Little Chili Pepper

Today, I feel like Gumby.  After a whirlwind weekend of Friday night cleaning and grading, a Saturday of running and hosting friends from out of town, and a Sunday away at the 9th Annual Toads Chili Cook-On, I feel like I was stretched in about a million different directions this weekend.  Last night, I started feeling sick and ended my weekend shivering from chills under a pile of blankets.  Fortunately, Cruz was worn out too, and the three of us were in bed by 9:00.  And although I probably should have listened to my hubby and opted for a sick day today, I'm picking my foggy head off my desk and attempting to make this week count.  Just two weeks 'til Spring Break...

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

And although it seems I'm nursing one crazy weekend hangover this morning, it was a good one.  A weekend that included a trip to the mall with Mom and Cruz, where Cruz held his very own bottle BY HIMSELF in his stroller while his mama scored all kinds of amazing deals at Younkers.  A weekend that included the most phenomenal roast beef sandwich at Newton's Cafe in Downtown Waterloo, followed by a night of board games and baby time with great friends.  A weekend that included some Dash and Jersee time, a handmade chili pepper shirt, and 27 different chilis.

 

Beau had lots of people come out to support his quest for his fourth consecutive win in the 'People's Choice' category of the Chili Cook-ON.  His unique, 'Farter Starter,' chili is getting quite a name for itself, as we heard it referred to over the loudspeaker several times throughout the day.  It's no surprise that Beau took away medals for 'First Pot Gone,' as well as, 'Best Presentation.'  After waiting in line for what seemed like hours, I didn't even get to sample my hubby's creation.  I guess it was more fun to hang out with our little marketing campaign anyways...

 

Unfortunately, Beau's chili did not reign supreme.  The Farter Starter came in 2nd place to Big Al's Chili, a close competitor the last few years.  If it weren't for those bacon-topped sticky buns...

We are still proud of our chili con questodore.  Cruz and I dig your chili.

 

 

 

 

Dashing through the non-existent snow (and other ramblings)...

What a busy week it's been!  I knew having my maternity leave fall during the holidays would make it seem to fly by even faster than usual; however, I'm finding time in the midst of Christmas shopping, friend and family get-togethers, and now, Cruz's baptism party, to drown out the hustle and bustle of life and lay around with this guy...

Cruz has been such a trooper this week.  He hit the seven-week mark and is definitely growing, which means more eating, a fuller tummy, lots of sleep, and one content baby.  He's been smiling so much lately, responding to our voices and especially our funny faces.  He watches our mouths as we talk to him and tries his hardest to copy our sounds.  He could lay on a blanket in the middle of the living room floor for an hour at a time, smiling, cooing, and kicking those feet of his.  He's so fun right now, such a joy to us.

I was expecting to show Cruz his first snow tonight; however, it seems the weather people are off to a good start as far as predicting the weather goes (insert sarcasm).  They predicted Waterloo would get 3-6 inches; the last time I looked, we didn't even have a trace.  This is fine with me, as I want Cruz's first 'snow' to be on a night when I'm not so tired...on a night to appreciate and soak in the feeling of being 'snowed in,' with maybe a snow angel or two...  

Tonight and tomorrow, I'm on a cleaning spree.  I've unleashed my 39-week pregnant self again, the one that cleans wine glasses with vinegar water, mops behind the toilet with a mixture of Mr. Clean and bleach, and cleans the kitchen with a four-step process (sweep, vacuum, swifter, wet mop).  The lasagna is made, the pretzels are dipped, and table is set, ready for our after-party on Sunday.  Tomorrow, I'll tackle the living room, which is in dire need of a good cleaning.  My balsam fir wallflower no longer overpowers the baby puke smell lingering on and around the recliner...

Although it's been busy and I've run into a few unfortunate disasters (aka, cake balls), I'm breathing easy on this no-snow Friday night.  We celebrated Starbuck's birthday on Tuesday with pizza at Mulligans.  Cruz was wide awake this time around and was a party animal.  He chugged a long-neck, sat on not one, but two women's laps, and laid on a bar table and watched the game on the big screen.  Luckily, we were able to get him home before he passed out for the night!

Wednesday was Cruz's first sleepover...at his house.  Beau had an early morning meeting in Des Moines on Thursday, so he decided to head down the night before to spend some time with Heiney.  Cruz and I decided to invite Grandma Kelly over for an all-nighter.  Cruz was one happy camper to have so much quality time with Grandma...they got lots of snuggling time in.  Meanwhile, I was able to get a head start on my baptism to-do list, and was even able to avenge and conquer an earlier baking disaster ;).  We got ready for Cruz's big day, but made time for a pizza carpet picnic, some Christmas catalog snooping, and an overdue chick-flick.  Mom and I don't get to do things like that very often and I was thankful for the chance.

But of course, we missed this...

   
Last night, we 'Jingled & Mingled' on Main with Jordan, Kelli, and Julie, while Charly and Cruz stayed at home with my mom, grandma, and grandpa.  They welcomed the opportunity to have the babies to themselves, and we welcomed the chance to snoop in some shops without diaper bags, enjoy good ol' Toads without lugging in a car seat, and share in some adult conversation without baby talk and breast pumps.  

I love this picture for so many reasons.  The frost on the window, the glare of the lights in the backdrop, and the fuzzy snowflake that looks as though I caught it in mid-fall.  Most of all, I love that this picture totally reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas movies, Elf.  "I'm siiiiiiiiiing, I'm in a store, I'm siiiiiiing, I'm in a store..."

I love Cedar Falls for its Main Street and I especially love it during the holidays.  The huddles of women swarming in and out of shops, their tall boots marching up the sidewalks like soldiers on one big, buy-local shopping mission.  Their husbands and boyfriends, hoarding checkbooks and packages under their bar stools as they sit at Toads, wishing the stores were open far later than 8 o'clock.  The cold, crisp air, an excuse to dress in pretty coats, matching scarves, and mittens.  The perfect, yet fitting randomness of passing by Frosty, Mrs. Claus, and an elf or two as we cross the street.  And last but not least, the carriage.  

The real, horse-drawn carriage, offering free rides for smiling children, to meet the one, the only, bearded one, sit on his lap, and whisper sweet wishes of dolls and trucks and Kindles in his ear.  

Last night was fun.  It was fun to snoop around in Peekaboo Baby while sipping a plastic cup of Cabernet, and sneak in and out of the quaint little places...the kitchen shoppe, the candy shop, the coffee shop, and even the yarn shop, knowing that my little one was warm and cozy inside.  

Much to do and the night is flying by.  Tomorrow night we'll thrown on our Christmas finest, wrap our most prized possessions, and celebrate the holidays at Chris & April's 3rd Ugly Sweater Party.  And this year we're bringing a little elf along ;).

Happy Weekend!     

Oh Happy Fall, Oh Happy Baby

Well, we're getting close.  We went to the doctor today and got to see our little boy via 'baby skype.'  He looked like a little buddha baby, all squashed and pouty-faced.  His cheeks looked so chubby, they were almost resting on his chest!  This was my fourth ultrasound and it's been so funny to track how much more space babies take up as they get bigger.  Today, I thought Baby J seemed so much bigger than four weeks ago; his foot today was the size of his entire body at 20 weeks.  He looks healthy and his stats were good.  Beau and I left the cozy little ultrasound room for the last time relieved and more than ready to meet our little man.  
 
I know I keep saying it, but this whole pregnancy thing is so surreal. I’ve carried this little peanut inside of me for 41 long weeks and for the most part, pregnancy has been magical. I’ve walked (and now waddled) with this newly defined purpose for my life and most of the time, I’ve felt like I was floating. I completely understood and relished in the pregnancy ‘glow.’ I soaked my baby bump in the heat of summer, waded in kiddie pools, and dressed in clothes that accentuated my newest and greatest feature.

All along, I knew this baby was going to eventually come out. And just like that, I would be a mom. Today, however, as I scour the internet attempting to find out what a contraction feels like, it’s begun to sink in that in a matter of hours or days, I will get to experience giving birth. The thought alone makes my mind go a little numb.

I remember feeling this way before getting married too. We planned and planned this day I’d been thinking and dreaming about for so long, and days before, the true reality of what you are about to do sinks it. It’s exciting and scary, magical and a bit incomprehensible.  

This weekend has been just what I needed.  Feeling a little sorry for myself yesterday morning, my husband decided he would forgo his day of football in order to relieve my impatient mind of another day of aimlessly cleaning, blogging, or worst of all, thinking too much.  Since my hopes of making it to the Mississippi River are slowly vanishing for the season, we created our own little day of exploration.  We drove with the windows down, munched on Jonagold apples from an orchard by Denver, hiked through Hartman Reserve (which is absolutely gorgeous this time of year), and stopped at every little park we could find to scope out the playground facilities.  We found places in Cedar Falls we never knew existed.  We stopped for burgers at Toads, took pictures of pretty trees, and I finally persuaded Beau to start The Hunger Games Trilogy.  Did I mention he's somewhat of a reading prodigy?  He started reading at about 6:00 and by midnight, he was almost finished with the 350 pager.  I am on page 80 of the sequel; however, stopped to watch Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters.  I love, and hate, how fast he reads.  

The hours are ticking away and pretty soon, I will get to see, touch, and kiss the cheek of this little boy that's changed our lives.  I'm a little scared, but so excited I can hardly stand it.  

My cup runneth over.  
 

 

This is a first...

Dear Baby...


Well, this is a first.  It's currently 3:48 am and I am on the couch, wide awake, unable to sleep.  I'm pretty sure my joints and muscles are asleep, but my mind is awake.  I yawn as I type; however, I've tried laying in bed three times in the last two hours with no sleep success.  I've watched an episode of True Blood, drank a glass of milk (almost drove to Hy-Vee to get some Oreos for dunking), and made a to-do list, but my insomnia is proving relentless.  It turns out, you are up too, tossing and turning as much as I am.  So, I type.  I reflect.  I duck tail from thought to thought, hoping my restless mind will soon give in...


I've always been a girl who needs her sleep.  To be honest, I'm a little nervous about joining the N.P.I.C., or New Parent Insomniac Club.  I'm known to get quite crabby and a little whiny when I'm running on little sleep.  So advice number one before joining this family?  Go easy on your mom.  Get all your late night energy out of your system before you enter this world.  Deal???


Tonight was a good night.  Tonight, your dad and I (and you in tow), strolled up and down Main Street, laid in fields, and shared an ice cream cone, all while being photographed like a couple of celebrities who decided to escape their so-called private sphere for a simple date night on the town.  Now usually anything that involves 'pictures' and 'your father' in the same sentence speaks anything but fun; however, tonight was.  It might have something to do with the fact that I bribed him with Toads if he decided to cooperate.  I think it has more to do with the reason we were there together.  We were there, celebrating a new chapter of our lives.  Our sweaty heads have been pressed together during other important stages of our relationship...as a newly engaged couple, a soon-to-be married couple, a couple of honeymooners, and now, a couple of expectant parents.  It was special to be able to set apart some time to really soak it all in. 


Well, baby, this is it.  My last few days of summer vacation.  Soon, I will be battling long days on my feet, a hot classroom, and hyperactive 16 year olds.  But before all that, I want you to know how much I've enjoyed this summer preparing for you. 


...those moments in my kiddie pool, laughing to myself as I watched my bare belly move up and down, up and down, up and down...
...the hours I have spent planning the details of your nursery
...the nights I've sat and rocked in your chair, fiddled with the perfect lamplight, and dreamed about a sleeping baby in my arms.
...the little clothes I've washed, folded, refolded, and hung or placed in your closet and dresser
...the doctor's appointments, especially the ultrasounds
...the late nights up with Beau, talking about who you will look like, who you will act like, and how we plan to conquer parenthood!
...all the "Beau!  Come here!" shrieks as you made an indent in my tummy or kicked a field goal towards my ribs! 


This weekend will be a great one.  As I near the next quarter-century of my life, I look forward to all that is to come.  Life is going to change, that's for sure, but I have a feeling 26 is going to be a pretty great year...