In my travels, I once met a man named Vlada. He was an old man, but still so full of life. The stories he could tell were amazing and he shared freely. He once told me about traveling on a river in Africa with a cannibal. The cannibal shared with Vlada what he believed to be the best-tasting part of the human body - the base of a thumb.
I've thought about that over the years, and shivered. But sometimes when I look at my kids I wonder. I mean, surely those fat little chubby cheeks would taste yummy. Or those chunky thighs. What is it about how cute they are that makes me say "I could just eat you up!"?
Is it possible that's what happens in nature? Forget about a mom eating her young because they were sickly or small or something. Maybe they were just too stinkin' cute for their own good! Maybe she just couldn't help herself. And one bite leads to the next....Oops. Good-bye baby!
February 27, 2009
Food for Thought
February 24, 2009
February 20, 2009
Beautiful Baby
"What beautiful eyes he has!"
"She's just gorgeous!"
"What a cutie!"
"Her Daddy will be chasing the boys away!"
When we go out with our little ones, the comments pour in. So what's the best response? I never really know what to say. "Thank you" of course. But who are they complimenting? Me on my great genes? Or maybe they're complimenting me for picking a spouse with good genes. So is saying thank you really saying "thank you for thinking I'm nice looking" too?
Often when people tell me my kids are beautiful I'll say "I know, aren't they?" But then I get funny looks. So I guess it's back to "Yes they are. And I made them that way. Well, with a little bit of help from Daddy."
How's That Feel?
Well, something is working! The anesthesiologist and I are becoming quite close, what with my requests for epidurals and all. Here's a look back:
10. Potty training - still a struggle, but at least he's using the big one now!
9. Milk and soy free foods - getting easier, slowly
8. Car we're using for car that's not working - we were given another car!
7. Updates for computer - still not working
6. Slow computer - make that, s-l-o-w---c-o-m-p-u-t-e-r
5. Losing baby weight - HOORAY! new "diet" works wonders! Only 7 lbs to go!
4. Housing - I think this epidural never took
3. Car that won't go in reverse - we bought a used car!
2. Mother-in-law - getting sick helped me see her in a new light...until she called the other day...
1. Breastfeeding - a thousand times better now!
All-in-all, I have to say I'm quite pleased. But don't worry - I'm sure there will be more requests in the near future!
February 13, 2009
Happy Birthday...?
This was the one that was never meant to be. I'd die before turning 30!! At least, that's what I always thought.
But now, here it is - my 29 + 1 and I'm not excited. How did I even get here? I know I'm not a teenager anymore, but 30????
It's vanity, I know. "30 is the new 20!" and all that jazz. I think I'd rather stay 29. There's something about that number. It's old enough to feel distinguished - upper 20's and all. Add to that the fact that I'm married and have two kids - heck! I'm all set!
But 30? I mean, we work with a high school youth group! I know they look at us and see so many milestones between us already. But once you're in your 30's you might as well have one foot in the grave! To a teenager, 30 is ancient.
And isn't 30 when you're supposed to have it all together? House, career, savings, all that? Oops. I knew I forgot something.
Hmm, I know what you're thinking - this is too much thinking for one little birthday. What will you do when 40 comes along? Well let me just tell you - I'm pretty sure I won't be alive to hit 40!
February 8, 2009
Beauty
I once told my mom I had inherited all of her and my dad's worst qualities. I was short, had hair that couldn't decide if it was curly or straight, needed braces and glasses - basically, everything a teenage girl could complain about. My mom was hurt and upset, and now I can understand why. When I look at my tiny girl, I can't help but wonder what her complaints will be. What offhand comment will someone make that affects her whole life? Which features will be analyzed daily in the mirror? What will she beg God to change?
I look at my daughter and see perfection. She's so beautiful. So elegantly crafted. So sweetly designed. I want her to know I think that. I want her to know that it's true - and not just because I'm her mom.
Dear sweet girl - you are beautiful! You were formed in the image of your Creator and He delights in you! He gave you as a precious gift to us and we are so blessed to know you. You are of great value - of high worth. All of your parts were designed with purpose in mind - no matter what you think of them. All of you is beautiful. But beauty is not the greatest part of your worth. You are a child of God and both His princess, and Daddy's. No matter what you do or become, we will rejoice that you are ours. You are perfect in our eyes.
February 3, 2009
Six Words...for Motherhood
Inspired by a new book on love and heartbreak called "Not Quite What I Was Expecting: Six-Word Memoirs by Writers Famous and Obscure", I've decided to attempt summing up motherhood in six-word phrases. Feel free to add your own - hey, we've all got a mom somewhere.
Never before felt so much worry.
All the gains outweigh my losses.
No thanks. I'm good with two.
One boy. One girl. It's perfection.
When do I get adult conversation?
How is this much love possible?
How do moms of multiples survive?
Of course I'm a working mother.
Back then, friends' moms were cool.
My mom believed in unconditional love.
January 31, 2009
Back in the Land of the Living
It was like watching an oncoming freight train and knowing there was no escape....
Monkey-Man came down with it first. It was Monday and we were reading a book when he suddenly cried out for Daddy. Then the hand went to the mouth and I knew it was all over. I rushed him to the bathroom...just in time. At first I wondered if it was just an isolated incident. He perked right up when I popped him in the tub. But 15 minutes later, it was happening again. And again. And again. And again. I called Daddy to come home from work - I couldn't possibly balance sick toddler and hungry baby. And that was the beginning.
The vomiting continued for 24 hours. It was terrible. When he showed signs of dehydration, our pediatrician called in a prescription for some serious meds. Thankfully, that did the trick and he was able to start keeping some fluids down. By Tuesday night, I was beginning to think he was finally out of the woods.
Bright and early Wednesday morning, I awoke to the sound of Daddy in the bathroom. Oh no....it wasn't going to be just one of us. I knew it was going to hit all of us - and hard. Daddy spent most of the day on the bathroom floor, trying hard not to pass out - and probably wishing for a quick death. I knew I needed to call for backup.
I invited my mother-in-law to come and die with us. Inviting her to her doom was not pleasant, but I didn't know what else to do. If Daddy and I were both too sick to move, who would take care of the little ones? She graciously accepted the offer, figuring she wouldn't get sick and could take care of us all. Before she arrived, the Little Miss became victim #3. Dear God, no.....
I ran around all day making sure everyone was cared for, and trying to get ready for my own impending doom. Thankfully at least, the Little Man was beginning to feel like his own precocious self once again.
Thursday morning I awoke feeling lousy. This is it. Dear God, please, have mercy! All I could think about was getting dehydrated and not being able to feed my little one. What then? How could I monitor her for dehydration if I was posted in the bathroom? Somehow, the sickness seemed to have lost its intensity by the time it hit me. Something like the way a hurricane dies down with time, going over land. Thank you God! I felt lousy all day, but couldn't do much about it - two little ones wanted me at all times.
My mother-in-law was a trooper. She washed laundry and dishes. Entertained little ones. Made toast and rice and soup and jello. For the first time in...ever, really...I was glad she was sticking around. On Friday when Daddy had to go back to work, his mom wound up sick in the bathroom. She wanted to go back to her own house so she wouldn't reinfect anyone - but I went into panic-mode thinking about being home alone with my little ones! What if...what if...what if???? She stayed on for moral support.
One of the stories I read to my son during this time of illness came from his Beginner's Bible. It told of a man who had so much faith in Jesus' power, that he asked Jesus to simply say the word and the man's servant would be healed. Jesus was, after all, in charge of the illness and it must obey Him. It was a good reminder to me during these turbulent days. I prayed that Jesus would once again, simply say the word and heal us all. And after hearing so many others talk about their own horrible two-week long (or longer) experiences with the same thing, I feel blessed indeed.
Only one last thought to add: when my stomach was at its worst, I prayed
God, if this has to be the stomach bug or pregnancy, PLEASE let me get the bug!
