Soon She'll Kick You, Too

It's past time for an update on the impending birth of Baby #2 (formerly known as Breech Baby). Big Sister is TERRIBLY impatient for the arrival, and while FunnyWriterMommy appreciates the time to work and clean and (occasionally) rest, she hurts enough to be getting impatient, too.

It's not that I hurt. I'm just so sore. I was thinking that as I was tossing and turning flailing around like an overturned turtle around 3:30 this morning. "Gosh, I'm so sore that I can't wait until the baby is born. It will be so nice to be able to sleep flat on my stomach and whip around to my back or side at whim." I'll welcome all that other pain and soreness this time, just because it won't be in my lower back anymore.

Ellie, on the other hand, is just plain eager. The other day, she laid with her head on my stomach, rubbing absentmindedly with her hand. "When will we get to see Baby Meggie? We would have her by now if Dr. Dood wasn't in the way," she said wistfully. (Never question the mind of a two year old!) She has also been known to walk in to the room and say, "I just want to see her!" Mommy and Daddy do, too, honey. The sweetest two incidences happened this week (Monday and Thursday respectively): I woke Ellie up early so we could go to our doctor's appointment, and Ellie said, "Again?! Will Dr. Dood finally give us Baby Meggie?" Aww. Then yesterday Ellie picked up Megan's adorable little white Sunday dress, and I told her that we would put Megan in that and take her to church. Daddy asked, "Can we take Meggie to church with us?" Ellie jumped up and down and said, "And I'll hold her hand!" Seriously? Adorable.

As for the real update that extends beyond our eagerness (and slight anxiety at times), all systems are go for an early February arrival. Dr. Dood reported that it doesn't appear that we'll need to induce unless we go past Brett Favre's amazing Super Bowl victory on the 3rd. Instead, we just wait with bags packed and Eric & Julie's number on speed dial so that they can take Ellie while we go have a baby. Then, six glorious weeks to spend with my girls and not working . . . aside from dishes, meals, diapers (those things are small!!), naptimes, nursing, cleaning up toys, fending off jealousy with my amazing mothering skills, maintaining our potty training successes . . . but, come mid March I'll have to do all of that WHILE working. So these six weeks will be heaven.

By way of another update, I'm next on the new mother doting list. Congrats to the five down and best wishes to the five still to come. May I join the list before all of you. ;)

Give me an "S"! Give me a "U"!

SUCCESS!!! It's a beautiful word . . . and it's amazing to see it written on your child's face.

Only 2 1/2 months after we started, we have it! We're POTTY TRAINED!!

Yay, Super Big Girl!

We felt like the moment was here, but it became clear this past weekend.

Just after Christmas: Thinking that we had a good long time with Trying to Be A Big Girl alone with Mommy during the long break, we decided to wear Big Girl Underwear. First attempt also included plastic pants. We peed. In our pants. And continued playing. Second attempt included only the Big Girl Underwear. And a puddle. The carpet can be cleaned, and no one can duplicate the look on I Really Want to Be a Big Girl's face when she puddled. "Take me to the bathroom!!" became a common refrain over the next few days.

Friday, January 4: Pull-ups on because we were en route to THE AIRPORT TO PICK UP SOLDIER BOMPA and then to lunch with the newly reunited family. Mommy didn't hope for too much on the potty front, so she even packed an extra pull-up. Ever-Eager To Surprise Girl asked to go with both Mommy and Daddy when they had to go to the bathroom, though she did head toward the "Big Girl Bathroom" instead of the "Big Boy Bathroom" in the restaurant when Daddy was walking with her. She surprised everyone at turning the correct direction when Daddy said, "Go to your left." (So she knows her directions?! Yes. Before she can potty consistently. Nice.)

Sunday, January 6: Celebrating Christmas at Bompa & Gramma's house . . . there is no way Big Girl Underwear is a good idea. We tried it. AND IT WORKED!!! But will it work without Mommy and Daddy around?

Monday, January 7: Oh, yes it will! Definitely Big Girl stayed dry for a one-hour car ride, all day long, and even cried when she woke up pottying in the middle of the night. WHOA.

Seriously. Clearly a Big Girl lives here.

P.S.
Monday, December 31: The whole family went to the doctor to get a small picture of our schedule for the next month as we checked on Breech Baby. The doctor poked and poked and happily declared that she is No Longer Breech Baby. Then, said baby head butted Mommy. She was still declared, "Good girl, Baby Meggie!" (by her big sister, no less!)

Another Year Is Dawning

I missed singing one of my favorite songs to close out 2007, so I'll share it here:
Another year is dawning!
Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting,
Another year with Thee;
Another year of leaning
Upon Thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting,
Of quiet, happy rest.

Another year of mercies,
Of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness
In the shining of Thy face;
Another year of progress,
Another year of praise,
Another year of proving
Thy presence all the days.

Another year of service,
Of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training
For holier work above.
Another year is dawning!
Dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven,
Another year for Thee.

2007 closed out so beautifully, meeting, embracing, and hugging old friends--and new ones in the form of a darling nearly one-year-old girl from Ethiopia & Oregon. It truly was a lovely ending to a hard and beautiful year.

It's interesting to stand on this side of 2008, the dawning of another year, and wonder what it will bring. To whom will we say goodbye this year? Whom will we greet with the wonder and celebration of new life? Whom will we treasure and draw closer than ever before, and from whom will we grow apart? There is certainly great comfort in knowing that whatever this year may bring, whether we face it with ourselves or loved ones on earth or else in heaven, it will truly be another year lived in the grace, wonder, awe, beauty, and tender arms of God.

A new year is nothing without New Year's Resolutions--the kind that will hopefully become new ways of life rather than something I chuckle about in twelve short months.

In the year of our Lord 2008, I resolve to:
1) Cook with more veggies (thank you Jessica Seinfeld and Deceptively Delicious)
2) Think--and speak--positively rather than critically
3) Potty train our toddler
4) Welcome our darling Megan into our home as she has already been welcomed in to our hearts
5) Cherish our time with both of our daughters--especially since one will be in school already in the fall
6) Pursue publishing something I wrote years ago and swore I would publish one day
7) Spend less money and pay off more debt
8) Make real progress toward living the life I was made for and looking like the One I love and Who loves me far more than I am capable of dreaming
9) Celebrate the quiet, happy rest of Sabbath--true Sabbath