Monthly Archive for September, 2004

#3

I am 16 weeks and 4 days pregnant now. This number is based on the results of the ultrasound. The due date is March 13, but I think it\’ll be sooner. We\’ll know soon enough! I have moved from total and utter exhaustion to jusy mostly exhasuted. I have moved from constant nausea to occasional nausea– mostly when I\’ve let my hunger go too far… OR the first few minutes that I wake up.

I feel fortunate to be blogging during this pregnancy. It\’s something I didn\’t have with either of the first two kiddos, though I journaled a little. I only wish I was better at writing about this thrid journey. So, now I am taking a few minutes to write how I feel so this little peanut will have a bit of a record too. I hope to be more consistent, but know I cannot commit to it!

I am so excited to have you become part of our family — you already are a big part. You came as a surprise to Mommy and Daddy. We decided that since you were a surprise, we will wait until you are born to find out if you are a boy or girl — keeping the theme of \”surprise\”. I looked around to find a pretty name and a strong name that means surprise, but haven\’t found anything. I love names that have meaning, so we are looking intently for names with special meaning. We already have a boy and girl name we really like — incidentally both mean \”light\”. Hmmm… We may decide to go with those names.

My first trimester was somewhat difficult — certainly the hardest of the 3 pregnancies. But this second semester is shaping up nicely. I can feel you moving around, though no one else can. It\’s a special time for me. I\’ve heard your heartbeat two times now - when you were 9 weeks along (it was hard to find!) and at 14 weeks. Daddy and I saw you the first time when you were 8 weeks old. You will be 19 weeks for the next ultrasound. I can\’t wait to peek at your fingers… will you be sucking your thumb like your big sister did? I can\’t wait to see your 4 chamber heart — beating healthily.

I pray for you daily, many times a day. For your health in me, and for your future. I pray for your relationship with me, your Daddy and your big bro and sis. They are so excited to meet you too. Joel and Livi got to hear your heatbeat at the last appointment. Joel\’s eyes opened wide as silver dollars, and Livi stood sucking her thumb. She didn\’t quite understand what the noise was about. I remember when I was pregnant with Olivia, Joel loved to heart her \”heart-beep\”.

I pray for me a lot too. I pray for capability as I become a mom of 3. I pray for patience because it is something I struggle with. I pray for an easy trasition to sleepless nights. I pray for a bigger house too:)

I wonder what this next year will bring. I am excited. I am cautious. I just can\’t wait to see your eyes and feel your breath as you snuggle close. I can\’t wait to see how Joel and Olivia love you. I can\’t wait to see how your Daddy\’s eyes fill with tears of pride and joy. He loves his babies - you watch out!

I love you now. I love you dearly. I am giddy and overflowing with thankfulness for this surprise blessing - for me and our family…

Published
by
jenny
on September 30, 2004
in Family, General, Joel, Lucy, Mutha' Hood and Olivia
. 3 Comments

On the move

It\’s been hard to read blogs, write in mine, or even do laundry. Heck, showers seem to have become optional! I was looking at my calendar and discovered that out of the last 8 weekends (the one coming included), either me, or the entire family has been gone 5 of them.

To add to it, Paul gets a weekend in October! This coming weekend I get to go scrapbooking ALL WEEKEND! Last weekend was the MOPS convention in Nashville, now this. Though I — and the rest of the fam — are completely exhausted, I am so excited. I am utterly thankful too. This sort of break is rare, so I do not take it for granted!

It seems that with each new year, I resolve to have our family slow down. I wish I could communicate loud and uncontrollable laughter through this blog! Now, baby # 3 is on it\’s way… so much for slowing down in 2005!

Published
by
jenny
on September 30, 2004
in Family, General, Lucy, Mental Pause and Mutha' Hood
. 0 Comments

Dentist = Good???

That\’s my boy! When I first told him he had to go to the dentist this morning, there was some resistance. It did not last long. As we drove up to the office, Joel said, \”We\’re here!\”. He hopped out of his seat as fast as possible and was halfway in before I could get to the door. The hygenist came out and called his name. He hopped up as fast as lightning and ran to her side. I watched as he greeted the office dog (can\’t recall the name) and listened as he chatted his way down the hall.

Olivia and I waited while he endured such a fearful visit, but all we heard was chatter (I could tell some was through a stetched out mouth). I walked to the hallway door to try to hear what he decided to fill the staff\’s ears with, but I was not successful. Every so often, I heard that little voice - not with tones of fear, but tones of excitement.

I knew he was finished as his voice drew closer to the door. I heard him ask for another toy for his sister. This is something I notice both do for each other. If one asks for a snack for themself, I soon hear them ask for the other to have a bowl too. I love that about them. It makes my heart swell:) The door opened and Joel burst through. The hygenist said he was not up for the xrays, but he did delightfully well with the rest of the check-up. She was able to clean, and the dentist was bale to get a good look at his choppers. No cavities!

Good job Joel! I\’m so proud of you!!!

Published
by
jenny
on September 30, 2004
in General and Joel
. 0 Comments

Miss Independent

That\’s my daughter. She\’s wanting to do everything herself. I can\’t help but hum Kelly Clarkson\’s song Miss Independent when Olivia insists on taking care of things herself. I don\’t know all the lyrics, only \”Miss Independent\”, and oh-so-independent she is trying to be…

Her newest branch of independence has to do with bedtime and naptime. Over the past couple of days she has not been allowing me or her daddy to put her to bed, though she still sleeps in her crib. She knows her door cannot remain fully open, which makes her new routine even more hearbreaking to the mama:)

Here\’s the drill… we give her kisses and turn off her bedroom light… she takes it from there. She closes her door, careful to leave a generous crack. She then heads to her crib in the darkened room and climbs right on into the crib! She must tuck herself in, because she is usually (mostly) covered up by the time I check on her before I go to bed.

I felt a twinge of heart-ache last night as I considered the weight of the issue. What if 3 nights ago was my last time to reall tuck her in? It probably wasn\’t, but it\’s worth the second thought. There are many things that pass away as our children grow. Some things we notice, some we do not. Did I treasure that possible last tucking in enough???

Joel used to call Livi \”Luva\” or \”Oluvia\”. I recall the day I noticed he was pronouncing it correctly. I said, \”Don\’t you mean OlUvia, Joel?\” He replied in a practical manner, \”No, Mom, it\’s O-LI-VI-A.\” Another milesone met, and memories begin to replace the words and actions of my babies as they grow into kids… It\’s bittersweet, I don\’t think I need to explain why…

Published
by
jenny
on September 30, 2004
in General, Joel and Olivia
. 0 Comments

Nashville, Tennessee

I stayed at the Opryland Hotel during my attendace at the MOPS Convention in Nashville. It was quite the hotel. The schedule was so packed, my friend and I were unable to tour the enormous facilities until 10 o\’clock the very last night. We toured the many walkways and halls, and enjoyed our walk through the Garden Conservatory.

We had a couple of hours outside of the convention schedule on Friday night. We could choose between the MOPS Pajama Party or some Nashville nighltife. We decided to check out the city. We visited the Wildhorse Saloon and found a little disco-type club too.

At the Wildhorse, I was able to brush-up on a few line dances I remembered from my line-dancin\’ days in college. I must admit, however, the bulk of our dancing time was spent on the disco floor. We met up with another group from our area, and enjoyed a little time of bonding. It felt funny being prego and boogie-ing, but I don\’t think it was the pregnant belly that made me look silly — it was more likely my dance style! Or maybe it was the dozens of other moms out on the dance floor. Though our nametags were off, it was obvious who was who… I heard a few people comment that, \”There are a bunch of moms of preschoolers around here.\” There were 6,000 moms at the convention. I don\’t know how many made it into the city that Friday evening!

Published
by
jenny
on September 30, 2004
in General and Jenny Jen-Jen
. 0 Comments

The Facts of Life

I got to meet Lisa Whelchel at the MOPS Convention in Nashville. She played Blair on the Facts of Life. So it wasn\’t a long meeting, but long enough to get 3 books signed and have a picture taken (unfortunately, not digital…). I only wished I still had the cassette from the mid 80\’s that Lisa Whelchel recorded. I have not met many who had that album!

She signed 2 copies of her book Creative Correction and The ADVENTure of Christmas. The Christmas book is new, and it\’s terrific.

I was able to hear her speak at one of the 3 luncheons that were offered. I also got to have Julie Barnhill sign a copy of her book She\’s Gonna Blow!\”. I forgot to take my copy of her new book Scandalous Grace — which I have not yet read. I did get to attend her seminar on the same topic, and I\’m certain I will love her new book as well.

It feels a little silly… perhaps juvenile to feel a little giddy about getting their signatures. I have admired both for some time because the content of their books have positively impacted my life. I think my priorities are in check though… I didn\’t scream!

Published
by
jenny
on September 29, 2004
in General and Jenny Jen-Jen
. 0 Comments

Flowers Just Because

I found flowers in my hotel room. They weren\’t part of the decor. My hubby sent them to my hotel room while I was away at the MOPS Convention in Nashville! What a treat and wonderful surprise!

I was already feeling blessed to able to go at all. I was feeling guilty for leaving my hubby with the kids for so long. He was the one who should have gotten flowers! I certainly don\’t take theses blessings for granted. Thank you honey for all you do for me and for our babies:)

Published
by
jenny
on September 29, 2004
in General and Jenny Jen-Jen
. 0 Comments

12 Hours

The amount of sleep over the course of 3 nights one might aniticipate when one attends a MOPS convention.

16 hours was my cumulative total for 4 nights. I can always plan on 4 hours or fewer the night before I leave for any vacation… I\’m amazed my pregnant body carried me through. It must have been the adrenaline rush of fun, refreshment, learning, being child-free for almost 4 full days, and laughing so much and so hard my abs got their best work-out in ages! Yes, the price of sleep deprivation was well worth it! I\’d do it again without a second thought:)

I feel blessed to have been able to go… I owe a special thanks to my hubby for supporting me and taking on the kids while I was gone!!! It takes a special and very giving man - and he is!

Published
by
jenny
on September 28, 2004
in General and Jenny Jen-Jen
. 2 Comments

Potty Training

It is time. I can ignore it no longer. Olivia is ready, yet I am not. I\’m not ready for cleaning carpets, floor, and loads of clothing. I can hardly manage to rinse off a few dishes each day!

I have no choice, but she is making it easy. Huh? I think she is training herself! I have tried a few times in the past several months, but have not made progress. It seems though that in the past few days, Olivia has been taking care of it on her own. She desperately wants to wear her Strawberry Shortcake undies - that is her choice reward. I\’ve been diapering her up, despite her pleas for undies. She finally has given over to my decision… except… she takes off her clothes, takes off her diaper, and goes on her own. Throughout the day I hear a little voice yell, \”I\’m done Mommy!\”

Now this is the way to go! It has only been a couple days, but I feel encouraged. Her diaper was dry all day. I eventually let her wear undies the second half of the day. She stayed dry! I think the Lord knows I just can\’t take on the PT job so He is blessing me with this little gift:) I really feel it is a special little treat for me since I am so wiped out with this pregnancy. Plus, Olivia benefits too. I\’m sure night time training is a way out, and am nervous about letting her wear undies when we head to the grocery store, etc.. However, I am pretty tickled. It\’s awesome to see this \”click\” and see her motivated on her own. I wonder what tomorrow will bring…

Published
by
jenny
on September 14, 2004
in General and Olivia
. 2 Comments

In Remembrance…

I want to take a moment to remember my husband\’s grandmother - Jewel. On September 5th, Paul\’s grandma had a stroke. She was in the hopsital until the morning of September 10, 2004, when she quietly passed away - her children at her side.

Grandma Jewell is my mother-in-law\’s mother. Grandma Jewell had beautiful blue eyes and a spirit that sparkled just like them. She was spunky and upbeat, always ready to tell a story. She was hilarious, though I don\’t think she tried. Simply, her approach to life and perspective on life drew laughter and giggles.

We last saw her in June 2003. I only have a few pictures of her (the kids always get most of the camera time). I only have a few visits with Grandma Jewel in my nearly 10 years of marriage to my husband, but I have many precious memories of her.

On our last visit, my daugher was just 1 and nephew only a few month older. There were lots of bottles, and Joel had his sippy cups… Grandma Jewel took great care of the tired mommies, and washed every bottle. She was ON TOP OF IT. I see that as a precious gift of time to me, and a special act of love for her great-grandbabies.

She gave us her bed when we slpet at her house. She slept on the couch! I dare anyone try to chanage her 80+ year-old mind!

She was always cooking something up. From what I\’ve been told, she has always cooked and cooked for everyone. Naturally, that is what she did for us. We were a pretty busy group, and couldn\’t always eat at home, but she was definitely prepared - always offering…

She loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. One room had pictures of each family. With 4 children - there were a lot of pictures:)

I don\’t remember when I spoke to her last, but I remember the last conversation I had with my mother-in-law before her stroke, only a couple of weeks ago. She asked if I was showing yet. I rememeber feeling touched she asked. She is known for her philosophy on children - they are a lot of work! I wish I could have spoken with her since I became pregnant with #3…

She was a Christian woman who passed that heritage to her children. I admire that and am grateful for that. She raised a wonderful daughter, who in turn, raised a wonderful man who became my husband - my children\’s father.

Her eyes were blue. My children\’s eyes are blue. OK, my eyes are blue, and so were my great-grandmother\’s… But it has always been a point for conversation. Where did their blue eyes come from? I know Joel and Olivia at least got a good chunk of Grandma Jewel\’s striking blue, as well as a healthy dose of her spunk and zest for life.

Today, my husband is in Oklahoma, attending the funeral. I wish we all could have gone. It is probably wrapping up about now. I do not pray for her, I am confident she is rejoicing with and resting in the arms of her Savior today. I do pray for the family, for my mother-in-law and her siblings, for my hubby and my father-in-law. I pray each member of the family enjoys the time they have with each other. It is not often so many gather together. I pray the spirit of mourning quickly passes and that the joy of remembrance replaces sorrow. Knowing where they came from, I\’m certain there will be laughter…..

Published
by
jenny
on September 13, 2004
in Family and General
. 1 Comment