Sunday, June 22, 2008

Baby in the Womb

This is the most amazing video of a baby crying in the womb.

two hour dinners

Saturday night my brother-in-law and his wife offered to watch our 3 kiddos. It was very much out of the blue and DH and I jumped on it. So it was arranged, we left their home at 7 o'clock that night feeling light and free.

We went to a Moroccan restaurant in their neighborhood that was very quaint and slow paced and delicious. It was such a treat to have an uninterrupted conversation with each other, and to eat our food at the proper temperatures. They served us Moroccan Mint Tea all night and it was so tasty. The dessert was simple slices of oranges with rose water, cinnamon and poppy seeds with a little whipped cream on the side. So yummy! The tables were all private, with curtains on all corners, so you didn't see any other patrons. We thoroughly enjoyed our four course meal, splitting each course, and feeling perfectly satisfied when we left. A two hour dinner that was filled with conversation and laughter.

Unfortunately, the Tea was black tea and therefore contained caffeine and I was up all night. I watched many reruns of "Mad About You" and caught up on some "MASH". I finally crawled into bed at 5 a.m., ready to sleep. My whole Sunday was zombie like.

Now let me tell you about the two hour dinner that took place tonight. We were gathering at a good Italian restaurant with DH's family to celebrate one of his brothers, who turned 50. There were only about 25 of us and it was a mix of small children and old folks. After an hour, we were served food. Meanwhile, Fefe would not leave my lap and had several near misses of spilling ice cold water all over me. Kiddo and Spikey were poking and punching at each other and repeating each other and really just aiming to drive me insane. Please remember, I've only had about 3 hours of sleep...It was so loud, we were shouting to talk to DH's poor parents who were sitting next to us, down on the end, surrounded by other children. It was nice to see Nick, (the birthday boy) and he was very gracious and thankful for everyone showing up, but at the end of the two hour ordeal, I needed a glass of wine and an aspirin. Too bad I could have neither.

And that is two very different dinners with my DH this weekend.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

it is so quiet, I hardly know what to do first...

My husband has taken out three little ones to the Nasher Museum. This weekend is a big City Arts free weekend at the Nasher and the DMA, and so, off they went. Now, ordinarily I love this type of experience, but for now, I am quite content, sitting here at the computer all by my lonesome.

I was going to run to the grocery store...I haven't been in weeks, only getting by with the quick errands that my DH makes for us. Well, quite frankly, it's just not the same. He doesn't buy the same brands I like, and forget about fresh fruit and vegetables! Buying produce is an art to me. I'm an organic princess, as DH would call me, and when I see something in season, I'm inspired to make a certain type of salad or main dish or whatever. I leave room for this in my grocery list making. It is one of the very few things that make grocery shopping enjoyable.

Anyhow, I left my wallet in the mini-van. So... no grocery shopping.

Instead, I'll do a little picking up, maybe sweep and vacuum. It is always a little more productive to do these things sans kids, as they protest when I throw out scrap paper or take down the fort that has been in our living room for the week. FeFe likes to chase the broom, looking for any lost cheerios or goldfish. Grossness, I know, but hey, that is why I am going to do this now.

I actually LOVE the fort in the LR, because it has become Kiddo's and Spikey's little reading cove during our quiet times. The only problem is, they used all our kitchen and dining room chairs. I am on a mission to find boxes. Big, sturdy boxes that they can nestle in and read all they like in a tiny space that is all their own. Never mind their rooms, this is different. It's like being held in a light embrace where no little sibling is going to bother you.

Than, after I do some work, I'll finish this bean soup I started, hey, it's what was in the pantry! Finally, I'll stretch out on the couch and continue reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Can you believe I've never read this book?? I took an online quiz recently and Elizabeth Bennet is the heroine I most resembled. That piqued my curiosity. (And what is the difference in spelling between heroin and heroine?~ sheesh!) Does anyone have a favorite version of this movie? There are so many out there, I thought I would get your opinion?

Now, see what happens with all this quiet?? Even YOU can hear me think!! Happy Saturday y'all.

Friday, June 13, 2008

make a wish!




This is our family celebrating my mom's 59th! Isn't she beautiful?

"Next year", she informed me, "your Dad and I are celebrating our 60/40th"

What?

Turning 60 years old, married for 40 years. Praise God. This will be a momentous occasion.

Thursday, June 12, 2008

catch up

Let me see if I can catch you up on the rest of our happenings....

Tommy had a birthday. He is now the big 4.



We all went to Padre Island for Memorial Weekend. Sun, sand and boogey boarding made this trip totally memorable.



I try and catch as many quiet times as possible, ignoring the laundry and dishes and toys that seem to grow every day. Oh well... it will keep for tomorrow!

now what?

I cannot believe it has been since APRIL 1 that I last posted!!

Well, if there is anyone still out there checking in on me, I have some fun news just for you!

A new bambino is to be born in late November!! Our family is very excited by this news. The children talk of the new baby as if he/she is physically able to see all that is going on. It is so sweet and affirming to watch their love for this new one grow, even in the womb.

At 17 weeks, I can finally feel at peace that this baby is going to be okay. We had a check up just yesterday and the baby's heart beat was strong and fast. This has been a very different pregnancy from any of the others and especially my most recent. Sophia was a twin and we lost baby Henry between 14-16 weeks. My weight gain with the twins was fast and my pregnancy symptoms were strong. This time around, my gain has been slow (so far...) and the symptoms not to bad other than tiredness. So, naturally, I was nervous.

Peace and excitement are finally settling in to my heart over this new one.
Please keep me in your prayers for a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.
Thanks!