It's New Year's Eve and I'm sitting here drinking a cup of coffee, wondering if I'll be able to make until midnight. I'm betting no. I never really had big, crazy New Year's party plans. I was more of the low-key kind. But now that I'm a parent, I realize that this year I never even gave our New Year's plans a thought. It's just another night. A night of going to Wal-Mart for the second time today (because I forgot to buy diapers), looking at everyone's cart in Wal-Mart and seeing things that looked "New Year's Party-ish" and thinking about how "wild and crazy" I must look with my box of diapers, ordering a Papa Murphey's pizza, throwing blocks on the floor with Cale, changing clothes because Cale has good aim when that diaper comes off, giving Cale a bath and putting him to bed, picking up the 100 piece block set that Cale loves to empty out over the entire living room several times a day, and drinking a cup of coffee sitting at the computer. As boring as this may sound, it's our life. I wouldn't have it any other way! Alot of wonderful changes take place when college ends, marriage begins, and baby arrives.
I vaguely, painfully remember this time last year. Cale was about 4 days old and I think I was about 4 days without sleep! I think I was about to have a nervous breakdown from fatigue and stress, I was still in pain from the birth, and was having trouble adjusting to the cabin fever that accompanies having a newborn. I think every first time parent feels the shock of the complete life change a baby brings. But, it doesn't take long to adjust and to forget what life was like before.
2009 has been a year of changes and growth for our family!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
So much to do, so little time...
So, we sold our house last month. (Breathe a sigh of relief) While I am happy about this, we have to be out in February. The house we're building on Crow Mountain won't be finished until at least April. So, that leaves us homeless for several months. My parents, have graciously volunteered for us to stay with them. We agreed, even though they live near Hector and it will be a little bit of a drive to get to work, because no rent for a few months will really help us save some money. But, I don't know if my parents know what they're getting into. Carl, Cale, and me for 2-3 months?!! My dad's the contractor for our new house, so if everything "mysteriously" starts speeding up in the next few months and we get to move in early, I think I'll know why!
Since I'm going to be off for a few more days, I have the heavy weight of packing lying on my shoulders. 'Good Lori' says, "Pack as much as possible now. It will save time and labor later on when you're busy". But, 'Procrastinator Lori' says, "You're only off a few more days. Rest, relax, enjoy some much-needed free time."
Well, in the battle of packing I think 'Good Lori' prevailed. My mom checks Craig's List often and because of her, I lucked into about 25 boxes from a couple that recently moved to the area. So, I picked up the boxes today and have gradually started clearing some items out of cabinets in the kitchen. It's a very miniscule start on a huge task, but at least I've begun. Too bad I just can't seem to get those stinkin' boxes put together. Pretty bad when a box outsmarts you! That's what husbands are for. Well that, and putting junk in the attic. (I hate going in our attic; dark, musty....scary. I just know there are living creatures of some kind up there).
Since I'm going to be off for a few more days, I have the heavy weight of packing lying on my shoulders. 'Good Lori' says, "Pack as much as possible now. It will save time and labor later on when you're busy". But, 'Procrastinator Lori' says, "You're only off a few more days. Rest, relax, enjoy some much-needed free time."
Well, in the battle of packing I think 'Good Lori' prevailed. My mom checks Craig's List often and because of her, I lucked into about 25 boxes from a couple that recently moved to the area. So, I picked up the boxes today and have gradually started clearing some items out of cabinets in the kitchen. It's a very miniscule start on a huge task, but at least I've begun. Too bad I just can't seem to get those stinkin' boxes put together. Pretty bad when a box outsmarts you! That's what husbands are for. Well that, and putting junk in the attic. (I hate going in our attic; dark, musty....scary. I just know there are living creatures of some kind up there).
Monday, December 28, 2009
We have heat!
Finally, after 4 chilly days and nights of no heat, we are in business again! We don't appreciate the little things, until they're gone. Like heat.
We got home on Christmas Eve night anticipating cozy sugar plum dreams and all of the wonder that accompanies Christmas Eve night. Instead we stepped into another kind of dream. An ice-cold one. Our heat had mysteriously quit. So, we bundled up, tried to keep warm, and slept a cold, cold sleep that night. The next night we were more prepared. My papa brought us a space heater for Cale's room and Carl and I slept in the living room next to the gas fireplace. I know you're probably asking yourself, "Why didn't you sleep in the living room the first night?" Well, you're right in pondering. To answer that question, my husband the "tight wad", thought it would be too expensive to run the gas fireplace all night. Sooo, instead we froze our buns off!
But, today on this glorious Monday morning, we have a nice, toasty home once again.
The crazy thing is, I'm going to miss the ambiance of sleeping next to the glow of the fireplace. And, I'm going to miss the fireplace in general because having heat=no fireplace!
We got home on Christmas Eve night anticipating cozy sugar plum dreams and all of the wonder that accompanies Christmas Eve night. Instead we stepped into another kind of dream. An ice-cold one. Our heat had mysteriously quit. So, we bundled up, tried to keep warm, and slept a cold, cold sleep that night. The next night we were more prepared. My papa brought us a space heater for Cale's room and Carl and I slept in the living room next to the gas fireplace. I know you're probably asking yourself, "Why didn't you sleep in the living room the first night?" Well, you're right in pondering. To answer that question, my husband the "tight wad", thought it would be too expensive to run the gas fireplace all night. Sooo, instead we froze our buns off!
But, today on this glorious Monday morning, we have a nice, toasty home once again.
The crazy thing is, I'm going to miss the ambiance of sleeping next to the glow of the fireplace. And, I'm going to miss the fireplace in general because having heat=no fireplace!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Happy, Happy Birthday Baby!
Our little bundle of joy, not so little anymore, turned one year old today! We've waited for this day since the moment he was born. Not that we wish his life away. But, it seems like "one" is such a milestone for little ones. We associate "one" with walking, talking, playing and interacting with toys, and really developing a personality. Cale has been doing all of these things lately, and is more fun than ever. He is learning so much right now. He's literally a sponge, soaking up things that we don't even realize. He amazes me daily with his ability to grow and develop just by simply being an observer. He tries to put food on a spoon, puts the phone up to his ear when he gets it, goes and gets his ball/car when you tell him to, says "Mama, Dada, uh-oh, hi, bye", plays chase and hides. These all seem like small things to outsiders, but to first time parents, these are amazing feats.
Carl and I love Cale so much. Our love for him grows everyday. Just when we think we can't love him any more, another day goes by and we do. When we put Cale to bed at night, it's a matter of time before we quietly sneak into his room and stare adoringly into his crib. We usually do this at least twice a night. It's a routine we've grown to love. When we look at him, it's like we can literally feel our hearts swell. How someone so small can cause a feeling so big, is amazing. One of the most special moments in parenthood is feeling love in return from your little one. I remember wondering if Cale loved me. I knew he must. I was his mom, I took care of him, fed him, bathed him, consoled him. But, now he's able to show his love for me. He hugs me, "kisses" me, and wants to be near me. It's the greatest feeling in the world. Even better than that epidural I talked about! :)
Happy Birthday Baby! You're worth more than words to us. You are our everything.
Carl and I love Cale so much. Our love for him grows everyday. Just when we think we can't love him any more, another day goes by and we do. When we put Cale to bed at night, it's a matter of time before we quietly sneak into his room and stare adoringly into his crib. We usually do this at least twice a night. It's a routine we've grown to love. When we look at him, it's like we can literally feel our hearts swell. How someone so small can cause a feeling so big, is amazing. One of the most special moments in parenthood is feeling love in return from your little one. I remember wondering if Cale loved me. I knew he must. I was his mom, I took care of him, fed him, bathed him, consoled him. But, now he's able to show his love for me. He hugs me, "kisses" me, and wants to be near me. It's the greatest feeling in the world. Even better than that epidural I talked about! :)
Happy Birthday Baby! You're worth more than words to us. You are our everything.
Has it been a year already?
It seems like only yesterday I was laying in bed watching TV with my husband when suddenly I started feeling "funny". There's really no other way for me to describe it. I had read about what it might/should feel like. I had worried endlessly that I might not know when it was time. But, I felt different. I rolled over and told Carl that I thought I was having contractions. He handed me his watch and told me to time them. Yes I know, very nurturing! So, I timed them, but wasn't exactly sure of what I was feeling.
After a few minutes, I decided that it was a false alarm. I got up to go to the bathroom and woosh, my water broke. For me it wasn't like what you see in the movies. I wasn't standing there with a giant pool of water on the floor beneath me. But, I was positive my water had broken. I stood there, frozen like deer in headlights, and called to Carl. Acting like this was an everyday thing, he calmly told me that we would head to the hospital in a little while. (Sometimes I wish he would freak out with me). After slowly gathering up our things, we finally got in the car at 1:00 am and headed to the hospital. Before pulling out of the driveway, my husband had to put the address of the hospital into our GPS. (It being 2 days after Christmas, Carl just HAD to try out his new toy) I was getting a little agitated, being that I was sitting in water, having contractions, and scared out of my mind. But, boys will be boys, so I let him have his fun. During the 5 minute trip, we listened to "Mr. T's" voice tell us the 'already familiar' turns to make in getting to our destination. But, we arrived, got a room, and began the long wait for Cale's arrival.
It's funny how labor pains feel. I guess funny isn't the proper word, because there is nothing laughable about the feeling. But, the pains are indescribable. I've almost forgotton exactly how they felt. But, I 'll never forget the magic of the epidural which finally was offered at 5 centimeters. Oh, the wonderful, glorious, heavenly shot in the back. Now, the moments proceeding the medicated bliss were about the scariest in my life. That needle was BIG, and not too comfortable being jammed into my back. Especially in the middle of a contraction, in which the doc expected me to remain very still (you can tell men have never experienced childbirth). But, once it was finally in....ahhhh. It was like being on a tropical island lounging in hammock good. Taking a nice long afternoon nap good. Almost make you forget you're having a baby good. Yeah, it was that good.
Finally, it was time to begin pushing. This was my moment. I was prepared for this. I had spent many hours in the gym anticipating this moment. I had always heard, the more in shape a woman was, the easier it was to push and the faster the baby would come. I exercised up until the day I went into labor. This was going to be a piece of cake. Wrong. Two hours later, exhausted from eye-bulging pushing, Cale's thick head of hair was all we could see. He was stuck, poor little guy. I blame Carl for what he calls "The Kirtley Big Head". Cale was just not coming out. So, the nurses finally called my doctor (yes, he was at home while I was sitting there with a baby's head peeking through) and he headed to the hospital. When he arrived, he made me push a little more, and then decided a snip snip was needed.
Suddenly, I felt the absolute most ODD feeling of the whole process. Cale was being pulled out. Then, I heard beautiful sound of crying. (These days, not quite so awe-inspiring) It was our baby boy. We were parents to a beautiful, dark headed, tiny baby boy. He weighed 5 lbs 13 oz, was dark complected, and had big, bright blue eyes.
With this moment, our lives would change forever. We had no idea what we were in for. Nothing can prepare you for being parents. No amount of baby books (It seems like a read them all), Internet articles, no amount of counseling from experienced parents, nothing! But, we can't imagine life without Cale. Were we not bored with all that free time?
After a few minutes, I decided that it was a false alarm. I got up to go to the bathroom and woosh, my water broke. For me it wasn't like what you see in the movies. I wasn't standing there with a giant pool of water on the floor beneath me. But, I was positive my water had broken. I stood there, frozen like deer in headlights, and called to Carl. Acting like this was an everyday thing, he calmly told me that we would head to the hospital in a little while. (Sometimes I wish he would freak out with me). After slowly gathering up our things, we finally got in the car at 1:00 am and headed to the hospital. Before pulling out of the driveway, my husband had to put the address of the hospital into our GPS. (It being 2 days after Christmas, Carl just HAD to try out his new toy) I was getting a little agitated, being that I was sitting in water, having contractions, and scared out of my mind. But, boys will be boys, so I let him have his fun. During the 5 minute trip, we listened to "Mr. T's" voice tell us the 'already familiar' turns to make in getting to our destination. But, we arrived, got a room, and began the long wait for Cale's arrival.
It's funny how labor pains feel. I guess funny isn't the proper word, because there is nothing laughable about the feeling. But, the pains are indescribable. I've almost forgotton exactly how they felt. But, I 'll never forget the magic of the epidural which finally was offered at 5 centimeters. Oh, the wonderful, glorious, heavenly shot in the back. Now, the moments proceeding the medicated bliss were about the scariest in my life. That needle was BIG, and not too comfortable being jammed into my back. Especially in the middle of a contraction, in which the doc expected me to remain very still (you can tell men have never experienced childbirth). But, once it was finally in....ahhhh. It was like being on a tropical island lounging in hammock good. Taking a nice long afternoon nap good. Almost make you forget you're having a baby good. Yeah, it was that good.
Finally, it was time to begin pushing. This was my moment. I was prepared for this. I had spent many hours in the gym anticipating this moment. I had always heard, the more in shape a woman was, the easier it was to push and the faster the baby would come. I exercised up until the day I went into labor. This was going to be a piece of cake. Wrong. Two hours later, exhausted from eye-bulging pushing, Cale's thick head of hair was all we could see. He was stuck, poor little guy. I blame Carl for what he calls "The Kirtley Big Head". Cale was just not coming out. So, the nurses finally called my doctor (yes, he was at home while I was sitting there with a baby's head peeking through) and he headed to the hospital. When he arrived, he made me push a little more, and then decided a snip snip was needed.
Suddenly, I felt the absolute most ODD feeling of the whole process. Cale was being pulled out. Then, I heard beautiful sound of crying. (These days, not quite so awe-inspiring) It was our baby boy. We were parents to a beautiful, dark headed, tiny baby boy. He weighed 5 lbs 13 oz, was dark complected, and had big, bright blue eyes.
With this moment, our lives would change forever. We had no idea what we were in for. Nothing can prepare you for being parents. No amount of baby books (It seems like a read them all), Internet articles, no amount of counseling from experienced parents, nothing! But, we can't imagine life without Cale. Were we not bored with all that free time?
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