pumpkin patch

We made it to the pumpkin patch this year. It was on Fall Break, so it was insanely crowded, but Annie liked the goats (and the pumpkins, too). She basically just enjoys outdoors and people, so it was a home run for her. Me, not really into petting zoos, but it's fun nonetheless.

23 weeks

I realized today that I have hardly mentioned a word about our newest baby girl. I'll be curious one day what was going on about now, as the realization that this will most likely be my last pregnancy seems to settle in a bit. Being pregnant is not my favorite past time, but I know it is a privilege, gosh do I know.

So, not TOO many interesting facts.

@ 23 weeks- I am basically not sick, but have moments of just not feeling well. Heartburn is a drag. Not drinking or eating enough per dr. and little weight gain, so trying to work on that. Feel the baby ALOT. she likes to jab and flip a lot I can tell. She has a lower heart rate than Annie- Annie always hung out in the 170's and this one is a 150's girl.

Speaking of she, she does have a name (in progress).

Amelia.

middle name still to be determined.

Starting to feel a bit overwhelmed about life with 2. I have no idea how you families do it out there with 3 kids and up. I would have had to start having kids a lot sooner I think to pull that off with any measure of success. I am not even close to being out of the baby phase, but I am eager for road trips and camping and normal sleeping patterns, art lessons. I know, I know- one season at a time, babies are precious, and I do love mine. But I have my days, like today, where you just feel like you're running on one those hamster wheels, spinning in circles, wondering exactly what you are trying to accomplish. wondering why your child is almost 2 and still wakes up 4 times a night. laughing that I slept in 3 different locations last night in the attempt to find a peaceful sleep. the hilarity and sincerity of my husband trying to teach Annie to say, "yes, daddy" in regards to understanding why she is time-out. A very sweet moment, as josh tries to teach Annie about repentance- and yet her stubborn heart will only say "want down", over and over and over. I can relate to such stubbornness.

So, there you go. A small update on life @ 23 weeks with #2.

sweet, mundane, hilarious, frustrating, deep, rich.

and tired.

Fall Break

It's Fall Break in our house, and our "staycation" officially starts tonight. It fittingly rained all day and the colors are changing slowly around here. Annie had school today, so I enjoyed some alone time. I even painted my toenails red, but that was not so easy with my growing middle. I haven't been brave enough to look at them in decent light. I imagine they look pretty bad.

I have a "few" small goals this week- one being to finish the guest room. We've been mid project for several months, but I am ready to have that room back. I am also in that unfortunate stage of pregnancy that requires lots of pillows and readjusting to actually fall asleep. I have resorted to the couch many a night, but my back is paying the price. The sad thing is that I am only 22 weeks.

Another goal I have this week is to actually hang some pictures. I have not hung ONE picture since moving into our house. I actually need frames, and frames cost money, so I have been cheap. I keep thinking we'll make it to IKEA soon and I can go crazy then, but that keeps getting pushed back, and back. If I thought logically about it, I could spend the same amount by buying the same type frames from Target, sans the gas expense of driving to Dallas, but I need an IKEA fix, so I'll probably hold out.

Meanwhile Annie continues to brighten our days. She is such a sweet soul in more ways than one. She's my little artist. My little dancer. And she LOVES butterflies. Guess what SHE is going to be for halloween.

oh yeah, gotta make the costume. one more goal.

Did I mention that I have started tearing down the wall paper in Annie's bathroom? yeah, that is a real blast. But it's going to look SO much better when it's down and painted. One day she'll get new countertops and a new sink- but that will be a while.

boring post. see ya after our break. Hopefully with something to show for it.

little red rocking chair

The three years Josh and I tried to have a baby were so very long. and often sad. often frustrating. often isolating.

One afternoon I went to a large consignment sale. and I bought this little red rocking chair.

I bought hope that day.

I often looked at that chair and wondered if it was false hope.

just superstition.

but it was an icon, really.

something tangible to represent the intangible.

Today, I found Annie sitting in her rocking chair. holding her baby doll.

She was rocking it, and then asked her if she wanted to hear a song. the baby said yes, of course, and Annie started belting out a sweet baby lullaby. I wonder what she was singing?

I had to smile. at my little icon made real and full. full of melody and life.

praise God to whom all blessings flow.