Wondering.....

For over 3 years our world has been all about this one little girl. Is it strange that I just cannot wrap my mind around the idea that we will feel the same way about the next one? Does everyone wonder about this before their second child?

26 PEOPLE HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY:

dougandcheryl said...

I just found out I'm pregnant and our daughter turned 3 in December so I know exactly what you are talking about.

MARCH 15, 2009 8:12 AM 

Dover Fam said...

I don't know if everyone worries about it but I sure did. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to love my second one as much as my first and even my third as much as the other two. But some how your heart just grows. I was afraid my firstborn would feel cheated but their love grows too. It was so fun to watch him give such sincere love to his sister. Now they are rivaling siblings. :) So, yes, you will be able to love the second one just as much. But there definatley is something about the first born that never goes away. I think because they are the first one that teaches you. Good luck, and just know it will be ok. I love coming to your blog. It is very inspiring.

MARCH 15, 2009 9:35 AM 

bumblebeebags said...

of course they do!!! I have 3 boys and with each I thought "will I love them as much..will they get enough attention...will the others" and you know, it just all works out. It is amazing the capacity of our hearts to love. Each child is so different but the love is the same :) but it is true about the first born. my first is not loved more but he does have a special place in my heart.

MARCH 15, 2009 9:48 AM 

Misty said...

I wondered the very same thing. But...it is true...you can love two equally! Your heart just grow instead of splitting into. Sometimes, I feel sorry for my oldest because he is not getting all the attention anymore...and sometimes I feel sorry for my youngest because he never go absolute total one on one time for my life to be only about him. However, when I watch them play together, it does my heart good to know they will always have each other. I am so thankful and so blessed to have them both! Good luck & you will be so surprised how your heart will expand the minute you lay eyes on your beautiful boy!

MARCH 15, 2009 10:57 AM 

Natalie said...

When I was pregnant with my second I read something to the effect of, "When your first child is born you realize the depth of your love. When your second child is born you realize the breadth of your love." It was very comforting for me in those final weeks before my second was born and it couldn't be closer to the truth.

MARCH 15, 2009 11:02 AM 

Laura said...

I found out that I was pregnant when my first was only 5 months old! Not what we had planned. I was so in love with Isobel, and was almost angry that I would be losing that time with her. It has taken time to adjust, and there are times that it hasn't been easy, but you will feel your love expand as your family expands. It will be a different feeling, but then again so is each step that we take through life!

MARCH 15, 2009 12:33 PM 

ZogLady said...

I more wondered how I was going to handle two little ones. Ours are 18 months apart... *L* I always knew that I had enough love for both... Just thought the time managment would be tricky... And it is somedays. But you do the best you can and all will work out. As long as they each know that you love them individually all will be fine! I also take days where I only take one out at a time for a day. For some one-on-one. It seems to help! You will do wonderfull! :D

MARCH 15, 2009 12:54 PM 

Sarah S said...

I'm right there with you. My due date is rapidly approaching and I find myself feeling so sentimental about our (almost) 3 year old daughter. We're not the first people to have to kids...we'll get through it, right? :)

MARCH 15, 2009 2:22 PM 

Linds said...

Yes, they do. I believe it is on every mother's mind. I was happy to bring a second child into our family but didn't know how I'd love another child as much. Your heart just opens up without even trying. It is amazing. I cried the night I put Lana to bed, knowing I was in labor and that the baby would be born before she woke in the morning. I was sad that it's wasn't just going to be the two of us anymore, that things were going to change. But once Isaac was born that feeling was gone. I have no reservations with #3 on the way and know my heart will just get that much bigger! Don't worry about feeling this way, so many parents do. Once the baby arrives everything changes. It's wonderful!

MARCH 15, 2009 4:31 PM 

The Linabooty's said...

It took me longer to fall in love with my second at least in my experience. In all honesty it was probably 5 months before I felt like Oliver was part of our family and loved as much as Mason. With the third it hasn't taken as long. The biggest challenge for me besides the obvious ones of no sleep and another human being to take care of.... was the mourning that I did over Mason not being my baby anymore. It was no longer just him and I hanging out and it was so hard to swallow (still is).

MARCH 15, 2009 5:02 PM 

angi_b72 said...

Welcome to SITS!! You will love this bloggy community!

MARCH 15, 2009 6:58 PM 

100 Percent Cottam said...

yes, m'am! and you wonder again before your third. and your heart keeps on growing. amazing.

MARCH 15, 2009 10:02 PM 

carma said...

Nice blog. Beautiful photography! Wanted to come by to say "hi" and welcome you to SITS :-) I know that you will enjoy being a part of the SITS community! carma

MARCH 15, 2009 10:24 PM 

Are You Serious! said...

♥ Emma was 4 when we found out we were finally pregnant again. I was so thrilled I didn't think much about that. I was just excited to have another baby on the way and then at 5 months we found out it was going to be twins... :)

MARCH 15, 2009 11:12 PM 

April said...

to answer your question: yes. and will you love your next more or less? No. You'll love them the same- but you will compare them at times, and you will have your favorite at times- and then they will have childhood scars for the rest of their life. good luck.

MARCH 16, 2009 8:42 AM 

Tanja said...

A definite and profound yes, everyday for my entire pregnancy. That is why we found out what we were having and picked out a name so we could start bonding in every way. You'll be surprised at how instantaneously you fall in love all over again and how there is definately room in your hearts~~

MARCH 16, 2009 4:11 PM 

Julie said...

Yes absolutely! It somehow all works out..maybe it's magic :) Dropping by to say welcome to the SITS community.

MARCH 16, 2009 7:20 PM 

onangelwings said...

We planned #2 quite quickly. When my little man turned 1 we knew we were going to try for #2. I wasn't worried but because I was so in love with him, I wondered how I couldn't possibly love another one as much, as fully or as equally. It is amazing how much love Mommies have. Somehow you are able to love each one with 100% not 50% of your heart. Each one get a full 100%. True!

MARCH 16, 2009 9:19 PM 

Ann On and On... said...

I can not speak from experience, but I am quite certain it is a natural feeling. Welcome to SITS! It is a great blog with so many fantastic ladies. I invite you to be a part of my Body Shop item giveaway. Your feet will thank you. :D ***Your header is so cute.***

MARCH 16, 2009 9:53 PM 

Cher said...

Hi...for sure everyone initially feels like u do...cute story..My niece had an almost 4 year old when the newest baby arrived....he was not happy at all lol...ignored the baby, threw more tantrums, etc...very jealous...and they have a hard time expressing that emotion.. BOYZ! I guess he kept thinking it was temporary lol...cuz one day he had a very serious talk with his dad about that new baby...The next day...he went to preschool..and announced: YEP GRIFFIN IS STAYING> HE AINT GOING NOWHERE lmaoooooooooo...in the last couple months he has truly embraced his baby bro...sings to him with made up songs (cuz his bro luvs him already) when his mom has to go potty or do something...so he feels like a babysitter lol...You will be fine...Let your daughter start singing songs to her sibling now...let her draw pics of what she thinks the baby will look like...scrap it...use a voice recorder...and treasure it all...time flies so fast..Congrads to you and your family..Your daughter is so beautiful..cher

MARCH 16, 2009 10:25 PM 

Rachael said...

i love the name lydia..it's my oldest daughter's name! yes, i think that most everyone does feel that way. but it is unfounded, just know that your love multiplies you don't have to divide it. i am stopping by to welcome you to SITS, we are thrilled to have you join us!

MARCH 16, 2009 10:55 PM 

Tanielle said...

You are totally normal...funny though your heart just keeps making room, and after your little guy is here, you'll wonder how you ever survived without him too. I have an award for you over on my blog! Have a great day! Tanielle

MARCH 17, 2009 10:13 AM 

Mandy said...

I completely wondered the same thing about Daughter #2 and AGAIN with #3. Somehow, your little bubble of family love stretches to make room for that new person. I can't imagine life without any of them. I came by to say Welcome to SITS! I'm with the Welcome Wagon and we are so glad you joined us. As I'm sure you already know, it's a fabulous group of ladies! Enjoy your day, Mandy

MARCH 17, 2009 11:25 AM 

simply kris said...

totally went thru this. a good friend told me that I should think of me heart as a house... and we're adding on a new room.

MARCH 17, 2009 11:32 AM 

mustangkayla said...

I just had my second a month ago and was scared about that right up to the day I delivered her!

MARCH 17, 2009 12:47 PM 

Aubrey said...

It is a totally natural feeling! I have 3. 15, 11 and 2! You always wonder but once they are hear, you realize there was nothing to worry about! Coming over from SITS! Welcome!

Flashback Friday - "Mommy Watch Me!"

A couple days ago Lydia and I were taking advantage of the most beautiful day. As we kicked her little ball she cried out "Mommy! Watch me!" I realized that something I had feared just a couple years ago had come to pass. But the "Watch Me" phase isn't that bad...

Journal Entry - Sept, 14 2006

Lydia and I had the nicest time at the part today. It is that perfect time of the year when summer is finally beginning to let go and fall is making its entrance. T-shirt and jean weather with bright sunshine and just the hint of crispness in the air. Total perfection. I packed a snack and my little girl and we were off to the park. I laid out our picnic blanket and a special soft blanket on top for Liddy. She had a bag full of toys to keep herself occupied. I read my book, she chewed on hers. I drank my soda; she soaked herself trying to drink her bottle of water. I ate an apple; she sucked the juice out of the places I had just bitten into. I watched her for a while, trying to figure out how to get to a toy that she tossed out of her reach. Sitting up, she leans herself forward as far as she can, her arms propping her up. She has figured out how to push one leg behind her, but at that point she is stuck and usually falls on her face. I love to just watch her little mind deduce what she needs to do to reach her end game. I am always nearby with kisses when it doesn't work out the way she wants. After a while, I could see that she was hungry. The park was basically empty except for the playground in the distance. I lay down next to Lydia and covered us with her soft white blanket and nursed her. She heard a loud rustle of the leaves and popped her head up just in time to see leaves falling. She watched them flutter to the ground, and not until they had all reached their resting point did she find her way back to my breast. We lay like that for a while, Lydia looking into my eyes while at the same time holding her hand out of the blanket to feel the light wind against her skin. We walked over to the swings next to try out what the "big kids" were doing. I have tried swinging Lydia in the baby swings before, but she was unimpressed. This time she was in heaven. Every time she came back down on her gentle swinging, she would shriek in laughter. She opened her mouth as wide as it would go and swallowed the air. I played monster and growled and nibbled her feet and she laughed harder. In fact, the college girl who was studying on a blanket near by got up and moved to a quieter area. We ended the outing with Lydia in her stroller watching the little kids on the playground. I was only two pages from finishing my book, but I found Lydia too intoxicating to complete it. I just watched her as she sat mesmerized by the screaming children. I realized that in a blink of an eye that would be her running around and yelling "Mommy! Watch me!" I suddenly didn't want anymore time to go by. I wanted my little baby forever.

Scentsy Giveaway

This giveaway has closed.

Okay, I think I'm the last person to hear about Scentsy. My friend from high school, Dianna, was telling me about "Wickless Candles" and I had no idea what she was talking about. A month later...I am totally addicted. Basically it is a candle that you plug in instead of light.

"Scentsy is the safest alternative to burning candles in your home. The wax is always warm, never hot. It’s melted by the warmth of a 25 watt light bulb, not an open flame. There are never harmful emissions, just wonderful Scentsy scents. "

I am a self-proclaimed candle junkie, so these little babies are right up my alley. Especially since my toddler can't burn herself on them. Right now I am "burning" the Sunkissed Citrus and it is fantastic. (I LOVE citrus scents. They get me excited for spring cleaning. My house may not be clean, but it smells like it.) I have a list of like 20 scents to try. I am deciding between "Beach" and "Mediterranean Spa" for the scent in the babies room. Maybe that will make the 3am feedings like a mini vacation. Or at least it will keep it from smelling like spit-up. And since the wax is melted with a light bulb, it can work as the nightlight too! Cool shower gift or mother's day gift!

Dianna is a lead Scentsy Consultant, and she is going to send one reader a wall plug-in with 2 Scentsy Bars of their choice! To enter, click on the Scentsy catalog and comment on this post what product/scent you are most tempted by. The font is a bit small, so if you have a small computer screen, you may want to download the catalog. You can see a list of the scents here as well. For a second entry, let me know in a separate comment that you are a Natalie's Sentiments follower/Goggle reader/subscriber. I will announce the winner on March 18th. Good luck!

If you have any questions about Scentsy, would like to place an order or are interested in becoming a consultant, check out the Scentsy website or email Dianna.

(I posted this a little early to be part of The Secret is in the Sauce Spring Fling. Check it out! And check back here next week for another fabulous giveaway!)

Little Andrew

After 2 days of labor and 12 minutes of pushing, my sister Emily gave birth to a healthy baby boy, Andrew Thomas. 7 lbs, 9 ounces, and 20.5 inches tall. 3 inches of that is toes. :) Congrats Emily and Greg! I can't wait to see him (and you two) this weekend.

Winner!

The Alexa Lett winner is Maren. Congrats! Send me your address and Alexa will send you your prize. Check back on tomorrow for another great giveaway (hint...it will help you get your house ready for Spring.....)

Lemon Scented Saturday

Yesterday was gorgeous. Perfect 76 degrees, sunny with a smattering of clouds. Shane ran with his triathlon club and I took Lydia shopping. I know that I am on a spending freeze, but my mom reminded me to buy some shoes for my sister's wedding that I could stand in all day. She would happily pay for them. ***Squeal with delight!**** Of course, I am 7 months pregnant. I won't be standing all day even if I am wearing slippers. Still, I bought 6 pairs of shoes :) - Don't worry, I will take 5 pairs back. There were just too many to choose from.

Lydia was such a fun shopping partner. I have never been able to say that about her. Since most shoe departments are close to the formal wear, she would rush to the most frilly dress, asking if she could put it on. At one point I was trying on shoes at Dillard's and I see Lydia walk up to me wearing 4 inch red stiletto heels. $250 stiletto heals. I grabbed them before I had to hear a sales lady shriek. I have a feeling Lydia will have expensive taste. I can just imagine the sobbing hysterics she will break into at age 14 when I won't get her the $300 NKOTB 2020 Tour backpack.

When we got home, Shane was in the middle of a "manly project" We found this incredible antique furniture that had been butchered by a terrible paint job. Shane is refinishing it for Lydia's room. Lydia of course, wanted to help. I dressed her in some paint clothes and they spent an hour or so talking and painting.

I thought since Shane was doing manly chores, I would indulge in some womanly ones. It was such a beautiful day, I wanted to make something sunny to eat. I bought a bag of lemons to decorate my table the other day, so I thought I would make lemon bars. A little bit of an effort, but so good. I opened all the windows and preceded to juice and zest until the entire house was infused with spring. I even had enough juice leftover for a family lemonade break.

In the midst of all this contentment, we had a little family reunion. For the last few days, Lydia has been missing her lovey Lou Lou. If you don't have kids, you may not realize how disrupting this can be for a family. Bedtime is about tears, nap time doesn't happen....on and on. Shane started telling Lydia that Lou Lou was on an "adventure". I listened to him telling her how Lou Lou took Lydia's trike for a ride and decided to go to the beach. She ran threw the waves, watched the sunset and watched the moon rise. She then pitched a tent and dreamed of fishing with a boat captain. :) Lydia was able to fall asleep with no tears. Shane keeps on coming up with the most incredible Lou Lou adventures to tell.

Yesterday, while looking for painting clothes, I finally found Lou Lou. I showed my discovery to Shane and he grabbed Lou Lou and whispered "Have Lydia answer the front door!" When she did, this is what she found. Hurray! Lou Lou is back from her adventures! :) What a good daddy. What a good day.

*********************************

-Side note- Not only did shoe shopping fulfil my need for some retail therapy as I discussed in my "Imaginary all about me day", but last week I was able to get Thai with my monthly dinner out friends (not a breach of my spending freeze as I made sure it stayed in the monthly budget). I also saw a chick flick at the dollar theater and grabbed Starbucks cocoa with some church friends. While on a walk, I picked a bouquet of wild daffodils for my kitchen table, not as wonderful as hydrangeas, but still one of the best spring flowers. I even found a great spring candle that I had put away last year and never burned, so I decided to have a nice relaxing bath while Lydia took a nap. Look at that. Wishes do come true. Even on a budget.

My (imaginary) all about me day.

*****

Lately I have been craving a day totally to myself. A day to really pamper myself. Unfortunately, we are on a spending freeze so I don't have the necessary funds accessible to have such a mini vacation. I can't even complain about the spending freeze because it was my idea. Instead, I am going to have a virtual day off. I am going to post what I would spend my day doing if Shane had the day off to take care of Lydia and somehow about $400 was handed to me to blow all in one day. No saving or practical purchases allowed. I have found this exercise very refreshing and I highly recommend other bloggers to have their own virtual day off. - Just use Flickr like me. If you do, make sure to comment about it on this post so that I (and others) can check it out. So without further ado....

I start my day with a "Guatemalan Breakfast" prepared by Shane. Homemade tortillas, Ducal black beans, eggs and fried plantains. Sparkling grape juice. Heaven. As I dine, I catch up on a little Real Simple. - Hey, I have spare coin to spend. I can finally get around to actually buying a subscription to Real Simple. (But seriously, I've been in that magazine enough times for them to give me a subscription for free by now....)

Next I am off to the spa for a Mani/Pedi and facial. Red on toes, french on fingers.

I grab a smoothie at the spa cafe, and then off for a little retail therapy.....

I purchase a delicious lemon candle to start my Spring off right. (And to use later)

I stop at some cute boutiques to find some fabulous and unnecessary additions to Lydia new bedroom that we are in the middle of redesigning.

Hit my favorite used bookstore and get a novel that's only purpose is to entertain....

On the way home, grab an arrangement of blue hydrangeas. As I mentioned here, they are my favorite thing about Spring.

At home I take a lovely bubble bath with my new candle burning, my hydrangeas decorating my view and my new book ready if I am in the mood to actually open my eyes.

Of course, I can't spend the whole day by myself. So I would call a couple of my girlfriends up for a dinner of Thai.....

And dessert.....

And a chick-flick. With popcorn.

Now that it is nice and late, I drive home happy and rejuvenated. Oh and look! I have money leftover, I will make a quick stop to the Starbucks drive through and buy a gift card. That way I can get hot chocolate guilt free for the next little while and my all about me day can linger a little while longer.

Lovely.....

Alexa Lett Giveaway

A few months ago I was lunching with some ladies (I will fantasize that I get to do this often) and I had the opportunity to meet Alexa Lett. Alexa is a bit of a local celebrity. Her ideas and art have been featured on various HGTV and Discovery Channel segments and shows, numerous "how-to" books by Better Homes and Gardens, and her childhood recipes are assembled in her book titled, "Homemade".

(Of course, my favorite it that she is actually one of the artists involved in the Art-o-mat!!!! How cool is that?)

Alexa is the ultimate "junker". She scourers the country, looking for unusual "junk" to create her incredible art. For fun, she put a few things on Esty, but they sold out quickly. Still, you can get the pictured original Alexa Lett creation for yourself!

Alexa describes the piece as: Handmade piece of mixed-media art created and signed by Alexa Lett . The canvas is an old linen 5.5" x 8.34" thrown away book cover. The centerpiece features a sewn vintage paperdoll dress mounted on a old bingo card with vintage adornments. The quote is one we should all live by: "Style is the dress of thoughts." by Lord Chesterfield. Value - $45

How great would this be in a laundry room, a craft room or even a little girls room? (Or as a Mother's Day Gift!)

Want to win it? Just head over to Alexa's blog and check out some of her gorgeous creations. Then come back here and mention a piece that you love. Just identify it by the post name. For a second entry, mention that you are a Natalie's Sentiments subscriber/reader in a separate comment. I will announce the winner on March 9th. Good luck! Valid only for US residents.

Goals for March

I tend to make monthly goals over yearly ones. I find that yearly ones are too easily forgotten. So besides my Success List that I mention here, monthly goals help me feel like I am moving forward. My goals for March are as follows:

Stop watching the news. - While I believe it is important to support the leadership that our country chooses, I would be lying if I said that the steps that the current administration are taking aren't terrifying to me. At this point there is really nothing I can do besides write my congressmen and pray for the best. I don't want to tune out completely, but I need to live within my circle of influence for a month or so. I think that means watching just the 5 minute morning news highlights and resisting the depression fest that is the nightly news.

Keep my room clean. Usually I seem to focus on having a clean kitchen. It is the center of the house, so if that room is clean, the home seems more in order. I have been thinking lately that my bedroom may be a better investment of effort. If my room is clean, bed made, toys removed from the floor - it becomes an inviting place. A place that I want to retreat to. A place that invites me to read my scriptures, meditate or cuddle with Lydia. It is inviting to Shane and I for...alone time. These are things I need in my busy life. I will still clean my kitchen (of course) but after I make sure my personal space is attended to.

Let my hair air dry. - I have naturally wavy (bordering on curly) hair. Thus I promptly give it a blow out and straighten it with a flat iron every time I shower. How much time would I save if I came to terms with my natural hair? - Anyone know a great hair product I can put on my hair wet that will keep frizzes at bay?

Also - a new bloggy development for March. On my righthand sidebar I have added a new element. I want to try one recipe a week that is based on a pantry item. I will provide a photo and a link so you can try it too!

Kicking it Old School

Who needs TV? Thanks Aunt Sara for such a fun toy!

Can I just say I am having a lovely afternoon? I went to The Fresh Market yesterday, bought myself a french baguette, soft goat cheese, a selection of olives and a pint of raspberries. Lydia is sleeping, Shane is still at church, and I am picnicking on my tasty treats while I lounge around in my (amazingly!) clean house. A pot of my favorite cold weather soup bubbling on the stove. Not too shabby..... it almost seems like I have my life together. I have to record these types of days to remind myself they are possible. (Like two days ago when Shane was out of town, my house looked like a hurricane hit it, I was so overwhelmed with pregnancy hormones that I was crying over paint samples, and for dinner we dined on raman noddles. Nice.)