Planning

Phil, trying to get some work done at his desk.

So Friday, we got the news that our newest addition in going to be a girl. I always consider the 18-week ultrasound to be my present for having almost made it half-way thru each pregnancy. Even though I really didn’t care whether it was a boy or a girl, I was so anxious to find out. These last 4 months have been very looong and there is something about reaching this point that makes it all quite real. Not to mention how fun it is to learn more about them, and to begin putting all the pieces together about this little person who you are so excited to get to know. With that said, I’m quite thrilled to finally know our little baby is a “lil’ guwl” (as Penny would say).

So now begins the planning. The sleeping arrangements, the sibling adjustments, the clothes, other necessary accessories and supplies and the name. Oh the name! Usually, I know by now. But this time around we’re finding it more difficult to find something we love and something we both agree on. 

Besides that, my other main concern is getting Ryder and Penny into one bedroom. Of course, such an occasion calls for someone’s room needing a makeover and I’m thinking since the nursery is already in girl mode--it might be fun to shine the attention on what will be Ryder AND Penny’s room. The plan of course, would be to make it a bit more gender neutral. 

I can look at Pinterest ideas until my eyes go blury, but when it comes down to finding stuff that will work within our budget and situation--I pretty much have to start from fresh. I started looking at bedding. I found these bright quilts (twin size) at Target for less than $30 a piece. 

Ryder already has a rug with these colors, but which two do I choose? Which one is a tad more feminine for Penelope?

I figure I’ll throw in some decorative pillows to unify the look and a couple of personalized accessories and call it good. I think this will provide those kiddos with something a little special without breaking the bank, not to mention if any sort of change in sharing rooms, moving or anything like that happens, I won’t feel bad only getting a couple of years use out of them, not to mention they are simple enough to use about twenty other ways. Have I convinced you yet, that I’m totally justified in doing a little shopping? Because I’ve totally convinced myself. 

Huh...I wonder what else can I convince myself that I need...

Top Thoughts

I've been thinking a lot lately. So much so, I don't even have time for anything else, like blogging. I also think it has to do with my low energy level. I find myself to tired to do too many productive things, so I feel as though I'll make up for it by thinking. May I share with you a summary of my top thoughts? Just as I wrote that, I just realize this might be embarrassing to admit I dwell on such insignificant things. Ahhh, owell.

• Oh baby. I sure think of that third little baby quite a bit. Right now, it's whether its a boy or a girl. I'm 18 weeks today and I get to find out this Friday. I'm so very excited. I also think about what it's going to be like with three. I also think how I need to get Penny potty-trained and transitioned into a bed all within the next 5 months. 

• Speaking of baby, I'm an old woman. Okay, not really, but man I feel like one. I was so very tempted to make this post all about how this pregnancy has been noticiably more difficult than my first two and how even though feel like I have the body of a 65-year-old, I have the complexion of a 16-year-old. You can thank me later for keeping my artificial complaints to a couple of sentances.

• Speaking of a 16-year-old's complexion--I think its time for some serious make-up. Ha! You thought I was going to say some serious facial cleanser. Nope. That's not very fun to think about at all...but nice make-up is! I'm looking specifically into a good foundation and eyeliner. Any suggestions or recommendations?

• Speaking of a good foundation, I've been thinking a lot about social medai/TV/screen time/Ipads/laptops/iphones/time issued to each one/ locations in which they're allowed {sigh}, whatever you want to call it, and what sort of ground rules we should be making now about these items.  Sadly, I know a lot of this stuff is taught by example, which essentially goes back to me (as I sit here on my computer while my babes watch Little Einsteins).  I feel very strongly that it's something I can no longer take the middle road on. I figure it's probably easier to make some tougher changes now than some potentially harder decisions later. What are your thoughts on all of this? Do you have some rules or guidlines you've made for your home that have worked well?

 

• Speaking of matters of the home, I miss my familia so bad it hurts sometimes. I feel so very blessed to be meeting some amazing people and making some invaluable friends, but I can't help thinking daily about when/if/how we'll ever live somewhere at the very least I could easily drive my family to my parents house within a few hours. I feel like extended family can be a huge asset in raising a family. However, I can't count how many times I've heard how good it is to be out in world, experiencing different things, growing closer together as your own family unit, making the church stronger in areas that need it. etc. What school of thought are you and why? I recently heard a father in our ward who had a son going on a mission expressing his gratitude for our ward family (and it's true, we've got a good one). He was saying how they weren't sure who to invite to attend the temple with them for their son's first session and he said, "I didn't know whether to ask our relatives or our real family." Is it too dang much to ask in this world that those two things are one in the same? I don't think so!

So there it is people--a deep (or not so deep) look into my dominant thoughts of late.