Xylophagia

Dear Karyanna,

In case I ever forget to tell you, you LOVE paper.  More specifically you love to eat paper.  It doesn't matter what is going on, if I (or anyone) gives you a piece of paper you go absolutely bonkers.  So excited, so excited. You flap your arms and bounce up and down.

You are also really good at finding paper.  I feel like I clean up wrappers, mail and receipts all the time but somehow you manage to find more and put it in your mouth.  Your'e really good at getting things in your mouth before I can get to you.

Another thing you are particularly attracted to is cat food.  I know you'll grow out of all of this. And as much as you keep me moving, I think it's the cutest thing. I come around a corner and you purse your lips, like maybe I won't know you just put a crunchy piece of kibble in there.  When I reach down to grab it out your tighten your lips even more.  It's so damn cute!

I love you!

SSBBLP,

Mommy

My Baby Sister

Today is the day and I can't sleep.

My baby sister gets married in approximately 10 hours. 

I can hardly believe it!  It seems like just yesterday we were hiding out in the dog house, biding our time before we could go back inside the house; climbing trees, riding bikes and wearing each other's clothes; laughing at how amazingly we are connected that she could draw a circle and I knew she meant "complete." 

She's the last of the 'Phillips Girls' to change her name. I can't imagine how bittersweet that must be for my parents.

I remember growing up the frustration she felt because it seemed like none of the guys liked her. Truth is, none of the guys could handle her.  Jenn is her own force of nature. They only thing that could equal that is another force of nature.  Ever since I heard the lyrics "...that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano" I knew that was the perfect way to describe Dave and Jenn.  Equally powerful.  She needed someone that could challenge her; expand the way she saw the world. David is exactly that for her.

I am so excited to watch them grow as a couple.  There is something indescribable that happens once you say those vows. I hope they feel it. It's so powerful and binding.  But if there's one thing they have, it's that they never give up on each other.  They are always there, always fighting for the other, always figuring out the best way for THEM. I think if more couples were to have that much perseverance in their relationship, we'd see a lot more happiness!

Welcome to the family (officially) Dave! I'm thrilled to have you for a brother-in-law. I know you'll take great care of my sister.  You bring to this family such tenacity and steadfastness. I'm glad Jenn picked you (and vice-versa!) 

I love you Benny, fer-fer, Boo-Boo, Tuffy, Merriweather, Flounder, Jenny-Rose, Jammin' Jennifer!

Support

Note: This awesome card was from my dear friend Jordana from something totally unrelated

Wow!  I am speechless from the incredible amounts of support, well wishes and stories from others.  Everyone has been so sweet and it has made me even more grateful for the wonderful people I have in my life!

     I had no idea how prevalent this whole high cholesterol thing was in my age group! Yes yes, I know I'm not a kid anymore, but I'm still in my twenties. You'd think we'd all be healthier.  It just goes to show how vigilant we all must be when it comes to our health.

     Changes so far have gone great.  Mid week I had a coffee shop meet up and left STARVING and I was still 30 minutes from home with a baby who needed to be changed, fed and put down for a nap, so my rationale was that I was an hour, at minimum, from eating. It makes sense and would be so convenient to run through McDonald's and grab some "chicky noogies" or a cheeseburger. I literally had to talk myself out of it three times...boy old habits are hard. to. break. But I did it, and I went home and made myself a delicious and far more satisfying (and healthy) lunch.

    Thank you for all your great support, I'm sure I'll be keeping you up to date.

Little Bit of Laundry, Lots of Other Messes

Things I needed to do today: 
-Laundry
-Dishes
-Shower (yes, I need to list it so I remember)
-Car care
-Eat and take vitamins
-Make dinner


Things I accomplished so far today:
-Picnic at the park with my sister and her 3 glorious kids
-Shower
-Gas/Car Wash
-Banking
-Produce shopping
-Budgeting
-Eat and take vitamins


     I got lots done, but not lots on my list. Still to go, and will be happening, is make dinner, some dishes, more vitamins and a little bit of laundry.
     I'm lucky enough, that starting in July sometime I'm going to be a full time Stay-At-Home-Mommy (to be.) It's all I've ever truly wanted. I was looking at budget stuff to see what it will be like to live off of just Nick's income. And I have to admit, it's a little scary and a lot of exciting! It definitely means I will be cooking...a lot! And it means I will be driving much much less! 
     One of the things that I'm most nervous about though is the housekeeping side of things. I am one of those weirdos who LOVES doing laundry, but in our tiny house we have right now, with no room for my clothes (despite getting rid of half of my wardrobe a year ago!) I just get overwhelmed. I seem to fall so far behind on it. Literally my living room looks like a messy walk in closet with clean clothes strewn about everywhere. The actual closet is not much better.
     I know it drives Nick nuts too, and stresses him out about as much as it stresses me out. And I totally feel like when the laundry is in disarray so is everything else in the house.  The dishes stack up faster (no dishwasher,) the garbage seems fuller, the clutter just looks more abundant.  It is very difficult balancing my strong desires to be 'supermom' (bad term, but I couldn't think of a better one) with my incredible lack of self discipline and general get-it-doneness.  I'm praying everyday that I can get a better handle on things and that things don't fall apart and I can keep up once sweet baby Roth is here.
     I know everything is a learning process with a steep, steep curve. And I in no way expect that I will have a perfect house, ever. But I do expect myself to have a comfortable house that others can come into that is warm, welcoming and happy. 

When it comes to housework the one thing 
no book of household management

 can ever tell you is how to begin.  
Or maybe I mean why.  
~Katharine Whitehorn, 
"Nought for Homework,"Roundabout, 1962

Second Trimester

Boy am I feeling pregnant! All in a very good way, of course! I can no longer lay on my tummy, I must have at least one leg hitched so I'm more on my side. Morning sickness is gone, PRAISE THE LORD! Just as I was getting used to it again it leaves. I don't miss it.

My mom took me shopping for maternity clothes. Due to my previous 'food baby' I didn't think I really needed to put the fake bump on, but did anyway, and holy cow! I can't wait until that thing is real! I've always known I would love being pregnant, that I would relish in every moment, good or bad, that I had. I am so happy that has been true, and I can not wait to look to everyone else like I am pregnant, because it's just going to be so much fun.

I've also FINALLY started exercising again and it feels wonderful! My OB cleared me for all activities and I am thoroughly enjoying my runs, I was really scared to go out, but I am so glad I did. I am feeling more like myself again and know that I will be able to keep a handle on weight gain (is it too early to start thinking about how I'm going to loose it all?!?)

On the Daddy side of things: he's adjusting well to working full time and is learning so much as a lab manager! It's really neat to see him being challenged and grow in a field he had no previous experience. I really am blessed with such an amazing husband and future baby-daddy!