Wednesday, February 14, 2007

This and That



That's David and Daisy. See how much she's grown? She's standing up while holding onto things now. I think it won't be long until she's walking. She's more fun every day. There are more and more things you can do with her. She likes to roll a ball. She'll wave bye-bye. She has started giving kisses. She likes looking at books. And she likes throwing her little body around on the bed and giggling.

David keeps nagging at me to write something on this blog. He said if I went in now and did it, he'd clean up the kitchen. Can't argue with a deal like that!

Perry is saying so many words. If I tell him to ask for something nicely, he'll say "May I have xyz please" just like a good little boy. And today he asked for something without first whining for it in two-year-old speak first. I think we've got a break-through! However, we are still struggling with the potty training. To tell you the truth, I'm just too lazy to pursue it like I should. I started out one day sitting him on the potty every 15 minutes. My mother-in-law, before she knew how I was going about it, said that Perry seemed ready for potty training and that she only thought it would take him three weeks or so. Well, after that first day, I was so exhausted! The idea of sitting him on the potty every 15 minutes for three weeks was just too much for me. Now I think I was probably going about it the wrong way. My friend Kaycie suggested sitting him on the potty every time I changed his diaper. I told David that this was the new rule in the house (and then he told me that his new rule was that I would change all Perry's diapers). In actuality, though, I've only done this probably twice in the span of three days. I know I've got to do better or else I'm going to end up with three in diapers.

And yes, I said three. For those of you that don't know by now, we're expecting our third baby in July. We're so excited! Gosh I love babies. My uncle Oliver, who just had his first baby the other day, asked me how I could keep having them-knowing the roller-coaster of pregnancy and birth that he just went through. I told him, and this is what I firmly believe, that children are such great blessings that the troubles of pregnancy and childbirth (and all the other hiccups down the path of parenting) are so tiny compared to a lifetime with these little gifts from God. Does that sound silly? I think I used to think so, before I had children. Whenever someone mentioned children as a gift from God I think I used to picture little packages--like the ones you get on Christmas or your birthday. But now I understand. Children are a gift like going to the beach is a gift. Like a great meal is a gift. Like spending time with family is a gift. It's the feeling that you get to be a part of Life. And, in the case of children, God has chosen you for this task. I often hear people say discouraging things about raising children. They talk about going crazy with the little ones they have and don't understand why David and I have chosen to have more (and "so close together" too!). But, just like God has made children a blessing, He has also made me capable of mothering them. Why is it in our society that we see women as capable of pursuing any and every career outside the home while we have made mothering something she is incapable of? Do you think I'm wrong? I don't consider giving birth and shipping your baby off to daycare where you pay someone else to "mother" them just another form of mothering. You think I sit at home every day and eat bon-bons and watch soap operas? Think again. I work every day. The only difference is that I don't get paid for it and I don't get any recognition from my boss or co-workers. But I'm not complaining. On the contrary, I find my work very fulfilling. I just want you to know...

I don't think I'll send an e-mail update on this blog. I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. Those that want to read it may, but I won't advertise it. I'm entitled to my opinion, but I don't want to shove it in anyone's face. As I was saying to my mother the other day, I haven't found that happy medium between being supportive and being pushy with my views. Consequently I tend to keep my mouth shut. But I guess this time I just needed to vent. Thanks for allowing me this venue.