A Dream Come True

This morning as I was waking up I dreamt that I had a big paper bag full of specialty pastries waiting for me on the counter. As I moved from dream state to awake I thought, "Oh yeah! I have those delicious goodies to start my day!" I was thrilled and motivation for getting out of bed was building, until I realized that there were no pastries. Not even any good cereal or bread for toast.

Our cupboards are bare.

But I did get to sleep in, which is almost as good as pastries so my day still was looking bright.

Then Andy stopped by for a few minutes as he often does before his first job starts. Jack was still asleep so I parked myself on the couch and chatted with Andy while he was working on his online class. I mentioned my dream about the sweet treats and he said, "Should I go get you some pastries?"

Gasp!

Of course!

And he did! He went to my favorite bakery and brought back two delicious choices. He had to call me to see what I preferred of what they had out for the day and he said that when he went back in to order the woman behind the counter said, "I wish my husband would do that for me!"

Is it wrong to feel good when someone else is jealous of how great your husband is?

It probably is a little wrong.

But I still kind of like it.

Heat Wave

Guys! Last night temperatures reached the highest... ever!... in Everett history.

Ugh.

I was NOT created for this kind of weather. Jack has a heat rash and I just discovered one under my bra strap this evening. I feel like I do nothing but sweat.

I don't feel like cooking, or even eating, but when I don't eat, I get queasy, so I have to eat. Everything is making me grumpy because I can't cool down and it is too hot to sleep. Tired, sweaty, queasy... can you just imagine?

Why in the world is Western Washington so HOT?! Please fall, come soon.

In other news, Jack threw my phone in the toilet today.

OOOooooHHhhh! I was SOOOO mad!

The phone was totally wrecked. I had to make an emergency trip to Verizon, which turned into a big ordeal. First, I got there at 9:20, started to unload and then heard someone call out, "Miss?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you coming in here?"

"Yeah."

"We don't open until 10:00."

Under my breath, "grumble, grumble. Fine!"

We loaded back up, went to a random store to buy random things and stay in the air conditioning.

Just after 10:00 we were back in Verizon. I hate shopping for electronics in the first place. I also dislike having to adjust to a new phone. I also don't like going to all-grown-up places with Jack because, well, he's not a grown up. We made it through though and I got a phone, only to find, after I loaded up the babe and stroller, that they had set up the new phone with Andy's number, not mine.

GRRRHHAA!

Unload again, back to the store.

"Please fix this."

Finally we left and Jack snoozed on the way home. He slept for a little while, while I played with my new phone.

The most awful thing was, my previous phone was so destroyed that none of the contacts were salvageable. And thanks to the wonderful cell technology the only two numbers I've bothered to memorize are Andy's and my parents home number.

So, if you want me to have your number, you'll need to send it to me, because otherwise your info is lost.

Sorry.

Can you tell I'm hot and whiny?

What You Need To Know About Today

Jack loves kiddie pools.

He spent three hours in one on Sunday and

another hour in someone else's today

I love rice pudding.

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that fact,

but it is true

Jack loves coloring.

Wherever I put them,

he finds them and waves them in my face until

I pull out paper and start doodling with him.

I almost have him trained

not to stick them in his mouth,

but sometimes he gets cheeky and

tries it just to see if I'm on the ball.

I love drop in guests and coffee delivery.

Thanks Marli!

Finally, naps are my new best friend. I took one this weekend and upon waking I felt like a human again. Amazing!

Thanks Andy!

Touched

In the morning light I discovered that while painting my canvases I also panted a good portion of my carpet. Too bad I didn't notice it last night when it would have been much easier to clean.

...

This morning I updated my Facebook status to: "... needs a day off. Unfortunately it doesn't look like that will happen for another 20 years."

I was overwhelmed and weighed down by the feelings of foreverness that come along with wee babes. From my tired eyes, I don't see any way to take a break. The house is always here, the baby is always here, things always need tending.

But not five minutes after I posted this there was a knock on my back door. I didn't hear it at first, and then I heard Dane calling out his greeting. I went to the door and there was my brother-in-law with Dane and he said, "I saw your facebook status, do you need any help?"

Oh my! I almost cried.

He came in, scooped up Jack and immediately calmed down the chaos of my house. He offered to take Jack for a few hours so I could take a break or clean with out being followed by mess-makers. I would have taken him up on it it If I hadn't already had a friend coming to pick me and Jack and our third body up.

While I didn't really get a break, my spirit was so lightened by his offer that the urgency of a day off doesn't seem quite so intense.

I am so, so thankful for my friends who come to my rescue every time I need it.

Second Time Around

It is well past my bedtime.

Andy has been studiously working on his homework and I've been starting the cleaning process for hosting a baby shower on Saturday.

I also have been painting three canvases.

All day I have been composing a blog-story to tell you, but now it is too late. It is time for me to go to bed. Really. It was time for me to go to bed an hour ago.

But I want to tell you what I was going to tell you about.

Misery loves company, and I love your company.

Here's the thing.

I'm really tired.

Being pregnant is much harder than I remember. My head spins when I stand up... EVERY TIME! Once the spinning stops, I feel woozy if I stand too long. Even before I discovered the good news, I found myself sitting through worship on Sundays and wondering why. I feel like I am putting food into my mouth ALL THE TIME because if I get hungry I can literally feel my face turn green. When it isn't green, my face is white. Like pale, pale white. With big grey smudges under my eyes all the time. I feel anything but fancy.

All of my clothes feel uncomfortable. I don't like looking at myself in the mirror.

Oh how the mighty have fallen.

From feeling like a hard-body stud training for a triathlon to a immobilized lump, oh friends. It is an awful fall.

I'm snappy, short tempered, foggy headed, defensive all while trying to pretend that I'm not and that life is just going on as normal. Oh how I wish someone else could be in my body and tell me that all these things are really just part of growing a baby, not a mental break down on my part.

They say each pregnancy is different. I guess it must be true. I don't remember anything like this last time (Andy might!). But I suppose last time I wasn't chasing a toddler (or two depending on the day, three on Tuesday!). Last time I daily encountered people reminding me that I was excited and people being thrilled for me. This time I daily encounter Jack, who could care less about what is happening as long as I twirl him around, read him stories and do exactly as he says.

Which brings me to... Jack. Ladies, that boy... well, he is a boy. All boy. He has discovered his physical abilities, which include: hitting, pinching, throwing himself on the floor in anger, throwing things into the toilet, climbing onto the dining room table, throwing anything he can lift, and pushing.

Let's not hide all the good under the troublesome. He can also now hold up his pointer finger and grin wildly when I say, "Jack, how old are you?" He dances often and still enjoys a good cuddle. He pats my face when we sing "patty cake" and he has started making weird animal noises when ever he sees certain creatures. He offers kisses freely and makes sure to give out "knuckles" after every high-five. And he claps for himself whenever he feels he's done something wonderful.

Well now I've done it. I meant to just give you a teaser, but now I've blurted it all out there. I'm sure I have more to tell you about Jack and his amazing tricks... and his amazing tantrums, but those stories will have to wait. I will try and get you some new pictures to accompany the tales.

They might have to wait

until I finish his

haircut.

I started it a few days ago

but haven't caught him

in a motionless minute

since then.

I don't think it looks

half-cut to anyone else

but it is.

And now that you know about it

I really must finish it

before I give you pictures.

Good night to all (oh my! I suddenly am dreaming of fall and Christmas seasons!) and sweet dreams to you!

Too Bad

I know I'm a bit behind the times, but I'm just watching Prince Caspian for the first time.

I'm glad I didn't spend money to see it in the theater because I am quite disappointed.

I recorded it on my DVR and have been watching bits and pieces of it all day. I'm having trouble getting into it.

My main problem is that it isn't anything like the book.

Again, very disappointing.

A very, very hot day plus a disappointing movie plus cooking in the very hot weather equals an almost grumpy girl. I'm holding out, trying to stave off the grumps, but if it doesn't cool down soon I don't know if I'll make it.

While The Cat Is Away

This weekend I was gone from my family for two nights.

That is the longest ever!

I was co-coordinating a retreat for 15 women in Chelan (Eastern Washington). I had such grand visions of being that woman who left meals labeled in the fridge and her house spotless. Instead, by the time I handled all the bits and pieces I needed to organize for the retreat, the best I could manage was a whiteboard list of acceptable and easy foods for Andy to feed Jack.

I guess leaving is something I will get better at with practice.

I was okay on Friday night. Even when I got a text message from Andy that said our night-time babysitter had forgotten about her commitment and was on her way to Portland, I didn't really worry. She came back guys, it all worked out. In fact, I wasn't ever worried. I know that Andy is totally capable with Jack, despite his teasing and self-depreciating remarks.

But by Sunday, when all of the tasks of the weekend were finished, I REALLY missed my boys. I couldn't get home fast enough.

When I got home, I discovered Jack calmly eating an almost well-balanced meal, a spotless kitchen, an empty laundry basket and drawers full of perfectly folded clothes, and a warm hug from Andy. When Jack was done eating and was out of his highchair he ran all around me and was eager to play tickling games. In the middle of each round he would stop and kiss me several times, like he was saying, "I'm so glad you're home mom! I just can't get enough of you!"

What a wonderful, wonderful feeling.

Chapter Books

Do you remember the books you read growing up?

Until I was a teenager my dad tucked me in every night and read to me. Bed time stories are one of my most fond and vivid memories of childhood.

Some nights he would read to both Lizzie and me together, but as we got older we occasionally got our own stories.

When I was pregnant with Jack I had a melt down after imagining my baby at age five saying, "Dad, can you tell mom not to read to me anymore?" Oh I cried!

Luckily, Jack loves being read to. Brown Bear, Brown Bear is still on the top of his fav list, as is a book with fuzzy dogs that he often will kiss. He now licks any pages that have food pictures and holds pictures of soft animals, such as kittens and ducklings, to his chest with a sweet, loving expression on his face.

As I have been moving furniture and rearranging the last month or so, I stumbled across one of my childhood favorites: "Sideways Stories From Wayside School."

Anyone? Anyone?

If you didn't get to enjoy this literary masterpiece in first grade, go out and get a copy from the library and as you read it, imagine how funny you would have thought it was.

I just finished reading nine chapters to Ellery (she's spending the night) and my throat is so scratchy. Not only was it a lot of chapters, she also requested the fan blow right on her so the whole time I was reading I was breathing in dry air.

Cough, cough.

But do you remember the books you loved in your childhood?

The Chronicles of Narnia

Encyclopedia Brown (I used to think that my dad made these up just for Liz and me, but then discovered that there are many E.B. books out there)

Stewart Little

The Littles

The Boxcar Children

Nancy Drew

...

We won't even go into Babysitters Club and Sweet Valley High...

Oh happy memories.

I wonder what the book of the year will be when Jack is ready for chapter books.

If he's still letting me read to him at that time.

Keep your fingers crossed people. If he isn't, one of my dreams of motherhood will be dashed.

Let's not even talk about it.

So if any of you have even the slightest inkling to write chapter books for elementary school kids, especially ones that appeal to boys, get started now! Jack and I will be looking in a few years.

What books did you devour as a kid? Which would be worth stock-piling now (when I see them at yard sales)?

In other book news, I received a windfall of loaned literature yesterday and can't wait to get started. You can expect a full report when I have finished. And since reading is about all that I have energy for now, I would appreciate any other recommendations. Nothing too serious please.

Happy Reading!

It's About Time!

It has been a long time friends.

For that, I apologize.

I don't know where time went.

One day I was filled with energy and witty and/or charming and/or simple commentary about my life. The next day, or 18 days, I'm silent. Mute. Sure I've had a brief glimpse of a cleverly constructed sentence, but when I sit down to try and compose a thought, nothing comes.

The words don't look right together. The thoughts aren't clear. My brain has used up all of its energy on the mundane of each day and there has been nothing left for the creative parts of me.

Oh dear.

How does one go about fixing that?

Any suggestions?

Because, truly, I do love writing in this dear little blog, but sometimes, like those times when I'm:

• chasing a toddler
• trying to figure out an effective discipline strategy to discourage hitting
• growing a baby
• keeping the house in some sense of order
• coordinating a retreat for 15 women
• delivering dinner to brand new mommies
• beginning and ending a love-hate relationship with the Twilight series

the last thing I feel is inspired, creative or entertaining.

So bear with me. I'll find a groove. I'll get a fan in my living room so it isn't so hot that I'm immobilized, I'll turn off HGTV, I'll put down the novels - or at least read them in smaller doses each day (a 500 page book in two days is a bit ridiculous) and I'll woo you once again with tender tales of motherhood and the fancy life.

And, in case you missed it, yes, I am pregnant.

SQEEEE!