Quick Takes (25)

-1-

I know it's not Friday, but it feels like Friday so I'm doing a quick takes. Why does it feel like Friday you ask? Because today was my last day of work for the year! School's out for summer! Although I would probably love working for Early Intervention or a hospital, I just don't know if I could ever give up my summers.

-2-

Hannah has decided that sleep is for losers. I guess that makes me pretty cool because I'm not getting any sleep either :)

-3-

I have a wedding to attend one month from today. I need a dress. It must be modest, summer-y, pretty fancy but not over the top, not too expensive, AND I must be able to nurse in it. Does such a dress exist? Please say it does. And then find it for me. Thanks!

-4-

I went to a ladies' night earlier in the evening. I was hesitant because Hannah has been having such rough nights-but she usually does best in the first couple hours. She gave Ted such a hard time the entire time I was gone that I had to come home after an hour. When I got home he was swinging her to sleep in her car seat (just one of the many exciting ways we help her get to sleep). That was at 9:20. It's 10:30 and she's still sleeping. Figures.

-5-

I only have one friend that lives in Joplin and she wasn't in the town when the tornado hit. Ted and I went to school in Springfield-just an hour from Joplin. It's so horrible. Please continue to pray for these families.

-6-

Our priest started an adult catechism class on Sundays after Mass for the summer. Last week was the first week and it. was. awesome. He asked us what topics we wanted to learn about and just went from there. We discussed Church history, authority, councils, and teaching on creation. He didn't prepare a single thing-but explained everything effortlessly. Such a gift.

-7-

Now that it's summer I really want to take Hannah to the pool. She has an adorable suit, a first rate floatie, and baby sunscreen. The only problem is she hates it. Loves her bath. Hates the pool.

Hopefully she'll come around. Give it another week or so and the pool water will probably feel like bath water. That's Mississippi for ya.

Have a great Wednesday!

Nighttime Lullaby

(Click on the link to watch the video. You have to click it twice and actually watch it in You Tube. 

Do it. Or this post won't make sense :)

This is exactly what my evening looked like. Snuggling my sweet baby and singing her this song. Laying her gently in her cradle and staring at her as she slept.

Only I wasn't wearing a pink nightgown. I was wearing the same clothes I wore to work today.... covered in spit up.

And minus the dog perched up on the cradle.

Sans the cover tucked up dangerously close to her face, too. Picture a baby straight jacket swaddle blanket instead.

And I didn't just sing it once. I think I sang it 37 times.

But I did sing it sitting on the bed, just like the video. But I sang it standing too. And rocking. And bouncing. And laying down on the bed. And standing again. And rocking again. And bouncing. And one more time laying down.

And it was accompanied by a very loud "ssshhhhhhhhhhhh" from the noise machine.

And it didn't last two minutes either. It was a little longer. Like maybe around 4 hours? Yeah, I think it was four hours.

And there was a fast food run in the middle of it while dad took over the rocking and laying and standing and bouncing.

Oh, and there was nursing. Lots and lots of nursing.

And did I mention bouncing?

And the video doesn't show the three different pacifiers I had to try before finding the one she wanted. They left that part out.

But it did end with a sleeping baby in a beautiful cradle.

So yeah, my night was exactly like the video :)

My First Mother's Day

My first mother's day! I missed last year's by only a few days. (We went here for Mother's Day. And no-Hannah is not a cajun baby...)

And if I'm being completely honest.... today was amazing. I joined the club. I got a Mother's Day card. I held my sweet baby in my arms all day and just thanked Jesus for her. But as much as I just soaked up the day, my heart was heavy for all those are still where I was last year. Friends whose only babies are in heaven. Friends who haven't seen those two lines on a pregnancy test. It hurts so badly. I remember so clearly. My prayers are with you today.

When I got out of the shower this morning I was greeted by this:

I didn't grab my camera in time to catch her award winning smile. The smile that I swear said, "Me and dad worked so hard on your surprise! Don't you love it Mom!"

We spent the day at the lake-grilling and napping and relaxing as a family. Perfect.

Hannah quickly grew tired of cuddling and demanded better entertainment.

But since mom forgot to bring any toys, we had to improvise!

Success!

And this post wouldn't be complete if I didn't mention the other, very important, aspect of Mother's Day. MY mom! It may have been the first time I had the honor of being a mom on Mother's Day, but I didn't forget about how wonderful my own mother is. As I thought about what made my mom so great, one thing kept coming to my mind. 

She was FUN!

Yes, she helpful and kind and taught us things. But 95% of my memories involving my mom involve us having fun. Whether it was building a tent for us in the backyard on her lunch hour or surprising us with a spur of the moment trip to an abandoned (or so we thought.....) train track-we. had. fun.

If I'm even half as fun as my mom was when I was a kid-Hannah's in for a great childhood.

And last, but not least-I thought about my mother-in-law today. I didn't know her while she was raising Ted-but I didn't have to to know that she is an amazing mother. I'm so grateful to her for raising such a wonderful son and for supporting me as his wife and mommy to her granddaughter.

I love you moms!

Quick Takes (24) Questions for the Blogosphere

-1-

We make tacos and marinated chicken a lot with the seasoning packets from the grocery store. Every time I buy them I think, "there's gotta be a cheaper way to do this!" Does anyone have any good tips for making taco seasoning and flavorful marinades with stuff I can keep on hand?

-2-

How do you transition a kid out of the swaddle blanket? Is there some kind of sleep sack that completely contains their arms but isn't a swaddle out there that I'm not aware of? If not, there should be.

-3-

Is it normal to have constant back pain now that I'm a mom? Is pain from all the lifting and bending and squatting (and really, really crappy mattress) just part of the territory? Or should I see a chiropractor?

-4-

What are your weekend plans? We have NONE! Actually, all of May is completely open.

-5-

I can't remember my other questions. I'll probably remember all of the others ones I meant to ask as soon as I hit 'publish'.

-6-

Hannah will be three months old tomorrow! I cannot believe she's that old already. And yet, I can't really remember what it was like without her.

-7-

Because I know you want to see her...

Why I Love My Husband (6)

Today is such a special day for me and Ted. He proposed on Divine Mercy Sunday four years ago (April 15 that year)!

That proposal is proof that our God is a merciful God. I didn't deserve him. I still don't. The fact God blessed me with such a wonderful husband tells me of His mercy and forgiveness.

I love my husband because he loves me despite my many faults and failings.

My View

Prayer Buddy Reveal

This Lent, I had the honor of praying for Katie at Persevere in Prayer. I had seen her blog before, but wasn't an active follower. It's been fun sharing her excitement for her pregnancy and praying for her intentions.

Katie-I prayed my favorite prayer, the Memorare, throughout Lent for you and your sweet baby.