Saturday, August 25, 2007
Pepto --- Part 2
Alas, we're done. Take a quick tour of Avery's new room. Now the hard part---getting Avery to sleep in her new room!
Monday, August 20, 2007
Swimming in a bottle of Pepto
Avery’s “big girl” room is now pink; a sort of orchid-Pepto pink. Our goal was to get Avery’s new room completed by the end of August, and we’re nearly done (just need a few more accessories). After the paint went up we were a little nervous—the change was dramatic, and very, very pink (hence, Dan saying: “I feel like I’m swimming in a bottle of Pepto!”). Add 8 boxes of IKEA stuff to the scene, and it has evened out nicely and we’re thrilled with how it looks. The last piece is moving Avery into the room (her stuff is already in there, but she’s still sleeping in the nursery).
Dan has just left for work, and he nearly skipped out the door. That is, he would of skipped if he hadn’t been so sore. Thanks for all your work, Dan!
Dan has just left for work, and he nearly skipped out the door. That is, he would of skipped if he hadn’t been so sore. Thanks for all your work, Dan!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
A Glimpse In
This is a tough topic to write about, but, alas, I’m still going to do, because I feel it is important to do so. So, take a pass on this one if you’re looking for a cute Avery story, or more pictures of Avery swinging or modeling her pink sunglasses. This one’s a heavy topic, so as Avery say’s “here we go!”
Today is my would-have-been due date of our second child. It is hard to write about; sort of like picking a scab, but, like I said, important to do so. Funny how this topic still rattles me. Some of you have been asking where we’re at with all of this, which has prompted me to comment on the miscarriage, and try to do so more eloquently than I can on the phone or in person.
To be honest, the loss still hurts, and I suspect it will for some time. But, it has gotten easier, and we’ve come to accept the loss as part of our story. We’re in a bittersweet spot right now: if we hadn’t lost our second, would we have anticipated this child that we’re currently expecting?
I’ve been reading “A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss” by Jerry Sittser. It is a powerful, thought-provoking read, and his writings relate to all persons who have experienced loss in any shape or form.
He writes, “The experience of loss does not have to be the defining moments of our lives. Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss. It is not what happens to us that matters so much as what happens in us.”
Sittser’s statement has been a terrific challenge for us. To not wallow in our loss, but to try our best to accept it, move beyond it, and be different because of it. By different I mean to better appreciate what we do have—especially as it relates to Avery and this next little girl. We feel challenged to be more “in the moment” and appreciate the ordinary and simple blessings of our day-to-day lives.
Still, we’re saddened. We do feel a void in our family. We do feel like someone is missing. I guess this is normal: to grieve and miss the child we’ve never met. So, on this would-be-date, it’s hard not to wonder about what might have been, while still anxiously anticipating what is still yet to come.
Today is my would-have-been due date of our second child. It is hard to write about; sort of like picking a scab, but, like I said, important to do so. Funny how this topic still rattles me. Some of you have been asking where we’re at with all of this, which has prompted me to comment on the miscarriage, and try to do so more eloquently than I can on the phone or in person.
To be honest, the loss still hurts, and I suspect it will for some time. But, it has gotten easier, and we’ve come to accept the loss as part of our story. We’re in a bittersweet spot right now: if we hadn’t lost our second, would we have anticipated this child that we’re currently expecting?
I’ve been reading “A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss” by Jerry Sittser. It is a powerful, thought-provoking read, and his writings relate to all persons who have experienced loss in any shape or form.
He writes, “The experience of loss does not have to be the defining moments of our lives. Instead, the defining moment can be our response to the loss. It is not what happens to us that matters so much as what happens in us.”
Sittser’s statement has been a terrific challenge for us. To not wallow in our loss, but to try our best to accept it, move beyond it, and be different because of it. By different I mean to better appreciate what we do have—especially as it relates to Avery and this next little girl. We feel challenged to be more “in the moment” and appreciate the ordinary and simple blessings of our day-to-day lives.
Still, we’re saddened. We do feel a void in our family. We do feel like someone is missing. I guess this is normal: to grieve and miss the child we’ve never met. So, on this would-be-date, it’s hard not to wonder about what might have been, while still anxiously anticipating what is still yet to come.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Dan's Family Chicago-bound
Here's some fun pictures of our weekend with Dan's family!
Avery feeling pretty proud. She mastered the ladder used to climb to the slide platform.
Avery with her sunglasses.
Avery with Grandpa Nelson, and cousin Tressan.
Avery with aunt Katie, and cousin Tressan.
Avery with Grandpa and Grandma Nelson.
Avery and me -- Gosh, after all the pictures with the Nelson's, would you even guess that she's my daughter?
Avery's done with pictures, and has a major meltdown. Nice going, Aves---way to put your best foot forward! We predict that this picture will come back to haunt her!
Avery feeling pretty proud. She mastered the ladder used to climb to the slide platform.
Avery with her sunglasses.
Avery with Grandpa Nelson, and cousin Tressan.
Avery with aunt Katie, and cousin Tressan.
Avery with Grandpa and Grandma Nelson.
Avery and me -- Gosh, after all the pictures with the Nelson's, would you even guess that she's my daughter?
Avery's done with pictures, and has a major meltdown. Nice going, Aves---way to put your best foot forward! We predict that this picture will come back to haunt her!
Friday, August 10, 2007
Swingin’ and a Slidin’
Dan and his dad did the unthinkable today—they installed Avery’s new swingset in this beautiful Chicago weather. As you can see, Avery’s quite pleased with this new addition to our barren and weed-infested backyard. Come by and play, but be sure to wear shoes!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Random musings from a hot mama
The electric bill came today. Commonwealth Edison wants $176, and for once in my life, I will gleefully pay a utility bill. Everyday I am just willing that air conditioner to keep on churning. Like most of you, I hate heat and humidity. It just sucks the joy right out of me, and leaves me in a pool of sweaty crabbiness. Throw some “got to go outside to run errands” into the mix, and I’m raring to go!
I can’t wait for fall---I can already taste the chili and fritos. Don’t be surprised if you get a “celebrate fall” invite from me, because I will be enthusiastically greeting the fall weather with open arms.
How’s Avery? She’s hot too. She’s running in circles lately (literally), and mimicking ever word we say. Talk about accountability. If every word you said were repeated, how would you feel? Sure, you hear yourself say it, but how about if someone says it back to you? For all of the slip-ups we’ve made with her, we are tickled to hear her say, ‘thank you!’ or ‘good job!’ or ‘excuse me’ or ‘sorry!’ It’s terribly cute, and Avery continues to make us smile.
Many of you have asked how Avery’s feeling about becoming a big sister. The truth is: Avery doesn’t get it, and if she does, she’s not letting on that she does. Avery’s enthralled with body parts lately, so we taught her the word tummy, and where her tummy was. We pointed to her tummy, daddy’s tummy, and mommy’s tummy. And we told her that mommy’s tummy has a baby in it. She kind of looked at us like, “huh?” Hopefully in the next couple of months her vocabulary and comprehension will continue to expand. We’re taking her on the “Babies Need Buddies” tour at the hospital too, so maybe she’ll start cluing in. Or maybe she’s in denial, and that’s okay too. We all know from experience that the land of denial can be a pretty cool place.
The car’s back, and it only took $1000 to spring it. Too, they surprised us with a car detail, and managed to destroy our old car mats. Instead of owning up to what they did, they replaced them with ugly dealer mats, touting the name of our least favorite dealer in the world. Call us, we’ll tell you where NOT to go.
All else is well. We’re busy with life stuff, house stuff etc. We’re a little short on good pictures lately, but we’ll hopefully have some soon.
Stay cool!
I can’t wait for fall---I can already taste the chili and fritos. Don’t be surprised if you get a “celebrate fall” invite from me, because I will be enthusiastically greeting the fall weather with open arms.
How’s Avery? She’s hot too. She’s running in circles lately (literally), and mimicking ever word we say. Talk about accountability. If every word you said were repeated, how would you feel? Sure, you hear yourself say it, but how about if someone says it back to you? For all of the slip-ups we’ve made with her, we are tickled to hear her say, ‘thank you!’ or ‘good job!’ or ‘excuse me’ or ‘sorry!’ It’s terribly cute, and Avery continues to make us smile.
Many of you have asked how Avery’s feeling about becoming a big sister. The truth is: Avery doesn’t get it, and if she does, she’s not letting on that she does. Avery’s enthralled with body parts lately, so we taught her the word tummy, and where her tummy was. We pointed to her tummy, daddy’s tummy, and mommy’s tummy. And we told her that mommy’s tummy has a baby in it. She kind of looked at us like, “huh?” Hopefully in the next couple of months her vocabulary and comprehension will continue to expand. We’re taking her on the “Babies Need Buddies” tour at the hospital too, so maybe she’ll start cluing in. Or maybe she’s in denial, and that’s okay too. We all know from experience that the land of denial can be a pretty cool place.
The car’s back, and it only took $1000 to spring it. Too, they surprised us with a car detail, and managed to destroy our old car mats. Instead of owning up to what they did, they replaced them with ugly dealer mats, touting the name of our least favorite dealer in the world. Call us, we’ll tell you where NOT to go.
All else is well. We’re busy with life stuff, house stuff etc. We’re a little short on good pictures lately, but we’ll hopefully have some soon.
Stay cool!
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