Posts Tagged ‘Hannah Michelle’
Au revoir, or, Good-bye Paris
Posted on: July 15, 2010
- In: Life
- 17 Comments
In my heart of hearts, God had been asking me for months to be okay with “letting go” of our anniversary trip to Paris. Through all the planning and saving, I safe guarded my heart from putting my hope in a Parisian trip. Know what? We aren’t going. Instead we started planning for a different trip; Ireland. Guess what? We aren’t going there either. So we planned to go to Toronto. Guess what? {Oh you guessed it!} We aren’t going.
Slowly all of our plans fell apart. One night, while nearly in tears, I told Jonathan, “I don’t really care where we go, so long as it’s just you and me.” As each new plan failed I was losing hope of ever getting time away with Jon. Then Tuesday night, something “major” happened. Julia knocked off my wedding bouquet from on top of my dresser. The delicate flowers I had painstakingly preserved for nearly 5 years were shattered. Thankfully {for her} I was 1) in total shock that is happened, 2) Jonathan was coming home in minutes. As he walked in the door I literally ran out it.
As I was running through our neighborhood I wondered, “Why do I care so much about those roses? I’m not a sentimental person in that way. What’s so upsetting about those roses?”. And it hit me. My wedding bouquet is a reminder of that life. The life before kids. The life of just Sarah and Jon. The life where we could afford to visit Paris. Where our only daily concerns were what to eat for dinner. Where it was just us. The life that seems better.
By the time I got home, I wasn’t ready to go back inside, so decided to mow the lawn. As I reached the backyard, Julia came running outside yelling “Mama!” She was thrilled beyond words to see me {even though I’d been gone less than 30 minutes}. She jumped up and down and waved to me simply beaming.
And it hit me. This life is better. Not the before-kids life. Not the jet setting life. This messy, poop-filled, lack of sleep life is better. Jon and I would not be who we are without the Windhamettes. Our relationship would not be what it is without them. Those roses were gone the moment I found out I was pregnant. They were replaced with less glamourous cloth diapers and sippy cups. And while I deeply cherish my time with Jon, I think it’s only been made sweeter and more precious because of the Windhamettes.
So now, as we have finally settled on a weekend trip and have loving people caring for our girls {Thanks Abdos!!} we are thrilled to be getting time away, time alone. Not because we want what we had, but to make what we have even better.
She ain’t no chikin
Posted on: July 10, 2010
- In: Life
- 2 Comments
Yesterday a herd {haha!} of us celebrated Chick-fil-A’s Cow Appreciation Day. Chick-fil-A just so happens to be one of my favorite places to eat. Ever. And I do recall once saying that if Iowa City ever got a Chick-fil-A I would be willing to live here for forever. They came. And I’m staying true to my word.
Being the totally awesome mama that I am, I walked out leaving our camera on the countertop. Yep. I am so smart. But thankfully Leah caught the above photo and a few others, like this one:
Clearly, Julia was under-dressed. This was our first “CAD” so I didn’t realize just how stiff the competition was going to be. But I’ll be prepared next year, don’t you worry. I might even get myself something like this.
The loss of a faithful companion
Posted on: July 8, 2010
- In: Life
- 9 Comments
Over the weekend, my mei tai went missing. I know yesterday I told everyone that something tragic happened, and while to some you might laugh at my overstatement, it really has been a very sad loss for me and Bear.
I love baby-wearing. I found with Julia that it helped her sleep better and that with Hannah it helps her feel “a part of things”. I’ve tried three different types of carriers and the mei tai has stolen my heart. When Hannah was little, I would wear her in a pouch on my chest, now as she’s gotten older I wear her on my hip or back. The mei tai is the easiest for me to use, because it’s not complicated {and I really can’t do complicated, trust me}. There have been times when I literally don’t take off my mei tai for hours. Nowadays, it’s getting less and less use – maybe a few times a week. Why? Because as Hannah walks more she likes being carried less. Same was true for Julia. But, when we go out, I still carry her most of the time.
Saturday we went to the Iowa City Jazz Festival. I carried Hannah for the first half, but she began squirming out so she could play with the other kids. Typically I might just leave the mei tai on, if there’s a chance Hannah will want back in, but I knew that wasn’t likely. So I just wrapped it up and carried it with us. When I went to get the mei tai from the car on Sunday I couldn’t find it. I’ve turned the house, garage and car upside down looking for it, but found nothing. Tears between Hannah and I have been shed. Especially yesterday, when all she wanted to was be held all day long. I got out my other wraps but she revolted against them. Sad, long day.
“Oh mei tai, thank you for you faithful 2+ years of service. You were a wonderful carrier and I love you. Sorry you had to leave so soon.
Love,
One Sad Baby-Carrying Mama”
The night we ran out of diapers
Posted on: July 1, 2010
- In: Life
- 6 Comments
Because of some mama laziness forgetfulness, we didn’t have any disposable diapers for Hannah on Tuesday night. See, we’ve never done cloth over night with the girls, only disposables. Originally, with Julia we didn’t want anything else {wet cloth diaper} contributing her already bad sleeping habits. And with Hannah, well it’s just easier. That is, until you forget to buy diapers.
Which is why I love cloth diapers. No matter what, I always have them. I can reuse them. They go through multiple children. And depending on what style you get, they last the same child for their whole diapering life. Not to mention, they are really cute. You’d be surprised at how many people compliment us on Hannah’s wraps.
Especially the cow prints {which happen to be my favorite}.
We made it through Tuesday night without issue. And again Wednesday night. I still haven’t gotten disposables. I’m getting hooked on using cloth overnight and not planning to turn back any time soon. Eek!
For more TILT, visit Jill at Diaper Diaries.
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
12 month photo project is a challenge started by Tara Whitney. Here’s what you do:
- Take a photo of your family once a month.
- Write a few things about that month.
- Make it into a book at the end of the year.
June just might be my favorite month. Well, actually, I have 4 favorite months and June just happens to be one of the four.
Hannah turned 1 two weeks ago. It was an amazing time of fellowship with our friends and family. Having her turn 1 seems far more surreal than with Julia. Now that Hannah is getting older, that just means Julia is getting even older. A very bittersweet feeling. As for The Bear, she’s a walking machine. From her first step, it took her a few weeks to really gain confidence – but now – now she wiggles out of my arms until I put her down so she can walk. She refuses to wear shoes, which doesn’t surprise me in the least given Julia’s original reaction to them.
As for Julia Mabel, we are getting some where in the “Why?” department. Last week I started a new rule that she needs to ask full sentence questions {“Mama, why are we going for a walk?”} to help 1) stop her asking so many why’s and 2) make her think through her questions. Oddly enough, the full sentences haven’t slowed her down nearly as much. They did for a couple of days, but not any more. But, I think we’re both less frustrated by the question/answer conversations because we are having just that, a conversation. Secretly I wish there were a way to get paid every time she asks “why?”. I think I could easy use that money to pay for both girls to go to an Ivy League university.
Jonathan officially left his PhD program. He had resigned in May, but after some processing, decided that perhaps he needed to stay in the program after all. As it was, he was enrolled in the Department of Engineering {DE} but doing research under the School of Library and Information Science {SLIS}. Jon regularly sees his advisor from SLIS but never from DE. When he went to speak to his DE advisor, he was informed that too much time had lapsed between his comprehensive exams and dissertation so he would need to retake the comprehensive exams {and a few classes?}. Well, long story short, he decided enough was enough and he left the program. It was hard on him at first, but as time goes on he’s feeling like he made the right decision.
It seems like every month goes by faster. It’s been a joy to reflect back each month a really take everything in.
A few weeks back, Leah posted about her strawberry patch and beginning harvest. Since she’s had such abundance she’s been sharing with all her friends. She gave me a call one morning to tell me I could come pick some strawberries if I’d like. Oh yeah. We headed over after naps. I spent all of 15 minutes picking berries and came home with this:
Funny enough, that’s actually only half of what I picked. For every 2 I put in, Julia ate 3. I’m not even joking. Notice the quickly abandoned graham cracker at the bottom of the strainer? I’d given it to her at the beginning as bribe for not eating the berries. It didn’t work.
Once we got home, the Windhamettes and I sat outside in the hot summer air eating fresh picked strawberries and whipped cream.
Hannah was especially delighted.
Happy Father’s Day!
Posted on: June 20, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
I can’t even begin to tell you all just how much I love Jonathan as a father. He is truly the dad to the Windhamettes that I always wanted as a girl. He is kind and loving. He is thoughtful, affectionate and ever-giving. He showers them with attention that only a father can do. It is beautiful and has brought me much healing in regards to father/daughter relationships. I am more than blessed to share this life with him. More than blessed to have him as the father of two vivacious girls. In every sense he has truly earned, not the title of father, but the prize of being called a daddy.
Happy Father’s Day, Jonathan! I love you and can’t tell you enough for how amazing of a father you are! Thank you for sacrificing for our family and for striving to stay the course with your Heavenly Father so that you can continue being the father our girls need.
My Hannah, My Precious
Posted on: June 15, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
One year ago today, Hannah Michelle graced us with her presence in this world. It has been one amazing adventure and I can’t imagine life without her laughter, smile, and snuggly hugs and kisses. The first 6 weeks of adjusting to life with two children were rocky {that’s being polite} and I seriously thought I would not make it. But as time progressed, things got easier {actually, does raising kids get easier, or do we just learn to cope better??}.
I must admit, I was smitten with Hannah from the beginning. Her features reminded me so much of Julia but her temperament was almost opposite {she slept 6 hours straight the third night she was home – Julia didn’t sleep 6 hours straight till she was 4 months old}. And now? Now, she continues to remind us she is her own person in every right. Hannah loves to eat and will make it known when she’s hungry and you aren’t getting her food fast enough. She will sit in her high chair and growl/grunt/scream until you hand over the food. It’s quite a sight.
One of my favorite things about Hannah is her cuddling. She wants to lay in my lap and just hug and snuggle. Not all the time, but when she does, it melts my heart. She’s becoming quite the walker and talker. Her favorite words are “mama”, “papa”, “bye” and “moll” {short for Molly, her bear}. Hannah has started to attempt “Julia” but mostly gets “ju” at best. But, she loves her big sister and when they get to laughing, I see a joy that makes any hardship in mothering completely worth it.
Reading Dr. Seuss' ABCs to Grandpa
Hannah, my precious daughter, you are a delight and joy to my life. Your presence in this family is irreplaceable. The joy you have brought Daddy, Julia and me can’t even be described. This last year has been amazing and we look forward to many, many more years.
What a weekend, what a party
Posted on: June 14, 2010
- In: Life
- 3 Comments
We hosted the “Party of all Parties” this weekend. We wanted to celebrate the remodeling of the kitchen {and show off the new place to those who hadn’t seen it}, rejoice in making it a whole year with two kids and to, well, party.
Here are some highlights:
Kids playing soccer
Hannah showing them how it's done
Balancing acts
Mingling
Cute babies
A bear cake for The Bear {Hannah's nickname}
Debating on eating cake
Sampling the icing {Omi giving her some encouraging words}
Digging right in!
"Omi, did you try this cake? Holy cow, it's good!"
And no party with the Windhamettes would be complete without a little crying.
It's my party and I'll cry if I want
- In: Life
- 8 Comments
I love painted toenails. And when it comes to painted toenails on little girls, heart be still. However, getting my 2 yo and almost-1 yo to hold still long enough while the polish dries is impossible. Inevitably, the polish ends up smeared, rubbed off or all over my bathroom counter. Then I found a solution: 60 second quick dry polish.
You gotta love a product that makes these cuties look even cuter!
H's toes
J's toes
Hello Summer and cute baby toes!
For more Things I Love Thursday, check out Jill at Diaper Diaries.
A Wife Loved Like The Church 
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