Make a Smilebox greeting

At Your Cervix!

The last several days now have been full of fun and low pelvic cramping. I went in this week to see my OB dr...excited to hear how much more dilated I MUST BE...."all this cramping", I thought, "this baby is just hanging out"! Nah! No measurable progress...but none the less, I have come to learn that every day and moment is progress...even if it cannot be calculated by centimeters :) As almost every woman says, "This pregnancy is so different"! I find myself saying it over and over to myself and any poor friend that will listen. I didn't have any dilation, cramping, pelvic, low back pain with Delaney...that is until the day of induction. Iam rising quite early the last few days...anxious to meet this sweet girl. Today, I was up and soaking in the tub at 3:30 this morning. I know she'll come...this time is precious...the house is quiet....all babies of mine are at rest. There is peace right here...wrapped up in Dan's robe on the couch. I think I'll go back to sleep.

It is so hard to believe that Halloween has come and gone already. October marked an all time low of photo taking as my interest in photography has waned. What has taken it's place? NESTING! I have been busy about the house, painting, scrubbing, organizing...you name it!

Dan has been doing manly nesting as well. He has decided that he needs a "man cave" and wants to turn the garage into a little place for himself. I guess I can make a little Harry Potter room under the stairs and call that my "woman den".

Delaney has been busy with all kinds of fun big sister stuff. We decorated/painted her room since the baby will room in with Dan and I. She has a new horse/cowgirl themed room now and loves it! Grandma came up to help us celebrate Halloween with us, which was such a special time. We went leaf hunting, rubbed leaves, cooked, played, took walks...just a real nice time! Delaney loves her grandma so much. It is a lot of fun to see those two interact with each other.

It's all about the poppa!

Father's day, for me has so many different emotions that come into play. For such along time, it was difficult for me...based upon the relationship I had with my own father growing up. Today it has taken on a new feeling. As we became parents, September 29, 2005...I feel in love with Dan in a way that I never would have without Delaney. As a baby, Dan was the first to be there to soothe her...hold her when she would not calm down, take her on walks the nights she wouldn't sleep, bathe her...Dan loved every moment of being a daddy to baby Delaney. Delaney is almost 4 and I can't express the love, joy, and pride that overfills my heart as I see her and Dan's relationship grow and deepen into something I never knew existed. They play together...ride quads, swim time at night, walks, park time, ice cream runs...her eyes light up every time he comes home in the evening. When I see this love...it heals my own heart and shows me how things should really be for a father/daughter...for lack of a better word...it's beautiful. Father's shape their children in ways that a mother never could. Today I thank God for the good man that Dan is...the sweet tender father he has become...I feel blessed that I get to witness this amazing relationship day in and day out. I look forward with great anticipation to our next daughter...to see the ways that her poppa will love her...love her in ways that only a good dad can.

To Mothers

There are a lot of things I know that I have yet to learn about mothering. I believe that with each day, each child, every moment, can be an experience of growth and our depths of understanding deepened. I could never have imagined all the things that Delaney has helped me with over the last 31/2 years. Every learning experience I have experienced in any institution fades and grays in comparison to. I can hardly wait for the arrival of our next child as I anticipate new and amazing lessons. I thank the Lord for giving and trusting us as women...essentially co-creators to have, raise, nurture his spirits...his children. What a undertaking, and truly what confidence the Lord must have in us to call us to this mantel. I reflect on many things today...areas in my mothering I need to improve...I think of my mother and how at no matter what age I will and forever be hers. I think of the hard work, sacrifice, tears, prayers, sleepless nights she has gone through for me as well as all of her children...along with the joy, never ending love, and pride. When I talk with my mom about the many woes of being a mom...she always reminds me..."Jenny, these are the BEST days of your life". How grateful I am for my own mother, teacher, friend and confidant...for all she ever was to me as a little girl, to now as a mother myself. Happy Mother's day...may we feel the blessings of this day and every day we have as mothers.

The Mimi returns!! Well...just for about an hour.

Delaney LOVED her pacifier as a baby and had it with her at all times until she hit three. Once while we were in OR visiting family, we were sitting around a camp fire when my sister grabbed Delaney's "mimi" and tossed it into the fire! At first I was so sad! There goes my baby! So silly...but my heart felt like it was breaking as Delaney cried for the love of mimi! I kept one in my jewelery box and she found it yesterday. She came to find me and wanted to be held. I thought,"what the heck...just a lil bit wont hurt...right???" WRONG!!! Finally about an hour later the mimi was still in her mouth. I told her it was time for the mimi to go home. "Ohhhh noooo mommy!!!" I grabbed that little mimi chopped off the tip and threw it into the trash. She cried for about 10 minutes...sinkin mimi!

Can I get it???

I was really excited to start this whole blogging deal...started the page and then I didnt share it with any friends...it's so simple...no frills. However, I love to look at my friends blogs every day...even when there is nothing new posted. I can have a little peek to see how they all are doing and how their babies are growing and what fun family events are happening. So...Iam going to try now to be better and share/create blog life!