Valentine’s Day

Seeing as how I am writing in my blog more often, I want to make sure I write about actual “events”. I always feel really lame when I try to remember the previous holiday and can’t recall anything. I don’t want to live my life without memories!

Valentine’s Day was actually wonderful this year. I’m assuming it is wonderful every year, but I don’t remember them… Anyway, Ryan and I have been doing the cash system for awhile now and hadn’t set anything aside for V Day. Normally Ryan would pull some money from his spending, but seeing as how he is in debt with the Bank of Lorsch, he couldn’t do that either. I could tell he was really nervous about trying to make the day special without any funds to get me some chocolates or something. But the thing is, I didn’t want flowers or chocolates or anything that could be purchased. What I really wanted was to celebrate the love that we have for each other, because isn’t that what the day is about anyway?

To do that I requested that Ryan make a playlist of 5-10 songs that made him think of me, our marriage, family, etc. They couldn’t be songs that I would hear if I turned on the radio either. I wanted him to search out music that really meant something to him, not just a generic love song. I promised him I would do the same. I noticed in the weeks leading up to V Day that Ryan was getting more and more nervous. I have never seen him fret over anything like this before, but was touched because I knew Ryan was taking it seriously. When something needs to be done, my man likes to do it right.

Ryan’s Dad watched Tommy for us on V Day (MIL was out of town, poor guy). We picked up dessert after dropping Tommy off and sat down on the couch after Ryan plugged in the iPod. The first 5 songs were mine, and we smiled while listening to the lyrics and laughed when some lines were all too true. Then Ryan played his 5 songs. I knew he had spent hours searching for these songs and was so excited to hear what he came up with. I was so touched when I heard the songs. While they were playing Ryan would whisper into my ear why a particular line reminded him of me, and none of it was cliché or generic. It really made me feel loved. Not hey-you’re-my-wife-so-I-love-you, but that he really loved ME. I couldn’t help crying, and let’s not pretend that Ryan wasn’t misty-eyed either.

I’ve realized that our love has become so strong and beautiful as time goes on. Even though the novelty of marriage and seeing each other naked has worn off, the novelty of truly knowing and loving a person has not. Ryan’s love has changed me. I see who I was while we were dating and first married and am amazed at the change for good I see in myself. Even more amazing is how well Ryan has loved me, and that he chose to marry me when I was a rock with a lot of rough edges. Not that I am even close to being polished, mind you, but a lot has changed in myself for the better. I am so thankful each day that Ryan could see my potential when we were dating, because I’m sure that is why he chose to be with me forever. And so, because I love him, I will continue to work on improving myself every day. To be a better wife and mother, to be a woman that he can’t wait to come home to at the end of a long day. To be his best friend, a confidant, who will listen without a judging ear. He is my true love, my soul mate, my eternal companion.

P.S. I took pictures of us on Valentine’s Day, but my computer mysteriously ate them. At least I made an attempt at proper documentation of an important holiday.

Mood Swings and Soda

All is well in the Land of Lorsch. Well, Ryan would probably raise an eyebrow to that. It’s just that, in this last month of pregnancy, I have been experiencing some serious mood swings. Usually I just need to eat something or lay down and happy Katie returns, for which we are all thankful.

Lately Tommy has been thriving on being a naughty boy. I need some help with figuring out a disciplinary solution. In the past when he would do a “no no”, I would plop him in the crib and he would cry, and after awhile I would pull him out. This was enough motivation that if I said “no no” about something, the majority of the time he would shy away from his naughty acts. Now this is no longer the case and I am at my wits end! Tommy is amused with the crib now and just hangs out and talks to himself until I finally get him. Also, when he hears “no no”, that usually makes him smile and he will go ahead and be naughty. So, what do I do? I don’t think he is old enough for me to revoke a privilege, like going to the park, because he doesn’t understand that we were going to the park but his naughty behavior made it so we aren’t going anymore. I also don’t like the idea of inflicting any physical pain. I’m a believer in having the consequences be natural and/or make sense with the bad behavior. Does anyone know what to do with a little boy turned naughty?

And lastly, I crave soda like a madwoman. This didn’t happen until my last month, but I have an average of two cans a day. Surprisingly, my weight has been staying the same. Have I found a new weight solution for us ladies with 4 weeks until baby time? I have been trying to drink a variety without too much caffeine so I don’t get addicted to my beloved Dr. Pepper. I have never been one to buy soda and have it hanging around at home, but now I go crazy without it at my fingertips! Just the thought of putting my lips to that icy can of sugary sweetness makes my lips quiver!!!

35 Things: January Update

Yo yo! January was a good month. Not too pregnant, seriously nesting, and great weather. I’m not going to bother with the goals I have to repeat on a monthly or weekly basis because that will just get tedious. Plus, that allows me to have a grand sign-off in December since I will be reaching my goals. So here is what I did get done:

5. Read new Relief Society Manual – I’m really glad I did this. Reading it in one month helped me be immersed in the spirit of Relief Society and to really get a feel for what this amazing organization is all about. I love being a member of Relief Society. More information here about the Relief Society organization.

8. Organize Tommy’s clothes for new baby – done, and feels great!

9. Paint hallway – I am so glad I finally got this done. Now the paint color flows through the house instead of stopping abruptly. Except for the kitchen area…but that is not happening when I am due within the month! Ryan had to help me out with this one because the fumes were…a bit toxic at times.

16. Create master shopping list – This was the hardest one for me. It’s hard to figure out all the things you buy on a regular basis for your household. However, now that I have this list, I feel so much more organized. Now I just need to circle the items I need to buy as I run out of the supplies, so hopefully I stop forgetting to buy important items like, say, toilet paper. I also realize that I am going to discover forgotten items on a regular basis, but a little update won’t be a big deal!

I will admit that when I looked over the goals I want to get done in February, I was a bit overwhelmed. I now look and feel seriously pregnant, with really low energy to go along with it. I don’t even know why I wrote that in past tense, because I still am overwhelmed. So feel free to leave a comment like, “You can do it!” Or, "Keeping busy will make the baby come faster!”, etc.

Much love to you all

Katie