Braces

Ugh. I accidentally blurred the first photo. Still... it's the "AFTER" photo that matters!

Dan

Okay, Jenni... I'm slow, but I'm game. :)

1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen?
How It's Made.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad?
Western.

3. What's one food he doesn't like?
He's not too good with veggies. He no likey green peppers.

4. You go out to the bar. What does he order?
Beer. Beer. Beer. He's a beer snob. Brews his own. Then goes to breweries and bawks at their recipes. :)

5. Where did he go to high school?
In a cornfield in Iowa... okay, no I'm kidding... In a SCHOOL in a cornfield in Iowa.

6. What size shoe does he wear?
14, I think. Or whatever the size is that most stores don't carry.

7. If he was to collect anything, what would it be?
Dan is a sentimental. This means that he collects most everything.

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich?
Potbelly wreck.

9. What would he eat every day if he could?
You mean drink, right? Beer. His beer. And he does.

10. What is his favorite cereal?
Probably Golden Grahams.

11. What would he never wear?
Those golf pants that JCREW often sells with the little squares of summer plaid all stitched together.

12. What is his favorite sports team?
M Go Blue! (Did I say that right, Dan?)

13. Who will he vote for?
Obama.

14. Who is his best friend?
MEEEEEEEEE!

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do?
Vote opposite from him.

16. How many states has he lived in?
Hmmmm... MI, IL, IA, MD and Confusion... Five?

17. What is his heritage?
He's Dutch and German.

18. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake?
Chocolate Cherry.

19. Did he play sports in high school?
ba hahahaha... wait, let me compose myself... bahahahahaa... Um, he doesn't want to admit to any.

20. What could he spend hours doing?
Tinkering in his brew station and watching TV.

21. Does he belong to any men's organizations?
Um, not to my knowledge. The Happily Married Club? *wink*

Turning Five

Too. Much. Life.

Birthday. 

Of my favorite five year old. Only a day, but a blur of love, excess, sounds, foods, packages, phone calls, laughter, some tears and stuff. Lots of stuff. Can't even summarize. Too tired.

Friends. 

Having crises. Having babies. Small group friends. Work friends. Heart too small to hold in all the love and thoughts I have for friends. Time too limited to convey such love. 

Family.

In town. *bliss* Wishing I lived closer to them. Sister having babies tomorrow. Thoughts with her as she doubles offspring from 2 to 4. Dan= braces off. (Pictures to come later.)

Simplicity.

ha.

Smiling. 

A baby gently kicks inside me. 

Pregnancy Dream

I think I had my first pregnancy dream last night, at least my first really bizarre one. 

A little background: Not only has Petri Dish Love Child been kicking tremendously lately, but on several occasions, she has stuck some body part out very hard and not moved it. I gently help push it back in, but this motion literally stops me in my tracks. Point is: she's strong. And I'm glad.

So in my dream, baby girl pushed so hard that she came out of my stomach... near my belly button. I caught her, showed her to Dan (who fainted) and we rushed to the hospital. I'm unsure where Morgan went. 

Oh, and the baby was a boy. Weird.

When we arrived at the hospital, we were a medical anomaly and so they treated me as such. 

I'm sure this isn't the last weird dream I'll have. Maybe it was the mexican food I had for dinner.

Neti Pot Fun

It's that time of year again. Sinus trouble. Let's hear a loud, snorty "hurrah" for clogged nasal passages.

Or, try something new... 

Last year I started using the Neti Pot when it got to be "that time" again. A Neti Pot is a tool for... say it with me... nasal irrigation. You can watch the video below, but basically you fill a Aladdin's-lamp-looking device with a salt water solution and run it through one nostril and out the other. You definitely want to read the instructions carefully before using this contraption (regular salt water will burn your skin) but, if used correctly, it can really help your nasal irritation situation. It takes some getting used to, but at the very least, it keeps one from having to use so many drugs... if any at all.

But don't take my word for it. Here's what WebMD says: 

"The basic explanation of how the Neti pot works is that it thins mucus to help flush it out of the nasal passages, according to David Rabago, MD, assistant professor in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and a leading researcher on nasal irrigation.

A more biological explanation has to do with tiny, hair-like structures called cilia that line the inside of the nasal and sinus cavities. These cilia wave back and forth to push mucus either to the back of the throat where it can be swallowed, or to the nose to be blown out. "Chronic sinus problems cause the cilia to beat in a slow and uncoordinated way," Rabago explains. Saline solution can help increase the speed and improve coordination of the cilia so that they may more effectively remove the bacteria, allergens, and other irritants that cause sinus problems, he says."

Addendum:
1. Use only the type of salt recommended with your Neti Pot. Regular salt may burn nostrils.
2. Do not use too hot of water.
3. If you feel some water go into your ears, stop. Let it drain. Do not blow nose too hard or water may stay in ears longer then you like.

Dear Kathryn

Dear Kathryn,

Tomorrow is a very special day for you. 

Tomorrow you're scheduled to be induced. 

Tomorrow, you may be holding your baby.

I don't want this to be a note about me and my experience or advice about motherhood. I don't even want to add my cynical edge of humor or bombard you with parental clichés. It's too precious of a moment. Too holy. 

I just want to say congratulations for how far you've come and congratulations for where you will go. 

Congratulations for waiting on God and His timing and His provision with this baby. Congratulations on your IVF success. 

Congratulations on bettering your already-beautiful marriage through this season of life. 

Congratulations on choosing a name for your daughter that you can't wait to say.

Congratulations on the moments yet-to-be:

- On the first time you see her face and memorize it. 

- Seeing a new side of your husband as he transforms to father, and you, mother.

- Snuggling with your peach-fuzz of a baby. Saying her name.

- On a season of life dedicated to bodily changes, both in you and your infant.

- On being the immediate expert of this infant, just by being her loving mother.

- On believing in love-at-first-sight.

I wish your heart all the strength to absorb these beautiful moments and your mind all the wisdom it needs to raise your daughter.

Love, Emily