It’s Thursday again (the days are going too fast, right??) and time for another photography post with Theme Thursday: Girls. It seems like I am always posting pics of the boys and Bella is due for some blog time.
I remember when I was pregnant with Bella I secretly hoped that my firstborn would be a girl but when we went to my ultrasound, the doctor couldn’t tell. He said if he had to guess, it looked like boy. I was just happy to see my little peanut dancing around on the screen and I filled the baby’s closet with blue outfits and cover-alls and various other boy things.
Well, her birth was a surprise on many levels. I had just finished my eight month and had one month left in my pregnancy. My dad, my mom and one of my brothers drove up from So Cal to attend the baby shower my mother-in-law was giving. The night before the baby shower I was feeling really tired and the braxton hicks that I kept having didn’t seem to let up.
After a restless night I told Brian we better call the doctor because although the pain was sporadic, it felt like something out of the ordinary was going on. Before I could reach the phone my water broke and contractions came at full force. Eventually Brian and my brother (who was sleeping on the couch at our apartment) got me to the car, drove me to the hospital and got me checked in. When the nurse walked into the room and looked to see how I was doing, her face looked up in alarm and she called out that I was ready to have the baby NOW. The doctor and nurses rushed around gathering equipment and before I could fully comprehend what was really going on (I think I was still in shock and denial) I was told to push. Shortly after, I heard the unexpected words, “It’s A Girl!” And there she was, 3 lbs and 12 oz of sweetness screaming her lungs out. We still laugh today that Bella’s baby shower became a birthday party. (You can read the longer version of Bella’s birth story here. Just scroll down to September 2001.)
After 11 days in the NICU, we were finally able to take our sweet girl home. It feels like such a short, short time ago.
My baby girl at 3 months.
Last night I grabbed my camera and told Bella I wanted to take a photo of her for today’s theme. She asked me to take one with both of us. I told her I had been cleaning all day, my hair was a mess, I had no make-up, let me at least fix myself up a little…blah, blah, blah. She grabbed my hand and said, “You look great, mom. Let’s do it together.” So for the second weekin a row, my heart melted at such child-like love. So as Brian and the boys were running around the house re-enacting Jedi light saber duals, we ran out on the deck and snapped this photo. Mother and daughter bonding as female allies in a house of boys.
My baby girl at 11.
Then we grabbed some extra light sabers and joined the battle. 🙂
Everyone has been playing the “5 Things about Me Game” and Jessica tagged me next. Fun! Then Rebekah (with the cool new blog banner) nominated me for a Liebster Award. (”Liebster” is a German word meaning “sweetheart, beloved person, darling.” The award is passed on from blogger to blogger to smaller blogs with less than 200 followers.) Yay! I’d love to make 3 separate posts with 5 Faves, 5 Things & Liebster but mama ain’t got no time for dat so you are getting the combo deal.
Here are 5 Favorites that I haven’t already shared on my about me page.
~~ 1 ~~
My Favorite Flowers
I’m not a soft pink and delicate flowers girl. I love red gerber daisies and other bold red and yellow flowers that make you smile. 🙂
~~ 2 ~~
Favorite Icons in My Home (We have quite a few.)
It’s a tie between this icon of Our Lady that has been with me during all the birth of my children…
Or this Divine Mercy icon Brian and I bought on our honeymoon.
Hands down I Love Lucy. It reminds me of home since we watched it all the time growing up. Whenever I am missing my mom I just pop in the DVD and feel like she’d here laughing with me. (We still quote lines to each other when we talk on the phone.) 🙂
~~ 4 ~~
My Favorite Book
As much as I love Jane Austen, my all time favorite novel is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. When I was younger I was intrigued by the drama and mystery. However, I was more touched that Jane endured a broken heart and forsake the only man that ever loved her because she would not break God’s commandment. It made a deep impression on me.
~~ 5 ~~
My Favorite Childhood Memory to Relive with My Kids
Source: My sis JC
If you don’t count going on nature walks or going for a drive then going to Disneyland!
If you are short on time or prone to boredom, stop here.
So you’re still with me? All right, chica! Poor yourself another coffee/juice/wine and enjoy.
Next is the Liebster Awards. Now the official rules are –
Thank/link the person that nominated you (Thanks, Rebekah!)
Tell 11 things about yourself.
Answer the 11 questions asked of you
Make 11 questions for your own 11 nominees.
Link to those 11 nominees, and tell them about it at their blogs.
11 Things about Me
(I actually did a meme like this last year but I’ll only repeat 1 or 2.)
“Bobbi” is not a nickname but my actual name. I love my name and I’m happy that the first born child was going to be named after my dad, boy or girl. (Thanks for not naming me Roberta, mom and dad.)
I’ve never had a professional manicure or pedicure. (But considering that I had my first professional haircut just two years ago, there may still be hope.)
I am impatient, nosey, messy (close to hoarder territory) and I’m always late. (Although I admit that I’m working on those faults.)
On the other hand, I am caring, a good listener and I love doing little things to brighten a person’s day.
I’m not a pet person. If it can’t wear a diaper or go in the toilet, I don’t want it in the house. (Although I finally let the kids get two fish. But again, I am stuck cleaning the poop.)
My mom often told me I was a drama queen. (Sooo exaggerated.)
I’m a sucker for guys in jeans, white tees, high hair and horn rimmed glasses. (Sweetie, guess what you are wearing for Easter? ;-))
I have two weird driving fears. One is when I’m under a tunnel I fear we will have a big earthquake and I’ll be crushed to death. The second is when I’m driving behind a truck with long objects in the bed of the truck (like planks of wood) I’m afraid the driver will get into an accident, the long objects will come loose, crash through my windshield and decapitate me. (Aren’t you glad you don’t live in my head? And now that I think about it, maybe #6 wasn’t so wrong.)
I sometimes watch Disney shows like “Good Luck, Charlie” and “Austin & Ally” even when the kids aren’t home. (omg, did I just admit that out loud?)
If I could eat any convenience store junk food without worry I’d have chili cheese fritos and an orange crush. (I’m so hungry right now.)
I can easily be moved to tears – both happy and sad.
Questions from Rebekah
1. What is your very first memory, even one people deny you can actually remember? My most vivid early memories are riding in the back seat of my dad’s Chevelle and scooting to the edge of my seat and leaning my head on his head rest and feeling the wind blow on my face. This was before the days of mandatory seat belts!
2. What is a talent of yours you feel others underestimate? I don’t know if I’d call it a talent but people don’t know I can be funny until they get to know me. I remember when I switched departments at work before I got pregnant, my new boss told me that she always thought I was quiet and reserved but after she got to know me she realized what a funny cheek I could be. I am still reserved with new people to this day. I feel better expressing myself writing. (Is that a blogging prerequisite?)
3. What fictional character would you like to spend an afternoon with? Mary Poppins. I’d love her to clean my house and tame my kids. 😉
4. Kirk or Picard? Han Solo, baby.
5. What song can you not stop listening to right now?
Hmmm…if the kids are in the room I’d say TobyMac’s Eye on It. when I am cooking dinner I usually turn on the radio and the boys (Andrew is particular) love to come and “break dance” while I sing along. This is their current fave.
But if I’m alone and in a mellow mood I am still in love with this song from The Lumineers.
6. What day in your past would you like to relive? My wedding day. It was hands down the best day of my life and I’d love to relive all those memories again.
7. When you were little, what did you enjoy telling people that you wanted to be when you grew up? I planned to be a mother, a teacher and an author. In school I wanted to be a psychologist but worried that I wouldn’t be able to stay emotionally detached from someone’s pain.
8. What advice would you give yourself as a first time mother? Take a deep breath and stop worrying. You are more capable than you think. Trust your gut. And when you can’t take one more day of sleepless nights, crying fits (the baby’s, not yours) and not showering for days, just keep repeating to yourself, “And this too shall pass.”
9. What is your most looked forward to moment of the day? When I kiss the kids goodnight and I receive their hugs and “I love yous” and then I get to snuggle on the couch with Brian and watch a movie (provided Matthew is asleep and didn’t take a late nap.)
10. Who would play you in a movie about your life? Hmm..how many short, plus-sized comedic actresses are there? I don’t know! But since I did mention “Austin and Ally” above , if you take the actress that plays Trish and cut her hair into a dried out frizzy bush, then heck, you’ve got me as a kid!
Now I’m supposed to tag 5 bloggers for Five Things about Me and 11 bloggers for the Liebster but I’m just tagging 5 people. You can do The 5 Thingy or The Liebster or Both. (Or none, if you poop out at parties.) Have fun! 😉
Oh, and if you’ve already been tagged. Sorry. You can skip it too.
I would like to tag Hallie but being in the pregnant state that she is in, I will leave that to her discretion. In the meantime, I tag my sis EML, Andrea, Missy, Colleen, and Kelly.
Here are the questions:
1. Where were you on 3/13/13 when you saw the white smoke or heard that we have a pope?
2. If you had a whole day to yourself (without your kids or hubby) what would you do?
3. What was your favorite childhood cartoon?
4. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?
5. What is your favorite prayer or devotion?
6. What is your favorite “go to” outfit to wear?
7. What is something that not many people know about you?
8. Are you a Downton Abbey fan or a “what’s all the fuss about” girl?
9. How did you meet your hubby?
10. What was your favorite song/album/band/artist growing up?
11. What is a lesson you’ve learned that you want to pass on to your children.
My computer time is so limited these days that I have to combine posts and kill two bugs with one stone. (I hate killing birds…unless it is that nasty seagull that did his business on my windshield.) So today we have a 7 Quick Takes & {pretty, happy, funny, real} Mash-up. Enjoy!
~~ 1 ~~
{pretty}
I hesitate to post photos of flowers or sunny skies when people are sitting in snow but hopefully it will give you something to look forward to as you wait for spring. It seems to be arriving early in California.
~~ 2 ~~
{happy}
I can’t tell you how happy I am to have Brian feeling better and cancer free! As I mentioned in yesterday’s Theme Thursday (Cari rocks!), Brian and I had the opportunity to go out to dinner at Pebble Beach (where Brian works.) It was much needed outing after Brian’s surgery and all the stress we’ve been under lately. I love the Spanish Bay Inn there and they have a great restaurant called Sticks. It is a tradition that each evening The Bagpiper plays at sunset to close the day.
However, our original babysitting plans changed and my in-laws watched the kids instead. To make it easier on them we brought Matthew to dinner with us as our chaperone. I loooove this photo of Matty’s precious face and rosy cheeks. (He had just woken up.)
~~ 3 ~~
Speaking of Pebble Beach, this weekend is the AT&T Pro Am. It is a big deal to the town but as for me, it just mostly means everything will be super crowded so we won’t venture far from the house this weekend. There are a number of “stars” and athletes on the Peninsula but unless they happen to stop by Target in the next day or two, I’ll not be seeing them. (Although there was that time I sat behind Kevin James at Mass. ;-))
~~ 4 ~~
{funny}
As I mentioned earlier, I have not had time to blog much this week. But Matthew offered to help me out.
~~ 5 ~~
{real}
I finally took down the Christmas wreath on our door this week and put up our Valentine’s welcome sign. How is it possible that both Valentine’s and Lent start next week??? I am still in shock.
~~ 6 ~~
More {real}
Remember when I mentioned a couple weeks back that the kids got lice from school? Well, we went through the treatment and got rid of the nasty things only to go back and to school and get reinfected. It lands out a number of kids had it without knowing and it was being passed back and forth. Thankfully, the school took care of things now. (It still baffles me that we even have lice in our day and age!)
So now we are on Round 2 of the lice war and on Tuesday I just broke down and sobbed. I mean I cried my eyes out. Not so much because of the lice, but it was finally the straw that broke the camel’s back. With Brian’s illness, and cancer, and surgery I was uncharacteristically calm and unworried and dry eyed. But you know how it is, you can only stay strong for so long until you’ve got to get it all out. I thought all the crying I did at Sybil’s death was enough but I still had more in me. Now I am feeling back to myself and the lice war seems to be ending, although I still spend over 2 hours each day going through the kids hair with a nit comb (Bella’s long hair is the worse) to make sure it stays away.
On top of that, the washing everything in hot water that touched their head is insane and this is what my house has looked like all week. The dirty piles were far outweighing the clean piles but I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Praise God!
~~ 7 ~~
Once I get all the laundry done I’ll work on something for next week’s Making it Count Tuesday. Actually, let me ask you a question about that. Originally the link up was called Pinning It Down.
It was hosted by Sarah at AmongstLovelyThings.com and Pam at EveryDaySnapshots. It encouraged people to make or do some of the things they pinned on Pinterest. But then there was the concern about breaking copyright laws and not giving the right people credit for their work etc.
They changed the link up to Making It Count with the idea being to…
“Simply start with any one of those fabulous ideas you’ve found online or on Pinterest. Then, do it. Make it. Cook it. Create it. Take it from the screen, give it life and let it bless your world. When you’re done, snap a photo, write about it and share it with us. Make your time online count!”
However, with their busy schedules, Sarah and Pam couldn’t host anymore. I offered to take over hosting duties and Sarah gladly let me but she warned me that participation dropped off once they switched from Pinning It Down to Making It Count. And once it moved blogs, it really dropped.
My question to you, after all that, should I go back to a Pinterest themed link up and just require links to the original site (rather than their pin link)? It could be a Pinterest Party or something. Or should I make it more general? For example, a link up to share something you did creatively (cooking, crafting, photography, a school project) whether the idea came from an online source or not. Please give me some ideas or let me know if I should just leave it as is and give it time to build up again. Thanks in advance!
Okay, I just heard the washer buzz so my blogging time is up. Time for another load. Have a great weekend!
For those who don’t follow RoL on Facebook or Twitter, I wanted to let you know that Brian came home on Friday. Blessed be God! He still has some recuperating to do but we are just happy to have him home. Yesterday was a crazy day for me. I had to do my jobs, Brian’s jobs, take care of the kids and take care of Brian. It was a good test of my patience and self-sacrifice. So, how did I do? Let’s just say that if this was a real school I’d be sitting outside of the principle’s office. 😉
Today went a little better because in the afternoon my father-in-law took two of the kids to his house, Brian was resting and I sat down on the couch with the two little boys. As they drifted off for a nap I forgot about the laundry and the dishes and the bills and closed my eyes and dozed off too. It was just what I needed. Now I will leave shortly to pick up my mom from the airport. (Insert Happy Dance.)
Blogging will most likely be non-existent next week (unless I stay up late after everyone goes to bed) as I am woefully behind on my household chores. (Like realizing I forgot to deposit a bunch of checks after I paid bills!) But I do thank you for all your prayers and well wishes. They mean so, so much to Brian and myself. I’ll pop in when I can. And we’ll be one in spirit as we watch Downton tonight. 😉
