A little back-story: Last year, my sister tried to surprise me for my birthday. She and Derek drove up from Georgia for the weekend and tried to keep it quiet, but Mendy’s refusal to tell “white lies” in the surprise efforts ruined the surprise effect. I walked in the front door of Momma’s house and yelled to her – hiding in the kitchen – “Hi, Mendy!” She came out with her hands on her hips and said, “How did you know!?”
So this year, I was determined to show her how a birthday surprise really works.
On Monday of last week, I told Kyle, “I’m thinking about going to Virginia with my parents this weekend. What do you think?” He was going to be working on Saturday, so it would be a Kyle-less trip, and I didn’t want to take off without him if he’d rather I didn’t. So he said he didn’t mind, and my plotting began.
I called Kyle’s mom, told my mom, and between the four of us who knew, we wove a web of deceit that ultimately culminated in this moment:
While I was taking this picture, I said, “Now THIS is how you do a birthday surprise!”
She responded by slapping my arm, calling me a dog, and stealing my baby.
We had a really great visit with the Goebels. It was good to see their new place, meet a few of their new friends, and visit with them.
Ok, the pictures. I know it’s what you came here for anyway.
This month has kinda kicked my behind most recently. But in the spirit of Thanksgiving, I shall choose to focus on the positive. I think it will do my heart and my mind good.
I am thankful for:
* my husband, Kyle Polk. His sense of humor and levelheadedness keep me balanced. He is the yin to my yang. He’s such a great father to our daughter. He’s a good man to have in the family — I think we all agree. He’s one in a million-bazillion.
* Ivalee. I know most moms think their babies are awesome. But seriously, she is such a good baby. So good that I’m hesitant to consider future children. We couldn’t be lucky enough to strike gold twice.
* our church and the people there. We’ve been through some strange stuff in the past few weeks and month. And we haven’t scared them off yet. It must be true, then. They are just good people. So glad to have them in our life.
* my family. The whole of it. My parents and siblings and my mother-in-law. Good people. They have all celebrated Iva’s arrival and have been so helpful and understanding and accomodating. Selflessly going out of their ways to be helpful. So nice.
* my job. Like any other job, it has it’s days. But on the whole, FBC is a good place to work. I have caring coworkers who love me and care for me and my family. Most work environments aren’t as awesome as mine.
* good friends. They are not a dime a dozen. In fact, quite the opposite. A good friend is a thing of great value. Good ones stand with you through the tough stuff and big life transitions as easily as through the simple, fun times. We have been blessed with great friends who not only stand with us, but cheer for us and pray for us in good and bad.
Cooling temperatures, favorite Holiday (Thanksgiving), my birthday (13th — a Friday this year! awesome!), decorating for Christmas, Holiday crafting and shopping.
We spent a few days in Hampton this past weekend. It was Iva’s first trip to her Granny Ede’s house. Ms. Edith had a lot of the family over for dinner and to meet Ivalee.
It was also a good weekend to visit, since two of Kyle’s good friends were visiting their families that weekend — one from Charlotte and the other from Seattle.
It is becoming apparent to me that Iva loves all bouncy seats — except the one at our house. She’ll kick and play and smile and try to “talk” to the toys above her head when she’s bouncing in the seats at my mom’s house or Kyle’s mom’s house. But not on the one at home.
But who needs a bouncy seat, when you’ve got Daddy’s legs?
Does that look like a comfy napping spot, or what?
Cuddling with Aunt RoseAnn
Isn’t she lovely?
Even in ugly old orange and purple! Ms. Edith’s boyfriend, Doug, is a former Clemson football player and HUGE fan. They bought this onesie for her and they all wore their attire during the game. We all credit Ivalee with the Clemson win on Saturday.
Kyle’s Four Generations Picture
Getting kisses from Philip
We have pictures of Kyle’s grandma, Iva Lee, holding baby Kyle in this rocking chair.
Saturday was a very special day. First of all, these two happy people were wed:
Mr. Brian and Mrs. Jana O’Grady
(Jana is Kyle’s cousin)
This marked Ivalee’s fourth wedding she’s attended in her 9 weeks of life. (Apparently 2009 is a year for having babies and getting married if you’re in my circle!) But also, and most importantly, she got to meet some very important people. People who have been waiting to meet her for many months.
Ivalee was named for Kyle’s paternal grandmother, Iva Lee Bishop Polk, who passed away when Kyle and I were in high school. And Jana, the bride, is a cousin of Kyle’s in the Bishop family. So we were there to meet Iva Lee’s people. (Some I had met. Some I had not.) Among those were some of her closest friends. Those who miss her still and are honored, in her absence, by our choice to give her a namesake.
First, there’s Aunt Virginia Bishop. She was married to Iva Lee’s brother, Walton. From the stories I’ve heard, Iva Lee & Gordon and Virginia & Walton were very close. They went camping together often and were all very close. (I’m sure John or Kyle or someone in the family could tell more interesting stories, but … I’m still learning!)
And Chloe and Salome Bishop — sisters and Iva Lee’s double first cousins. (They are the ladies who made the stuffed dog for Ivalee that’s in her crib, pictured here.) And it was almost dinnertime. She didn’t cry the whole time they held her! Promise!
All three ladies were so thrilled to get a chance to love on our little one. And Chloe told me at one point while she was holding her, “This baby has made a lot of people very happy. Especially me!”
Jana does a great job of illustrating almost everyone’s first reaction to seeing her: touching the hair. Though I understand, after this weekend, she shouldn’t be surprised by it. Apparently that’s a Bishop family trait!
Ben Folds was the musician that Kyle and I could agree on in the car. “Songs for Silverman” is particularly good for its “pop”-ness and sing-along-ability that satisfies me. And yet it also appeals to Kyle, the opinionated, and often highly selective (which is a nice way of saying “picky”) Musician.
But this weekend, as we drove from Charlotte to Columbia, this song came on.
And I was glad I was putting on my make-up so I was already covering my eyes. Kyle couldn’t see the tears.
__
Also, she’s up to 11 lbs. 12 oz. and handled her shots better than I did. She’s awesome.
There’s a lady who comes into my office quite regularly for a box of food from our food pantry. I see her often enough that she and I are on a first name basis. She’s always very friendly and asked, during the past several months, how I was feeling, how the pregnancy was going, what I was having, etc. etc.
Well this morning, she was put on my Bad List.
P: “Hey, Mrs. Rita. You had your baby?”
me: (thinks, as I do every time I hear this question) “No, I’m the world’s smallest 11-month pregnant woman.” (says, with a smile) “Yes ma’am.”
P: “A little girl or a little boy?”
me: “A girl. Her name’s Iva.”
P: “Ohh. That’s so nice. Well, do you have some food assistance?”
me: “I’m not sure. I haven’t been over there yet this morning. Let me check.” (gets up from desk and walks past where she’s sitting to get to the door)
P: (says as I pass) “Ooooh. You did put on some weight.”
This weekend, I took Ivalee (and Craig and Amy brought Nathan too!) to meet my (our) grandparents and family in Georgia. It was a whirlwind trip, putting 800 miles on the new car in just three days, but it was a very good trip!! We got to spend good time with everyone and though it was quick, nothing really felt rushed, so that was good.
with my Aunt Barbara
Her newest trick is to mimic facial expressions when you’re talking to her. She’ll move her mouth like she’s trying so hard to talk. It’s pretty cute. That’s what’s happening here, I think.
Mendy was sad that she and Derek and Wesley didn’t get to come, so we Skyped with them so Pappaw could “meet” Wesley.
The Goebels … as they really are.
with Mama Dot — my mom’s stepmom. She and my Pappaw have been married for 19 years.
with my Pappaw
Bathtime in the sink
This is Mrs. Rita Harris — my mom’s best friend, for whom I was named. (She also reads my blog! Hi, Mrs. Rita!! I’ll send you a copy of this picture asap! Glad you got to hold her / meet her / come for a visit!!)
Craig’s Four Generations Picture with my mom’s side
My Four Generations Picture
Kyle said this picture looks like American Gothic – Grandparents Edition
Me, holding a baby, trying to tell someone how to use my camera
We tried Skype with Granny, but she didn’t really understand what was happening. Aunt Janice and Aunt Karen enjoyed it, though! And Mendy got to show Wesley off again.
Today was my first day back on the job after Maternity Leave. I didn’t really know what to think about today, going into it. I had very mixed emotions. Naturally, I was sad about having to leave her and go back to work 7.5 hours out of the day, 5 days a week. But I’m the type of person who kinda craves a routine, so I was somewhat anxious to see what our New Routine would look like.
Kyle had requested to come in a little later to work this morning so he could help me get ready and get her ready on my first day back. SO thoughtful, and I couldn’t have possibly gotten everything done without him today. I learned very quickly that an hour and a half isn’t nearly enough and tomorrow, I’ll have to get up at least 30 minutes earlier to do everything by myself!!
So this morning, I set my alarm for 6:30, and got up at 6:45. I showered and dried my hair while Kyle entertained her and changed her diaper. Then I fed her and tried to apply my makeup while Kyle showered and then picked my clothes out for work. Then I dressed her and jumped in my clothes while he put her in her carseat and got her ready to go to Gran’s for the day. He dropped her off and I went to work, RIGHT ON TIME, but not a minute early.
My mom (“Gran”) is keeping her while I work, which is awesome. I know she doesn’t really see it as a sacrifice at all and she’s completely happy to do it, but it’s really the only reason I feel ok about being back at work at all. I know she’s well taken care of! And my mom brings her to the office at lunch time so I can feed her and spend some time with her in the middle of the day. It was a nice way to “divide” the day today.
Back in the office this morning, I spent a lot of time cleaning up my desk, sorting through six weeks worth of papers, and trying to re-familiarize myself with my surroundings. I felt it was a very productive day because my desk was cleaner and more organized when I left than it was when I arrived — though that seems like it might be a little backwards … and, in truth, it probably is.
Anyway. All said and done, it was good to get back in the office. It’s kinda the best of both worlds, with my mom “at the reins” with Iva, making sure I get to spend as much time with her as possible at lunch. And me back at work, being productive because apparently that’s important to me!
