Sunday Sunshine 11.01.09 – Rotund Edition November 1, 2009

This is the first time I’ve posted any pregnancy pictures anywhere this time around…I’ve gained about the same amount as I did with Anja, but I’m decidedly more rotund (as discussed earlier).  I’m 29 weeks along.  We don’t know what we’re having.  The pregnancy has been much the same as it was with her, just more water retention (lay off the carbs, said my midwife), more hip pain at night, and I’m carrying a little lower.  Could be a boy, could be a girl, and I can’t wait to meet him/her!

I’ve been really bad at updating this baby’s pregnancy journal.  I had so much more time when I was pregnant with Anja, though.  I was only working 4 days a week at my construction job, one at home, and I didn’t have a toddler to run after.  These past couple months I’ve been working 20 hours outside the home (plus about 3 hours per week of commute and picking up at daycare), 30-40 hours a week at home, plus watching Anja full time on the days I’m home.  Sleep has been lacking and stress has been plentiful—not the best conditions for growing a baby!

Speaking of which, this past Thursday was my last day at my construction job.  After many months of prayer and a unique opportunity, we have decided to take the plunge into having me home full time.  My photography business has pretty much supplanted my construction income, so it was either return to work full time when the baby arrives to be able to afford two kids in daycare or take this step of faith.  I’ll miss my co-workers, but they’ve invited me to visit anytime, and having me home with our kids is something Husband and I have wanted for our family since we got married.

Any prayers for my sanity are much appreciated!  Though it is wonderful to have 23 more hours in the week to be taking care of things at home, I don’t anticipate my photography workload slowing down much until close to Christmas (and the baby is due just a couple weeks later).  I think  I will savor my maternity leave this time SOOOO much more.  :)

Sunday Sunshine 10.04.09 October 4, 2009

Gack!  September is a goner!  But it produced some lovely things, including this post by Beck.  She is, I think, and at risk of offending others whom I like so much, my favorite mommy blog.  Almost every post she puts together resonates with my mother heart, the dissonance between holding on and letting go.  Mothers never achieve that balance perfectly, do we?

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If (more like when) I decide to paint furniture, this is where I will go for reference.  Her dining set looks amazing!  Maybe I should’ve done that instead of order the new table and chairs.  Mmm…nope.

The Birthday Party September 11, 2009

September is quietly one-third over, and I, knee-deep in other processing duties, haven’t had time to touch my daughter’s birthday photos until today.

We kept it simple again this year, a light meal shared with family.  Her theme was Circles, since she’s very into shapes right now.  We planned most of the food and decorations around this theme: meat and cheese buns (homemade by Grandma!), grapes and banana slices, veggies and dip, chips, and cupcakes.

Circle decorations, for the most part: lanterns, balloons, flowers, a new “Happy Birthday Anja” birthday banner (thanks, Daddy, for all your time meticulously cutting out letters!).

Anja was spoiled rotten (again!) with all her gifts.  The last one she opened was a little play kitchen.  She immediately started cooking and astounds me with her continued talent for it.  She must pay much closer attention to Mama when she cooks/bakes than I realized!  Another favorite is her vacuum cleaner.  I know this passion for cleaning and cooking probably won’t last into her pre-teens, but I intend to take advantage of it while I can!  :)

Hope you enjoy being two, dearie!

Spanish is… September 9, 2009

I asked Anja what she wanted for snack tonight.  She started strongly and then trailed off, “Cereal, Spanish, cupcakes…”

She has used “Spanish” to describe things before, and I’ve never understood where she picked up the word or what it means to her.  I inquired, “Anja, what does ‘Spanish’ mean?”

“Spanish mean…counting…on your fingers,” was the enthusiastic reply.  But she wasn’t finished.  ”Spanish mean…confirmation.”  She then repeated that last line a few times, as if trying to convince herself.

Now I have two mysteries on my mind: where she learned about Spanish, and how on earth she learned to correctly pronounce confirmation!

Getting Metaphysical (and sassy) September 8, 2009

Two recent Anja quotes:

1) “Twinkle, twinkle little star, how I wonder why you are…”

2)  While brushing teeth, sees Daddy still supervising her from just outside the bathroom door.  ”Go ‘way, Daddy!”

Our baby is growing up!

Two August 28, 2009

It’s Anja’s second birthday today.  I woke her with the “Happy Birthday Song,” took her out to breakfast, picked her up some beautiful flowers and tasty food for her party tomorrow, and have been drilling her all day on how old she is (all week she has responded with a cheerful “Six!” but today she’s finally starting to say, “Two!”).

At least five times she has asked for “special birthday cake” (as in “Where is it, Mom?  You promised there would be some!”), and I’ve had to tell her that Mommy hasn’t had a chance to make it yet, but hopefully tonight.  I didn’t realize that the birthday performance pressure would come from her, and that it would come this early.  I thought I’d have at least until she turned 4 or 5 before I had to be completely prepared the day of!  :)

Two is so old.  I sat on the couch with her last night, reading a book, then forcing her to cuddle (she’s not fond) one last time as my one year old.  But Husband is right–today she is just a day older, and celebrate we must.  Even if it’s hard.

Tipping back the dregs of summer August 20, 2009

“Put Your Feet Up” Day August 19, 2009

Do it! Even if just for 15 minutes…

They Follow Us Closely August 17, 2009

Lord, help us to keep our thoughts and words pure, our actions upright, and our hearts following You.  She looks up to us.

Sunday Sunshine 08.16.09 August 16, 2009

Good gravy, this mommy is creative.  She must never sleep!

Speaking of creative mommies, here is a very compelling post (and discussion following in the comments) about living simply.  I would love love love to hear your response to it.

Freebies for Photoshop and Vector.

A beauty of a post from Aunt Ruthie.

I’ve long been a fan of Caroline Tran’s work, but this wedding stood out to me because of the incredible attention to detail.  The bride did a fabulous job of putting it all together, and Caroline did her usual stellar job of photographing everything.