The Second Time Around

So, here we are again, awaiting the arrival of a new little one.  This time there are three of us feeling the baby move, talking to the baby, and giving kisses to my belly every day.  This time there are three of us in on conversations about car seats and sleeping situations, clothes and diapers. 

There are new and different things being done with this pregnancy, and there are things I haven't done at all or haven't done with as much vigor as the last time.

1.  Belly pictures.  I started having Dustin take pictures every 2 weeks when I hit 6 weeks with August.  This time I took my first one at 16 weeks, and then forgot at 18.  We'll shoot for another one at 20 weeks.  The shirt is the same though.  It's easier to see how much bigger I am this time around!  :)

2.  Reading the pregnancy book.  I read it cover to cover last time.  I've read many portions again, this time around, but I'm just relishing in the simple fact that this one is growing each and every day.  We found out I was pregnant quicker than I did with August.  You know more the second time around.  I will be re-reading my labor book again though!

3.  Pregnancy announcement.  It was so easy the first time.  We stood there.  We didn't even have to smile, and we were wearing our props.  Add a toddler and my perfect expectation on a hot sticky day...YEESH!  It still turned out very nice, but not quite hitting the perfect expectation I was hoping for, no fault to our fabulous photographer.

4.  The heat.  Yuck!  With August I spent the early hours of those hot, hot days in our garden and then would be comfortably spending the rest of the day in the house.  I wanted to walk every morning this summer.  We went exactly 2 times.  I couldn't do the heat.  Too much sweat and it just took my breath away.  Dustin was my savior every night when he would come home and take August outside to play or to the lake to cool off.

5.  Baby quilts.  Last time, I was convinced it was a girl.  I had the girl quilt finished and I was still on embroidery block 8 of 12 when we found out we were having a boy.  I did not quilt August's baby quilt.  It was quilted by the ladies of the Sigourney Historical Society which holds a very special place in my heart.  This time, I am happy to report that both quilts are done.  I used one of my Great Grandma Strupp's cookie cutters to stencils 18 oak leaves on.  We will be ready for whatever God is blessing us with!

6.  August heard a different hymn every night as I lay in bed.  This poor younger sibling has basically only heard Deep and Wide when August and I sing before bed!  :)  This one, very much like August, loves worship time during church!  They both moved around like crazy during that time.  I think this will be one of the pregnancy memories that I will cherish the most!

7.  I really didn't buy much for maternity clothes.  I wore leggings and dresses the most.  Not possible this time.  I am promoting how much I love my maternity underwear and I'm never going back to regular!  So comfy and I didn't realize how sensitive my stretch marks still were until I switched to these.  So much better!  I now have jeans that I love and feel so comfortable and confident in and I bought dress pants!  This girl is ready for school!  I also started wearing maternity jeans at the beginning of June.  I didn't fight it at all this time.

8.  Pillows rule!  I used tons last time, and this time, I updated to an actual pregnancy body pillow and I have no regrets.  I'm not giving this up either after babe is born!

We are still filled with so much excitement and anticipation as we await the arrival of our new little one!  I'm not filled with a ton of joy about being gone in the middle of the year again, but having the gross feeling first trimester during the summer was great timing! 

The Village People

No, I'm not about to burst into the YMCA.

They say it takes a village to raise a child.  This post is about all of the people in our village. This post is dedicated to all of those groups and individuals outside of our family that love our son.

When we are out and about we come into contact with so many people in our day.  Many of my co-workers see my little guy over the summer when we are in town and at the garden.  Just taking the time to talk to my son makes my heart melt!  I love how he is starting to be a little more brave and I don't always have to be the 'translator' between him and new people.  And this summer we started what I'm sure will be a long-standing tradition during the summer months.  We have play dates with all of our littles!  We pass along diapers, clothes, books, and toys between each other.  We swap stories and advice while the kids play. 

One of our country neighbors is one of Dustin's best friends.  August loves to go see Derek!  Derek has cats that he can actually pet and carry around, and cows.  Derek has given him birthday presents and little knick knacks from time to time.  August tells me all the time who gave him his little cement mixer!  The last time we went over, August helped pick up some sticks, and Derek gave him $10! 

The library ladies are so welcoming!  They are so patient when August doesn't really want to give up a book for them to scan and he always comes away with stickers!  They've given him toys their grandkids have outgrown, and a Thomas book that was very loved, but withdrawn from the shelf.  They are always so excited to see him come through the door and he is becoming more talkative with them too.

August LOVES to go to church!  Our church family is so welcoming!  They are so attentive when he is showing them a picture he colored during the service and somebody usually slides over to keep an eye on him when I go up front to read the verses of the day.  Sheri knows what to stock for goodies in the basket and has been known to have a package of fruit snacks or M&M's in her purse too!

August has so many of our friends that have and will continue to pour into him.  They live here in Tama, Sigourney or all over the United States.  He is well loved, and so many times these individuals come to the rescue at just the moment I'm at my wits end.

The other day I was at Taco John's and was finishing my meal when a co-worker and her little girl walked in.  As I got up and threw my trash away, I walked over to say hi.  Her little girl opened her arms up to me and leaned over.  I was so excited!!  She's only been around me twice!  I was also so glad she came because her mom had her hands full with a sippy cup and an empty drink cup.  Her mom was so happy because she didn't know how she was going to accomplish everything, especially when the food came.  I was just happy to help!  I feel like as a mom, we've all been there.  Our hands our full with a child, a cup or two, maybe a purse, and our food will be coming.  I was even able to walk the little girl back to her table while her mom got the food.  I told her this is what the village is for! 

Even if you don't realize the difference you are making in a child's life, their parents do.  Be the village to someone you know with a small child or children, even if it is a small thing.  You never know how big of a difference it makes!

Extra Noise

So, in case you've forgotten, August LOVES Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.  It's one of the 3 shows I have set to record every episode for him.  I've been geeking out over it lately too.  I'll be one of the first in line when You Are My Friend comes out.

Anyway, in the middle of February, PBS was celebrating the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers debuting on TV.  I recorded the episodes that week and watched them with August.  They were so relaxing to watch!  I was all excited to see the puppets and sing along.  These episodes were some from the 70's so it was pretty fun to see the costumes too!

As Mister Rogers talked, it was usually just him talking.  Today in kids shows a lot of the talking has a small amount of music playing in the background.  There were also long pauses between things.  It was very calming.  Throughout the years, more noise has been added and added to the things we watch and it's introduced earlier and earlier.

I'll admit, our TV is on the majority of the time.  A lot of the time it's just noise.  Right now I'm in another room while the TV is on and no one is watching it.  When we are in the living room watching TV, chances are we are doing other things while we watch.  I might be doing puzzles with August, we might be reading books to him, folding laundry, playing farm, sewing.  A lot of the time, we just have it on for noise.

Last summer, our TV went out of commission and it was over a month before we got it replaced.  It was quiet and when we did replace it, I forgot how loud it was with a TV!

What are we missing when the TV has added noise?  I think about the pauses on Mister Rogers when he was talking about a life lesson and emotions.  Those pauses give kids time to process.  Time to reflect. 

When I go without the TV or radio...or an audio book, it gives me time to process and reflect as well.  There are times when I shut things off in the car and just sit and pray as I drive.  There are times on Saturday mornings that I get up earlier and do something involving my hands where I can also just think and pray.  There are many times at my desk at work that I just stare at a brick while I think about what to do next.

God calls us to be still to know Him.  Psalm 46:10- Be still, and know that I am God.  Typically when I think of be still, I think still my body and rest in His presence.  How often do we take it that step further and cut out the noise that can keep us from being still?  It is my goal to cut out some of the extra noise in my life to help me be still.

Toddler Mom Workout

If anyone knows me, they know I don't work out.  I literally laugh in a person's face if they ask if I do, or if I want to go workout with them.  Working out has never been my thing.  But, I do have a toddler running around my house, so I have developed this workout plan which is always different (that's supposed to be good, right?), and it does happen every day.

-August emptied out a whole 24 pack of Pepsi on Friday night.  I had him walk back and forth across the kitchen bringing them to the fridge where I picked him up so he could put them on the top shelf.  A little twisting while lifting thrown in and it was great!

-The Laundry Helper Routine-  Another lifting one I do at least twice a week is when Owliee needs a bath.  This involves lifting him into the basket or holding him over the washer where he can toss his stuffed animal into the washer.  Bonus?  When he wants to stay there longer to watch the water fill the washer.

-The Public Bathroom Routine-  Lifting him up to the changing station and keeping him there.  On Sunday he thought this needed a little jazzing up and crawled under the door.  Reach and pull!  And a big YUCK!  You also need to wash and dry hands.

-The Potty Training Routine-  When you are lifting a little onto the toilet and they decide mid lift that they want to stand.  Legs everywhere, but no where you need them.

-The Dropped Stuffed Animal Routine-  This one basically only/always happens on the way to his crib for a nap or bedtime.  You have to bend over while holding a little over their stuffed animal so they can get them.  He loves to make this one longer by 'missing' him or dropping him repeatedly.

-The Getting Dressed in Snow Clothes Routine-  This one always makes me break a sweat!  Especially when he wants to do it himself for 2 minutes and then asks for help, and then changes his mind...multiple times.

These are just a few of my 'exercise' routines.  They keep me very active, but I know I am still out of shape!  :)

Little House on the Prairie

It is finally finished!  I loved spending a cold, snowy, early out day putting the final stitches in my Little House on the Prairie quilt!  I started reading the Little House series in 3rd grade and have re-read them a few times since then.  I also have one student who I can geek out with because she loves the series and is so excited for me to show her the whole quilt instead of just a block at a time!  :)

I found this quilt along about  year ago.  I was doing one of my many scrolls through Pinterest and certain blocks kept popping up with a Little House label and I checked it out.  This mom has made this quilt with her daughters as they read through the books together.  How sweet is that?!  Someday, I hope to make this quilt again with a little girl or two of my own.  I have so many floral fabrics from Grammy's stash, and I don't know if I could have found a better quilt to use so many of them in!  I only bought a couple of small pieces to make the blocks.  I didn't have any solid black and I used almost the entire fat quarter in the crow and music note.  I had a 5 yard chunk that I bought from Hen & Chicks a couple of years ago that was just perfect for the back!  I learned how to paper piece (eye roll) and I used templates for the first time.  I also used the (WAY) easier pattern for the Dove in the Window that involved zero 8 pointed stars.

This one is going to be entered in the Marshall County Fair this summer and I am keeping this one for me!  I don't keep quilts very often, but this one is all mine!

For a Toddler

In my house, if you record Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood for a toddler, he will want to watch episode after episode every day.  Watching it at daycare will not be enough.  He will ask for it as soon as he comes home.  If you are the parent watching Daniel Tiger with the toddler, you will inevitably have the theme song stuck on repeat in your head.  All day long.  And singing this in your head all day long will make you miss your little and have you counting down the hours until you can pick him up.  When you get home he will ask for Daniel Tiger and the process begins again.

August's vocabulary and ability to say near complete sentences has flourished recently!  Every night when we come home he asks very politely with his big brown eyes, "I wan iger," in that sweet, slurred, missing sounds toddler way of his.  Every now and then he throws in a 'please' and really, who can deny him his wishes at that point?  It's extra sweet when he brings the remote, as long as he's not hitting as many buttons as possible.

There is one book that is my saving grace in the car.  He has a little board book that has big machines in it.  Like 8 pages of combines, tractors, and construction equipment.  You would think he would get board after a while, right?  Nope, it's been in my car for at least a month and it's the first thing he grabs for when he gets in.  I can hear him reading the whole way to town and back home.  It is looking more than rough around the edges and when it finally falls apart, I won't be able to part with this little treasure.  It will get tucked in a box beside his foot prints, baptism certificate, and first shoes.  One of those sweet little treasures I'll keep and give back to him, someday.

I am so excited for the upcoming holiday season!  My mom found a shirt last year that is PERFECT for my child!  It says something about being mom's cookie taster.  That was quite literally one of his first words, and it is clear when he says 'cookie'!  He loves to bake with me and wants to sit on the counter and help dump ingredients into the mixer.  He knows where each grandma keeps their cookies and stands there asking politely for one until he gets it.  Not that he needs any to make him sweeter!

If you give my toddler anything food, he won't forget.  If you give my toddler a tractor ride, he won't forget.  If you give my toddler love and attention he will give it right back!

School Gardens

Many of you know that I have been posting pictures or comments about our school garden.  I am in charge of this project after the torch got handed to me at the end of last summer.  This year I have only had a couple of kids faithfully come, but that makes it all the more special for me.  I can pour into these few kids more specifically than a huge bunch.

One young girl that signed up to be a garden mentor basically apologizes for existing sometimes.  I have continually told her she doesn't need to apologize for anything when she comes to the garden unless it's something very serious.  My secret goal for her for the summer was to boost her confidence and her ability to be bold.  On the day that I took her and another student to fair, I talked to them about what to expect and things they could talk to the judges about and my own fair days.  She did not apologize once and was so confident when talking to the judges that she was asking the questions too!

I love building relationships with kids in the school that I wouldn't normally come into contact with.  When we get back to school, They have one more adult to come too and trust.  When we get back to school, the kids will continue to talk about the school garden.  Its so great to interact and teach these kids in a non-academic setting and see their dedication and pride as the summer marches on.

School gardens are an amazing project!  Ours started 3 years ago with a grant.  I remember that beautiful spring day with a few of us staff members building the garden beds.  I helped out a little that first summer during summer school.  The kids were so excited to get out and get dirty and take home some veggies.  Last year, I signed up to come every Thursday to help.  I hauled August along and he loved being there too!  That's the beauty of this project.  It's not just for the kids that attend school there.  It's a benefit to the teacher's kids, parents who come along to help, and to other family members that come with the students.  All of these different individuals working together for a common purpose is so cool!

Many of these kids don't know how vegetables they eat on a day to day basis look in their natural form.  Some of the things we've planted the last couple years are new to me as well, so I'm learning right along with the kids.  I've never eaten egg plant before.  We grew it last year and the plant looked pretty neat with beautiful blooms.  This year we planted okra.  I still have no idea what it will look like on the plant, but the plant itself is huge!

I will continue to advocate for our school garden and encourage kids to come.  They need a connection that keeps going after school is out for the summer.  They need a connection to each other, and they need a connection to their food.  Every school should have a school garden!