My cousin was in town last week - either Thursday or Friday and we discovered Forlove 21 at the Beverly Center. It's sister to Forever 21 but all accessories. Pretty cool place. We both had gift cards for Macy's and we got TR a bunch of cute outfits. We had lunch at Toast. Toast is a very L.A. place. I try to give the total L.A. experience when I can. I had "the Lus", and that sandwhich was amazing with addictive potential.
Speaking of "for love" and "forever" our wedding anniversary is upon us. Life with Mr A has been pretty great. I've noticed that the longer we are wed the quicker we get past any dispute. Pretty cool. That probably works great for Mr A because I'm a bit dramatic. Now we have little Miss TR and she adds a whole new beauty to life and our relationship.
We're still in awe that we've been blessed with our tiny person. I'm holding her right now. She usually is glued to Mr A's chest but he needed to get into his sleep. Me and TR are on one end of the sofa, he is on the other, my feet are under his thighs. The news is on and I'm slightly watching. Welcome to the Good Life.
I never knew how good this type of life could feel. Thank the Lord for blessing me. I don't know why he did or why this was granted to me, but I am grateful. We plan to remain living in the city, so we won't totally become that couple- you know "I Think I Love My Wife" dull and predictable. My great aunt Bessie and Uncle Major were like that- sans children. As a kid I felt like I was being punished when we went to their house. Their home was beautiful, a show place almost, too much valuable stuff to break and perfectly maintained wood floors that creaked when a kid moved. I'd try to limit my visits to times my grandparents were there. My grandparents defined vivacious.
Mr A was gifted- from me to him- a manstation type grill so he'll do barbecue this weekend. It's nice that folks celebrate and have firework displays in honor of our marriage. :)
Monday, June 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Adventures in Mommyhood
It has always been my belief that children train parents more than parents train children.
Mr. A has already got TR accustomed to behavior that mommy doesn't do.
While TR was in the hospital she was always changed prior to eating. Now, no matter how hungry she is, she will not eat unless she has a fresh diaper. Fortunately we are using cloth so if she tinkles a drop we change the diaper. I really like how wasteful cloth allows us to be. The diaper service is grand.
Last night Mr A was outside when TR pooped. She was also hungry. The two always coincide. I guess her poop makes room and she wants to fill it. She was acting super hungry, rubbing her face across my chest, putting her fist in her mouth so I tried to feed her first. She wasn't having that. I laid her down to change her but she hates sitting in her poop so that was a disaster. She began wailing. Her hollering hurt my heart and I just held her close. She looked at me and screamed bloody murder for about 7 minutes. I thought she must be in pain. I called Mr A and he heard her yelling in the background. He was back super quick. By the time he arrived I had unpinned her diapers.
He scooped her up and she immediately stopped screaming. Only thing was she had poop on her butt and then he had it all over his hand. She found her spot in his neck and acted as if she hadn't scared me half to tears.
He never put her down. We got a towel and cleaned her and his hand. We put her diaper on and he fed her.
TR has trained mommy to understand that babies cry to communicate. I know what's best and as much as I want to hug her through her discomfort and crying, I can't just hold her. I can't ignore that she has a diaper full of poop. Sure she'll have to momentarily endure things she doesn't want to endure buts its for the best in the long run.
Mr. A has already got TR accustomed to behavior that mommy doesn't do.
While TR was in the hospital she was always changed prior to eating. Now, no matter how hungry she is, she will not eat unless she has a fresh diaper. Fortunately we are using cloth so if she tinkles a drop we change the diaper. I really like how wasteful cloth allows us to be. The diaper service is grand.
Last night Mr A was outside when TR pooped. She was also hungry. The two always coincide. I guess her poop makes room and she wants to fill it. She was acting super hungry, rubbing her face across my chest, putting her fist in her mouth so I tried to feed her first. She wasn't having that. I laid her down to change her but she hates sitting in her poop so that was a disaster. She began wailing. Her hollering hurt my heart and I just held her close. She looked at me and screamed bloody murder for about 7 minutes. I thought she must be in pain. I called Mr A and he heard her yelling in the background. He was back super quick. By the time he arrived I had unpinned her diapers.
He scooped her up and she immediately stopped screaming. Only thing was she had poop on her butt and then he had it all over his hand. She found her spot in his neck and acted as if she hadn't scared me half to tears.
He never put her down. We got a towel and cleaned her and his hand. We put her diaper on and he fed her.
TR has trained mommy to understand that babies cry to communicate. I know what's best and as much as I want to hug her through her discomfort and crying, I can't just hold her. I can't ignore that she has a diaper full of poop. Sure she'll have to momentarily endure things she doesn't want to endure buts its for the best in the long run.
Monday, June 23, 2008
The Beginning
Our Bradley Coach just sent an email asking for my birth story and how Mr A performed as coach. I have yet to reply.
When they informed us we'd have to be induced, they told us we could have a natural child birth. The swelling was causing me great pain and drugs made TR's heart rate drop so I got an epidural. The epidural actually made my blood pressure drop, but only for a short while.
I would never choose an epidural. It paralyzes you. I was trying to move and couldn't figure out why I was having such difficulty. Then I was informed I couldn't eat once I got it.
They started inducing me, it was so slow. I felt very very little because of the epidural. I later read epidurals slows down labor. So after 72 hours of slow labor I could barely feel and feeling like I was about to die, I asked for a C-section- at least I thought I had. I asked for the C-Section at about 9:30 a.m. I was in the operating room before 10 a.m. Mr A told me the surgery had been discussed and scheduled the night before.
The doctors had made the surgery decision. Mr A and I had just discussed asking for it when they came and told us they would have to do one. I can't remember that convo.
The surgery wasn't bad, TR entered the world hollering like a champ. Recovery from the surgery wasn't bad either. The swelling was terrible but the water retention caused me to not have pain from the surgery.
That Bradley class was pretty pricey. I wonder if I could get a refund.
I spent a few moments crying, wondering what I'd done to make my baby come early, wondering what I could have done to change things. All of it made me be grateful for simple things. Having a baby is usually such a simple thing, and when my simple pregnancy got complicated I realized that blessings exists in simplicity. To never experiece the difficulty in something is a blessing.
Little Miss TR is home, and her cries, her coos, her kicks, her smiles are a blessing. They are a regular reminder of things I know not to take for granted. When she cries she gets a kiss from mommy and/or daddy. Today we double teamed her and showered her with kisses.
Perhaps I had a lesson to learn from my birth day. Even if I didn't have to learn something, I learned a lesson. Perhaps I'll delve into it later.
When they informed us we'd have to be induced, they told us we could have a natural child birth. The swelling was causing me great pain and drugs made TR's heart rate drop so I got an epidural. The epidural actually made my blood pressure drop, but only for a short while.
I would never choose an epidural. It paralyzes you. I was trying to move and couldn't figure out why I was having such difficulty. Then I was informed I couldn't eat once I got it.
They started inducing me, it was so slow. I felt very very little because of the epidural. I later read epidurals slows down labor. So after 72 hours of slow labor I could barely feel and feeling like I was about to die, I asked for a C-section- at least I thought I had. I asked for the C-Section at about 9:30 a.m. I was in the operating room before 10 a.m. Mr A told me the surgery had been discussed and scheduled the night before.
The doctors had made the surgery decision. Mr A and I had just discussed asking for it when they came and told us they would have to do one. I can't remember that convo.
The surgery wasn't bad, TR entered the world hollering like a champ. Recovery from the surgery wasn't bad either. The swelling was terrible but the water retention caused me to not have pain from the surgery.
That Bradley class was pretty pricey. I wonder if I could get a refund.
I spent a few moments crying, wondering what I'd done to make my baby come early, wondering what I could have done to change things. All of it made me be grateful for simple things. Having a baby is usually such a simple thing, and when my simple pregnancy got complicated I realized that blessings exists in simplicity. To never experiece the difficulty in something is a blessing.
Little Miss TR is home, and her cries, her coos, her kicks, her smiles are a blessing. They are a regular reminder of things I know not to take for granted. When she cries she gets a kiss from mommy and/or daddy. Today we double teamed her and showered her with kisses.
Perhaps I had a lesson to learn from my birth day. Even if I didn't have to learn something, I learned a lesson. Perhaps I'll delve into it later.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
My mommy and my baby
Pretty soon, I'm going to write an actual post and finish my birth story.
Some sorta way TR got spoiled. The lactation consultant said babies who get lots of skin to skin contact go home earlier. So mommy (me) spent the day holding TR and daddy (Mr A) spent the night. I guess they didn't mean two parents coming to hold the baby a large part of a 24 hour period.
I don't consider a baby wanting to be held a bad thing, if you are able to continue holding them. Eventually TR won't want to be held. She won't be 30 trying to--- hmmm.... perhaps I'm wrong. I still love to be held.
Some sorta way TR got spoiled. The lactation consultant said babies who get lots of skin to skin contact go home earlier. So mommy (me) spent the day holding TR and daddy (Mr A) spent the night. I guess they didn't mean two parents coming to hold the baby a large part of a 24 hour period.
I don't consider a baby wanting to be held a bad thing, if you are able to continue holding them. Eventually TR won't want to be held. She won't be 30 trying to--- hmmm.... perhaps I'm wrong. I still love to be held.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
West Wing L& D- Part 2
So I hear the nurses discussing where to move me. They decided on the lovely labor and delivery wing. That should have clued me in that a delivery was in my very near future. Bed rest was my fantasy.
It's still a blur and I have to ask Mr A to fill in pieces but I'll recount as best I can. I had intended to drag this story out for a couple weeks but at the urging of S30 I'll share a bit more. Please pardon the changing tense, I'm reliving as I recount the story.
I get settled in the hospital room and am told I have high levels of protein in my urine. The nurse comes in with a steroid shot. These folks are moving too fast, I decline the shot. They said its to speed up the maturation of the babies lungs. In my mind I'm still not on board with an early delivery and I don't want to introduce drugs to my baby if I can avoid it. If we wait one more week, her lungs will be mature. We were so close to full term.
Mr A had gone to move the car. When he returned I told him what was going on with the shot. He told the nurse we needed info on this shot. One of the nurses went to get us info.
I tell them I want to wait for the results of the 24 urine sample before making a decision. In hindsight I don't think I had any decision making room. Delivery was a done deal.
Mr A goes home to get some of our things. He returns with the laptop and I send emails that I'll be on hospital bed rest. I'm firm in my fantasy.
My blood pressure is constantly being taken. Mr A was watching it and I was watching his reaction to it. We had agreed that I wouldn't worry about it. I have no idea why it rose so quickly and kept rising. They kept asking if I had a headache or blurry vision. I didn't. Mr A said as high as my pressure was, I should have had a headache. I don't know what it got to but it clearly- to everyone observing it- wasn't safe. But I felt fine.
Various doctors came in with papers for me to sign. I asked questions and with great hesitancy signed. The neonatologists came to tslk to us and tell us about the plan for TR and babies who arrive at her age. It never occured to me to deliver at a hospital that had the leading neonatal center, fortunately that is where we were.
While we were waiting on my 24 hour urine I told the dr. I'd had that taken a sample while I was in the Bay- just a couple of weeks before. I told her if anything had been wrong they would have told me.
The results came back the following evening.. I knew 3000 was mild and 5000 was severe. I was thinking, hoping I'd be mild and get bed rest. I was 10,000. I cried, I knew TR would have to be delivered. I didn't know all the why's but I knew there was a reason I'd been checked in the hospital.
I now weigh 7 more pounds than my pre-pregnancy weight. It feels lovely to button my pants again, although today they kept slipping down.
It's still a blur and I have to ask Mr A to fill in pieces but I'll recount as best I can. I had intended to drag this story out for a couple weeks but at the urging of S30 I'll share a bit more. Please pardon the changing tense, I'm reliving as I recount the story.
I get settled in the hospital room and am told I have high levels of protein in my urine. The nurse comes in with a steroid shot. These folks are moving too fast, I decline the shot. They said its to speed up the maturation of the babies lungs. In my mind I'm still not on board with an early delivery and I don't want to introduce drugs to my baby if I can avoid it. If we wait one more week, her lungs will be mature. We were so close to full term.
Mr A had gone to move the car. When he returned I told him what was going on with the shot. He told the nurse we needed info on this shot. One of the nurses went to get us info.
I tell them I want to wait for the results of the 24 urine sample before making a decision. In hindsight I don't think I had any decision making room. Delivery was a done deal.
Mr A goes home to get some of our things. He returns with the laptop and I send emails that I'll be on hospital bed rest. I'm firm in my fantasy.
My blood pressure is constantly being taken. Mr A was watching it and I was watching his reaction to it. We had agreed that I wouldn't worry about it. I have no idea why it rose so quickly and kept rising. They kept asking if I had a headache or blurry vision. I didn't. Mr A said as high as my pressure was, I should have had a headache. I don't know what it got to but it clearly- to everyone observing it- wasn't safe. But I felt fine.
Various doctors came in with papers for me to sign. I asked questions and with great hesitancy signed. The neonatologists came to tslk to us and tell us about the plan for TR and babies who arrive at her age. It never occured to me to deliver at a hospital that had the leading neonatal center, fortunately that is where we were.
While we were waiting on my 24 hour urine I told the dr. I'd had that taken a sample while I was in the Bay- just a couple of weeks before. I told her if anything had been wrong they would have told me.
The results came back the following evening.. I knew 3000 was mild and 5000 was severe. I was thinking, hoping I'd be mild and get bed rest. I was 10,000. I cried, I knew TR would have to be delivered. I didn't know all the why's but I knew there was a reason I'd been checked in the hospital.
I now weigh 7 more pounds than my pre-pregnancy weight. It feels lovely to button my pants again, although today they kept slipping down.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Get What You Need
You cant always get what you want
You cant always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need
That part of the Rolling Stone song ocassionally reverbrates through my head. Maybe its due to that commercial.
I'm realizing that with regular frequency people don't get what they want while others don't appreciate having what someone else is praying to recieve.
Perhaps its similar to having great difficulty finding what you are looking for but once you stop looking you discover it right under your nose.
This is not a relationship post but my above thoughts make me think of Rachel, Leah and Jacob. Rachel had Jacob's love but was miserable because she wanted his child.
Leah had Jacob's children but was sad because she wanted his love.
Either sister could have been happy with what they were blessed with but both were too focused on what they lacked.
I remember meeting a guy with super long thick lashes and I discovered that he actuslly had to keep them cut. That's a problem I would have loved to have. My lashes are thick and certainly not short but my sister and most of my paternal cousins have longer and thicker so I can't flatter myself with what I've got. That's another issue- what you have might be good but when you know there is better to be had, sometimes you forget to be thankful or even notice its nice to have.
I want to be grateful and appreciate what I have and not allow my focus to be kept on things I want or who has it better. This post isn't about material items either.
This post is just about wants in general. Most of us want something (I say most cuz there is always that person who says "I have everything I could want.") Most of us see someone who takes for granted what we greatly desire.
Such is life- there is nothing to do but recognize and be grateful for our own blessings.
I'm not a subscriber to the "I complained about my lack of shoes, until I saw a man with no feet", school of thought. My gratefulness needs to stand alone, not ride on the back of someone with less. Isn't it heartless to feel better because someone has it worse than you? That's no better than feeling bad because someone has it better.
You cant always get what you want
But if you try sometimes well you might find
You get what you need
That part of the Rolling Stone song ocassionally reverbrates through my head. Maybe its due to that commercial.
I'm realizing that with regular frequency people don't get what they want while others don't appreciate having what someone else is praying to recieve.
Perhaps its similar to having great difficulty finding what you are looking for but once you stop looking you discover it right under your nose.
This is not a relationship post but my above thoughts make me think of Rachel, Leah and Jacob. Rachel had Jacob's love but was miserable because she wanted his child.
Leah had Jacob's children but was sad because she wanted his love.
Either sister could have been happy with what they were blessed with but both were too focused on what they lacked.
I remember meeting a guy with super long thick lashes and I discovered that he actuslly had to keep them cut. That's a problem I would have loved to have. My lashes are thick and certainly not short but my sister and most of my paternal cousins have longer and thicker so I can't flatter myself with what I've got. That's another issue- what you have might be good but when you know there is better to be had, sometimes you forget to be thankful or even notice its nice to have.
I want to be grateful and appreciate what I have and not allow my focus to be kept on things I want or who has it better. This post isn't about material items either.
This post is just about wants in general. Most of us want something (I say most cuz there is always that person who says "I have everything I could want.") Most of us see someone who takes for granted what we greatly desire.
Such is life- there is nothing to do but recognize and be grateful for our own blessings.
I'm not a subscriber to the "I complained about my lack of shoes, until I saw a man with no feet", school of thought. My gratefulness needs to stand alone, not ride on the back of someone with less. Isn't it heartless to feel better because someone has it worse than you? That's no better than feeling bad because someone has it better.
Friday, June 06, 2008
Life is A Miracle
It was a cool day in May. I was wearing a green knit outfit. I can't call it a sweat suit but it was similiar to that. Mr A and I were trying to figure out alternate routes so we'd know which way was best when I went into labor. Because of our exploring routes we were running a wee bit late.
We got to the dr. for our regular prenatal visit. We had a another appointment prior to that so we walked to lunch and came back for the 2nd appointment. They had already taken my blood pressure which was a little high but nothing extreme. Apparently it was extreme since my blood pressure had always ran normal.
We were seen by one of the high risk doctors. Not because I was high risk but she just happened to be who we saw. I had requested to be placed in high risk care from the start but was too 'healthy'. My cousin passing after childbirth made me want to be extra cautious.
The dr had the nurse take my 'pressuh' again and it was still up. She told me to go to the hospital so they could check me out. She said she knew I was feeling well but not to go home, go to the hospital. We went and they hooked me up to a monitor that took my pressure every 10 or so minutes. I think that beeping and arm squeezing was making it go up. They put me on a fetal monitor and did an ultra sound. TR was fine.
It's a bit of a blur but eventually I was admitted.
I figured I was going to be put on bed rest. Tune in for the second part of our birth story.
We got to the dr. for our regular prenatal visit. We had a another appointment prior to that so we walked to lunch and came back for the 2nd appointment. They had already taken my blood pressure which was a little high but nothing extreme. Apparently it was extreme since my blood pressure had always ran normal.
We were seen by one of the high risk doctors. Not because I was high risk but she just happened to be who we saw. I had requested to be placed in high risk care from the start but was too 'healthy'. My cousin passing after childbirth made me want to be extra cautious.
The dr had the nurse take my 'pressuh' again and it was still up. She told me to go to the hospital so they could check me out. She said she knew I was feeling well but not to go home, go to the hospital. We went and they hooked me up to a monitor that took my pressure every 10 or so minutes. I think that beeping and arm squeezing was making it go up. They put me on a fetal monitor and did an ultra sound. TR was fine.
It's a bit of a blur but eventually I was admitted.
I figured I was going to be put on bed rest. Tune in for the second part of our birth story.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Random
When Mr A and I moved shortly after getting married, we had no idea we lived on such a great bus line. We didn't know we lived on any bus line. We loved the floor plan and the area and that was that.
Now with gas - at Costco- approaching $5 a gallon I'm even more appreciative to live on the bus line. My sis was in town last week, we stopped to put gas in her rental before dropping it off. The tank was just a slight bit from full. She paid $6 to get it to full. I haven't put gas in the car for a long time and while I know the price, seeing the reality of how much just a little costs, was a shock.
Then Mr A and I went to Costco for gas. The tank was 1/2 full when we got there but it took @$45 to get it a bit past full. So in my head I'm calculating. $90 a week for one tank- although I'm sure we used more than that going back and forth to the hospital which is 10 miles each way. I decided to utilize the bus. At $90 a week, by the end of the month our gas bill could be a car note.
Mr A has been riding his bike to practice. He's looking great, too- whoo hoo!. We work from home so that wasn't an expense. Some say work close to home but working from home is the only way to go at these gas prices. I bet telecommuting will pick up. The car gets to rest, until the bus isn't convenient, nighttime travel or we have shopping.
I'm sure with gas this high and the price of it increasing, bus service will expand. At least I hope it does. It would be nice if public transportation was convienent to the masses.
I missed being a mommy on Mother's day. I was OOOOO so close. Mr A did get me the ice cream cake I'd been talking about for a month- we shared it with the wonderful hospital staff who we really liked. Any ideas on what TR and I should get Mr A on his very first Father's Day?
Now with gas - at Costco- approaching $5 a gallon I'm even more appreciative to live on the bus line. My sis was in town last week, we stopped to put gas in her rental before dropping it off. The tank was just a slight bit from full. She paid $6 to get it to full. I haven't put gas in the car for a long time and while I know the price, seeing the reality of how much just a little costs, was a shock.
Then Mr A and I went to Costco for gas. The tank was 1/2 full when we got there but it took @$45 to get it a bit past full. So in my head I'm calculating. $90 a week for one tank- although I'm sure we used more than that going back and forth to the hospital which is 10 miles each way. I decided to utilize the bus. At $90 a week, by the end of the month our gas bill could be a car note.
Mr A has been riding his bike to practice. He's looking great, too- whoo hoo!. We work from home so that wasn't an expense. Some say work close to home but working from home is the only way to go at these gas prices. I bet telecommuting will pick up. The car gets to rest, until the bus isn't convenient, nighttime travel or we have shopping.
I'm sure with gas this high and the price of it increasing, bus service will expand. At least I hope it does. It would be nice if public transportation was convienent to the masses.
I missed being a mommy on Mother's day. I was OOOOO so close. Mr A did get me the ice cream cake I'd been talking about for a month- we shared it with the wonderful hospital staff who we really liked. Any ideas on what TR and I should get Mr A on his very first Father's Day?
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Not That It Matters
I currently weigh 13 more pounds than I did prior to becoming pregnant. The weight just fell off because I have not missed any meals
Mr A. says I'm a snapper because I snapped back. I'm guessing my boobs which are full of milk weigh about 5 pounds.
I still have a belly. Maybe a 3 month preggers belly. Yesterday I was standing outside a full elevator and someone said- "hey there's enough room for the pregnant lady." I smiled. She was trying to be helpful so I didn't want to tell her I'd had the baby. When I left the hospital I had a 7 month pregnant belly.
No one told me I'd have contractions post pregnancy. Apparently those help get your uterus back to its original size. I guess my organs still have to shift back to their normal placement which is why a still have some belly. It took months for everything to shift so it makes sense that it would take weeks to shift back
The belly comes in kinda handy. When I place my baby on my chest, the belly gives me a place to rest her body.
Something I always wanted was a dimple. As a child I would stick my finger in my cheek trying to form one. My mother and all my siblings have deep dimples. Mr A. has dimples- which until I pointed them out he seemed oblivious to owning. I was pleased to see that TR has a deep dimple too.
Mr A. says I'm a snapper because I snapped back. I'm guessing my boobs which are full of milk weigh about 5 pounds.
I still have a belly. Maybe a 3 month preggers belly. Yesterday I was standing outside a full elevator and someone said- "hey there's enough room for the pregnant lady." I smiled. She was trying to be helpful so I didn't want to tell her I'd had the baby. When I left the hospital I had a 7 month pregnant belly.
No one told me I'd have contractions post pregnancy. Apparently those help get your uterus back to its original size. I guess my organs still have to shift back to their normal placement which is why a still have some belly. It took months for everything to shift so it makes sense that it would take weeks to shift back
The belly comes in kinda handy. When I place my baby on my chest, the belly gives me a place to rest her body.
Something I always wanted was a dimple. As a child I would stick my finger in my cheek trying to form one. My mother and all my siblings have deep dimples. Mr A. has dimples- which until I pointed them out he seemed oblivious to owning. I was pleased to see that TR has a deep dimple too.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Our Angel Is Here
These words are to the full song but I prefer the abbreviated and live version I linked. We've been granted a gift from heaven in our precious baby girl.
Tell me have you heard the story
That took place not long ago
Bout an angel up in heaven
They say she up and ran away from home
Word is she had unfinished business
So back on earth she had to flee
Well you know I'm so elated
Because she's laying right here next to me
And when God woke up that morning
And he called out her name
And when she did not answer
Heaven will never ever ever be
Heaven will never be the same
Never be the same
Always dreamed that it would happen
I just didn't know exactly when
All my life I'd been waiting for something amazing
Said it took a while but now I know
So tell me can I get a witness
If you believe in miracles
And the proof I have is living
And my life will never ever be
And your life don't have to be the...
At times it seems we take for granted
How precious life can be
Just hold on and I'm sure you'll understand it
Bringing into this world
A precious boy or girl...And when God woke up that morning
Said where has my little angel gone
And when she didn't an...answer
Heaven will never ever ever be
Heaven will never be the....same
Yeah....Yeah
More later.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Fading to Black
You may have noticed I'm slowly fading to black. I'm focused man. I'm so excited about TR arriving that I can barely contain myself. Mr A and I have extensive plans for what we want to do when our baby arrives. We want to kiss, hug, squeeze, and just spend time enjoying our blessing. Mr A is plotting some rough housing and football practice, he's really looking forward to the next ski eason with TR and has mentioned custom baby skies. We plan to take baby to the park and enjoy the sun, picnics, church, and just enjoy our lives with TR and the beginning of what we hope will be a good number of children.
It looks as if we'll have our first 6 figure gov't contract signed and possibly started before TR arrives so I'm looking forward to strapping TR into the baby sling and stopping by to have lunch with Mr A on the days he has to train folks. We went to the pre-bid meeting and the site had a very nice cafeteria and as we walked out the door I foresaw lunch for us when we got to be subs on the bid. Food is always heavy on my mind.
This project will allow for Mr A to work the project one day a week and he'll have time to work on other bids we'll recieve after that. The life we visioned and worked towards is happening for us. We are blessed.
I'm fading to black but I'll likely return once TR arrives and I have the hang of mommyhood and can change a diaper and feed a baby while mixing up dinner (I'll wash my hands)and settling a case. I have lofty goals.
Don't fret, there will be photos issued- once the baby is nice and chubby and not still in shock from leaving womb and entering the world. I may also post my childbirth experience- I'm planning natural and unmedicated. We'll see how that goes.
I'm still battling my blogging addiction. I may have to have Mr A change the password and hide it from me.
Later gators!
End of A Season
The tax season ended yesterday and for the first time since I started doing my own taxes I didn't request an extension and I filed on time.
I might be a bit like the shoemaker whose children lack shoes. I completed the taxes I had to do for others and we arrived at the post office at 4:59 with ours.
We were able to get 100% of the home office deduction and I was super excited about that. I've never taken it before, although I probably could have taken it in 2006. Maybe I should do another amendment. I really like this dual self-employed tax time thing but it was a bit confusing initially because our joint business was a 2007 start-up and my business was existing.
I had started doing our taxes as soon as our statements began arriving but then I puashed it to the side and didn't get back to it until Monday night. I didn't include all the deductions we are entitled to because I like to save things in case of an audit. Plus I understand when you do the home/office deduction you are more likely to get the audit.
Mr A had one of his years audited and when I was done with his various missed deductions he owed very little. Then I amended another of his returns adding additional deductions which got us a bigger refund and the money owed came out of that. Mr A had been going to the same tax guy for years and for some reason the man didn't add in his state refund to his schedule A and it appeared that he had understated income. I've told him to contact the guy because tax preparers have to have insurance to pay the penalties when they make those mistakes.
Anyway its nice to have everything all organized because when I do decide to do the stuff I have its readily available. And when the IRS comes knocking at my door I can make sure I end up with a bigger refund.
I might be a bit like the shoemaker whose children lack shoes. I completed the taxes I had to do for others and we arrived at the post office at 4:59 with ours.
We were able to get 100% of the home office deduction and I was super excited about that. I've never taken it before, although I probably could have taken it in 2006. Maybe I should do another amendment. I really like this dual self-employed tax time thing but it was a bit confusing initially because our joint business was a 2007 start-up and my business was existing.
I had started doing our taxes as soon as our statements began arriving but then I puashed it to the side and didn't get back to it until Monday night. I didn't include all the deductions we are entitled to because I like to save things in case of an audit. Plus I understand when you do the home/office deduction you are more likely to get the audit.
Mr A had one of his years audited and when I was done with his various missed deductions he owed very little. Then I amended another of his returns adding additional deductions which got us a bigger refund and the money owed came out of that. Mr A had been going to the same tax guy for years and for some reason the man didn't add in his state refund to his schedule A and it appeared that he had understated income. I've told him to contact the guy because tax preparers have to have insurance to pay the penalties when they make those mistakes.
Anyway its nice to have everything all organized because when I do decide to do the stuff I have its readily available. And when the IRS comes knocking at my door I can make sure I end up with a bigger refund.
Monday, April 14, 2008
The Life and Times of C2A
On Saturday I set out with the plan to add more items to TR's registry. I spent a few hours doing this and had a great time. Then I sat down for lunch. I printed my list so Mr A could check it out. When we got home I had him look at things online. Sadly most of the items I registered for in store didn't have an online photo.
I noticed that a diaper bag I'd adored had "limited availabilty" and "out of stock." I looked at the reviews and all but one was great. I looked for the bag at various other online retailers and they all said "out of stock." I looked up the manufacturer and didn't find anything to alert me if the bag was going to be disco
ntinued.
We made the decision to buy it now. I didn't want to risk waiting and it being gone. I also wasn't willing to wait until we got the coupon to get the unfulfilled registry items to buy it. We were going to get it after our childbirth class on Sunday but I forgot and didn't want to go back out. So when we got it today the price had been cut. Joy!!
So today we got it and its great!
My bag is a bit different from the photo because it has a written story on the inside of the bag.
Childbirth class
Mr A and I are doing the Bradley Method. I'd link it but if you are interested there's always google. Bradley is also known as husband coached childbirth. We're going to ask our instructor to be the doula when the day arrives.
We had originally planned to do a childbirth class at the hospital but then I read that a lot of hospitals teach in line with the goals of the hospital- which is to manage labor usually with medication. I wanted the most unfiltered instruction so I located a semi-private instructor. She would have been private but another couple whose due date is a few days before ours also wanted to do it and she couldn't do us both, so she gave us a little discount to share the time. It's great fun.
It's nice to have a childbirth strategy. I'm feeling more confident about my Birth-Date.
More on the life and times of the A family to follow.....
I noticed that a diaper bag I'd adored had "limited availabilty" and "out of stock." I looked at the reviews and all but one was great. I looked for the bag at various other online retailers and they all said "out of stock." I looked up the manufacturer and didn't find anything to alert me if the bag was going to be disco
ntinued.
We made the decision to buy it now. I didn't want to risk waiting and it being gone. I also wasn't willing to wait until we got the coupon to get the unfulfilled registry items to buy it. We were going to get it after our childbirth class on Sunday but I forgot and didn't want to go back out. So when we got it today the price had been cut. Joy!!
So today we got it and its great!
My bag is a bit different from the photo because it has a written story on the inside of the bag.
Childbirth class
Mr A and I are doing the Bradley Method. I'd link it but if you are interested there's always google. Bradley is also known as husband coached childbirth. We're going to ask our instructor to be the doula when the day arrives.
We had originally planned to do a childbirth class at the hospital but then I read that a lot of hospitals teach in line with the goals of the hospital- which is to manage labor usually with medication. I wanted the most unfiltered instruction so I located a semi-private instructor. She would have been private but another couple whose due date is a few days before ours also wanted to do it and she couldn't do us both, so she gave us a little discount to share the time. It's great fun.
It's nice to have a childbirth strategy. I'm feeling more confident about my Birth-Date.
More on the life and times of the A family to follow.....
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Hollywood Hills
My gf (former business partner) and her boyfriend are in town, so we headed to Katsuya in Hollywood for dinner last night. We had great fun.
She called me last week to invite us and when she told me the restaurants she was considering and knowing her, I figured she'd pick the most expensive Japanese place in L.A. The place was a bit on the pricey side but very low price compared to the taste of the food. We will be going back. The waiter walked us through the most loved items and we took all of his advice.
I had to skip the raw food- in honor of TR- but the food I ate made me wish I was a multi-millionaire so I could eat myself sick. The chef is one of the top 5 sushi chef's in the world and that food made me know why they would rate them. I am still remembering the taste and texture of the baked crab handroll.
This was first time Mr A and my gf met. Whenever he used to come to my office she wouldn't be there, they were in Texas for our wedding, and they managed not to meet for all this time.
Everyone got along great. I actually pick my friends quite well because whenever they meet each other they end up exchanging numbers and hanging out without me. I think I befriend the same type of people, friendly extroverts. I don't do well with shy folks- they require too much work and seem to add a spice of boring to the environment. I'm not as extroverted as most of my friends but I guess since they are outgoing and I'm laid back but open to different things, we work well in friendship.
As we were waiting for valet to bring their car around, we saw someone outside snapping photos. The restaurant looked like a place the folks from the Hills would go, but it was a Monday night so we were expecting it to be quiet. The place was packed.
So a very tiny black man walked in and we tried to figure out where we knew him. It was Hill Harper. That man must have to shop at the petite store. He had to be about 5'5. Then we saw some other black actor who Harper met up with, but we couldn't figure out what from, we concluded a commercial.
So then we spotted L.C. and Lo from the Hills, and some other folks sitting at a table right by the door. It was quite funny because they were texting as they set there. I guess they really do text all the time.
When we got in the car Mr A was raving about the sashimi which I couldn't try. I did try the onions that were on top of it, they were great. When TR moves out, we'll definitely be going back, so I can get the full experience.
My gf is staying very near where we live, so we have tentative plans for me to meet her at the Grove so she can share in the amazing experience that is American Girl Place. Mr A advised her bf not to go in there because it is no place for men. Mr A got as far as the hair salon for dolls and needed to exit. There were 2 extra floors he didn't get to see. He gave such a painful description to her bf that he refused to go too. That's fine though, that store is amazing and I love seeing the mommies with their little girls.
And to top off a lovely evening of fun, friendship and great food, my gf picked up the bill. All of the food came in pretty small portions and we had to share, so we had to order a bunch of it. The guys had a few drinks each and while I didn't see the bill, I have seen the menu and nothing we ordered was below $20.
We have plans to go out again while they are in town and this dinner will be on us.
We've been going out on couples events quite often. I'm enjoying it as much as possible because soon we won't be able to just get ourselves ready and hit the door, we'll have to arrange baby sitting and plan ahead.
She called me last week to invite us and when she told me the restaurants she was considering and knowing her, I figured she'd pick the most expensive Japanese place in L.A. The place was a bit on the pricey side but very low price compared to the taste of the food. We will be going back. The waiter walked us through the most loved items and we took all of his advice.
I had to skip the raw food- in honor of TR- but the food I ate made me wish I was a multi-millionaire so I could eat myself sick. The chef is one of the top 5 sushi chef's in the world and that food made me know why they would rate them. I am still remembering the taste and texture of the baked crab handroll.
This was first time Mr A and my gf met. Whenever he used to come to my office she wouldn't be there, they were in Texas for our wedding, and they managed not to meet for all this time.
Everyone got along great. I actually pick my friends quite well because whenever they meet each other they end up exchanging numbers and hanging out without me. I think I befriend the same type of people, friendly extroverts. I don't do well with shy folks- they require too much work and seem to add a spice of boring to the environment. I'm not as extroverted as most of my friends but I guess since they are outgoing and I'm laid back but open to different things, we work well in friendship.
As we were waiting for valet to bring their car around, we saw someone outside snapping photos. The restaurant looked like a place the folks from the Hills would go, but it was a Monday night so we were expecting it to be quiet. The place was packed.
So a very tiny black man walked in and we tried to figure out where we knew him. It was Hill Harper. That man must have to shop at the petite store. He had to be about 5'5. Then we saw some other black actor who Harper met up with, but we couldn't figure out what from, we concluded a commercial.
So then we spotted L.C. and Lo from the Hills, and some other folks sitting at a table right by the door. It was quite funny because they were texting as they set there. I guess they really do text all the time.
When we got in the car Mr A was raving about the sashimi which I couldn't try. I did try the onions that were on top of it, they were great. When TR moves out, we'll definitely be going back, so I can get the full experience.
My gf is staying very near where we live, so we have tentative plans for me to meet her at the Grove so she can share in the amazing experience that is American Girl Place. Mr A advised her bf not to go in there because it is no place for men. Mr A got as far as the hair salon for dolls and needed to exit. There were 2 extra floors he didn't get to see. He gave such a painful description to her bf that he refused to go too. That's fine though, that store is amazing and I love seeing the mommies with their little girls.
And to top off a lovely evening of fun, friendship and great food, my gf picked up the bill. All of the food came in pretty small portions and we had to share, so we had to order a bunch of it. The guys had a few drinks each and while I didn't see the bill, I have seen the menu and nothing we ordered was below $20.
We have plans to go out again while they are in town and this dinner will be on us.
We've been going out on couples events quite often. I'm enjoying it as much as possible because soon we won't be able to just get ourselves ready and hit the door, we'll have to arrange baby sitting and plan ahead.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Designing My Life
One day I was pondering how fortunate someone seemed. From the decor of her home to her professional accomplishments she just seems to be a success. I momentarily bemoaned the fact that that my life is not as neatly packaged as her life. Then I reminded myself that I'm in control of designing my life. I have my own talents that I'm fully capable of enhancing.
What happens in our lives for the most part isn't some fluke, its a matter of pursuit and being committed to being successful at what we are pursuing. Sometimes things happen but our response can have a greater impace than what actually occured.
Professional Design
I'm a procrastinator but I'm moving toward where I want to be. Last week I attended a professional meeting with people from various public and private agencies who have a part in the assisting ch children with special needs to access education. This panel is one of the resources I use to get my clients. A few people asked me if it was mandatory that I go. It wasn't mandatory but it made me realize that volunteering for professional enhancement is often seen as foreign. I think if you enjoy what you do, you look forward to that stuff. I sorta chuckled as I told them, no I just really want to get as familiar as I can with the details of what I do. I could continue getting clients and never attend a meeting.
I can build a business doing the minimum required but I want more than that. There is more to life and more to a career then going to a job to make money. I think careers offer a chance to stimulate and satisfy our mind. I enjoy what I do and there is nothing- except me-holding me back from doing it extremely well. The meeting was actually enjoyable. Then I think about The Wire and how that cop let the little boy down. I really don't want anyone relying on me and I not do my best for them.
I know what is possible for me and I'm excited to bring it to fruition.
Mr A and I are similiar in that while we want to obtain great financial resources, our primary focus isn't financial. We're trying to create a life where we can enjoy our professions, be stimulated and be of service to others.
I'm pleased that I realized during my moment of wistfulness that I'm in full control (with God's strength) of designing my life. Its all a matter of the effort I'm willing to put forth. Like everything my output is greatly deermined by my input.
Shopping for TR
After church, we did a little shopping for TR. I'm getting super anxious to meet my little passenger so I needed to do something to sooth the anticipation. I've even got my bag partially packed which includes a couple of newborn diapers in it. Mr A was a bit tortured by the shopping but he's a soldier so he endured, he also helped me stay as gender neutral as possible and tried to reign in my shopping. Momma also got an outfit- I can't have baby looking cute and momma looking blah.
I saw the cutest newborn girl outfits and told Mr A TR was going to be a girl. I felt such a draw to those outfits and I'm not having the same reaction towards boy clothes. So maybe TR will be a girl.
When we were talking about kids I told him our babies didn't need clothes and would be wearing onesies and diapers. Now here I am shopping for clothes that I know the baby will only be able to wear a few times before outgrowing them. I bought two of a couple of the outfits so TR could wear them at 0-3 months and 3-6 months.
Here are photos of what TR got this weekend.
I saw the cutest newborn girl outfits and told Mr A TR was going to be a girl. I felt such a draw to those outfits and I'm not having the same reaction towards boy clothes. So maybe TR will be a girl.
When we were talking about kids I told him our babies didn't need clothes and would be wearing onesies and diapers. Now here I am shopping for clothes that I know the baby will only be able to wear a few times before outgrowing them. I bought two of a couple of the outfits so TR could wear them at 0-3 months and 3-6 months.
Here are photos of what TR got this weekend.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Ear for Music
My mom plays the organ, can play the drums, and many other instruments. All of us were forced to take music lessons. My eldest brother was gifted with the most talent but the rest of us were decent. We all play piano, organ, drums, bongos, my sis played the sax and violin, my older brother and I played the trumpet. I can sorta work with the sax and my sis can sorta work with the trumpet. The only thing I know how to do with the violin is rub chalk on the bow.
My maternal grandfather played the electric guitar and piano and could play most any other intstrument he picked up. He taught me how to play the guitar. I even had my own as a kid.
My mother and eldest brother were blessed with great voices. The rest of us can sing but its not the type of singing where folks cheer, or close their eyes and focus when they hear you are about to do a solo or lead a song. I think some people have a vocal gift and others need some training. The only vocal lesson I ever got was my mother saying - quit singing from your throat, then she put her hand on my belly and said, it comes from here. My eldest brother probably had much better music teachers than we did, they had gospel albums out and part of their lessons required him to sing and play. They were the musicians that liked to throw their head back, and move all around as they played, as if they could make the music do more through the passion. Then there was the time he got a Billy Preston album listened to it for a week and could play every song, well. He played by ear and notes. I was probably 8 then and I didn't think I'd ever be that gifted.
My grandmother wanted a piano as a child but her parents couldn't afford it. When she got to be a teenager she saved up, got one and taught her younger sister how to play the basics. I guess my grams had an ear for music, she could also sing.
Her sister took what she learned built upon it and then taught my mother. My mother got a music teacher when she got older, so of course her own kids would have to take music lessons. My mom's a teacher but didn't have the patience to teach us piano so we had the music teachers that taught gospel by ear and a sprinkling of notes and classical teachers that were all notes. I think my mother was probably better than all but one of our music teachers. That man would sit on the couch the entire lesson watching t.v. and doing paper work. He never got up, but let me hit a wrong chord, he could tell me which finger did it. He knew when I hit the wrong pedal on the organ and would make faces.
Then he'd take my book and write a new and complicated (to me) song for me to learn in about 3 minutes, he'd write the chords, forcing me to learn the notes.
My father's side is very musical as well. His mother and her sisters used to have a singing group. His sisters used to travel with their singing and two sisters played. I've never known my father to sing a song or play an instrument but maybe the genes carried.
I'm wondering if TR has an ear. Mr A and I were at church last week and I asked him could he tell that the singer and the musician were in different keys, he said he didn't notice. I asked could he tell the musician didn't change chords at all, he didn't notice. I don't know if its training or just a natural thing.
The other night I was watching making the band and Day 26 started singing, it was terrible, my gosh it was awful. I would have turned the t.v. but TR started kicking so hard and just throwing a fit and I didn't know why. I told Mr A that it felt like TR was trying to exit and thought he could punch and kick his way out through my stomach.
Then the singing stopped and TR immediately stopped. I was wondering if TR thought it was horrible too. Today I read that at this stage you should start experimenting with music because babies can hear it. Could TR have a good ear? Could he already know when folks are singing off key and in no key at all? Did all that terrible singing distress him?
My maternal grandfather played the electric guitar and piano and could play most any other intstrument he picked up. He taught me how to play the guitar. I even had my own as a kid.
My mother and eldest brother were blessed with great voices. The rest of us can sing but its not the type of singing where folks cheer, or close their eyes and focus when they hear you are about to do a solo or lead a song. I think some people have a vocal gift and others need some training. The only vocal lesson I ever got was my mother saying - quit singing from your throat, then she put her hand on my belly and said, it comes from here. My eldest brother probably had much better music teachers than we did, they had gospel albums out and part of their lessons required him to sing and play. They were the musicians that liked to throw their head back, and move all around as they played, as if they could make the music do more through the passion. Then there was the time he got a Billy Preston album listened to it for a week and could play every song, well. He played by ear and notes. I was probably 8 then and I didn't think I'd ever be that gifted.
My grandmother wanted a piano as a child but her parents couldn't afford it. When she got to be a teenager she saved up, got one and taught her younger sister how to play the basics. I guess my grams had an ear for music, she could also sing.
Her sister took what she learned built upon it and then taught my mother. My mother got a music teacher when she got older, so of course her own kids would have to take music lessons. My mom's a teacher but didn't have the patience to teach us piano so we had the music teachers that taught gospel by ear and a sprinkling of notes and classical teachers that were all notes. I think my mother was probably better than all but one of our music teachers. That man would sit on the couch the entire lesson watching t.v. and doing paper work. He never got up, but let me hit a wrong chord, he could tell me which finger did it. He knew when I hit the wrong pedal on the organ and would make faces.
Then he'd take my book and write a new and complicated (to me) song for me to learn in about 3 minutes, he'd write the chords, forcing me to learn the notes.
My father's side is very musical as well. His mother and her sisters used to have a singing group. His sisters used to travel with their singing and two sisters played. I've never known my father to sing a song or play an instrument but maybe the genes carried.
I'm wondering if TR has an ear. Mr A and I were at church last week and I asked him could he tell that the singer and the musician were in different keys, he said he didn't notice. I asked could he tell the musician didn't change chords at all, he didn't notice. I don't know if its training or just a natural thing.
The other night I was watching making the band and Day 26 started singing, it was terrible, my gosh it was awful. I would have turned the t.v. but TR started kicking so hard and just throwing a fit and I didn't know why. I told Mr A that it felt like TR was trying to exit and thought he could punch and kick his way out through my stomach.
Then the singing stopped and TR immediately stopped. I was wondering if TR thought it was horrible too. Today I read that at this stage you should start experimenting with music because babies can hear it. Could TR have a good ear? Could he already know when folks are singing off key and in no key at all? Did all that terrible singing distress him?
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter Sunday!
It's 9 a.m. and we're back in bed. We attended sunrise service this morning and had a late evening last night. It's a beautiful day but we'll have to enjoy it later as we need naps.
We had a good time on our evening out. We went to P.F. Changs because we knew we were going to have a long dinner, a portion of it was a dinner meeting. Had the dinner been for the sole purpose of dining, we would have hit a real Chinese restaurant in Chinatown and got real Chinese food. One of the couples are from out of state- and they like the place. I guess that's how it was chosen. It isn't expensive so its probably a good place to go if you plan to order food you know you won't eat.
I think we might have found a pediatrician. The young lady we met- who I discovered is also my soror, told me about the private practice she works in. My goal was to find a dr with privileges at a certain hospital here in L.A. She told me they all have prilieges at that hospital and Children's. The other two have been in practice 30 years and one is chief of pediatrics at the hospital I wanted. I don't like where the L.A. Children's is located so TR will have to wait for us to move back to the Bay Area before he goes there. We'll be making an appointment to check things out and interview the doctors. Its also super close to home. It also appears one of the doctors has privileges at the hospital I'm scheduled to deliver. Maybe he'll be able to work with TR day 1. That would be nice.
We had a good time on our evening out. We went to P.F. Changs because we knew we were going to have a long dinner, a portion of it was a dinner meeting. Had the dinner been for the sole purpose of dining, we would have hit a real Chinese restaurant in Chinatown and got real Chinese food. One of the couples are from out of state- and they like the place. I guess that's how it was chosen. It isn't expensive so its probably a good place to go if you plan to order food you know you won't eat.
I think we might have found a pediatrician. The young lady we met- who I discovered is also my soror, told me about the private practice she works in. My goal was to find a dr with privileges at a certain hospital here in L.A. She told me they all have prilieges at that hospital and Children's. The other two have been in practice 30 years and one is chief of pediatrics at the hospital I wanted. I don't like where the L.A. Children's is located so TR will have to wait for us to move back to the Bay Area before he goes there. We'll be making an appointment to check things out and interview the doctors. Its also super close to home. It also appears one of the doctors has privileges at the hospital I'm scheduled to deliver. Maybe he'll be able to work with TR day 1. That would be nice.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Excitement
I woke up this morning with pediatricians on my mind. I hear its pretty hard to find them and if you find one you like, getting to be a new patient is the challenge. So I was thinking pediatrician and something else related to TR but can't remember what.
Then I remembered we're having dinner tonight with a female pediatrician- I think she's a sister. Joy!! I can quiz her.
Soooo....I blogged about that cake I'd purchased in honor of our first gov't contract. I couldn't figure out why we hadn't eaten it. Yesterday I realized why, more good news was on its way. One of Mr A's newest clients, also a friend has started a non-profit endeavor to assist first time fathers, since most of the information is targeted to women.
This friend was included in 2008 a calendar. One of his college friends is director of marketing for a magazine and walked into the director of the magazines office, saw the magazine which was turned to the month he was featured and said, "hey I know him." The director said really. The director told the marketing guy that he'd like for that magazine to work with his non-profit and to put his efforts behind it.
Then the friend/client was in NYC and playing basketball with this same friend and another marketer from another major corporation so ....... a long story short, good things are happening for those we are connected with and us. Whooo hoooo!!
Tonight we're having dinner with the friend/client, his wife, and the pediatrician and her husband. The pediatrician wants to assist in the friends business. Isn't it great that when you have a good idea and work toward it how people will see your efforts and push. This totally supports my long-held theory that God uses us, his people to bless each other. When we ask God for something he puts people in place to send the blessing. It may seem coincidental but its ordered.
Mr. A is only charging his friend a very minimal amount because he liked the project. His main payments were to come from revenue, which we figured would mean earnings wouldn't really occur until much later in the future. We're optimistic so we never considered they may never come. Amazingly this guy is getting the revenue first.
We're extremely blessed and so are the people we are connected with. I don't know if our blessings are falling upon them or their blessings falling upon us, but whichever way, I'm thankful to God that he has allowed these things to fall and to be underneath that shower.
Baby Shower
I'd been looking for cute couple baby shower invitations and was a bit disappointed by the limited options. I wanted black folks on the invite. I saw one I liked and was planning to order it from the U.K. Then I started thinking about the professional pregnancy photos I want us to take and it occurred to me that I could design my own cards.
For our wedding I went to the guy my brother uses as a printer and designed our wedding program and after that I designed our Thank you cards which included one of our wedding photos, names and dates. We got an excellent price on it all. I'm going to design a personalized and thought invitation and I'm excited. I think I've found a photographer who takes unique photos so I can't wait to get this done.
I was in a bit of panic this morning regarding what I need to take to the hospital and to bring TR home. I called my mom and she gave me a list. I was thinking we needed so much more but babies are pretty simple. I feel much more at ease and not like I'll be completely unprepared for a what a newborn might require. I don't want to have to send Mr A out to pick up anything once TR arrives, mostly because I'm scared at the idea of being home alone with a newborn. After a few weeks I know I'll feel confident about it but not day one or week one. Mr A helped take care of his younger brothers when they were newborns so is familiar with what they do. If I didn't have Mr A's strength and knowledge to rely upon, I'd probably be a nervous wreck.
I'm still excited..... signing off. Have a lovely Easter Sunday.
Then I remembered we're having dinner tonight with a female pediatrician- I think she's a sister. Joy!! I can quiz her.
Soooo....I blogged about that cake I'd purchased in honor of our first gov't contract. I couldn't figure out why we hadn't eaten it. Yesterday I realized why, more good news was on its way. One of Mr A's newest clients, also a friend has started a non-profit endeavor to assist first time fathers, since most of the information is targeted to women.
This friend was included in 2008 a calendar. One of his college friends is director of marketing for a magazine and walked into the director of the magazines office, saw the magazine which was turned to the month he was featured and said, "hey I know him." The director said really. The director told the marketing guy that he'd like for that magazine to work with his non-profit and to put his efforts behind it.
Then the friend/client was in NYC and playing basketball with this same friend and another marketer from another major corporation so ....... a long story short, good things are happening for those we are connected with and us. Whooo hoooo!!
Tonight we're having dinner with the friend/client, his wife, and the pediatrician and her husband. The pediatrician wants to assist in the friends business. Isn't it great that when you have a good idea and work toward it how people will see your efforts and push. This totally supports my long-held theory that God uses us, his people to bless each other. When we ask God for something he puts people in place to send the blessing. It may seem coincidental but its ordered.
Mr. A is only charging his friend a very minimal amount because he liked the project. His main payments were to come from revenue, which we figured would mean earnings wouldn't really occur until much later in the future. We're optimistic so we never considered they may never come. Amazingly this guy is getting the revenue first.
We're extremely blessed and so are the people we are connected with. I don't know if our blessings are falling upon them or their blessings falling upon us, but whichever way, I'm thankful to God that he has allowed these things to fall and to be underneath that shower.
Baby Shower
I'd been looking for cute couple baby shower invitations and was a bit disappointed by the limited options. I wanted black folks on the invite. I saw one I liked and was planning to order it from the U.K. Then I started thinking about the professional pregnancy photos I want us to take and it occurred to me that I could design my own cards.
For our wedding I went to the guy my brother uses as a printer and designed our wedding program and after that I designed our Thank you cards which included one of our wedding photos, names and dates. We got an excellent price on it all. I'm going to design a personalized and thought invitation and I'm excited. I think I've found a photographer who takes unique photos so I can't wait to get this done.
I was in a bit of panic this morning regarding what I need to take to the hospital and to bring TR home. I called my mom and she gave me a list. I was thinking we needed so much more but babies are pretty simple. I feel much more at ease and not like I'll be completely unprepared for a what a newborn might require. I don't want to have to send Mr A out to pick up anything once TR arrives, mostly because I'm scared at the idea of being home alone with a newborn. After a few weeks I know I'll feel confident about it but not day one or week one. Mr A helped take care of his younger brothers when they were newborns so is familiar with what they do. If I didn't have Mr A's strength and knowledge to rely upon, I'd probably be a nervous wreck.
I'm still excited..... signing off. Have a lovely Easter Sunday.
