Before I got pregnant, and I heard the term "pregnancy brain", I used to scoff at that idea. "Pfffft, I don't understand how you can forget so many things just because you're pregnant."
Then, it happened.
I was overtaken by "pregnancy brain". I would forget things so easily, and I would have to write down everything. I used to be able to have a discussion or argument with someone and be very effective with it. I was very good at listening to what the person was saying and then responding. Now? I can't remember what was said three sentences ago.
And, if pregnancy brain was bad, mommy brain is even worse! I swear that having a child has sucked every ounce of intelligence out of me. I used to be so smart, and remember practically everything. And now, I struggle. If I don't write down an appointment or plans, they get forgotten quickly. Conversations? Usually forgotten within a matter of hours, if not minutes.
It has been difficult for me to accept this new me as normal. I hate not being able to recall details and conversations like I used to. I'm learning how to cope with this and make adjustments to make my and my family's life a little easier.
But, for now, I look at my beautiful daughter and know that all my forgetfulness is completely worth it when she smiles and laughs at me. Those are moments that I will never forget!
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Coming Full Circle
Today was a day that I dreamed about for a long time! Drew and I took Annelise to meet the RE who helped to make her possible. There were so many days where I cried so many tears because I never thought that we would be blessed with a child. It was amazing to see Dr. H with Annelise.
He was pretty excited to meet her too. I just kept thinking how rewarding that must be for him.
It truly is such a dream to see everything come full circle.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Construction Zone
We have had a busy two weeks of destruction and repairs around our house. Early last week, I went with my father-in-law, Mark, and his friend, Jim, to pick out some new doors for our house, and some stuff for the bathroom. The shower in our full bathroom upstairs has leaked practically since the day we signed the mortgage on the house. Drew has tried on multiple occasions to fix it, without ever fixing it. The leaking had finally gotten so bad that mold was starting to show on the wall just outside the shower, and there was water on the floor in the basement. I knew that we couldn't put off repairing it any longer. I was dragging my feet on it because I knew that the tile in the shower would have to come off and the drywall would have to be repaired. Ugh!
So, Jim and Mark cut holes in the wall, fixed the plumbing, installed a new shower fixture, fixed the wall, and re-tiled the shower. Only to find that the tub drain was leaking! Awesome! So, Jim fixed that also, and now, we have no more leaks in our bathroom. The wall needs to be repainted, and some caulk put around the tile and then I can clean up that mess and have my bathroom back. Oh, and the new shower fixture? Might as well be heaven!
The shower head is simply divine! I love all the water that comes out.
Then, Jim and Mark replaced a bunch of doors. The service door in the garage was a simple wood door. Who puts a wood door on as a service door?? We replaced that with a simple white steel one. They also replaced the window in the garage.
The screen door that was on the front door got moved to the deck door off of our dining room. The front door got a new screen door. I really wanted one where the glass went all the way to the ground.
Maya really likes to look out the window and she loves being able to see out of this one without jumping up. Leo likes it too!
Our basement patio got some new doors too.
Both doors open up like French doors and the blinds are inside the panes of glass.
Then, all the boys decided that they need to tear up some stuff and the demolished our old, dilapidated shed in the backyard.
It definitely had . . . um . . . character. I'm sure that it was quite cute at one point of its life. Its life came to an end though, and Drew ran into it with a tractor.
Now all that's back there is a big blank spot. It's so weird to look out of my kitchen window and not see that big pile of crap back there. We don't have any plans to replace it at the moment.
Next on the list is repairing and siding our house. I feel like I'm hemorrhaging money over home repairs right now. It's all worth it in the end, right??
Have you done any home repairs or improvements this summer?
So, Jim and Mark cut holes in the wall, fixed the plumbing, installed a new shower fixture, fixed the wall, and re-tiled the shower. Only to find that the tub drain was leaking! Awesome! So, Jim fixed that also, and now, we have no more leaks in our bathroom. The wall needs to be repainted, and some caulk put around the tile and then I can clean up that mess and have my bathroom back. Oh, and the new shower fixture? Might as well be heaven!
Then, Jim and Mark replaced a bunch of doors. The service door in the garage was a simple wood door. Who puts a wood door on as a service door?? We replaced that with a simple white steel one. They also replaced the window in the garage.
The screen door that was on the front door got moved to the deck door off of our dining room. The front door got a new screen door. I really wanted one where the glass went all the way to the ground.
Our basement patio got some new doors too.
Then, all the boys decided that they need to tear up some stuff and the demolished our old, dilapidated shed in the backyard.
Next on the list is repairing and siding our house. I feel like I'm hemorrhaging money over home repairs right now. It's all worth it in the end, right??
Have you done any home repairs or improvements this summer?
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Boone County Fair
Drew was so upset with me last year because we didn't go to a single county fair. I was just beginning my pregnancy and morning all day sickness was plaguing me something fierce. I had absolutely no desire to walk about and smell all of the smells and watch all of the people eat fair food. No thank you!
I promised him that we would make up for it this year, and we sure did!
We went to the Boone County Fair today. Drew's parents and my brother, Greg, also came with us. The first thing we did when we got there was make a beeline for some food. I mean, how do you go the fair and not get fair food? I had a pork chop sandwich and everybody else had other stuff. I'm not too sure what, I was too involved in my sandwich!
After we finished eating, Annelise was starting to get a little fussy in her stroller, so I decided to test out the Moby wrap. I've put her in it a few times quickly at home, but never while we were out somewhere. I figured it was worth a try to see how she did.
She loved it!! She did so great in it and I was so surprised. I really enjoyed having her close to me without having all that strain on my arms of holding her. Once she started getting fussy and tired, I bounced her a little bit and she napped right on me! She slept for an hour or two while we walked around and looked at everything.
She woke up hungry, so we all sat on some benches and I nursed her. I decided that I was going to nurse her without my cover. It's not fair to her to make her nurse underneath that cover when it's warm out. It actually felt very empowering to nurse in public like that. I feel like I'm doing my part to normalize something that is so natural.
We all sat around and rested for a little bit longer before deciding to get a few fair treats. You know, you can't NOT get an elephant ear or kettle corn. After that, we all left.
The Winnebago County Fair is next weekend and I'm looking forward to going to that. Annelise did so well in the Moby that I think we might purchase an Ergo this week to try out.
I promised him that we would make up for it this year, and we sure did!
We went to the Boone County Fair today. Drew's parents and my brother, Greg, also came with us. The first thing we did when we got there was make a beeline for some food. I mean, how do you go the fair and not get fair food? I had a pork chop sandwich and everybody else had other stuff. I'm not too sure what, I was too involved in my sandwich!
After we finished eating, Annelise was starting to get a little fussy in her stroller, so I decided to test out the Moby wrap. I've put her in it a few times quickly at home, but never while we were out somewhere. I figured it was worth a try to see how she did.
She woke up hungry, so we all sat on some benches and I nursed her. I decided that I was going to nurse her without my cover. It's not fair to her to make her nurse underneath that cover when it's warm out. It actually felt very empowering to nurse in public like that. I feel like I'm doing my part to normalize something that is so natural.
The Winnebago County Fair is next weekend and I'm looking forward to going to that. Annelise did so well in the Moby that I think we might purchase an Ergo this week to try out.
Friday, August 10, 2012
GMG Week 13 Recap
Scripture passages for the week:
Proverbs 31 : 31 - Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 14 : 23 - All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 27 : 18 - The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
Acts 13 : 22 - After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
Proverbs 27 : 2 - Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
This is the last week of Scripture passages to read and I really feel like I've learned a lot. I have, by no means, become the Proverbs 31 woman, and I honestly don't know if I ever will. But, this study has given me something to strive for. This woman is impeccable. She rises early, goes to bed late, sees over the affairs of her household, does not eat the bread of idleness, and is called blessed by her children and praised by her husband. She is definitely worth far more than rubies.
I have so enjoyed learning about this woman. This study has come at a great time for me as I learn how to navigate the new role of motherhood and work on reclaiming my role as a wife.
Proverbs 31 : 31 - Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Proverbs 14 : 23 - All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 27 : 18 - The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit, and whoever protects their master will be honored.
Acts 13 : 22 - After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
Proverbs 27 : 2 - Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth; an outsider, and not your own lips.
This is the last week of Scripture passages to read and I really feel like I've learned a lot. I have, by no means, become the Proverbs 31 woman, and I honestly don't know if I ever will. But, this study has given me something to strive for. This woman is impeccable. She rises early, goes to bed late, sees over the affairs of her household, does not eat the bread of idleness, and is called blessed by her children and praised by her husband. She is definitely worth far more than rubies.
I have so enjoyed learning about this woman. This study has come at a great time for me as I learn how to navigate the new role of motherhood and work on reclaiming my role as a wife.
Saturday, August 4, 2012
GMG Week 12 Recap
Scripture passages for the week:
Proverbs 31 : 30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
1 Peter 3 : 3-4 - Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of grab worth in God's sight.
2 Corinthians 4 : 16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1 Timothy 2 : 9-10 - I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Proverbs 15 : 33 - Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 22 : 4 - Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
This week talked a lot about having modestly and not focusing too much on outer beauty, but to have a heart that is full of love for God.
Proverbs 31 : 30 - Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
1 Peter 3 : 3-4 - Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of grab worth in God's sight.
2 Corinthians 4 : 16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
1 Timothy 2 : 9-10 - I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.
Proverbs 15 : 33 - Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord, and humility comes before honor.
Proverbs 22 : 4 - Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.
This week talked a lot about having modestly and not focusing too much on outer beauty, but to have a heart that is full of love for God.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Four Months
Dear Annelise,
Gosh girlie, it really does seem to me like you should be so much older than what you are. I have watched you just explode into this happy, smiley, shrieking, beautiful baby. I honestly can't believe how much you have done this past month. I feel like these next couple of months are sort of the "honeymoon" stage for us. We're past all the newborn stuff, and we hopefully have a little bit longer before we throw teething pains into the mix.
You had your first big milestone this month, and you rolled from your tummy to your back! The first time you did it to the left and then you rolled to the right a few times. You even showed Daddy when he came home that night, which made me happy because I don't want him to miss out on too many of your milestones. You rolled for two days in a row, and since then you've been on a rolling strike. You almost don't even act interested in it anymore. You most certainly do not act interested at all in rolling from your back to your belly. I think that you'll start to like it more once you realize that all of those things mean that you can be more mobile. You are so content to sit up and watch everything though. You do not like to be left alone and would much prefer for me to carry you around so that you can check everything out.
Since you have such fabulous head control, I decided to set up your jumperoo. You absolutely love it!! From the first day that I put you in it, you have loved to play with the pieces that slide around and push the music buttons. Sometimes, you even look like you are dancing to the music. You have grown big enough that your feet reach the floor and you are starting to get the hang of bouncing in it. You will typically be entertained in there for anywhere from half an hour to an hour. Once you're done, you're done, and you let me know it too! I love that I can put you in there and have two free hands, but I still have to watch you closely because Maya loves to get in your face and cover you in kisses. As much as I tell her, "one kiss", she still doesn't get it.
You have gotten much more interested in Maya this month. You like to watch her and, if you're playing on the floor, you will hold your hands out to her. If Maya comes over and starts to sniff and lick you, you start laughing! You were petting her the other day and did a pretty good job of it. We just have to be careful that you don't pull her fur. We also have to be very careful if you're on the floor because Maya doesn't understand the concept of a "personal bubble". She has a tendency to just flop her paws around wherever she likes, and I get worried that she's going to clobber you pretty good with it one day. So, for now, if you're on the floor, I am right next to you at all times.
Mommy and Daddy, especially Daddy, will sometimes sing to you to get you to fall asleep. You have started to "sing" to yourself when you are trying to fall asleep. It's this adorable little whine and it absolutely melts my heart. I couldn't believe it the first time that I heard it. We were riding in the car and you started to "sing" to yourself and you were asleep within a matter of minutes. You are so precious.
You discovered your feet and you love to grab them now. It doesn't matter if they are bare, or in footie pajamas, you are constantly grabbing them. You have started bringing them to your mouth, as with everything else.
E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G goes straight into your mouth. Your hands, my hands, your toys, your burpies, my nose if you're close enough, everything goes immediately into your mouth. And let me tell you, when you grab my finger and shove it to the side of your mouth and start chomping, it hurts! You've got quite the little bite chick! We'll definitely have to break you of that habit once you get some teeth in that mouth.
I started making this "aaagghhh" sort of monster sound to you to make you laugh, and you recently started making the same sound. It's so fun to watch you learn something and mimic it back.
You just got your first nasty cold and you're working on getting over it. You were so congested and had a wet cough. It seems to be breaking up and you don't seem as congested anymore. I was surprised at how happy you were. You had your fussy moments, but you still laughed and played. I hated seeing you sick though. I just wanted to make you better!
You are growing so well! You weigh 13 pounds 15 ounces, and you are 24 inches tall. You wear a size 2 diaper and we are starting to transition you to 3-6 month clothing.
I can't wait to see what this next month has in store for us. I feel like you are going to start becoming more mobile and maybe even sit up on your own. I love you with all of my heart. Watching you grow and learn is such a joy to me. I love being your mother!
Love you always,
Mommy
Gosh girlie, it really does seem to me like you should be so much older than what you are. I have watched you just explode into this happy, smiley, shrieking, beautiful baby. I honestly can't believe how much you have done this past month. I feel like these next couple of months are sort of the "honeymoon" stage for us. We're past all the newborn stuff, and we hopefully have a little bit longer before we throw teething pains into the mix.
You had your first big milestone this month, and you rolled from your tummy to your back! The first time you did it to the left and then you rolled to the right a few times. You even showed Daddy when he came home that night, which made me happy because I don't want him to miss out on too many of your milestones. You rolled for two days in a row, and since then you've been on a rolling strike. You almost don't even act interested in it anymore. You most certainly do not act interested at all in rolling from your back to your belly. I think that you'll start to like it more once you realize that all of those things mean that you can be more mobile. You are so content to sit up and watch everything though. You do not like to be left alone and would much prefer for me to carry you around so that you can check everything out.
Since you have such fabulous head control, I decided to set up your jumperoo. You absolutely love it!! From the first day that I put you in it, you have loved to play with the pieces that slide around and push the music buttons. Sometimes, you even look like you are dancing to the music. You have grown big enough that your feet reach the floor and you are starting to get the hang of bouncing in it. You will typically be entertained in there for anywhere from half an hour to an hour. Once you're done, you're done, and you let me know it too! I love that I can put you in there and have two free hands, but I still have to watch you closely because Maya loves to get in your face and cover you in kisses. As much as I tell her, "one kiss", she still doesn't get it.
You have gotten much more interested in Maya this month. You like to watch her and, if you're playing on the floor, you will hold your hands out to her. If Maya comes over and starts to sniff and lick you, you start laughing! You were petting her the other day and did a pretty good job of it. We just have to be careful that you don't pull her fur. We also have to be very careful if you're on the floor because Maya doesn't understand the concept of a "personal bubble". She has a tendency to just flop her paws around wherever she likes, and I get worried that she's going to clobber you pretty good with it one day. So, for now, if you're on the floor, I am right next to you at all times.
Mommy and Daddy, especially Daddy, will sometimes sing to you to get you to fall asleep. You have started to "sing" to yourself when you are trying to fall asleep. It's this adorable little whine and it absolutely melts my heart. I couldn't believe it the first time that I heard it. We were riding in the car and you started to "sing" to yourself and you were asleep within a matter of minutes. You are so precious.
You discovered your feet and you love to grab them now. It doesn't matter if they are bare, or in footie pajamas, you are constantly grabbing them. You have started bringing them to your mouth, as with everything else.
E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G goes straight into your mouth. Your hands, my hands, your toys, your burpies, my nose if you're close enough, everything goes immediately into your mouth. And let me tell you, when you grab my finger and shove it to the side of your mouth and start chomping, it hurts! You've got quite the little bite chick! We'll definitely have to break you of that habit once you get some teeth in that mouth.
I started making this "aaagghhh" sort of monster sound to you to make you laugh, and you recently started making the same sound. It's so fun to watch you learn something and mimic it back.
You just got your first nasty cold and you're working on getting over it. You were so congested and had a wet cough. It seems to be breaking up and you don't seem as congested anymore. I was surprised at how happy you were. You had your fussy moments, but you still laughed and played. I hated seeing you sick though. I just wanted to make you better!
You are growing so well! You weigh 13 pounds 15 ounces, and you are 24 inches tall. You wear a size 2 diaper and we are starting to transition you to 3-6 month clothing.
I can't wait to see what this next month has in store for us. I feel like you are going to start becoming more mobile and maybe even sit up on your own. I love you with all of my heart. Watching you grow and learn is such a joy to me. I love being your mother!
Love you always,
Mommy
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