Step #2 Setting up the Nursery

Aaaah, I feel so much better. I have been spending a little bit of time setting up the nursery for the new baby and I am feeling a lot more prepared. I lugged the appropriate boxes upstairs and dug out all sorts of required baby stuff and clothing. Man, babies need a lot of stuff! I still need to fix the crib bumber--the last child ripped off all of the ties--and do a few more things but it is coming along.

Five more weeks to go . . . .

What's so great about Jan. 20th?

It happens to be my birthday, but to the rest of the US, it is inauguration day. Every four years, as prescribed by the 20th amendment (there's that 20 again) we go through the ceremony on January 20th, on my birthday. I always thought it was kind of cool to have a birthday that is a date specifically mentioned in the constitution . . .

I generally refrain from talking about anything political on my blog. I find it hard to make a strong stand on most political issues--mostly because I feel that the limited information that I get from the media is hardly enough to make an informed decision. But there is one thing that has got me thinking.

All of this passion and fury surrounding this inauguration is outrageous. I mean, do we ever have street parties celebrating the shift of power IN OTHER COUNTRIES? Do we normally have the president of the United States in EVERY TABLOID magazine? Do people normally cry TEARS OF JOY over a political representative? And do Americans normally ask about the CLOTHING LABELS of politicians? Go ahead and call me bitter because I sorta like Bush--and I sorta think he should have someone celebrating him. But I can put together a solid case with solid evidence that people don't like Obama because he has brilliant policy ideas.

Nope people like him because he has become a celebrity.

Our nation (partly including me, I'll admit) is obsessed with celebrities and Obama fits the bill. Good looking. Check. Young. Check. Fashionable. Check. Charismatic. Check. Pretty family. Check. Oh yeah, and he also does know a little bit about public policy--but I couldn't tell you how much so he doesn't get a check.

The one thing that I am happy about right now is that Obama is trying to infuse some hope into the American people. All his rhetoric is about realism but hope, "we will persevere," kind of stuff. And I think (get ready because here is a real opinion) that at this time, giving all of us hope and perspective could in and of itself do a lot to fix some of the economic problems.

Christmas Nativity Pillows

Sorry this is so late but I have wanted to post some pictures of gifts I made for some friends. I embroidered four sets of nativity pillows and I wanted to show them off just a little. Only because, for me, it was a big project.

Step #1: The Big Bed

In my resolution to make strides to be ready for our new baby, we bought some bunk beds and are attempting to have Nicolas and Alisa share them. It has been almost two weeks and they are doing surprisingly well. Nothing is ever perfect (her coughing woke me up . . .) but all in all I have been shocked that it is going so well. In fact, both of them actually LIKE sharing a room. I guess there is some comfort to sleeping in a room with someone else. I was telling them that Nicolas and the new baby would someday share a room and Alisa adamantly protested that she likes her bunk bed and sharing a room.

I don't know why this picture turned out blurry but I can't take another one right now and you get the idea. Cute huh? But um, they are blue. Alisa had to have an all girl bed spread in order to offset the "boy" bunk bed. Man, by the time I bought the beds, mattress, sheets and cover blanket, I was wondering if we were going to be able to buy food for the month.



Six more weeks to go . . .

33rd Week

I haven't said too much about being pregnant on this blog, but guess what, I still am. And not just a little, I am in the 33rd week, cellulite to my ankles, wedding ring doesn't fit, heartburn in my chest, are we there yet, part of pregnancy. On top of that, I just saw a picture of myself from Christmas and, I promise, my belly isn't the only part of me that is bigger than normal. I think I've thought through this whole pregnancy thing a bunch of times but the other day I had a rude awakening. You want to know what it is? Not only do I have to go through pregnancy, but I am going to have a BABY in a few weeks. If I were a swearer, I think I might insert an appropriate one here because, believe it or not, all this consideration of pregnancy barely takes into account a baby.

I know you'd think it would be obvious but . . . .

The catalyst for this was a trip to Wal-mart where I got to thinking, "well maybe I should buy a couple of binkies just in case that little baby decides to come early." But that escalated to, desitin, diapers, socks, wipes, shampoo. . . . Yikes. I dropped the whole idea and didn't buy any baby stuff. But then I really got to thinking: I have no car seat, Alisa is still using the crib, Alisa is still sleeping in the nursery and has to learn to sleep in a real bed, all of the baby clothes are packed unsorted and unwashed, I don't know where the crib bumper, boppy, baby bouncer or spit-up cloths are and (holy moly) I am still unpacking regular stuff. Oh yeah, and we've hardly broached the subject of a name.

I am not worried too much about getting it all sorted out; that will happen. I am a little bit more worried about my mental state. I am so emotionally unprepared that I haven't put an ounce of thought or energy into preparing. Is something wrong with me?

Well, maybe this "rude awakening" is just that for me: an awakening of the upcoming reality. This will be my start to get things in order and to remind myself that I am going to have to spend inordinate amounts of time, money, and energy caring for a tiny person very soon. I hope I can cope.