I may seem like a total blog slacker, but I did do a post which I can't seem to finish because it has a video of my cute kiddos and stupid Blogger won't upload it. So I did write, you guys just haven't see it. So there.
Here is some random updates from the home front:
1. I am finally feeling better! YAY! I figured out that I need to eat by 6:30 each morning or there is big, big trouble. Now that I figured that out, my weekends have been more productive (I was throwing up all Saturday and Sundays - it was tons of fun). My back is still causing be trouble, but I have my man slave to help with that, and I still hate me some vegetables.
2. I bought a
doppler. Or rather I am renting one. Best $20/month I have ever spent. I was really feeling stressed (and that's not good for the baby AT ALL) about Nugget's health so I bought one and the first time we heard that sweet sound it was amazing. Alleviated all my fears. I don't use it every day, actually I've used it only once since getting it last week, but for someone who has had a miscarriage, you KNOW the worst can happen and anything I can do for myself to enjoy this pregnancy I will do.
3. We were eating out almost every night because I don't have the energy to cook after work nor does anything really ever sound great to me. So one of us would just pick up food on the way home depending on what I wanted to eat that very minute. Not good on the wallet. So we've started doing
Dinner's Ready which is so simple, healthy and tastes amazing.
4. Nesting began last weekend. Our house was a disaster so I scrubbed from top to bottom after church. First time I felt the energy to do so and now little things out of place or disorganized are driving me insane. We've started the nursery so that is helping but man, man slave better get used to cleaning and fixing and de-cluttering!
4. For our four year wedding anniversary, Jason bought me/us a 3D/4D ultrasound that I enjoyed last Saturday. It was to check on Nugget's health as well as the sex. Well, we found out and we are having a very hyper, very cute little
BOY!!! We've named him
Noah Jackson and we are absolutely obsessed. I have pictures of our rejoice-0ver-a-penis party but no time to upload so I will someday. Here is a bad picture my dad took on his iPhone.
Knowing and seeing him move and suck his thumb and yawn and mess with his little wienie has helped my bonding so much. I really was not bonded at all with him, I must admit, because I was so terrified of losing him. But now I am so in love - he is the cutest baby I have ever seen! It totally transformed McSexy as well, because he really for the first time understood that there was a HUMAN inside of me. HIS human. HIS baby. That night after the ultrasound and our penis party, he said, "This was the best day of my life!" He also said (write this down hubbands!), "I am more in love with you than I have ever been. You are absolutely amazing for growing Noah. It is a miracle." He rubs and kisses Noah all the time and went crazy clothes shopping! Plus, he realized with all that kicking that the little guy was doing that I really was in pain! The tech said he was super hyperactive! Lol.
We are very excited, albeit still non-stop busy, and so thrilled. It sometimes seems that this is really going to happen for me now :)
1 week old.
Dukey loves his baby.
2 weeks old - getting ready for his first date with Bella.
In the Moby. He loves the wrap!
He has the funniest expressions!
In the bouncy for the first time!
First trip to the zoo!
At the fountain with Daddy.
Bathtime!
Out to eat!
Stud. Muffin.
This is me, age two or three, throwing a huge fit. I had a mullet. Don't judge me.
(Me crying because my sister accidentally shaved Jason's head BALD one Christmas. I was obviously NOT a happy camper. Now why wouldn't Jason want more of MEEEEE?)
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To tell you the truth, I have always been the sort of person to judge families who prefer to put their children in daycare over staying at home to care for them. I have never cared which spouse stayed home, but I always have felt it essential that at least one parent stay at home (at the very least part time) to care for the children during early childhood. This value has been instilled in me since I was very young, and I feel even more strongly after receiving a both a BA in early childhood and now my masters degree in early childhood and elementary ed. Early childhood is THE most critical time of development and what happens to children when they are young will shape the rest of their life. It seems extreme and it is (I have the research to prove it). To put a infant or toddler in a daycare where the ratio is 1 to 4 or 5 is ridiculous. There is no way, and I know, as I have taught infants and preschoolers in a daycare setting, that children can get the stimulation and personal care they need in that sort of environment. In addition, most daycare providers have little or no education in childhood development (or education period) or how to make meaningful educational experiences for young children. I can see getting a nanny with alot of experience/education or allowing a family member or close friend to help out with childcare, but that is about it. I just don't believe that the additional money from having two incomes makes up for someone else raising your child. No amount of money is worth your child not getting developmentally and educationally what he or she needs at such a critical time. I have always thought that if two people are so career driven that their jobs will be more important than staying at home, then they shouldn't have children. Period.
