Seeking Imperfection

On March 24, 2011, two weeks early, we welcomed a new member to our family, Kaden Alexander. He came fast and furious - I started having contractions at home around 2:30 in the afternoon. I had a scheduled OBG appointment at 4:30, so my friend took me, even though the contractions were getting worse. At that point I was already 5 cm dilated, and the doctor sent me on to the hospital. I got there around 5:45, and Kaden was born at 7:37 pm. I barely got my epidural - at a little after 7, so that helped a little at the end, but most of the labor was painful and intense, and a little scarey since it was all happening so fast.

Not long after Kaden was born, Roland called his mother, who had Paige, to tell them he was here. The first thing Paige said was, "Can I talk to him?" So we put her on speaker phone and she told him she loved him, and he turned and cried at the phone a little. It was so cute. She also told me she loved me and to "get good rest Momma," which made all the hospital staff in the room say, "awww..." :)

When we were trying to find a name for him, Paige only liked two of our choices, and Kaden was one of them (I have since found out it was her 2nd favorite though!) She'd asked me randomly once if we could name the baby Alexander. Roland didn't really like it, but every once in awhile Paige would ask me again, and tell me that Daddy could "just get used to it." LOL So in the hospital, Roland suggested Kaden Alexander for the name - and Paige was thrilled when she found out.



The next day Paige came to meet him. She's doing really well becoming a big sister - much better than I thought she would. She doesn't like it when he's crying and I can't get him to stop, or when she's got my full attention and I have to go check on him, but for the most part she seems happy with her new brother. She's learned how to make a bottle and helps pick out his clothes, etc. So far, so good. :)

So, two weeks into this we are doing ok becoming a family of 4...or 5, since "Aunt Michelle" lives with us too. :)

So apparently I'm terrible at blogging. Lurking and reading blogs, I'm great at. Writing my own, not so great. Oh well.

Not too much new here - I'm still pregnant. I'll be 30 weeks this Thursday. It's a boy! We were all hoping for another girl, (especially Paige), but we are getting used to the idea of having a little guy join us in a matter of weeks now. He is much "rougher" than I remember Paige being - kind of like being pregnant with the karate kid. He's always moving, and sometimes his kicks are almost painful. But at least I know he must be doing ok in there!

I'm still unemployed, and can't imagine finding a teaching job in January at 7 months pregnant, so although I keep looking, I'm not expecting much right now. I've started to think that for whatever reason, having this baby is what I'm meant to be doing right now, and the job will come after he does.

Paige is very excited (and a little scared) because she has her first loose tooth. She has been telling everyone she meets about it. :) Her birthday is next week and she'll be 6. I can't believe it.

The other thing going on lately is we are getting a ton of snow. Paige has already had 4 snow days in the last two weeks, and there's more snow in the forecast for this week. Yesterday morning we woke to negative temps, and her school called mid-morning to say the boiler wasn't working and they had no heat there. They were able to take care of the kids, but it is just showing how brutal this winter is. I'm so grateful that I have a home with heat and a roof over my head, warm clothes, a warm bed, and food to eat. I keep thinking how difficult it must be to survive in this weather if you don't have those basic things.



We got Paige a kid's sized shovel - turns out it's been great for this winter. She was excited to "help out." :)

Dear Blog:

I didn't really mean to abandon you for over three months. Life just got in the way, and I got a little depressed toward the end of the summer.

We had a big "surprise" in our household - I am pregnant with baby #2! We did not plan to have another child, and that coupled with the fact that I am still out of work kind of put me into a depression. I got very worried that a) I have no job, so money is extra tight, b) that I don't know when or how I'm going to get a teaching job when I'm going to need to go out on maternity leave, and c) I had (and still do have) all kinds of worries about being able to love this baby as much as I love Paige, and being able to find time for both of them.

So here we are now in November. I'm 17 weeks pregnant and have an appointment in three weeks to find out the sex of the baby. Paige (and her parents, to be honest) are hoping for a girl. I asked Paige if she would love the baby even if it was a boy, and she said, "I'll think about it." :)

I am feeling a little better about the baby coming...Roland and I always said that we wouldn't try for another, but if one came, it was "meant to be," so I keep telling myself it's meant to be. I'm still freaking out about money and not having a job and having time and energy for all of this as I'm no spring chicken, but I'm still trying to learn to take this one day at a time.

And to end on a happy note, here's Miss Paige as Rapunzel:



I love this picture, but I couldn't totally crop that guy on tv out of it...I'm going to have to get Roland to edit it.

Happy Belated Halloween!

I am just no good at regular posting! I find I think about posting more than actually posting...now if I could just think a post and have it show up here, that'd be something!

This has been a very crazy week - lots of errands, physicals for Paige and a check-up for me, trips to the RMV, etc. It's amazing how exhausting doing things like that can be!

So here I am with another list of links on the wrong day. Guess learning to post it even if it is on the "wrong" day is progress in embracing imperfection, right?

I like this 30 Sucks birthday gift idea.

I also like this simple Stay Cool gift idea. Might be a good end of the school year idea (if I were to ever remember it.)

I thought this garland made out of napkins was neat.

Having many teenage neices and nephews, I liked this post on Finding Deals on Gifts for Teenagers.

And for anyone interested in special education ideas, I like this post on Adapting the Responsive Classroom Morning Meeting.

I am behind this week...so, better late than never, here are some links that may interest you:

I think S'Mores On A Stick look like fun.

I've seen lots of different versions of ice cream cakes made with ice cream sandwiches lately - like these Frozen Banana Split Squares.

Paige was sick recently, and I can never remember what time I last gave her medicine to her, so this post on organizing sick kids was interesting to me.

I keep meaning to make a foamerator with Paige. Maybe if I stick the link here I'll remember?

In the interest of imperfection (and due to the fact that I had a heat induced migraine yesterday) I am posting my Summer Tuesday Tip on a Wednesday. Better late than never, right?



Have you heard of Kids Bowl Free? This program gives kids coupons for two free games of bowling every day - although you do have to pay for shoe rentals.


Mother-Daughter Fashion Statement

This summer and last summer I signed us up for the family pass, which allows up to 4 adult family members the same two free games a day for one payment of $24. We tried this last year for the first time, and my daughter seemed to enjoy it. I was actually surprised when this summer rolled around and she started asking, "When can we go bowling?" So I guess she liked it more than I thought.



It's not something we do every day, or even every week, but it is kind of a nice option to have in your bag of tricks for a rainy day, or a really hot one.



For more summer fun ideas, be sure to check out Mommy Topics Summer Family Blog Hop.

Some links to check out this week:

How about a strawberry-watermelon slushie?

And while you have your strawberries out, how about checking out Little Cooks With Books Strawberry Jam with the kids?

Painted Light Switch Covers looks like a fun activity too.

I've been wanting to do some more simple science experiments with Paige.

Painting ceramic trivets looks like fun too.

I like these cute little accordian albums.

I think these exercise blocks would be a cute little gift.