When it really just comes down to an aardvark

Someone recently told me that they enjoyed reading my blog. In the same conversation it was also mentioned that there hadn't been much to read lately.

True story.

I told this person that I was busy napping instead of writing. That's partly true. 

Here's a small glimpse into my life lately:

The girls thought that Mary, a shepherd and his sheep from our nativity set would enjoy reading a different sort of Christmas story---A Pirate's Night Before Christmas. [If you haven't read this book, you should---it's very entertaining, and way better if you read it in pirate speak.] Arrrguably the best Christmas book we own.

As countdown to Baby, and moving, and every aspect of my life changing draws closer, I had a bit of an epiphany:

This kid is going to be born, and I don't have one thing to decorate the nursery!

It's the important things, friends. The important things.

So, amidst our bare walls, and our stripped-down-ready-to-move home, there are random piles like this:

My poor husband. Good thing he tolerates embraces my friend, Crazy.

I realize it's not essential to have nursery decor. The kid isn't going to wake up at 2 A.M. wondering why there are no thoughtful sentiments or coordinating canvas art on the walls.

It's just...hard, I guess (??) But I know it will be okay.

The baby will be okay if there's no art in the nursery. 

The move will happen with the help of our amazing church community---I can't even tell you how overwhelming it is to know how many people have volunteered to show up, two days before Christmas, to help us. Unbelievable!

There are even people who will house and help me take care of the two (or three) children I might have while everyone else moves us.

I just don't have control over any of it, right down to the number of children I'll be parenting; therefore I craft, because at least I can pretend that I do have control over that.

And, if nothing else, my mom got the kid an aardvark, and nothing completes a nursery quite like an aardvark can, I mean just look at this guy:

So that's something.

The one where Baby Jesus was denied a ride on the bus

So. We sold our house.

Remember when I was complaining about the 8:30 A.M. showing? Yeah. I still don't think early morning showings are okay, but these early morning visitors bought our house, so I sort of still like them.

So. Hooray. We're moving on December 23rd. I'll be 38.5 weeks pregnant, or I'll have an infant. Either way. Crazy.

With a few minor things up in the air, our Christmas decor is simple. No tree, no stockings hung by the chimney with care. Our Christmas decor comes down to this:

 

The Little People Nativity Set. 

If you're not familiar with The Little People---they're toys, and the "Little People" are interchangeable with other Little People toys.

For instance, this morning I found the "angel" rockin a sweet mustache, necktie and holding an apple: 

Later, I found the real angel driving some kids, a wise man and his camel to school:

It was this motley crew that caused a bit of a ruckus this morning. Brynne thought Baby Jesus should get on the bus, and Hadley vehemently denied him entry. Maybe she was confused, because Baby Jesus has blonde hair and pale skin. I don't know.

As plastic people and animals flew everywhere, I tried, amidst shrieks of protest, to make it a teachable moment,

You know girls, this isn't the first time Baby Jesus was denied entry. His mama and papa weren't allowed a space in a house or hotel, which is why he was born in a barn. Can you believe that someone wouldn't let Jesus come inside their house?!

Admittedly, timing has never been my strong suit. 

Hadley would have none of it, despite my brilliant impromptu recap of the Christmas story, I mean, everyone knows Jesus doesn't have blonde hair, right?  This Baby Jesus was NOT getting on her bus.

Brynne cried. And I did what any mother of toddlers would do (after taking a deep breath and rolling my eyes)---distract and redirect.

A little bit later, a camel drove by. I noticed little Baby Jesus, cradle and all, had managed to get himself a ride, like a second-class citizen, with a bus full of sheep, donkeys and a cow.

Maybe Hadley knew that Baby Jesus would be more comfortable surrounded by animals. Or maybe she conceded to let her sister give him a ride, despite his historically inaccurate blonde hair.

Welcome to the Christmas season, friends.

It all just comes down to a pair of jeggings

Awhile back, a twin-mama-friend asked me to write about the difference between my twin pregnancy and this singleton pregnancy.

Here's a moment of honesty, friends: I really don't like being pregnant. At. All.

Twin pregnancy? Singleton pregnancy? It all pretty much ranks right up there with getting a cavity filled. 

I'm glad I've figured that out, actually. I think it gives me a lot of grace for other friends of mine who struggle with being pregnant too. It seems like it's often implied, or maybe just directly communicated to women that they're supposed to love every single glowing moment of carrying a life in their wombs. And, Heaven forbid, we utter something about not loving one of the many not-so-glowy moments, of our heads hanging over the toilet, or battling the ugliness of depression, or the in-opportune time when we don't make it to the bathroom on time. 

If you've seen the movie Steel Magnolias, Olympia Dukakis' character, that sassy southerner, Clairee says:

Well, you know what they say: if you don't have anything nice say about anybody, come sit by me!

 

I feel like I'm Clairee for pregnant people. You wanna talk about how much it sucks be pregnant and then how the hormonal-aftermath makes you a sweaty, crazy, smelly mess? Come sit by me!

Don't get me wrong, friends. I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the life that's incessantly beating on my bladder. I'm thankful for the life in my belly causing my ass to take up residence in two counties, despite the many squats I attempt in between the contractions that I've had since 15 weeks. That's right----15 weeks! I have the most temperamental uterus on the planet!

Thankful, but if I'm honest, I'd just assume get it all over with already. It's hard to be thankful for this time of largeness and multiple bathroom trips.

[A note about the following picture: I didn't love this movie, in fact the twin pregnancy in here was laughably, eye-rollably, annoyingly unrealistic, but Liz's character here, is pretty funny, because she's a hot-mess the entire time. (I can call her Liz, because my husband's co-worker's wife grew up with her, and calls her Liz, so it's almost like I know her, or something)]

 

So, I'll tell you about the one thing that makes this all just a little bit better (other than the baby at the end of the road). 

Probably the biggest difference for me is that at this stage in the game, I'm still up walking waddling around. With the twins, at 26 weeks, I went into preterm labor, and was on bedrest for the rest of my pregnancy. I never went anywhere, except to the doctor's (went there a lot), so I didn't really worry too much about cute maternity wear.

With this pregnancy, I've had some generous friends who have lent me some maternity clothes, and I've put the ones that fit to good use. The aforementioned ass-largeness has been a tough pill to swallow. At almost 33 weeks, I currently weigh almost as much as I did when I delivered the twins. It's hard to feel very attractive with those numbers swimming in my head.

So, a couple weeks ago I decided I wanted to have a pair of maternity jeans, and ordered some jeggings from Old Navy. When they arrived, I tried them on, and even though they were, jeggings, afterall----those are leggings that look like jeans for those of you who haven't yet been introduced to a jegging---- I thought they were too tight/small, and I shoved them in the closet. 

I did lots of self-talk about how a pair of jeggings, the numbers on the scale, or even the size of my arse don't define me, because I'm a daughter of the King, I'm a loving wife, I'm a good mama, etc. And friends, I know my jegging size has nothing to do with anything truly important, but whew! It's been hard.

So, this morning the girls and I had to hightail it out of the house at 8AM, because someone wanted to see our house (yes, we're still trying to sell our house---and an 8:30 showing---seriously?!), and I got out the jeggings to wear. I tugged and wrestled those suckers on (because really, with jeggings, I think there's a bit of a workout involved in getting them on, at least when you're pregnant, or maybe they really are just too small---if it's the latter, just don't tell me), and you know----they actually looked pretty good, and I felt pretty good. I think I might just be able to make it to the end of this pregnancy.

Thank you, Jesus for jeggings.

Mama Loves: Costumes and Time Change and Such

Welcome to another week of Mama Loves! I'm so thrilled that you stopped by!

Not sure what Mama Loves is? Check out the Mama Loves page for the scoop on what Mama Loves is all about.

Also---to see all the amazing ideas that have been shared here, check out the Mama Loves Pinterest page. So many crazy-good ideas there!



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• Melissa discovered the beauty that is the library this past week. It's free, and a mountain of good times! As the mama of two book-lovin' little girls, I am thankful for the library and all the activities they offer kiddos. 

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So, the time change is tonight. Last year I shared this. When the girls were about six months old we went to see a sleep nurse a.k.a. The Baby Whisperer. She gave us tons of helpful information, including how to navigate the time change with your child's schedule. We've used it every year, and it's always gone pretty seamlessly. Maybe it will help you too?
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I really, really, really enjoyed all the pumpkin-posts! So, I thought it might be fun to see all your Halloween posts! That way we'd have a big collection of twin and singleton costumes ideas for next year too.

Our girls were M&Ms this year:

 

We had such a good time! The girls just love to dress up. When I put those same legging on them this morning, they thought they were going to get to dress up like M&Ms again. Ha!

Can't wait to see what you're loving!

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