Mommin' It Up!

March 27, 2008

Surprise! It’s….

breech!!

Tuesday, I was at my 37 week appointment, and my doctor said “Well, you’re dilated about 1 cm, but I think we’re going to have to do an ultrasound… I’m not sure if what I’m feeling is an ear or a foot.”

Yikes.

Andy’s on spring break, and he and Kate were going to meet me for breakfast, so they were already on the way to the doctor’s office when I called him to tell him the possible news.

As I was waiting, I texted Jenny and my BFF Jess to tell them what was going on. Jess immediately texted back “Are you ok? Is the baby ok?” You know, something concerned and caring. Jenny? Not so much. All she said was “Find out the sex!” Later, she suggested I seek therapy for whatever issues prevented me from finding out, haha.

Anyway, shortly after Andy and Kate arrived, we were taken back for the ultrasound. The look on Kate’s face was priceless – I was watching her more than I was watching the screen! But sure enough, the doctor had felt a foot.

The baby’s head is right between my ribs (which explains the pain I’ve been having in my rib cage). One foot is pointing down and one is up… I don’t know if that qualifies as a footling breech or not – I can’t seem to find the technical term for “baby is doing the splits.”

So, we are going to wait and see if the baby flips, but if not, we’re looking at a c-section during my 39th week. I’ve spent the last week hoping my water would break, and now I’ve got to shift that energy into hoping that I don’t go into labor before then.

It was not exactly what I was expecting to hear yesterday, but I am ok with the situation. I pretty much have to be, don’t I? And of all the things to uncover at this late stage, this is pretty manageable.

The ultrasound tech said everything else looks great, and they think the baby is 7.5 pounds already. The coolest part – we could see the baby’s hair! We could see the hair floating around like the baby was in a swimming pool. It was so neat.

So… one way or another, we are less than two weeks away from meeting this baby and I can’t wait!

March 26, 2008March 26, 2008

WFMW: Glueless collages

About a year ago, we were having a huge party for my husband’s circle of high school friends and their families, and I was looking for some kind of project that would keep the kids entertained (and that would require minimal assistance from the adults).

I don’t remember how I stumbled upon this idea, but it was great!

Glueless Collages from FamilyFun.com:

CRAFT MATERIALS:
Clear Con-Tact paper
Masking tape
Flat stickables, such as felt scraps, tissue paper squares, crepe paper streamers, ribbon pieces, cut-up calendars and magazines, and feathers

Time needed: About 2 to 3 Hours
1. Begin by taping a piece of Con-Tact paper, sticky side facing out, to a wall or a low table. Set out bowls of small, flat stickables nearby (see the materials list).

2. Now let your child explore the sticky feeling of the paper first with his hands, then by placing the items against the paper. Once he gets the hang of it, just sit back and enjoy the show.

3. Preserve the collage with a second piece of Con-Tact paper. Frame the artwork with colored masking tape around the edges.

4. Keep the fun going! Make a theme collage, such as a nature collage with flowers and leaves or a color collage of all things blue.

Tips:
Getting Started with Creative Projects for Little Hands
1. Keep it safe. Make sure supplies are labeled nontoxic and are not choking hazards. Discourage kids from putting supplies in their mouths.
2. Set it up. Designate an art area in your home with an easel or a low table where young artists can stand to work (this is usually easier for them).
3. Don’t rush. Make sure you allow plenty of time for setup, exploration, and cleanup.
4. Don’t stress over mess. Set things up so cleanup is easier for you, then try to relax and let your child have fun.
5. Write it down. Before you forget, write the date on your child’s creation and, if she’s talking, what she said about it.

I got everything set up before the guests arrived. I taped a piece of contact paper on the wall for each child, and wrote his or her name on it. It was a great project for kids of various ages, and really it required very little adult intervention. When they were ready to leave, I put the second piece of contact paper on and the kids had something fun to take home with them.

I’m actually planning to do this again at Kate’s birthday party next month. I am going to have a new baby on my hands and I’ll need a super-easy activity for the party.

That Works for Me! For other great WFMW tips, check out Rocks in my Dryer.

March 25, 2008

On the Occasion of My 8th Wedding Anniversary

Eight years ago today I became a wife. More specifically, Bobby’s wife. It was the best day of my life, even better than when my kids were born, because it didn’t require major surgery or a hospital stay. 🙂 Bobby and I were together for over four years before we got married (at the ripe old age of 22), but we met in the 6th grade so we had known each other eleven years! We actually “dated” (if you can call it that, which I don’t think you can) in 8th and 9th grade, and even after he ripped my heart out and stomped on it, we still managed to be friends. And after awhile, best friends. And after three years, we got back together again. Here’s a little pictorial trip down memory lane. We got our picture taken in a photo booth several times over the years.

8th grade

9th grade

10th grade

11th grade

12th grade
And fast forward to…

February 2006

Well, that was fun! But anyhoo, as soon as we got back together, I knew we would get married. I just knew. Even though I went away to college and had a good look around at what was available to me, I never saw anything as wonderful as who I already had. So, eight years ago today I was thrilled to become Bobby’s wife.

Of course, neither of us had any idea what we were in for.

When we are young, I think we look at marriage as sort of a fairy tale. Then, when we find the person we want to spend the rest of our lives with, we can’t imagine it ever not being perfect. But the thing is, we’re not perfect. We make mistakes, we hurt each other, we don’t communicate well. Not all the time, not every day, but more than we ever think we will. Some people don’t know what to do with all that, and when they realize marriage might be hard work instead of all play, they get the heck out of dodge.

Bobby and I have had eight great years of marriage together. That’s 2,920 days! All eight years have been great but not all 2,920 days have been great. We have had some little ups and downs, and we’ve had some big ups and downs, but they were all ours. We were always in them together. And we always will be. Not because we love each other, although we really, really do, but because we promised. We promised God and we promised each other in front of a whole great cloud of witnesses that we would stay together until one of us kicks the bucket (that’s a paraphrase). We’re in it to win it! I gotta tell ya, life can throw a whole lot of crap at you, and I am so thankful that when it does, I have Bobby to go through it with. There’s no one else I want to be with for better or for worse, for richer (richer? when’s richer?) or for poorer, in sickness, or in health.

So, Bobby, happy anniversary baby. I love you so much and I’m so glad I get to do life with YOU every day! I love being your wife, your baby mama, and your BFF. Thank you for every day we’ve spent together and all the many more to come!