So, Lance and I finally went to church for the first time since moving to Michigan. Beth, an aquaintance from high school, invited us to go to her church for service and lunch afterward. So, we decided to actually get out of bed before 9:00 (yes, Rowan is currently sleeping until 9:00 every day) and meet them. Rowan surprisingly ran right into the nursery to play and did great, allowing us to enjoy a service without too much stress (Rowan often clings to my leg and cries when we leave so I spend many services staring at the pager, just waiting for them to call me to retrieve my child). Afterward there was a family lunch. The kids all run around and the parents talk. Rowan had a great time chasing older kids around and stealing toys from them. Before lunch there was, of course, a prayer. Generally we say a prayer before dinner at night, so Rowan knows the routine. Lately she has been saying "amen" as soon as we start praying. We're pretty sure this is not because she is whole-heartedly agreeing with the prayer, but because she's ready to move on to the good stuff. So, today, as soon as the prayer began, Rowan shouted out "amen!" We tried unsuccessfully to stop her from saying it again, but by the time the prayer actually ended, she had shouted "amen" four times. Many people turned to look at us, wondering why we could not quiet our child. Others just laughed. I was laughing during the entire prayer as was Lance. We'll see whether or not we're invited back...
On another note, Lance leaves tomorrow at 6am for a business trip. I'm dreading long evenings without any help with Rowan and trying to take care of the dogs who are longing for a fenced-in yard. And I'm definitely hoping the baby doesn't decide to make a very early appearance.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
And the weekly doctor appointments begin...
Today was the first of my weekly doctor's appointments for the remainder of this pregnancy. I was a little apprehensive about bringing Rowan to this one with me as I knew the doctor might be doing a strep B swab and a quick check internally. So, a slightly longer appointment that is a bit more invasive than the quick measurement. I had heard stories from a few friends about their sweet, gentle, caring children getting quite upset when the doctor was touching their mommy. I brought along an array of goodies and toys to keep Rowan busy, just hoping that she wouldn't freak out too much.
Not only did she not freak out, but Rowan loved the doctor's appointment. When the nurse put the blood pressure cuff on, Rowan started laughing and saying "Mommy, blood pressure! Rowee blood pressure, too!" Then when I had to strip down and sit on the table covered by a very comfortable paper blanket of sorts, Rowan was elated. "Mommy, diaper change!" she was yelling. I was cracking up. The entire time anything was being "done" to me, Rowan was in absolute glee.
On another note, this baby is really low. The doctor wasn't initially planning on even checking me until next week, but was concerned that the baby might be coming soon. But, after checking she let me know there is absolutely nothing going on down there, that the baby is just really low and is turned in a "funny" direction (it's nose to my spine and it's neck a bit crooked). So, we're hoping the baby will turn so I can avoid the terrible pain of back labor or having a c-section or having the baby's head pushed a funny way during labor which often results in the poor baby needing to wear a helmet and have physical therapy. None of these things sound particularly pleasing.
On another note, it's really really cold out. I'm realizing the warm, dry weather of Charlotte allowed me to completely lose my creative side and rely on going to the park every day. Now that the park isn't an option, I'm going to have to try to think of actual activities to keep Rowan occupied during the day. I've come up with a few, but I feel a repetoire of 20 new activities may only occupy Rowan for about an hour. So, I'm on the hunt for a few great things that will keep us busy for longer than a few minutes. Right now the only thing that seems to work is playing tea party, but, really, I'm ready for a break from the tea party for a while. So, any great ideas would be apprectiated!
Not only did she not freak out, but Rowan loved the doctor's appointment. When the nurse put the blood pressure cuff on, Rowan started laughing and saying "Mommy, blood pressure! Rowee blood pressure, too!" Then when I had to strip down and sit on the table covered by a very comfortable paper blanket of sorts, Rowan was elated. "Mommy, diaper change!" she was yelling. I was cracking up. The entire time anything was being "done" to me, Rowan was in absolute glee.
On another note, this baby is really low. The doctor wasn't initially planning on even checking me until next week, but was concerned that the baby might be coming soon. But, after checking she let me know there is absolutely nothing going on down there, that the baby is just really low and is turned in a "funny" direction (it's nose to my spine and it's neck a bit crooked). So, we're hoping the baby will turn so I can avoid the terrible pain of back labor or having a c-section or having the baby's head pushed a funny way during labor which often results in the poor baby needing to wear a helmet and have physical therapy. None of these things sound particularly pleasing.
On another note, it's really really cold out. I'm realizing the warm, dry weather of Charlotte allowed me to completely lose my creative side and rely on going to the park every day. Now that the park isn't an option, I'm going to have to try to think of actual activities to keep Rowan occupied during the day. I've come up with a few, but I feel a repetoire of 20 new activities may only occupy Rowan for about an hour. So, I'm on the hunt for a few great things that will keep us busy for longer than a few minutes. Right now the only thing that seems to work is playing tea party, but, really, I'm ready for a break from the tea party for a while. So, any great ideas would be apprectiated!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Justification for a life off-line
Rowan,
I hate to tell you that I have deleted some of your life--or at least the record I have of it. I'm not entirely sure how this happened, but I think it had something to do with moving, not having time to e-mail, etc. I previously set up an e-mail account for you and wrote you little notes on occasion, usually mentioning milestones, letting you know what we've been up to, etc. Today I went to send you an e-mail about some of your new accomplishments (you can recognize every letter of the alphabet!) and the e-mail was immediately sent back to me. Yes, I, the not-so-organized of your parents somehow let your account lapse and all e-mails have been deleted. Gone. For good. Not just mine, either. Your Grandma, Aunt Kathi, Hope and Grace, and Susan had all sent you e-mails. Why I didn't just print them out I have no idea. So, I'm rethinking the whole "using the internet to record every detail" idea. I think tomorrow I will go buy a journal and, though the entries may be sporadic at best, I'll do my best to remind you of your life as a toddler. I may even do some back-entries. But I won't get ahead of myself. With your little brother or sister on the way in a few short weeks, I can't promise that I'll accomplish a whole lot. And now probably isn't the time to mention that I can't seem to find your baby book. I'm very much hoping it's in Charlotte at our house or packed away in a box with baby hings (one of the few yet to be unpacked). So, I apologize for any and everything that is (and will be) lost.
I hope, even though you may not remember all of our fun and I may not have documented it as well as either of us may have liked, I love being your mommy. I love spending my days with you. I find so much joy in all of you accomplishments. You are my perfect daughter and I will love you forever.
I hate to tell you that I have deleted some of your life--or at least the record I have of it. I'm not entirely sure how this happened, but I think it had something to do with moving, not having time to e-mail, etc. I previously set up an e-mail account for you and wrote you little notes on occasion, usually mentioning milestones, letting you know what we've been up to, etc. Today I went to send you an e-mail about some of your new accomplishments (you can recognize every letter of the alphabet!) and the e-mail was immediately sent back to me. Yes, I, the not-so-organized of your parents somehow let your account lapse and all e-mails have been deleted. Gone. For good. Not just mine, either. Your Grandma, Aunt Kathi, Hope and Grace, and Susan had all sent you e-mails. Why I didn't just print them out I have no idea. So, I'm rethinking the whole "using the internet to record every detail" idea. I think tomorrow I will go buy a journal and, though the entries may be sporadic at best, I'll do my best to remind you of your life as a toddler. I may even do some back-entries. But I won't get ahead of myself. With your little brother or sister on the way in a few short weeks, I can't promise that I'll accomplish a whole lot. And now probably isn't the time to mention that I can't seem to find your baby book. I'm very much hoping it's in Charlotte at our house or packed away in a box with baby hings (one of the few yet to be unpacked). So, I apologize for any and everything that is (and will be) lost.
I hope, even though you may not remember all of our fun and I may not have documented it as well as either of us may have liked, I love being your mommy. I love spending my days with you. I find so much joy in all of you accomplishments. You are my perfect daughter and I will love you forever.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Big Girl Bed
Rowan never ceases to amaze me. Today we tried a nap in her "big girl bed" for the first time. I was so worried that she'd immediately start jumping on the bed, would climb over the bedrails, would slide off the end of the bed and play, etc. But, she rolled around for about 15 minutes, completely unsure of what to do with both the pillow and the comforter, but then she fell asleep. I watched from the doorway through a tiny little crack and am surprised my laughter didn't keep her awake. She kept sticking her head under the comforter and ended up sleeping on her back in the middle of the bed. Such a tiny little thing in that big bed! Not much fanfare, not much stress. Really it was quite easy. Now I know I'm getting ahead of myself. Just because she's sleeping there now does not mean that she will always sleep there well or that she will take a long nap for me, but I'm excited about the prospect of it nonetheless. Of course instead of taking this time to nap myself, I know I'll be peeking in on her every few minutes just to make sure she's not nearing the end of the bed.
On another note, we got our first offer on our house yesterday. Quite disappointing, really, as they offered about $17.000 less than our asking price. So, we're not going for it. But I guess it's good to know someone is interested. Hopefully someone else wil be interested soon--with a slightly more kosher offer.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
It's a Boy!!!
No, not our baby (though that's possible). Nathan Talmage (Eric and Thy's new little guy) was born on Monday, January 7. He was 7 pounds, 14 ounces and is doing great. The parents are shocked at how tired they can be and they called my mom to come stay for a week and help out a bit. We'll make our way over to meet our new nephew sometime soon. Rowan is very excited about "Baby Nay".
In the meantime we have been trying to get settled here in Holland. Lots of moving furniture around, setting up a playroom, getting used to colder weather and even locking ourselves out of the house (well, that was Lance, not me). It's definitely an adjustment and I'm having lots of up and down moments, but I'm sure we'll settle in soon enough. I met my new OB, Dr. Mary Gootjes and I really like her. Now we just need to find a pediatrician. Rowan has been crying somewhat hysterically every night at bedtime saying "No night night, mommy". I think she's just trying to settle in as well. I'm not sure if we'll end up deciding to live in Holland as it seems so small compared to Charlotte. I'm thinking a little closer to Grand Rapids might be best for us.
Lance's job is going well. It's only been a week, but he enjoys his colleagues and is pretty excited about his job. He's just been doing lots of training and paperwork, so I'm not sure when it will be that he really gets a feel for what a typical day will look like. One funny thing is that most of his co-workers eat lunch at the Kletz every day (just downstairs from his office). I most remember the Kletz for the famous "side of meat" that was on the menu (note there was no mention of what meat this might be) and the incident when Esperanza once stuck her finger in some pie to tell Andrea and me what kind it was. Then she wrapped it right back up and put it on the display. The Kletz is also the place where I developed a bit of a crush on Lance. He often went there with Chris Klein and would feed him lunch which I thought was too sweet. Needless to say, the food is much better and Rowan and I went to visit Lance and work and we all ate at the Kletz. I felt very, very old eating with my toddler while sporting a huge, pregnant belly.
Yesterday was a much needed break from reality for me. In honor of Susan's 30th birthday next week, we went for a spa day at Design 1 in Grand Rapids. We spent the day having massages, facials, pedicures and haircuts. And, of course, talking and talking. I feel so much better after a pretty long week. It's great to be reminded how wonderful it will be to have great friends nearby. Lance watched Rowan all day and I came home just in time to play for about 20 minutes before putting her to bed. I haven't had a day off since Girls' Weekend last summer. And since Sprout will be here in 6 weeks, I can't imagine I'll have many more for quite some time!
In the meantime we have been trying to get settled here in Holland. Lots of moving furniture around, setting up a playroom, getting used to colder weather and even locking ourselves out of the house (well, that was Lance, not me). It's definitely an adjustment and I'm having lots of up and down moments, but I'm sure we'll settle in soon enough. I met my new OB, Dr. Mary Gootjes and I really like her. Now we just need to find a pediatrician. Rowan has been crying somewhat hysterically every night at bedtime saying "No night night, mommy". I think she's just trying to settle in as well. I'm not sure if we'll end up deciding to live in Holland as it seems so small compared to Charlotte. I'm thinking a little closer to Grand Rapids might be best for us.
Lance's job is going well. It's only been a week, but he enjoys his colleagues and is pretty excited about his job. He's just been doing lots of training and paperwork, so I'm not sure when it will be that he really gets a feel for what a typical day will look like. One funny thing is that most of his co-workers eat lunch at the Kletz every day (just downstairs from his office). I most remember the Kletz for the famous "side of meat" that was on the menu (note there was no mention of what meat this might be) and the incident when Esperanza once stuck her finger in some pie to tell Andrea and me what kind it was. Then she wrapped it right back up and put it on the display. The Kletz is also the place where I developed a bit of a crush on Lance. He often went there with Chris Klein and would feed him lunch which I thought was too sweet. Needless to say, the food is much better and Rowan and I went to visit Lance and work and we all ate at the Kletz. I felt very, very old eating with my toddler while sporting a huge, pregnant belly.
Yesterday was a much needed break from reality for me. In honor of Susan's 30th birthday next week, we went for a spa day at Design 1 in Grand Rapids. We spent the day having massages, facials, pedicures and haircuts. And, of course, talking and talking. I feel so much better after a pretty long week. It's great to be reminded how wonderful it will be to have great friends nearby. Lance watched Rowan all day and I came home just in time to play for about 20 minutes before putting her to bed. I haven't had a day off since Girls' Weekend last summer. And since Sprout will be here in 6 weeks, I can't imagine I'll have many more for quite some time!
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