Day Thirty One :: Hola Halloween

I love holidays. I love it all: the decorating, the anticipating and finally the actually celebrating of said holiday.

With Halloween, I also love that it means fun-size Snickers, mini Heaths and maybe some sour gummies if Joe and I are Madeline is lucky.

Our first Halloween party was last Thursday with Madeline's preschool class. Her teacher approaches holidays with the same level of enthusiasm as me.

This reassures me that my daughter is in the right place.

Madeline went as Dora the Explorer but refused to wear the wig. So she looked more like a kid in nearly clashing clothes than a cartoon character, especially when she didn't want to wear the backpack two minutes after walking in the classroom.

Before our second Halloween party, Madeline walked into the living room and said she wanted to go as Sleeping Beauty. Specifically, a cowgirl Sleeping Beauty with a little doggie named Lilly.

Forget the fact that Mama actually allowed her ankles to swell to the size of buoys while she SEWED A PAIR OF ORANGE SHORTS FOR DORA FROM SCRATCH. No, of course, we should instead drag out a pre-made costume that we've had for two years.

Whatever makes the little girl happy. Especially when the cowgirl Sleeping Beauty is this darn cute.

But then for trick or treating on Halloween night, Dora made a reappearance and Joe convinced her to wear the wig this time.

The wig totally completes the look, doesn't it?

Please ignore the fact that it appears like I ate 37 queso burritoes from Qdoba. (Mmmmm, queso burritoes.)

Is this not the best picture ever?!?!?!

It's common knowledge that every Dora needs a Luke Skywalker so we headed over to my parents to go trick or treating with Brennan.

There were also this adorable tiny little pumkin too.

Judging by Madeline's giddy laughter throughout the night and her overflowing bucket of chocolate treats, I think Halloween was very successful.

Day Thirty :: Words and tea

Janna sent an email to the sisters linking to Jen Hatmaker's blog post, Fake Family. I had never heard of Jen Hatmaker but spent the rest of the afternoon reading her past posts and loving her passion, tears, sweat and love for her family.

Even though the Fake Family post focuses on adoption, I took away so much encouragement from the reminder that my kids don't need a fake mom or a fake family and they certainly don't need pressure to act fake themselves.

Kids just need to be loved and loved hard.

I need to remember my motto for my family. I want my kids to grow up knowing they are loved, they are safe and they matter to Joe and I and to God. I want to love my kids recklessly and lavishly.

Then I read Jen's post, Words and I started crying because it reminded me so much of my parents and how I was raised.

We didn't have many shiny, pretty things growing up but my brothers and I honestly didn't know it. I had an extremely happy childhood regardless of what we owned or didn't own.

I can still distinctly remember the Christmas when I finally received my Molly doll with just one outfit and was completely over the moon.

Our family drove used cars until they came to a complete standstill. I showed up for my first job in my brothers' stanky two-tone, tan and brown Bronco. Even though I knew it was ugly, I was incredibly proud of my first car, an 1989 Dodge Aries K car.

We didn't have cable and we didn't watch Saturday morning cartoons.

But, and a HUGE but, we were loved and cherished and were told so and I believe deep down that their love, hugs and kisses mattered more than anything else tangible. I'm so incredibly far from a perfect person but I am secure in my family's love and that translates into every other relationship I have. My parents' security was a gift that I'm just now beginning to fully appreciate.

They are the kind of parents I want to be to my own kids.

In much less deep thoughts, I've been introduced to rooibos tea and my life is forever changed.

I drank it for the first time at my friend Laura's house last week and after leaving to pick up Madeline from preschool, we went immediately to the grocery store to get Mama a box. It tastes SO good and is caffeine-free.

I may or may not have been drinking at least two (or three or four) cups a day and already need another box. I also put three bags in my hospital bag. Along with the amazing black bean burger, I think a cup of rooibos would be awesome post-delivery.

PG Tips has some competition, yo.

Day Twenty Nine :: Playing with princesses

Yesterday, Madeline and I did pretty much nothing during the day. Our only productive moments were straightening the house and making chicken pot pie.

My back, belly and legs feel pretty close to awesome when I can sit and prop my feet up for most of the day. With preschool three mornings a week, seeing friends before we quarantine ourselves with a newborn during the winter and trying to prep the house to handle an itty-bitty baby, sitting is hard to do these days. So if I can have an entire day of sitting and dressing tiny princesses over and over, I'll take it gladly.

I'm also a strong believer that kids need occasional home days, days when they don't leave the house at all. 

Dude, preschool has totally cramped the frequency of our home days. 

But we took one yesterday.  We took 45 minutes to eat our oatmeal because we were talking so much (if you've met Madeline, you know that talking equals non-stop hand motions, hence the 45 minutes). We literally spent the entire day in our pajamas. We took a two-hour nap together in my bed. We read every book in Madeline's library bag, even though it is so full that it's busting at the seams and Mama would pay big bucks to never read that darn Diego book again.

At one point, I was sitting in the rocking chair with the chair massage, sipping hot tea while Madeline was shipping her princesses in boats (a.k.a. slippers) to the castle and I was so thankful we were taking a home day.

If that presents a perfect picture of staying at home, let me ruin that image for you.

My kitchen was a wreck, laundry was stuffed so tightly in the hampers but still spilling out the top and my floors haven't been steamed clean in an embarrassingly long time. And let's not even mention the status of my toilet and tub.

But I really didn't care at that moment. Trust me, I have other moments when I totally panic at how much I need to do but I didn't care when I was rocking in the chair yesterday. 

These weeks may be all about preparing for a new baby but they're also about soaking up time with my only child, the child who made me a mom.

I could listen to her imaginative play for 34 months straight. I love her dearly.

Day Twenty Eight :: Week 35

Baby Rockne and I turned 35 weeks on Monday. My doctor told me on Monday afternoon that he didn't think I would still be pregnant this week. 

I am so very thankful to get this far. We just want those lungs as mature as they can get.

I'm feeling like a bomb with a defective timer these days. I could detonate at any moment. Or I could go another couple of weeks.

(This might indicate too many "Castle" episodes.)

My prayers for the baby have started to include, "And please Lord, don't let my water break while I'm sitting on someone's couch. Especially if it's fabric and not leather." 

COOK BABY COOK!

P.S. Bets can still be placed on the baby pool. And I love all the names. I could ponder baby names every day and be happy.

Day Twenty Seven :: Candy corn pjs

There is just something about how kids' faces look when they first wake up.

Madeline is especially adorable for the first two minutes after she wakes. Her face seems chubbier, her eyelids are puffy and her voice has a frog-esque element to it.

Yesterday, Joe and I were already up when we heard her door creak open and little feet slapping the wood floor. She was heading to our room (because momma normally sleeps until she wakes me) so Joe called out to her that we were in the kitchen. 

She ran towards us, her eyes squinting in the light and before we could even say "good morning," she held out her beloved My Little Pony and croaked, "Pinkie Pie has pjs!"

Apparently she had dressed Pinkie Pie in her candy corn socks and waited all night to show us.

I know this story isn't funny and might even seem lame since no one else was there to witness it but it was one of those moments I want to always remember and 20 years from now, I think I'll be thankful I wrote it down.

This child has captured my whole heart.

Day Twenty Six :: Baby shower

Last year, we decided to join a small group at our church. We were assigned to a group of all new people. Not a soul had met each other before.

Joe never believes me when I say this but I get very nervous meeting new people. I know I can be really awkward and my version of small talk has been known to include blurting out confessions of reality TV and a million other facts I shouldn't confess to strangers.

So I was a little apprehensive to bare my soul with some new peeps.

But fast-forward to the present, I stuck it out with the small talk and now love our small group. This is a group that likes to laugh, likes to eat and frequently makes fun of each other. It's the perfect group for me.

Last night, we showed up, thinking we were going to study the Bible.

Instead, they threw a surprise baby shower for Baby Rockne.

(Please notice the AMAZING diaper cake. It was filled with tons of onesies, washcloths, blankets and 500 diapers.)

(500 might be exaggerating. Maybe 300.)

It is such a wonderful feeling to know you are loved, your family is loved and your unborn baby is so very loved too.

(We do all have husbands but the reality is the women planned the party and I really need a good photo with these girls.)

We laughed and made fun of each other while eating Mexican food (my favorite). Some 80's-style Halloween pictures may have even been passed around the table at one point.

Red velvet cake was eaten. Baby Rockne really loved it and did a happy dance on my bladder afterwards.

Then we played Baby Jeopardy, men versus women. In honor of my love for all things Tori Spelling and beyond, one of the categories was "celebrity parents."

I rocked it the entire category. (Was there any doubt?)

You win a million friendship points if you know them all too. Here were the kids names; you match the parents.

$100 - Apple

$200 - Maddox

$500 - Joaquin

$1000 - Coco

$2000 - Michael 1 and Prince Michael

I am so thankful for a group of friends like this. A small community we can study the Bible with and share our lives together. Friends to go camping with, even in the rain. Peeps who want to celebrate our major life changes and pray for our baby.

And friends who can put up with my "small talk" and love for celebrities.

Day Twenty-Four :: After I was done being lazy, I lazed some more

I'm alive and still very pregnant. I didn't mean to scare anyone by not posting for two days. Sorry about that.

If you want honesty, I don't mind telling you I chose to be blog-lazy and instead watch an unmentionable amount of "Castle" episodes over the weekend. It was glorious.

Our weekend was half productive, half unbelievably relaxing and lazy. Joe was the productive half. He finished moving Madeline into her new room, painted the nursery, prepped furniture to be painted and cooked his grand-slam breakfast.

I watched TV and washed the dishes. Once.

There is a huge, noticeable difference in pains, aches and cankles when I lounge around instead of contributing to society and accomplishing something. I've reached the point when I don't feel guilty (maybe a smidgen) because it just feels too good to not feel so bad.

My weekend started on Friday afternoon when I wasn't feeling very good and headed over to my parent's house. I hope you have the same experience going back to your parents' house because there is nothing else like it for me. My parents love when we come over so they can love on their kids and grandkids.

And by love on us, I mean they pile on good food, want us only to relax, turn on good cable TV, maybe play a Scrabble game and we all just hang out together. I spent three hours in the world's biggest recliner with a portable massage chair while Madeline and my mom decorated Halloween cupcakes.

I'm sure I looked rather geriatric but my back didn't hurt so go ahead and identified me with the Depends crowd. I don't care when I feel that good.

Their recliner ain't no joke. It's huge and leather-y plush. I think of it as the healing chair. This chair nursed my dad after his surgery last year and then took care of Peter after his surgery. When you lay your head back and kick your feet up, it's hard to remember you have any worries in this life.

This chair might even have magical powers.

When it was time to go home, my mom didn't want me to worry about cooking dinner so she sent us off with dinner, complete with lasagna, salad and King's Hawaiian sweet rolls.

(I love bread. Totally a love language. Especially those rolls.)

She also gave me the massage chair which I gladly borrowed because, oh sweet mercy, the MASSAGE! The HEAT! It is amazing.

My mom also tried to give me the recliner. For realz. Then my dad came home right before I was about to leave and he tried to give me the chair too. If they have something that might help someone else, they're incapable of keeping it to themselves. They are extremely generous people.

My dad even called the next day to offer the recliner again. His exact words: "We only use it because it's here." Oh, you guys. They are so wonderful.

It's a family tradition for my family to go to Conner Prairie's Headless Horseman event. It's one of my favorite activities of the whole year. To be honest, I just really love Conner Prairie and anything else resembling "Little House on the Prairie."

But this year, I would possibly choose shards of glass in my eyes over walking around, sitting on backless benches and sitting in a bumpy hayride. So my parents offered to take Madeline on Saturday to Conner Prairie to meet up with Zach, Jenny, Brennan and Beckett. Meanwhile, I stayed behind to do absolutely nothing while Joe painted, primed, cleaned and earned Hot Daddy of the Year tallies.

(He's totally going to win this year. Again.)

But when my family got up there shortly after the gates opened, the next available hayride was 10:45 p.m. As in 45 minutes after 10 o'clock at night. My parents had the smart sense to promise the kids hot dogs and s'mores back at their house if they could leave and come back the next night.

Since I could do nothing at my house or their house, I headed over to there to sit in the huge recliner, eat a hot dog, macaroni salad and chips while watching "The Little Rascals." Which, if you're interested, that movie is still really, really funny.

Sunday was basically a repeat of me doing nothing, Joe doing everything and Madeline went to my parents in the late afternoon to go back to Conner Prairie.

(Is anyone really still reading? There's no way I can spice this up. Sorry.)

(Do I get any award for being incredibly verbose when absolutely nothing happened??)

Dear friends from church dropped off dinner for us because they are wonderful, wonderful people. They remembered how much I love Shapiro's, specifically the macaroni and cheese.

People of Indianapolis, if you've never tasted Shapiro's mac and cheese or a zebra square or Neapolitan from the now-defunct Rosslyn Bakery, YOU'VE NEVER LIVED. I realize that is a dramatic statement but it's some dramatic food.

Anyways, our friends brought over a meatloaf dinner, complete with mashed potatoes and  A DOUBLE HELPING OF MAC AND CHEESE. It was sight of beauty.

With the little girl gone again, Joe and I managed to squeeze in even more episodes of "Castle" while paint dried and we're now finally up to the current season. We still have several more episodes to get completely caught-up but at least we're in season four now.

It feels so good to accomplish a goal, you know?

It's very corny and predictable at times but I just really love that show. Remember when I used to only let myself watch it while I was working out with Tony Little? Yeah, me too. Now I watch it while eating a double helping of mac and cheese and my ankles are a decent 12 inches circumference.

But I'm cooking a baby and growing life. I'm calling it even.

Day Twenty One :: A Week in Pictures

I cannot believe it's Friday. As evidenced by the slew of pictures I'm about to show you, we've been having fun. I have been trying to rest but it's hard when there's so much to do and so much fun to be had.

We started the week with a bonfire at my in-laws, now forever known as Nova and Sandy's pad to Madeline.

Hypothetically, I might have said something like this on the car ride up.

"I'm so excited for a hot dog. It's just sounds amazing right now. Oh no! I forgot my heartburn medicine!"

(long pause) 

"I'm still going to eat it anyways."

Good thing love is holding this marriage together and not a pretense of classiness on my part.

On Monday, Madeline and I watched Beckett for a couple hours. Thankfully, I remembered to take pictures this time.

Is it possible to see this face and NOT squeeze it? I submit that it is not.

Madeline loves babies and loves taking care of them.

She's just a smidgen excited to be a big sister.

Just a smidgen.

When Jenny came to pick Beckett up, she brought a Bum Genius cloth diaper and Baby Legs for us.

I really don't want Baby Rockne to came early. I want those lungs to mature as much as possible. But I'll be honest: that diaper and those warmers made me long for a chubby butt and legs RIGHT THAT SECOND.

Then came the highlight of Madeline's week. She got "booed." 

I know you can't tell AT ALL from this picture but she was stoked.

And it was some serious loot. A "Max and Ruby" DVD, glow in the dark hand soap, Reese's Pieces, stickers and ghost Peeps.

I have to restrain myself from the Reese's Pieces. Sometimes I can hear them whispering sweet nothings to me from the kitchen counter.

Actually, let's been honest. I probably just need to go buy a replacement because they are awfully hard to leave alone.

After my freak-out day of hearing Baby Rockne is huge and really could come any time now, I got serious with the baby stuff.

I hauled out all the gender-neutral clothes I thrifted over the summer, brought up the baby blankets, slings, car seat gear, sheets and covers and did my first loads of baby laundry.

When Joe came home, he said, "Mmmm, smells like a baby in here."

I'm not a laundry fan but I do love seeing a sight like this.

 And the bags are packed, one for me and baby and one for Madeline. Keep cooking, baby, but we are (a little more) ready if you come now.

Day Twenty :: This kid is a riot

Not only did she put curlers in her grass troll from school, but she insisted on posing. 

Multiple times.

She certainly provides endless entertainment.

Day Nineteen :: I may or may not wear slippers in public

You know you're very pregnant when your stretch marks are going where no previous stretches marks have gone before, even though your first pregnancy went past 41 weeks.

You know you're very pregnant when you put every little thing in perspective of "What if I went into labor right now?" As in, "Oh, Madeline has zero clean socks. What if I went into labor right now and we had no clean socks for her?!"

(Sidenote: I went to Target yesterday and bought her new socks. Package of 12 socks? $7.49. Peace of mind no one will dig through our dirty clothes? Priceless.)

You know you're very pregnant when your eyebrows are out of control but you pick a heating pad over tweezers every single time.

You know you're very pregnant when flip-flops are too tight and you have to buy the only pair at Target that fit your fat feet. Even if your husband asks if they're actually slippers when you wear them.

(But then when you write a blog post about it and decide to include a picture, you go to the Target web site and find that your new comfy shoes are actually listed on the slipper page. Fashion. Fail.)

Day Eighteen :: Week 34 and a baby pool

I didn't blog yesterday. I'm kinda surprised how sad that makes me because me sticking with a goal? Never happens.

(Well, hello, baby weight from 2007.)

I'm starting to not feel very good, especially past 3 p.m. If dinner isn't already made and in the fridge by the afternoon, we're probably eating Jimmy John's for dinner. Gravity + giant belly = pain. I started writing a post yesterday but couldn't finish complete, cohesive sentences because I was overwhelmed, tired and hurting.

I opted instead for my heating pad and "Real Housewives of Atlanta." Even watching that proved to be difficult. You know I'm not feeling well when it's hard to even keep Nene and Kim's drama straight.

Anyways.

We had an ultrasound yesterday. Baby Rockne was moving a TON but we were able to see that everything important regarding the high fluid. So thankful the kidneys, stomach and bladder all look functioning and fantastic.

One highlight of the ultrasound was seeing all the hair on this child because, wow. This babe has a lot of hair. Like Donald Trump or Pocahontas or some person with a ton of hair.

(This is how I'm thinking these days. Difficult and weird. Sorry.)

Baby Rockne measured over 7 pounds and the amniotic fluid measured at 36. I know ultrasound weights often aren't very accurate and tend to measure big so I'm telling myself Baby Rockne is 6 pounds and change. We'll see.

But hearing 7 pounds sent alarm bells through my head. I think it affected Joe the same way since one of the first things he said when we got in the car was, "You need to pack your hospital bag today.

So I'm thinking it's time we do a baby pool. Place your wagers on:

• baby's gender
• baby's birthday
• baby's weight and length
• baby's name (we're open to suggestions considering we have no idea what to name this babe)

To give you some context, here's what we know:

• I felt super strongly during my whole pregnancy with Madeline that she was a girl. This time, I have no instinct. Some days I think boy, some days girl. I can't tell if I'm measuring high or low because I'm just overall big. Baby's heartbeat is consistently between 140-160.
• My due date is November 28. My doctor is ecstatic that I made it to 34 weeks and thinks I might make it to 36 weeks but won't let me go past 38 weeks. I've been contracting since 26 weeks but zero dilation (thank you Jesus, for real). Madeline came nine days late after 22 hours of labor and nearly four hours of pushing. She did not want to come out. Hopefully Baby Rockne feels the same. (COOK, BABY, COOK.)
• Madeline weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces and 21 inches. The ultrasound thinks Baby Rockne is already 7 pounds, 1 ounce. I think no way.
• When Madeline was born, we went into the hospital with three solid options for the first name and one definite middle name. We still didn't name her for two days after she was born.This time, we have a list of about 25 names. These aren't names we absolutely love; they're just names neither one of us vetoed. Basically, we have no idea what the name will be, boy or girl.

There is no prize to be awarded to the winner. By the time we have the results, I'll be a sore, swollen, leaky, tired, highly emotional mama to two.

I'm just keeping it real.

But I do promise to recognize the winner on my blog before the baby's first birthday.

I recognize that this is an extremely compelling and inspiring reason to enter. Good luck.

P.S. I've recently gotten a couple comments from "strangers" who apologize for commenting since I don't know them. Please know that I stalk and lurk on tons of blogs every day and I feel no shame when I do comment on a blog written by someone I don't know personally. So I don't want anyone to feel that way about my blog. Seriously. I've even commented on some blogs and then met some pretty awesome women in real life and while some might think that's weird, I think it's pretty cool. So I might not know you in real life but that doesn't make you a stranger or lurker.

P.S.S. I hope you don't think I'm trying to force you/people to enter the baby pool. I just don't think you need to apologize if you want to comment. If you want to continue reading without commenting, totally fine. For realz.

P.S.S.S. However, I do think it would be totally awesome if I don't know you and you want to try to name my baby. Just sayin'.

Day Sixteen :: Sharing the rainbow (sans Skittles)

Dear Madeline,
Today you are four years, five months and two days old and your heart is the size of Texas. Thanks to your Dallas-dwelling aunts and uncle, we know just how big that is.

You want to share everything with everyone. You are always giving something -- bracelets, pictures, candy -- to your friends and family members. As soon as you make a neat craft at school, you are in a dilemma of figuring out who should get it.

Sometimes Daddy and I have to stop you because you want to give away something we really want you (or us) to keep.

When you see something cool when we're out running errands, you just fall apart asking me to take a picture of it so we can send it to someone. You are incapable of keeping something to yourself; it just has to be shared.

On Friday evening, I was really tired and ready to just be done with this week. Daddy came home from work and took you to Lowe's so I could rest a little bit. I hate to say it, but I was so thankful when you and Daddy left.

But you came home, just bursting to tell me something. You saw a rainbow, took a picture of it just for me and could not wait to climb on the couch and show me.

My mom guilt kicked into overdrive. Even when I'm cranky and tired and out of patience and steam, you still love me and are always thinking of me and everyone else you love.

I hope you always know even when you're cranky and tired and out of patience and steam, I still love you and am always thinking of you.

Thanks for sharing your rainbow and making my day.

Love,

Mommy

Day Fifteen :: A Story of the Best Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe

Once upon a time, my brother-in-law met a girl from Oklahoma named Janna. He liked her so much that he married her. So now one of my best friends is an Okie at heart. When Janna moved from Oklahoma to Indiana, she brought one of my absolute, hands-down favorite recipes with her: chicken tortilla soup.

I have no idea if it's authentic and, based on the massive block of Velveeta cheese, it is definitely not healthy. 

But it is delicious.

When I first tasted it, I begged her for the recipe which she wrote down which I lost after a little while. Then she decided to put the recipe on her blog because everyone always asks for it.

Two winters ago, I created a post linking to my five favorite fall soup recipes and included Janna's soup. It might appear I did this for all my precious readers. But in reality, I created it for myself so whenever I needed those recipes, I knew right where to find them.

Are you seeing the terrible error in all of this?? I never wrote out the world's best chicken tortilla soup recipe. I relied on THE INTERNET.

Houston, we have a problem.

So a couple weeks ago, cool weather set in and I desperately craved cheesy, creamy goodness. I got this craving in the grocery store but thought, "no problem, just go to Janna's blog."

I got this message: 

Dread started to settle in my stomach. I called Janna to see if she was home and could give it to me over the phone. Our conversation went something like this:

Katie: "Hey, I need the chicken tortilla soup recipe. I clicked on your blog but it looks like you deleted the blog?

Janna: "Yeah I did....OH NO! I don't think I have that recipe written down! Whenever I wanted to make it, I just went to my blog."

**Katie panicking in aisle five**

End scene.

The next couple days were a blur of the two of us trying to finding the recipe in our cookbooks, scraps of paper and Gmail.

I tried to make it from memory. The soup tasted fine but it was not the same blend of goodness. My tears of sadness dripping into the pot didn't help either.

Then Janna called. She found it. CRISIS OVER.

She e-mailed it to me. I wrote it out and placed it in my cookbook. I'm thinking about printing it out in a banner and laminating it.

But I also am creating this post so when I get the craving in the grocery store, I can pull this sucker up.

And now you can have it too. But please learn from my mistakes and keep a back-up in secure and safe location. You're welcome.

Janna's Chicken Tortilla Soup

1/2 block of Velveeta Cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
2-3 cans chicken broth
1 can red beans, drained and rinsed

1 can Ro-Tel
1 can chicken and rice soup
1 lb cooked chicken (can be canned)

Add all the ingredients in a stockpot and heat up.

Day Fourteen: Mini me

Madeline was supposed to have a field trip to an apple orchard yesterday. She was extremely excited for this event all week. But thunderstorms rolled in and the trip was rescheduled. She was upset for two seconds until she learned she was still going to go to school. Then she was fine and asked for a parfait.

This kid is totally my flesh and blood. I loved school too. Like, nerd-level love. Also like me? Good food soothes all wounds.

In the afternoon, Jenny and Beckett came over for a visit. They came bearing gifts which made my little one squeal when she saw the green bag and yellow tissue paper. I squealed when I saw Beckett was wearing a white onesie and robot leg warmers.

Baby Rockne received two adorable outfits, a huge box of diapers and Johnson & Johnson Bedtime lotion and wash. Those purple bottles were some of my favorite things to buy for Madeline when she was a baby. The scent is light and awesome. I immediately lathered my hands with lotion and was filled with the urge to hold a baby.

Thankfully Beckett was there and I can report that his soft bare thighs were delightful.

Back to the gifts. Madeline received her own Tervis. A girl pirate Tervis with a hot pink lid, just like Mama's. She was beyond thrilled. She wanted to drink out of it immediately so I washed it, filled it with ice and water and she slurped like it was full of pumpkin juice.

I even got gifts. The two latest People magazines. One of the best things I can ever receive. Sadly, I already finished both because I have no self-control when it comes to Sun Chips and celebrity photos.

Jenny is an awesome gift-giver. Plus she made an awfully cute baby and I'm just kicking myself that I didn't take any pictures of him.

My aunt Sheila also stopped by for a visit. After hashing out the latest updates on Madeline's school and Aunt Sheila's dog and cat, it was snack time. Madeline asked if we could have tea and how could I say no to tea time? Soon, two cups of PG Tips and one cup of black cherry tea were steeping. All three of us added half and half because creamy tea is just better.

After dinner, Madeline asked to play Boggle Jr. and, despite my aching back and swollen feet, my heart soared. 

My child loves school, hot pink, Tervis cups, tea, spelling, words and Boggle and I'd do anything for her.

Day Thirteen: Chapter books and my 4-year-old

"Richer than me you can never be

for I had a mother who read to me."

"The Reading Mother"

I think I've mentioned this before but I love books and one of my goals for motherhood is to have my kids love books, reading and learning too. Thankfully, Madeline has always been interested in books, loves trips to the library and is currently dying to read on her own.

Proof: When I picked her up on the first day of school, I asked how she liked it. Her reply: "It was really fun but...*big sigh* I didn't learn how to read, Mama." I had no idea I was supposed to manage that expectation on day one.

We recently started reading chapter books. I wasn't sure how she would do listening to books with very few pictures but she loves it. She thinks it's so fun to read the bigger books and I'm always surprised when she mentions something from the book days later. She really is absorbing the plot and its details.

However, I'm finding a shortage of chapter books appropriate for a 4-year-old. Our librarian recommended the Junie B. Jones series but after flipping through just the first few pages, I knew it was a no-go. "Stupid" was mentioned about 47 times in the first chapter along with "shut up." If Madeline ever hears me jokingly (always in the voice of Elaine Benes!) say "shut up," she reminds me that it isn't a kind word. So those books were out, along with my faith in our children's librarian.

We started with "Stuart Little." It was weird. She liked the book but I had a hard time liking it and it wasn't even just because it was a mouse. I love the movie but the book is a really weird plot, starting with a human mother birthing a mouse and it just gets stranger after that. 

We moved on to "Rosa and the Water Pony," a fluffy read about mermaids and lost treasure. Madeline thought the mermaids were wonderful and we're waiting to get the next book. I'll just have to remind myself that I'm helping my child love books when I read the next one.

Next up was "Jenny Goes to Sea" about three cats that travel the world. We both really liked this book and every time the cats traveled to a new country, Madeline would run to the world map in our toy room and ask me to find the country. I loved that this book also introduced some very different cultures to Madeline.

Then I remembered how much I loved Beverly Cleary. We flew through these books because Madeline and I both loved reading them. Since Madeline begged me to read at breakfast, lunch and before bed time, we have already finished "Ramona and Beezus," "Ramona the Pest" and "Emily's Runaway Imagination." 

I loved the Ramona books when I was little (and the PBS show; anyone else watch that??). If you read the books, do you remember how Ramona once squeezed an entire tube of toothpaste into the sink, just to see what it would feel like? That's what I did on my 21st birthday. I bought a tube of toothpaste and squeeze out the entire thing. It was as awesome as I always dreamed it would be. 

And that's why my parents probably never worried about me getting mixed up in the wrong crowd. A 21st birthday at Ball State: Booze? Nah. Just hand me some Crest and I'll be thrilled.

Just to clarify, I wasn't a complete dork, spending my 21st birthday by myself squeezing toothpaste. My best friends threw a surprise party for me and it was a blast.

Anyone have any good recommendations for chapter books? I'm dying to read her "The Boxcar Chidlren" but I'm not sure if she's old enough for them. 

P.S. I do still have my entire collection of "The Babysitters Club" in the basement and I do mean the ENTIRE collection. I spent every penny I had on books when I was younger. But I remember how steamy Mary Ann and Logan's relationship was and won't be reading those out loud any time soon. However, "Boundaries in Marriage" is completely appropriate.

Day Twelve: Nursery art

I'm a sucker for a pretty print. I see about 20 a week that I desperately need in my home.

This week I discovered Gus and Lula and am kinda obsessed. 

The nursery may still be Madeline's bedroom. It may still need a new coat of paint. The crib may still be in the basement needing a good scrub-down.

But I need this. Now.

Doxology print: Gus and Lula

If necessary, I suppose the nursery could handle this one too.

Love You More print: Gus and Lula

Plus I've been reading Britt's personal blog, Gus and Lula, which is mainly about her babies (adopted from Ethiopia) and her home. But then I started coveting her kitchen and had to stop.

Also, I really want a chevron wall in the nursery.

House 36

I think Joe is on board with painting this. 

I think.

I also think Baby Rockne is just a chevron kind of baby.

And then I want Madeline to make two of these, one for her new room and one for the nursery.

Impress Your Kids

I'm a sucker for owls. (cough*Hedwig*cough)

We'll see what actually happens to the nursery walls but in my head right now, it's gorgeous.

Day Eleven: It's FASCINATING, folks

Nothing exciting happened today. Really. Get ready to hear about life from a very tired woman.

After dropping Madeline off at preschool, I headed to a kids' consignment store because she desperately needs some good closed-toed shoes. She really wants another pair of pink Converse. I kinda want those for her too. Not much is cuter than a kid with leggings and pink Converse. But you're just setting yourself up for failure when you want something so specific at a consignment store. I think the Target shoe aisle is calling my name.

Then I went grocery shopping and was super embarrassed at the check-out. I was in front of my cart uploading the groceries on the conveyor belt. But then five cans of pumpkin rolled to the back of the cart and I could not reach them with my big belly and I couldn't fit sideways between the cart and the gum and mint rack. And then I realized I also couldn't reach the half and half, bread or my purse that was in the cart seat. 

It was quite pathetic.

Then the nicest man behind the cart uploaded the remaining items for me. I was flustered and embarrassed and said something like, "I'm just a sad state of affairs."

He looked me in the eyes and said (very sincerely), "No, it's completely natural and wonderful."

And I wanted to call his mother and thank her for raising such a nice son.

The weather right now is strange. It's warm and summer-like, despite being mid-October. My brain is totally in fall-mode and I've been cooking potato soup and chicken pot pie even though the weather is really calling for BLTs and grilled chicken.

I'm sure Joe really appreciates my eagerness to cook for fall.

We had hot apple cider at our small group tonight and it was delicious. But then I looked down at my daughter who was wearing a tank top and sandals and I realized we are living in a seasonal paradox.

I just don't even know what to do about that.

Also, since we're having a completely random monologue here, I need to mention a great post I read today, "10 Things Your Girlfriends Never Told You About Having a Baby" written by Emily who is always fabulous.

I call it a great article because it reminded me of several things I had forgotten about since having Madeline. (Nurses who push on the belly while you're screaming "Uncle!" in your head? Yeah, I forgot about that.) If you're about to have a baby (especially your first), it might be helpful to read, even if it's traumatizing.

But if you're a male or a woman who never wants to have kids, don't read it. It really does make you cross your legs a little tighter.

Day Ten :: 33 weeks

Whelp. I've finally reached that point. Even though I prayed this wouldn't happen, it's here and I'm OK with it.

I'm measuring past 40 weeks...at 33 weeks. I hoped the fluid would decrease but it hasn't yet and probably won't at this point.

As you can see from my expression, "Yay."

My doctor says I'm doing great and doesn't think I'll deliver before 36 weeks. So, you know, the baby and I do have that going for us.

The baby's heartbeat is still strong and solid. The movements are still insane as the baby flips and flops a.l.l. o.v.e.r. m.y. b.e.l.l.y.

And I don't know if you can tell but my feet and ankles are roly-poly sausages. I'm beyond cankles.

In the morning, they're huge. In the afternoon, they're huge. In the evening, they're huge. And I've never felt sexier in my entire life. 

(I'm lying.)

Just keep cooking, baby. We're so excited to meet you but keep growing. Plus we don't have any names for you. Your sister wasn't named for two days after she was born so your daddy and I don't have a good track record. But I can promise we won't name you Habakkuk or Curly.

Unless you come next week and then all bets are off.

Day Nine :: The One When I (Kinda) Bought My Kid a Pony (Not Really)

We had a busy weekend. I promise it was, even if Joe and I managed to squeeze in five episodes of "Castle." 

(That was more due to insomnia than spare time.) 

(It kinda was "needing to watch 'Castle'-inducing" insomnia but still.)

Saturday was my brother Greg's birthday. We spent the day in a park doing nothing but eating my mom's spinach balls (delicious) and pineapple upside-down cake (doubly delicious), playing horseshoes and euchre and talking. 

We could talk or not talk for hours and still find plenty to not talk about. 

Our topics ranged from "Dancing with the Stars" to Conan O'Brien's kids' names to salsa dancing. 

And we didn't even bring conversation cards.

Since I now have a camera (I HAVE A CAMERA!), I can actually show you pictures of my family.

The birthday boy and a little girl who was very excited that his favorite cake is pineapple upside-down cake. I'll admit, I was pretty excited about that too.

Zach and Jenny. I'm not really sure how else to describe this picture.

 

The nephew Brennan who loves bugs. And who very quickly realized Aunt Katie does not. But I sure do love that toothless grin.

My dad who loves babies and then loves them some more. He will do anything to get a baby to react to him.

Anything.

But if you could get a smile like this, wouldn't you also be willing to stuff baby toes up your nose too? I would totally stuff Beckett's toes up my nose.

(Jenny, does that bother you?)

I have about 30 bajillion pictures of that face if you want to see more.

Then we headed to my in-laws who just got two horses. And yes, I totally agree with you. Madeline's childhood has just reached The Pinnacle of Happiness and Joy.

 

The proof is in the pudding. Picture pudding. 

I'm not even sure I'm making sense any more.

I blame "Castle" for stealing my sleep.

 

Now Madeline can't ever say, "I need therapy because you didn't buy me a pony."

Because I'll say, "Remember how Grandma had two horses? And you could see them any time we went to Grandma's house? And if Sandy and Nova were in a good mood, you could pet them? That was TOTALLY like owning a pony."

And then I would be completely off the hook.

Day Eight: 4 years, 4 months, 3 weeks and 3 days after she was born

1. After lunch yesterday, Madeline was super moody and on the verge of tears over the tiniest of details so I declared it nap time. She, of course, started crying and I explained that her bad attitude made it clear that she needed to rest. 

I asked her to go to the bathroom before she laid down and I could hear her in there, muttering and whispering emphatically. It's actually very funny when she expresses herself that way and I was sure she was talking about me. But when she came out, she said:

"Mommy, I have something to tell you. I'm sorry for my bad attitude and when I was going potty, I asked God to give me a good attitude and guess what?! He did! I have a good attitude now! I'm happy!"

I was super impressed. "That's great, baby. I'm so proud that you asked God to change your attitude."

And then she showed her heart with a huge grin on her face. "So I can stay up and not take a nap?"

"Um, no, child."

2. Earlier this week, she told me a story about how a kid in her class was upset and angry. She finished the story with, "He was, like, an angry bird."

3. Madeline loves to make up names, stories and games. This morning, she told Joe and I that she made up a new game. The name was "grab your booty and act like a monkey."

Yeah I have no idea either but I sure do love her.

Day Seven: Pictures included

Mommy bought a toy today.

Madeline is very excited for us and wants her own turn to play with it.

I only had a few minutes once the battery was charged and Madeline's bedtime.

 

Clearly I need a refresher from my high school sophomore photography class but at least I have a camera now.

I HAVE A CAMERA NOW!

Now I'm not saying I want the baby to come now (COOK LONGER, BABY) but I can now say we're ready.

Some (most) (all) people freak out when they ask if we're having a boy or a girl and I say we don't know. But it doesn't bother me because the only item on my to-do list was buy a camera and the gender of Baby Rockne doesn't impact that decision.

I don't have any clothes washed, the car seat and bassinet are still in the basement and the nursery is still Madeline's room. But I can say we're ready because Joe won't be snapping the baby's first photos with his phone and that makes me happy.