Future Kids

I am already feeling bad about future kids...You know the oldest one always has the nicest baby book, the professional pictures and then by the 3-4th kid you are lucky if you have like 2 pictures of them. (I know I am the third).  I told Jared that I already feel bad for our 2nd and 3rd kid because they aren't going to get the time and things that Tenley gets.  When I am sitting in Tenley's room with her snuggling and just reading her books, I just started thinking, if I had 1 or 2 kids running around I would not be able to do that all the time, or just sit in her chair with her talking and snuggling.  We also of course got pictures taken of her already, I have a calendar for her where I can write down a memory or "milestone" on the day it happened - I thought it would be cool to be able to look back at.  I also write Tenley letters when I feel so inspired - just about what she is doing, what I think about her, how much her Dad and I love her - all those things.    I am 99% sure those things will not happen for future kids...however I decided that that doesn't mean I shouldn't do it for Tenley, so SORRY future kids.

I also think about Tenley and when we have more kids she will not be getting all the time she does now, and I think of all the moments already that I just want to soak up, and I don't want to miss anything.  I realize how I will never get these moments back and she is only going to be this small one time, each day is the only day like that day I will ever get with her - so when we have more kids - think of all the things I am going to miss.

This doesn't really stress me out or anything, just something I think about.  I know that we will have so many good memories.

Just my thoughts for the day.

Simple Pleasures

So many simple pleasures have returned and it's AMAZING!    As I said when I was pregnant, I am not a "pregnant person" meaning I don't like being pregnant.  I LOVE the outcome of being pregnant, but just not one of those people who "likes" it.  I have so been enjoying the simple small things such as:

• Being able to tie my shoes easily
• Standing up without it being a process
• Getting in and out of the car quickly and without discomfort
• SLEEPING ON MY STOMACH!
• Being able to wash my legs and feet in the shower
• Seeing my legs/feet without having to stand funny
• Not worrying about if the bottom of my belly is covered by my shirt
• Picking up Duke easily
• Laying on the floor and popping up quickly
• Going on walks and not being out of breath quite so fast

I'm sure there are a bunch more, but I got distracted by giving Tenley and Duke a photo shoot :0)   Such great models I live with...now if I could just get good at taking pictures we would have a match made in heaven! 

It Happened

(Stud)

As I have said before I am not a baby person, I am not one to rush to hold other people's babies or ooo and ahh over them.  Jared isn't either.  Therefore Jared and I were really counting on the "it's different when it's your child" thing - otherwise Tenley would be in serious trouble.   Well that saying stands true.  I love Tenley, I already told her I didn't want her to get any bigger!  I love snuggling with her and having her sleep on my chest, I love rubbing her little cheeks and hair.  I love her BIG eyes and how they look around in amazement at things.  I just love her!    I still am not a baby person to other babies, I think I can appreciate them more, but still no strong desire to hold or play with other babies...it's just not me.

Tenley, Duke, and I are having a great first week with Jared back at work - although of course we miss him.  Monday we pretty much just hung around the house, but in the evening we had a work appointment.  Tenley came with me on a listing appointment and was perfect (slept the whole time).  It was great to be out doing something, she also got her first feeding from a bottle from Jared.  It was fun to watch him feed her and be able to see all her little expressions and things.  At first I was happy that Jared was feeding her, then I realized how much I love that time I get to spend with her (also another things books said and I was skeptical) and I got sad that he was feeding her - haha.   Then Tuesday Tenley and I had to do some work so we headed to my dad's office to make some copies and scan things, then over to Keller Williams to hand in a bunch of paperwork.  Tenley was a HUGE hit at the office and at one point there were 3 ladies (all baby lovers) just starring at her making all the OOOO's and Ahhhhh's that I can't relate to.  I started laughing cause seriously they were standing there for like 8 minutes just looking at Tenley - haha.  I mean I know she is amazing, but seriously.  Then we headed off to a showing and Tenley slept again while I walked around the house with clients.  

Today we have a couple of "walk" dates!  My friend Sarah just called and we are headed out for a walk, and my mom is coming over later...Duke will really like the events scheduled for today.

Overall so far things are going GREAT.  I don't feel confined to my house, I make a plan of something to get done everyday so I am not just sitting at home, and everyone is happy and healthy.  I am a little dissapointed in how quiet our house is... I don't want Tenley to get used to all this quietness, so I am going to have to think of a way to spice it up around here.

OH another sad confession: I think I like Tenley's pants with the ruffle butt...sad but true.

One Week Down

Well Jared and I have survived one week with Tenley around.  So far she is great at sleeping and eating and when she is awake she's just happy to be looking around.  SO I am going to enjoy this while I can.  :0)  

I guess I thought I would feel a little more different after having Tenley, but I don't.  I still feel like the exact same person, and I am happy about that cause I like me.  I also have not minded getting up with her, changing her diaper (although I admit Jared does most of that) or anything else.  I don't feel like she is severely limiting me so that is great.  I have gone to the mall, we have gone on walks and to the park with Duke this week.  We have had visitors and gone to visit people, it's been great...which I needed because if we wouldn't have been able to do anything I fear that I wouldn't be doing so well.

I have been able to continue to work slightly during this whole week, just emailing and making phone calls - nothing too drastic, but it's nice to be able to do my own thing for a little bit each day.  Jared has continued his workouts and last night even slept in the basement to get some good sleep in before his triathlon tomorrow.  Don't worry, him sleeping in the basement was approved by the board (Tenley, Duke, and myself).

Biggest thrill of the week:  Yesterday on her 1 week birthday Tenley had an EXPLOSIVE poop, and I mean people say yeah my kid shot out poop at me, but I ask you....did their poop hit 3 of the 4 walls, spraying and running down the walls, with a maximum distance of 10 feet!?  Jared was changing Tenley's diaper and once he took the old one off...WATCH OUT!  That's right people, her poop was literally like if you took a paint brush, loaded it with paint and then flailed it wildly.  It was running down the walls, on the chair, changing table, book shelf, her bed, the floor, the little table on the other side of her changing table, and most hilariously...Jared.   We measured it cause I was so impressed, and yes 10 Feet was the farthest hit and that was in her crib, so if it would have made it to the floor it would have been longer.  Jared and I both just starred, Jared's mouth and eyes were wide open in amazement and I started screaming and laughing hysterically.  I said "START WIPING!"  Jared quickly put a diaper on Tenley and laid her on the floor in the other room and I started wiping down all the walls and running to get paper towels and cleaner.  It was hilarious, we were laughing and cleaning for the next 10-15 minutes.  Tenley meanwhile laid on the floor silently looking around while Duke ran to protect her and lay at his usual 2-3 foot distance from her keeping a close eye on things.  If we would have gotten it on tape we would have had a million hits in about 20 minutes, no lie!  I was so glad Jared and I were both there because there is no way I would have ever been able to explain the magnitude of the situation to him, and now that will be a memory that we can always look back on and laugh together.


I haven't had any of the thoughts yet like, "Wow, she isn't leaving" or "Why is God trusting us with this girl"  I have just felt truly blessed that she is healthy and I feel like of course she is here, and God knows we can do a great job, we just have to do our best.  I think those thoughts might come later, I haven't really had a "HIT ME" moment yet where I am like "oh my I'm Tenley's mom"  It just seems normal so far like of course I am.  So we will see if that continues.

I have been feeling great and full of energy, but I am sure that will change in the next couple weeks.  Once Jared goes back to work next week and I am doing more by myself during the day and the novelty of doing all of this wears off I am sure I will be more drained and exhausted, so I am just trying to stay on top of things as much as I can now.

Well that's all for now, all is well in the Vermeulen Household.  Right now everyone is doing their morning routine: Duke - Sleeping in the sun, Jared - working out, Tenley - Morning nap, me - on the computer working and getting other things accomplished.  It's a good day!

Here are some pictures from our first week at home:

Found my camera cord!

Here is a picture of me at 40 weeks and the pictures of Tenley's room finally:

Tenley's Here

Welcome to the world Tenley Marie Vermeulen!

Tenley made her grand entrance Friday, June 1st at 7:38pm.  She weighed in a 8lbs 12 oz and 21 in. long.  She has a full head of hair, which honestly I was scared of at first, but now I like it.  It is curly when it's wet too so Jared has a chance of getting his fro child with curly wild hair like I had when I was a young one.  


Everything at the hospital went GREAT, I seriously don't think it could have gone better.  We went in Thursday night and I started some meds and Friday morning they started me on Pitocin - which induces labor and starts contractions.  


Jared was the greatest hubby ever!  He was very good at counting and getting me whatever I wanted and just making me feel secure, loved, and encouraged!  I could not ask for a better hubby or a better dad for Tenley.  I thought I loved Jared an OOBER amount before this, but now I love him on a whole different level...hard to explain.  


The hospital was wonderful, Jared did everything for Tenley so I could just rest and recover.  The food was actually pretty good too so that was great.  We had a few visitors and enjoyed the time just getting to know Tenley.  Sunday we were really ready to leave though, after being couped up for 2 days in there.  We got all our discharge papers and then were waiting around for them to come wheel me out, and finally decided that was stupid...Jared asked the nurse if we could just leave and she said yeah so we grabbed our stuff and Tenley and walked out.  We made a stop at Target on the way home to pick up a few things.  


Grandparents came by again on Sunday night for visits.  


Monday I went to the mall to get some things and Jared stayed home with Tenley, it was wonderful to be out doing something, not at home or in teh hospital.  I drove with the windows down, music playing, singing along...It was great.

So far so good, we have Tenley's first Dr Appt tonight.  We are loving having visitors and most of them have escaped without getting dirty...Sorry Becky!

Duke has been the best big brother ever, he gives her kisses on her cheek every morning.  While Tenley is eating he sits in front of us and protects us, he likes to lay in her room and sleep when she is sleeping.  He isn't acting jealous really or anything, he likes to snuggle her, but has been doing his own thing and entertaining himself too.  He does miss the sleep at night...but we assured him it will get better :0)