We’re going here for a week and I couldn’t be more excited.
Good bye, Internet! Hello beautiful, quiet, incredible nature.
July 23, 2010
Aren’t they beauties?
I’ll admit, I’ve lost quite a bit of my harvest (mostly peppers) because it’s been so unbearably hot and my pregnant body does not do well in the sweltering heat. I haven’t been pruning and picking and cultivating like I should be. But my tomato plants? They are resilient and they are making some yummy, yummy fruit.
July 22, 2010
These are all real questions from real people. I kid you not.
Question. Another girl, hey?
Answer. Yes, believe it or not the chances were 50/50 this time around too!
Question. Are you going to try again for a boy?
Answer. First of all, let’s take them one at a time, ok? Second, I remind you of the 50/50 thing. Third, girls are lovely and I’ve never been sure of the whole “one of each” thing. Fourth, how does one “try” for a boy or girl? Wait, don’t tell me. I have a feeling that involves some pretty graphic details. You know what, let me just call you when we are “trying” and you can give me advice then. Right at that moment. While we are “trying.” And fifth! You’re making me use too many quotation marks.
Question. Was Jacob disappointed this baby wasn’t a boy?
Answer. No. I’m disappointed that you are asking me such a stupid question though.
Question. Are you naming this one something totally weird too?
Answer. Yes, what’s your name? We’ll use that.
Question. Is Poppy really ready to be a big sister?
Answer. She rubs my belly and says “baby.” But she doesn’t really like anyone touching her things and she demands my attention 24/7, so uh, yeah. I think we’re in for a bit of an adjustment period.
Question. Three girls in the house! Poor Jacob is really in for it, huh?
Answer. You obviously don’t have a good grip on our family dynamics. Betcha can’t guess who cries more during movies? And don’t worry about Jacob too much. He’ll sync up his monthly cycle with the rest of us in no time.
People have said really nice things too, but I honestly can’t believe the amount of “boy” comments. I’m sure mothers of only girls or only boys out there can relate to my pain. It’s just completely weird how forward people can get on the subject. Alas, boys and girls are wonderful and we need them all. But please, stop with the comments! My children are unique and whole human beings with a variety of complex interests and personality traits. I’d rather you get to know their personalities then to comment on gender generalities and how crazy it will be for Jacob and all these girls. And the pink everywhere! And the hormones! And the dating! And the crying! And the AHHHH! GIRLS!
I just so happen to like them.
July 19, 2010
July 18, 2010
Another honest post from me. Are you shocked? Sunday night has rolled around again and I’m feeling a bit in the dumps. The mothering dumps. And why not share with the Internets because he always has a tissue and hot cup of tea to offer me.
My days and my weeks are becoming like one long run-on sentence of chasing and wiping and changing and reading-to and lifting and redirecting and feeding and cleaning-up and drying tears and helping and holding and quieting and cooking and washing and feeling exhausted.
I want to change my attitude, but it’s difficult when every week feels like the same thing over and over. I don’t get to leave my job at 5pm everyday. I don’t get a weekend that starts on Friday and ends on Sunday. I don’t get to turn the dial down, ever. Monday morning rolls around and I’m never ready. Sometimes I cry. Even a change of scenery doesn’t bring refreshment because I’m always, always MOM. What am I doing wrong? How can I change my approach? How can I change my heart? I feel touched-out, worn-thin, and run-down. And I feel guilty. What I do is important, and loving my daughters and my husband is a noble job indeed. Just sometimes, it’s hard and it’s hard to keep focus and it’s hard to be tired and to want a break so very badly. Even for a day.
Know what I mean?
July 16, 2010
The truth about living with a toddler…
And they stay in their jammies until noon sometimes…
And they refuse to eat anything except chocolate cake and bananas…
And they get sick and cranky and want to watch THE ELMO MOVIE a hundred times…
And they get mad at you for saying “No”…
And they are so, so, so, so the best people on the planet.
July 9, 2010
Maybe it’s because I’ve seen more pink than I know what to do with in the last year and a half. Maybe it’s because yellow is my most favorite color. Maybe it’s because I really wanted to name this daughter Sunny, but was vetoed by well, the whole world. Or maybe it’s just because I look at this blanket and I imagine wrapping her warm little body in it and snuggling her close. Yeah, maybe that’s why I bought it.
[Image from Marang Studios's shop on Etsy]
It’s been an intense few weeks over here at the Wadenpfuhl house. Not the summer I was expecting to have. I’m trying to go with the flow, love my family with all my heart, find quiet moments of rest for baby Clare’s sake, and keep up with my growing girl Poppy in every way.
So, I’m tired. And prioritizing like nobody’s business. Making real time for real life people. Slowing down, being more present, staying healthy. I’ve cut out unnecessaries like Facebook, television, a perfectly-ordered home, pride, selfishness, and feelings of inadequacy. And instead I am focusing on my children, my husband, and our extended families. That’s it. Sometimes so many people need me and the only way to be there for everyone is to stop, slow down, and be brave. To go forward lovingly and intentionally knowing that everything that doesn’t matter will fall away. This concept makes more sense in my head than on paper, I think. But the idea is simple. Life is too precious and people are too important to let busyness get in the way. I am grateful for this lesson.
So if you are looking for me online, I am still here at Crunchy Cursive, of course. And I also keep my Flickr photostream fairly up to date. If there is one thing in my life that never stops, it’s all the adorable photo opportunities that Poppy presents in her quest for eternal cuteness.
July 6, 2010
I opened my eyes
And looked up at the rain,
And it dripped in my head
And flowed into my brain,
And all that I hear as I lie in my bed
Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.
I step very softly,
I walk very slow,
I can’t do a handstand–
I might overflow,
So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said–
I’m just not the same since there’s rain in my head.
[It's not actually raining here today, but it might as well be]
July 1, 2010
I made a music mix for Poppy when I was pregnant with her, and she still listens to it nearly every day. I think it’s never too early for good music, and I love telling my kids that they have special songs picked out just for them. Songs all about their unique personalities and my love for them. Because who doesn’t need to feel like David Bowie is singing only for her every once and a while?
Category: Pregnancy | Comments: 2
June 29, 2010
Introducing…
Clare Alice Wadenpfuhl.
She’s still itty bitty – just weighing about a pound – but she is growing healthy and strong everyday. I am 23 weeks along or so and looking forward to her coming more and more everyday. It’s taken me a long time to feel “ready” to have a baby again. I kept trying to slow down the time. I pay little attention to how many weeks and days I have left. I forget that she’s in there sometimes until I feel her little kicks under my ribs. Or until Poppy walks over and lifts up my shirt and hugs my big, round belly. Doesn’t mean I’m not excited, I just feel so much more relaxed and patient with this pregnancy than my last one. I don’t mind biding my time until October when Clare will arrive. I don’t mind the little secret that she is growing in my belly. It’s kind of nice, just her and me right now, sharing my body and growing together.
We’re teaching Poppy to say “sister” and “Clare.” Though the words have little meaning to her, I like to think she knows something is coming. Otherwise why are Mama’s feet looking like water balloons these days? And why, oh why, did half of the drawers in my dresser get cleared out? And for goodness sakes, who is this Clare girl they keep talking about?
Clare’s name means bright and brilliant. Alice means true and noble. I am so excited to see who this little girl will become.
June 18, 2010
Happy Father’s Day!
Category: Poppy | Comments: 0
June 14, 2010
Poppy is closing in on being one and half years old and her vocabulary is really blossoming. Some words she uses [and their respective translations] for you to consider…
Off [She saves us tremendously on the electric bill. She is obsessed with turning off the lights and fans whenever we leave a room. Daddy's influence here?]
Bye-Bye [She won't stop until every person in the store has said good-bye to her. She'll yell it across the parking lot if she has to, dammit]
Ummy Bapple [Yummy apple - her current favorite fruit, though strawberries run a close second]
Boppy [Poppy, her name. Uses it to mark her possessions and let us know that clearly, we should NOT BE TOUCHING THAT BLOCK IT'S MINE!]
OK [She doesn't say "Yes," she says "OK." Isn't that cute?]
Baby [She loves to hug my belly and kiss the baby in there, her most beloved younger sibling. Ah, blissful ignorance]
Outside [She would spend her life outdoors if we'd let her. The back door is her portal to heaven]
Boo-a-Boo [Peek-a-Boo, with twice the BOO!]
Truck, Jet, and Car [Department of Transportation, meet your newest enthusiast]
Work [That horrible place Daddy has to go to every day]
Buh Boo [I love you]
She’s growing so fast. I’m watching her connect language and meaning and it is really extraordinary. I’d say she’s a genius, but I’m her mother. Her pooping is genius to me.
June 12, 2010
We’ve set up a little corner of our bedroom for the arrival of Baby No. 2. Click here to see how we put the space together in a loving and very thrifty way.
