I can't remember the surrounding conversation, but yesterday Connor told Brian and I that Mitsy uses a "glitter box". I asked if he said "litter box". His response, "Yes, mom, she uses a glitter box."
Oh the visual of an actual glitter box....love that little man.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Our First Look.
A most beautiful sight.
(I thought we were supposed to be able to hear it too, but I can't...)
(I thought we were supposed to be able to hear it too, but I can't...)
Our little miracle at 7 weeks.
The sonogram pictures aren't great. I think this is for 2 reasons. 1) This was primarily a reassurance ultrasound after our miscarriage. The only real point was to hear a strong heartbeat, so it is way early. My first ultrasound with Connor was at 9 weeks. 2 weeks makes a big difference in a fetus. 2) She only used the wand on top of my belly, so that is why I think they are less clear and a bit blurry. But that is okay we got to see and hear what we so desperately wanted to see.
The sonogram pictures aren't great. I think this is for 2 reasons. 1) This was primarily a reassurance ultrasound after our miscarriage. The only real point was to hear a strong heartbeat, so it is way early. My first ultrasound with Connor was at 9 weeks. 2 weeks makes a big difference in a fetus. 2) She only used the wand on top of my belly, so that is why I think they are less clear and a bit blurry. But that is okay we got to see and hear what we so desperately wanted to see.
Perhaps these two pictures from babycenter.com will help a bit.
 |
| The baby is about the size of a blueberry. |
 |
| Arms & legs look more like paddles and there is still a definite tail. |
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
1st appointment
I had my first doctor's appointment for our little peanut. According to my calculations, I should be 6 weeks, 5 days. I did bloodwork a couple weeks ago. Connor actually LOVED that....referencing for days that the hospital took all of mommy's blood. Not, "all" of it, kiddo. :)
Anyway.
My results came back and all of my hormone levels looked GREAT! I was specifically concerned with the progesterone level (one they did NOT check in August/September before the miscarriage).
Today, Dr. Lown told me that just based on my levels alone that my risk of another miscarriage drops from 30% down to 10%. (YAY!) Since Dr. L is one of Brian's doctors, we have a little more than the normal doctor/patient relationship. He came in and gave me a big hug of congratulations and then asked how I was feeling.
I answered honestly, "Nauseous & exhausted." He said that was WONDERFUL. I realize that it is a good sign for the growth of the baby which is ultimately all that matters to me, but this whole nausea thing is new to me. I didn't have much of it with Connor and I definitely never threw up. I threw up this morning... The worst nausea yet set in at about 12:30 am and I wish I had forced myself to throw up then...perhaps I would have felt better. Instead, I just sucked it up and remained essentially awake until 6:00 when the nausea was so extreme (for me) that I did throw up. After brushing my teeth I went to sleep for 2 more hours.
Connor was late for school.
Dr. Lown also said that just based on feeling my uterus, he said it felt like I was about 8 weeks. That is obviously ahead of what the calendar is saying, but we'll find out for sure when I go in for the first ultrasound in 2 DAYS! Thursday, 11:15 am. I feel really good about this pregnancy....but I thought that last time too. However, I guess the nausea does make me "feel" a little better....while also making me feel a ton worse. I just can't wait to hear that little heartbeat....
Anyway.
My results came back and all of my hormone levels looked GREAT! I was specifically concerned with the progesterone level (one they did NOT check in August/September before the miscarriage).
Today, Dr. Lown told me that just based on my levels alone that my risk of another miscarriage drops from 30% down to 10%. (YAY!) Since Dr. L is one of Brian's doctors, we have a little more than the normal doctor/patient relationship. He came in and gave me a big hug of congratulations and then asked how I was feeling.
I answered honestly, "Nauseous & exhausted." He said that was WONDERFUL. I realize that it is a good sign for the growth of the baby which is ultimately all that matters to me, but this whole nausea thing is new to me. I didn't have much of it with Connor and I definitely never threw up. I threw up this morning... The worst nausea yet set in at about 12:30 am and I wish I had forced myself to throw up then...perhaps I would have felt better. Instead, I just sucked it up and remained essentially awake until 6:00 when the nausea was so extreme (for me) that I did throw up. After brushing my teeth I went to sleep for 2 more hours.
Connor was late for school.
Dr. Lown also said that just based on feeling my uterus, he said it felt like I was about 8 weeks. That is obviously ahead of what the calendar is saying, but we'll find out for sure when I go in for the first ultrasound in 2 DAYS! Thursday, 11:15 am. I feel really good about this pregnancy....but I thought that last time too. However, I guess the nausea does make me "feel" a little better....while also making me feel a ton worse. I just can't wait to hear that little heartbeat....
Thursday, February 2, 2012
our baby story
It has been a long 2+ years. While we have enjoyed [almost] every second of it with our little man, Connor, that is also how long we have been trying to add to our family. The struggle was a big surprise as it took no effort at all to get pregnant with Connor. I will not go into our full story, but the bottom line is that both Brian and I have "issues". It was after a year of monthly disappointment that we found this out. It was devastating. Connor was/is a miracle child and the chances of us having another baby on our own was about 2%.
Really? What happened? How could a couple go from getting pregnant without even trying to being essentially infertile?! What do we do now? What steps are we willing to take to have another baby?
Without going into many details, I clung to a promise that God gave me in high school for being obedient. "Your childREN will be greatly blessed." Although I have a solid relationship with God and I believe he "speaks" to us all in different ways, I have never been more confident of a direct promise that was given to me. It was not an audible sound, it might as well have been. At 17, I knew I wanted to be a mother and that is all I needed to hear to remain obedient to His plan.
You have no idea how much I have clung to those words in the last 26 months. I honestly never doubted that there would be another baby....I just had no idea when it would be. Brian and I always just assumed that we would have children about 2 years apart. That was OUR plan. For the first time in my life, my plan and God's plan for me/us have not been in alignment. It was a pretty tough pill to swallow. All I could do was cling to His promise to me. Of course there were tough days filled with doubt and thinking about how much we wanted Connor to experience being a big brother and to have a sibling throughout life.
Then there is the struggle of fertility assistance. How far should we go? I wasn't keen on IVF. I feel that it is a wonderful tool for some people, but we just weren't at that point. However, the doctors told us that it might be the only way. Seriously? How could they say that while I was holding living proof that we COULD have a baby on our own. It is called "secondary infertility" and is way more common than you would think. We are not alone. I assumed, as many others do that if you have one baby, then you could have 5 if you wanted. This is not the case. There is not a specific medical cause, it just happens. At the fertility center that we went to in Grand Rapids, 25% of the patients already have a child. I will never look at an only child the same way again. I always just thought it was because the parents only wanted one....
We decided that I would take an ovulation boosting medicine (Femara) and we would do an IUI (intrauterine insemination). We did this for 2 months. Didn't work. On the second one, I just knew it wasn't going to work before I even left the office. From an optimist, that is saying a lot. We took a break. I had one dose of Femara left and I just held onto it. The doctors told us that the next step for us would be for me to take a lot more hormones and try it again. I wasn't ready for that. (This is all in the late winter/spring of 2011.)
Without the medicine, my body/cycle was very unpredictable. Although a weird thing to pray, I asked God to tell me when to take my last dose. My "sign" was a 42 day cycle in June. I took my last dose of Femara the following month.
To my amazement and absolute delight, about 23 days into the next cycle, I just knew I was pregnant. I was so confident and yet terrified to take a test. (I even bought Connor a "Big Brother" shirt.) Sure enough, that super early morning test when I was only 2 days "late" confirmed what I already knew....I was pregnant! With tears streaming down my face, I crawled back into bed to tell Brian the good news. What a wonderful day.
I popped out in a hurry, and the pregnancy insomnia was almost immediate. (I had completely forgotten about that part from when I was pregnant with Connor.) I felt good, and I was ecstatic. We were going to be seeing both of our families in person soon, so we wanted to be strong and wait to tell them ourselves. I was about 7+ weeks along when my parents found out and about 8+ when Brian's parents found out. What an incredibly tough secret to keep, but it was also very fun getting to do it in person. As I said, I felt good and I couldn't believe how much my belly had already popped out. I've heard you "show" faster with the second baby, but sheesh! We were so excited about our ultrasound at 9 weeks.
That day was not so fun. It was a Thursday. In my mind I was exactly nine weeks. As soon as the wand was placed on my belly, I knew it wasn't good. I vividly remember what my early ultrasound was like with Connor and about how big he was (the pictures is actually still hanging in his room). This baby did not look like that. There was actually a struggle to find anything at all. And then she found it. It was tiny. Measuring at a little less than 6 weeks. She continued to look around and then we heard, "there's another one". Oh my goodness....TWINS! However, I couldn't get passed the knot in my stomach about the size of the baby. Although I hate it, my first thought when I heard there were 2 was "maybe this one will be bigger". I was very confident of my "dates" and these just did not match up. The ultrasound technician left the room. Of course I had tears streaming down my face. I was trying to be hopeful, but I already knew. These little ones weren't going to make it. Why?! Why would God torture me like this?! I had no signs that anything was wrong and I just knew that these babies were such a God-thing....why would he take them away? Especially after wanting them for so long?! Thursday was the hardest. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I wrote out a message to those that knew I was pregnant asking for prayers and filling them in on what was going on. I couldn't talk without crying, so I just didn't talk. However, I was still Connor's mom and I didn't want to scare him or make him worry. THANK GOD for our little miracle baby. His hugs and kisses sure did make me feel better during that incredibly difficult time. My follow-up ultrasound confirmed what we already knew and I had to induce the miscarriage with medicine to speed the process up (early September). Although not a fun experience at all, I was glad I didn't have to have a D&C.
Each day that went by, my body and my heart healed. We were also given some "good" news that I clung to. My OBGYN told us that they aren't sure why, but that the pregnancy rate following a miscarriage is significantly higher than normal....regardless of a woman's history. Good. We hoped to be back in his office very soon. I still don't pretend to understand God's will and I don't pretend to like it, but deep down, I know He is in control of our best interests. That, I accept and hold dear even when it doesn't make any sense to me.
3 months went by. No luck. I really wanted to get pregnant "on our own"....without any medicine. Although the miscarriage was devastating, we learned 2 things. We didn't HAVE to go to the fertility center to get pregnant and we were indeed still capable of making a baby....even if the chances are super slim. I was impatient and asked for another dose of Femara (this time from my normal OB). I took it. It didn't work. I have no definitive reason why, but I just didn't get the next month's refill filled. I honestly can't tell you why. Looking back I think it was partial laziness and partially I just wanted to see if my body was all out of whack again like it was pre-miscarriage.
It is not. :)
Day 28 was on Thursday. Of course this only matters if my cycle was actually "regular". I hate day 28. Until day 28, 29, 30, I am extremely hopeful. Maybe this will be the month?? Then, just as it has happened for so many months in the last 26, I start. Both ways are devastating, but I just don't take pregnancy tests. I would rather "start" on my own than look at a negative pregnancy test. Brian doesn't really understand this philosophy. I just don't like giving up the hope I have for that month. I swore I wouldn't take a test until I was a whole week late....especially if I hadn't taken any medicine.
Brian went to Arizona to see his brother on Friday. I still hadn't started. He asked me when I was going to take a test. I told him Sunday....even this was earlier than a normal plan for me. I had a lot of "signs" that I was going to start at any moment. But I never did. Some neighborhood friends were planning on coming over for a craft night at my house that night. This usually involves a lot of crafting and enjoying some good wine as well. The girls were coming over at 7:00. At about 5:30, I started to panic a little bit and decided on a whim that I would take a test. I didn't want to drink irresponsibly if I actually WAS pregnant. And if it was negative, I could get wasted....well, that wouldn't be responsible (and not my style) but you know what I mean. I took the test. And left the bathroom. I got Connor in his jammies and we picked up all of his cars. This is seriously the first time that I have not stood over the test to watch it work.
I went back into the bathroom to see.
Really? What happened? How could a couple go from getting pregnant without even trying to being essentially infertile?! What do we do now? What steps are we willing to take to have another baby?
Without going into many details, I clung to a promise that God gave me in high school for being obedient. "Your childREN will be greatly blessed." Although I have a solid relationship with God and I believe he "speaks" to us all in different ways, I have never been more confident of a direct promise that was given to me. It was not an audible sound, it might as well have been. At 17, I knew I wanted to be a mother and that is all I needed to hear to remain obedient to His plan.
You have no idea how much I have clung to those words in the last 26 months. I honestly never doubted that there would be another baby....I just had no idea when it would be. Brian and I always just assumed that we would have children about 2 years apart. That was OUR plan. For the first time in my life, my plan and God's plan for me/us have not been in alignment. It was a pretty tough pill to swallow. All I could do was cling to His promise to me. Of course there were tough days filled with doubt and thinking about how much we wanted Connor to experience being a big brother and to have a sibling throughout life.
Then there is the struggle of fertility assistance. How far should we go? I wasn't keen on IVF. I feel that it is a wonderful tool for some people, but we just weren't at that point. However, the doctors told us that it might be the only way. Seriously? How could they say that while I was holding living proof that we COULD have a baby on our own. It is called "secondary infertility" and is way more common than you would think. We are not alone. I assumed, as many others do that if you have one baby, then you could have 5 if you wanted. This is not the case. There is not a specific medical cause, it just happens. At the fertility center that we went to in Grand Rapids, 25% of the patients already have a child. I will never look at an only child the same way again. I always just thought it was because the parents only wanted one....
We decided that I would take an ovulation boosting medicine (Femara) and we would do an IUI (intrauterine insemination). We did this for 2 months. Didn't work. On the second one, I just knew it wasn't going to work before I even left the office. From an optimist, that is saying a lot. We took a break. I had one dose of Femara left and I just held onto it. The doctors told us that the next step for us would be for me to take a lot more hormones and try it again. I wasn't ready for that. (This is all in the late winter/spring of 2011.)
Without the medicine, my body/cycle was very unpredictable. Although a weird thing to pray, I asked God to tell me when to take my last dose. My "sign" was a 42 day cycle in June. I took my last dose of Femara the following month.
To my amazement and absolute delight, about 23 days into the next cycle, I just knew I was pregnant. I was so confident and yet terrified to take a test. (I even bought Connor a "Big Brother" shirt.) Sure enough, that super early morning test when I was only 2 days "late" confirmed what I already knew....I was pregnant! With tears streaming down my face, I crawled back into bed to tell Brian the good news. What a wonderful day.
I popped out in a hurry, and the pregnancy insomnia was almost immediate. (I had completely forgotten about that part from when I was pregnant with Connor.) I felt good, and I was ecstatic. We were going to be seeing both of our families in person soon, so we wanted to be strong and wait to tell them ourselves. I was about 7+ weeks along when my parents found out and about 8+ when Brian's parents found out. What an incredibly tough secret to keep, but it was also very fun getting to do it in person. As I said, I felt good and I couldn't believe how much my belly had already popped out. I've heard you "show" faster with the second baby, but sheesh! We were so excited about our ultrasound at 9 weeks.
That day was not so fun. It was a Thursday. In my mind I was exactly nine weeks. As soon as the wand was placed on my belly, I knew it wasn't good. I vividly remember what my early ultrasound was like with Connor and about how big he was (the pictures is actually still hanging in his room). This baby did not look like that. There was actually a struggle to find anything at all. And then she found it. It was tiny. Measuring at a little less than 6 weeks. She continued to look around and then we heard, "there's another one". Oh my goodness....TWINS! However, I couldn't get passed the knot in my stomach about the size of the baby. Although I hate it, my first thought when I heard there were 2 was "maybe this one will be bigger". I was very confident of my "dates" and these just did not match up. The ultrasound technician left the room. Of course I had tears streaming down my face. I was trying to be hopeful, but I already knew. These little ones weren't going to make it. Why?! Why would God torture me like this?! I had no signs that anything was wrong and I just knew that these babies were such a God-thing....why would he take them away? Especially after wanting them for so long?! Thursday was the hardest. I didn't want to talk to anyone. I wrote out a message to those that knew I was pregnant asking for prayers and filling them in on what was going on. I couldn't talk without crying, so I just didn't talk. However, I was still Connor's mom and I didn't want to scare him or make him worry. THANK GOD for our little miracle baby. His hugs and kisses sure did make me feel better during that incredibly difficult time. My follow-up ultrasound confirmed what we already knew and I had to induce the miscarriage with medicine to speed the process up (early September). Although not a fun experience at all, I was glad I didn't have to have a D&C.
Each day that went by, my body and my heart healed. We were also given some "good" news that I clung to. My OBGYN told us that they aren't sure why, but that the pregnancy rate following a miscarriage is significantly higher than normal....regardless of a woman's history. Good. We hoped to be back in his office very soon. I still don't pretend to understand God's will and I don't pretend to like it, but deep down, I know He is in control of our best interests. That, I accept and hold dear even when it doesn't make any sense to me.
3 months went by. No luck. I really wanted to get pregnant "on our own"....without any medicine. Although the miscarriage was devastating, we learned 2 things. We didn't HAVE to go to the fertility center to get pregnant and we were indeed still capable of making a baby....even if the chances are super slim. I was impatient and asked for another dose of Femara (this time from my normal OB). I took it. It didn't work. I have no definitive reason why, but I just didn't get the next month's refill filled. I honestly can't tell you why. Looking back I think it was partial laziness and partially I just wanted to see if my body was all out of whack again like it was pre-miscarriage.
It is not. :)
Day 28 was on Thursday. Of course this only matters if my cycle was actually "regular". I hate day 28. Until day 28, 29, 30, I am extremely hopeful. Maybe this will be the month?? Then, just as it has happened for so many months in the last 26, I start. Both ways are devastating, but I just don't take pregnancy tests. I would rather "start" on my own than look at a negative pregnancy test. Brian doesn't really understand this philosophy. I just don't like giving up the hope I have for that month. I swore I wouldn't take a test until I was a whole week late....especially if I hadn't taken any medicine.
Brian went to Arizona to see his brother on Friday. I still hadn't started. He asked me when I was going to take a test. I told him Sunday....even this was earlier than a normal plan for me. I had a lot of "signs" that I was going to start at any moment. But I never did. Some neighborhood friends were planning on coming over for a craft night at my house that night. This usually involves a lot of crafting and enjoying some good wine as well. The girls were coming over at 7:00. At about 5:30, I started to panic a little bit and decided on a whim that I would take a test. I didn't want to drink irresponsibly if I actually WAS pregnant. And if it was negative, I could get wasted....well, that wouldn't be responsible (and not my style) but you know what I mean. I took the test. And left the bathroom. I got Connor in his jammies and we picked up all of his cars. This is seriously the first time that I have not stood over the test to watch it work.
I went back into the bathroom to see.
Oh my goodness. Pure elation. I ran back into the living room/kitchen (can't remember) and I scooped Connor up. My eyes were weepy and he asked me if I was okay. I told him I was great and SO HAPPY. He proceeded to run around in my delight as well. I did not tell him exactly what I was so happy about, but he didn't care. He was just happy to be happy! A few minutes later, we sat down together in the middle of the kitchen floor and prayed. We always pray together before bed, but this was special. I thanked God for miracles and asked for protection and growth. Dear God, PLEASE let this one "stick".
I called Brian knowing that he was still in mid-air on the way to Arizona. I sent him a text, "Call Me."
Several days prior to this, Brian found and consumed a stash of Valentine M&Ms that I bought to display in a canister. He ate WAY more than I wanted him to and I was beyond irritated. I have gotten mad at this sort of thing before, but even more my my reaction was a bit extreme.
I just couldn't wait to tell him. Text message is pretty impersonal, but I wanted to tell him in some sort of "cute" way without just saying "it is positive". So, I wrote him a text...."Now you know not to take a pregnant girl's portion of chocolate."
He got it. Super excited. He sat in front of Screech (Dustin Diamond) on the plane, got this awesome news, got to meet Grady Sizemore and hung out with his brother in Arizona.....pretty much one of the best weekends ever for him. :)
I called the doctor's office on Monday and am scheduled for my first appointment on Valentine's Day. I should be 2 days shy of 7 weeks at that point. They called in prescription prenatal vitamins for me and I need to stop by the hospital today to do bloodwork. I have done all of these things before. There is a fine line between being super optimistic and also very cautious. I'm very hopeful because we got pregnant all on our own....no medical intervention whatsoever. Maybe my body couldn't handle twins (much more likely when taking a medicine like Femara or Clomid) or maybe it didn't make enough hormone by itself if I took the meds? Who knows. I don't really care. I just hope and pray that this one "sticks"....that this is the baby that God chose just for us and chose us to be his/her parents.
Because we are being so cautious, we are only telling immediate family. Our parents and siblings know our fabulous news. (And I told my friends that came over on Friday.....because I was so excited and because I am going out on a Girl's Night Out this Saturday and I am going to need their help hiding/faking the fact that I will not be drinking. In my hood, if I don't drink anything, they will KNOW for sure. I am not a lush at all....but that is just a sure give away.) The other day, I went ahead and put some of the week markers into my calendar. It just so happens that my week marker is on a Thursday, just like it was back in August. As I put in the first few weeks in the calendar. It came to my attention that on what would have been my due date, March 29, I hope to be 13 weeks pregnant. My hope and prayer is that this day will be bittersweet: bitter because I mourn the loss of the twin babies that were not meant to be, and super sweet because I will be far enough along with this sweet bundle that it is "safe" to shout our wonderful news from the rooftops.
The insomnia is back in full force, but other than that, I feel really good. I hate to say it, but I'm actually hoping for some symptoms just so I know that everything is okay and that the little one is doing good....
A wonderfully fabulous surprise.
4 weeks, 1 day.
I only took a test at all because I had friends coming over for craft night and didn't want to drink irresponsibly. :)
I'm quite certain that Connor does not know what he is holding or what it means. I did not use the word "baby" or "brother". He was simply ecstatic because I was so happy. We ran around the kitchen doing a dance of joy and sat on the floor and thanked God for big miracles.
We anxiously awaited Brian to land in Arizona visiting Scott so I could share the wonderful news.
Up & At 'Em....early.
It is my birthday. Yay me! This time last year we got the "Groundhog Day Dump" and had about 2 feet of snow. Today, the lake in the backyard is barely even frozen at all (definitely can't walk on it, big puddles on top)!
Connor fell asleep with me on the couch last night at 7:15.
I carried him up to bed at 8:00. He normally goes to bed at 9:00. I realize this is probably late for most 3 year olds, but it is normal to him....
He joined us in bed this morning (he just climbs up and crawls in) at 3:00. I've been struggling with some early-morning insomnia (getting up right at about 3:45 most days). I decided to try to lay there for as long as possible. He was so still I thought he was out. At 4:00 I couldn't take it anymore and I tried very carefully to inch up without disturbing the covers too much and sit up. The exact second that I moved, even in the slightest, Connor sat straight up and then twisted himself around and got down off our [very high] bed. "Come on, Mom".
Oh buddy.
He came out into the living room and requested to watch Chuggington. (In his normal, mid-day voice.) He also wanted chocolate milk. I convinced him it was a better idea to go downstairs. "So, we are not loud to disturb Daddy?" Yes, bud. (I'm sure he is already awake by this point.) Connor helped himself to a Nutrigrain bar from the pantry. The light comes on when you open the door. "Wow, it is so bright in the pantry...but I can see the food. Hey Mom, are you going pee in the dark?" Yes, bud. "Because you don't want it to be bright?" Yes, bud. "I like to pee in the light." (he likely won't pee until about 10 or 11 this morning....I swear the child is a camel....)
I now have my coffee (he told me the Keurig was too loud and then said it sounded like a bumble bee) & 2 bananas and he is carrying 2 Nutrigrain bars for us...it is now 4:07 am! We head for the lower level/basement. He covers his head with his arms and tries to hold on to me and the bars. "We have to be very quiet so we don't wake up the fan." He has grown terrified of the utility room in the basement....where the heating unit is, etc. The "fan" is the heat coming on. The kid lives in Michigan, you'd think he'd appreciate a good heater?! Nope, if it is on, he won't go downstairs alone and if it is not on, he doesn't want to go down alone for fear that it will turn on while he is down there. However, once we are down there, if I'm with him, the "fan" doesn't bother him at all.
I've put a night light in that room and have explained over and over again that the kitties use the litterbox in there and the heater has never "gotten" them, I promise it is safe or I wouldn't let him go down there. (We don't close the door completely because their litter box is in there.) None of those things matter to him. I'm afraid it is because at one point we told him that he put anything down the heating/cooling vents that it would break the house. I also vaguely remember Brian mentioned something about a monster living beneath the drain on the patio under out deck as well....he associates them together. So, I guess the price I have to pay for not having cars down my vents is escorting Connor downstairs for a while.
Anyway, just thought I'd paint a little picture of our very early morning so far. He is watching Little Einsteins. "Don't you love that song, Mom?" (The Little Einsteins theme music.)
Changing subjects. I am currently sitting in my birthday present. :) Brian surprised me last week with a recliner from Costco that I wanted back in early January. (He was "against" it then.) I couldn't find a picture online, but I'll have to take a pic and add it. Most comfortable chair/recliner ever. It has 3 positions and it is like a cloud. I am so happy that we did so much work on our basement. I thoroughly enjoy coming down here now. :)
Connor fell asleep with me on the couch last night at 7:15.
I carried him up to bed at 8:00. He normally goes to bed at 9:00. I realize this is probably late for most 3 year olds, but it is normal to him....
He joined us in bed this morning (he just climbs up and crawls in) at 3:00. I've been struggling with some early-morning insomnia (getting up right at about 3:45 most days). I decided to try to lay there for as long as possible. He was so still I thought he was out. At 4:00 I couldn't take it anymore and I tried very carefully to inch up without disturbing the covers too much and sit up. The exact second that I moved, even in the slightest, Connor sat straight up and then twisted himself around and got down off our [very high] bed. "Come on, Mom".
Oh buddy.
He came out into the living room and requested to watch Chuggington. (In his normal, mid-day voice.) He also wanted chocolate milk. I convinced him it was a better idea to go downstairs. "So, we are not loud to disturb Daddy?" Yes, bud. (I'm sure he is already awake by this point.) Connor helped himself to a Nutrigrain bar from the pantry. The light comes on when you open the door. "Wow, it is so bright in the pantry...but I can see the food. Hey Mom, are you going pee in the dark?" Yes, bud. "Because you don't want it to be bright?" Yes, bud. "I like to pee in the light." (he likely won't pee until about 10 or 11 this morning....I swear the child is a camel....)
I now have my coffee (he told me the Keurig was too loud and then said it sounded like a bumble bee) & 2 bananas and he is carrying 2 Nutrigrain bars for us...it is now 4:07 am! We head for the lower level/basement. He covers his head with his arms and tries to hold on to me and the bars. "We have to be very quiet so we don't wake up the fan." He has grown terrified of the utility room in the basement....where the heating unit is, etc. The "fan" is the heat coming on. The kid lives in Michigan, you'd think he'd appreciate a good heater?! Nope, if it is on, he won't go downstairs alone and if it is not on, he doesn't want to go down alone for fear that it will turn on while he is down there. However, once we are down there, if I'm with him, the "fan" doesn't bother him at all.
I've put a night light in that room and have explained over and over again that the kitties use the litterbox in there and the heater has never "gotten" them, I promise it is safe or I wouldn't let him go down there. (We don't close the door completely because their litter box is in there.) None of those things matter to him. I'm afraid it is because at one point we told him that he put anything down the heating/cooling vents that it would break the house. I also vaguely remember Brian mentioned something about a monster living beneath the drain on the patio under out deck as well....he associates them together. So, I guess the price I have to pay for not having cars down my vents is escorting Connor downstairs for a while.
Anyway, just thought I'd paint a little picture of our very early morning so far. He is watching Little Einsteins. "Don't you love that song, Mom?" (The Little Einsteins theme music.)
Changing subjects. I am currently sitting in my birthday present. :) Brian surprised me last week with a recliner from Costco that I wanted back in early January. (He was "against" it then.) I couldn't find a picture online, but I'll have to take a pic and add it. Most comfortable chair/recliner ever. It has 3 positions and it is like a cloud. I am so happy that we did so much work on our basement. I thoroughly enjoy coming down here now. :)
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
creativity....sneek peek
I posted several days on facebook that I now have 3 unfinished projects in the works. Here are pictures of 2.
WREATH OF ROSES
The roses wreath is a version of the smaller yarn wreath I did several weeks ago, except this one will be completely covered in felt roses and very Valentine's Day-esk. It has just taken me a million years (slight exaggeration maybe) to make all the stinkin' roses and Hobby was completely out of light pink and coral felt....URG.
BALLOON WREATH
The second wreath is a balloon wreath. Holy ton of balloons. There are well over 300 on here now and I obviously do not have enough. I better finish it today though, because my birthday is TOMORROW and the whole point of the wreath is to celebrate birthdays! Connor was a gracious model and really likes this one. As he runs his fingers gently over the balloons,"Mom, it is so beautiful." Gotta love that kid.
The other project is a ruffle topiary (more felt) that requires both light pink and coral felt....I don't have a picture of it.
MAGAZINE CAN STORAGE
And one idea I actually did finish. I picked up a little magazine holder from Target's $2.50 section the other day. I got the idea on Pinterest to turn it into a can holder (because my pantry is out of control). However, it is not big enough for normal sized cans...bummer. I used it for tomato paste and fruit (not even big enough for soup cans). I threaded floral wire through the openings so the cans don't roll out. Overall, since the normal cans don't fit, I only give this project 2 stars. **
Can you tell I like having a wreath on my door??? :)
WREATH OF ROSES The roses wreath is a version of the smaller yarn wreath I did several weeks ago, except this one will be completely covered in felt roses and very Valentine's Day-esk. It has just taken me a million years (slight exaggeration maybe) to make all the stinkin' roses and Hobby was completely out of light pink and coral felt....URG.
BALLOON WREATH
The second wreath is a balloon wreath. Holy ton of balloons. There are well over 300 on here now and I obviously do not have enough. I better finish it today though, because my birthday is TOMORROW and the whole point of the wreath is to celebrate birthdays! Connor was a gracious model and really likes this one. As he runs his fingers gently over the balloons,"Mom, it is so beautiful." Gotta love that kid.
The other project is a ruffle topiary (more felt) that requires both light pink and coral felt....I don't have a picture of it.
MAGAZINE CAN STORAGE And one idea I actually did finish. I picked up a little magazine holder from Target's $2.50 section the other day. I got the idea on Pinterest to turn it into a can holder (because my pantry is out of control). However, it is not big enough for normal sized cans...bummer. I used it for tomato paste and fruit (not even big enough for soup cans). I threaded floral wire through the openings so the cans don't roll out. Overall, since the normal cans don't fit, I only give this project 2 stars. **
Can you tell I like having a wreath on my door??? :)
"...very far away"
I know I really need to add pictures to these posts again and do retro posts, but honestly, I've been really lazy and yet busy at the same time.
I digress.
Connor had us cracking up right before dinner last night.
We received a save-the-date card for the wedding of one of Brian's high school buddies that also happens to be our financial advisor. The wedding is in Sarasota, Florida in June.
Setting the stage:
Connor is digging around in the refrigerator. Not sure what he is doing in there, but you never know what he is going to come out with.
I am already sitting down at the table ready to eat.
Brian is walking over to the table...
When Brian asks [me]. "Where is Sarasota in Florida?"
Before I even had the chance to answer (I do not know by the way), Connor chimes in, "it's very far away." Seriously?! I just lost it. There was not the slightest hesitation and it was as if Brian was actually asking him. He proceeded to walk to the table and sit next to me on the bench. Brian asked again and he had the exact same response.
Perhaps not as funny to read it, but it was classic Connor. Always keeping us on our toes.
Oh, and changing the subject. When I picked him up from school today he was sitting right next to his teacher, Ms. Penny as she was reading a book. When I walked in. I heard her say, "Look who's here Connor, and she is smiling!" (My first thought....am I usually scowling or something??) He jumped up, put a toy away and then came and gave me a big hug and a kiss. Then Ms. Penny told me that he was just telling her that his mommy was going to come get him and she would smile and give him a kiss and she is a sweet mommy. (I tell him he is a sweet boy.) Moments like these absolutely melt my heart and make me think that maybe I'm doing something right.
I don't know if it is because he is a little boy or because he is our only child, but I am so thankful for the very special relationship that I have with my little man. Although I am most definitely the parent, we are also friends. One of my favorite conversations begins with one of us saying "are you my buddy?" The answer has always been, and hopefully will always be "yes".
I digress.
Connor had us cracking up right before dinner last night.
We received a save-the-date card for the wedding of one of Brian's high school buddies that also happens to be our financial advisor. The wedding is in Sarasota, Florida in June.
Setting the stage:
Connor is digging around in the refrigerator. Not sure what he is doing in there, but you never know what he is going to come out with.
I am already sitting down at the table ready to eat.
Brian is walking over to the table...
When Brian asks [me]. "Where is Sarasota in Florida?"
Before I even had the chance to answer (I do not know by the way), Connor chimes in, "it's very far away." Seriously?! I just lost it. There was not the slightest hesitation and it was as if Brian was actually asking him. He proceeded to walk to the table and sit next to me on the bench. Brian asked again and he had the exact same response.
Perhaps not as funny to read it, but it was classic Connor. Always keeping us on our toes.
Oh, and changing the subject. When I picked him up from school today he was sitting right next to his teacher, Ms. Penny as she was reading a book. When I walked in. I heard her say, "Look who's here Connor, and she is smiling!" (My first thought....am I usually scowling or something??) He jumped up, put a toy away and then came and gave me a big hug and a kiss. Then Ms. Penny told me that he was just telling her that his mommy was going to come get him and she would smile and give him a kiss and she is a sweet mommy. (I tell him he is a sweet boy.) Moments like these absolutely melt my heart and make me think that maybe I'm doing something right.
I don't know if it is because he is a little boy or because he is our only child, but I am so thankful for the very special relationship that I have with my little man. Although I am most definitely the parent, we are also friends. One of my favorite conversations begins with one of us saying "are you my buddy?" The answer has always been, and hopefully will always be "yes".
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