Check out tongue on that giraffe
Uncle Sid and Taj Poolside
Taj and S at the Zoo
Aunt Swati teaches Taj how to dress like a Bollywood starSaturday, April 30, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Living for the weekend
It was nice this past weekend to have R. around. It makes family time that much more special when everyone is together. R. tends to be the type of person that is willing to work hard, REALLY hard, in order to play hard. Thankfully this weekend we just chilled.
One activity we did was participate in The Clark Fork River Clean-Up to clean up trash that is downtown by the river. I enjoyed this because our family frequently takes walks down by the river and it is such a vital part of Missoula. R. uses the river to go kayaking. I go running by the river multiple mornings in the summer time. And my most favortite memory of the river is watching people fly fish from our hotel window when we first visited Missoula.
The river here is much different than the inner harbor in Baltimore. Although the inner harbor is beautiful, it's dirty. I am constantly amazed when we are by the river and can clearly see the bottom almost every time. It's clean and beautiful, and I was happy to be a part of keeping it that way. And an extra bonus was a free lunch and being able to see many of our friends from around town all in one place. Here are some pictures from that morning courtesy of Micah Cryder.
One activity we did was participate in The Clark Fork River Clean-Up to clean up trash that is downtown by the river. I enjoyed this because our family frequently takes walks down by the river and it is such a vital part of Missoula. R. uses the river to go kayaking. I go running by the river multiple mornings in the summer time. And my most favortite memory of the river is watching people fly fish from our hotel window when we first visited Missoula.
The river here is much different than the inner harbor in Baltimore. Although the inner harbor is beautiful, it's dirty. I am constantly amazed when we are by the river and can clearly see the bottom almost every time. It's clean and beautiful, and I was happy to be a part of keeping it that way. And an extra bonus was a free lunch and being able to see many of our friends from around town all in one place. Here are some pictures from that morning courtesy of Micah Cryder.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Strength
I know many people know this, but I am married to such a great husband. In preparing for our second babies arrival, R. is working extra in order to take the whole month of June off to help me. This means R. is working 12 hour days and every other weekend for the next 6 weeks. He'll miss Easter, Mother's Day, and Taj's birthday. Last week alone he worked 80 hours.
It's been tough of all of us this past week. R. comes home exhausted and hardly gets to see Taj except for a few minutes. Taj and I are trying to keep our normal schedules dispite not knowing what time Daddy is coming home and missing him dearly. As for me, I am tired some days, but other days I have strength that I didn't know was possible (especially being almost 8 months pregnant)
Please pray for strength for all of us to make it through this time. Although I know there is a huge reward at the end (R. for an entire month) there are a lot of sacrifices we all have to make at this time. Pray also for patience for us and that we are loving towards each other and those we are in contact with daily. And pray that we make the most of the small bursts of family time we have here and there.
It's been tough of all of us this past week. R. comes home exhausted and hardly gets to see Taj except for a few minutes. Taj and I are trying to keep our normal schedules dispite not knowing what time Daddy is coming home and missing him dearly. As for me, I am tired some days, but other days I have strength that I didn't know was possible (especially being almost 8 months pregnant)
Please pray for strength for all of us to make it through this time. Although I know there is a huge reward at the end (R. for an entire month) there are a lot of sacrifices we all have to make at this time. Pray also for patience for us and that we are loving towards each other and those we are in contact with daily. And pray that we make the most of the small bursts of family time we have here and there.
Operation: Baby
Yesterday I went to the doctor to check up on the baby. Everything is going really well. Thursday night he moved into the head-down position and is getting ready to enter the world. Since he's changed positions, I suddenly find myself remembering this feeling with Taj. I remember this pressure in my lower abdomen and feeling like my birthing ball is the only place I want to sit. Now, 2 years later I sit on the ball only to have Taj climb on it with me and jump off the ball onto the couch. Not as relaxing as I once remembered or hoped. I remember feeling like "I'm done being a science experiment. I'd really like this baby out." I can't say that I am at that point just yet. After all, I am only 33 weeks, but the excitement and disbelief that we are having another baby is starting to set it. I remember not feeling very lady like at this stage. It's hard to cross my legs and picking anything up off the floor is a joke. Sometime Taj helps with the items found down on his level, but many times I'm on my hands and knees crawling. Then, my soon to be 2 year old jumps on my back for a ride.
I've noticed as well that my mood has changed. I think I am starting to get more reflective and turning inward to prepare for the birthing process. I have about 3 "To Do" lists that I alternate between. I am trying to prepare the house and freeze a few meals. I am not sure if I'd call it "nesting". I think some of it is my personality. I'm trying to anticipate my needs and the needs of my family in the first few days and weeks after the baby arrives. I want things to go as smoothly as possible. Besides it being obvious that things are going to be slightly streessful, I want do this for R. mainly. He needs a little guidance at times around the house that I won't be able to offer him after the baby arrives. For example, a week or so ago I asked him to put socks and shoes on Taj in preparation to go out. He did, but instead of putting Taj's socks on, somehow he stretched the babies new socks on Taj's feet and held them in place with Taj's shoes. Not the end of the world, I realize that, but after a few small "oops" on just a few hours of sleep ones day can fall apart quickly.
In in a small way, I am also sad. Sad that it won't just be me and Taj, my little sweet boy and sidekick. After all, we do spend A LOT of time together, just Taj and I. Now, I have to figure out how to offer myself to my 3 boys (and dog). Overall, I am also excited and joyful that God's given us another blessing. I'm looking forward to snuggling my new baby. I'm also excited for Taj to have a brother to grow up with and develop a strong friendship. And I am happy for R. to have off the month of June and spend extended time with our family but especially Taj. I love seeing their Father-Son relationship grow.
I've noticed as well that my mood has changed. I think I am starting to get more reflective and turning inward to prepare for the birthing process. I have about 3 "To Do" lists that I alternate between. I am trying to prepare the house and freeze a few meals. I am not sure if I'd call it "nesting". I think some of it is my personality. I'm trying to anticipate my needs and the needs of my family in the first few days and weeks after the baby arrives. I want things to go as smoothly as possible. Besides it being obvious that things are going to be slightly streessful, I want do this for R. mainly. He needs a little guidance at times around the house that I won't be able to offer him after the baby arrives. For example, a week or so ago I asked him to put socks and shoes on Taj in preparation to go out. He did, but instead of putting Taj's socks on, somehow he stretched the babies new socks on Taj's feet and held them in place with Taj's shoes. Not the end of the world, I realize that, but after a few small "oops" on just a few hours of sleep ones day can fall apart quickly.
In in a small way, I am also sad. Sad that it won't just be me and Taj, my little sweet boy and sidekick. After all, we do spend A LOT of time together, just Taj and I. Now, I have to figure out how to offer myself to my 3 boys (and dog). Overall, I am also excited and joyful that God's given us another blessing. I'm looking forward to snuggling my new baby. I'm also excited for Taj to have a brother to grow up with and develop a strong friendship. And I am happy for R. to have off the month of June and spend extended time with our family but especially Taj. I love seeing their Father-Son relationship grow.
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