Clara's Secret

It's true. Clara will know the undivided adoration of both her parents for just about seven more months. That is when her little brother or sister will arrive and the world as she knows it will be turned upside down. I'm sure ours will be too.

The little bambino is scheduled (ha!) to make his/her debut into this great world sometime in late April. I'm just 10 weeks along. Last time I spilled the beans I was 13 weeks along. For some reason it was a lot harder this time to keep the news quiet. Granted we did wait a month before telling anyone. But once we started telling people, it's been hard to draw the line. Are we telling or aren't we? I was pretty sure we weren't when I got some hefty congratulation hugs from Jonathan's co-workers when I stopped by to deliver coffee. But alas, we are telling. So there you have it.

My due date is April 29th. Just four days before Miss Clara turns 2 and a whole three days after Jono turns the big 3-0. Clara's birthday may not look the same this next year as it did last year. And poor Jonathan, I will do my best to make your landmark birthday special. But it may not happen. In the end, we'll likely be planning joint birthday parties for the rest of our lives. Or better yet, we'll do it like an Indian wedding and celebrate for weeks on end.

In all honesty, we couldn't be any more thrilled. We are so excited about this little life and everything it will mean for our family. Of course there are moments when I can't even wrap my head around what it will be like to have two little ones in need of my love/support/diapering/feeding/attention. But I have some time to process, right?!

This time around it's almost more exciting because I know what's in store. It's not to say I wasn't as excited as I could be during my pregnancy with Clara. I just think there's something about experiencing it before that makes me look ahead with even more anticipation.

And just a quick word on the early days of pregnancy. It is not fun. Sure, you're excited beyond belief about the life growing inside you. But there is nothing great about it, really. You know you're pregnant but keep wondering when/if I should tell and whom/how? You feel your waist thickening but you look online and see that your baby is the size of a blueberry and weighs less than an ounce. Yep, that definitely makes you feel better. And you realize your answer to the question "Do you have to pee?" is always yes, it's just a matter of degree. Like, on a scale from one to ten I'm at about a 4, or maybe a 7, or a 10. But you're never at a 0. You realize that 24/7 for the next seven months you could be able to pee in a cup on demand, even if your last trip to the john was moments before. I envy those folks who take their first pregnancy test and find out *surprise* they're already 14 weeks. Wouldn't that be lovely?

And finally, much to the deep resentment and pain of some family members, and despite threats and nasty emails (Leah), we are planning to wait again to learn the sex of the baby until the delivery room. Or at least we're 99.9% certain. We loved the surprise last time and just can't think of doing it any other way.

And I know that this decision does contradict pretty much everything about my life. I am a Planner. List maker. Organizer of our book club books six months in advance. Starter of Clara's birthday outfit in February. Carrier of the blessed August to August everywhere I go (literally). Others have already pointed out the discrepancy. And I don't have that good of an explanation for you. I am sorry.

And just so you can start citing the resemblance between me and baby, Jono and baby, and/or Clara and baby, here is a first picture. Hook child #2 looks very much like a gummy bear at this point. But the cutest little gummy bear on the planet, don't you think?!

These Days

In the last few weeks it feels like we truly have a toddler in the house. A little girl. I've found myself having endless conversations with the Clara girl (albiet mostly one-way). This is because she responds to everything I say. Usually. "Give Kiki (her koala) a kiss". "Bring your shoes to mommy, please". "Would you like some cheese?"

Pretty much the answer to every question is "no", even when she means yes. I wasn't even certain she could say yes until this weekend. Jonathan and I were arguing about her yes-saying-capabilities when he proved me wrong. She was able to easily copy Jonathan's "yes". As for using the word on her own, we're not quite there yet.

Someday Clara will say yes when she means yes, no when she means no, up when she means up, and down when she means down. Right now she's favoring the no's and the up's in all circumstances. But I'm kind of savoring these erroneous days. I'll never forget when her months of "uh" turned into "uh-oh"s, never to be wrongly stated again.

I don't want to forget what the moments around our house are like these days...

Clara hiding behind the couch, ready to peer out and say "peek a boo". She's started saying all three syllables and it sounds hysterical.

Starting to spell out words like c-h-e-e-s-e and especially p-a-r-k to one another because Clara will get way too excited for her own good, repeating the words (especially park) endlessly and looking at us with pleading eyes.

Loving to listen to daddy's guitar, trying to say the words to "Skip to my Lou" on the Leapfrog refrigerator magnet, and going crazy to Waving Flag by K'naan (thanks, Uncle E).

Giggling so easily and saying "tickle tickle tickle" when I tickle her.

Snuggling her koala or teddy bear at every opportunity or "buddy" (blankey). This picture was taken tonight on our way back from our home group. We put Clara down to sleep in the pack & play each week and then wake her for the trip home. The pre-flash caused her to wake up just before taking it, but you get the basic gist.

Asking for her "goggles". Putting them on herself and keeping them there for extended periods.

Chanting "eeya" for literally hours on end before, during, and after seeing her cousin.

Opening the closet and finding my broom. She'll drag the broom around the house for hours, I swear.

Wanting to be a part of everything having to do with cooking, mixing, or baking. Or more precisely whatever I am doing.

Having very strong opinions about food and vegetables especially. Thank goodness for green smoothies with straws and ranch dressing with salad. At least my girl is getting her greens, if nothing else. We're not surrendering any time soon.

That's it. I just had to record some of the latest before the details get swept away in the tumultuous, raging river that is my brain.

This Weekend

Have you ever had a weekend where about twelve important events happened to land? This last weekend was like that for us. Okay, maybe twelve is a bit of an exaggeration, but it still felt that way. And I hate when that happens. It takes about all my resolve to slow down and enjoy each moment, just because there is so much going on.

What exactly was the cause of this wild weekend? There are few culprits. First of all, many months ago I joined the committee to plan our five year Whitworth reunion, scheduled for this weekend. So this event, of course, was put on the calendar a long time ago. My dear friend, Andrea, decided to make the trek to Spokane to participate/it was a great excuse to come for another visit. I will welcome a visit from Andrea any time. She is the most flexible human alive, and basically has fun in every circumstance imaginable. These traits certainly came in handy this weekend!

Long after my calendar read "Reunion weekend", I found out that my only Saturday volleyball commitment during the month of September fell on the 25th: the freshman volleyball tournament. After that, I found out it would be my grandad's 80th birthday party. And my little brother's only college tennis tournament in Spokane. And my dear friend's 30th birthday party. Awesome, right? That's what I thought.

But everything pretty much worked out in the end. Almost. Minus my friend's birthday party and my brother's tennis tournament (although Andrea did get to go represent, thankfully).

I started the day bright and early at the freshman volleyball tournament. My team WON THEIR FIRST MATCH. Ever. (That was after losing five in a row that day and seven before that. But still...) An observer might have thought we won the state championship. I pretty much almost cried and peed my pants at the same time. It was great.

Then I zipped to my grandad's 80th. My mom and aunts made an amazing meal of luna salad, salmon, steak, potatoes, bread and homemade apple huckleberry pie. Yum! And it was so wonderful to be with family, especially those who came in from out of town. Happy Birthday, grandad! We love you!! (I didn't have my camera. Ugh. This great picture was taken on Father's Day this year - Clara was a bit freaked out)

Then I flew over (quite late) to the Whitworth alumni banquet, dessert reception & after party. It was great seeing some friends that I haven't seen in ages. And of course I didn't bring my camera. So here's my shout out picture. Whitworth, I love you...

Thankfully Sunday was a bit quieter. Church. Long nap. Apple picking (pretty much the only weekend event I documented). Dinner at a friend's.

As you can tell from the pictures, Clara was a little obsessed with her apple. She carried the thing around the entire time we were there. In fact, she didn't even glance at our bread pudding or pumpkin ice cream. And she left her glasses on the entire time. Yes. I would call it a bit of an obsession. There could be worse fixations, right?!

And here is the reason that we forgot our apples up at Greenbluff: Jono was so excited about this delicious apple bread pudding with Marylou's ice cream that he left our box on the floor in front of the ice cream counter.

Thank goodness for free 411 and the nice lady at Greenbluff who is saving our apples in the cooler for us. Greenbluff, we will be back. And weekend, farewell. You were wonderful while you lasted, but were a bit exhausting too.

Eeya is ONE

Miss Eeya turned one this weekend. Clara was more than thrilled to attend her cousin's birthday party. We've been singing happy birthday ("happy eeya", rather) around here ever since.

The darling one year old was not so certain she liked the cupcake, or all the staring faces ;).

She most certainly did like her presents, though. Except, perhaps, her cousin's immediate terrorization of them.

Here's the happy little family of three. I love this picture.

One of Clara's highlights? The big girls in attendance. And their blow out party favors.

It was a lovely birthday. It's still hard to believe we both have one year olds! Time flies.

The Fair = Delight

I have not been to the fair in probably ten years. In fact, the last time Jonathan & I went it was together, in high school. A funny memory. Only funny because the fair is kind of a random event - and I recall something about elephant ears and riding the ferris wheel. Which is always ridiculously expensive and not all that exciting. But then again we were in high school and what could be better than riding a ferris wheel with your love? That's what everyone does in the movies, right?

Well this fair trip was quite different. The focus: animals and tractors. We decided that the fair is pretty much the perfect place for a 16 month old because there are real versions of everything Clara reads about it books. Truck. Tractor. Sheep. Pig. Goat. Cow. And the animals actually speak. Now Clara knows that when we say "moooo" every time we see a cow it's because a cow actually makes that sound (it did make me think about the power we have as parents: what if, from the beginning, we taught Clara that a cow says "sssss". It would be ridiculous, but we could shape that little brain whichever way we choose. Scary.) So yes, Clara was pretty much in heaven.

If you don't believe me, these pictures pretty much attest to it.

And yes, the fair is sometimes a little sketchy. Maybe it a bit dirty. Not probably on my top ten list of favorite places on the planet. Yet, we all had a great time. It's just another example of how the presence of a little one has revised our definition of what constitutes a great day, or a great moment for that matter. Who ever knew that watching a little one bounce on a tractor seat could be so much fun? Not me.

Transitions

A friend at church pretty much summed up how we're feeling last weekend when he said, "man, you Northwesterners. You go so hard all summer long and by this time of year you're crying that summer is coming to an end while also begging that it ends because you just can't keep up the pace." It's true. We always feel like we need to soak up every square inch of sunshine, the lake, and gatherings with family and friends during the summer months. It's not as if the fall doesn't also bring great things (it's my favorite season, after all), it just means schedules, routines, and a new kind of busyness. Although it's hard to say goodbye to a fun season in life, we are very excited for the start of fall activities around here.

This change of season has, of course, meant lots of time spent at the gym for me. I'm enjoying stepping back into the coaching world and am happy with my shift from JV to freshman coach. I loved last year, but the freshman schedule is much easier on the family. I must say, there is nothing better than the pure love of the game that fourteen year olds exhibit. My team is especially new to the game (two of the ten came in with the ability to serve the ball over the net!), so we have a lot of improvement ahead ;). And yes, I did briefly consider returning to the classroom too, but if I'm honest, it was a very brief consideration. I'm loving being a mom full-time right now and just can't comprehend how I could be the kind of teacher I once was and a mom (or a good wife, for that matter). I think I'll go back, but I'm just not sure when. One year at a time :)...

Jono is especially busy with work, volunteering at football games on the sideline and even working as a high school athletic trainer. All of that is, of course, is on top of the fifty-some hours he puts in at his regular job weekly. But I'm not complaining (Okay. Only semi-complaining). He is blessed with a great job and we are thankful. Time together as a family is a precious commodity around here.

And the Claranator continues to love life and constantly adapt to all her surroundings. Today we started toddler once-a-week co-op. She loved it. She's definitely a watcher and a looker. She loves checking out whatever other kids are doing. And then she'll make her move. The toys, especially the push along vacuum, had the major appeal. As did the snack time. You can always count on Clara to put away a large volume of food. Especially when it's cheese and crackers, like today. It'll be fun to see her over the course of the year!

Here she is with Maddie on her first day. Funny how hard we tried to get them in a picture together, and this was the best I could capture...

Life is good. We're happy to be back in the swing of the fall routine. Volleyball. Football games. Co-op. MOPS. Younglives. Church more regularly (and homegroup, of course). A consistent bed time. And laundry/cleaning time. Maybe even cooking regular meals time. Well, I shouldn't get too far fetched, huh?