Friday, February 27, 2009

And baby makes three!

For those of you that don't know yet...Kyle and I recently found out we are expecting! We are both a wonderful combination of thrilled and scared to death. It's funny how you can think you are so prepared for this and way beyond ready and then when it actually happens to you you think to yourself (or say aloud to your mate), "What have we done?!?! There is no undoing this and now the clock is ticking. CRAP!"

I say that only half joking. I have always loved kids. As far back as I can remember. As a matter of fact some of my first memories were staying the night at my Aunt Chrissy and Uncle Jeff's house and helping with my cousins when they were babies. Back then (not so sure about now) my aunt would love to stay up all hours of the night and sleep in until the afternoon. I would play with Jeremy, and later Jimmy, until she was up and then we'd go running errands. I was her little helper. I was only 9 years old when Jeremy was born, 10 with Jimmy. I just loved helping take care of the baby!

I later got my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development and worked for years in daycare, even as the Director at one of them. Then there were my "nannying" years. Four different families aging from newborn to 6 years. I loved this time in my life! I got to get my baby fix and still sleep in my own bed through the night without the woos of middle of the night feedings, nightmares, sickness and the like.

Here's the deal...I knew how good I had it! I knew I had the best end of it. I'm not sure what possessed me to want more. Maybe it's the four years of being a grade school teacher as opposed to being with the babies. Maybe it's the lack of babies around me at this point in my life. Maybe it's my biological clock, or Kyle's. Whatever it was, we are now pregnant and I have the other end of the spectrum to think about. It's scary business. AND (speaking of business)...I won't be getting paid for this. No...on the contrary, I will be paying big bucks instead of making them.

Ah, but the reward it going to be so great. When I start to get a little worried about those things I think about the wonderful things a baby will bring. I adore the sweet smell of a baby, how they look at you, depend on you, the unconditional love you feel for them, the willingness to give your life for them. We are ready for this and look forward to the journey ahead of us.

I can say that because so far it has only required one thing of me. I willingly obliged because it is one of my favorite things in the world and I know it will soon be a thing of the past. This wonderful thing...sleep. Ah sleep. Our little bundle is sucking all my energy from me. I can honestly say that I have never slept this much in my life. Easily 10 hours a day. I say day because that includes the 15 minutes here and there that I pass out in addition to my 8-9 hours a night.

So far, no morning sickness. I am being ever so grateful to the Good Lord in heaven for this. I have read that this blessing could be taken awake over night so I am enjoying my regular eating habits for the time being, well maybe smaller portions more often; like every two to three hours. On that note...I need a snack.

I'll do my best to keep you posted on the exciting adventure we call life.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

I don't get it

I am not a parent, but I'd like to think that when I am that I will do whatever it takes to help my child in EVERY aspect of life. I am blown away by the number of parents that don't know what their child's homework is, who their teacher is, that they are going on a field trip this week. Seriously?!?

I have seen parents that refuse to 1)discipline 2)follow through with discipline 3)help their child be successful in school. Parents will fight a teacher tooth and nail about retaining their child, but not lift a finger to help them be successful where they are now.

I struggle to determine if it is the parent's lack of parenting or if a child really is ADD. I hate labeling a child like that so I don't say that with a light heart. I really feel that labeling a child with ADD or ADHD would be less common if parents took an active role in their child's life. And as a parent, not a friend. I hate, stress that word HATE, when a parent says, "I just feel so bad for him/her." NO! This is what they want, if you feel bad you won't discipline.

Be a parent, I don't care if it wasn't your plan. If you didn't want it, there are thousands of people looking to adopt a child, you should have cared enough to give your child parents that care.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Weekend Get Away

Kyle and I went with our neighbors to Laughlin, NV this weekend. I've been told it's a Vegas wanna be, but I don't plan on being in Arizona forever so I figured it would be a sight to see before we leave. Well that and I've been to Vegas, not impressed.

Anyhow...Laughlin=mini Vegas. Again, not impressed. Don't get me wrong, it was fun but it was the people we went with that made the trip worthwhile. Good people and a road trip=good time.

Todd volunteered to take Kyle and me to the Hoover Dam while we were there. This was amazing. Not necessarily overall, but the fact that it was built by hand. AMAZING! The dam jokes...old; quick!

Also, Craps. Love it. I have never been a gambler and the idea of a $5 minimum gives me the dry heaves. However, after watching the game for two days, and losing sorely at the penny slots, I decided that I'd give Craps a shot. Love it! Good fun. I still don't like the $5 buy in. I want to look into building a Crap table and doing a dime buy in. Other people have poker tables, we are going to have a Craps table. Just another reason to look into visiting sunny Arizona. Just think of all the dimes you could win!!!