother (and now, Uncle) Max who is in Chambery, France for school). The babies are mesmerized by some funny guy laying on the floor. ;-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)