What's In A Name? Everything!

So, whenever anyone asks us if we have names picked out for the baby, our answer is usually that we're waiting to find out if it's a boy or girl. And that's partly true. I think that once we find out, it will help me attach a bit easier to choosing the right name. But to be completely honest, I think we do know the names we like already.

And we're not telling.

The ultrasound is fast approaching. Once we find out then... we're just going to have to tell people that yes we have a name but no we won't tell you. Unfortunately it doesn't ever come out sounding the way I'd like it to. When we did this with Gray I was surprised at how huffy people would get!

It's not that I don't trust you, it's that I don't care for that flicker of your eyebrows, twitch of your mouth, widening of your eyes for just a split second- and you don't even realize you are doing it- but it says to me you don't like it or you question our choice. And as much as I usually do not care about what other people think, when it comes to naming my babies, I only want good feelings during the process. One little bit of negativity does make me rethink things. And it's not like we're picking some offensive name that might scar our child forever. We carefully consider the perfect first and middle name for each of our sweet children. We also want to meet this baby in person to make sure the name we like is really their name! And the revealing of that name at birth makes it all even more special to us.

There's also the fact that I know a lot of preggy people out there right now and our name could give them ideas. Of course I am not against someone naming their child the same name- we all can name as we choose, but having that form of originality, knowing it's a name both hubby and I created together just as we created this life, it means something to us.

So anyway, if you are someone close to me and take it personally that I won't tell you the names that we like, I hope you will now understand. This secret is different, it's something important and magicial and soon- very soon you will know the name, with a face, and sweet spirit and smile to go with it. That's how I want it to be.

Pedestal

Maybe my opinion doesn't count because my boys still only watch Dora and Star Wars, but this Miley Cyrus-magazine-pose controversy has me shaking my head and still wondering why in the world parents are creating role models for their kids out of people in Hollywood.

This morning hubby and I made a pact to try to never allow ourselves to put some popular kid show actor or character at such a high regard that we forget they are human. We vow to remember that they are not good role model material- ever. No matter how wholesome they appear today, I promise you, someday they will disappoint you. Because they are human. And they are not thinking "I'm a role model" with every action they take and temptation they encounter.

I remember being frustrated by this very thing when people got all hot and bothered about some High School Musical scandal and I am annoyed to no end by how high up people place Oprah and then get upset when she doesn't act out the moral life or beliefs that you think she should. If Joe or Steve from Blues Clues were to go off the deep end, I'd probably not be outraged, I'd think "it's about time."

These are people, people! They are going to fail. They are not perfect and more often that not, if you're watching them on TV or in a movie, they are fake. They aren't real. Just a character created in a script by someone else with who knows what type of moral values or beliefs.

And I know some of the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the controversy of late is parental involvement and so forth, but you have to think back to when you were fifteen. I imagine that people are getting worked up because their eight year olds look up to this starlet so much, but again, she's not eight years old.

Although I don't really remember that far back, I imagine the role models of yesteryears were our mothers and grandmothers and aunts. Just regular people that actually cared about your life and they weren't one dimensional where you only see into their life but they have no clue who you or your child is. These people invested in you as much as you invested in them.

And when moms or aunts or daughters disappoint, you learn and move on. It's usually not too controversial. Hopefully it doesn't make the front-page news. It's often a learning experience. It's part of life. I want you to know that I will probably disappoint you. Maybe this post itself is disappointing you right now. I'm not perfect, not even close, and don't even try to be. Right now I am trying to finish typing this while I'm half-reading That's Not My Train in between thoughts to Gray on my lap. I'm still trying to figure this life all out and will try to remember that everyone else is, too. Even if they are magnified 50-times larger than life on a movie screen or billboard. They are still as small and as important as you and I. And are in no position to ever be someone I want my child to look up to.

okay, seriously?

What Makes A Happy Mama

I felt a teensy weensy bit guilty about taking another weekend (in a row) all for myself. You'd think the Disney trip would suffice for a good month or two at least. But, I'd made plans a long time ago for a spa day with Lori on Saturday. And what kind of friend would I be to back out on a massage, facial, parrafin wax, & manicure?

Then yesterday was a Chicago Moms Blog brunch. I could probably never get my fill of bloggy mom chatting, eating brunchy foods, laughing, eating some more... now I've got even more bloggers to add to my collection. Pictured: Amy, Arianne, Farrah, Catherine, Tracey, Lydia, Mary Anne, Alma, Jennifer, MJ, Cindy, & Me.






Mary Anne was quite the hostess (her home was like a magazine filled with lots and lots of books), giving me my first (and hopefully not last) taste of dishes from Sri Lanka. And I got to hang with Amy again (two weekends in a row!)





Arianne and I made the quick drive downtown together and afterwards couldn't just go straight home. So we stopped off for a bit of shopping (including our first encounter in a LUSH store) and ended our Chicago night with 5-cheese lasagna at Leona's. Mmmm... and I am dreaming of the leftovers in my fridge.

So where was my poor family this whole weekend, motherless again? Well, Daddy took charge and for the hours I was away they made forts under blankets and ate french fries and finished homework and wrestled and stuff. Just as I was refreshed when I came home, hubby gushed about what a good and perfect day he had, too.

Yes, I am a happy Mama.


Pics thanks to Amy.

Not A Day Goes By...

I'll hear people say, "I thank God everyday" for certain things like family, health, what have you. And I am sure many of those people really do thank God everyday. But many say they do and really don't. We might go through a rough time in our lives and say "I'll do anything" for things to be ok. Then when everything is normal again, off we go with our normal lives.

It's been almost 1 year since Noah came off his special diet. And close to 3 years seizure-free. I can honestly say that not a day or night goes by without me thanking the Lord for Noah's healing. That my Noah is here. That he is seizure-free. That he is a normal little boy. That he wakes up in the morning. That he can go to school. When I greet him good morning. When I check on him at night. Sometimes I just say thank you. That's just enough.


I imagine that I'll never really forget. Months will go by without me hearing myself yelling to my hubby to call 911! Over and over it used to play in my head. My stomach would drop like rollercoasters when I didn't think I could possibly take it anymore. But now it's all tucked away. Visions of Noah at his worst have been replaced by years now of a healthy, happy, laughing, talking boy full of life and full of promise.

I don't want anyone to have to lose or almost lose life to truly appreciate it. There are just too many things and people and blessings and situations to be thankful for that get overshadowed by worries and things that are so unimportant and so irrelevant. Life should be lived. Not put off for tomorrow or punished because of what happened yesterday.


Noah's growing up, right before our very eyes it seems, and when many parents wish their kids would 'just stay little' I must admit that I am so very grateful to watch this little boy grow up. Because he can. We were told he might end up in an institution. I don't even want to know what that life is like. I just know it wasn't in the plans for us. I am so thankful. Each one of my precious babies... how is it possible that my heart has enough room for how much I love them? Sometimes I just say thank you. And that's just enough.

Originally posted 6/25/07

Just What Kind Of Bun Is In My Oven?

Is it a sweet roll? Or a hot dog bun? Or I love how my friend Sarah says "bagel or baguette?"

I am half-way there, people! Fifty percent. And on May 9 we are finding out if we'll be adding another boy to our brood or if a girl is going to turn this house of boys upside down!

The fabulous Warm Biscuit Bedding Company is offering a $50 gift certificate for a fun little contest here. Correctly guess if I'm having a boy or a girl, and I'll randomly pick a winner. So if we're going to keep playing on words- is this a biscuit with eggs or...?

Will I need to make room for more swords and airplanes or are dolls and tea parties in our future?

Just leave your guess by commenting below (one comment per person.) If you guess "boy" and we find out it's a boy, then you'll be in the drawing to win. Likewise if you guess girl and it's a girl. If it turns out we have a modest baby crossing his or her legs, then I'll choose a winner from all the comments.

The big announcement will be made here on Friday May 9! If you feel uncomfortable leaving an email address with your comment, I'll also be announcing the winner at Prizey Winners.

If you need pictures or stories of this pregnancy so far to make an educated decision, then click here for all that info!

Now guess away!

The contest is now closed. I'm having a girl!

Congrats to Amber who commented: A girly girl is going to rule the roost!

Do They Make Spanx For Pregnant Women?

Because I'm going to be in a fashion show.

Yeah, go ahead- you are totally allowed to laugh.

And they do make maternity Spanx. Hall-ay-loo-yar!

They Don't Need Dusting

For the plane ride home I bought Malcolm Gladwell's book The Tipping Point (which I love.) It inspired me to display my collection of bloggers (hey, some people collect Tchotchkes, and I like to collect bloggers.) I've listed all the bloggers that I've met- at least those that I can bring to memory right now. Warning: pregnancy brain on overload equals room for error.

See the list here. And then I thought it would be interesting... the whole six degrees of separation thing- how many you might know that I know, too.

Crumbs

What's worse than crumbs in the bed?

Legos.

Ouch.

Little Man

There are moments I look at Gray and think, how can it be possible we're going to have another baby soon? He's still such a baby! Those little toes and chubby feet still get me. But then, like when I came back from my trip, he looked so grown up. So mature, so un-babylike. His vocabulary can out talk most four-year-olds. (He's only two.) His smallness doesn't stop him and if anything, it gives him more to go on. Trust me, you don't mess with this kid.

For Mama, he is baby. He wants to nuggle. He needs to lay his head on my shoulder and whisper I love yous. Does he do this for himself or for me? Maybe a bit of both. My heart, oh these boys, what they do to this Mama's heart. I can't hide the fact that there are little bits of my heart just breaking into pieces. They have to go and grow up. As much as it hurts, I love it. And as much as I try here, I can't possibly put into words how blessed I am to watch them become who they are becoming.


Photo taken by Barry's Photography

...it's a green, green world

So I posted a bit of greeniness that I learned on my trip.

We made it to the park today! And it was pleasant and beautiful! And Gray and I wore our green shoes.

Earthiness

It's earth day! And I hope everyone is thinking about at least one way you can be kind to our earth today, and continue it for tomorrow. I still take my own bags to the grocery store- and even the mall, but have unfortunately gotten out of the habit of using our fun & funky cloth napkins on an everyday basis. So, we've started that up again!

I will be posting over here later today about some green questions I asked while I was at Disney.

I also plan to be away from this computer and outside today. Maybe give another try at the park and definitely will be doing some weeding around my lilacs and dogwood bush!

Sign up for quick & hip daily green tips at Ideal Bite. Enter Arianne's Earth Day giveaway. See what Mama Speaks has to say about living simply. And get green! And get outside!

A Very Disney Bloggy Giveaway!

I'm back from my trip and what a great way to celebrate with a giveaway! The Bloggy Giveaways carnival is going on now and I've got a $20 Disney gift card that I'll send to one winner- just leave a comment if you'd like to enter!


As soon as I get the chance, I'll fill you in here on all the incredible details of my trip with some other incredible bloggers and online Moms. Check back soon! It's incredible!

You can use this gift card at any Disney Store, online, Disney parks, gift shop, etc! I'll pick one comment at random Thursday April 24 and announce it here and at Prizey Winners if you don't wish to leave your email address. One comment per person, please. Have fun!

Contest is now closed. Congrats to Becca Mae!!!!

...a dream and a mouse.

I'm on my way. I'm excited. And I'm making this a true adventures in babywearing by even packing a ring sling to share with a Mama bringing her nursing babe.

Here's a pic from a wonderful little trip back to the mall yesterday. We shared hot pretzels and lemonade on a bench. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Not even Disney World.


Saying goodnight last night was difficult. I'm trying not to tear up as I type this morning. As much as I have been looking forward to this get away, I know without a doubt that my heart is here. I love them so much and want to just hug them forever. In my arms it just feels right.

I'll try to post pictures while I'm gone, but since I have no idea what's in store, you can for sure keep up with my travels here on Twitter. I'll be checking in thanks to my new phone!


If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse. -Walt Disney

Golden Nugget

While I'm busy packing and preparing for my trip and that golden Floridian sun in my green eyes, I'll leave you with this heartwarming (or stomach turning) conversation:

Allergic to dairy, eggs, & nuts- Gray seems to have some red spots on his face which I worry might be hives.

Gray, what did you eat?

A boogie.

Well, thanks for your honesty.

A Park Attempt

Overexcited at the promise of seventy degree weather, we attempted a park day.

Which resulted in Carter almost shriveling up and dying because of the wind.
And in this photo Gray is actually saying "Save me I'm super cold!" We lasted all of maybe 20 minutes. It took longer to drive there and back. And now Gray says he wants his honeys. I am thinking that it truly is in the kids best interest that Mommy goes away for a couple days. Friday can't come soon enough.

She Has Something To Say

A beautiful blogger friend, Ruhiyyih, is joining the local relief and development organization World Help this summer. Ruhiyyih will be going to Gulu, Uganda and needs to raise $3000. Please check out her delightful blog Ruhiyyih's Reflections and send her some support. If you wish to donate, just leave me her a comment there with how to contact you.


Or you can also send a check written out to World Help, a sticky note attached saying " Ruhiyyih - Gulu" on it, and send to:

World Help
c/o XM Gulu
1148 Corporate Park Drive
Forest, VA 24551

Other friends of Ruhuyyih linking her today:
Jess at Tangential Thoughts
Rachel at Life With Hannah And Lily
Rachel at Finding Wonder In The Mundane
Tiburon at Shark Bait

If you feel led to spread the word, let me know and I'll put your link up, too!


Also, my Silicon Valley friend Jill Asher is pouring her heart & bloggy soul out for a very important cause. Please click here to learn more info about what Jill's doing with the National Marrow Donor Program and if you are in the Bay area this Saturday, she is hosting an event you don't want to miss!

Open Casting Call

Mama Speaks, the review blog for the Mamas by some Mamas is searching for some new contributors!



I can only say wonderful and lovely things about being on the Mama Speaks team. Just look at some of the awesome things I've gotten to review and keep!

If you'd like to join us, then get to it!

Bloggers Falling Over Dead

Thanks to Will Blog For Shoes for the link to this article. I wrote a bit about it- check it out over at the Chicago Moms Blog.