Wordless Wednesday - Distracted

long "I," as in Doolittle . . .

It's a miracle! Both girls asleep at the same time. That's the first time that has happened!

Would you believe I started this post yesterday at 3:30?

To begin with, a huge thank you to each person who left comments and sent emails of congratulations. What a blessing it was to come home to such kind, sweet words. I can hardly believe that it's been two weeks since we welcomed Aliza into our family. In some ways, I feel I have lived a whole lifetime in those two weeks; and in other ways, it seems like just the blink of an eye ago that I was hugely pregnant with anticipation.

Aliza.

Some insight on her name: We settled on her name weeks before her birth but the night before her birthday, The Coach started to have doubts. Ack! Men! We talked through some other of our favorite names and decided to sleep on it. Well on the way to the hospital, we were still discussing. The conversation continued through check-in and on into the pre-op room. The Coach wanted Little Sister to have a name that lends itself to going by her initials. As much as we loved the name Eliza, neither of us were totally sold on the initials "EJ." (No offense to any EJ's! I had a student when I was teaching who went by EJ and he was a challenge, to say the least.) I can't remember if it was him or me who suggested spelling her name with an A, but I do know I insisted he use his PC phone to go to babynames.com and check the meaning of the name spelled with an A. (Name meanings are freakishly important to the inner linguist in me!) As it turns out, Aliza is Hebrew for "joyful." The minute he read that off the screen to me, I knew with unshakable certainty that yes! This was to be Little Sister's name.

Joyful Joy.

That's a lot of name to live up to, yet it is the most remarkable way to describe Aliza. She is an utter joy to have in our family. Content. Laid-back. Sweet. Snuggly. We just can't get enough of her. Well, everyone, that is, except for Dacey who is totally NOT sold on the idea or presence of Little Sister. We think she'll warm up eventually, but only time will tell if the Unthroned Princess will be able to move from irritable tolerance to deep sisterly love.

I wouldn't be doing my job as Proud Mommy of Two if I didn't share some pictures, so if you don't mind . . .


Beautiful, light eyes . . . when they are open, they are full of wonder at this new world.

Home from the hospital . . .

She sleeps . . . and sleeps . . . and sleeps . . . I am fully aware that this will change as she wakes up to the world, but for now - what a blessing!

My first outing with the girls

And yesterday before her two week appointment

Big Sister and Little Sister. Yes, I would bet they can be friends.

Wordless (born on) Wednesday

Behold Aliza Joy!

Little Sister is Here!

We are thrilled to announce the arrival of Aliza Joy!

Born Wednesday, September 5th, 2007
Weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20 inches long

Details and pictures to come later!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------No, Megan isn't already online, she asked me to update her blog so all her wonderful friends could be updated. I will try to get some pictures up tonight.-Amanda

Dear Dacey

Dear Dacey,

I wonder if you noticed last night that I didn't say our bedtime prayer with you as we rocked in our rocking chair before I laid you down to sleep. I know you can't understand this now, but my throat was too choked, my voice too broken, to even speak a single word. I didn't want to upset you.


If I could have spoken to you what was on my heart, here is what I would have said . . .


Thank you.


Thank you for being the child that you are. Thank you for patiently teaching me through two and half years what it is to be a mother. You turned my beliefs about mothering inside out and upside down, and I can never tell you how grateful I am for that. Thanks for breaking me in.


Thank you for being patient with me while I learned the ropes and tossed the books written by the experts. Thank you for teaching me of the importance of routine and the wonder of flexibility. It is because of you, lovie, that I have discovered the freedom in giving myself so completely over to my purpose for this season of life.


There are moments when I mourn the loss of this time of just the two of us. My heart hurts to know that now our time will be shared. But I also thrill to the thought of you as Big Sister. You are so wise and funny and powerful and compassionate (not to mention just a little bit bossy). You were born to be a Big Sister - just as I was - and I have no doubt you will flourish in your new role.


I love you and I love you and I love you, my love. Glory to God for my sweet Dacey Babe.


Always,
Mama

Still here . . .

Sorry it's been quiet here! Still here, still pregnant, still on track for a Wednesday afternoon delivery. I had big plans to post more over the weekend, but the hecticness has been overwhelming. Hoping to be back with one more post before Little Sister arrives! Thanks for all your prayers and sweet words of encouragement.

The physics of it all

One class on my high school transcript kept me out of my graduating class's Top Ten.

Physics.

From the first day of class, I was bewildered. Try as I might, there was so much I couldn't wrap my mind around. Perhaps because I am more of a whole-to-part or Big Picture thinker, and much of the study of physics is found in the details. Or perhaps because my academic love language is found in reading, writing, and analyzing the written word while formulas and laws have a numbing effect on my thought processes . . . For whatever reason, I just couldn't quite grasp it. I muddled and struggled and was thankful to escape with a bright shiny B, but alas, I always felt like I didn't really learn all I could have learned.

Interestingly though, my big-picture-seeking mind exploded in epiphany one day in class as it dawned on me that in life, really, it all comes down to physics. Even though I just don't get the study of physics, the reality of physics fascinates me. After that class, I found myself subconsciously reflecting on the physics of any given situation. To this day, I unintentionally irritate The Coach when he is trying to explain some new play the defense is going to install and why it will or won't work and I have to interject "well, the physics of the situation demands it."

As I count down days until Little Sister arrives, I have been brushing up on some physics again. The physics of breastfeeding a newborn, of babywearing after a c-section, of one lap and two daughters . . . which is what troubles me the most.

The law of conservation of mass/matter decrees "that the mass of a closed system of substances will remain constant, regardless of the processes acting inside the system."

regardless of the processes acting inside the system.

"An equivalent statement is that matter cannot be created nor destroyed, although it may change form."

although it may change form.

If God in His mercy allows for all to go as planned, then next Wednesday I'll wake up as the mother to one and drift off to sleep later as the mother of two. Such a monumental change of process within my systems will surely require more of me. More room in my lap. More hip on which to carry little ones. More arms for snuggling. More patience, more focus, more compassion, more, more, more . . .

One mom, two children. Time? Divided. Love? Multiplied. But at the end of the day (and through the sleep-interrupted night to the beginning of the next day), it's still just me. Only I am called Mommy to both. No more of me created. And yet, no more of me destroyed.

I have found some solace in another law . . . the law of conservation of energy which states, "that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant, although it may change forms . . ." And there it is again . . . although it may change forms . . .

Without a doubt, the biggest form change I have undergone began on the 28th of January back in 2005. The change in form was not instantaneous, rather it has been an evolution. At times it required a resistant and resentful tug-of-war in which my Pre-Mommy self strained at the rope against Motherhood, unwilling to yield up one more inch of ground. But there were other days, better days, later days when the form change flowed with acceptance, a languid float on a river embracing change as I traveled over rocks worn smooth by time.

And so I find a strange sense of assurance in these laws. Indeed, there will be no more of me to handle the more that is to be required of me. But there will be energy. Energy untapped, energy that has been there all along, waiting to be called upon. It's hard to fathom it at this point, but I have to believe that when it's required of me - all this more - that I will find within me far more than I knew existed.

I believe this because, well, it's the physics of it all . . .

Wordless Wednesday - The Nine Months No-No

Before:

After!!!

And her nest? It was feathered . . .

*big, huge sigh of relief*

Well, sweet friends, as I sit and type, I can rest in the knowing that if Little Sister decides to surprise and delight her hot, tired, and cranky mama by arriving early, at least we have things prepared for her.

I can assure you that the very fact that we are mostly ready for her to be here will certainly guarantee that she will stay put until the appointed day (September 5th - have I mentioned that lately?). Oh, sure, there are a few odds and ends on the list to be completed (such fun treats as cleaning out and cleaning up my car and making a trip to Sam's to stock up on some household stuff), but for the most part, I feel satisfied in where things stand right now.

And speaking of lists, I wanted to share a few things I have come across in the midst of my nesting craze that I think are pretty neat. (It seems nesting and spending are synonymous in my vocabulary these days. It's shocking, really, the amount of moolah I have dropped on Little Sister . . . perhaps already anticipating and overcompensating for Middle Child syndrome?)

My new carrier dilemma solved itself when I came across a darling adjustable Mei Tai Baby on the for-sale-or-trade forum at thebabywearer.com. I cannot wait to try this lovely out with LS and will be sure to post action pics for everyone.

I could not decide what to do about the nursing pads (reusable or disposable?), so I got some of each. A big ol' box of trusty Lansinoh disposable pads and a set of Imse Vimse pear shaped wool pads. (I really wanted to try the LANA wool pads that Noah so highly recommends, but I just couldn't quite make that big of an investment yet. I would need the medium size in the Ekstra style, so that adds up. I may still get some, though, if the Imse Vimses don't work out.)

Let's see, what else? Oh yeah - I discovered these really great nursing bras, at Ebay of all places! YES nursing bras may very well be the best of the bunch I have tried so far. I'm of the larger-chested tribe of mamas and no underwire bras (nursing or otherwise) usually just don't meet my needs, but I am loving the design this mama has put together. I ordered one to try (I mean, for $17.99 including shipping, what the heck?) and loved it so much that I ordered another in the next size up to get me through those first weeks/months of nursing a newborn voluptuousness . . .

I've gotten newborn cloth diapers and covers galore and I can't wait to share my experience with you as we begin that journey. I love the idea of a newborn swaddled all in cloth from her sweet-smelling head down to her tiny, tiny toes.

And speaking of swaddling, I was thrilled to see new designs available in our family's very favorite swaddling blanket - the Ultimate Swaddling Blanket. D's is the very sweet but very basic lavender dots print. (To this day, that blankie goes with her most everywhere. Such a Linus!) I decided to be a little more bold in choosing for Little Sis, so I picked out the Pink Mod Circle print this time. Fun!

Lots of things swirling about and cluttering this mama's mind these days . . . I hope to get them posted, if for nothing else than to be a record for me to look back on and remember one day. Thanks for your patience during my brief sabbatical. I look forward to catching up with everyone soon!

psssst . . .

I know, I know, I'm not supposed to be here, but I am too excited to not share this news . . .

One of my fellow expecting-in-September-07 blogging friends had her baby!!

Read Reesh's husband's story of their amazing homebirth here and see pictures of the gorgeously perfect Nadia here.

Congrats Reesh and family! Happy babymoon!!

Time Out

Well, sweet friends, as much as I hate to do it, I need to call a time out.

I never really nested too much with D, but this time around I am feeling a pressing sense of urgency about getting everything ready for Little Sister's arrival. This sense of urgency has only been exacerbated by my sister's repeated proclamations that she just "really thinks this baby is coming early" coupled with the fortune I cracked out of a cookie earlier this week:

There may be a crisis looming, be ready for it.

*gulp*

I have never been one to put much weight in fortune cookie prophecy, but that one little sentence has certainly lit a fire under my seat.

So for now, I am focusing what (oh-so-little) energy I have on finishing off my to-do lists. I apologize for emails unsent, comments unleft, and posts unposted. Thanks for your patience.

Wordless Wednesday - Nine Months

Menu Plan Monday - August 13th

Well, friends, the sweet days of a mild summer are long behind us now, and as I write, the temperature outside my kitchen window is 85 degrees. In the shade. At nine in the morning.

Needless to say, this Mama is too hot and tired to do much in the way of fancy in the kitchen. In fact, you will see several dinners from last week's meal plan because I just big fat didn't get around to cooking a few nights last week. (Not to worry! D and I still ate - we just went ahead and had Sonic corn dogs instead of that tofu miracle.)

Monday: We'll try again to do the Black Bean, Tofu, Spinach Miracle
Tuesday: Cheese Tortellini and Mushroom Sauce
Wednesday: Dinner out with D's Aunt Mimi (my sister! hooray!)
Thursday: Coaches' wives get together!
Friday: whole wheat spaghetti and leftover peanut sauce from last week
Saturday: chicken nuggets, mac n cheese, corn on the cob
Sunday: Joe's Famous Breakfast Tacos (Thanks Keara and Joe! Welcome back to Texas!!)

As always, many thanks to Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie for hosting!

Her Royal Highness Requests . . .

So here's a question for the weekend . . .
If you are the Mommy to a Princess, can you yourself be a Princess as well?

Evidently, the answer is (at least sometimes) yes.

My sweet new friend (and gorgeously gifted writer) Megan at Fried Okra has bestowed upon me the I'm a Blogging Princess award!
Thank you, Megan! Really, if ya'll haven't added Megan to your trusty feed reader by now, you are sorely missing out. That girl can get me to giggling like no other, but there are many beautifully written truths in the midst of the hilarity as well.

So I believe it is now my turn to bestow the honor on two more Bloggin' Princesses:

First, another blogger blessed with a great name: Meghan at Pyreflies over Zanarkland. (Meghan has that added "h" in her name that I so wantonly coveted when I was growing up. Oh, how I begged my parents to let me legally change the spelling of my name! Alas, at age thirty, I think I have finally found peace in being "h-less.") Meghan is an outrageously gifted photographer, writer, and mommy. She was my inspiration to start a blog myself and was a great source of encouragement when I was first getting my feet wet around here. Plus, she and her Prince just found themselves a new castle, so I think it's time we make her title official!

Secondly, I am passing this award on to Christy at After a Cup of Coffee or Two . Christy is a funny and courageous mom who openly shares the ups-and-downs of the life of a military wife. In the past month or so she has had to handle everything from a dastardly dishwasher to potty training - all on her own. More than anything, I think this says it all! Someone give this woman a tiara!


So that takes care of that business.

Now, on to my royal request . . .

I am going to make one more plea for all of you readers who haven't yet "checked the box" to go ahead and check that little guy. Katherine at Raising Five wrote on this again this week, and her clickable link in that post explains the how and why to check the box far better than I can.
And yes, I know some are hesitant to reveal their personal email address in the blogosphere. Not to worry! It's super easy to create one just for blogging. I have chosen gmail to handle my blog mail and am quite happy with the choice. One of my fave features of gmail is I can easily have all of my blog emails forwarded to a personal email account so I am not constantly checking separate accounts during the day. If you would like to open a gmail account, I have many invites available! Just let me know. Seriously, people.

Now, while you are out tootling around in blogland this weekend (because my gosh, isn't it too hot to do much of anything else?!), here are some things to keep ya busy:

You can go meet my "mind twin" Laura at Sweet Awakenings. Laura and I have known each other for a little over two years (already?!) in what started as a message board friendship. It's scary to me sometimes how much she truly does read my mind. Take a minute to peruse her Rebel Mama post and you will have my parenting philosophies in a nutshell.

Melissa of Little Woolgatherings recently rolled out the shiny new Melissa Garrett ~ A Writer's Woolgatherings. Go check out her new digs!

Ever creative in her ability to get bloggers writing and mingling, Jordan at MamaBlogga is hosting BlogOlympics next week! This looks to be great fun.

Finally, if you are itchin' for an exhilarating read on what God is doing world away from here, check out Beth Moore's report on her recent trip to Africa.

If you're looking for me this weekend, I'll be set up somewhere with my feet in buckets of ice water and the floor fan directed primarily on me and set to high . . .

Bit O' Crunchy, August 10th: WHOLE FOODS AND GOOD EATS

It's summertime and not only is the livin' easy, but it's also that time of year when your local farmers' market is brimming with all kinds of fresh-from-the-earth goodness. But if you grew up in a family like mine where a salad consists of a head of iceburg lettuce hacked into sorta bite-sized pieces, then it might be a little overwhelming to know what to do with foods that you know are good for you, but you don't know how to prepare.

For today's Bit O' Crunchy, I wanted to spotlight a few of my favorite go-to sites for all things whole food.

One of the most useful sites I have come across is The World's Healthiest Foods. This non-profit organization has collected an immense amount of information on choosing, preparing, and enjoying whole foods. The Healthiest Foods List is an exhaustive listing of "health-promoting foods" that allows you to discover in just one click the growing season, health benefits, shopping tips, recipes, and preparation ideas for 130 whole foods. Amazing! They also have recipes of the week, food of the week, and condition-specific health-promoting menu plans.

Another SortaCrunchy fave is VegWeb. I have been using this website for recipe ideas for over a year. Tons and tons of recipes with helpful reviews! Perfect for anyone who wants to dabble in vegetarian meal planning but isn't quite ready to invest in a new library of cookbooks.

Finally, I wanted to introduce you to Carrien at the real food revolution. This bloggin' mom has just started her real foods blog and it promises to have lots of practical, budget-friendly, and kid-approved ideas on how to get healthy, whole foods into the tummies you love best.

I would love to hear from you on what your favorite whole foods and healthy eating resources are! What whole and healthy foods have you been enjoying this summer?