Gosh, I'm such a Mom

Is that a good thing? Or a bad thing? Sometimes I can't decide. My life as I knew it before babies is pretty much a thing of the past. I suppose that's just part of growing up and becoming an adult, but sometimes I can't believe how quickly I seem to have trasnformed from fun, energetic, care-free young adult, to a boring, worrying, crocheting Mom. Maybe I'll regain some of my wild spirit when I'm, ohhhh....say 50?

Here are 10 comparisons (although I can probably think of more, but don't want to bore you)of life before babies, and life now. This list will probably change when baby #2 comes too.

1. BEFORE: Life was about me. What I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, and how I would get what I want.
AFTER: Life isn't about me at all. It's all about what I can do for you.

2. BEFORE: A Thursday night was the beginning of the weekend. Thirsty Thursday anyone?
AFTER: A Thursday night is the same as a Monday night, or a Saturday night, or any night, for that matter.

3. BEFORE: I found crying babies and whining toddlers annoying. Can't the parents just make them be quiet?!
AFTER: I sympathize with the woman at the grocery store with a baby crying, and a toddler repeating a word five hundred times.

4. BEFORE: Bodily functions were disgusting. Keep them to yourself.
AFTER: Bodily functions are a part of life. Deal with it.

5. BEFORE: Sleep was over-rated.
AFTER: Sleep is the most wonderful time ever.

6. BEFORE: Shopping for clothes was fun. I had all the time in the world to try things on, look around, and figure out what would be cute for weekend activities.
AFTER: Shopping for clothes is not fun. There's no time to try things on when you child is whining. Plus, clothes just aren't as fun when you don't have the body of a young, fresh chick!

7. BEFORE: I could listen to whatever music I wanted, as loud as I wanted.
AFTER: I can only listen to country or something nice; volume turned down low. Unless, I get away by myself. Then I will jam out.

8. BEFORE: I didn't worry about much. I mean, what was there to worry about besides when I was going to ride my horse, or what I was doing on a Saturday night?
AFTER: I worry ALL the time. About everything. I also cry alot. (Thanks, Mom).

9. BEFORE: I always wondered what it would be like when I had my own family.
AFTER: Now I know. It's the most wonderful and most stressing time of your life.

10. BEFORE: My joy was found in what I loved and the plans I made for the future.
AFTER: My joy is found in a laughing little boy, a sweet goodnight kiss, and seeing the world through simple, innocent eyes.

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but not the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."

Happy Valentine's Day

I have posted other copied entries from a daily email I receive called 'Hearts at Home'. Monday emails are always Marriage Mondays, and todays entry was of course about Valentine's Day. Isn't Valentine's day the day of true love? I thought this was a great email that I wanted to share. Love is so much more than flowers, chocolates, or a card one day a year.

What Real Romance Looks Like
By Jill Savage

I stood behind a man in the supermarket checkout lane who was set for romance. He was only purchasing two items: a dozen roses and a box of chocolates. I had to smile. Some lucky lady was going to be pleasantly surprised with his thoughtful gift.

However, flowers and candy only go so far in a relationship. This is because love that lasts a lifetime is not a feeling, but a choice. I wonder if that man in the checkout lane knows…

…that real romance is about learning to listen, even when you’re too tired to want to.

…that real romance requires us to occasionally love someone who is unlovable in the moment.

…that real romance has to be nurtured each and every day for it to last a lifetime.

…that real romance is not a 50-50 agreement…it’s giving 100% even when you don’t receive 100% sometimes.

…that real romance is appreciating the differences in the one you love rather than trying to change them.

…that real romance is about forgiving, sometimes dozens of times a day.


…that real romance is choosing to love even when you feel otherwise for whatever reason.

…that real romance is about praying, “God, change me,” instead of “God, change him or her.”

…that real romance is about being emotionally intimate before you’re ever physically intimate.

…that real romance requires thoughtfulness, kindness, and large doses of patience.

…that real romance is bathing the kids, helping with dishes, and running the vacuum.


…that real romance is giving a back rub when you’d rather receive one.

…that real romance is learning to communicate in better ways than you have in the past.

…that real romance is saving money out of each paycheck for you to do an overnight away once or twice a year.

…that real romance is learning to trust another person with your deepest fears and failures.

…that real romance is doing something with your loved one that they love, even if you don’t.

…that real romance is leaving the past behind and believing the hope of the future.

…that real romance puts a hedge of protection around your relationship, keeping temptation at bay with intentionality.

…that real romance looks nothing like the movies…it’s messy, it’s hard, and it’s it takes a lot of effort.

"Never take love for granted. Always keep the flame burning. Don't expect it to burn on its own, or you'll lose the most important person in your life."

Sighs of relief...

Today was my first appointment with my OB doctor to check everything out and see how baby #2 is doing. I was excited for this visit all morning. Ok, not the actual exam, but you know what I mean! Dr. Vandeburg was so excited to see us back, and she went over all the future appointments and the possible date for a scheduled c-section. (Which by the way, is August 29th!) Everything was going fine and normal until she put the doppler radar on my tummy to listen for the heartbeat, and couldn't find it. My tension and worry was growing each moment that we didn't hear it. I do remember that we didn't hear Caleb's heartbeat the first time either, but it's never easy to wait and see. The Dr. recommended we get an ultrasound. I'm not sure if she was worried, or if it was more for my piece of mind. Anyways, we waited about 20 mintues, which seemed like the longest 20 mintues of my life, then went in to the ultrasound room. Almost immediately, the ultrasound technician pinpointed the heart beat, and zoomed in so we could actually see the baby's heart beating. Wow, what a huge sigh of relief I breathed, and broke down in tears to see that little heart beating away, and that tiny little being jumping around inside of me. It was so amazing to see, and I knew that God was answering all those prayers I have been sending up. We got a few pictures to take home, and it seems so real now. Baby's head and body are formed and the heart was beating at 160 bpm. What a sweet joy for any mother to behold! I attached a picture :)

Today just made me realize how precious life is. It can be created and taken away in the blink of an eye.

"A mother's joy begins when new life is stirring inside....when a tiny heartbeat is heard for the very first time, and a playful kick reminds her she is never alone."

Blizzard!

"The Blizzard of 2011" arrived last night. All of the weather and news people say it's like the blizzard of 1978, but I wouldn't know about that. :) All I know is that we got a ton of snow! The snow is so deep that Remmy refuses to go outside, and my 4-wheel drive vehicle just barely makes it out of the garage. Normally, I might enjoy one of these kind of days, but to tell you the truth, I'm just plain sick of the snow. I know I wrote in a blog a while back that we Michiganders should be used to it, and I am, but it doesn't mean I have to like it. This winter, it seems snow equals days locked inside my little house, trying to entertain a toddler. It also means I never see my husband, as he's either plowing snow, or sleeping. Well, I guess it's not that different from summer...I never see him then either! I'm learning to be self-sufficient and figure out some 'homey' things to do. The problem with these "snow days" is that a girl can't get out and stretch her legs, let alone take a little time to herself. Alright....I'm done complaining. Wait, one more thing. It doesn't help that everyone on Jeff's side of the family is somewhere warm and tropical right now, and they like to rub that in by calling and saying, "It's 85 degrees right now down here." Jealous, yes. Sarcastic, yes.

Have a nice snow day! ;)

"To shorten winter, borrow some money due in the spring."