In my high school days, I was inducted into Quill and Scroll (it's an honor's society for high school journalists). My Dad showed up unexpectedly, with a bouquet of yellow carnations and a big hug. That little moment of recognition, of letting me know that he saw me and my accomplishments was a big one for me.
On St. Valentine's Day, Daniel surprised us by making it home a little early and bringing a gorgeous bouquet of flowers for me and a single, beautiful, white rose and a tigger balloon for Anni. Knowing that Anni is shown love and respect by the most important man in her life right now gives me hope that she'll look for that same level of love and respect in future relationships.
We're entering the "almost three, I'm a big girl and cannot listen to anything you want/need/ask because that would mean I'm not doing it myself" phase. It brings with it lots of mommy and daddy desperately looking at each other trying to figure out the game plan is. However; it also brings amazingly detailed and vivid stories from this little girl's imagination, dance parties like you wouldn't believe and, a healthy dose of, "I yike you, mommy. I yike Daddy, too. Do you yike Daddy?" (The answer is yes, in case you were wondering.) It's all about hanging onto those moments through the screams of, "No, I DO IT," even if we were perfectly happy letting her do it. At least, as a 9 month pregnant woman... I can understand irrationality a little, even if I'm not as capable of patience as I should be.
Speaking of being 9 months pregnant (Lil' Bit and I reach our estimated due date tomorrow), Anni and I have been striving for a balance of "Do something" and "Get enough rest so that if this pre-labor actually turns into the real thing one night I'm not completely exhausted."
Valentine's Day went something like this. Me = very glad I had wandered through the Target dollar aisle a few weeks ago so I had some fun projects for us. We rolled out some pie crust we had leftover in the freezer and used some frozen raspberries to make some quick heart tarts for breakfast. I was hoping to use the strawberry vanilla jam my sister sent us from summer canning... but, it didn't want to give itself up (aka, I couldn't open it, I think I've required help the last few times... I've got to find a better way), which probably means it wanted me to use homemade crust, so it is getting saved for homemade mini poptarts for my hubby's weekly "mini poptart time" that he has with a team (not quite his team, but probably the closest he has since he's kind of his own department) at work.
Then, we rolled onto stickers, window clings and playing with the decorations (again, thank goodness for Target this time).
Then came afternoon. No really, that was our morning. Afternoon was mostly me lying half passed out on the bed, Anni reading books and watching the PBS kids app and then her both having a dance party and throwing fits (they somehow can happen one after the other...) while I made dough for our Valentine's calzones. whew. By the time Daniel walked through the door, I may have shed a few tears of exhaustion and happiness that he was there to help. Have I mentioned that he's just great?
The next day, some of our favorite people came to visit. I love that my friend made the plans and was perfectly okay that they were contingent upon labor, sickness and general feeling of our household... despite the fact that she has to drive half an hour to see us. I'm so grateful that we have such sweet friends in our lives!
Then came the weekend... glorious weekend. It's funny that a quick house showing and visit to the park wore me out completely and constituted a "busy" Saturday, but I'm okay with it. I'm allowing myself to take everything as slow as I want, even if every other 40 week pregnant woman is doing amazing things and feeling awesome. I'm just going to do my best not to worry about what's coming and maybe, just maybe, get caught up on the laundry.
PS Was there ever anything quite as wonderful as my hubby having a three day weekend? Because I'm pretty sure it's the best thing ever right now.
Neat post. Anni looks SO BIG in the first pic with the rolling pin. Wow.
ReplyDeleteThree is a tough age. Don't take the "no's" too personally, they move out of it (eventually). It's hard though, but have hope, it really does get better. Sure there are always difficulties, but three is just plain hard. Hang in there mama, you're doing great!
I have, on more than one occasion, almost resorted to calling our neighbor to open a jar. And I have called dear Jo next door to send her hubby over to kill spiders before. Shamelessly.
Blessings, I will remember you in my prayers this week.