A brighter day today!

Feeling much better today - we ALL went to bed early last night and I think we're all much better for it!

Nothing new to report - just a regular day, going shopping at lunch to try and get this Christmas present thing done!

ALSO! If you want to exchange real Christmas/Holiday cards, please send me an email, though be forewarned, we are waiting until after baby #2 arrives to take the picture and order cards! :-)

Practice Time is OVER! (37 Weeks today)

Ok - listen here Mr. Uterus (or Ms. Uterus, if you prefer)...

2 weeks ago, when you were contracting every 3-4 minutes for 8 HOURS I was excited because I thought we were getting somewhere (pls. note, these hours were from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m.). Then my DR said I was still 0 c.m. dialated.

These contractions continued on and off, though not so close together or at night, for another week. Again, DR said I was 0 c.m. dialated.

So, last night's fun and games, from 1 a.m. - 3 a.m. producing mild (but not-so mild I could sleep thru them) contractions every 6 minutes was just plain annoying. I get it - we've "practiced" enough.

Please only commence with contractions if it is the real deal. Thank you. (because now I am REALLY REALLY tired and quite cranky today. I'm generally so tired I need a nap anyway by about 1 p.m. and now I was ready for my nap by 8 a.m.)

Gloomy Monday...

It's gross here. Everyone just waiting for snow, or for lack of snow. Our forecasters are so bad, we never actually know what is going to happen until it's done.

It was a nice weekend, but got even better last night at 6:45 p.m. when hubby and son returned home! It was SO GOOD to see them again!!!!!! And to have my house hustling and bustling w/the sounds of a 4 year old!

I'll check back in later w/a weather report!

What on earth...

shall I do with myself? My husband and son have gone visiting relatives and left me here by myself until Sunday night... what does one DO with all that free time?? :-)

(please note: we WILL NOT be going into labor before Sunday night, when they return. Got it Mr. Uterus?)

No progress...

Just back from the OB's weekly check...( yes, it's nice to be checked, but MAN does it hurt )...

No progress, still 0 cm. dialated. So much for giving birth at 36 / 37 weeks.

Gained 1 pd. in a week. Which is right on target for this stage of pregnancy (the BABY should gain 1 pd. a week from here on out).

I got nothing else. I'm tired and large and feeling a bit cranky today.

Good news, good news!

Just got work from our neighbors that the yucky neighbors ( the ones that "planted" random shit in their yard, and mowed TWICE the entire year and tried to grow dead bamboo ) are moving!!!! Apparently she had a baby and now refuses to bring the baby home to that house - she's too lonely in our neighborhood. (of course, there are never less that 15 people and 5 cars at that house, so I don't know what she's talking about, lonely)

It would be nice for my son to have someone his age to play with, but I'd never have picked them anyway. Remember, they are the ones that would lean out their kitchen door (no deck yet), openly stare at us for a long length of time, and burp so loudly she scared the bejesus out of me, even with our large lot sizes.

Maybe we'll get some normal people?

Today's Complaints...

Dear Linens & Things Manager - I expect to do returns at the return desk. Yes, I will glare at you with the stare of evil pregnant woman when you flippantly just tell me to get in a regular line and go sit back in the back room. Get off your lazy ass and give me my money back. (especially since I was waiting at the return desk, the regular lines went from 0 customers to 5 and now I will have to be #6 in line. Thanks.)

Dear XM Radio: Christmas music from Kelly Clarkson (or whoever sings "My Grown Up Christmas") doesn't count as Christmas music and don't play it on the 24 hour Christmas music channel. I expect to hear Frosty, Jingle Bells, Silent Night, and all the regular songs. Even if they are songs that aren't my favorite, fine, but make them REGULAR CHRISTMAS MUSIC DAMMIT. Even stupid new variations on old hits will do.

Dear Santa's Helpers at the Mall: it is no easy feat to get a four year old on Santa's lap (oh, how we LOVE Santa, but when actually FACED with Santa, it's a different story) AND SMILING. So, if I do manage this feat (with the boy in a nice Christmas sweater no less), and you lose the pics because you rebooted the computer AFTER you took the pic, don't be surprised when I give you a look. And don't continue to be surprised when you do this 2 more times, the looks get meaner and meaner. Good grief - how long CAN a 4 year old be expected to sit on some stranger's lap and smile?? Seriously.

And don't get me started on the COST of these pictures. Goodness! And of course, every relative is expecting his or her own 5x7.... because that's not pricey for me at all. In addition to all the school portrait 5X7s I just bought and handed around like candy. This kid thing is EXPENSIVE!

Dear Birthday Party Attendees: Please do not come to my party with the throwing-up kind of stomach virus. I really do appreciate that you WANT to see my son and see him open his presents, have cake, etc. I also think it's too cute to be missed. But to risk giving it to him or worse yet, ME is in-excusable. I've always been a bit more careful about bringing my son to visit people when he's even got a cold than I notice other parents are, but some sickesses you stay home for. Seriously. I know some people say, "let him get it now, then he'll be immune to it later!" but seriously, do you know how stupid that sounds when you say it? I'd much rather have a 6 or 7 year old w/a stomach virus than a 4 year old. People think it's no big deal to spread colds and things around... well, then, they can bring their butts over to my house at night-time to get up to sit w/the child that is awake because he can't breathe thru his nose, or can't sleep because he's coughing to much. At 9 months pregnant, it is more than I can handle and I will say something to you if I catch you bringing viruses into my house. My poor husband, every time he gets a "no big deal, it's just a cold" from someone, it turns into a sinus & respiratory infection. So much for "no big deal" huh? But people just seem oblivious and it really, really pisses me off.

I'm glad I was warned today about the stomach virus thing - I hope we go by unscathed. BUT since son and hubby are going to see PopPop this weekend (who is 94) I know to make damn sure they're as healthy as can be and not getting ready to have this virus before they go see him. Seriously, it could kill him. Then it would be a big deal, wouldn't it?

No, not really grumpy today, why do you ask? ;-)

36 Weeks!

Well... I have been at work long enough to set my stuff down and run downstairs (run, ha!) to the deli to get a bagel - and HAD 3 converstations about my belly.

"Girl - looks like you got a basketball, not a baby under there!"
"don't jump up and down or that baby's going to fall out!"
"when are you due, must be soon!"

So... yes, I am still getting MORE uncomfortable, though I didn't think I COULD get more uncomfortable.

For some reason, I cannot get around to packing our bag for the hospital. We keep talking about it, but I can't seem to DO IT. I have no idea why.

I'm hoping to get some belly shots today and nursery pics... any takers?

Why, hello there!!!

HI! How are you? I'm pretty good, but DAMN TIRED, if I do say so myself!

So where did I leave off? Ah yes, the night of no sleep. That was fun. And it set me up for being so damn tired I couldn't see straight!

Wednesday schedule: hang out and clean house for more houseguests on Thanksgiving. Make first ever chocolate pie, from scratch. Pray that it tastes good when I realize you cannot taste test a pie before guests arrive to ensure that it's ok.

Thursday: more houseguests arrive right on schedule! Lovely Aunt L, and her portable Thanksgiving dinner in a van arrive! That's right - our guests brought THE ENTIRE DINNER WITH THEM! What wonderful guests! Finish up first PUMPKIN PIE I've ever made, from scratch and also fret that the pie cannot be taste-tested before hand! Yikes!

Make mac&cheese (from scratch!) for dinner at my family's house ( the noon dinner ) and get son over there so we can eat w/them at noon.

Head back to my house to prep for evening meal with Hubby's aunt and mom. It was a GREAT meal! AND the pies were perfect, I might add!

Friday: trip to Kohl's as their after-Thanskgiving toy sale is unmatched! I find toys for all the under 3 children in our family at 50% off! Thanks to Aunt L and cousin R for helping me shop!! It is SO MUCH appreciated!

Prepare for Son's Fourth Birthday party, which is scheduled for Saturday at 2 (we had the party early to prevent baby brother from making his grand appearance on the day of the party, ruining it for son). THANK GOODNESS Aunt L & Family are still around - no way could I have done all that myself.

Saturday: party day! Party was a blast - everyone seemed to have a great time and there were just enough kids there, not too many and not too few.

By 7 p.m., we had our house back to ourselves. We spent some quality time just playing with our son alone then went RIGHT TO BED.

Sunday was GREAT! We got up, had breakfast, and I took a 2 hour nap on the couch watching hubby and son put together toys. Then lunch and son asked if it was time for his nap yet. WHAT? Why, of course it is! Off to bed we all go for "family nap time" and it was WONDERFUL!

How was your holiday? I could not have asked for more. We got to see everyone we love over the span of a couple of days and share a wonderful holiday and a celebration of son's birthday with them!

35W1D = False Labor #1

2:00 a.m. - lower back pain wakes me

2:30 - contractions start

2:34 - next contraction

2:37 - next contraction

They continue at 3-4 minute intervals for 30-40 seconds each.

3:30 - call DR (guideline is 5 minutes apart for 60 seconds). He says they are not intense enough yet. When they get to 60 seconds and I cannot breathe through them, come into hospital.

3:30 - 7:30 contractions 3 minutes apart, 60 seconds. Same intensity as before.

10:20 - arrive LATE for regularly scheduled DR appt. Find out have gained NO weight in last month! Yahoo! Also - 50% effaced, 0 cm dialted. Baby dropped all the way down by this time and DR can feel him.

Diagnosis: false labor, go home, do not pass go.

35 Weeks!!!

Well here I am, 35 weeks! And today, my mother looked at me in my work clothes and said "VHM, really, you should buy shirts that are long enough to cover that belly!". Yeah, ok, they're short because I bought the wrong size, NOT BECAUSE I'M FREAKING HUGE. But thanks for the reminder that if I don't hold down the front of my shirt, I'm showing everyone my new outie belly button! It's a great look, I promise!

Today, my MIL arrives from FL to celebrate Thanksgiving. My aunt and family (technically, hubby's aunt and family, but I love them like my own) arrive Thursday, with most of the holiday dinner in their van (aren't they GREAT??!!) - and are going to cook the evening dinner while I have a big Thanksgiving lunch with my family. Once again, aren't they GREAT?

The window treatments in the family room and breakfast room and kitchen were installed yesterday and they look great! So the house is in order for a perfect holiday!

(BTW, the nursery is DONE! If anyone would like a pic, let me know, and after my company leaves (there is a spare bed on the floor), I'll send one!)

And now, I need to do more shopping.

After ironing for 10 minutes today, I find out I've outgrown 2 more shirts. At this rate, I'm going to work topless very soon (like the end of next week). Luckily, I found a great sweater I got at the Gap last pregnancy that not only fits, hubby said it was "slimming"! Yay! Must go around today and make sure every sees me in my slimming outfit!

Side Advice: ORDER DIAPERS FROM AMAZON! They are slightly cheaper than you get in the store, they sell CASES, and they DELIVER FOR FREE! No more running to the store simply to buy diapers! I am in love!

And yet more shopping!

Well - PBKids had 3 of the 4 84 inch panels that I needed. Oh well, 3 will have to do for now.

Saw a funny thing in the parking garage. An Asian woman was trying to unlock a gold Toyota Highlander. She was having trouble - then noticed that the lights were blinking on the Lexus equivalant across the aisle, 5 cars down. Apparently THAT one was her car. It was also SILVER. Glad to know she's driving around in traffic w/me and my son.

Shopping shopping and more shopping...

Apparently I do love to shop!

Here are the dinos we bought for Baby #2 this weekend:

Dinosaurs!


Bought this at Nordstrom yesterday:


Nordstrom - how much do I love thee? When I was at Nordstrom, buying the dinos (I also bought the brontosaurus), the lady offered to carry them to the car for me! YAY! But right away she noticed the PBKids bag I had looked heavy ( 2 curtain rods, 4 fabric panels ) and INSISTED that I carry the stuffed animals and she carry the heavy bag! Yay for helpful people!!!

AND...proof you should measure before you buy! I purchased 4 63" panels for baby's windows...apparently his windows are 65" tall - so back to the mall I go!

Made it thru the full moon

Whew. That was a close one. When I was pregnant with my first child, for the last 2 full moons before my due date, I went into preterm labor and had to goto the hospital. Of course, quite scary.

I hadn't thought about it much until a couple of days ago when I saw somewhere that yesterday was ALSO a full moon. Thankfully, no pre-term labor! Yay!

Today - I am 34 weeks. Almost NONE of my maternity shirts cover my belly. None of the full-panel pants cover my belly (or are comfortable). I am a sight to see, I'm sure. I'm going today to Pottery Barn kids to get the window treatments for the baby's room then we just wait for the final decorations to arrive and VOILA the nursery will be done! YAY!

Now I just have to prepare the house for a housefull of guests for Thanksgiving and we're all set to go!

Conversations with Morons.

I need to order humidifier replacement parts for my mom's humidifier. Because it's fun to be me sometimes.

So I goto the Holmes Website, where the shopping cart doesn't work if you're using Firefox, by the way. Which is my first clue these people are going to be a pain to deal with.

So I open IE. Navigate to the page which tells you which filters go with which humidifiers.

Cool - I see that 1 filter is 18.99, but 2 should be 29.99. Excellent. I click on the link for HWF80 (one link to order either the 1 pack or 2 pack, suspicious).

It shows the quantity as 1. Hmm. I want 2 for 29.99. I update the quantity (which is where it dies if you use Firefox, BTW). It works - 2 for $37 and change. What?

I send them an email inquiring how I get the deal of 2 for 29.99.

I never hear from them.

I call the customer service number.

She informs me they are sold out of the 2 pack, as indicated by the fact that "29.99" is in red. oh. I thought that was to highlight the bargain price if you buy 2. No where on the page does it indicate that red text = sold out. Actually, at the top, IN RED NO LESS, it says, "Buy bargain packs & save more!". Apparently their usability people SUCK. They took a general usability standard (prices in red tend to indicate specials/price cuts, etc.) and used it for something else, totally confusing the customer.

I only used their site to purchase the filters because I could find no one else to give my business to. Otherwise, I'd have happily given my money to someone else.

Productive Weekend!

We finished painting the nusery and some finishing touches on Son's room, that we'd been putting off. It looks fabulous!

Hubby got all the furniture arranged in the nursery and guest rooms so all the right pieces are there. I hung up the few new clothes I got for baby #2. I ordered some "Super Saurus" stuff off ebay and a quilt hanger to hang his crib quilt on (everyone of course must buy a quilt for the crib, though you are never ever allowed to put it ON the actual baby, so weird).

Our family room and kitchen got painted!!! Well, they have a tad left to do today, but the rooms LOOK GREAT. Like actual grown-ups with good taste live there! And this gives me the oppourtunity for some good cleaning in those rooms before hubby moves all the furniture back into place!

Amd we went to the light store and bought drop lights to go over our island in the kitchen and viola! Decorated kitchen!

So much progress!!!

BTW - cold is ALMOST GONE! Don't need meds anymore!!!

Product Review: Tylenol Cold (Day)

Well. Last night, after 90 MINUTES of coughing and hacking, I decided enough was enough. I went downstairs and had a cookie and a glass of milk (I don't take meds on an empty stomach) and 2 Tylenol Cold (Day). I decided on the day ones because the night ones only added an antihistimine, and the runny nose wasn't a problem. One less chemical, right?

WELL! 20 minutes later I was sound asleep and I must say - that was the BEST sleep I'd had in a long time! And not another cough until 6:45 this morning! Fabulous! So I won't take anymore during the day because I can deal with it, but I'm sure tonight I'll be taking them again, right before bedtime!!!

Love that stuff - I'll probably use it even after the baby comes it worked so well!

Phelgm attack, day 8

Ugh. STILL stuffy, miserable, and coughing. Gross. It must be nice to wake up with me! I bought the Tylenol Cold yesterday (ok, hubby went out and got it for me) but I couldn't bring myself to take it. I didn't feel bad enough to cancel out the risks.

BUT today, today I am truly miserable. AND I left the meds at home, so now of course, it's not even an option to take it. :-(

A smart one am I.

Pandemic: AIDS

So - the next episode came out. I watched it. I should've known better.

(remember: 33 weeks pregnant = slightly hormonal)

This one is the story of LEK, a Thai woman that has contracted AIDS.

When she was 12, she was raped. This caused everyone (friends and family) to think that she was dirty and bad and not want her around.

When she was 16 she married and had a son.
When she was 17, her husband abandoned them. In order to support her son, she sent him to her mother's and promised to send money. How is an uneducated young woman going to earn money? She tried as a bartender. Found the money to be good in the sex industry (apparently boom in Thailand - where the people are poor, but have a huge sex industry? I do not understand).

She liked her customers to use condoms, but sometimes the men refused (she said this was mostly when they and she were drunk). Now she has AIDS.

She is one of the lucky ones - she got a bed at the AIDS Hospice run by monks, as it would bring shame onto her family for her to be seen there. They do not know how AIDS is transmitted and are very afraid of it.

There are 200 beds. The waiting list is 10,000 people long. They bury 2 people a day.

LEK goes to visit her family in the middle of the night. They are upset, but make her leave before morning. It is an 8 hour van ride each way.

LEK has gotten very ill. Her family decides to take her in. She moves in with them and is so miserable. There is one scene where she's crying because she's just so angry and doesn't know what to do with herself. It is all so amazingly unfair (this is my thought, I imagine hers as well).

LEK dies. You see her family in an immense amount of pain and all I can think of his her beautiful little boy. He is beautiful and smart. I hope he does well with his life, he is going to be a monk.

One of the saddest things I've ever seen.

33 Weeks!!!

I just got back from my 33 week OB appt. Where I only gained 1/4 of 1 pound. How on EARTH that is possible, I have no idea. I'm sure I've consumed more than 1,000 extra calories since my last appt. 2 weeks ago... But I'll take good news whenever I can!

Also - the DR said to try Tylenol Cold for my cold. I'm getting some ASAP for tonight. It doesn't bother me too much during the day, but since I sleep so poorly now anyway, adding in the super congestion and snoring so much I wake MYSELF (bless my poor hubby for putting up all the nocturnal activity - the noise of me simply rolling over, getting up to pee all the time, and now coughing and sniffling all night + SNORING LOUDLY) I'm exhausted.

I thought they'd start checking me today, but nope. I guess at 35 weeks? I'm hoping to be nicely dialted by then - all these braxton-hicks contractions have to be doing SOMETHING to have them this strong and often.

I also got the paper work started on the maternity leave and verified w/my boss that 3 months was the amount of leave I was going to take, so yay! Don't need to worry about that anymore!

Now...gotta find some lunch!

It should be against the law...

for pregnant women to get sick. I have a TERRIBLE cold, making me feel all goopy and stuffed up and tired and cranky, and sore-throatish. AND there's nothing I can take to make myself feel better, or at least able to BREATHE once in a while. GRR. If I could figure out what jerk spread the germ around, I'd be set!

As a side note: The Hokies SUCKED last night - it was like watching a high school team play Miami. They were AWFUL - I think Marcus Vick only completed 3 or 4 passes THE WHOLE GAME. He fumbled, the punt returner fumbled ( which = Miami Touchdown ), interceptions, it was astonishing. They deserved to lose, the way they played. I have no idea what happened to them.

Come on people! You're really pissing me off!

Ok...Picture me - hugely pregnant. It has just taken me an hour and a half to drive 24 miles. I get to work, put my stuff down and meander over the ladies room.

The door won't open. What??? I have to pee. I yank on it some and pull on it and cuss up a storm. I'll figure this out later, and go to the 12th floor to pee (I'm on 11).

Damn door there is locked too. OK, NOW I have to pee and I'm furious. What the fuck is going on???

I find the receptionist... what the hell is going on w/the bathrooms I ask? She says you need a key because of the incident that happened the other day - it was in the email.

WHAT? I did not get such an email, and believe me, if I had read they were LOCKING the bathrooms and NOT GIVING OUT KEYS it would've gotten my attention damn quick.

I don't have time to argue with her - I tell her I need to go NOW and how do I go about getting a key this minute? (side note: I must be a pure JOY to work with)...

She turns over the key she has at HER DESK... I go pee. Then she tells me who to call to find out why I'm not on the distribution list (and refuses to tell me WHAT EXACTLY happened that caused the locking of the bathrooms) and where I'll find a key in the future. Great - 1 key per floor. If I have to fucking stand in line to get a god damn key I'm not going to be pleasant. Stay tuned for a transcript of my call w/the security person in charge of this mess.

Apparently, I'm hot!

Well! Before I even got to my desk this morning, THREE PEOPLE told me how fabulous I look. Well... one of them was my mother, but still! She usually doesn't just say that! The other two were the lady in the store downstairs and another lady on the elevator! Three unsolicited compliements! Yay me! Of course, I did take special care with my appearance today, as hubby and I are going out to a fancy-smancy restaurant for lunch together for our anniversary! But still!

Grrr....grumpy girl...

ugh. The network server room is around the corner from my desk. And the network guys have been walkie-talkie-ing each other w/their Nextel phones all day. Don't they have a PHONE IN THEIR HAND? Do they have to subject everyone to that annoying tone that means someone wants to talk to you, then having to hear both ends of the conversation? It's a bit distracting, you know?

THEN - people that always feel they need to be in the loop about everything damn thing going on in everyone's lives. When I hear crap like that ("so-and-so feels left out") about something I will get around to telling them shortly anyway, makes me NOT CALL and spread the news. Just to be pissy like that. LOOK - I'll get to you, don't be offended that your not #1 on the list, because then I just bump you lower and get irritated. Surprisingly, I call people that are PLEASANT to talk to first, imagine that.

Boy, I really AM grumpy today!

BTW - 32 weeks today! Which is definitely something to be happy about!!! :-)

Halloween...

Son had a fabulous time trick-or-treating last night. It did take some coaxing to get him OUT the door, but apparently once they started, he was on a roll. AND so happy when he came home, so success!!!

BUT let me tell you how lame some of our neighbors are! One house, turned OFF their porch light as son rang the bell. It was a large group of kids, son's group + another. And I guess they yelled at the people in the house. HOW RUDE! And 50% of the houses in our neighborhood had all their lights off. Talk about grumpy old people! These people have plenty of money, so having $$ to spare for candy isn't an issue - and almost all of those houses have at least 1 child living there...I wonder if they were out trick-or-treating and not giving out candy in return?

We didn't give out nearly any of the HUGE STASH hubby bought...we always overbuy, even when we lived in a neighborhood that had plenty of kids coming around. Son thinks he's in heaven now, that he's got his own basket + our cauldron of treats!

Happy Anniversary!

To my Hubby! Today marks seven years! (Yes, our anniversary is Halloween. No, it was not a Halloween themed wedding.)

Hubby - I love you more than you know. You are a better husband and father than I could have ever asked for in my wildest dreams.

Monday Monday Monday

Ahhh... a lovely Monday morning... so nice that the time change has screwed up son's waking schedule, so that he's now up and ready for play at 6:45 a.m. Thanks for that one! Can we PLEASE do away with this dumb-assery that we call Daylight Savings Time??? It's moronic... if you f-ing want more daylight hours, get your damn self out of bed early...don't fool yourself (and drag me with you) by making every one change their clocks. And I, for one, would rather have more daylight AT THE END OF THE DAY when I am home from work and would like to play outside w/my son!

Grr... Funny, I didn't think I was in a bad mood! :-)

Guess What???

THE NURSERY HAS BEEN PAINTED!

Next weekend (I hope) my brother will be over to install chair rail and, voila! C'est fini!

It's the most beautiful shade of sky blue you've ever seen. Well...I've actually seen it before...

When I was little, when my parents bought their first (and last - they've been there 29 years now) first house, they painted my room sky blue. Apparently, my Dad bought enough paint to touch it up FOREVER. For years, I BEGGED for a new color, pink! Or any color that was not blue! When it came time for a whole-house touch up about the time I was 13, my parents had the NERVE to paint each room a new color (including theirs, which turned out PINK!) and REPAINT MINE BLUE. I swore up and down until 1991 (the year they renovated and my new room was WHITE) my poor children would never ever, not ever, not even once have a blue room.

Well guess what? Son's nursery in our old house? Blue.
Son's room in this house? Blue.
Apparent new baby's room? Blue.

What the hell is wrong with me??!!

Radio Silence...

sorry for the radio silence - I hate it when bloggers do that... especially pregnant ones, I worry that something has happened.

All is fine. Monday, Son had 2 cavities filled. The second one required novicaine. On the way home, since he couldn't feel his tongue or cheek, he chewed them up quite impressively. By the time he returned home, he looked like he had a baseball in his cheek. Of course, 20 minutes later, the numbness wore off and he was MISERABLE. And there is NOTHING more miserable to a parent than to see their child obviously miserable and in pain. Of course, then he had nothing to eat AT ALL for 36 hours. Barely drank water, because it hurt. Of course, no speaking either. Finally, he discovered that he COULD drink, so he had 2 meals of PediaSure (I always keep some in the fridge for emergencies and boy was I thankful I had them!). Finally yesterday for lunch, he tried a solid food and, in very small bites, was able to eat! Just a little, but it was progress!

Today he is still swollen (inside and out) and not talking correctly, but he can see that the saltwater rinses have helped, and is a bit more willing to do them. Thank goodness!

Everything else is fine - we're just gearing up for Halloween on Monday. Today at Son's school, there is a costume parade and Halloween party, so that is very exciting and we'll be going to watch it!

Movie Review: Saw

MAN! This was a great movie! I absolutely LOVE a good horror movie, and they are so hard to come by, we never get to see any. BUT this one....was GREAT!

The idea is fantastic - some maniac picks 2 people that are linked to each other in their lives, but probably don't know it. Then there's some sort of "test" where one has to die in order for the other to live - in this case, the main story is a DR who is cheating on his wife AND was once a suspect in these odd murders (there are quite a few of them, and they show the other ones, very cool!) and the private investigator following him wake up locked in a disgusting bathroom - each chained to the other side of the room. The killer leaves a recorded message for each of them, telling them what they need to do to live and consequences if they don't - in the killer's mind, he wants to make these people appreciate life more. Apparently, for the DR to live (and his wife and daughter to live), he must find a way to kill the other guy, Adam, chained up across the room. They are each given a saw - which they can use to cut off their foot to either escape or accomplish their task.

It's a great flick w/twists that we didn't see coming at all. And the flashbacks to the other competitions were great - super eerie, but great.

I highly recommend it - and am trying to figure out a way to get to see Saw2 when it comes out next Friday night.

Oh My!

Did anyone see Nip/Tuck last night??!! It was FABULOUS...

30 Weeks...

30 Weeks along here...I'm thinking 8 more weeks to go, which takes me to December 13. But, of course, I'm sure I'll be wrong and it'll be like January 10 or something!

Not much new to report...
Nursery? Nope.
Name? Nope.

I did buy the top sheet for the crib and the crib ruffle yesterday from Pottery Barn, so they'd match. We DID select a paint color for the nursery (going to do blue instead of sage) and curtain color (red, also from Pottery Barn, probably).

Physically? Still tired. Still huge. A lot of my shirts are getting way too short - might have to buy yet more shirts in size Large, just for the extra belly material - though i'm not sure how that'll look in the arms and chest part.

I'm having a very difficult time w/the pants...I have 5 pair, that I would deem wear-able to work:

black pair from the Gap

light tan cords from the Gap (need to hem first)

dark brown cords

4 pair of jeans (2 from the last pregnancy that aren't hideously out of style)

Since I only work 4 days a week, this seems like a reasonable number of pants to me (doesn't count yoga pants and stuff I wear at home)...BUT there is a rumor that the powers-above are deeming jeans as inappropriate work-wear, even w/a nice top and boots. Grrr...I'm not buying any more pants (really, all I would be able to do is buy a second pair of a pair that I already own - I tried on EVERYTHING Gap makes, and Motherhood makes, and that's all I found that fit). Crap. I'll keep you updated, because I'm sure you'll be holding your breath, waiting to hear!

Anyway - very excited about the baby, and only freaking a little that it's 8-10 weeks until his arrival date!!! I can't wait to officially meet the little guy!

Who Knew?

That wearing full panel (belly covering) maternity pants could be SO GOD-AWFUL UNCOMFORTABLE that they would ruin a perfectly good mood? Apparently they can, be warned. AND not only do I have an elastic band running over the TOP of my belly, making my uterus uncomfortable and my lungs feel like I'm suffocating, apparently JR isn't pleased either, as he has been kicking at the band since I put the damn pants on.

It's going to be a GREAT day!

Side note: to the blonde in the elevator --> no matter how "dressy" the capri pants are, the waistband should cover YOUR UNDERWEAR, at least when you're at work! OR try for a shirt that covers your belly/backside. One or the other, or both even! No way would I allow an employee of mine to run around looking like that at work.

Update on HBO Documentary...

it wasn't SHOCKED, it was Smashed...

here's the link to the show ...

I finally finished watching this weekend. It was so sad and amazing. The brat Timmy though (the young one that hit a tree driving ATV after drinking) was back up to his old tricks again by the end of the show. Um, Hello? Did you not get the message the first time? He will never fully recover from the brain-damage he inflicted on himself the first time, now he's drinking and riding ATVs again. I couldn't even understand him fully when he was justifying to his mom, saying how now that he knows his limits, he can drink and drive safely. Positively revolting. And Mom & Dad? BTW, it is possible to get rid of his ATV for him or take away some stuff or not let him go out and drink - he IS still under 18 and living in your house. At least please try to fix the problem and not just let him go do stupid crap and whine about it!

I saw a new documentary about the AIDS epidemic. This was also on HBO. It is called Pandemic: Facing AIDS - Russia". Apparently it is one in a series of 6, filmed by Rory Kennedy and funded by Bill Gates. It is amazing. In this episode, we meet Lena and Sergi. They were drug addicts. Lena gets pregnant and manages to stay clean while pregnant. A short while after the baby is born, a "friend" brings over some heroin and they spiral back down. Lena, unable and/or unwilling to care for her tiny son, leaves him w/her mother. They continue to do drugs and BOTH contract AIDS.

What they find most healing for themselves, is working now as AIDS Activists. Spreading information about how AIDS is contracted, to try and slow the spread of the disease. This is a wonderful cause. Sergi goes to the doctor and finds out he needs treatment now, and WITH the treatment, he can expect to go "full-blown" in about 1 year, 2 max. He claims to be sad that he won't see his son grow up. This is the first we see of Sergi acknowledging that he even HAS a son.

Lena visits her mother - and of course they get in a fight. Her mother says it would be nice if Sergi would bother to send money and food to help care for the toddler (he is adorable). Lena says he won't as long as he isn't allowed to see his son. (which to me is ridiculous - the boy needs to be supported whether or not Sergi gets to see him, if he was a good man he'd send money regardless).

When Sergi returns to the DR to start treatment, he finds the hospital has been closed due to lack of funds. The speaker points out that even though Russia's policy is that all AIDS patients are guarenteed care, the budget only allows for 600 patients. There are currently 1 million people living with HIV in Russia.

Yes it was eye-opening. But really just disgusted me more w/Lena and Sergi for the abandonment of their son, more than anything else. Yes, AIDS is a problem. Though it is a problem they gave themselves thru their drug use. I have never been a drug addict, so of course it is easy for me to criticize, but I would think...now that they are CLEAN, they would be wanting to spend as much time w/their son as they could and working to make sure he had money left to him for his care since they surely won't be around much longer. Nope. At the end, they were being allowed weekend visits with him, which is good. But for me, it is never enough where children are concerned.

A lovely Sunday...

Our darling son allowed us to sleep in until 8:45! What a difference from 7:30! We had a big breakfast and they've gone off to the Air & Space Museum...I've opted out because not only have I been there a bazillion times before, it's too much walking for me - just the THOUGHT makes me tired. So I'm home "relaxing"... which really means...

washing the linens for the guest bedroom and putting them back on, so that if brother and sister-in-law have to come to stay w/son in an emergency they've got somewhere clean to sleep.

putting away a weeks worth of son's laundry in his closet (I hang everything).

picking up family room and kitchen.

maybe watching a little TV in our new family room furniture that just arrived Friday! Yay for new chairs!

Time to get thru?

In calling Delta Dental, to inquire about the less-than-expected coverage we're receiving, it took 4 minutes to get thru the menus. Of course this included entering my SSN and date of birth, son's name and date of birth - only so that when I finally got thru to an operator, she asked me for the same damn information again!

Also - it seems they don't deem anesthesia necessary for a 3 year old to get a cavity filled- WTF? Seriously?

Not a good show for a pregnant Mommy...

This morning the little dude slept in until 8:30. Since I was up and ready to leave the house at 7 a.m., I had some time to burn so I turned on the TIVO and checked out the TIVO suggestions that it had recorded.

I found SHOCKED, which is a documentary on HBO about teens and alcohol. Their stories were shocking and LIVE.

There was Timmy, a 15 year old that was drinking and then went riding on his ATV. Apparently he swerved to miss a bunny and hit a tree - cutting the tree in half with HIS BODY. And hit his head severly as well. I made it through to day 7 in Shock / Trauma today. He was just taking his first steps since the accident. It was heartbreaking to see him recover, being able to compare what I was seeing to what a 15 year old should be talking/walking/acting like.

There was a girl, 16, that got in the car w/a drunk guy that she thought was HOT. He hit a tree with her side of the car. She has recovered phsyically about 90%, but mentally is a very different story. She apparently has lost the ability to learn. She kept trying for a while to learn and goto school, then I guess just gave up.

There was another girl, 17, that got into a car with someone she didn't know had been drinking and he had a terrible accident and she hit the windshield. She is phsysically impaired somewhat, but can had to relearn to walk and talk again. She will not be able to live independently between the physical and mental damage.

There was the young guy, 19, who had cut back to 6 beer-a-day habit. He had 3 beers then drove himself home, with no seatbelt. He lost control of the car and rolled it. Luckily for him, he seemed to be recovering just fine. I seriously pray he meant it when he said he'd never do that again.

There was the poor kid that drank a bottle of vodka himself while goofing off at the mall w/his friends. Then he fell THREE STORIES onto a tile floor. I didn't get to see much of his story yet, but he also didn't look to be in too bad of shape, given what had happened to him.

I can only pray and pray and pray that my children will never do any of these stupid things, and the sheer terror I feel when I think about it is so overwhelming, I don't really allow myself to go there.

Is it December yet? Or, 29 weeks.

I am so big. It is difficult to get things off the floor. I get exhausted doing nothing. I can only sleep 2 hours at a time, because I either have to flip from one side to the other (and that requires being awake, at this size) or I have to pee.

BUT! Things are moving along! I think we'll get the nursery painted this weekend (fingers crossed!) and things setup. I washed the carseat liner this weekend (from when son #1 used it) so that's ready to go as soon as I re-install it in the carseat. I'm hoping to run by Gap Maternity today after work for some work pants (seeing as I have 1 pair of pants and am currently wearing them!)... Let's hope they're having a sale! They are way too pricey, but the Motherhood Maternity store doesn't have any full belly pants and low-rise are too painful to wear at this point.

This was a fabulous weekend! It was a 4 day weekend for me, with Columbus Day! Yay! We (mostly hubby) got the basement cleaned out and organized. We got lots of playtime with Son (and the house is a wreck to prove it!) and even went out to eat yesterday for a nice lunch!

AND Hubby found a Black Widow spider yesterday under our rain spout. YIKES! Nothing to make a mother nervous than reading "not lethal to those over 5". Umm.. that would mean IS lethal to 50% of my household! Very Scary stuff indeed (of course, that particular black widow did not live longer than it took to snap a quick pic for verification purposes - it definitely is a black widow, based on it's look and behaviour).

That is all - tomorrow, 29 week OB appt. Wish me luck on the scale!

4D ultrasound today!

This is so exciting! The technology just became available at the end of my pregnancy w/my son 4 years ago, and I think I was TOO FAR along to get one. So today...hubby and I are going to find out what our second little boy looks like (excuse me while I tear up just thinking about that)...

Anyone like 4D and 28 week belly shots? I'll email them to you if I know you're not some weirdo...

How To Irritate Me

9:07 I arrive at Q*uest D*iagnostics to take my fasting 1-hour glucose test. Sign my name on the walk-in chart, and mention to the receptionist why I'm there (there is a sign that says to tell them immediately if you're there for a timed test). She "whatever"s me into the waiting room.

9:25 Lady in front of my is SUPRISED that they would like her insurance information before they do her labwork. Because this is shocking. I don't know about other areas of the country, but this is DEFINITELY common practice in our area. I must wait longer while they call around trying to find her husband and his insurance card. No, this isn't annoying AT ALL.

9:35 She FINALLY calls my name. I goto counter w/DRs order, noting that I've just burned 1/2 an hour, haven't started on the test yet, am STARVING, and now having Braxton-Hicks contractions because I don't know if I'm allowed to have water or not. She informs that no one in the DRs officed filled out the paperwork as to which test I'm supposed to have. She calls the DRs office - they say to fax the blank request to them and they'll fax back one w/the proper box checked. GRRRR.

9:40 No fax yet. I call the DRs office - they say it's the 1 hour test, not the 3 hour test, which I knew, but the receptionist either needs to hear it from the nurse or have a fax, my word isn't good enough. The nurse sounds irritated w/ME?? WTF? Like they aren't going to get quite the earful Tuesday when I go in for my 29 week checkup.

I drink the gross orange drink (think really sweet orange soda. Really sweet doesn't bother me, as I've been living on ice cream and chocolate, but I HATE ORANGE SODA).

10:45 Have blood drawn. Nurse is APPALLED at the state of the vein on my left arm, which coincidentally, the nurse at my OB's office BLEW OUT 3 weeks ago, when SHE was drawing blood. Nurse is so appalled, she comments on the state of my vein multiple times. I know it all f-ed up now, it hurt like a son-of-bitch when she blew it, thank you very much, and gave me a dark purple bruise that was 5 inches long.

10:50 finally get in damn car and scarf down some of son's pretzels that I keep in the car for emergencies (you only get stuck in rush hour traffic w/a toddler that hasn't had breakfast ONCE without food in the car).

28 Weeks!

Is today! I go tomorrow for the glucose test (please, please, please let me pass) and Thursday for our 4D ultrasound! So exciting.

I am really uncomfortable pretty much all the time now. Sitting is uncomfortable, unless I'm reclined on the couch to give the big belly the space it needs (and JR, who is all spread out and Not In A Tight Fetal Position). Sleeping is funny - by 3 a.m. last night I was done trying to sleep and lay down because it was uncomfortable anyway (and I feel so guilty in any position other than on my left side, because all I see when I close my eyes is JR suffocating) and every time I shifted? Woke up JR. Then had to wait for him to be still, and needed to shift again. GRRRR.

My clothes are getting too tight in the ... you guessed it... belly. I have no idea what the heck I'll be wearing in November because all of my short-sleeved shirts are already tight across the belly. Hopefully the winter shirts are more full cut? Humor me and say that of course they are. I totally see myself in the office in December in hubby's old tshirts and sweats.

And my legs are so TIRED. And I am SO TIRED. I couldn't get out of bed today, and my head felt like I had the flu (I don't), but it was SO HARD getting out of bed...if son didn't have school today, we'd probably still be home lying there.

Please note: this complaining is simply complaining because I'm uncomfortable and TIRED. NOT because I'd like to not be pregnant, no way no how. I am so grateful to have made it this far, and still fear the worst happening (haven't managed to send doppler back yet), it's crazy. But I am still uncomfortable.

Congratulations Amalah!

On the cutest little boy, Noah! And at 9 pounds 15 ounces, quite the little guy already! BUT SO CUTE I CAN'T STAND IT!

Little Dude!

He is rolling around and squirming like a mad man. I've been sitting here for at least 20 minutes watching lumps appear and disappear across my belly. Or simply slide from one side to the other. Or bump out. Very cool, but darn if it doesn't feel like he's trying to stretch his arms and legs out. I think we may have what we had w/my son - a child that's not above average size at birth, but that doesn't do fetal position...meaning he's not cramped into a little ball - he's in there w/arms and legs nice and spread out, not curled up at all, making ME acommodate HIS size, instead of vice versa.

Fall Weekends...

What a lovely weekend!!!

Friday night our neighbors had a housewarming party - it was a lovely party and well attended. I hear that guests stayed until 1:30 a.m. Who does that? The hosts were EXHAUSTED the next day and had all this cleaning to do. And it's funny - I noticed that some people tend to treat parties like this just as if they're in a bar - being demanding of the hostess as if she was a waitress, which, HELLO, she is not.

Saturday we hung around the house and hubby updated our landscaping to the new fall flowers. They look lovely. And we got a weeping cherry tree to replace the crappy dying evergreen the builder planted for us.

Sunday was the neighbor's daughter's first birthday party. It was so cute - bugs theme. The mom made a fabulous bug cake and had little pots of pudding/oreo crumb mix for the kiddies (with gummy worms!).

The decorator came Friday and we picked out paint colors for the family room, breakfast nook, and kitchen. As well as window treatment fabrics for kitchen and family room. AND my new sofa came a month early! I love it, though I think hubby is slightly less enthused about it as I am. But I think it is great and looks great - have already had a nap on it even!

Desperate Housewives?

Anyone catch the premier of this one?? (Yes, I do love TV, why do you ask?)

It was ok...did answer some questions and update everyone all the way 'round. Interesting, but not much left to wonder, except about the new neighbors though!

AND LOST! Did anyone else catch last night's episode?? MAN! What a good one! Now I have to wait a whole damn week to catch another episode? Of course, I have Survivor tonight then a busy weekend, but STILL!

And the Amazing Race! That was actually pretty good- though I would never sign up for that with little kids unless ALL the teams had little kids. It's just not fair, from a physical perspective.

Anyway...what have YOU been watching?

27 weeks (yesterday)...

27 doesn't actually feel any different than 26 weeks. Except I'm one week closer to my actual glucose test time (next week)...

The nursery bedding arrived Monday - so yesterday I stopped at Lowes and got 1 of every sage / red / white paint chip they had to start matching (don't know if the room will be sage or red)...do you KNOW how many paint chips that is? A LOT - who knew there were that many different shades. Any bets on whether or not any of them match the bedding? :-)

No info on the name front either ... suggestions?

Still here, still hungry, still tired, still pregnant (which are ALL GOOD THINGS)...

SIDE NOTE: did anyone else see Nip/Tuck yesterday??? !!!! Must discuss it with someone!

Thoughts from the MALL

to the 3 elederly people in the elevator at Nordstrom. I am very sorry I couldn't help you. Telling me over and over (and over) that you want the elevator to go DOWN, when we are ON the 1st floor (I've worked in that Nordstrom for 7 years, it does not GO DOWN lower than 1), even when I ask you specifically what section or store you are looking for is not very helpful. I am sorry I could not help you and you got VERY VERY exasperated with me.

the lady wearing various shades of red: a red jacket, red pants, red shoes, red purse, red shirt. Was it intentional or did they all look like the same shade in your mirror at home? If so - why would you do that?

Dear Motherhood Maternity: NO work pants w/a belly panel? In a MATERNITY STORE? Really? Come on now folks...get with the program.

I need a pair of shoes/boots that will work with both work clothes (business casual) and casual clothes (think jeans and brown cords)... any suggestions?

Premier Week!

Ok - So the good tv shows are back! (No spoilers here)

Nip/Tuck --> this was an AMAZING season opener! Stunning. Fabulous. Excellent writing...the characters are back even more brilliant and alive than ever...GOOD JOB!

Lost --> they really needed to answer a few more questions with this episode. Ok, they could've answered AT LEAST ONE question with this show, but it was still good - just not a good season opener.

Desperate Housewives --> on my TIVO, will report back later...

In other TV News...

GO HOKIES! Excellent season so far - love Marcus Vick's playing, even if he doesn't have the great personality and common sense as his brother.

Suvivor - this looks like a good season, though you always have your LazyPeople, Fakers ( cough cough Blake? Gary? ), losers that want to be winners ( cough cough Judd?) Still interesting though!

Weekend Update...

Ok...what a GLORIOUS weekend! For once, we had nothing to do! Yay!!! And boy did we make the most of it!

Saturday we hung out - the men/boys got the outdoor stuff done and we relaxed. Can anyone say 4 hour family nap??!!

Sunday - son slept until 9 AM!!!!!!!! Then we had a nice breakfast and went costume shopping (we already have his costume, but wanted some play dress-up things for son to play with --> for girls you can get that stuff anywhere anytime, but for boys, the only time that seems good for something other than fireman is HALLOWEEN COSTUMES!)...we got an Indiana Jones hat, cowboy hat, more guns (of course!), etc. Son really, really likes his Indiana Jones hat!

Today, the baby is kicking like crazy, just under my left rib cage, like he's got a punching bag in there or something - and you can TOTALLY SEE it from the outside. So cool. Wonder what made him do that?

Stupid F-ing Pottery Barn Kids!

Background Info...

Last Thursday at lunch, I went to Pottery Barn Kids to purchase the bedding set that I had selected for the little one. They told me that I could only buy this set on-line (because they are different than the on-line catalog. Yeah, sure you are.

So I come back to work and order the nursery set. LAST THURSDAY. The confirmation email says that the item is "Available for immediate shipping" and their website indicates those items should be rec'd w/in 5-7 days.

So I check the status today -hasn't shipped yet? WTF? I call their customer service line and, I'm not kidding you, she tells me that there's a note on the order saying they cancelled it because someone found it for me in the store. WTF? Where the HELL did that come from??? This makes no sense.

Thankfully (for them and the future of my orders from them) they are now shipping it to me RUSH with no shipping or rush charges.

Can I just ever have things work like they should? I don't MIND paying shipping. I just want to place my orders, and have things delivered ontime and in expected condition. Apparently this is asking too much.

Rita?

I hope everyone does what they need to do to stay safe when Rita passes thru... it sounds like either TX has a better plan or they learned a lot from the mistakes with Katrina...I heard on the news today that if you need to be rescued after the storm, and you have children with you, you will also be arrested for child endangerment/neglect. They are also making good use of the area's buses - I hope they're able to get to any and all residents that don't have their own transportation.

Be safe Texans.

26 weeks! ok, today is 26w1d, but who's counting?

26 weeks! 1 more week until the third trimester and supposed viability.

Sometimes the little one kicks and pushes so hard, it's like he's actually trying to get out...thru my skin. Sometimes, this really hurts.

ALL of my low-rise maternity clothes are KILLING me... warning: you will need full-panel maternity for the end of the pregnancy, be fore-warned! BUT it's too hot to wear fall clothes (not that I've bought any yet) and the summer stuff is cutting off my circulation - what's a girl to do??

PotteryBarnKids is taking their damn sweet time in sending out my bedding - ordered on Thursday, hasn't shipped yet. That's one thing I hate about them and companies like Gap/Old Navy. They think it's acceptable to sit on the order for a week THEN ship it. The Disney costume (Disney is just as busy, if not BUSIER, than these other companies, shipped the costume Monday morning (also ordered Thursday).

Still no name for baby yet. I'm calling it Luke until someone comes up with something better (hint hint hint - get a move on!).

That's a lot of menus!

I was changing the mailing address on a bill, and it took 2 minutes and 45 seconds of just going thru the menus to get to the place where I could hold for someone to take the new address. Sheesh!

What do you do in this case?

This morning on the elevator, we were squished in there, as is usual. I was right by the buttons when we stopped on the 2nd floor for even MORE passengers. A guy squeezed in, and instead of asking me to press 7 for him, slide his hand in front of me to push the button. I swear, if he had touched/rubbed my belly, we would've had some words. Is there some reason he couldn't just ASK me to press 7 for him? I couldn't move back, there were 2 people lined up behind me...what would you do if you were him? Ask or try to stealth-ly press the button??

Don't have much to add...

My blood glucose test (which they did 4 weeks early, just to check things out) came back clear. I was terrified because the urine test was positive. Though I have to re-do the test at 28 weeks it's nice knowing we're all clear for now. The last thing I need is Gestational Diabetes hanging over my head. Of course, where the nurse blew my left arm vein LAST TUESDAY is still a 6 inch dark purple streak on my arm. I've been asked THREE TIMES TODAY (it's only 11:10 a.m.) already what happened to my arm, it looks so awful. She won't be touching me again. When the DR did the blood draw on the other arm, not only did he not leave a mark, it didn't even HURT (needle going in or out - the needles going out always hurt me more than going in - does anyone else notice this strangeness?).

I ordered Son's Halloween costume - The Blue Knight as he calls it.

And the baby's nursery decor: dinosaurs. Can't wait for it to get here so I can start matching and painting (ok, well hubby is doing the painting, but you know what i mean!)!

FYI...

I know that I do that pregnancy-waddle-walking thing. Not a surprise to me. So PLEASE don't TELL me I'm doing it, or I will beat you over the head with my donut.

And - using your arms to gesture to me how big I'm getting... is also not winning you any points either.

And I've only been at work for an hour and a half!

25 weeks!

Today I am 25w0d! Not much new in the belly area, just BIG. I don't see how I'm going to get 15 weeks more of growth down there!

BUT I am freaking about

names

the nursery

We have neither, nor plans or ideas for either one. Egads - how did this happen? Suggestions? For either?

I think, at 25 weeks, I am ready to send back in my rental heartbeat doppler. I think I'm comfortable enough w/the movement to send it back. I thought, when I rented it, that I would send it back the first moment I felt movement. Hah - silly woman. I have been too terrified to send it back, afraid I might need it for reassurance. But I think by now, I can send it back. Wish me luck!

for your reading pleasure...

Okay, wise guy, what would YOU have done?

Well hello there!!!

We're BACK! We flew in yesterday...where were we? DISNEYWORLD! It was our yearly visit to Disney with Hubby's Mom. We had a FANTASTIC time. This is the first year son was tall enough to ride the majority of good rides (ex. Test Track, Dinosaur, etc.). And, of course, he LOVED them, but he didn't love any of them more than the Buzz Lightyear ride. I cannot even tell you how much he loved that one - I can't even count the number of times we rode it.

The park was deserted. We walked right on to almost every ride - the longest wait for a good ride was about 5 minutes, at most. Hurricane Ophelia was spinning right off the east coast of Florida, and providing us with cloud cover, but very little rain, which is odd. We would check the weather channel and it would look like it should be raining on us, but it wasn't! One day was so cloudy we were SURE it was going to dump and I got a wee bit of sunburn!

The new Soarin' ride is AWESOME. Fantastic. Super-duper. Loved it. Son was squealing with excitement! If you go, you must try it!

Next year, when I'm not pregnant, I'll get to ride even more stuff w/son! I can't wait already.

Don't even know what to think...

about what is going on in New Orleans right now. What the hell? Do they honestly think SHOOTING at the helicopters trying to help them is going to get them evacuated faster?

I have my donations planned so far:

Michele is collecting money and schoold supplies to be shipped to the Astrodome to help the children with school - they will be displaced in a strange area for a long time, and without supplies.

My company is MATCHING donations made by employees to the Red Cross. This wasn't originally the charity I had picked out, but if they'll match what I donate, I'm willing to switch. I think they need another day or so to get it setup, then employees are asked and encouraged to donate.

So that's why!

We had our ultrasound yesterday - I LOVE those things! Getting to watch BabyBrother move around and flip and turn is fantastic! This time, he was actually measuring ahead by 3-5 days. On Aug. 4, he was measuring right on track. Since I know exactly when I ovulated, this doesn't mean my due date is wrong, it means HE'S BIG.

Anyways, whenever I go up the stairs at our house, I am SO out of breath. I thought it was simply because

I'm out of shape

I'm pregnant and carrying 20 extra pounds

stairs suck

BUT apparently someone's little butt is pushing into the right side of my ribcage already. Even the ultrasound tech thought that was a bit high for him to be at only 23 weeks. So, I hope I'm a little bit less out of shape than I thought and baby is just squeezing my lungs.

For those of you that knew me when I was pregnant w/my son, you'll remember me complaining of the terrible pain that was Son's butt making my ribs separate. I thought I was having a heart attack and going to die. Looks like I'm in for more of the same this go round! yay!

Luckily, he's already head down, though that could change, I sure hope it doesn't. AND we re-verified that he is BabyBrother and not BabySister.

23 Weeks...

Today I am 23 weeks. Just last night hubby was being amazed at the naked belly and I reminded him, 17 more weeks of growth, by the way.

By now, I can feel BabyBrother moving quite a bit. The other night he got the hiccups and hiccup-ed for 20 minutes. Of course, this was RIGHT as I laid down to goto sleep, so that was fun. Apparently he liked dinner last night (chicken quesadillas and pasta w/sauce, and a 1/2 a milkshake) because he was rock'n and roll'n at bedtime.

I've picked up a few fall pieces of maternity clothes at Target...and need to go thru what I wore last pregnancy. Though I have to buy a "work" wardrobe, because when I was pregnant last time, I was at a start-up and jeans were OK. Not so much now. Of course, as soon as I start shopping (yesterday) gap.com takes down their site for maintenance. FYI, when I run a company, our website will NOT go down for 2 days during back to school shopping! Not for 2 days for ANY reason...the site should be ready to be uploaded with a minimum of downtime. You don't upload then test it out.

I'm getting hotter too (hotter, not sexier)...this is odd for me, it didn't happen w/the first pregnancy.

And HUNGRY! And TIRED!

Second sonogram today, wish me luck! Also trying to schedule the 4D sonogram for October!

Satellite Radio Comparison...

Ok...hubby ended up w/a new car last week. It's a LONG story, but here's the short version:

Last Tuesday night we tried to put the baby seat into the back of hubby's sedan. Remember that hubby is 6'2". Neither my son or the new baby can sit directly behind hubby. No configuration of the 2 car seats in the other 2 rear seast (middle seat and behind-passenger-seat) worked. Truth: this car would no longer work for our family.

So Wednesday hubby and I take lunch and goto the Toyota dealer near my office to checkout the new Sienna minivan. Hubby is SO not a minivan person, but he was thinking he could take one for the team if we liked it enough...He hated it. Seriously, he was looking rather green and like he was going to vomit the whole time.

I suggested we look at some bigger sedans and we found one he liked and had room for hubby to drive and the sales guy ( 6'1" tall ) to sit BEHIND him. That is a large sedan!

But back to satellite radio - this car came w/Sirius radio, where we have only been an XM radio family. So this weekend, on our trip to visit family in PA, we got to sample Sirius' programming.

So here is the review:

quality of sound --> XM and Sirius are equivalant, I guess. I did not notice a difference.

signal strength -->Sirius dropped out more than the XM Radio did.

Programming --> selection of stations was equivalant.

Commercials? --> XM Radio is commercial free. Sirius is NOT and that is quite annoying.

Talking DJs --> XM Radio only has DJs for the commuting part of the day, and they limit their talking to announcing song requests, and this is not on all stations. Sirius DJs seem to YAP after EVERY SONG, on every station, which is annoying if you're not used to it.

So - if you have a choice (some car makers only offer 1 or the other), get XM!

And we're off!!!

I just got back from the furniture store! I made a decision on the couch fabric - the lady showed me a computer image of the 2 fabrics I like and it was easy to pick - what had been my favorite fabric is really more of a chair fabric, and a bit obnoxious in couch size. Then picked out 2 new leather chairs and ottoman to complement, and VOILA! Furniture ordered!

Now I just need to get my butt to Lowes to order white wood blinds. Then to measure out the entertainment center we like and make sure it is big enough for the spot we've picked, and that the TV fits in it, and we can order that too! Hopefully, we can order the window treatments shortly as well! Man, this is really moving along!!!

Since I'm pretty boring today, go check out these chicks...

Enjanerd --> she's dealing w/an insane vistor!

Girl From Florida --> she's recently discovered she's going to be a Mommy!

The New Mommy Crack

The Container Store.

Enough said.

Technical Difficulties...

BioTurf, the people installing our sprinkler system, cut our phone line yesterday. So no phone or DSL at home. :-(
It's funny - the phone worked until they arrived, then stopped working w/in 30 minutes of arrival, but they don't think they did it. None of our neighbors are having problems either. Just us. Hmmm. Who do YOU think is getting the repair bill?

Firefox lost my history yesterday - so my list of blogs to read is GONE. This is most upsetting. If I haven't stopped by your blog in a while, drop me a line, it's quite possible I can't remember or find the URL. This is the second time in 10 months it's done that and I have no idea why...any of you have a clue?

I'm tired.

ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This was a great weekend!!! My best friend from Blacksburg came up w/her 3 year old.

Saturday: we went to Baltimore, MD to goto the Aquarium, joined by my other best friend and HER 3 year old. While it was packed, we saw LOTS of cool stuff! The boys finally saw the PufferFish they were dying to see. Then lunch at Cheesecake Factory, where we thought it might be a bit long for 3 3year olds, they were GREAT!

Sunday: down to DC for the National Natural History Museum - mostly to see the DINOSAURS! A BIG hit, if I do say so myself. Then we got tons o'stuff at the shop (the toy where they bury bones in a mound of rocks/dirt and the kid has to dig it out themselves was a HUGE hit) and books and things, then back onto the Metro for a ride home! Son loved it - and hubby did too, bonus!

I. am. tired. now. So. very. tired.

BONUS: at my last OB appt, the DR gave me another sonogram order! He didn't see my original ones in my file and re-wrote it! Yay! (did I already tell you guys that? Ooops if I did! But I am SO EXCITED TO GET AN EXTRA PEEK!)

No More

anonymous comments - some asshole was spamming me at the rate of like 1 per minute. Sorry.

Hmmmm....

I don't have anything interesting today (shocking, I know).

I have my OB appt, which is always so fun, NOT! I thought when everyone talks about getting proper prenatal care, it was a big deal. Basically, until you are 32 weeks, you go in, maybe pee in a cup, get your fundus measured, check for baby heartrate, and off you go. Maybe a tiny blood donation, depending on where you are in your pregnancy (I had the usual workup + a check for fifths disease since a friend's child had been exposed). I KNOW they can catch bad stuff early, but if you're lucky enough to have an uneventful pregnancy, they are pretty quick and painless. Today we are reviewing the results of my ultrasound from Aug. 4 - measurements of baby + how much fluid he's got, etc.

Oh, and I'm tired today. Don't have anything to eat for lunch, so will have to drive around and scrounge for fast food again. I wish for a regular lunch! But I don't have anyone to go with, and I'm not going to a restaurant alone (yes, I'm a big big baby).

Please wish Jo a speedy labor and birth, TODAY as she's way past due and deserves to meet her little one!!!

Summer Reading

So. When we were at the beach last week, I actually read TWO books! My sister-in-law brought them for me...they were:
Lifeguard


London Bridges

James Patterson books are light and quick reads. Also, the story is usually so good, it makes you not want to put the book down. I enjoyed both books very much, but if I were BUYING the hardcover, I'd like to get more read-time out of them. More like Harry Potter complexity, which take longer to read because of the extra subplots and detail.

But for the beach, the James Patterson ones are great! And always a twist of some sort that I never predict!

Sandwich Meat - the big NO NO

apparently, pregnant women aren't supposed to eat sandwich meat!

foods to avoid

Apparenty sandwich meats and hot dogs have a high listeria bacteria rate...and "they" have deemed them not worth the risk for pregnant women.

I do know that Subway will microwave meat for you, if you ask (I heard this, I don't eat at Subway, I favor Cheeseburgers!).

I do, however, scarf down hotdogs if they are cooked by my hubby or myself, making sure they're heated high enough. No mall or street vendor dogs for me though!

The sandwich meat thing, though, was not around when I was pregnant w/my first son - but I don't remember if I wanted sandwiches or not or if I ate any. This pregnancy, I stick w/ PB&J or grilled cheese or cheese and mayonaise!


What do you others think?

21 Weeks!

So - what am I like at 21 weeks?

Well, in a nutshell, HUGE!

Long story version:

I am very hungry.

I am very tired.

My belly is HUGE and my belly button is already gone, and after a big meal, even STICKS OUT!

I am very tired.

It is very difficult for me to pick up my son anymore.

It is very difficult to carry anything in front of me (like you would carry a laundry basket in front, on your stomach). Side carrying is not comfy either, so I usually ask hubby (who is GREAT about offering before I ask) to do these carrying tasks.

It is not possible to roll over in my sleep - it requires waking to roll - it is very odd to always wake up in the same position you went to sleep in. On that note, I am getting tired of sleeping on my left side (the suggested position for women over 4 months).

I can make the baby move/kick by laying on my left or right side. Also by pressing gently on the left or right side of my belly. Very cool. He also moves a lot when I'm sitting in my desk chair and I lean forward too much (I'm assuming I'm cutting in on his living space).

I am BEAT after walking up a flight of stairs.

I am SO EXCITED about the going to gym w/a personal trainer when this is done so I can whip back into shape. I'm going to ask for the toughest, meanest trainer they have.

I would REALLY LOVE a ham and cheese sandwich right now, and it sucks that I have to wait until the end of DECEMBER to have one. (though I wouldn't trade it for the world!)

I cannot get in and out of my husband's car (it sits too low to the ground and the seats are too bucket-like).

Having to squat for more than 1 second is painful (like to put on my son's shoes).

I'm so excited about new fall maternity clothes! I'm already tired of my summer ones! Apparently, all I bought for summer for work was white and black, which I just noticed today!

I love to hear the baby's heartbeat on my home doppler (I could find the heartbeat starting at 7w4d, but couldn't HEAR it on the doppler until more recently). It is SO AMAZING - I get awed and forget to turn off the doppler right away.

Breasts are still killing me - and are quite large - I'm up one full cup size.

Sense of smell is still quite amazing.

Also addicted to buying the baby new clothes, even though he won't really need much, since he'll be born almost exactly the same time as my first son. I cannot resist, have you seen the new Gymboree stuff? It's like MommyCrack.

Ok...off to get a water refill and find something to eat.

For once...

I have quite a few posts swimming about in my head...

what my son wants to name Baby Brother

how DAMN TIRED I am

how DAMN tired being on vacation makes me

how DAMN tired driving back from vacation made me

how DAMN tired cleaning up after vacation is currently making me

week by week summary, to bring you guys up to speed, we are 21 weeks tomorrow. I've been feeling movement about 2 weeks now, but with reliable movement starting at 20 weeks. Son got to FEEL Baby Brother kicking me yesterday - how cool is that? He was sad when I went to work today, not because he's missing me (yeah, right) but because I was taking Baby Brother with me, and wouldn't Baby Brother miss him? So. damn. cute.

Anyone like a belly shot? I'm going to take one soon and email them out to interested parties (note: this is only for regular commenters and readers, no freaks please). With some of the strange people that visit, I'm not posting one on the actual site.

Did I mention that I'm tired?

I'm back!

We got back from our week vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC yesterday - anybody miss me?

Look for posts tomorrow!

And now we know!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's a...
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BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yay for little boys!!!!!!! My son'll be excited, that was his choice! Also - hubby and I are understandably THRILLED! The baby has all parts accounted for and measured nicely - 2 arms, 2 legs, 10 fingers, 10 toes, beautiful lips and profile! He's got it all, baby!

All organs present and accounted for, also measuring nicely.

Thank goodness for little boys! And I was treated to lots of ultrasound movement to know that even though I don't feel much at this point, he's boppin' around in there pretty good - and the reason I'm so darn big? He's laying SIDEWAYS.

Countdown...

12:30 EST = Sonogram time! Watch this space!

Happy Birthday!

TO ME! Today I am 32! Happy Birthday to me!

And my special plans today are....
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wait for it, it's good....
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taking my son to the dentist!

Ok, yeah, I'm old and I'm a mommy, just because it's my birthday, doesn't change much in my daily life, at least not at this point. Maybe when my kid(s) are older...but I don't care. The fact that I HAVE a son to take the dentist thrills me. The fact that my husband is the best one in the world, and the best daddy as a side bonus, thrills me.

I cannot ask for a better present than to have my family healthy and happy for another year.

(ok, maybe a diamond necklace too, but I don't want to be greedy! ;-)

did someone say handbag?

From busymom

Take the quiz: "What type of designer handbag are you?(pictures)"

Brighton
You're Brighton. You are always in style and very ... bright. You tend to look on the good side of things. Stay that way!

48 hours and counting!

Remember - big sonogram is Thursday @ 12:30 EST! Can't wait! I did the Chinese Gender predictor and it predicted "boy". When I went back and checked it against the dates/age for my current son, it also predicted "boy"...so we'll see - who is right? The old wives tales or the Chinese Gender predictor!

is this rude?

is it rude, in your WORK voicemail to say...

"I'll return your call at my earliest convienence"???

Harry Potter!

I'm only a page or two away from finishing this book!!!! I'd love to give it a good review here, but I'm not spoiling it for anyone! I was so afraid someone somewhere on the internet would spoil it for me, and thank goodness no one did, so I'm not going to spoil it for anyone either....

Leave a comment and email address if you'd like to discuss!!!

Yesterday was Bad Mommy Day?

Why wasn't this toddler strapped in her carseat?

What the HELL was this woman thinking?

Kill Reality?

Anyone see this show Kill Reality on E!?

Damn. What a bunch of media whores.

Tonya - who the heck sleeps w/Johnny Fairplay in the first place? He's SO GROSS. Then does it again?

In the first episode, it's funny to see that some reality stars weren't even full enough of themselves to make it (ie. Jase, Bolo, Jonathan & Victoria, etc.) - that's saying a lot.

Then stupid Toni Ferrari? I had no idea who she was. But they wrote her into the script because "she brings so much to the table" (or "is totally crazy"). Then SHE rewrites herself into more scenes w/more lines, to make the movie better. Not to make herself feel better. Hello? If you're only given a bit part, there's probably a reason, something along the lines of "you suck".

Can't wait for next week! Anyone know if Rob C. and Josh (the "writers") are in on the joke? Or being played as well?

well well well

Nothing new to report here. It's darn hot out there - even just waddling out to the car from the house (in the garage no less, not even direct sunlight) sends my already overheated body into what feels like extreme heat stroke. Thank goodness they're saying it'll cool a bit by tomorrow.

New Product Review: Aveda's Phomollient Styling Foam
Generally, I love Nexus' Mousse, but since I was already at Aveda, I asked if they had mousse. I was a bit weary of the stuff since it's not in a spray-propellant can like every other brand of mousse out there, but I love all things Aveda, thought I'd give it a shot (and I was too lazy to walk to the hair salon on the other side of Tyson's Mall). So today, I used it. LOVE it. It's a bit more liquid than regular mousse, but it did a good job of allowing me to straighten my wavy hair w/no flyaways!

18 weeks!

Yay...I guess, just one more day than yesterday (obviously).

Only 1 week 2 days until the big sonogram. Bets on gender? I'm guessing girl...i've been sicker than last time and am carrying differently (read that: carrying fatter).

Other than that, I'm just going around visiting you guys wishing you would update more.

17 weeks, 6 days

When you have trouble getting/staying pregnant, it's hard to relax.

So the past 17w6d have gone on FOREVER for me. Each day feels like at least 3 (or more!) In my head, I feel like I should already be at 40weeks, it's been so long, then I realize I'm not even HALF WAY yet and that is really depressing. There are so many wonderful things to look forward to in the coming months - family vacations, another first day of school, petting zoos and Halloween and I certainly want to spend every second enjoying my husband and son...but to have time drag on like this is so painful.

Also - Grrrl is having her son (labor started Thursday or Friday) and we've not had any news yet...it is a bit unsettling. I hope everything is fine and they're just too happy to update, but I can't help being worried. Updates here.

so. tired.

damn I am seriously tired. Went to bed at 10:30 last night, got up at 8:15 and was ready for a nap by 8:17 a.m.

Then the tile guy came and the door-fixing guy. Then the cleaning lady...and oh, was I supposed to pick up so she could clean? Damn. Right on it.

So by this evening (on top of watching/playing w/my darling son) I am beat. Too tired to even hold open the Harry Potter book I just bought, it'll have to wait. I just pray I don't run across a spoiler somewhere before I get it finished.

Over & Out.

really? Is that REALLY necessary?

My next-door cube mate has apparently found the glory of downloadable ringtones. Every caller apparently gets there own movie or cartoon quote. The one that just went off (at MAX VOLUME) was Elmer Fudd.

And apparently he likes to hear the whole ringtone before he picks up. Fun.

A little frazzled at this point...

So...here's how my morning is going...

8:30 - plumber SUPPOSED to arrive

8:42 - plumber not at house. I call the builder. Apparently someone rescheduled for between 9:30 and 10. I remind builder guy that the REASON we picked 8:30 was because I have to take son to swim lessons. Schedule the guy for 10:30 when my mom and son should return to our house from swim lesson.

9:30 drop off son at swim lesson

9:32 realize that the exit my mother ( a fine driver, but TERRIBLE with directions) needs to take from the Rec Center to my house HAS NO SIGN. Why is this? This does not make sense.
Turn around, head back to rec center to tell mom which stoplight to turn at to get on the Toll Road. Realize no way mom will make it by 10:30 and call builder to reschedule for 10:45.

10 a.m. get to work (yikes)

10:30 - mom calls. Does she have time to let son play on playground?? NO!!!!!! GET GOING!

11:05 Mom calls, garage door remote not working. We get it working.

No word from plumber.

Pardon me, I've got some shopping to do...

Yikes. We just decided it's time to get a move on in the decorating department. Specifically, our family room, breakfast nook, kitchen trio. Since we have an open floor plan, things have to coordinate.

Because our lovely builder calls orange rocks "beige", our fireplace is orange. It is a 2-story fireplace. That is a lot of orange. What the heck color do you do in a room that has a 2-story orange wall? The couch from our basement is in there (the old one in our old family room is sage and black, and while lovely, doesn't go with orange).

So I called in the reinforcements...a decorator. Her first suggestion...

white wood blinds and lose the couch. Since the couch is sort of earthy colored, but w/the underlying threads blue/green/purple/orange (up close, not lovely, from standing, not so bad)...she thought we would want an accent color that is NOT dark blue, green, purple, or orange.

She suggested for couches, look at leather, chocolate, dark chocolate, or one with a bit of black (though not all black).

She also suggested a HUGE bookcase or built in for the wall next to the fire place, that is a 2 story wall. We need something large there.

So, in my spare time, when I'm not exhausted (not only do I have pregnancy exhaustion, my DR called just today to tell me to get iron supplements because my iron is WAY low), I need to shop around and price compare. It takes us forever to choose furniture. The only reason we currently have the couch we do is that our basement was finished the week before the Superbowl in the old house and we needed to buy something PRONTO for the Superbowl party (hence the colors)...

Egads...what have I done to myself?

What brings you around?

Crazy search terms that brought people here...

Viral menegitis
girls with big bellies
home no hoa
bikini blogspot
talking dirty what men like to hear
dr.phil twins bunny ranch
back vertabrea
florida chicks in bikinis pics
brandy chastain sports bra photos

The only thing I am thinking (while I'm laughing) is that some people were very disappointed.

Wonderful weekend!

We returned last night from another fabulous girl's weekend held by lovely hostess, S.

Friday night we relaxed and hung out w/the kiddos.
Saturday we had a surprise 30th bday party for E. It was great fun and the 3 year olds love "partying". And cake.

Saturday night we got a sitter so we could enjoy a dinner downtown at Cabo Fish Taco. It was divine. Then ice cream at Ben & Jerry's and a quick drive home.

Sunday was breakfast at G's house, and a tour of her new home. Then a long drive home.

I really miss hanging out with my girlfriends like that. We all get along so well, and have such a good time. Being at such different places in life makes for such interesting conversation and stories. Oh my, the stories.

Silly Lady...

There was a woman today on Rt. 606 driving a Prius, the electric car by Toyota.

What is odd about this is that she was also smoking a cigarette.

So - does she care MORE about the environment than her own health?

Odd, I think.

Bikini Bottoms!!!!!

Whew. Just got back from shopping (yes, my work day is exhausting)...

I had previously purchased a maternity swimsuit for wearing w/son to the pool/beach/etc.

The first time I wore it, I thought I was going to die until I could get it off. For some reason, the manufacturer thought women should were the bikini bottom all the way up to the underside of their breasts. Because that. Sounds comfortable. NOT.

With the upcoming girls weekend, we are planning on taking the kiddos to the pool, or at least lounging in the backyard w/the kiddie pool and I needed something that didn't feel like it was choking me....

Off to the mall...

First stop: Nordstrom. I know they sell bikinis in pieces, so you can buy the correct size top and bottom (lots of women are size A on top and size B on bottom)...what a great idea (of course, when I was a teen, and into just wearing a bikini top as a shirt, this was also a great $$ saving place! Classy, huh?)...
And I found TWO little black bikini bottoms that should work! Thank goodness, because honestly, I was going to wear shorts to the pool or put on an old bikini (which NO ONE wants to see me in now, I promise) because I was not putting on the bottom that came w/the bathing suit. No way, no how.

I got nothin'

bored here. Seriously bored.

This weekened headed down to Blacksburg for another girls weekend (WITH the children) - can't wait, should be too much fun (though I'm out for the fabulous margaritas at the place we're going to, yipee)...

Had my 16 week appt yesterday. Everything checks out just fine, so far. Got a full round of blood tests, including the screening for spina bifida and Down's, so it should be a fun-filled 2 days waiting for that to come back.

Any body out there got anything?

Overheard...

at the dentist office...the receptionist is looking for a nanny and was speaking to an older lady patient nannies, as the older lady indicated that several of her neighbors used nannies...

Older lady: I think they are usually Oriental... maybe from Asia or one of those countries?

Now, I know many Asian people that are offended as being referred to as Orientals ("I'm not a rug you know!")...but even dictionary.com has it listed as being an offensive term.

And, yes, Asia is a valid continent and a place to be "from" but usually one doesn't refer to people as being from "Asia", you use the specific country as they are all VERY different.

Of course, this is just my opinion.

What the...

Our neighbor, who plants DEAD TWIGS came over to give my hubby advice on his new rose bushes. By the way, we have the NICEST landscaping in the neighborhood, even nicer than the people who have had theirs professionally done, and our shrubs and flowers are gorgeous.

Same neighbor also commented how much his children like using OUR swings we hung in the tree right behind our property (in all fairness, it is not ON our property, but it's only directly behind OUR house). Please note they do not EVER use the swings when we're home, only when they're sure we're NOT home. So they must know that's not cool? Yes?

The other crazy neighbors had some random people digging in their yard yesterday. Digging for what I have no idea...too bad they didn't bother to fix the hut they made out of twigs (which looks oh-so-nice) that has half-crumpled in their yard.

These are also the neighbors that haven't cut their back yard ONCE since they moved in, which was in January, maybe?

I am trying to do my best to get hubby not to move out immediately. I had a decorator come last week to come up w/color suggestions, etc. I figure if we throw some $$$ at the house, he'll reconsider leaving. If it wasn't for our FABULOUS neighbors who live right next door, we'd be gone already. But I love the actual house and the location, so I don't want to give up just yet.

London today...

My heart goes out to the people of London. No one should have to live in a world where people blow each other up.

Steve at HogOnIce said it well.

I only hope this doesn't deter the British from the mission of working to keep with us to keep our citizens safe and hunting down these animals where they live.

Update: still TIRED

Son has relapsed. Had fever yesterday so went to the Dr. She thought he might've had just a touch of croup Friday/Saturday that allowed a nasty cold in. So last night, we were up at:

11:30 potty break?
1 - needed retucking
1:15 needed water
1:45 coughing (needed me to come help him get re-positioned)
2:30 potty break
2:45 needed water (note, I only give a sip's worth, so the potty breaks are NOT caused by that - think he was afraid to wet his new big boy bed w/a SLIDE)
3:00 needed retucking
4 a.m. - needed meds
5:30 - needed retucking
6:30 - coughing, needed retucking

And so, I'm tired today. So very tired.

I don't know why I'm tired...

Friday: left at 7:30 to drive to PA to our relatives house. At 10 that evening Sister-In-Law arrives, so every is up until 11:30 or so. But son had a blast!

Saturday: son wakes up at 10 a.m. w/a 103 degree fever. YIKES. Goto store and aquire Motrin and Tylenol. After finally figuring out he'll take the meds mixed in OJ, he's good to go off and running w/his cousins. Swimming in the pool and playing in the creek. Late night fireworks and xbox are enjoyed.
11 p.m. call pediatrician because and hour after the Motrin dose, his fever is 103.6. Says to give him Tylenol 2 hours after Motrin dose and wipe down w/cool cloths.
1 a.m. Give Tylenol. Much crying ensues, as he feels yucky.
3:30 take son to potty.
4:30 go potty myself and check on son's fever
5:30 make another OJ/Motrin cocktail for son
7:30 check son's temperature
9:30 get up
After that, son was tired Sunday, of course, but still played like nobody's business all day. Left PA at 8:30 p.m. to drive home.
Midnight: arrive home.
Monday: 8:30 am drag family out of bed for showers before heading to Grandma's.
9:30 Leave house
11 a.m. PARADE!
1 p.m. LUNCH!
3 p.m. leave for friend's house for BBQ
11 p.m. arrive home.

Note that I have to work today and I am DAMN tired by now (in addition to being 15 weeks pregnant!).