May 21, 2008
Tea Time
We're getting a nice new flow to life. I'm up to two cups of tea a day which is why I'm allowing myself to sit down rather than clean the house or do dishes. It's hard to do those tasks while drinking (and enjoying) a cup of PG Tips. Both kids are asleep. Joanna said as I laid her down, "No hugs, no kisses, no songs." And I heard no peep out of her. We're wiped out these days. So here are some pictures of our lives.
I've realized that I need to spend more quality time with Joanna, to show her love, to make her feel special, to help her be sleepy at nap time. We've gone to this stream at Forest Park several times to throw rocks in the water, wade, and float things down the stream. It's a wonderful little spot for a picnic.
Joanna has her moments of being frustrated with Sam...usually when she wants me at the same time as he needs me. But she loves to help change his diaper, sing him to sleep, and hold his hand.
I've really been wanting to get back into exercising after not having the energy during Sam's pregnancy. Sadly I realized the only way to fit it in is to get up at 6:00 in the morning (this is SUPER) early for me. Kirk keeps the kids so I not only get to exercise but I get to be by myself which is a wonderful way to start the day. I'm alternating between pilates and running.
I've had a lot of fun working on my business. I got an e-mail from one of my best friends from middle/high school the other day and she ordered two onsies for her daughter. It was fun to connect with her again...and to make some money. These onsies aren't being made for anyone in particular but to put on my LittleKnots shop. I'm trying to build up my inventory when I have down time. It's great for someone to order something I already have made and all I have to do is mail it! I ordered new business cards which I will give to anyone interested when they arrive. I'm not good at promoting myself so you can promote for me if you'd like a stack of them.
Posted by sarahward at 2:32 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
February 25, 2008
Life in the Fast Lane
As long promised...a personal blog entry. I'd like to say that life in the fast lane is slowing down. Last week was my last week of watching Maddie Eisenbraun one day a week. Next week will be my last week of Monday night girls' Bible study (anyone interested in taking my place?). Although with these things coming to a close I have increased my OBGYN appointments to once a week. Kirk's life is also slowing down. His responsibilities in South City are slowing down and choir season is slowing down.
Today I went to my doctor and she said that I'm 2 cm dilated (that's 2 of the 10 you have to be when you begin the "pushing" phase of labor). So that was a good shock to get me moving to get ready for the birth of this baby. He's not due for another 4 weeks but will be considered full term on Friday. I'm trying not to get my hopes up for an early delivery, I could be dilated at 2 cm for 5 more weeks before going into labor. But it's definitely given me a kick in the maternity pants to register myself at the hospital and figure out exactly what we'll do with Joanna when I go to the hospital...who would like to be called in the middle of the night for "Joanna duty?" My labor was induced with Joanna so I have this fear that I won't have any idea when I'm going into labor. Any tips from fellow moms?
I'd also like to write some more about things I've been thinking through: What should worship look like for me with a toddler? What should I expect Joanna to behave like in church? What's acceptable and what's not? When Joanna gets older, what are the pros and cons to children's church? I hope to write more on this later and would love some feedback.
Posted by sarahward at 5:01 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
October 19, 2007
Why I Rarely Blog
The house is quiet, Joanna's napping, Kirk's at work, and all of our company has left. I've put off writing an update for long enough. I'm just starting month 5 of my pregnancy and God has graciously taken away most of my morning sickness. I'm still weary and like to take a nap or at least head for bed no later than 9:30. My belly has begun to "pop" out and in two more weeks we'll find out the gender of our baby.
Two weeks ago we spent about 5 days down in the Chattanooga area so that Kirk could play with his dad in his James Ward Homecoming Concert at Covenant College. It was a wonderfully crazy time of being with family, seeing old friends, and attending homecoming events.
The following week Auntie Anna came to stay with us while she attended CCDA. She was gone a lot but had extra days before and after the conference to hang out with me and run around with Joanna. It was great to have her here over the weekend while Kirk drove back down to Chattanooga for his grandfather's memorial service.
Anna left on Monday, Kirk returned on Monday, and my parents arrived on Monday. There were here for about 3 days of crazy fun. Joanna has been on such a high from all the company. She finally said "Granny," though she usually called my mom "Grandma." We shopped, we sat around chatting, we helped "Baba" build a cover for his truck, and we watched "Pride and Prejudice." It was such a refreshing time with my mom to talk about stuff going on in my life, I'm so thankful for such a wise and godly mother. So, I'm pretty wiped out now and miss time alone with my hubby. I'm glad it's the weekend and we'll get to catch up.
Posted by sarahward at 1:59 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
September 14, 2007
New Babies
It's been a rough past few months of frequent trips to the bathroom to relieve my nasea, much time spent horizontal (in bed or on the couch watching Looney Toones with Joanna), and not much work getting done by me. But I'm almost through the first trimester and feel like the morning sickness and exhaustion are lessening. We're really weary...all of us. I'm not good at asking for help or being helped. Kirk's tired of doing all the dishes all the time and having a sick wify. Joanna's tired of Mommy not being energetic. But God has been so good to us and sure has taught me a lot about the importance and gift that prayer is.
This is our other new baby. Well, not this one exactly, but this is it. We got it yesterday and are SO excited!!!
Posted by sarahward at 8:47 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
July 12, 2007
Roar
Life's been crazy, thus no blogging lately. But this week has been wonderfully normal. I've managed to roll out of bed to exercise each morning, I've changed my routine to have my devotions during snack/tea time even though Joanna is awake (she butts in now and then but we pray and sing together at the end which is so special). This results in two entire hours of nap time that can be used to get work done. Wow, I never realized how long two hours could be (except when playing soccer with bad shin splints and going into over-time).
I've been thinking so much lately about discipline...and "reproof" and how that fits into the life of a 1 1/2 year old. How much can she understand? What is she ready to learn? How do I reach the heart of such a little, bitty girl to show her that throwing a tantrum is sin and not coming when I first call her is disobedience? Is she too young? Do I expect too much of her?
I've also been spending time on my business. I got a huge-to-me order last week. Three sets of matching onsie, hat, jingle ball. But thankfully two of the onsies are an easy design and I already had one in my inventory. It was fun to crochet again...makes me look forward to winter and making Joanna and new winter hat. I also received a onsie order from my mom for my cousin whose wife just had a baby (the onsie is pictured above). It's so fun to create and try new things. I feel like I have so many ideas of things I'd like to try. Which reminds me...I've started a new blog for the purposes of sharing craft ideas. I welcome any and all fellow crafters to join in the authorship of the blog. (It's under construction now and will be receiving a new name and awesome banner designed by Neil. But check it out anyway and let me know if you'd like to join us.)
Posted by sarahward at 2:46 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBack
September 23, 2006
Caps for Sale
I made this hat for Joanna and it took only 1 day. So I decided to try my hand at selling some. I just began an Etsy account and you can check it out at any time. I hope to have some more on there soon. Please give me your feedback.
Posted by sarahward at 2:36 PM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
August 22, 2006
BACK OFF!
Well, I ought to be addressing my sister's prayer letter envelopes but I haven't blogged in forever. Joanna and I got back yesterday afternoon from a weekend trip to Indianapolis. A cousin and I drove out there for another cousin's bridal shower. It was a very emotional trip for me. It's funny how life changes you...I felt like the person I most related to was my aunt (my mom's older sister). I think it's just because she was missing her husband and understood my feelings of not being "whole" because I wasn't with Kirk (and can't sleep well without him by my side). Motherhood changes you too...my life is so different than that of a single person. I can't just live life on a whim, Joanna's gotta eat and sleep...and I have to put those needs of hers before my own. Joanna has also reached the point of mobility. She can roam free and touch and chew on anything in the room she sees. Life now gets to be so much more difficult. So, I was emotional because I missed Kirk so much and it was hot. But I'm off the subject now. Lately I think one of the aspects of motherhood that I'm most struggling with is the fact that I can't even go grocery shopping without having to stop and let people gawk at my daughter. How should I deal with this? I think some of my frustration comes from the fact that I am an introvert and would prefer to be able to do my shopping and not have anyone even notice me. So, there was a lot of "gawking" at the bridal shower. Wonderful women wanted to help me with Joanna which I really appreciated but it's hard to freely release my flesh and blood to total strangers and not feel a little anxious. But what I had to realize was that while I was getting stressed and feeling claustophobic, Joanna was having a blast. So how do I find the balance of sharing my daughter with people and protecting her from too much people. Advice?
And for all of the wonderful women in my church, please don't be offended by this entry. I love the way you care about Joanna and show her so much special love.
Posted by sarahward at 4:24 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBack
June 21, 2006
A Mommy Morning
It's been an interesting morning already. Woke up at 6:30 to Joanna talking away in her crib (this is pretty typical and a pleasant way to wake up rather than a loud, beeping alarm). Had to pump as I do most mornings which gives me some milk to make Joanna's breakfast with. Joanna refused to nurse which is a pain b/c my body decided to still try to give her milk which is messy and irritating (sorry guys if that's to personal). Then Kirk and I went out to kick the soccer ball around a bit. Ohhh, it's been so long but it's like my legs were so happy. Joanna on the other hand didn't like sitting over in the shade. So she got to learn a little bit about soccer while in my arms. Oh well, so much for exercise. Then I had to feed her some breakfast, rice cereal, which she gobbled up. Then on to nurse her, which she spat up all over me. At least I was sitting in the kitchen and it got on the linoleum floor rather than on my bed. Ahhh, once that was cleaned up it was finally time for breakfast with my hubby. Into the Johnny Jump Up with Joanna and on to my role as wife. Well, maybe for a few minutes...is that something brown coming out of Joanna's shorts? "Sorry Luv, I gotta take care of "the Bean"." But hey, now she's sleeping and I have time to chill out at the computer.
Posted by sarahward at 10:04 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
June 16, 2006
Sooo Tired...Sooo Happy
This is how I've been feeling pretty much every day for the past couple weeks. I think I'm mostly worn out from staying up late talking with Kirk and from carrying, picking up, playing with, entertaining, etc. Joanna all the time (she's getting so heavy). I feel so happy even though I'm exhausted. I never really knew what joy motherhood would bring. (Speaking of which, I'd recommend The Joys of Motherhood which takes place in Nigeria and is a good "cultural" read.)
I always knew that when I grew up I wanted to get married and have kids and stay at home. So I was ready to start having kids before Kirk, thankfully it didn't take him long to catch up. It's amazing to me when couples don't have kids just because they don't want them. It makes me even sadder now that I am experiencing what joy Joanna brings to me, and to Kirk. I love the fact that my days are filled with providing for Joanna, not just food and diaper changes, but experiences and playing. I confess that I don't think I'm very good at "playing" with her...I tend to get bored and not really know what to do. But I love taking her out places, letting her see the Botanical Gardens and play in the fountains, taking her to the market and looking at all the fruit. I'm glad she can occupy herself too. Her favorite place to play is in the Johnny Jump-Up which is hanging in the kitchen door. It's great because then I can work in the kitchen. But the best is hearing her talking and singing and of course laughing. Oh, it's just so wonderful!
Speaking of which, I need to get some work done.
P.S. Her first tooth came in on Wednesday.
Posted by sarahward at 2:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
June 8, 2006
In Honor of Aunt Meg
"I can't wait to meet you, Aunt Meg! Mommy tell me I'm like you in some ways." People seem surprised at how distant my family is from each other. Kirk and I live in St. Louis. My parents live in London. My oldest sister, Rinnie, in Orlando. My brother, Wil, in North Carolina. Meg, in Tanzania. And Anna, in Tennessee. Everyone in my family has met my daughter except Meg, and she won't get to meet her until Joanna's about one and a half years old. It makes me tear up and want to cry. But at the same time, I am so happy for Meg to be doing what she's so good at and loves so much. I suppose this is the life of an MK in a way, family so far apart. It's strange for me to be on this side of it, the one left in the States. We're hoping to some day have a big family reunion in Kenya, hopefully at this great place called Turtle Bay. I love my home in St. Louis, but sometimes the African in my wakes up and I long to be back "home" where the weather and the produce is perfect. Well, I sat down at the computer to look at Kirk's new blog entry and somehow ended up writing this and crying. It's 9:44 and past my bedtime.
Posted by sarahward at 9:47 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 21, 2006
I Love Sleep!
First off, I apologize for the wierd-ness of the blog layout. I somehow messed it up and haven't had a chance to fix it yet.
I love to sleep! This has never created too much of an issue in the past except that Kirk doesn't need as much as me so can get bored as I snooze away in the morning. Now, keep in mind, sleeping in for me is til about 8:30 (none of this sleeping til noon stuff). So you can bet that it's been a drain on me to have a newborn even though she generally just gets up once a night. But praise God, she's slept through the night the last two nights. It's so wonderful. I woke up at 6:00 this morning (because I had to pump) and felt so refreshed! I hope that Joanna will realized how wonderful it is to get so much sleep and will continue on.
This past week was hard for me. Joanna's been real fussy and wanting to be held all the time. My arms are SO sore! But God's reminded me that the reason I get frustrated with Joanna is because I'm putting my desire to sleep or my desire to get tasks done rather than putting her needs first. I also realized this in my attitude toward breast-feeding. Last week my mom asked me if I've been enjoying breast-feeding Jo-bean. I honestly had to say no. Joanna was going through a phase of crying a lot when I'd try to feed her, my milk was coming out to fast, and I had to stop what I was doing every two hours to feed her. But again, God's reminded me to put Joanna first. So I'm trying to adjust my attitude and enjoy the chance to just sit and hold my baby, read my book, and relax. It's helped a lot.
Posted by sarahward at 10:04 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
March 9, 2006
A Hard Day
I got back last night from a wonderful 4 days in warm and sunny Orlando. I went down to spend time with my oldest sister Rinnie and her three daughters (the third just born last week). My mom was also there as well as my youngest sister, Anna. Rinnie's husband was gone so it was a household of 8 females and 1 male dog. Joanna did fantastic! She was happy most of the time, ate well most of the time, and slept well. She spread her meal-times out to only every 3 hours and woke up to eat only once two of the nights. I was so impressed. Then on the flight home yesterday and in the middle of the night she threw up on me. She's been fussy almost all morning, eating every 2 hours, and wants to be held constantly. I think she's exhausted but having a hard time of falling asleep, maybe it's too quiet here without her cousins running around and playing. My in-laws are coming up for the weekend for Joanna's baptism so I'm trying to get ready for that. All I want to do is get things done...all Joanna wants to do is be held. So we both just end up frustrated and crying. It's so hard to be selfless sometimes. I love my baby girl so much and she's growing up so fast. We've had some great moments these days. She's had some trouble nursing and will scream and scream, refusing to eat. So I walk and rock her on my shoulder. Yesterday when she was screaming I turned her toward me and she had tears streaming down her face for the first time in her life. How do I comfort her tears when I don't even know why she's crying? how can I fix the problem when I don't know what it is? But then we have other times like earlier this morning when she was laying on the bed talking to me and giggling when I'd hug and kiss her cheeks. I love my job and am so thankful to God for it. I've never felt so fulfilled and happy...never felt so clueless.
Posted by sarahward at 1:57 PM | Comments (3) | TrackBack