Saturday, February 20, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Lent
It is the Lenten season and Yes, I am a Catholic now.. I have been Catholic for almost a year. I never thought I would turn Catholic coming from my Evangelical background. I thought Catholics were crazy and I actually thought they were a cult... it is so sad how wrong I was. One of the reasons I had such a hard time even thinking about becoming Catholic was because I met a lot of Catholics that did not practice their faith or even know what the church really teaches. They seemed to go to church but lived a totally different life once they left the church building. This can happen in any denomination but I felt like Catholics were the most hypocritical. I was never going to date a Catholic let alone marry one but I married a good one! He does believe in Christ and takes his faith seriously. Joe opened my eyes to the fact that there are Catholics out there who actually believe in Christ and have a fullness of faith and teachings and I wanted to become a part of that as well. When Joe and I first got married I was not going to turn Catholic but we agreed to go to the Catholic church together as we wanted our family to be as one. I changed my mind about turning Catholic after learning more and realizing that I was not turning away from Christ but opening my eyes to more things and teachings. I could write a whole book on the new things I have learned and some of my Evangelical friends may now think I am crazy but I love the Catholic faith and am so thankful that my husband and I can raise our kids in a faith filled home. The outside world is scary and our families need all the prayer and support they can get to raise children.
Lent started this past Wednesday and this is the first year in my life where I am actually giving something up and thinking closely about Lent. I don't want to just give something up. I want to start a new habit in place of giving something up. I have decided to watch less tv and spend less time on the computer during nap time. Tommy can take naps for 2-3 hours each day and I often find myself checking e-mail and other things while watching Oprah or the View. I feel like it is such a waste of time. I could sit and watch Fox News for two hours everyday and I think that is not a benefit for me anymore. So, instead I am going to focus on praying more and enjoying the silent times during nap time. My sister-in-law gave me the book, The Power of the Praying Wife, for Christmas. I started reading that and it has helped me to focus my prayer time during the day and I can already tell a difference in my relationship with Joe since I have been praying for him more each day. I am really learning to enjoy the silent and quiet times during the day instead of always having the tv/radio blaring in the background. I will keep you posted on how faithful I can remain to my new commitment. It is nap time now and I am typing away so I better get off and enjoy some quiet time.
Lent started this past Wednesday and this is the first year in my life where I am actually giving something up and thinking closely about Lent. I don't want to just give something up. I want to start a new habit in place of giving something up. I have decided to watch less tv and spend less time on the computer during nap time. Tommy can take naps for 2-3 hours each day and I often find myself checking e-mail and other things while watching Oprah or the View. I feel like it is such a waste of time. I could sit and watch Fox News for two hours everyday and I think that is not a benefit for me anymore. So, instead I am going to focus on praying more and enjoying the silent times during nap time. My sister-in-law gave me the book, The Power of the Praying Wife, for Christmas. I started reading that and it has helped me to focus my prayer time during the day and I can already tell a difference in my relationship with Joe since I have been praying for him more each day. I am really learning to enjoy the silent and quiet times during the day instead of always having the tv/radio blaring in the background. I will keep you posted on how faithful I can remain to my new commitment. It is nap time now and I am typing away so I better get off and enjoy some quiet time.
Friday, February 5, 2010
The second time around
I have been thinking a lot lately about things I will do differently the second time around as the date of our new baby's arrival approaches this coming May. I don't think I did things wrong the first time but there are things I now know that I will try and do differently with our second baby.
1. I will NOT buy expensive bedding.
- When we were getting ready for Tommy we went out to Babies R Us and bought a very expensive bedroom blanket/sheet set for Tommy. You know the ones that come in a big bag with a blanket, sheet, bumper pad, and dust ruffle. We didn't think you could have a baby without a nice bed set. We had no idea and we ended up only using the sheet and it now has a hole in it so it was not even a top quality sheet. It was the cutest set with a sports theme but it was not worth the money since it is now just sitting in our closet. Instead, I will probably go to Target and pick out some cute pink sheets and that will work. Especially, since she will sleep in our room in the playpen/bassinet for the first few months anyways.
2. I will try NOT to worry as much.
- When we brought Tommy home from the hospital it was RSV season and all the doctors and nurses warned me about too many visitors. They also told me not to take him out of the house a lot unless it was absolutely needed. I became so paranoid that Joe started referring to Tommy as bubble boy since I would hardly let anyone come over and I did not take Tommy out of the house for two weeks unless we had to go to the doctor. I turned down meals from friends and I even made my mom completely shower down after she got off the plane before she could hold her first grandchild. Luckily, our little girl will be born in May so I am hoping that I will not be as worried and I will enjoy the company, meals, and time getting out of the house.
3. I will sleep when the baby sleeps at night.
-When Joe and I brought Tommy home from the hospital we were so in LOVE and excited but also nervous. We stayed up with Tommy even when Tommy was sleeping. I would sleep from 7pm-1am (I would get up and feed him when needed) and then Joe would sleep from 1am-6am. Even if Tommy was sleeping one of us would be up watching him or watching tv with one eye while watching Tommy sleep with the other eye. This time I am going to sleep when the baby sleeps. I think this will help get her into more of a sleeping routine as Tommy did not sleep for 12-14 hours straight until he was around 1.
4. I will cuddle more.
-I loved cuddling with Tommy but I took that time for granted as I did not realize that cuddling would stop. Tommy is older now and he would rather run around and play. He does not have time to cuddle. I just thought he would cuddle forever so I am going to enjoy my cuddle moments more with our little girl knowing now that they grow up way too fast.
5. I will allow formula. (Once in awhile)
-I breastfed Tommy for 12 1/2 months and I am so proud and thankful that I was able to nurture him that way but I was never able to get away. I did pump and he would take a bottle of breast milk at first but I was always around so I got lazy and stopped using bottles so he stopped liking bottles and only insisted on the real thing. Tommy has never really been sick and I attribute a lot of that to breastfeeding but once I got pregnant again my body was producing less milk and Tommy was mad but he would not take a bottle. This time I will allow a formula bottle once every week or two so she can get used to both in case I need to get away or I need to stop breastfeeding for some reason.
6. I will not stress out about flying.
- I was so nervous about flying with Tommy as I did not want him to scream the whole plane ride but I did not realize that when they are little they usually sleep the whole flight. I did not fly home as much as I would have liked because I was worried about a screaming baby. This time I want to fly home to see family as often as we can and I am going to try and not worry about flying or what others think on the flight.
7. I will make more time for myself and my husband.
-It is so easy to worry about your children and forget to send love to your husband. I am always trying to take such good care of Tommy that I forget to take care of myself or my husband. I am going to make sure and make time for myself to workout or get out of the house by myself and make sure that I do more things for Joe as he needs to realize that I am here for him too. This is a lot easier said than done but it is one of my goals.
8. I will try not to worry about looking too pregnant.
-I feel like this 2nd pregnancy shows all over my entire body. I can see it in my face, butt, legs, arms, and even my hair. It is crazy. I am eating less and I have gained less weight this pregnancy but I feel like I am nine months pregnant already and I am only 25 weeks along. I am not one of the lucky girls where you can only tell they are pregnant by looking at their stomachs. You can see my pregnancy from 10 miles away. Joe has been posting pics on facebook but I won't let him post pics of me as I think I look too pregnant. He can only post pics of Tommy and him. It looks like I am not around when they are hanging out even though I am right there behind the camera lens. He tells me that I look beautiful and that he wants pictures of his whole family but I laugh and tell him we can take pictures of the whole family just don't show anyone. I am going to try and accept this pregnancy and move on. This is such a blessing and she is only inside me for nine months so I am going to try and enjoy it even if you can see my pregnancy coming from miles away it will all be worth it for her! I was inspired by this post on a blog I read often by C Jane. She is a mother of one little boy and is expecting a second child soon. You can read it by clicking here.
9. I will try and love her as much as I love Tommy! (I am now crying as I type)
- I know all Moms say that they can't believe they are going to be able to love the 2nd baby as much as the 1st but somehow the love appears. I still don't believe it is possible as I can't even imagine having that much love but I am so excited for her as I LOVE TOMMY so much that it hurts and I can't imagine having even more love to give.
1. I will NOT buy expensive bedding.
- When we were getting ready for Tommy we went out to Babies R Us and bought a very expensive bedroom blanket/sheet set for Tommy. You know the ones that come in a big bag with a blanket, sheet, bumper pad, and dust ruffle. We didn't think you could have a baby without a nice bed set. We had no idea and we ended up only using the sheet and it now has a hole in it so it was not even a top quality sheet. It was the cutest set with a sports theme but it was not worth the money since it is now just sitting in our closet. Instead, I will probably go to Target and pick out some cute pink sheets and that will work. Especially, since she will sleep in our room in the playpen/bassinet for the first few months anyways.
2. I will try NOT to worry as much.
- When we brought Tommy home from the hospital it was RSV season and all the doctors and nurses warned me about too many visitors. They also told me not to take him out of the house a lot unless it was absolutely needed. I became so paranoid that Joe started referring to Tommy as bubble boy since I would hardly let anyone come over and I did not take Tommy out of the house for two weeks unless we had to go to the doctor. I turned down meals from friends and I even made my mom completely shower down after she got off the plane before she could hold her first grandchild. Luckily, our little girl will be born in May so I am hoping that I will not be as worried and I will enjoy the company, meals, and time getting out of the house.
3. I will sleep when the baby sleeps at night.
-When Joe and I brought Tommy home from the hospital we were so in LOVE and excited but also nervous. We stayed up with Tommy even when Tommy was sleeping. I would sleep from 7pm-1am (I would get up and feed him when needed) and then Joe would sleep from 1am-6am. Even if Tommy was sleeping one of us would be up watching him or watching tv with one eye while watching Tommy sleep with the other eye. This time I am going to sleep when the baby sleeps. I think this will help get her into more of a sleeping routine as Tommy did not sleep for 12-14 hours straight until he was around 1.
4. I will cuddle more.
-I loved cuddling with Tommy but I took that time for granted as I did not realize that cuddling would stop. Tommy is older now and he would rather run around and play. He does not have time to cuddle. I just thought he would cuddle forever so I am going to enjoy my cuddle moments more with our little girl knowing now that they grow up way too fast.
5. I will allow formula. (Once in awhile)
-I breastfed Tommy for 12 1/2 months and I am so proud and thankful that I was able to nurture him that way but I was never able to get away. I did pump and he would take a bottle of breast milk at first but I was always around so I got lazy and stopped using bottles so he stopped liking bottles and only insisted on the real thing. Tommy has never really been sick and I attribute a lot of that to breastfeeding but once I got pregnant again my body was producing less milk and Tommy was mad but he would not take a bottle. This time I will allow a formula bottle once every week or two so she can get used to both in case I need to get away or I need to stop breastfeeding for some reason.
6. I will not stress out about flying.
- I was so nervous about flying with Tommy as I did not want him to scream the whole plane ride but I did not realize that when they are little they usually sleep the whole flight. I did not fly home as much as I would have liked because I was worried about a screaming baby. This time I want to fly home to see family as often as we can and I am going to try and not worry about flying or what others think on the flight.
7. I will make more time for myself and my husband.
-It is so easy to worry about your children and forget to send love to your husband. I am always trying to take such good care of Tommy that I forget to take care of myself or my husband. I am going to make sure and make time for myself to workout or get out of the house by myself and make sure that I do more things for Joe as he needs to realize that I am here for him too. This is a lot easier said than done but it is one of my goals.
8. I will try not to worry about looking too pregnant.
-I feel like this 2nd pregnancy shows all over my entire body. I can see it in my face, butt, legs, arms, and even my hair. It is crazy. I am eating less and I have gained less weight this pregnancy but I feel like I am nine months pregnant already and I am only 25 weeks along. I am not one of the lucky girls where you can only tell they are pregnant by looking at their stomachs. You can see my pregnancy from 10 miles away. Joe has been posting pics on facebook but I won't let him post pics of me as I think I look too pregnant. He can only post pics of Tommy and him. It looks like I am not around when they are hanging out even though I am right there behind the camera lens. He tells me that I look beautiful and that he wants pictures of his whole family but I laugh and tell him we can take pictures of the whole family just don't show anyone. I am going to try and accept this pregnancy and move on. This is such a blessing and she is only inside me for nine months so I am going to try and enjoy it even if you can see my pregnancy coming from miles away it will all be worth it for her! I was inspired by this post on a blog I read often by C Jane. She is a mother of one little boy and is expecting a second child soon. You can read it by clicking here.
9. I will try and love her as much as I love Tommy! (I am now crying as I type)
- I know all Moms say that they can't believe they are going to be able to love the 2nd baby as much as the 1st but somehow the love appears. I still don't believe it is possible as I can't even imagine having that much love but I am so excited for her as I LOVE TOMMY so much that it hurts and I can't imagine having even more love to give.
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