Top Ten Tuesday: The Little Things

How about a blog post that isn't whiny? Oh, goodie!!
I thought I'd do another Top Ten Tuesday - this time, a compilation of the little things in life that make me smile. They're the things that matter most anyway, right?

Feel free to join in with your own versions of Top Ten Tuesday on your blogs!

The Top Ten Little Things in Life that Make Me Smile

1. That first sip of coffee - (black, please) in the morning, in the evening with dessert, when I have a headache, or when I'm just a little bit chilly. It's always the perfect pick-me-up.
   
2. The glow from the evening sun - the sun rises on the lake-side of our house and sets out back. I love the golden hue that comes in my kitchen window, and shines on the front of the houses across the lake, in the evening. It's such a warm, relaxing tone.
3. When the breeze catches my hair just right - one of my favorite things to do is ride in the car with the windows down on a sunny day while J drives. What's worse than your hair flipping in the wind and sticking to your lip gloss? But when the breeze catches just right and brushes my hair away from my face... ahh, that's the life.
4. Being squeezed in the middle of the night - Sorry hubby, I'm going to completely embarrass you for this one. Sometimes when I roll over, or get out of bed for whatever reason, J (in his sleep) reaches out for me and whimpers until he's got his arms wrapped around me. Then he lets out a contented sigh. Love.
5. Watching Tiegan's wheels turn - I love to watch Tiegan play when she doesn't know I'm there. She scribbles in her 1st grade math/spelling books. She turns her toys all over to figure out how they work. She is just so hungry to learn how the world goes around, and I find myself beaming.
6. Breathing in a clean house - Take a deep breath. I smell... Lysol, Febreeze, a hint of bleach, and fresh air. There is nothing like enjoying my home after a good scrub-down.
7. The smell of a boat going by - I'm sure I've already proclaimed my love of toxic smells. Strange, I know. I love the scent that wafts in my sliding door when a boat goes by - a mixture of lake water, fresh air, and gas/oil mix from the boat's motor. It reminds me of my childhood days vacationing on Houghton Lake.
   
8. Seeing new places with wide eyes - This doesn't exactly sound "little," but what I'm getting at is that feeling that comes over me. When I visit someplace I've never been, I crave more. I marvel at the sights and want to immerse myself in this new world, taking in everything I can. It's a full-body rush.
9. When the timing works out just right - We've all had those days: you're bumbling over yourself just to make it there, only to find out you've forgotten something, and you've spilled coffee on your favorite shirt. Multiply it by 5 for each child involved. The heavens open and choruses sing when a whole day glides by from event to event without incident. There is that relieving moment of perfection when I make it from A to B in one piece, and I cherish each one of those moments.
   
10. Falling asleep outside - on a nice day, of course. Now that it's summer, living here is like being on vacation. Lounging on my chair outside and dozing off to the sound of water lightly splashing on the seawall... that's a little piece of "me-time" I'll never take for granted.

Where is my mind

This whole overdue thing is throwing me for a loop.

Typically, they say you deliver earlier with subsequent pregnancies. Tiegan was born at 38 weeks, and here I am, at 40w3d. This is unreal.

I haven't had a whole lot to complain about, physically, other than the day and night contractions (which I'm beginning to get used to). I have this sharp, stabbing pain low in my pelvis sometimes, but I'm pretty sure Sofia's just lying on a nerve somewhere because it only happens when I shift my weight.

My only real complaint is that I'm anxious to start this next phase of our lives. I've been ready for some time now - it would have been nice to deliver a couple weeks ago when I was still pumped and had plenty of energy. Not that I'm no longer excited, but back at 38 weeks I had this adrenaline rush thinking it could be any day now. That rush lasted a week or so, and has since worn off.

Now, I'm just tired. Excited, but tired and very curious as to how I'll fare during delivery. With Tiegan, I gave it all my might. This time, I'm a little nervous that I might turn out to be a bit wimpy - simply because I'm drained.

This overdue-ness has given me extra time to overthink the possibilities, too. Overthinking is never good, and turns people like me into absolute worry-warts.

For now, I'm just going to sit back, enjoy my time off while it lasts, and this beautiful weather that's going along with it. Wish me luck keeping my mind distracted!

Our 4th

We had a pretty fabulous 4th of July despite STILL being pregnant. I had no idea it was such a big to-do out here on the lake - these people take their Independence Day seriously! There was a boat parade, tons of BBQs and parties all around the lake, and later in the evening we hopped on the neighbor's pontoon with them to watch the fireworks.

The weather was a tad disappointing, but at least it didn't rain. It was just hazy all day. The bright kind of cloudy where you could use sunglasses but it still looks nasty out.

Tiegan made up "Happy Independence Day" songs to me. She loves singing to an audience.


Tiegan & Daddy watched the boat parade together - I caught a little bit of it, but was mostly inside making red, white & blue cake and cleaning the house for my parents' visit.


A little bit of the boat parade.



My parents & Tiegan - she told Boppy (my dad) she liked his "dress." HAHA!


I had a little too much fun playing with the frosting on my red, white & blue cake, and it turned out a little funny... but looked kind of cool on the inside...


And it was ohhhh so delicious. You can't see it, but there is also a layer of strawberry preserves in the middle. The coconut was a nice touch, too. The whole thing reminds me of superman ice cream.


Getting ready for the fireworks with her glow stick...


T had a fab time with Daddy on the neighbor's pontoon. I think this was her first-ever pontoon ride, and she told me that we definitely have to get one of our own. I agree.



Nothing like fireworks on the lake.

Don't get me wrong...

This was last night. Mom and Dad were over, we had just finished dinner at Andy's Pizza, and I was starting to have contractions every 4-7 minutes. My doctor informed me at my last appointment to go straight to Labor & Delivery if I was having them 5 minutes apart for a half hour - no matter what. Even if I thought I'd just be sent back home. I kind of had a feeling I would be (sent back home, that is), but we went anyway. Doctor's orders. My parents took Tiegan home with them for a sleepover, which I'm sure she was excited about. I ended up being monitored for about an hour, if that, and was sent home. Still dilated to 2cm, about 50% effaced - same as 2 weeks ago. Of course that's according to the same nurse that checked me last time - the one with very tiny, very arthritic hands. I have a feeling if someone else had checked, they might say different.

Oh well - I'm done being negative. I realize the last few posts have been kind of whiny, as if I'm going to be pregnant forever. It's to be expected I suppose. I've been contracting hardcore for 2 weeks and haven't seen any progress. The farthest apart my contractions have been is maybe an hour, if I'm lucky. In fact, they are more frequent at night. Bye bye, sleep! I consider it good practice for being up all night with a newborn. ;)

I'm actually very excited for this new phase in our lives. I can't wait to adjust to being a family of 4. I know it's going to be a lot of hard work. A lot of frustration. But soooo worth it.

I got to thinking about how difficult it was going to be for me - going from 3 1/2 years ago, never thinking I'd ever have children (and not really enjoying the company of other peoples' children)... to being a mother of 2. Once I finally got used to being a mother of 1, I thought that was it. I loved things the way they were and didn't really want them to change. Probably because life was just starting to get easier again.

But then, I imagined Tiegan growing up as an only child. Alone. I knew she'd probably have tons of friends, but our home just didn't seem complete. There is plenty of love between the 3 of us, but it seems like there could be so much more. I'm so excited to be giving her a playmate, a pal, someone to relate to. We are such a close family that I'm sure they will grow up loving and appreciating each other. I see future family get-togethers and holidays with 4 of us instead of 3, and everything just feels so much warmer and happier. More full. In a good way.

I'm done being impatient. I'm so full of happiness that anyone still reading this is probably nauseated by now.

Sweet Sofia

Dear Sofia,

Today is your due date. If Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers' song "Sweet Sophia" (although spelled differently) is correct about you being right on time, today might be the day.

Last night, your Daddy and I made our 3rd trip up to the hospital for a false alarm and by now the nurses there must think we're nuts. I have a feeling you're working so hard to get out, but maybe you just need some help. Hang on little chickpea, you won't be stuck in there forever. There is a whole beautiful world out here for you to explore.

We are all ready to meet you. We've prepared many comfy places for you to relax and play, your bedroom is finally done, and our arms are aching to hold you. Your big sister talks of all the things she can't wait to teach you. She practically shakes with excitement when anyone asks her about you.

My only concern is that you come into this world safely and peacefully, whenever you decide the time is right. We will do everything we can to make sure that happens. Despite the bumps and jolts along the way (sorry about that - it's hard to navigate when Mommy's center of gravity is thrown off) I hope that your home so far has been pleasant.

We love you more than it's possible to describe, Sofia.

Patiently awaiting your arrival,
Mommy, Daddy & Tiegan

3 or 13?

This morning I got to thinking about something my doctor said at Tuesday's appointment. He said that I was measuring "right on" ... for my July 3rd due date. But after that he said, "but if we're going by the July 13th due date, you're measuring pretty big."

I completely forgot that my 20-week ultrasound back in February estimated the due date to be around July 13th after we had already determined that it was July 3rd according to conception date & my menstrual calendar. (Yes... I know the exact conception date. Happy birthday Jason! HAHA!)

They never officially pushed my due date back because in order for them to do that, it would have to be at least a 2-week difference. This was only a 10-day difference, so they decided to keep July 3rd as my official due date. However, apparently he is still keeping July 13th in the back of his mind? For some reason I thought they totally disregarded this because he hasn't mentioned it since... until this week.

If he is actually considering July 13th to be a possible due date, then I am for sure measuring big. I would be concerned about going any longer, and this baby getting even bigger. Perhaps that's why he ordered a EFW ultrasound for next Tuesday if I happen to still be pregnant by then (he doesn't seem to think I will be, but this stubborn baby might just prove him wrong). What will he decide based upon the results of this ultrasound? Who knows.

I had a dream last night that my water broke. Not long thereafter, a contraction woke me up. But that's nothing new... it's been happening about 5-10 times a night since last week. They always seem to be more intense at night.

I think it will be perfect if Sofia arrives this evening after Jason gets home from work, since he has tomorrow & the rest of the weekend off. But I'm just making up scenarios in my head, which I promised myself I wouldn't do, because I always get my hopes up.

Very strange to see my baby ticker over there tell me I have 1 day left. It will happen when it happens!

39 & Counting

I had my 39-week appointment yesterday. Gotta say - I'm completely surprised I've made it this far. Looks like everyone else is, too.

The good news is I'm healthy, and measuring right on track at 39 weeks. Same weight as last week, which means I myself am most likely LOSING weight, because Sofia is still gaining.

Ohhhh Sofia. You are definitely gaining.

The plan is to let me cook naturally a little while longer. I've been having contractions for over a week now, so I'm a little surprised he didn't just go ahead and induce this week - my due date being Friday and all. What I'm having are definitely real labor pains, but they're all over the place. Sometimes they will last for 2 hours, 5 minutes apart; other times they will be randomly every 1/2 hour or so. I've already been to the hospital twice, and sent home each time. Next time better be the real deal or I'll feel awfully silly. I can just envision the Labor & Delivery nurses rolling their eyes at me as I walk in yet again.

On to more interesting things.

Thanks to a link my friend Jessica sent my way, I was captured by a certain blog entry this morning.

And now I feel comfortable - no, empowered - to voice my reasoning for taking an indefinite break from "professional" photography.

I have a passion for making images - that is unwavering. My mistake was taking every odd photography job I could just to make a few bucks. I was in a hurry to make money and be known, and that took precedence over learning the most important things about photography. The disappointing thing is that it's such a popular field. It seems like anyone could pick up some decent equipment, let it do the work for them, and call themselves a photographer.

Ever since I got my first camera, I have been determined to learn everything about image-making, and knew that I wouldn't truly be a photographer until that was achieved. I believe in quality over popularity, but sadly, I am guilty of taking the lazy route and not living up to my own expectations. I am disappointed in myself for this reason. Sadly, some of that fiery passion may have gotten lost in the mix.

I've always wanted to stand out in my field, whatever that may be. Now's not the time for photography to be that field. I have been feeling the need for a long while to back down from the competition, take my time to learn it right, and simply do it for my own pleasure. No more senior photos, no more weddings... just art for art's sake.

Thankfully, I've got many other things going on to keep me plenty busy. My part-time job designing ads will be enough for me to stay on my creative toes.

So, thanks to that article for helping me get across what I've been meaning to say for months now.