Moving Fun

Isaiah loved moving because there was stuff everywhere for him to climb on, play with, & put in his mouth.  Clothes, wrench sockets, the lint on floor that we weren't vaccumming because we were about to move, and my purse. 

Marcus took all of big furniture like my desk & beds & couches that held things.  Isaiah's jumper was already at the new place, and I still have no idea where I put my sling.  So there just wasn't much for him to do that didn't involve my watching him closely.

All we had was his Pack & Play, and he didn't last long in there.  Until I had an idea...

I got a lot of work done while he was playing with his favorite toy, a Christmas present from his aunty.  I put it on the Spanish mode. 

Then someone suggested this. 

Baby in a box.

Bye bye Isaiah's first home. 

Little Things

I have been dreading our most recent move.  From our apartment in Las Colinas to Marcus's parents' house.  No one forced me to do it - it was my idea to make the move because we needed to do something drastic with our finances after the unexpected court-involved drama we've been having for the past 6 months.  Lawyers are soooo expensive.  So much so that my mother-in-law reminded me that it wasn't too late to go to law school & become one.  I'm good Mama Briggs. 

I've been dreading it because I'm so afraid of living in other people's spaces.  Something often goes wrong with relationships when living together is involved.  And even when it doesn't, I feel like my personal creativity & growth is stifled.  Also I'm worried that it will throw off the rythm of our family growth.  I guess that could either be a good or bad thing.  As I'm writing this though, my fears sound kind of crazy. 

Anyway, I have been dreading the move, but I am so thankful that we have this option.  That they are kind enough to welcome us to their home. 

Which is why I'm so happy that I realized something tonight.  After a week of stress piling up because we didn't really plan the move well enough (I do not recommend moving trying to move with a 9 month old hanging around), my mother-in-law asked me if she could watch Isaiah so I could take a shower.  I was confused for a second, I guess because I couldn't believe that someone was offering me a moment of peace. 

And then I almost cried a little because it was the most amazing shower ever.

I realized in the shower that there are a few little things that have the power to make a place to stay really really horrible or really really awesome.  For me it is the water pressure, finding a parking space, how short the walk is from your car to your door, & sunlight. 

In the last place, we could never find a parking space, the walk varied from long to very long, there was never any sunlight, and the water pressure in the shower & the kitchen sink were so so bad.  I cringed when I experienced them. 

But when those things are just right, for me, life is beautiful.  All of the stresses of the world can exit to the background for those moments. 

When you don't have to carry your groceries across a parking lot, up 3 flights of stairs & down a long hallway.  When the sunlight streams into your room onto your baby's hair.  And when the water in the shower is just perfect.  You can relax and think, everything is going to be okay. 

(This face tends to work the same magic.)

Lullaby and Goodnight

I was propped up in my bed the other night getting ready to read, when the most thrilling thing happened.  I saw Isaiah move for the first time.  How magical!  I wanted him to keep moving, so I thought singing might excite him.  Not that he would be able to understand the words or discern that it was his mother's voice.  But he might hear something. 

I wanted to sing him this song my mom used to sing to us.  All five of us.  She rewrote the lyrics to Lullaby and Goodnight.  Until I looked up that song just now to provide a link to the original lyrics, I had no idea what they were.  Brahm's Lullaby meant nothing to me.  But the song my mom used to sing meant everything. 

I started to sing her song to Isaiah.  I soon realized I didn't remember all the words to that version either. 

It was about 11:30pm.  I called my mom anyway.  She was awake watching a movie with my little sister. 

"Mom, I forgot the words to Lullaby and Goodnight, and I need to sing it to Isaiah.  Can you sing it for me?" 

She did.  And in those few moments, the sound of my mother's voice incited the tenderest feelings of nostalgia.  Of course there were tears in my eyes.  So much that when it was time to sing the song to Isaiah, I couldn't all the way because the tears wouldn't stop.  Oh emotions.  I finished it eventually, regardless if I was choked up most of the way through. 

Here are her words.  I love you Mom.

Lullaby, and good night. 

Let your dreams be of Jesus. 

Close your eyes, think of Him, 

And let him give you peace. 

Think of Him, Isaiah, and His heavenly home. 

He'll come back just for us. 

And we'll live with Him there. 

Scattered

Well, we're all moved in.  Thanks to the help of our family.  I can't even begin to express how grateful I am for them.  Without them, I would have been lost.  I mean, almost everything required picking up something heavy, and I lived on the third floor of a building with no elevator.  I had to take a break after every trip up the stairs! 

My parents drove from Mississippi.  My sister & her family drove from Houston.  And then my future brother-in-law showed up (a surprise to me) with a huge, I mean real huge, truck to help.  I owe him a carrot cake, and I haven't figured out how I am going to thank the rest of them.  I almost cried a few times during the move because I was so thankful for their presence. 

And one of my favorite parts -- seeing my adorable nephew!

Now for the bad parts.  The electricity was on.  The hot water was not.  The internet wasn't working, although I thought scheduling it for two days before the move would ensure that it would be.  And Marcus didn't realize that the dryer his parents gave him was gas and that most new apartments don't have gas hookups anymore. 

Thankfully, the apartment's maintenance is fantastic, so they fixed the water that night.

At&t, not so fantastic.  They told me different stories about why my internet wasn't working every time I called.  They didn't send someone out until Wednesday.  No internet for 4 days!!!  6 days after it was supposed to be turned on.  Sunday night, I had to send in my homework via the internet, but it was too late for the business center and too late for a coffee shop.  I had to sit in the parking lot of a restaurant that offered free wi-fi.  I'm sure they thought someone was about to rob them.

And we still don't have a dryer.  Turns out everyone in Dallas is buying & selling washers & dryers through Craig's List.  They are sold minutes after being posted.  We have come close to snagging one several times, but not close enough.  And well, I use my dryer a LOT.  I long for it. 

And of course, I'm still unpacking. 

But that's what happens right?  Everything can't be perfect.  It wouldn't feel like a move otherwise. 

It has felt wonderful being near my boyfriend more.  It may not even be more because we both work different jobs.  But it feels like more because of a bunch of little things.  He comes home to me every night.  We go shopping together.  And he seems different, I don't know, more tender perhaps.  Perhaps I will think of more words for it later.  Maybe I will have more words later.

I have been feeling my son move a lot lately.  He still seems like he's a laid back little one, but I definitely can tell he's in there. 

And now, we are spending the first weekend here with Marcus's son.  I've envisioning quite a busy future!  In the next year, I will be grocery shopping with a 5 year old and a newborn.  Grocery shopping for a 5 year old.  Cooking for a 5 year old.  Taking care of a newborn.  Taking care of a newborn and a 5 year old.  Figuring out how to keep a 5 year old that is used to Playstations, XBoxes, & Wiis.  Wow, I have a lot of work to do!

There's Never Any Time

I'm so excited.  I'm so so scared.  Jessie Spano. 

I've been a little busy.  I can't really tell if my inability to accomplish all of my tasks has something to do with my pregnant self.  I've always had a few issues with procrastinating & the lack of focus, so I don't know what to blame.

I did learn today that it is impossible for me to be talking to someone & pay any kind of attention to anything else.  It happened several times, I'm having a conversation, and I do something with my keys or I put something in my purse.  Five minutes later when the conversation is over, I seriously don't know where my keys are.  Marcus is starting to anticipate the inevitable question, "Hunnie, have you seen my keys?"

Anyway, so I first got behind because I decided to wait some tables last weekend.  We needed some extra money, so I just jumped in there.  I might add that I jumped in there stupidly, as I picked up 6 shifts in 4 days, which is not the most intelligent thing to do while pregnant.  Why?  Hint...  It has something to do with all that extra weight running around a two story restaurant after not doing so for almost a year. 

I might give you my wisdom on waiting tables while pregnant at another date.  No time now. 

Because when I got done with all of that hard work, I had to rest.  Never slept so well in my life, even during my first trimester.  I hear I'll beat that record soon though, when I get to the last third.

Then I had to do homework. 

Then I had 3 events this week & many to plan for the next few weeks.  Also suddenly my boss needed all of these favors from me which required my visiting the restaurant.  I think he got used to my being there, he started thinking of all of things I could do for him. 

Then there is this blog of mine.  I wanted my next post to be brilliant & beautiful.  I wanted to talk about the humor & the drama of searching for a name for our little boy.  I wanted to write him a letter.  I wanted to discuss a lot of things.  But now, instead of those lots of things, I'm just writing something before I get too behind.  Before I get to that point where it's been so long, I get intimidated by it & take even longer to begin again. 

Even more pressing than recording my thoughts so I will one day remember what I was going through...  Moving.  Tomorrow I move apartments. 

This is a momentous move for a number of reasons.  First, I'm moving from across the street from my place of employment to 20 minutes away.  Bad because I won't get to walk to work anymore.  Good because it's cheaper and really beautiful.  Also we will be closer to my future stepson. 

It's a big deal because this will be the first time Marcus & I have lived together.  It's a huge step for us as he would NEVER leave his things here, so that he could avoid the stigma attached to "living with a girl."  (I think he created the stigma).  I haven't determined whether this is because he has commitment issues or because he wants to make his mother happy. 

I think it will be just fine.  I have observed that he is helpful both at home with his family & with me.  He is much cleaner than my current roomie maybe even cleaner than me. 

Although I am calm about the move, as I have done it before, he is probably not so calm. 

Because not only is he moving in with a girl for the first time, he is also moving away from home for the first time.  Yes, it is crazy.  He is 30 years old living with his parents.  He has had his reasons, some honorable & some lazy. 

We'll see how these firsts turn out.  Again, I am confident that we will be okay.  We share the same abilities to adapt to change, to use humor theraputically, and to generally avoid freaking out. 

Finally, the move is special because it will be the place where our son is born.  I had to walk around the potentials many times picturing myself in labor before I could determine which one was the right one.  And this is where he will spend his first 6 months of life. 

By the way, we have chosen a name, I'm just not ready to tell everyone.  But aren't the stories better already, just by talking about him? 

Many family members are arriving to help me move.  Aren't they the best?  It's sort of a tradition to help with big moves, and it is one that I will never take for granted again.  My mom, dad, & little sister are here now.  My big sister, her husband, & my nephew will be here in the morning.  I am sooooo blessed to have them here.  I tear up to imagine what I would do without them.

But there is no time for tears. 

Off to sleep because I read somewhere that I should get more of that these days.   Until the next one...