Archives for January 2014

Mom, Were They Sad?

January 31, 2014 by Maren 1 Comment

On a recent trip to Ohio, we stopped at Walmart to purchase a few groceries before making our final stop at my in-laws. Being pregnant and feeling 60 weeks pregnant, a stop to the bathroom was in order. While I took care of business, Michael and the kids waited outside.

Right in front of the restrooms were the “Have You Seen Me” posters with missing children’s faces. While I was busy, my boys had many questions to ask Michael about why the pictures were displayed. Michael did his best to answer their questions.

I returned from the restroom and we started on our way to shop for groceries. Not far from the restroom, Thatcher turned back to me and asked, “Mom, were they sad?”

Confused, I probed for more details. “Thatcher, was who sad?”

“The parents of the children on the missing children board. Were they sad when their children got lost in Walmart?”

Needless to stay, he didn’t wander too far from the cart.

My New Method of Naming Children

January 26, 2014 by Maren 7 Comments

My eyes are currently crossed as I go through the baby name book. Once you look at the same letter for thousands of names, the actual letter starts to look funny. So, I’ve changed my approach to naming these children. I have decided to let them name themselves. As I read the names in the baby book, if one of them kicks, I’m writing it down.

So far, I’ve got…
Mustafa
Dweezil
Bucko
Maynard
Barend (Junior High Version Bare End)
Buffalo
Buford
Bumpus
Delete
Demin
Diet
Dieter
Dijon
Einar (Junior High Version Einer Weiner)
Fabulous
Faddis (means deals in beans)
Faddy
For (Though, For and Five may stand a chance, I doubt anyone would take them serious if their names were For and Five.)
Five
Huckleberry
Hyman
Like
Love
Gorky
Hackman
Lahahana
Lechoslaw
Lemon

So, maybe I’m not truly using the baby kick method, however, these are all legitimate names I’ve come across in the book I purchased today. It’s most definitely easier to come up with the names which I WON’T be naming my children than with the ones that I WILL. And my apologies to any parents reading this who have named their child(ren) one of these names–to each his own.

I’ll keep you posted what I (or they) actually decide. Now, back to the M’s–until they start to look funny. And, if you’re interested in my naming rules, it’s pretty much the same as before and can be found here.

Excuse Me. How Many?

January 2, 2014 by Maren 4 Comments

Twenty three days ago, my life changed.

Michael and I both love being parents. We adore the stage of life where we are currently. If Michael would have his way, we’d have 12 kids. BUT I’ve about hit my crazy limit. Well actually, it’s a well known fact that I’ve been crazy for years, but kids just up the ante when it comes to my crazy levels. So, we discussed our stopping number. My number was 4. Michael wanted 5.

In August, we found out we were expecting again. I was quick to assure Michael that this was it. No more pregnancies. Last kid. I’d reached my limit. And somewhere in the pleasant debate of a conversation, he mentioned that he’d pray for twins.

So, twenty three days ago, I went in for my ultrasound and awkwardly waddled onto the ultrasound table with my pregnant belly, dreading having to sit on the strip of crinkly tissue paper that I stick to EVERY TIME. I laid down on the table and the ultrasound tech squirted my belly with the warm oozy goop. Impatiently, I waited for those magical words that every mother longs to hear. “It’s a GIRL!” or “It’s a BOY!”

Instead, I heard the new definition of ‘Crazy‘–“You have twins!” Surprise!

My tears started simultaneously with Michael’s laughter and we continued on that way for what seemed like forever. In the midst of the shock, I think I uttered something to the ultrasound tech along the lines of, “Are you kidding?” But, the pictures on the screen validated the truth behind her words.

“Michael, Did you pray for this? Did you?” I stammered. He assured me that he wasn’t seriously praying for twins, though I’m still questioning that one. And here we find ourselves 23 days later. Honestly, I’m still trying to grasp the supposed simple truth that in just a few short months, our family will grow by 2 little boys and our lives will be changed, once again, for the better.

My friend said it best– “God has a way of undoing our ‘no-nevers’.” It’s true. Though the thought of twins is undoubtedly overwhelming, I know that many others have blazed the twin-raising trail and have lived to tell about it. I take comfort in the fact that God knew each of my children’s names before one of them came to be. And I can surely rest in the knowledge that He planned BOTH of these two boys to be part of our family long ago.

Bring on the crazies.