Love is Juice in a Box 01.31.08
"I need a juice box because I love you!"
This was the pronouncement I heard from Liv this morning. A twist on the correct version, but it got me nonetheless. I can see the future now: I need an all-expenses paid trip to Europe... because you love me!
Simon is Here! 01.30.08
The wee lad getting some extra air
Stats on my hand
Six weeks early, but this little guy looks absolutely perfect to me. Though it's been a joy to watch his mama's tummy grow, we're thrilled Gooper is here at last. Both Renae and Simon are doing really well. Congratulations to the Moreheads!
Recently Watched 01.29.08
Per Michelle W's request, I'm going to list a few movies and TV shows we've recently watched... and liked. There is a shorter list of shows we didn't like--I haven't decided yet if I'll post those or not.
Once
I was informed by Renae that I'd love this movie, and she was correct in her estimation of my opinion. Once is a small, comfortable film with no dazzle or special features. It's about a guy and a girl and they seem so real, and it's about music, the kind of music you'll be humming under your breath for days, the kind of music that puts a smile on your face when your husband finally buys the album on iTunes.
Rescue Dawn
This movie is a POW tale. I know, I know, we've all seen enough of those movies. But Werner Herzog, an amazing director, brings fresh insight to Rescue Dawn. I was impressed by how Herzog chose to tell this story with a refreshingly small amount of violence and a healthy dose of reality. Christian Bale as the lead is, as always, great, but the comedic actor Steve Zahn is the surprising standout here.
Miss Potter
This sweet film, which I watched by myself, had me in one moment calling out to Jeremy about how charming Ewen McGregor was and, in the next moment, weeping in my peppermint ice cream. And goodness knows how much I enjoy being delighted and tortured with tears all in the same film. I avoided Miss Potter for the longest time because I couldn't stand to hear Renee Zellweger doing another British accent. But darn it all, Zellweger as Potter was an excellent fit and this flick made my night quite special.
Also recommended: The Namesake (not fabulous, but good), Amazing Grace (really wonderful bit of history), Deep Water (a fascinating history lesson), and Music & Lyrics (silly but good for a laugh; Friday Night Lights fans need to watch for Jason Street).
Love is a Hershey's Kiss
"Just one more 'cuz you love me?"
Livia's in the living room, asking for one more Hershey's Kiss. Awhile back she would ask me for treats because she used the toilet correctly or did something good. I wanted her to know that I was giving her something delicious or special just because I loved her. See where that leads? Now she's got me pegged!
Babies and Big Girls 01.25.08
It's difficult, if not impossible, for me to pick my favorite Owen shot from yesterday's mini photo shoot. Those eyes, those cheeks!
Can you tell who is ready to be a big sister? Liv desperately wanted to feed Owen his bottle, make him laugh, talk to him and hold him. She'll be a great helper when the next little Tred arrives. She did seem a bit eager to say goodbye when Owen's mom showed up, though... And ready to take her rightful position in my lap once he was gone. Guess we'll have to figure out lap-sharing some other day.
Baby, It's Cold 01.24.08
When it's 5 degrees outdoors and you leave a warm building, the cold smacks your forehead like a sledgehammer.
When it's 0 degrees and you're going to bed, your house feels very cold even though the thermostat hasn't been turned down yet.
When it's less than 0 degrees and your daughter awakes in the middle of the night and her head feels like a frozen popsicle, you open the heating grate she closed earlier in the day and pile another blanket on her little bed, knowing she's alive and well (at least enough to wake up Mommy) albeit a little chilly.
When it's -2 degrees and feels like -12 (or so says Weather.com) and you wake up in the morning, you feel you deserve a medal for being the first out of bed to crank up the heat.
When it's this cold in the Lincoln, Nebraska, you wish you had invested in long underwear and face masks during the after-Christmas sales. Either that or you stay inside all day with plans to watch Pixar movies and bake peanut butter cookies.
Speaking of Movies... 01.22.08
The news of Heath Ledger's death is tragic and shocking. This actor was incredibly talented, full of potential, and chose unique roles at every turn. His smile lit up the big screen and warmed millions of girls' hearts in 10 Things I Hate About You and A Knight's Tale. (Haven't seen them? They're both fun flicks.)
What a crying shame...
Oscar Tuesday
I love movies. And because I love movies, I love it when Oscar nominations are released. Here they are. Who are you rooting for this year?
The Plague 01.21.08
All three of us were stricken this weekend by what I can only assume was the Plague. The Plague has hit almost everyone we know this winter... Many of the Lawtons over Christmas. Livia's preschool two weeks ago. Friends, friends and more friends. And finally, the Tredways.
The benefit, as far I can tell, about all of us getting sick at once is that we get it over with. The drawback is that both Jeremy and I were exceedingly worn out at exactly the same time and it was all we could do to walk up and down stairs, much less care for Livia, who wasn't quite as sick as we were. The climax of our exhaustion came last night when we needed to put sheets on Liv's mattress and get our wound-up daughter to bed. Amid my 100.8 and his 101.9 degree fevers, the task looked something like climbing Everest. Totally impossible. Yet somehow it happened successfully. Bitty Boo slept 12 hours straight and Jeremy and I slept hard as well.
Today we're dining on Gatorade, toast and bananas. (Thanks again, Dad, for the groceries.) Surely tomorrow will be an even better day with a little peanut butter thrown in for good measure.
Ready to Adopt... Again 01.15.08
I believe in a God who gives grace abundantly to those who need it. I acutely feel the need for it as I fill out paperwork to start up the adoption process for our second child. While I'm exceedingly excited and hopeful to adopt again, the process is an interesting, slightly tedious and detail-filled one. And this is where I praise God for being a God of grace. Because though I wish I had a really laid back personality, one that doesn't feel the need to sweat the small stuff, I don't. I tend to worry over the small things. Still, I believe God is in control of the Tredways and that He will take care of the details.
Here's what is going through my mind as I'm preparing to hand in adoption paperwork.
Regarding the "Dear Birthmom Letter":
Is my letter alright? I haven't addressed it to anyone in particular; not "birthmom" and not "birthparents" because I read somewhere that a pregnant woman or a boyfriend of a pregnant woman may not consider themselves parents quite yet and they may find it offensive. And offensive is the last thing I want to be. So I leave "Hello!" as my opening statement. Good enough. But is the letter good enough? Do we sound like loving and devoted parents? Hope so. Do we sound like real people? Sure hope so. Did I include enough about our spiritual lives to interest a family of faith, yet keep it generic enough not to turn off someone who isn't interested in God? Geez. I can't please everybody. Good enough. Handing it in. But oh! Should I print it on paper with the cute borders, like the stuff at Kinkos? I don't own any of that paper and it doesn't really represent us. But what about catching someone's eye? Surely I'd find a cute-bordered paper more interesting than plain old white. Stop thinking. Stop worrying. Hand in the letter.
Regarding the profile information:
What is Jeremy's height? What is his complexion?? If he's light-skinned, then what am I? (Freckled and pale just doesn't sound quite right!) What ARE our hobbies? Do we sound too boring? Or too middle American? Or too (fill in the blank)? Would we adopt siblings? Or twins? What about a child with medical needs? How old of a child would we adopt? What if the birthfather used drugs? Abused drugs? Is mentally ill? What if the birthmother used drugs? Abused drugs? Is mentally ill? Would we still adopt the child? Questions upon questions upon questions. Answers, a few guesses, and it's done. Ready to hand in the profile information.
Deep breath. And here we go! Lord God, we ask for your hand upon us as we await another child for our family.
Livia-isms: Neighbor Edition
Uttered in one let out breath: "I love my neighbors."
While working furiously at her keyboard this morning: "Mom, I typing fast... like my big Jason!"
Goal for 2008 01.08.08
Does anyone run Book It! for adults? Okay, even if I can't earn a free personal pan pizza for my efforts, I will read more books in 2008. Three a month is the challenge. I'll do my best to post a few words about the chosen books at the end of each month. With that very public posting of a New Year's resolution, I leave you behind, oh time-sucking brain-dulling Internet, and reach for The Zookeeper's Wife.
Boots & Dora
So many puddles, so little time...
When I first became a mother, I considered myself a homemaker because I didn't like the sound of "stay-at-home mom" and I was truly making the home each day. Sometime during the last three years, I've switched to using the SAHM terminology. The reason I'm home full-time is because I want to be here with Livia, 'nuff said. Some days I want to run for the hills and desperately long for time to myself, but still, when the longterm goal is remembered, I'm glad I'm a SAHM.
Sometimes, even after 3.5 years, I'm surprised at the tasks assigned to this job. They aren't easy to distinguish at times (Do I discipline for that behavior or does she really just need a PB&J?) and sometimes I feel all creative thinking has vanished from my mind and the only thing left to do is pop in a DVD.
Yesterday I fulfilled one of my duties by taking a walk with my little monkey Boots. I make a good Dora, if I do say so myself. Boots likes puddles of all shapes and sizes, the muddier the better. And only once have I had to rescue Boots from the murky depths of a particularly boggy puddle. In the pic above Dora and Boots were exploring the old Zion lot where puddles abound.
Distraction 01.07.08
I've discovered this little place called Facebook.
Maybe you've heard of it?
January 5 01.05.08
Christmas is over, people! It's 42 degrees outside, the ruts of ice and snow are beginning to melt, my husband's got the doors open while he washes the floors, and it's 10 days past Christmas. It is officially time to put away the tree and take down the trimmings. (When I say "it's time," I mean that for my household only. Leave your tree up 'til July 4 if you want to!)
Livia didn't want to take down the tree. I explained to her that when May 7 comes around (her birthday, a day she's already anticipating) we'll have to celebrate Christmas by going to a candlelight service if the tree's still up. She then gave her full permission to take it down.
Now it's time break out the Rubbermaids and wrap up the ornaments until next year. This is not my favorite part of the season, yet it'll be nice to have a reason for de-cluttering. Bring on 2008.
A New Year 01.01.08
I want to be a better woman this year, a better mom and better wife.
