I'm not really sure what these things are. Just 7 random things I'm thinking? Ok here goes.
1. We spent the day with my cousin today WAAAAYY out in the country. It was great and relaxing. They have a beautiful old house with lots of character, and Madeleine had to be pried out of their toy room. She spent the entire morning alternately feeding a baby doll and putting it to bed. That is one fat, well-rested baby. We finally went outside after lunch and she spent the rest of her time there hugging, kissing, and putting a hula hoop around their very patient cats.
2. Now that I have seen how much fun she had in the toy room, I want to make one in our house. I'm thinking of getting rid of our huge Anakin Skywalker couches that I LOVE but are really too big for our room. Then we can move the other two couches in the family room and turn the other room into just a toy room. They had a little table and chairs set up that she loved. I could make a tablecloth for it and we could have tea parties. I could also get some stuff to hang up on the walls and maybe a bulletin board for some of her artwork? Hmmm.... I feel some thrift shopping coming on....
3. I'm REALLY excited for my friend Megan to get here with her kids. Her daughter Quinn is a really sweet little girl who Madeleine loves. In fact, even though she hasn't seen her for a few months, every time her daddy asks who she played with that day, she says, "QUINN!!"
4. Madeleine has been REALLY into her letters lately. First we taught her the letter M. That's still her favorite. She points out "Ms" everywhere we go - on trucks, signs, my shirts, etc.... She looks through books and finds all the big Ms and little ms. We were reading Daniel in the Lions Den the other day and she learned the letter D. She could point out all the words that said Daniel, and she also learned G for God. She is constantly asking what words start with and I love it.
5. After we visited my cousin today I drove up to my University, which I haven't been to since I graduated in 2001. What a trip down Memory Lane! I stopped by the Newman Center for just a few minutes and saw Fr. W and another lady who still works there. We chatted for a few minutes and it was great! I wish I could have stayed longer but both kids were asleep.
6. Unfortunately John Paul started screaming his fool head off when were about an hour from home. I pulled over at a gas station and fed him but he was NOT happy about getting back into his carseat. So we listened to screaming baby for about 40 minutes and he calmed down right when we turned into our neighborhood. Screaming baby in the car = STRESS.
7. I could really go for some ice cream right now. Oberveis, Rocky Road. But I'm going to bed.
So how did I do? :)
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Catholic names
Yesterday I went to the grocery store. I was wearing a sleeping John Paul in my moby wrap and had Madeleine in the basket. An older lady approached me and asked to see my baby. She oohed and aahed over how cute they both were (can you blame her? haha!) and then asked their names. I told her Madeleine and John Paul and she said, "John Paul! What parish do you go to?" I told her and she said she attends a parish down the road. We chatted for a minute and then went our separate ways.
So then I was thinking. John Paul is probably one of the only names where people will absolutely know we are Catholic because of our child's name. There are plenty of great saint names but that one is definitely "Catholic" sounding. How cool is that? He's named after one of the greatest saints, and both of his parents actually saw Pope John Paul and took his picture! How many people can say THAT about their patron saint? (By the way, he should be beatified on April 2 of this year, and canonized on April 2 the year after that. I really wanted John Paul to be born on April 2 for that reason, but had to wait almost 3 more weeks!)
One of the reasons I love his name so much is because I often think, when I'm doing all the tasks that come with caring for a baby, that Pope John Paul's mother did the same things. She changed his diaper, she rocked him to sleep, she nursed him and made him smile. All the while she had no idea she was holding one of the greatest leaders of the Catholic Church who ever lived. One of the holiest men who ever followed in Jesus' footsteps. A person who inspired the whole world. And I wonder, what kind of man will MY John Paul be? I can only hope that he answers the call to holiness in his life, like his patron saint did. And I hope, like Pope John Paul's parents, we can inspire this love of Jesus by our faith and actions in our children.
So then I was thinking. John Paul is probably one of the only names where people will absolutely know we are Catholic because of our child's name. There are plenty of great saint names but that one is definitely "Catholic" sounding. How cool is that? He's named after one of the greatest saints, and both of his parents actually saw Pope John Paul and took his picture! How many people can say THAT about their patron saint? (By the way, he should be beatified on April 2 of this year, and canonized on April 2 the year after that. I really wanted John Paul to be born on April 2 for that reason, but had to wait almost 3 more weeks!)
One of the reasons I love his name so much is because I often think, when I'm doing all the tasks that come with caring for a baby, that Pope John Paul's mother did the same things. She changed his diaper, she rocked him to sleep, she nursed him and made him smile. All the while she had no idea she was holding one of the greatest leaders of the Catholic Church who ever lived. One of the holiest men who ever followed in Jesus' footsteps. A person who inspired the whole world. And I wonder, what kind of man will MY John Paul be? I can only hope that he answers the call to holiness in his life, like his patron saint did. And I hope, like Pope John Paul's parents, we can inspire this love of Jesus by our faith and actions in our children.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Professional photos I keep forgetting to post
John Paul was one week and Madeleine was 25 months. I just got these uploaded :) I love Olan Mills!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Happy 3 months John Paul!
Can you believe this child is 3 months already? It seems like it was just yesterday we were waiting for him. What joy he brings to our lives! He is SO smiley and such a happy boy.
I love the little toothless grin. He is very firmly in 3-6 month clothes, even wearing some 6-9 every once in awhile. He's got chubby thighs! I love chubby baby thighs.
He loves taking baths. A few nights he's been very fussy for one reason or another (maybe overtired) and a bath calmed him right down.
He is a SLEEPER! He takes about a 2 hour morning nap and usually a 4 hour afternoon nap! He sleeps great at night too. It gives Madeleine and I lots of time together. But we both love it when he's awake. Madeleine is already playing with him and talking to him and making him smile. They have conversations! I'm so happy that she has a little brother. It's true what Pope John Paul 2 said, "the best gift you can give a child is a sibling." I totally agree. What a gift they are to each other! It makes me want a bunch more.
He is SO "talkative!" I can't believe it. He's just like his dad and sister! I won't be able to get a word in edgewise in this family! My mom says he talks in complete sentences. Ken thinks he's really trying to mimic sounds. He really tries to say "Hi" when we say it to him. It sounds just like hi! And when we tell him to say "hello" he tries to say the short e and the o sound. He's a genius haha! Plus he's already said Mama. He did!
I love the little toothless grin. He is very firmly in 3-6 month clothes, even wearing some 6-9 every once in awhile. He's got chubby thighs! I love chubby baby thighs.
He loves taking baths. A few nights he's been very fussy for one reason or another (maybe overtired) and a bath calmed him right down.
He is a SLEEPER! He takes about a 2 hour morning nap and usually a 4 hour afternoon nap! He sleeps great at night too. It gives Madeleine and I lots of time together. But we both love it when he's awake. Madeleine is already playing with him and talking to him and making him smile. They have conversations! I'm so happy that she has a little brother. It's true what Pope John Paul 2 said, "the best gift you can give a child is a sibling." I totally agree. What a gift they are to each other! It makes me want a bunch more.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
It's the natural course of things...
If you have an older sister,
You're eventually also going to have a purse and a pink bracelet.
But you won't mind, because you'll also always have a hand to hold.
And someone who always tries to make you smile.Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Lazy Summer Days
Have I mentioned on this blog how much I LOVE being a stay at home mom? And I love summer too.
I got a new clothesline on freecycle a few weekends ago and I don't think I've used the dryer more than 2 or 3 times since! I love going outside in our backyard and hanging out the clothes. I put in a load when I first get up, and then after breakfast John Paul goes down for his morning nap. Madeleine and I go outside and hang out in the back yard. I hang the clothes, she plays on her swingset. Then we make clover necklaces for each other. The she plays in the sandbox and I sit outside in the sun and drink iced coffee or iced tea and watch her play. We talk and she tells me stories. She's getting really interested in letters so she is always asking me what different words start with.
When John Paul wakes up we usually try to go somewhere, either story hour, the library, the grocery store, the pool, the playground, the splash park, or just a walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes we have playdates. Sometimes we hang out with Grandma. Madeleine wears adorable dresses every day since she can't keep any shorts up! I love watching her walk along with her curls bouncing and shining in the sun, and we stop and look at every little thing that catches her eye. She sees a lot that I would never notice!
We usually come home and eat lunch, and she goes down for a nap. Sometimes John Paul sleeps at the same time and I get a little free time, and sometimes I just spend a little one on one time with him. Either way it's a good day. Sometimes I get a bunch of stuff done around the house and sometimes I get nothing done but cuddling my sweet baby. And that is just fine with me.
Madeleine wakes up and we watch a Dora episode together. If John Paul is sleeping we'll go outside in the backyard again. Sometimes we make popsicles in the morning so they'll be ready after nap. We're doing the Summer Reading Program at the library so we read a lot of books.
We make supper and Madeleine colors or plays playdoh in the kitchen with me. John Paul likes to be in there on his bouncy seat and she talks to him and reads him stories. She LOVES to hold him, wipes his mouth and holds his hand. She loves it when he talks and smiles at her. She gets a huge smile on her face. It's really great to see them interact. I hope they will be great friends.
When Ken comes home, we all eat supper together, and then usually go on a walk. John Paul goes in his wrap and Madeleine gets to walk by herself. We usually go to the church playground and occasionally John Paul and I will walk to the adoration chapel while Madeleine and Ken play. Then we come home and if all goes well, everyone's asleep by 9pm and Ken and I get a little wind down time.
Just a few years ago it was so hard to imagine that this would be my life. Several times during the days I think of the words, "She kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Now I really know what this means. I am so thankful for my life right now, and I hope I will always remember these days.
I got a new clothesline on freecycle a few weekends ago and I don't think I've used the dryer more than 2 or 3 times since! I love going outside in our backyard and hanging out the clothes. I put in a load when I first get up, and then after breakfast John Paul goes down for his morning nap. Madeleine and I go outside and hang out in the back yard. I hang the clothes, she plays on her swingset. Then we make clover necklaces for each other. The she plays in the sandbox and I sit outside in the sun and drink iced coffee or iced tea and watch her play. We talk and she tells me stories. She's getting really interested in letters so she is always asking me what different words start with.
When John Paul wakes up we usually try to go somewhere, either story hour, the library, the grocery store, the pool, the playground, the splash park, or just a walk around the neighborhood. Sometimes we have playdates. Sometimes we hang out with Grandma. Madeleine wears adorable dresses every day since she can't keep any shorts up! I love watching her walk along with her curls bouncing and shining in the sun, and we stop and look at every little thing that catches her eye. She sees a lot that I would never notice!
We usually come home and eat lunch, and she goes down for a nap. Sometimes John Paul sleeps at the same time and I get a little free time, and sometimes I just spend a little one on one time with him. Either way it's a good day. Sometimes I get a bunch of stuff done around the house and sometimes I get nothing done but cuddling my sweet baby. And that is just fine with me.
Madeleine wakes up and we watch a Dora episode together. If John Paul is sleeping we'll go outside in the backyard again. Sometimes we make popsicles in the morning so they'll be ready after nap. We're doing the Summer Reading Program at the library so we read a lot of books.
We make supper and Madeleine colors or plays playdoh in the kitchen with me. John Paul likes to be in there on his bouncy seat and she talks to him and reads him stories. She LOVES to hold him, wipes his mouth and holds his hand. She loves it when he talks and smiles at her. She gets a huge smile on her face. It's really great to see them interact. I hope they will be great friends.
When Ken comes home, we all eat supper together, and then usually go on a walk. John Paul goes in his wrap and Madeleine gets to walk by herself. We usually go to the church playground and occasionally John Paul and I will walk to the adoration chapel while Madeleine and Ken play. Then we come home and if all goes well, everyone's asleep by 9pm and Ken and I get a little wind down time.
Just a few years ago it was so hard to imagine that this would be my life. Several times during the days I think of the words, "She kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Now I really know what this means. I am so thankful for my life right now, and I hope I will always remember these days.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
It was bound to happen sooner or later...
Madeleine climbed out of her crib last night. We heard a thud and then when Ken went up there, she was just standing outside the crib.
She got a very stern talking-to about how dangerous that is. She is so scared of heights, falling, etc that I'm surprised she tried it! She hasn't done it since - not at nap or bedtime tonight.
I need advice. I am SO not ready to move her out of the crib. I don't want her wandering around. Even her room is not completely baby proof. She gets into EVERYTHING. I was hoping she'd stay in her crib until she was at least 3. What should I do??
She got a very stern talking-to about how dangerous that is. She is so scared of heights, falling, etc that I'm surprised she tried it! She hasn't done it since - not at nap or bedtime tonight.
I need advice. I am SO not ready to move her out of the crib. I don't want her wandering around. Even her room is not completely baby proof. She gets into EVERYTHING. I was hoping she'd stay in her crib until she was at least 3. What should I do??
Friday, July 10, 2009
I can't keep it in any more.
You're about to read one big fat vent, and this post could self destruct anytime.
I just happened to catch the show 16 and Pregnant on MTV. It almost made me cry. These two teenagers were shacking up with their baby. I felt so sorry for the mother. The father went out with his friends every night and when she begged him to take care of the baby for awhile so she could finish her homework, he just laid the baby down and went to sleep. He screamed and the mom ended up taking him. They way they were both holding him I could tell there was no bond, just obligation. This innocent human life isn't loved and cherished like he deserves to be. The parents are so selfish.
The baby on the show was the same age as John Paul. As I nursed him I watched the parents feeding their baby a bottle without even holding him or looking at him. They changed his diaper but didn't kiss his tummy or make him smile. They held him but didn't love him.
BABIES DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS!!!! I think that if teenagers are stupid enough and make the choice to get pregnant, they need to do the right thing for their babies and place them with a stable family who will love them like they need to be loved. They need both a mother and a father who love each other and love them.
Update and disclaimer. I'm calmed down a little now. It was mostly the show and this situation. Believe me, I do NOT think that all kids raised by single parents turn out bad. Some single parents are wonderful. Many many people raised by single parents turn out great. And also I'm not saying that it's only teenagers who have this problem. There are lots of adults who get pregnant and neglect their children. I'm just specifically talking about people who have babies and don't care about them or neglect them.
I just happened to catch the show 16 and Pregnant on MTV. It almost made me cry. These two teenagers were shacking up with their baby. I felt so sorry for the mother. The father went out with his friends every night and when she begged him to take care of the baby for awhile so she could finish her homework, he just laid the baby down and went to sleep. He screamed and the mom ended up taking him. They way they were both holding him I could tell there was no bond, just obligation. This innocent human life isn't loved and cherished like he deserves to be. The parents are so selfish.
The baby on the show was the same age as John Paul. As I nursed him I watched the parents feeding their baby a bottle without even holding him or looking at him. They changed his diaper but didn't kiss his tummy or make him smile. They held him but didn't love him.
BABIES DESERVE BETTER THAN THIS!!!! I think that if teenagers are stupid enough and make the choice to get pregnant, they need to do the right thing for their babies and place them with a stable family who will love them like they need to be loved. They need both a mother and a father who love each other and love them.
Update and disclaimer. I'm calmed down a little now. It was mostly the show and this situation. Believe me, I do NOT think that all kids raised by single parents turn out bad. Some single parents are wonderful. Many many people raised by single parents turn out great. And also I'm not saying that it's only teenagers who have this problem. There are lots of adults who get pregnant and neglect their children. I'm just specifically talking about people who have babies and don't care about them or neglect them.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Sleep
John Paul screamed for about an hour last night for some unknown reason, until I finally gave him a bath and fed him and he fell asleep around 9.
THEN HE SLEPT UNTIL 6:30 AM!!!!!!!
Do you know that Madeleine did not do that until 13 months??? And he has actually slept 8 hours 3 or 4 times. Can I say how much I love this baby????
I got to meet my friend Jenny's baby but I will wait to post pictures until she does on her own blog. She is so adorable it almost makes me want another newborn. And my kid is 11 weeks old :)
Oh I just noticed she DOES have a picture up! Go over to Delightful Journey and see!!
THEN HE SLEPT UNTIL 6:30 AM!!!!!!!
Do you know that Madeleine did not do that until 13 months??? And he has actually slept 8 hours 3 or 4 times. Can I say how much I love this baby????
I got to meet my friend Jenny's baby but I will wait to post pictures until she does on her own blog. She is so adorable it almost makes me want another newborn. And my kid is 11 weeks old :)
Oh I just noticed she DOES have a picture up! Go over to Delightful Journey and see!!
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Outtakes
At least one of them is looking.
Over HERE.
Is she going to punch him? Or me?
My baby looks a little scared.
I'm not even sure what happened here but it makes me laugh every time I look at it!
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
Yesterday we went to our local 4th of July festival where Madeleine got to bounce in one of those big blow up things for the first time. As you can see she quite enjoyed herself!
After that we had some great, but unhealthy, fair food. YUM. I could live off this stuff - if it was good for me! Some of our friends are in a band and they played at the fair. Here's John Paul enjoying the music with my dad - acting silly!
Madeleine's friend Olivia - they were dancing in front of the stage! Olivia and her brothers and sisters love Madeleine - and she loves them! It's been nice lately seeing her playing with other kids. She is really good most of the time - she is very patient and waits her turn, and seems to really care about other kids.
My sweet boy in his 4th of July outfit. It was a gift from my cousin who didn't know this kid was going to chunk up so fast! It was a romper but there was no way I was getting those snaps snapped. So a few stitches and cuts and it turned into a cute shirt!
My attempt at a photo shoot - you should SEE the crazy pictures I took of these two! How hard is it to get ONE DECENT PICTURE of the two of them?? This is the best I could get. I might post the "outtakes" tomorrow - some of them are hilarious.
After that we had some great, but unhealthy, fair food. YUM. I could live off this stuff - if it was good for me! Some of our friends are in a band and they played at the fair. Here's John Paul enjoying the music with my dad - acting silly!
Madeleine's friend Olivia - they were dancing in front of the stage! Olivia and her brothers and sisters love Madeleine - and she loves them! It's been nice lately seeing her playing with other kids. She is really good most of the time - she is very patient and waits her turn, and seems to really care about other kids. 
My sweet boy in his 4th of July outfit. It was a gift from my cousin who didn't know this kid was going to chunk up so fast! It was a romper but there was no way I was getting those snaps snapped. So a few stitches and cuts and it turned into a cute shirt!
My attempt at a photo shoot - you should SEE the crazy pictures I took of these two! How hard is it to get ONE DECENT PICTURE of the two of them?? This is the best I could get. I might post the "outtakes" tomorrow - some of them are hilarious.
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