My Journal
Friday, September 17, 1999
Thank goodness for baby swings! Rebecca is swaying away contentedly. It was another fast and good day. Julia spent the day at Miss Becky's and had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Dwight's guinea pig babies are adorable. They are one week old, and I could not get over how big they are. Very pretty. And the turtle is unbelivable. He is at least three times bigger than when I had him. Dwight painted Julia the cutest T-shirt with her name on it. He is so delightful. And Miss Becky is as sweet as ever. While Julia was at Miss Becky's, I scrubbed the kitchen floor and cleaned the bathroom today, which are nearly impossible jobs for me to do with Julia around. Rebecca was good as gold. She took two long naps. Both Rebecca and I crashed again tonight after we put Julia to bed. We slept from about 9:00 to 11:00 p.m.. Sort of a weird schedule, but seems to work for us. She went to sleep last night again at 12:30 a.m.. And she is nursing about every 4 hours now, so we were up at 4:30 a.m. and awake at 8:30 a.m.. Julia gets up between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. so works out pretty well.Mark got Julia's slide up today, and she loved it! Worker's are are supposed to come in the morning to paint and clean up the rest of the junk in the backyard. I still have some loose ends to work on for the party. Pick up the cake tomorrow at 2:00. Trying to round up some extra chairs and a table cloth. I did five scrapbook pages of Julia's first birthday last night which barely made a dent in it. Think I need a whole album just for that. Will be at least 10 pages, I think. But I thoroughly enjoyed doing it. Brings back so many memories and makes me appreciate each photo in a new way. With the workers here tomorrow, think I will pack it all up and go to the Harris's. Can work on it there while they help some with the girls. I have been sneezing a lot which I do every time I do a lot of house cleaning. Think I am allergic to cleaning solutions and dust.
Rebecca is asleep now. I need to finish up cleaning the kitchen, do a couple more loads of laundry, and work on a few party details.
I am enjoying doing this journal. Keeps me sort of focused. Wish I could get down some more of the cute things Julia does and says. There are many every day. Seems I forget by the time I sit down here. Guess I will have to carry around a little note pad.
Thursday, September 16, 1999
Today was a fast day and good day. I feel like I sort of blinked and missed it. The morning was the usual: breakfast, getting everyone dressed, etc. But I was exceptionally tired today. Seemed like I was moving in slow motion. I stayed up really late last night working on my photo scrapbook. Julia seemed tired too, and she was a little whiney and cranky this morning. Things started looking up with visits from two delivery men. One with pictures of a beauty pageant Mark was waiting on, and the other with a box from the Disney Store for me! A wonderful Pooh and Friends Jumper was inside! Perfect to wear to Julia's party.I desparately needed to go to the grocery store, but really didn't feel like it. It got to be 1:00 p.m. before I knew it. So after Julia's lunch, I called up the Harris's and asked if Julia could stay with them and take her nap while I went to the store. I felt too tired to take them both along,and I knew Julia would be needing her nap soon. They were glad to keep her, so we dropped her off at their house and went to Winn Dixie and Wal-Mart in Camilla. Julia was so cute, as we left the house, she said,"I'm going to town and visit Mema and Papa!" At Winn Dixie, I checked on the birthday cake order and asked them to make it the next bigger size. I got some extra plates and cups that are O.K. to go with Pooh party things I have. Got all the staples, juice, milk, etc. Rebecca was very good in the stores for which I was grateful. She went to sleep on the way home. When I got home I called the Harris's to see if Julia was asleep, and she was. So they said they would bring her home when she got up. It was very quiet in the house. I did laundry and housecleaning and continued to work on photo scrapbook album. Mark came home from work early and worked some more on the swing set. The Harris's brought Julia home, and we spent some time outside playing and watching Daddy work. Wonderful weather. We saw our first butterfly on the feeder! Julia enjoyed her swing very much. Mark didn't get the slide up tonight, should finish it tomorrow. Thomas mowed the yard. At about 8:00 p.m. I was fading fast. Gave Julia her bath, got her to bed about 8:30, and lay down to nurse Rebecca. That's the last thing I remember until Mark came in to ask me something a little while ago. And it is 11:00 now. I still feel a little dazed, but much better.
I hear Rebecca stirring and fussing a little, so I will go see about her. I'm so grateful that she slept these last hours with me which is unusual for her this time of night.
Wednesday, September 15, 1999 *Part 2*
Mark and Billy got the swing set most of the way put together today. Julia loves it! She tried out the swing already. We have the slide to go on tomorrow. It was a beautiful afternoon. We had a hummingbird feeding at the butterfly feeder. Rebecca was great. She sat in her stroller outside for a long time and swang in her swing. Very contented. She went to sleep tonight about 10:00 p.m. very easily.Julia was so cute tonight, she was singing "Happy Birthday" to herself. She was so proud of the cake and candles she got at the Strawberry Patch. She talks a lot about her birthday party.
Thomas washed my car and cleaned out Julia's Pool which was much appreciated. I am thankful to have such good help around here. Mark is planning to mow and clean up the yard tomorrow. He ordered the helium tank for the balloons which will be delivered tomorrow too.
I got 4 pages in my scrapbook album done tonight. Really fun. Lots of memories. I did our visits to the Zoo, The Children's Museum, and finished the White River Gardens pages. Next I have the four generation pictures, our pictures from the Pulaski KOA on the way back here, and finally I will tackle Christmas of '98 and Julia's 1st birthday. It is very time consuming, but also very enjoyable.
Wednesday, September 15, 1999
Julia is officially two today! I felt pretty emotional this morning. I dressed her in her new Pooh shirt and jumper that Mimi and Grandpa sent that they got at the Disney Store. She looked so adorable!The Harris's came over last night. They brought me a beautiful birthday card, an angel magnet, and some money which I hope to use to buy some plants for my butterfly garden. We went out to Layton's Greenhouse, but they didn't have a thing. Not a great time of year for flowers, I guess. Mr. Harris seems to be feeling a lot better. Julia was afraid of the cast on his arm last night, and she kept her distance from him. But we went over to their house today and she got used to it and was fine. Rebecca was fussy, but she really warmed up to Papa. She was smiling at him a lot, which I think made him feel good. Papa asked Julia how old she was. She said, "Two and a half." I couldn't figure out where in the world she got the "and a half". Then I remembered that I had been telling people that Rebecca was two and a half months old. So I guess she picked it up from that. Julia went with her Mema and Papa to the Strawberry Patch for her birthday lunch. I stayed at their house with Rebecca, because she was so fussy, and it was her nap time. I ended up singing "Home, Home on the Range" in a deep voice like my Dad, which finally put her to sleep. The people at the restaurant made over Julia and brought her some cake with candles on it and everything. They had a really good lunch, and they were kind enough to bring me a carry out dinner which was delicious.
Julia saw the slide for her swing set laying on the ground yesterday and she said, "Daddy, I need some steps!" She is so funny.
I called Miss Becky today. She says she is back to almost 100%. Dwight was so excited to tell me that his Guinea Pig had babies! Three of them. And Dwight has a new bicycle. They said they are coming to Julia's birthday party, and think I will take Julia out there on Friday so I can get some things done at home.
Both girls are napping now, so I am going to try to do a few scrapbook pages and a little laundry.
Tuesday, September 14,1999
I am really enjoying my new shelf in the laundry room. Things are not crowded and much easier to reach. Connie gave me a laundry detergent dispenser that is wonderful. It sits on the shelf, and I can operate it with one hand while holding Rebecca.I got to chat with Mom & Dad this morning which was great. They spent a week in University of Illinois area and sounds like they had a wonderful time.
Julia used the potty last night and this morning. Hurray. She still loves her three books, Once Upon A Potty (with Prudence), Bye, Bye Diapers (With Miss Piggy), and I Can Go Potty (with Kermit the Frog). She seems to be able to realize when she has to go some of the time now.
Julia is taking her afternoon nap, and when she wakes up we will go to visit the Harris's. Then possibly go to Layton's Plant Nursery on down the road. My hanger that I have the Butterfly feeder on has two crooks and I want to get a hanging basket to put on the other side.
Julia played in her sand box this morning and spent a lot of time coloring. When I ask her how old she will be on her birthday, she always answers, "two". But she is having a very hard time holding up two fingers. Guess it is harder than one would guess.
I got a few pages done in my scrapbook last night. I really like to work on it. I wish I had a work table that was child proof, where I could spread everything out and leave it.
Monday, September 13, 1999
Julia is using her booster seat instead of her high chair some of the time now. I let her choose. It's about half and half, I'd say. When she sits at the table in her booster chair, I put a placemat in front each of us. We used to do this when she was a lot littler and had gotten away from it. Today, we were eating our breakfast of pancakes. Her placemat was Julia's Farm and mine was President's. After a few minutes, she said, "I want Grandpa's, Mama." pointing to my placemat. Somehow she remembered that Grandpa was interested in the presidents. We traded placemats, and I was telling her a little about some of the presidents. I said, "George Washington was the first president." A few minutes later I asked her, "Who was the first president?". She answered matter of factly, "George Washington and Grandpa."A beautiful day today. Lots of birds and butterflies in the back yard. Julia enjoyed playing in her sand box. We went next door and visited with Miss Idna and Miss Gladys. They are so sweet. And they have four new kittens. So cute. They said they will be coming to Julia's birthday party, and Miss Gladys was so proud to show us her new teeth.
We went to Thomasville again today. The children's store where I get Julia's hair bows is having a going out of business 50% off sale. Got Julia two bows and two pairs of socks. When we got there they were closed for lunch, so we went on a walk down the street. Lots of neat shops. Found a school supply shop that was wonderful. Lots of puzzles. And lots of stickers and scrapbook supplies. There was also a Buster Brown shoe store, and Julia needs a new pair, but they didn't have the kind I wanted.
We went to Wal-Mart and picked up a few more things for the party too.
Mark put up another shelf in the Laundry room which is wonderful. I was so tired when we got back from Thomasville. Both girls took a nap and so did I, which I haven't done for a while. It felt good. When I woke up Mark was cooking dinner. Bless his heart! Mark's placemat was a map of the world, and he showed us and told us about his travels all over the world while he was in the Navy. It was really neat. I had presidents again and Julia enjoyed the back of her farm mat, which is all kinds of vegetables. She wanted to know the names of all of them. Julia and I got birthday cards in the mail from Grandma D, and Julia carried hers around all day, sometimes giving it a ride in her doll stroller.
Julia has gone to bed. Rebecca is asleep in my arms. I am typing with one hand, and getting pretty good at it. I hate to put her down. She is so precious. And it seems these baby days are already going by so very fast. I can't believe Julia is two already. I feel so lucky to be given the chance to do this again, and am trying to savor every moment and memory I can. I'll have a little of it in this journal. Also, with keeping this journal at least I know what day it is!
Sunday, September 12, 1999
We made it to church this morning! It was somewhat of an ordeal, but worth it I guess. I didn't hear any of the sermon, but I did enjoy the music and about 10 minutes of my Sunday School class before Rebecca got really fussy. I took her into the nursery and walked with her, and finally nursed her in the car, hoping she would be content or asleep by the time the service started. No such luck. Julia did great in her sunday school class. All girls. Two wonderful teachers. But after we got settled into the sanctuary, right in the middle of the preacher's first prayer, Julia started crying like crazy. I still don't know exactly why. She was sitting beside me on the pew so big, and Leslie and two other little girls were sitting beside her. I was holding Rebecca who was doing fine. I guess maybe Julia was jealous. She was crying and wanting me to hold her, which was difficult because I had Rebecca too. Then Rebecca got uncomfortable and started fussing. When they didn't calm down, I headed out, with Gwen helping me. Very embarassing. Oh well. Mark had to work this morning. I am hoping he will start going with me. Would make it a lot easier. We spent the rest of the time in the nursery. And finally Julia settled down and started playing. There was only one other little boy in the nursery. Most people take their babies into church with them. Anyway, Rebecca went to sleep and Julia was fine after the service, so we did get to see and visit with a lot of people who hadn't seen Rebecca yet.Today is the one week count down until Julia's birthday party. I have heard from most everyone we invited and they're all coming. Which is great, but I had figured at least a few wouldn't be able to make it. So there will be more children than I had originally planned on. 7 children: Kayla, Jesse, Leslie, Ridge, Will, Dwight, and Julia. And up to 20 adults. I am worried that I don't have enough supplies. Wish the party store was closer. It should be a lot of fun. Hoping for nice weather. It was beautiful today and cooler. Julia filled up the bird feeder, played in her sand box, and jumped on the trampoline. I put the nectar in the butterfly feeder, but didn't see any butterflies on it yet. Mark got started on the swing set. Should be really nice. Painters are coming next Saturday to work on outside of the house.
Didn't see the Harris's this weekend. Mr. T.B. broke his arm, it is in a cast, and he is in pain still. He has to wear the cast for several weeks, I think. Plan to go over and visit them tomorrow. Haven't heard from my Mom and Dad this week. I really miss them a lot. I haven't seen them online, so wonder if their computer is not working or if they've gone out of town.
Both girls took good naps today, and I was able to finish cleaning out the bedroom closet and catch up the laundry and house cleaning.
It is a little after midnight. I just got through rocking Rebecca to sleep. She's so cuddly, I hated to put her down. I was thinking about what a miracle she is and what a great experience her birth was. I am really enjoying her a lot. In some ways, more than I did Julia at that age. I am a lot more confident than I was with Julia. And Rebecca is happier over all than Julia was at the same age. I am really enjoying Julia now too. She has such a cute sense of humor. And she is very loving. She kisses my boo boo's now. And she is noticing letters everywhere. There sure are a lot of R's (Rebecca's letter) and not very many J's around. She went to the potty today too which was great.
I have still not been to my OB/GYN check up, which was supposed to have been six weeks after Rebecca was born. I had an appointment last week, but it was the day Mr. Harris broke his arm, and Mrs. Harris was planning to go with me to help with girls. I didn't want Mark to have to take off work, so rescheduled for tomorrow. Don't think I'll make it then either. Don't think it's that important anyway. I am so grateful that I am feeling well. Every time I have to bend over I am just thrilled to be able to do so. I was so miserable when I was pregnant. It feels so good to be able to do some more things. Will be even better when Rebecca is a little older and we can go on more walks and bike rides.
Think I will head to bed now. Often I stay up until about 2:00 A.M. when Rebecca usually wakes up hungry. But am hoping she will go a little longer tonight.
Saturday, September 11, 1999
Today was one of those days where I felt like I was in high gear every minute all day, but didn't accomplish much. But it's fun just doing the everyday things with the girls. Julia went to the potty twice today after a boycott yesterday. Neither one of the girls took a good nap. We (Rebecca, Julia and I) went to Thomasville to Wal-mart to get diapers and such. We have everything we need for the party, I think, except for picking up the cake next Saturday. They were both excellent shoppers. Julia drove the looney tunes school bus after we shopped, and she was so cute. I got a really nice pole on which to hang our butterfly feeder that we got at White River Gardens. Hope to plant a flower garden around it eventually.Mark's company sponsored a benifit Bar-B-Que chicken plate sale today. He started at 5:00 a.m. helping them cook. We did get some good food for lunch and dinner out the deal. He said they sold 1800+ plates. Proceeds go to a mother of 4 who has lukemia. He plans to start building Julia's swing set tomorrow. He went to a friend's house who has a really nice one and made plans today. Billy Horne is supposed to come help.
Connie called this morning wondering if we might want to meet them in Atlanta on October 21st and go to the Atlanta Zoo. They are supposed to have new Panda Bear exhibit by then. Would love to do it. Don't know if I can swing it. Will see.
I am really tired tonight. Julia didn't go to sleep until 11:00 p.m. Way too late. I am afraid she will be cranky tomorrow. I didn't get any cleaning done today so will be up for a while still trying to catch up. I don't know how I will ever get photo albums, and other projects I need to work on ever done. I am still missing things from the move which is driving me crazy. I went to the storage building and could not find the things I wanted. I started cleaning out the two closets where everything is piled up and didn't get very far. Oh well. Planning to go to church in the morning. Didn't make it last week, but will give it another try.
Today is my birthday. No big deal. Mark said we would celebrate tomorrow, or whenever. I would like to be about 10 years younger. I would have liked to have had the girls when I was younger, but better late than never. Better get busy.br>
Friday, September 10, 1999
Today has not been as smooth as yesterday, but not bad all in all. I got brave again and went out with both girls. We went to the post office again. And although I waited until Rebecca was asleep to leave, she woke up screaming inside the post office. She calmed back down when we got on the ramp and was fine when we got back in the car, so we then headed to Winn Dixie. Mission: to check out the Birthday Cakes. They had a plan for one Julia loved with Pooh, Tigger, and balloons, so we placed an order. Rebecca stayed awake and was just as content as could be. I was crossing my fingers and holding my breath. We ran into several people we knew. And Rebecca smiled up a storm at them. Julia was the perfect little shopper as usual. Wonderful! We picked up a few groceries and of course got in the absolutely wrong check out line. The person ahead was having all sorts of problems getting checked out. The girls were starting to squirm, and so was I. Finally, they opened up another line, and we got right through. In the car Rebecca was getting fussy and Julia was falling asleep. When we got home, they were both crying. I was wishing I had some ear plugs, and trying to decide what to do first. Both needed a diaper change and both were tired. Finally, got them both situated and now at 4:00 p.m. they are both napping. Awwwww. The house is messy, the laundry is piled up, and I haven't had a shower. Guess that's the way it is some times. Feels like I'm on the roller coaster ride of Motherhood. Lots of ups and downs, and you arrive back at the gate following a wild and exciting ride, catch your breath, and say, "wow, let's go again."Thursday, September 9, 1999
Today has been a fast and peaceful day. Rebecca is becoming more and more content and easy to pacify. Julia has been exceptionally cooperative and happy today too. Both of them were asleep at 2:00 this afternoon. It is raining outside and quiet inside. I have just finished straightening up the house and the laundry is caught up. And I even had time for a long hot shower! Feels strange. Julia and I finished the birthday beanbags this morning. I am going to work on photo albums next. Mark brought home some fresh peanuts and have them on the stove boiling. Yummy. Still have dozens of things to do on my "to do" list. So I will make this a short journal entry and go to it while I am on a roll.WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1999
Julia is sitting in her booster seat at the kitchen table coloring. We just got done reading several books and tracing our hands on paper.Rebecca is taking her morning nap.
DIALOG OF MOMMY & JULIA:
MOMMY: "What did you have for breakfast today?"
JULIA: " I had eggs... and grits ... and I stir and stir and YUM, YUM."
MOMMY: "You helped Mommy stir the eggs and grits like a really big girl."
JULIA: "YEP."
JULIA: "I'm doing crayons. I want to get up, I need to get up.
MOMMY: "O.K." Want to help me do some more birthday beanbags?"
JULIA: "MAMA!, MAMA!!, MAMA!!!!!"
MOMMY: WHAT? WHAT?? WHAT?????"
JULIA: "It fall down, Get it!" (Crayons on the floor).
MOMMY: "O.K.
We're making beanbags for a birthday party game. I cut squares out from a Winnie the Pooh crib sheet and sew them, and Julia pours in the beans through a funnel (after much mixing and pouring in the bowl). Then she tests the finished beanbags out. She also helped make bottle shakers that we will use to weigh down balloons at the party. She poured in the decorations and the water. They are really pretty. She is very excited about her birthday party. She is interested in all the details, which is surprising to me at her age. We had a good time with the invitations. She carried them around all over the house for a couple of days. Then we put them in her pocketbook and went to the post office. It was my first venture out with both of the girls by myself. I waited until Rebecca was asleep, then loaded both girls in the double stroller, strapping Julia in first. Then rolled them out by the car, and started the car to cool it off. Then put Julia in her car seat and Rebecca's car seat in. Then put the stroller in the trunk. Went downtown, got the stroller out, loaded up both girls, and we went up the ramp to the post office. Thank goodness for ramps! At the counter, Julia stoop up in the seat of the stroller, proudly took the cards out of her pocketbook and showed them to the lady at the window. She helped pick out stamps and put them on. Then I held her up, and she put them in the mail slot. So Big. Luckily, Rebecca slept the whole time. We wheeled on down the block and got some laundry detergent and a few other essentials, loaded back in the car and went home. Hurray!
HA HA:
JULIA TOOK A LITTLE TUMBLE AND CAME RUNNING TO ME, CRYING, "HOLD YOU, HOLD YOU." I PICKED HER UP, SHE LAID HER HEAD ON MY CHEST, STUCK OUT HER LIP, AND SAID, "POOR JULIA" IN THE MOST PITIFUL VOICE.
REBECCA:
Julia is down for her nap after lunch, and Rebecca has just woken up from hers. Rebecca loves her swing. She is watching me contentedly as I finish typing this. She is starting to enjoy interaction more and more. She likes patty cake, funny noises, and doing the bicycle with her legs. She is beginning to bat at toys and likes rattles too. She is often happy, smiling up a storm, one minute, and screaming the next. She is still nursing about every 3 hours around the clock. I can't believe how much I love her. I didn't know if I could possibly love another as much as I do Julia, but I sure do, without loving Julia one smidgen less. Rebecca will be 3 months old in only 10 days. Unbelievable.
REFLECTIONS ON MOTHERHOOD:
I LIKED THIS QUOTE BY MICHELLE PFEIFFER, MOTHER OF TWO:
"AFTER YOU HAVE A BABY, IN A FEW MONTHS, YOU WORK UP TO GETTING DRESSED. THEN, AFTER A FEW MORE MONTHS, YOU CAN START DOING YOUR HAIR. MAYBE PUTTING ON MAKEUP A FEW TIMES. BUT YOU NEVER GET BACK TO ACCESSORIZING."
I was very spoiled having Mom and Dad for two plus months!! Now reality is setting in.
I realized today that I haven't put on any makeup for at least three days. Barely ran a comb through my hair. Yesterday, I had no idea what day it was. Rebecca is sitting on my lap in just a diaper. Just changed a doosie of a dirty diaper which had leaked all over her clothes, the swing, and the changing table. She is happy without clothes on, so be it. I never once let Julia hang around in just a diaper, but this is Rebecca's second time. I am constantly searching for Rebecca's pacifier. I usually had Julia's attached to her, although she seldom used it. Rebecca likes it a lot more. I have vowed to buy 10 extras next time I hit the store.
I've reheated my lunch three times and still haven't had a chance to eat it.
I am learning to type one-handed again. It has been a year since I've done anything on this web site due primarily to the stresses of pregnancy, but now I feel great again! Hope to keep up with my journal here at least, and add an occasional picture. Until tomorrow, I hope!!
