The neatest part was watching him open and close his eyes and mouth and move his hand around. As excited as I am for him to be here, I also think to myself how safe and sound he is right now.
Of course I'm biased, but I think he's cute already!
Friday, September 29, 2006
Is That My Nose?
Technology is crazy! We had a 3D sonogram and got a little glimpse of Tate. Looks like he's about 3 pounds right now, so I'm sure his look will change as he doubles his weight in the next 9 weeks. So far everything seems to be progressing on track, despite that he's measuring pretty big...yikes!
The neatest part was watching him open and close his eyes and mouth and move his hand around. As excited as I am for him to be here, I also think to myself how safe and sound he is right now.
Of course I'm biased, but I think he's cute already!
The neatest part was watching him open and close his eyes and mouth and move his hand around. As excited as I am for him to be here, I also think to myself how safe and sound he is right now.
Of course I'm biased, but I think he's cute already!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Tate
It's official. He has a name. Tate. Actually, his full name will be Robert Tate, but we'll call him Tate. Wade is Robert Wade, and his father's first name is Robert as well. So the Robert tradition will continue.
I actually came up with Tate about a month or so ago. We were looking for something short, strong, and easy to spell. Poor kid, with the spelling of our last name and a middle name for a first name, we wanted to make it as easy for him as possible.
So, I saw an article with Jodie Foster and it mentioned the movie Little Man Tate. Ever since then, that has seemed to be the frontrunner in the name selection.
Some interesting info. on the name Tate:
* Depending on which name definition you use, it could be Old English, Irish, or Native American
* It means many things including: to be cheerful, a measure of land, windy, he who talks too much (hopefully this won't be too much of a self-fulfilling prophecy)
* In 2005, it ranked #378 in baby name popularity
* London's national gallery of international modern art is called the Tate Modern
* Tate Donovan is the actor that played Joshua on Friends
We're pretty excited. It's fun to be able to start calling him by name. And the nickname Tatar Tot has already started. I think that's actually pretty cute. We'll see if he still thinks so after a few years.
So to our own little man Tate, we can't wait to meet you and love you so much already!
Saturday, September 23, 2006
John Madden & Pumpkins
The other day an NFL game was on TV. I realized that I have very warm and fuzzy feelings towards John Madden. Not the guy, but his voice. Don't know much about the guy at all, or if he's even a decent NFL commentator. But, I do know that his voice reminds me of football season, cooler weather, sweaters, pumpkins, and Thanksgiving. I bet he didn't know he could have that kind of effect on someone.
Today is the first day of my favorite time of the year. It is also the time of year that I wonder why I live in Texas. That's another post in itself. But, I'll pretend that we're actually going to experience a seasonal change. After all, going from 100 degrees to 80 degrees should count for something.
I am so ready for fall to be here. Or at least the very weak version of fall that us Texans call the fall. I love that feeling when the days are a little shorter and temperatures drop, all of the fall decorations are out, your feet get really cold when you wear your flip flops (remember I'm talking about TX), and La Madeleine has pumpkin pie as a featured dessert!
The kick-off is when the vendors start appearing on street corners with potted mums, pumpkins, and gourds for sale. I'm telling you, it makes me a little giddy. I will restrain a little longer this year, though. I think I bought the first potted mum from this one place last year on the first day he opened. Within a week the "woops-summer-is-back-temporarily" 95 degree day fried them all. I was very sad.
I'll start today by changing out and putting up my fall wreath on the front door! Ahhh, the simple pleasures in life. Now, let's get rid of the crazy heat and make room for some pumpkins!
Today is the first day of my favorite time of the year. It is also the time of year that I wonder why I live in Texas. That's another post in itself. But, I'll pretend that we're actually going to experience a seasonal change. After all, going from 100 degrees to 80 degrees should count for something.
I am so ready for fall to be here. Or at least the very weak version of fall that us Texans call the fall. I love that feeling when the days are a little shorter and temperatures drop, all of the fall decorations are out, your feet get really cold when you wear your flip flops (remember I'm talking about TX), and La Madeleine has pumpkin pie as a featured dessert!
The kick-off is when the vendors start appearing on street corners with potted mums, pumpkins, and gourds for sale. I'm telling you, it makes me a little giddy. I will restrain a little longer this year, though. I think I bought the first potted mum from this one place last year on the first day he opened. Within a week the "woops-summer-is-back-temporarily" 95 degree day fried them all. I was very sad.
I'll start today by changing out and putting up my fall wreath on the front door! Ahhh, the simple pleasures in life. Now, let's get rid of the crazy heat and make room for some pumpkins!
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Today's Thoughts
September 19. For me, this is a day that will always stick in my memory. It was the due date of our first baby. So that means that he or she would’ve been turning 1 this month. Sadly though, I lost the baby from a miscarriage at 10 weeks.
Max Lucado wrote something in a book that really clicked with me. The context was about dealing with grief and loss. He told a story of a family grieving from a miscarriage and said, “It wasn’t just the loss of a baby, but the loss of a dream.”
I think it really is the loss of the dream that makes it such a tough thing to go through. The second you find out you’re pregnant, you begin dreaming of what your new family will be like. I had 6 full weeks to begin dreaming, and then it came to a surprising and devastating end very quickly.
Before my miscarriage, I really didn’t know much about it or know many people who had gone through it. Then when it happened to us, people were coming from everywhere sharing their own experience or the experience of people they knew.
I kept thinking, why haven’t I heard you talk about this before? Don’t get me wrong, I know what a Debbie Downer it can be to bring this up at a dinner party. My explanation is that most people just don’t know what to say when it comes to this topic.
Or, there would be people who would say things to be supportive, but it didn’t always come across the right way. I know most of the comments were all said out of love and kindness, but things like, “It was meant to be” and “It God’s way of taking a baby that wasn’t quite right,” didn’t really make me feel any better.
I never expected friends or family to have the perfect thing to say or to say something that would make all the pain go away. But, I quickly realized that all I wanted from those around me was to know that they cared and would lift both Wade & me up in prayer.
I guess I share all of this for several reasons. If you or someone you know has gone through this, hopefully my little soapbox today can shed a little light into what they’re experiencing or to validate what you’re experiencing.
What’s also hard to remember is that the pain doesn’t go away a few weeks after the miscarriage. It stays with you for awhile. Right now, I’m celebrating the upcoming arrival of what looks to be a very healthy, growing baby. Although I’m over the moon with excitement and am extremely thankful for this baby, it doesn’t erase or even minimize the loss of our first.
I’ve said this blog is supposed to reflect my ponderings, so I might as well share what’s been on my mind and heart today.
Max Lucado wrote something in a book that really clicked with me. The context was about dealing with grief and loss. He told a story of a family grieving from a miscarriage and said, “It wasn’t just the loss of a baby, but the loss of a dream.”
I think it really is the loss of the dream that makes it such a tough thing to go through. The second you find out you’re pregnant, you begin dreaming of what your new family will be like. I had 6 full weeks to begin dreaming, and then it came to a surprising and devastating end very quickly.
Before my miscarriage, I really didn’t know much about it or know many people who had gone through it. Then when it happened to us, people were coming from everywhere sharing their own experience or the experience of people they knew.
I kept thinking, why haven’t I heard you talk about this before? Don’t get me wrong, I know what a Debbie Downer it can be to bring this up at a dinner party. My explanation is that most people just don’t know what to say when it comes to this topic.
Or, there would be people who would say things to be supportive, but it didn’t always come across the right way. I know most of the comments were all said out of love and kindness, but things like, “It was meant to be” and “It God’s way of taking a baby that wasn’t quite right,” didn’t really make me feel any better.
I never expected friends or family to have the perfect thing to say or to say something that would make all the pain go away. But, I quickly realized that all I wanted from those around me was to know that they cared and would lift both Wade & me up in prayer.
I guess I share all of this for several reasons. If you or someone you know has gone through this, hopefully my little soapbox today can shed a little light into what they’re experiencing or to validate what you’re experiencing.
What’s also hard to remember is that the pain doesn’t go away a few weeks after the miscarriage. It stays with you for awhile. Right now, I’m celebrating the upcoming arrival of what looks to be a very healthy, growing baby. Although I’m over the moon with excitement and am extremely thankful for this baby, it doesn’t erase or even minimize the loss of our first.
I’ve said this blog is supposed to reflect my ponderings, so I might as well share what’s been on my mind and heart today.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Holy Toledo...I'm tired!
Not sure if that's how you spell toledo or not? Anyway...I am officially exhausted. What a day...pregnant or not.
First let me say that garage salers are a dedicated, committed bunch. We had our neighborhood garage sale today. People were showing up right at 6:00 a.m. with flashlights! It was hilarious. I should be thankful for those early birds, because we were able to get rid of the big stuff and box up the rest of the little things and clothes to take to Goodwill all by 10:00 a.m. Mission accomplished!
After a quick nap, it was off to register for the bambino. I always laughed when people said it would take hours. Who was laughing today...Babies 'R Us is a crazy, crazy place. Thanks to all of the great suggestions, I felt like we could move fast. It still took forever. Registering at Target a few hours later was a little quicker...thank goodness!
Registering is such a strange thing to me. I know it's helpful to guide some of the gift-giving and make sure you get what you need. But, I started to feel really guilty by the end of it. There's so much, and it's not cheap.
But, this was one more step to making the whole idea of a baby seem very, very real. In fact, it's officially the 3rd trimester...here we go!
First let me say that garage salers are a dedicated, committed bunch. We had our neighborhood garage sale today. People were showing up right at 6:00 a.m. with flashlights! It was hilarious. I should be thankful for those early birds, because we were able to get rid of the big stuff and box up the rest of the little things and clothes to take to Goodwill all by 10:00 a.m. Mission accomplished!
After a quick nap, it was off to register for the bambino. I always laughed when people said it would take hours. Who was laughing today...Babies 'R Us is a crazy, crazy place. Thanks to all of the great suggestions, I felt like we could move fast. It still took forever. Registering at Target a few hours later was a little quicker...thank goodness!
Registering is such a strange thing to me. I know it's helpful to guide some of the gift-giving and make sure you get what you need. But, I started to feel really guilty by the end of it. There's so much, and it's not cheap.
But, this was one more step to making the whole idea of a baby seem very, very real. In fact, it's officially the 3rd trimester...here we go!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
From childbirth to JT
Some catching up...
Thanks so much to everyone for the suggestions on what to register for. The big event will be this weekend. We have lots of good suggestions and will let you know how it goes. :)
_______________________________________________________
So last weekend was an adventure. Childbirthing class. Yes, 2 fun-filled days of everything you wanted to know about birthing a baby. Wade deserves a little sympathy. Although after those very real videos, I'm feeling like I'll need some sympathy very soon.
The funny part was that my scared-too-death-emotional explosion was before the class even started. I made the mistake of watching a lovely Discovery Channel show, "Conception to Birth," which shows the complete development of a baby. I've seen plenty of these shows in the past. But for some reason, watching the 9th month and the delivery part had a different feel to it this time. Wade walked in, saw me crying, and said "Ahhhh, are you crying because the baby was born?"
Not quite. I'm crying because I'm scared too death of delivering my own baby!
I'm sure it was a combination of hormones (what isn't these days), watching the show, and knowing we were about to head to Childbirthing class. Whatever the combo was, it freaked me out.
But going to the class actually helped. I was really nervous walking into the classroom. But, it was a pretty good experience. Very real, but also very reassuring that millions of women all over the world do this all of the time. And, there's the epidural...woo-hoo! I'm sure Wade will have a little more entertaining perspective of our two days on his blog soon.
_______________________________________________________
I'm bet you were all eagerly awaiting today as much as I have been. Yes, today was the release of Justin Timberlake's new CD. For those that know me well, you know of my little, innocent crush on JT. Even Wade calls him my boyfriend.
Well I have to say, after years of devotion, JT disappointed me. It started after I got the CD home and realized there was a "Parental Advisory" label on the CD. Yikes! I don't think I've ever purchased music with that on it. Then to make it worse, the music wasn't that great either.
Why Justin? Why have you left your sweet, innocent, former Mouseketeer, 'N Sync days? I'm thinking I may finally be out of his target market. Although at both of the 'N Sync concerts I went to (yes, I'm admitting it!), there were plenty of mature women my age there. What happened???
Thanks so much to everyone for the suggestions on what to register for. The big event will be this weekend. We have lots of good suggestions and will let you know how it goes. :)
_______________________________________________________
So last weekend was an adventure. Childbirthing class. Yes, 2 fun-filled days of everything you wanted to know about birthing a baby. Wade deserves a little sympathy. Although after those very real videos, I'm feeling like I'll need some sympathy very soon.
The funny part was that my scared-too-death-emotional explosion was before the class even started. I made the mistake of watching a lovely Discovery Channel show, "Conception to Birth," which shows the complete development of a baby. I've seen plenty of these shows in the past. But for some reason, watching the 9th month and the delivery part had a different feel to it this time. Wade walked in, saw me crying, and said "Ahhhh, are you crying because the baby was born?"
Not quite. I'm crying because I'm scared too death of delivering my own baby!
I'm sure it was a combination of hormones (what isn't these days), watching the show, and knowing we were about to head to Childbirthing class. Whatever the combo was, it freaked me out.
But going to the class actually helped. I was really nervous walking into the classroom. But, it was a pretty good experience. Very real, but also very reassuring that millions of women all over the world do this all of the time. And, there's the epidural...woo-hoo! I'm sure Wade will have a little more entertaining perspective of our two days on his blog soon.
_______________________________________________________
I'm bet you were all eagerly awaiting today as much as I have been. Yes, today was the release of Justin Timberlake's new CD. For those that know me well, you know of my little, innocent crush on JT. Even Wade calls him my boyfriend.
Well I have to say, after years of devotion, JT disappointed me. It started after I got the CD home and realized there was a "Parental Advisory" label on the CD. Yikes! I don't think I've ever purchased music with that on it. Then to make it worse, the music wasn't that great either.
Why Justin? Why have you left your sweet, innocent, former Mouseketeer, 'N Sync days? I'm thinking I may finally be out of his target market. Although at both of the 'N Sync concerts I went to (yes, I'm admitting it!), there were plenty of mature women my age there. What happened???
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Calling All Parental Units
All moms and dads out there...we need your help. Wade & I will be registering very soon at good 'ol faithful Target & Babies 'R Us. For those that have gone through the process, you know how overwhelming it can be. I've been so confused what to register for and what brands to pick, I even resorted to spending $15 for a Consumer Reports report on their picks for baby items. Is that geeky?
Getting to the point, I'd love to hear from you parents out there. Which baby items can you not live without? Which items were just not really useful? I welcome all input on what you were happy with or what you would've done differently on your registry.
Thanks in advance for helping out a couple of newbie parents!
Getting to the point, I'd love to hear from you parents out there. Which baby items can you not live without? Which items were just not really useful? I welcome all input on what you were happy with or what you would've done differently on your registry.
Thanks in advance for helping out a couple of newbie parents!
Sunday, September 03, 2006
Labor Day laboring
Hmmmmm...what to blog about on this overcast holiday weekend?
We've spent the weekend cleaning out rooms, closets, boxes, etc. Some random questions that have come to mind:
We've spent the weekend cleaning out rooms, closets, boxes, etc. Some random questions that have come to mind:
- How is it possible two people and one dog have accumulated so much stuff?
- Why can I not finish one area? I keep getting distracted and go from one room to the next.
- If we ever move from this house, how much will it cost to hire movers?
- Why was it that I decided to get off-white carpet? Why didn't we just extend the concrete floors throughout the ENTIRE house?
- Will my photo albums ever be updated and current?
- Did I really think that outfit looked good?
- What perfect timing that our neighborhood is doing a big Neighborhood Garage Sale in a few weeks.
- The Container Store is a drug that Wade and I are way too addicted to. Do those overpriced boxes really help anyway?
- Wow, how many magazines do I subscribe to? Seriously!
- Why am I blogging right now...there are rooms to clean, and I'm tired!
If you have have any of the answers to these questions, please share your secrets.
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