Hello, all. Hope this post finds you all in good health, company, and fortune.
Just a quick update to let you all know that we have registered (finally!) at Babies R Us, Shopko, and Target.
A few things about that:
There is a great deal of overlap, as we're certain that some people have preferences, credit cards, and other reasons to shop one vendor over another. So if you're inclined to shop them all, please don't feel like we need the same stuff from each vendor. :-)
Also, please don't feel obliged to purchase us anything at all. I have always felt awkward in the past (my marriages, for example) registering for all the swag. I really wasn't raised to ask for stuff. That said, we'll graciously accept any and all gifts.
All three vendors can be shopped online, and we're registered under "Swingholm"and "Simerly."
Beth, Koral, and I had great fun today registering. Until later this evening, when fatigue began to set in and the grumpies started to (temporarily) take hold. But shopping for baby stuff is just so amazing, what with all the exceptionally cute stuff out there.
Thanks again, and please don't be afraid to comment. We're pretty open minded and open to suggestion. Plus, we kind of enjoy the interaction. :-)
Be well...
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Hopefully clear up some confusion
I posted this link to my Facebook account thinking that it would be the easiest way to let everyone know I am expecting a baby on or about April 28th. Tod and I have actually known each other since the 5th grade, but being from a military family moved and returned during 9th grade. We did not have any classes together during high school (in fact he thought I hated him-believe it or not I was painfully shy back then). We reconnected mid-March in 2010 and actually started dating in June. Tod is a wonderful man who treats me incredibly well (spoils me rotten). Well, long story short, I thought I was going through menopause (another long family history story there), and found out nope having a little one instead. From his part of this blog you can tell he is very excited and so am I. Everything seems to be going well with little Clara even thought I am of an "advanced maternal age". Thank you to all my family and friends who are and standing with and helping us in all of this. We love you all.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Upon further reflection...
I haven't been able to stop thinking about my last post. Somehow, I feel as though I maybe missed something, or was a little too harsh on my stepfather. So this post is mainly to (hopefully) rectify that.
I think it's fair to first give a little bit of background on him: Born in the mid 1940's, he grew up on a farm. Needless to say, different time and place, with a set of hardships most of us have only read about or seen on tv. He returned from Viet Nam to find his wife in bed with another man. His family seemed to be of the opinion that it was his mistake to divorce her, and forever regarded my mother, and me, as somehow illegitimate. He had a job with the Air Force that was so secret he couldn't even tell us his job title or description. But we didn't need that information to see that it entailed the sort of stress that most of us couldn't imagine, and would very likely crumble under. Keeping the free world safe, and all.
Given his parenting tool set, I actually think he did pretty well. And hindsight being, well, 20/20, I can understand (kinda) how difficult it must have been for him.
So, I hope I may be forgiven for calling him a prick in my last post. I'm still standing by that charge - all of the above does not excuse his behavior with me. But it does effect my understanding of it, and makes forgiving him so much easier.
I sincerely hope that everyone's 2011 is shaping up positively. I know that we have a great deal to look forward to here.
I think it's fair to first give a little bit of background on him: Born in the mid 1940's, he grew up on a farm. Needless to say, different time and place, with a set of hardships most of us have only read about or seen on tv. He returned from Viet Nam to find his wife in bed with another man. His family seemed to be of the opinion that it was his mistake to divorce her, and forever regarded my mother, and me, as somehow illegitimate. He had a job with the Air Force that was so secret he couldn't even tell us his job title or description. But we didn't need that information to see that it entailed the sort of stress that most of us couldn't imagine, and would very likely crumble under. Keeping the free world safe, and all.
Given his parenting tool set, I actually think he did pretty well. And hindsight being, well, 20/20, I can understand (kinda) how difficult it must have been for him.
So, I hope I may be forgiven for calling him a prick in my last post. I'm still standing by that charge - all of the above does not excuse his behavior with me. But it does effect my understanding of it, and makes forgiving him so much easier.
I sincerely hope that everyone's 2011 is shaping up positively. I know that we have a great deal to look forward to here.
Monday, January 3, 2011
The holidaze is behind us...
First off, I'd like to apologize for taking sooo muh time to update this blog.
Anyone who is likely to check in here is likely to know any and all news I could post here tonight. This is what happens when I get so dang lazy about this thing. New year, new possibilities...
Those who know me know that this was my first holiday season in any sort of role that resembles "stepdad." Needless to say, it's awkward for pretty much all of us, and not the least bit of awkwardness is reserved for yours truly.
I find myself desperately trying to avoid treating Beth's kids the way my stepdad treated me. Which isn't to say that he was overly terrible. He always made sure that my needs were met and whatnot. But during my childhood, he was mostly a dick. (I think it's important to note that I wasn't beaten or anything - my childhood could certainly have been worse.) So I'm desperately trying to fill and redefine the role as gently, yet firmly, as I can without being him. And of course, with baby on the way, I've been giving a great deal of thought about what it means to be the best dad I can be. Trouble is, I think I turned out pretty well, (not perfect by any means,) and I can't work out whether it's because of or despite my upbringing. Some of both? None of the above? Maybe some of you fathers, or mothers, or step parents could weigh in?
Anyway, without further ado, here is the most recent inter uterine picture of our daughter, Clara Hope:
And here's one of Beth and me for the holidays:
We sincerely wish the best to you all. 2010 had some serious warts, but some amazing highlights as well. Hopefully, 2011 will have much less ugliness. I know it will add one beautiful baby girl to two loving parents.
Oh, and Beth texted me earlier - she wants me to be sure I mention "how much Clara's mommy loves Clara's daddy." And although I believe it goes without saying, Clara's daddy loves Clara's mommy an awful lot, too!
Anyone who is likely to check in here is likely to know any and all news I could post here tonight. This is what happens when I get so dang lazy about this thing. New year, new possibilities...
Those who know me know that this was my first holiday season in any sort of role that resembles "stepdad." Needless to say, it's awkward for pretty much all of us, and not the least bit of awkwardness is reserved for yours truly.
I find myself desperately trying to avoid treating Beth's kids the way my stepdad treated me. Which isn't to say that he was overly terrible. He always made sure that my needs were met and whatnot. But during my childhood, he was mostly a dick. (I think it's important to note that I wasn't beaten or anything - my childhood could certainly have been worse.) So I'm desperately trying to fill and redefine the role as gently, yet firmly, as I can without being him. And of course, with baby on the way, I've been giving a great deal of thought about what it means to be the best dad I can be. Trouble is, I think I turned out pretty well, (not perfect by any means,) and I can't work out whether it's because of or despite my upbringing. Some of both? None of the above? Maybe some of you fathers, or mothers, or step parents could weigh in?
Anyway, without further ado, here is the most recent inter uterine picture of our daughter, Clara Hope:
And here's one of Beth and me for the holidays:
We sincerely wish the best to you all. 2010 had some serious warts, but some amazing highlights as well. Hopefully, 2011 will have much less ugliness. I know it will add one beautiful baby girl to two loving parents.
Oh, and Beth texted me earlier - she wants me to be sure I mention "how much Clara's mommy loves Clara's daddy." And although I believe it goes without saying, Clara's daddy loves Clara's mommy an awful lot, too!
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