Starting to Catch Up--April 2012

I think maybe a monthly run-down will be the easiest way to get back on track and record the wonderful fun we've had over the past several months! 

Here are some of our favorite events from April this year:

1. Spring Break!!!!!  Woo-hoo!!!! (doesn't have the same meaning it used to, but Spring Break is actually a lot more fun now than when we were in school).

Brandon is usually extremely busy this time of year--and he was again in 2012 as well.  BUT he had one of the best seasons he has had in a loooong time, mainly because of who was working for him this year (we're so grateful for Dwayne's return!).  Anyway, we got to spend more time with Brandon this spring than we have since C was born, so we REALLY enjoyed that.

This included some running,

playing with cousins (and a few other friends),

and general nonsense/hanging out. 

C and I also took a Mommy-Carson trip to the zoo, which was super fun! C adores going to the zoo. We got to see a mommy gorilla and her newborn hanging out, as well as all of Carson's other favorites (which is all the animals).

We also got to make some crafts (& clean) for hosting Easter--and most importantly, just enjoyed each other's company, playing and relaxing.

                             craft

                                       cooking                                                  farmer's market

                               lunch date

2. Easter

We got to host Easter this year, which we always enjoy.  We had an egg hunt, tons of good food, and got to share our new-baby news when Brandon announced it during the prayer.  Here are some of our favorite pictures and an album of the day.

Reasons I Should Have Known I Was Pregnant

1. I couldn't even stay awake until my normal 9:30 bedtime. I spent a good week or so sure that I was getting sick, because I had that exhausted feeling you get the day or two before a bug hits you. Seriously, I was hitting the hay around 8:30 every night.

2. I was more absent-minded than usual. I think I've mentioned before that that thing they call "pregnant brain" is fake--it should be called "welcome to your new life brain" because it doesn't come back after you give birth, or even after you get a normal sleep schedule back.
Well, I began having more severe instances of WTYNLB, such as putting pantry items in the fridge and vice versa. Pretty sure the cardboard container of instant oatmeal doesn't need to be kept cold....and I'm pretty sure the yogurt does.
I would also start the washing machine but forget to close the lid...so the clothes just sat in a big thing of water all night.

3. I began stockpiling random ingredients on accident. When I was pregnant with Carson, it was black eyed peas that I kept buying, thinking we were out (and she currently can't get enough of them, incidentally). This time, it's BBQ sauce. We have a variety of flavors, should you have any needs. Come on over and pick up a bottle.

4. Cravings--I never had strong cravings with C--or really with this one. Just some very random ones. For example, I crave cigarettes when I'm pregnant. Of course, that's not a craving I would ever give in to, but it's crazy as hell, right?
And spicy foods. Nothing has enough flavor or spice when there's a baby in my tummy. There are old wives tales out there about spicy foods hurting the baby (which my students preach to me regularly), but really it just tastes better to me when I'm pregnant and I'm confident the baby is fine.

5. I had some weird-o dreams--not nearly as vivid as when I was pregnant with Carson and hit myself in the face while sleeping (I was swinging a golf club in my dream)--but many nights, I have woken up at 2am thinking, "WHAT the hell was that?"

6. I started showing when I was about...oh, 5 days pregnant. Okay, not really but definitely earlier with #2! I spent the last few weeks of the school year covering my belly with things like folders, binders, my laptop, flower pots....and it worked! Nobody knew I was pregnant until this school year started!

7. My words weren't working. I'd give directions to my class at work, and they'd sit there staring at me instead of jumping into action. A few nervous looks between students would tell me something was off. I'd ask, "What did I just say?" and they'd reply something like, "Put your shoes in your pencils and turn to page carrot."

So, if you see me and I'm exhaustedly shoving hot sauce-soaked cigarettes in my mouth, drinking barbecue sauce, and mumbling nonsense, just keep on walking. I'm pregnant.

Future Big Sister

Good news: I'm blogging! (For now--don't pressure me!)

Bad news: this post is about 7 and a half months late......but I'm still posting it! And probably more late posts too.

So as you read, know that this post was actually penned on October 6, 2012. No clue why I didn't publish it then.

To say that Carson is excited about having a baby brother/sister would be an understatement. Her entire world has revolved around it from the moment we told her. She is such a compassionate and thoughtful kid that the idea of having a teeny tiny human to care for is about the best thing she has ever heard of. We wanted to record some of her thoughts and comments over the last several months, because I think they'll make us smile for years to come.



We wanted to tell Carson about the baby before we told anyone else--it just felt like she should be the first to know. We've had several friends lately who have had babies, so she regularly asks people if they have a baby in their tummies (so don't get offended if it's you). When we told her there was one in Mommy's tummy, she was really happy. And you could see the wheels turning right away.



Over the next few days, she asked some questions.

--That baby in your tummy...does it talk?

--Is the baby crying? Babies cry a lot.

--When the baby comes out...it will use a top on its cup?

We've also had a few other funny/sweet moments.

Us: Carson, do you think the baby is a boy or a girl?

Carson: Girl.

Us: ...but if it's a boy, we'll still love it.

C: (thinks for a few seconds) Nah.



One evening, putting Carson to bed, she started talking about the baby and how babies spit up a lot...and then remembered that babies sometimes wear bibs because they spit up a lot...and then realized she hadn't seen any bibs at our house....and started FREAKING OUT. "Do we have any bibs?!?! The baby will need bibs when it spits up!!"

We assured her yes, we had bibs. She didn't buy it. She wouldn't calm down to go to bed until Brandon found our stash of bibs and showed them to her. She was so relieved. She must think we're idiots.



If she accidentally bumps into my tummy, she says, "Oh, sorry! Are you okay?" I say, "It's okay. It didn't hurt." And then she reaches over like she's going to hug me--but hugs my tummy, kisses it, and apologizes again to the baby. She was talking to him all along.



One night while reading bedtime stories, Carson was drinking her cup of milk. She paused and held her cup up to my tummy, explaining she was sharing. After about a minute, she took it away, announcing, "She doesn't want any."



We are positive our little girl is going to be the best big sister any baby could have. She is excited, concerned, and eager to help already. She makes sure we include the baby when we're talking about our family, always reminding us to list it among the people going on an outing. When we discuss the things the baby will do or need after it's here, she says seriously, "I will help, Mommy. I will help you and Daddy with that."



I really can't imagine a child being more anxious to love something than Carson is to love this baby. What a blessing to have a daughter who is so selfless and curious and open-hearted! Although we know our new child will be different from Carson in so many ways, experiencing the joy of parenting C makes us so much more excited to meet and nurture someone new!



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