Another blogger baby...ha!

just ignore the commentary in the background ... we were not really paying attention to what we were talking about while we were watching Ian play. lol

mercy

I don't remember much about my labor, especially the last few hours, but I very clearly remember thinking, "Thanks a lot EVE!!" The intensity of contractions and the emotional and mental piece of it were completely overwhelming at the end.

When Ian was a few days old, I started hearing comments like, "Isn't it amazing how you forget about the pain of childbirth?!" I would say things like, "Umm, I'm not there yet...." My response in my head was a less polite, "Are you freakin' kidding me?! NO!!" Now that a little more time has passed I know what all those women were talking about. I wouldn't say that I have completely forgotten, but the intensity of my memory is seriously diminished. And, more importantly, I have the realization that he is SO worth it! Who knew you could love someone this much?! It is as amazing as they all said it would be. Wow!

Green Smoothies!

YUM!

I have a hard time getting in enough leafy greens each day ~ I don't eat salads much unless someone makes it for me. Just one of those weird things, I guess. But someone told me this idea to get those greens in and it is SO easy and really really yummy! I have been drinking at least one a day for a week now. Here is how I make it:

8 oz Apple juice
1 or 2 handfuls of fresh baby spinach
frozen strawberries
fresh banana

Blend all together in the blender until smooth and pour!

It comes out looking green, because of the spinach, but you only taste the fruit. You can use pretty much any kind of fruit or juice that you like and it is WAY less expensive, and as good tasting as "Super Food."

Next I am going try adding plain flavored protein powder to it, to make it a more complete meal for breakfast. I am hoping it wont change the flavor too much. I'll let you know!

Nesting

I was laying in bed this morning thinking about nesting, wondering exactly WHAT is nesting supposed to be anyway? Am I nesting yet? Am I supposed to be nesting yet? Does everyone nest in the same way? I am up for feedback, but this is kinda the conclusion I have come to: My nesting is a different kind of nesting, or at least I think it is. I thought of nesting as a kind of hunting and gathering/fixing up babies room kind of thing. I have done a little bit of that, but not too much. I realized today that the kind of nesting I am doing is ... well, I guess it could be called small-project-remodeling nesting. And my mom and I are both doing it. We are thinking of all the little projects that need to be done or that we want to be done, and just trying to tackle one or two at a time. Take, for instance, the floor. We ripped out carpet and painted the floor. Next! Repainting the kitchen. Then, finishing touches here and there - repainting doors and trim where it needs it, stuff like that. And windows and doors where they are needed first.

It all probably has to do something, also, with the fact that my Dad is gone, so we can do whatever we want uninterrupted, and without bothering him while he is working. It seems really strange in a way, but at the same time, it is just "us."

And on a very happy note ... I am spending a day at the pool today with my Mom (AKA Super G), my sister and her kiddos, and my brother, for a mini baby shower. It is going to be fun! Cant wait! Woohoo!!

So, I am well into 2nd qtr of Nursing school. Seriously, I don't know what I was so afraid of!

This month has been full of getting ready for baby ... registry, getting really generous gifts from friends, and doing a little shopping. People have asked me how I am, if I am scared etc etc etc. I'm not ... that is the only thing that kinda freaks me out, is that I am not freaking out. I guess that means one of two things: I am either super-mentally-ready, or super-naive! We will see which one applies ....

One interesting piece of news ~ I may be 2 weeks further along than we originally thought. So now it could be end of June - mid-July. Sweet! The less time I can't breathe the better!!!

I wish I was the avid reader that H is ... I kinda envy that of her. For now, my reading list includes Nursing Research, Nursing Foundations, Pharmacology Calculations, Davis' Drug Guide (a really interesting read if you take any medications!) and baby related stuff ....

So, that's all I have for now ... more later.

pics

And as soon as possible I am whipping out the camera again ... besides swimming, my favorite thing! :o)

I forgot I have a blog...

"Real life" got in the way and I spaced it completely. I should probably set a reminder for myself. What else is new?! My mom was teasing me today that I am going to forget to feed Sofia. God I hope not!!

H reminded me today ~ thanks!

I still dont have much to say. For all the thinking I do, you would think I'd have more to say than hurry up summer!

I would like to say, though, that I think I am getting a little wiser (probably very little, but every little bit helps!) in my old-ish age. I recently met (sort of) this guy who is Orthodox, lives in Arizona, seems nice, is semi-well put together as far as his life is concerned. He showed a great deal of interest in getting to know me, despite my current circumstances ~ that by itself surprised me! He then revealed something to me, that I had already had suspicions about, but that I didn't want to make assumptions about. He is divorced and his previous marriage ... well, it was not pretty. I must say that I admire his courage for being so honest with me and I appreciate that. At the same time there are things that scare me to death!! One of my greatest (I think) life lessons has been to PAY ATTENTION when my intuition is bothering me about something. I would make excuses and feel guilty for not doing whatever (with the possibility of hurting someone else's feelings) and I would end up being the one getting hurt. It is hard to say to someone who you like on some level that there is something about them or something about their life (even in the past) that you cant accept or cant get past. But I think it is much better to do that than risk that potential (maybe likely?) harm down the road - to either person. And I have someone else to think about at this point! So, all of that is the long way of saying that I am kinda proud of myself for paying attention, and for acting on it.

I thought that breaks were supposed to be breaks. I feel like I have been more busy on break than I was when I was in class! And yet, I am begging this week to slow down. Monday is coming WAY too fast!!

I am reading a book a friend of mine ordered from Amazon for me. While on break from school I refuse to read anything I don't enjoy thoroughly. (I have to read enough dry material that is not always so enjoyable for 11 weeks straight - I think I deserve a little reading for pleasure!) This book is called The Tales of Secret Egypt. It is an old collection of short stories - mysteries - set in the 20's (?) in Egypt. It seems ancient! But the stories are great!! You just have to get used to the language.

Oh, for anyone who likes to cook healthy stuff, and likes really easy healthy stuff ... ever heard of vita-mix? It is the blender they use to make Jamba Juice. They were selling them at Costco and they made this really delicious Tortilla soup - yes in a blender! It was really yummy! So I found the recipe on their website and tried it in my regular (not $400) blender and guess what ... it worked! So, for anyone who would like to try it out, here is a link to their website with all the recipes. I also made the broccoli cheese soup - also very yummy! It just needs to stand a little while to thicken.

I am still awaiting my chance to go to the beach. Permanently. I am jealous of Riley and his easy life. I'll take him with me. We can all be beach bums together!

Pray for 75 degrees on Saturday! Woohoo Spring Fling!