Round 2

Well, it's official, we're pregnant again! This was definitely a surprise to all the parties involved. Greta still has absolutely no idea and I have a feeling she really won't until this little bundle joins us in the world. We are 13 weeks along, as of tomorrow, and I'm feeling pretty good. I've been tired, which by the way, means I should be resting now as Greta is but I felt like writing instead! Other than a few headaches from not drinking enough water though, I've been great.



Emotionally however, not so much. Well, I'm getting there. My dear husband and I found out about this bundle the day before Easter. We've had our share of family and friend troubles so far this Spring that telling everyone right then just didn't feel right. Also, we weren't excited. Isn't it even awful to think? Then we felt guilty for not feeling excited. Both things that my God does not want me to feel. Alas, we took in what we could, breathed, cried, got a Frosty at Wendy's, said a prayer, and went with it.

We told some good friends of ours not long afterward as they were in a similar boat, pregnant, with children already, and not really expecting it. They were excited and supportive which is exactly what we needed.

I guess I had a different plan (isn't it funny when that happens!).

• I wanted Greta to be at the birth of her younger siblings and to maybe realize, a little, what was going on. We're still planning on having her there, she just might be clueless!

• I wanted Greta to get to be the baby for a while. No matter how hard I try, she will now be the "big girl". I'll have unfair expectations on her just because she's not the infant.

• I wanted to nurse Greta for as long as we both wanted it. Breastfeeding was not easy for us. In fact, sometimes I laugh about this, but we pretty much endured every possible problem with nursing until she was about 6 weeks old. I know that may not seem like very long for some of you but let me help you with the math: nursing 10-12 times daily (on both sides!) times 7 days times 6 weeks equals 420 to 500 times of an excruciatingly painful experience that neither of us were enjoying all the while knowing that it was supposed to be beautiful and bonding. Ha. All that to say however, I'm not quitting nursing just because I'm pregnant. And I don't plan on stopping once the new babe is born. I have lots of reasons for it and maybe I'll write more about that later.
  

• I wanted to not be pregnant for a little while longer. I mean, I feel like I just got out of my maternity pants. Well, I did.

• Even as I look back on this I realize that I have started each sentence with, "I wanted" Ha.

As we approach the second trimester I am feeling much better, emotionally, about the whole situation. I am eagerly anticipating finding a midwife that will deliver this babe in our home. I am excited about eating healthy for not only myself and Greta but also this new little one. I am confident that this birth will be an experience I won't forget. I am looking forward to finding out the gender of this babe (we really don't need anymore surprises) and planning for him or her. I am excited to watch Greta become a big sister and see all the gifts she has as a little girl come to the table. I'm also excited for this bit of JOY in the midst of what felt like a hurricane around us.

Nap Time

I know it's been a while since my last post but I just wanted to write about how much I love nap time. And yet, I can't wait for it to be over. Isn't that the strangest thing? While having lunch today I realized that my little gal had been asleep already for almost 2 hours*. She rarely naps longer than an hour. That's her sleep cycle. So, me, being the crazy new mom that I am, went upstairs to check on her. She was definitely still sleeping, until she heard me breathing, and then she woke up. And I was glad. I absolutely love my life.

* today she had shots- which might explain the longer nap.

St. Patrick's Day!

I love this holiday. As a 1/4 Irish gal, celebrating St. Patrick's Day is a must. My family marches in the parade downtown and everyone gets dressed up. As this was Greta's first St. Patrick's Day I wanted to make a special outfit for her. I made these stripped leggings a few days ago but needed a top. I found this great pattern for a super cute dress and got to work. I also found this really easy to follow chart for making a shamrock right in the center. With a few adaptations and some time, I made this whole outfit in one day!

Greta's Dedication Dress

Well, we're having Greta dedicated. I've been working on something for her to wear for the big event for quite some time now. Here's what has happened.

I started a dress with a sweet and simple pattern only to find that it was just way too big.
Then, I found another pattern, checked my gauge, and knit the entire thing... only to find that this too was quite too large for my little babe. This dress is called Oriental Lily and I thought it would be just perfect. I made it white with a pink sash around the center. It will probably fit her for Easter of 2011!
So, I have officially started the third dress for this babe and I'm not more that two inches from the bottom, (it's a bottom up dress) and I already think it's too big.

All that to say, if any of you know of a good place to find an affordable dedication dress, read less than $20, let me know. We're running out of time here and I just can't knit that fast!

5.3.10
Photos added of the dress!

Nana is happy!

and so is baby Greta! (Mama too of course!)

Sleep Sound In Jesus

As a child my mother used to put us to sleep with this Michael Card CD, "Sleep Sound In Jesus". It never failed. I would be fussy, or over tired, and fight sleep. My mom would tuck me in. Kiss me good night. And walk away. If I really needed to fall asleep and wouldn't, my mom would put on this cd. I don't think I know any of the songs past the third or fourth because it only took the first few to lull me off to sleep.

Well, my dearest Greta has a cold. She has been fighting one off for the last week and it has fully hit. She has a runny nose and fever. Although, much to our amazement, she doesn't seem that "off", her naps have been terrible today. So as I went to lay her down for attempt #4 of the day I couldn't bear the sound of her tears one more time. Then it dawned on my... Sleep Sound in Jesus. I have an iPod player in her room and so, as she battles this cold, she will rest for this nap with this precious cd playing in the background.

Thank you Mom for introducing me to this beautiful lullaby. Thank you Micheal Card for creating such a treasured gift. And thank you God for lulling my baby to sleep with the Truth about you!

Spring

Well, as it's not officially here yet this blog might be mislabeled. However, the Hope of Spring is here. Many of my friends have claimed that this winter has truly been that, a winter. I guess I haven't necessarily felt the same but I can empathize with them. This winter I have wanted nothing more than to get outside. Greta is now 5 months old and the idea of laying her down on a play mat, or sitting her in her exosaucer, while fun it may be for a moment, seems mundane.

I'm ready for sunshine.

I'm ready for green grass.

I'm ready to bring a big blanket to one of our beautiful lakes and have a picnic with my babe.

I'm ready to paint my toenails and have someone see them.
I'm ready for St. Patrick's Day and marching in the parade downtown.
I'm ready for the new life that comes with Spring.
All that to say, I'm ready!

Servant

"Not so with you, instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20: 26-28

These verses were part of our reading this morning. How do we do this? How do we teach this? More and more the realization that I am responsible for the spiritual well being of my dear little one has been impressed upon me. It is our, her father's and my, responsibility to teach her the ways of our Lord and to show her how to live in such a way.

We have opened our home for the past month or so to some friends in need of a place to rest, heal, and be loved. I guess my feeling behind it all is that it really isn't our home. I mean, we pay for it every month, and all of "our" stuff is in it, but it really isn't our house. We are merely taking care of it for Him. So, with that said, why not open it up when others need it? How am I to claim to be a "Christian" if I don't act like it. And could you imagine Christ doing anything differently if he knew of someone needing a place to stay?

I have been blessed. Blessed with a wonderful family who love me for who I am. Blessed with an incredible husband who treats me with more respect that I could have ever deserved. Blessed with a beautiful daughter who's spirit is delightful and who's smile is contagious. Blessed with friends who encourage me and who make me laugh. Why not share the blessings? If this is what it means to be a servant of Christ than sign me up.

Compelled

By Sara Groves

What a relief it is to know I’m a slave to Christ Of all the masters I have known I’m compelled to live this life Free for you I’m on the other side of something I’m on the other side of something I have a new hope that blows away The small hopes I knew before And at the end of the day I am yours And I am compelled You’ve written on my very heart Where no man can legislate The law of your love has taken hold With your holiness and grace There’s no mistake I’m on the other side of something I’m coming out the other side, the other side I have a new hope that blows away The small hopes I knew before And at the end of the day I am yours And I am compelled I am drawn and driven, I am compelled You have written it, I am compelled You live in me And I can’t help myself