Yesterday I decided that I had gone long enough without exercising. For fear of becoming a total lard butt during this pregnancy, I made the decision to get my body moving. When I was pregnant with Judah, I went to the gym about 3 times a week doing cardio and weights. It was great for me. I felt like my body was in really good shape.
Needless to say, I don't have a lot of time to exercise at the gym these days. I can get out and push the stroller around, but I find it to be less satisfying than going to the gym. With the morning sickness and fatigue I was having for the first 4 months of pregnancy, I pretty much didn't feel like doing anything at all.
Anyway, yesterday I looked up the on demand workouts on our cable menu and found a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader workout. It ended up being pretty great. At first I thought it would be too intense for me and my growing belly, but I really liked it. I was feeling sore when I got up this morning which is always a good sign. Then I decided that I should get out and take a walk with Judah. Getting out of the house in the morning seems to help the day move a little more quickly and I know that Judah and I are both happier when we get out of the house.
I went to McCollum Park and walked around their track 3 times. I think I went about 2 miles! (The track is bigger than a standard track and field track.) I am planning on doing this more often so that I can keep moving. I really don't want to be out of shape, gasping for air when I'm in labor. They say that the better shape you're in before you have your baby, the easier labor will be on you. Gotta keep moving!
Other than that, I've been having a tough time with Judah lately. It seems like as soon as Andrew walks in the door and I start making dinner, Judah needs all of my attention. He doesn't want to be with Andrew, he wants me and me only. The second I start chopping vegetables and getting dinner ready, he pretty much turns into one giant meltdown. It's been very trying for me in a lot of ways. I just don't understand it, because I spend all day with him. We do everything together. Why is it that as soon as I am unavailable to his every need, he becomes hysterical? It makes me feel like I'm not doing enough for him as it is. I wish I understood the toddler mind a little bit better. Lately from dinner time until bed time it has been really stressful in our house. Andrew and I are both burned out from a long day, Judah is in tears barely able to eat his dinner because he's so hysterical, and the night turns into a sobfest for me because I feel so overwhelmed. It has honestly felt like it did when Judah was 2 or 3 months old when all he wanted to do was nurse and be held by me and didn't want anything to do with anything else.
Oh the joys of motherhood. I know this is a phase, but whenever I'm in a "phase", it seems like the phase is going to last forever. Just praying for some wisdom on how to deal with this situation and how to best parent Judah through this time. I'll probably wish for this time back, just like I wish for those times back when Judah was that little. It would just make it a whole lot easier if this little boy came with some sort of a guide so that I knew what I was doing.
Well, Andrew is leaving town again tomorrow. Company retreat in Leavenworth until Friday, then Judah and I are going over to meet up with him and his family. Not looking forward to him being away again, but such is life. The weekend will be fun! Supposed to be snow in the pass this week, so praying that we'll have a safe drive.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
And now it REALLY feels like fall
We had such a beautiful summer this year. I must say that this week I haven't minded the weather forecast at all. We have been without much rain for a good part of this year. I haven't minded that one bit. It's been absolutely fantastic to wake up with the sun shining these last few months.
Now that fall is in full swing, we are into our rainy season and I feel that I'm ready for it. The trees are swaying, beginning to lose their leaves. It's beautiful!
Makes me want to cozy up in our warm house with a nice warm blanket and keep the house full of lit candles so that everything feels like it's glowing.
I am looking forward to spending a weekend in Leavenworth with Andrew's family in a few weeks. The company is going to be having their annual retreat at a cabin east of the mountains and they have it reserved through the weekend of Halloween. This is the nice thing about a family business. We get to have little treats like this every now and then. So after all of the non family employees leave, everyone's spouse (and child, if applicable) is welcome to come to Leavenworth and spend the weekend. It's going to be fun!
We did the same thing last year when Judah was just an itty bitty 2 month old. It was fun then, so I'm sure it will be even more fun this time. We are thinking of taking Judah trick or treating in town on Halloween. I'll need to get him a costume of course.
Today Judah and I had to miss Bible study. I really hate when that happens, but he's had a bad cough the last few days and I still can't seem to get over my cold either. I thought it had passed, but then I had a killer soar throat yesterday and have been fighting other symptoms today. So we stayed in all day.
I was able to take a nap with him, which is always nice. I made a delicious dinner too - scalloped potatoes and bratwurst. Then I finally made the pumpkin cream cheese muffins I've been eyeing from someone else's blog that I have been following. They were absolutely divine. Andrew and I both had 2 muffins each after dinner. So sinful!
I'm hoping that we are both feeling better tomorrow and can actually get out of the house. I need to take a gift to my best friend. Surprise, Rachel is pregnant! I am so excited! This is something we've talked about for years - having babies together. Now we actually get to do it! She is due in early June - the 7th, I believe. Our little ones will be about 4 months apart. I'm so happy to be able to share this time in life with her! What a blessing!
Now that fall is in full swing, we are into our rainy season and I feel that I'm ready for it. The trees are swaying, beginning to lose their leaves. It's beautiful!
Makes me want to cozy up in our warm house with a nice warm blanket and keep the house full of lit candles so that everything feels like it's glowing.
I am looking forward to spending a weekend in Leavenworth with Andrew's family in a few weeks. The company is going to be having their annual retreat at a cabin east of the mountains and they have it reserved through the weekend of Halloween. This is the nice thing about a family business. We get to have little treats like this every now and then. So after all of the non family employees leave, everyone's spouse (and child, if applicable) is welcome to come to Leavenworth and spend the weekend. It's going to be fun!
We did the same thing last year when Judah was just an itty bitty 2 month old. It was fun then, so I'm sure it will be even more fun this time. We are thinking of taking Judah trick or treating in town on Halloween. I'll need to get him a costume of course.
Today Judah and I had to miss Bible study. I really hate when that happens, but he's had a bad cough the last few days and I still can't seem to get over my cold either. I thought it had passed, but then I had a killer soar throat yesterday and have been fighting other symptoms today. So we stayed in all day.
I was able to take a nap with him, which is always nice. I made a delicious dinner too - scalloped potatoes and bratwurst. Then I finally made the pumpkin cream cheese muffins I've been eyeing from someone else's blog that I have been following. They were absolutely divine. Andrew and I both had 2 muffins each after dinner. So sinful!
I'm hoping that we are both feeling better tomorrow and can actually get out of the house. I need to take a gift to my best friend. Surprise, Rachel is pregnant! I am so excited! This is something we've talked about for years - having babies together. Now we actually get to do it! She is due in early June - the 7th, I believe. Our little ones will be about 4 months apart. I'm so happy to be able to share this time in life with her! What a blessing!
Friday, October 9, 2009
There has never been a greater love....
I am loving this song right now.
No, Not One
By Christy Nockels
No better word than from Your lips
No perfect life than what You lived
No greater gift, no not one
No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one
No one has ever known
This kind of love You've shown
There has never been a greater love
Than Your son
No, Not one
And there will never be a name above
No, Not one
With His life You have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No, Not one
No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match Your name
No greater fame
No not one
No one has ever seen
The depth of Your majesty
No greater call - You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love - You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life - You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love - forever mine!
No, Not One
By Christy Nockels
No better word than from Your lips
No perfect life than what You lived
No greater gift, no not one
No brighter star has ever shined
No better hope for all mankind
No higher mind, no not one
No one has ever known
This kind of love You've shown
There has never been a greater love
Than Your son
No, Not one
And there will never be a name above
No, Not one
With His life You have forgiven us
Hope has come
Hope has come
And there will never be a greater love
No, Not one
No image true or sweeter frame
No simple word can match Your name
No greater fame
No not one
No one has ever seen
The depth of Your majesty
No greater call - You gave us all a reason to live
No greater love - You gave us all a reason to give
No greater life - You gave us all a reason to shine
No greater love - forever mine!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
It's a girl!
We finally found out, after what seemed like an eternity of waiting, that we are having a baby girl in February. We are so excited! A girl brings a whole new world of change to our lives. I don't even know where to begin!
I have to admit that I am a lot more fearful this time than I was when we found out we were having a boy. Is it because girls are so fragile and seem to be damaged much more easily than boys? I think so. Boys seem to bounce back from the things that life throws their way. I think girls tend to take things to heart a lot more. Another thing I have noted in this past year of being a mom is that boys will always, always love their mama.
I think that girls tend to have a lot more issues concerning their mother. Perhaps it is because we as humans look up to our same sex parent the most. Maybe women are disappointed more by their mothers than their fathers because they expect the most from them. I'm not saying that all women have a bad relationship with their mom. And I can certainly say that my relationship with my own mother is good and has come a long way in the past 5 years.
Whatever the case may be, all I can do is pray that God prepares me to be a wonderful, loving mother to this baby girl. That I can be her teacher, her comfort, her friend, her confidant and most of all someone who she is proud to call mom. I know I can't be perfect, and that is why I am thankful for Christ's blood, which covers over my imperfections.
All of the worries aside, I can't wait to teach my little girl how to make cookies, how to braid her hair, how to put on makeup, how to talk to a boy, how to be a good friend, how to give lots of hugs to people she loves, how to be confident in life, and most of all how to let Christ's love shine through her to those around her.
Thank you Jesus, for this amazing blessing and opportunity to raise this baby girl up to know and love you.
I have to admit that I am a lot more fearful this time than I was when we found out we were having a boy. Is it because girls are so fragile and seem to be damaged much more easily than boys? I think so. Boys seem to bounce back from the things that life throws their way. I think girls tend to take things to heart a lot more. Another thing I have noted in this past year of being a mom is that boys will always, always love their mama.
I think that girls tend to have a lot more issues concerning their mother. Perhaps it is because we as humans look up to our same sex parent the most. Maybe women are disappointed more by their mothers than their fathers because they expect the most from them. I'm not saying that all women have a bad relationship with their mom. And I can certainly say that my relationship with my own mother is good and has come a long way in the past 5 years.
Whatever the case may be, all I can do is pray that God prepares me to be a wonderful, loving mother to this baby girl. That I can be her teacher, her comfort, her friend, her confidant and most of all someone who she is proud to call mom. I know I can't be perfect, and that is why I am thankful for Christ's blood, which covers over my imperfections.
All of the worries aside, I can't wait to teach my little girl how to make cookies, how to braid her hair, how to put on makeup, how to talk to a boy, how to be a good friend, how to give lots of hugs to people she loves, how to be confident in life, and most of all how to let Christ's love shine through her to those around her.
Thank you Jesus, for this amazing blessing and opportunity to raise this baby girl up to know and love you.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Birthday, Birthday!
I am fast approaching my 25th birthday. This makes me feel old. Ever since I turned 21, it seems as though I feel more and more ancient with each birthday. Especially now that I'll be a married mother of 2 by the time I turn 26 next year. Craziness! Never thought this is where I would be at this point in life.
Life tends to take a lot of different turns that can't always be anticipated. This is not to say that I don't have an amazing life. I am so incredibly blessed. But in my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined that I would be pregnant with my 2nd child at 25. I probably wouldn't have guessed that I would even be married!
But life is good and I wouldn't go back and change a thing about it.
We got the birthday festivities started tonight. Andrew's parents threw a party for all of us September birthdays in the family. My brother-in-law, Paul, and my sister-in-law, Cora, as well as my little brother (by way of Andrew, and technically my brother-in-law as well), Seth, also have September birthdays. So we had dinner and gift exchanging together. Fun fun!
What do I hope this year holds in store for me?
I hope that I can genuinely be transformed by the power of God's word as I take part in my Bible study that began last week. I hope that God's word will affect me strongly and that it will trickle down into my marriage and the parenting of my son. I hope that I will feel confident and at peace about bringing another child into the world. I hope that I can be a bringer of life and encouragement to people around me in everyday life.
I'm excited to see where I will be at one year from now. I've come a long way from last year and as I type that I have a genuine smile on my face. Remembering where I was and realizing how God has carried me through this past year is so encouraging. Makes me feel like I can do anything with His help.
Looking forward to my birthday dinner with Andrew and some close friends next Sunday, which is of course my actual birthday. The Melting Pot......mmmmmm!
I've been meaning to post a few pictures of some fun we had a few weeks ago. Andrew and I decided to take Judah to the splash park at Forest Park as a last hurrah to summer. The splash park was only going to be open for another week or so, and summer is quickly drawing to a close. In fact, today is the first day of fall! So here are a few pictures from the splash park. Although Judah seems more and more like a big boy here at home, I was quickly reminded of how small he still is while he ran around through the water. I had to help him watch out for the big kids.
Life tends to take a lot of different turns that can't always be anticipated. This is not to say that I don't have an amazing life. I am so incredibly blessed. But in my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined that I would be pregnant with my 2nd child at 25. I probably wouldn't have guessed that I would even be married!
But life is good and I wouldn't go back and change a thing about it.
We got the birthday festivities started tonight. Andrew's parents threw a party for all of us September birthdays in the family. My brother-in-law, Paul, and my sister-in-law, Cora, as well as my little brother (by way of Andrew, and technically my brother-in-law as well), Seth, also have September birthdays. So we had dinner and gift exchanging together. Fun fun!
What do I hope this year holds in store for me?
I hope that I can genuinely be transformed by the power of God's word as I take part in my Bible study that began last week. I hope that God's word will affect me strongly and that it will trickle down into my marriage and the parenting of my son. I hope that I will feel confident and at peace about bringing another child into the world. I hope that I can be a bringer of life and encouragement to people around me in everyday life.
I'm excited to see where I will be at one year from now. I've come a long way from last year and as I type that I have a genuine smile on my face. Remembering where I was and realizing how God has carried me through this past year is so encouraging. Makes me feel like I can do anything with His help.
Looking forward to my birthday dinner with Andrew and some close friends next Sunday, which is of course my actual birthday. The Melting Pot......mmmmmm!
I've been meaning to post a few pictures of some fun we had a few weeks ago. Andrew and I decided to take Judah to the splash park at Forest Park as a last hurrah to summer. The splash park was only going to be open for another week or so, and summer is quickly drawing to a close. In fact, today is the first day of fall! So here are a few pictures from the splash park. Although Judah seems more and more like a big boy here at home, I was quickly reminded of how small he still is while he ran around through the water. I had to help him watch out for the big kids.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
TARANTULA!!!
Clearly I am exaggerating a bit with the title of this post, but seriously....
This morning I felt more terror than I have in a long time. I'll start from the beginning -
Last night Andrew and I got home from our trip to Las Vegas. I arrived home first in my car. (We had taken separate cars to the airport because he left a day before me.)
I came in the house and began unloading the luggage. Bauer, our dear sweet cat, who had been cooped up in the house for three days, was meowing like a banshee to go outside. I let him out and when I opened the door I noticed a decently sized brown spider right by the front door. I was happy that I found it, and that it didn't find me while I was relaxing on the couch late at night. I quickly squashed it and went to close the door when I looked closely and noticed there were two more spiders right by the front door! Both were much smaller, but I couldn't believe there were so many right there! I wasn't too creeped out after that because I figured I had killed three, how many more could there be in the house? Zero, I thought.
This morning was a bright and cheery one. I hadn't seen Judah since Sunday night. We had a nice morning together. After he finished breakfast we were playing together on the living room floor. For a split second I remembered the spiders I had killed the night before and hoped there weren't any more in the house. I decided to glance around the room just to be sure.
To my utter horror, two feet from me was the biggest, ugliest, most disgusting wolf spider I have ever seen in my life. I let out a shriek, grabbed my child and ran into the kitchen. Judah was absolutely terrified of my screams. He started crying right away. But I had to kill the beast!
I placed him in his high chair so that he was out of harm's way. I had to kill this monster. I ended up playing a cat and mouse game with the nasty creature while it ran from couch to couch. I was finally able to suck it up with the vacuum as it attempted one final getaway.
I am still shuddering. I keep finding myself glancing around the room expecting to see yet another tarantula running my way. Let's hope that was the last one.
This morning I felt more terror than I have in a long time. I'll start from the beginning -
Last night Andrew and I got home from our trip to Las Vegas. I arrived home first in my car. (We had taken separate cars to the airport because he left a day before me.)
I came in the house and began unloading the luggage. Bauer, our dear sweet cat, who had been cooped up in the house for three days, was meowing like a banshee to go outside. I let him out and when I opened the door I noticed a decently sized brown spider right by the front door. I was happy that I found it, and that it didn't find me while I was relaxing on the couch late at night. I quickly squashed it and went to close the door when I looked closely and noticed there were two more spiders right by the front door! Both were much smaller, but I couldn't believe there were so many right there! I wasn't too creeped out after that because I figured I had killed three, how many more could there be in the house? Zero, I thought.
This morning was a bright and cheery one. I hadn't seen Judah since Sunday night. We had a nice morning together. After he finished breakfast we were playing together on the living room floor. For a split second I remembered the spiders I had killed the night before and hoped there weren't any more in the house. I decided to glance around the room just to be sure.
To my utter horror, two feet from me was the biggest, ugliest, most disgusting wolf spider I have ever seen in my life. I let out a shriek, grabbed my child and ran into the kitchen. Judah was absolutely terrified of my screams. He started crying right away. But I had to kill the beast!
I placed him in his high chair so that he was out of harm's way. I had to kill this monster. I ended up playing a cat and mouse game with the nasty creature while it ran from couch to couch. I was finally able to suck it up with the vacuum as it attempted one final getaway.
I am still shuddering. I keep finding myself glancing around the room expecting to see yet another tarantula running my way. Let's hope that was the last one.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Tired Day
Let's see...
This morning I woke up way too early, even before Andrew's alarm went off. I tried my best to fall back to sleep but could not for the life of me. I ended up being awake for the day around 6:30 am. Not good considering Andrew and I stayed up until midnight watching The Office.
The good part about getting up early is that I had about an hour and a half to myself before Judah woke up. I had breakfast, made coffee, watched the news, did some dishes. It's definitely nice to have that alone time, which is rare in the mornings.
Judah and I enjoyed the morning together. He rifled through all of his toys and all his books were soon strewn across the floor. He absolutely loves it when I read to him. He loves his books so much. He cries when they are over and hates it when I close them. We read book after book after book and he wants to read some more. It's definitely a good thing, and it keeps me reading to him throughout the day.
For lunch I re-stir fried some leftover Chinese food I had made the other day. It didn't sit well with me at all. I followed it with a tall glass of apple juice to counteract the saltiness of lunch. It was way too much sugar for my stomach. I felt terrible afterwards. Thankfully Andrew was on his way home and Judah was taking a long nap. As soon as Andrew walked in the door I went upstairs and took a 3 hour nap. I had still been so tired from waking up really early this morning. Gotta love the husband for allowing me to do things like this.
Andrew was meeting a friend for dinner tonight so Judah and I were on our own. Apparently he had a huge lunch with Andrew when he woke up from his nap. He just kept eating and eating and eating. I tried to feed him dinner around 6:30 but he didn't really seem interested. He kind of just played with the peas and corn on his tray and snacked every once in a while. I didn't force him to eat anything else.
After dinner there were some kids from the neighborhood riding their bikes outside our house. Judah just loves other kids. He toddled over to the screen door and just squealed with delight seeing them ride their bikes around. He can't wait to be a big kid too.
Judah picking and choosing his peas and corn.
Baby Michels, 13 Weeks
This morning I woke up way too early, even before Andrew's alarm went off. I tried my best to fall back to sleep but could not for the life of me. I ended up being awake for the day around 6:30 am. Not good considering Andrew and I stayed up until midnight watching The Office.
The good part about getting up early is that I had about an hour and a half to myself before Judah woke up. I had breakfast, made coffee, watched the news, did some dishes. It's definitely nice to have that alone time, which is rare in the mornings.
Judah and I enjoyed the morning together. He rifled through all of his toys and all his books were soon strewn across the floor. He absolutely loves it when I read to him. He loves his books so much. He cries when they are over and hates it when I close them. We read book after book after book and he wants to read some more. It's definitely a good thing, and it keeps me reading to him throughout the day.
For lunch I re-stir fried some leftover Chinese food I had made the other day. It didn't sit well with me at all. I followed it with a tall glass of apple juice to counteract the saltiness of lunch. It was way too much sugar for my stomach. I felt terrible afterwards. Thankfully Andrew was on his way home and Judah was taking a long nap. As soon as Andrew walked in the door I went upstairs and took a 3 hour nap. I had still been so tired from waking up really early this morning. Gotta love the husband for allowing me to do things like this.
Andrew was meeting a friend for dinner tonight so Judah and I were on our own. Apparently he had a huge lunch with Andrew when he woke up from his nap. He just kept eating and eating and eating. I tried to feed him dinner around 6:30 but he didn't really seem interested. He kind of just played with the peas and corn on his tray and snacked every once in a while. I didn't force him to eat anything else.
After dinner there were some kids from the neighborhood riding their bikes outside our house. Judah just loves other kids. He toddled over to the screen door and just squealed with delight seeing them ride their bikes around. He can't wait to be a big kid too.
Judah picking and choosing his peas and corn.
Longing to play with the big kids outside.
I also decided to include a photo of my most recent ultrasound. I had my 13 week appointment back in August. We got to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time, which is always so exciting. It's one of the best sounds in the world to hear that little heart thumping away so strongly. They had a little trouble finding the heartbeat so they brought in the ultrasound machine to help find the baby on the screen.
This was a special treat because normally we would have had to wait until 20 weeks to see the baby again. Baby was so active! It's amazing to see at that size just how much baby moves! It was just as much as I remember feeling Judah move in the 3rd trimester, no less. If I could feel all the movements now, it would honestly have been just as active.
Dr. Chien printed out a bunch of pictures for us, so here is one of them.
Only 4 more weeks until we get to find out the sex!
Baby Michels, 13 Weeks
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