Who's running things around here is one of those proverbial questions that has a rotating answer. Lately the little mini, has been flexing a negotiating muscle I didn't even know she had.
Me: Okay little one, it's 4am and after this feeding and changing, you're getting back in your cradle. (We try not to put her in the "big people" bed until KJ's leaving for work, normally the 6 or 7am feeding) Little Mini: What if when you lay me down to sleep I stir for about 10 mins and then pee all over my bed... then can I get in the big people bed?
******************************************
Me: Alrighty little one, the right b**b is as good as the left so let's be sure to eat off of both so that Momma's not all lopsided. Little Mini: How about I only eat off the left and just rest my chin on the right and make the "Ewww, that's gross, what are you trying to do" face at you. Pump or be lopsided lady.
*******************************************
Me: I will change the poopie diaper and get the stink off of you if you promise that after that we're coming back to bed for our morning nap. Little Mini: Deal.
Geez Louise this kiddo has a will like no other! hehehe, but I won out in the end, so let me let you all go so that I can catch her on this nap, just in case she tries to wake up with more demands. ;)
Oh and a few have inquired: There's no blog up and running for her yet. Key words "up and running". I'm tweaking a few things and you know I'm slow as molasses in the winter time.
I always said from the beginning that the little mini would be our trial and error baby. Oh the curse of being the first. ;-) SO I thought I'd post of a few of the trial and errors we've incurred so far, and not just with her, some are these are general dos and don'ts that I'm running into daily.
1) Walking a fussy baby around at night is considering "spoiling them". Yep. As newbies you try anything to keep the fussing to a minimum and the only reason we nipped this habit in the bud quickly is because walking around at 2am off and on for an hour and a half was kicking my bootie. Lesson learned.
2) As she's gotten bigger, she eats more (hindsight makes me say, duh). The fussiness we thought was just her fighting sleep was really her saying, "Look peps, you're starving me!" sidebar: I've heard that it's really hard to overfeed a breastfeed baby.
3) The sudden tolerance I had to cheese was only a pregnancy thing. I tested it out when I made a breakfast casserole loaded with cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, and pepper jack), and not even 20 min later my stomach had that old familiar rumble. Cheese is a don't.
4) We can't be everywhere for everything. This was a tough lesson for me but a valuable one. This past weekend we had house guests Friday and Saturday, had plans to go to a family event on Sunday, and I was trying to fly to NC for my uncle's funeral Sun night. We love having guests (really we do says the woman who's been house bound for 4 weeks now), but when you have guests, you're up at night with a new baby (trying to keep her from waking everyone) and you're up in the day trying to entertain. It can be exhausting. We overslept on Sun missing the family event, and plane tickets were outrageous which nipped my hair-brain thoughts of jetting home for the funeral. Everyone keeps giving us the out of "oh you've got a new baby" and FINALLY I'm okay with taking it.
5) Sleeping when she sleeps really is the best advice. Why was I so hard-headed to follow? Alas this post will be short as the little mini is 30 min ahead of me in the sleep game.
6) Put mail in the mailbox the night before if it MUST go out the next day. I believe postal pep in my area run between 4am and 11am. really.
7) Return missed calls as soon as possible. I'm trying. I've realized that sometimes without realizing it, you need to hear someone's voice, and they need to hear yours too. Casing point, I've talked to my grandmother twice within the past couple of weeks.
8) Leona Lewis and Mariah Carey are definite dos! I believe both cds are going to be "don't skip a single song" good. If you've got one or the other, let me know what you think. I saw Leona on Ellen and Mariah on Oprah, ahh, the joys of daytime tv.
9) My husband is really the best daddy ever, which in turn beefs him up in the husband dept too. It's a vicious cycle. ;-) Marrying him was definitely a do (one that I'd do over and over and over even on the days when he drives me bonkers).
10) Without fail, as soon as you change just a pee-pee diaper, the new diaper will be full of poop in less than a min. And I'm still thinking of/working on going to cloth after we use up all of our freebie diapers. Cloth diapers for the sake of budget... a do?
Today is Colleen's b-day! Let me know how the big 28 is treating you girlie and if all is well I'll take the plunge with you soon. ;-)
Also on this weeks agenda:
We're going to use this stroller to get some fresh air in the little mini. We're going to get her used to the carseat by touring around our little city and just "discovering" stuff. We're going to design her birth announcements using photos from my little attempt at a photoshoot on yesterday (Big Lots has some of the best accessories). We're going to go to Lowe's to get a bookself to house her ever growing book collection (Thank you so much Dionne for the fantastic books you sent!) We're going to go by and meet her daycare provider (and I've instructed her over and over that if she does not like this lady then she is to let me know and will nix the whole "momma's gotta work" thing) ;-)
I'll keep you all posted. Okay peps I've got some sleeping to do! Happy Tuesday!
Okay, when you have no schedule, there is really no way to measure the time. That's my excuse for being gone for so long. Are you buying it???
So we're good. Here's a few things from my end.
1) The little mini's been here 3 weeks and I think we're getting the hang of this parenting thing. 2) I have stacks and piles of paperwork to sort thru and being cooped up in the house, this should have already been done... 3) I have to help my best friend find her casual but chic Caribbean wedding dress. Again, I don't know where time has gone as I planned on knocking this out my first week of maternity leave. 4) My dear Colleen came to visit on Monday and I'm so thankful that she loves us enough to make that drive. I don't know if I'll ever be able to fully express how her presence help boost my "adult sanity" for the week. 5) How is it that I have 3 baskets of laundry to fold when I seriously rotate between the same comfy tshirts and comfy pants? Where did the rest of the clothes come from (insert husband and daughter here)?? 6) I'm packing up maternity clothes THIS WEEK. There, I typed it, so of course it will happen. 7) We're traveling to KJ's parents' on Sunday (they've got a big family event) and I'm a little nervous about parenting outside of the walls of our house. Strange huh? 8) Some good friends of ours are coming to visit Fri and Sat. It's her birthday and I'm trying to figure out a great present to get from one of the 3 stores in our little city. Seriously, I need a Target. 9) I need to make a hair appt something awful. Oh and while I'm at it, my footsies could use some attention too... 10) Having a baby in the spring while living 20 minutes from the beach, leaves very little time to get this bod back to bathing suit ready condition... and I'm talking immodest suits, sisters... hehehe 11) I'm getting a little better at multitasking, but still not good enough to really brag about it. 12) I have a stack of thank you cards to write and the fact that I've waited so long is now becoming ridiculous and embarrassing. 13) Don't even get me started on where I am with birth announcements... 14) I miss the soap opera that is work, but I wish I could go in and work my own hours. I'd go, eat breakfast, get caught up with everyone, design one or two packages, and then come on home. Let's not talk about going back yet, I'm kind of on the fence about it all. 15) When I'm up for the 2:30am feeding, I sit in the living room so not to wake up KJ and I've developed some very odd paranoia about somebody breaking down our front door. I blame the movie No Country for Old Men. 16) Speaking of KJ he has been way beyond excellent as a daddy and a husband. He changes diapers, he burps, he's even pulled a few all-nighters so that I could get a full night's rest. We're adding a whole new element to this love thing. ;-) 17) Disregard the craziness going on with my layout. I did the whole update my template thing and now a few things are all wonky (I got this word from Erin and I loooovvveee it and use it often as it accurately describes quite a few things these days) 18) I'm just rambling away, can you tell I miss you all.
...on Thursday. So I've been a little tied up. ;-) The little mini is doing superb. A little KJ, that's what she is. She sleeps for 4 hour stretches thru just about any noise, nurses quick and hard (like she's scared that I'll put them up and not offer again), and wants to see everything when she's awake and does a cute half smile when she sleeps. We're completely in love. Now here's my 10.
1) Dealing with customer service from my couch stinks. On my "I hope to never deal with you again list" is Regions Bank (still working out stuff from the car accident... from OCTOBER!!!) and Walmart Vision Center (stop holding my contacts hostage!!).
2) The movie Atonement starts slow, but is kinda good. I wouldn't have given it 4 stars, but it'll definitely tickle your mind.
3) When KJ's in charge of groceries, he comes back with the best snacks. The things that I tend not to buy, like oatmeal cakes, donut sticks, and gingerbread men cookies. Yum.
4) I'm becoming quite a professional phone-tagger. I tend to leave a lot of messages and then miss the return calls. Seriously, don't give up on me folks.
5) I whipped out the ole juicer and created white/purple grape juice, apple/pear juice, and tangerine/orange juice. A gentleman from church brought us a huge fruit basket that even I couldn't finish off. So far, all my creations have been wonderful... I just need to find a defrother so that the juice will appeal more to the masses (and by masses I mean KJ).
6) The movie, No Country for Old Men, is psycho. Whoever the main actor is, he plays the role to a tee. So good that just his face was enough to make me cover my eyes. KJ recommends this movie. Me, I'm going for happier movies from here on out.
7) I'm having to practice multi-tasking. I have a bad tendency of dividing my attention up unevenly, which is why I've nursed my poor child's neck and ear more times than I'd like to admit.
8) I've discovered that there is no limit to the amount of HGTV that I can watch.
9) My most comfy pants have all come from Colleen. The pink pair she gave me when she got married (bride's maid gift) and the black pair she gave me when I got married. That girl has a knack for finding the most comfy soft clothes ever.
10) Who am I kidding, you all are only checking in to get word on the mini. hehehe Nope, her site's not up yet, but it's coming. In the mean time, here are a few recent pics and I'm going to try and load a little video.
that she would come early??? Hello, that's definitely a trait from KJ's side. ;-) She wasn't due til the 27th, but on the 22nd God sent us one of His very best.
Our little mini: born March 22, 2008 5:27pm 6lbs, 1oz 20in
*I'm still planning on creating her own little blog for family and friends to check in on. Slowly but surely, I'm getting there. As I mentioned before, on this blog and comments she will be referred to as the little mini (we're protective like that). Thanks for understanding.
• I'm going to Walmart by 11:30 (it's 10:30 now) to a) pick up some much needed groceries b) pick up some items needed for the still not packed labor bag c) walk around the entire store to convince the little mini how fun it would be to come out sooner than later
• Come home and pack the aforementioned labor bag as I have a bet going with KJ that it will be sitting by the door by the time he gets off work. (And I hate losing a bet to KJ, he's such a sore winner)
• Making spaghetti or stuffed shells for dinner. May do stuffed shells just to be fancy.
• Do a little adult laundry
• Nap
• Do a little mini laundry
I'm thinking that by the time the above is accomplished it will be around 5:00pm. Full day's "work".
First and foremost, I must get out of the bed, shower, and comb my hair for this is what the first day of maternity leave looks like.
I'm outie, I gotta go have a baby! hehehe That's what I've been telling everyone at work. Oh my last day. Today. I'll be doing more important things soon and it's a good feeling to pack up the ole office for a sec and tell them, "Holla! I've got a life to live!"
So far we've celebrated with donuts, tarts and streamers which my coworkers brought in. I jokingly told them that it looks like they're saying, good riddance, but I'm pretty sure they're gonna miss me a little. Shoot, if not for the pure fact that we're on the brink of the busy season and the number of work horses is being cut back. hehehe
Anywho, I managed to crawl out of bed way late this morning to make it in to work a little earlier than I normally do - 8:07 (don't know how this happened) and I'm eagerly tying up lose ends b/c I can honestly say that I may not be answering calls that come from this number once I leave. I like my job, but I'm liking the thought of staying in comfy clothes and keeping the house reasonably straight and napping as I see fit, a little more at the moment. I keep telling myself that it's a little ridiculous to be so excited about a vacation which is really nowhere near a vacation b/c on the agenda is the probable worst pain I'll ever experience ever, but the souvenir from it all is what makes it exciting right. Nutso that I'm about to be someone's mom. Nutso.
So today we're rocking out to Elton John (my coworker and his girlfriend are going to his concert this weekend. I'm trying to find him some sparkly purple sunglasses) going about business as usual. Except for the donuts... and at 4:50 we're going to blast this song thru the intercom and I'm going to make a lap around the office, Rocky style.
You know... just to say peace out and word to yo moms.
Happy Happy Friday all! Oh and no worries I'll be keeping you posted and checking on you from our lovely couch verses this office chair, but the blogging will not stop. Except for maybe when the labor starts... ;-)
************EDITED TO ADD************* Okay and My Colleen and My Liz just sent me the most beautiful flowers!!! You two are seriously the bestest! I haven't even had a baby, I'm just prepping for the leave. ;-) The funny part is that the florist local to my job is notorious for being deaf so the card says "Enjoy You Paternity Leave!" hehehe I will ladies, I will.
1) I'm just feeling less rant-like today. I had to remind myself that I can't change people, but I CAN change my reaction to people.
2) Took Colleen's advice and had everything for my maternity leave put in writing. Hopefully this will end the random pop-ups of not so great news.
3) Coworker only worked half a day yesterday and I lysoled everything down when he left. Today he feels lots better and I'm glad (he really is a good guy), but trust that I will be doing a little lysoling when everyone leaves for lunch. ;-)
4) Tericka's started a blog!!!! Yay. I love that I can use the internet to check up on people.
5) The time change hasn't hit me as bad as I thought it would. I do wonder when I'll stop looking at a clock and thinking, "it's really only 10:20 not 11:20" like it's going to change back sometime soon.
6) I'm putting my grandmother a card in the mail today. Didn't want you all to think I was so so horrible.
7) I'm clearing off my desk and my computer in prep for my leave. It's to give the illusion that hey, it's possible that she might not come back, so we better be real supportive thru this.
8) Some mornings I feel like the little mini has dropped down overnight, and then by lunch she's all bunched up under my bosom. I'm not sure if she understands the concept of "get down and stay down".
9) My hands look like that of a 85 year old woman! When did that happen!? I may need to invest in a paraffin wax just to get these bad boys in shape...it's that bad.
10) I'm going to make a very conscious effort to go check on my neighbor this week. Her husband's been deployed and she's hanging in there trying to sell their house and take care of the 3 kids and big dog. She's sweet and I feel like I should let her know my ear is available if she ever needs it. Esp, since I'll be home during the day after this Friday!!! (hehehe watch the little mini show up on Saturday morn. I'm just joking peps, I'm no where near labor...)
Please skip over this post if you want some Monday cheeriness. I'm sure that the smile I have plastered on my face will take effect later in the day, but for now, I'm just generally annoyed but trying not to show it as I could very well walk out of this office at this moment and not come back. Period.
1) My other designer is sick again. SERIOUSLY. Stay at home. Another coworker just asked if he thought he had the flu and he said, "I don't know, maybe..." What the crap?!?!?! Buddy, I'm pregnant. Big pregnant and I've managed to ward off all kinds of office nastiness for 9 dog-gone months with the exception of 2 of the nasty colds you all have been passing around. Sheesh, cut me some slack. If you don't want to stay home, then call me and I'll stay at home. I do not have sympathy on the sick when they are always sick and continue to come into the office to let people know about their sickness. That's rude.
2) My HR lady I believe derives some sort of perverse pleasure of delivering not so great maternity leave news. Um, sorry Roz, it's 6 weeks not 12. Um, Roz I was thinking that you would work up until the time you deliver, you've been doing so well (tah-heee, no maam). Um, Roz I know the whole maternity leave is unpaid and all (so the company's getting by like a fat cat), but you're going to owe the company money to keep up with your supplemental insurance premiums. Are you kidding me?
3) My grandmother randomly sends a message thru my father that "Her number hasn't changed and I need to call and check on her". Um well, (and this is totally disrespectful) the phone goes two ways. When we do talk, I'm calling you. When we do communicate, it's me sending you cards and sonogram pics, and updates (to which you never respond so I only assume you get them b/c you've lived in the same house all my life). I do not complain on my missed birthday and the lack of enthusiasm shown on your end about my life in general. I get it, I'm not your favorite. Geez, don't get me started on how irate it makes me when ANYONE hits me with the "Why haven't I talked to you in so long" line. My ultimate pet-peev. And trust if this line is what you greet me with when I do call or we do speak, then I WILL NOT be making the effort again. Really.
4) It kind of drives me bonkers (okay, no need to be sweet now right)... It gets under my skin when someone I don't talk to on a regular basis leaves me a msg that says, "Hey, give me a call back at XXX-XXXX, whenever you get this message." Um nope. I like to know what things are in regards to. I'm not a phone person. I only get on to talk about nothing in particular with my good friends, my mom and sister. Everyone else, um sorry, I gotta know the reason for the call. I have my guard up like that. If you don't want anything in particular, tell me that. If it's an emergency, it's in your best interest to tell me that also, if not I can promise that I will not call. I figure that you'll call and either catch me or leave me a real message if it's important. I believe that to be universal phone etiquette.
5) I'm not a dramatic person. Please stop trying to make my life dramatic. If one more person asks me how I'm doing and when I respond with "We're doing well thanks" and they respond with "Just wait until your feet swell, or you start having contractions, or some other ailment" then I may just punch them in the face. I'm fine. Stop eagerly anticipating the time when I won't be fine. Chances are you won't know. Also, to ask me when you see me, "Still not in labor yet, hahaha" is getting pretty old. How foolish would I be to increase the discomfort of labor to come in and talk to your silly behind.
6) And this is just petty, but well, I'm putting it all out there. I hate when people put gum in my trash can without putting it in a tissue first. That's just gross.
*****End Rant*****
Happy Monday (or at least let's try and keep a facade of a Happy Monday)! ;-)
There hasn't been a whole lot going on this way, but man I'm so glad it's Friday. Last night I laid down and told KJ that I had been thinking of that very moment (laying down in my own bed) all day, just waiting for it. I'm such a bum. ;-)
Last night I made hashbrown quiche for dinner: I didn't follow the recipe exactly, but I think that's the beauty of the recipe, you just toss in what you want. It's good, ate it for breakfast this morn and will probably polish it off by the beginning of the weekend.
Bought another box of Thin Mints from a little girl scout outside of Walmart. I'd been telling KJ how good these will be in a milkshake. You know, like the blizzards Dairy Queen makes... maybe I could just get a plain blizzard and mix in the thin mints when I get home...
The office dog, Cody has been extremely mischievous this week. On Tuesday he stole a product sample or something off of a coworkers desk and when I went to grab it from him I lost my footing and dropped down to my knees and my hand flung out across the carpet. No worries my belly came no where near the floor, but I had the WORST carpet burn on the palm of my hand. I wanted to milk it and just go home, but alas, it was only a carpet burn.
We watched the best movie last night (can you tell we spend a lot of time on our couch?? Every time I post I have a movie review...). Awake. Oh I sooo recommend it. I thought it was going to be a thriller or scary movie, but it's really not. It's sooo beyond good that I can only say go rent it and come back and tell me if YOU liked it. Here's the synopsis: The story focuses on a man who suffers "Anesthetic Awareness" (An occurrence where during surgery not enough anesthetic medication is administered for the patient's body weight), and finds himself awake and aware, but paralyzed, during heart surgery. His wife must wrestle with her own demons as a drama unfolds around them.
This weekend...ummm, have a few things going on but for the most part we're taking it easy. See my to-do list from last Friday's post and I'm probably still working on most of that. ;-)
It's Friday. I'm tired of the office. Can't wait to go home. Making salmon for dinner and curling up and watching my DVR'd episodes of Project Runway and America's Next Top Model.
Oh and don't forget that time springs forward this weekend!
1) My itunes is set on random shuffle and it's ridiculous how happy I get when Annie Lenox, Lenny Kratvitz, or Color Me Badd come out of my computer speakers.
2) My last official day at work is the 14th (thanks Colleen for talking some sense into me!!!). At first I wondered what I was going to do at home for the time before our due date, but I'm nutso b/c there are a million things that I'll be able to take my time and fill the days with. Ummm, a little thing called laundry. And maybe I'll finish a photo album or two.
3) I had a dream that my classmate Kapali's funeral turned into a meeting about the class reunion where everyone wanted the theme to be "Back that thing up" and no one would keep their hand raised long enough for me to get a count. I woke up when everyone started shouting "Count FASTER!"
4) I finally figured out the setting on my camera that stops it from delaying between each picture. Seriously, if I'd have read the manual it would have been a quick and easy fix, but I do not read manuals.
5) Did I tell you all that at my last doc appt my pee sample was so close to clear that I wanted to take it into the waiting room and show it off. No really, I know that's TMI but I came out of the bathroom beaming and told KJ I should have took a pic. This from the girl who hates water, but has been downing it like nobody's business for the little mini. When I expressed my joy to the doc she said her dad used to do just that (take samples in the waiting room to show good ones). That's my kind of doctor. ;-)
6) We had intense movie Friday watching 1) Michael Clayton 2) Bordertown? and 3) Rendition My review for all three would be EXCELLENT. Michael Clayton was a little slow, but still interesting. Bordertown is about the Women of Juarez and was fantastic, it shines light on an issue many may not even know about. Plus, I'm a big J.Lo fan because hello, who didn't like Selana and Enough?? Rendition was quite intriguing and makes you really look at the way our country operates in relation to other countries. I recommend all three.
7) Speaking of movies, Liz, KJ and I also rented Eastern Promises earlier in the week. Ummmm, gruesome and the end of the movie made us think that there was surely more to come. Although I do have a new found respect for the Russian mafia, talk about hard core. KJ has put movie recommendations from you and Jon on probation. hehehehe
8) We need a Target more local to us. I've been trying to get over to that store for weeks now. Not for anything in particular mind you, I just want to go look.
9) I should be doing some heavy duty cooking within the next couple of weeks. I've had the ingredients to make dressing for about a week and a half now. I need to get on that before they go bad... Anywho, cookbooks (Rachel Ray, Paula Dean, and Patti Labelle) here I come. Speaking of Paula Dean, you all should see how she makes omelettes in freezer bags. I'm so trying it.
10) My banana from breakfast had a sticker on it that said "Place sticker on forehead and smile." I'm not wearing it on my forehead (it's on my coat collar), but I am smiling.
This is a long one, so here's a little background music for the read: It's Gwyneth Paltrow (who knew she could sing?!?!?!) and Baby Face. (apparently something's going on with Blogger as the only thing that will post is the 30sec snipet, where as you used to be able to put the whole song... oh well, it's a good 30secs...)
I make a point of not overwhelming this blog will all things pregnancy/baby. Not that we're not uber excited on this end, just that I'm a strong believe in not drowning people in just one aspect of my life. I'm multidimensional and very thankful for that. My brains not just clouded with baby stuff, but also work, marriage, friends, books I want to read, things I want to do, etc. So I try to share across the spectrum. Sometimes this may translate into me not being gung-ho about being pregnant. Don't doubt that I am, but my Monday pregnancy and my Tuesday pregnancy don't have vast differences and when you think of 36 weeks of this non-stop, well let's just say I didn't want to lose those of you who still check in on me.
So anywho, this post is all things pregnancy. I'll try to answer the questions that I've been asked and tell you all the goody goodness and not so goody that I've encountered. I figure one concise post is okay and not enough to qualify me for "womb-brain" which I'm so very afraid of contracting and have forewarned several love ones to knock me out if they see the early onset of me talking, thinking, breathing, ONLY all things baby. ;-) I love the little mini to pieces already, but I want to teach her to be as multifaceted as her momma, isn't that what being a woman is all about?
So here we go: I'm feeling pretty good. I told myself no complaining from the very beginning. Everything is not perfect as I'm on my 2nd bout of a cold from Hades, my skin has erupted into stages that I don't think it even hit in high school when my acne was at its prime, and my hip has a constant little 'catch' in it that I can't seem to pop into place, but I'm very well aware that this pregnancy has been absolutely breezy and we're blessed.
Today's our 36 week mark and here are me and the little mini:
We had a doctor appt yesterday and I won't even post the ultrasound pics because she's so squished in there with her head down and her face towards my back, that the best pic we could get was of her feet (which aren't looking near as large as they were before... but that may be because her legs are the same length as mine... I digress) The stats: Little mini • She's still a girl. Because of her positioning, the best pics we have are of her girl parts. Relieved b/c I've had several older people tell me that it looks like I'm carrying a boy. Not that we're overly pink with anything, but all's been done with "girl" in mind and a little mini boy would have had to come home in something that might have him questioning himself later. • weighs in at 5lbs 6oz right now. Dr. says she's right on track with all of her measurements, except • Her legs are measuring about a week ahead of everything else meaning that they're long. She got that from KJ. • She's curled up in a fetal position as if you were to change her diaper and hold her legs up toward her head (that's how the doc described it). I'll find a little diagram to show how she's sitting in relation to my belly (which measures 39.5in around as of Tuesday evening) • She's in position (not breeched, yay) but has not dropped any • Dr. said I should feel her move some every 2 hours and it's important for me to pay attention to this. So far so good. She likes to put her heel in my side and her elbows are quite pointy. ;-) • I sing to her on the commute to and from work. 1 song I made up that has her name in it. Jesus is coming soon (aka Troublesome times, my fav. hymn) and Without You Lord. KJ says the hymns I sing are a little depressing about the world coming to an end, but there are few songs that I know all the words to and I find the rhythms of these to be soothing. The themes, maybe not so much to a child, but in time... Come on they're about Jesus. :-) • Her name is not a secret, but I thought I'd post it on her site once she arrives. If you want to know early just leave a comment with your email and I'll shoot it to you. On this blog I'll continue to refer to her as the little mini. It's got a nice ring to it. • I'm thinking her blog will be by invite only... just a thought, we'll see. Again shoot me your email and no worries. KJ's always tried to make me aware of how vast the internet really is and that we can't even begin to comprehend who all is doing what with it. Thus why I try to be general in the info I give on us, so I'm thinking, as the parent I should be really protective of the little one. Plus, I told you all about that movie Untraceable... really crazy.
Me • I've gained 24lbs so far. • As previously mentioned, if I had to gripe about anything it'd be that my skin has gone bonkers. I so thought I was finished with acne, but whoo-hoo for hormones. • No stretch marks, which I've learned are a genetic thing, but I still rub coco butter on the belly every morning and night. • Nothing on me is swollen, yet. Rings still fit, shoes still a size 8 - 8.5. I have cut back on wearing heels only b/c I plan to walk around the outside of the building more and more while at work. • I need to start trying to walk this baby down, I've considered just hanging out at Walmart every evening, but fear that I would come home with tons of unneeded items... • One of my coworkers has fifth's disease. Dr. said it shouldn't affect the baby this late in the game, but she had blood drown just to test me for it. • My pregnancy ailments have been: 1 car accident, 2 colds, 1 UTI (which I didn't even realize I had, but apparently the bacteria is always present in the body, but mine just went haywire and over produced, creating the UTI. She said some women are just like that and I'll be hooked up to antibiotics during labor for the little mini just as a precaution). Not too bad considering all the junk that's gone thru this office. I can't even start to name the germies that I come in contact with between Mon and Fri. • Also this cold has me snoring!! KJ's a light sleeper and after 2 or 3 days of him not resting well and me telling him that he probably needed to go to bed earlier, he confessed the real reason he's so tired. Last night he slept on the couch and I feel beyond horrible, so I'm really focusing on knocking this cold out once and for all. • We finished up lamaze and I'm so glad we took the course. I just feel really informed. I'm no where near against a medicated birth, but plan on doing what I can/ going for a bit without the epidural if I can help it. • Plan on being the milk maker for the little mini. Formula costs money and I love the benefits of the alternative, plus again, I'm cheap. Hello, if we have left overs at home, we do not eat out. This rule will apply to all under our roof. ;-) I do realize that this depends on the little mini, so I hope she's on board with the plan, if not, my main job is to make sure she gets her nourishment by all means necessary. I'm realistic people. • I don't mind people touching my belly. • I don't mind hearing other people's birth stories. Kind of gives me a few things to be aware of. Plus I always think how we're all carrying different babies and no two labor and deliveries are the same, but if I have symptoms like someone's mentioned to me before than I'll at least know to mention it to my dr. • I'm most nervous about the iv and the epidural. go figure.
We've been extremely blessed and almost everything we need has been gifted to us thus far. There are a few big things that I'm still debating on and we're going to figure out and pick up this weekend. • Diapers - I'm so against plain disposables and didn't really realize until I started doing my research. I'm not even that "green" but something about filling a landfill with tons and tons of my kid's poopy diapers doesn't set well with me. I also don't like all I'm discovering about the chemicals that have been put in disposables. A lot has changed since we were little. Plus I'm cheap and figure there are more economical ways to go about this. My top three options now are 1) bumGenius cloth diapers 2) 7th Generation disposables 3) flushable diapers. I'm still looking into all of these and taking into account that I will have to come back to work, so what system we'll be able to continue with successfully. • Car seat - I love the infant carrier systems, but not so happy about having to buy a whole new car seat once she's over 20 something pounds. Still looking into options here. • The Nursery - I've gotten my wall decals, my coworker did a beautiful painting to go over the changing table, and the material for the bedding is just waiting on me. I'm hoping to make some progress in there this weekend. Although we have a bassinet for her to sleep in our room when she first gets here, I want to get these things knocked out now b/c I know that I won't do it once I've added her into the mix • My Dr. wants me to stop working in 10 days. She doesn't like my commute. I'm hoping that I can convince her to let me go until Good Friday which is the week before our due date. Not b/c I love this job so much that I want to give them every bit of myself, uh no, more so that I've only got 6 dog-gone weeks for maternity leave and I want to use them wisely. This is all stuff that I've got to work out with my supervisor. Shoot, if the doc tells me to be out for 8 - 12 weeks then so be it, they'll just have to deal, or let me go. I'll keep you posted.
I think that's about it. Like I said, all things pregnancy. Whoa.
2) I'm trying to figure out the whole maternity leave thing. Our HR woman made the mistake of telling me I got 12 weeks b/c of FL law, but opps, she was wrong our company is shy a few employees to qualify. I only get 6 weeks. I don't do well with change like this. Ask anybody.
3) An "internet" friend of mine is going thru a storm and I wish I were closer so we could just hang out. I know the feeling all too well.
4) I have officially lost my mind and stocked us up with enough Pillisbury place and bake cookies to last us thru the summer. Nows the time go to get some, as they've pulled out the Easter decor ones and it's no where near close to Easter.
5) This past weekend was wonderful. Saturday night I ate dinner with apprx. 13 of the people I'm closest to in Bham, and it made me remember that the distance doesn't kill the blessings.
6) My work shower on Friday was really good. I work with some very generous people and in the back of my mind I thought, "Come on peeps, I don't work hard enough to deserve all of this". Besides sweating during the present opening like I had danced to 7 straight booty songs in a muggy club, I'd said the event went off perfectly. ( fyi- I don't know what it is about me opening presents in front of people, it's a given that my whole body will feel hot and I'll sweat like nobody's business. Happens every time... crazy but I think it's the pressure to let everyone know how much their gift is appreciated)
7) I am definitely whipping out the sewing machine this weekend as I've got baby bedding to create and I ripped the elastic off the back of my fav. pair of maternity jeans about 15 mins ago. Don't ask, I don't even think I could explain. :-)
8) I'm just about feed up with the tv show Lost. I don't know if I like this whole "only 6 people survived the crash" thing that they keep doing in the flash forwards.
9) I need to figure out some meals that I can cook now and freeze for later. Any suggestions?
10) I'm trying to figure out how to teach my church kids about respect (one in particular). I can't quite figure out how to do this one right now in a way that will really hit home, other than the whole putting my foot on one's neck to demonstrate how serious I am. hehehe I talked with Connie who's a elementary counselor and has the patience of 10 saints, she's all Hillary Swank in Freedom Writers with inspiration and encouragement and I'm feeling more like Samuel L. Jackson in 187. Her method is probably better as Samuel L died in 187 (after he took out a few of the bad apples mind you...) Both are good movies if you've never seen them, I suggest them as weekend renters.
This is the scene out of my office window at the moment. So lovely. I opened the window so I could hear the rain, but then a large thunder clap startled the mess out of me, so I closed the window (and the blinds). ;-) Am I the only one who thinks that lightening can get you if the blinds are open? hehehe
Here are a few of my favs that Colleen shot. She's so good. She's got an awesome eye and was able to work with me (the most spastic model EVER) on taking my randome suggestions and making them look good. Plus she captured a bunch of "tender" moments that just blew me away.
The little mini and I are at 35 weeks today and KJ and I going to meet (interview) her potential pediatrician this afternoon. Makes me feel very "mom" like.
My little bad apple at church told everyone he was going to "boom-boom" me. I have no idea what this means (threat? something nasty?), but when I confronted him with his mother, he thought it was hilarious and she could have cared less. It made KJ furious, the lack of respect both showed, so he called and had a talk with the little boy. Yep, I'm working on making him a workbook about respect so that he can sit outside my class and when he starts to show me some, he can join the class again. If his momma doesn't like it, she can teach him.
Little Reagan is 2 months old and I have yet to get Tricey her birth announcements. They will be emailed TODAY girlie, I PROMISE.
My work baby shower is tomorrow, but this week several people have been out sick. I'm thinking it might just be me and a few other people, but I'm cool with that b/c it will be an "early" workday b/c we all get to leave the office at 2:00. That's enough Yay for me, opps, us!
My left contact split in half after I got to work. I started to leave it in and then remembered the horrible ulcer I got on my eye last time I played around with contacts. They won. So I'm now blind as I promptly threw them both in the trash. I should keep my glasses in my purse...
Headed to Bham this weekend for Connie's baby shower and I'm really excited to see everybody. It feels like it's been too long. (Oh and Colleen I'm going to drop Dash's mirror package off by OT's so that John can bring it home to you.)
This is my last road trip as KJ is officially putting me on house arrest and I'm okay with that b/c I need to slow down and get some things finished on this end.
Tericka's b-day is tomorrow (22nd) and Kendi's b-day is on Tuesday (26th). I've known both of these women thru several stages of life and I'm proud of the spot that we all ended up in. They are fantastic, each in her own way.
I was watching a civil rights documentary on APT and there was KJ's dad being interviewed. I've always known that he was a huge activist during that time, but boy did my heart swell up with pride. I married into good people. ;-)
1) Colleen came this past weekend and took some of the most amazing pregnancy pics for me. Every time I look thru them I see more that she captured in the random shots and I love them even more. And no, there were no nudie pics, that's not my style. I'll try to post my favs later.
2) We watched the movie Gone Baby Gone last night and it will make you question which of the two evils you would decide: To do the right thing for the wrong reasons or to do the wrong thing for all the right reasons.
3) My search for a glider rocker is still going on. Apparently no one on Craigslist wants to sell theirs to me and I now refuse to pay over $50 for one which means every retailer is out.
4) Speaking of out, I was a little sad to see that Sweet P was the only one to be eliminated in the last episode of Project runway. I really like Remi's design style, but come on man, all you do is drape this and drape that. Atleast Sweet P ventured outside of her safe zone...
5) Speaking of tv, I'm so glad to have new episodes of Girlfriends and The Game that I savor them to watch 2 or 3 times... that's a bit obsessive i know...
6) Last tv thing, Just watched my recorded version of the Grammy's and I LOVED Alicia Keys' performance. Love that she can not dance, hehehe, and love that she gets so into her music. I think if I had to perform live, that's what I'd look like. Definitely not what I'd sound like. :-)
7) My belly sometimes looks like Gizmo's in gremlins when they pour water on her and she sprouts the evil ones. You know that whole misshapen bubbling effect. Guess the little mini is running out of space.
8) I eat 2 chicken tacos with sour cream atleast 2 - 3 times a week. I'd call it a craving, but ummm, my love for Mexican food has always been intense.
9) Kj's really into golfing more lately. I like the way he looks when he comes in the house after putting around in his polo shirt. Yum.
10) We're interviewing a pediatrician on Thursday. For some reason this kind of makes me feel like we're trying to be all upity, but it's apparently normal to interview your future kid's future doctor. We've got so much to learn...
Happy Day of Looovvveee! Last night I stopped by Walmart for a can of navy beans (to make more refried beans to finish off the leftover chicken), and it was jam pack full of people getting candy, flowers, large stuffed animals, balloons filled with goodies, etc. KJ and I don't do V-day that way, and I'm so thankful. We try to keep it small being that we just had an anniversary and the day of love is more about thoughtfulness to us. His gift: Turkey and dressing for dinner and some much needed pairs of jeans (which he still needs to order...) My gift: Yankee Candles! I'm a candle phen an go thru them like nobody's business. I seriously have a candle budget. So I've been down to 1 big candle and a few smaller ones, but KJ saw fit to surprise me and replenish my stash. Couldn't have picked a more perfect gift myself.
Oh and last night at church a little boy came up to me on our way into class (he's 6, so not in my class) and handed me a handmade valentine. Then he smiled his little gap tooth grin and said, "I spelled your name wrong..." hehehe He's too cute and for him, I'll be Sis Roe on the day of lovin.
So hope you're feeling the general kindness that's floating around today!
This is what I made for dinner last night: Scrumptious looking don't you think? Well let me give you my brief review. The refried beans were EXCELLENT. So yum I can't even begin to describe their utter goodness. Liz, you'll love them as you love refried beans as much as I do and this is a healthy and delish take and almost as simple as just taking the ones out of the can and sprucing them up.
The chicken... I'm all about spices and flavor and I felt like the seasonings didn't go all the way thru the meat. Was kind of disappointed until I had the bright idea to cut the chicken into chunks and mix it into the beans. Oh wow. That did it. So the dish as a whole was really good. Not pretty in the least as mine looked like beans with chicken chunks, but both KJ and I were disappointed that we didn't have more left over for today. I'd call it a keeper.
Here's the link for the recipe. And here's the recipe if you just want to glance at it before heading over to the link.
1) My work spa day was great. Apparently a pregnancy massage is different than a regular massage b/c there are pressure points hit in a reg. massage on the inside of your ankle and in your hands that can send you into labor. Go figure. There was not a hole in the massage table as I was thinking...
2) I scored big time at the thrift store run after my spa treatments. 2 pairs of maternity jeans - $5 a piece, My favorite book (The Secret Life of Bees) and a book I've been wanting to read for a while (Lessons Before Dying) for $3 a piece and a pair of brand new sneakers for KJ's grandma for $5. YAY me!!!
3) My co-worker/other designer is not the best in keeping me in the loop. Yea, that stinks. I don't like being out of the loop. Maybe this is the root of why I'm not completely comfortable leaving everything in someone else's hand when I go out on maternity leave. I'm still waiting on a word of what when on in the meeting in NY concerning my packaging line. And yes, I admit that I may be thinking a little irrational as everyone just got back into the office this morning. ;-) So I'm patiently waiting. If the update never comes, I'll ask about it and adopt the same mentality that had kept me running in this place. If I need to know it, God always brings it to the forefront, if I don't know it, I'm not suppose to. Done.
4) I think we've decided not to have a 4-d sonogram. I didn't think I cared one way or the other, but I'm a little sad, but the financial part of my brain knows that the extra money can be put towards so many other things. And also the little mini will be here in 6 weeks and counting {hopefully}.
5) I may be the worst person ever to be in charge of getting the class reunion together. I've heard from a few classmates now and sometimes I feel like I've got a firm grasp on things and other times not so much. The class of 99 president has established committees and agendas, and venues and blah, blah, blah and I'm thinking I should just email her and tell her to toss out a great plan for our 98 class.
6) Colleen's coming this weekend!!!! Yay!!! Any ideas of what we can do for a really cute pregnancy pic? She's got some great ones and I've gotten a few suggestions, but I'm opening the floor for more.
7) There's a lot of great internet discussion going around about cloth diapering. I felt really knowledgeable last night as I relayed some of the info to my lamaze class. Hop over to Erin's blog at Princess Pigbear and follow some of her links and the comment section if interested. Also Colleen did a great post at her blog in regards to what she's been doing. I'm definitely on the band wagon and have looked into also using Seventh Generation for if/when I'm going to need disposables.
8) Sunday was a fabulous day with great church service, KJ washing the cars between morning and evening service, fantastic weather, me outside talking with neighbors, barefoot in the grass, while the kids ran to catch up with the ice cream truck. Seriously, I paused and evaluated how much of a storybook setting it was. It was a nice FL moment.
9) It's always the little bittiest things about people and what they do that carve a space in your heart isn't it? Like folding the laundry when you've both been avoiding the basket in the corner or stopping by Walmart on the way home when you're dead tired to battle the masses for a little cold medicine and some toothpaste that's not even for you. That's my KJ, he's constantly weaving himself into the fibers of my heart with the little things.
10) hehehe After reading #9 I must admit that I have the tendency to run on two extremes lately, either extremely mushy, or very irate. Unfortunately the later has been more frequent as I've had to do more counting down and slow breaths in the car than I'd like to admit. Atleast I'm aware and try to handle the situation internally, but I don't think there's anything wrong with pinching off a few heads (coworkers, other drivers, target store employees, etc) when people turn their backs.
11) Bonus: I'm completely blown away by women who cook every day. I'm always looking for a few new things to try out occasionally and this blog A Year In The Kitchen has given some outstanding recipes for consideration. Seriously, I wonder if I could talk her and her husband into moving into my neighbor's house that's for sale. I think she'd be a great neighbor... the kind that pops over and says "Hey I made wayyyy too much chicken parmesan and thought I'd bring you some..."
1) Talked to an old friend this morn on the way to work. I don't really understand why keeping in touch is so hard for me, but I'm glad I listened to the little voice this morning that said to call and just say hi.
2) I still have a highschool reunion to put together. I'm thinking a Saturday event in late June with an afternoon picnic for families and an evening dinner for adults only. Is the adult only thing bad? One of my old classmates emailed me and said I should just tell everyone to meet at a downtown bar/hangout. Maybe I'm thinking to formal...
3) KJ is/was a huge Pimp C fan. He's constantly quoting something random. Pimp C died on the same day as his aunt. This morn on the radio they announced the cause of Pimp C's death. Sadly, it's somewhat ironic. Click here if interested.
4) Secret confession: if the opportunity to move back across the stateline presented itself today, I would hesitate b/c of a) my job: it's difficult for me to leave a good situation and b) I like that it's just KJ and I against the world down here. It builds a partnership like no other. Now, this is just saying I would hesitate, not that I wouldn't jump for joy once my delirium passed.
5) I'm wearing an ole' school side ponytail today. Just kind of happened and when I went to the bathroom for the first of my 10 mil bathroom trips, I thought, "humm, I look very early 90's chic" hehehe If only I had my baggy sweater, lace trimmed leggins and white keds...
6) Our lamaze class ends next week and I've decided to take all the ladies lollipops b/c our instructor has commented several times how it will be a nice variation to the ice chips that we're only allowed to have while in labor. Oddly, I just asked most of the other couples last night if they were having a boy or a girl. Shows how unsocial I've been. shame.
7) This month I make my first payment on the Jeep. We're officially a couple. ;-)
8) Work spa day is on Fri and I'm equally excited about my 8:00 massage as I am in having the rest of the day off to go to a thrift store I've been eyeing.
9) Did you all know that the home store Kirklands is closing?!?!?! Or is that just here in FL? I have a gift certificate that I need to use, if only I could find one.
10) Just for the record, I want it to be known that I TOLD KJ the Giants were going to win the Superbowl. I had several reasons for this assumption other than the fact that I mostly pull for the underdog. One of which was that I liked how Peyton was in the skybox behind a pillar cheering for his little bro, but at the same time trying not to jinx him.
Happy Tuesday all. By the way, if it's Fat Tuesday in Mobile, AL is it Fat Tuesday in New Orleans too? I'm wondering where our company king cake might be...
with a wave of exhaustion around 1:30ish for the past couple of days. I'm so looking forward to the weekend, even though it's shaping up to be semi-busy, I like the thought of just stopping everything and curling up on the couch with my soft blanket. ahhhh. The things that keep us going. ;-) oh, and this song.
I love me some old school Michael Jackson. Not so sure about this whoopla about him making a come-back...but old school... pass me a glittery glove. {side bar: what in the world is "Ma ma se, ma ma sa, ma ma coo sa"???)
So, we've got a little girl's b-day part to go to. Her mom said she's into horses right now (she's 3) so I'm sooo buying her a couple of My Little Ponies. I love that my childhood favs have come back full force. She's having a skate party and although KJ refuses to let me strap on the wheels, I think it will be fun to see a bunch of little kids doing their thing on the slick floor.
KJ asked me if I wanted to play golf with him and a coworker tomorrow. Translation - do you want to drive my cart and read a book. His coworker's wife is going but she plays, I on the other hand just can't get into the game if there's not a spinning windmill trying to stop my ball. ;-)
I'm feeling a lot better. Definitely on the last leg of this horrid cold. KJ's been my man nurse and I give him complete kudos for waking up with me at 6am just to drug me (dr. told me I could take Robitussin products so I've been drinking Cold and Cough straight...).
I discovered craigslist today and I think I like it. I found a glider chair w/ ottoman for $40 there and have emailed the seller. It's local so maybe it will work out. Have any of you ever used Craigslist? I'm so done with ebay (never heard back from them)!
I hate when I go somewhere for lunch (ran into a little deli for some chicken salad) and come out smelling like food. That's the main reason I keep Febreeze in my desk drawer. That and the occasional accidental slip of effervescence. hehehe
Has anyone ever heard of a baked grapefruit recipe? I'm all about pink grapefruits and I seem to remember someone once telling me that they sprinkled a little brown sugar on theirs and put it in the over for a few minutes. They claimed it was scrumptious. I like mine straight out of the fridge, no sugar, but I'm up for trying new things.
This weekends "no superbowl plans" have turned into us hosting a few folks over for a celebration of KJ's basketball team championship and the superbowl. He's doing the main stuff (wings, brats, etc) and I'm doing the sides. Any suggestions?
I'm creating a dandelion stencil to use in the nursery. Wanna guess what I'm stenciling??
I think that's about it. All of my randomness. I hope your weekend is full of comfy goodness!!
