Why don't we hear this more?

I came across this article from the Washington Post on Facebook.  I had to share, both on my own page and here.  I loved this article.  It made me feel proud to be a SAHM.  (Stay at home mom!)  I started thinking about it though.  Why don't more people acknowledge this?  Why aren't moms screaming from the rooftops the long list of endless work motherhood entails?  That would no doubt snuff out much of the criticism.     Perhaps the answer to that question lies in the first line of the last paragraph in the article.  Being a stay-at-home-mom is a choice.  There is nothing in the world a man or woman can love more than a mother loves her babies.  So she's not going to complain about her job.  If she's upset and overworked, it's not because she hates being a mother.  It's because she's worried that despite her exhaustion, she still might not be doing enough.

   
You may also read the article online here.

Shining for the whole world to see . . .






 A good friend gave me this cute bib for Ben. 

Here's a few more glamour shots of our new little star shining brightly. 






Little blue chair for our little blue man. 






He loves his big sisters, and they're crazy about him!



How can we not adore this perfect little face?

I'm a rapper!

OK- wrapper.  Baby wrapper, to be specific.   

One would assume by the third baby, I'd have a routine set in place, know what I like, and how to handle the whole new baby experience.  You know what they say about people who assume!

With each new baby, things change.  Circumstances have obviously changed.  I now have three kids instead of two.  That's definitely challenging.  I still don't feel comfortable in those shoes, as my messy house and worn out husband can say.  Shout out to my DH who although is now back to work, still takes on a huge chunk of the household chores.  He's a dreamboat, I know. 

Products change.  Because just about every baby item we owned was in some shade of pink, we had to get a few new things.  To my surprise the same things I used with the girls aren't the same anymore.  Even my favorite brand of binkys (mam) have changed their design.  There are also new products to try out.  I'm a shopper, and baby things are a special favorite of mine to buy, so I find this part of having a new little one fun!

I always liked the theory of front packs and slings. 

1. You can keep your baby close to you all the time
2. Baby is comforted and happy being so close to mom, and less likely to cry or act colicky 
3. Your hands are free

I've had two different slings, and haven't managed any of the above.  I never felt confident my baby wouldn't tumble out, and the whole experience felt awkward.  Front packs strain my back and neck, and make me feel achy and cramped after 30 minutes or so of use. 

Enter my latest discovery in the world of baby products- the Moby Wrap

I love my new Moby wrap.  It's a simple design, basically a long piece of stretchy knit cotton.  If you're ambitious enough you could probably make your own.  I'm not ambitious enough.  I paid for my lack of ambition, as this company charges a lot for a long piece of stretchy cotton, but I'm so happy with this wrap,  I don't mind!  The link will show how exactly to wrap it around you and how baby fits in, but it's not complicated.  Benjamin feels secure, and I really can use both my hands.  He likes being snuggled close to me, and fell asleep pretty quickly once he was tucked in.  Best of all, his weight is distributed well on my back.  It's not tugging on just my shoulders, neck, etc.  I don't feel sore or achy, and I've had it on for a few hours.  I'm actually typing this entry while wearing it!  Ben is still sleeping comfortably, snuggled against my chest.  I'm now a wrapper!  I may change my tune as he gets bigger and heavier, although the workout will be good for me.  The little pamphlet that came with the wrap even illustrates exercises I can do while wearing my baby.  I haven't tried them yet, but plan to! 

 Here's the wrap from the front.  Merrylee's stretched hand is right where I tied the ends of the fabric at my right hip. 

 Here you can see  how the fabric crosses on my back, helping distribute Benjamin's weight well. 

Here's a closer view of his little face peeking out.  However I have the best view.  I can glance down and see his cheek resting on his tiny hands, and easily kiss the top of his head, all while doing the dishes, vacuuming, or playing wii.

Baby, completely, wrapped up in you

I wish I was good at telling stories, because this is great story, and deserves to be told well.  Sometimes I can describe something well, when I've had time to think, plan, and rewrite a few times.  Right now however I hardly have time to eat, so I'm afraid a quick summary and spellcheck are all the effort I have time for.  fyi, I will occasionally use the acronym "DH" for "dear husband" to simplify a little.   

June 9, 2011
I had a routine OB appointment, at 35 weeks into my pregnancy.  Things looked healthy and normal.  My cervix was dilated to 1", but that's not uncommon at 35-36 weeks along.  My doctor said all that meant is "you probably wont deliver this week". 

Ok.  "Probably." 

I took that with a grain of salt, and a bit of worry, as my husband wasn't due home from his deployment for a little over a week.  I would have rather heard news that I was showing no signs of labor at all.  I didn't want a "your baby probably wont come before your husband does", I wanted a guarantee.  Life offers no such thing. 

I visited a few friends, and complained I was getting a little worried.  I emailed my DH, giving him the details of the appointment.  He responded the way he had been lately, with promises that he'll get home on time.  The promises felt empty to me, and made me feel frustrated.  He's not the type to give empty promises.  I knew he didn't want me to worry, and worrying can actually bring on stress and early labor, but still, I felt I needed to mentally prepare for the possibility I'd be delivering my baby alone.  Promises that that wouldn't happen when I knew it very well could, weren't comforting to me.

Fast forward to about midnight.  The girls were in bed, and I was up re-reading Breaking Dawn.  It was a nice distraction, and I was waiting to video chat with my DH, who said he'd be online around that time.  I heard the ring of the video call, and came to sit at the computer.  We talked a little about my appointment, and he again started reassuring me he'd be there on time.  That brought my concerns a little closer to the surface than I'd hoped, and I started to cry, asking him why he kept promising something he couldn't be sure about.  Deployments are hard on both of us, and I try to make a sincere effort not to cry on the phone or on video chats.  It doesn't make for a positive experience for either of us when that happens.  I try to save the tears for after we hang up.  This time though the pregnancy hormones and all my worry took over.

My DH smiled, and said he really wasn't making promises he couldn't keep.  I looked at him exasperated, wondering why I really had to explain how I can't control when the baby comes any more than he can control when he gets to come home.  He smiled again, and said, "what if I told you if you went into labor right now, I would be there?"

I stopped crying.  Again more smiles on his end, and he told me to come open the front door.  He was standing there holding his laptop, using our own wi-fi signal to chat with me from outside.  His commander let him come home early, and he thought it'd be a nice surprise if he shared that news by showing up at our door.  He was right.

June 10, 2011
The next morning, we discovered Daddy wasn't the only man in the family with surprises and early arrival plans.  I was feeling consistent contractions that weren't letting up.  Due to nesting urges I'd been having that week, my hospital bag was packed and ready, and I had made plans for our girls with friends.  Thanks to some sweet and amazing young women from church, my house was clean and spotless.  If my husband was caught off guard, he didn't show it.  No doubt still feeling the effects of jet lag, he dug through his deployment bags for a few toiletries, and we took off for the hospital. 

June 11, 2011, 1:57 am
Benjamin Scott arrived.  He was 4 1/2 weeks early, but weighed in at 6 lbs 2 oz, a healthy weight considering his premature timing.

We're all very tired and a little shell shocked, but happy to all be together.  Benjamin fits right in like he's always been here.  We love every tiny toe and finger.

Before I knew my husband would be coming home, I did a lot of praying and soul searching.  I did my very best to make peace with the idea that I could be on my own in that delivery room.  When I prayed about it, I felt peaceful, and a reassurance that if that happened, I'd have the strength and help I'd need.  Faith comes before the blessings.  I was grateful to know I could do it, and even more grateful when I found out I wouldn't have to.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go sit on the couch, maybe fall asleep on my husband's shoulder,  snuggle my baby, and enjoying being completely wrapped up and surrounded by the people I love most.  Moments like that shouldn't be taken for granted.         

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Western Beauty

Nine years ago my mom and I flew 2000 miles away from our home, and after a few tearful hugs, she left me in a very different and foreign place- the west!  It wasn't at all like the lush, green, and busy metropolis I was used to in the east, yet I grew to adore the large open skies and grand towering mountains of my new home on the college campus of BYU, in Provo, Utah. 

A few weeks ago we drove back to my first home-away-from-home to visit my sister, who has also left her native east coast land, and made the west her own.  She just had her first baby, and we were anxious to meet little Ryan. 

I felt a nostalgic thrill as we entered the Provo valley, again experiencing a bit of the excitement that comes from leaving home, and experiencing life on your own.  I loved my years spent out west.  So much has happened to me since I first flew over those mountains.  Being there again, I felt like I was introducing my old home to the new me, and my now growing family. 

We didn't get to do half the things we'd planned to do on our visit- but we did get to see lots of friends and family, and enjoy some beautiful sites and detours on our long drive.  It was a lot of car time, but that also meant a lot of family time, and with Daddy gone a lot, we can never have too much of that. 

Our little car has made several cross-country trips, and it drove smoothly for this one too!  The views were perfect, weather beautiful, family precious, and our girls amazingly tolerant of all the carseat time.  Thanks to my incredible husband who spent hours planning every mile so things would run smoothly- they did! I'm sad it's all over.  After 4000 miles of driving, that says a lot! 

To my dear friend, the west, 'till we meet again, and may we have many happy returns! 

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Aunt Liz!!!!

Here's a list of my various titles:

Daughter
Granddaughter
Daughter-in-law
Sister
Sister-in-law
Niece
Cousin
Mother
Wife
Friend
and- drum roll please . . . . .AUNT!!!!!!!

My sister-in-law, Kristy, had a baby girl last night!!!! Isabella Sophia. I surprised myself in how emotional and happy I felt with the news. Kristy and Cory kept us in suspense with the gender, making shopping a little frustrating, but the phone call about her arrival much more exciting!

Although it was a long day of shopping and the girls got to bed way past their bedtime, I was too excited to sleep. I stayed up 'till 3:30 in the morning making baby bows for my new, sweet, beautiful little niece. I don't have pictures of her to post, but I do have photos of the bows, and the quilt I made her a few months ago, hoping she'd be a girl. Kristy asked for a princess themed blue and pink quilt. I personalized it a bit by adding the ice skaters. Kristy was a talented figure skater, and when I saw that pretty blue fabric I knew it had to be for her baby (even though I wasn't sure it was a she yet)

I can't wait to see her wear those bows or to wrap her up in her new blanket! Note the "Made with Love by Aunt Liz" tag. (you can see it better if you click on the photo) I already love her so much!

For Daddy

Scott asked me to post video of the girls he can watch while he's gone. Merrylee seems to be growing and changing the most, so this post is all about her. This is a lot of footage for someone other than a parent, grandparent, or possibly adoring aunt or uncle. I understand of course why it'd be hard to watch it all. It's all too easy to feel overwhelmed by all that sweet baby cuteness. We're around her all the time you see, so we can handle it. Don't feel bad if after a minute or two you feel inadequate to the task of finishing it. She is pretty cute. Not many people are used to so much concentrated sweetness. Just relax, and watch as much as you can handle. You can always take a break, come back and finish watching it later.

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

We miss you Daddy. This movie was made just for you, with love from all 3 of your girls.

The only thing cuter than a cute baby . . . .

. . . is a cute baby giggling! Turn off my music player for full effect!!!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Chairs that Spin and Applesauce

My best friend from highschool, Stacey, came to visit with her husband, Tait, and their two kids, Chase (3) and Izzy, (1). Anny and Chase are like 2 peas in a pod, and had so much fun. Here's where they discovered the joys of a spinny chair and a friend.

Our growing baby had her first taste of real food a few days ago. We gave her applesauce. It wasn't a big hit. We gave her sweet potatoes the next day, and she liked those a lot better. Here are some photos of the dissapointing applesauce.

Minnie Mouse Cuts In

Merrylee was chattering away today in her swing, of course until I pulled out the video camera. Then she looked at me curiously, and silently. Anny was also curious about what I was doing, and brought a little friend with her to check it out.