Learning to Relax

I mentioned awhile back that adjusting to being home everyday has been a bit more of a challenge than I originally anticipated. The idea sounds great when you're used to having 45+ hours of your week scheduled for you, but in reality I was a bit overwhelmed by the total lack of structure. I feel the need to be as productive as possible, but at the same time I want to make the most of the window of time I have to rest. Finding that balance has been a bit tricky.

I feel like this week has gone much better than last as I continue to try and sort this out. Monday started off a bit differently than expected, which perhaps caused me to rest a little more than I would have otherwise. Dan woke up early Monday morning to go work out like usual, but instead of hopping out of bed like he normally does, he nearly collapsed when his feet hit the floor. The night before we had been at a church picnic when he heard some strange popping noises in his ankle during a game of football. If you know Dan, you know he doesn't do much half-way -- particularly when it comes to sports. So while he did stop momentarily to assess the pain, he quickly jumped back into the game and finished, thinking he just needed to stretch it out. Well, Monday morning seemed to indicate otherwise, so he crawled back into bed (which NEVER happens) and we both enjoyed a nice morning to sleep in a bit.

I had already planned to have a friend over for lunch, along with her adorable 2-year-old daughter, so I spent the morning getting ready for that and tending to a gimpy husband who would occasionally get up from the couch and hobble around on a wooden baseball bat he used as a crutch. After a delightful lunch, Dan determined that he needed to "stretch it out" some, and so we took advantage of his sick-day and went to see the new Disney movie "Up." And since we were able to catch the matinee, we even splurged and saw it in 3-D. We loved the movie (I cried through it! And that is NOT because I'm pregnant), and it was so fun to just do something rather spontaneous like that. We forgot to take a picture in our glasses, but you can just imagine :-)

Tuesday Dan headed back to work - albeit with a limp - and was able to take some x-rays and determined that everything is fine (the benefits of working in the medical field). I had another friend over for lunch and enjoyed a nice afternoon nap, some laps at the pool, and babysat for some friends that evening. Yesterday I slept in, did laundry, went to visit another friend, and had a doctor's appointment in the afternoon (everything's great, by the way! we're rolling right along). Dan gets off early on Wednesdays, so he was able to come with me to the appointment, then we had the whole evening to just hang out.

All in all, I finally feel like I'm starting to find that balance I've been looking for - almost a month after my lay-off. I'm able to read some of the books that have been on my list for sometime, I'm able to actually keep my house picked up (most days) and keep up with the laundry, and I'm able to prepare dinner before 7pm. I'm getting things done, but I'm also realizing that they don't all have to get done in one day. It sounds like a silly thing to have to learn, but I'm thankful for the time to figure it out now...since it will all soon change once this baby arrives!

$16 + tip

Something Dan and I have done since even before we were married has been to cut his hair at home, saving a little extra cash on monthly haircuts. I can't say I'm great at it, but I have gotten it down enough that I'm comfortable with it. Although, I am frequently reminded of the first time Dan convinced me that I could do it and I took off an entire sideburn and a nice big chunk out of the back. I've since learned the importance of the razor guard :)

Anyway, Dan estimates that a typical haircut for him runs around $16 + tip (because he's much too cheap to go to anything beyond Great Clips). So our deal has always been that if I give him a haircut, I get to choose how to spend that money. This translates nicely into a Mexican meal! This time, I chose a new top from Motherhood Maternity as I am starting to feel a little short in the wardrobe department.

The before shot:

Waiting for his stylist

The money-saving tools

Me worried about snipping a bit too much...How do you feel about a bowl cut?
The finished product:

So now I'm curious...what are some random ways that you save money?

Growing....

I've been so bad about adding pictures lately, I thought I'd just do a quick post to catch everyone up on my pregnancy growth. Baby J and I are both growing rather quickly these days, and my toes will soon disappear beneath this expanding belly of mine! I'm still feeling great, although I am starting to feel the effects of the added weight and circumference I guess you could say. Who knew tying your shoes could be such a chore! Anyway, the pictures say more than I need to, so here you go...

12 weeks:

14 weeks:

17 weeks:

20 weeks (I kind of wish I had this background for all of my belly pics!):

21 weeks:

22 weeks:

24 weeks (last Wednesday):

In looking back through these, I'm beginning to think I should wait and take these right before I crawl into bed...I look half asleep in most of them. Regardless, you can certainly see the progress!

Dan & I are getting more excited each day and are beginning to get our home and lives a little more ready for the new addition. We went and registered this weekend, which was quite the experience, and now have our spare room cleaned out and ready for it's make-over. I think furniture is the next step, but that just seems a bit overwhelming right now. Why are there so many options for a simple baby crib?! If anyone has any advice on making that selection, I'm all ears.

Blogger's Block

I'm experiencing a bit of blogger's block, not exactly due to lack of material but rather because of the excess I've been storing up. Or something like that. I'm still trying to figure out this "spare time" thing without the structure of a daily job to go to, and how exactly to spend the time in a productive manner. Lots to think about, but I suppose I'll write about that later.


In the meantime, I was tagged awhile back by my friend Amanda and asked to post 6 unimportant things that make me happy. So in a very unimportant order...here you go:

{Rules: name/link to the person who tagged you and share your unimportant things! really easy!}


1. My rainbow flip-flops; the best sandals I've ever owned.

2. My bread machine. I don't use it as often as I should, but I love the results when I do!

3. My eye drops. These may actually fit into an "important" category, because if I'm caught without them and allergies attack, it's not pretty.

4. Clorox wipes. I hate a messy bathroom, so these are a quick fix between deep cleaning. And they make me feel a little better about the time lapse between deep cleanings :)

5. My dishwasher! Having lived without one for the first 2 1/2 years of marraige, this was quite possibly the biggest luxury I gained in our move. I'm amazed every time I use it - seriously.

6. My straightening iron. My only hope for friz-free hair.


So what's you're favorite unimportant "thing"? Now it's your turn to share!

Whew!

What a week! Last Friday morning, Dan & I boarded a plan (bright & EARLY I might add) for Kansas City and were able to spend some wonderful time with my family at home in Missouri. We had a wedding on Saturday - my lifelong friend Katie Kimberling (congrats Katie & Devin!), then enjoyed some much needed time with family and friends the rest of the long weekend.

Dan had to go back Monday evening, but because of my new umemployed status, I was able to stay until Thursday evening! I can't tell you how refreshing it was to just be home, to spend time with Mom, Grandma & Grandpa, Paige & Torri, old friends....to sit on the porch & read my book while the birds & deer roam about me...to look at baby stuff with my Mom...to let Mom cook for me...it was a wonderful time. For whatever reason I really didn't take but a couple of pictures, so if you'd like to see some of the festivities, take a look at my sister's blog.

I got back Thursday night and spent yesterday playing catch-up here at home. Dan's sister Jewel is coming to visit for a few days (arriving in just a couple hours!), so I've been busy getting this house in order. While it's always work, it feels so good to have a clean home at the end of it! And a fresh batch of cinnamon rolls waiting on the counter :)

I better run - still a few things left to do and I just realized I should maybe take a shower...I look about like my house did a few hours ago! Sorry for the lack of posting, but it may be a few more days before life settles down enough for me to really get back into the swing. Or am I really ever in the swing of this blogging thing? Don't answer that. I promise I'll be back!

New Beginnings

I've been putting off writing this post because I'm still not quite sure how to word it without making the situation sound worse than it is. But I figured I might as well plow forward so I can get on with my blogging life :-)

This past Tuesday, I found out that GMA had decided to make some pretty drastic decisions in an effort to keep the company moving forward. Included in this was the decision to eliminate the programming department, which means that my position along with my boss's no longer exist. So as of Friday, myself along with 3 other (former) GMA employees closed the books on our time at GMA.

Great news? Not exactly. I've loved my job these past 3 years, and have especially enjoyed the people I have gotten to work with. But honestly...things could be SO much worse. As many of you know, I had already made the decision to stay home once the baby comes in September, so Dan and I had been working towards that arrangement anyway. This just speeds up the process a bit more than expecting :)

So what am I planning to do, you might ask? As of now, I am counting the time off as a blessing that I could not have experienced any other way. I have so much that I want to accomplish before baby girl makes her appearance, and in many ways this time feels like a gift that will enable me to make that happen. I've played with the idea of trying to find some sort of employment for the summer, even just part time, but the more Dan & I have talked and prayed about the options, we both feel at peace with the decision to just enjoy the time and not endure the stress of trying to find another job for such a limited amount of time.

So here I sit on this beautiful afternoon enjoying a nice breeze coming in through my window and listening to my last load of laundry whir away upstairs. For the first time in a LONG time, I don't think there is a scrap of laundry left in the hamper - and that feels great! I enjoyed lunch with a friend this afternoon without the pressure of getting to and from work in a short amount of time, and I am looking forward to having some friends over for dinner tonight -- and having more than 20 minutes to put everything together.

I have time to read, to think, to pray. I believe this is but a very brief window of time God has given me as a chance to breathe, and time that I know I will never get back. So while I am sad about the lay-off and the abrupt ending, I am also at peace, knowing God has everything under control. This was His plan all along, so I figure, I might as well enjoy the ride!

Drumroll please...

Looks like there is going to be a lot of pink around our home in the near future :-)