7:21 on a Wednesday
We were packing up to go to Anacortes for Thanksgiving and I had a bag of fabric set out next to the door for my mom. It took Maggie about two shakes before she decided to investigate what was inside the bag. Apparently she thought that the fabric would make a good mini-bed and immediately set up shop and started reading away. She read to herself for about 15 minutes in that little cocoon, getting another book after book, before she decided that it was time to get ready to go. As a teacher and a mother, seeing her choose to spend her time with books makes me want to do The Happy Dance. I think we’ve got a book lover on our hands and I couldn’t be happier!!
Speaking of The Happy Dance, I’m totally slowing down and doing the trusty dance ‘o happy just isn’t as cool with a big pregnant belly. The above photo is from Jeff and Courtney’s wedding way back in September. That was me livin’ it up in the energy-filled 2nd trimester. If I could, I’d go back in time and have my own marriage ceremony to that 2nd trimester. Dorky? Without a doubt, but you should see me walking my students around school – I am just like Mrs. Mallard in Make Way For Ducklings. I’m not complaining (well, I guess I am a bit) but this 3rd trimester business of not sleeping and getting out of bed like an OLD person is wonky.
I kid you not that the other day I got out of bed and Barry asked me, in an extremely concerned voice, if I was going to be okay. It took me a moment to realize that he doesn’t usually see me launch myself up first thing in the morning and it is truly a sight to see. My hips creak, my back cracks and I’ve got pillows wedged between every arm and leg crevice. Thankfully I’ve got a chiropractor appointment and a massage in my future; however, I’m not sure that will help me with the rolly-polly technique I’ve mastered for getting up.
And because this post is really about a whole lot of nothing, I’ll attach an outtake from our photo shoot of this year’s Christmas card. I think Maggie was wearing her Bossy Pants the day we shot the images because she had a pretty clear idea of how things should go down. Her ideas weren’t horrible, but she kept wanting to look at my camera to see her pictures. There might have been marshmallows involved in a bit of a bribe. I’m not proud about it, but occasionally a marshmallow bribe is very, very necessary.
Full of Thanks
Because I’m a copy cat and everybody and their mother is writing about things that their thankful for, I’m bustin’ one out here. Plus, making lists is much easier on the brain in comparison to putting together actual sentences. Here we go!
1. Raffi. We’ve started listening to his Christmas album and I love it now as much as I did as a kid. Maggie has no choice, but to love him too.
2. Caregivers. Having our nanny, Jessica, watch Maggie in the mornings while I go to work has worked out better than I could have hoped. We’re lucky that our little girl is loved by so many different people.
3. Being home. I love my afternoons with Maggie (especially on the days when a major meltdown doesn’t happen) and know that all too soon her little life is going to be changed forever when her little sister arrives. I find myself trying to take every hug, kiss, snuggle, book, and game that I can with undivided attention.
4. B2. She’s kicking and karate-chopping her way around my tummy. She is already so loved by so many. Hard to believe that in less than ten weeks she’ll probably be here. To say we’re excited, would be a major understatement.
5. Grandparents. My parents and Barry’s parents are awesome grandparents, Maggie is the luckiest of girls. But I too am a lucky girl, I’ve got pretty amazing grandparents of my own. 3G and Great Grandpa E. stopped by last week for a quick visit and they’re a shining example of what it means to be family. Nothin’ but love from those two!
6. Barry. So much of what he does he’d prefer it go unnoticed. He makes the beds in the morning, takes the trash out when it is full, empties the dishwasher, folds laundry, sweeps, dresses Maggie, and the list goes on and on. He does these things partially because they need to get done, but also because he is a caring, helpful husband and father. He is amazing. We work because I don’t expect him to do these things, but am beyond grateful that he does. I notice.
7. Cocoa Butter. Stretch marks showed up on my tummy two days before Maggie was born. Not sure that slathering myself in cocoa butter helps, but at least I smell good.
8. Facebook Homies. I actually don’t really like facebook, but I’ve got a ‘secret’ group on there with some of my A-Town friends and that little club keeps me laughing and truckin’ sometimes. I haven’t seen some of those women in a few months now, but because of our ‘secret’ group, I halfway know what is new in their lives.
9. My madre. Years and years ago I gifted her with the best thing in the world…..a nickname that is SO perfect: FIDGET. My mom, The Fidge, is about to host 25 people at Camp J. for T-Day and I know that she’s already more ready than 98% of the rest of America prepping for the same holiday. She’s a planner, an organizer and a bustle of energy. She successfully helped me host a bridal tea last weekend and there is NO way I could have done it without her.
10. Gestational Diabetes. I’m just thankful that I don’t have it. I had to do the three hour test and spent a few days feeling very sorry for myself that it was even a possibility. I’m feeling pretty amazing, regardless of being told that “I look ready” a couple times. I plan to go full-term, which means I’ve still got some serious baking to do with this babe.
11. Nog. I am thankful that we still have a shot glass or two from years ago because taking a shot of egg nog just makes me feel whole some days. Happens every year, I fall in love with egg nog and am done with it by Christmas.
12. Maggie’s attention span. There is no doubt in my mind that Maggie is an artist. She amazes me with her attention to detail and ability to follow through on a task. Our hallway closet that contains paints, glue, glitter, a roll of butcher paper, markers, stickers, watercolors, and other supplies gets used nearly every single day.
13. Christmas. Often times Christmas is a stressful time for us because we’re trying our best to fit in more events than time allows. This year will be a bit different for us, as we’re celebrating Kara & Ryan’s wedding the 23rd, but I’m truly excited to see Maggie experience the holiday.
14. Friends getting married. Kara and Ryan are getting hitched in about a month and seeing them last weekend made me really excited for their impending nuptials. Being with the one you love….it doesn’t get any better than that. Kara’s excitement over all things wedding is contagious.
15. A stocked freezer. Charlyn has hosted a meal-prep night a couple times now and I’ve come home with enough food to fill our freezer. The meals are great on days that I don’t feel like cooking or our schedules are busy. I’m thankful for friends that plan ahead….and include me in those plans!
16. Work. It was hard to go back to work after being home with Maggie for a couple years, but I really do love teaching and I love my coworkers. I know that once B2 arrives I’ll fall back into the swing of things of being home, but for now I love the community and connection I feel at work.
17. My yoga pants. What pregnant woman wouldn’t put yoga pants on her list? My whole plan this pregnancy is this: leggings, tunic & boots. It’s been working pretty well, but sometimes in the evening I change out of my leggings into my yoga pants. That’s how much I enjoy my yoga pants. Plus, my yoga pants helped me locate a missing library book, but that is another story for another day.
