My excessive and unrealistic birthday list

March 8, 2009 Adriann turns 31 years old and this is her wish list:
* Professional massage.....hours and hours of it
* Steady economy
* Cast iron cookware
* Tantrum free toddler
* Bread maker
* Complication free birth
* Birds without squirrels in my yard by my window
* For my house to sell without loosing my shirt
* Barack in office (check)
* Peace
* Perfect husband (check)
* Fuel efficient cars as the only option
* A cat that no one can be allergic to
* A cool styley diaper bag
* Bugaboo stroller at no cost
* The ability to eat sweets with no negative consequences
* Time to read, swim, make a baby book
* Unlimited access to flying without charge (Guthrie + parents and Dad, here I would come!)
* New shoes
* For the Wire and Six Feet Under to never end
* Jobs for the seeking, rest for the weary, health for the sick
* God's love to prevail
* A horse
* That money didn't rule the world
* Stay at home mom (check- and so grateful for what I've got)

Top ten signs that Jilliann is growing up

1. She now sleeps in an adult bed, uses adult silverware and adult potty seat only.
2. She answers the phone (no more screening calls for me!).
3.She tries her hardest to dress herself, saying, "Mommy watch" and is mostly successful (like right now as Papa hands her pajamas).
4. She tells me "Good job, Mommy" when I do something she appreciates like driving or sometimes I even get a "Good job at going potty, Mommy." (By the way, I prefer Mama, but she's clung onto Mommy lately and yeah, we still potty together.)
5. She has her own computer (cool school computer).
6. She often speaks in full sentences, past and present and all.
7. She's going to grow out of all of her shoes at once in like two weeks (but since the boots fit, don't have to worry about that until Spring).
8. She's aware of becoming a big sister and gives my bellybutton kisses, hugs, food and toys.
9. She no longer naps! What?! Yeah, I was really hoping she would hold out until those first few newborn weeks passed....bummer for Mama.
10. From toddler to teenager: she begins many sentences with, "So, um....."

Merry Christmas

This was the first time in a long time that I can remember not leaving the house on Christmas day. At all. It was just the three of us and we had cozy, comfy Christmas all day long. We really had fun together and Jilliann was very excited that Santa brought her what she asked for. A week after the visit to Santa, on Christmas Eve, she told Grandma Barb that Santa was bringing her a blue truck. Oh my word, she remembered! We made a last minute purchase just in time for that to be under the tree for her Christmas morning. Never underestimate the memory of a two year old.
We both enjoyed having Papa Jason around. She was so joyful, repeating at the dinner, "Papa, Mama and Jilliann," while smiling and laughing. We got so much time together this break with him being off and totally free of work (at home) that I just fell in love with him all over again. Christmas is wonderful for so many reasons!

Norovirus in Holland

Hope College has completely shut down for a deep clean, ordered by the state of Michigan. 180 students have reported being sick with this virus which includes diarrhea, vomiting, fever, etc. Viruses are nasty things and Jilliann has one right now and I really hope to NOT get one while pregnant. Wash hands!

Thank you said by a two year old

When Jilliann says, "thank you" the words just melt my heart. She says it for the littlest things, things like putting on her shoes while she balances on my shoulder. Or after I wipe her bum, or get her cleaned up and set down from her booster seat at meal time. She is so sincere and the words come out so tender and as if she's really contemplated the situation. If I don't respond right away, she'll repeat her "thank you" until I've replied. Maybe it's because I know the social expectations that expect a "thank you" aren't yet embedded in her thinking....or are they? Maybe it's because I love doing these little things for her and it's my pleasure and I don't really need a thank you. Maybe it's because it makes her seem a little vulnerable, as she realizes she couldn't do these things herself and so I realize I'm her main caretaker and I like that. I like her.

Mood determined by the weather

So often my mood goes hand in hand with the weather. This weekend has been an 80 degree sunny mid-October treat...going to the beach, going for walks, getting ice cream....hanging on to Fall and the close memories of summer as long as we can. I'm consistently thankful and grateful for so much and live a very happy and blessed life. But, when the sun is out and I'm doing laundry on the line as late as Oct. 14th, I'm especially bursting with joy and feeling light and breezy right along with the day. (Ignoring Rachel's comment: thanks to global warming ;)). As I write this, I sympathize for my husband and others working hard inside, all through the seasons. I'm conscious of how fortunate Jilliann and I are to be able to do all these fun things in Holland and wish Jason could be with us every step of the way (he may say every step is going a little far...hee hee). I even planted a mum today, deciding the cost of it was certainly worth enjoying it if only for this week. It's orange and centered to hit you right as you walk out our front door.

13 weeks and a heartbeat

We had our first appointment today with Yolanda and got to hear the heartbeat! So, little baby is alive and well and we're very thankful for that. Jason was relieved it was only one heartbeat....I was a little sad. I'm feeling good and am getting a support belt to wear since I'm having trouble with the lifting and carrying that the job of motherhood brings. I've decided that with the naps I need during the day and how wiped out I get with this pregnancy compared to Jilliann's, that this stay-at-home mom job is much more demanding than my previous office manager job was.