separate but equal

As the days wind down with life with 2 children (I live in hope), it's a little strange to me that I'll have two of a gender, what with things being separate but equal around here for 2 years. I had two of whatever but one for him and one for her.
We ate out at Red Lobster one time when Madeira was an infant and some lady stopped by our table and told us we had the "perfect family" with one little boy and one little girl. After she left, Jeremy asked me if that's how I felt. Sure. That's what I had. That's what was best. But yes, doubling up on something will be interesting.

I didn't bother taking pictures of the snow boots, rain boots, flip flops, toys, the sunglasses, the treasure boxes, her nail polish and hair things, his swords and guns.
I always thought it would be nice to have kids in pairs so they'd have each other to play with but these two get along just fine. Although he will not play dolls (kinda glad actually...), they do play "house" which involves hiding in the closet and making fake food. There is no game, however, that she's not willing to play with him. Sword fights, gun fights, army men, racing with a million little cars and so forth.
The bucket list:
I sifted through Madeira's outgrown clothes so if this little one is a girl, she will have some cute clothes to wear. I haven't gone through River's stuff yet but I have plenty of adorable outfits if it ends up being a boy. I have tiny diapers, baby nuks, the baby equipment out and assembled. My mom is in charge of making a few new burp cloths.
I even bothered to print out a birth plan sheet. Although I'm not really sure why. This is my birth plan: go into labor naturally, have an easy, peasy labor (like 4 hours or less, no other complications and we'll leave it at that), etc. Now how it will really be is...probably not that.
Also finish planting the garden, finish washing the windows, get a little more food in the freezer, defrost the freezer, can't even remember what else...I had some other things such as spring cleaning my laundry room but the organizers I was going to use for it have been backordered for (drumroll, please...) about 4 months now so it will probably have to wait until after number 3 gets here.
Oh yes, and she also had to give up her nuk. I snipped the first one. At first blush it might seem like she was cool with it but the second picture was more like the proper response. I think we're golden now.

The last little bit is typically the hardest, in terms of waiting and anticipation. 

Come on, my child, you are welcome here any time (in May, not that I see that being a problem).

 

**When I talked about planting the garden, Jeremy had a little work to do building a retaining wall before I could. Turned out pretty awesome, right?

the finest man i know

I grew up listening to a Grand Old Opry record that had "Father's Table Grace" on it. It starts out with the words "my thoughts go back to childhood and the finest man I know..." That always makes me think of my dad.
I seldom share something as personal as my memories about my dad - it's just hard for me.
But Jeremy and I have been doing a parenting Bible study so I can't help but think about my parents parenting techniques as we talk about things.
And two teachable moments about my dad keep coming to mind.
I hate my chin. Always have. I was in grade school when I remember whining to my dad about how much I hated my it. And he told me, "A strong chin means a strong woman."
I don't know if he ever knew how perfect of a reply that was. It would have been useless to try to convince me it wasn't ugly. And now I've gone for a long time thinking that it's better to be strong than it is to be pretty. Someday, if Madeira has similar struggles, I hope I take the time to address her little heart with such good advice.
Then there was the ordeal of me being in Brownies in 3rd grade. I really, really, REALLY wanted to be in Brownies. So as I was begging my parents to let me, I started crying. And my dad caved. I got to be in Brownies for a year. When my siblings tell this story, they make me sound like a conniving little wench. When I think about it, it makes me think of a tenderhearted man who was moved by the want of his little girl.
Listen to your children. Care about the things that make their little hearts beat faster. Because some day those little things will turn into big things. And you'll still need to care and listen.
I'm so thankful I was given such a good man as a dad. Actually I can't be thankful enough.

What a man!

I have no idea how many books Dad read to us over time. And, those green shoelaces are awesome!

This is why he did such a good job reading to us.