On Being a Mother of Two

Gosh...it has been forever since I've blogged. This moment seems perfect. Luke is catching his afternoon t.v. show and Katelyn is still sleeping, due to wake up any minute for an afternoon snack. Being a mother of two has treated me very well. I can't complain. Of course, this is only day number two of being on my own with the kids, so give it time, right?
I have noted some observations of being a mother of two that I'd like to share with you.
1. Who in the heck packages newborn socks? Come on! How many plastic T-looking thingys do you have to stick through a pair of socks? But, while you're at it, you may as well staple the socks to cardboard as well. Sheesh! With being a mom of two, taking time unraveling things like this really irks me.
2. I'm finding that I'm getting my shower in much, much earlier. Before Katelyn, Luke and I would snuggle in my bed for awhile. Then, I'd get up to make breakfast and maybe sometime mid-morning, I'd saunter to the shower to get in. Not now! I'm ready to go before Bill even leaves for work. Actually, I feel better about not wasting time, and I'm sure Bill likes that I'm up and around with him too.
3. I'm do more activities with Luke. Luke and I would play a lot together before, but now, we have more focused activities that we can do while Katelyn is sleeping. Yesterday, we played games. Today, we played play dough. Super fun. Monday we're making cookies.
4. I have, somehow, slipped myself into some non-maternity jeans. Of course, they are a size bigger than what I'd normally wear, but I'm definitely feeling good about the weight loss. Now, as for shirts to wear...I have one. I need something that my "nursing chest" will fit into. Only XL will do...sigh.
5. Speaking of nursing...I feel like I am exposed most of the day (even though it is only every 3 hours). But, this time, I am enjoying it. I sit here in the living room while I nurse Kate and either think, strategize, plan or pray. I've been listening to quite a bit of music too.
6. My back and neck hurts...I can't count the number of times I'm bending, lifting, adjusting and looking down. I've also gotten quite good at getting up off of the floor using no hands because I'm holding Kate. Aren't I impressive?
7. It's a huge challenge to get out of the house. I did it for the first time yesterday all by myself. Of course, I only went to Rising City to visit a friend, but that's a huge undertaking. It's all about strategy, especially in the winter time. "OK, who gets their coat on first? Which side of the car will Luke get in and out of? Where's Katelyn's blanket? Oh, no...did she just poop? I have to plan to nurse before I leave. Oh, no. Luke...do you really have to go to the bathroom?"
This whole ordeal takes extra time!
8. I look forward to outings more! Bill has a basketball tournament on Saturday and so I'm going to Lincoln to spend the day with my folks. I'm excited to go! I'm especially excited to go for an afternoon at Target...all by myself. I appreciate this sooo much more now!
9. Luke is doing just fine. Right after Katelyn was born, I worried for Luke and his adjustment. It has been a piece of cake for him and there is nothing like seeing him care for his sister. He wants to hold and kiss her and wants to be involved in all of the ins and outs of caring for her. I feel blessed.
10. I am thankful for friends. Of course with just one child I was thankful for friends, but with two children there is nothing like getting a card in the mail or a special phone call because someone is thinking of you. It's amazing the support we've received...especially when it comes to meals! I am so thankful.
Of course, I've learned a lot more about mothering two, but I thought 10 was a nice, round number (I know, I know...OCD attacks again). So, thank you to all of you, my friends, who have prayed for us and thought of us. You support helps out. More than you know!

A Revision

OK...so I made Bill post the blog yesterday with the pictures. He did pretty well, for being a first time blogger! He said Katelyn was 7 pounds 8 ounces, but she was 7 pounds 9 ounces!
Also, if you noticed, he used the inappropriate form of the word "to, too, two"...Of course, if I were posting the blog, my English would've been proper! Hey...just because I'm in the hospital does not mean that I can't be feisty.

Katelyn Mae Curry

Katelyn Mae Curry was born this morning (12-29-08) at 2:56 am. She weighed 7lb. 8oz. and measured 21" long. She has already picked up the eating thing. She is very very sleepy today. I guess I would be to if I moved into this world in the middle of the night.

It All Comes Down to This

Well, friends, the arrival of this little bundle of joy is getting closer and closer by the day. I often find myself daydreaming about this little one that God is continuing to put the finishing touches on. But, then I come back to reality and realize the magnitude of things that need to be done before he/she comes.
You see, we've chosen to deliver the baby in Lincoln, using the same doctor that delivered Luke. I am completely comfortable with this decision, and am so excited to have the same great experience giving birth to this one as I did with Luke. However, this does present some problems. We live just over an hour from Lincoln. So, with each "little" snowstorm that comes, I pray, "God, please help me not to go into labor today." This is a little stressful, I must admit. Especially the other evening when it was snowing, thundering and lightening all at the same time, I was thinking, this weather is just quirky enough that it may put me into labor. Fortunately, that never happened.
Bill and I decided that on Tuesday, the 23rd, we'll go to my folks', who live in Lincoln, and just set up camp there until the baby arrives.
This little fact means that we have to have things ready to go and the house in order by Tuesday, because the next time we will come back, we will be bringing baby back with us. Is that not crazy or what??? So, Bill is working on his "honey do" list while I try to keep my feet up to relax.
Poor Bill...do any of you remember the last part of your pregnancy and how irritated you get with people in general? I try to remain calm with Bill because he truly does try his very best, but at times, I'm sure he feels as if he can do nothing right. Anyways, here are some projects that I am having him do (isn't it sad that I have drug this poor man into my obsessive nesting?)
1. Fix the toilet downstairs for overnight guests
2. Take old toys of Luke's from upstairs to the toy room downstairs
3. Go through toys downstairs and "weed out"
4. Get all electronics ready for delivery...cameras, computer, etc.
5. Load the van
6. Get haircuts
7. Clean the house/do laundry
8. Call the post office to stop the mail
9. Call the neighbor to ask him to look after the house
10. Listen to and obey my every word.

I'm sure there's more that I'll add to the list before Tuesday. But, please be praying for our family as this is such an exciting time. Pray that things go smoothly with delivery and all others activities that follow. We will keep all of you informed on the latest news!

Hi, all! I've been such a bloggy slacker lately. I enjoy reading everyone else's, but there is absolutely no motivation for me to get going on mine. I think it's that "end of the pregnancy" phase that gets me so tired and unmotivated. Anyways...I thought I'd at least post some promised pictures! The first set is from my family's annual Christmas baking day. You'll see the magnitude of the project that is always at hand. And, believe it or not, this year, we scaled way back!
Luke and my cousin, Samantha, decorating like crazy!

A kitchen full of bakers and cookie roller-outers!

The newest member of decorating day, Ezra, taking a snooze.

Even more decorating.

Almost done...



The next series is a gingerbread house that Luke and I made. At first, we tried going off of a pattern, but then we did away with that and made our own creation. Luke was very helpful, but did eat a lot of the candy.

I'm up anyways...I might as well blog.

Yes, I am up. My one friend who is adamant that I keep taking it easy is going to absolutely freak out when she hears/sees that I am up at 2:05 a.m. There's a reason, trust me.
We had a fun, but very long weekend. Bill, Luke and I woke up early Saturday morning because I needed to be in Lincoln by 8 a.m. for my family's annual Christmas baking day (pictures are coming). This is a huge ordeal in our family and literally takes us all day.

After a marathon baking day, my family loaded up to go to my brother's Christmas concert at college, although I decided to keep Bill and Luke at home (they thanked me). Fun times were had by all, but boy were we tired. Needless to say, when I got home at 10p.m., Luke was wide awake with remnants of cookie all over his face. Great. He'd be up forever on that sugar high.

Sunday was a fairly peaceful day. We went to our old church back home. It was great to see friends that we don't get to see very often. Friends that we miss terribly. The rest of the day was relaxing, but Luke couldn't let the excitement of being at Papa and Grandma's wear off. He didn't fall asleep after church at all; until about 4:30 that is, when we were doing errands. Lovely. So, of course, that night, he was up until 11:30.

Oh-don't worry. I'm getting to the point here as to why I'm up late. It's coming...

Then, on Monday, my family had its annual Christmas shopping day. My dad took the day off to watch Luke while my Mom, Aunt, cousin and me roamed around town. It was a blast. Very tiring, but a blast. I was happy to get those last minute Christmas gifts all bought. We always have fun on this trip. Then, that evening, I had my Premier jewelry Christmas party. It was a jam-packed day; one that my "motherly friend" would yell at me, again, for being overly active.
Don't worry, in the midst of all of this hullabaloo, I had a doctor's appointment and my pressure was the best it has ever been. Go figure. That's what retail therapy will do for you.

So, we just got back yesterday morning. Luke is exhausted. His nap schedule is messed up. His sleep schedule is messed up. This all leads to why I'm awake at 2:16. After 4 months of Luke being potty trained at day and night, he has had an accident for the past two nights. I am not frustrated with him at all. The poor guy doesn't have a schedule, is probably so exhausted that he is in a very deep sleep, and it doesn't help matters when I broke the rules and let him have a sippy cup of milk at 8:00 last night. So, he woke up at 1:30 with a body and bed full of wetness. Again, lovely. I feel bad for the poor little guy. So, of course, I am wide awake. I tried to lay back down, but then I started getting heartburn. After taking a quick hit (of Zantac) I am now blogging, waiting for it to kick in so that I can lay back down.

Phew! Don't you just love my 2:20 a.m. rambling?

All for $1.51

As many of you know, I have been a Premier Designs jeweler for a year and a half now. I love being a "fashion consultant", if that's what you choose to call it (I really don't take too much credit for knowing the ins and outs of fashion). There are so many great things about being a jeweler, but like with all things, there are a few downers too.
So, here it comes. I am about ready to unleash on all of my blog stalkers about how some people can be absolutely NUTS!
The other day, I received an e-mail from a customer who ordered a bracelet and the bracelet came broke and tarnished. This, of course, should not have happened. Premier guarantees their jewelry and gladly exchanges any "lemons" that customers may get. So, I apologized to the customer, who seemed to be upset, and told her that if she sent me the bracelet back (she had to mail it because of the distance between us) that I would exchange it for her. Then, the claws came out. She was upset because she had to mail it back to me. SERIOUSLY!?! Are you kidding me? So, I told her that I would be happy to reimburse her for the shipping charges, and she took me up on it.
When I got the package in the mail, I noted that she paid $1.51 to mail the bracelet back. Do you know how tempted I was to mail her the $1.51 reimbursement in pennies? But, me being my nice self, sent her a check for $1.51 (although I was upset that I was wasting a check for $1.51). Goodness sake.
The moral of the story? Well, there are two morals, actually. Moral #1: Blogging is great for releasing built up anger. Moral #2: If you find yourself fighting over $1.51, stop and ask yourself what in the heck you're doing.

Love you all!