Brian WIlliams, My News Hero

I usually don't watch the news for two reasons. One, being that most of news is sad, depressing, or scary. As a new mom, I've got my own fears of Lauren choking on something, calling Grandma "Mom" and not recognizing me, and wanting to call the doctor when we've reached the fourth day of no poop; and that is without the news' stories of the negatives. The second reason is because Jeff and I don't have cable so we haven't had the chance to catch much news.

Recently, he figured out how to get a few select channels for free by streaming them from our HD television. We get NBC, ABC, and PBS (and a handful of Spanish soap opera channels.) Tonight, Brian Williams reminded me that there is a lot in the world that is not negative.

http://www.hulu.com/search?query=chicken+vs.+egg+came+first+NBC&st=0

I think I can rest peacefully after a story like that. I am curious, however, as to where that chicken came from?

Good Murdering Hands

I know I brag about my family a lot, but I really do have an amazing family. Two of my favorite members from that family live in Idaho Falls, my aunt Jan and uncle Ray. They were my home away from home when I lived in Idaho last year. I could always count on them whether it was for a good meal, a bed to sleep in, or plain, good company!

One Saturday night, a year or so ago, my younger sister and I went up to Jan and Ray's to eat dinner and play a card game called "hand and foot". At the table sat me, Macy, Jan, Ray, Joyce (my mom's cousin), and aunt Blondie (her real name is Donneta. She is my Grandma's sister, in her 90's, and has a mind sharper than a new knife!) We had been well into the game when aunt Blondie looked at me and commented on my long fingers.

She said something to the effect of, "Those have got to be the longest, skinniest fingers I've ever seen. Those would be good murdering fingers!"

Alas, not only do I have "daddy-long" long legs, an enormous wing span, and lengthy toes I use to pick up things, but I can add "long murdering hands" to the list!

I would also like to point out that my baby girl has acquired those genes from me. She's already got adorable grasshopper legs, giant toes, and good murdering hands!

You're not the only one learning, kid!

It's been a little over a month, and my bundle of joy comes with 8 bundles of dirty and wet diapers a day! I think I'm getting the hang of things. I'm learning more than I signed up for, but I still have yet to learn how to burp a lot better than what I'm doing! Here are the top 5 things I've learned about babies in one month:

1) Don't wear your nice clothing for the sake of looking good while you're at home. Babies (especially mine) seem to spit up and throw up quite a bit.

2) Stimulation is key: when changing a diaper, nothing holds a baby still better than a musical mobile!

3) Take pictures. I'm not ashamed that I've become "that mom". You know, the one who has 36 photos of her baby's third week of life on her phone alone (I won't count the ones from my digital camera!) They really do grow so fast. She's gained 2.5 pounds in 5 weeks.

4) Really, sleep when the baby sleeps! Week one almost killed me. It literally felt like my body was going to shut down! I tried doing everything when she slept because you really can't get anything done when she's awake. Even if she's not crying, it's impossible to not just sit and stare and watch her little eyes dart around the room, exploring her new world. Babies are so curious, and they're so fun to watch.

5) Anytime you leave the house, it is a production. Jeff and I have learned that we need to start getting ready at least 30 minutes before we actually need to leave (and really, one hour is better!)

Hey, Let's Have a Baby Today!

I'm one hour away from getting induced!!! I'm soooo nervous, this might hurt...just a little! I called labor and delivery ten minutes ago and they are ready for Jeff and I. In one hour, we will begin the process of pushing a baby into the world. I wonder if she has any idea what's about to happen. Up until now, and into the next few hours, she's just been enjoying a free ride. Eating, sleeping, hiccup-ing, and kicking me when I lay down to sleep. I imagine she's been thinking, "Hey! Mom! Why are you not moving? I need that constant swaying and swishing to rock me to sleep! Wake up! Move around!" every time I did lay down to sleep!

I'm trying to really clear my thoughts and capture the moment, but currently all I can think about is how hungry I am. I would really love to eat some toast, or make a breakfast grilled cheese! I guess clear liquids will have to do. I'm also thinking how much weight will be immediately lost in one day....let me run to the scale really quick....

...I got distracted on the way and woke up Jeff. I told him he's going to be a daddy today and he said he's already a dad!

We're excited. It'll be an interesting first week or 6...or 12....or 52!

May in my Mom Jeans

My goodness, is it really May already? Jeff and I are down to 3.5 days until our lives will change forever. We're experiencing a lot of different emotions, but among the strongest are excitement and anticipation. We're still throwing around names, but have it whittled down to 3 or 4 we really love so when this little, full-grown, cashew arrives we'll see which one fits her best.

I'm working today and Tuesday, then we go in on Wednesday at 5 am to get induced. That would be cool if she was actually born at 5 am on 5/5/10. My older sister said we should name her Five Nelson! My stats are as follows:

1) Pounds gained: About 35
2) Cravings: Crunch wrap Supreme (Taco Bell), grilled cheese, watered-down juice, meat, Popsicles (not all at the same time, tho!)
3) Dreams: The baby being born the size and age of a one-year old
4) Pregnancy Symptoms: forgetting...A LOT! (I asked the same question to the same co-worker three times in one hour yesterday!); minimal swelling in ankles and wrists (nothing to write home about though); minimal mood swings (I can only remember 3 or 4 break-downs/crying for no reasons...don't ask Jeff how many he's counted!); itchy belly and a growing belly!; tired--I think I've taken more naps in the past 7 months than I have in all my college years combined!

Needless to say, I'm ready to have this baby! Am I ready to be a mom? Well, not sure. I think it's like getting married and getting used to the fact that you have a husband and are a wife. A lady came up to me yesterday while I was folding and asked if we had any Capri pants that "weren't so 'mom'". She said she bought a pair last week and they fit her in a "very 'mom' way, you know what I mean?" she asked. Then, after putting the sweatshirt down that I was folding, she got red and said, "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean...not that you're....you're going to be one of those cute moms!"

I didn't take offense. I told her hopefully it'll be a lot of years before I dress like a "mom-mom"! And hopefully it'll be a long time (if not at all!) before I fall into this category:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/10333/saturday-night-live-mom-jeans

While it might take me some time to get used to being a mom, I don't think I've ever been more excited to jump into a new chapter of life and try to be the best mom I can be.

Chocolate-Covered Marshmallow Bunnies

I love Easter! This is my favorite time of year. And, while it maybe should be Christmas, I stand by my differences! I love that spring is around the corner, I love wearing (and eating!) pastels,

I love the weather, etc., etc. I especially love chocolate-covered marshmallow bunnies! So, the motivation behind this post? Recently my family threw me the best baby shower ever and I saved their thank-you's for the last. This put mailing those thank you's out a couple days before Easter. So, naturally I decided to mail a chocolate-covered marshmallow bunny in each
envelope.

Just to be safe, I took my stamped envelopes into the post office, thinking at most it might be a couple extra cents or so per envelope. I was way off. To mail one, 1o cent chocolate marshmallow bunny from area code 80134 to 80016 costs about $1.22! I realize not very expensive per envelope, but do you know how much a marshmallow weighs?! The postal office man said it had little to do with weight and more that it was about 1/16th an inch thicker than the alloted 1/4 inch! Unless I wanted to risk the bunnies arriving as mulch, flat treats, I better just pay the extra $4 for my letters.

Anyway, it was totally worth it. Everyone deserves to have their own chocolate-covered marshmallow bunny for Easter. Even my sister, Kelly, who probably hates them!

Let's Compromise!!!

We're in our 34th week and I honestly don't know where the past month went. Jeff and I are getting really excited and trying to squeeze everything into our one bedroom apartment while looking for something a little bigger!

I've learned that with marriage comes some compromising. We don't seem to have issues with the toothpaste cap, which way the toilet paper dispenses (top vs. bottom), which pictures should be hung where, etc. No, for awhile our biggest compromise was which bedspread to have on our bed.As you can see, he loves his classic blue and white checkered blanket and I can't part with my classy green and white duvet covered down comforter. For maybe 2 weeks we had this set up until Target saved us with a homey comforter we both love.


I think the big things in life (marriage, kids, etc.) come with a lot of compromising, but in a good way. Jeff and I have learned a lot about each other, likes and dislikes magnified, and really grown to appreciate our differences. We've also laughed off a ton of things. You have to have a good sense of humor, it's one of the greatest gifts I think God gave us to get us through some of the everyday, sometimes mundane, things.

I wonder what things we'll have to compromise when the baby comes? Already I've had to compromise and share half of my closet! My sisters, mom, and a few church friends threw me the most wonderful baby shower. I feel so loved and supported, it never seems to end! This little one coming into the world will have an amazing family and community she's coming into; and, not to mention, she'll be one of the best dressed babies out there!