2 lines = life change

We found out a few weeks ago that we will be adding another member to our family on August 10, 2009. That means I am 8 weeks, 2 days pregnant. I am nauseous, I am tired. I have NO IDEAS about girl names... and I'm already stressing about it. Maybe this one will be a boy.

Merry CHRISTmas!!!!

(please excuse the red nose on Lydia...we've had some colds floating around the house.)
awwwww....

Construction zone

Getting ready.Decorating the house. Catie had a lot of good ideas about how this should happen.

Catie's bed

Catie's "new" bed

Snuggled in bed.

Big Day

Today Catie slept in her "big-girl" bed. Our plan was to have the bed in her room for a while before actually moving her to it, but that didn't happen. The bed is an old, metal bed that my Grandmother (also named Catherine) had slept in as a small child and had given to my mom when I was a teenager. It then became my bed and now it's Catie's. Being that old meant that it wasn't in great shape and needed a fresh coat of paint. For anyone who has attempted a do-it-yourself project you know these never go as planned, but it got done, thanks to my wonderful husband.

Catie was so excited when we set it up in her room this morning with her new sheets and quilt. She immediately started to play on it and when it was time for her nap she slept in it for about an hour, then tonight, fell asleep immediately when we put her there. I don't know if this will become the new pattern, but it was significant enough for me to document. Maybe I'll get pictures next time.

What's wrong with people?

I have had my share of frustrating comments from people who think they know how to raise my children better than I do. When Catie was little, I was in line at a checkout and she was fussing. I knew it was time for her bottle so I got it out and began to prepare it while James took care of our purchases. The lady in line behind me, thinking she was simply making a funny comment about how chubby Catie was, stated "It doesn't look like she needs that!". I smiled. I might have said something like "yes, she's big." Inside, I was FUMING!!! I wanted to let her have it. Say something like "What would YOU like me to do? Let her starve until she is the size that God intended her to be?"

Then there was the old man who approached my husband FROM BEHIND (and stayed at his shoulder) while we were sitting in church with the girls and suggested VERY RUDELY that we take them to the nursery so that they weren't disturbing others who wanted to listen to the message. We happened to be visitors at this particular church (it was in Virginia, if you're worried that it might be your church). We had kept Catie out of the nursery b/c she was sick. She was on antibiotics and feeling better, but we didn't want her in a strange nursery and having them think we brought a sick kid to contaminate their regulars. When the man spoke to James we were barely 15 minutes into the service and Catie was just beginning to be somewhat disruptive. We hadn't even had a chance to intervene before we were reprimanded. And that's really what it felt like. James did take Catie out to the hallway and while out there, noticed that same man come out a bit later. He confronted him and asked why he was so worried about listening to the service and yet he wasn't in the sanctuary. He made up some excuse. My wonderful husband let the man know our reasons for keeping Catie out of the nursery and he asked why we didn't keep her home. "Because we go to church on Sundays", was his reply. I was so proud of him for knowing the right words and for keeping his cool when he wanted to rip this 65 yr. old ex-military man to shreds!!!

I've also had my share of old ladies in grocery stores commenting on my daughter's lack of shoes/socks/both after having removed them....BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT CHILDREN DO!!!

Well, the most recent run-in was yesterday. The girls and I were out shopping with my sister and her little girl when we decided to head to Panera for lunch. Since it was a fairly nice day, I decided to leave the girls' coats in the car. There was no wind, no snow. The sun was shining. Catie had on a long sleeved shirt and jeans. Lydia had on a long sleeved onesie and a hooded sweatshirt and sweatpants. As I walked in, I heard a lady behind me ask "Where are their coats?" I turned to see a woman in her upper-30's, dressed very stylishly, turning to leave the restaurant (I think it was because of the long line). I made enough eye contact with her to know that she was talking to me. I am not quick on my feet and could only say "In the car." As I watched her and her companion drive away in their expensive SUV, I wanted to go out and shout a few choice words at her. I wanted to know what makes her think that she knows how to care for my girls better than me. What made her think that she knew their comfort level and needs in that weather?

Do these things happen to others? Tell me your story and how you handled the situation. I need to know that I'm not the only one that gets these comments, or I might start to believe there really is something wrong with my parenting skills.

logic and reason always win in my mind.

http://pinkelephantpundit.com/2008/12/01/a-gift-worth-giving/