1. Pretend it’s Monday morning–take us through a day in the life of you.
Get up, depending on if Fuss is up or not make or wait on breakfast, check my email and FB. Feed Fuss when she gets up, kiss the husband good-bye. Spend some time on the computer, do some chores (laundry, dishes, etc.) take shower (sometimes I do this before my husband leaves - it completely depends on what order we all get up - if I'm up before Fuss, etc.) then we try and get out of the house for a little bit - whether it's an appointment or running errands, or visiting a friend or whatever. We come home in time for lunch and/or nap time and she goes down for her nap. Lately, I wrap up my morning chores and nap, too, or visit with my dad while he's working on the new room. When Fuss gets up from her nap, we typically get her a snack and watch a movie or something and then I begin to work on dinner. My husband comes home and we eat and either veg or work on stuff - new room stuff, run a family errand, complete other chores around the house, etc. Fuss goes to bed, and we try to get some us time (though lately, that has been rare). We go to bed between 10-11 most nights.
2. What’s your favorite reality tv show?
I hate reality TV. I don't watch anything these days that would be considered reality TV.
3. What motto do you live by?
"You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, you get what you need."
4. If you knew could you try anything and not fail, what dream would you attempt?
Writing a book.
5. What was your first job?
Picking up stray safety pins at my dad's work for a penny a pin when I was 6.
6. What is your current job?
Stay at home mom.
7. What would you call yourself if you could choose your own name (and you cannot pick the one you already have)?
Hmmm. I really like my name, so I haven't given this one much thought. I would want a classic, but slightly unusual name (not too popular for my age bracket) that was feminine and strong. Analiese, Paige, or Rebecca are the first things that come to mind.
8. What musical instruments can you play?
I can pick out my part on the piano (I read music, but I'm not great at instruments) and I used to play the flute, but I am very out of practice, so I wouldn't say I "can play."
9. Is it easier to forgive or forget?
Forgive. Forgetting is the hard part.
10. What is one food you’d never want to taste again?
Meat grissle. Yuck.
For more 10 on Tuesday, click here.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Migraine and Decor
Migraines while pregnant are a special kind of torture.
I spent Sunday in an extraordinary amount of pain. I woke w/ a headache at 4am. It continued by rebounding all day long, despite the medication I took (all Dr approved) and the rest I acquired. After cooking dinner I ended up having either really short, but awful contractions or really intense punches and kicks from the baby - they hurt so much but were very short, so I didn't have the time or concentration to analyze them.
My in-laws (MIL, LP and J) came over and finished painting my current bedroom for the conversion to Fuss's room. Since there was only 2 rollers, they took turns doing the painting and doing little things around my house for me, which was so sweet. My dad and Daddy Fuss spent the day laying tile in our new bedroom. The grout will be done Monday, but the tile is all in and it looks fabulous! I am so excited about how beautiful it looks.
My mom and her friend picked out some bedding and those type of accessories for us and they want to surprise us while we're in the hospital. My mom called me up saying "If Candice Olson were to come into your house, would you let her do whatever she wanted?" Now, I like Candice Olson, though our tastes are not always the same (Candice tends to go a little more modern than my personal tastes, but regardless, she's brilliant with design) and the answer to the question is yes, however, with Candice I know what I'm getting, so I don't know that the same goes for my mom - but I'm not sure how to tell her that...
But, by her description I'll probably like it and she promised to keep the receipts in case we don't.
I spent Sunday in an extraordinary amount of pain. I woke w/ a headache at 4am. It continued by rebounding all day long, despite the medication I took (all Dr approved) and the rest I acquired. After cooking dinner I ended up having either really short, but awful contractions or really intense punches and kicks from the baby - they hurt so much but were very short, so I didn't have the time or concentration to analyze them.
My in-laws (MIL, LP and J) came over and finished painting my current bedroom for the conversion to Fuss's room. Since there was only 2 rollers, they took turns doing the painting and doing little things around my house for me, which was so sweet. My dad and Daddy Fuss spent the day laying tile in our new bedroom. The grout will be done Monday, but the tile is all in and it looks fabulous! I am so excited about how beautiful it looks.
My mom and her friend picked out some bedding and those type of accessories for us and they want to surprise us while we're in the hospital. My mom called me up saying "If Candice Olson were to come into your house, would you let her do whatever she wanted?" Now, I like Candice Olson, though our tastes are not always the same (Candice tends to go a little more modern than my personal tastes, but regardless, she's brilliant with design) and the answer to the question is yes, however, with Candice I know what I'm getting, so I don't know that the same goes for my mom - but I'm not sure how to tell her that...
But, by her description I'll probably like it and she promised to keep the receipts in case we don't.
Friday, August 27, 2010
7 Quick Takes - late in the day
1. Have recently (today) discovered that I am completely uninterested in reading parenting books at this time. I devoured them when I was pregnant with Fuss, but now cannot seem to get motivated to read more than a few chapters of any parenting-related book and even those few chapters are feeling forced. I know I don't know everything, I know I need to brush up on some stuff, but the information is depressing me instead of making me look forward to it.
2. My mom and her best friend came over today to look at our new room to give me what I thought was decorating ideas. Instead they started with criticizing our planned furniture layout and moved on to trying to change my mind about nearly every other choice I had already decided on/was non-negotiable. While they were discussing it, I snuck off to my bedroom where my husband was trying to work from home and asked "was this a mistake to let them help with this?" I had been SO excited for some input... and now I'm panicking that they are going to just DO something (spend money on stuff) and I'm going to not like it.
3. Apparently, I'm feeling very negative today. Who knew? I was in a good mood earlier, I thought...
4. The blue color on my new bedroom walls is amazing. Amazing. And Daddy Fuss said that they type of paint we used was awesome. It was pricey, but he said it was so worth it. If you're in the market for some awesome interior paint, I highly recommend Duration by Sherwin-Williams. Seriously good stuff.
5. We introduced Fuss to her first viewing of Peter Pan today. She loved it. I think Dumbo might still be her current favorite, but Peter Pan was a big hit. I actually took some time away from my computer and my chores to watch it with her. She was transfixed.
6. My mom and her friend were insisting that I should be sitting on piles of beach towels or something instead of my new furniture in case my water spontaneously breaks with no warning. I'm not worried. The chances of that happening are very slim, though my mom's friend swears it happened to her daughter w/ her first pregnancy. I think it's more likely that said daughter had been having contractions and didn't realize it and then her water broke - this isn't the movies after all. I know that it sometimes happens, but seriously?
7. We had a 45-minute torrential downpour this afternoon and the street in front of my house resembles a small river. My husband suggested we might want to get floor insurance. Oh boy.
2. My mom and her best friend came over today to look at our new room to give me what I thought was decorating ideas. Instead they started with criticizing our planned furniture layout and moved on to trying to change my mind about nearly every other choice I had already decided on/was non-negotiable. While they were discussing it, I snuck off to my bedroom where my husband was trying to work from home and asked "was this a mistake to let them help with this?" I had been SO excited for some input... and now I'm panicking that they are going to just DO something (spend money on stuff) and I'm going to not like it.
3. Apparently, I'm feeling very negative today. Who knew? I was in a good mood earlier, I thought...
4. The blue color on my new bedroom walls is amazing. Amazing. And Daddy Fuss said that they type of paint we used was awesome. It was pricey, but he said it was so worth it. If you're in the market for some awesome interior paint, I highly recommend Duration by Sherwin-Williams. Seriously good stuff.
5. We introduced Fuss to her first viewing of Peter Pan today. She loved it. I think Dumbo might still be her current favorite, but Peter Pan was a big hit. I actually took some time away from my computer and my chores to watch it with her. She was transfixed.
6. My mom and her friend were insisting that I should be sitting on piles of beach towels or something instead of my new furniture in case my water spontaneously breaks with no warning. I'm not worried. The chances of that happening are very slim, though my mom's friend swears it happened to her daughter w/ her first pregnancy. I think it's more likely that said daughter had been having contractions and didn't realize it and then her water broke - this isn't the movies after all. I know that it sometimes happens, but seriously?
7. We had a 45-minute torrential downpour this afternoon and the street in front of my house resembles a small river. My husband suggested we might want to get floor insurance. Oh boy.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
38 Weeks - Why this Thursday Sucks
The internet has been spotty at best for the last 24 hours. I even spent 20 minutes on the phone this morning getting it reset and losing it again an hour later...
This morning my gag reflex kicked in again. Smells were driving me crazy. I had to stop 3 times while trying to empty the diaper pail (and actually threw up once during that time - made it to the bathroom, thank goodness). The smell of the texturizing stuff in the new room was getting to me, too and I had to go in and out of there to do the laundry.
I did a ton of laundry, but was trying to fold it while sitting on my bed and watching TV that wasn't geared toward preschoolers instead of in my living room. It was murder on my already swollen feet/toes. I did however, get a lot done!
On my way to the tile store to pick up the tile for the new room, my van overheated and I was stuck in an area that had no place to pull over or place like a gas station that would make sense to stop at (or hardly any parking lots at all). When I got ahold of my husband, I made a wrong turn and ended up missing the turn off for the gas station he suggested. I ended up in the parking lot of the local shooting range. Fuss and I had to wait in the heat for nearly 30 minutes for my husband to reach us with some coolant to refill the resevoir. It worked, thank goodness, but it was kind of rough.
I started having some painful contractions on the way to the tile store. I didn't think anything of it at the time, because Fuss was driving me crazy. My head started to ache and my belly hurt, so I was much more focused on that.
The 3 of us went into the tile store where Fuss absolutely would not listen, but we were able to get what we needed anyhow. But it was heavy, so I couldn't help, of course, and then Fuss threw a tantrum when I wouldn't swing her around as we were leaving. It was difficult to load it all into my van, so we had to put some in my husbands car and he was sweating like crazy by the time he was done. I was still not feeling well and Fuss was cranky and hungry. By that time, Daddy Fuss's lunch break was over, so he had to go back to the office and couldn't join us for lunch.
I started having more painful contractions as I was looking for a Taco Bell for lunch. The food was good, but I kept spilling it while I was trying to eat in the car. It ended up all over my shirt, of course. I then noticed that I was having hard contractions every 10 minutes. Still driving, still more than 20 minutes from home. I was trying to breathe through the contractions on my own and calm Fuss down (she wanted my food after she had eaten all of her own).
I had 2 more contractions once we got home, and I set Fuss up in front of a video. My head began to hurt even more, which was less fun. And the internet was down AGAIN. But eventually, the contractions stopped/slowed, so that was good.
This morning my gag reflex kicked in again. Smells were driving me crazy. I had to stop 3 times while trying to empty the diaper pail (and actually threw up once during that time - made it to the bathroom, thank goodness). The smell of the texturizing stuff in the new room was getting to me, too and I had to go in and out of there to do the laundry.
I did a ton of laundry, but was trying to fold it while sitting on my bed and watching TV that wasn't geared toward preschoolers instead of in my living room. It was murder on my already swollen feet/toes. I did however, get a lot done!
On my way to the tile store to pick up the tile for the new room, my van overheated and I was stuck in an area that had no place to pull over or place like a gas station that would make sense to stop at (or hardly any parking lots at all). When I got ahold of my husband, I made a wrong turn and ended up missing the turn off for the gas station he suggested. I ended up in the parking lot of the local shooting range. Fuss and I had to wait in the heat for nearly 30 minutes for my husband to reach us with some coolant to refill the resevoir. It worked, thank goodness, but it was kind of rough.
I started having some painful contractions on the way to the tile store. I didn't think anything of it at the time, because Fuss was driving me crazy. My head started to ache and my belly hurt, so I was much more focused on that.
The 3 of us went into the tile store where Fuss absolutely would not listen, but we were able to get what we needed anyhow. But it was heavy, so I couldn't help, of course, and then Fuss threw a tantrum when I wouldn't swing her around as we were leaving. It was difficult to load it all into my van, so we had to put some in my husbands car and he was sweating like crazy by the time he was done. I was still not feeling well and Fuss was cranky and hungry. By that time, Daddy Fuss's lunch break was over, so he had to go back to the office and couldn't join us for lunch.
I started having more painful contractions as I was looking for a Taco Bell for lunch. The food was good, but I kept spilling it while I was trying to eat in the car. It ended up all over my shirt, of course. I then noticed that I was having hard contractions every 10 minutes. Still driving, still more than 20 minutes from home. I was trying to breathe through the contractions on my own and calm Fuss down (she wanted my food after she had eaten all of her own).
I had 2 more contractions once we got home, and I set Fuss up in front of a video. My head began to hurt even more, which was less fun. And the internet was down AGAIN. But eventually, the contractions stopped/slowed, so that was good.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
To Do
My current list of things that still need to/should get done before the baby arrives:
1. Raise crib mattress. Clean sheet currently on it and replace with one not as girly.
2. Clean out van.
3. Locate and install infant carseat. This will involve some rearranging of the van bench seats, I believe.
4. Find some place to put the bin of 0-3 month boy clothes that is at least accessible. (Right now it's in the nursery closet, underneath several other items)
5. Rearrange diaper drawer to accommodate newborn diapers along w/ Fuss's size 4s. (Find new place for unused toddler panties, since she has even less interest now than she did 6 months ago)
6. Make a few purchases to complete the have-tos. (Waiting, at least in part, for the 10% off registry completion coupon... where is it?) Need: New pump parts, breast pads, at least one more blanket
7. Decide what to do about nursing cover. Was given one I don't think I like. Really want one from Simply Sweet Baby Boutique.
8. Take back Huggies Wipes (shower gift) that irritate Fuss's bottom and replace w/ generics.
9. Spend some quality cuddle-time with my best girl. Cookies and Disney movies may be involved. Pink sparkly nail polish, too.
10. Back adjusted by chiropractor.
1. Raise crib mattress. Clean sheet currently on it and replace with one not as girly.
2. Clean out van.
3. Locate and install infant carseat. This will involve some rearranging of the van bench seats, I believe.
4. Find some place to put the bin of 0-3 month boy clothes that is at least accessible. (Right now it's in the nursery closet, underneath several other items)
5. Rearrange diaper drawer to accommodate newborn diapers along w/ Fuss's size 4s. (Find new place for unused toddler panties, since she has even less interest now than she did 6 months ago)
6. Make a few purchases to complete the have-tos. (Waiting, at least in part, for the 10% off registry completion coupon... where is it?) Need: New pump parts, breast pads, at least one more blanket
7. Decide what to do about nursing cover. Was given one I don't think I like. Really want one from Simply Sweet Baby Boutique.
8. Take back Huggies Wipes (shower gift) that irritate Fuss's bottom and replace w/ generics.
9. Spend some quality cuddle-time with my best girl. Cookies and Disney movies may be involved. Pink sparkly nail polish, too.
10. Back adjusted by chiropractor.
Monday, August 23, 2010
30, Flirty, and Fabulous
I am now, officially, 30 years old. I am at my highest weight ever, but then, I'm also 9 months pregnant, so I guess that stands to reason, at least a little.
My birthday weekend was great. Had a baby shower with the girls from church, where 2 of my best church girlfriends made a beautiful, simple shower full of cute details and no silly games. I wish I had pictures. When Jo posts them on Facebook, I'll try and steal some for here. Seriously, I loved it. They had a brown and blue elephant theme - the colors and animals I seem to be obsessed with for this pregnancy. They made cupcakes (carrot cake with the most delicious cream cheese frosting I've ever had) to look like rattles and alternated writing "Baby" and his name on them. They were seriously the cutest things ever.
Daddy Fuss took me to "our" restaurant - The Melting Pot - for dinner Saturday night. It was fabulous. I even got my favorite cocktail (a Blackberry margarita) - virgin, of course! But it was a great night.
My mom brought me a present on Sunday - she had wanted to have something for me to open up, which was nice, since my main present from Daddy Fuss isn't being released until 9/10 and some snafu was hit with the present from Fuss herself, so that will also be coming later. Anyhow, mom's gift was a post-pregnancy (though should still fit/be appropriate while nursing) set of tops that I had eyed at the store last week. Looking forward to being able to wear it.
On Monday, Daddy Fuss took the day off and even refused to carry his work phone all day, for which I was very proud of him. We had had plans to go to the park and take some family pictures with Fuss and then have lunch at this new Cajun restaurant that just opened, but it rained cats and dogs all day (so much for the park) and the Cajun place apparently is already closed. Oops. We had lunch elsewhere, and it was good, and went to the tile store and found some amazing tile for our new room (oddly, I am quite excited about this). I had also planned to spend the evening snuggling on the couch w/ Daddy Fuss and Fuss, introducing her to Peter Pan (one of my favorite classic Disney movies), but the day's work in the new room took way longer than expected and my in-laws asked if they could come over and bring dessert and cards, so that got shot, too. Rescheduled for later this week.
My MIL arranged for gift certificates to my new manicurist for me (MIL and SILs use her, too. She works out of her home and is fabulous! Plus, I can bring Fuss along and put on a Veggie Tale and she's good to go) and LP got some really cute earrings that will go w/ about half my current wardrobe (including the new tops from my mom) so that was nice. We had Key Lime Pie for dessert and visited for awhile.
All in all, it was a great birthday!
My birthday weekend was great. Had a baby shower with the girls from church, where 2 of my best church girlfriends made a beautiful, simple shower full of cute details and no silly games. I wish I had pictures. When Jo posts them on Facebook, I'll try and steal some for here. Seriously, I loved it. They had a brown and blue elephant theme - the colors and animals I seem to be obsessed with for this pregnancy. They made cupcakes (carrot cake with the most delicious cream cheese frosting I've ever had) to look like rattles and alternated writing "Baby" and his name on them. They were seriously the cutest things ever.
Daddy Fuss took me to "our" restaurant - The Melting Pot - for dinner Saturday night. It was fabulous. I even got my favorite cocktail (a Blackberry margarita) - virgin, of course! But it was a great night.
My mom brought me a present on Sunday - she had wanted to have something for me to open up, which was nice, since my main present from Daddy Fuss isn't being released until 9/10 and some snafu was hit with the present from Fuss herself, so that will also be coming later. Anyhow, mom's gift was a post-pregnancy (though should still fit/be appropriate while nursing) set of tops that I had eyed at the store last week. Looking forward to being able to wear it.
On Monday, Daddy Fuss took the day off and even refused to carry his work phone all day, for which I was very proud of him. We had had plans to go to the park and take some family pictures with Fuss and then have lunch at this new Cajun restaurant that just opened, but it rained cats and dogs all day (so much for the park) and the Cajun place apparently is already closed. Oops. We had lunch elsewhere, and it was good, and went to the tile store and found some amazing tile for our new room (oddly, I am quite excited about this). I had also planned to spend the evening snuggling on the couch w/ Daddy Fuss and Fuss, introducing her to Peter Pan (one of my favorite classic Disney movies), but the day's work in the new room took way longer than expected and my in-laws asked if they could come over and bring dessert and cards, so that got shot, too. Rescheduled for later this week.
My MIL arranged for gift certificates to my new manicurist for me (MIL and SILs use her, too. She works out of her home and is fabulous! Plus, I can bring Fuss along and put on a Veggie Tale and she's good to go) and LP got some really cute earrings that will go w/ about half my current wardrobe (including the new tops from my mom) so that was nice. We had Key Lime Pie for dessert and visited for awhile.
All in all, it was a great birthday!
Friday, August 20, 2010
7 Quick Takes: My Birthday Weekend
1. I have a VERY busy weekend planned. Tonight I am going out for a Girl's Nite with 2 of my girlfriends to celebrate my friend M's birthday earlier this week. (I guess in part, also my birthday, but I'm focusing on her!) We are having dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse and going to a movie. I'm looking forward to it!
2. Tomorrow morning is my second shower. It's a small group of women from church, hosted by my friend Jo. As long as she is feeling better. She was sick earlier this week and I'm hoping she is feeling much better by now!
3. Tomorrow night, Daddy Fuss and I are going out to dinner at Melting Pot. This is a special place for us - usually reserved for our anniversary, though we had to miss that this year, since we were in St. Augustine and there is no Melting Pot in St Augustine. They make my favorite cocktail there, but I'll have to skip it this year, of course!
4. We've turned the weekend into a 3-day weekend, by scheduling my husband off on Monday for my birthday and we're going to have a family day. Possibly the last one of just the 3 of us! I'm hoping to take some pictures of the 3 of us while we're together and I know he's planning to take us to a new Cajun restaurant for lunch. The only thing is... I have no idea what Fuss might eat at a Cajun place... I'm sure we'll find something!
5. Lots of cleaning and organizing going to happen today. Also hoping to get a few minutes to myself to go spend a $25 gift card to CVS that I recently came across. I would like to get some new eye makeup, but that's not an easy thing to do with Fuss in tow!
6. Fuss's 2-yr-old pictures turned out great yesterday! Our photographer friend was training a new photographer in little kid pictures (they do lots of schools/day cares and so experience w/ young children is ideal) and I think the woman needs more practice. She kept waiting for the perfect poses - looking straight at her, hands folded nicely, etc. There were a ton of potentially great pictures that I felt like she missed because she wouldn't just take the pictures that were happening. But there were plenty of great ones, regardless, so I'm not really complaining. There was one that was our friend's favorite that made her look like a preschooler! It was adorable, but I'm not quite ready for her to look that old yet! I'll have to get Daddy Fuss to scan some of the proofs to post...
7. This is my last weekend in my 30's. I know that 30 years old isn't that old, but somehow it feels like leaving childhood behind for good. You're not supposed to be immature and child-like when you're 30. (though I know plenty of people who still are, regardless!)
For more Quick Takes, click here!
2. Tomorrow morning is my second shower. It's a small group of women from church, hosted by my friend Jo. As long as she is feeling better. She was sick earlier this week and I'm hoping she is feeling much better by now!
3. Tomorrow night, Daddy Fuss and I are going out to dinner at Melting Pot. This is a special place for us - usually reserved for our anniversary, though we had to miss that this year, since we were in St. Augustine and there is no Melting Pot in St Augustine. They make my favorite cocktail there, but I'll have to skip it this year, of course!
4. We've turned the weekend into a 3-day weekend, by scheduling my husband off on Monday for my birthday and we're going to have a family day. Possibly the last one of just the 3 of us! I'm hoping to take some pictures of the 3 of us while we're together and I know he's planning to take us to a new Cajun restaurant for lunch. The only thing is... I have no idea what Fuss might eat at a Cajun place... I'm sure we'll find something!
5. Lots of cleaning and organizing going to happen today. Also hoping to get a few minutes to myself to go spend a $25 gift card to CVS that I recently came across. I would like to get some new eye makeup, but that's not an easy thing to do with Fuss in tow!
6. Fuss's 2-yr-old pictures turned out great yesterday! Our photographer friend was training a new photographer in little kid pictures (they do lots of schools/day cares and so experience w/ young children is ideal) and I think the woman needs more practice. She kept waiting for the perfect poses - looking straight at her, hands folded nicely, etc. There were a ton of potentially great pictures that I felt like she missed because she wouldn't just take the pictures that were happening. But there were plenty of great ones, regardless, so I'm not really complaining. There was one that was our friend's favorite that made her look like a preschooler! It was adorable, but I'm not quite ready for her to look that old yet! I'll have to get Daddy Fuss to scan some of the proofs to post...
7. This is my last weekend in my 30's. I know that 30 years old isn't that old, but somehow it feels like leaving childhood behind for good. You're not supposed to be immature and child-like when you're 30. (though I know plenty of people who still are, regardless!)
For more Quick Takes, click here!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
37 weeks: Full Term
My feet have taken on the appearance of marshmallows. My toes swell periodically, as do my fingers. (the fingers are always a little chubby, but sometimes they get so full, it hurts to make a fist. this is the most annoying part of the swelling. That and the ugly shoes I had to buy so I could leave my house occasionally.) I got some info from my midwife about the fluctuations in my blood pressure, and I'm still good, despite the rise in my upper number of late. She did suggest staying off my feet more often (ha!) to help ease it a bit, but there isn't much we can do at this point.
At my appointment this week, I was 1cm dilated, and 50% effaced. The baby's head is down and he is apparently "snuggling" with my spine, which contributes to the back pain, extensively. Yay.
We are officially on the schedule for induction for 9/2. I check into the hospital at 5am. This was expected and my SIL, LP is planning to spend the night the night before, so we have no worries about Fuss's care (and so she doesn't have to wake up at 4am to come over here and take over!)
Our renovation/construction is moving along, too! The inside wall has been painted and I am able to start to get full use of my great room back again. There is much rejoicing! The room itself got it's windows and doors mudded this week (they look so nice!) and my dad is continuing the mudding process this week. He still has to install the air conditioner, but then we're ready to paint out there, too! The floor will be last and I need to do a little research on which floor we're using. (My mom had 2.5 boxes of laminate left over from her own project recently, and if I can match it easily and cost-effectively, we will use that. If not, we have to pick out our flooring still.) We also have to pick out the tiles for the small tile pathway we will be doing from door to door.
Fuss has her 2 yr old photos today (so, she's 2 1/2 already, sue me! No seriously, a photographer friend of ours is taking the pictures and he's been very busy this year!) Looking forward to some fun!
I can't believe my baby boy will be here in 2 weeks!!
At my appointment this week, I was 1cm dilated, and 50% effaced. The baby's head is down and he is apparently "snuggling" with my spine, which contributes to the back pain, extensively. Yay.
We are officially on the schedule for induction for 9/2. I check into the hospital at 5am. This was expected and my SIL, LP is planning to spend the night the night before, so we have no worries about Fuss's care (and so she doesn't have to wake up at 4am to come over here and take over!)
Our renovation/construction is moving along, too! The inside wall has been painted and I am able to start to get full use of my great room back again. There is much rejoicing! The room itself got it's windows and doors mudded this week (they look so nice!) and my dad is continuing the mudding process this week. He still has to install the air conditioner, but then we're ready to paint out there, too! The floor will be last and I need to do a little research on which floor we're using. (My mom had 2.5 boxes of laminate left over from her own project recently, and if I can match it easily and cost-effectively, we will use that. If not, we have to pick out our flooring still.) We also have to pick out the tiles for the small tile pathway we will be doing from door to door.
Fuss has her 2 yr old photos today (so, she's 2 1/2 already, sue me! No seriously, a photographer friend of ours is taking the pictures and he's been very busy this year!) Looking forward to some fun!
I can't believe my baby boy will be here in 2 weeks!!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
There was a little girl...
You know what kills me about this whole 2-yr-old thing? The randomness of her behavior. She is a really good kid. Mostly, she's well-behaved, sweet, funny, amusing, etc. But when she gets upset (even if it's completely random upsettedness) she erupts like a volcano!
I've noticed that I get more embarrassed when these eruptions happen in front of other people. My dad has been around the house a lot more lately, doing work on the new room, and he's been witness to a few of these tantrums. I'm not sure he knows how to interact with her or me when she's in a mood. And this weekend, an old family friend was here helping my dad with some work and Fuss had a meltdown of epic proportions. Because I wanted to change her diaper while she was watching a program. I typically can just wait out these problems - I give her her options (we can pause the show and you can get your diaper changed and come back, or we can turn off the TV and you can get your diaper changed) and let her fuss for a minute or so while she contemplates this issue and ultimately usually does what I'm asking. But this weekend, with Nick here... I was SO embarrassed. This is the first time he's ever seen her and she's acting like a brat. (My dad came in and rescued me - it's hard for me to physically pick her up when she's resistant these days, so he did it and delivered her to the changing table...) But even still, I was embarrassed of her behavior. I'm typically a good mother. But she's 2. And she can't always be reasoned with.
There was a little girl
Who had a little girl
Right in the middle of her forehead
When she was good
She was very, very good
And when she was bad
She got spanked
(the version my mother used to quote to me)
I've noticed that I get more embarrassed when these eruptions happen in front of other people. My dad has been around the house a lot more lately, doing work on the new room, and he's been witness to a few of these tantrums. I'm not sure he knows how to interact with her or me when she's in a mood. And this weekend, an old family friend was here helping my dad with some work and Fuss had a meltdown of epic proportions. Because I wanted to change her diaper while she was watching a program. I typically can just wait out these problems - I give her her options (we can pause the show and you can get your diaper changed and come back, or we can turn off the TV and you can get your diaper changed) and let her fuss for a minute or so while she contemplates this issue and ultimately usually does what I'm asking. But this weekend, with Nick here... I was SO embarrassed. This is the first time he's ever seen her and she's acting like a brat. (My dad came in and rescued me - it's hard for me to physically pick her up when she's resistant these days, so he did it and delivered her to the changing table...) But even still, I was embarrassed of her behavior. I'm typically a good mother. But she's 2. And she can't always be reasoned with.
There was a little girl
Who had a little girl
Right in the middle of her forehead
When she was good
She was very, very good
And when she was bad
She got spanked
(the version my mother used to quote to me)
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
10 on Tuesday: College edition
1. Where did you go to college?
I went away to school my freshman year to Toccoa Falls College in N Georgia. Loved it, made great friends and amazing memories, but my dad really wanted me to come home, so I transferred home to the local Jr College - SPJC and took few courses there for a couple of years. I hated it. You had all the boring college classes and none of socialization of a campus community. Eventually, I found an art/tech school and went there - International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa. Loved it.
2. What did you study?
Initially, i was a Journalism major at TFC. Then a generic Communications major at the JC and ultimately, I got a degree from IADT in Graphic Design.
3. Was college really all that it was cracked up to be?
Not at all.
4. How far were you from home?
My first year, I was 10-12 hour drive from home. (depending on who drove. Actually, we once made it in about 9 hours) After transferring back, I lived at home and commuted - so not far at all!
5. Did you have the same roommate all four years?
Nope. :) My first roommates were awesome, though. After that it was me and my mom.
6. Where did you order food from at 2am?
No where. There is literally nothing open at 2am in Toccoa. We used to make 10PM runs out to Mickey D's though, before they closed to get french fries or whatever.
7. Did you date in college or were you tied down?
I had a long-distance boyfriend my freshman and sophomore years. He moved to FL my 3rd year and we broke up by January. I started dating my now-husband that May.
8. Funniest drunk college moment?
Didn't have one.
9. Did you make it to class on time?
Usually. TFC had a "don't bother if you're more than 15 minutes late" policy and it taught me to be on time from the beginning.
10. What was your favorite class in college?
I liked Nonverbal Communication and Photoshop the best.
I went away to school my freshman year to Toccoa Falls College in N Georgia. Loved it, made great friends and amazing memories, but my dad really wanted me to come home, so I transferred home to the local Jr College - SPJC and took few courses there for a couple of years. I hated it. You had all the boring college classes and none of socialization of a campus community. Eventually, I found an art/tech school and went there - International Academy of Design and Technology - Tampa. Loved it.
2. What did you study?
Initially, i was a Journalism major at TFC. Then a generic Communications major at the JC and ultimately, I got a degree from IADT in Graphic Design.
3. Was college really all that it was cracked up to be?
Not at all.
4. How far were you from home?
My first year, I was 10-12 hour drive from home. (depending on who drove. Actually, we once made it in about 9 hours) After transferring back, I lived at home and commuted - so not far at all!
5. Did you have the same roommate all four years?
Nope. :) My first roommates were awesome, though. After that it was me and my mom.
6. Where did you order food from at 2am?
No where. There is literally nothing open at 2am in Toccoa. We used to make 10PM runs out to Mickey D's though, before they closed to get french fries or whatever.
7. Did you date in college or were you tied down?
I had a long-distance boyfriend my freshman and sophomore years. He moved to FL my 3rd year and we broke up by January. I started dating my now-husband that May.
8. Funniest drunk college moment?
Didn't have one.
9. Did you make it to class on time?
Usually. TFC had a "don't bother if you're more than 15 minutes late" policy and it taught me to be on time from the beginning.
10. What was your favorite class in college?
I liked Nonverbal Communication and Photoshop the best.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Now I need a new haircut...
On Saturday I had my annual (for my birthday) Mother/Daughter day with my mom and we started out the day getting pedicures. Noticing the sad state of my last manicure, my mom also insisted I get a mani, too, so as Fuss would say, I have "farkles" on both hands and toes. We then went to the mall and searched for the best option for a make-over. It was tax-free weekend for the state of Florida, so we expected the mall to be a mad house, and it was, but we got pretty luck and got there early, got a good parking spot and found out the the Estee Lauder at Dillards (not my favorite department store, by far, since they seem to have snobby staff who don't actually care about their customers - at least at the mall I usually go to) was "in gift" and that they had their traveling make-up artist around to do make-overs - AND that she was just finishing up about 5-10 minutes after we arrived, so...
Her name was Jo, and she was terrific! Seriously, she was such a joy to spend time with, a very talented make-up artist, and a great saleswoman. (which is more than I can say for the girl who rang us up and was pushing on stuff we really didn't want and wouldn't listen as I told her what we DID want - almost missed selling several items I was interested in because she wouldn't just LISTEN! But anyhow) Seeing how it's my 30th birthday, I actually paid attention to the issues of aging (still at that preventative stage, but...) and got some really great skincare items.
I walked out looking a little more made up than usual daywear, but it looked nice, regardless. (though I can't seem to get all the eyeliner off, even with remover, so that's interesting...) and then mom and I went to lunch at Pei Wei and visited Barnes and Noble to check out the Nook (B&N's version of the Kindle) and look around and then over to Home Goods where my mom found some great little accessories for Fuss's new big girl room and some pillows for her own room. (Incidentally, I found a quilt at Home Goods that was EXACTLY what I had been looking for an entire year for Fuss's bed. Exactly. And it was on sale for under $40. But of course, we already bought one, washed it and I can't return it now. So it's still sitting there at Home Goods. Ah well. I'm a little bummed since they had ALL sorts of accessories to go with it that would have made my job SO easy...)
All made up and pretty, Daddy Fuss took us out to dinner. If my hair hadn't been so frumpy looking, I think I would have felt spectacular... I really, really need a new haircut. But you win some, you lose some, and I'm not ready to get my hair cut until after this baby comes out (and then there are some other major priorities to take care of in front of my vanity.)
But seriously - there is something really nice about having smooth feet and pretty toes, well-cared-for skin that makes you feel a little more special, you know? All in all, I think it was a fabulous way to begin celebrating my birthday - and I've got at least a week left of celebrations, since my birthday isn't until a week from today!
Her name was Jo, and she was terrific! Seriously, she was such a joy to spend time with, a very talented make-up artist, and a great saleswoman. (which is more than I can say for the girl who rang us up and was pushing on stuff we really didn't want and wouldn't listen as I told her what we DID want - almost missed selling several items I was interested in because she wouldn't just LISTEN! But anyhow) Seeing how it's my 30th birthday, I actually paid attention to the issues of aging (still at that preventative stage, but...) and got some really great skincare items.
I walked out looking a little more made up than usual daywear, but it looked nice, regardless. (though I can't seem to get all the eyeliner off, even with remover, so that's interesting...) and then mom and I went to lunch at Pei Wei and visited Barnes and Noble to check out the Nook (B&N's version of the Kindle) and look around and then over to Home Goods where my mom found some great little accessories for Fuss's new big girl room and some pillows for her own room. (Incidentally, I found a quilt at Home Goods that was EXACTLY what I had been looking for an entire year for Fuss's bed. Exactly. And it was on sale for under $40. But of course, we already bought one, washed it and I can't return it now. So it's still sitting there at Home Goods. Ah well. I'm a little bummed since they had ALL sorts of accessories to go with it that would have made my job SO easy...)
All made up and pretty, Daddy Fuss took us out to dinner. If my hair hadn't been so frumpy looking, I think I would have felt spectacular... I really, really need a new haircut. But you win some, you lose some, and I'm not ready to get my hair cut until after this baby comes out (and then there are some other major priorities to take care of in front of my vanity.)
But seriously - there is something really nice about having smooth feet and pretty toes, well-cared-for skin that makes you feel a little more special, you know? All in all, I think it was a fabulous way to begin celebrating my birthday - and I've got at least a week left of celebrations, since my birthday isn't until a week from today!
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Sunday
Oh my goodness, my hands and feet are swollen. My fingers feel tight, my feet feel heavy and warm. I am so ready to be done with this!
Lots of work got done today at the house. But I have been feeling kind of miserable and now I'm feeling like a blob. These intense lower back pains have been hitting me hard off and on for 2 days and right now I'm feeling nauseated, plus this swelling... I'm a very unhappy pregnant lady.
This must just be one of those moments you have to deal with during pregnancy, I guess. I remember being "over it" at the very end of my pregnancy w/ Fuss, but I don't clearly remember being this miserable. I'm blaming the heat... these miserable hot days where my AC doesn't work well and I can't get cool and comfy... just makes everything seem worse, I think!
I succeeded in packing away a bunch of maternity clothes I won't be needing/wanting again until my next pregnancy. We can now get that bin out of the way in our bedroom! I had Daddy Fuss hang the curtains we bought for Fuss's new room (which aren't nearly as wonderful as advertised, so I'll likely be taking them back. I am bummed!) and I got some more stuff of hers put away and organized.
Lots of work got done today at the house. But I have been feeling kind of miserable and now I'm feeling like a blob. These intense lower back pains have been hitting me hard off and on for 2 days and right now I'm feeling nauseated, plus this swelling... I'm a very unhappy pregnant lady.
This must just be one of those moments you have to deal with during pregnancy, I guess. I remember being "over it" at the very end of my pregnancy w/ Fuss, but I don't clearly remember being this miserable. I'm blaming the heat... these miserable hot days where my AC doesn't work well and I can't get cool and comfy... just makes everything seem worse, I think!
I succeeded in packing away a bunch of maternity clothes I won't be needing/wanting again until my next pregnancy. We can now get that bin out of the way in our bedroom! I had Daddy Fuss hang the curtains we bought for Fuss's new room (which aren't nearly as wonderful as advertised, so I'll likely be taking them back. I am bummed!) and I got some more stuff of hers put away and organized.
Friday, August 13, 2010
7 Quick Takes
1. I'm so sick of watching Clifford's Really Big Movie or whatever it is called. Honestly, it's better than some of the movies she wants to watch all the time (have you seen the Care Bears movies of this era? Awful.) But seriously. It's her favorite lately. I think I watch it daily. But I have to say that every time Clifford says good-bye to Emily Elizabeth, my heart breaks.
2. I finally have cankles. My husband had to undo the middle strap on my Birkenstocks last night so that I could wear them (which is apparently driving Fuss bonkers - she doesn't like my straps flapping around...) My toes look like little sausages and they are so puffy I can't bend them all the way.
3. Saturday is my annual Mother/Daughter make over and pedi day for my birthday (which is more than a week away, but the timing wasn't working out, so it's this week.) I am very much looking forward to it. But I hope I can walk through the mall okay. Suddenly glad we decided to do it early rather than late - I can't imagine trying to do it 2 weeks later...
4. The painting on the inside of our great room begins this weekend. I'm psyched. Once that is done, we can move furniture back into place and I can get at least part of my house back in order!
5. I need chocolate.
6. I was telling a friend about the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival at Disney World and I am really hoping that we are going to be able to go this year. I am really missing wine lately, anyway.
7. Someone mentioned this shirt on Twitter the other day and I want it for postpartum time. So cute, and some great functionality for nursing!
Visit Conversion Diary for more 7 Quick Takes.
2. I finally have cankles. My husband had to undo the middle strap on my Birkenstocks last night so that I could wear them (which is apparently driving Fuss bonkers - she doesn't like my straps flapping around...) My toes look like little sausages and they are so puffy I can't bend them all the way.
3. Saturday is my annual Mother/Daughter make over and pedi day for my birthday (which is more than a week away, but the timing wasn't working out, so it's this week.) I am very much looking forward to it. But I hope I can walk through the mall okay. Suddenly glad we decided to do it early rather than late - I can't imagine trying to do it 2 weeks later...
4. The painting on the inside of our great room begins this weekend. I'm psyched. Once that is done, we can move furniture back into place and I can get at least part of my house back in order!
5. I need chocolate.
6. I was telling a friend about the EPCOT Food & Wine Festival at Disney World and I am really hoping that we are going to be able to go this year. I am really missing wine lately, anyway.
7. Someone mentioned this shirt on Twitter the other day and I want it for postpartum time. So cute, and some great functionality for nursing!
Visit Conversion Diary for more 7 Quick Takes.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
36 Weeks
Three weeks from today, I will be in the hospital, having my baby. Wow.
I am both terrified and excited beyond words.
The terror is the usual stuff, of course, coupled with the stress of the house situation. I think the thing I'm most worried about with labor itself is my expectations. You see, I went into my first labor with basically none. I tried to write up a birth plan, but realized that I had no frame of reference for what I would want/need and so I just went with the flow. (The nurses were probably big fans - especially since I didn't end up having a dedicated L&D nurse... very weird situation.) I ended up having a very reasonable time of it all. Especially after all the horror stories you hear about Pitocin. But I know that while logically there is no guarantee that things will go the same, in the back of my mind, I expect that it WILL all be the same and that I know what to expect, etc. Also, I'm not really looking forward to that whole intense, heavy labor pains thing... but then, who does?
And what on earth do I do with a boy? He has different parts! And I can't put him in ruffles! We still have to decide whether to, ahem, circumsize or not...
There is a good chance that things will be fine with the house - or at least that the main room will be back to normal long before then and things can start to feel a little more normal... But it's looking like the room might be complete enough to have us move in and we can actually have it all ready for the baby when he comes home. Wouldn't it be lover-ly?
The excitement is, of course, somewhat obvious, too. I'm having a much longed for baby! He'll be the first grandson on both sides, the first nephew, and obviously, the first SON for Daddy Fuss and I! I'm looking forward to having him in my arms.
My feet were very thick Wednesday morning - even putting on my Birkenstocks was a challenge! I'm not sleeping well (punctuated by Fuss's nighttime wakings) and it's hard to find comfortable positions at any time. The Braxton Hicks are occurring frequently enough that they are driving me nuts, but irregular enough that I know I'm not in labor. I have the occasional one that is painful enough that I am convinced that it is productive, at least!
So, nervous and excited. Big surprise, right?
I am both terrified and excited beyond words.
The terror is the usual stuff, of course, coupled with the stress of the house situation. I think the thing I'm most worried about with labor itself is my expectations. You see, I went into my first labor with basically none. I tried to write up a birth plan, but realized that I had no frame of reference for what I would want/need and so I just went with the flow. (The nurses were probably big fans - especially since I didn't end up having a dedicated L&D nurse... very weird situation.) I ended up having a very reasonable time of it all. Especially after all the horror stories you hear about Pitocin. But I know that while logically there is no guarantee that things will go the same, in the back of my mind, I expect that it WILL all be the same and that I know what to expect, etc. Also, I'm not really looking forward to that whole intense, heavy labor pains thing... but then, who does?
And what on earth do I do with a boy? He has different parts! And I can't put him in ruffles! We still have to decide whether to, ahem, circumsize or not...
There is a good chance that things will be fine with the house - or at least that the main room will be back to normal long before then and things can start to feel a little more normal... But it's looking like the room might be complete enough to have us move in and we can actually have it all ready for the baby when he comes home. Wouldn't it be lover-ly?
The excitement is, of course, somewhat obvious, too. I'm having a much longed for baby! He'll be the first grandson on both sides, the first nephew, and obviously, the first SON for Daddy Fuss and I! I'm looking forward to having him in my arms.
My feet were very thick Wednesday morning - even putting on my Birkenstocks was a challenge! I'm not sleeping well (punctuated by Fuss's nighttime wakings) and it's hard to find comfortable positions at any time. The Braxton Hicks are occurring frequently enough that they are driving me nuts, but irregular enough that I know I'm not in labor. I have the occasional one that is painful enough that I am convinced that it is productive, at least!
So, nervous and excited. Big surprise, right?
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
What's my name, Mom?
I keep catching myself referring to the new baby as "the baby" - he has a name, and I like it, etc. but somehow, I still refer to him as "the baby" more often than not. Sometimes I call him "little boy" or "little man" but mostly he is "the baby." I know I called Fuss by her name a lot pre-birth, so I don't really know what my hang up is.
He's real to me - I don't think that is the problem. Although, even Fuss was in some way only an idea before she was actually born. (I think that's normal in some way for every mom, though). I'm very much looking forward to having him in my arms - more now than I was months ago... I can't wait to see him, to meet him, to get to know him...
I'm working on it now, I guess. I am making purposeful attempts to call him by his name. But it's weird that I'm having trouble doing that, you know?
He's real to me - I don't think that is the problem. Although, even Fuss was in some way only an idea before she was actually born. (I think that's normal in some way for every mom, though). I'm very much looking forward to having him in my arms - more now than I was months ago... I can't wait to see him, to meet him, to get to know him...
I'm working on it now, I guess. I am making purposeful attempts to call him by his name. But it's weird that I'm having trouble doing that, you know?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
10 on
I am sitting here this morning, in pain (joint/back/head) that makes me feel as if I want to remove my left hip/leg from my body so as to stop it. I am hobbling around the house because I have to, when all I'd really like to do is sit in a contorted position so as to ease (but not remove - it's not working to remove it) my discomfort. I'm trying to keep my moans silent or very quiet so as not to scare Fuss by my pain. I've had a couple of contractions - one long one that I swear I could feel down into my cervix... it's a rough morning. I'm glad these questions were easy...
1. Do you have an innie or an outie?
Innie. I used to think that was the only way a belly button could look.
2. What kind of milkshake do you order?
Depending on where I go... a Jamocha shake at Arby's, a dark chocolate one at Steak'n'Shake, a good chocolate one at an ice cream shop...
3. How often do you repeat outfits at work?
Regularly, since I have limited outfits while pregnant. No more than once a week, though.
4. What are your feelings about thank you notes?
I think they are a necessary evil. I used to think they were over-rated, but recently realized that I'd rather receive a half-hearted one than none at all. But I was taught that you should always write for a gift.
5. Do you like spicy food?
Yes. Yes! YES!
6. How many toilet paper squares do you use?
3-6
7. Were you in Girl Scouts?
Nope.
8. Notebooks/Journals: College ruled? Wide Ruled? No lines? Spiral Bound? Plain front? Decorative?
College ruled, pretty picture, usually spiral bound, but I'm not exactly picky about that.
9. Do you snack throughout the day? What do you pack for snacks?
Granola bars, dried pineapple, crackers,
10. What is your favorite month? Why?
February. It's Fuss and Daddy Fuss's birthday month, it's not too hot outside, Valentine's Day, etc.
1. Do you have an innie or an outie?
Innie. I used to think that was the only way a belly button could look.
2. What kind of milkshake do you order?
Depending on where I go... a Jamocha shake at Arby's, a dark chocolate one at Steak'n'Shake, a good chocolate one at an ice cream shop...
3. How often do you repeat outfits at work?
Regularly, since I have limited outfits while pregnant. No more than once a week, though.
4. What are your feelings about thank you notes?
I think they are a necessary evil. I used to think they were over-rated, but recently realized that I'd rather receive a half-hearted one than none at all. But I was taught that you should always write for a gift.
5. Do you like spicy food?
Yes. Yes! YES!
6. How many toilet paper squares do you use?
3-6
7. Were you in Girl Scouts?
Nope.
8. Notebooks/Journals: College ruled? Wide Ruled? No lines? Spiral Bound? Plain front? Decorative?
College ruled, pretty picture, usually spiral bound, but I'm not exactly picky about that.
9. Do you snack throughout the day? What do you pack for snacks?
Granola bars, dried pineapple, crackers,
10. What is your favorite month? Why?
February. It's Fuss and Daddy Fuss's birthday month, it's not too hot outside, Valentine's Day, etc.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Things that make me happy
I got this idea from Jessica at A Little Dose of Sweetness and I wanted to copy her because she has a good point that sometimes we forget to record the happy things on our blogs - that often we focus on the frustrating or stressful things in our lives because they are easier to write about, or we use our blogs as therapy to get out our frustrations, etc. But we need to remember the happy, fun times, too. Sometimes even more importantly than the negative.
So without further ado, here is my random list of 10 things that make me happy at this point in my life:
1. That daily, sometimes several times a day, Fuss bursts into song and dances around the room, singing some made up song that is in her head. Lately, her 2 favorite topics have been Racecars (she even makes a whooshing sound within the song) and Flowers. The songs go on for awhile and she will sing "I'm not done yet" if we clap too soon.
2. That the one client (a friend of ours' father) that Daddy Fuss got last month was so happy with the work he did for his business, that he is now having him do a ton of stuff for his personal computers and his family's personal computers. We may be able to finance our entire trip to Disney based on the work he is giving us lately. Very exciting stuff.
3. Cute baby boy clothes. I always though that boy clothes weren't as fun as girl clothes (and I still think that might be the case, if you line them up side by side), but I have found and been given a lot of really cute little boy clothes that make me smile when I see them. Of course, anything that tiny is pretty cute in general.
4. Elephants, especially in stuffed toy form. My mom bought a stuffed elephant for the baby to add to the decorations for my shower (I've been oddly obsessed with elephants this pregnancy) which was jungle animal themed and it is SO cute and cuddly. And then my friend Jo did an elephant-themed invitation for my other shower and it is absolutely precious.
5. This is my birthday month! We've been making our plans to celebrate, which is always exciting. Despite the fact that my birthday is 10 days before I deliver, I am still looking forward to it quite a bit. I don't want a big party, even though it's a big birthday, but I am looking forward to spending time with my family and a few friends and my annual make-over with my mom.
6. Fuss has been especially mommy-centric lately. Sometimes this can be frustrating, but it's nice to see that in fact, she DOES like me as much as she likes her daddy and sometimes it's nice to be the only one who can make her happy.
7. Breakfast foods. This is a weird one for me, since I am a self-proclaimed hater of breakfast foods, but lately I cannot seem to get enough of several special breakfasts that used to be rarities in our house and have now become much more regular. I had a habit of always wanting to go out to breakfast on the weekends and often skipping breakfast altogether during the week, but these special breakfasts are really appealing to me all the time, so I'm forgoing eating out to make these and often even adding one to the weekday mornings. My breakfast obsessions these days are Daddy Fuss's Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, a dish we call Brie Slug, muffins, and cinnamon rolls. All of them are especially yummy and start my day with a smile.
8. Rain. As hot as it's been lately, a nice afternoon rainstorm does a lot to relieve some of the heat and mugginess from the air, and listening to the rain drip onto the windows is so relaxing. Especially when Fuss is taking a nap and I get some down time, too, it is so peaceful. I am happy to have anything relaxing and peaceful in my life these days.
9. My husband. He is amazing. He works hard at a job he dislikes so that he can support us and then he has been so supportive and encouraging of me during these hard days of pregnancy and he does more than his fair share of work around here. He cooks or brings home food when I just can't handle cooking. He helps with Fuss - giving her baths or diaper changes or serving her her dinner. He has been helping out in the middle of the night this week when she has been waking up and being difficult in the night.
10. My Birkenstocks. I can't seem to get any other my other shoes on my feet, so it's wonderful that I have some comfortable shoes that are supportive. It's also convenient that it's summer time I can get away with wearing them with everything.
So without further ado, here is my random list of 10 things that make me happy at this point in my life:
1. That daily, sometimes several times a day, Fuss bursts into song and dances around the room, singing some made up song that is in her head. Lately, her 2 favorite topics have been Racecars (she even makes a whooshing sound within the song) and Flowers. The songs go on for awhile and she will sing "I'm not done yet" if we clap too soon.
2. That the one client (a friend of ours' father) that Daddy Fuss got last month was so happy with the work he did for his business, that he is now having him do a ton of stuff for his personal computers and his family's personal computers. We may be able to finance our entire trip to Disney based on the work he is giving us lately. Very exciting stuff.
3. Cute baby boy clothes. I always though that boy clothes weren't as fun as girl clothes (and I still think that might be the case, if you line them up side by side), but I have found and been given a lot of really cute little boy clothes that make me smile when I see them. Of course, anything that tiny is pretty cute in general.
4. Elephants, especially in stuffed toy form. My mom bought a stuffed elephant for the baby to add to the decorations for my shower (I've been oddly obsessed with elephants this pregnancy) which was jungle animal themed and it is SO cute and cuddly. And then my friend Jo did an elephant-themed invitation for my other shower and it is absolutely precious.
5. This is my birthday month! We've been making our plans to celebrate, which is always exciting. Despite the fact that my birthday is 10 days before I deliver, I am still looking forward to it quite a bit. I don't want a big party, even though it's a big birthday, but I am looking forward to spending time with my family and a few friends and my annual make-over with my mom.
6. Fuss has been especially mommy-centric lately. Sometimes this can be frustrating, but it's nice to see that in fact, she DOES like me as much as she likes her daddy and sometimes it's nice to be the only one who can make her happy.
7. Breakfast foods. This is a weird one for me, since I am a self-proclaimed hater of breakfast foods, but lately I cannot seem to get enough of several special breakfasts that used to be rarities in our house and have now become much more regular. I had a habit of always wanting to go out to breakfast on the weekends and often skipping breakfast altogether during the week, but these special breakfasts are really appealing to me all the time, so I'm forgoing eating out to make these and often even adding one to the weekday mornings. My breakfast obsessions these days are Daddy Fuss's Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, a dish we call Brie Slug, muffins, and cinnamon rolls. All of them are especially yummy and start my day with a smile.
8. Rain. As hot as it's been lately, a nice afternoon rainstorm does a lot to relieve some of the heat and mugginess from the air, and listening to the rain drip onto the windows is so relaxing. Especially when Fuss is taking a nap and I get some down time, too, it is so peaceful. I am happy to have anything relaxing and peaceful in my life these days.
9. My husband. He is amazing. He works hard at a job he dislikes so that he can support us and then he has been so supportive and encouraging of me during these hard days of pregnancy and he does more than his fair share of work around here. He cooks or brings home food when I just can't handle cooking. He helps with Fuss - giving her baths or diaper changes or serving her her dinner. He has been helping out in the middle of the night this week when she has been waking up and being difficult in the night.
10. My Birkenstocks. I can't seem to get any other my other shoes on my feet, so it's wonderful that I have some comfortable shoes that are supportive. It's also convenient that it's summer time I can get away with wearing them with everything.
Friday, August 6, 2010
7 Quick Takes: Waking, organizing, covered in baby powder...
1. I took Fuss to a special program for little kids at the local library today. It was cute and I was meeting a friend who has a daughter Fuss's age to kind of make it a bit of a play date. But when I got there my friend and anther friend of hers were already sitting on the floor with their kids and since I wanted to join them, I sat down on the floor, too. Bad idea. I attempted to sit "Indian Style" (I know, they call it "Criss-cross applesauce" now, but when I was a kid it was Indian Style and so...) with Fuss on my lap. That lasted about 10 minutes. I then had to shift my legs and I was still in trouble, but it was better. I sat there for an hour (or more - I lost track) and then spent the rest of the day in horrible pain, especially in my tailbone and lower back. When Fuss went down for her nap, I laid down, too and was nearly whimpering with the pain. I guess I need to find a time to go see my chiropractor. Soon.
2. We've been to the playground at Chic-fil-A twice this week. Anything to get her out of the house and away from the TV, but remain in the air conditioning. I'm getting desperate.
3. Daddy Fuss has been picking up a bunch of freelance clients lately. It's nice, because it is bringing in some extra money, but it's taking up what little free time he has these days. Sigh. You can't have it all.
4. Fuss came out of her room after bed time last night covered in baby powder. She had climbed up on her changing table and grabbed the large bottle and sprinkled herself and her bed thoroughly and liberally with baby powder. Ugh. A quick rinse in the shower, new PJs, new sheets, etc. and she's back in bed, but the room reeks of baby powder.
5. This week I have been organizing my life with regards to the time when the baby will come. I have a care giver for Fuss, a back-up care-giver in case I go into labor on my own during the day and everyone is already at work, etc. I am trying to pick out what I need to pack in my bags for the hospital, etc. (Thus far, my own needs haven't been on the radar - I'm currently trying to decide which baby clothes to bring to the hospital)
6. We had another 3am wake-up with Fuss last night. We took turns dealing with her requests and lack of desire to sleep alone in her bed. I don't know what is going on with her lately. Maybe this is her (delayed) 27-month sleep regression? I dunno.
7. Major dry-walling is going on tomorrow at Casa Fuss. My BFF's husband (arguably DH's best friend) is coming over to help with the installation and Fuss and I are escaping over to their house to play with their boys. I'm bringing supplies over to make dinner at their house, since there isn't room to feed and serve that many people at my house right now.
For more Quick Takes, click here.
2. We've been to the playground at Chic-fil-A twice this week. Anything to get her out of the house and away from the TV, but remain in the air conditioning. I'm getting desperate.
3. Daddy Fuss has been picking up a bunch of freelance clients lately. It's nice, because it is bringing in some extra money, but it's taking up what little free time he has these days. Sigh. You can't have it all.
4. Fuss came out of her room after bed time last night covered in baby powder. She had climbed up on her changing table and grabbed the large bottle and sprinkled herself and her bed thoroughly and liberally with baby powder. Ugh. A quick rinse in the shower, new PJs, new sheets, etc. and she's back in bed, but the room reeks of baby powder.
5. This week I have been organizing my life with regards to the time when the baby will come. I have a care giver for Fuss, a back-up care-giver in case I go into labor on my own during the day and everyone is already at work, etc. I am trying to pick out what I need to pack in my bags for the hospital, etc. (Thus far, my own needs haven't been on the radar - I'm currently trying to decide which baby clothes to bring to the hospital)
6. We had another 3am wake-up with Fuss last night. We took turns dealing with her requests and lack of desire to sleep alone in her bed. I don't know what is going on with her lately. Maybe this is her (delayed) 27-month sleep regression? I dunno.
7. Major dry-walling is going on tomorrow at Casa Fuss. My BFF's husband (arguably DH's best friend) is coming over to help with the installation and Fuss and I are escaping over to their house to play with their boys. I'm bringing supplies over to make dinner at their house, since there isn't room to feed and serve that many people at my house right now.
For more Quick Takes, click here.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
I was THAT mom (with lots of parenthesis)
I was THAT mom/woman last night.
I was the disheveled-looking woman, overly pregnant, in slightly rumpled clothes, moderately messy hair (this heat makes my hair do funny things and I didn't bother to heat up the straightening element just to go to Target), no make-up (the small amount I put on that morning had sweated off by then) with the kid whose hair was even messier than mine (she has unruly curls that are beautiful, but she took a nap on it and then yanked her hair clip out in the car) who was screaming, at the top of her lungs that she didn't want to get in the cart/wanted to get out of the cart in the entrance of Target. When the temper tantrum didn't subside, despite some discipline and threats of more, I compromised with her (which I HATE to do because then she just tries it again next time) and then I was the woman with the whiny kid all through Target, moving along, trying to do my shopping, just trying to get out of there with my needed items (I've been putting it off all week and was completely out of several necessary items.)
I've always wondered at the women who come out in public looking so run down and messy. I've wondered through the years, in different situations what made them stop caring about how they looked in public, or why their kid was being such a pill. I know that sometimes, things happen and I try not to judge, but I have wondered what brought them to that place. Was it that they really didn't care? Was it just a really bad day? Was this the norm for them or was this a rare situation that just happened to play out in front of me?
Immediately prior to leaving for the store, I had discovered that Fuss had destroyed my deodorant and ground it into my brand new couch. I discovered this after she wiped remnants of it on my shirt, or course, but didn't bother to change clothes. I then walked out of the house, locking the door behind me as always, without my keys. (Thankfully, my dad had left the back door unlocked, so I didn't have to do anything drastic to get back in.) An hour or so before that, my dogs ran away and my dad had to chase them down, wearing himself out in the process and then getting grumpy with me as he recuperated from his run all around the neighborhood in the heat. (I did get in the car and go after them all once I realized what had happened. it's very hard to carry two unwilling dogs several blocks - heat or no heat - so I understand his frustration, but I wasn't real happy with him getting grumpy with me, especially since it was, in fact, he who left the gate open which allowed them to get out in the first place).
It had been a fairly good day up unto that point. Fuss and I had gone out to Chic-fil-A for lunch with some friends, she had played on the playground nicely and Jo and I had had a nice chat. She took a good nap, and willingly, and woke up cheerful and friendly, which is a nice change of late. (she used to wake up happily, but lately she wakes up incredibly anti-social)
I wonder about my complacency when I'm pregnant. Or maybe it's during the summer time? I remember being pregnant (early pregnancy last time) in the summer, around my birthday and my mom taking me for a makeover when I hadn't worn real make-up in what seemed like ages, even though I was working full-time and didn't even have the excuse of being a SAHM and not leaving the house very often. Suddenly, I looked good again! It was me - in color! I looked fabulous! And now, here I am, looking like a slob in public again. I'm looking forward to my annual birthday makeover in another week or two. Maybe it will prevent me from going out again looking so disheveled for awhile. A girl can hope.
I was the disheveled-looking woman, overly pregnant, in slightly rumpled clothes, moderately messy hair (this heat makes my hair do funny things and I didn't bother to heat up the straightening element just to go to Target), no make-up (the small amount I put on that morning had sweated off by then) with the kid whose hair was even messier than mine (she has unruly curls that are beautiful, but she took a nap on it and then yanked her hair clip out in the car) who was screaming, at the top of her lungs that she didn't want to get in the cart/wanted to get out of the cart in the entrance of Target. When the temper tantrum didn't subside, despite some discipline and threats of more, I compromised with her (which I HATE to do because then she just tries it again next time) and then I was the woman with the whiny kid all through Target, moving along, trying to do my shopping, just trying to get out of there with my needed items (I've been putting it off all week and was completely out of several necessary items.)
I've always wondered at the women who come out in public looking so run down and messy. I've wondered through the years, in different situations what made them stop caring about how they looked in public, or why their kid was being such a pill. I know that sometimes, things happen and I try not to judge, but I have wondered what brought them to that place. Was it that they really didn't care? Was it just a really bad day? Was this the norm for them or was this a rare situation that just happened to play out in front of me?
Immediately prior to leaving for the store, I had discovered that Fuss had destroyed my deodorant and ground it into my brand new couch. I discovered this after she wiped remnants of it on my shirt, or course, but didn't bother to change clothes. I then walked out of the house, locking the door behind me as always, without my keys. (Thankfully, my dad had left the back door unlocked, so I didn't have to do anything drastic to get back in.) An hour or so before that, my dogs ran away and my dad had to chase them down, wearing himself out in the process and then getting grumpy with me as he recuperated from his run all around the neighborhood in the heat. (I did get in the car and go after them all once I realized what had happened. it's very hard to carry two unwilling dogs several blocks - heat or no heat - so I understand his frustration, but I wasn't real happy with him getting grumpy with me, especially since it was, in fact, he who left the gate open which allowed them to get out in the first place).
It had been a fairly good day up unto that point. Fuss and I had gone out to Chic-fil-A for lunch with some friends, she had played on the playground nicely and Jo and I had had a nice chat. She took a good nap, and willingly, and woke up cheerful and friendly, which is a nice change of late. (she used to wake up happily, but lately she wakes up incredibly anti-social)
I wonder about my complacency when I'm pregnant. Or maybe it's during the summer time? I remember being pregnant (early pregnancy last time) in the summer, around my birthday and my mom taking me for a makeover when I hadn't worn real make-up in what seemed like ages, even though I was working full-time and didn't even have the excuse of being a SAHM and not leaving the house very often. Suddenly, I looked good again! It was me - in color! I looked fabulous! And now, here I am, looking like a slob in public again. I'm looking forward to my annual birthday makeover in another week or two. Maybe it will prevent me from going out again looking so disheveled for awhile. A girl can hope.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Writing and Symptoms.
I am SO excited. I just got invited to join an online writing critique group and I am psyched. I am inspired to write, but I have no idea if what I'm writing is any good and I am too scared to show it to my husband or mom or whoever. People that love me uncondtionally? No way. Total strangers on the internet? Why not?
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I had an OB appt this morning and they agreed to schedule my induction for the date I want (yay!) and despite my (possibly psychosomatic) worry that I am showing mild signs of preeclampsia, this midwife wasn't concerned in the slightest. I go back in 2 weeks, but that should be my last every 2 weeks appointment and then I should begin my once a week appointments.
My current symptoms/pregnancy status is thus:
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I had an OB appt this morning and they agreed to schedule my induction for the date I want (yay!) and despite my (possibly psychosomatic) worry that I am showing mild signs of preeclampsia, this midwife wasn't concerned in the slightest. I go back in 2 weeks, but that should be my last every 2 weeks appointment and then I should begin my once a week appointments.
My current symptoms/pregnancy status is thus:
- Lots more swelling. I had to officially take my rings off on Sunday and I had to abandon any shoes but my Birkenstocks as of Saturday. (they look FABulous with my church dresses, I gotta tell you!)
- A relapse in "morning sickness" that much like my early pregnancy comes at random, with no apparent triggers and is mostly just gagging and nausea, with occasional extremes into very small amounts of actual vomiting.
- Random dizzy spells that seemingly have nothing to do with standing/rising too fast. They come out of no where.
- Aches in my joints, especially after standing/walking too much/long or lying on one side for too long at night. I also cannot cross my legs comfortably for any length of time at all it seems and my natural position for sitting is much more spread out than I ever remember it being.
- Lower back pain, punctuated by a sore tail bone (though I mostly blame this on the nearly 90 minutes of sitting on the uncomfortable bleachers at my husband's softball game last week. This week a brought a slightly more comfortable chair).
- Weird pressure-like feelings in my abdomen that are indefinable as to whether they are bowel-related, baby moving, or can occasionally make me wonder if I'm suddenly overcome with hormonal urges.
- Random headaches.
- A somewhat constantly shifting belly. I can watch him move around in there about half of the day. It's sort of alien-esque sometimes. (Even my dad commented to me that my tummy looked lopsided the other day. Yup. That's your grandson.)
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
10 on Tuesday: Early August
1. What is your current favorite television show?
Burn Notice. Love it.
2. Apple juice or orange juice?
Orange juice, if I have to choose. But my favorite juice is Cran-Rasberry.
3. It’s Shark Week on Discover Channel. Do you watch? Why or why not?
No. Sharks creep me out.
4. What are the non-blog websites that you visit regularly?
Facebook, IVillage Message Boards
5. What is your favorite way to prepare green beans? Asparagus? Potatoes? Carrots?
Steamed green beans, grilled asparagus, I like to slice up potatoes, toss them in olive oil and herbs and bake them and I eat carrots raw.
6. What is your favorite flower?
Depends on my mood, but peach roses were my wedding flowers (along w/ purple hydrangeas), I love Snapdragons, I love red Gerbera Daisies, too. I also have a thing for Sunflowers. I really just love flowers!
7. How do you feel about handkerchiefs?
I like the concept of having pretty handkerchiefs, but the idea of using them to actually blow my nose or something? No thank you. There are definitely points for disposable kleenex!
8. If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, what would they be? (You probably should include a grocery store.)
Publix (grocery store), Target, and JCPenney. (I almost chose Ann Taylor Loft, just to have something fun, but Penneys is more practical and you did say "the rest of your life")
9. If you could only use wine for one purpose for the rest of your life, which would you choose? To cook with or to drink?
Drink!
10. What’s your bedtime?
I used to say 10:00, but lately it's been later. 10:30-11:00
For more 10 on Tuesday, visit HERE.
Burn Notice. Love it.
2. Apple juice or orange juice?
Orange juice, if I have to choose. But my favorite juice is Cran-Rasberry.
3. It’s Shark Week on Discover Channel. Do you watch? Why or why not?
No. Sharks creep me out.
4. What are the non-blog websites that you visit regularly?
Facebook, IVillage Message Boards
5. What is your favorite way to prepare green beans? Asparagus? Potatoes? Carrots?
Steamed green beans, grilled asparagus, I like to slice up potatoes, toss them in olive oil and herbs and bake them and I eat carrots raw.
6. What is your favorite flower?
Depends on my mood, but peach roses were my wedding flowers (along w/ purple hydrangeas), I love Snapdragons, I love red Gerbera Daisies, too. I also have a thing for Sunflowers. I really just love flowers!
7. How do you feel about handkerchiefs?
I like the concept of having pretty handkerchiefs, but the idea of using them to actually blow my nose or something? No thank you. There are definitely points for disposable kleenex!
8. If you could only shop at 3 stores for the rest of your life, what would they be? (You probably should include a grocery store.)
Publix (grocery store), Target, and JCPenney. (I almost chose Ann Taylor Loft, just to have something fun, but Penneys is more practical and you did say "the rest of your life")
9. If you could only use wine for one purpose for the rest of your life, which would you choose? To cook with or to drink?
Drink!
10. What’s your bedtime?
I used to say 10:00, but lately it's been later. 10:30-11:00
For more 10 on Tuesday, visit HERE.
Monday, August 2, 2010
A weekend of movies
We were invited out for a Date Nite with our best friends last night - they had managed to score a babysitter for both of their boys and were doing dinner and a movie and invited us to join them. My MIL graciously offered to babysit, so off we went. We had a nice dinner, and the others all had a couple of drinks and then we walked over to the movie theater (they sort of share a parking lot), though due to some slow service, we missed the movie time we were planning to see, but thankfully it had another showing half an hour later, so we caught that one. (I bought a drink and it was the biggest drink I've ever seen. I drank most of it, but we did share it a bit between the four of us, and I still couldn't finish it all before the 2 1/2 hour movie was through!)
We saw Inception. It was interesting. It was complicated and there were a few annoying issues (the flashbacks to other levels right in the middle of momentum, for example. I get the point - to show the different levels and their passage of time, but it was frustrating anyhow. I was also completely annoying by the actress who played Leonardo DiCaprio's wife, Marion Cotilliard. Plus, her name was Mal {which means "bad" in Spanish and French} and they never referred to her as anything else other than that, so it didn't seem like it was even a nickname for anything. Why on earth would any parent name their kid "bad"?) Overall, it was a good movie, but not one I'm going to watch over and over again.
This weekend, we also watched 2 movies on DVD that we got by mail (Netflix/Blockbuster). One was Swing Vote, which I have to say I really liked. There were quite a few cheesy parts, but by the end, the movie had redeemed itself and I loved the ultimate point in the movie. The other movie was Star Trek, the new movie that is supposedly trying to revamp the franchise. I loved the casting of some of the actors ("Bones" McCoy in particular, though I really liked Scotty as well) and I loved that they got Leonard Nemoy to reprise his roll and play a much older, future Spock. If you liked Star Trek originally, you'll probably like this one, too!
The contractions are still coming often, if not regularly or anything. Some are hard, some are not. One thing I've noticed is that when the ones that are not as strong last a long time, they end up hurting a lot more as time goes by. (this reminds me of the cycle of labor contractions - more intense with time, as if they grow and fall) My lower back has been aching a lot lately and my legs get tired really easily, so standing or walking for long periods of time is tiring me out! The heat around here has been driving me crazy, I feel like I can never get cool anymore!
The inner drywall has been put in place and I have a bedroom door installed, so it's actually beginning to look like a wall and a truly-enclosed room! They made a lot of progress this weekend and that makes me very happy! The electrician is (supposedly) coming today, so that could mean a lot more forward momentum this week! I am hoping to really begin to see some movement closer to completion (there is still a ton to do, but I'm feeling like the end is in sight, at least, even if it's far off!)
There are 3 weeks until my 30th birthday, and 31 until the baby is born.
We saw Inception. It was interesting. It was complicated and there were a few annoying issues (the flashbacks to other levels right in the middle of momentum, for example. I get the point - to show the different levels and their passage of time, but it was frustrating anyhow. I was also completely annoying by the actress who played Leonardo DiCaprio's wife, Marion Cotilliard. Plus, her name was Mal {which means "bad" in Spanish and French} and they never referred to her as anything else other than that, so it didn't seem like it was even a nickname for anything. Why on earth would any parent name their kid "bad"?) Overall, it was a good movie, but not one I'm going to watch over and over again.
This weekend, we also watched 2 movies on DVD that we got by mail (Netflix/Blockbuster). One was Swing Vote, which I have to say I really liked. There were quite a few cheesy parts, but by the end, the movie had redeemed itself and I loved the ultimate point in the movie. The other movie was Star Trek, the new movie that is supposedly trying to revamp the franchise. I loved the casting of some of the actors ("Bones" McCoy in particular, though I really liked Scotty as well) and I loved that they got Leonard Nemoy to reprise his roll and play a much older, future Spock. If you liked Star Trek originally, you'll probably like this one, too!
The contractions are still coming often, if not regularly or anything. Some are hard, some are not. One thing I've noticed is that when the ones that are not as strong last a long time, they end up hurting a lot more as time goes by. (this reminds me of the cycle of labor contractions - more intense with time, as if they grow and fall) My lower back has been aching a lot lately and my legs get tired really easily, so standing or walking for long periods of time is tiring me out! The heat around here has been driving me crazy, I feel like I can never get cool anymore!
The inner drywall has been put in place and I have a bedroom door installed, so it's actually beginning to look like a wall and a truly-enclosed room! They made a lot of progress this weekend and that makes me very happy! The electrician is (supposedly) coming today, so that could mean a lot more forward momentum this week! I am hoping to really begin to see some movement closer to completion (there is still a ton to do, but I'm feeling like the end is in sight, at least, even if it's far off!)
There are 3 weeks until my 30th birthday, and 31 until the baby is born.
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