Savoring Every Moment .... Living in Today....

What I was up to this early Autumn...

2009-10-28T19:13:00.001-05:00

Soo... August 29th I woke up with horrid abdominal pain and tried to take showers, baths, irritable bowel medicine, deep breathing, and nothing worked. So I loaded up R and L (T was at a birthday party) and went into the small private hospital in Huntsville. I waited in the waiting room for almost 4 hours and was eventually given a room where they did an xray of my chest and abdomen and lab work. Everthing seemed normal so they gave me Loritab and Zofran and sent me on my way home (after I slept for 45 minutes.) Luckily, I was blessed by a good samaritain who held Lucas the last half hour before I got to a room and stayed until a friend came to get the kids.

So I went and got my meds and went home for the night. I slept restlessly and the next day the pain was not helped at all by the loritab. I went to Facebook and said that I was in the ER the night before and didn't think the medicine was working. A friend called and offered to bring chicken noodle soup (I wasn't eating at this point).. I was grateful that I didn't have to worry about dinner for the kids. But, when she got to the house she looked at me and told me we were going back to the hospital right then. She took the kids to my neighbor and had me in the car in less than 5 minutes.

She saved my life.

I waited in the ER again for a few hours. Right before I got a room I was unable to stand, sit, lean, or do anything without extreme pain. I didn't think I could go on. Somehow a room came open and all I remember is getting on the bed. (Everything else I tell you is what I have been told) I was apparently conscious and explained how bad I was feeling and my history of gastric bypass. They did more xrays and lab work. (Looking at the xray report today it says there was too much gas too see anything on the xray) and then I waited and waited and waited. I was not out of pain even with the medication they were giving me. I told the nurses that I didn't care if it killed me I needed more pain medicine. I was admitted and the next day late in the afternoon the surgeon came in and knew what was wrong just by looking at me and my history. A u/s confirmed it (I remember the u/s tech getting very scared by what she saw on the screen). The surgeon told me I needed surgery and I agreed (I think I would have agreed to anything to get the pain to go away).

The doctor called P in Afghanistan and told him I was very sick and that she had contacted Red Cross to get him home quickly. My next door neighbor and friends had been by my side or checking in on me all day and they were told to get my family here quickly because I had a slim chance of surviving. My family was here in 15 hours (when I say family I mean the whole crew) and they stayed by my side as I went through a total of 4 surgeries and two procedures.

So what happened? I had a complication from the gastric bypass in October of 2005 (complications are most likely to happen in the period of 3-5 years post op). My small intestine had corkscrewed up between the sutures in my stomach and created a hernia that then became infected. I lost almost all of my small intestine (only 15cm remain) and my left intestine (I had an anurysm in my left intestine and they were not able to repair it with an angiogram). I was intubated for close to three weeks and was on the brink of death's door way too many times. I was transported to the large hospital in town after 8 days at the small hospital (the small hospital did not have the equipment for the angiogram). So.. I woke up on September 14/15th and started to find out what happened.

I am left with a JG tube connected to my stomach that drains my stomach and small intestine contents (and any liquids I drink .. no food for me). I'm home with home health and TPN (liquid nutrition) for possibly the rest of my life. I'm hoping to have a reconstructive surgery that will expand my small intestine to a size large enough to connect to my colon so that I can eat again and not have a tube sticking out of my belly.

The kids have been amazing through all of this and until today Mom has been here by my side. She's still who she is and I have to accept that and go on. So I did. I drove for the first time in almost two months today (with my next door neighbor by my side) to pick R and L up from school. Mom may not come back and other than being disappointed in her and unable to sleep tonight, I know that I'm strong enough to go on and I have a great support system here if I get wobbly at all (even if I don't .. a great neighbor took T to and from karate tonight even though they didn't pick their grandson up.) Oh.. P is back in Afghanistan and hates that I'm not on the computer as much as I used to be.. I even got him addicted to facebook... and now I'm barely online.

So what's been up with you and your life?

Tough choices and ignoring outside opinions

2009-06-09T08:21:00.003-05:00

Yesterday a friend asked me if P was second thinking his deployment (less than a month away) to the sandbox. I assured her that he can't back out now due to a contract and the fact that we really need the influx of funds. Her point was that money can't be worth the possibility of P being killed. Yes, there is a chance that P could be harmed while he assists in the reconstruction effort. But, he will not be in any active fighting and we found out yesterday that his duty station is in a safe compound. The thing is.. P would have willingly served over there years ago but did not want to leave when his father was so ill. P believes in supporting the mission of our country. So, yes.. the time he serves over in the sandbox will help us dig out of financial mess. But, he will also be doing what he believes in.

My relationship with P has been strenuous. I'd love to say that it's all his fault. But, it's not. He has been very insecure since before I had gastric bypass and he truly believes that I'll leave him for another guy. The thing is.. I've had a baby in the last year and the last thing I'm thinking about is carnal pleasures. I'd much rather have my beauty sleep. Other than that.. it's the financial stress that's bringing us to odds. We both believe that stress will be gone when he gets back. So.. once again. Things are rough right now.. but I believe in fighting for our marriage. I'm not willing to throw in the towel.

I'm a people pleaser. I try to make everyone happy and at times do it without thinking about the reprecussions to my own life. I can't and won't do that any longer. I'm not about to do something that makes a friend more comfortable but leaves me in a bad place with P. I can't and won't hurt myself to please others..

Summer thoughts

2009-06-05T11:05:00.002-05:00

T is out of school for the summer after the school year was extended due to the swine flu. He ended the school year with the highest marks possible for a first grader (why on Earth do they refuse to use the A,B,C grading system?). I'm very proud of his hard work this year and the changes he has made. He's still a seven year old boy but he's also a considerate, kind, and curious person. I wouldn't want him any other way.

With the end of the school year came R's ballet recital, another belt test for T, and PTA Board Elections for myself. We all did very well and we will not have much down time with all of our interests. The PTA commitments have already started and P is overwhelmed by the amount of time that is needed. I feel for him, but we have work to do and I can't bow out because he's stressed out.

I don't know if P and I will make it after he returns from the sandbox. He left two weeks ago after I tried to address an issue a neighbor had with how P handled a violent situation between our boys. P was ready to pounce the boy but I stepped in the way. The other parents said that the police would be involved if it ever happened again. P thought I was taking their side. I was really just trying to be the devil's advocate and I wanted to protect P and T from future trouble. P was so angry and sure that I was choosing my friends over him that he couldn't see straight. He was able to calm down and come home. But, I'm not able to sweep things under the rug like that. So I've allowed him to come home and we seem to be OK but I have to wonder what will set him off next. The sucky part is that my marriage is rocky right now but so is my friendship with the neighbor. I feel like she is judging my family and if I don't take her wisdom.. well I feel like I'm wrong. What works for her may not work for me and vice versa. I just miss having that close buddy. Maybe we will get better once P leaves and that comment kills her.. but I don't know what else to say.

But.. on a brighter note. R has two new friends who we are playing with and I enjoy hanging out with their Mom too. She's crafty too and made R a few hairbows yesterday and it sparked me to make some more and to pull out other crafty notions. So much for cleaning the house today.

Busy yet content

2009-05-01T23:02:00.004-05:00

I barely give myself time to sit down and think through what will happen in the next year. Instead I'm staying busy with the kids and other projects. I'm increasing my activity with the PTA at T's school and I am working on my garden and yard. I am hoping and praying that P is deployed to Afghanistan so that we can get out of debt. I am so tired of money being the reason why we can't do the smallest things. I've had to be honest with T and explain that we don't have a lot of money to spend on toys right now and that we understand it is disappointing but that we will always try to give him everything he needs and most of what he wants.

We are in the middle of a county wide School System shut down due to swine flue. A school less than two miles from our home has had three probable cases (95% chance of being positive)of H1N1 (swine flu). P and I made a decision to keep the kids at home until we know what the full extent of the outbreak that has hit our area. L is immunocompromised due to his history of RSV at Christmas and he is also scheduled for surgery May 14th. He has a possible undescended testicle. The pediatric urologist is going to go in via his belly button to see what is going on and will find out if his testicle can be pulled down. If it is down and irregular it will be removed and the other testicle will be checked to make sure it is healthy. So, we are already trying to stay healthy for surgery and the last thing we need is Swine Flu to hit our household. So that means no karate, mall, or anything until the facts are all available. I did make it out to Wal Mart this evening sans kids and I have to say that it was a ghost town. There were no lines and I saw more employees than customers. It was like I was shopping at 2am instead of 7pm on Friday, May 1st. Hopefully the shut down of schools and parks has helped stop the spread of the swine flu in our community.

P and I are well. We could be better but I think a lot of our issues are more stress related. I wish he would be more concerned and he wishes I would let him de-stress via primal means. Oh boy. He is getting worried that here will go on without him. I'm worried about how bad our life will be if something holds up his deployment.

So, I have a site that I did some local restaurant and restroom reviews on a while back. I think I'm going to bring it back to life and do more reviews. I'll do anything that I get in the mail via samples, restaurants, and stores. I might also review websites. It can't hurt anything and it might help another consumer. Tomorrow night I'm hosting a House Party for Clairol. I picked out my new shade tonight and I hope the other ladies who come have a great time socializing and changing our looks. There will be a bunch of laughter, pictures, food, and drinks.

Oh and the last way I'm entertaining myself instead of worrying about everyday life? I'm playing Farm Town on Facebook. It addicting and fun and I need more neigbors darn it all.

Fresh look for spring

2009-03-21T23:25:00.002-05:00

I was able to get a new look on the blog to celebrate spring. Spring has sprouted here and my spirit is relieved to see the new growth. I am excited to say that my vegetable garden plots have new dirt and just need a bit more work before I can plant my seeds and young plants in a few weeks (we will be frost free by mid April). I have landscaping modifications to make as well. The work outside is luring me away from all the work in the house. I will have to make a deal with myself to get something done inside before going out tomorrow morning. That is if I can move after the work I did today.

P has a deployment date for the sandbox, July 5th. We got a bit more time than most people because P's current project needs to be wrapped up before he leaves the country. Oh my goodness, P is really leaving for a year. But, he will get three two week morale trips. Plus we will be compensated very well for the "sacrifice" of time and hazardous conditions. T is emotional about it but we are talking it through. R has asked a few questions and said she's not happy but isn't dwelling as much as T. L is going to change the most and I'm going to have to utilize youtube more once P is gone. I just hope we can make it financially in the next three and a half months until P leaves. Because we are soo tight on money right now. It's crazy how junk keeps popping up here and there.

It was spring break for T this week and we didn't do a lot and that was nice. I did get out of the house a bit without the kids. I left them with P. I'm doing that a bit more and not letting myself feel guilty for that. I would be doing this even if P weren't going out of the country. I need to be able to think and breathe without the kids all over me. However the kids and I did make a few trips out of the house too. We went to the Birmingham Zoo and then T and I went out with a few other kids and their Mom's to bowl for a while. It was fun and relaxing.

Now I have a bunch of to-do items before P leaves. I have to learn how to do normal things that I just leave for P. I should be able to do most, but I just don't because then P has to do them *grin*. I also want to get a security system (yes it's an added expense .. but it's peace of mind too) installed and get some sort of insulation on the garage door. We barely used the family room in January and February because it was soo much colder in there. Plus, there is the normal laundry, dishes, clean the garage after a winter of throwing things out there, sort through toys and kids clothes (keep, toss, donate/sell), and paint more rooms. I'm not happy if I'm not pulled a million ways and I'm definitely feeling the pull now. But, I also have to say that I'm not as down as I was a two months or even a few weeks ago.

excuse the dust

2009-03-21T00:29:00.002-05:00

I got a wild hair up my nose to change my theme here and it seems I made a big boo boo and blogger doesn't like me. I'll have to try again.. maybe on Sunday. Tomorrow is too busy with dirt (gardening and landscaping) and karate (if T is healthy enough to make it).

Sorry!!

A glass of wine to accomany an update..

2009-03-10T20:13:00.002-05:00

So, I am 3/4 through a glass of wine. I feel disconnected which is really good for a day like today. So whatever I say can not be used against me at another time. I LOVE BULLETS (you really don't want to know how many times it took me to type those three words). :)

1. Things are always less complicated when you add a glass of good wine.
2. P is most likely (95%) going to Afgh@nistan this summer and will be gone for a year. This is great for my family's financial future and truthfully he's at just as much risk here in the states in a building off base.
3. T is still doing great at school but we have doubled his meds because he was distracted easier around PE time and through the evening. Hopefully the increase will help, if not we are looking at a patch type medication.
4. R did not make it to dance class tonight because I could not find her bag with her shoes in it. I have no idea where it could be and that infuriates me (but I have wine on board so I will deal with it tomorrow).
5. Our tax return has been spent without saving for our vacation. Whatever that was going to be a huge headache and if we can still find a way to go it will be after P leaves and well it will cost a lot less. Whatever... I really wanted it but next summer will have an awesome vacation because P will be getting back from the desert.
6. P's bosses are being $h!ts and making our choices complicated. They want him to wait to deploy until a project is done and have told him that he can't have spring break off because of that project. This project has been active for almost two years. I can't put my life on hold because of this project. P is meeting with the big boss tomorrow, hopefully cooler heads will prevail.
7. L is smaller than every other baby I know. I am normally ok with that but.. gggggggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. In the end he is healthy, happy, wanting to eat a diverse number of things, and meeting/exceeding his milestones.
8. R is great but really wants to be in school. I hope I find the right preschool for her next year. She really wants to be in school now but does not understand why she has to wait until August.
9. I hate that money is tight although I know we are still much better off than so many people in the US today. P has a stable job, we have a house that we love, we have food, clothing, and a roof over our head. We could cut back more but it would be painful. P will go to the desert and hopefully our economic concerns will be behind us. I PRAY!

It's been one of those weeks..

2009-02-18T22:09:00.002-06:00

Life hasn't been awful - just consistently frustrating. I'll start with the good things though.. L is starting to crawl (army style.. but still he's moving), R is getting ready for her ballet recital and is sooo tall that she's too big for her scooter and bicycle (we're going to get a new bike at least), T is doing awesome in school and at home (he started @DD medication 2.5 weeks ago), ALL 3 kids sleep in their own beds which are in their own rooms EVERY NIGHT, and last but not least I'm getting my own computer (keep reading to see why this is AWESOME).

However there are clenchers in my life right now:

1. I hate WLS/Gastric Bypass/PCOS/Infertility/Hirutism. My body has betrayed me my entire life. Why should today be any different?
*I'm trying my damnedest to nurse L but he needs supplementation. It was the same with T and R.. so why am I frustrated? Because I want to be NORMAL!
*I hate that a pass gas without any warning. This is embarrassing around my children. How can I be a good role model when I'm letting out air rockets? This doesn't count the times when my gut just decides to start talking to whomever is around. (this is caused by RNY)
*I hate that I have to be conscious of everything that I eat and that I bring it up so often. I don't want to be a martyr. But I feel like I need to let people who are around me what's up in case I start getting all weird. I have to get my protein and vitamins and if I don't I'm a weakling (even more than I've become.. ugh I can't pull the carseat out of the van some days). PLEASE don't serve me pasta as the only dinner option (I'll be in the restroom trying to retch if you do). WLS was a tool to allow me to get to a size that is healthier. I'm at the doctor MORE than I was pre-op. I'm so frickin tired of it. T told me today that he's sorry that I ever had to have the surgery. Right now.. I am too. I'm not happy with my flabby body.. I'm glad I'm skinnier.. but the cost is almost too much. I'm not even sure that my blood pressure is down. I'm just burying my head about that right now because I've got too much other crap going on.
*So I lose 120lbs and you would think everything would be hunky dory right? Nope.. my body is still infertile (and irregular) and my face gets new hairs every day. I've tried laser treatments that caused the hairs to get darker. I'm embarrassed that I may have a 5 o clock shadow some days. How F'd up is that?

2.We entered credit counseling. It will be a great thing in 5 years. But.. today it still sucks. We are in another dry spell of P's overtime and my babysitting is sporadic at times. P has applied to go over seas to work for a year. I'm actually excited about him going because it means that when he gets home we won't have to worry about money as much.

*We did our taxes and already have our federal return. Wohoo! We lost soo much money on the house in VA that our tax return doubled. So we get to pay off some debts, go on a small vacation (because I demanded a vacation), and buy my laptop (because P wants me out of the office and off his computer)

*Money is tight and I'm torn as to whether I want to go back to school, stay home with the three kids we have, have more babies, or just go back to work now and school later. So many options and none of them seem to be the right one for us. Ugh.

3. P is a prick. 90% of the time lately I can say that P has been doing an awesome job. But he's back tracking and he doesn't SEEM care what it costs me. I'm treading water emotionally but I know he would flip out if I said I wanted to go on something to help me out. I can't describe how I feel other than to say I felt the same way a month before I went into the hospital for a week with IBS (only IV morphine and nothing by mouth for a week seemed to work). Needless to say I don't want to go through that again .. however I'm at a loss for what to do.

*P hears me and seems to try.. but he's not really .. and if he does.. he's keeping score.

*I'm constantly trying to please everyone around me and I never please my biggest critic (myself).

*I really want to go to Walt Disney World (this could be almost 50% of what we pain in 2007 due to my brother being in the Air Force Active Duty) this year but my sister is whining that she doesn't want to go with us (she'd rather Nick Suites and Universal) and i really wanted this(a merging of siblings and families to a "neutral destination") to become a family tradition every few years. Now whenever I bring it up she says I need to get a life. The only response i have for her is that this is my escape and I need to plan this escape so I can look forward to it.

* I have to know every possibility and make contingency plans. My life is not allowing that right now.

I'm exhausted and done. The kids are finally all asleep in their own beds.

Murky Waters of 2009

2009-01-26T19:54:00.001-06:00

There are many blessings in my life. My three children and a husband who is (for now) actually stepping up to the plate and is actively here for me. But.. with that we have other junk in our life.

1. T was officially diagnosed with ADHD earlier this month. P wanted to avoid medication. I finally urged him to agree that we couldn't wait any longer. I'm now waiting to see what the school will do and what medication the pediatrician recommends.

2. We are blessed that P has an awesome job that is stable despite the economy. Unfortunately we need overtime to make ends meet and that doesn't happen all the time. Ugh.. we are going to credit counseling this week. I am selling AVON and also babysitting a toddler to help out financially. The AVON will pick up it takes time though.. and the babysitting is well.. inconsistent and the little boy is more aggressive than any child I have ever dealt with. My kids are afraid of him and that's not how I want to earn money. But, if I were to "let him go" I would feel like a failure.. so I soldier on.

3. Another option that P and I feel would be beneficial for our finances would be for him to do a tour "in the sandbox" for a year. The pay would be great because of the sign-on bonus, hazard pay, and overtime. But.. that is still in the works. It takes time and I'm not a patient woman. The idea of him being gone for a year is frightening. However, I'm sure I could do it (run the household) on my own for a year. Why? Because when he threatened to leave I did a mental evaluation and reminded myself that I am strong enough to do anything I set my mind to.

4. L has had a few setbacks in life and I have been on top of them. But.. there is a point when too much information is not good for your mental health. After an appointment today with a genetics specialist we now know that he's normal and healthy but doesn't fit in the mold of "normal" for the medical community.. but in the end he does not have anything huge that can hold him back. This leads us to a final decision .. do we leave the pediatrician that allows a question on P's part to lead to referrals to specialists and invasive testing? or do I just grow a new set of kahonas. I betting it's the new pediatrician. Ugh..

Ok.. I'm done venting I just wanted to get this down on "paper".

Ending 2008

2008-12-31T21:25:00.002-06:00

The more things change the more they stay the same. As we enter 2009 I am so blessed to have a loving family who is healthy (well on the mend) and yet I wonder if my husband and I will be together to celebrate entering 2010. I really hope we are.. the days leading to today were a lot better than today. I don't know what set us off .. but it wasn't an awful day .. just a day that tested us.

If you asked me in 2000 how I expected to celebrate the beginning of 2009.. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't expect a lot of things as they are:
-I'm a mother (in fact .. I've got three beautiful living angels).. 2000 was not a year that allowed me to believe I would be a mother
-I'm living in Alabama.. nope.. I was just getting used to Virginia in 2000 and was sure that if anything we would go back to Florida or Texas.. never Alabama
-I'm drinking hot tea without sugar or cream and it's become a new favorite beverage (not beating the beloved breve.. but still)
-I weigh less than 160 pounds.. Even after fighting like crazy to lose weight in 2000 I was never able to get lower than 240 .. it took gastric bypass to get me here.. and by gosh I want to stay here

How do I expect to see things to be as I welcome in 2019?
-My baby will be ten years old!
-I will have a college degree
-T will have an acceptance letter from his college of choice
-Our family will have traveled
- overseas
- out west.. Seattle, Colorado, Alaska..
-We will not have debt hanging over our heads
-I'll be arguing with R about her outfit for the evening instead of helping her button her pants after a run to the potty
-I'll still be under 160 pounds
-I'll have made a positive influence somewhere outside of my home

Sick and tested

2008-12-28T20:25:00.003-06:00

I've always had the worst luck on holidays, birthdays, and vacations. I have a 90% chance of getting sick. It seems to have come true for L and I this winter break (R is dealing with a small cold but it hasn't slowed her down). L was diagnosed with RSV and a double ear infection the day after Christmas. It was the third day I had spent arguing with myself over whether or not he needed immediate medical attention. I felt like a horse's arse for not getting him in sooner but the doctor said he was doing ok and I had been doing everything right. So until tomorrow's recheck we are home with antibiotics, steroids, and a nebulizer. I don't want to let him out of my sight in case he stops breathing. Needless to say everything else around the house has been pretty well ignored.

Christmas was good other than the sickness. The kids ended up with a lot more than I expected thanks to generous family members. They were tickled pink with everything they got. T even got a surprise present of losing his first tooth during/after Christmas dinner.

Things feel strained between P and I. I don't know what to do because this time feels like a test that I'm doomed to fail. I hate failing and if I'm going to fail no matter what I want to end things now. I don't know how else to tell him this. He seems to be trying now but his idea of trying is well lacking for me and I'm sure he thinks the same of my attempts to try. This time my heart isn't into trying I don't want it to be broken again. I want to get through winter break and get back into our normal and see if we can manage to be kind and loving during that time. It might happen.. right?

Emotional Stuff

2008-12-18T14:54:00.002-06:00

P and I are at it again. What is there to say at this point other than I am fighting to keep my family intact. I'm doing it for my babies. But, I can't do it forever and I'm learning that I can't sacrifice myself for someone who isn't willing to compromise. I hope things will get better. I pray that I can find a way to get us back on the right track. I'm praying more for the wisdom to know how to proceed in working to get things on track and knowing when to let go.

The guests will be here today..

2008-11-26T08:43:00.003-06:00

My to do list has very few things marked off. However, if you think I was propped up doing nothing yesterday afternoon you would be wrong.

T got off the bus at 310 and we did the mad dash to get out the door for karate at 345. We were late again! Ugh. While T was in the first part of karate I went to the bank to deposit a paycheck and ran through the drive-thru at the local coffee shop. I normally love this place but yesterday was horrible. I ordered a small version of my drink (breve one splenda) and the kids drinks (steamed chocolate milk). I expected to pay $4.50 and was charged $7.00. My drink was correct but the kids were way off. I shrugged off the error because they are local and I didn't recognize this guy (Maybe he was new). After karate when the kids tasted their drinks I was ready to(and should have) take the kids through the drive-thru and let them tell the guy how he royally screwed up their precious drinks (they tasted too much like coffee). Instead I listened to the whining all evening. Because we had more places to go..

We hit Wally World for a leotard so that R could wear the tutu I made her. The leotard I bought was too big (she wears 4/5 clothes most of the time) and the tutu that fits with the clothes on doesn't fit with just a leotard. Ballet was fun even with the tutu falling off. T found a friend to play with and now wants to go to ballet every Tuesday. I found a friend to talk to and she was oohing and ahhing over L which is always awesome.

We arrived home at 7pm with enough time for me to make dinner (leftovers anyone) and help T unload the dishwasher. By the time dinner was over and I checked my e-mail one last time I was exhausted. My rear-end was in R's trundle by 9pm. (I'm sleeping with her in her room to encourage her to stay there all night long.. we're giving her a week.)

Today the dishwasher is running and most of the "other" dishes have been washed by hand. I need to get up (quietly.. L is sleeping) and lay L down and get back to work. I'll update later. tata!

Thanksgiving Prep

2008-11-25T12:19:00.003-06:00

I need to get myself in gear for Thanksgiving dinner which is in 44 hours. I'm not counting down or anything.

Cleaning to do list:
Playroom:
- pick up toys (in progress)
- vacuum

Bathrooms
- scrub toilets
- clean sinks and showers
- mop floors

Office
- declutter
- vacuum

kids rooms
- pick up
- vacuum
- make beds

kitchen
- ~~empty/load dishwasher~~ (lather, rinse, repeat)
- wipe down counters
- sweep
- mop
- ~~take out recycling~~

(are you ready to cry with me yet?)

Thanksgiving dinner Prep
I have already planned the menu, made the pie shells (they are chilling in the fridge, made roll dough (currently rising), and started thawing the turkey.

I need to:
- make the pie fillings and bake the pies
- make the green bean casserole
- sweet potato casserole
- mash potatoes
- make sausage balls and slice cheese for snacks
- make cranberry sauce
- ~~bake rolls~~
- prepare stuffing
- cook turkey
- make gravy

oh and I have to ~~call the furniture place and get my last two chairs~~ (the chairs will be here at lunch time). I want a nap already.

Homemade gifts

2008-11-16T08:47:00.003-06:00

This year is going to be an especially personalized year with homemade gifts. I'm so excited to make the gifts instead of buying something they may or may not like. By doing a bit of research each gift will be personalized for the recipient. I'm planning to make tutus for the girls in my family (if this works out well I may try to sell a few at the ballet school). For the teachers, bus driver, and neighbors I'm planning to make baked goodies or something of that nature. L is going to get a blanket from me and T make get a blanket as well. When I was talking to my sister yesterday she mentioned that she is making denim purses for her girls and my daughter R.

I'm hoping to save some money on the gifts by making them at home. Spending a lot of money on the holidays this year is not really an option. Hopefully, the personalized gifts will be a hit with everyone.

This post was inspired by the Parent Bloggers Network and sponsored by Klutz. Check out this special offer from Klutz - free shipping and a free copy of the award-winning Activity Book (a $14.95 value) when you order $50+ via this link. Just click it!

Now all I have to do is budget my time to finish these projects. Here is a tutu that I made with a stuffed model.

Thanksgiving Dinner

2008-11-09T17:49:00.003-06:00

Thanksgiving for the last ten years has almost always included a long car trip and always Thanksgiving dinner at someone else's house. This year I'm finally hosting Thanksgiving at my house. My in-laws will be coming to join us for the festivities. I'm guessing there will be approximately 15 people at Thanksgiving dinner and 22 for dessert. I'm super excited and need to start a grocery list.

Parent Bloggers Network asked bloggers to share their experiences with homemade Thanksgiving dinners. I'm thinking of lessons learned from previous Thanksgivings.

1 - Never allow the men folk to cook the Turkey. The refuse to follow, err .. read, the directions. The fire alarm will go off, the wrapping will be melted to the turkey, and you will enjoy a great pizza with the stuffing.

2- If you are new to the family and trying to impress my grandmother.. do not leave lumps in the mashed potatoes. Not a single one. This cousin's wife is no longer in the family.. I wonder if that's why.

3- Don't talk to my mother too much or too little.. there will be drama if you forget this rule.

4- Remember that Thanksgiving is about being Thankful not the other ten thousand dramas in your life.

I thought there was more.. but apparently I have blacked it all out!

This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Butterball.

My first youtube video

2008-10-16T08:46:00.003-05:00

This one is a couple of weeks old and taken on my digital camera.. but it was available for me to try youtube.

L is 11 weeks in this video and he's taking the opportunity to show off his dimples and voice.

Randomness at it's best

2008-10-10T11:34:00.005-05:00

Ten Things I Wish I Could Say to Ten Different People

1. "Chew with your mouth closed!"
2. "Can you please stop talking about your status?"
3. "I stopped talking to you because I can't understand your stupidity"
4. "Have more faith in who you are"
5. "You made your life what it is!"
6. "I'm proud of you"
7. "Stop acting like Mom"
8. "Why do you wring your hands? It hurts your heart.. literally"
9. "Thank you"
10. "Are southern manners really that bad?"

Nine Things about Myself....

1. I have a fast temper
2. I dreamed of running a home for children (still do sometimes) when I was 12
3. I have a fear of being hurt by organized religion
4. I am an only child .. yet I have six siblings that I know of.. and have only met 3 of them
5. My first job was at Toys R Us
6. I can read a novel in a day.. well when there are no kids around
7. I have nursed babies for 2 1/5 years of my life.. so far
8. The national anthem makes me cry
9. I go to the doctor more now than I did before my gastric bypass

Eight Ways to Win My Heart:

1. LISTEN to me
2. Love my babies and spend time with them
3. Wash the dishes after dinner without me asking
4. Hold me
5. Help me find the positives on my down days
6. Dream with me
7. Buy me an espresso machine
8. Tell me you love me

Seven Things that Cross My Mind a Lot:

1. What are my kids up to?
2. Why does P like to escape into the computer?
3. How can I save more money?
4. Should I get a job?
5. I really need to get a degree!
6. I should clean the bathrooms!!
7. I love my babies.. I'd even have more...

Six Things I Do Before I Fall Asleep:

1. Check the doors
2. Turn off the lights
3. Carry dishes to the kitchen
4. check on my babies
5. Take off my glasses/brush teeth/wash face
6. roll on my belly

Five People Who Mean a Lot:

P, T, R, L, my sister

Four Things I'm Wearing Right Now:
1. 3/4 sleeve sweater shirt (baby blue)
2. Jeans
3. nursing bra
4. L!

Three Songs I Listen to Often:
1. Brothers in Arms by Dire straits
2. I'm Already There by Lonestar
3. Because of You by Reba McIntyre and Kelly Clarkson

Two Things I Want to Do Before I Die:

1. Watch my children become productive members of society

2. Travel the world

One Confession:
I LOVED New Kids on the Block.. not sure I really like them now

Economic Crisis

2008-10-09T19:03:00.002-05:00

With news of the 20% drop in the stock market over the last seven sessions, I'm glad to know we are a bit prepared.

We've
*cut back on eating out
*cut back on Lattes not made at home
*shopped based on sales and made decisions on meals from what is in the pantry
*utilized tips for savvy shopping from Becentsable.net
*Pulled P's retirement out of the stock market and into Government Bonds (He wisely did that in April)
*questioned ourselves about whether we need it or just want it?
*Started teaching T & R more about respecting money

However, We still need to eat out less and getting our debt paid off. I also need to get serious about selling our "inherited treasures" on craigslist.

Last night we drove by a gas station to see unleaded was $3.51 and P said, "Wow, that's not bad!". How ironic? It was ten years ago that I could fill up our gas tank for $10.00 and now it's closer to $40 in the car and $80 in the van.

Wow.. we really do look alike!

2008-10-05T23:06:00.003-05:00

Smiles all aound the house today..

2008-09-30T21:15:00.004-05:00

The end of September came with smiles from the cuddliest boys. The cuddliest girl welcomed the last day of September with a smile.

Work in progress

2008-09-27T09:17:00.007-05:00

Before:

After:

.. sorry just realized the camera was shaky. I will try to take another picture tomorrow.

My neighbor inspired me to get started on giving my house color. I've been dragging my feet on spending the money. However, we were at Lowe's Thursday and we found the "mistinted" paint selection to be very close to a color I wanted in my living room/dining room. I jumped on the 5 gallon bucket for $25. I also scored two single gallons for my bedroom for $3 each. I splurged on my bedroom and purchased some glaze 19.99 and I'm going to try to use it to make a stripe effect (I hope).

So, Yesterday I painted with the help of my neighbor and her son. I have to say the change in color looks awesome. It could definitely use a second coat.. however the new color is already refreshing when you walk into the house.

(Please note that this is the room that has no furniture or pictures on the wall yet. That's why all the clutter (beloved as it is) is on the fireplace mantle.

Creative ideas vs too lazy to care

2008-09-25T21:47:00.005-05:00

This is my first post for the The Parent Bloggers Network and I may be able to win a $250 visa gift card just for writing about my children's eccentric views on fashion. Thankfully the theme describes my current state of life right now Mix 'n Match, Pop 'n Swap.

So.. I'm now the mom to three children and I love it. The absolute BEST part is where I'm stuck to the chair ~~barking commands~~ fussing at the children (startling the relaxed baby) or worse trying not to say anything because the baby JUST fell asleep. Somehow, L has decided that the best time to nurse is when I need to be up guiding T through his morning routine (checking outfit, confirming teeth are brushed, and trying to shove food in his mouth). Lately T has walked into my bedroom only to be sent back upstairs to change immediately. Imagine if you will.. A beige polo shirt with brown horizontal stripes, nylon blue jogging pants with a vertical light blue stripe up the side of each leg, AND black and red airators. There is also the need to keep a sign of brushing his teeth on his shoulder EVERY day and if the socks aren't matched, he'll wear whatever is closest to his fingers.

Then I get the princess an hour or so later. We begin with "take of your jammies and pull-up" (repeated 20 times at increasing levels of my voice) and then we get to "get an outfit and some undies". Our first attempt at an outfit is bringing me baby clothes that can't fit her and a demand for an outfit just like that one in her current size, next is an attempt to wear winter clothing on a day forecasted to be 95 degrees, the third attempt when I just want her to go outside and play lands me a yellow t-shirt with primary colored writing on it and a pastel floral skirt. Her other favored fashion faux paus include: dresses that are too short but Mommy doesn't notice until we are at the pediatricians office, princess dresses covered in alabama red clay, food stains on the BRAND NEW shirt, and shorts that are too short but still fall off her waist. There are days that I just close my eyes and remember she believes she is beautiful and those are the days I wish we had a Pop 'n Swap Polly Pocket to teach her a bit more about fashion. :)

At least no one notices that L is wearing the same onsie he had on yesterday. Hey.. he did have a bath before I put it on him.

Yes, most days I catch the blunders and adjust them as best I can by removing one article and adding any denim bottom to the child (T has never stepped out of the house in a skirt.. yet). This gives me the feeling that all is right with the world and I remind myself to buy more denim next time I go to the mall.

Are you in the market for a convertible carseat?

2008-09-25T08:05:00.004-05:00

I expect to be in the market for a convertible carseat in the next six months. T and R were both in the convertible carseat by 9 months due to long legs. Hopefully my current Combi Shuttle infant carseat will be better than my previous graco and this won't be a problem.

When the need arises for a convertible carseat I will be prepared. Baby Cheapskate asked the experts to do the work in comparing carseats. They comparison shopped at two price marks; carseats $100 or less and $175 or less. The car seat review is thorough and a purchasing resource I plan to keep handy.

Whew.. Now I just have to keep my eyes open for sales on these carseats!

Sunday Morning

2008-09-21T11:14:00.002-05:00

This morning is going at a slow pace. It's partially due to my lack of energy (come on coffee .. start working.. PLEASE) and L's need to be held. I managed to make breakfast and empty the dishwasher with him in my arms. Now I'm slacking on the computer while L sleeps in my arms (notice the theme). I swear I'll put him down in a few minutes and finish the kitchen, pick up the trash and clutter, and pack for our stay at the sleep clinic tonight. Oh, it's going to be soo much fun. I'll try to update here once I know more about L's sleep study. Say a prayer for us tonight.

My friend, DJ, is married by now. :) Yaa! She deserves to be very happy.

So, here are some pictures from the last few weeks.. (be warned the photographers are myself and a 3yo princess..)

Thankful Thursday

2008-09-18T21:52:00.004-05:00

I'm thankful for ....

A beautiful baby boy who loves to rest on his Mommy.

A beautiful daughter who loves being a ballerina.

A curious son who loves to learn so much that he needs more hours in the day.

A husband who works hard to provide for our family.

A house big enough for our family to grow.

A next door neighbor who acts more like a sister.

My faith in God.

Modern Medicine.

Kick A$$ medical insurance.

I'm trying to list what I'm thankful for as I sit here worrying over things I should leave to higher powers. I really am thankful for everything. We have the means to follow up on our concerns when we and/or our children are not acting "right". As of now L has reflux and is on his second medication and third formula. He is also being tested for breathing issues possibly due to micrognathia. I came home this evening and didn't worry about it.. and now I'm sitting here an hour after researching it on google and I'm afraid to go to sleep. I really am grateful that we will have more answers tomorrow and Monday. Because if I don't get the answers we need by then, I will find someone else who will help me keep my baby safe and healthy.

Common Theme

2008-09-02T13:59:00.003-05:00

There is a common theme around these parts; Heather is a MORON! I went to a PTA meeting that is scheduled for tomorrow. Unfortunately instead of just looking like an dofus to the office staff I searched out the PTA president . I'm an idiot.. no wonder the PTA has sweetly offered to "let" me take it easy this year. UGH!

A glimpse of life with three..

2008-08-31T23:20:00.003-05:00

Friday I decided that I needed to go to Wally World to stock up on food staples. I didn't make it out as planned Friday night without the children. Instead, I decided to feed them and hit the store before lunch. We sailed through the store pretty well and I purchased 98% of the items on my grocery list. This is the grocery list that I left in the van and decided that I didn't want to haul three children across the parking lot and pass the charity of the week again.

So we are doing well. L sleeps through the whole shopping trip even though I am trying to fit all of my purchases around his carseat that does not latch on to the buggy like my old infant carrier did (I still LOVE this one more). T and R are helping out and are not begging me for too much. T even sees a little girl knock over the individual packets of yeast and offers to help her clean it up. He continued to clean it up when she stepped over him and didn't pick a single packet up. (I was soo proud of him that I couldn't go off on the mother or child without taking the positive off him. OH THEY WERE SOO LUCKY!)

So we made our acquisitions and headed to the checkout area where the registers manned by cashiers are looking like 20 minute waits. I see a self checkout lane that doesn't have an item limit on it and head over there. I'm 25% done with checking out when L wakes up screaming to be picked up and fed immediately. There are other customers standing behind me. R is trying to scan everything for me but does not bag the items so the computer gets cranky. I order T to talk to L while I finish up. I'm almost done and L is whimpering when I want to lay down on the floor next to his carseat (why can't you ever fit the bags in as small a space as the unbagged groceries) and throw a temper-tantrum. I couldn't find either of the cards that I knew had funds available on them. So, I stop the roving cashier and ask her to suspend my transaction and she gives me dirty looks as I try to get my bag, my baby, and everything together. "Ma'am, I can't let you leave with the buggy." I know that I was just trying to get everything together and praying that I could find the card before I had to go out the van with a screaming baby and two kids who didn't understand why they had to leave their purchases in the store.

Soo, I get out to the van and put the sling on, take L out of the carseat and latch him on (gahh..why do they take so long when they are in the sling?), and then find my cards. The kids and I race back into the store where we claim our buggy and pay for our groceries. Then we race back across the blistering hot parking lot while R cries that she is thirsty. The poor girl didn't know how bad this Mommy wanted to cry with her.

We went through the drive-thru of Wendy's and T was asleep before we drove away. He woke up long enough to drink his soda and fell back asleep. R stayed awake and chatted with me the whole way home. Thank goodness that was a stock up trip and I won't have to go back for a long while. Maybe next time I'll know better and not bring ALL three kids with me.

Goal: To get paid for what I already do!

2008-08-27T07:57:00.002-05:00

Carmen saw Liz do this and I wanted to join the fun.

Goal: For a cool company to pay me to do that which I already do.

I spend way too much time on my cellular and home phone. I believe ATT should pay me for loyalty and advertising. I swore there was no coverage area like Cingular and I can't say that ATT has proven me wrong there.

Dell is a beloved brand in our home and my dell laptop has only been retired to the closet for a temporary time. The crazy amount of time and places that machine logged with me is mind boggling. I'm learning how to be wired to the Dell desktop for now!

Coffee is my friend. It picks me up when I'm dragging and I even have a jibbitz, and at least 3 shirts proclaiming my passion for a latte. Starbucks should endorse this mother for her coffee obcession. My kids are willing to accept endorsements as well. T will endorse the double chocolate chip frappachino. R will endorse the Horizons Chocolate Milk (why is this under starbucks and coffee?) with a starbucks GREEN straw; it just tastes better with the GREEN straw.

The karate school should endorse me for the amount of time I spend there and word of mouth advertising I provide. I requested a onsie for my baby and haven't seen that yet. Hrmph!

Bariatric surgeons should endorse me for the walking billboard that I am. I also provide on the spot informational sessions to friends, family, and acquaintances.

Ford should endorse our family because we have owned no other manufacturer and stand firm that we will own no other. We also speak about the longevity of our beloved Fords and I am frequently heard speaking of the wonderful life I will have once I don't have 2 car payments. Because, my ford minivan will outlast these small children and I will not buy another car until L is at least forming sentences.

Catching Up

2008-08-14T11:45:00.003-05:00

Wow.. I can be really quiet. The last few weeks have gone from dramatic to getting back to normal with the addition of a baby. Really, not much has changed except that I ALSO care for a one month (how did that happen so fast) old baby boy.

T started first grade last week and has had an awesome time. :) AWESOME is his new word. He also competed in his first karate tournament last weekend. He was lacking the confidence but did an awesome job in the end. The best part is that all the young competitors get a trophy for each event. So, my boy is growing up and I'm trying to develop a positive method for parenting this little man who can still act like a two year old.

R is starting ballet in a couple of weeks. She is so excited and proud. I'm also considering putting her in preschool. I go back and forth every day. She asked about karate again last night so I might just do karate and ballet and forget about preschool for another year. I'm not made of money .. things are really tight for the next month or so (gotta pay off the van and get ahead on other bills). I hate putting that in there but I'm feeling pressured to do more for her than we have the money for. I hate saying that because we are "well-off" compared to most. My quitting my job last spring put more of a pinch on our budget than I expected. We'll survive and I'll learn that my kids can be just as happy coloring at home as they would be doing anything else.

L has found his "voice" and a nasty case of gas. He loves to nurse ALLLLLL day long. He is getting bigger and stronger each day. He can lift his head up quite a bit and can roll from his side to belly. He has outgrown the newborn diapers and we are (we because I don't have to clean up the leaks from diapers that are too big) comfortably in size one diapers. Whew.. I have a ton of those thanks to hitting sales. He had a rash last week that ended up being from the heat. He was outside with me and the kids for a couple of hours, naked except for a diaper, and developed a crazy rash. But, it went away after a day of being inside and now he's not outside for too long at a time. Have I said that I can't wait for Fall? I REALLY can't.

I'm just about healed from the c-section. All that's left is the numbness and then a brief pain if I over do it. I'm so grateful to be nursing L almost exclusively. My labs came back very good and at this point I have a good amount of fat in my milk. These were concerns from the Lactation Consultant and Pediatrician. This may change as L gets bigger.. But I'm giving him what I can for now. I'm trying not to borrow tomorrow's problems.

Did You and More

2008-08-14T11:43:00.001-05:00

I got this in an e-mail and decided to share it here because.. well I don't have brain function to do more than answer questions. :)

Hit forward and place an X by all the things you've done and remove the
X from the ones you have not. Answer the questions at the end and
send it to your friends (including me). This is for your entire life!
( ) Gone on a blind date
(x ) Skipped school
( x ) Watch someone die

( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( x ) Been to Florida
(x) Been on a plane
(x) Been lost
( ) Been on the opposite side of the country
(x) Gone to Washington, DC
( x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x ) Played cops and robbers
( x) Recently colored with crayons
( x ) Sang Karaoke
( x) Paid for a meal with coins only
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't?
(x) Made prank phone calls --
(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose
( x ) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
(x ) Danced in the rain
(x ) Written a letter to Santa Claus
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
( x ) Watched the sunrise with someone you cared about
(x) Blown bubbles
(x) Gone ice-skating
( x ) Been skinny dipping
( x) walked in the yard naked at night (not my current neighborhood.. )

1. Any nicknames? Sweetie, Mommy, Thomas' Mom
2. Mother's name? Angela (Angie)
3. Favorite Drink? Crystal Light
4. Tattoo? no
5. Body Piercing? ears only
6. How much do you love your job? I love my job I stay at home with the kiddies
7. Birthplace: Florida
8. Favorite vacation spot? Disney World
9. Ever been to Africa ? No
10. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Yes
11. Ever been on TV? umm.. I think so..
12. Ever steal any traffic sign? No Way!
13. Ever been in a car accident? Yes
14. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door
15. Favorite salad dressing? blue cheese
16. Favorite pie? cherry and pumpkin
17. Favorite number? all the positive numbers are my favorite
18. Favorite movie? Can't choose just one .. Romantic Comedies and Dramas
19. Favorite holiday? 4th of July.. no presents required
20. Favorite dessert? cheese cake
21. Favorite food? prime rib
22. Favorite day of the week? Sunday (nothing planned for that day)
23. Favorite brand of body wash? Bath and Body Works or Olay
24. Favorite toothpaste? Crest
25. Favorite smell? meat cooking .. I don't know why but that is what popped in my head.. that and bread baking
26. What do you do to relax? read a book or play scrabulous!
27. How do you see yourself in 10 years? In the car more (do they have a degree in Chauffering?)
28. Furthest place you will send this message? Virginia
29. Who will respond to this the fastest? The one who does it first! I agree!! me too!

Mindless Fun..

2008-08-03T15:46:00.002-05:00

Stolen from: Beth.

What time did you get up this morning? I was out of bed at 730.. awake 630.
Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds! Please and Thank You!
What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Fern Gully - Free Summer Movie for Kids
What is your favorite TV show? umm.. Year round General Hospital.. other shows come and go.. 24, Lost, Dawson's Creek, West Wing, Closer
What do you usually have for breakfast? Coffee with Protein... What? They are both necessary to start my day.
What is your middle name? Evon.. My mother spelled it.. not me! Yvonne is the "correct" spelling
What food do you dislike? There isn't much.. Isn't that one of the reasons I had Gastric Bypass? What foods do I avoid would be a better question.
What is your favorite CD at the moment? Probably Reba's Duets
What kind of car do you drive? 2003 Ford Windstar.. 2 more payments and it's mine free and clear with only 103,000 miles
Favorite sandwich? Einstein Bros Tasty Turkey
What characteristic do you despise? Bigotry
Favorite item of clothing? A very good bra or comfy jeans
If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Alaskan Cruise
Where would you retire to? Eh.. I want mountains. P wants Florida..
What was your most recent memorable birthday? 21st Bday.. T' arrival and home coming (from NICU) was my present
Furthest place you are sending this? The Blog
When is your birthday? December 2. Day after Beth!
Morning person or a night person? Mornings are better ... I get tired earlier than I used to.. but for nesting or deep cleaning.. I do it best around midnight to 4am..
What is your shoe size? 8.5 or 8
Pets? 1 Big Dog.. We are putting (OK.. P is out there more than me) up an invisible fence today to hopefully reduce the running away issue.
Any exciting news you’d like to share with us? Uh.. I'm not pregnant yet.. Poor P is so sad.
What did you want to be when you were little? A mother to the children who didn't have parents.. I still wish I could take care of the "lost" children.
What is your favorite flower? Azalias.. I'd love a big tree in my yard
What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to seeing? August 6th.. T's first day back to School. Aug 9th T's first Karate Tournament
What are you listening to right now? P going downstairs and L breathing on my chest
What was the last thing you ate? Protein shake with too much protein.. needs more strawberries
Do you wish on stars? Sometimes
If you were a crayon, what color would you be?
Purple
How is the weather right now? Hot! Where is Fall?
Last person you spoke to on the phone? Next door neighbor
Favorite soft drink? Coke
Favorite restaurant? Japanese or Chinese
Favorite color? See crayon color.
What was your favorite toy as a child? Cabbage Patch Kids and Books
Summer or winter? Fall and Spring are preferred
Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
Coffee or tea? Espresso.
When was the last time you cried? The day I came home with L
What is under your bed? My dog and bed frame parts he knocked out again...
What did you do last night? Watched 24, nursed L, went to bed early and nursed L.. oh and changed a bunch of diapers
How many keys on your key ring? 2 key rings.. one for each car and each key ring has a house key on it.
How many years at your current job? um.. I've been a Mom for almost 7 years and home for 5 months.
Favorite day of the week? Sunday.
Do you make friends easily? Not really. I'm weird and have antisocial cycles where I hide from the world and some people think that's weird. :) Thankfully there are a few that just put up with it.

L's First Week

2008-07-31T18:46:00.005-05:00

Well, I'm really behind and I see this taking more than one entry so please be patient with me. L's first week was really eventful in the I really need to document this kind of way.

Here are the photos from the first week: Hospital and Home

L came into the world via a scheduled C-section. I had a rough time the entire pregnancy trying to decide what option was best for the two of us (me and L). There were opinions everywhere and I finally stopped and listened to my heart and decided I did not want to deal with the possible dramatic situations that could arise with a natural birth.

In the OR we learned that I had made a smart decision to have the c-section. You could see L's hair through my uterus. First of all.. I was shocked that MY child had hair. The first two did not have hair for the first two years. After that shock I asked if that would have impacted an attempted natural delivery and they said yes. So, the best decision was made and we both came out healthy in the end. In the OR I learned a few other things.. epinepherin in small doses can raise a girls heart rate and blood pressure.. spinals rock and if someone offers me an epidural for a c-section again, I'll run away like a mad woman... no more morphine in the spinal, not even a very small dose.. The anesthesiologist was way cool and talked to me the whole hour I was in the OR.. An hour in the OR means you have an AWESOME OB who takes an extra flap of skin off your belly and makes a big effort to make it pretty.

The night of the C-section was fairly uneventful. L roomed with me part of the night and then went to the nursery for a few hours (actually it was that way the whole stay.. They do the big daily assessment at midnight which is awesome because you don't have your baby ripped away during the day other than the pediatrician visiti). The next morning my IV became a heplock and the catheter was gone. I took a shower by myself (this is the start of me making the nurses feel like they aren't needed) and it was wonderful to feel clean. P, Mom, and the kids came up for a short visit but went home pretty quickly. I had many phone calls from family and friends. L and I bonded as we walked the halls to relieve my gas pains. The next days were about the same. I wanted pain medicine more for the gas pains than the incision/uterus pain. L and I did pretty well with the nursing and we did not introduce a bottle to him at all during the hospital stay. I was however warned by the lactation consultant that I may not be able to sustain him on a gastric bypass diet. (Whole 'nother story there)

The third day of our stay L had his circumcision and we were released to go home. My Mom called just as I was getting prepped to go home and said that she was having a lot of weakness/headaches/and her blood pressure was scary. She asked me if P would take her to the community hospital ER. I called him because she was worried about asking him (silly of her) and he swiftly had the family out of the house to get her to the ER and pick me up. After I made the call to P, I broke down and the nurses were worried that I should not go home under so much stress. I told them I would be better of at home where I could be in control. The nurses were awesome and got me out of the hospital within 10 minutes of P and the kids getting to the hospital. I was a bit sore but got upstairs to rest with my kiddos. A few phone calls were made to check on my Mom and she said they got the blood pressure down and were monitoring her for a bit. She was released within 6 hours of arriving and we thought everything would be better.

On Day 5 L had his first pediatrici appointment. It was pretty normal. She agreed to recheck his bilirubin levels because I was sure he was jaundiced. She was/is concerned about my caloric/fat intake and told me to work on increasing my calories with fatty/unhealthy foods (this is part of that 'nother post.. but we are doing healthy fats now and more calories). She also told me not to take L out in public. I almost laughed when she said that.. I knew what I had to do that day. So, we left the appointment and took the kids to the fountains to play. After that we had hotdogs at Sam's Club where I got a call stating that the bilirubin levels were up to 13 and I needed to contact the Home Health Agency (HHA) to setup delivery of the bilibed. I called HHA and lo and behold L's nursery nurse was his home health nurse. I believe I scolded her for telling me his bili was OK when I was so sure it was going up.. She couldn't say much then. :) So we went on with our errands to the Pediatric Dentist (T will be sedated for 3 fillings and two baby teeth extractions) and Karate practice. We arrived home 5 minutes before the HH nurse. I can't tell you how reassuring it was to have her there.

So the evening of Day 5 - Day 7 we were bound to the bilibed and the breast pump as we needed to get my breastmilk flowing as much as possible. My Mom was awesome on the first night as she sat up and patted the poor baby's back (she was still suffering from high BP .. but we were sure it would be resolved anytime with the medication.. oh we were wrong). There was little true rest for Mom, Luke, or myself those days. The bilibed covers were soaked through with sweat, poop, and pee. If we have to do that again we will request 4 not 2 covers. I will also make sure to put a blanket or something that smells like me in the bed as soon as I put a baby in there. A cover that we used on L while we held him made him so much calmer on the bilibed. Why didn't I think of that sooner?

So we ended L's first week with the removal of the bilibed and all of us in our own beds. Oh.. and we went to karate practice right after the bilibed left the house. :)

Announcing Luke!

2008-07-11T08:11:00.003-05:00

Luke was born July 10, 2008 at 4:13 PM Central Time in Alabama! He is 7 lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. He and Mom are still resting at the hospital but they are doing fine.

D Day

2008-07-10T05:31:00.006-05:00

Well, it's 530 am here in good old Alabama. The house is asleep but the sun is brightening the sky. I have around ten hours until I should meet my third child. Wow, I'm going to have three kids! I know I've been pregnant for 38 weeks (the longest I've ever gone), but it just doesn't feel like I'm ready yet. Is it because I'm not sick (yea.. I've had an issue here or there.. but today.. I feel great) or is it because there is a problem with the baby? This normal, low tech, pregnancy has been an experience in learning to accept things as they are. I just haven't learned the whole lesson, yet.

My mother got here last night and things have been pretty good so far. We tip-toed around an emotional issue last night (how all of us kids are very in your face and quick tempered) but that was the hardest part. Whew! It probably helps that I was/am in a major nesting way right about now. I've gotten so much done these last few days, that this house almost doesn't feel like my house. Granted, I've got to stay on top of the kids to keep stuff picked up. But, I should have been doing that every day.

So this morning I will relax until P's alarm goes off, I'll make us a nice breakfast and spend a few minutes with him before he heads to work. Then, I'll start packing my hospital bag(shush.. I still don't feel like today is the day.. remember??) until everyone else in the house is up. I also want to finish folding the baby clothes (one last basket), put fresh sheets on the crib and bassinet, and install the baby's carseat in the van. I'd also like to clean out the van so that my Mom can drive it without feeling like she's surrounded by my clutter.

Last night I posed for a few cute belly shots. I apologize for the little princess who thinks the camara has eyes only for her. Also, check out that picture over my left shoulder.. that is from 8 years ago!

**I've asked Paul to send out pictures of the baby to all, I'll leave directions to put the pictures/stats on the blog. But, if he doesn't I'll get them up as soon as I get home from the hospital.**

A - Z about me!

2008-07-07T23:19:00.002-05:00

A is for age. 28.. It sounds so young when I say it out loud.
B is for Burger of Choice. Sloppy and shared. I can't eat one alone.
C is for Car. 2 Fords in my driveway. A 2003 windstar that will be paid off in a couple of LONG months. It will be driven until it won't go again. The kids will beat the interior with food, drinks, and puke (have I mentioned that R is puking again this summer.. WTF?).
D is for daughters. One is enough, Thank you. Excuses include: puking, drama queen, and TV Tyrant, demanding, mischevious, and vicious to her brother.
E is for essential item you use every day. Cell Phone!
F is for favorite tv show. Currently watch Lost, 24 (on DVD.. way behind), and NCIS when I can. I LOVE my dvr.
G is for groceries. I'm a wanderer .. I like to find great deals and don't care how long it takes. I wish the children agreed.
H is for how often you embarrass yourself. I need to think before I speak more often. But, truly.. I'm learning to love the person that I am and everyone else can just deal with it.
I is for ice cream. Oh how I miss a good soft serve ice cream cone and milkshakes. That's one of the trade offs of the surgery though..
J is for juice. V8 Fusion, Crystal Light, Powerade, Gatorade, and OJ (from Florida only) are my drinks of choice.
K is for kids. Boy (6), Girl (3), Boy (will be here Thursday evening).. They are the center of my world and I don't understand how celebrities go out so often without their kiddos.
L is for Lipstick. When I remember it.. But I love to wear it.. It makes me feel "nicer".
M is for Mexican food. We could eat it everyday in this house.
N is for number of piercings. 2 holes .. one in each ear.
O is for Optometry. Glasses .. Laser Surgery after I'm done having babies.. while I'm in the plastics phase of life.
P is for People You Were With Today. Kiddos, OB staff, and Karate family.. Q is for Quiet Time. Sunday I went out for a couple of hours. It felt weird.. where are the kids? What's going on? I only called home three times. But, I needed that time out. I was being a big meanie.
R is for Biggest Regret. Continuing to put off college and spending too much money on crap.
S is for sports you play. Don't do sports.. uh..
T is for tattoo. Maybe one day. P hates them.. but I want one for me.. A butterfly coming out of a cocoon.
U is for what is unique about you. Red hair, white skin, and blue eyes. All of my family to date has blue eyes and O positive blood.
V is for Vegetables you Love. There are many .. brocolli, turnip greens, beans and potatoes (you know the kind with a ham hock), carrots, oh ya. Just remember that when I'm stepping away for a second. Mm..kay. I'm REALLY doing you the favor.
W is for Worst Habit. Procrastinating and Cursing (really have cut down).
Y is for Yummy Food you ate today. umm... Taquitos..
Z is for Zodiac. Eh.. Sagittarius here.. but I don't really follow it.

Update.. 36 weeks

2008-06-26T22:41:00.002-05:00

I'm not ready to have this baby. I want him to bake as long as he needs to.. with that said....

I want to know what is causing my back pain. I was at the local hospital in L&D last night due to back pain. I was unable to handle this pain. It was worse than when I was admitted for a week for IBS. It was eventually calmed with movement/heat/tylenol/tums. We don't know what dulled it. We do know that the baby is great. He was all over the place during the monitoring session. We also know that my labs were all normal and my elevated blood pressure at the time of arrival calmed with the easing of the pain.

I was afraid to eat today because I had traced back the beginning of each "severe" pain cycle with any intake. I called my OB/PCP/GI doctors.. Guess what.. no one wanted to take responsibility. I will say that the OB was willing to let me stay over last night.. but why would I do that when the baby was fine. Hind signt is 20/20. I was ready to go back to L&D today if no one gave me an order for a gallbladder US. The GI was the one to give me the order with the statement that this could just be pregnancy related and I would have to "deal" with it. He did not look at my history but just my current symptoms. I am too close to having this baby at term to screw it up. But, come on. I know I have a high pain tolerance and I know there is something not right with the pain I had.

I'm not having severe pain today. Why? I was afraid to eat much of anything before seeing a doctor. Once I saw the GI specialist he recommended laying off the fat for a few days. (SO MUCH EASIER SAID THAN DONE) My big meal of the day was rice (a small serving) and steamed vegetables. P did an awesome job with the parameters.. but this pregnant girl wants/ed substance. I'm just praying that tomorrow's gallbladder study will show something. I need a plan and I need real food. NO FAT = no milk, no cheese, no meat, no nothing.. except rice/veggies/fruit/and clear liquid broth.

Sorry for the incoherant rant but I wanted to document it while it's still fresh on my mind.

R as a ballerina

2008-06-16T20:22:00.001-05:00

I was at the ob today for my 34 week visit. R was dancing around the exam room while we waited for the doctor. Can you tell what she will be enrolled in this fall?

OB visit was successful. I am dialated to a fingertip and thinning out, although my cervix is still posterior. Everything looks good for a VBAC if that is what I want to do. I'm still experiencing a normal pregnancy. What the heck is that???

After my appointment the kids and I went to the bookstore before their sibling class. That class was a great investment of an hour and $35. I got the chance to see the Labor and Delivery unit and the kids had a chance to learn about caring for a baby and all the weird stuff that will happen while the baby and I are in the hospital. P missed out on the class because of work (he's still there and not expected home until 10pm.. that's more than a 13 hour day) but he had a chance to hear all about it when we met him for a quick dinner.

Life is good. Now I just have to get my butt in gear and wash all the darn baby clothes.

Baby Name Poll

2008-06-11T21:36:00.001-05:00

Help us choose a name for BeanSprout!

Pictures

2008-06-09T21:51:00.007-05:00

It seems that the most I can get out of my jumbled mind is a few incoherant thoughts. So without further ado.. pictures and bullets.

Pregnancy photos at 33 weeks and 4 days.

I'm actually feeling pretty darn good! I can go to the mall and not get tuckered out even on less than 4 hours of sleep. I went for a walk with my next door neighbor Sunday morning and in a little less than an hour we managed to get 3 and 3/4 miles.

Here are the kiddos at the mall today. T was jumping on one of the bungee trampolines and R was living up to her role as diva.

My favorite things.. and not so favored items

2008-06-04T17:29:00.003-05:00

Here are snippits of the things that bring a smile to my face..

*T wants to know when the baby will be here.
*R and T laughing several times today.
*Watching T at karate practice
*Listening to R tell me about being a ballerina.
*Hearing the doctor say that this pregnancy is normal and both baby and I are doing great.
*Reading a really good book. (Ok.. so I've read 4 books this week.. sue me)
*Talking to P on the phone for 5 minutes. (He's working mad overtime)
*Watching/Listening to T tell me about his Bionicles.
*Playing with my kiddos on the back porch.
*Knowing that we have a home our family can grow into.
*Remembering that I am growing into a stronger person every day for myself and my family.
*Planning trips for our family.

Things that I haven't found the positive side of...

*P's little habits (not eating quietly, staying up late, and not using his manners)
*T's tough questions. (I can't get too deep into it.. but being P's second family leads me into waters that are difficult to navigate.
*Needy people. (I really want to be there for my friends and extended family. But.. I have to take care of myself first so that I can care for my children and husband)
*Chores. (I want a maid or two)
*Construction in the neighborhood. I didn't think that through before we bought this house.
*Asking for help. I really need to ask for help more often. I just to like to be indebted to others.
*Not traveling this summer. Having a baby in the middle or late summer puts a damper on most plans.

31 weeks pregnant

2008-05-27T09:07:00.001-05:00

I was dressed decently and P was available to play photographer. I'm still having body issues with the extra skin (P swears no one else can tell). I'm 31 weeks and a few days here.. I'm rounding out a bit more and Beansprout has declared my lap as a no sibling zone.

Pictures of our trip to Petting Zoo

2008-05-07T19:42:00.001-05:00

I took R to the petting zoo yesterday with a local moms group. She had a blast. She's the blonde in 98% of the pictures. :)

Petting Zoo 050608

365 Anniversaries

2008-05-05T14:50:00.003-05:00

ANNIVERSARIES

We are sending this to all of our friends who have managed to stay married
to date.
Since fewer and fewer couples remain married for a long time, we think we
should congratulate ourselves.
"365 Anniversaries". This is kind of cool!

Out of all the billions of married couples in the world, there has to be a
couple married on each date of the year.
We're going to try to accomplish the task of seeing if we can fill the
calendar with an anniversary on every day of the year.

Add your and your spouse's 1st names only (NO LAST NAMES, PLEASE),
The year you were married then the state next to the date you were married
o n the list below.
Then send it to all your married friends, plus the person who sent it to
you!

DON'T BE A SPOIL SPORT! ADD YOUR NAME TO THE LIST.
FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

All you have to do is hit forward (or post this to your blog), add the information then send it to all
your friends and family that are also married or will be soon.... ;} don't
forget me!
If someone has already put names in the date of your anniversary, please
just add your names below theirs and DO NOT DELETE THOSE COUPLES' NAMES!

THANKS!

JAN 1- MIKE & DONNA (2003) SC
JAN 2-
JAN 3-
JAN 4-
JAN 5-
JAN 6-
JAN 7-
JAN 8-
JAN 9-
JAN 10-
JAN 11-
JAN 12-
JAN 13-
JAN 14- Malek and Christi 1997, NC
JAN 15- Byron and Etienne 2000, NY
JAN 16-
JAN 17-
JAN 18- Mike & Jan 1980, TX
JAN 19- Jim and Ann, 1976, TX
JAN 20-
JAN 21-
JAN 22-
JAN 23-
JAN 24- Leo & Sharon 1998 Wisconsin
JAN 25-
JAN 26-
JAN 27- LeRoy& Avis 1968,WI
JAN 28-
JAN 29-
JAN 30- Alan and Mary, 1982, SC
JAN 31- Shirley & Gary, 1956, MA
FEB 1-
FEB 2- Sheila and Renie 1952, Ont. Canada
FEB 3-
FEB 4-
FEB 5-
FEB 6-
FEB 7-
FEB 8- Barb & Larry 1964 IA
FEB 9- Len & Marie 1963 Wi
FEB 10-
FEB 11-Don & Doris 1967 MI
FEB 12-
FEB 13- Mary & Roger 1965 MI
FEB 14
FEB 15- PeeWee & Jane 1975 WI
FEB 16- Christine and Sonny, FL
FEB 17-
FEB 18-
FEB 19-
FEB 20- Dan and Diane 1971 WI
FEB 21-
FEB 22-
FEB 23- Bruce & Amy, 1983, WI
FEB 24- Chriss & Lee MT
FEB 25-Dorothy & Merrill. 1947, TX
FEB 26-Steven & Kandi, 1994 MI
FEB 27- Todd & Sharla 2004, TX
FEB 28-
FEB 29-
MAR 1-
MAR 2-
MAR 3-
MAR 4- Bill & Nancy 1967 MI
MAR 5-
MAR 6-
MAR 7-
MAR 8-
MAR 9-
MAR 10- david &miranda,1998 IL.
MAR 11-
MAR 12-
MAR 13- Joe & Denise, 2004 IL.
MAR 14-Leo & Dorothy 1964 Michigan
MAR 15-
MAR 16-
MAR 17-
MAR 18- Paul & Heather, 1998 FL
MAR 19-
MAR 20-
MAR 21-
MAR 22-
MAR 23- Breiana & Jason 1998 TX
MAR 24-
MAR 25-
MAR 26-
MAR 27-
MAR 28-
MAR 29-
MAR 30-
MAR 31-
APR 1-
APR 2-
APR 3-
APR 4-
APR 5-John and Frederica 1952 PA
APR 6-
APR 7-
APR 8-
APR 9-
APR 10-
APR 11-
APR 12- Jonathan and Shannan 2006- Arizona
APR 13-
APR 14- Rick & Renae 2007 Az
APR 15-
APR 16-
APR 17-
APR 18-Mike and Tracy 2003 Oklahoma City OK

APR 19- Shari & Orley 1982 IA
APR 20-
APR 21-
APR 22- Keith and Donna - 1989
APR 23 - Jerry& Ellen 1960 Wi-
Ted & Clara 1966 MI , Bruce & Carlene (1977) IL ,
APR 24-
APR 25-
APR 26-
APR 27-
APR 28-
APR 29-
A PR 30-
APR 31-
MAY 1-
MAY 2-
MAY 3-
MAY 4- Randy & Betty 2002 WI
Sven & Jean 1968 WI
MAY 5- Ak'Bar&Hermina 2001,GA
MAY 6-
MAY 7-
MAY 8-
MAY 9- Pam & Philip 2004 TN
MAY 10- Bill & Aggie 1958 AL
MAY 11- Jerry & Carolyn 1991 , TX
MAY 12-
MAY 13-
MAY 14-
MAY 15- Loren & Fran, 1982, AZ
MAY 16- Joan and Ted 1953, Manitoba, Canada
MAY 17-
MAY 18-
MAY 19- Gina & Jimmy-2007 MT
MAY 20- melanie& bruce maryland
MAY 21- Steve & Karin - 1994 - Illinois
MAY 22-
MAY 23-
MAY 24-
MAY 25-
MAY 26-Linda & Bud 1996 PA
MAY 27- Julie & Richard 2006 WI/ JESSICA&JAMES 2005 ARK
MAY 28-
MAY 29- Tim & Bonnie 1998 WI
Fitz 7 Janice 2004 MEX
MAY 30-
MAY 31-
JUN 1- FaithAnn & Eric - 2000 - N.J.
JUN 2-
JUN 3- Wally & Donna 1950 (1st)
JUN 4-
JUN 5-
JUN 6-John & Karen 1970 IL
JUN 7-
JUN 8-Nelson & Joanne 1957 MI , Al & Linda 1991 MA
JUN 9-
JUN 10-
JUN 11-
JUN 12-
JUN 13-
JUN 14-
J UN 15 -
JUN 16-
JUN 17-
JUN 18-
JUN 19- Alex & Renee 1993 - AL
JUN 20- Edward & Bonnie Jeanne 1952 MI
Ozz & Bev 1964
JUN 21- Jim & Judy 1969, WI
Bob & Audrey 1958 WI
JUN 22-
JUN 23-
JUN 24- Price & Stella 1972 - TX
JUN 25- Danny & Kathy 1976 - LA
JUN 26-
JUN 27-
JUN 28- Fred & Nancy - 1958 - WI
JUN 29-Don and Joanne 1963-NJ
Jerry and Judie WI
Jr and Becky 1990 TX
JUN 30 - Don & Stacey 2000 Illinois
JUL 1- Howard & Janice 1950 Wi
JUL 2- Ronald & Delores 1955 WI
Steve and Mary 1983 WI
JUL 3-
JU L 4- Jay & Amanda 2003 NV
JUL 5-
JUL 6-
JUL 7- Virgil & Judy 1963 WI
William & Tiffany 2007 NC
JUL 8-
JUL 9-
JUL 10-
JUL 11-
JUL 12-
JUL 13-
JUL 14-
JUL 15-
JUL 16- Duane and Elli 1960 Wi.
JUL 17-
JUL 18- Jeremy & Erin 1999 MT.
JUL 19- Allen & Sheri 1975 WI.
JUL 20-
JUL 21-
JUL 22- Al & Heather 1995 WI.
JUL 23-
JUL 24-
JUL 25-
JUL 26- Jeremy & Laura 1997 AL
JUL 27-
JUL 28-
JUL 29-
JUL 30-
JUL 31-
AUG 1- Darrell & Donna-1963-MI.
AUG 2-
AUG 3-
AUG 4-
AUG 5-
AUG 6-
AUG 7-
AUG 8-
AUG 9-Jan and John (1980) IL
AUG 10-
AUG 11-
AUG 12-
AUG 13-
AUG 14-Jeff & Jeanne -1993-MI
AUG 15-Paula Ann & Harold - 2003 - OK
LaVonna & Cessna - 2005 - AR.
AUG 16-
AUG 17-
AUG 18-
AUG 19-
AUG 20- Bill & Marian --1983--GA
AUG 21- Kathy & Tory (2004) - WI Sarah and Robert (1999) ME
AUG 22-
AUG 23-Jim & Jeanie 1953 MT
AUG 25- Bruce and Cheryl 1979 (South Carolina)
AUG 26- Denise and Anthony 1989 (michigan)
AUG 27-
AUG 28- Jeff & Sue (1981) WI
AUG 29-
AUG 30-
AUG 3 1-
SEPT 1-
SEPT 2-Jim & Jan 1961 WI.
SEPT 3-
SEPT 4- SHERRY & FRANKIE (1993) SC
SEPT 5-
SEPT 6- Nieves & Hortensia Rico 1969, Az
SEPT 7- Rose & Peter 1985, TX,
Judson & Kristy 2002, WI
SEPT 8-
SEPT 9-
SEPT 10-
SEPT 11- Katy & Luie- 2004, AZ,
Ron & Pat-WI.
SEPT 12- Michael & Tami -1998, WI;
SEPT 13- Amy and Jimbo-1997, SC
SEPT 14-
SEPT 15-
SEPT 16-Leta & Billy 1950 OK
Kathy & Mike 1995 IL
SEPT 17-
SEPT 18- Karen & Greg 1999, IL
SEPT 19-
SEPT 20-
SEPT 21- Richard and Pam - 1979, LA
SEPT 22-
SEPT 23-TERRY & BARB CAMP-2000 , MO
SEPT 24- Brittney and Mike- 1988, TN.
SEPT 25-
SEPT 26- Denice & Ronnie 1999
SEPT 27- Willie & Becky - 1986, TX.
SEPT 28- Anthony & Carlyn 1996 GA.
SEPT 29-
SEPT 30-Jack & Elaine - 1961- Pa.
OCT 1-
OCT 2- Dennis & Carol - 1982 - WI
OCT 3-
OCT 4-
OCT 5-
OCT 6- Martin and Lisa-1990-IL
OCT 7-
OCT 8-
OCT 9-
OCT 10-
OCT 11-
OCT 12- Phil and Theresa 1984
OCT 13-
OCT 14- Eugene & Marion - 1955, WI
OCT 15- Stacy & Jason - 2005, AZ
OCT 16-
OCT 17- Cori & Jeff 1998 WI
OCT 18-
OCT 19 Judy & Rich 1962 IL.-
OCT 20- Elaine & Dave--1951--Wis.
OCT 21-
OCT 22- Greg & Carol 1988 WI
OCT 23- Marcia & Larry 1993 FL
OCT 24-
OCT 25-
OCT 26-
OCT 27- Wally & Donna 2000 (remarriage) WI
OCT 28-
OCT 29- Marc & Roxi 1977 WI
OCT 30-
OCT 31-
NOV 1-
NOV 2-
NOV 3- Bonnie & Earl, FL
NOV 4-
NOV 5- Rita & Dean (1994) SC
NOV 6-
NOV 7- Phyllis & Frank 1969 West Virginia
NOV 8- Steven & Pamela 1975 Wisconsin
NOV 9- Justin & Michelle 2002 Arizona
NOV 10-
NOV 11- Sam & Mary 1967 WI
NOV 12-
NOV 13-
NOV 14-
NOV 15-
NOV 16-
NOV 17-
NOV 18-
NOV 19-
NOV 20-
NOV 21-
NOV 22-
NOV 23-
NOV 24-
NOV 25-
NOV 26-
NOV 27- Rick and Tammy (1987)
NOV 28-
NOV 29- Anthony and Alicia 2003: SC
NOV 30-
DEC 1-
DEC 2-
DEC 3- Mark & Sheila: 1981: TN
DEC 4-
DEC 5-
DEC 6- JD & Angie: 1985: TX
DEC 7-
DEC 8-
DEC 9-
DEC 10-
DEC 11-
DEC 12-
DEC 13-Dewain and Joann 1952 -- Michigan
DEC 14-
DEC 15-
DEC 16-
DEC 17- Karl & Cheryl 1972 – New York
DEC 18-FRED AND ALICE..1981....SOUTH DAKOTA
DEC 18- CHRISTINE & TIM - 1992-Wisconsin
DEC 19-
DEC 20-
DEC 21- Rick & Jeannie ~ 1978 ~ Texas
DEC 22-
DEC 23- Kevin and Terri ...1995...WI
DEC 24-
DEC 25-
DEC 26-
DEC 27- Robert & Sherry Kay, 1969,TX
DEC 28 Joyce & Dave, 1955, GA
DEC 28- Fred & Shirley, 1968, DC
DEC 29-
DEC 30-
Dec 31-

Getting to know you..

2008-04-30T14:47:00.002-05:00

1. What time did you get-up this morning? 6:30

2. Diamond or pearls? diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Spiderwick Chronicles but I had to leave in the middle because it was too scary for R.

4. What is your favorite TV show? NCIS, General Hospital, Jericho (so hoping sci-fi picks it up), Lost, ER.. the networks really screwed themselves this year with the strike. They lost me on a LOT of shows.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Egg over medium or egg sandwich

6. What is your middle name? Evon *pronounced like Yvonne*

7. What food do you dislike? liver, lamb, beets, .. I eat most anything though..

8. What is your favorite CD at moment? .. whatever is on my IPOD..

9. What kind of car do you drive? 2003 Silver Ford Winstar that will be payed off in August

10. Favorite sandwich? egg sandwich or grilled cheese

11. What characteristic do you despise? willfull ignorance

12. Favorite item of clothing? uh.. anything that will stretch over my expanding self.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world, on vacation, where would you go? Europe or Alaska Cruise

14. Favorite brand of clothing? hmm.. see 12

15. Where would you retire to? Florida or Texas. P wants warmth and I want to keep him happy.

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? What birthday? 21st Birthday.. T came home two days earlier from the NICU.

17. Favorite sport to watch? gymnastics or some Nascar

18. Last DVD you bought? Disney Princesses for R

19. When is your birthday? December 2nd

20. Are you a morning person or a night person? Mid Day..

21 what is your shoe size? 8 or 8.5

22. Pets? 1 dog

23. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? I'm having a baby in July.. Only 3.5 weeks till summer break

24. What did you want to be when you were little? A social worker or nurse

25. How are you today? Stuffy and ready for the sinus infection to be gone.

26. What is your favorite candy? Twix

27. What is your favorite flower? Roses or Lilies

28. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? July 25th.. My 3rd baby should be in my arms by then..

29. What is your screenname? HeatherEvonD
30. What are you listening to right now? General Hospital, Riley scratching his belly, and construction.
31. What was the last thing you ate? 3 Girl Scout thin mints

32. Do you wish on stars? Not really.. sometimes..

33. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Red
34. How is the weather right now? Warm and sunny... too nice for me to feel this blah
35. Last person you spoke to on the phone? P.. checking in to see how T's doctor's appt went

36. Favorite soft drink? Diet Mt Dew

37. Favorite restaurant? food.. eh.. yeah

38. Hair color? Deep Red

39. What was your favorite toy as a child? Books

40. Summer or winter? Winter

41. Hugs or Kisses? Hugs .. less germ spreading

42. Chocolate or Vanilla? vanilla

43. Coffee or Tea? Coffee

45. The last time you cried? recently.. I'm so hormonal

46. What is under your bed? broken support beams.. NO More Jumping on the bed

47. What did you do last night? Vegetated and felt sorry for myself

48. What are you afraid of? not being able to protect my children

49. Salty or Sweet? salty

50. How many keys on your keyring? 4

51. How many years at your current job? I've been a Mom for 6.25 years.. SAHM for the last 9 weeks.. where I belong for now.

52. Favorite day of the week? Saturday

53. How many towns have you lived in? 8 at least

54. Best book you recently read? Fallen Angels by Nora Roberts

55. Do you make friends easily? sometimes..

Ramblings.. again

2008-04-26T12:00:00.003-05:00

I've had this blogger tab open for a few days and ideas in my head. However, the ideas are not making very cohesive thoughts right now. It seems that R passed a bug onto me. Unfortunately as a pregnant woman you can't take crap for a sinus infection. I'm stuck to regular Sud@fed or Tylen0l with Sud@afed. I've managed to take it every four hours for the last day and I feel like my head is still full of the nastiness and my throat has leant me a few dried boogers. I should really get a script for an antibiotic. It's just not that easy. If I were in Virginia I could have called my ob or my pcp and I would have a script within a couple of hours. My OB here.. yeah.. he doesn't handle anything non pregnancy related other than to tell you not to take anything that could work. My PCP here doesn't have my faith (when I called about the pain with eating/drinking.. he sent me to the ER because it could be an allergic reaction). There is the urgent care center where I took T for his conjunctivitis and broken arm. Um, I hate the registration people because they are brainwashed into making patients pay copays (arbitrarily created by administration) even though the patient and the insurance company both know it's not necessary. They are currently holding $100 hostage from our last two visits. If its gets that bad... I'll go to the urgent care and be a witch (not like that will be hard with this massive headache).. until then the Sud@fed every 4 hours, tissues, liquids, and Sud@care shower s00thers are all I got.

What else is happening? The boy who hates being limited by his broken arm has injured himself several times this week. The injuries have included the elbow on the arm that is broken. I'm not sure I will survive this broken arm.

P is working a ton of overtime. Which is awesome because $$$ is always needed. But, I would love for him to have time to just be with me and listen to me ramble while I fold the laundry or make dinner. He's so exhausted now that he can barely manage a hello. I truly feel for him. But, he better mow the yard before the weekend is over. I just can't do it with this sinus infection.

R is eating like a pig today. Before 11 am she had ingested a bowl of cereal, eggs, fruit snacks, and two servings of mashed potatoes. I know there are better things for her to eat. However, I am more excited that she is eating. I took her out the other day to the playground and it was shocking to see how much skinnier she is than the other kids. She doesn't weigh 30lbs yet and she is 3 1/4 years old.

Yeah.. it's pretty boring here. Unless you like to fold clothes.. then we are having a party!! :)

Belly Pictures.. 25 weeks 4 days

2008-04-15T20:21:00.002-05:00

Please excuse the wet belly. Bean Sprout wanted to help with the dishes.

Eldest Child

2008-04-14T14:24:00.003-05:00

T had a first last week and I didn't find the time to post about it. It must have been all the running around I was doing or was it the fact that I meant to take a picture to go with this post but still haven't.. (I'll work on that tonight).

P called me Thursday around noon to tell me T had fallen off the playground at school. The wind had been knocked out of him and other than a bit of shock the nurse and P agreed that he should go back to class with a recheck in an hour. He went back to class and was perfectly fine. His back was no longer bothering him but his wrist was a bit swollen. Once I heard the second report, I decided to take a trip to the school and check in with the nurse and office staff (why didn't my home # get changed when we moved). On first impression, T looked no worse for wear. He did have swelling on his wrist and I could see a bit of light bruising. Karate was out for the afternoon, so the kiddos and I went to the bookstore.

While we were sitting there I decided to call the pediatrician to get him an appointment for the next day. I wanted to make sure he was going to be well enough to go back to karate over the weekend (at least 3 practices). Once they heard the symptoms they asked me how I felt about getting an xray right away. How could I say no? So off we went to the imaging center that closed in less than 30 minutes. We made it in within seconds of them locking the doors. The xray was simple and as I was chatting with the tech a comment was made that it was a VERY good thing he did not go to karate. I laughed and said I would be waiting for a call from the doctor.

We got home with the plans of making and eating dinner. The water had not come to a boil when I got the call from the pediatrician. It was definitely broken and we needed to go to the urgent care center for a splint and referral to an orthopedist. Whew..

It really wasn't that chaotic. We just kept going on with life not really making a big deal about anything. T and I took a ride to the urgent care and then we came home and had dinner. The next morning I sent him to school expecting the referralf for the orthopedist to come late in the afternoon or on Monday. The medical community actually seemed to be in more of a rush to get him in than we were.

T is a bit frustrated that his dominant wrist is broken. However, there are very few things that it has kept him from doing. He has made two comments trying to milk the situation. "Don't you feel so bad that I broke my wrist that you'll buy me this toy?" and "My handwriting is going to be REALLY bad for 2 months, so you can't get mad at me." LOL.. He is writing, drawing, and climbing rock walls at school. He is also not wearing the blasted sling.

Boys will be boys....

P and I also had a consultation today about speech therapy for T. He will be evaluated here in the next few weeks and may start therapy this year and going into the next school year. It's nothing major.. P and I both had speech, so this is by no means a surprise.

WOW... you made it through that ramble. :) Have a great afternoon. I'm off to the gastroenterologist to claim him as my doctor and follow up on my medical drama from last week.

Adventures in life as a WLS Post-Op

2008-04-09T16:14:00.003-05:00

Monday's appointment with the hematologist was relieving. I did have an increased blood pressure at 153/83 (I'm sure the worrying and a latte were the cause), which I will have monitor in the future. But for the main reason that I was there... My feretin was 36. That's a great number because the hematologist considers anything over 6 normal. My b12 is dropping but is still in the normal range at 281 (not surpising because I haven't been taking the extra doses) and I will have to up my oral intake or switch to shots. I asked about the pregnancy and how the delivery will affect my anemia and vice versa how the anemia will affect the baby. The doctor put it like this: I will need more iron in the future but for right now the baby and I are both great and do not need to change our routine (but we do have to keep it up). When I breastfeed (notice the power of positive thinking) the baby will not need any supplements because I have enough stored for the two of us right now. I will see the hematologist again in six months which is three months after the birth. Whew!!

After that great news I was really thinking that this was really a NORMAL pregnancy. Ha, ha, ha! Last night I was eating a piece of chocolate and it got stuck in my digestive track and I had horrid pain in my chest, inbetween my shoulder blades, and I felt like there was a lump in my throat. I tried everything I could think of.. tums, levsin (digestive muscle relaxant), bread (absorb acid), and water. The pain was still there and I hoped it would be gone when I woke up this morning. It wasn't and drinking water created more pain. The water and my iron pill stayed down which showed that I don't have a blockage. After calling around trying to find a doctor who would see me (moving post WLS sucks in the after care arena) I was sent to the ER. The ER doctor was great and recognized the symptoms as an irritated digestive track. He gave me a GI cocktail and two prescriptions with orders to come back if the pain worsens or if I have difficulty breathing. So, I'm not dying and the baby is not compromised. However, I will be on a liquid diet for 2 days.. umm.. fun times ahead. :)

Baking bread.. good for the soul

2008-04-08T14:49:00.004-05:00

I have had the itch to bake again for over a week. I finally bit the bullet and borrowed this recipe for challah bread. I messed up on the braiding.. but other than that it looks and tastes great. It was a very simple creation that I could see doing on a weekly basis.

The only thing I would change about the baking this afternoon is the phone call that interupted it.. Sometimes I really hate my dramatic family. That's all I'm going to say because I don't need to get more down on myself about it. It's not my fault. It's the way my family is and will always be.. I just have to learn to rise above it and not let it effect me. Easier said than done...

Dog Days

2008-04-08T08:36:00.002-05:00

With the construction in progress on two lots near our house, life has been difficult for our dog. You see, he HAS to bark at them to tell them that he can take them.

This morning he went out to do his business and was barking within five minutes. Dog: Hey... there was the school bus and the garbage truck on the street at the SAME time. What would you have done?

Half an hour later he whines to go out and I bring him in as soon as he barks once. Yet, he continues to bark in the house.
Dog: Mom can be so mean sometimes. I was just trying to get that kids attention.
Me: Don't wake R up. Damnit, You woke her up!!

Currently he is whining to go out because the construction crews are out with large equipment.
Dog: Mom I want to go out and tell them I can take them. Please.. I'll sit on your lap if you won't let me go out.
Me: No.. It's bad enough I have to hear you bark in the house.. I'll still hear you outside and so will the neighbors. NO!
Dog: What if I sit down on and offer a shake? PLEEEASE!!!!
Me: NO!
(I get up to use the restroom. I'm ready for a catheter, thank you.)
Dog: OH.. She's gonna let me go outside and bark. Yeah!! Mom, let's go.. bark.. let's go. (Maybe if I stand in front of her and block the hallway)
Me: NO!
Dog: Fine, be that way. I'll lay here right next to you and lick every inch of this 82lb body and annoy the daylights out of you.
Me: I've still got the crate in the garage and I will use it!

Gardening

2008-04-06T22:40:00.004-05:00

When we bought our house we had planned to have a garden in our large flat back yard. Unfortunately, as we watched our house go up we noticed that our back yard was quite steep and with the covered porch that I had added we would not have "flat" land to create a garden.

All four of us were quite disappointed. We were eager for the experience and the convenience of home grown fruits/vegetables. P came up with the idea of doing "tiered" gardening and I jumped on once I was able to envision the project. Today (Sunday) we bit the bullet and bought the soil, wood frames/stakes, seeds, and peet moss at 5pm. We decided it was a now or never project and dug right in.

I found a positive to having a home built in the winter; the sod and plants do not have the proper conditions to root themselves and are easily moved to new homes. We debated the locations and then I started rolling and pulling sod up. It took approximately two x three sod squares to reach our desired size of each plot. With 4 plots we were left with 48 sod squares that need a new home. I eagerly placed the first 24 in the front yard where the builder doomed us insurmountable amounts of mulch (I HATE mulch).

Our four plots are free of sod and sitting pretty with a mix of peet moss, soil, and compost mix (bought at our favorite home improvement store). We will be planting the seeds this week and completing the framing of the gardens. I personally can't wait to see how well this experiment works. I'm sure that R and I will spend a lot of time outside pulling weeds and watering the garden. I'm hoping this will offset our grocery shopping budget too. Maybe, I'll try to do some pickling and other projects with the bounty of goodies we will hopefully reap.

I will try to get pictures of the project tomorrow. That is, if I can move. I am so sore... The exercise is good for me.. I just need to remember to keep it consistent.

Children of the house

2008-04-05T22:41:00.002-05:00

I'm choosing a crazy time to share goings on in my kiddos lives. But, if I don't do it while the urge is here, I may never get this down.

T is doing much better at school and karate. He only has SIX (6) weeks of school left before summer break. He is also gearing up for his first karate tournament. He has accepted an extra day of practice to improve his skills before the competition. What else? He got a skooter for Christmas from my mother (received 3 weeks ago.. opened 2 days ago) and he loves it. I love it too! It's extremely portable once you figure out how to push the fold down lever. He is curious about what is little brother is thinking or doing at all times.. How many times can I say "Beansprout is sleeping"? I'm glad he is excited about his little brother's arrival and I agree with him that this pregnancy is lasting forever.

R is totally in a princess craze. She recently went shopping with a gift card and purchased a snow white dress up gown (fits her perfectly in the length .. but she can't um.. fill it out. Where are the darn mitten clips?) that matches her purse, gloves, and shoes. She also found two princess dolls that she is enjoying dressing up. She LOVES and THRIVES on terrorizing her brother (especially in public). She is asking to take ballet next year and is also talking about karate. I'm guessing we will go the ballet route for now. Unless, she insists on karate. She is excited about her baby brother and loves to cuddle on my belly. OUCH!

They have torn the play room apart and we will be tackling that beast tomorrow. I'm at the point now that I can't carry anything of size or weight any distance or up the stairs. Thankfully, the three amigos will be here to do my bidding. Well, at least they will after I call them ten times and threaten to take the toys to the needy children. I bet it will be a lot easier to clean than I think.. they do have a lot of empty boxes up here. OH P.......... WHY DID YOU BRING BOXES up here for the CHILDREN to unpack WITHOUT supervision?

On a final positive note. They were both in bed without complaint at 930 on a Saturday night. Will R stay in her bed all night? Stay tuned.

Hump Day

2008-04-02T13:05:00.001-05:00

Today feels like it should be the end of a strenuous week. Instead it is Wednesday and I have done very little yet I feel like a Mac Truck hit me. I woke up this morning (late again.. ) to see T and P off to work. It's always nice because I encourage P to sit down with me in the morning and have a parents only breakfast. After breakfast P got his stuff together and I sat on the front porch in my bathrobe. It's cool yet not bone chilling today and it was refreshing for the 5 minutes I allowed myself. Why only 5 minutes? Because I could barely sit up and really wanted to crawl into my warm bed even if R was hogging 80% of it. So I was back asleep by 730 and slept until 900 (minus a restroom run)when R eagerly requested Pancakes with syrup and chocolate milk. I gave her all of it after 5 minutes of nagging on her behalf. I knew something was wrong them because I never give chocolate milk out with breakfast. I made sure she was satisfied and made myself a protein smoothie hoping it would give me a bounce. Nope, I was headed for the bed before 930. R was safely watching Noggin (oh how I love you) and Riley was asleep on his bed.. Until 1045 when the construction crew started next door. The house shook and shook and the dog barked and barked. I gave in and told myself a shower would be a great option. I felt better after and managed to make us a decent lunch.. but I have no energy to do anything other than that. I could try to lay down but the construction trucks and barking dog would not allow that to happen.

What happened to me?? I want some energy back! Hmm.. Maybe a starbucks run would refresh me?

Enter to win this awesome giveaway

2008-04-01T18:42:00.005-05:00

What punctuation mark are you?

2008-04-01T07:50:00.003-05:00

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning.
And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong.

You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more.You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises.

Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking.
(But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!)

My response:
Heh.. I love to ask questions. When someone asks for my opinion I usually respond with three to four questions before I give a response. It could be the people pleaser in me. LOL.. I really should get ready for the prenatal appointment now. Parking will be a pain in the arse today.

Round-up Challenge for April..

2008-04-01T07:17:00.003-05:00

Organizing Junkie is challenging us to round up the clutter this month. Last month the challenge was the dining room and the month before kitchen. Those who completed those challenges have truly humbled me. This month I am going to take the bull by the horns and accept the challenge for the master bedroom.

**We have only been in this house two months.. it shouldn't be this bad**

Problem areas:
1- My new vanity, which I have never used for it's intended purpose, is covered in clutter and laundry.
2- The cradle, is the landing spot for everything.. it looks ten times better than it did last week.. the clothes piled up were killing my zen state. :)
3- The bathroom closet, is full of unorganized health/beauty items. Most of these items are old and need to be organized from the move.. some are new that I have acquired in my CVS adventures over the last month. You have to see that basket to realize how well I've truly done!
4- The masterbedroom closet, the floor is covered in boxes and baskets of misc clothes and items. I was working when we moved and just shoved the clothes from the dresser into plastic tubs. As we use an item it is put away in the dresser or armoire.. that's not the way to do it. Let's not add insult to injury and mention that I'm preggers and 98% of my wardrobe does not fit.
5- Bed, there is a 3yo in it and the support beams are not supporting the bed due to jumping.
6- Dirty laundry on my bedroom floor. I did not bring the hamper back downstairs after the last use and now my bedroom runneth over.

Goals:
Clean off vanity and keep it clean for good.
Pull the out the last few items from the cradle.
Bring hamper back down and take dirty laundry upstairs as it gets full.
Insist that our bedroom is a kid free (not baby) zone especially at bedtime.
Purge and conquer the clutter in the bathroom.
Sort through the boxes and bins in the master closet and decide if I will truly wear these clothes again.

It's a darn good thing I have a month.. LOL

I'm off to take pictures for the show and tell at the end of the month!

Making note..

2008-03-31T09:04:00.003-05:00

I want to be able to get these things down...

I woke up this morning a bit late but feeling ok. I got T out the door on time and P was fed, coffeed, and had a packed lunch before he left. But, when I went to go upstairs with my cofee and phone I was out of breath and had a hard time regaining my normal breathing pattern. Once I got still and off the phone I was still having a hard time and laid on my side to watch General Hospital. I expected to fall asleep at first but I was feeling good enough to enjoy Friday's episode and carry on a conversation with P (he called to check on me after I let him know how I was feeling) and my friend. I had small headache when I went downstairs to let the dog out and came back up not quite as winded but the headache is painful again. Argh.. I bet my blood pressure is up. It's a good thing I see the OB tomorrow (Oh .. they had to reschedule due to the doctor's need to be out of town for a funeral). I'll check my bp today when I go to CVS and/or at the hematologist's office when I get my labs drawn.

Yesterday we had a pretty good day. I went to the grocery store and got two copies of the Sunday paper (karate school featured and good coupons), bacon (supposed to be b1g1f.. but it wrang up wrong), and eggs. We had a yummy breakfast and hung out for the morning. I was able to clip most of my coupons and file them before we went out. We took T out for having a very good couple of weeks at school with coupons to Chuck E Cheese. Yaa Coupons! We saved $10. Then we went to Home Depot and got a doorbell extender, motion sensor light for the front porch (darn neighborhood teenagers), a beware of dog sign (he's big and scary until he gets close to you and just wants to play), and a couple of saw horses for P. Total $170.10.. only spent $20.10 thanks to gift cards from realtor and builder! Then we headed over to Kroger (P wanted to see the renovations or else I would have not taken the whole brood) and spent $75 out of pocket.. but saved over $$77!!! That was with $25 in manufacturers coupons, and $50 of store coupons and specials! We stocked up on things that we love but were great deals and I was able to use a lot of coupons that were about to expire. These are the things I love about Kroger: They double coupons up to $.50 all the time, they have great specials 10/$10 on Hummus.. this brand is normally $3.99 (we stocked up), they have one card for everything (school support, Upromise, Coupons (you can link up on line.. even register for samples on line too), and Store discounts. I had a blast watching my savings go over what I actually spent.

I have to go to CVS today.. let's see how I do with that.

Oh one more thing.. Living in a neighborhood that is still being build has it's disadvantages. Let's see, earthmovers during homework time, surveyors out before 9am, and two construction zones within spitting distance of our yard. GREAT TIMES!!

Pregnancy after WLS

2008-03-29T16:43:00.003-05:00

I swear there should be a book out there by now about WLS after pregnancy. If I could gather more than three coherant thoughts, I might try to do it myself. That's not very likely, so don't hold your breath.

I'm actually a bit surprised at how normal this pregnancy is being treated. I'm not high-risk according to this OB and I only go in once a month. This is still odd to me after pregnancy with R and high blood pressure. But, I'm trying to accept that I'm NORMAL today. I just wish this OB would follow my labs a bit closer and/or monitor my supplements and diet. I know I'm an adult.. but I'm preggers and one tends to forget things like taking iron 4xday. I'm doing good to get it in 3xday some days.. mostly I remember 2xday. (I don't hate this OB, there's just NO ONE as good as the OB I had in Virginia)

Beansprout is developing on target and I can feel him moving around most of the time. ESPECIALLY when I'm trying to sleep or sit with the laptop on my lap. I have to have some faith that my body is doing what it is supposed to do. The lab draw on Monday will help ease these concerns.

The only other "concern" I have about a post WLS pregnancy is the flabby skin. Yes, there is a baby and everyone notices. But, I still see a ton of extra belly skin when I look at myself after a shower. There will be no bare belly shots of this girl until the due date that is for sure. Basically, I feel like I'm still not right. I know I can have the surgeries (I WILL after the baby making machine is done), but I wanted to be cuter.. I know I'm better off than I was pre-WLS and I've gotta keep that in mind. There is a positive to a pregnant body after WLS... the jugs.. yup, DH is in LOVE. He wants to keep them. LOL.. I love them too.. they are so much better than saggy A cups that I folded into my padded bra. Just don't let DH near them as they are so freaking tender all the time.

Diet and supplementation is not as hard as I thought it would be (that could change after Monday's labs). I basically eat normally (ok.. I'm grazing all the time) and try to make sure I get at least one protein drink in a day. Beansprout is not tolerating my protein lattes (shoot.. there's very little tolerance of coffee) so I have switched over to fruity shakes. I have a great blender that has a single serving attachment which makes cleanup a breeze (note to self.. do a review). The other dietary requirements are being met pretty well if I steer clear of the carbs (most snacks are of the protein variety in this house).. oh ok.. I have become a fruitaholic. I love grapes, bananas, and berries.. I just have to make sure to have protein a few minutes before or after a fruity snack.

Would I have WLS before pregnancy again? YES! It has saved me wear and tear on my body and mental health. The baby and I are in less jepoardy than I put R and myself. Also, I do fit in the cute maternity clothes.. even if my saggy bum can't hold the jeans up. :)

Whatcha-doin?

2008-03-29T09:35:00.002-05:00

Carmen asked and here's my answer:

*listening to boy create his second bionicle.
*Wondering what DH is doing on his computer.
*Thinking about that load in the washer that needs to be rewashed.
*Surfing for coupons and savings for next week.
*Catching up on blog reading (can't a girl take half a day off.. LOL)
*Drinking cold coffee.
*Telling myself to go make breakfast.
*Thanking God that we don't have to go anywhere today.
*Wishing I had socks on right now.
*telling myself to sort the coupons (pull out expired and match to sale ads)

How is your weekend going? Whatcha-doin?

Life is moving fast..

2008-03-27T12:58:00.002-05:00

There are good things, bad things, awesome things, and shitty things that I need to get off my chest. I was just reminded that it's ok to let it all out.

So here goes...

When I last wrote a real entry, I was getting ready for a trip to FL and the departure was delayed due to DH's job. We were not able to extend the trip into the next week due to a conference call with what I'll call the corporate office for DH's job(damn thing was cancelled). But, it was better that we left when we did, as things hit the fan in a major way.

My family, who all agreed that they would take care of our kiddos while DH and I escaped to Orlando for a few days, suddenly decided they could not find a way to watch our kiddos. DH offered to take the kids but I knew he was as eager as I to get away sans children. I did the immature thing and left them there. My sister ended up having to take the day off work for her "career track" job so that my "mother" could go to work at the convenience store (this was the day I specificallly reminded her that I needed her to be free for weeks). So, I got back to sister's house and gave her a sushi kit and a gift card to the grocery store. She was beat by the stress of four kids and drama at home and I think it made her day. She never buys herself anything. That bugs me...

We all hung out for a bit until P, T, R and I were summoned to my grandmother's for "christmas". We opened the kids gifts and our gifts and said our thanks as we were shuffled out of the house so they could go to dinner. I didn't bring the gifts we bought because that would have required the minivan instead of the sedan (double the gas). It turns out that my grandmother made snarky remarks about how much my father got for christmas versus my mother (umm.. she just got tons of clothes and money from me in the last year and he got clearance rack grandpa t-shirts (WHICH HE APPRECIATED MORE THAN SHE APPRECIATES ANYTHING).. but WHATEVER). This commenting was relayed to me the next day by my mother as I was driving home. BUT, she is not upset that I didn't get her anything.. just that her mother is trying to push us apart. I had enough and got off the phone quickly. I avoided every call from her until the next afternoon when she decided to chew me a new a$$hole. I reminded her that I have done a million trips in the last ten years, have a family that I need to take care of, and if that meant I called her in a few days instead of the minute we hit the driveway.. well she would have to deal with it. And I hung up on her and have not talked to her since.

/rant... I really do feel better.

What was great about the trip and the last week?
* T and R had a great time with their cousins and want to go back... today.
* T and R spent the night with my dad.. a first!
* P and I had a great time in Orlando and the luau at Sea World is awesome!
* T has had a great week at school. I'm hoping that next 7 weeks will be just as great!
* R is using pull-ups at night and has not gotten one wet in well over a week. I'm not buying any more .. even with great coupons.. just in case.
* R will sleep in her bed if I go through a bedtime routine with her.
* Beansprout is kicking up a storm!
* P and I really reconnected even though I'm worried about my sister (and I take my worry out on him way too much).
* My bed has clean sheets (cookies, spaghetti-o's, and anything else is banned from my room in the future)!
* T is getting a stripe for his belt at karate today. It's his first in several months because of the issues he's been facing. I would not let him stripe test if he couldn't behave at home/school/karate. I believe he has to earn it and he did this month.

**********
The next couple of weeks will be full of medical visits. I have an appointment of my anemia lab work on Monday and a prenatal appointment on Wednesday. The next week I meet with the hematologist. I really am making a better effort to take my iron.. but I could be better.

We still don't have a name for beansprout. I had a name for T on the day he was conceived and R's was almost immediately decided after the 20 week u/s. It's been 4 weeks that we've known the gender and we have a possible first name.. but P isn't committing to it yet. I'm not completely frustrated.. just in awe that I haven't made it a mission to get a name for this little one.

Ok, I have to go fold laundry and use the restroom.. again!

Giveaway.. Rosetta Stone

2008-03-25T21:50:00.002-05:00

I'm going to enter this giveaway tonight. If you're still up avoiding that stupid movie your husband is watching.. enter it too!

Rosetta Stone has been the #1 foreign language curriculum among homeschoolers for a while -- next week they are unleashing a brand new curriculum, and you can WIN the *all new* Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3… FOR FREE!

This is a $219 program (and believe me it's worth every penny!) and the winner gets to pick from any of these 14 languages: Spanish (Spain or Latin America), English (American or British), Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Irish, Hebrew, or Russian.

This will also include a headset with microphone, and students will participate in lifelike conversations and actually produce language to advance through the program. Rosetta Stone still incorporates listening, reading and writing as well, in addition to speaking. Many homeschoolers requested grammar and vocabulary exercises, and with Rosetta Stone Homeschool Version 3, they're included! For parents, the new Parent Administrative Tools are integrated into the program and allow parents to easily enroll students in any of 12 predetermined lesson plans, monitor student progress, and view and print reports.

To win this most excellent program -- in the language of your choice -- copy these (italicized) paragraphs (highlight, then hit Ctrl C to copy) and post it in (or as) your next blog post (hit Ctrl V to paste) -- then to enter the contest, go to the original contest page HERE: and leave a comment with the link showing where you blogged about it. And please make sure the link works to get back to the original contest page when you post it. And good luck! The winner will be picked randomly on March 26, and will be notified thru the link they left to their blog pg. And if you have more than one blog, you can post them and enter those separately for more chances to win. Yay for free stuff!

Change of Plans and some Ramblings

2008-03-15T14:58:00.003-05:00

I don't know why I get all excited about our vacation plans. They always seem to be delayed because DH just can't get away from work. **Disclaimer, He does have a lot on his plate now and the overtime is great due to my lack of employment.** BUT, this happens anytime we make plans that can be changed. In fact, this trip is being cut short because of his work.. I need to stop whining. I don't know when he'll be home tonight and I don't know if he'll have to go in tomorrow. Ugh, I just want to get in the car in the morning (before the sun is up) and get to FL so that I can enjoy a few days with my family before P and I head over to Orlando to celebrate our Tenth Anniversary.

T's response to Daddy having to work this weekend, "He doesn't like to go to FL with us anyway. So we'll just go without him." I wish! But, it's our tenth anniversary. If it were just the kids and I going we would have left oh.. 24 hours ago.

TENTH ANNIVERSARY, TENTH ANNIVERSARY...

Little (LONG) list of rambles..

**Pictures, especially of the belly variety are lacking because the shutter button on the digital camera has popped off. Circuit City is mailing us the Warranty Repair box and it should be back in 7-10 days after they receive it. Unless it has to be replaced. I've taped it and I'm praying I can get some shots in FL and of the belly this week before I ship it off. Maybe, I should just take my SLR and use real film...

** T has had a hard time at school. He's always been a child who has difficulty with transitions and works better with one teacher who understands him than with the 4 or 5 teachers he has in the course of a week (art, PE, computer, library, substitutes). He is working on this with me at home and with the school through the counseling department. They say he's smart and mature but he is also eccentric and has ticks that are hard for all adults to understand. I have considered home schooling and private schools.

** R is a great 3yo when she is out with Mommy or at home with Mommy. But, if you addd in brother to an outing all HELL breaks loose. If you take Mommmy out for childless grocery shopping, she cries and screams the whole time. I love her but .. DAMN.

** I have been using coupons and stocking up on special deals at CVS. I think I will try Kroger instead of my beloved and VERY close to home Publix to see if I can get better deals there. They just better give away the free cookie or T and R will not be happy. I've noticed that I'm doing better at only buying items on sale or rememebering to go to CVS for prescriptions and other household items so that I can earn ECBs. I'm still learning .. but every bit helps.

**Bean Sprout. He's still in there and kicking pretty regularly. I have used deals to stock up on 4 packs of size one diapers, 2 big packs of wipes, 3 bottles of lotions, and diaper cream. I also gave in and bought him two outfits last night. I need to start washing and sorting the clothes we do have. That is a scary mountain of clothes to go through...

Before I run Riley (big goofy dog who likes to escape) to the kennel and take P a mocha, I'll go through a few bins. My brother needs baby girl clothes for his little one due in May and there's no time like the present to get started. DH can help me with the kitchen when he gets home. :) OK, I'll do it when I get home. I need coffee too!

Blogging and winning Free stuff!

2008-03-12T10:32:00.002-05:00

I've increased my posting here and although most of it is rambling from my head. I'm enjoyoing it. I'm also commenting on blogs. Not a lot mind you, but more than before. I hope to become more talkative around the blog world. :)

What did I win when I finally spoke up? A chocoperfection bar from Melting Mama. I haven't tasted it yet as I'm saving it for a rainy day. I also won a beautiful Personalized Ribbon bookmark at Freebies 4 Mom last night.

I have to say it's fun to get out there and read the tricks for saving money or living life after gastric bypass. I just wish these women were closer instead of far far away..

When I grow up..

2008-03-11T14:55:00.002-05:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/10/AR2008031003107.html?referrer%3Demailarticle&sub=AR

I've been cutting coupons for a couple of weeks. I've decided to send the coupons I don't use on to the military families overseas where the coupons can be used for up to 6 months past the expiration date.

What is so awesome is that the ladies listed in te article above do it all for the military members. I truly want to be like that and want my children to strive to that when they are adults. I just pray we don't have to go to war again any time soon.

4 things about me

2008-03-11T09:41:00.002-05:00

4 things about me. This is kind of fun . I'll look forward to hearing back from you.

Four jobs I have had in my life:

1. Hospital Registrar

2. Training Coordinator

3. Taco Bell worker

4. Toys R Us Cashier

Four places I have lived:

1. Fredericksburg, VA

2. Huntsville, Alabama

3. Melbourne, FL

4. Pensacola, FL

Four places I have been on vacation:

1. Wilmington, NC

2. Orlando, FL

3. St. Louis, MO

4. Dover, De

Four of my favorite foods :

1. Prime Rib

2. shirmp not fried

3. Jamocha shake (oh how I miss you)

4. Real Fruit Smoothies

Four places I would rather be right now:

1. in bed sleeping (Daylight savings time gets me like this every year)

2. Florida with family (next week for spring break)

3. At starbucks alone except for a good book

4. family vacation (without extended family.. maybe at fall break)

Four friends I think will respond first:

1. D
2. MM
3. K
4. ?

Here's what you're supposed to do, and please do not spoil the fun. Copy/paste in a new post. Then delete my answers and type in your answers. Then, send this to a whole bunch of people you know INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. The theory is that you will learn a lot of little known facts about those who know you.

Remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you

Menu Plan Monday

2008-03-10T13:06:00.004-05:00

We are leaving town Saturday morning for our Spring Break trip to Fl. So my first menu planning week will be shortened. Whew...

Visit I'm an organizing Junkie for more menus.

Monday
Breakfast - Boys.. Breakfast Sandwiches Girls.. Fried Egg and 1/2 bagel
Lunch - Leftover chili and/or pork from this weekend
Dinner - Tilapia and Rice w/ Green beans and homemade bread

Tuesday
Breakfast - Grits and boiled eggs
Lunch - Sandwiches Turkey or Ham
Dinner - Roast w/potatoes and carrots and homemade bread

Wednesday
Breakfast - Eggs and English muffins
Lunch - Grilled ham and cheese
Dinner - Leftover night

Thursday
Breakfast - Oatmeal
Lunch - Leftovers/sandwiches
Dinner - Pizza (frozen)

Friday
Breakfast- Eggs and Biscuits
Lunch - probably on the run doing last minute errands/leftovers
Dinner - Parents Night Out at Karate .. usually go out.. should do leftovers

Saturday
Breakfast - Oatmeal and/or Breakfast Sandwiches ... two large thermoses (how is that spelled) of strong coffee

What your latte says about you

2008-03-08T18:36:00.003-06:00

I have cut down on my latte drinking by 80% due to the attitude from bean sprout (he gives me a nasty taste after drinking too much coffee.. the brat) and cutting back on spending $$$. But you should know a Latte is the key to my heart. Here is the proof:

What Your Latte Says About You

You are very decadent in all aspects of your life. You never scale back, and you always live large.

You can be quite silly at times, but you know when to buckle down and be serious.

Intense and energetic, you aren't completely happy unless you are bouncing off the walls.

You're addicted to caffeine. There's no denying it.

You are responsible, mature, and truly an adult. You're occasionally playful, but you find it hard to be carefree.

You are complex and philosophical, but you are never arrogant.

What Does Your Latte Say About You?

It's a boy!

2008-03-07T10:43:00.004-06:00

This is the t-shirt that I will need for the rest of this pregnancy, because Bean Sprout is a boy!

R was correct the whole time! We are all super excited. I just can't believe I don't have a name picked out yet. I'm not even sure of my top three possibilities... Gah. It's a good thing I've got a few months to go.

So far for the baby we have bought one green teddy bear, 3 packs of diapers, and some wipes. If you know me in real life, this is major because I LOVE to shop! I better start deciding which stroller and bedding set I want. Oh, I'm also getting a coming home outfit for the little guy.

Ms. Tornado Chatterbox

2008-03-04T09:34:00.006-06:00

Last night we sat down as a familiy to watch The Last Mimzy; a movie that was supposed to whimisical that ended up being very disjointed and unbelievable in my opinion.

What does your 3yo do when the family is going to watch a movie? Mine hosts a tea party for her babies and Mommy. No matter how much P tried to get her to whisper or watch the strange movie, she would not hush up. He wanted to know why she suddenly found her voice, "We were so worried when she wouldn't talk and now she won't shut up." It is a mixed blessing indeed.

We also found out who is really responsible for our play room becoming a disaster. She is!! A tea party must be layed out everywhere and all stuffed animals must be in attendance (I typed assistanceoriginally.. oh pregnancy brain). Oh, the coffee and cocoa are the soft beads for her coordination of course. We are still finding these beads everywhere and they have been hidden away for two days.

This afternoon the family will squeeze into the ultrasound suite to see our little baby and hopefully find out the gender. R heard me tell T that he would be there and she thought I was leaving her home. You see, I am not allowed to go to the doctor's office without her there to defend me. :) Tonight or tomorrow the world will know what the next D family baby will be! Say a little prayer for me if you don't mind. I'm getting nervous about finding something wrong. It is a routine test and I have two healthy children.. but something is just pulling at my heart.

Productivity at it's finest

2008-03-03T14:35:00.002-06:00

I wanted to put a positive spin on the day, week, and month. I can do that today because I have started to feel the positives of not working.

-We had great day out as a family on Saturday and other than eating out we didn't spend a bunch of money.
-Sunday I went to CVS and saved a bundle and hope to do better next week. I'm working on being just a frugal with my grocery items as I am with clothing.
-Sunday afternoon disappeared with me not really knowing where it went. SWEET... I haven't had a day like that in forever
-P set up the Satellite receiver in our bedroom. Yeah for non-dvd watching!
-We went to bed before 10pm last night
-I was up at 0615 to make breakfast for the boys before thy were off to work and school.
- I didn't sit down until 0830... (yes, this makes me happy) because I folded laundry, spot cleaned the floor, straightened the kitchen. After a brief break I vacuumed the upstairs. Go me! Mondays used to be about me finding ways to sleep more/longer.

R and I are waiting for T to get home. We need to go to the grocery store and hopefully I can make good use of these coupons that I've clipped. The furniture store that no one should ever go to is supposed to call about fixing T's bedroom set for the second time.

Life in slow motion

2008-02-29T22:34:00.003-06:00

Things are changing around here so much that I feel like I'm standing still and just ca't get going. The events of the last few weeks have been dreams come true. However, they happened in a sequence that baffles me.

The best thing that happened is that we moved into our house. Yes, there are more challenges than we expected. What's life without a few curveballs, right? We knew that I wanted to get out of my job. I had promised DH that I would stay until we made a couple of mortgage payments. Events at the job changed that rather quickly. In the end, leaving the job this soon is better for the family, if not for our finances.

Now we are sitting here with some money in the bank and a nice tax return on the way. But, do we set it aside and use it to buffer where my income would have been or do we pay off debts that we have? Agh! I don't want to delve to deeply into my finances because I know I will be frustrated beyond belief. Can I pay someone to take a look at my mess of book keeping and tell me what to do? DH loves to play dig my head in the sand. I've unfortunately fallen into this trap too!

The truth is, we are still reasonably secure. I know that DH won't get a pink check tomorrow. I know that we have a car payment that will be gone in as little as 6 months. I know that the house in VA will sell EVENTUALLY or it will become a great investment property for the longterm. It's the now that I don't know about.

I've over committed myself and DH. We are going to FL for spring break and our 10 year anniversary. Most of it will be spent with family and we will not have to pay out. We are going to take a few days of adult time and go over to Orlando to celebrate our anniversary. We aren't going to spend a ton there.. but it is an expense that I know we don't have to take. Why take it? T and R are desperate to get back to FL and see their cousins/grandparents/aunts/uncles.

We also have this bundle of joy on the way and we have to get a new travel system. I am trying to get a bargain price for a product that I will be happy with. That is the only large baby gear item we need. Then there is the living room/dining room downstairs. It's empty.. DH feels like he needs to buy the furniture now.

This is making me crazy. I'm a little more relieved to get it on screen. Now, I need to make a plan of attack and stick to it.

Mid night awakenings

2008-02-29T03:59:00.003-06:00

Today a friend was on the phone stating that she would never be able to keep a bbt chart because she could not sleep the required 4 hours straight without getting up for any of a multitude of toddler and preschooler related issues. STUPIDLY, I was blissfully thinking of the 8.5 hours of sleep I enjoyed the night before.

Tonight is my turn. We turned in late after TV and couple time. Less than 3 hours later DH was hacking up both of his lungs and interrupting my sleep. I rudely told him to shut up so that I could get some sleep. When that did not work, Bean Sprout reminded me that my bladder was fuller than allowed. I went back to bed mumbling and grumbling (how very wifely and caring). DH went into the master bath where he continued to hack. THEN he insisted on rudely slamming drawers and doors in a quest. It was disturbing me so I asked him what the HECK he was looking for. He stated a cough suppressant. Um, those would be the sticky bottles that were dumped out 3 days ago when I was un-packing. I directed him to sinus medication. It took forever for him to cough, open the package, turn off the light, and get in the bed.

DH was laying down when I saw a shadow in my doorway. “What’s wrong Mr. Cuddly (T)?” (What? so I’m a thousand times sweeter to my child than my spouse) “I can’t sleep”. He comes toward the bed. I insist that Daddy’s hacking will not be safe for him. Yet, he still continues. I reach out and touch his forehead. Dang it, he is burning up. I get up and go on a quest for the thermometer. He follows me to the master bath and says he may be sick. He doesn’t get sick but does use the restroom. Whew! I take his temperature with the faulty ear thermometer. It reads 101.1, 101.3, 100.7 and I declare him fevered and ask DH if we are to add a degree*.

I grab fever reducer and Benadryl for the boy in the hopes his fever, sleeplessness, and drainage would be solved eventually. I send him up to the play room with instructions to watch cartoons while the medication begins to work. DH asks me if I am going to check on him after I put everything away. “YES!” I head upstairs and the boy is in his bed. I am up at this point and begin blogging.. The boy is in the room with me within 15 minutes because he’s hot.

Boys = 2 sick (dog seems ok for now)… girls = 1 sleeping soundly.. one dreaming of sleep and promising to be thankful for any and all sleep and sleepless nights.

*Side note: I really should look that up and put a reference chart with the thermometers.

“…instead of adding or subtracting a degree when you report your child's temperature to your pediatrician, simply report the temperature and how you took it. Rectal temperatures are usually about 1 degree higher than oral temperatures and 1 1/2 degrees higher than axillary temperatures, but since you don't have to add a degree with ear or temporal thermometers, talking about adding or subtracting a degree can be confusing.” Pediatrics @ about.com

Giveaway at Penniesinmypocket.net

2008-02-28T14:55:00.004-06:00

I've just started reading Melody's work at Pennies in my pocket. She has a ton of money saving tips. But, today she is reviewing and able to give a DVD away. This PrimaPrincess DVD introduces girls to ballet. Stop by and visit Melody for a chance to win this dvd and gleam other great tips from her experience.

Potty Training is a success

2008-02-28T12:30:00.002-06:00

I'm calling it ladies and gentlemen. We have been working with R since the new year to get her potty trained. She went pee in the Fisher-Price Royal Stepstool Potty immediately and refused to go anywhere else. We resorted to hiding the pull-ups during the day so that she couldn't be lazy. This was great because we reduced our pull-up usage by 70%. She was only using one when she HAD to go poop and at bedtime.

Why did we give in and give her pull-ups when she had to go poop? Because she would hold it for 4 or 5 days or just plain refuse to take her pull-up off in the morning until she could poop. She did this for a few weeks with us only giving the pull-up when she DESPERATELY needed it and couldn't/wouldn't get it out in the potty.

I literally carried the potty seat in the back of the van and walked her out to the van to use the restroom. It was a sight in January.. During this time we tried to get her to go pee in public with us holding her up on the public toilets and using potty rings. This did not work until she was completely miserable with the need to go pee and the only option I had for her was to sit on the "adult" toilet. After this she consented to using the Dora the Explorer Soft Potty when we were in public and at home.

About two weeks ago R had diahrrea. This was awful because no matter what pull-up was used it came out everywhere. But, there is a positive. R was using the potty for pee and accidently went #2 in the potty. It scared the daylights out of her. But, it happened two or three more times. When she was done with the gastroentestinal distress she tried to get the pull-ups back. We were wise and hid them in a closet that she can't climb in. Now she is pooping on the toilet and has received her reward for being fully potty trained.

We learned a few lessons.
*Suppositories don't work for R
*On the Go Potty Seats are too big for R's Rear
*NONE of the potty training books believe a child will pee on the pot before poop. THEY ARE WRONG!!
*We better enjoy these diaper free days because the baby will be here soon and we'll start the three year cycle all over again.

Randomness in Questions

2008-02-26T22:02:00.003-06:00

.. because you really don't want me to wax on poetically about these things.

*Can I burn the contents of a room and not the house? Maybe I'll be brave enough to post a picture of the catastrophy that is the family room ... tomorrow.

*Will I ever have a firm belly this pregnancy? Oh ya, it's getting bigger, but damnit, it's still squishy from the extra skin and fatty tissue ala WLS.

*Have you done your taxes? I finished ours tonight. It wasn't too painful. One federal and two state returns. I MISS Florida!

*How frugal can I be? I'm looking for inspiration on many blogs and I just have to put their ideas to use.

*Why do I have to be frugal? Yesterday a mutual decision was made on my part and former boss that I would no longer work there. They offered another position because of the political climate and well they knew they would suck for me. I wanted to be a SAHM anyway. Now I just have to make it work.

*What gender will this baby be? We'll know officially in less than a week!

*How do you make a 6yo go back to the positive child he was a month ago? He's acting out everywhere and I don't have a real cause. I wish I could be a fly on the wall at school...

My "business" day

2008-02-22T15:46:00.003-06:00

This week mornings in the D household start off with P and T getting ready for the day. P wakes me up when he is about to walk out the door so that I can make sure T eats and gets to the bus stop before the bus. Most days I make it upstairs with a cup of coffee for a few minutes. However, I am usually back asleep within an hour.

Ah.. This is the pregnancy side effect that is just not cool right now. Yesterday, I was tempted to call the hematologist and ask him to check my labs. Maybe I should still do that.. because..

This morning I didn't even make it back upstairs. I didn't even pour a cup of coffee. I went straight back to my bedroom and fell into a sleep state. R came down about an hour later and I convinced her to lay down with me. I did this even though the pull-up was RANK. I was just too tired to get up. "Just a few more minutes baby girl." (We REALLY have to stop calling her baby girl). Finally, after hearing water running in my bathroom I was up at almost 9am. I told myself I could lay back down on the sofa upstairs once R was fed and watching cartoons. But, I was much better than that. I ate some breakfast, made my coffee, carried laundry upstairs, and started making phone calls per P's request.

R and I were out of the house before noon heading for lunch with P. That is another thing that we have enjoyed almost every day. After lunch at Ste@k and Sh@ke. We went to Tj M@xx and were severely disappointed in their merchandise, pricing (hello those pjs you are selling for 9.99? I bought them for 3.80 less than a week ago), and nasty restroom. Why I try to go back in that store every few months is beyond me.

We were going to head to the book store for some lounging and reading when I noted that R was asleep. I was able to slip into St@rbucks for over an hour with a sleeping 3yo. Oh, that was peaceful. Then she woke up. :)

Now, I am trying to plan a fun evening for our family. I'm considering a movie, perhaps National Treasure or Spiderwick Chronicles. Honestly now that I'm home and the kids are playing together AND quietly, I'm leary of leaving the house. Unless, I were to leave the house on my own.

Moving forward..

2008-02-19T15:17:00.002-06:00

Upcoming Events:

Two weeks from today we find out if Bean Sprout (child #3) is a boy or a girl. This will allow me to talk to P about possible baby names. He has refused to speak of the subject until we know the gender. This will also allow me to buy the going home outfit and nursery set. Unfortunately, I will also have the honor of picking through all of our baby clothes for the gender/size/season appropriate items. Maybe it will allow me to purchase a few cute outfits for this little one.

Four weeks from today will be our tenth wedding anniversary. We will be in Florida for T's spring break. Our current plan is to get a hotel room in Orlando for a few days and visit Sea World. There will be no children with us for those few days.

Feeling:
Pregnancy wise I am feeling pretty darn good. My hormones seriously work better when I am this pregnant than when I am not pregnant or in my first trimester. I can say that a better way.. P and I are sleeping very deeply at night after a bit of "exercise" and darn it I'm not saying NO this month. SWEET!

On the other hand. There was a scare about six weeks ago with lower back pain that was radiating to the front. Turns out it is caused by an irritated tail bone. There is nothing that can really be done until I deliver the baby. I basically prefer to lay on my side or stand. If I'm sitting, I'm squirming because it's not comfortable.

Home front:
Moving into the house is going a bit slower now. We have everything here but as far as unpacking.. UGH! I need to clean up what is in the house before I bring more boxes in. We are also trying to eat at home a bit more. This is great fun for me because I get to cart a three year old into the grocery store at least twice a week. She loves Publ!x and asks to go there on days that we have no reason. Truly, she's no real bother in the store. It's my lack of writing a list. I'm still not sure what we "need" to stock the fridge and pantry. I'm thinking I need to go back to the menu planning and grocery list writing for the week in advance. It won't get rid of the second trip as we always need more milk and toilet paper. :)

So life is peachy and I don't have to be at work for 4 days. That always puts a smile on my face.

It's Saturday..

2008-02-16T08:21:00.002-06:00

It's Saturday and I have to be at work in 3.5 hours. I dread Saturday and Sunday so much. They are family days for most families (our family before August of last year) and I'm stuck at work for 12 hours each day. I wake up Sunday and Monday on the worst side of the bed..shoot Saturday is no better because of the dread.

**I just deleted 3 paragraphs of excuses and whining about working.**

I'm frustrated with our situation. But, it is the one that works for us right now. It works in the sense that we don't have to pay for childcare and I bring home the same amount I brought home when working full-time in Virginia (with two kids in daycare). But, it's not working on the family standpoint.

I become a major B!tch Thursday or Friday and it doesn't leave until Tuesday morning. I hate it. I deal with it. I'm in love with my family and this money keeps our heads more than above water. I can whine or deal with it. If both of those options fail (which I believe they are) I need to find a new way to add income to our family. Except, I don't want to sell my soul or first born and I would prefer to have the weekends with my family. Is it possible to be a "part-time working mom" without feeling like a failure?

I follow directions.. why don't you?

2008-02-15T11:42:00.002-06:00

It's a fault of mine, I guess. If directions are provided for a project, I try to follow them or at least understand the logic/spirit behind them. You can really tick me off if I follow the directions and you don't. This bothers me more when you involve children.

Why is it so hard to play by the rules when the teacher politely asks that valentines include only ONE item from a specific list (IE NO CANDY). Yesterday's valentines went out the door to school in the form of one valentine pouch holding one small play-doh container for each classmate. T even wrote every child's name on the valentine. However, when he got home in the afternoon there were two or three classmates that gave out BAGS of treats and/or candy.

This irks me for a couple of reasons. I can imagine being one of the parents who can't afford valentines treats for a whole class and feeling awful for just sending in a card. More importantly as parents we have to lead by example. T has to learn that when directions are provided by the teacher he is to do exactly what you was specified (no more/no less). Isn't that one of the biggest goals of kindergarten and life? Rules and directions are there for a reason people!!

I'm biting my tongue and not e-mailing these parents. Maybe I am the one in poor taste to find fault with going overboard. Maybe.... but I doubt it!

Doomed for disaster

2008-02-13T07:36:00.003-06:00

Step One:
Plan a delicious meal of spaghetti and meatballs. Start before 1pm, by making meatballs with the three yo (very successful.. great memories and yummy meatballs).
Step Two:
Simmer sauce and meatballs until 345pm, when your DH calls and wants you to meet him at the apartment (he did not hear you earlier when you said that you were going NO WHERE until he got home) and grab a load. Turn the burner off, hurry kindergartner to finish the valentines (ugh, the handwriting..), take a shower, grab empty plastic bins. Arrive at apartment to find 3yo asleep; leave her sleeping in the van (hush.. we are carrying loads out frequently.. AND would you want a whiny 3yo helping with that?).
Step Three:
Leave apartment in freezing rain. Head to Publ!x and get spaghetti noodles and other necessities (beware there is never just one trip to the grocery store). Leave store in still freezing rain. Drive home in three minutes and carry groceries to the front door. Unpack groceries and pray your hands warm up this decade.
Step Four:
Preheat oven for garlic toast, put water on to boil for spaghetti, make additions to sauce, prepare salad and iced tea. Push garlic toast into oven when DH and T are heading home. Prepare bowls of pasta as men folk walk in the door.
Step Five:
Do NOT scream when: DH says this smells delicious but I'm nauseated; the boy who ran upstairs to change does not come down; the 3yo runs upstairs (you nievely believe she is pottying) and does not return for a LONG time and when she does return, she tells you she was watching tv and to be quiet.
Finally:
Your leftovers are put away, dh's lunch is packed, the kids are playing independently, and DH is in bed. You head back out to Publ!x for Pepto, a replacement toothbrush (dog ate the boy's toothbrush), and hand soap. You treat yourself with a bag of sour brite crawlers and a phone call to your mother (she may be crazy but she's a thousand times better than MIL).

Ch..Ch..Changes

2008-02-06T10:49:00.000-06:00

Well, we have had an eventful few weeks in our lives. We are moving into our new house. Having double the house is wonderful. Dealing with horrible customer service when I pay good money (at multiple retailers) for products is awful. Being pregnant and moving is less than ideal, but working weekends and moving just plain sucks.

Our new/just built house has been christened in many ways. It's been invaded by dogs without manners, a sick boy and projectile vomit, it's been visited by an ambulance, the walls have been dinged by large furniture, and it's survived our fist tornado scare. Yet I love it even more than I did when we picked this plan.

We will take our time moving in and make this our space. Right now our focus is on P's mother and her failing health. She is the one we had to call an ambulance for, just four days after closing on the house. She spent four days in a local hospital and still thinks she is going to be ok even though she won't take total responsibility for her health.

MIL's health is one of the things that T has been getting a lot of information on and I truly believe he is the worrier that I am. He and I agreed that he would get the information that he needs/wants but when it gets to be too much he will say that he has heard enough. I am also trying to make a conscious effort to stop talking about adult matters in front of him and R.

My pregnancy is progressing normally. That is hard for me to swallow at times because of complications in T and R's pregnancies. But, I am trying to accept that I might not need a lot of interventions. Our anatomy ultrasound is March 4th at 230pm CST. So, we will make sure everything is working and we can start making plans for the nursery. P has already assembled the crib and cradle. He is also asking when we can start working on #4. Are you getting the pattern? With R he was asking for a new baby before she came home from the hospital. With Bean Sprout we don't even know the gender and he's asking for the new baby. It's a good thing we have a good size house.

This afternoon is full of projects for me.
*I need to run by the school and change our address/drop off T's coat (the temperature is nose diving this afternoon).
*I need to go by the truck rental place and pick up my refund.
*I need to deposit checks at the bank (P may join me to add him to our local account).
*I have a physical therapy appointment to find out what is causing the back pain and try to fix it.
*I want to go by T@rget and H0me Dep0t to pick up some necessities.
*I want to go to the bookstore and pick up a new book that was released yesterday.
*Then there is tumbling for both kids this evening. Whew...

Tornado

2008-02-06T03:56:00.000-06:00

It's our first tornado siren event in Northern Al. We are hiding in the master bedroom closet. What if I hadn't woke up when the sirens started? Why won't my MIL's damn dog come down here with us?

What else should I be doing? I know it's probably not blogging!

Thomas and I are pretty damn scared. It's different than living in Florida where you can't watch the hurricanes move as closely as you can these damn tornadoes.

Update: Info to help you prepare for a tornado

Tornado Precautions

Update 2: The next morning

We were blessed to be in the seek safety in your storm shelter (master bedroom closet) but not in the direct path of any tornados. We were out of the tornado warning witin an hour of being awoken with the sirens. I'm exhausted and grateful that our family was spared.

I rushed around last night looking for necesities and I think I did pretty good. I had shoes for everyone, all the cell phones, the video camera, bottled water, blankets, and pillows. Things I missed were the important papers (still at the apartment), my purse, snacks, battery powered radio, and distraction for all (dvd for laptop or card games).

T was extremely scared last night. Once again he had an overload of too much information. It's hard to balance keeping him informed over worrying him (this is a problem that we have especially hit this month .. more in a future post).

Randomness in Bullets

2008-01-21T21:04:00.000-06:00

Borrowed from Carmen:

Tomorrow: School and work for Husband and Son, packing for me, irritating all for my 3yo ~~hellion~~ princess.

Feeling: Tired. packing, shopping, parenting, cleaning, job, and wife duties....

Happy Because: Heard Bean Sprout's (baby July 08) heartbeat after scaring myself all weekend.

Today I: Attended foundation inspection at new house, shopped for new furniture, ate yummy BBQ, went to OB sans children, had a Venti 2 pump Sugar Free Cinnamon Dolce Latte, browsed two stores and bought nothing, went to Wally World, ate dinner, and cleaned out children's closets.

Laundry: Washing T's nap mat and other blankets. Towels need to be folded. argh..

Something I know: P and I both want me to quit my job but we don't want to loose the money.

Currently reading: Nora Robert's novel... umm.. it's in the car and the title escapes me!

Wanting: That tomorrow is Feb 1st and we are moved in our new house.

Favorite gadget: my cell phone

Thankful that: we were approved for the house after not being able to sell the Virginia house (it is currently being rented out).

Wondering why: My daughter will not poop on the toilet. She will not poop in her panties either.. instead she chooses to whine and cry for a diaper.

Care to fill in any of these with your own answers?

Guess what...

2007-11-20T10:28:00.000-06:00

I'm PREGNANT!!

2007-11-20T07:11:00.000-06:00

5 minutes for Mom is having a huge Christmas Giveaway through November 25th..

I'm signing up with hopes to win one of the cool items. So far my favorite is a diaper bag from Mom 4 Life!

Check it out!

I'm a proud Momma but sometimes ....

2007-11-11T09:50:00.001-06:00

I just want a day off. Is it too much to ask for? I know I'm crazy to think it or even say it out loud. The hillarious part of this is that a "day off" will equal tons of housework. I just need one day to stay at home with no where to go. When I got to Alabama, I couldn't stand staying in the apartment and now all I want is a lazy day where I can take my time cleaning and not feel like crap for not getting everything done.

Can you believe I completed a 5k? It was three weeks ago and I still have trouble believing it. I have a few notes for next time: stretch my whole body not just my legs (I did something to my neck on the run), take the whole weekend so my body can recover, and take T with me so that I have motivation (ran with friend and her son and whenever one of us walked for too long we raced each other to a stop sign or car).

So, what else? R has some mysterious GI issue. There is vomiting and diarrhea. It is simultanious some days and then there a a few days of quiet only to have her puke in the grocery store (sorry, butcher dude) and then a few days later she will have diarrhea and get a rash. We have taken possible allergens out of her diet (let me tell you it's no fun taking milk out of her diet.. it's in everything) and she will see the GI doc on Dec 11th.

T is doing awesome at school and he will be testing for the little dragon yellow belt at the end of the month. He has also been accepted into Master's training. Unfortunately, he has cold symptoms that are going on their second week with medication. I bet he'll see the pediatrician next week.

As far as the paying job goes, I chose to stay at the part time level and not seek a leadership position at this time. I had the opportunity to be a Mom as a full-time job and I love it. Yes, I keep my kids in activities that have me leave the house at least once a day. Next year I will plan better.. but for now there is nothing better than seeing a child walk out of class and say "Mommy, I did it!"

Oh.. I almost forgot. This is cycle day 25 and 8 days after my hcg injection. I will be able to test at the doctors office on the 19th. I'm sure I'll crack on the 17th and take a pregnancy test. I'm a bit nervous because this cycle included follistim instead of repronex and femara instead of clomid.. oh and he (RE.. Dr H) also doesn't believe in progesterone support immediately after the hcg or starting on cd 21. He follows the school of thought that a good ovulation is indicative of a healthy pregnancy and progesterone support won't make a difference on the viability of a pregnancy.

Dang, that was a run on sentence and I don't care to fix it.

Here is what is on my agenda this week:

This week: Prepare for T's 6th birthday party (stuff goodie bags and shop for presents). Organize luncheon for teachers at T's school and work on PTA website. Do you have ideas that would make it rock? P and I are working on it together and it will be awesome when we are done (he loves it because I am finally learning javascript and css instead cutting and pasting code).

Today - 12 hour shift at least
Tomorrow - Tumbling for R and karate
Tuesday - Karate
- P has gastroscopy
Wednesday- Tumbling for T and R
Thursday - Volunteer at school
- luncheon for teachers .. possibly another day.. I don't know how on earth I'll get this done without knowing a date.
- karate
Friday - karate
Saturday - T's 6th Bday party
- work last 8 hours of my shift
- pregnancy test
Sunday - work 12 hour shift
Monday - doc office for pregnancy test
- tumbling

My first 5k race

2007-08-23T08:16:00.000-05:00

I am excited to tell you all that I am entering my first 5k race (my goal will be to finish the race). This race is special to me because it is supporting breast cancer research. All of the donations and entry fees are going directly to a fund that will purchase a new breast MRI. Please visit my page and help me reach my goal of $200!

The race is on October 20th. That means I have 58 days to prepare for this race. I can do it, especially if I know you all are praying for me!

Also.. Carrie is running a 5k for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Please support her too! PS.. Her goal is to beat 40 minutes and I just want to complete the race. :)

Shopping ..

2007-08-14T12:24:00.000-05:00

If you know me, you know that I am always shopping for something. Currently on my to buy list is a jogging stroller. This is the one that I have my eyes on. The Instep safari stroller is reasonably priced and the InStep name is one that I know and trust. I'll make a final decision on that in the next couple of weeks (I've done enough impulse buying lately).

But.. the interesting item that I found was the stroll smart hands free jogging stroller adaptor. I'm not sure I'll get one. But, it is a great option if I need to have R with me when I am working on the C2-5k program.

News on toys

2007-08-14T07:13:00.000-05:00

When we get our household goods and begin unpacking the kids rooms we will have to be prepared with a recall list of extreme size. There are rumors that there will be another massive recall in the days ahead.

Will you be buying Mattel toys this holiday season? I'm not sure yet.. but the recalls will influence my buying this year.

We thought we were safe..

2007-08-13T09:58:00.000-05:00

T had a brief stomach bug midweek. It was gone quickly and life went on.

We had a productive Saturday morning with a trip to the library and vacuuming of the NASTY van. The afternoon was as lazy as we could get it with DVD watching, web surfing, book reading, and pizza delivery. I was prepared to get up early Sunday morning and make my family go try out another new church.

I went to bed feeling great, only to wake up Sunday morning thinking I was visited by Aunt Flo in the night. I went to the restroom and Flo had not arrived but the back cramps were horrible so I tried a hot shower/bath to relieve the cramps and prepare myself for the impending visit. The thing is .. I was still feeling awful afterward and the nausea was worse than I had experienced with any previous cycle. I told P that I either Aunt Flo was coming with a bang, I was pregnant, or I had the stomach bug ala T.

The vomiting started mid morning and let me tell you.. Vomiting on an empty stomach pouch is painful and yet I had no desire to eat or drink anything (ok.. I had half a cup of coffee that was soon in the toilet). I ate nothing all day and proceeded to relieve my stomach of any saliva that may have accumulated in my pouch. The other end was cleaning itself out.. but not in a severe way.

Around ten I gave up the thought of getting everyone to church (I did try to send P and the kids but he would have no part in it). I sweetly demanded that P go to the store and get a cheap pregnancy test and some pads. I knew the test (in my brain.. my heart had hope) would be negative but I needed to see it. The pads were the guarantee that it was just a visit from Auntie Flo.

The pregnancy test was negative and I lazed around the house when I wasn't in the restroom. I could not find a comfortable position and even the smell of food made me gag and run to the back bedroom and slam the door shut. I shooed P off to work around 330pm so he could get caught up in the office with the rationalization that the kids were sleeping and I was feeling a bit better. At 530pm the phone rang and P was feeling awful. He announced his entry into the apartment with gagging into the toilet.

We both feel a lot better today. T is at school, P is at work, and R and I very busy today too. We have completed grocery shopping, loading the dishwasher, and picking up the front rooms. Now we have to fold laundry, wash more dishes, and run a load of laundry in my new front load washer/dryer. Oh, we also have to find something fun for her to do other than watch fox & the hound over and over again.

A look back at our week

2007-08-10T19:27:00.000-05:00

R and I enjoying some Mommy and Me time. Hopefully we will always have these big smiles on our faces.

T is packed and ready to go to kindergarten.

The job..

2007-08-07T12:11:00.000-05:00

I ....

checked the website this afternoon and the position was filled by another canidate. I knew that I wouldn't get this job for the last couple of days. Don't ask me how I knew.. but.. I just did.

This little guy starts kindergarten tomorrow

2007-08-06T23:13:00.000-05:00

I had to sit down tonight and write a letter to T's new teacher sharing who he is. I was proud to write this letter and remember how far he has come. I was looking for a picture to add to the letter when I stumbled across this picture. The little guy came into the world interested in everything going on around him and he continues that tradition. I know he will succeed in kindergarten and anything he puts his mind to.

Here is the letter..

Dear Ms. W:
Thank you for requesting special information about your students this year. We hope you enjoy reading this introduction to T.
T was born in ***,Va on November 23, 2001. He started preschool at one year old and was fast to make friends with everyone he came into contact with. He is a protective older brother to R, who will be three years old on November 3rd, even though he thinks sisters are mean. He wants a big brother and a baby brother. Our family pets are staying in Missouri with his grandmother while our house is being built. There is Jessabelle, a cranky ten year-old cat, and Riley, a hyper two year-old german shepherd.
T loves to learn. He has an inquisitive nature and is able to retain much of the information that we give him (this keeps me on my toes to ensure accurate responses). Thomas chose to be a paleontologist at his preschool graduation. He also loves to draw and we are encouraging this by explaining that paleontologists need to know more than dinosaur facts. We have nurtured his interests with books, DVDs, and trips to natural history museums. The future paleontologist loves to learn how and why anything works. He is currently trying to understand time zones. He loves writing his friend Trist@n e-mails and doing science experiments.
I believe that starting school will help him feel more at home here in Alabama. T is ready to go back to Virginia and his preschool. We are working with him to understand why we made the move and that there is no possibility of moving back to Virginia. We encourage him to write and call his friends and we have not ruled out trips to visit once we are settled here.
He was very successful this last year as he learned to write his first name, recite his address and phone number (in Virginia), grasped basic addition and subtraction, and became a talented artist. He improved his comprehension of personal space a lot during the last school year (however, this summer has been emotional and I fear there is some regression). T is Mr. Cuddly; he thinks that he needs to hug or touch someone when he is insecure, happy, sad, or excited.
T is quite active and can get excited at times. He is pretty good at getting the “bugs out” when you remind him that he needs to settle down. Sometimes I have to suggest that he do a quick jog in place or squirmy dance to calm down. We are swimming frequently and he will be tumbling at Tumbleb**s. Hopefully the activities in and out of school along with plenty of rest at night will present you with a calm boy who is eager to learn.
We are eager to be an active part of your classroom. Please, let us know if there is anything we can do in or out of the classroom to be of assistance.

A new chapter

2007-08-06T10:22:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of T's elementary career. R and I will join him as he attends his kindergarten openhouse today. We will meet with the teachers, take a peek at the school and his classroom, and sign up for activities (before and after care, at least). We will try to make a good impression (the kids better get a nap before we head out).

Tomorrow I will pack his lunch in a new transformers lunch box. I believe we have all the required supplies to pack this lunch. I wonder if I will cry as I pack his lunch and holler at him to get ready. I know I will take a ton of pictures.

My baby is going to school. It seems like yesterday I thought I would never have a child. Here I am with two beautiful and smart children. My eldest is going into kindergarten and my youngest is so tall and talks up a storm. She'll be THREE in November! Oh my heart hurts.

In a lot of ways I am so ready to have the next baby. However, life has thrown us a few curve balls. The move is taking a bit (ok, six months) longer than we had expected. There will be a lot of physical activity that I may not be able to do if I were six months pregnant. This is also in addition to the fact that we decided that I have to get a job. So any additional children (via fertility treatment)will have to wait unless we spontaniously conceive (it could happen.. maybe)or next spring.

********

P took Friday and today off to work on the house in VA. He wants me to go back and do some more (the electrician needs to come by too) later this week. I'll do it because it will just be me and R. We can get the projects done in the morning and visit our friends in the afternoon. I hope to have a job offer before I leave. If I do, GREAT! If not, I will be out pounding the pavement looking for a job.

P bought a paint sprayer and painted over all the color (buyers like white.. whatever) in the house and put a fresh coat in the other rooms. He was sad to paint the kids rooms, because it was like wiping away our life from the house. A buyer who came by yesterday was happy to hear we were painting the rooms white. He'll admit it looks a lot "cleaner", a fresh canvas for a buyer, but it was so pretty and a lot of work to get it the way it was.

*************
I am feeling pretty good these days. My brief stay in the hospital was a wake up call to take my supplements regularly (no matter what life throws at me). It will take close to three months to feel "normal" even with the iron transfusion and extra large doses of iron at home. My family is afraid that I am over doing it and I am sure they will be mad to hear that I am going back to VA.

I am working hard to incorporate more ACTIVities for the kids and myself. We are swimming every other day and walking too. I have a sparkpage that is helping me keep track of my intake, fitness goals, and personal goals. The kids are also starting tumbling this Wednesday. I may try the gym in the same building... hmm.. a yoga class maybe?

August .. 'bama style

2007-08-03T21:49:00.000-05:00

Yes, these are a couple of the Disney photos I promised forever ago. Just because the wireless internet is free doesn't mean it works.

*****************************************

We've made it to August in Alabama. P has been here almost two months. He seems to really enjoy his new job, especially the one hour lunch option.

On the housing front we moved into an apartment on Wednesday (do you know how hard it is to get a 6 month lease?). We signed a contract to build a house a week before (I had to make a quick trip to Florida to get T). The house(I am hoping to get the floor plan scanned and online this weekend is twice the size of our VA house and it's in the school district P demanded his children attend.

I had to do some fast planning this week to ensure T could attend kindergarten. This is not to mention the fact that we wanted (and were approved) to have him attend the school where the house is... not where the apartment is. This will be easier on him when we move into the house in February ).

I did decide (well the fact that we got the BIG house helped) to get a real job. The interview process is almost complete and I am in the final two. I should hear a decision by Tuesday. Gah, I need that job (I bought HE Frontload washer and dryer last night).

I also started sparkpeople yesterday and I wish I knew about it when I was trying to loose weight. It is still helping me track my intake and fitness levels to maintain the weight and ensure I eat enough protein and drink my water. My only caveat is that the site is addictive. It's a good thing there is no TV here yet.

One of my goals on SP is to list three postive things each day:
1- P went to VA for the weekend to paint the house and get the last of the stuff (I thankfully did not have to go because of T's open house)
2- My babies are here in 'bama with me
3- The kids and I went for a nice walk this evening and a swim yesterday

And I leave you with this photo.. When a girl can have anything she wants, this is what she chooses. Notice the full cup of chocolate milk cast to the side?

Can you feel my pain? (Ignore the bad hair day)

post-vacation vacation request

2007-07-09T22:21:00.000-05:00

P, R, and I have been in Alabama for almost 24 hours. We are all extremely tired and cranky. My mother kept asking how P was going to make it to work today. I, however, had very little sympathy for him (he could have taken today off).

Our vacation was pretty darn great. We all loved staying at disney for six days. Next time we will not send R to stay with Grandma. She didn't seem to mind leaving disney to play with her cousin (they are six weeks apart), but she was having a wonderful time at every single theme park. Once we arrived at my sister's R attached herself to me and has barely let go at this point.

T requested to stay with my mother for some more time with the cousin's and my sorta nephew/brother. He gave me a kiss and ran off to play. I feel like I need to defend myself for sending my children off to my family and P's family. But, once you have bee in hotels for a couple of weeks... bunking up with cousins in a real house is a luxury for anyone - especially a 5 year old boy.

Today was a blur of moving from one nasty hotel to an extended stay place. Tomorrow, R and I may take a trip to the petstore and B@rnes/Noble for my daily latte but then our lazy (ok my lazy ass) bums will be sitting in the hotel room watching soaps/cartoons.

I have some thoughts on vacationing with our family.. but they will be shared when I have more coherent thoughts.

Sum it up.. we survived, disney survived, we plan to go back often, I cried as we started off on our trip to leave Florida.

In Alabama

2007-06-23T10:20:00.000-05:00

I am here in Alabama with my husband. I got in last night after a week with my in-laws. It was good for the kids to have time to relax ... they are there still until Wednesday. This is the first time I left them for multiple days on purpose. I really didn't WANT to do it.. but I was out numbered. T wanted to stay with his cousins and my SIL and MIL wanted more time.

Their time with the grandparents will give P and I together time and time to cruise the area. I also have a job interview Monday morning. Hopefully, I can impress the socks off this lady.

Our house still has not sold.. people were asking me that before it was on the market. I am planning to go back after we do our WDW vacation, the first week of July, and paint.. heck.. I really just want to hire someone for that. However our last contractors were not very upfront in the pricing. Never gave us an itemized invoice and the final price was almost 200 more than the estimate.

So ... I am off to house hunt.

Moving..

2007-06-09T14:22:00.001-05:00

why moving is like pregnancy... no one will let you bitch once you are there!

I wanted to move.. I begged to move.. now I am moving and I hate it! I know I will love the end result.. but I'm not there yet and this black eye I think I just gave myself hurts like the dickens, the packers left boxes everywhere and I have a ton to do, and my dear husband is leaving tomorrow and not taking the kids or dog (I'm making him take the cat.. she doesn't know it yet).

I craved being pregnant.. I begged God and the fertility specialists to help me get pregnant... then I was pregnant and damn pregnancy is a rollercoaster of emotions and aches. I knew I would (do) love the baby ... but was I supposed to puke or eat more saltines (I'm still not sure I did the right thing).

^^^^^^^^^^^^/end rant^^^^^^^^^

So we have the house boxed up (except the VITAL toys, bathroom crap, tools, clothing.. that will be two thousand boxes in the van with me, two kids, and a dog).

The movers will be here Monday to take the boxes and furniture away.

Great! Wait until they leave and attack the house... that's the sensible option. Do I ever do anything the sensible way? NO! I am pulling out nails, screws, crown moulding and patching the holes.

P is leaving tomorrow and the house is scheduled to go on the market Friday.. after..

Sunday - I will kiss my husband goodbye, set the baby up in front of the TV and send the 5yo out to play with the neighbor boy (mothering at it's finest). I will clean out the fridge, box up dry goods that are unopen and beg a food bank to take them from me. I will continue to plug away at the painting and spackling. I will only stop to get coffee or I am needed for my mothering duties.
Monday - movers take 95% of our worldly posessions to an undisclosed location (remember .. 5% will be in the van with me eventually). I will rip up the carpet in the front room. I will continue to plug away at the painting and spackling.. uh... yea.. oh and don't forget the exterior work.
Tuesday - carpet in front room will be replaced at their convenience (WTF?) If the carpet guys are out of here by noon the cleaning crew will come in and attack the house in the afternoon.
Wednesday
Also the house has to be powerwashed.. I'm NOT doing that! I do have to buy a new stove.. umm.. I better go get something done.

Not freaking out..

2007-05-28T17:11:00.001-05:00

I have decided not to freak out about everything that has to be done in the next three weeks.

Umm.. Did I say something wrong?

Nope, I just haven't had the opportunity to share our newest plans. The moving trucks will not be here until... June... 7th.. and even worse they will not pick up the household goods until the 11th. I could tell you how I sat in the personal property office with dh whispering.. "I freaking told you this would happen. Now you know why I nagged you to death.".. but you get the idea.

So here are the important dates in my next few weeks..

-Tomorrow starts my last week of work and the kids last week of school in the 'burg.
-June 1st will be my last day of work as well as T's preschool graduation.
-June 2nd close family friend's daughter graduates and we will attend a grill.
-June 3rd.. P and I will discuss what has to be done.
-June 4th will start my first week without a job and childcare... waaa!
-June 5th my to do list will grow and I will thank God that I did not disconnect the cable.
-June 6th... Everything will be unplugged (save one tv, cable box, cable modem) and taken off the walls.. oh.. the van will be loaded with things we do not want packed..
June 7th .. Strangers will enter my home and box it up
June 8th.. Strangers will reenter my home and continue to box it up
June 9th.. we will begin scrubbing the house and touch up painting .. P will leave for AL
June 10th .. we will attempt to get more touchup work done..
June 11th.. the movers will take it all away..
June 12th the workmen will come.. new carpet in front room and floor cleaners for the rest of the house.. The house will be listed on the market..
June 13th.. I pray that the children and I will leave this house and head for AL ...

Oh.. the big nasty dog that I really truly love.. may not be allowed in our temporary housing. This is bad because my brother who was interested in taking him now says he is too big because of their goat! I may have to find him a new home fast.. this will break T's heart!