Piano Recital

I love teaching piano. I've taught since I was 16, and took a small hiatus while away at college. Once I married and moved back to Tucson, I immediately began teaching piano again. It's a unique way of sharing a talent by helping others discover that talent themselves. It's also interesting how one can immediately tell if a child is musically inclined...or not. =)

I have a recital every spring for my students. They get to show off what they have learned, their parents get to take embarrassing video, and they can compare themselves to the previous year. Currently, I have limited myself to 4 students. Come this fall, that will pretty much double!

Last night was that recital - but this one was special. I'm doing something I've never done before -taking time off. I'm taking June and July off to have a baby, to spend time with my mother-in-law, and to play in the pool with Sariah. I said a heart-felt "see you in a couple months" to my students, and off we went to continue our lives.

So to you, my students. May you enjoy these few weeks of rest, of play, and of rejuvenation. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to making the best music possible.



Left to right:

Ali, Bailey, Hannah, Peter

My bag is packed!

The hospital bag. Yup - time to pack it. It's very interesting how one goes about packing their hospital bag. Me - I have a list, and have had a list for the last 3 months. As I think of random things, I put them on the list. Then, on top of the bag is a list of things to grab at the last minute. The last-minute items are those that are used everyday and can't be packed just yet, such as my toothbrush. Of course, the most important thing is that it is all carefully packed in the cutest overnight duffel you can find!




Here's my list:
nursing pads
nursing bras
tank-tops (for delivery because I hate hospital gowns)
underwear (no, garments are not comfortable after you've given birth. you need support.)
birth plan (yup...I have one. yup...I am flexible. it is a list of my wishes, should things be normal.)
2 onesies
2 pair pants
socks (for me and James)
toilet paper - the nice, expensive, soft kind. Have YOU ever had to rub that tough hospital TP in your private area after giving birth? NOT fun. So, I'm bringing my own.
swimsuit top for bathtub
pacifiers
2 blankets
travel-size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, etc.)

Last minute:
camera
toothbrush
hair stuff (gel, leave-in conditioner)
contacts
glasses
MP3 player (with hypnobirthing music, and other relaxing classical music for relaxation methods. Yes, I plan on doing this naturally.)
water bottle
pillow

Am I forgetting anything? Any suggestions of items you packed that you found helpful?

You've got to be kidding me...

I have a pretty high pain tolerance. Well...at least I like to THINK I do.

For example - my freshman year in college, I was a pedestrian hit by a car. No permanent damage to anything, but I did have a pretty messed up right leg, and left knee. It wasn't until after being in the hospital for about 6 hours that I finally asked for pain medication, and the shot of morphine to my hip was amazing.

When my backpain started to become more than I could bear, I questioned my super-hero power. Was I being a wimp? How bad was the sciatica, really?

Tonight, I received my answer. I went to the chiropractor (as I do twice a week because it makes the pain tolerable) this evening. I love this chiropractor. He specializes in prenatal sciatica because he's fascinated with pregnant women. Plus, he's very good at what he does.

Anyhow, he started beating on my lower back - like shoving around my pelvis. OUCH! What was he trying to do? Rotate it 180 degrees? I let him know that it was uncomfortable, but he kept on going. Long story short - my pelvis is severely tipped, which is aggravating the nerve.

My pelvis is TIPPED? Yup - this baby boy has TIPPED my pelvis off kilter. This begged the question of how bad my sciatica really was. These are his EXACT words:

"Your sciatica compares to those of elderly women who have severe arthritic scoliosis, and those who have been in very serious car accidents. I don't see prenatal sciatica like this often. In fact, the last time I saw it was 8 years ago with my wife. You have it bad."

There you have it. But holy cow!!! I have the lower back of an elderly woman with scoliosis and arthritis??? No wonder this thing hurts. Good thing for a husband with big, strong hands, and parents with a pool.

What Kind of Birth Do You Want?

First - I appreciate all the wonderful feedback and comments I got. You are all right. I need to be the one to make it happen. I knew I was doing something wrong, and that was it! I was waiting to be invited instead of doing the inviting. Thank you all. =)

Second...THIS is the birth I want. Probably won't happen, but one can dream, right???

The Person That Gets Invited

I consider blogging as my electronic journal. Sometimes I will share my thoughts and perspectives on things, and other times I will share silly and wild things. Some posts include pictures - others include just words.

This post is the latter, and encompasses my thoughts about good friends. More importantly - good girl friends.

I have friends. I am part of book club, I go to a play group, and I have friends that I will socialize with at church. BUT - I don't have friends that call me up for a girl's night. Jared and I don't have couples that we hang out with on a regular basis. This kind of bothers me because I know it's my own fault.

Don't you envy those girls who can make friends wherever they go? Not just good chit-chatty friends, but the kind of friend where they are instant best friends. Kind of like falling in love, but with a good girl friend. You love her, you love her kids, you love hanging out with her. I do have those kinds of friends - friends I absolutely adore, admire, and strive to be like. I want to call them and chat for an hour about nothing, or everything - whichever the moment calls for. But the feeling is not mutual. I may not be that friend for her. Well...I know I'm not. Haha, kind of like dating. =)

No no no, I'm not feeling sorry for myself. Please don't read this as one of "those" posts! I want to be better. I want to make friends. I want to be the couple that's called up for a game night, or a dinner night, or something FUN! Trouble is...I'm not quite sure how to be that person. I've invited myself along to things, and it seems as though the company is always glad I come. But it's kind of embarrassing when you ALWAYS invite yourself along, you know? I'm totally selfish and want to be invited. I don't feel left out, and I don't get jealous of the couples and other girls who do get to do these things. If anything, they make me want to be the kind of person that gets invited.

I actually made a step towards this - towards being a good friend. I figured that if I'm not going to get invited, then I'll do the inviting! Good idea, right? I got together a fun group of girls to go out to dinner last Friday. Well, guess what happened? I got hit with a major sinus infection and was so sick that I couldn't get off the couch. Total backfire!

OK, so it's been a very emotional day for many reasons that I really won't go into...and I now officially have fat ankles (to make matters worse). My thoughts just seem to come out because of the emotions that are running wild in my brain. I apologize for this, but know that you all will give great advice.

So here's to you! How do you become that friend that's invited, without inviting yourself to everything? How do you make good friends without being pushy, or inviting yourself to places where you may not be wanted? I hope I am making sense here! Let it all out - I'm looking for criticism, and anything you may have to offer. I am a difficult person to offend...I promise!

She's At It Again

More toothpaste.

And, to add to it, one of my headbands that got all tangled in her hair.

**Minty Fresh**

This morning, I awoke to a invigorating minty fresh smell.

When I finally opened my eyes, I discovered the source...




We usually end the day with a bath.

This morning, we started the day with one.

At least she smelled good!

One Day at a Time

Today is one of those days when:

* 6:30 am comes around, and I have my happy daughter climbing into bed with me. Not to snuggle, but to play. I am so tired that I can't even open my eyes, and selfishly ask Sariah to go read a book while I slowly become one of the living.

* 8:00 am comes around, it's barely 80 degrees outside, and I have a pair of sweaty pits that could rival any man after a 2 hour workout.

* my lower back hurts so bad, I physically could not get out of bed without saying a prayer asking the Lord to give me more physical strength.

* my baby boy is sitting so low that my pelvis is spread farther than I ever thought possible, making it very difficult to walk, sit, stand, or anything.

* I start to reconsider my resolve to not be induced, and think "Maybe I'll allow my doctor to induce me at 39 weeks to end this misery." But then again...maybe not. =)

* I wonder how I am going to make it 7 more weeks.

* I marvel at the amazing body, and all it does in its splendor to create another human life.

* I decide that I can't look out 7 weeks, because I'll get very discouraged. Rather, I decide to take it one day at a time, accomplish what I can in one day, and be grateful that I am even able to have another baby.

Mother's Day

Do you ever feel like you actually need the cape to get everything done that you need to? =)

Thankfully, I don't feel that I need a day out of the year to be appreciated. My husband loves me, and I know it. Sorry, but I do. My daughter loves me, and I know that as well. I always feel appreciated. I always feel loved. I always feel equal in this partnership we call parenting.

However, when Mother's Day rolls around, the "extra special" attention that I get it kind of nice. Sleeping in, getting a sweet card from my thoughtful spouse along with a brand new knife set that I desperately need, and a cute card from my offspring are all just icing on our family cake.

I love being a mother, and I am grateful for a family who appreciates all that mothers do. Never have I felt that my efforts go unnoticed, and that is because I married the right guy.

Happy Mother's Day to everyone! May your day be delightful.

"Spirited."

That is what Sariah has been described as by a behavioral therapist (a friend of mine of whom I was seeking advice), and her pediatrician.

I can think of a few synonyms.

Stubborn.

Passionate.

Determined.

Smart.

Loving.

Independent.

Adventurous.

So when it looks like this outside:


...and Sariah INSISTS on wearing her jacket to go outside, who am I to try and tell her it's too hot? Think she'll listen to me anyway?

32 Weeks - Going by way too fast

We now officially have less than 8 weeks to go. I am getting more excited by the minute for this little baby! I feel a little more prepared, but we still need to get everything arranged in the "nursery" to allow for 2 children to fit.

I had my 32-Week doctor's appointment today, and here's how it went:

Weight gain: 15.8 pounds (perfect for me)

Blood Pressure: 108/61 (perfect)

Baby's Heart Rate: Perfect for him...although I'm not sure of the exact number

Baby's Placement: LOW LOW LOW (NOT perfect for my sciatica and my severe pelvic pain)

Contractions: 1-2 an hour (normal)

Cervix: Long and closed, but there is a slight change. Nothing to be concerned about, but a possible indication that I may not make it to July 1, my due-date (YAY!). Maybe a Father's Day baby?

All is well in the ol' uterus!

Adoration

Sariah ADORES her father.

Always has:





Always will.

So, when Dad is doing "work," Sariah has to help. Dad can't do anything without Sariah's "help."





(Helping Dad fix the sprinklers.)

NOTE: I maybe should have saved this post for Father's Day...but I have a special post cooking up for that.

No "Right" Words

When it comes to describing our girl, there are no right words. Just feelings.