For the past six years, I have had the joyous experience of being an aunt to

my sweetie Gavin:

my crazy Liam:

and my delicious Tater Bug:

A while back, I started teaching my boys the Gentleman Rules. Things all good gentlemen should know. The list is a work in progress…I add to it, mommy and grandma add to it. And MUCH to our delight, the BOYS add to it the most. Here’s a brief sampling of some of their rules: (I’ll see if you can guess which ones the boys have added)

• Gentlemen always say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’.
• Gentlemen always say ‘excuse me’ when they toot.
• Gentlemen never push their brothers.
• Gentlemen always cuddle their grandma.
• Gentlemen always tell mommy if they have to go potty.
• Gentlemen never touch their poopy bottom.
• Gentlemen don’t whine.
• Gentlemen always give their mommy kisses.
• Gentlemen never play with their Elmo underwear.
• Gentlemen always buy flowers for ladies they love. (Eisley has already been the beneficiary of this rule!)
• Gentlemen can cry. They just can’t whine.

Now, Lil’ Miss has got me thinking. Sure, gentlemen need to know how to treat a lady, how to behave at the dinner table, etc., but aren’t there Lady Rules as well? I’m going to start compiling a list of things a little lady must know.

Here’s what I have so far:

Ladies must always:

• Say Please and Thank You
• Use their imaginations
• Sing loudly and proudly
• Never lift their skirts in public
• Smell sweet

and finally, Ladies Must Never…

…pose without their shirts on.

oops. We’re still working on some.

Let’s face it, I love the World Cup. In some ways I’m thankful it’s only every four years, it makes it something truly special. For one month in the summer, the greatest players in the world converge on one nation to prove their country bleeds the beautiful game. The rivalry, the sportsmanship, the respect, and the spirit of the game is unparalleled in the world of sport. It is a game that unites the world.

Except in America. Today, it seems that the popularity of soccer is greater than any other time in American history, which I love. But for whatever reason, it still hasn’t gained enough momentum to become a prominent American sport. Judging from my office and twitter feed, the national attitude toward soccer still isn’t great. I’m here to convince you otherwise.

This is why I believe soccer is known as the beautiful game, and why Americans need to get on board.

Simplicity
What’s great about soccer is all really need to play is a ball. Basketball needs a ball and a hoop. Football needs a ball and someone else. Hockey needs a stick and a puck, other people and goal is optional. Baseball needs a ball, a bat, a glove, and other people. How is it that soccer is not more prominent?

The rules are relatively simple: get the ball in the net. There’s no complicated infield-fly rules or a smattering of penalties that can be called. The only somewhat tricky rule is offsides, and that rule is pretty understandable. Otherwise you’re just playing a freeflowing game for 45 minutes. No stopping. No timeouts. No commercial breaks.

Athleticism
If you have ever played soccer, you would know it requires you to be in peak physical form. To run regularly for 45 minutes at a time is exhausting. I don’t know if you’ve noticed it too, but I’ve come to realize that baseball is quickly becoming infiltrated by out-of-shape players. Hey, as long as you can hit a home-run and don’t have to run the bases, you can be as chubby as you want. Soccer doesn’t allow for fatties.

Strategy
People say there’s no strategy in soccer. If that’s the case, there’s no strategy in basketball and hockey. The gameplay is similar, you have to constantly evaluate where you are, who’s around you, and where you’re going. Football has an unfair advantage. There’s a team of coaches and playcallers watching from all angles, and the offense gets to stop and decide what they’re going to do before each play. Soccer players must be intelligent and intuitive. You have to have an understanding of tactics and the skill to make a play in a split second.

Constant Gameplay
TV watchers despise commercials. Yet our sporting events stop every 5 minutes for commercial breaks. Much to advertisers chagrin, there’s no stopping for 45 minutes in soccer. Sorry, Budweiser. Keep your Clydesdales. Like I said before, you have to be in excellent physical form to play for 45 minutes straight. I’d like to see a football game without huddles. At any moment, the momentum of the game can shift, and to me that makes a great event to watch.

Skill
A lot of people don’t like soccer because it’s low-scoring or can end in a tie. Since when does the validity of a sport lie in the final score? Is basketball the best sport because teams regularly score over 100 points a game? By the way, when did they stop playing defense in basketball? I remember back in the day when it was an amazing feat when a team scored over 100 points. But I digress. Soccer is low-scoring because it takes incredible skill to break through the defense and put the ball past the goalie. How hockey fans can’t get behind soccer is beyond me. If viewers can look past the score of the game, and look at the skills of the individual and the overall team, I’m sure they will begin to see what a beautiful game soccer is.

That’s about all I can think of at the moment, but I think it’s a pretty good defense of the world’s greatest and most popular sport. So come on America, if we can begin to appreciate the world’s game, maybe we’ll begin developing American players of international caliber.

Plus, commercials like this get me super pumped.

Things that have been happening around our house lately:

1. Lil’ E is growin and growin! Within a week, her once baggy jammies became snug! What the what!? How can this BE? Must mean that Cafe di Mommy is servin up some GOOD eats!*
Chris weighed himself on our Wii Fit and then picked up Scooter. From the rough calculations of the animatronic Balance Board, she is around 8 or so pounds now! Woo Hoo!

2. I am adjusting to life as a stay at home mom. It hasn’t been easy – there are times when I just want to cry because I feel like there is so much I could be / should be doing, but all I want to do is hold her/fall fast asleep/apply BenGay to my weanie arms…

…hold on…

BREAKING NEWS! As I write this from Chris’ office, I can hear him with Eisley in her room and he is telling her a little story about her mommy and daddy. “Once upon a time, there was a little girl in Cedar Rapids…” AHHH!! Heartmelt!!

2b. …okay, I’m back. I am adjusting to this crazy new life. Although while very difficult emotionally and physically, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt, this is where I am supposed to be. I am absolutely in love with this little girl, and slowly but surely, I am gaining confidence. We go on lots of walks, go to the library, go to Target, go to the coffee shop and EVEN sometimes drive to Des Moines all by ourselves!
And getting bored? Oh my never! I am amazed at how fast the days go! If you think about it, I feed her 8 times a day. For about 45 minutes to an hour each time. 7 days a week. That’s 56-60 a week ALONE JUST FEEDING HER!
I’m surprised I wasn’t bored at DRAKE! THAT was just a measly FORTY hours a week!

2c. Chris is the absolute best with her. He is patient, loving, gentle, absolutely doting, he knows exactly how to hold her, how to burp her…She doesn’t realize how much she adores him yet. She will. Once she can actually SEE him.

3. SPEAKING of seeing him, Chris’ twin (or his BROTHER at the very least) is on this season’s So You Think You Can Dance. Which, I must say, is absolutely WONDERFUL. I am absolutely in awe of these people. Yeah, American Idol, whatever. A LOT of people can sing…like MOST people can to some degree or another. But there are VERY few people who can dance. I would recommend watching it. At least ONCE during each episode, Chris or I or both of us can be heard saying, “Whaaaaaa??!?!? That’s CRAZY!!”

4. Eisley smells divine. Like milk and Burt’s Bees lotion. I left her today for AN HOUR to get a massage and I could smell her and I MISSED HER! Ahh…she’s heaven.

5. Chris started Ames Parks & Rec League soccer! I love this time of year. Every Sunday evening in Inis Grove, Chris impresses his girls!! He is doing so awesome – I am always so amazed by his talent! Although, I do cringe at every quick move – I’m so afraid his ankle is going to bust up again! Come by Inis Grove on Sunday evenings at 6:30 and cheer on the Shirts & Skins! (verdict is still out whether or not I like that team name.)

6. Speaking of soccer, the Saldanhas’ first family vacation is in the works for the end of July! Manchester United is going to be playing the Kansas City Wizards IN KC! I do believe Christopher’s exact words when he heard this news were: “That would be the 3rd best day of my LIFE!” I knew right then and there we would probably have to do whatever it took to go!

7. Even though I have been roughin it in the hair/makeup/general hygeniene department lately, I can’t have a random blog post without a nod to a new product:
Softsoap (yes, I KNOW!) Sweet Honeysuckle and Orange Peel body wash. DEE-LISH! A, it’s cheap. B, it smells AMAZING. C, it leaves the entire first floor smelling like sweet springtime after a shower. D, it’s incredibly moisturizing. LOVE IT!!! Usually, I use fruity/flowery body washes in the summer and more woodsy/warm ones in the fall and winter. (I really liked Olay’s Amber something or other…) But I think this body wash is going to here to stay! Why NOT smell like a romantic summer evening ALL YEAR ROUND?! Am I right, ladies!?!?

8. And finally, a little anecdote about how much we have Eisie Bean on the brain. It’s been happening less and less, but for the first few weeks, EVERY night, either Chris or I or both of us have woken up from a deep sleep in a PANIC. THINKING WE HAVE LOST EISLEY IN THE SHEETS. We bolt straight up, sweating, and starting FLINGING BACK THE SHEETS in an attempt to find her! It usually takes the other one to shake themselves from the grogginess and realize that she is in her bassinet and has been the whole time. Chris has been known to wake in a panic with his arms cradled thinking she has fallen out of his arms and onto the floor! This is by far the worst feeling I have ever felt. For those 30 or so seconds, your heart has simultaneously stopped and is racing a thousand beats per minute. Blaaahhh….yuck. Thankfully, she’s sound asleep with her arms stretched high over her head and her legs sticking straight out. Smelling like milk and lotion.

Okay, it’s bathtime. Then time for Eisie’s 2nd Dinner. Mommy – signing off.

*Just one more blessing from our Creator – there was a very good possibility that because of a past surgery, I may not have been able to breastfeed. But thankfully, I haven’t had any problems! Please remind me to be thankful I can feed her this way when it’s 2:00 a.m. and I am S-O-R-E, cranky, and tired!

Eisley Baby just can’t get enough of her dad. I don’t know if it’s the beard or what, but generally, THIS is her face when he’s holding her.  She can’t take her eyes off of him. I know! Can you hardly stand it!?!?

I call THIS one: “Hypocrisy, Thy Name Is Katie.” Yes, I said before she was born that I wasn’t a huge fan of pink. And yes, now that’s pretty much all she wears. BECAUSE SHE LOOKS RAVISHING IN PINK! How was I to know!?!?

I just love her face in this picture.

And finally, a couple of cutie shots of her LOVING her new mobile! Look at how smiley she is! What a sugar bean! (And yes, she is in pink onesies)

Lil’ Munchkin is growing every single day! Yikes!

Apparently, SOMEONE likes to sprawl out when she relaxes!

oh, how I love her.

Little Miss Sweets is here! She was 5 days early and once she decided to come, boy did she come quickly! I’ll spare the details (although if you REALLY want to know, ask Chris to describe water breaking), but she arrived safe and sound at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 5th, 2010. 6 pounds 15 oz, 19 inches long.

Chris and I both have good intentions to write blog after blog after blog about our experiences so far, but we’re just 1) too tired to sit in front of a computer to type anything lengthy, 2) too in love with her…we just want to STARE at her little half-Chris, half-Katie face. Literally. The top half of her face is Daddy. The bottom half, Mommy. She got Daddy’s rockin hair and beautiful skin tone, and let’s just say that when the time comes, Mommy is going to have to give Eisley pointers on how to make her lips appear fuller. Sigh. Sorry, Sugar.

She is wonderful and amazing and hilarious and snuggable and adorable and precious and floppy and snorty and sweet and delicious.

As I’m typing this, she is in my arms gazing up at me, breathing rhythmically and smelling like milk and Burt’s Bees lotion.  Chris and I are humbled by her perfection. Who are we to have been given such an amazing gift? Lord, may we never forget how You provided for us. Thank You for our amazing Princess Eisley, aka Sugar Buns, Eisey, Munch, Peanut, Little B.

The above photo is one of my favorites. I snapped it with my phone after a walk on Monday. Eisley and Lilly of the Valley: two of my favorite things.  More photos of Sugar Bean to come.

Little known fact, but growing up, I was Dorothy Gale. From Kansas.  I had Ruby Reds, I had a stuffed dog that I carried around in a basket, I had the dress, the braids, I rolled in the mud in  said dress and braids a la the “Return To Oz” scene when she escapes from the mental institution (that may be another post entirely).  Our round Weber grill was my companion Tick-Tock (again, “Return to Oz”) and my family even made a trip to Kansas just so I could get a tee-shirt declaring that I had indeed “Been To Oz!”

I loved loved loved that movie. Every picture of a child, boy or girl, in any book, magazine, etc., I drew long flowing braids on them. To make him/her into Dorothy of course. I watched The Wizard Of Oz all. the. time.

A few weeks ago, mom pulled out an old record we used to have with the Wizard of Oz soundtrack. I had completely forgotten about it! I used to put it on the record player and stare at the cover, taking in every poppy flower and the way Dorothy’s hand looped through the scarecrow’s arm. I know. I needed to get out more. Even etched in the corner of the record, you could see little Katie’s attempt at writing out the angelic word, “Do-roth-y”.
After seeing it again, I realized how vintage-y awesome it was! The colors, the faint yellowing that came with it being 20 some years old. I knew I wanted to incorporate it somehow into Baby Girl’s room.  Brilliant Chris suggested he could scan the album (since it’s kind of falling apart), edit it on photoshop so both the front and back of the album would be on one page, and make a huge poster of it.

Sigh. Isn’t he the BEST?!?!?

And voila. Just a few weeks later, and we have a BEAUTIFUL framed poster of one of my favorite childhood memories.

I just hope Baby Girl wants to play escape from the Wicked Witch’s fireballs with me someday.

*click on the picture to see it closer up. It’s so great.

Here are some recent pics of Baby Girl’s nursery! (like ‘coach’ and ‘couch’ I always have to stop and think how to spell nursery. Duh.)

Here is a lovely shot of the change table that my sweet dad made for her! He literally had me go through Pottery Barn catalogs and pick out features of different change tables I liked and Voila! He put them all together and created something unique to our family. I love it! It’s absolutely perfect. And she even has her tiny dresses hanging on tiny hangers inside.

This is a shot of her little reading nook. And her eating nook too, I suppose. I am wanting to have a real hydrangea in that cool old milk jar all the time, but that’s probably not feasible. Disappointed by Hobby Lobby’s selection of faux flowers…besides JoAnn’s, any other suggestions on where to find lifelike hydrangeas?

A cool shot of her AWESOME crib. We saw this crib in the room of Sir Atticus Van Voorst and fell in love with it! We copied you guys…hope that’s okay! It’s kind of hard to see, but Christopher hung a cool branch from the ceiling with fishing line. It looks pretty dang sweet in person. It’s just so filmy and romantic and perfect hanging there so daintily, it’s hard to see in the picture.

I’ll need C to get his good camera out again and get a shot of my FINISHED CRIB BUMPER! It took a lot of sewing and there were some frustrating moments, but thanks to Mom’s patient teaching and LADDER STITCH, it turned out pretty awesome.

Now all we need is a little sweet lady to go IN this room….

A big reason I love reading the Old Testament is the rich tradition of storytelling, which became the writings. The stories were not just meant to pass on historical fact, nor just fictional fables to get little kids to do the right thing. They were real people, experiencing real events, that would give the listener, and eventually us, insight into how we are to live.

One of my super-stud heroes is Daniel. He (and his friends) did a lot of pretty amazing things: he was attractive, studious, trustworthy, excelled in nearly everything he did, became a part of the King’s court, interpreted dreams, always (nonviolently) stood up for his faith, shut the mouths of lions, saw visions of the future . . . pretty awesome.

But what really amazes me is that the one thing he really desired was to see his people Israel restored. And he never got to see it happen.

Israel had been bad. Really bad. And God allowed them to be conquered and taken into captivity by Babylon. Jerusalem and the temple, the two dearest things to the Jewish people, would be destroyed. This was not how it was supposed to be. Daniel was broken, and cried out that God would once again cleanse and restore His people.

We tend to have this idea that God will give us anything and everything we want as long as it’s honoring to Him. The truth is, that’s not truth. Yes, God wants to give us the desires of our heart, but He also wants His will to be done, and He wants us on board.

Daniel was the righteous guy. If anyone at that time deserved to get what they asked for it was him. Yet God would wait to restore Israel until after Daniel’s death. For whatever reason it wasn’t the right time.

This gives me hope. People tend to think that God doesn’t give them something because they’re doing something wrong. Or, people think they deserve what they’re asking from God and get pissed when He doesn’t give it to them. And then they walk away.

In that moment, by all human rationale, Daniel had every reason to walk away from God. He was asking for something that would be honoring to God, he was doing everything right, and yet God wouldn’t answer. But instead Daniel holds onto the hope that God listens and restoration is coming, even if the time and the means doesn’t make sense. Maybe God “disappointed” him a little by our standards, but He gave Daniel something greater to hope in.

So what will I do when God doesn’t answer? When, in that moment, everything inside me says, “He doesn’t care, just walk away.” Maybe I should remember all the amazing things God has done and realize that He truly is faithful, and His will be done.

Of course, it always helps when God sends an angel with a message. But I’m not holding my breath.

As I’m typing this, Chris is sleeping soundly upstairs. Poor boy didn’t get much sleep last night, what with all the emergency room-ing and the holding my hand-ing and the holding my hair back while I vomited-ing. And on top of that, he feels sick too!

The flu bug has invaded our home.

We had a lovely dinner last night with the 2 Carlstons and 4 of the 5 Hullings. After dinner, I was feeling a little rough – I hadn’t had much of an appetite and come to find out, Chris had been feeling kind of queasy all day too.  We got home, got our jammies on, popped on the burned dvd of Lost from the night before and halfway through, I ran into the bathroom and let it rip. Ugh. Poor baby girl, she was probably like, “whoa whoa WHOA!!”

Chris called the mynurse hotline and asked what we should do – I am THIRTY EIGHT WEEKS ALONG after all! Throwing up majorly can’t be good for me, right? They suggested we head over to the emergency room.

After checking in to the front desk, and after being a LITTLE disconcerted that the girl behind the EMERGENCY ROOM desk, upon hearing that I was 38 weeks along says, “Soo…like…how many months is THAT?” (Granted, she may have not been a nurse, or even in the medical field – she could have just been a volunteer…but maybe she should just stick to cleaning out the ice machines as her volunteer work?)

Anyway.

We meet with the nurses and they chart baby girl’s heart beat/movement, etc. ask me questions. And APPARENTLY, I was having contractions! She would be watching the monitor and say, “Oh! Here comes a contraction! You feel that?”

Um. No?

Dang it!

So baby girl checked out fine…Chris and I, not so much. Chris was as pale as a ghost me in the winter, was having chills and nausea. Upon waiting for the nurse to return to sign discharge papers, I had to dash into the bathroom and throw up again.
We are so thankful we only live 4 blocks from Mary Greeley. We had a tossy-turny night and woke up feeling…eh…a LITTLE better. We’ve had toast. And water. And watched “The Blindside” which was awesome.

So now, as little Bubbs is hoping that mommy doesn’t throw up anymore, and Big Bubbs is catching up on his much-needed rest, I am trying to figure out how to exit a hammock gracefully. Because 20 minutes ago, that did NOT happen.