Getting a hang of it

Juggling raising a spirited toddler and a 5 month old infant is starting to become the new normal for me. Troy, the sweet 5 month old is always smiling and ready for adventure. He loves to play, swat at toys and other things in front of him. His favorite thing is to watch Isla in amazement as she dances around him and makes her usual shrieks and happy sounds. Life can get overwhelming sometimes when I stop to realize that this is the new normal. A world of a difference for my single, carefree, child-free days. Each day that passes, is one day closer to the day my kids move out and become independent. I don't like to think that far ahead, but it's good to have some sort of outlook or horizon. Some meaning to the everyday. I don't know. It's November now and the holidays will soon creep up on us. Sometimes I can't help but think about what the bigger picture actually means...literally. I mean, I imagine a satellite image of me on Earth. Just one among the 9 billion people on Earth, just living my life. Just enjoying a sunny afternoon in my backyard with my children. As I continue to zoom out and see the bigger picture, I get lost in a sea of cosmos stars, dust, light and black holes. Me and my little existence on Earth is almost meaningless, yet somehow it's not. Somehow, someway, I know or like to think that I'm pivotal in my own right in this universe. Playing that role is not important, it's not something I think too much about. I think more about the impact I have on people and my surroundings with my habits, consumptions, and contributions.

Overdue

Squirt's arrival is now officially 2 days overdue. I'm carrying around a baby that refuses to come out and it is exhausting.
Lately the most bothersome symptom of pregnancy is early morning insomnia. I wake up around 4-5ish AM with a wandering mind. I'm sure most of the thoughts are preposterous, but it still keeps me up. Usually the early waking follows with hunger pangs. And then I spend an eternity debating if I should just get up and eat a snack or keep attempting to shut off my mind and fall asleep. I finally got up this morning and ate some cereal around 5ish AM. I read some news online and it was nice taking some quite morning time to myself. I eventually had to go back to bed as I knew my body would need it by mid-afternoon.

This uncertainty is definitely a test of patience and sometimes it outweighs the anticipation.

My mom flew into town Wednesday to be here for the birth. I'm sure she did not expect an overdue baby. I'm starting to wonder if this is an early indication of Squirts personality.

Dinner Tonight

I'm excited about going out to dinner with my husband tonight. It'll just be the two of us, and possibly the last few times we have before we are busy tending to baby.
I've been thinking about Thai food all day. Spicy, coconut dishes. Mmmm...can't wait!

Countdown

One week and 3 days left until D-day..aka Due Date, which is also hopefully Delivery Day.
It's getting increasing difficult escorting Squirt around in my belly.

Coming Together

With less than 3 weeks to go, we are slowly but surely pulling it together.
On the homefront, we are getting our place organized, cleaned and ready for the arrival of Squirt.

The baby clothing and stuff still need washing and fluffing. It'd probably be nice to dust and vacuum the place too. I wonder if babies can tell a clean house? Well, this baby will have to deal with it unless my nesting instincts kick in the next week. I need a charge of energy to concur even the smaller tasks these days.

Squirt will also have it's very own cradle this week. I hope the location is suitable for his/her needs. I think it's a lovely little spot for the little one. Close to mama and daddy.

The last essential item on the list are re-usable cloth diapers and wipes. Since there are more than a dozen brands to choose one, I mull over the decision as I read countless reviews. My mother advises me to stop worrying about the little things and focus on the bigger picture. I'll give that a try.


I had a doctors visit today and things are looking good. Heart Rate at 150 beats/ min and lots of gurgling sounds on the Doppler. My uterus is measuring 2 weeks ahead of schedule. I would think that is good news, but my doctor tells me still no signs of Squirt trying to make an exist. Trying to bake to perfection, eh?

The anticipation is building. I feel a lot of movement at certain times, wondering what the heck he is up to. Hey Squirt, are you thinking it's time to come out yet?

Memories for Squirt

This is a group photo of the Mortimer Family Reunion at the dairy farm in Wisconsin.

We went on a 10-day vacay in July to visit family up north. Our visit to the folks in Illinois was sort of short, but long enough to enjoy lots of laid-back time and good home-cooking.

Our visit up north was timed well for the Mortimer family reunion in Wisconsin. So we made a stop there as well. The Wisconsin day-trip through the rolling green hills was green and picturesque. I enjoyed meeting the extended family. The dairy cows were also an attraction- for me. They're funny. They mostly graze and stay away from people. Maybe they can tell visitors apart from the people they see regularly. I got close enough to touch one, but he walked away quickly and showed me his backside. Basically didn't seem very interested in making conversation.

Next, our trip included a longer stay at Matt's family cottage on Loon Lake, Michigan. A nice way to escape the heat. Loon Lake is a perfect getaway. It's quiet, surrounded by not a whole lot but summer cottage homes and lots of nature. The cottage itself invites a lot of wild-life. Lots of native birds, squirrels and chipmunks. I have never before fed a chipmunk out of my hands. I got the little guy to climb up to my hand to pick up a peanut. I thought that was entertaining. I was a little fearful at first, but Jake and Matt made it look so easy that I got over the fear quick.
We did a lot of water sports in the clear waters and just enjoyed time out by the lake. It was also nice having some kiddos around us to keep it lively.

One day our little guy or girl will wonder with astonishment. All the places he went to visit while still En utero.

Vegas Trip/ National Parks of Utah- March 2011

Hubby and I met up in Vegas this March. I drove down from Seattle, he flew from Dallas. I gambled an entire dollar and lost! That is the highlight of the gambling story. Matt went prepared with his poker cheat sheets but didn't win a dime either. He was good at losing though.

We stayed at Flamingo Hotel where we posed for this photo in front of the PINK flamingos. They were too busy to take notice of the tourists that day.

And here we are at Zion National Park- after a 4 hour long hike to the top of this trail.

Here is Matthew, posing in front of Delicate Arch at Arches National Park. Not his favorite arch though. He really liked "Balanced Arch".

After days of traveling through Utah, we headed towards Dallas, TX. My old yet new stomping grounds. I started a new job there the day after we got back from our week long road-trip! Yes, it took a few days to recover from all the long and steep hikes. Not to mention weathering the crazy winds and weather in Utah. Was glad to be home.