The First Day of Spring

Today is March 21st...the first day of spring, right? Chicago must have missed the memo, because instead of butterflies and budding flowers we got snowfall - the first in weeks!

Micah's new ride

Over the last month or so, whenever I picked Micah up in the car seat, I felt like I was weightlifting. Carrying his 18 lbs, plus the weight of the car seat was my work-out for the day whenever we ran errands.

Micah was reaching the maximum height limit (his feet were already hanging over the edge), and was only about 4 lbs away from the weight maximum for the car seat. So, this weekend he upgraded! Scotty and I spent who knows how long in the baby section of Toys 'R Us, examining every car seat model, comparing prices, reading the specs...we finally made a decision and Micah finally has a "new ride" - a big boy car seat. He seems to like it - especially the bar in front that he can touch or pound on.

Unlike his infant car seat, this new car seat stays docked in the car. Now all I have to carry around is Micah's 18 lbs.

Ukraine, green man and an ivy design

For Valentine's Day my sweet and thoughtful husband got me a gift certificate to a spa and salon. Spending money to pamper and primp myself is not something I can readily justify doing, so having a gift certificate gave me no excuse - I had to go now!

Today was the day I redeemed my gift certificate by getting a haircut and a pedicure. It was so nice! Not only was it nice, but it was very educational and even comical at times...

Chicago is full of different ethnicities and cultures. In some parts of the city, there are various cultures, peoples and languages all mixed together. Then there are some pockets in Chicago which are like mini countries - Chinatown, Little Italy, Greektown, Ukrainian Villiage, etc. In these places, it can really feel like an international experience on American soil. I love it!

The salon I went to was right in the middle of Ukrainian Village. From the moment I walked in, I knew this was going to be a cultural experience, and I was looking forward to it! The woman who owned the store was Ukrainian, but was fluent in English. Everyone else (who worked there and came in as a customer) was not fluent in English, but rather Ukrainian. I felt immersed in their culture for a short time and I enjoyed this time to learn.

I was able to get to know Sasha, who has been in the States for only 1 year. Her two daughters are still in Ukraine with Sasha's parents. She's getting established here in the States, and will hopefully be reunited with her girls soon. Wow, it must be so hard for her to be apart from them. Micah and I have only parted for one night! She showed me pictures of her girls, their visits to Chicago, as well as the various nail designs that she's done. She is good at what she does! My favorite design was an ivy/leaf design which I saw in her photo album.

While getting my nails done, I glanced up at the window and saw the funniest sight of my day. There was a man in a green sweatshirt peering into the salon. And it wasn't just a look as he walked by, but a complete nose-against-the-glass stare at those of us inside and he had this grin on his face. I pretended I didn't see him, but when I looked up a moment later, he was still there! Ha! When he finally left, I could still see the fog mark on the glass from him pressing up close to it. Oh wow, was I laughing inside. Who knows if he was a friend of the owner, or just a stranger?

My time at the salon was coming to a close, but Sasha said, "I will do something fun - for free." She then proceeded to do the ivy design on my nails. It was so sweet of her! She had remembered that that was my favorite design from her portfolio nail album, and she gave it to me for free! For a single mom in the States, trying to get her girls back with her, money is precious, yet she was not concerned about that at the moment. She just wanted to give me, a young mom, something "fun" and shiny on her toes.

I don't know if I'll ever make it to Ukraine in person, but I was able to get just a taste of this rich culture during my night at the salon.

Rolling

I rarely ever get up in the morning before Micah does - he is my alarm clock. I usually wake to the sound of him "talking" to his friends (the frog, dragonfly, toucan and monkey that smile down on him from his crib mobile). I hear squeaks and coos drifting down the hallway as Micah tells his friends how well he slept the night before. As he occupies and entertains himself, I drag myself out of bed to go and get him. I'm so glad he's joyful in the mornings - it balances out my grouchiness for having to be awake (I am not an early bird).

This morning when Micah, my dear alarm clock, woke me up, he sounded different. He was so much louder than usual. Instead of an occasional squeak or coo, there were all out grunts coming from his room. His volume just kept increasing, and I soon discovered why.

When I walked into his room, I found him at a different part of the crib as usual (see "Tossing and Turning all night"). This time he was not on his back, but on his stomach, pushing himself up, strongly protesting his new position. He had rolled himself over completely! And, instead of being proud of his achievement (as his mother was), he was purely frustrated that he was on his tummy (which he dislikes, see "Tummy Time"), and wanted to be flipped over or picked up as soon as possible.

I was so excited. My son can finally roll over by himself - well, at least he's done it once...

Baby Martaz

Tonight Micah and I went to the hospital to meet Martaz Wilson who was born just two days ago. Martaz was born to Tezo and Diamond (she is my next door neighbor). It was such an interesting experience for me to step onto the postpartum floor of the hospital. So many memories of my own experience of the first few days of motherhood, just 6 months ago, flooded my mind.

I got to hold Martaz (nicknamed Tezo just like his dad). Though Micah was that little only a few months back, holding a newborn feels so different to me now. It's like I've forgotten how to be normal with a baby that size. I had to remember to support his head, hold him close, be gentle with him...

What a blessing to be able to meet Baby Martaz tonight...and see Diamond again, the glowing new mom!

10 Spider Lords

Scotty's parents live in the Phoenix area. So out of curiosity, last night Scott decided to research insects and creepy crawlies of Arizona. I soon joined him and saw some crazy pictures of spiders, scorpions, kissing bugs, snakes...some of these images would give anybody the heeby-jeebys.

After we got our fill of scary creatures, we headed off to bed. When I woke up this morning, I remembered a dream that I had during the night...

Scott and I were living in Arizona, with a nice sized backyard. There were many spiderwebs strewn over our porch overhang and several other areas of our backyard. We knew the spiders lived there, but we were on good terms with the creatures, so it wasn't that bad. Some reckless boy came through one day and demolished many of the webs, upsetting the spider population and culture in our backyard.

Scott and I were so worried that the friendly relationship we had with the spiders would take a turn for the worst due to the recent web demolition. We did not want these spiders to think we were the ones who had ruined their homes, for we knew they would get angry at us and maybe do something to us. So, late that night we had a meeting with the 10 spider lords - the leaders of the 10 species of spiders we had living in our backyard.

It was like a scene from Lord of the Rings. These spider lords were small, as they should be, but they were all neatly standing in a row, and spoke with great wisdom and composure as the moonlight shown down on them. They represented their spider species, and did not consider the web demolition to be a laughing matter. They were respected by those whom they led, as well as by Scott and I.

We explained the truth of the web crisis, saying it was not us, but a reckless boy who had destroyed them. We apologized for what had happened. The 10 spider lords took our words to heart and appreciated the explanation. We then made a plan to have them occupy the back part of our yard, and they would have complete rule of that area. They would not be disturbed by us.

Scott and I were able to release our worry of the spiders doing something bad to us. The 10 spider lords would go back and led their species well. We had a good relationship with the spiders once again.

That's all folks. I know, it's strange, but I can't control my dreams! The moral of this story? Don't look at pictures of spiders before you go to bed.

The Gap

Scott and I aren't really big clothes shoppers, but we found ourselves in The Gap yesterday because of some gift certificates we have. Both of us tried on some clothes, but soon discovered that Gap's style is intended for, well, the more "fit" individuals. Let's just say that Scott and I have become more "relaxed" since marriage...Scott and I both have a gut - him from my cooking and his sweet tooth, and me from my pregnancy baby weight (though Micah is 6 months old)...

The only one in this household wearing Gap is Micah - and that because it's a jacket he received from someone else. Looks like his gut is making it a little difficult to wear too...

6 months old!

Today Micah is six months old! Though he does not yet sit up on his own...or crawl...or hold his upper body up while doing tummy time (which he still dislikes)...he can finally hold his own bottle...and while wearing some really cute boy clothes! Just check him out.

BMC

Micah and I just returned from viewing the BMC (Breakthrough Ministry Center), where the administrative and men's services staff of Breakthrough are hard at work moving in! Scott happens to be one such individual - he's been packing, moving, and unpacking all day long. Micah and I were able to catch him for lunch for a break and pizza with some Breakthrough staff members.

The completion of the BMC is an incredible gift from God - the capital campaign, demolition and construction have been in the works for the last few years. It is finally done and we are all praising God! It will be the new home for the 30 homeless men that are involved in Breakthrough's Men Services program, as well as the new location for the administrative offices (where Scotty spends his time working hard), and Breakthrough's Employment Program. There may be other programs and people re-locating, but you'd have to ask Scott about the details, I don't know everything! I just know that this 24,000 sq. ft. building is beautiful and reminds me of God's goodness to those who love and are serving Him.

There should be some updates on Breakthrough's web-site soon, so check it out for yourself! Feel free to give to further the ministry at Breakthrough if you feel so inclined. :-) www.breakthroughministries.com