Book Party!

I wish that we all lived closer and could have this massive play date with all our kiddos. We now have a big backyard and I know Jon David would love to play with his blog pals. And, if we lived closer, you could even come to my book party! I am (hopefully) hosting a fun night on the 11th for other mommies (and aunts and grandmas) to come hear about Usborne books. The party also exists online until the 14th.

Here's the official word: Usborne Books expand a child's world through education and imagination. You can browse their books in person and see the latest releases without fighting the crowds at a retail store.With over 1,300 titles, from baby board books and modern science to fairy tales and interactive kits, Usborne Books engage all types of learners. Discover the magic of reading with your child today!

Jon David loves to read and these books are so cool. I figured sharing this with other mommies would be fun! If you are interested, you can order books courtesy of my party by clicking here. Have fun!

(Important sidenote: I moved my OB appointment up to Tuesday so we should know more by then. I am bored and some might even say whiny at times. :) Your comments and prayers have done wonders to cheer me up. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!)

The Good and the Bad

Today's OB appointment was a mixed bag. The good news is that the cervical ultrasound came back very positive. It looks strong and a really good length. As a bonus, I got a quick peek at my baby boy and found out that he's head down and not likely to pull any funny business and switch positions. That all was good, very good. Now the bad - my fetal fibronectin test came back positive (which, if you recall, is bad). Apparently, when you get the desired result (negative), you can pretty much count on NOT having a baby within 2 weeks. When it's positive, it does not mean you will deliver soon but it's a possible indicator. The doctor said this result in light of the good news we had with the ultrasound is why she is not overly concerned. Still, I go back next Thursday the 5th instead of my normal two-week appointment.

So, I'm trying not to worry and trust the good Lord. My sweet hubby is very concerned and basically wants me on close to bedrest. I want to be good and protect my baby but I also don't want to overreact and totally stop doing anything. I have a family who needs me and there is so much to do every day. How do you just let it all slide especially when I've been trying so hard to keep up with everything. I know we need to lean on people for help but I hate to cry wolf and I still feel fine. So, this is tough. :( We could sure use some prayers. Jon David arrived at 34 weeks and still needed 2 weeks in the NICU. I'm only 30 1/2 weeks and really, really need to make it to 34! That seems SO far away at this moment!

Must go. My beloved wants me resting. Off I go...

(Wendy, I think I stole this picture off your blog a long time ago.)

Freezer Friendly Recipes Please

My list of acquired appliances keeps growing! I now have a big freezer that I plan to stock full of meals for after baby boy arrives. I've wanted an extra freezer for years! :) And because of this new purchase and that I am bringing a meal to a family from church with a new baby - I need your help! Please send me good, easy, preferably somewhat budget/waist-friendly recipes. In exchange, here is a good one that I've used and loved. It's from one of my favorite cooks, Paula Deen. Thanks, Guys!

Baked Spaghetti (I've not used her House Seasoning. I just improvise.)

Sharing is Fun!

What a fun day! Besides JD tackling a mountain of Honey Do's (and even adding some of his own to do for me as an extra help), Jon David's grandma (my mom) came over. To make the day even better, Jon David's buddy, Tyler, spent the day with us. The guys mostly bonded over sharing sippy cups (I gave up trying to stop this after 5 futile minutes) and playing in the kitchen. Two cuter 19-month olds I cannot find!! Here's proof.

"My mom says don't touch the blinds - but I can't resist!"

My Cleaning Journey Update

My 2 guys with the same name at tonight's AAA baseball game. I just LOVE this new babyGap shirt that reads, "Minor Leaguer." I bought one for baby brother to wear next summer.

Funny how this organizing thing strikes a chord with so many! A neat thing happened today. I've been trying to have a sort of schedule (subject to change if something really fun comes our way) where I do laundry on Mondays and Thursdays, Tuesdays are bathrooms, etc. Anyway, I realized as I woke up this morning that I did not really have that much to do. I mean, we kept busy with three grocery store trips (I tried to be good and follow the good sales this week - lots of BOGO... that's Buy One Get One, don't ya know) and three loads of laundry.



BUT - there was not this mountain of stuff for me to do. I didn't feel like a failure before my day even started. So, maybe there IS something to this "clean a little as you go" thing. For example, while waiting 5 minutes for Daddy so we could walk him to work this morning, I grabbed a Clorox wipe and wiped down the shelves in my fancy fridge. By having things sort of already clean, I can grab these 5-minute cleaning "opportunities" and do something I basically never used to do. I could not do this before when there were the last of last night's dishes and cereal bowls piled up in the sink.



And, yes, Anna - I'm with you. Your SIL, Kim (Tyler's mommy for the rest of you) is a great role model who made me realize that a clean house is a possibility. And, I am also trying to be a good steward as you mentioned. Lastly, like you realized that you were a good employee and now you need to bring that A-game to your home, a few weeks ago I bought my first planner since having a job. Why I thought I did not need one before, I don't know. But, it has been REVOLUTIONARY and really really helpful.



Thanks to you all for your comments. I am glad we are kindred in struggles and progress. Hey, at least we "show up" every day and we try. That's a lot in my book!

Organizing Update

I'm helping Mommy get organized by taking care of these boxes!

I am happy to report that many of my cleaning/organizing woes had to do with a small apartment. At least now the clutter has more space! Our bonus room has a lot of potential but it's just a staging area for all the things we don't know what to do with. I have GREAT hopes for this room and will hopefully unveil some before/after shots before the baby gets here. It would be so nice to have it at least a usable room once the new baby is here.



My blogging friend, Andrea, asked what I've been learning and reading. So, here goes. First of all, I find this an incredibly interesting topic and have thus purchased many books about it. It's like I am with parenting books. I just like to read them and try out what I want to. I don't usually get too caught up with doing things just like they say but I figure they have knowledge and I have a desire to change. So, this may not work for everyone.



I hope to use this professional organizer in the coming weeks. She is local and I am counting on her help in the bonus room and for some odd tips. Like, where do we store my beloved's grill tools? They are too big for the kitchen, we don't want them outside. Presently, they are cluttering up my baker's rack. Not good. :)



I have been reading the following:

1. "Simplify Your Life: Get Organized and Stay that Way!" by Marcia Ramsland (http://www.organizingpro.com/). She has an online newsletter that I just signed up for. One thing she stresses starting the day fresh. I've made great progress on having the kitchen clean before we go to bed (as well as cleaning as I go) and making the bed. Yes, I am patting myself on the back. AND - I have had make-up on almost every day for the past 2 weeks. I have to with all the visitors we have! It's crazy how much more people come by now!



2. The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton (http://www.messies.com/). I learned this from her: when you are task-oriented, you look at your house as a series of unrelated tasks. So, it does not matter when you put away the dirty dishes, just that you do it. If you are goal-oriented, the goal is a neat home, so you tend to do the tasks earlier so you can enjoy your home more. Does that make sense? She also has online newsletters, etc.



I tried the Fly Lady but all the emails totally freaked me out. And she was so obsessed with a clean sink. Now, I like a clean sink too but it was a bit much for me.



I'd love to hear your tips too!

This makes me think of that old 80s song, "I'm livin' in a box; I'm livin' in a cardboard box!" Does ANYONE know of this one hit wonder??

Hot Monday!

Whew - is it hot enough out there or is it just me??? ImeanREALLY!! Wow!

I loved Wendy's comments on the "other pregnant Denise's" blog about you "nosy nellies" wanting the scoop no matter how mundane. I agree - I really like reading my blog buddies posts even when they are just about the simple things.

In that vain...

Random thought 1)

Is it the move or his age that makes my son want me to hold him ALL the time? He used to be a much more independent player. Now, he gets himself so very worked up and just screams, cries and BEGS for me to hold him. Sometimes I pick him up, sometimes I bend down and love on him, sometimes I continue with what I'm doing (making dinner, etc.). Advice, Ladies?

Yesterday, JD remarked that when Jon David saw me emerge from the VERY long 90-seconds that I was using the ladies room at church, his entire face lit up like a groom finally seeing his bride or a hungry man about to eat a big ol' steak. Yes, my son LOVES me! And I him...

Random thought 2)

I watched some of Ruth Graham's funeral service on TV on Saturday. I really wanted to hear what is said of a woman who loves the Lord and loves her family and others. I heard things said at her service that made me think that I'd like to have a legacy like that one day. I don't suspect one has to have grand plans but rather to be intentional about seeking the Lord's will and looking for ways to bless Him by loving and serving others. It has given me much to think about and aspire to.

Random thought 3)

Now I recall why I don't take my prenatal vitamin first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. NOT a pretty sight! Note to self - do NOT do that again... EVER.

Lastly, Jon David has really started to understand this signing stuff. He does: more, thank you, please, eat and drink. I now need to learn more so that I can teach him as I think he really likes being able to communicate. The pictures in this post are of him doing "please" (rubbing his belly) and "more" (fingers together). Yes, he has Scooby Doo yogurt on his eyebrow but I think he's still super cute!

A Father's Prayer

In honor of Father's Day and the amazing father that my sweet husband is, here is a poem I found and some pictures that give a glimpse into how very much Jon David's daddy loves him!

The first picture (above) is my little 4 1/2 lb. baby boy still in the NICU clutching his daddy's finger. I think the two of them made some pact during those early days -you and me, Daddy, we're a team!

A Father's Prayer
Lord I'm askin’ for Your help

To raise my newborn son,

Give me strength and guide me

‘Cause I know that You're the one.

That sent this angel to me

A little heaven here on earth,

For now I know my place in life...

I'm no longer who comes first.

Once I had no answer

As to why it is I'm here,

But when I looked into my baby's eyes....

It all became so clear.

This little bit of heaven

Owns me, heart and soul

And it's You that sent him to me

A greater love I'll never know.

So take these rugged hands of mine

Help me to understand,

Just what it is I need to do

To raise this little man.

Help me build a boy that knows

It's You that holds the key,

To all that heaven holds for us

Show him Your love through me.

(c) Oct. 10 1998 Mitch Speed All Rights Reserved

Life as a HOUSEwife

I've been a townhome-wife and an apartment-wife but never a housewife. And, after almost two weeks of it, I've determined that it's a lot more tiring to be a housewife! :) I love our house and am so thankful to God for providing it. But, especially when an apartment-wife, I just did not really invest in the place. Cleaning was done as a matter of course and to make things sanitary. I did not clean from a place of pride or of wanting to be a good steward of this gift. Now that I'm in a house, it's a whole different ballgame.

And, I've been reading some home/life organizing books and they stress cleaning as you go through the day. My M.O. used to be more of the put the dishes in the sink and deal with them after dinner. So, things got real cluttered real fast (especially in a small apartment). This new approach makes for a much nicer looking home but it takes a lot of time (or at least for me it does right now - maybe I'll get faster at it).

And, one of the areas to really take a hit is my blogging. I hate that I'm not blogging as much. But, I'm struggling to not overdo it (though I probably miss the mark in this regard) every day and to keep with our afternoon nap. This leaves little time for blogging. So, I am behind on reading all yours (I miss that!) and writing mine. I know you are a forgiving bunch and you realize that I am probably entering a phase where my blogging is more miss than hit.

A few updates...

1) Though I failed my first glucose test (I knew I would), I passed the boring three-hour one. Praise God!!

2) My fetal fibronectin came back today as negative (which is the desired result). They'll test me again in two weeks and then probably not again until 38 weeks.

3) Baby has been moving a bunch which is so nice and reassuring!

I know there are more but I can't think of them. Take care, All!!

Graduation Day at the Little Gym

Wednesday was a big day for our little family as Jon David graduated from his class at the Little Gym. He is no longer a Birdy but starting on Tuesday, he will be a Beast. Yes, he and his buddy Tyler will now be the Beastie Boys!

We're Finally Home "Owers"

It's moving day and this boy is HAPPY!!! He's also proud of himself sitting in a real chair.

As our real estate attorney said at the closing, "Congratulations! You are now home owers." :)


With many thanks to all our helpers (Cindy, Lorri, Mom, Denise, Chris and my nephews), we are in a very live-able house! The remaining boxes are contained and basically in a few rooms (baby's room, bonus room and the empty dining room). So, that's not too bad.


The best way to describe how it feels to go from two years of apartment living to a beautiful house - like our wedding night. There was something so amazingly wonderful yet foreign to it. Like the first night we spent together on our wedding night, I was so excited to finally be at the moment I'd dreamed of for so long.


Jon David is adjusting well though I've been gone from him more this past week than ever before so that is not helping. He acts completely normal until bedtime and then it's like all the change cumulates and it's just too much for the little man. And he's been waking up in the night and gotten some extra loving from our family's chief nighttime comforter, aka Daddy.


I'm adjusting to my new appliances and also to those the previous owners left. Our fridge is "fancy" in my opinion and the washer/dryer required some serious reading on my part to make sure that I got it right. It's the front loader/high efficiency kind and a tad different that the ones I've had in our apartments.

And, some drama - while using the self-cleaning oven, it caught on fire! Yes - that's right, FIRE. The flames were about 3 - 4 inches high and I freaked out! I know, I'm a bad blogger since I should have taken a picture of it but I was busy looking for the fire extinguisher. We figured out how to quit the self-cleaning and I'll be contacting my friendly GE-dealer for some help. I have NO clue what would cause that. Any ideas???


I'll write more later as it's late and time for bed! I look forward to catching up on all your blogs, hopefully tomorrow!! I've missed you guys!

These fabulous women are not only bloggers extraordinaire but they are master unpackers, Cindy and Denise. My sister, Cindy, really went to town in the kitchen and that made a HUGE difference!!

"Fancy" fridge as I call it and my first load of laundry after receiving a degree in fancy washers.

Aunt Lorri came from Chicago on Friday and stayed until today to help unpack and watch Jon David. You can see the great time they had.

Jon David and Aunt Lorri's Moving Company, at your service!