The baby sings

No, really.  She sings. 

We have some new games:

I give her a loud kiss on one cheek and she turns so I can do it on the other.  Over and over.  Last night she was going so fast, I could barely keep up!

Then the Girl and I sang Patty-Cake with her.  Then, half way through the second round of Itsy-Bitsy Spider, she pursed her lips, and started cooing along with us.  This lasted long enough that there is no doubt that she was trying to sing with us. 

She tells me when she is hungry.  She does the tongue thing to let me know she is getting hungry, but then when I settle her back to nurse, I ask her if she is hungry.  She makes the same sound in reply every time, with a little gutteral part like she is trying to say the "g" sound.  The other night, it sounded so much like hungry that both the Daddy and I shot looks at each other.  "Did you hear that?" "Did she just say hungry??"  We know she can't and did not, yet, but we also know she is trying! 

twenty

what number am I on?  who knows, and I am too tired to look. 

Twenty things I am grateful for.  And then twenty-one more.  Notice, I skated on 19.  Now I feel guilty and a little obligated.
Hm.
This is getting harder to not repeat myself.  Thank Heavens Thursday cometh.

1.  The fact that no one is actually reading these, so I could start repeating myself and no one but me would actually know.
2.  Cuddly nights at the drive in
3,  Encouragement to try my hand at something old enough to be new again
4, And that I acquited myself reasonably well
5,  New beginnings
6.  Renewed friendships
7.  Watching 2 new babies ignore each other
8.  disposible diapers
9.  washing machines
10.  a sense of humor when 8 and 9 are on my mind, together.
11.  quiet nights curled up with the daddy
12.  two sleeping babies
13.  one of whom curled up with her Daddy doll, playing the voice chip on her Daddy-build-a-Bear, and the realization that he was gone, but now is home.  And that we will meet the challenge with courage again.
14.  time to facebook and blog
15.  and work on sewing projects
16   and dream a little dream with Daddy
17.  And watch him smile
18.  The fact that no one is actually reading these, so I could start repeating myself and no one but me would actually know.

19.  the fact that I am not currently pregnant, as I look at those friends ready to be done being so
20.  the love of my family.

nineteen

The Girl slept 10 hours last night.
The Baby slept for 8.
I am one happy Mama.

(that equals nineteen)

Eighteen

Some things I love and appreciate about the Girl

153  My first grader, who was placed in a reading support program this year, has soared up the reading chart.  She has always done things on her own time schedule, and this is just another example of how she conquers the world, but not until she decides she is ready.
154   I was able to put aside my own ego about the reading support program.  That was hard for me as a mom, a teacher, a passionate reader, and a certified reading specialist.
155   She is so tender and gentle with her sister. 
156   She makes up, writes and sings her own songs.  Including music on her Paper Jams guitar.
157   She has grown out of the super-antagonistic phase, passing that particular torch on to those better able to carry it.  (My sympathies go out to the next batch of mamas surviving that stage)
158   Her unquestionable, irrepressible fashion sense
159   Her love of all things nature.
160   Her zest for life.  And the energy to live it like a six-year old.
161   Her amazingly mature sense of humor, including the ability to crack a joke that takes the Daddy and I a second to catch the wit.
162   And her uncontrollable laughter at those things uniquely funny to a child.
163   Her desire to learn.
164   How much she enjoys attending and participating at church.
165   Her ability and confidence to reach out to make new friends.
166   Her sensitivity and empathy.
167   Her desire to be close to me.
168   And her willingness to stretch her wings and reach for independence.
169   Her hugs and kisses.
170   The way she snuggles up close in her sleep.

seventeen

Well, that was so easy, I am going to do 17 more about him.

137  his fierce desire to better himself
138  the way he lets me know he needs me
139  his appreciation for all the little things I do
140  the way he does not criticize...usually
141  the fact that he has never met a stranger
142  and is so likeable
143  that he supports my career
144  and my education
145  that he reads with the Girl everyday
146  and clearly enjoys it
147  that there is not "women's work" vs "men's work" in our home
148  that he works so hard
149  and takes his responsibility so seriously
150  that he tries to take care of everyone else
151  and has a hard time letting them tell him "no"
152  that he loves us

sixteen

Today, a sampling of things I appreciate about the Daddy
121  he makes me laugh
122  he messes up big, but apologizes even bigger
123  he is the best father I have ever met
124  he looks darn sexy in his uniform
125  he looks darn sexy in a tshirt and shorts for that matter
126  he desperately loves our daughters
127  he is extremely intuitive
128  and manages to keep it to himself as needed
129  he is fiercely loyal
130  and fiercely protective
131  he is aware of everything going on around him
132  he is very modest
133  and humble
134  and encouraging
135  and brags about me, even though it embarasses me to no end
136 he makes sure, every single day, that I know that he loves me

fifteen

I am grateful for the small moments --

106  655 AM A smiling wake up with baby
107  745 AM - watching my girl bravely storm off to conquer the world.  Or first grade
108  815 AM - returning home to a quiet house, where I can savor my time alone with baby 
110  830 AM - curling up together to have a nap
111  930 AM _ "I love you text" from the Daddy
112  1015 AM - The dining room table is 1/2 cleared of the paperwork, mail, etc, that has built up since we brought Baby home. 
113  1140 AM  - A delicious new recipe turned out well - my "practice" for the neighbors' holiday gifts
114  1142 AM - which I got to sample just before the baby woke up
115  1215 PM - Shower. :) in peace and quiet. 
116  1222 PM - New bra and undies.  Glorious.  After the preggo-panties, I was ready for something pretty.  Pink with chocolate brown polkadots. 
117  1223 PM  - Baby awake again and smiling as usual.  I am so blessed.
118  130 PM  - Phone call from Dad.  My dad.  I love to hear his voice.
119  315 PM - The girl is home and bursting with news of her day - including the speaking part she won for next week's Thanksgiving play.
120  430 PM  - The three girls watching (ahem. "helping") the Daddy plant yet another tree in his ongoing backyard-improvement kick.
...more tomorrow

give away

http://sistersandrecipes.blogspot.com/

All right, Lis, Tam, Nik, Lor --  and the others of you that read here but don't know my nieces, hop on over and check this out...

Fourteen

92 A big girl that is proud to sing in church
93 and shrugs it off when she makes a mistake.
94 Flying paper airplanes in the the back yard
95 The talent to create nourishing, delicious meals for my family
96 and hearing words of appreciation for my efforts
97 Friends gathering to celebrate the new life in my home
98 and phone calls from those that could not join us.
99 A daughter that requests "girl day" with mommy
100 and the wisdom to know that it won't be too long before she rolls her eyes at me again.
101 Strangers at church, coming ot talk to us and offering prayers for our new baby on her first trip to church.
102 And friends that did the same.
103 The peaceful sounds of the Daddy cooing with the baby, watching football, and whispering to the big girl
104 Pictures drawn by the hands of a child covering my fridge
105 Along side new photographs of nieces and nephews as they reach their own milestones.

Thirteen

 

Four hands, twice over, plus 4 hearts = 1 family. That is 13, if you add up the numbers.  I am so grateful. 

That's numbers 79-91 if you are keeping count with me



   These four hands, joined in love, laughter, joy...

...that started from this man taking this woman by the hands
and asking her to walk life's path with with him 



To build this one family



twelve

67. new friends
68. old, worn, warm, snuggly flannel shirts
69. the scent of a baby's head
70. the ability to provide for my baby from my own body
71. the ability of the daddy to bottle feed, with no guilt laid on me if i choose to skip a feeding
72. a baby fast outgrowing her clothes - daddy had her in a 6-9 sleeper, and it was not too big...(today she is back in a 3 -6)...
73. the anticipation of the coming holidays
74. homemade holiday treats made family-style
75.  time to look back aty this last year and savor the moments
76. "i love you" texts

these last two from alex:
77.  having a family
78.  having you as my mom

me too.  and thanks...

eleven

on 11-11, all will be done with 1 word
56.  freedom
57.  health
58.  love
59.  daughters
60.  husband
61.  home
62.  service
63.  sunshine
64.  friendship
65.  soup
66.  blankets

(It is cold here today)

ten

This time, in pictures


46.  This man, who gave me life




47. And this woman, who taught me how to live it.



48.  And these two, who give me reason



49.  This man, 40 years later, who married this amazing woman - who jumped right in to be the most amazing grandmother to my children, and a great friend to me.



50. My in-laws who love my children (pictured with Alex, age 1 month)

51.  Alex, who made me a mommy (age 6 days)

52. And Tori, who is teaching to relax and enjoy the moments (age 3 weeks)

53. This man, who gave me my beautiful children
54.  And his devotion to duty

55. The opportunity to build this life together

seven, eight, nine

Seventh
22.  Spontaneous trips to San Diego
23.  Family who loves us enough to help make it happen!
24.  Long, lazy dinners with friends from far away
25.  Quiet early breakfasts catching up with my one of my best friends while Daddy and the girls slept.
26.  A husband who thinks it is cool my closest, most loyal friend is a man
27.  His girlfriend, who doesn't care either
28.  And that he laughs when I make fun of him for being late to our wedding after he flew across the country to be there.  Scratch that -  missing the whole ceremony and then being late to the reception.
Eighth
29.  My daughter loves school
30.  And church classes
31.  And makes up songs, like, "I love the Lord, I - L - O- V- E Him, love Him love Him love Him"
32.  New, cotton, 300 thread count, ruby red sheets.  On sale. And they let me use a coupon. 
33.  And I had a gift card.
34.  Snuggly days with my baby in my arms, and my kittens curled up on my lap.
35.  Hot, buttery popcorn
36.  A head cold, which reminds me how healthy we all really are
Ninth
37.  That I have thought of 36 moments in my life, both large and small, to be grateful for so far.
38.  The laughter of my husband and oldest daughter echoing from the the other room
39.  The smiles and coos of my 6 week old, as she starts to try to communicate
40.  I watched a friend try to learn to be a fire dancer in order to meet girls (who were fire dancers).  He caught on fire 3 times.  But walked away laughing. 
41.  So then I did not have to feel bad about laughing, too.
42.  Watching Alex build friendships with the children of people I care about, knowing I am probably looking at the start of life-long relationships.
43.  Watching Alex establish friendships outside of my sphere and knowing that she is capable of that independence
44.  Maternity leave
45.  And a job to go back to

i am behind!

who would have thaought that would happen?


Spontaneous trip out of town, thanks to my most awesome hubs, where I got to spend time with a few of  best friends.

Will catch up later...

six

16.  My husband is back in school and enjoys discussing what he is learning.
17.  I am able to provide for my children - physically, emotionally, financially.  I could all by myself, if I had to.
18.  But I don't have to do it alone.  Thank God.
19.  Midnight, in house of sleeping children.
20.  The company of good friends.
21.  I went to Babies R Us the other day.  I saw the clothes in the preemie section.  They are so tiny they brought a tear to my eye.  I looked at my 6 week old, already starting to wear clothes in the 3-6 month size and I thank God for my blessings.

to school or not to school

Well... after putting it off for too long, last fall I looked into starting back to school to finish my MaEd.  Only to have financial aid take too long.  

So, tried again spring term.  Enrolled late - no problem, assured my advisor. There is just a small fee.  OK.
Right.  The profs in my online classes assured me I had already failed their course.  HAHA  So I withdrew.  Again, a small fee.  OK. 

We had a baby due in September.  I did not enroll for fall term.

I called today to inquire about spring term. 

My credits all expire (the 1/2 of my degree I have already paid for and earned As in all the classes)... well they expire May 2011.  "Don't worry, you can finish in a year and a half," assures the admin assistant in the Grad college I spoke to.  Literally, I LOL.  "That is the end of next semester.  I cannot take 21 credits a semester." 

My husband reminds me I took 21 credits a quarter to finish my BS in 3 years.  Again, literally, I LOL.  "I lived at home with my mother, had no job, no children, no husband, and got paid to go to school."  Pretty sure I will max out a 9 hours a semester - but 6 is more likely.

But that is neither here nor there, since 21 is impossible.

"You can petition for a 1-year extension." 
"What happens if I don't finish 7 classes in a year?"
"You petition for another year."
"Will they grant it?"
"Maybe."

MAYBE????  Ok, so what do I do?????

five

11.   The success of old friends
12.   The Daddy, mid project, blocking the access to my kitchen sink so that
              a.  I cannot do the dishes, and therefore do not need to feel guilty about leaving them in the sink
              b. He finds joy in making our home nicer
13.  A crying baby being soothed in her daddy's arms - he is SUCH a great dad
14.  Gripe Water and Sensitive Tummy formula suplementing mother's milk to help her not spit up so much
15.  Sunshine without ridiculous heat

four

7. pedicures
8. chocolate
9. the will to resist the 1/2 price halloween chocolate at the grocery store
10. 20 lost pounds

three

4.  My husband makes me laugh
5.  My first grader is a riot
6.  My husband's family truly loves our children and makes sure we know it