"You can't expect me to do anything about mildew."

We are all moved in! The new house is wonderful! It is so much nicer with our things actually in it. We have started to decorate and turn it into our own little space (although much larger than our last little space). The kitchen is done and unpacked, most of the bedroom is done, and the living room is looking pretty good so far. Right now the nursery is sort of our storage area while we get everything else in order. The baby won't be needing his room for a couple of months so it's not the top priority even though I can't wait to finally start on it. We really enjoy having more space and quiet. It's nice to not hear the dog sliding back and forth on hardwood floors upstairs.

As we were moving out on Saturday morning, Will made a gruesome discovery. He was taking all of our clothes and things out of the bedroom closet and came across my wedding dress, which was covered in mildew. We always knew the apartment was damp and we took the necessary precautions: we kept a dehumidyer running constantly, we kept the furniture away from the outside walls (that's where we thought most of the problems were), and we checked the furniture occassionally to make sure it was all right. Every once in a while we found moldy furniture and would clean it off and bleach the area where possible and it would be fine. We knew we wouldn't be there for long anyway. There was no way that we could have prepared ourselves for what we found. One whole corner of the closet, not on the outside wall, was covered in mold and mildew. Of course it just happened to have been the corner where the wedding dress was kept. I have only been married for 10 months and the dress is already ruined. We had some suitcases and bags in that corner which were also in pretty bad shape. It's the dress, however, that is the most depressing. I took lots of pictures of both the apartment and the dress and brought them to the rental office today. We are hoping that they will take care of the cleaning costs but it doesn't look very hopeful. I'm not sure if it will come clean anyway. Oh well, we're out of that dungeon and in a much dryer, happier place where we can wait for Isaiah in peace.

My Newest Hobby

My newest hobby is crocheting. It all started about a year ago and I feel that I am still an amateur, having taught myself a lot and still not knowing how to read a pattern. However, my mother in-law told me that I should check on You Tube for free demos and that's just what I did! I made this cute little beanie for Isaiah to wear home from the hospital.

I can't really take much credit for it though, the demo showed me step by step how to do it. The yarn I used was a baby soft yarn but it was one of the cheaper ones and it fell apart constantly. If I remembered the brand name I would say not to get it. I will just say that I have certainly learned my lesson and will not always buy the cheapest I can find. This yarn was also very tangled up inside and my sweet mother-in-law sat down for hours unwinding and rewinding it into a ball.

I also finally finished this Bible cover recently. I have been working on it off and on for months and finally sat down and finished.

I have also made a baby blanket, scarves, pot holders, and a cover for a dashboard computer in my mom's truck. I'd like to take on another challenge but can't decide what to do next. I want something to work on while I'm sitting around waiting for the baby to come that will keep me occupied.

I would like to make something for someone. The first person who leaves me a comment on here, or emails me, or leaves me a comment on Facebook with an idea will get a special treat. I will take the challenge and make it for them! Now keep in mind I'm still an amateur and probably can't make sweaters or anything like that quite yet, but I will do my best to fulfill whatever it is that the person asks for. Also keep in mind that it will be a good project to start while waiting for the baby but once the baby comes it will have to go on hold, but I will finish it, eventually. So, any takers? Come on, I dare you. Challenge me.

Things I Have Learned

Here is a list of things I have learned, discovered, or been reminded of recently:

• When a laptop has run out of battery juice and only operates while plugged in, the best place to work is NOT on your lap where you will likely bump the cord and lose all of your work.
• Leg massages, no matter how wonderful, DO NOT prevent or cause leg cramps. Leg cramps are inevitable at 37 weeks pregnant.
• While it is wise to take one or two naps during the day, three is too many.
• I learned to crochet a baby beanie and learned a new stitch in the process (pictures coming soon).
• Brown rice takes twice as long to cook as white rice. I always forget.
• Often times, it is most helpful to teach or guide through example rather than constant reminding or nagging.
• Trust in the Lord in all things. He is in control. This is something that I need to be reminded of constantly. He has my life in His hands and I need to allow Him to take control. It is so difficult to do, yet so important. I often have the feeling that if I don't take care of things my way, then it won't get done. However, God has His own way of leading my life and it will be a much smoother road if I simply allow Him to do what He needs to do. I know it won't always be easy, but even if things turn out poorly in my eyes, it has a purpose. God knows what He is doing. It seems like it is one of the largest lessons we learn as followers of Christ and because we hear folks saying, "Let God take control...hand the steering wheel over to God and He'll lead you," all the time, it should sink in more deeply. Yet it seems to be one of the biggest struggles I have. God loves me and won't lead me down the wrong way because His way IS the right way. He's got it in His hands. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
  

This Just Won't Do

We have decided on a place to live, filled out all the paperwork, gotten our keys, and started packing. Now we just have to wait for the electric service to get their stuff done so we can start moving in. My sister-in-law, Elizabeth, came with us on Wednesday to clean up what we could with no power and water (we brought a bucket of water and a seperate gallon jug of water with us). The walls had a bit of a yellow tinge to them and the previous owners apparently didn't care if their children colored all over the walls. We went through about 5 magic erasers (love those things, by the way) and got most of the walls cleaned up. Now we need to deodorize the carpet and vacuum and get the kitchen floor swept of all the dead ants and we'll be good to move in.

There's just one snag though: the electric company needs the county to inspect the lot before they will turn the power on. Why? I have no idea. Will called the county today to set up an appointment and they just didn't seem to understand what it was that he was trying to say. They thought we were building the place and needed them to inspect the property to give us some sort of permit. So now Will is down at the county government building trying to get it all straightened out. It seems to me that this is a job for the landlord, who told us that all we needed to do was call the electric company and pay the deposit then it should be up and running in a couple of days.

We don't want to start moving things in until we get the floors all clean and we can get some of the smell from a closed up trailer with previous tenants who smoked cleared out of there. We can't vacuum or finish cleaning until we get the power on. We're stuck. To top it all off, we weren't able to get one thing done yesterday because I wasn't feeling good and Will had a fever all day! It came completely out of nowhere! I woke up with a sore throat and no voice and Will woke up freezing and feeling woozy. His fever lasted through the night and finally broke about 5:00 this morning and hasn't come back yet. That's all we need...to both come down with the flu while we're trying to move.

The move is also on a time limit. We have to be out of our apartment by the 12th and we would really like to be all moved in and unpacked by the time the baby decides to come out and join us. I can hardly imagine how I would feel coming home from the hospital with our new bundle of joy only to be surrounded by unpacked boxes and not be able to finish unpacking until my body has healed enough. It would be near torture. Of course I know that if that has to happen, I will do my best to handle it, but it would be very nice and wonderful if we could finish before Isaiah comes so I don't even have to think about it.

The trailer is exactly what we need and I am very excited to finally be able to move in! Once we get our things in there and we turn it into our home, it will be perfect. I can't wait!

We're Moving!

Hey everyone! We just received confirmation today that we can move into one of the homes we applied for. It is about a mile north of Blacksburg. The owner of the other trailer will let us know by Saturday, but since we were accepted for at least one, we will be moving for sure. The rent is only a little bit more than what we pay now and we already have someone who will sub-lease our current place. We will have two bedrooms AND our own washer and dryer. It seems to be a very family-friendly, quiet place so we're not worried about living in a park. It will be much more private and we won't have to listen to a dog running and sliding around on hardwood floors above us anymore. That annoying dog doesn't bother Will but it sure does bother me! It won't be damp and I imagine we will have a little more control over the bug population in a place like that. We'll also have more windows!!

Will just found one of his long-lost miniature basketballs under the bed and is now juggling. He's pretty good at it and quite entertaining.

Anyway, we are very excited and ask for prayers as we get ready to pack up and move so close to my due date. We will be moving in when I am almost 37 weeks so we'll be cutting it very close. Thank you! We'll keep you updated.

Flu Shots and Nurses

I got a flu shot yesterday. First of all, the nurse did not wear a glove while injecting it AND while wiping away the blood. Second, I've never had a flu shot that hurt...or bled. I just can't find a good nurse in that place. Today I feel like I have the flu. Not only that, but my arm hurts and I can't raise it without cringing. I also couldn't sleep on my left side last night, which is pretty much the only comfortable position I can sleep in these days.

Who would have thought...

...that spending the day at yard sales and looking at homes would be so exhausting! So we didn't find any of the things we actually set out to find today (there was a crib that was a bit out of our budget, and a high chair that sold only minutes before we got to it) but I did find lots of cute, cheap things that struck my fancy! We got a bag full of baby spoons and other various toddler silverware, along with a bag full of baby bowls complete with lids. We also found two super cute suits for the baby and one even has a tie! I found some really cute curtains with birdhouses on them, What to Expect the First Year and What to Expect the Toddler Years (each for $1), cheap ice trays, a recipe magazine, and some inspirational birthday cards.

We didn't make it to as many yard sales as I had hoped because most of the day was spent trying to find the mobile homes we were supposed to look at AND getting around all of the football tailgaters. GO HOKIES! One trailer was very nice and I immediately fell in love with it (which is a bad habit that I need to stop doing) and the other (for the same price) was just kind of plain and looked more like a trailer on the inside than a house like the other did. They both have their pros and cons but we are going to put in an application for both and see what happens! We will continue looking for other places and are hoping to hear something by next weekend.

Done, Finished, Caput

Well, it looks like I'm done with work. For-ev-er. Wow, that was a big exaggeration. What I meant to say was "for a very long time" (unless the need arises again, of course I will be more than willing). Now I suddenly feel useless. I suppose I should make myself feel useful by cleaning the house and getting organized but I'm going to wait until tomorrow and soak in the fact that I don't HAVE to get up early any more. Well, for at least the next 5 weeks.

FIVE WEEKS?!?!

Sorry, I just had a momentary breakdown, but I'm done. So anyway, tomorrow we are going to some yardsales to see if we can find a dresser, crib, and a highchair (along with anything else that is cheap and strikes my fancy). Then we are going to see some mobile homes for a possible relocation before Isaiah comes. Now before you go all panicky, we will be very careful in choosing a place to live. We do not want to live in one of those "trailer parks" with a bad reputation, but are looking for a very quiet, family friendly "mobile home park." If we don't find a place that is comparable to what we pay for rent now within a week, then we will forget the whole idea of moving until our lease is up at the end of December. Who wants to risk going into labor right smack in the middle of packing/moving/unpacking? Certainly not this 35-week pregnant gal! The thought of that happening sends shivers down my spine. Or maybe it's just the thought of going into labor.

Oh, I almost forgot. HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD!!
That's my brother, he's 26 today.

Things I Would Like to Do in My Lifetime

I stole this idea from my friend, Tia, but I think it's a great idea to put all these things down on a list I can come back to and check off as I get it done. Thanks, Tia! These are in no particular order:

* Visit all of the states. The ones I have not been to are Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Michigan, South Dakota, Alaska, and Hawaii.
* Ride a horse and not be scared of it
* Hike up to McAffey's Knob with Will
* Read the entire Bible all the way through
* Memorize all of the presidents in order (I never did that in school)
* See my children graduate college, have a carreer, and have babies
* Go back to Disneyland or Walt Disney World
* Go to Spain
* Swim in the Gulf of Mexico
* Tour Washington DC and Philadelphia and see all of the historical buildings and artifacts
* Learn to use a sewing machine
* Have my own home business where I sell things I make (I haven't figured out what)
* Finish all the scrapbooks I have started

That's all I can think of for now. I might add to the list as I think of more things. Thanks for listening!

On My Way to Becomming a Housewife!

As I sit here and watch baby "M", whom I sometimes call Milkman (that name comes from the days when he would grab the nipple of his bottle and milk would come squirting out all over his face) dancing to the music on a truck, I feel sad that I won't be his babysitter any more. His brother, whom I call Buddy, is pushing the buttons on the car that makes the music and I can't imagine what it will be like to not see them every day any more. Their mother has been out of the state for work for the past 2 months and will return home this weekend. I am very excited that their family will finally be intact again because I know how much the kids and their dad miss their mom, but I will be sad that I won't be coming over any more and watching them learn and grow. They have come a long way since I started watching them. "Buddy" can count to 40 with very little help now, and "Milkman" is now walking and beginning to form words when he was only crawling and babbling just two months ago.

Despite my sadness, I am very excited to finally be the housewife I have always wanted to be. The month after Will and I were married, I thoroughly enjoyed being home and taking care of the cleaning chores and having supper prepared for my husband when he returned home from a long day of classes. I did laundry, vacuumed on a regular basis, kept the clutter down to a minimum, and kept the bed made. Since I started working, I would come home and practically collapse, especially after those long days at the daycare chasing a room full of toddlers around. Thank goodness those days are over! Now, even with more time to relax while working, I still don't get things done like I should. I only make a good, foursquare meal 2 or 3 times a week and the other nights we have leftovers or fend for ourselves with whatever seems appetizing at the time (Will has supper after I go to bed since he works so late). Will has been the one doing laundry, and the cleaning chores are only done on Saturdays, but I usually end up sleeping more on Saturdays than getting things done.

I have always known that God has called me to spend my life caring for children in some way or another, and now He is blessing me with the opportunity to care 100% for my own children by being able to stay home with them. For now I will concentrate on caring for my husband and preparing for my first child to come, then before I know it, he will be here! I am very excited to enter into this next phase of my life!

Diapers, Diapers, Everywhere!

After working in childcare for so many years, I have come to realize just how much of an impact disposable diapers have on the environment. This is how it breaks down: Most childcare centers require that infants under one year of age be changed every hour. In a classroom with 10 infants, 60-100 diapers go in the trash in one day! In a toddler classroom with 15 toddlers not yet potty-trained, where diapers are changed every two hours, approximately 60-80 diapers and pull-ups end up in the trash every day. Let's say that 15% of all those diapers contain bowel movements. I recently heard from a friend and read in an article that according to the fine print on disposable diaper packages, diapers are supposed to be rinsed out if there is a BM so as not to add more raw human waste to the dumps along with the slow decomposing plastic and toxic chemicals already in the diaper. Who do you know that does this? Daycares certainly don't and that is where a large number of diapers in the landfills come from. In fact, most childcare givers wrap their gloves around the diapers then place the ones with a BM in a plastic bag, then put it in the trash! Can you imagine how long these hundreds of diapers from just one daycare center sit in landfills? Now think about how many daycares there are that require diapers to be changed every 1-2 hours. It is too overwhelming to imagine. The only thing I can do personally to help this problem is to use cloth diapers and tell others of my decision and why I chose to go that route.

There are many factors to consider when choosing whether to use cloth diapers or "disposable" (which really aren't all that disposable when you think about it). The impact it has on the environment is a big one, but so are the cost comparisons and the health hazards. It is hard to believe that what we consider to be a "normal" way of taking care of babies can also potentially be hazardous to their health! There are many online resources which have helped us to make the decision to use cloth diapers. I found this blog to be very helpful and it provided a lot of resources, which I encourage you to check out.

For Will and me, the cost efficiency is enough a reason in itself to use cloth diapers. We spent $10 ordering seven of a cheapy brand from Japan (Babyland brand). We do not know how these will hold up, although I imagine not very well, but they will work for the first part of Isaiah's life. After using some of them we will then decide whether to order more of the same brand or try a different one. It is probably best to buy the more expensive brands of cloth diapers, which will still save you hundreds of dollars.

We have also considered using home-made wipes. I came across this blog, which explains how to make your own cloth wipes, which I would like to try (as soon as I learn how to work a sewing machine). I also found a recipe for home-made wipes in a book called The Duggars: 20 and Counting! which we are going to try as well. And here's a tip: read that book if you are interested in learning how a mother of 18 runs a household! They offer a lot of great Christian parenting advice as well as many organizational tips that would work in a small or large household.

Through all of this, I am not trying to make anyone feel guilty for using disposable diapers because I know how convinient they are, but instead I am trying to explain my reasoning for choosing cloth diapers and I hope that this information can help at least one person consider switching.

Everyone's Favorite Topic: The Swine Flu

It started with the one-year-old I babysit. He had a cold all last week with a runny nose and a possible fever on Thursday, the last day I was with him. Then I woke up Friday with a feeling in my head. It started with a slight headache and nose stuffiness, then went to my throat, and is now all over my body with aches, pains, tummy queasiness, and chills! No fever yet, thank goodness. Will has also been feeling the cold bug since Saturday. It's always the worst in the morning and at night but I was feeling pretty good last night so I thought I might be getting over it but I was wrong. Today has been one of my laziest days I've had since I've been married and I had to spend the day on the couch. I didn't even see the sunshine once today! Ugh.

So in the midst of all this lazing about and feeling icky, I read an article about Washington State University and the N1H1 virus, AKA the swine flu. At the beginning of the quarter there were about 10 students who had it and now 10 days into it there are 2,000 and maybe more who haven't seen a doctor. Of course I immediately thought, "I live in a college town too. What if I have the swine flu?!" Of course I'm sure it's just a panicky delirious thought that is not grounded in any sort of truth, but it's a frightening thought nonetheless. I have the tendency to blow things out of proportions in my mind. I read too much about bad things and think it could be happening to me. Maybe I should stop that. Anyway, after reading the article about WSU, I started reading up on the symptoms of the swine flu (and of course I have most of them), then I saw an article that said that pregnant women are at a higher risk of having complications from the swine flu and I immediately flew into a panic. I called my dad and he reassured me that it's probably just a cold. I know deep down in my heart that it's just a cold but I still can't shake the stupid swine flu out of my mind.

So as I sit here, I keep repeating to myself, "I do not have the swine flu, I do not have the swine flu." Maybe if I say it enough times I'll believe it.

Caring for Newborns: How in the world do you do it?

Well, we took our first childbirth class last night. I really enjoyed it a lot! There are two other babies due within just a couple days of Isaiah so that's really exciting. Believe it or not, Will is excited about this class and he really liked it. In case you don't know him too well, he's not the type of person to like any kind of social gathering even if he's learning something from it. So for him to be excited about this class makes me very happy. It shows me that he really wants to know as much as possible about helping me through labor and being a good support buddy for me. He is also really excited about learning how to be a good daddy and take care of our little boy after he's born. He thinks he's not going to be a good dad, but I know he'll be a GREAT one! If someone is as eager to learn about caring for babies as he is, then they are bound to do a great job! I keep telling him that NOBODY knows how to care for a newborn baby until they've done it themselves. I've been working in childcare with infants and toddlers for 6 years and I still have no idea how to take care of a newborn, except for what I have read (and reading is nothing compared to real life experiences). Babies don't come to me until they are at least 6 weeks old and they are usually older than that. So it's something that we can learn together.

I have been reading this book called On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep by Gery Ezzo, M.A. and Robert Bucknam, M.D. and I highly recommend it. The authors emphasize the importance of having an infant on a flexible schedule to begin training their bodies to respond to feedings and nap times in a way that they will be sleeping through the night at 7 to 9 weeks of age. It is at 7 weeks old that their little bodies are capable of sleeping through the night but a lot of babies are not sleeping through the night until much older, making a full night's rest elusive for so many tired moms and dads. They emphasize giving your infant a full meal every time they eat so they aren't just snacking every hour to hour and a half, which will keep their tummies full until the next scheduled feeding (unless they show signs of hunger a little before the scheduled feeding, that's why it's a flexible schedule). The authors also give examples of different types of cries and discuss how important it is to recognize the cries so you don't assume they are hungry every time they begin to wimper and wail. There are some schools of thought which teach that every time the baby cries, he needs to be fed. That way he will feel loved because you responded immediately to his needs. But they don't need food every time they cry. Sometimes babies just have fussy times when they feel like crying for no reason at all, or they are tired, or starting to become ill, or have gas. It's philosophies like that that teach people to comfort themselves with food when they get older, which only leads to obesity. Some of the things I explained seem like they should be common sense, but there is so much more to this book than what I can possibly explain well. Anyway, this is an excellent book and I can't wait to see how it all works. I guess I won't know until Isaiah gets here! You can find the book at Barnes & Noble and Books a Million for only $13.95 but I think that most libraries have it. I borrowed mine from a friend but will end up buying it for myself just so that I can read the important parts again after Isaiah is born.

Baby bumpers, beds, and britches...

Since my last post, I have started working as a full-time babysitter for a family at my church, Will is working full time at Wal-Mart, trying to work on his thesis, and looking for a job, and I am 32 weeks pregnant! The only thing that hasn't changed is where we live. We still live in the same dinky, damp apartment and are trying to find space for all of Isaiah's things. I will be done working in a couple weeks and will have much more time on my hands for completing the task of doing a thorough cleaning (which hasn't happened in a long time!) and rearranging furniture to make room for the baby.

I'm not a very good organizer, however, and really have no idea how to get things arranged in the apartment. We have some ideas but I know that we are not using our space efficiently. We have three dressers which are packed with our clothes and need one more for Isaiah but with the bassinette, changing table, and other large objects, we don't know if we have room for another dresser. My point is this: I need help organizing! Does anyone have any tips or ideas on how to organize more efficiently? We have some cupboard space being unused in our kitchen, and some room left in one cabinet for things. How can we use our space more efficiently in the kitchen? It seems odd to put things like toys or clothes in the kitchen. I would appreciate any ideas!! Thank you!

We would also appreciate prayers for the job situation. As I previously stated, I will be done working in a couple of weeks and Will is working at Wal-mart. He has been looking for a job for months and hasn't even had an interview! Thank you very much for everyone's prayers and friendship.

Good times...

It seems that it is now almost April and we've been married for about 4 months! Where has the time gone? I recently got a job at Church Court Day School, where I worked a year and a half ago while visiting Will for a summer. I am a lead teacher in the toddler room and let me tell ya, it is not a breezy job! IT'S HARD WORK! The kids really keep me on my toes (and even make me lose my voice) but I love it! I come home exhausted and about ready to hit something but can't wait to go back. That's how you know you're doing something you love.

Will is still looking for a job but recently had a tutoring "gig" and will be having another this weekend. We're hoping that he can get enough "tutees" to make up for a part-time job. So if you know anyone in the Blacksburg area in need of a tutor in math, engineering science & mechanics or lower-level engineering classes, let us know!

I'm about 9 weeks pregnant now and have been feeling pretty good! I haven't had much morning (more like evening) sickness, and I feel energized and ready to take on the world! OK not quite, but close. Actually if it wasn't for the dumb cold I've had for about a week, I think I would take on the world!

And Then There Were Three!

It is now confirmed, we have a little one on the way! Our baby is due on October 26th and we couldn't be happier! I am six weeks pregnant and feeling pretty good. I don't seem to be getting too sick except for a few bad days here and there. We feel like we're not quite ready for it but we know that if God has blessed us with a child then He will provide for it as well. Please keep us in your prayers as we are dealing with insurance issues and trying to find a good doctor to bring our child into the world. Please also pray for jobs for both of us. Thank you! We'll keep you posted throughout the pregnancy!

What?! Virginia, you say?

That is correct, WE live in Blacksburg, Virginia now.

We awoke to -5 degree weather the day of the wedding. My friends and I needed to make a quick stop at Wal-Mart before getting to the church that morning only to find that three out of four of them in the area were closed due to heavy snow and ice on the roofs. The 59 inches of snow made it difficult for people to get around and some friends and relatives were not able to make it to the wedding. Those who braved the frigid air, frozen roads, and five-foot high snowbanks will forever be my heroes.

The wedding was beautiful and was everything I had ever dreamed and more. As far as I know, it went off without any major hitches. If there were any, nobody told me. I didn't feel nervous or anxious or scared before the wedding. I was able to stay calm and collected the entire day. When my friends and family were boo-hooing around me, I had a smile on my face. I thought I would be a nervous wreck but God gave me the ability to stay strong, excited, and happy the entire time without any stresses or worries. We will be forever thankful to our friends and family members who worked so hard to make that day special for us.

We went to Miami, Florida for our honeymoon. It was so much fun! It couldn't have been any better! We went to the Everglades, Key West, the Miami Seaquarium, spent an evening at the beach, went to a beautiful tropical garden, visited an old museum on the Biscayne Bay, and simply enjoyed being newly married.

After returning to Virginia, we got moved in to our new apartment in Blacksburg and have been working on getting settled in. I am currently looking for a job as a lead teacher at a childcare center and Will is in school finishing up his Master's Degree. We are very excited to see where God will lead us next.