Graumamama’s blog

So, I have been on a quest to control my carb and sugar intake to keep this baby from being any larger than necessary.  Considering that our first was 8 pounds 7 ounces and the next was 9 pounds 1 ounce, it is an inspired endeavor.

One day last week I went on a bit of a sugar binge.  That night I had a dream that I gave birth to a 10 pound baby.  The inspiration is back!

Considering the awesome response to the "Prego" post, I thought I would toss out some other requests for tact that need to be known by the world.

I checked the calendar today and our third child is set to arrive just five weeks from this coming Thursday. Crazy!  This is another stage of life that begs for outsiders to be supportive and sensitive.  Now there is one thing that has been said to me and others at the "just-had-a-baby" stage that is just not so awesome.

Please do not tell me I look tired. 

Having a newborn equates to sleep deprivation.  It's a given.  Ya just live tired for a while.  However, I do not need to know that the way I feel is effecting my appearance.  I have just been enormous for months, am watching showering slowly slide down my daily to-do list, spending a lot of energy just dressing for public and focusing most of my faith on longer sleeping stretches and getting my body back to better-than-before-baby.  So, if you are truly my friend, tell me I look great.  If it's just not true, you don't need to sin by lying, just talk about how cute the wee one is or ask if there's anything you can do to help.

I know that we all often feel like we know someone well enough to say things like this too them.  But the most treasured people in my life make me feel like I am succeeding, overcoming and graced by God to get my jobs done.  In short, whether you have room to say it or not, choose to bless and encourage.  That's love!

Just needed to toss an FYI out there to those of you who come across someone who is pregnant.  There are two things that I feel must be clarified - truths that need to be spread to the masses.

1 - The fact that my stomach is full of child does not magically make it public property.  Therefore, please do not touch my tummy.  And please don't ask for permission to do so.  It only puts me in an the awkward position of saying, "Heck no!"

2 - I have no desire to hear labor/delivery horror stories.  I don't want to hear how you defied the odds and your third child's arrival was the most difficult of all.  Nor do I need to know about complications, delayed breathing on the part of your newborn or poor performance by medical professionals.

You see, a pregnant woman is very much in need of personal space and positive verbage.  She needs to hear about the great things God can deliver in the midst of the miracle of childbirth.  So, give space and speak Life!  Help faith arise in the heart of every expectant mom you meet.

Oh, and if any comment you're about to make starts with the words " just wait until..." it is probably best left unsaid.  It is always followed by the suggestion to plan for something ugly to arrive.  Not cool!

As much as I do love the candy, I'm referring to the children's ministry at our church.  As you know, our family (Nash, the kids and I) spent last weekend at our extended family beach cabin on the Tulalip reservation.  There was much sand, water, rock and shell related fun. 

But on Saturday evening when Grandpa and Grandma got ready to head home, because they were going to church the next day, Sydney was almost in tears.  She begged to go with her grandparents so she would not miss the stories that would be told in her class.  It was awesome!  To have our daughter beg to leave the beach to go to church!  Hallelujah!  You guys rock!

The best part was the next morning when she asked us if we were ever going to church again.  Nice!  So, we had "church" during breakfast.  We each shared one of our favorite bible passages and sang a song that we thought went nicely with each one.  It is such a blessing when our children acknowledge their need for God and have a desire to honor Him no matter where they are.

That's right, vacation!

The kids and I are at our family beach house with my mom.  We had originally planned to be gone for a week, but we shall see. :-)  It may be an indefinite arrangement. 

Terryn is loving the beach.  Throwing rocks in the water, watching the planes fly overhead and yelling "bow" (boat) every morning about the same boat that is anchored in front of the neighbor's place.  I don't think it has even moved since we've been there.  Who knows what he will do when a motor becomes involved.  This morning we went out and read books together on the deck lounge chairs.  I had my bible and he had a stack of Dr. Suess and Dora.  Then we went for a walk.  He rocks!

Sydney and I have been sharing a bed the last few nights.  A rare treat for her and she is loving it.  It's been great to just snuggle and chat.  However, last night I left the room to brush my teeth and she was out cold when I got back.  Could have had something to do with it being 11pm.  Hmmm.  I vow to put her to bed earlier tonight.  10:30 should do :-).

Hope you all enjoy the sun this weekend!  I know I will be glad to be near the water and enjoying the breeze.

Friday

Sydney was a flower girl for the first time.  We had lunch with the bridal party and moms, grandma, sister, etc.  She felt like such a big girl.

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Then we curled her hair for hours :-).   It was worth it! 

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This is a pic of Syd & Nash dancin' to "Brown Eyed Girl".  She told him it was the only song she would dance with him to.  :-)  That didn't last long.  When they were slow-dancing I had to try not to cry.  You know, the whole "some day they will do this at her wedding" thing.  Yeah!  Wow!

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Saturday

I was a snack mom for the first time!  It made me feel like such a grown-up. 

As you can see, Sydney was particularly focused on the game today.  That's her Yankee hat.  Gotta love T-ball for 3 and 4 year olds.

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Do you think it would offend the Everly Brothers that she keeps calling them the Elderly Brothers?

A couple weeks ago, it just clicked for Terryn that there is a baby in my tummy.  He would show us where the baby is and give the baby kisses.

However, a couple nights ago when we asked him where the baby was he pointed to his own tummy.  Seeing him try to kiss his own tummy was hilarious!

Then this morning he kissed all our tummies.  So, apparently in his mind everyone is with child.  LOL!

This is sooooooo funny!  Then again, it could just be me.  I was laughing so hard I couldn't keep my eyes open.

We recently had a visit with our friends who do a great work in South Africa.  Our four year old, Sydney, has been supporting their ministry for some time now.  Last year she sent $10 to help rebuild their campus cafeteria after it had burned down.  This year her grandmother had given her supplies to make and sell necklaces to raise money for missions.  So, when Niel and Alece were here she was able to give $20 directly to them to help kids in South Africa hear about Jesus.  Here is Alece's post about Syd with some fabulous photos of them together. :-) 

You have no idea how excited Sydney is going to be when she sees herself on Alece's blog!  Last week Tina, one of the interns at our church, posted a video for her.  And now this.  She'll have her own blog in no time. LOL!