I liked Nurse Jenna’s post about Birth Plan vs. Birth Wish.  I didn’t type up a birth plan for Delaney’s birth because I kind of thought it might be a lot like planning a wedding (which I HATED).  With a wedding – the more you plan, the more things can go awry.  It’s the same with a birth.  The more of a set idea you have in your head of how the birth will go, the more chances you have to be disappointed. 

With a wedding, no matter what goes wrong, you will still end up married at the end of the day.  And with your child’s birth, your midwife/doctor will do whatever it takes to get your baby born in the safest, healthiest way possible. 

And isn’t that the whole point?

Getting married!  Oh wait, no that was 7 years ago today.

One year ago today…hmmmm….right where I am now, just with no pregnant belly.

On a funny note, my husband and I were talking about how today is our anniversary as I waddled around the kitchen and both kids were whining about breakfast.   I asked him, “On the morning of our wedding, if someone gave you a picture of me with this huge belly and our two kids (I point to them as they whine and wail and the dirty kitchen) and told you that this would be your life in 7 years would you still have met me down the aisle?”

He PAUSED for a while and then kind of giggled and said, “I don’t know….”

I punched him in the shoulder and then we gave eachother a Happy Anniversary hug and kiss.  We’re twisted.

   

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We had such a great summer day today.  I took the kids strawberry picking in the morning and the strawberries were perfect!  I swear that nothing on Earth tastes as good as a fresh strawberry that is all warm from sitting in the sun.  Both kids had a blast, running around with juice running down their chins. 

Then we went out for ice cream with Dad after dinner.  Life doesn’t get much better than that.

Even though this is my third pregnancy, I still signed up for the weekly fetus updates from Babycenter.  In case you are unfamiliar, it’s a little synopsis of what is going on in the womb at each week of pregnancy (how big the baby is, what is forming, etc.)  I love them, I’m absolutely addicted! 

When I was pregnant with my first, I scanned my email inbox every day hoping that another week had gone by and I had “earned” an update.  I read everything twice and then thought about it all day long.  I loved thinking things like, “Well, of course I’m tired today – I’m making the baby’s liver!”

Now, as Baby #3 is growing inside me, I’m completely distracted at all times by my other two kids, husband, life in general.  I rarely get to focus on my pregnancy (or myself for that matter! )  So now the weekly emails give me a 30 second chance to think about Baby #3.  And to marvel that he/she already has fingernails!!??!

My kids are shy, especially my 4 year-old daughter.  In new situations, she likes to take a while to observe things before jumping in to talk to someone new or participate in the activity.  I never really thought much about it since I was shy as a kid too.  And I think I turned out ok! 

But recently, I’ve run into several people along the way who think shyness is something that needs to be addressed in occupational/speech therapy.  They ask if I’ve discussed her shyness with a pediatrician.  They ask if I’m worried.  Or they are offended when my daughter doesn’t instantly say “hi” and give them a hug. 

Seriously???  People get offended when a 4 year-old won’t say “hi”?  IT’S A FOUR YEAR-OLD!  Someone even suggested I make a sticker chart to reward her for saying “hi” to new people. 

It just interests me.  I grew up in a family where a bunch of the members were shy.  I thought shyness was pretty common in kids.  But recently, I’ve been hearing more and more negative comments about it and people trying to suggest ways to “fix it”.  

Are your kids shy?

Today was a lot of fun. (except for bedtime – but I’ll just skip that part!)  I dropped Delaney off at her friend’s house at 9am and she stayed there until 3 pm.  It was wild!

So I got to have a whole day with one-on-one time with David, which was really great.   I always get to feeling a little guilty when I think about him being the middle child.  He’s so quiet, I fear for him getting lost in the shuffle once there are 3 kids aroudn here.  And he’s so big now! We went to Storytime this morning and as I watched him walk up to the librarian and wait for his stamp, I had to do a double take.  He’s so tall.  And wearing real underwear.  And smiling with pride at his craft.  Crazy….

Anyway, the Storytime was cute.  They read books about seeds and planting and then went outside and planted some peas in a dixie cup.  David was so proud.  He even had to carry his dixie cup with him into the post office afterward.

We did a little grocery shopping and then came home and made my official rainy day lunch – grilled cheese and tomato soup.  He took a nap and I got a TON of work done. 

When Delaney got dropped off at 3:00, David woke up and we all made chocolate chip cookies.  Then the kids went upstairs to play.  Eventually I realized that I was hearing running water so I went tearing up the stairs to find them each with a sponge and a bar of soap on their hands and knees.  “We’re washing the floor, Mom,” said Delaney.  They actually did a pretty good job!  And I only had to use 4 towels to mop up all the puddles and sink overflows.

We made spaghetti for dinner and the night pretty much degraded into tantrums and yelling and general chaos after that.  But now they are asleep and I get to go watch my “chick flick” with my milk and cookies.