Independence Day July 8, 2008

The 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Why? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because I enjoy the time of the year when the sun shines and the weather is great for picnics and swimming. Or because I love fireworks and the way I can feel the thunderous booms when they go off. Perhaps it is grilling out and eating homemade ice cream that I enjoy. Or the memories I cherish of past years celebrating the 4th at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, Stone Mountain, or the 4th in Sheldon, SC when the fireworks were canceled due to rain so my younger cousin set off all his firecrackers for me in his backyard. Maybe it is because I can be a pyromaniac and play with sparklers and blackcats. I think the reason that oversees all the others is the fact that I AM proud to be an American. The fact that I am a military brat and understand what our servicemen sacrifice daily for our country. It’s the fact that I want to hug every soldier and veteran I see because they willingly became soldiers to protect this country. It is because of those that gave/give their lives so the United States could/can be free. It is because of those that I knew personally that lost their lives fighting for us. I value our freedom and I cherish those who have sacrificed their lives so we can continue to experience that freedom. I love our flag, I love red white and blue, I love our servicemen and women, and I love the USA.

Yesterday ROCKED! June 19, 2008

They say Santa’s belly was like a bowl full of jelly when he laughed. This may be the case, but any woman, I hope, who has given birth knows all too well the JELL-O belly that remains as evidence of the previous nine months of growing your little one inside your womb. I am really hoping I can bid farewell to this jiggly midsection before too much time passes. With each day that goes by there are new events that prove that I am returning to my former self.

For about two months before Liana was born I had to remove my wedding and engagement rings due to swelling fingers. I assumed I would be back to wearing them after a week or two post-pregnancy…not true! My morning ritual became me running into the closet to retrieve my tokens of circular commitment to see if they would slip past my knuckle. Day after day I was met with disappointment, until a few days ago. I refused to take them to get resized. One thing that I have been able to say is small about me is the circumference of my fingers and I wasn’t going to give in. I got my wedding band on without feeling like there was a vice around my finger and my fingernail turning blue! “Baby steps,” I reminded myself. Well, as of yesterday morning I can proudly say that I was able to comfortably wear my wedding band AND my engagement ring! It is so nice to have my rock back on my finger. Now I won’t feel self-conscience when I am out with my baby girl like I did before. I always felt as if people were looking at my left hand thinking I was just another girl abusing welfare. At least now I can flash my hand with confidence again instead of keeping it shoved deep into my pockets.

Two Months June 10, 2008

My baby is already two months and three days old! How time is flying by. I love every second with her. She is growing like a weed. I can’t imagine her not being a newborn. I also know I am going to miss so much this stage of her life. However, I know that I will miss every stage she goes through and each one will be just as precious to me. She has captured our hearts.

Wind May 12, 2008

Yesterday was my very first Mother’s Day. It was awesome. The three of us slept in and then just piddled around until it was time to go to the in-laws for dinner. Matt got me a great Mother’s Day gift, a trip to the spa!!! He is the greatest husband in the history of Earth. The weather was beautiful, sun shining, not too hot, summery breeze. It was perfect.

Dinner was yummy. I watched everyone rock out playing Rock Band on the Xbox 360. Took some pictures, just relaxed. We headed home around 9:30 pm. Since we were running low on milk we stopped at Kroger, not Krogers. The wind had really picked up at this point and it was actually kind of chilly. As soon as Matt pulled into an unsuspecting parking space, BAM!, a grocery cart SLAMMED into the side of our car! Now we have a good dent above our rear tire and it even chipped the paint! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. We asked customer service inside Kroger what we should do. Do you know what they said? Of course you don’t, you weren’t there! They said we would have to call the police to file a report. YEAH RIGHT! “Umm, yes 911, a grocery cart wrecked my car, please send an Officer over right away!” NOT! Then she said the parking lot was private property. That is wonderful news because the parking lot did not put a dent in my car, Kroger’s shopping cart did! Anyway, I thought that really stunk…not enough to ruin my Mother’s Day though. We went home and watched a movie together, Elizabeth, before turning in for the night.

For any Mother’s reading: how was your Mother’s Day?

What’s in a Name May 11, 2008

For whatever reason I was thinking about nicknames last night. What will Liana’s nicknames be, remembering how I got some of my nicknames, and wondering how I got a few. Anyway, I decided it would be fun to write down all of my nicknames that I can remember. Here goes, in no particular order:

Stew, Stewey, Mara, Stew-poo, Stewage, Raw Stewage, Mary-Dash, Mary-Sewer, Stew Baby, Mary-Stupid, Stewinator, Stewpot, Mary-Stewfart, Mary-Stew, Mama-Stew, Hottie, Marvy, Nitro, Stewflew, Monkey, MSM, Dewart-Dewart, Mary-Dewart, M’n'M, Sweetflea, Stew-ju-bee, Stewbie, and I am sure there are a few more I have overlooked so if you know of some I left out then let me know.

What are some of your nicknames?

Finally I wanted to add a picture of my alternate ego (or so I wish):

My name for her growing up was Woman Woman.

Where Have I Been? May 5, 2008

I meant to blog right away after I finally gave birth to my first child. I was a bit more distracted than I thought I would be. Many apologies.

On April 7th, 9:21 AM, I gave birth to my precious baby girl, Liana (pronounced: Lee-ahn-uh) She was 7 pounds 15 ounces and 19.5 inches long. She had a head full of dark hair…and 4 weeks later (to the day) she still does. She is beautiful. She is so much more than I ever could have dreamed of. She was knit together by God, therefore she is perfect for me. Just how God wants her is how He made her and I am in love.

I will spare everyone details of my labor and delivery, but I will say that it went well and did not traumatize me to the point of never wanting to go through it again. I was in labor for 12 hours and spent 2 nights in the hospital after I had her. Today she is 4 weeks old. she will be one month on Wednesday. I cannot believe how quickly time has already flown by. I have LOVED watching her. Everything about her is beautiful and fascinating. She makes more facial expressions than I realized were possible. She sleeps good and allows me to get some too…when I am not caught up staring at her.  Things are beginning to become more routine as we get to know each other. Stick with me everyone (this is where I imagine I am hearing crickets as there is no one actually listening/reading this), I am trying to get used to being a mommy. I will be blogging again more regularly. I also made a blog for her! Check it out: www.lefinn.wordpress.com

Time to eat!

Timing April 3, 2008

Apparently I have not grasped the realization that God’s timing is not always our timing. Today is my due date. I just got back from the doctor and I have not made much progress at all. Frustrated? Yes, I would be lying if I said no. Patient? Yes, I am glad that this child will come when God is ready for her to come. I don’t need to try to get her here any faster. Am I anxious to meet her? You bet I am! If she doesn’t arrive on her own, I know she I will get to meet her no later than April 9th. I am thankful that God’s timing is not my own. He knows what is best for me, for my unborn child, for my family. So, until we meet little one, I am patiently waiting for you.

I would also like to add that God is so wonderful about surprising me. When I got home, I had a long lost friend contact me. I saw her last at my wedding, but the day was so crazy and blurred that I did not get to spend any amount of time visiting with her. It is so nice to make contact again with someone who means so much to you. Thanks God, for the way you show me You.

One week left March 27, 2008

Well, at 39 weeks pregnant I only have seven days until my due date. After my doctor’s appointment this morning the thought that this little miracle being born early seems slim, but not out of the question. I mean, I only have 9 1/2 measly little cm to go! This is where being patient is a virtue. I am trying to take advantage of the week (give or take a little) I have left. I am getting very excited to meet this tiny human that has been residing in my womb the past 9 months. I am certain many other people are excited to meet her too. I just need those people to be patient along with me because the more relaxed and less stressed I am, the better…for everyone! Her cradle is ready for her in our room, her car seat is secured in the back seat of the CR-V (I like to pronounce it “serve”), her clothes are clean and ready to be filled with her little arms and legs, and Matt’s and my arms are open and ready to hold her and kiss her. See you soon tiny wonder (woman) I cannot wait to meet you!

Surprises March 7, 2008

The closer I get to my due date, the more rare it becomes that I actually get to work on-time. Thankfully I have a very understanding boss who is the BEST! For whatever reason, this past Tuesday I was much earlier getting to work than I have been in quite a while. Since I spend most of my time in a basement around just my fellow co-workers and no-one else really, I don’t always spend hours getting ready in the morning. Most days I make sure I have some make-up on, clean hair, and a comfortable outfit… this is especially important being almost 9 months pregnant. So, when I walked into the office I was not expecting anything different than any other day, however this day was different. The ceiling above my desk was decorated with pink tissue paper stretched across each ceiling tile and hanging all over were cute little baby hats, socks, bibs, and other such goodies.

I was so surprised! My co-workers had been secretly planning a surprise baby shower for me! I felt so special! My wonderful boss grilled steaks and brought in creamed corn and baked beans. My newest, dear friend Rebecca had a caramel cake made for me ( I love caramel cake). Everyone had pitched in to make this so special. They showered me with diapers and baby wipes! I was thrilled!!! I also got some really cute thank you notes from my co-worker, Yvonne. Thank you notes are a plus when you are receiving gifts, now I already have the cards to send out to say “thank you!” It was a wonderful day and a great way to start the beginning of my work week. Now it is Friday and I am ready to go home to see my hard-working hubby. I haven’t gotten to see much of him this week and I miss him.

Reality setting in March 3, 2008

A dear friend of mine is due to have her baby girl a month before I am due. She goes to the hospital tomorrow evening to be induced. It is hard to believe that by Wednesday she will have her little girl in her arms and she and her hubby will be a family of three. I am so happy for them. Pretty soon that will be us.

Yesterday was a GREAT day. We had a couples baby shower at my grandmother’s house. My sister and two wonderful sister in laws hosted and they did a terrific job. I love them so much. My brothers were also tons of help. My Mom, grandmother, everyone seemed to pitch in. Everything was so perfect. We had good food, fun fellowship, lots of laughter, I got to see some folks I don’t get to see very much (Stevie, Billy, Amber and Drew)! It was decorated so beautifully. I could go on and on, but if I do then I will have to change “yesterday” to the day before yesterday because I only have 2 minutes left of this day.

Reality is hitting me. I am going to be a mother very, very soon. I can’t wait to meet her.