The Highlight of November

"Oops I forgot to tell you happy birthday this morning...there goes my husband of the year award."

That is the first email that showed up in my inbox on the morning of November 19.  (My 30th birthday).

I just laughed, because I until that email I hadn't even realized that he was supposed to say it.

Funny how birthdays change as you get older. 

I remember counting down the days as soon as November hit. 

This year, I didn't even pay attention to the fact that it was on a Monday.

I think that's a good thing.

My birthday is no longer the highlight of November.

There are so many more great things going on in my life that I don't need to spend the time crossing off each day until the 19th.

And that's a great thing.

PS...he did earn back his "husband of the year" award by making me a surprise dinner of my favorite meal! 

PPS...the fact that I forgot that it was my birthday had NOTHING to do with the fact that it was my 30th!  :-)

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly of Motherhood

I've only been a mother for a very short 7 months and 6 days, and I can already tell many ways in which my life has changed.  MOST of the changes have been incredibly awesome.  Some of the changes have been different from what I expected, and of course some things have slapped me in the face like a wet rag. 

Thus leading me to the good, bad, and ugly of motherhood.

In preparing the house for a baby:
The Good:  The oh so cute baby things they have out now.  My husband is probably thankful that I didn't get to in to Pinterest before we started this process.  There are so many options out there.

The Bad:  Having to sort through the things you really need and the extra "stuff" that baby companies make a FORTUNE telling you that you just "have to have."  The really bad thing...you don't really know until you have the baby home.

The Ugly: The cost.  And we did it cheaper than most! 

In breastfeeding the baby:
The Good:  I could go on and on, site source after source, and talk to expert after expert about the positives of breastfeeding.  I'm so happy I was able to do it for as long as I did.

The Bad:  I really didn't start to dislike it until I had to start pumping at school.  Uncomfortable, I could only wear shirts that would be "easy access" for the pump, and having to ask male athletic directors for a room to pump.  I never had one give me an answer.  They all pointed me to the women running the score clock and said they could show me.

The Ugly:  All the "mommy wars" against moms who breastfeed and mom's who use formula.  It bothers me that women can be so arrogant to think that one way to feed a child is better than another.  I love breastfeeding, but now that we are bottle feeding there are definite advantages and Jackie is as happy as she was before.  Breastfeeding (or bottle feeding) doesn't make happy, healthy babies.  Happy, healthy parents make happy healthy babies. 

In a mobile baby:
The good:  It is so fun watching her explore and discover new things.  I love watching Ethan hold her hands and help her practice walking around the house. 

The bad:  We still haven't completely "baby-proofed" the house for a mobile baby yet.  We did put the gate up, there's still MUCH more to do.

The Ugly:  I am acutely aware of how quickly my floor get dirty as she's scooting herself around.  Ewww! 

In the way I care for myself:
The Good:  I ate better and exercised more when I was pregnant.  I am much more aware of the foods I am fixing because, now that Jackie is eating more and more foods, she's eating with us.  I want her to be healthy, so we become more healthy.

The Bad:  The days when my make-up does not get on.  Bad.  Very Bad.

The Ugly:  I hate to admit it, but there are days when I don't get a shower in before school.  I change my underwear, dab on some extra deodorant, and give an extra spritz of the perfume.  In all reality, as long as I'm not the smelliest person in the room, I'm ok with it.  I teach 8th grade boys.  I'm good.

In keeping up with friends:
The Good:  I have so many friends and families who had babies within the last year it has been fun keeping up with all the babies and what they're doing.  The best part is that I'm in touch now with people who I haven't talked to in years.

The Bad:  On the flip side, we don't get out and do as much with friends as we used to.  This isn't a MAJOR change from how we were before baby.  We weren't big "go to the bar" people.  We have a select group of friends we get together with from time to time.  Unfortunately it has been a while since our time and their time connects.

The Ugly:  If you call my house after 8:00 PM and wake up my sleeping baby.  Not only will you encounter a short, unpleasant mama, but you might just find yourself "unfriended" the next day.  I'm kidding...kind of.  Texts are much more appreciated, then we can call you, and no one gets the axe! 

In finally figuring out a routine:
The Good:  Jackie sleeps a good 8-10 hours straight every night.  I'm much more rested and am finally able to get myself up at the sound of the alarm, allowing for a much smoother morning schedule.

The Bad:  Jackie is ready for bed around 7:30, and on most nights that is awesome.  It gives E and I some time to ourselves.  However, if we ever want to do anything passed that time.  Jackie will be a bear.

The Ugly:  I live in FEAR of this schedule getting interrupted.  To the point where, the little ladybug PJs that Jackie has will never be worn again.  Why?  she woke up in the middle of the night with them, twice.  They're done.  Jackie getting off this schedule equals less sleep for me. 

34 years ago

The fourth of five children was born.

Oh Halloween.

A boy.  Causing his father to sing the chorus of "My three sons" on the phone as he called family to celebrate the good news.

He would learn to walk chasing a Coors beer can around the room as it was passed in laughter from one person to the next. I'm not kidding. Ironic that today he drinks Coors.

He was a typical baby, from what I understand.  Grew like a weed early, stretching those legs longer than most of his peers.  He would be 6' 4'' by his Freshman year of high school.  The basketball coaches were drooling.

But he played soccer.

And the saxophone.

And enjoyed having his birthday on Halloween.  Not only did he get to go from house to house collecting candy like all the other kids. He also got a cake.

Usually with M&Ms on top in some shape.

He was afraid of dogs.  Not too sure if he was snapped at by a larger dog when he was little, but he wanted nothing to do with them. It wasn't until his parents got a little puppy that he started to like the furry, four-legged companions.  Glenn would be with them for many years and not only ease his fear, but give him a love for dogs which would eventually lead to him having one...or two dogs of his own.  He'd have three, but someone in the house says no :o)

 His interest in electronics and how things work ended up in two degrees from WSU, engineering and computer sciences.  Now enjoys working for one of the top three companies in the United States to work for.  They have Beer Fridays.  Yup.  Beer at work.  Provided by the employer. 

32 years later he would celebrate his first birthday as a married man.

33 years he celebrated by finding out his first child would be a little girl.

and at 34 years, for the first time, he celebrated his birthday by taking his little baby girl out "trick-or-treating."  Actually we went to three houses.  Friends and family.  Jackie celebrated daddy's birthday too by being a complete daddy's girl all day.  It is almost as if she knew that today was daddy's day and she should want to be with him as much as possible.  It was sweet, and he loved every minute.

I am so thankful that 34 years ago this wonderful man was born.  I am thankful he called me again after our first date, and I'm even thankful that he still teases me about our second date.  I couldn't have found anyone else who would have been a better match, and seeing him as a daddy only makes me love him more. 

Happy birthday my love!

(Authors note:  This is being published on Nov. 1 because apparently Halloween is a busy day when you have kids :o)

Happenings at the Weber Haus

"It's been a while...are you sure you remember how to do this?"

Those were the exact words my husband said as he watched me sit here with a blinking cursor trying to figure out what to write.

Actually I have MANY things going on in my life in the last few months that are worthy of a blog post.

I have sat down at the computer probably 50 times, started, deleted, saved, and restarted post after post, but none of them make it to "publish."

I'm not really sure why.

So until I figure it all out, here are a few things going on around the Weber Haus.

As predicted Jackie is a moving machine.  It didn't take her very long to figure out the army crawl and today there's not a barbed wire she couldn't crawl under.  At 7 months she is standing, bouncing, and scooting herself all over the house.  She's working hard at learning to stand on her own and moving those feet in a walking motion (with mama, daddy, or grandpa holding her hands).  She is enjoying playing and exploring all around the house.  But she doesn't get to go everywhere she wants, the baby gate is up and functioning keeping her off the stairs!

I finished coaching volleyball and for the first time in my teaching career I didn't follow it up with basketball.  I went into the gym on the first day of basketball practice.  It took me over 15 minutes to actually work up the courage.  I was scared.  Would I walk in there and realize that I made a huge mistake?  But I needed to.  I needed to find out if I was really ready to be done with it.  I was.  I walked in the gym and saw basketballs pounding on the ground and coach hollering "keep your eyes up," and I had a feeling of relief.  I didn't have to be there.  Not that I ever felt like I HAD to be there, I loved it while I did it.  I'm just happy to be enjoying all the changes in my life!

Coaching, teaching, and being a mom was a HUGE transition and at times I felt like I was failing at all three.  I was excited for the volleyball season to be over so I could enjoy afternoons with my baby and a day of work without an email from the athletic director.  I'm finally finding the time to make new lesson plans and change things up in my classroom like I wanted to do at the beginning.  My house is cleaner and I am working on trying to be more organized and tidy.  I keep thinking and praying on what to do next year.  I keep coming back to an article my husband told me about that describes how people are as busy as they make themselves.  They decide to do this and that and everything and then complain about their busy lives.  I don't want that kind of life, at least not yet.  I don't want to get home at 9:30 at night, exhausted, and realize that I still have dishes to do and laundry to fold.  However, on the flip side, I love coaching and the connection I make with the players.  There's no greater feeling for a coach than to see his/her players improving, succeeding, and achieving goals, and I'm not sure I'm ready to give up that feeling yet. 

I finished breastfeeding for baby number one.  It was a sad, but necessary transition.  I simply was losing my supply of milk and she wasn't getting enough food from me.  We had already introduced some formula at daycare and night time, so luckily the transition for Jackie was a smooth one.  I am doing fine with the decision as well, I wish I could have done it longer, but so many factors can affect a mother's milk.  I gave my baby what I could for 6 and 1/2 months.  She's happy and healthy.  We're happy and healthy.  It was a good move. 

We made an unexpected purchase last weekend.  A new vehicle.  This was a big decision for us and it was one that weren't planning on making for the next year or so.  However, when we took the truck in to get the oil changed it was discovered that we were going to need new tires, new brakes, and a new windshield.  So it became apparent that we were either going to put a sizable amount of money into the truck and keep it longer than we planned or start looking for a new vehicle earlier than we planned.  Well, turns out new Durangos with hail damage and an excellent interest rate make for a deal that we didn't want to turn down.  That is hopefully the last vehicle we buy for a looooooong time!

The most recent purchase has many positive side effects, one of those was our budget.  Not that it got better, it didn't.  But what did get better was our knowledge of the budget.  When it became obvious that we were going to be getting the Durango we went home and sat down that night looked at all our bank statements, credit card payments, and spending habits to find where exactly all our money goes each month.  This was VERY good for us.  We set up goals and limits and I even get an "allowance."  Sounds juvenile, I know, but I am very happy for some "guilt-free" spending each month.  It's funny how a major purchase can make me feel better about money.

Our baby is 7 months old.  7 MONTHS!  I just got used to telling people she's 6th months, now I have to try to remember 7.  I know so many people say "enjoy them when they're small" and I do.  I love the stage she's at right now, but I don't wish for her to stay this way.  I don't want to go back to when she was just born and SO TINY and I don't wish for her to be 5 or 6 years old yet.  I look forward to each stage of her life (except the teen years...I'll be looking for volunteers then!).  I can't wait till she's walking and talking and running all around here, but I'm enjoying the nightly cuddles and big smiles she gives me everyday!

Weaning

To wean: (according to Dictionary.com) to withdraw (a person, the affections, one's dependency, etc.) from some object, habit, form of enjoyment, or the like

Having a baby has caused us to use this word a few times already.

After only a week we had to wean Jackie of sleeping in our bed and transition her to the crib.  That was a very successful and short weaning process.  Thank goodness!

When Jackie reached about three months it became necessary to start weaning her off of sleeping in the swaddle.  She was just too hot all wrapped up and more importantly, she had started rolling on her belly.  That was a little longer process, but again successful.

In the future I will have to fully wean her from breast milk on to cows milk, but we're still a ways away from that (hopefully).

At 6 months old, my husband decided that it's probably time to start weaning her off of the swing. 

Gasp!

My first reaction was FEAR.  OH NO!  We can't do that yet...she still meets the weight requirement.

But once I had a chance to think about it, he is probably right. 

She is now mobile (more on that later...), she likes to lay on her side, and she HATES being strapped in to the swing. 

Starting to get the picture now.

Falling out of the swing is now reality. 

The swing has been our crutch for so long.  It has allowed us to have dinner peacefully, me to get some chores done around the house, time to get ready for work in the morning, a place for her to sleep when she's stuffy and needs to be a little elevated, some of her best naps are taken in the swing, and it does wonders getting her to fall asleep at night. 

Weaning off the swing means all of that disappears...

We are now on our second night of putting Little Miss to bed without the use of the swing and so far so good.  Ethan even put baby in her crib awake to see if she would put herself to sleep (something else we need to do a better job of).  I can hear her now rustling around in there and I hope she'll just play herself to sleep for the night. 

I'm hoping so...I'm ready for bed myself (and it's not even 9:00 yet!)

Tis the Season...

We've been in our house just nine months now, and I am still in awe that we even get to call this place our home.  It is what I dreamed we would have someday when we were in our 40s or 50s, not where I thought we would celebrate our 2nd year anniversary.

There are still many things to be done.

And many things we are doing.

But there is just one "something" that I have been waiting to do.

Decorate for the seasons. 

I totally want that house on the end of the corner that has the inside decorated for each of the beautiful seasons we get to experience (ok...this last summer wasn't exactly what I would call beautiful, but by February I'm going to be begging for 100 degree weather.)

We closed on the sale of our home last Christmas Eve.  Meaning we had no tree, no lights, and my lovely nativity stayed packed in the boxes.  At the time, it was a necessary sacrifice.  We were in our home, we didn't have to pay two mortgages, and I was just starting to hit my 3rd trimester.  However, I still missed it.

I went grocery shopping at Walmart today.  Ugh...on a Saturday afternoon.  It was not the best part of my Saturday.  I was walking up and down the "For the Home" isles looking at all the pretty fall decorations.  I even decided that I could do a little decorating for less than 15 bucks.  So I picked up a tablecloth, some cute little leave-shaped salt and pepper shakers, and a pretty fake flower arrangement to put on the table. 

By the end of the trip I put it back.

If I was going to buy decorations, I needed to do it on a day when I wasn't shopping for the entire month of groceries.  By the end of the trip I decided that I didn't need to buy just one more thing.

However, it's coming. 

I may not get to decorate for fall this year.

But Christmas decorations are already in the stores.  Usually I have a problem with that...but this year I'm so excited to decorate for Christmas that I didn't even care there were lighted trees and puffed up snowmen as I walked through Wally World today.

Curious Geroge

I am positive that the monkey used in the Curious George books was modeled after a 5 (almost 6) month old baby.

In our case, more ways than one.

Apparently today at daycare, Jackie had a "Curious George" moment. 

Our wonderful daycare provider was holding Little Miss in on arm while holding a banana in another.

As she turned her head to talk to one of the other little kids, Jackie saw a curious object staring her in the face.

And she did what most 5 (almost 6) month old babies do with curious objects.  She leaned over, put it in her mouth, and took a big bite.

As our babysitter finished the conversation and looked back at her, now shorter banana, she realized that something was missing.  Looked at Jackie, and...

Got a big, banana-y grin.