So on Saturday, Joel and I woke to the sound of a gigantic crash and breaking glass. Think, massive clap of thunder meets recycle truck within 100 yards of our house. We checked around the house, looked out all our windows, but could find no explanation for the cacophony. We figured somebody must have been doing some early morning dumpster filling out behind their house, or something, and went back to bed, mystified.
Today, I opened our basement door to find all of my canned (in glass jars) applesauce, peaches, and beets on the floor, sprawled down the basement stairs, surrounded by broken glass. Oh, and mold growing over half of the mess.
Duhhhhh, so THAT's that we heard! I bet a light bulb actually appeared over my head as the thought clicked. I've never felt so bright.
And then I closed the door and immediately began the process of repressing the knowledge of what was waiting there to be cleaned up. That kind of undertaking is not to be initiated without full husband backup, and after munchkin bedtime because who wants to spend three hours saying, "No, Mikayla, no touch! Go find your [headband, cup, phone, purse, ball, puzzle....]" while obviously the three feet behind the basement door is way more interesting than all the toys and WonderPets episodes in the world.
In God's providence, we purchased a shop vac shortly after we moved into our home about a month ago. Joel spent a solid three hours of quality time with his man machine, while I washed the remaining unbroken jars and the inside of the basement door. To our landlord, if you're reading this (and have recovered from your heart palpitations sufficiently to be reading this far), please know that the basement stairs and door have not been this clean in at least 50 years. There is nothing, neither mold nor fungus nor insect, that could have survived the scrub-down we gave those suckers.
While it was not at the top of my "Ways to Spend Wednesday Evening" list, this cleaning job was gross and backbreaking enough for us to want full credit. And everyone knows it's not official til you blog about it or post it on Facebook. So there you go. You'll have to take my word for it, though, because we did not, for some crazy reason, choose to capture the moment with Instagram.
Glamour Shots
Today, the kids and I are just hanging out, hoping to get through this fussy Friday without too much grief (I hear on Facebook it is going around today; apparently the Lord is up for some serious momma-sanctifying!). But there have been some really fun moments in the midst of *someone* insisting on crackers for breakfast, and *someone* not taking a morning nap because he stealth-pooped right after I put him down.
For instance, here is Isaac, giving his momma some sugar (ok, I was balancing a baby and snapping a photo, I seem to have missed the actual moment of the actual smile; but he's still hecka cute!).
And guess who decided to do her own hair today? I have been waiting for the day when she would leave hair accessories in, but this isn't quite what I had envisioned.
For instance, here is Isaac, giving his momma some sugar (ok, I was balancing a baby and snapping a photo, I seem to have missed the actual moment of the actual smile; but he's still hecka cute!).
And guess who decided to do her own hair today? I have been waiting for the day when she would leave hair accessories in, but this isn't quite what I had envisioned.
Maybe this will be her prom look someday, along with the dress I'm going to make for her.
And Then Pigs Flew
This morning, in celebration of sleeping ALL the way until 5:45 a.m., I went for a run. To be more precise, I went for a walk/jog/run, as it used to be called in high school gym class when we spent the entire period ambulating around the track at whatever pace felt right. At that time, we took very seriously the recommendation to never elevate our heart rates to the point where we could not comfortably hold a conversation.
But about this morning. I felt positively energized at 6 a.m. when I put Isaac back down for his "chill time" (I'm never actually sure if he goes back to sleep, but he doesn't seem to mind spending another hour or so hanging out in his crib). I had exactly an hour before Joel would leave for work. So I donned running apparel, including my new/used New Balance sneaks, and headed out the door. Joel was so impressed that he opened his eyes and uttered three words before I left.
Leaving the house, I started at a brisk walk to warm up. But I just couldn't hold back, and broke into a steady run.
It was the best thirty seconds of my workout.
Then I came to my senses and walked the rest of the way to the park entrance. Mind you, it takes less than a minute to drive from our home to the parking lot. Hey, it was a start. I explored our local park as I alternated walking and running for the next twenty or so minutes. And I confess, I kept it relatively low-key because I can't exactly afford to spend the rest of the day icing my shin splints and wondering when THOSE muscles appeared in my body for the sole purpose of making my life more painful.
In sum, I got some exercise, got my heart rate up, and I didn't even feel like I wanted to die. That, for me, is a successful beginning. Usually I way overdo it the first time and spend the next week recovering and recalling why I don't DO that sort of thing. However. Two pregnancies in rapid succession say that I had better START doing that sort of thing, so I felt it best to set myself up for workout longevity.
That said, if you are ever in the Reamstown area early in the morning, keep a sharp eye and have your cell phone or oxygen tank handy just, you know, in case you spot a walk/jog/runner in need of assistance.
But about this morning. I felt positively energized at 6 a.m. when I put Isaac back down for his "chill time" (I'm never actually sure if he goes back to sleep, but he doesn't seem to mind spending another hour or so hanging out in his crib). I had exactly an hour before Joel would leave for work. So I donned running apparel, including my new/used New Balance sneaks, and headed out the door. Joel was so impressed that he opened his eyes and uttered three words before I left.
Leaving the house, I started at a brisk walk to warm up. But I just couldn't hold back, and broke into a steady run.
It was the best thirty seconds of my workout.
Then I came to my senses and walked the rest of the way to the park entrance. Mind you, it takes less than a minute to drive from our home to the parking lot. Hey, it was a start. I explored our local park as I alternated walking and running for the next twenty or so minutes. And I confess, I kept it relatively low-key because I can't exactly afford to spend the rest of the day icing my shin splints and wondering when THOSE muscles appeared in my body for the sole purpose of making my life more painful.
In sum, I got some exercise, got my heart rate up, and I didn't even feel like I wanted to die. That, for me, is a successful beginning. Usually I way overdo it the first time and spend the next week recovering and recalling why I don't DO that sort of thing. However. Two pregnancies in rapid succession say that I had better START doing that sort of thing, so I felt it best to set myself up for workout longevity.
That said, if you are ever in the Reamstown area early in the morning, keep a sharp eye and have your cell phone or oxygen tank handy just, you know, in case you spot a walk/jog/runner in need of assistance.
Mikayla Outside
Today, it was not hotter than the devil's hiney outside. Mikayla and I celebrated by playing outside, and we even let Isaac watch for a little while. We laid out a blanket for sitting and blowing bubbles; it mostly worked, though I added too much baking powder to the recipe, and I blame that mistake for our bubbles being slightly subpar. But Mikayla was fascinated by the shiny, poppable balls and even more so by the container of bubble solution right next to her. We splashed and played and didn't care at all that we soaked the blanket and ourselves. What's a summer day for, if not to get all wet while you play? I captured a few videos of Mikayla checking out her new backyard. Previewing them on my computer, it sounds like I am using some kind of electronic voice-masking device. Or maybe narration is provided by the robot lady who lives in James Bond's car and talks to him. I have such a great phone!
Mikayla learns about bubbles. She stirs, she tastes, she styles her hair...
oh, and she attempts to blow a few, as well.
Mikayla chases a ball, and blows on a moth as it flutters by. We blow pillow feathers in the air inside, and I'm guessing she thought the moth was a feather. I love watching her make connections like that! Also at the very end, instead of blowing a kiss, she comes over to my phone and kisses the display.
More fun with the ball and bubbles. Try not to be too amazed by my fancy camera work...
view with caution if you are prone to motion sickness.
It's Not Tweeting, It's...Something Else
I just want to write about the every-day stuff that fills up my heart. Lengthy, well-organized blog posts are not my current genre. It's all about capturing the moments that make the whirlwind of motherhood so rewarding. (Is it this mindset that catapulted Twitter to such success? Shoot. I hate accidentally supporting cultural trends that I claim to disdain.)
This Mikayla Moment already made it onto Facebook, but here it is again so that I can keep it neatly tagged and labeled and find it again someday (though Facebook Timeline is just so user-friendly, it almost feels redundant....right?). (Was that seriously my second social networking reference in one blog post?)
The other day, I was nursing Isaac - precious, handsome, dimple-grinned Isaac - while Mikayla and I watched an episode of Veggie Tales. Suddenly I felt something warm and wet on my shin. I looked down, and she was licking my leg up and down, eyes still glued to the TV screen. Up and down. Up and down. A short left to right for variety. She looked at me once real quick, tongue still hanging out, and then back to my leg. What a goofball!
Also, I gave her one of my old small purses when we moved. She carries it around, hanging by the strap from the crook of her elbow, and I swear that girl struts when she carries her big-girl purse. And she knows what it's called, too. Her vocabulary is starting to explode....I'm sure that her language growth is about to become asymptotic.
That means "approaching infinity but never actually reaching it". And you thought I'd never use calculus in real life...I didn't even have to google that.
Purse, trash, pets (short for Wonderpets), more, cheese ("ch!"), cracker, car, bath, diaper, night night, off (invaluable when she wants to remove a shoe or sweatshirt or unbuckle a strap or...) and of course momma, dadda, ikey, papa.
Isaac LOVES her. She shows him her toys and he just grins away with those fat, dimpled cheeks. What a lucky little brother, and what a blessed big sister!
This Mikayla Moment already made it onto Facebook, but here it is again so that I can keep it neatly tagged and labeled and find it again someday (though Facebook Timeline is just so user-friendly, it almost feels redundant....right?). (Was that seriously my second social networking reference in one blog post?)
The other day, I was nursing Isaac - precious, handsome, dimple-grinned Isaac - while Mikayla and I watched an episode of Veggie Tales. Suddenly I felt something warm and wet on my shin. I looked down, and she was licking my leg up and down, eyes still glued to the TV screen. Up and down. Up and down. A short left to right for variety. She looked at me once real quick, tongue still hanging out, and then back to my leg. What a goofball!
Also, I gave her one of my old small purses when we moved. She carries it around, hanging by the strap from the crook of her elbow, and I swear that girl struts when she carries her big-girl purse. And she knows what it's called, too. Her vocabulary is starting to explode....I'm sure that her language growth is about to become asymptotic.
That means "approaching infinity but never actually reaching it". And you thought I'd never use calculus in real life...I didn't even have to google that.
Purse, trash, pets (short for Wonderpets), more, cheese ("ch!"), cracker, car, bath, diaper, night night, off (invaluable when she wants to remove a shoe or sweatshirt or unbuckle a strap or...) and of course momma, dadda, ikey, papa.
Isaac LOVES her. She shows him her toys and he just grins away with those fat, dimpled cheeks. What a lucky little brother, and what a blessed big sister!
Why I Don't Blog
Things I have done today, since waking up at 5:30 to nurse Isaac:
Mikayla just woke up...time for a diaper change, and then those curtains! Which I'm sure will be a breeze with a one-and-a-half-year-old helping, right?
So blessed...
- Shower (possibly the most noteworthy item on this list).
- Watched a new refrigerator being delivered (no wait, THIS is the most noteworthy thing on the list!).
- Shopped for postpartum professional wardrobe, because I have been pregnant for the last two summers. Found six tops and two pairs of adorable shoes (ok, so there are a lot of important things that have happened today...).
- Organized and finished unpacking entire wardrobe.
- Made bed (added actual bed coverings and throw pillows).
- Helped Joel clear insulation away from shower light, so that it stays on for longer than five minutes without overheating.
- Load #1 of laundry for the day.
Still to do: - Hang light-blocking curtains in Mikayla's room.
- Help Joel build our guest bed.
- Make guest bed.
- Loads #2 and 3 for the day.
- Make and consume a delicious dinner that involves actual perishable food from a refrigerator that works.
- Bathe children (this should be higher on the list, considering how [not] often it happens!).
Mikayla just woke up...time for a diaper change, and then those curtains! Which I'm sure will be a breeze with a one-and-a-half-year-old helping, right?
So blessed...
Learning to Sit and to Share
Today was Isaac's second attempt with the bumbo seat, and he did beautifully! And putting Isaac in the bumbo seat means a combination of two of Mikayla's favorite things to play with (she can still somehow fit into the bumbo seat; it is quite humorous watching her wiggle free afterward! She also enjoys carrying it around, clumsily).
Since I aspire to be more like my sister in most ways, I realized this was a golden photo op and grabbed my camera. Well, my phone anyway. I will work my way up to taking professional-grade portraits with a fancy digital camera one day. Maybe.
Here are the shots I came up with before the moment passed and Mikayla decided that crackers were MUCH more important than playing with her brother:
They are just too precious together! And Mikayla is quite the mother hen. She fetches diapers ("bipas!") even when he doesn't need them, and puts them over his head or pushes them at his hiney. And she is eager to show him how to play with all of her toys.
The troops are getting restless. I guess this momma's blog break is just about over! Thanks for stopping by!
Since I aspire to be more like my sister in most ways, I realized this was a golden photo op and grabbed my camera. Well, my phone anyway. I will work my way up to taking professional-grade portraits with a fancy digital camera one day. Maybe.
Here are the shots I came up with before the moment passed and Mikayla decided that crackers were MUCH more important than playing with her brother:
 |
| "Show Ikey your bug...put it in his lap." |
 | ||||||||
| "Wipe Ikey's mouth, please." |
They are just too precious together! And Mikayla is quite the mother hen. She fetches diapers ("bipas!") even when he doesn't need them, and puts them over his head or pushes them at his hiney. And she is eager to show him how to play with all of her toys.
The troops are getting restless. I guess this momma's blog break is just about over! Thanks for stopping by!
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