We're Still Here

No. I didn't forget about you or the blog.  We've just been doing a whole bunch of nothing. Our days are mostly spent going to and from work and school, then coming home to prepare to do the same thing again the next day. On the weekends, generally, we've been hanging out around the house, and going to church. We've gotten a little boring, but October is a new month!  And we've got quite a few things that we plan to try.

What's Happening?

I know. I know! Exactly one year and six months later, and I’m trying AGAIN to revive this blog. This space started as a place for me to document our children’s antics as we grew through my pregnancies and their infancy and toddlerhood. My sister was deployed overseas, and I wanted to include her in the changes that were occurring.  Well now both of our children are school-aged and attend school full time.  Where does that leave this space? Still trying to figure that out...

What have we been up to in the past year and a half?  We’ve gone on a few vacations. We’ve celebrated holidays and accomplishments. We’ve suffered loss and setbacks. We’ve all aged a little and grown. Micah has started first grade. Corrin is in Pre-K4. They are both smart and inquisitive kids, who keeps us on our toes, and usually laughing. We’ve moved and moved again.  

In short, things are different, and I'm sure more change is coming, but we've done a pretty good job of going with the flow. Now here are a bunch of pictures (in no particular order), and a promise that I'll be back, and hopefully it will be long before another year and a half have passed. 

I've realized that a whole bunch of pictures in the blog are broken because of the foolishness with Photobucket charging roughly $400 per year to continue to host them.  I'll be honest, I'm never going to pay that much money for anything to do with this blog, so I'll be (slowly) going back through the blog and replacing pictures as I can.

Preparing for Family Pictures

I love taking pictures.  I also love having my picture taken.  I have been wanting to have pictures taken of the family, especially with the addition of Little Miss to the Giles Family equation.  Well today is the day.  I found out, accidentally, that one of my coworker's is a photographer.  When she told me that she was offering a few mini sessions, I jumped at the chance.  I can't wait to see what we came up with today.  

The last time we attempted to take family pictures, I walked away so frustrated, that I wished we hadn't even tried.  Micah was tired and not cooperative at all.  Mikey did not help the situation either.  I am a little worried about today, but hoping for the best.  Micah has recently started refusing to take pictures, or making funny faces when he will stand still for a picture.  Jenn was awesome with him.

The process of figuring out what to wear took several days.  Actually, it's been several weeks that I've been thinking about what we would wear today. I've been thinking about it even before I knew that today would be the day we would take pictures.  Here's what we ended up choosing.

It Won't Be Like This For Long

After this week, I needed this song to remind me that it won't be like this for long.

I know that this time next year, I will be longing for these days.  Even though it's hard right now, I know I will wish for this time again.  I have to remind myself to cherish these moments with my baby now.

Darius Rucker is able to say it so much better than I.  Here are the lyrics.

He didn't have to wake up
He'd been up all nite
Lay'n there in bed listen'n
To his new born baby cry
He makes a pot of coffee
Splashes water on his face
His wife gives him a kiss and says
It's gonna be OK

It won't be like this for long
One day soon we'll look back laugh'n
At the week we brought her home
This phase is gonna fly by
So baby just hold on
It won't be like this for long

Four years later bout four thirty
She's crawling in their bed
And when he drops her off at preschool
She's clinging to his leg
The teacher peels her off of him
He says what can I do
She says now don't you worry
This will only last a week or two

It won't be like this for long
One day soon you'll drop her off
And she won't even know your gone
This phase is gonna fly by
If you can just hold on
It won't be like this for long

Some day soon she'll be a teenager
And at times you'll think she hates him
Then he'll walk her down the aisle
And raise her vail
But right now she's up and cry'n
And the truth is that he don't mind
As he kisses her good night
And she says her prayers
He lays down there beside her
Till her eyes are finally closed
And just watch'n her it breaks his heart
Cause he already knows
It won't be like this for long
One day soon that little girl is gonna be
All grown up and gone
Yeah this phase is gonna fly by
So he's try'n to hold on
Cause, it won't be like this for long
It won't be like this for long

Regrets

“For all sad words of tongue and pen, The saddest are these, 'It might have been'.”  ~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Mikey and I were having a conversation recently, and somehow the subject of regrets came up.  We both acknowledged that we have no regrets regarding where we have found ourselves in life thus far. My plan was always to marry, buy a house, and become a mother.  Thankfully, I have managed (with Mikey) to achieve those things.

My life has not gone as planned.  I doubt anyone has the life that they planned in the way that that expected.  There are a few things that I wish I had done differently.  There are some things that I wouldn't change.  Things that at the time seemed to be tragic, I can now see were leading me to the point I'm at today.

I have no idea what the future holds for me.  Right now, the plan is to raise my children, grow old with my husband, and live happily ever after.

Summer Fun 2012

Here we are once again entering the summer season.  It's already getting hot, and school is out.  While I won't get to spend everyday with Micah the way I would have if I was still working in the school system, we do have plans for enjoying our summer.  So here you go, our list of planned summer activities, in no particular order...

• Go the the Georgia Aquarium
• Go to Zoo Atlanta
• Take swimming lessons
• Go to the drive-in movies
• Blow bubbles
• Go to the beach
• Eat Icee Pops
• Go on a picnic
• Play putt putt golf

Maybe this summer we will get to do more than we did last summer.

Boy or Girl? Who Cares?

Before I even got pregnant this go around, I thought about the gender of my next child.  Honestly, I would be happy either way.  When Micah turned about a year old, I started imagining having two boys and a girl. Would I be disappointed to have only boys? NO.  Would I be disappointed to have Micah be the only boy? NO.  Honestly, I would love either gender.  Before Mikey and I even married, I said I wanted only boys.  After getting married, but before having a boy, I realized that having a girl wouldn’t be so bad. (Hopefully she wouldn’t be all wrapped up into pink and girly stuff.  I really wouldn't know what to do with that.)  A part of me wants Micah to have a brother to have a brotherly relationship with.  Mostly, that want is due to my brother.  He was the only boy for many years, and would often say that he had to wait until he went to college to find brothers.  That stuck with me.  I guess what I’m trying to say is boy or girl, when I go in for my anatomy scan on the 26th (or when this stinker is born, if he/she is stubborn) I will be ecstatic whether baby #2 is a boy or a girl.   

*****

That being said, let’s talk about old wive’s tales.  

Heart Rate

If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl.  If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.  Baby Giles #2's heart rate has fluctuated.   At some appointments it was in the 160's and at others it was in the 140's.  I guess that means that #2 is a girl.

Belly

If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl.  If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy.   According to this old wive's tale, #2 is a boy.

Ring Test

Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly.  You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth  and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.  

Shape of Mom's Face

When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl.  If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy.   This one says #2 is a girl.

 Acne

If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl. I won't show you the picture, but I had one huge bump that looked like it was made up of three or four smaller bumps all clumped together.  It was horrible.  Needless to say, I'm thinking girl for this old wive's tale.

Cravings

People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy.  If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.  I haven't really had cravings this pregnancy, but if I had to choose, I would say that salty foods sound more appetizing to me.  I guess that means boy.

 

Chinese Gender Chart

The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%.  It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.  The Chinese Gender Chart says #2 is a boy.

Mom's Beauty

Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy.  It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty.  If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy.  My mom, Mikey, and I agree, that I look much the same. I guess that means #2 is a boy.

Dreams of the Baby

If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl.  If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy.  Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.  I haven't had any dreams about this baby.  With Micah, I always dreamed that he was a girl.  My dreams aren't telling me anything for #2.

Morning Sickness

If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy.  If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. This pregnancy has been smooth sailing, so I'm guessing boy.

Headaches

If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy.  Lately, I've been having headaches nearly everyday.  I guess that means boy.

That's 6 for boy, and 3 for girls.

*****

So what do you think?  Leave a comment telling whether you think boy or girl and why.  Mikey is definitely in the little girl camp.  I am thinking little boy.  I must admit, though, that Mikey was right about Micah, and I was wrong, but I based my guess on my dreams. 

Where Have You Been? Again?

Hello all!  I'm sure you must think I fell off the face of the earth.  The last time that I posted an actual post was February 14, then there were a couple throwback Fridays.  But I'm still here, and we're still kicking.  Our little world has just changed a bit, and our adjustment period was longer than I anticipated.  First, I got a job.  It is not in the field that I went to school for, but I find that I like it.  I like the people that I work with, and I think I've finally adjusted to waking up early in the morning again, and not being able to take a nap during the day. The commute is taking a little longer to adjust to, but I'm working on that.  Micah is now going to daycare.  He's adjusted quite well.  At first, he wouldn't nap at daycare. He's finally learning to sleep with other children around, and I think he likes playing with/around the other children.  I certainly like that he is getting to interact with other children.

Lots has happened since my last post, and I am dedicating this week to catching up.  I'm finally getting a little of my energy back that baby #2 has been sucking out of me, so hopefully I'll be able to blog more consistently.  I won't promise that I will blog nearly everyday like I did while I was home with Micah, but I will try to at least be consistent.  So look out for the following posts in the next week...

• Week 12 Vlog
• Cam's Birthday Party
• Micah's 15 Month Appointment 
• A Random Post of Pictures
• Meeting New Cousins
• Micah's @ 16 Months Old

What To Do?

I have been debating with myself lately.  I am questioning if I should tell more people about my blog.  When I started this blog, I did it for me.  It started as a way to keep track of my pregnancy.  No one knew about the blog, not even Mikey.  Then, as I became more comfortable blogging, I started sharing.  Of course, Mikey was the first to know about Growing Up Giles.  It is about his family too, after all.  Then I shared with my sister, who had been deployed to Afghanistan.  She was homesick and not happy to be so far away.  The blog became my way of helping her feel connected with our family here in the states.  Then I told my mother and Uncle Monkey.  Eventually, I've included more and more people in the circle who know about this blog, a few friends and other family members.  These are people who know us.  They see us and/or talk to us often.  They understand that this is just a small, but honest, part of who we are.

The debate now is do I want to share with more people? Do I want to share with people who may not know us as well, or not at all?  I am not ashamed of my blog or what it depicts of our family.  This blog is not a way to promote an agenda or boast.  It's not about mommy wars, or anything like that.  It is my scrapbook of my family's growing years.  Eventually, it may cease to be the way I keep memories.  Maybe someday, my family will decide that they no longer want to be featured for the world wide web to see.  But for right now, this is it.  I am happy with this hobby of mine.  My concern is that by inviting others into our world via this blog, an invitation to criticize and belittle may inadvertently be given as well.  I don't like to invite negativity.

I'm considering a FaceBook page for Growing Up Giles.  What other ways would you suggest sharing Growing Up Giles?  What do you think?  Should we go public?  Leave a comment with your opinion.

Working On A Project

For me.  Did you notice that I added a new tab up top?  It's been there since December 16th. I'll wait while you go investigate.  It's the Thirty by Thirty tab. I have seen many bucket list type lists online, so I decided to do my own.  Thirty things I want to accomplish before I'm thirty years old.  Check out my list.  Create your own.  Give suggestions of things I should consider adding to the list. 

More than likely, this will be where I document the many projects that I like to dabble with.   It'll change and grow, as I change and grow.

On The Topic of Car Seats

I have been asked several times when Micah's car seat will be turned around to forward facing.  I've been told several times that I should just go ahead and turn him.  The answer to the question is that he won't be turned around anytime soon.  The minimum limit before turning to forward facing is one year old AND twenty pounds.  That's the absolute minimum.  The recommended is that a child be turned around to forward facing when they reach the rear facing limits for their convertible car seat.  Micah has an Evenflo Momentum 65.  It's his Cadillac.  The rear facing requirements for the seat are that the child weigh between five and forty pounds AND that the top of the child's head be at least one inch below the top of the seat.  When he reaches one of those requirements, then we'll turn him around to forward facing.

So what's the big deal if we follow the minimum requirements versus the recommended?  First, there is my peace of mind.  Even though we are in a larger SUV, if we are involved in a serious accident, I would prefer to know that Micah is as safe as he can possibly be at the time.  NOTHING is more important to me than that.  Not what other people think of our decision to leave him rear facing.  Not him being able to look out the window.  Not his feet touching the back of the seat.  NOTHING.  Second, there is Micah's physical safety.  Children are significantly safer in properly installed car seats.  A child's head makes up 25% of their body mass versus an adult's head which is approximately 6%.  In the event of an accident, a forward facing child's body is held in the car seat by the straps while their head {25% of their body mass} is thrown forward.  This can break the spinal cord in the worst case scenario. A rear facing child's head and body is cushioned by the car seat, reducing the amount of force exerted on the neck.  And for a visual look at these videos.

I much prefer the second video's scenario to the first. Micah weighed 22 pounds, 9 ounces and was 30 inches tall at his last appointment.  He's got a while to go before he's forward facing. 

Websites:

CPSafety

American Academy of Pediatrics

NHTSA

Last Year

{Vacation Post}

One year ago, I was anticipating the arrival of my little Micah Man.  Here's a look back at some of the maternity pictures I took a year ago today.

What a difference a year makes.

Making Plans

I am a planner.  I may never follow through with the plan, but I make them.  Right now, I have three things on my mind: Halloween, Micah's first birthday, and Christmas.  This will be Micah's first Halloween.  For some reason, in my mind, his costume has to be perfect.  I have no idea what he's going to be dressed as, but I plan for it to be pretty awesome.  I don't know if he'll be walking by then, or still crawling.  I don't know if that will matter, but I'm taking it into consideration.  Any ideas? Leave a comment.

Before Micah was even born, Mikey and I decided that we were not throwing an elaborate first birthday party.  He won't remember his first birthday.  So now I am deciding how much effort I want to put into a very small party.  It will probably consist of his three cousins who live in the area, and the neighborhood kids.  That will be less than ten children including the birthday boy.  I am debating whether I want it to be themed. Probably.  What would the theme be? When? His birthday is on a Tuesday, but maybe on the Saturday following his birthday.  So many decisions to make.  I have three months.

Christmas! I love Christmas. It is my favorite holiday. This will be Micah's second Christmas, but he was only a few weeks old for his first Christmas. We didn't even buy him any gifts.  There was no need, since he wouldn't remember it even if we had.  This year he'll be one year old.  He won't remember this Christmas either, but he's old enough to play with toys.  Mikey and I have agreed that we will only gift our child(ren) with three gifts from Santa. The wise men gave the baby Jesus three gifts.  We plan for our children to understand that Jesus is the reason for the season.  This will also be our first Christmas in our own home.  I will get to decorate!  I haven't quite decided on our Christmas colors. But I have ideas. There will be a big Christmas tree and lots of lights, Christmas wreaths and bows, candy canes and ornaments.  I can't wait.