Soon

 

Clay holding our nephew Alexander.  Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

One (?) Photo a Day…

 

Breakfast on the East Coast.

Texas.

Lunch on the West Coast.

Ice Cream Dreams

This is Lucy.  She is upset because we’re beginning to organize for our trip and she saw us pull the suitcases out of the closet.  This pose was met with the occasional “poor me” whine.

This is Lucy.  She is happy because we just told her that she is going to spend the next couple of weeks at Grandma and Grandpa’s (Clay’s parents) while we’re away.  She went to her toy basket and picked out three toys to take with her.  She knows she will eat copious amounts of ice cream, take long leisurely walks along the beach, and cuddle up with Grandpa on the couch in the evening.  Lucy is very much looking forward to her vacation, as are we.

Working on the Beach

Happy Sunday.

A Year Older & Two Wiser Sisters

Megan and I didn’t always get along growing up.  Scratches, bite marks, and the occasional bruise only highlighted the discord between us as teenagers.  I blame my parents for having us 15 months apart.  What did they expect?  :-) Our relationship was defined by competition – sports, school, parental affection; you name it, we tried to out-do one another with it.  Thankfully, the dynamic of our relationship has changed.  While we don’t always get along as (now) 25 and 26 year old women, our relationship has blossomed seven-fold as we watched each other fall in love, marry, and venture into motherhood.  Happy 25th birthday Megan.  As your older and (arguably) wiser sister, I have enjoyed watching you navigate your 20’s and grow into a woman I admire.

A Saturday Project?

I was browsing through a thrift shop on my lunch break when I spotted it.  I had to have it.  I looked around, made sure nobody else was going in for the kill, picked it up, and carried it to the front of the store thinking, “I can’t believe I am this lucky.”

A $4.00 Tater Bin!  Now, I am not from the South and can only assume that my purchase once held potatoes, but I have other plans for said box.  All it will take is a little bit sand paper, black paint, new handle, new hinges, and some elbow grease to turn this find into a diaper pail.

A diaper pail?  Yes.  With a labrador retriever and a curious cat I shudder when I think about diaper disposal methods. The bin is large enough to house any number of plastic diaper disposal systems on the market today or can be used with just a simple black trash bag.  Who knows what we will do when the baby is actually here but for $4 it is worth a shot.

Babymoons

There are many occurances assocated with pregnancy that I find ridiculous.  Push gifts, throwing your own shower, and expectant mother parking are just a few.  However, one pregnancy-related ‘tradition’ I am on board for is the idea of a babymoon…mom- and dad-to-be taking a relaxing vacation before the little one arrives.  A quick Google search boasts many results relating to the ever popular vacation.  There is a babymoon guide, a website for those wanting to venture on a European babymoon , and even the Babymoon Cafe located in our very own Raleigh.

We decided to combine our much-needed vacation with a trip to Yuma, Arizona to visit the newest member of our family.  So next month we’re off to San Diego, California.  Not exactly a European vacation but who wants to tour the wineries of France and Italy while 6 months pregnant?

Is This Really Necessary?

Is a 28-inch receipt really necessary for a carton of eggs paid for with cash?  I am reminded of the late, great Mitch Hedberg and his experience buying a doughnut.

“I bought a doughnut, and they gave me a receipt for the doughnut. I don’t need a receipt for a doughnut. I’ll just give you the money, you give me the doughnut — end of transaction. We don’t need to bring ink and paper into this.”

You have to love CVS’ commitment to being green.

Journeys

Today I embarked on a journey that every mother-to-be finds herself on as she anxiously awaits the coming of her little one.  Yes, I went to Babies’R'Us.   I was underwhelmed.  Perhaps it was the location, the ugly exterior, or the overly peppy staff but after 15 minutes of browsing I began to feel the white walls caving in and plotted my escape (but not before purchasing some storage bins that were 50% off).  Aside from my stroller purchases and consignment store baby clothes, I have not been overly excited to purchase items for our little boy.  

Maybe it is denial or maybe it is fear but I just can’t commit to the plastic monstrosities known as baby swings, pack-in-plays, exersaucers, and any number of perceived ‘must-have’ baby items.  As mentioned before, Clay will be deploying shortly after the birth.  While I do not desire to have the gestational period of an elephant, I just want to hang on to our normal life as long as possible and keep my husband and father of our child safe.  That being said, we have known about the impending deployment long before we began planning for our expanding family so we’re prepared and believe that the Army is the right lifestyle for us at this moment.  However, I am stuck between wanting to hurry up and meet the little man and wanting to stay pregnant  for as long as possible.  We’re blessed that Clay has had so much time at home between deployments and both agree that deployments are essential for a military career and can be extremely positive experiences.  While this deployment will not be 16 months like the last (thank goodness!), it will present itself with a new batch of challenges and learning opportunities and for that I am thankful.  

Maybe this blog post is the kick I need to just pull up my big girl panties, embrace the pregnancy experience, and dive head-first into the world of baby-gear.  I honestly don’t read many reviews, I just ask my friend Fran or my sister-in-law Martha.  Fran and her husband are expecting their first child in December and is the queen of reading online product reviews.  Martha has three kids so she has been around the block (in baby-gear terms of course).  I just email them and ask which product is better – easy peasy.  

One thing I am excited about is decorating the nursery.  I am in the midst of painting the room classic taupe and refinishing a dresser and table to match (pictures to come) the black crib and changing table pictured in my mind but yet to be purchased, let alone found.  When Clay returns from TDY we’re going to put up crown molding and the crisp, contemporary, and comfortable nursery will begin to take shape.

Okay, so this post has been a cluster with no clear focus.  I blame my lack of sleep and exposure to paint fumes (I kid). Writing has helped and as I type these words my excitement level is increasing.  I may even search for baby-gear online tonight.  Maybe.

Wordless Wednesday

 

Nursery decorating decisions.