9 months and 18 weeks

Well. It appears my darling daughter is teething. I know this is a very common baby stage but I have to say, I hate it. There really isn't much I can do for her. We try to comfort her with tylenol/motrin whenever possible. She has plenty of teethers that we keep cold so she can chew on them when needed. A friend of mine lent me a wonderful gadget. It's a way to let babies eat/suck on frozen fruit without choking. Greta loves it and so do I! We've been getting outside as often as possible and letting the distractions help. We walked Lake of the Isles yesterday, Lake Harriet today, and tomorrow we're walking Calhoun. It's great to get out and get some exercise and I'm convinced we're making people happier with Greta's bright eyes and beautiful smile!

Our baby turns 9 months tomorrow. 9 months! Holy cow. I cannot believe how quickly this time is flying by. She is so much fun (well, not currently). She sits up now, can pull herself to standing while holding onto me, laughs all the time, plays coy when new people come around, eats big kid food, and sings to herself all the time. She is absolutely wonderful. I'm so very lucky to be her Mama.

I am now 18 weeks along in this pregnancy. 18 weeks! Also- we found out what we're having.... it's a girl! We couldn't be more excited! (We would have been excited either way really!) We didn't find out the gender when we were pregnant with Greta and I loved it. It was so fun not knowing and having that moment in the hospital when we saw her for the first time. However, since we really didn't need any more surprises this time around, we opted to find out. Also- it's kind of fun to have the option. We had an ultrasound on Father's Day and were able to see our new little daughter. She was moving like crazy and had a beautiful profile! We are so blessed.

Camping

I love this day. This is the last day before camp. This is the preparation day. I have my to-do list. My groceries purchased. My clothes cleaned. My packing list has been tweaked, to add the stuff we now need for Miss Greta, and it's been printed! Now all I have to do is start.

This year I'm making jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon for the wine tasting that I will not be able to participate in. I need to prepare those ahead of time as they can take a little while and then I don't have to worry about doing it once we are there. I also need to make egg salad for one of the lunches we're going to have there.

We are trying something different with food this year. We always end up driving home with extra food so instead, we are going to do food communally this year. Everyone has been assigned a meal, or three, and they are responsible for providing food for everyone in our group. Should be kind of fun to see how it works! I think I like change. Actually, I know I do.

I always over pack knitting projects for these sorts of trips. I get optimistic thinking about how much I could accomplish, pack a ton of bags of knitting supplies, and rarely knit. I'm currently working on a birthday gift for my friend's twins- not needed until December and so I think I'll bring that.

I met Daniel camping. That is where we fell in love 6 years later. We got married with most of our camp friends around us, outside. We love to travel together and we love to be outside. Memorial Day is always fun, even in the rain. Here's to a fabulous weekend ahead. Oh, and it's Greta's first time camping!

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!