Life Goals

This week I have been inspired by Janssen's post on life goals. That and the recent turn of events in my life (i.e. a newborn) has made me think about and reevaluate and ponder on just what I see in my long distance future. What are the things I feel I will do, see, become in not just the next year or five years or ten years... but, you know, if life?

Here's what I've come up with:

• have a whole gaggle of little ones and create the kind of home where their gifts and talents are brought to flower and fruitage
• become a much more accomplished seamstress
• be healthy and active (this goal, of courses, includes learning to can, baking homemade bread regularly, and taking lots of long walks)
  
• get a masters of English
• own a children's bookstore (I might have to someday settle for working in someone else's beautifully arranged and organized children's bookstore. I think this would be a perfect part time job in my grandmother years, actually. Hmmm. This goal has been around for so long, though, it's hard to give up.)
• serve a second mission
• write a ________ (something: I don't know that a novel us in my cards... but perhaps a collection of vignettes... at the very least I want to write my personal history)
• live in Virginia

In the meantime (since some of these are so very long term), I, of course, have a handful of short term (as in, this year) goals I am working on as well:

• rebuild my stomach muscles
• go on at least a 30 minute walk at least three times a week
  
• have daily scripture study / prayer
• handmake all my gifts this year (or at least most)
  
• read at least three books a month
• write at least 2 blog posts a week
• plan menus each week and live within my food budget
• not complain
• give raymond at least 100 kisses a day

What are your life goals?

Who would have thought?

When I first found out I was pregnant, I determined that I would enjoy every minute and every aspect of it. There were down days, not going to lie, but for the most part, I loved that little growing belly and the kicking wee one inside despite any discomforts.

At the end, however, I was so anxious for my little guy to come that I had to exercise some patience to not become frustrated that I was still pregnant. I was just so excited to find out what it was like to go through labor and delivery, to be a mother, to care for a newborn.

And then Raymond John came and it has been a very fun and rewarding adventure to learn and be learning all of those things. I wouldn't trade it for anything.

But do you want to know the crazy thing? I saw pregnant girl on Sunday, and I really missed being pregnant. I wished my belly was tight with a little one inside. Looking at her, I missed feeling all those kicks. I missed the anticipation.

Maybe I will look back in amusement when I am pregnant with my 4th or 5th and wish I was done being pregnant... but I am so glad to know (or hope, anyway) that it won't be the last time. I'm already looking forward to being pregnant again.


disclaimer: I'm not planning on getting myself pregnant in the next few weeks or months no matter how much I miss it, don't worry!

Person Post #1: Cute Katy

I have been thinking about doing more posts periodically about people I love. They are in no particular order and for no particular rhyme or reason, just a desire to articulate what I see and love most in people.

I first met Katy at the first BYU 48th ward Ward Prayer of the semester in the fall of 2005. We were both new to the ward and both a little unsure of our situations and surroundings. I had just come home from my mission and was jumping back into the whole singles ward thing, and Katy was transferring her records from the family ward where she had been attending with her mom and brother. Ward prayer that night was at Thomas' house and we both found ourselves sitting on the organ bench in his living room, making small talk.

Although I have very vivid memories of that night, I don't quite remember how we worked our way up from saying hello and chatting at ward functions to close knit friends. Katy lived down the block and around the corner from where I was living (in the Mama Gee house on the corner of 7th and 9th in Provo). Sometime that semester we started always walking to church together. She would walk her way to my house, and then we would walk the rest together. It quickly became known as "Carly and Katy Quality Time." We were avid walkers (refusing rides from well-meaning ward members cruising by) who would let nothing come between us and our quality time.

Sometime that school year our friendship advanced from walking pals to full-fledged friends. To distinguish her from all the other Katys in my life, she soon was referred to as "cute Katy." The title does not come unwarranted. Katy lights up a room when she enters it. Her personality is fun and friendly and infectious. Her bright smile and dimples make you want to smile back. she is oh so sassy, full of spunk, and stylish in a small-town-girl way. She is as kindred a spirit as they come. Katy-Carly-Quality-Time soon turned into hours of talking and laughing and all the goodness of close friends.

One of our ever favorite topics of conversation was the crazy dating world of Provo, Utah. Although we were often at different ends of the spectrum (her getting more dates than she could handle (and from the craziest people and places) and me not quite getting enough), life as a single girl at BYU was always an adventure and filled with awkward moments.

Cute Katy soon was also affectionately known as my "awkward friend." We would see each other and give the sign in ASL for "awkward" to indicate another awkward story was waiting to be told. Oh the endless awkward moments of college life! I tell you what, though, all that awkwardness is not so bad when you can spin it into a story and laugh about it. We always threatened we would write a book of all our crazy stories.

We would meet in the wilk to study together (let's be honest, not much studying happened! Grr to those long papers and endless reading assignments that distracted and guilt-tripped us as we talked). We would go running together (even on cold winter evenings), carve giant pumpkins on Halloween, stay up way too late talking in her living room or on the sidewalk in front of my house, sit by each other in church, and treat ourselves out to lunch or dinner.

There was a kinship in our friendship that was refreshing. Katy has taught me a lot about not being afraid to be yourself, taking advantage of the moment, enjoying the flowers, laughing at life's ridiculousness, and genuine care for others. She is honest and sincere, kind and compassionate, courageous and wise. Life, as the saying goes, has given her her fair share of lemons, but she is a lemonade connoisseur.

Since I moved out of Provo, we have both gone our separate ways and not kept nearly enough contact. I was so excited, however, that she took the big jump and moved to Indiana by herself to start a PhD program at Pudue. And now I am thrilled her awkward dating life is coming to an end (hooray!) as she is getting married to a very lucky fellow (does he know how lucky?) in less than a week.

Miss Katy, I am so glad there is you. Thank you for being your shining star of a self. Good luck with all the last minute wedding plans.

all my love,

cj

Pictures, as promised

Sometimes I just sit back and marvel that somehow here I am, married to a wonderful husband and now the mama to a sweet baby boy. How did this happen? I'm still not sure, but I sure am glad.

Little Raymond and I are still doing well. One of his favorite things to do while he's awake is hang out in his vibrating, classical music playing bouncy chair.
Would you take a look at those soft little cheeks? I hope all my babies are so blessed with such kissable faces. Goodness.

Monday or Tuesday last week Ramond John had his first bath. So far he definitely hates them... but what can you do?

This is one of my favorite faces he makes--with his little puckered lips. They, by the way, are also pretty kissable!
Despite hating his bath, he sure is happy once he's nice and clean. Here's a half smile for you.

Don't you wish you were here right now so you could hug and kiss and love this sweet bundle?
And here is his (almost put together) nursery. The crib and ABC wall hangings and bookshelf: So far I still am not so sure about the mobile I had planned on making. If you look close, you can see the little flock are pecking away atop the bookshelf... someday the might take flight, we'll see.

A couple in our last ward gave us an old glider. It was, however, cushion-less. Conveniently we had two big bed pillows someone had given us for our wedding that were still not being used. I made up some log cabin quit style pillow cases and love my good-as-new glider. You don't want to know how many hours I have already dozed in this chair in the middle of the night...
And lastly, here is the Christiansen family changing table. Mark, my father-in-law made this when their first was on his way. Every one of their kids has been changed atop this dresser... and if you look close, little Raymond John is awaiting his turn.
And for good measure, what would a post of pictures be without a good ole phone picture? Both mom and son love the boppy. Isn't he a cutie?
ps. A few of you have indicated you want more info about my labor... feel free to call or email me (carlyjane35@gmail.com).

Meet our Little Man

Raymond John
Born Friday, June 5th @ 12:11pm\
8lbs 14 oz, 21 inches long

Isn't he beautiful? When the pushing got hard Jeremy motivated me to keep going by saying, "Carly, his hair is red!" I had honestly mentally prepared myself for a very dark haired boy... and was shocked to be blessed with a little redhead. I couldn't be happier.

Labor started sometime on Thursday, with consistent contractions coming about 8:30 that night. By 2:30am we headed to the hospital. Since I'm new to this whole pregnancy, labor, and delivery business I was a little unsure of my ability to know when it was "the real thing." Happily for me, I was well on my way (dialed to a four and fully effaced). About ten hours later (after a lot of sitting in the rocking chair, doing acrobatics to flip him from being posterior, and pushing for what seemed like eternity) little Raymond John was welcomed to the world.

I must say that I love being a mother. I love holding him and feeding him and kissing his soft chubby cheeks. Despite being what every nurse and doctor called a "big boy," he just seems so tiny to me. I marvel at his perfect little fingers and toes and his sweet little presence in our home.

We are adjusting to each other--spending lot of time bonding in the middle of the night particularly--and find we'll keep each other. My mom has been here all week and has been such a great support, help, and cook (besides being just fun to hang out with).

I apologize for only having pictures from the hospital for today's post. I have taken more (and even have some of the nursury, Kendra!), I just need to get them downloaded. The good news is the internet is here to stay... and soon the pictures of my Little Man will overflow.

All my love,

cj