I got to visit with 3 good friends on Monday for a few hours. Between the 4 of us, there were 9 children and 1 on the way. And I am NOT the one with one on the way. Thank goodness. (I feel sorry for all pregnant people after my pregnancy experience. She was worth it, but it was terrible.) Breakfast was really good. You get an A+ for the monkey bread, Kaci. I wanted to eat way more, but the rest of you didn't, so I refrained.
After visiting I was thinking about how far the 4 of us have come. Life sure hasn't turned out like any of us thought many years ago in high school or even college. It's WAY better. I think we would all attest to that. I'm sure that 11-12 years ago, we never would have pictured ourselves sitting around feeding babies and discussing important things like how our bodies have changed and how hard motherhood is. We did all agree that it's all absolutely worth it.
You girls mean so much to me. We rarely get to visit, but I think the world of you. I hope you all felt as blessed and thankful as I did when I left Monday.
I hope all you readers are blessed with friends that you trust. They're definitely priceless.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Ella Kate's First Christmas
We've done nothing today but lay around in bed or in front of the fire. I'm still in my pajamas and it's almost 6:00. Sounds like the perfect day, doesn't it? I have a new book to read, compliments of Santa Bowers, but I haven't even cracked it open. I did vacuum and sweep. So it's not like I haven't done something productive.
Christmas takes on new meaning with a baby. In the days before Christmas, I was listening to my Christmas cd in the car one day. I began to think about Mary. I can't imagine the emotions she was feeling. It amazes me that the Savior we needed came in the form of that tiny baby. I became overwhelmed by the thought that God was willing to sacrifice His child to cover our sins. We love our baby girl more than life. It's unexplainable. It makes God's sacrifice for us seem so much greater than I've ever realized.
Ella Kate had a busy Christmas. If she's not exhausted, her mommy is. I love a good routine, and lots of visiting throws a kink in that. EK got loads of stuff. I feel the need to clean out her nursery to make room for the new clothes. She's going to be a well dressed baby, no doubt. She also got a mobile for her crib, a baby rocking chair, and a few books. We started a few traditions. These include, but are not limited to the following ; )
Christmas takes on new meaning with a baby. In the days before Christmas, I was listening to my Christmas cd in the car one day. I began to think about Mary. I can't imagine the emotions she was feeling. It amazes me that the Savior we needed came in the form of that tiny baby. I became overwhelmed by the thought that God was willing to sacrifice His child to cover our sins. We love our baby girl more than life. It's unexplainable. It makes God's sacrifice for us seem so much greater than I've ever realized.
Ella Kate had a busy Christmas. If she's not exhausted, her mommy is. I love a good routine, and lots of visiting throws a kink in that. EK got loads of stuff. I feel the need to clean out her nursery to make room for the new clothes. She's going to be a well dressed baby, no doubt. She also got a mobile for her crib, a baby rocking chair, and a few books. We started a few traditions. These include, but are not limited to the following ; )
- Sleeping in the living room floor on Christmas Eve Eve and watching a Christmas movie. This year we chose Christmas vacation because we should watch it before she's old enough to repeat the words.
- New PJ's
- Making Christmas cookies (my mom always did this with us)
- Reading the Christmas story
- Receiving a new Christmas book
I'm sure we'll add to these as time goes on.
I'm back to work a week from tomorrow. Does this make anyone else nauseous or sad? Because that's exactly how I feel. I don't want to be away from her. I'm looking at her right now laying beside me on the couch in her bunny rabbit sleeper and wondering if I'll cry all day Monday or just that morning. I'm leaning towards all day. My husband says it's fine if I don't go back, because my car can "go back" and our house can "go back". I'm sure I will survive. She's going to be staying at our house, and for some reason this gives me a little peace about leaving her. Wow, I'm tearing up just blogging about it. All you people without children think this is nuts. I know. I was one of you for 29 years. But it all changes, and fast.
Tomorrow, I get to see some really good friends for brunch. It'll be nice to visit and catch up. I'm looking forward to it. I plan on making the most of this week I have left. I'm going to be completely organized and skinny when I return next week. I may be an emotional wreck, but I'm going to look good and know where my stuff is. ; ) I'm kidding about both.
Maybe I'll blog again before I return to work, because the chances of it happening the week I go back aren't good. Did I mention there are 3 basketball games that week???? So not only do I have to spend the days away from EK, 3 of my nights will be the same way. My husband promises to come home and get her so I can see her.
I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. May your new year begin as one filled with promise.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Happenings at the Bowers House
Lots to share...sit tight.
Ella Kate has officially moved into her crib. Last night was her first night sleeping there instead of in the cradle by our bed. After moving her things over yesterday, I felt like there were 2 good options: move it all back or sit and cry. I pulled it together and did neither. I told myself we would all sleep better. And SHE did...from 8:45 until 4 a.m. to be exact. Her mommy, however, kept thinking something was obviously wrong when she didn't get up at 1. Or 2. Or 3. Or 3:30. She was still breathing though. I checked.
Today she and I took off to order B's Christmas present and visit friends in Luverne. Oh, I miss all those people! They were all so very good to me for the 5 years that I lived there. And always lots of fun. We enjoyed the simple things when I worked there like rearranging Heather's desk after school (many times), sending children to other teachers for no reason at all (almost daily), and putting sexy Halloween costume catalogues in Shea's mailbox (only once...don't tell her. I never confessed to that one). I'm not brave enough to try that at my new job...give me a little time ; ) It was good to see every one of you!
I started my "From Couch to 5K" this week via the treadmill. It wasn't bad yesterday...I didn't pass out or anything. I did almost fall off the back when I attempted to remove my sweatshirt (I had on another shirt) while the treadmill was still moving. I would have been fine if it hadn't gotten hung around my head. But I did not fall...only stumbled.
I'd like to end by telling you what little I have permission to share about B's P90X experience from Monday night. I will only say that it involved resistance bands, a door, and a gigantic red mark across his chest. I only heard about it and saw the mark. If I had seen it happen, I would still be in the floor. laughing.
Ella Kate and I can't wait for daddy to be home with us for a few weeks. Have an extra nice "rest of the week".
Ella Kate has officially moved into her crib. Last night was her first night sleeping there instead of in the cradle by our bed. After moving her things over yesterday, I felt like there were 2 good options: move it all back or sit and cry. I pulled it together and did neither. I told myself we would all sleep better. And SHE did...from 8:45 until 4 a.m. to be exact. Her mommy, however, kept thinking something was obviously wrong when she didn't get up at 1. Or 2. Or 3. Or 3:30. She was still breathing though. I checked.
Today she and I took off to order B's Christmas present and visit friends in Luverne. Oh, I miss all those people! They were all so very good to me for the 5 years that I lived there. And always lots of fun. We enjoyed the simple things when I worked there like rearranging Heather's desk after school (many times), sending children to other teachers for no reason at all (almost daily), and putting sexy Halloween costume catalogues in Shea's mailbox (only once...don't tell her. I never confessed to that one). I'm not brave enough to try that at my new job...give me a little time ; ) It was good to see every one of you!
I started my "From Couch to 5K" this week via the treadmill. It wasn't bad yesterday...I didn't pass out or anything. I did almost fall off the back when I attempted to remove my sweatshirt (I had on another shirt) while the treadmill was still moving. I would have been fine if it hadn't gotten hung around my head. But I did not fall...only stumbled.
I'd like to end by telling you what little I have permission to share about B's P90X experience from Monday night. I will only say that it involved resistance bands, a door, and a gigantic red mark across his chest. I only heard about it and saw the mark. If I had seen it happen, I would still be in the floor. laughing.
Ella Kate and I can't wait for daddy to be home with us for a few weeks. Have an extra nice "rest of the week".
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
The New Normal
4 WEEKS! That's all I have left at home with this sweet baby girl. We're making the most of every cold day by staying in our p.j.'s and napping a lot. We also gaze at the Christmas tree and read on occasion. If I knew how to build a good fire, I'd do that too. But I don't. So we just crank up the heat. She's growing SO fast. I've asked her to slow down a little. She just looks at me like I'm crazy. She gives us all that look. She doesn't know what to think this morning because, apparently, no one loves her. Both of her granddads have been by to rock her this morning and it's only 12:00. ; ) She'll probably get nothing for Christmas either. What are we going to do?
I went back to the doctor yesterday. Everything looks good. She said I could start running 3 miles a day whenever I'm ready. I've lost over 30 lbs! Yay! I'm embracing the fact that if I don't get back into my clothes, it just means I can buy new clothes. Looks like a win/win to me. I did some Christmas shopping after the appointment. Then I sang really loud on the way home. Ella Kate was at BB's house and I was excited to be feeling normal again...you know...real clothes, make-up, hair fixed (does a ponytail count?), DRIVING...etc. I even walked on the treadmill and tanned (a little too much) when I got home.
You'll all be happy to know that our clothes have been on the right way and I haven't been in public with my pants undone this week. Maybe we're getting the hang of this.
I went back to the doctor yesterday. Everything looks good. She said I could start running 3 miles a day whenever I'm ready. I've lost over 30 lbs! Yay! I'm embracing the fact that if I don't get back into my clothes, it just means I can buy new clothes. Looks like a win/win to me. I did some Christmas shopping after the appointment. Then I sang really loud on the way home. Ella Kate was at BB's house and I was excited to be feeling normal again...you know...real clothes, make-up, hair fixed (does a ponytail count?), DRIVING...etc. I even walked on the treadmill and tanned (a little too much) when I got home.
You'll all be happy to know that our clothes have been on the right way and I haven't been in public with my pants undone this week. Maybe we're getting the hang of this.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I may be a little "all over the place" with this post. Because I feel a lot "all over the place".
I'll back up a few days and tell you that Miss Ella Kate has decided she is NOT all about going to sleep. She's ok if you can get her there, but she doesn't like the journey. So we had a few rough nights. At some point Bradley and I sang "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" to her because you can only sing Jesus Loves Me and Away in a Manger so many times. It didn't work either.
She and I took a little drive about 2 a.m. on Monday night. We cruised for quite a while. It finally worked though. Sweet sleep for mommy and EK...at least for several hours.
Last night we decided to let her cry a little. After reading something a sweet friend put on facebook about her child, I decided it would be ok and I would not be the worst mother in the world. I checked on her and talked to her every 5 minutes. It worked! Yay! She slept so good too. Thank you, Teri.
Bradley and I had a date last night. It's the first time we've been in a restaurant since Ella Kate arrived. I only called twice to check on her (we only went to Enterprise). You know you're and old married couple when you get pumped about going to eat and going to Walmart. Bradley informed me he might be married, but he is NOT old. We decided to dart into Lowes before going home. We'd been in there for about 5 minutes just looking around when I realized my pants were unzipped AND unbuttoned. I'd done that when we left Walmart because my incision was hurting. And I completely forgot. If my shirt were covering it, I wouldn't be so embarrassed. But it wasn't! So if you saw me walking around Lowes last night with my pants undone, it wasn't because we were fooling around in the car (I'll get scolded for putting that on here.) It was because a lack of sleep causes you to forget things...even simple things.
We're getting into somewhat of a routine. We spend our mornings snuggling and looking at the Christmas tree. I can't think of a better time to be home with a sweet baby girl. When we finally get to sleep at night, we're only getting up 1 to 2 times to eat. She's a good baby. Having a newborn is just hard. But it's worth every second. And we're so thankful. I know I say that alot, but there's something about experiencing this life changing event that makes you pause and take in all the blessings in the world around you.
I'll back up a few days and tell you that Miss Ella Kate has decided she is NOT all about going to sleep. She's ok if you can get her there, but she doesn't like the journey. So we had a few rough nights. At some point Bradley and I sang "The Ballad of Curtis Lowe" to her because you can only sing Jesus Loves Me and Away in a Manger so many times. It didn't work either.
She and I took a little drive about 2 a.m. on Monday night. We cruised for quite a while. It finally worked though. Sweet sleep for mommy and EK...at least for several hours.
Last night we decided to let her cry a little. After reading something a sweet friend put on facebook about her child, I decided it would be ok and I would not be the worst mother in the world. I checked on her and talked to her every 5 minutes. It worked! Yay! She slept so good too. Thank you, Teri.
Bradley and I had a date last night. It's the first time we've been in a restaurant since Ella Kate arrived. I only called twice to check on her (we only went to Enterprise). You know you're and old married couple when you get pumped about going to eat and going to Walmart. Bradley informed me he might be married, but he is NOT old. We decided to dart into Lowes before going home. We'd been in there for about 5 minutes just looking around when I realized my pants were unzipped AND unbuttoned. I'd done that when we left Walmart because my incision was hurting. And I completely forgot. If my shirt were covering it, I wouldn't be so embarrassed. But it wasn't! So if you saw me walking around Lowes last night with my pants undone, it wasn't because we were fooling around in the car (I'll get scolded for putting that on here.) It was because a lack of sleep causes you to forget things...even simple things.
We're getting into somewhat of a routine. We spend our mornings snuggling and looking at the Christmas tree. I can't think of a better time to be home with a sweet baby girl. When we finally get to sleep at night, we're only getting up 1 to 2 times to eat. She's a good baby. Having a newborn is just hard. But it's worth every second. And we're so thankful. I know I say that alot, but there's something about experiencing this life changing event that makes you pause and take in all the blessings in the world around you.
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