Babies on the brain

Oooooooh, babies. I love 'em. I loved being pregnant. I felt wonderful, was so healthy, loved my midwife appointments, fully enjoyed my growing belly and bonding with the little life inside of me, anticipating who was in there...what a miracle. Lots of gals I know just had babies (congrats, B!) or are just about to, including my sister-in-law. So now that Andrew is two years and two months old, another month gone by means the two kids would be three years apart in age. I know plenty of people with kids MUCH closer in age than that. In fact, we're becoming the minority of families with only one. Many women I know were pregnant before their first child's second birthday. I'm glad we've "held out," especially since we haven't finished paying for Andrew's emergency hospital birth yet. Yikes. There's a lot of other reasons we've been putting it off--over all, we just haven't felt at peace about adding to our family yet. And now we're trying to avoid getting pregnant in the February-March window because we really, really don't want another birthday at the end of the year. Seriously.
Andrew's gestation was nine calendar months almost to the day. He was conceived within a couple days of February 27th and was born November 26th. So April. Best case scenario (meaning that "trying" was successful immediately), I'd be due in January 2009 and the kids would be three years and two months apart in age. If it didn't "take" right away, just keep pushing that forward. Pregnant in May would mean due in February and they'd be three years and 3 months apart, etc. A spring '09 baby would be lovely! We don't have ANYthing going on in the spring! :) It appeals to me to be at my most pregnant in the cooler months, too. It literally cooled off the DAY AFTER Andrew was born. I was hot my entire pregnancy, basically. Avoiding that again would be nice, especially since my pregnancy this time won't be as easy as with Andrew because I'll be chasing Andrew around during this one! No weeks at a time doing nothing but yoga, reading pregnancy books and watching TLC!
So. Boy or a girl. According to the Chinese calendar, at age 30 (which I am), I'd be likely to have a girl if I conceived ANY time from February to October of this year!! Woo-hoo!! It did predict Andrew correctly, assuming my calculation of conception was correct. My best guess was February 27 so if I was off a couple of days and he was conceived in March, he'd have been predicted as a girl. Interesting. The poll I took said the chart was 57% accurate. Just a little better than 50%, but, hey!
At ages 30 and 31, it shows 9/12 months likely for a girl and only 3/12 for a boy. And the 9 for a girl are all in a row, too! Weird. But maybe the odds are in my favor.
HOWEVER...As much as I want to have a daughter someday, I'd also love for Andrew to have a brother. And it'd be nice if they were close in age, too. I'm liking this longer span of time in between so if we had a girl next, then a boy another three years after that, Andrew could easily be six or more years older than him. Yeesh.
It's interesting, expanding a family. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. I have a blogging friend having a boy very soon, after two little girls. I remember when she first got pregnant, she asked me, "You're having more, right? At least one or two more?? We're not going to be the only ones with three, are we??" She's right! So few families break the two barrier, especially if they have a boy and a girl. It takes courage. And maybe you have to be a little crazy, too.
I'm not sure how many people "plan" their families, frankly. I've heard of several "surprise" pregnancies lately. And families with two or more close in age...did they plan it that way?? I don't know. I think a lot of it is about having faith. And just plain loving kids. Loving parenting! And Lord knows, it's hard. Hard to bring a child into the world the way it is. Hard to afford it! Hard to manage careers and finances and TIME. It's like a lot of things in life: If you wait until "the right time," you're going to be waiting forever. There is no right time! You just have to kind of dive in. Knowing God is in control helps a lot, too.
I knew when I was pregnant with Andrew. It just felt...right. We knew when it happened, too. It was almost...magical. We'd been praying about it and we did everything "right," and I just felt like it took. Like God was smiling on me. It felt almost too good to be true--so much so that the positive pregnancy test about knocked me over. But then, it also felt like, "Oooh, right. Of course."
So I know it will all fall into place. For now, I'm looking at April only three months away and put "prenatal vitamins" on my shopping list and have made a vow that after Valentine's Day, no more candy is allowed in this house. I'm going to try to lose about five pounds, eat more healthily and start acting like a mother-to-be, even if it's still a year or more in the future. That, and talking to Drew about applying our tax returns to the hospital bills.
That leap of faith could be coming soon.

Weekend Fun

This month's Red Hat Society event saw our first RED-uation--a pink hatter turned 50 and now gets to wear the red hat!! It was fun for everyone to wave a wand over her head and give her a wish for the second half of her life then for all 22 of the rest of us to say "You're never too old to play dress up!" and give her the official RHS wave. It was a hoot. Then her mom got to place her red hat on her head--and I saw tears in her eyes!
The event was at the Urban Tea Loft in Chandler and it was a lovely experience. It's a new place run by a local woman so it felt nice to support her new venture. The place is very posh and modern--very UN-Victorian. It even had these private VIP rooms--all very hip, complete with flat screen TVS and docking stations and speakers for your iPod. I want to have a baby shower there someday!
This is our group (well, most of it). We about took over the whole place!

Most of us had their salad, which was so fresh and tasty. It even had an edible orchid on top! For the tea, they had this neat tea pot that steeped your tea, then when you set it on top of the cup and pressed down, it poured right in! This was my genuine reaction:

Here's my mom with her cup of tea. Isn't she looking fabulous in her full Red Hat regalia??

It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.
Friday night, Sarah and I went on a date to dinner and the mall--a rare treat. I even got two more bargain items from the J. Jill clearance sale and got a sneak peak at the new spring line. I just need to get a job there. Sarah and I spent a good hour at the Origins store, too, and scored a bottle of $60 serum for FREE! It pays to make friends in those places.
Then I got to stay over night at my parents' house--sans Andrew! Having a leisurely morning to have breakfast and coffee, then being able to take the time to paint my finger and toenails...well, I needed it.
It rained all day Sunday--another rare treat! I took a nap with Andrew after church, all bundled up and cozy. Aaaaaahhhh.
It felt so nice to finally feel well and have energy.
I hope your weekend was enjoyable, too! Did you do anything fun??

Wow--500 views!!

To my Blogger profile, isn't that amazing?? Makes me wonder who's looking since only two people ever leave comments! :)

Finally feeling better

Wow. What a week. Last Sunday night was when Drew and I BOTH woke up with ear aches and that was the beginning of the end. We had a very rough week, both being sick and not being able to help the other. We'd just look at each other and shrug and try to take turns resting and spending time with Andrew. We both saw doctors and got put on antibiotics--but neither of us felt much better until the weekend and I didn't really feel like myself until yesterday. My ear is still ringing and very stuffy but the headache and pressure have decreased. Little by little, it's improving. Ugh, I haven't had such a bad cold in probably ten years. Yuck. And Andrew was such a trouper. Trooper?? And he seems to be feeling fine, just a little sniffly off and on.
So! Now we're back to the daily grind! With yesterday being MLK, Jr. Day, Andrew and I went to visit my mom after "work" got cut short. We had a picnic at her neighborhood park and had the place to ourselves for about 1.5 hours. Then Andrew slept in the car for two hours, allowing Mom and I to take turns running into stores (Target and Michael's) and sip Starbucks together and chat uninterupted.
My major projects at the moment are:
1. Getting ready for our "Jewels of the Desert" Red Hat Society event this Saturday at the Urban Tea Loft in Downtown Chandler. We're doing a "Red-uation," meaning one of our members hit the big 5-0 and gets to pass down her pink hat and start wearing her RED hat! Mom and I want it to be special and FUN! I got with a gal on www.etsy.com to make red and purple scarves for the ladies (we still love to play dress-up) so I have five orders and hope to sell the rest at the event--they're gorgeous!


2. Getting ready for my Third Annual Valentine's Day Tea Party to be help Saturday, February 9th at 3:00 at my home. Unless you have a garden you'd like to donate for the event--I'd love to it it outside!! :) If you know me and didn't get the e-mail invitation, let me know!! The theme is "Mad Hatter" so I'm going for a quirky, mismatched look--lots of wacky colors and unexpected touches. YES, all guests are required to wear a hat! The sillier, the better! This is my inspiration:

And here's the apron I'll be wearing--Mary E. with tea pots!! No, that's not me--it's a model. And, yes, I got it on www.etsy.com!

So that's enough to keep me busy! I'm off to start a load of laundry--hope you and yours are well and healthy this week! Thanks to all of you who were praying for us. "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much" (James 5:16).

So sick

It's all I can do to sit here and type this but I figure it's the easiest way to update everyone.
Drew has been home sick all week--he's at acute care now. He couldn't take it anymore.
I am so very miserable. This is the worst I've been sick--head-cold wise--in 10 years. My head feels like it weighs fifty pounds, my right ear is totally stopped up and I have this never-ending headache. The meds make me nauseated and even more dizzy. We haven't been functioning since Monday when this all started. I can feel all this ick in my head--but it just isn't draining. I feel so fuzzy-headed and out of it. I just want to lay down.
I went to acute care Monday and I am now on an antibiotic. Can't take the decongestant they prescribed cuz I'm nursing. So it's OTC decongestants. It hasn't even touched it. I feel no better, possibly worse. Sleep is my only relief. Poor Andrew--he hasn't been out of the house all week and is putting up with our non-attention well. He's slightly sniffly and coughing but nothing more. He's a trouper.
The worst is Drew and I both being so sick--there's no one to take care of us. We're so miserable, we just look at each other and shrug. We've barely spoken all week just because it's too much work--and we can't hear each other half the time, anyway. I'm tearing up as I write--when is this going to end???
Pray for us. This has to be over soon, right??

customer service

My mom and I had a whole day together "running around" yesterday--coupons, gift cards and exchanges in hand--and had such a blast! We returned home and realized, "Wow, we had really terrific customer service today!" How unusual--and what a treat!
First stop: Origins. They were doing a little skincare clinic so we got lots of good information, free samples, juice and trial mix! I exchanged an item, got new makeup and a toner. I'm all set for a while!
Then off to J. Jill where I got this lace tank in black for $3!!!! It was on sale, then I used a $10 off coupon. Sweet!!

Then off to Lucy, which is really nice activewear/yoga clothes--definitely more my mom's style...but I could be talked into it!! It's www.lucy.com I treated myself to these "dance pants." SO comfy--and in a tall size, so they're not too short! Woo-hoo! I know I'll get my moneys worth.

If I'd have had any more $$$ to spend, this tee is SO charming.

I tried this one on--whoa. So chic. It's on my wish list.

ANYway, a gal there reminded me of my dear college roommate that I haven't seen in two years--so I told her and she came over and gave me a hug!! How cute is that?? And she was so knowledgeable and kind. But not pushy!!
I even hit the after-Christmas sale at Hallmark and got some great ornaments for next year at 75% off and a few gift wrap items I can use now, for less than $1 each. Cha-ching!
There was even a friendly sacurity guard who teased Mom and I cuz he told us where Payless was, but accused us of getting sidetracked when we stopped into Chicco's on the way there!!
It was nice, just Mom and I, being girls. And not dealing with anyone who was rude or incompetent. SO nice! Unfortunately, the Jaguars lose last night--but good shopping more than makes up for it! :)

Scarves galore

As mentioned in a previous post, I got my "boss" a similar version of this scarf from www.etsy.com. Hand-made, of course.

She loved it and wanted 10 red ones to give to the team she was running a half marathon with today. So I had about 5 days to find 10 scarves--and I did it! And they all arrived on Friday, in plenty of time, and were gorgeous. I even got to keep one!!
The 3 pictured above all came from Zoe'sCoutureBoutique, wrapped in beautiful ribbon with her tag and washing instructions--fabulous!! She did an awesome job.
This one came from AlmondWorks, a very nice lady. Love the addition of the ribbon and tag. It's special touches like that that make it so nice to shop from real people!

Two like this one came from Kathy'sKrafts.

And here's me IN one of the five from BeanStocks. She made so many that I got to keep this one!! I loved wearing it and it's perfect on cool Arizona days and so FUN! These ladies all went above and beyond and were so nice to deal with--I'll be back to all their shops again!

More organizing!!

I'm on a roll here. Just some "after" pictures of my efforts today--now I'm rewarding myself with some Cheezits and lemonade while the boy sleeps. I love it!!
My coffee and tea "station" is fully functional and I found a home for my pots and pans.


Then I tackled the cabinet with my lesser-used small appliances, which actually didn't take that long! I love the results--especially the minimal "stuff" left on the counter.

Better eating habits mean using items like the waffle iron and quesadilla maker less often and keeping the scale on the counter for frequent use. It's all about figuring out what works!!
Go, Tabitha...Go, Tabitha...

Splurge for ME!!

I find it very easy so splurge on Andrew and Drew...and virtually everyone else. Just not on myself. I don't buy Starbucks drinks unless I have a gift card...I rarely buy myself food when I'm out and about...I wait three months between haircuts...I never order fancy drinks when we eat out...it's just hard for my to justify it, when there's so many other things we need! But...today I got a $10 discount card for J. Jill in the mail. J. Jill is hands down my favorite place to shop for clothes. I get one Compassion Tee every spring and winter (they're soft, less than $20 and don't shrink) then maybe three other items during their end-of-season sales. The vast majority of their stuff is waaaay out of my price range.
Last summer, I fell in love with a sleeveless sweater and bought it at full price--whoa! That was $40 and seemed like a lot!! Then when it went on clearance for $10, I bought two more!!
This season, I fell in love with a brown jacket that my dad bought for my mom at J. Jill. It's beautifully tailored, soft, chic...and $80!! It was on sale for $40 a couple months ago and I tried it on...and sighed as I put it back. Well, in their most recent sale (their sales are awesome), it was down to $30. So when that coupon came--HELLO!! That jacket is MINE. So I got it with tax and shipping for LESS than $30!!

It looks purple in the picture but the color is called "java" and is the color of a coffee bean. I love the buttons and the pockets--and the fact that it will be perfect for dinners out, cool meeting rooms, church, whatever! And it will go equally well with jeans OR a dress! AND...it fits in with my new color wardrobe--green, blue, pink and brown. Those are the only colors I'm buying in '08. Well, except maybe lavender for my red hat events and red for Valentine's Day. ANYway, I'm thrilled and feel very good about my purchase. Yeah, me!!
****Wish list alert!!****
Here's what I've got my eye on for spring. I love this outfit! The short-sleeve cardigan, the belt...everything! I wouldn't wear the belt on top, though.

These will be my shorts of choice--a steal at $39.

I'm also loving these denim pants, the swingy jacket and the tunic-length tank.

Here's the pants on their own--I don't do well with jeans so I can see getting a lot of wear out of these.

And this top is SO cute--I love it!!

ANYway, probably more than you ever wanted to know about my clothes preferences...but there ya go! :)
Drew...?? Are you paying attention?? Valentine's Day is only a month away...(heehee)

tackling that to-do list

The PANTRY!! Yes, this is the "after" version. It doesn't exactly look like something out of a magazine (good thing I have an account with Tupperware!) but it makes sense to me and I think it will be user-friendly for Drew and Sarah, too...and aid them in their efforts to eat better. I labeled everything new with their Points values and tried to group like with like...I think it makes sense. If it looks more like your "before," just keep your thoughts to yourself, OK? :) It's all about what works for US. Andrew walked right up, took out his fish crackers, opened them and helped himself to a snack--so, mission accomplished!!

This was the next project on my to-do list, my major Hot Spot (in Fly Lady terms):

And as of 4:30 today, the TOP half is done! :) Here's that after. I love that so many of my favorite pieces are clearly visible and ready for use! Now I can actually enjoy them!

The bottom half is way, way harder...better to start and finish it all tomorrow.
I will say...getting organizational projects done is a lot like losing weight. When those pounds start coming off, it inspires you to keep it up--because it feels so good!! My to-do list is growing all the time...

'08 goal #3: living a LESS balanced life

Yes, that's right--LESS balance.
UGH, I read a quote once...can't find it anywhere...about how you know you're living right when what you believe and how you live is in harmony. I believe a lot of things. Really, really believe them. But don't live like it. Not just religious, either. But...I've changed my mind on a LOT of things in the last...oh, ten years. Does my life reflect that? Aaahhh...sometimes. Not enough. So! Rather than have all the aspects of my life in balance, I want to pursue the things I really believe strongly about...and YES, let other things slide!! I don't tell people I'm "busy" anymore. Who's NOT busy??? And it's no excuse cuz we all find time for what we really want to do, be it sleep, eat, blog, whatever. It's about prioritizing!! So rather than try to achieve balance with all the areas of my life, which implies doing them all equally...I'm willing to let some areas "suffer" so that I can spend MORE time in the areas that I want to make a priority. Y'know??
I want to pin-point the things that really get me excited, that I feel like I have a sort of "inside scoop" on. Meaning, YES, I do think I've learned some unique things along my life journey here in Arizona. About parenting, about spirituality, about LIFE. And I think I have a responsibility to LIVE like those things matter--and share my stories with people who are interested. Talking to a mom who's dead-set on doing things a certain way--go for it, honey. I'm not gonna preach to you. Meeting a lady who's curious about a different discipline method than her parents used? We can talk. I learned a long time ago to listen more than talk--people want and need to be heard. They also want to know they're not alone and hear from someone who's lived what they're going through.
So in '08, expect me to start truly pursuing my passions. Expect a shift in priorities. Expect me to be OUT of balance. Doing some stuff a LOT--and other stuff, none.
Our pastor taught on this a couple weeks ago. Eureka!! The idea that the true heroes of the faith didn't live a balanced life! That's a totally 21st century mind-set. I know it's part semantics--I'm saying that when I think "live in balance," it means doing EVERYthing--and trying so hard to make it all fit and to not do anything MORE than the others. The quote our pastor read listed only a few of the bazillion things we're supposed to balance--and it's impossible. Impossible!! And not Biblical! God WANTS us to spend time on the tasks He sets before us. He doesn't care if my floor is clean enough to eat off of if what He really wants is for me to be making home visits to pray with and minister to the struggling new moms at church! How 'bout I make my meals at one of those meals-to-go places and use the ten-plus hours a week I'd save to teach fertility awareness to teenage girls who can't take the Pill--while teaching them God's design for sexuality and fertility??? How 'bout I cut back my time doing x, y and z and spend it JUST on learning the Bradley childbirth method so I can start teaching it to couples in the west valley who desire a natural birth? People might say, "Gosh, she's out of whack, spending all that time (fill in the blank." Here's the kicker, though: the stuff I'd be about would have to point to Jesus. That's my other goal in '08--the stuff I invest my time and energy into has to point to Jesus. It has to be out of my love for Him. It has to help grow my love for Him.
So my goal, then, would be growing in my love for Jesus. What do I need to be about for that to happen? What does He desire from me? What unique gifts or insights can I share with others? What can I do to share Jesus' love with other people?? That's what I'll spend my time doing. And reading the Word, of course, and meditating on it in order to discover His will. And if that puts me out of balance...so be it. There's a song on the radio these days that talks about "All the best of me is Jesus." It's so true. I want to give the best of me to Him--it's already His, anyway! You'll be hearing more about being OUT of balance...stay tuned.

'08 goal #2: embrace healthy living

Yes, it's a broad goal and encompasses several goals...but the point is the healthy part. And that it's a part of life, not a temporary weight-loss fix or a passing fad. So, yes, we're back to Weight Watchers. Not literally--no meetings. But we're counting points and keeping junk food out of the house and eating balanced meals and healthy snacks. Drew wants to lose 100 pounds in '08! My goal is 10. I've got some pre-pregnancy clothes I'd like to fit into again and I'd like to get back to my ending Weight Watchers weight before even considering getting pregnant again. I'm not even going to be all elusive on this one and I know you're wondering...so I'll go ahead and tell you. I weighed in at 160 on the nose on the 1st so my goal is 150. I'm 5'9" by the way, so there's a large span of what's healthy. I was down to about 152 post-Weight Watchers and before the holidays hit back in '04 but I was also super-stressed (I was teaching at the time) and barely eating. After the holidays, I was up to about 154 and in the early part of my pregnancy, was stuck at 156. So...with the whole "Mom belly" going on (it's like the fat redistributes!),150 will probably look very different than it would have three years ago. I may have to be below that to fit into my old clothes. Or maybe I'll just buy new clothes! :) But my boss has offered to take me for a massage at the Red Door spa if I can lose the ten pounds. And with Drew on board, it'll be a lot easier. We're on our way...last night's dinner was grilled chicken, brown rice and veggies. Drew even had enough points for a beer and a pudding cup!! Today I've blown it but the next several days, I'll make up for it. I think it's going to be great.
Besides the Weight Watchers aspect, my main goals are to cut back on sweets and soda...to exercise (we bought a Gazelle!)...and to get better sleep! That combo will definitely add up and I know I'll feel SO much better for it.