Not for me...for my blog! I have been trying to think up a new name for my blog and I am drawing a blank. I started this blog right after we got married and now, three years later, Housewifery seems...just not right anymore. Any suggestions?
After I figure out a new name, I am going to make a new header and update all the pictures and stuff. Although, I do love my current header because Magdalena is so adorable in that picture.
It's really, really hot here. That's all.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Summer Fun
Last week, we went to Sacramento for a family day. We went to Fairy Tale Town and the Sacramento Zoo. Umm...it was hot. Really hot. Fairy Tale Town is a large park for small children that has lots of slides and play equipment based on fairy tales. It has been around for 50 years, so a lot of the stuff is made from cement or metal. When we got there around 11:30, every slide was scorching. Magdalena couldn't get on anything because it was too hot. It was really my fault for not thinking of the heat..I guess I just thought that we are used to it in Chico. We only stayed at Fairy Tale Town for a half an hour or so, and then Maggie's new sandals broke. That was the last straw, and I have to admit that there were some tension filled minutes of bickering as we "debated" what to do. Me, being the prepared Mommy that I am, had an extra pair of shoes in the car. We all walked back to car (about a 10 minute walk) to put them on, but (of course) they were suddenly too small for her. More grumbling. I decided to risk it and bet on the zoo selling some sort of sandal at the gift shop. My bet paid off, and they were selling some fake Teva things for $13 and there was one pair left in Magdalena's size. 
Mark trying to protect her from the hot metal.
Right before the sandals broke.
Mark acting as the buffer from the hot slide.
Mark trying to protect her from the hot metal.
Right before the sandals broke.
Mark acting as the buffer from the hot slide.While in the gift shop, I spotted these giant "unicorn horn" lollipops in rainbow colors and I decided I really wanted one. I planned it eat it that night, after we got home. I don't know...blame it on pregnancy cravings. I grabbed it, put it on the counter, and Maggie picked it up and said "Ohhhhh..." like it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. And she held on to it as she got put back in the stroller, and kept hugging it...and then, after she had been quiet for too long, we realized she had bitten through the plastic and was quietly biting off chunks. I admitted defeat, being way too hot and tired at this point, and took the plastic off and let her have it. We looked around the zoo for about an hour, and she quietly licked her lollipop and looked at the animals. When she was less than half way done with it, we threw it away, which caused some tears. But, oh, well!
Overall, it was hot and tiring, but fun. I don't think we will be returning for a long time, and not in the summer! It is hard to find places that are Magdalena friendly. She is such a huge bundle of energy, and really gets very excited in public places. She feeds off of people, especially large groups. She literally runs EVERYWHERE, wants to hug every kid, explore everything there is to see, dance to any music, talk to every person, look at every flower or animal...just do everything and do it quickly and loudly. Basically, she is amazing! We get comments, laughter and smiles everywhere we go. But, it is very difficult to contain all the wonderfulness into a package suitable for most public places. Mark and I are exhausted by the end of the day!
We tried to go to storytime at the library with my friend, Morgan, and her sons, and it was a no-go. We did manage to stay the whole time, but Maggie was completely uninterested in staying still for more than a second. We mostly walked around the children's room and played with the toys. The one time she was interested in the story, she decided to climb on the side table by the lady reading the book, and the lady promptly asked me to take her down and have her take a seat. I almost snorted. You could tell that the lady was not used to a child tearing through the seated group sometimes or running over to dance when they sang a song. Not a Maggie friendly place. But, we went to Morgan's house afterwards for lunch and some much needed friend time for Mommy and much needed free playtime for Magdalena. We both left worn out and happy.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
12..almost 13 Weeks
We have been very busy around here! Mark worked last Saturday, so we had a jam packed Sunday full of family time. We went downtown, had lunch at Woodstock's, then played at Caper Acres for a while. Later, we went to Shubert's (the best homemade ice cream ever) where we all had cones with a scoop of root beer ice cream. We decided it is the official family favorite. Although, that will most likely change after our children are old enough to voice their opinion.
My sister, Sarah, who is my best friend, came to stay at my Mom's house for five days while her husband finishes some remodeling on their house. She is also pregnant, and due 2 days before me. We have been hanging out every day and it has been so fun, but I am exhausted! Taking care of Maggie is wiping me out. She is getting kind of hard to carry around. When I am out and about with Mark, it is super easy because he does everything physical.
Maggie's speech has really changed recently. She learns a new word every day and routinely speaks in two and three word sentences. When she said "Up, please, Daddy!", Mark and cheered and jumped around saying "Up, please, Daddy" over and over again. She could definitely tell we liked it. She will also say things like "Hi, Aunt Sarah" and "More juice, please". She is easy to understand, and is so polite and loving. She will give kisses and hugs on request and has started to spontaneously kiss us. She also blows kisses when saying goodbye or night-night.
I am shamelessly bragging at this point, but she is just a joy. Her tantrums are generally mild, and her social skills are amazing. She is so aware and empathetic and just so loving!! She loves her baby dolls, and also loves her dollhouse and play castle. For some reason, people lately have been shocked that she is only 21 months. I have had like 5 random strangers ask me her age and then make a comment about how "tall" she is. What the heck? At her last well baby, she was in the 50% percentile for height. That was almost 4 months ago and I wonder if she has had a growth spurt lately. She also carries herself very well and RUNS everywhere. She has great balance, too. I think that helps to create the illusion that she is older than she is.
My morning sickness is fading, but I still have moments of yuck every day. I am feeling more tired than ever, and have also started to feel just generally uncomfortable. I have had two complete breakdowns in the last day. I cried yesterday because Mark was home really late, and I had been with Maggie for nine straight hours without a nap for her or a break for me. Today I cried again when Maggie pooped two times in a row after I laid her down for a nap. I put her down, and a half an hour she was still playing. She had pooped, so I changed her in her crib and expected her to go back to sleep. She was quiet for about 20 minutes, then woke up again. I went in there to tell her it was time to sleep, and she had pooped again and was completely awake and talking and trying to climb out. Nap time was obviously not going to happen today, either. By that time, I really, really needed to lie down, but I knew it wasn't going to happen. So, I called Mark and I cried. And Maggie patted my knee and pouted her lip and said "Mommy'. And eventually, I was all better.
My sister, Sarah, who is my best friend, came to stay at my Mom's house for five days while her husband finishes some remodeling on their house. She is also pregnant, and due 2 days before me. We have been hanging out every day and it has been so fun, but I am exhausted! Taking care of Maggie is wiping me out. She is getting kind of hard to carry around. When I am out and about with Mark, it is super easy because he does everything physical.
Maggie's speech has really changed recently. She learns a new word every day and routinely speaks in two and three word sentences. When she said "Up, please, Daddy!", Mark and cheered and jumped around saying "Up, please, Daddy" over and over again. She could definitely tell we liked it. She will also say things like "Hi, Aunt Sarah" and "More juice, please". She is easy to understand, and is so polite and loving. She will give kisses and hugs on request and has started to spontaneously kiss us. She also blows kisses when saying goodbye or night-night.
I am shamelessly bragging at this point, but she is just a joy. Her tantrums are generally mild, and her social skills are amazing. She is so aware and empathetic and just so loving!! She loves her baby dolls, and also loves her dollhouse and play castle. For some reason, people lately have been shocked that she is only 21 months. I have had like 5 random strangers ask me her age and then make a comment about how "tall" she is. What the heck? At her last well baby, she was in the 50% percentile for height. That was almost 4 months ago and I wonder if she has had a growth spurt lately. She also carries herself very well and RUNS everywhere. She has great balance, too. I think that helps to create the illusion that she is older than she is.
My morning sickness is fading, but I still have moments of yuck every day. I am feeling more tired than ever, and have also started to feel just generally uncomfortable. I have had two complete breakdowns in the last day. I cried yesterday because Mark was home really late, and I had been with Maggie for nine straight hours without a nap for her or a break for me. Today I cried again when Maggie pooped two times in a row after I laid her down for a nap. I put her down, and a half an hour she was still playing. She had pooped, so I changed her in her crib and expected her to go back to sleep. She was quiet for about 20 minutes, then woke up again. I went in there to tell her it was time to sleep, and she had pooped again and was completely awake and talking and trying to climb out. Nap time was obviously not going to happen today, either. By that time, I really, really needed to lie down, but I knew it wasn't going to happen. So, I called Mark and I cried. And Maggie patted my knee and pouted her lip and said "Mommy'. And eventually, I was all better.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
My First Appointment
I had my first appointment with my Midwife yesterday and it was awesome! I requested my favorite midwife, Ellie, and she is just so awesome. She was there for my (looooonngg) labor and delivery with Magdalena. She said I should be able to only see her the whole time since I am transferring to an OB at 34 weeks. I love her because she is gentle, in manner and in speech. She makes me feel safe and like every thing is manageable and easy. I appreciate that approach very much.
We heard the heartbeat, which was a HUGE relief. There really is a little baby in there! With Maggie, I never even questioned whether or not we would hear the heartbeat when we tried. But this time, I have been battling fear all the way along. When Ellie found the heartbeat, Mark and I both started crying pretty hard. It was a very emotional moment, and Ellie said moments like that were the best part of her job. It was seriously like a weight was being lifted off our hearts. Our baby is alive.
I have to take the 1 hour glucose test next week and do the rest of my blood work. If I pass it, I won't have to take it again until week 28. I really hope that happens. If I fail it, it's pretty bad news because if you have it this early, you most likely have at least borderline diabetes when not pregnant. That would be a major bummer. I also have to monitor my blood pressure every couple of days for the next month, because I did have hypertension at the very end of my last pregnancy.
She asked me if we were ready to consider a tubal with my c-section. I was surprised she asked so soon. We are actually 95% sure we are stopping after this pregnancy, but that 5% is enough to keep us from doing anything permanent.
We also found out what day will most likely be our baby's birthday: December 16th! My OB does scheduled c-sections on Wednesdays, so that's the date! The baby will be delivered 9 days early. Maggie was 10 days early. It worked well for her, so it's fine with me. I am so excited to have a date, and to know we will be home for almost a week before Christmas. I am happy that we will be a family of four for this Christmas. And I have to admit, I am relieved to know that we will get to relax and stay at home this Christmas. We will not be going anywhere, but we hope our families will come visit that day. I am also hoping my Mom will make dinner at my house (or at least bring it over!)
We heard the heartbeat, which was a HUGE relief. There really is a little baby in there! With Maggie, I never even questioned whether or not we would hear the heartbeat when we tried. But this time, I have been battling fear all the way along. When Ellie found the heartbeat, Mark and I both started crying pretty hard. It was a very emotional moment, and Ellie said moments like that were the best part of her job. It was seriously like a weight was being lifted off our hearts. Our baby is alive.
I have to take the 1 hour glucose test next week and do the rest of my blood work. If I pass it, I won't have to take it again until week 28. I really hope that happens. If I fail it, it's pretty bad news because if you have it this early, you most likely have at least borderline diabetes when not pregnant. That would be a major bummer. I also have to monitor my blood pressure every couple of days for the next month, because I did have hypertension at the very end of my last pregnancy.
She asked me if we were ready to consider a tubal with my c-section. I was surprised she asked so soon. We are actually 95% sure we are stopping after this pregnancy, but that 5% is enough to keep us from doing anything permanent.
We also found out what day will most likely be our baby's birthday: December 16th! My OB does scheduled c-sections on Wednesdays, so that's the date! The baby will be delivered 9 days early. Maggie was 10 days early. It worked well for her, so it's fine with me. I am so excited to have a date, and to know we will be home for almost a week before Christmas. I am happy that we will be a family of four for this Christmas. And I have to admit, I am relieved to know that we will get to relax and stay at home this Christmas. We will not be going anywhere, but we hope our families will come visit that day. I am also hoping my Mom will make dinner at my house (or at least bring it over!)
Monday, June 08, 2009
The Big Sister
Wow, that was weird to type! Magdalena is going to be a big sister! It still seems weird...
Anyway, Maggie is being so cute about the baby. If I ask her where Mama's baby is, she comes over and lifts up my shirt (won't be so cute if she does it in public!), and pats my tummy. I said, "Give the baby kisses!" and she kissed my stomach all over. And then she blew raspberries on my stomach for like 5 straight minutes. It tickled so bad and I was laughing so hard. That made her just blow more raspberries. And then she did it on Daddy's belly, too. It was so funny.
She is going to be such a good big sister! She is so loving, so funny, so smart and I know she will love to be the "big" sister, who gets to show the world to her younger sibling. We are so excited to find out our baby's gender (it will probably happen at the end of July). Honestly, we will be *thrilled* with either. We would absolutely love a little sister for Maggie. We love having a daughter and would be perfectly happen to only have girls. On the other hand, we would love the chance to have a son. It would be so cool to have one of each, and get to experience what that's like. A little boy would just melt my heart!
The new baby has forced us to finally move out, which we have been hemming and hawing over for years. We would ideally like to move out around when Mark's school starts, which would be September. He is going to have to work really hard, and study a lot to pass all the certification exams. He needs a quiet place to work, and our current living situation doesn't provide that. Also, I am desperate for my own room! I would love, love, love to have a few months in our new home before the baby arrives. And then, after the new baby is here, we will share a room with with Baby until s/he is sleeping through the night and can share a room with Maggie.
It's so fun to make plans for our family and to know they are actually going to happen. This is such an exciting and change-filled time for us. It's good!
Anyway, Maggie is being so cute about the baby. If I ask her where Mama's baby is, she comes over and lifts up my shirt (won't be so cute if she does it in public!), and pats my tummy. I said, "Give the baby kisses!" and she kissed my stomach all over. And then she blew raspberries on my stomach for like 5 straight minutes. It tickled so bad and I was laughing so hard. That made her just blow more raspberries. And then she did it on Daddy's belly, too. It was so funny.
She is going to be such a good big sister! She is so loving, so funny, so smart and I know she will love to be the "big" sister, who gets to show the world to her younger sibling. We are so excited to find out our baby's gender (it will probably happen at the end of July). Honestly, we will be *thrilled* with either. We would absolutely love a little sister for Maggie. We love having a daughter and would be perfectly happen to only have girls. On the other hand, we would love the chance to have a son. It would be so cool to have one of each, and get to experience what that's like. A little boy would just melt my heart!
The new baby has forced us to finally move out, which we have been hemming and hawing over for years. We would ideally like to move out around when Mark's school starts, which would be September. He is going to have to work really hard, and study a lot to pass all the certification exams. He needs a quiet place to work, and our current living situation doesn't provide that. Also, I am desperate for my own room! I would love, love, love to have a few months in our new home before the baby arrives. And then, after the new baby is here, we will share a room with with Baby until s/he is sleeping through the night and can share a room with Maggie.
It's so fun to make plans for our family and to know they are actually going to happen. This is such an exciting and change-filled time for us. It's good!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
11 Weeks
I found out very early on that I was pregnant. I was a little less than 4 weeks pregnant, and I took a test on the Monday after Easter. Two pink lines appeared pretty quickly, and I took another test every day for a week after that. Of course, the lines kept getting darker and darker. I was so relieved that this baby seemed like it was staying put.
I started feeling nauseous around week 6, and I have been throwing up almost every day since then. It's actually not so bad, because I feel tons better after I do get sick. And every time I get sick, I think, there's a baby in there making me sick!
When I was pregnant with Maggie, I had never really experienced loss, or pain...or bad things happening to me. Things are a little different now. I have experienced loss this last year, and I have to admit that it does scar you a little. I am not the same person. Every day is a struggle to be faithful.
I recently read the book "IT" by Stephen King. It's like 1200 pages of amazing, jaw dropping, horrifying, magical storytelling. One character, Stan, talks about how the "monster's" existence offended him more than anything. I realized that was how I felt. Offended. How could this happen? I thought miscarriages and death happened to other people.
Then, I stopped being offended. I really think it was a choice. I didn't want to be sad, or jealous, or bitter, or angry anymore. I didn't want to be a victim. I miss my baby, but on 99% of days, I am at peace with my life.
I count my blessings everyday, and they are many. I have a wonderful husband, and a beautiful daughter. I have a wonderful family, and amazing friends. We are finally moving out in September, Mark is finally going back to school...and we are having another baby, of course!
My first appointment is on Wednesday! I am so excited!
I started feeling nauseous around week 6, and I have been throwing up almost every day since then. It's actually not so bad, because I feel tons better after I do get sick. And every time I get sick, I think, there's a baby in there making me sick!
When I was pregnant with Maggie, I had never really experienced loss, or pain...or bad things happening to me. Things are a little different now. I have experienced loss this last year, and I have to admit that it does scar you a little. I am not the same person. Every day is a struggle to be faithful.
I recently read the book "IT" by Stephen King. It's like 1200 pages of amazing, jaw dropping, horrifying, magical storytelling. One character, Stan, talks about how the "monster's" existence offended him more than anything. I realized that was how I felt. Offended. How could this happen? I thought miscarriages and death happened to other people.
Then, I stopped being offended. I really think it was a choice. I didn't want to be sad, or jealous, or bitter, or angry anymore. I didn't want to be a victim. I miss my baby, but on 99% of days, I am at peace with my life.
I count my blessings everyday, and they are many. I have a wonderful husband, and a beautiful daughter. I have a wonderful family, and amazing friends. We are finally moving out in September, Mark is finally going back to school...and we are having another baby, of course!
My first appointment is on Wednesday! I am so excited!
Saturday, June 06, 2009
Becoming Official
I know I said I would post more. But, then, something happened that threw everything off course. I'm pregnant!! We decided to keep it private until 12 weeks, but I just couldn't stand it. I did make it to 11 weeks, though!! We're due on Christmas day, but I know I will have the baby early because I have to have a repeat C-section. So, I know we will be home with a new baby for Christmas. After a miscarriage and a chemical pregnancy last year, we are so blessed to have this pregnancy going so well. And when I say "so well", I mean that I am throwing up every day, totally showing, hormonal and irritable, breaking out..and all the other pregnancy symptoms you can think of. But, I am so thrilled to be carrying another sweet baby.
I will definitely be updating more now that I can share all the baby details!! I'm so excited!
I will definitely be updating more now that I can share all the baby details!! I'm so excited!
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