Public Library Princess Party

We are so blessed to have such a wonderful children's library program right here in Clarksville. There have been plenty of events I've missed by not paying attention to their postings and their webpage calendar, but so excited to catch this one because it is just right up Anna Claire's alley.

I invited one of Anna Claire's friends and her mommy, and was so excited that Ava Hawkins could come. It was her first trip to the library, so I was really excited to see how she would react. She loved it and the girls had so much fun. At 39 weeks pregnant, I had less fun, but enjoyed talking to Lisa and watching the girls enjoy themselves.

Anna Claire and Ava both found it important to wear princess dresses for the occasion.

For story time, they read Princess Puppy and The Paper Bag Princess.

After story time the girls were able to choose from several stations for crafts. Anna Claire is stringing beads to make a necklace. I think this was her favorite craft.

. Here's Anna Claire making her princes crown.

And Ava making hers.

The girls could have their picture taken inside this cardboard princess castle. Anna Claire is eating the giant marshmallow she made, dipping it into drippy frosting, then sprinkles. Brave librarians, I tell you.

Here they are enjoying their pink lemonade and cookies. 

 

Checking out the princess books and hugs goodbye.

The girls were also able to make a paper bag princess, which was really cute. They also enjoyed just exploring the children's library and looking for books.

So glad we decided to go!

Bathtime Moments and Funnies

Tonight at bath, Anna Claire asked if she could have some shave cream on the wall to paint with, so I got her some. She worked at it with diligence for quite some time, and after she was satisfied she said, "Mommy, I made a beautiful painting for Meme. She can see it in heaven."

Later, she was playing with her bathtime Barbie, and took off her underpants. She put them on Barbie's head and I asked, "Anna Claire, what are you doing to Barbie?"

She whipped back, "Barbie's going to a crazy no-pants party!" then cracked up laughing.

Then she took Barbie, Ariel, and another random mermaid doll, covered them up and said, "All of these dolls are going to be with Jesus now, just like Meme. Because Jesus loves them so much and he wants them to be with him. He needs them."

Explaining Death to a Four-Year-Old

This morning I prayed that God would show me the right time and give me the right words to tell Anna Claire about Meme. Otherwise, Larry and I had planned on waiting until this evening to explain Meme's passing. We even had a few books picked out to read with her.

But a car ride changed all of that.

I'm driving down the road and I hear, "Mommy, did Meme want to see me yesterday?" Anna Claire knew I went to Signature yesterday, and that that was why her Daddy picked her up.

I thought to myself, well here's your timing. Tell her now. God give me the words. 

"Well sweetheart, Meme went home to be with Jesus yesterday."

"Did Meme die, Mommy?" she asked.

"Yes baby. She's in heaven with Jesus." I answered.

"Then she can go home after that, right Mommy?"

"No honey, she gets to stay with Jesus forever, and it's the most wonderful, beautful place in the world."

After a few moments she asked, "I can't see her anymore, can I Mommy?"

"No, sweetheart, we can't see her, but she is so happy now to be with Jesus and she's not hurting anymore and she doesn't have to lie in that bed anymore. She is healed now."

Silence.

"Mommy? Did you clean her room yet?"

"Not yet, baby."

"I can help you with that Mommy."

We arrive at The Red Barn and I question if I've said the right things or if what I said will impact her day, positively or negatively. She runs to two of her little friends and gives them big hugs and the three girls begin to laugh and play together.

I drive off in tears, wondering what I was thinking, trying to teach school today. But it ended up being the best possible choice for me. My students were precious and it was a welcome distraction from what would have otherwise been an extremely empty, melancholy day.

This afternoon, I did explain to Anna Claire what a funeral was and gave her an idea of what to expect on Friday. She is excited about not going to school and getting to stay with us. She's also looking forward to the possible food offerings, seeing all of her family, and about getting a new black dress. ;)

August Randomness

Anna Claire loves making her own sandwiches. And her clip-on pink hair.

Helping Mommy set up my classroom. She thought it was important that all my students get water balloons their first day.

We went to the Nashville Farmer's Market and were pleasantly surprised to find out there was a bicycle race going on right behind.

4-year-old check-up!

Anna Claire wanted her picture taken with this Bomb Pop because "It matches my shirt perfectly, Mommy."

Her last Miss Becca braid. :( Moving from Ponies to Kids class...growing up too fast.

Anna Claire and Maggie Moo at Miss Bracey's birthday party!

Ellie is such a great little swimmer!

Anna Claire really struggled getting into this boat by herself. She was so proud when she finally got in.

First day of Kids class with her teacher, Miss Jackie.

Look who we ran into at Berry Bear! Ava! Two peas in a pod.

Anna Claire loved having Hudson in her Sunday school class today. These two have been in the same daycare class since they were babies.

She wanted her picture taken with her visitor's badge at Signature. So sweet.

Anna Claire and Lucas playing Power Rangers/Iron Man at the Murrays during small group.

This is officially her perch while I shop for baby stuff at Toys R Us.

Playing with friends at the Red Barn

Anna Claire Meets Her Soccer Team

And so it begins..."real soccer" as Anna Claire calls it.

After two season of Soccer Shots, which I'd recommend to anyone, Anna Claire's first season of MCSA soccer began this week. She was able to meet her team, parents were able to agree on practice times (ours are Fridays at 6:30), and she got her gear and jersey this week. We also had team and individual pictures yesterday. I can't wait to see them! Here are the ones I took with my phone. And I guess I took a video without realizing it? It looks kind of cool, I think.

Ready to Pop (Somebody)

Ok, ok, I've finally accepted that people are bound to make comments like, "Wow, you're ready to pop!" to pregnant women. Or, after I tell someone my due date, that people are going to respond with, "Wow. You're never going to make it." These seem to be the go-to statements for many friends, acquaintances and strangers upon seeing this pregnant person. I have accepted and expect that people will continue to make these comments to me. I have not, however, lowered my expectations and accepted it as something appropriate to say. It still gets me hot under the collar.

I may feel inside as though I am "ready to pop" the next person who makes such a comment, but would never follow through as I am not a violent person. I would like to dedicate this blog post to giving 4 reasons why feel like popping them.

1. I have a small frame, and a pregnant belly looks bigger on small-statured women. Please consider this before making such a comment. I can't help that the baby has little room to grow vertically, so she has to grow out horizontally. I will only get bigger, but to the peanut gallery, this will likely and unfortunately increase the frequency of the "pop" comment.

2. I am going for a full-term baby. When people tell me I'm not going to make it, it literally hurts my heart. Research shows that full-term babies are blessed with the life-long advantage of having fewer health issues and that they academically outperform preemies. Don't take my word for it. Check out:
parents.com,
nytimes.com,
theguardian.com

3. I'm due on my mom's birthday. Momma is on hospice and doesn't have much time left here with us. Wouldn't it be amazing and special if the baby was born on her birthday! So, when someone tells me I'm not going to make it, I kind of want to sock them.


4. Eighty-nine percent of expectant mothers make it to full-term, as documented here.

I went past my due date with Anna Claire, and there is no medical reason why I should have a pre-term baby.

Allow me to inform: There are several reasons a woman might have a pre-term birth. None of which I exhibit. You can find a comprehensive list of reasons here.

Women can also take control of their nutrition, water intake and stress level. These three go a long way in promoting a full-term pregnancy. Proper exercise sounds cliche, but I do that as well.

I am a super-healthy eater. With both Anna Claire and Madeline, I've not only eaten healthy, I've done extensive research on the best food for pregnant moms and their growing babies. And then I eat those things!

Eight glasses of water a day is no joke. Ask a couple of my pregnant friends who had cramping and other complications early on in their pregnancies - I finally got them to buy into it and take it seriously and they are now complication-free. Water is magic stuff people. You've got to keep your amniotic fluid at a safe level.

Stress level is crucial. I am not afraid to ask for help and to know my limits. I prioritize growing this life above everything else. I will let anything that I feel is negatively impacting that slide!

Balance rest with movement. I don't over-exert myself. Again, being pregnant is my top priority, and I will alternate being active with periods of rest. I've also practiced yoga throughout my pregnancy. It aids with keeping the stress level low as well, and prepares you for labor.

So, that's it in a nutshell...the reasons I feel like popping my popper commenters.

Yes, I do realize I could have this baby tomorrow, only God knows. This is true. But in the meantime I fully intend to live my life as if I am carrying to full-term. I believe that the mind is a powerful thing and I also believe in the power of prayer. I believe God sees the desires of my heart, and that this baby is in His hands, regardless of a due date.

Until D-day, you will find me taking care of my body and my outlook sunny...preparing for my September 28 delivery date. :)

Excited Big Sister

Anna Claire is asking more and more questions about the baby, as she gazes at my ever-expanding stomach. "Will my baby need my sippy cups, Mommy? She can borrow them." "What will my baby do at dinnertime? Will she sleep while we eat? She won't eat dinner like us, will she Mommy?"

I also am loving how increasingly helpful she's become. My clumsy, pregnant self is dropping things left and right, and Anna Claire is happy happy to pick them up for me. Good thing, because once I bend over or squat down, I'm really struggling to get back up! She's also been really helpful about carrying things for me, helping pick up, cleaning, and just looking for ways to be independent.

The baby isn't here yet, but so far I'm loving this four year age difference. I think it's gonna work out great, especially with such a sweet and thoughtful big sister!