Thursday, April 30, 2009
The perfect family?
M and I were talking recently about people's reactions when we tell them we're having a boy. I can't tell you how many people have said to both of us, "Oh, the perfect family, a boy and girl!" It always kind of sets me back to hear that. First, because the idea is so prevalent. Secondly because, "Do they really feel that way?" Is one boy and one girl some sort of ideal? And what if you wanted a boy first and then a girl? Is it less perfect then?

When I was growing up I would have told you my ideal family was twin boys. I wanted everything done in one pregnancy and I wanted boys. I was baffled by girls, even then. I was never a girlie girl and didn't relate. I wasn't prepared to raise a girl. So, of course, our first child was a girl. And I wouldn't have had it any other way. I love my daughter. I love her girlie-ness. I love Emma and all of her individuality.

I will now admit that I wanted a boy next. Only because I personally wanted the experience of both, and because I wanted M to have a son. It wasn't because I thought one boy and one girl was some measure of perfection. Seriously, for some people one child is perfect. They can balance their lives better that way and it is completely fulfilling. If someone has two boys already, everyone assumes a third pregnancy is trying for a girl. But plenty of people love boys and want more boys, and vice versa. The implication is that somehow they're "missing out" if they don't have both. I mean, how do you account for people who have a girl and a boy, a perfect family, and then have more children? Are they greedy? Deranged? Why push your luck when you've already achieved perfection?

I guess the truth is a lot of people say things without thinking (You learn this lesson well when you are pregnant, trust me). In my mind there is no "perfect family." Everything is subjective. My personal feeling is that every child is an individual and they should be loved on their own merits, not because they're a girl or a boy. Be grateful for the gifts you're given.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Jack's gifts today
He received a hand-knit blanket, very soft and cuddly, and a summer outfit. I love the little baseball themed outfit and the hat that goes with this one is really cute. These came from two different ladies. Very nice.

The ugly truth
There, now you get to suffer with me. I'll bet you can't get to your eye bleach fast enough. This is what a twelve hour work day did to me today. Picture taken right after I took off my shoes and socks.

What's disturbing about this to me is that I usually have very slender ankles, even when I'm fat. This just freaks me out.

Monday, April 27, 2009
I must brag...
On some of the most wonderful ladies that it has been my experience to know. These are my friends from an online mommy group I joined in 2004 when I had Emma. We've been together nearly five years now. We're spread out all over the country and across the pond too. I've met several of them in person, but most I know only from our group (and now Facebook!) Being together for five years means we know each other pretty well now. Those of us who have met in real life always comment it's like meeting old friends. And we are!

Anyway, this group of ladies contributed to a magnificent bounty of gifts for Jack. I wanted to show you what we've received. And while you're enjoying the pictures you should appreciate the fact that all of it was produced by women within the group.

First, we have a picture of the diaper cake. Monkey themed for our little monkey boy ;) These pictures were taken pre-shipment and forwarded to me later.



Here the cake has safely arrived at our house.


Emma is playing with the monkey puppet from the top of the cake.


Inside the cake was a surprise filling...


Here's a little sleeper with adorable monkey feets! The cake also included two cute animal print diaper covers. Also, the giraffe and zebra on the cake matched the monkey and palm tree we already had on the wall next to Jack's changing table, so we added those yesterday.


In a separate package we received this incredibly cute little brag book. It has a jungle theme throughout and will be a terrific place to preserve family photos when Jack gets here.


We received two Target gift cards, one for Jack and one for Emma. Emma already spent hers on Ponyville items and a Scooby-Doo! movie. It was the first time she's ever gotten to go shopping for herself like that.


Today we received this package which was artfully packed with an assortment of personalized goodies for Jack. These were done by a gal on the board who has an embroidery business. Such great work!


Jack received two bibs, a blanket, a onesie, a basket and three diapers, all with his name on them. They even included a cute little apron personalized for Emma.



All of this generosity on the part of my friends makes me feel really special and I'm grateful to them for that and for the gifts. Thank you Shawnie for your organizational skills! Thank you for your handiwork Misty, Cindy and Sue, and thanks to everyone else who contributed to making the gifts possible! You all are the greatest!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Nice weekend
We've been home all weekend. Yesterday I got my kitchen cleaned up and that's about as far as I got before I pooped out. I did manage to take a shower. After that I spent most of the day on my hind end. Or as much as I could with an insistent four year-old needing something every ten minutes.

Today was family day, the one day of the week we all get to spend together. We did chores again this morning. I did laundry and cleaned Emma's room and M vacuumed my car, cleaned some windows and put in screens. In the afternoon we took Emma to the playground. She had a good time. It's been a while since we've gone there and she's much more independent than she used to be. After the playground we stopped by the store and got ice cream. Not a bad way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The playground has some new equipment they had to try out.



Daddy is trying to lead by example. Emma was reluctant to go down the tube slide.



Turns out she was right. She ended up giving herself a burn on her arm coming down.