Deciding to Share Our Happy News

I've been internally debating on whether or not I would share our happy news on my blog. I've decided to share. #1. Few people read it. #2. I feel like it's part of being authentic.
I'm officially 5 weeks & 2 days pregnant!
Lots of people suggest not mentioning it this early due to the 1st trimester being the riskiest time for miscarriage. I know this is true. I've had a miscarriage before, and I was devastated. YES, people knew I was pregnant when I miscarried. And although it was painful having to explain my loss, I consciously chose to talk about it (after 5 days of isolating at home, but I had a nightmare ER experience. The ER gave me medicine I was allergic to and I got home with a 101 fever & then had some other doctor nightmares, so I feel it was justified.)
So often people don't know what to say so they say nothing. It ends up making those suffering the loss feel in even more pain...whether the pain is from a miscarriage, a diagnosis of cancer, a divorce, or other struggles we endure. I chose to learn and grow from my loss and talked about it to de-mystify some of it and just get it out there. It's a reality, yes. But our biggest fears are that we won't be able to handle whatever it is we fear. This gives the fear more power... feeds the fear. I don't like the idea of not sharing our joyful news because of what MIGHT happen. LOTS of terrible things MIGHT happen. For me, holding it in feels like giving the fear more power than it deserves. So I'm rebelling. I'm telling. I pray that our newest joy is healthy, happy, and strong. That's the same prayer I prayed every day...many times a day...when I was pregnant with Noah. Our baby is as big as a Sweet Pea and is estimated to arrive in November 2010. HOW BLESSED am I? INFINITELY!

Mr. Dance Wiggles

Noah has literally danced every day of his life. At first our dances were Mommy & son slow dances, and now this kid rocks it out every day. He seriously has some rhythm...and that's not speaking as a mom, but as someone who has done plenty of choreographed dances in her lifetime. Today I got Noah his first Wiggles DVD, "Feel Like Dancing." Talk about a HIT! He'd watch the specific dance the Wiggles were doing, and then try to follow along. And seeing his face light up when he's shaking it makes me smile. I'm glad I bought some new anti-wrinkle cream, because I'm going to need it with all the smiling I did watching him dance it out! In this dance, some ballerinas were doing an arabesque. This was really good for a 2 year old's first try!

Shake it, baby!

Notice how intensely he watches the tv to make sure he can see what they're doing so he can try to emulate.

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2010! I brought home green & white balloons & some treats, and Noah, Michael, & I celebrated St. Patrick's Day at home. The balloons were a hit. Of course, Noah's favorite thing to do with balloons right now is run as fast as he can to the 2 story entryway & release the balloons so they float to the ceiling. Then he laughs and says, "Uh Oh." Then I go upstairs & pray that they are within reach. Sometimes they are, sometimes they are not. I think I made about 6 trips upstairs tonight before they finally went out of reach. Lucky for Noah, they floated over closer tonight so he can play this game again tomorrow.

And....Release!!

This is Noah watching me get the balloons from downstairs.

Enjoying a St. Patrick's Day treat...Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Dear Baby On The Way

Dear Baby On The Way...

Hi. I'm your Mommy! I'm the one whose voice you've been hearing. I want you to know that even though right now you're only the size of an orange seed, I love you. Daddy loves you, too. I'm praying that you are healthy, happy, and strong. Your family awaits...

Everything's Coming Up...Daffodils

Although it was a little chilly today, there's no doubt, spring is in the air...and in the ground. Everything is coming up...daffodils at our house. We've got about 300 daffodils blooming and they're sunshine and happiness personified...just like my Noah. So it only seemed fitting to take a walk outside today and stop and LITERALLY smell the daffodils. Noah loved it!

I just LOVE how he jumps right in!

The sweet scent of spring!

Organization 101

This past month, I have become exceedingly overwhelmed with all the clutter and "stuff" that seems to be accumulating in our house. It's to the point that I'm feeling inefficient because I can't find things when I need them, so then I end up wasting time I don't have to spare because I can't find things! Enough is enough! I did a lot of soul searching and realized something today. I never learned that...never really learned how to organize stuff. My mom was so often CREATING with us...gardens, clothes, dolls, everything you can imagine....but I don't remember getting a lesson on organization 101 before she died. I've tried to get things in order, but it doesn't last long, and I just have to accept, I don't know how to do it!!!Here is where the pivotal decision is made...say, "poor me," or say, "Well, I can learn!" I choose the latter. I decided to approach it the same way I approach anything I want to learn more about. When I wanted to learn about plants, I bought books, went to gardening shows, and educated myself. When I wanted to learn about taking pictures, decorating, or running, I did the same thing. I'm taking the same approach with the home organization. I've ordered some books, and enlisted Michael's help, because he DOES know HOW. For him, it's the motivation that's lacking...not the knowledge. I'm just the opposite on this boat...lacking the knowledge, not the motivation. We are such a match. Thank goodness, my husband's mother is an absolute genius at this, so Michael HAS learned how. Michael & I are trying to slowly go room by room until we get it. First was the pantry. Noah found this Elmo pinata hidden away in there, and "helped" us in our process...and it IS a process, but I'm determined!

Noah chomps on treats he found in the pantry

An Easter Preview Pic

Rose Bailey, my new favorite photographer, sent me a preview pic of Noah's session yesterday. She's so awesome. I highly recommend her work as evidenced by this cute pic of Noah.