Why is mommy damp??

Let's play a game.  If you're a mom, you're familiar with this game.  It's called "Why is mommy damp?"      I'm sure you've asked yourself this very same question.  Below are some of the potential answers.

1. Hmm, that Huggies 12 hour guarantee seems to only be good for 2 hours.  It's urine!
2. My adorable baby thinks it is absolutely adorable to drink out of a straw and then let ALL of the liquid run back out of his mouth...while in my lap.
3. I'm changing a diaper and...it's urine!
4. Baby tries to climb in/out of the bathtub, mommy is elbow deep in bathwater!
5. Mommy's cherished Diet Coke is unceremoniously snatched out of her hand...mommy is damp AND grumpy.
6. WHO WET THE BED THIS TIME, THE DOG OR THE BABY???? It's urine!
7. Baby has learned how to pour water on his head at bath time and...he missed.
8. It's a race to the dog's water bowl and the winner is...BABY!
9. Oh, you're teething?  That explains the damp spot on my shoulder.
10. How many hours has it been since I've nursed, let me just look at my chest and check for you...too many hours, that's how many.
11. Why is my pocket wet?  Ohhh, there are 3 used baby wipes in there, duh!
12. We're about to get baby into the bathtub and...it's urine!
13. It's time to go baby!  While mommy locks the back door, baby discovers mosquito infested water table and GOES. TO. TOWN.  Oh well, it's 85 degrees outside, we'll dry.
14. Baby gets in toilet...again.  At least it's only his hands this time.  Oh, and...it's urine!
15. Mommy is washing baby's hands by letting him sit on the vanity and...oh look, there's a baby in the sink!

These are just the top 15 reasons I could come up with, tell me moms, what has your baby done to you?? :)

God the Father...A Mother's Take

Dear God,

How did you do it?  How did you watch as Mary, Jesus's earthly mother, traveled to Bethlehem, possibly on the back of a donkey?  Did it break your heart to see him born among animals and lain in a manger?  Did you yearn to explain to Mary and Joseph that your Son just wanted to spend time with you when he stayed behind in the temple and they couldn't understand why?  What was it like to watch the devil himself tempt your Son?  How hard was it to watch people deny Him and inherently deny You?  Did you want to intervene as the pharisees tried repeatedly to trick Him?  As Judas betrayed your Son, how did you handle the sorrow?  Did you want to awaken those who fell asleep as your Son prayed?  As your Son was beaten and brutally killed to save those who would betray and deny Him, how, HOW did you make that sacrifice?

For years I have sat in church and heard the story of the life of Your Son.  I have always viewed it through the eyes of Jesus.  Through his suffering and heartache and disappointment.  The tables have turned my Father.  As I listen to my precious baby boy snore, I can't help but be in awe of our you.  You not only gave us Your Son, but watched as he suffered and died.  You knew through all of the years that You watched Your Son grow that He would be sacrificed for others.  You knew that we as humans would never be able to truly understand the greatness and magnitude of Your gift.  And yet, You gave Your Son anyway.  When Fisher has a cough, I rush to his side to hold him and give him water.  When he is teething, I Google every home remedy for teething pain.  When he is hungry, I feed him as fast as humanly possible.  When he is sad, I hold him and stroke his head.  When he cries, I wipe his tears.  When he is happy, I am happy.  When he hurts, I hurt.  I want to intervene in any way possible and make it stop.  And yet, God, you did not.  You did not because Your Son had a purpose and every aspect of  His life served that purpose.  As a mother I am blessed in so many ways, and one of those ways is my new found respect and love for You.  You gave me a little miracle and You gave me Your Son too.  How great are You God!

Sincerely,
Your Awestruck Daughter

Life Ain't Been No Crystal Stair

This is one of my favorite poems. I love Langston Hughes, but moreso, I love the symbolism and the spirit of this poem. I want Fisher to know that life is not always easy, but you don't stop! Life is so much richer if you endure through your trials! Life for me "ain't been no crystal stair", but life is beautiful.

Life Ain't Been No Crystal Stair

Langston Hughes

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Strange things are happenin' to me...

There are plenty of books that warn you about the mishaps that occur during pregnancy. There are some things though, that no book can prepare you for. That said, I have LOVED being pregnant. It is one of the most joyful experiences of my life. However, some of the things that have occurred are downright hilarious. See if you agree...

• Loss of hair-Most books tell you that your hair will become more voluminous. Yes, the hair on my HEAD did. The hair on my right arm, FELL OUT! I have a bald spot on my arm! Seriously? How does that happen?
• Stretch dots-I'm so glad I didn't tell my doctor about this one, he would have laughed me out of the office. We all know what stretch marks look like, but, what you may not know is what they look like before they become full blown stretch marks. They look like little purple dots on your belly! Imagine waking up to find spots all over your stomach! Yeah, a little unnerving until you come to terms with what will surely follow them.
• Varicose Veins-I knew that there was a chance that my varicose veins would worsen when I became pregnant. Fine. A small price to pay for my son. What I didn't know is that when I told my doctor about them, he would tell my to buy compression stockings. For real? Have you ever seen those things?!
• Dry Skin-My chin has looked like its about peel off for several months now and NO amount of moisturizer seems to cure it.
• Itchy spot-I have been itchy all throughout pregnancy. However, I have a spot on my left shoulder blade that itches CONSTANTLY. I find myself finding bookshelf corners and and rulers at school to scratch with and whenever I get wiggly, my husband knows to scratch "the spot".
• Pregnesia-I can't take credit for this name, my friend Andrea says that I have this condition. Symptoms of this condition include: Putting frozen waffles in the refrigerator/cabinet, putting milk in the cereal cabinet, losing your keys/cell phone daily, forgetting appointments/daily job requirements, forgetting names, repeating yourself, saying totally and ridiculously stupid things at work, forgetting how to get home, leaving your keys in the door for hours, leaving your mail outside on the grill in the rain, and basically the list is endless.
• Water Works-If crying on command were a valuable skill, I would be a highly sought after teacher. However, it's not, and boy is it embarrassing when you break out the water works at totally inappropriate times, I probably cry at work at least twice a week, during church, during commercials, at bed time, whenever I step into Fisher's room, whenever I talk about Fisher, in the grocery store, and in almost any conversation that involves babies. They tell you that you'll be emotional, that doesn't even begin to cover it.
• Nesting-We've all heard of nesting and feeling the urge to clean and prepare for baby. I have these tendencies, not as often as I would like, but I do. However, what they don't tell you about nesting is that you'll have the urge to throw away useful and perfectly good items. My husband has gone through the trash lately to find half eaten loaves of bread and salad dressings. In my classroom, I will throw away anything that isn't taped or pinned down. Basically I have a HUGE aversion to junk and clutter.

Pregnancy is a glorious and beautiful time. It is also scary and somewhat overwhelming. The side effects listed above are not my complaints about pregnancy, just a few things that, umm, surprised me. I know every woman has a list that could rival this one.

In the past year...

I thought that this might be important someday, and with the memory of a pregnant woman, I figured I should start now! And, I guess the title "In the past year..." is misleading. It should be more like "My Journey to be a Mom!"

January 2011-Miscarried with my first pregnancy

February 10, 2011-My dear friend Katie has a stroke. By the grace of God, she makes a full recovery.

February 2011-Made a decision that I wanted to change careers. Put my Master's degree on the FAST TRACK.

March 2011-Watched my dear friend Erin shave all of her hair off for St. Baldrick's. So grateful for my health.

April 2011-My good friends Jason and Beth were married at the Brown Pusey House in Etown. Decide that I would NEVER want to be a wedding planner.

April 2011-Tibby has her first professional photos. :)

May 2011-Walk/Run in my first 5K for the Addison Jo Blair Foundation. So blessed by this opportunity.

May 2011-Take the PRAXIS for special education, pass BOTH!

May 2011-Interview for a position at Rineyville Elementary School. Despite the fact that I am frightened of elementary school, I ACCEPT a position there as a special education teacher!

June 2011-Take my exit exams and finish my Master's degree 1 year after starting! Incredibly excited!

July 2011-Take a wonderful vacation with my husband to Gatlinburg! Most relaxing vacation ever!

July 2011-Start moving into my classroom(s). Give 3 classrooms a try in about a 3 day period. :) Finally settle in room 215.

August 2011-Meet all of my new co-workers and begin my career as an elementary school teacher.

August 2011-Wipe my first poopy butt at school. Oh my.

August 20, 2011-Turn 26. Celebrate at my favorite restaurant, Ichiban, in Bowling Green. Enjoy a good night there with Beth and Jason. End the night with lots of GiGi's Cupcakes. :)

August 2011-Officially graduate with my Master's degree. :)

September 9-10, 2011-Attend a women's retreat with VCBC ladies in Indiana. Feeling a little strange...

September 10, 2011-Buy a pregnancy test as soon as I get home from retreat...Baby Boone is on the way!

September/October 2011-Support baby sister Georgia at lots of Marching Band competitions...act a total fool. Manage to see parents every weekend and NOT tell them that I'm pregnant. :)

October 1, 2011-Celebrate Lincoln Days in Hodgenville. But, more importantly, we tell our parents that we're pregnant!

October 2, 2011-After much deliberating, decide to still take my road trip with grandma, leave this morning!

October 2, 2011-Arrive in Cumberland, Maryland. Eat delicious crab cakes!

October 3, 2011-See beautiful views of the Allegheny Mountains with grandma. Show grandma how to put air in her tires. Visit the beautiful town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manage to eat NO chocolate. UNINTENTIONALLY drive right through New York City. Unaware that this is happening until I see a sign that says "Welcome to the Bronx". Almost faint on the George Washington Bridge. Pay $20 in tolls just to make it through the city. Spend the night in Stamford, Connecticut. FREE hotel room because our heat didn't work. :)

October 4, 2011-Tour Yale in New Haven, Connecticut. Drink an awesome smoothie, should be awesome, it cost $6. Convinced grandma to let me drive through Sturbridge, MA. Vow that I must come back. Stop to tour the mills in Lowell, MA. Extremely rainy day, but still a great experience. Arrive in Milo, ME around 11:00 pm. Praise Jesus we didn't hit a moose.

October 5, 2011-Sleep in at wonderful B&B in Milo. Eat lunch with Gary, Theresa, and Amanda. After filling my morning sickness prescription, take off for an adventure in Bangor! Shop, see Stephen King's house, go out to dinner. Kick self repeatedly for not eating Lobster.

October 6, 2011-Drive around Maine countryside. See glacial lakes. Enjoy DELICIOUS pizza courtesy of local pizza joint. Eat my weight in potato chips and whoopie pies.

October 7, 2011-Leave early in VERY chilly weather to head home. Eat first Tim Horton's donuts. Arrive in Boston, Massachusetts. Take a WONDERFUL bus tour of the city. Eat at a restaurant on Boston Harbor...I eat smoked sausage, grandma eats seafood. All for the love of baby. :) Get stuck in the WORST traffic jam I have EVER seen. Try to circumvent it, spend 2 hours driving through suburbs of Boston. Stop for the night in New York State. We are GRUMPY.

October 8, 2011-Leave early (without even showering for me) for home. CAN'T WAIT to see my husband. More traffic in Pennsylvania. No major stops today. :)

October 9, 2011-Pull into my driveway around 1 am. Never been so glad to see Brandon and be home! Feel like my baby is safe at home!

October 2011- Little sister is 6th in state with band. Try not to cry in front of her. :(

October 2011-Spend Halloween with the Thorntons at Cheddar's. Probably our last Halloween with only grown-ups. :)

November 2011-Enjoy 3 great Thanksgivings with family. Eat less than I have since I was a child. Drink a gallon of Chik-fil-a Lemonade by myself. Mild pregnancy craving I think.

December 2011-Enjoy LOTS of Christmas festivities. Christmas as an elementary school teacher is wonderful.

December 18, 2011-Feel baby kick for the first time. :)

December 25, 2011-Showing with a little bit of a belly. Receive baby gifts for Christmas. Couldn't be happier. :) Husband buys Willow Tree of pregnant mom with husband. Cry like a baby.

December 29, 2011-Find out that our bundle of joy will be James Fisher Boone. Throw a gender reveal party. Our families our thrilled. So are we. :)

December 31, 2011-Spend New Year's Eve with the Thorntons. In a small miracle, Brandon falls asleep before me. :)

January 2012-Daddy starts working in Frankfort every day. The bad news, he's home late. :( The good news, he's off every weekend!

February 18, 2012-Mommy and daddy spend a relaxing weekend at Barren River Lake State Resort Park. One highlight of the weekend was watching the Racers beat St. Mary's and eating a box of Tag-a-longs!

February 24, 2012-Mommy has an ultrasound and stubborn Fisher STILL won't show his face! But, Praise the Lord! I don't have gestational diabetes!

March 2, 2012-Dress up as a Wizard of Oz munchkin for I love to read! day at school. Can't believe I was talked into it. :)

March 4, 2012-Fisher's first baby shower! Our wonderful friends at church were so generous!

March 11, 2012-Fisher's second shower! My family in Campbellsville was so generous!

March 15, 2012-The Murray State Racers beat Colorado State in the first round of the NCAA tournament! Fisher has a Murray State onesie to support his team!

E-M-O-T-I-O-N-A-L

I use pregnancy as an excuse for being incredibly emotional, but I'm not sure this is all going to go away. Today I was sitting in church and in the pew in front of us was a couple about the age of our parents. Their grown son came in later in the service and sat down beside them. As soon as he sat down beside his father he immediately put his arm around his dad and hugged him close and then his arm stayed there. At this moment, my heart overflowed with joy just thinking about the fact that I have a baby boy growing inside of me. I had to will myself not to cry. I couldn't stop thinking about the days down the road when my son will put his arm around his dad and share in that special bond that fathers and sons have. I know that I will have a special relationship with my son too, but I am so excited to see Brandon and Fisher grow together. I can't wait to meet my little guy and watch my big guy fall in love with him. I'm sure I'll be emotional then too.

Oh Bother...

I worry like a fool. I've bitten my nails my entire life, being pregnant has helped me to kick the habit. Well, I've kicked it 90%. You see, I need something to rely on when I'm excessively nervous and that is where my 10% failure comes in. I now only bite ONE nail. Crazy right? Some days I feel like I need it! It's like crack or something! But, the more I worry lately the more I believe the word of God in Matthew 6:27 where it says "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" I can feel my life growing shorter with every pang of nervousness. I'm trying to get this under control, rely more heavily on my savior, and believe that what I see as problems are mere blips on the radar in the forecast of life. But, until I've truly grasped this "Let go and let God" thing though, I'll still go back to that one nail...