Hmm, it's been awhile...

I thought I would blog more once I wasn't a closet baby maker but alas, no such luck I guess. Adam and I have been on an emotional high for a few months now as we anxiously await meeting Baby Luopa (heretofore referred to as BL).

I have made the "To Do List of Doom" for Adam. It's an exhaustive list of everything I want done before BL arrives. But not too exhaustive. Because I reserve the right to add to it as I see fit. But it includes painting walls and woodwork in virtually every room in the house, building and installing shelves, organizing basements and garages, and last - but certainly not least - the nursery.

We're already full blast into summer. Dante's playing baseball and getting better and better at batting, catching, and throwing. Adam is really enjoying going outside and throwing the ball around with him. I'm getting excited for more opportunities to grill and sit out on the deck. I love swimming and hope to do a little of that this summer too.

I am slowly but surely making progress on the dissertation and was able to submit edits last week. There's some serious motivation to get the mofo done by the end of the summer!

I hope to see more of you as we move into summer. It's been too long...and you know who you are.

My Mama

In honor of Mother's Day, I thought it fitting to showcase my Mom and some of my fondest memories of her. I consider myself very lucky to call her my Mom. She has taught me how to be a strong, successful woman but at the same time, how to laugh at myself (usually because she was the one laughing at me). So without any further ado, and in no particular order, I present a few snapshots in words of my Mom:

1. Opening night of the fall musical my freshman year of high school. I, showcasing my inherent grace, fell on stage - front and center. All I can hear as I quickly get up is my Mom laughing.

2. Numerous dance recitals and dance competitions over the years where she would sit in the stands and work until I came out on stage and she would watch with undivided attention until my dance was over. Or how we would quietly mock the other Mom's and kids as the Mom's held out tights for their 13 year olds to step into.

3. The way we fought because of that guy I thought I was in love with freshman year who was a few too many years my senior.

4. The day I got my license she let me drive off to my BFFs house. When I called home to let her know I was leaving but would be a few minutes late, she grounded me from the car for a week. (Still the only parenting decision she made that I vehemently disagree with).

5. The two of us getting me into my dress and ready to leave for pictures on my wedding day. Neither one of us cried until my very sentimental cousin entered the room and started crying.

6. 5th grade and I have a book report the next day. I had procrastinated and it needed to be typed. So I would write a page and then run it downstairs to her to type up while I wrote another.

7. My first job (a cashier at Cub) required me to ride a bike to work but oftentimes my shift would end way too late to be biking home. Mom would drop a car off and ride the bike home.

8. Saturday after Saturday for 2 years Mom and I would meet at WW and support each other through the loss of many, many pounds.

9. The musical my junior year required my Mom to make me a costume in one night. She did it (and by the way, I remember all of the grumbling and annoyance that accompanied it) and I was able to wear it the next day for pictures (none of which I was in).

10. Fun runs growing up (I always hated them) and my first, and only, 5K on last years Mother's Day. She was thrilled. I still hate running.

The dance recitals/competitions, choir concerts, musicals, church performances, and various other things that a kid drags a mother to are what make up my memories of my Mom. She always put me first and made my stuff feel important. I hope I can do the same to my little.

Love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day!

What is Joy?

Here's the thing. I've learned something over the past few months. I've learned that happiness and joy come in predictable and surprising packages. In my last post, I celebrated spring and I am still enjoying that blessing. Today was an absolutely exquisite 73 degrees in MN...in April! The sky was blue, the air was still, and the sun shone down brightening up every tucked away corner.

But I have found other sources of joy. I see pure joy in Dante's smile when he makes a joke at his Dad's expense. I see happiness in the way my neighbors are mowing their lawns and planting their gardens. I witness happiness in my coworkers when something finally clicks into place; when their project takes off.

And I see joy in my husbands face, when we talk about our new baby who is on the way.

Because joy can be found in two pink lines.

Baby Luopa
EDD November 25, 2010

Hello? Anybody there?

I admit that I went oh so long without updating the blog but truly, I had nothing of interest to say. The dead of winter does things to me and most of it isn't pretty. I get up, stumble into work, do my thing, and come home to curl up on the couch and watch movies or bad tv. I can't get myself to be overly productive or exciting and the blog suffers. There's just nothing to say you know?

So I'm going to try to do better...if anyone is still out there reading.

Productivity. BOOYA!

What's better than a boring post about what I did today? Probably everything but the boring post is all I've got.

Today I spent my time: mowing, vacuuming, scrubbing, dusting, organizing, shining, sweeping, and laundering. Tonight I have my feet up and am giving my lower back a rest as I bask in the thrill of my happy place.

Oh, and today commences the month of me. You can start sending gifts now.

*smoochies*