Home Stretch

Hunter's arrival is just days away; three days, to be more precise. Hooray! Knowing this, I've been trying to make the most of my last few days of being home with just Leah, as well as crossing off the final tasks on the to-do list. 

Time with Leah has been well-spent, but she's still a two-year-old (fun but exhausting; loving but disobedient). In the past two days, we've managed to bake two kinds of cookies (I'm surprised we managed to bake as many as we did, especially with a curious taste-tester with quick hands acting as my assistant); play in the water table; draw with shaving cream (funny that she initially wanted to wash her hands, but soon warmed up to the idea of playing in the foam, especially when she discovered how fun it was to smear it all over my arms and hands); draw with chalk; and watch Cinderella. The activities themselves have been enjoyable, and I'm so grateful for those moments with Leah. It's the "after" that's difficult. "After" as in, time to clean up. 

See, Leah's playful disposition lends itself to disobedience when it comes to listening to simple commands. Exhibit A: After munching on a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie, Leah, a chocolatey mess, asked, "I be excuse me?" "Yes, you may. Now come over here so that Mommy can wash you up" (I was standing by the sink). What does that little bugger do? She runs into the dining room and living room, giggling all the way. (It's surprising how quickly I can move at 9 months pregnant.) She seems to think that "come here" is code for "let's play chase". Ahh, two-year-olds, right?

Based on some conversations with friends last week, I decided to complete some to-do list tasks earlier (last week) rather than later (this week). What a blessing that has been! By doing so, I've actually had some time to relax (just a bit) rather than worry about all that still needs to be done. How liberating! The few tasks left won't be too time-consuming (prep and freeze two meals, to be completed tonight and tomorrow night; finish packing my bag, to be done Thursday night; and get a mani/ pedi, the most relaxing/ least stressful task). And in the midst of all this, I've even had time to read, scrapbook, and play Bananagrams solitaire. (I'd have even more time to myself if a certain someone would just settle down for her nap.)

Guess I need to enjoy these moments while I can, especially since it might be awhile before I have some true time for myself again. Oh well. That's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, especially since it means loving on my little boy.

Appearances

Those of you who see me on a regular basis know that I dress like a bum. Seriously. While many of my girlfriends look fabulous day after day, I choose to dress in workout clothes... like a bum. (At least the clothes aren't falling apart... well, except for today. Looks like I won't be wearing this t-shirt again.) There is some method to my madness, however; after all, if I'm dressed to workout, then I'm more likely to do so (but that doesn't happen until Leah is down for her nap). Plus, I don't see the point in getting dressed (make-up, decent clothes, do something with the hair) if Scott's only going to be home for dinner. And, if I'm not working out until later in the afternoon, when will I have a chance to shower and get dressed, especially if I have a long list of items on my to-do list?  See, so I can justify my less-than-stellar appearance.

BUT... recently I read something that made me re-think my laissez-faire attitude when it comes to my appearance. Because I'm a stay-at-home mom, I have the greatest influence on Leah, including her attitudes and outlooks and behaviors. This author argued that because of that, a SAHM should take pride in her appearance. After all, Leah's going to take her cues from me. If I can't be bothered to look decent most days of the week (rather than just on the weekends), then why should she? If I don't care about how I look, then why should she care about how she looks?  This doesn't mean I have to be as fashionable as many of my friends (they're still teaching me), but it does mean that I can do a bit more with my usual appearance than just throwing on workout shorts and a t-shirt.

So here's to trying to better dress the part. (Mind you, this won't happen until the baby is a few months old, especially since I'll be in survival mode for a while, but at least this is something I can strive for.) And if you see me out and about in bummy workout clothes consistently (in the fall), then feel free to give me a hard time. Somebody will have to since Leah and Hunter won't.

17 more days...

Hunter's arrival is just 17 days away. Yippee!! Ever since I found out I was pregnant back in October, I've been eagerly awaiting the little man's arrival, however, it wasn't until recently that I started feeling excited. Don't think that I haven't been thrilled; it's just that with his birth-day just around the corner, I'm finally anticipating him being here in my arms. Maybe the reality of the upcoming addition to the family has finally set in, heightening my excitement. 

Being the planner that I am, I have almost completed all the necessary baby preparations. Granted, there are a few more items on the to-do list that I've scheduled for the next couple of weeks. I wouldn't be surprised, though, if they are "magically" completed before then. After all, if I have a few extra minutes, why not accomplish them sooner rather than later, and thus open up a bit more downtime before Hunter is born? 

One item not on the to-do list but in the back of my mind is spending as much time as possible with Leah. I know this seems like an easy thing to do, especially since I'm a stay-at-home mom. Any SAHM will tell you that all that time at home isn't always quality one-on-one with your child. Sometimes we're running errands. Other days, we might have a playdate. And sometimes, I need to complete some tasks while Leah is playing. Even as we near the due date, I haven't cleared my schedule of these other tasks. Rather, when Leah wants to cuddle with me for a few more minutes, or wishes to play tea party in room upon waking from her nap, I'm indulging her... and enjoying every minute of it. For as excited as I am about finally seeing Hunter face-to-face, I'm sad about losing all that solo time with my little princess, my shadow. I know that Hunter will bring a new and wonderful dynamic to the family, but I'll miss the dynamic of just me and my baby girl. 

I suppose all parents experience these mixed emotions. I guess that's part of beginnings and endings; as much as we look forward to a new beginning, it means saying good-bye to what was. 

But I refuse to dwell on this ending for long; after all, in 17 days, I'll have a daughter AND a son. Leah will have a brother to love on and adore. Scott will have a little boy to play hockey with. And our lives will be even happier than they are now.

What are they thinking?!!

For those of you not residing in No. VA, let me just tell you that today is HOT... and that's an understatement. More like stifling. It's supposed to reach temps in the mid-90s with high humidity. NOT a pleasant day to be outside (though I suppose relaxing in a pool might make it bearable).  As if you couldn't figure out for yourself upon going outside that today is a good day to stay inside, the meteorologists have been encouraging people to do just that by mentioning that today is Code Orange for air quality. Translation: Stay inside, people!

Being 36-weeks pregnant, I am having no problem heeding the advice of the weathermen. Actually, I don't have to watch the news to know that today is not a good day to be outdoors; just going outside for a few minutes (like checking the mail) makes it hard for me to breathe (I know my breathing issues are compounded by a baby pushing on my lungs and other organs, but it's not all because of him). 

So imagine my surprise when I noticed several CRAZY individuals (for only those who would ignore the obvious would be out in this) out exercising in this heat! Seriously? I understand the need for exercise, but at the expense of your health? Really? See, these individuals weren't out at 7, 8, or even 9; they were out at 10:30, 11, and 12, when the sun is at its peak. The first woman I saw was out pushing her two toddlers in a stroller. Really? I mean, it's one thing to jeopardize your own health; it's another to endanger your children. Then, as Leah and I were making our way along the parkway to Manassas, we saw several more crazies. At least the mom and kids were on a relatively shaded neighborhood street; the parkway is one long, open expanse. Running or biking there leaves the individual completely exposed to the elements (this I know from experience; I completed a few training runs there several years ago while preparing for a half-marathon. I quickly learned that the hilly (and fairly shaded) neighborhood streets were better than the gradual incline of the parkway), yet there were quite a few fools trekking along the path. 

Seriously, people? Can someone explain this to me, for I see no glory in running in this heat in the middle of the day. My guess is the heat fried their brains before their feet even hit the pavement.

Psalm 103

I had planned on sharing something else today that was inspired by Psalm 103, but for whatever reason, I can't quite find the words to say it. So instead, I give you the Psalm itself. May it bring you peace, comfort, reassurance, and hope in the midst of life's craziness.

Psalm 103

Praise the LORD, O my soul,

  all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

Praise the LORD, O my soul,

  and forget not all his benefits--

who forgives all your sins

  and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

  and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

  so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

The LORD works righteousness

  and justice for all the oppressed.

He made known his ways to Moses,

  his deeds to the people of Israel:

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

  slow to anger, abounding in love.

He will not always accuse,

  nor will he harbor his anger forever;

he does not treat us as our sins deserve

  or repay us according to our iniquities.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

  so great is his love for those who fear him;

as far as the east is from the west,

  so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

As a father has compassion on his children,

  so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

for he knows how we are formed, 

  he remembers that we are dust.

As for man, his days are like grass,

  he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

  and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

  the LORD's love is with those who fear him,

  and his righteousness with their children's children--

with those who keep his covenant

  and remember to obey his precepts.

The LORD has established his throne in heaven,

  and his kingdom rules over all.

Praise the LORD, you his angels,

  you mighty ones who do his bidding,

  and who obey his word.

Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,

  you his servants who do his will.

Praise the LORD, all his works

  everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

The Wheels on the Bus

I finally managed to catch Leah singing on video. Here's her rendition of "The Wheels on the Bus" complete with hand signals. Enjoy.

Little Man Update

Our little man is scheduled to arrive in just over a month. Yikes! Where has the time gone? Initially, it felt as if time was dragging, but now I feel like his due date is right around the corner.

Hunter's birthday will be June 24 (obviously that means that Scott and I decided on a scheduled arrival), which would have been his Great-Grandpa's birthday (Grandpa died just a few days before his birthday last year, making Hunter's scheduled arrival that much more meaningful).

At this point, I'm definitely starting to feel pregnant. Not like I haven't before, but I'm now experiencing the discomfort of being 8+ months pregnant (can't get comfortable sitting on the couch in the evening; shortness of breath after walking up a flight of stairs; an achy back). I'm trying to keep all this in perspective, though; after all, I've managed to go this long without being uncomfortable, and I'm not nearly as large as I was with Leah. (Of course, that might have something to do with how I carried Leah, too. Hunter is basically all in front, whereas Leah was more spread out.)

I don't have many pregnant photos of myself (guess that's typical after the first child), but I did include one from last week when Leah and I were washing the car (yes, Leah indeed helped me). At least there you'll get an idea of what I look like 33 weeks pregnant.