Yeah, I am not going to be pregnant for much longer, so I figure I better talk about all the pregnancy topics before it's too late...
But before, I get going on this one, many of you commented on the last post about loving the increased bust size during pregnancy. I wanted to mention that I liked this as well, but did not care for the stretch marks on the associated appendages. In other words, as exotic as it sounds, "Tiger Boobs" are not that great.
Okay, so the urine sample. At my current nurse-midwive's office, you pee in the cup and put it in that cubby thing in the wall. Am I the only one that secretly fears that just as I am putting the cup up there, that the nurse will open the other side at the same time? Not that it's that big of a deal, I mean whoopdy-doo, she saw me and identified me with my own pee, but still. That'd be a little weird.
And is anyone else grossed out, when they put their own cup up there and someone else's cup is there too? Last week, I faced near crisis when there was not only one cup up there, but two. Two cups of other people's pee, and to make matters worse, they were placed in such a manner that in order for me to put my cup up there I would have to move one of them. In other words, I would have to touch the cup of someone else's pee. I think I finally just used my cup to kind of shunt the other one over, praying that no spillage would ensue.
Of course, the pee sample at the doctor's office is not near as bad as the dreaded 24 HOUR URINE SAMPLE. If you have never had to do this, pray you never will. I had to with my first pregnancy because I had pre-eclampsia. Oh my word. Every time you pee, you must collect it, and pour it into a big orange jug. This big orange jug must be kept... dunh, dunh, dunh... in your refrigerator! Aahhhhh! So gross. I remember being so relieved after I had done it, glad I would never have to do it again. Yeah, I think I did about 3 more of those that pregnancy. Sick.
So yeah, any thoughts? Yes, I know I have just asked you to comment about pee. But c'mon, we've all had to do it at one point, pregnancy related or not.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday Morning Confessions: Pregnancy
Well, I am 37 weeks this week. Some things I love about being pregnant, and some things I don't:
1. My body
I love it, love it, love it. I love being so curvy and voluptuous and having a good reason for it. (And I love not feeling guilty about brownies and ice cream). Charming likes my body too, and that's a plus. Of course there is one exception to my body self-love:
2. My butt
Yeah, I am not so big in the belly this pregnancy, but I noticed the other day that my butt is. In fact, I would go so far to say that my rear end is bigger than my belly. Not good. Not good at all.
3. The constant need to pee
Is it some kind of punishment? I mean, seriously. Is it very important that I need to use the toilet every 15 minutes, and sometimes just to dribble out almost nothing? At my baby shower during my last pregnancy, my friends had to guess my least favorite thing about pregnancy, and most said bedrest, since I had been on it for 9 weeks between the two pregnancies. But they were wrong. Need to pee. Hate it.
4. Feeling Baby Move
Unless I am trying to sleep and the child is keeping me awake, this is pretty much my favorite thing. Not to be cheesy, but it's pretty magical. It's the one thing that I miss once they're on the outside. Special. Really Special
5. The Braxton-Hicks Contractions
Really, I like to call these "fakey" contractions, since whoever Braxton-Hicks was, they certainly didn't invent the darn things, though it was nice of them to take the credit for them. Let me tell you that I love and hate these suckers. I like them because I feel like my body is doing something, and every one of them makes me that much closer to the big day. I don't like them because they are starting to be painful and because every one of them makes me think I am that much closer to the big day. And because I have so many, it is hard for me to know when I am really in labor (hence why Reenie was born 10 minutes after we got to the birth center.)
6. My wardrobe
Again, mixed feelings. I have some really cute stuff that I can only wear during pregnancy, but 9 months of the same stuff is a bit long... Especially towards the end when I only have one outfit that fits. And after the birth? No good at all, even though they are usually all that fits.
Your turn. If you've been pregnant, what did you like? What did you hate? If you haven't been pregnant but you've had a friend or relative who has, what did you like or hate about them during their pregnancy? (Be as nice as you can). Tell me, I want to know.
1. My body
I love it, love it, love it. I love being so curvy and voluptuous and having a good reason for it. (And I love not feeling guilty about brownies and ice cream). Charming likes my body too, and that's a plus. Of course there is one exception to my body self-love:
2. My butt
Yeah, I am not so big in the belly this pregnancy, but I noticed the other day that my butt is. In fact, I would go so far to say that my rear end is bigger than my belly. Not good. Not good at all.
3. The constant need to pee
Is it some kind of punishment? I mean, seriously. Is it very important that I need to use the toilet every 15 minutes, and sometimes just to dribble out almost nothing? At my baby shower during my last pregnancy, my friends had to guess my least favorite thing about pregnancy, and most said bedrest, since I had been on it for 9 weeks between the two pregnancies. But they were wrong. Need to pee. Hate it.
4. Feeling Baby Move
Unless I am trying to sleep and the child is keeping me awake, this is pretty much my favorite thing. Not to be cheesy, but it's pretty magical. It's the one thing that I miss once they're on the outside. Special. Really Special
5. The Braxton-Hicks Contractions
Really, I like to call these "fakey" contractions, since whoever Braxton-Hicks was, they certainly didn't invent the darn things, though it was nice of them to take the credit for them. Let me tell you that I love and hate these suckers. I like them because I feel like my body is doing something, and every one of them makes me that much closer to the big day. I don't like them because they are starting to be painful and because every one of them makes me think I am that much closer to the big day. And because I have so many, it is hard for me to know when I am really in labor (hence why Reenie was born 10 minutes after we got to the birth center.)
6. My wardrobe
Again, mixed feelings. I have some really cute stuff that I can only wear during pregnancy, but 9 months of the same stuff is a bit long... Especially towards the end when I only have one outfit that fits. And after the birth? No good at all, even though they are usually all that fits.
Your turn. If you've been pregnant, what did you like? What did you hate? If you haven't been pregnant but you've had a friend or relative who has, what did you like or hate about them during their pregnancy? (Be as nice as you can). Tell me, I want to know.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
The Long Awaited
This post is about two long awaited things: 1. My first pedicure in over five years, and 2. the pictures of my pink walls.
So the pdicure... I have had plantar warts on my feet since I was pregnant with E, thus preventing me from getting a professional pedicure. After much effort, they are finally (mostly) gone. So, since I can't reach my feet myself, I set out for a pedicure.
Funny thing happened in the comfy, vibrating spa chair in a room full of strong and foreign smells- I started to feel lightheaded, like I was about to pass out. It will go away, I told myself. Then I prayed it would go away. But no. Progressively worse, friends. It got to the point where I almost couldn't hear anything. So I told the lady I didn't feel well, she saw my lack of pigment and took me over to the couch to lie down. She then gave me some menthol stuff that she uses (as she herself passes out quite frequently) and tried to take care of me with water, Dr. Pepper and Asian Shrimp Crackers.
I can't remember when I have been taken care of so well. And I love my new beautiful feet.
Now, before I post the pics of my family room, let me make the following disclaimer: I love interior design, I watch HGTV when I can, I have a subscription to Better Homes and Gardens, and yet, I am no interior decorator. I can't quite get it right. So forgive me. Hopefully with time I will have my mother's skills of turning trash into home decor treasure. Until then...
This is my kids room, that my sis and I painted a few months ago. I am supposed to make more kites, but hey, it took me months to sit down and do the three you see here.
These are some scrapbook style works I did for the wall going up the stairs. The frames are mirrors from the dollar store.
This is a picture I got for Baby Spider's room. I bought the pic and the frame separately at a thrift store. The picture was actually bigger with a rip in the corner and the frame was all white. I chopped the pic a little, painted the frame and voila! Less than 2 bucks.
Here it is, the family room. Note the contrasting stencil work... And I need something for that right corner space. A picture or a huge plant or something.
The couch needs a throw or a quilt or something. And pretty pillows to tie the colors together better.
In my dining room.
It is a shame that this picture did not turn out better, as it is my favorite of the pink walls.
Well, at least they like my decorating...
And that's that. Let me know what you think.
Also, please note that if you spend almost an hour trying to make a post like this using dial-up internet, your two year old will take a pen and create tiger stripes running the entire length of her legs.
So the pdicure... I have had plantar warts on my feet since I was pregnant with E, thus preventing me from getting a professional pedicure. After much effort, they are finally (mostly) gone. So, since I can't reach my feet myself, I set out for a pedicure.
Funny thing happened in the comfy, vibrating spa chair in a room full of strong and foreign smells- I started to feel lightheaded, like I was about to pass out. It will go away, I told myself. Then I prayed it would go away. But no. Progressively worse, friends. It got to the point where I almost couldn't hear anything. So I told the lady I didn't feel well, she saw my lack of pigment and took me over to the couch to lie down. She then gave me some menthol stuff that she uses (as she herself passes out quite frequently) and tried to take care of me with water, Dr. Pepper and Asian Shrimp Crackers.
I can't remember when I have been taken care of so well. And I love my new beautiful feet.
Now, before I post the pics of my family room, let me make the following disclaimer: I love interior design, I watch HGTV when I can, I have a subscription to Better Homes and Gardens, and yet, I am no interior decorator. I can't quite get it right. So forgive me. Hopefully with time I will have my mother's skills of turning trash into home decor treasure. Until then...
This is my kids room, that my sis and I painted a few months ago. I am supposed to make more kites, but hey, it took me months to sit down and do the three you see here.
These are some scrapbook style works I did for the wall going up the stairs. The frames are mirrors from the dollar store.
This is a picture I got for Baby Spider's room. I bought the pic and the frame separately at a thrift store. The picture was actually bigger with a rip in the corner and the frame was all white. I chopped the pic a little, painted the frame and voila! Less than 2 bucks.
Here it is, the family room. Note the contrasting stencil work... And I need something for that right corner space. A picture or a huge plant or something.
The couch needs a throw or a quilt or something. And pretty pillows to tie the colors together better.
In my dining room.
It is a shame that this picture did not turn out better, as it is my favorite of the pink walls.
Well, at least they like my decorating...
And that's that. Let me know what you think.
Also, please note that if you spend almost an hour trying to make a post like this using dial-up internet, your two year old will take a pen and create tiger stripes running the entire length of her legs.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Slacker
I am a blog slacker, it is true. BUT...
The pictures of the pink living room are coming... I don't have a digital camera, so I do things the old fashioned way. With a film camera and a scanner. Expect them Friday... They are coming.
And I have funny kids.
Tonight Reenie had one of those glowstick bracelets. She was putting the plastic connector in her mouth and then pulling it off the stick with her teeth. It made a sound and she then informed me, "I made it fart." Yeah, she's not quite 2 yet.
Then later she was telling us that we were all robots. E comes in and says, "Don't be so DAFT. We're not robots we're boys and girls." Daft? Don't know where that came from. Funny though. Charming asked him who was a boy, and he said, "E." Then Charming asked him who was a girl. Reenie. "And who else is a girl?" he asked, to which E replied, "Who's a lady? Mommy."
The pictures are coming soon, and hopefully a better post.
The pictures of the pink living room are coming... I don't have a digital camera, so I do things the old fashioned way. With a film camera and a scanner. Expect them Friday... They are coming.
And I have funny kids.
Tonight Reenie had one of those glowstick bracelets. She was putting the plastic connector in her mouth and then pulling it off the stick with her teeth. It made a sound and she then informed me, "I made it fart." Yeah, she's not quite 2 yet.
Then later she was telling us that we were all robots. E comes in and says, "Don't be so DAFT. We're not robots we're boys and girls." Daft? Don't know where that came from. Funny though. Charming asked him who was a boy, and he said, "E." Then Charming asked him who was a girl. Reenie. "And who else is a girl?" he asked, to which E replied, "Who's a lady? Mommy."
The pictures are coming soon, and hopefully a better post.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Mom-ness
So I am sitting here in front of the computer with a teletubbie in my shirt between my bosoms and two kids on my lap.
Just thought you should know.
Just thought you should know.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
People are Weird
Okay, so I haven't posted in awhile but I have been thinking about the blog...
You know you've been thinking about the blog too much when you have a dream and in the dream you think, I am going to blog about this dream, and how weird it is and you then work out your exact post in the dream. Yep. Happened last night, only the dream isn't so very funny to blog about. I mean it sort of is/was. If I have any requests for it, I'll post about it.
Anyway, people are weird.
So I go to the El Cheapo Gas Station today, and of course there is a line, since it is El Cheapo Gas. The person I choose to be behind in line is (no offense) an overweight man in a shirt that says "Scotsman for hire." Well, 'Ol Scotty is pumping his gas and cleaning his already clean looking back window. When his gas is finished, he hangs up the nozzle and proceeds to squeegee ALL the windows. Then a woman gets out of the car, looks at the pump number and goes in to pay? I don't know, but he just kept cleaning the windows even though I was clearly waiting, his windows were already clean, his gas was done pumping... and hello, I was waiting! In a minivan! Not some little car that he couldn't see... (I've heard that one before when a car backed into my OLDSMOBILE)
Another car had come up, pumped her gas and left during the time I was waiting for the Scotsman. In fact, I drove around used her pump, and Scotty drove off shortly before I did.
People are weird.
And then I had a playdate set up for today. Apparently the other mom's daughter fell asleep and would possibly not be up before our 3:00 playdate time. She said on her phone message she could come later but not too much later than that. So I am thinking like no later than 3:45 or even 3:30. When I talked to her on the phone she said if it's even 3:15 she won't make it because she has a lot to do. This to me seemed weird. If 3:15 is too late, then isn't 3 too late as well? Why did we set it up for that time if it ultimately was too late? Was she only planning on playing f0r 30 minutes? And she does live just down a couple streets. A 5 minute walk.
People are weird.
What do you think?
You know you've been thinking about the blog too much when you have a dream and in the dream you think, I am going to blog about this dream, and how weird it is and you then work out your exact post in the dream. Yep. Happened last night, only the dream isn't so very funny to blog about. I mean it sort of is/was. If I have any requests for it, I'll post about it.
Anyway, people are weird.
So I go to the El Cheapo Gas Station today, and of course there is a line, since it is El Cheapo Gas. The person I choose to be behind in line is (no offense) an overweight man in a shirt that says "Scotsman for hire." Well, 'Ol Scotty is pumping his gas and cleaning his already clean looking back window. When his gas is finished, he hangs up the nozzle and proceeds to squeegee ALL the windows. Then a woman gets out of the car, looks at the pump number and goes in to pay? I don't know, but he just kept cleaning the windows even though I was clearly waiting, his windows were already clean, his gas was done pumping... and hello, I was waiting! In a minivan! Not some little car that he couldn't see... (I've heard that one before when a car backed into my OLDSMOBILE)
Another car had come up, pumped her gas and left during the time I was waiting for the Scotsman. In fact, I drove around used her pump, and Scotty drove off shortly before I did.
People are weird.
And then I had a playdate set up for today. Apparently the other mom's daughter fell asleep and would possibly not be up before our 3:00 playdate time. She said on her phone message she could come later but not too much later than that. So I am thinking like no later than 3:45 or even 3:30. When I talked to her on the phone she said if it's even 3:15 she won't make it because she has a lot to do. This to me seemed weird. If 3:15 is too late, then isn't 3 too late as well? Why did we set it up for that time if it ultimately was too late? Was she only planning on playing f0r 30 minutes? And she does live just down a couple streets. A 5 minute walk.
People are weird.
What do you think?
Friday, July 14, 2006
Nesting part deux
So, I realized something about my nesting... nothing I am doing has anything to do with the baby. It's all just random stuff I have wanted to do for awhile. I'm not painting the nursery or sorting through baby clothes, I am just decorating my house. Any ideas on why this is?
I feel blessed to be pregnant. I am excited for our new arrival and just glad that I have never struggled with fertility issues. And yet... I am miserable. I just am not loving being pregnant right now. I am tired, I have a bazillion contractions a day, the extra weight is taking its toll, I can't eat anything without some kind of stomach incident... ick-a-roo. I am literally counting the days... and struggling through every one. And to make things worse, Charming's place of employment has just decreed that they own him for the next week or more and that he can never come home again. Okay, not those words exactly, but might as well have been.
Uggh. So much to do. So no help from an absent hubby. But the family room is looking fabulous. I've been stenciling.
I feel blessed to be pregnant. I am excited for our new arrival and just glad that I have never struggled with fertility issues. And yet... I am miserable. I just am not loving being pregnant right now. I am tired, I have a bazillion contractions a day, the extra weight is taking its toll, I can't eat anything without some kind of stomach incident... ick-a-roo. I am literally counting the days... and struggling through every one. And to make things worse, Charming's place of employment has just decreed that they own him for the next week or more and that he can never come home again. Okay, not those words exactly, but might as well have been.
Uggh. So much to do. So no help from an absent hubby. But the family room is looking fabulous. I've been stenciling.
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Nesting
Sorry no post for awhile. It's been a little bit crazy around here...
I've been nesting.
This is my third pregnancy. I have never successfully made it to 34 weeks without going on bedrest (I am 34 weeks on Tuesday, cross your fingers) and I have consequently never had the true "nesting" urge.
Until now.
I was on vacation in Idaho for a week and while there I got decorating fever. Perhaps it was the plethora of home and garden type magazines that were available at the cabin or maybe all the HGTV I watched. I don't know. But something happened and when I came home, life took a turn.
Charming did an amazing job getting the house all clean for our return. And yet over the next few days I found myself obsessively cleaning, making plans, and making sure all the art and decor I have had lying around for months got hung up on the walls.
And on Monday I bought paint. A sophisticated rose color called "cheeky", but let's not be fooling ourselves here, it's pink. And I had to paint the walls IMMEDIATELY. Not the nursery folks, the dining room. The room where all genders convene for meals. Risky? I don't know, but I LOVE IT. It looks SO good.
Needless to say, I probably overdid it a little on that day. The Fourth found me more than a little exhausted and I consumed a bit too much medium rare beef that night as at 2 am I was in the hospital. I had woken up around 1 am with some serious contractions. I get them all the time, but this time they were a little too close, and a little too uncomfortable in between. I threw up. I didn't feel better. I pooed. I didn't feel better. So after a prayer and a call to the neighbor, we were off.
The sort of funny thing is that on the drive there I made Charming pull over so I could puke some more. A car drove by, and I thought to myself, "It's fourth of July eve, they probably think I am drunk." Ironic, since I don't drink. Anyway.
So we went to the labor and delivery. They gave me a bag of fluid and a shot of morphine in the bum and I was ever so sleepy for the next 24 hours or more. I literally slept all day Wednesday, put the kids to bed early since Charming was working late, and went to bed at 9:30 and woke up Thursday morning at 8:30. Can you see why I didn't blog?
And then on Thursday, Charming and I took a few days to go to a hotel and enjoy the local sights without the kids.
So nice. And now I am back. Not on bedrest, and ready to paint the family room.
I've been nesting.
This is my third pregnancy. I have never successfully made it to 34 weeks without going on bedrest (I am 34 weeks on Tuesday, cross your fingers) and I have consequently never had the true "nesting" urge.
Until now.
I was on vacation in Idaho for a week and while there I got decorating fever. Perhaps it was the plethora of home and garden type magazines that were available at the cabin or maybe all the HGTV I watched. I don't know. But something happened and when I came home, life took a turn.
Charming did an amazing job getting the house all clean for our return. And yet over the next few days I found myself obsessively cleaning, making plans, and making sure all the art and decor I have had lying around for months got hung up on the walls.
And on Monday I bought paint. A sophisticated rose color called "cheeky", but let's not be fooling ourselves here, it's pink. And I had to paint the walls IMMEDIATELY. Not the nursery folks, the dining room. The room where all genders convene for meals. Risky? I don't know, but I LOVE IT. It looks SO good.
Needless to say, I probably overdid it a little on that day. The Fourth found me more than a little exhausted and I consumed a bit too much medium rare beef that night as at 2 am I was in the hospital. I had woken up around 1 am with some serious contractions. I get them all the time, but this time they were a little too close, and a little too uncomfortable in between. I threw up. I didn't feel better. I pooed. I didn't feel better. So after a prayer and a call to the neighbor, we were off.
The sort of funny thing is that on the drive there I made Charming pull over so I could puke some more. A car drove by, and I thought to myself, "It's fourth of July eve, they probably think I am drunk." Ironic, since I don't drink. Anyway.
So we went to the labor and delivery. They gave me a bag of fluid and a shot of morphine in the bum and I was ever so sleepy for the next 24 hours or more. I literally slept all day Wednesday, put the kids to bed early since Charming was working late, and went to bed at 9:30 and woke up Thursday morning at 8:30. Can you see why I didn't blog?
And then on Thursday, Charming and I took a few days to go to a hotel and enjoy the local sights without the kids.
So nice. And now I am back. Not on bedrest, and ready to paint the family room.
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Well not sure if I should post again, since I just posted yesterday, but... I feel I must give some serious props to my friend Heather who took these fabulous family and maternity pictures for me a couple weeks ago.
Here they are:
I'd put more, but since I have such a slow internet connection, I better leave it at these and go pay attention to my family!
Here they are:
I'd put more, but since I have such a slow internet connection, I better leave it at these and go pay attention to my family!
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Home Again
Well, I am back.
Great trip. I am a very sentimental person, and for some reason I am emotionally attached to various places.
My family has a cabin on a lake in Idaho. We went there first for a few days, just me and the kids since Charming can't take time off in the summer. Loved it. The kids spent so much time in the water playing with the sand and the neighbor's dog. Even with the sunscreen, their skin got some healthy color and their hair got all bleached out. So wonderful and relaxing. And not too hot.
Then we stayed at my mom's house. Not the house I grew up in or anything, but there is just something about mom's house that just makes it home.
But the best part of the trip was Grandma's house. Grandma lives on a farm-- not an animal farm, but a farm out in the middle of nowhere with gorgeous wheat fields surrounding it for as far as the eye can see. She lives in a circa 1900 or 1910 white farm house complete with wrap around porch. The thing I love the most about grandma's house is simply the feeling I have when I am there.
Growing up, my parents were divorced and we never lived in one place for too long. Grandma and Grandpa's house was one of the only constants in my life. We spent many vacations there, waking up in the morning to egg pancakes (some might say crepes) and games of rummy with Grandma and Grandpa. In the summers we would pick peaches and help Grandma can them. In the fall (or late summer) we sometimes went out with Grandpa in the combine or the wheat truck for the harvest. In the winter we would go sledding on old fashioned sleds down the big hill, and we could always expect to hear Santa's sleigh bells (that Grandpa shook) on Christmas Eve. Grandma and Grandma's house was a safe place. It was a constant.
When Grandpa died, Grandma did some furniture rearranging to get her through the grieving. It almost pained me to see the family room turned into a dining room, and Grandpa's tv chair, where he was so often snoring the night away, missing. It was like something sacred had been desecrated. I know I wasn't the only grandchild to be upset over it, but I can see why Gram did what she did. But the spirit of their home was still there, and I eventually was able to move past it.
We had a great time, me and the kids. We set up their kiddie pool and they played with my aunt and her and Grandma's dogs. It just felt so good to be there, that I did not want to leave. I wanted to spend another week, so I could sleep upstairs in the bed I had often shared with my sister in a room filled with toys, dust and old books. I felt at peace there. I can't explain it, I think her house is probably my favorite place. I hadn't been to her house for nearly two years, and I am so glad I was able to go visit Grandma at the farm for even just a few hours.
Wonderful.
Totally worth the trip.
Tell me about your special places. What are your "Grandma Houses"?
Great trip. I am a very sentimental person, and for some reason I am emotionally attached to various places.
My family has a cabin on a lake in Idaho. We went there first for a few days, just me and the kids since Charming can't take time off in the summer. Loved it. The kids spent so much time in the water playing with the sand and the neighbor's dog. Even with the sunscreen, their skin got some healthy color and their hair got all bleached out. So wonderful and relaxing. And not too hot.
Then we stayed at my mom's house. Not the house I grew up in or anything, but there is just something about mom's house that just makes it home.
But the best part of the trip was Grandma's house. Grandma lives on a farm-- not an animal farm, but a farm out in the middle of nowhere with gorgeous wheat fields surrounding it for as far as the eye can see. She lives in a circa 1900 or 1910 white farm house complete with wrap around porch. The thing I love the most about grandma's house is simply the feeling I have when I am there.
Growing up, my parents were divorced and we never lived in one place for too long. Grandma and Grandpa's house was one of the only constants in my life. We spent many vacations there, waking up in the morning to egg pancakes (some might say crepes) and games of rummy with Grandma and Grandpa. In the summers we would pick peaches and help Grandma can them. In the fall (or late summer) we sometimes went out with Grandpa in the combine or the wheat truck for the harvest. In the winter we would go sledding on old fashioned sleds down the big hill, and we could always expect to hear Santa's sleigh bells (that Grandpa shook) on Christmas Eve. Grandma and Grandma's house was a safe place. It was a constant.
When Grandpa died, Grandma did some furniture rearranging to get her through the grieving. It almost pained me to see the family room turned into a dining room, and Grandpa's tv chair, where he was so often snoring the night away, missing. It was like something sacred had been desecrated. I know I wasn't the only grandchild to be upset over it, but I can see why Gram did what she did. But the spirit of their home was still there, and I eventually was able to move past it.
We had a great time, me and the kids. We set up their kiddie pool and they played with my aunt and her and Grandma's dogs. It just felt so good to be there, that I did not want to leave. I wanted to spend another week, so I could sleep upstairs in the bed I had often shared with my sister in a room filled with toys, dust and old books. I felt at peace there. I can't explain it, I think her house is probably my favorite place. I hadn't been to her house for nearly two years, and I am so glad I was able to go visit Grandma at the farm for even just a few hours.
Wonderful.
Totally worth the trip.
Tell me about your special places. What are your "Grandma Houses"?
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Monday, June 19, 2006
My son, the sailor
When I was in junior high, my favorite anime show was Sailor Moon. My husband, knowing this, has in the past purchased Sailor Moon videos for me that are now in our collection that we let our kids watch.E has recently developed a love of Sailor Moon. More specifically, he seems to really like Sailor Venus (seen at right). He often puts a yellow blanket on his head, like it is hair, and calls himself Sailor "Pena." He means Venus, but either he can't say the V or he doesn't hear/comprehend it on the t.v. show.
And so the following humorous dialogue that occured as we were getting ready for bed:
E: (wearing his hair) Look at me, I'm Sailor Pena!
Charming: I hope this doesn't affect him later on in life. That show has enough gender confusion as it is. (Mock femmy-man voice) Hi, I'm Sailor Venus...
E: (jumping on the bed) I'm Sailor Peni---s!
Charming: Oh, blog.
E: I'm Sailor Peni---s!
Charming: That's be a different kind of sailor. No worries.
Yeah, that's him. My son the sailor. Mmm-hmmm. My son, the Sailor Man-part.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Mortified
This is going to go down as my second most embarassing moment. (Followed only by my having to read aloud all about erections in my 6th grade $ex ed class).
So I was at the Smith Meyer's today with my kids in their double wide stroller. I needed to buy a white sheet so I headed back to where the sheets were. In order to get to the linens, I had to pass through a bunch of tables with clearance stuff on them. As I passed by one of the tables, the stroller wheel tapped some kind of bucket that was next to the table and the opposite end of the table collapsed. All kinds of dishes and glassware slid to the floor and broke. In slow motion.
I was mortified.
MORTIFIED.
But the worst part is this: there was an employee lady doing some kind of inventory and when it happened she just looked at me. She gave me the dirtiest look I've seen in a long time, and did NOT SAY A SINGLE WORD TO ME.
Nothing.
What was I supposed to do? I just stood there. I really couldn't offer to pay for the stuff, since if the table's had been properly locked, it wouldn't have fallen down. I wasn't going to help pick it up since I am pregnant and had my kids with me. Another lady who had been looking at the dishes when the event happened, but made no attempt to save the table (since she was near that end) disappeared almost immediately after it happened, and I just stood there not knowing what to do.
And then I walked away.
This was a difficult decision, but I didn't know what else to say. Grinch lady didn't say anything to me, didn't indicate that I was to help, didn't smile and tell me not to worry about it, she just scowled at me like I was flipping pond scum.
iWait, t gets better.
I still needed to get the sheets, so I went to where they were. Another employee had come to help the crabby one and a man walked by and commented about the mess. The second employee lady said, "Well, the legs lock in place."
To which the man replied, "I guess they must not have been, if the table fell down."
And she commented back, "I don't know," in a sort of I-am-sure-they-were-secure-and-if stupid-customers-would-be-more-careful-I-wouldn't-be-on-the-floor-picking-up-broken-glass sort of voice.
Apparently Smith Meyer Witches One and Two were not having a good day.
So, anyway, I walked away. I felt bad about it, not bad about it, and kept looking over my shoulder the rest of the time I was in the store to see if I would be apprehended by some employee saying I needed to pay for the broken stuff.
What would you have done? I don't know if I did the right thing or not. It probably wasn't the right thing, but I really didn't know what else to do. I didn't feel like it was entirely my fault, and I certainly wasn't going to take more dirty looks from an employee who's only annoyance in my mistake was that she was going to have to clean it up, and not because she would be losing revenue. So really, what would you have done? Make me feel better here.
So I was at the Smith Meyer's today with my kids in their double wide stroller. I needed to buy a white sheet so I headed back to where the sheets were. In order to get to the linens, I had to pass through a bunch of tables with clearance stuff on them. As I passed by one of the tables, the stroller wheel tapped some kind of bucket that was next to the table and the opposite end of the table collapsed. All kinds of dishes and glassware slid to the floor and broke. In slow motion.
I was mortified.
MORTIFIED.
But the worst part is this: there was an employee lady doing some kind of inventory and when it happened she just looked at me. She gave me the dirtiest look I've seen in a long time, and did NOT SAY A SINGLE WORD TO ME.
Nothing.
What was I supposed to do? I just stood there. I really couldn't offer to pay for the stuff, since if the table's had been properly locked, it wouldn't have fallen down. I wasn't going to help pick it up since I am pregnant and had my kids with me. Another lady who had been looking at the dishes when the event happened, but made no attempt to save the table (since she was near that end) disappeared almost immediately after it happened, and I just stood there not knowing what to do.
And then I walked away.
This was a difficult decision, but I didn't know what else to say. Grinch lady didn't say anything to me, didn't indicate that I was to help, didn't smile and tell me not to worry about it, she just scowled at me like I was flipping pond scum.
iWait, t gets better.
I still needed to get the sheets, so I went to where they were. Another employee had come to help the crabby one and a man walked by and commented about the mess. The second employee lady said, "Well, the legs lock in place."
To which the man replied, "I guess they must not have been, if the table fell down."
And she commented back, "I don't know," in a sort of I-am-sure-they-were-secure-and-if stupid-customers-would-be-more-careful-I-wouldn't-be-on-the-floor-picking-up-broken-glass sort of voice.
Apparently Smith Meyer Witches One and Two were not having a good day.
So, anyway, I walked away. I felt bad about it, not bad about it, and kept looking over my shoulder the rest of the time I was in the store to see if I would be apprehended by some employee saying I needed to pay for the broken stuff.
What would you have done? I don't know if I did the right thing or not. It probably wasn't the right thing, but I really didn't know what else to do. I didn't feel like it was entirely my fault, and I certainly wasn't going to take more dirty looks from an employee who's only annoyance in my mistake was that she was going to have to clean it up, and not because she would be losing revenue. So really, what would you have done? Make me feel better here.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Spam and Extremes
So what is up with the email spammers? Are they just hoping they'll find someone who fits the demographic they are trying to target? Are they just dumb? I just have to wonder why they send me e-mails for certain male body part enhancements, or the most recent one containing (I assume, based on the title) pictures of black singles. This last one made me laugh as a.) I am not black and b.) I am not single.
Anyway. I wanted to share a bit that I found in the paper this morning. It was a teeny tiny article entitled "Breast called best infant food source." I thought the title was funny since this fact, I think, has been pretty well established already. And being a big proponet of breastfeeding, I read it, and was quite frankly, upset. It started out like this:
"Warning: Public health officials have determined that not breastfeeding may be hazardous to your baby's health."
WHAT? Hazardous? Shoot, I was bottle fed, and I seem to be doing fine...
It concluded with the following:
"A two-year national breast feeding awareness campaign that culminated this spring ran television announcements showing a pregnant woman thrown off a mechanical bull during ladies' night at a bar-- and compared her behavior to failing to breastfeed."
WHAT? Feeding your baby formula is like drunken bar antics?
Ridiculous. Who are these people?
Breastfeeding is a good thing, and I have nursed both my babies. I think it's great and I think more women should do it. But this is bad advertising. What about the women who want to, but for some reason can't breastfeed? Or the other mommies who simply choose not to? Can we alienate them any more please? Are we trying to damage women here, or are we trying to promote breastfeeding? This kind of advertising is not responsible at all, it is simply hurtful. How many mothers are going to be made to feel guilty about their choices or their inabilities from these kind of promos?
Why does out society have to take everything to the extreme?
There are many mothers out there, all of whom make different choices and have different parenting styles, but the common thread among us is that we are women and mothers trying to do the very best we can. This kind of media only serves to pit us against each other, kind of like the whole working mom versus stay at home mom debate.
It makes me sick. What do you think?
Anyway. I wanted to share a bit that I found in the paper this morning. It was a teeny tiny article entitled "Breast called best infant food source." I thought the title was funny since this fact, I think, has been pretty well established already. And being a big proponet of breastfeeding, I read it, and was quite frankly, upset. It started out like this:
"Warning: Public health officials have determined that not breastfeeding may be hazardous to your baby's health."
WHAT? Hazardous? Shoot, I was bottle fed, and I seem to be doing fine...
It concluded with the following:
"A two-year national breast feeding awareness campaign that culminated this spring ran television announcements showing a pregnant woman thrown off a mechanical bull during ladies' night at a bar-- and compared her behavior to failing to breastfeed."
WHAT? Feeding your baby formula is like drunken bar antics?
Ridiculous. Who are these people?
Breastfeeding is a good thing, and I have nursed both my babies. I think it's great and I think more women should do it. But this is bad advertising. What about the women who want to, but for some reason can't breastfeed? Or the other mommies who simply choose not to? Can we alienate them any more please? Are we trying to damage women here, or are we trying to promote breastfeeding? This kind of advertising is not responsible at all, it is simply hurtful. How many mothers are going to be made to feel guilty about their choices or their inabilities from these kind of promos?
Why does out society have to take everything to the extreme?
There are many mothers out there, all of whom make different choices and have different parenting styles, but the common thread among us is that we are women and mothers trying to do the very best we can. This kind of media only serves to pit us against each other, kind of like the whole working mom versus stay at home mom debate.
It makes me sick. What do you think?
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
I killed a pregnant fly today...
... and I do not feel good about it.
I squished it and when I lifted up my implement of death (paper towel) there were squirmy maggoty things coming from its abdomen.
SO DISGUSTING.
I sort of felt bad, even though if one of her "children" had been an adult, I would have killed it without any remorse. And I am somewhat glad I did because I would not have wanted all those flies in my house...
And how was I supposed to know?
I squished it and when I lifted up my implement of death (paper towel) there were squirmy maggoty things coming from its abdomen.
SO DISGUSTING.
I sort of felt bad, even though if one of her "children" had been an adult, I would have killed it without any remorse. And I am somewhat glad I did because I would not have wanted all those flies in my house...
And how was I supposed to know?
Monday, June 12, 2006
Weird Guy and a Meme
So, I was at the local McD's having an ice cream with E, and I realized there are a lot of strange people that take their kids to the playplace. There was the couple with all the tatoos, the woman picking her nose, and then someone really disturbing. He was probably in his late 30's early 40's and he was sitting with his daughters. Totally ignoring them. Why? probably because he was too busy listening to his Ipod and reading about Ashlee Simpson in his US Weekly magazine. I kid you not. He was reading US Weekly, and specifically an article about Ashlee Simpson. And he had a HUGE stack of papers in front of him, the top sheet reading: "Things to Do." Apparently pay attention to his daughters was not on that list. Would you think that was creepy and weird? I did.
And now a meme which I am stealing from the daring one.
Two for Togetherness
Two things you compliment your husband on while in his presence:
1. His handsomeness.
2. His good daddy qualities.
Two compliments you make about your spouse to your friends:
1. He is a great dad.
2. He is incredibly motivated and ambitious.
Two traits you married him/her for:
1. His sense of humor
2. His love and respect for me
Two days you cherished the most with your husband being together:
1. Our wedding day; we got married, we went to Universal Studios and umm... other stuff
2. The day E was born
Two material things you could give your husband if you just inherited a fortune:
1. A Mac
2. A Nintendo Wii
3. A big house in the rainy place (or would that be more for me...)
Two things you would miss the most if she/he left for two weeks:
1. His company
2. His hugs
Two thoughts that crossed your mind when you first met/saw your spouse:
1. Oh, this must be one of my roommates weird friends
2. He's pretty funny
Two favorite dates:
1. Our 3 year anniversary dinner to a nice Restaurant on Lake Washington, two days before Reenie was born
2. Probably our first non-date date when we hung out together all day just doing random stuff and getting to know each other
Two funny odd things you love:
1. How he gets so focused when he talks that he doesn't notice anything else
2. The creepy face he makes when I ask him to
Two places you have lived with your spouse:
1. Provo, UT
2.Redmond, WA
Two favorite vacations:
1. The first Christmas we spent with his family in New Jersey
2. Our "honeymoon" to Steamboat Springs, CO
And now a meme which I am stealing from the daring one.
Two things you compliment your husband on while in his presence:
1. His handsomeness.
2. His good daddy qualities.
Two compliments you make about your spouse to your friends:
1. He is a great dad.
2. He is incredibly motivated and ambitious.
Two traits you married him/her for:
1. His sense of humor
2. His love and respect for me
Two days you cherished the most with your husband being together:
1. Our wedding day; we got married, we went to Universal Studios and umm... other stuff
2. The day E was born
Two material things you could give your husband if you just inherited a fortune:
1. A Mac
2. A Nintendo Wii
3. A big house in the rainy place (or would that be more for me...)
Two things you would miss the most if she/he left for two weeks:
1. His company
2. His hugs
Two thoughts that crossed your mind when you first met/saw your spouse:
1. Oh, this must be one of my roommates weird friends
2. He's pretty funny
Two favorite dates:
1. Our 3 year anniversary dinner to a nice Restaurant on Lake Washington, two days before Reenie was born
2. Probably our first non-date date when we hung out together all day just doing random stuff and getting to know each other
Two funny odd things you love:
1. How he gets so focused when he talks that he doesn't notice anything else
2. The creepy face he makes when I ask him to
Two places you have lived with your spouse:
1. Provo, UT
2.Redmond, WA
Two favorite vacations:
1. The first Christmas we spent with his family in New Jersey
2. Our "honeymoon" to Steamboat Springs, CO
Thursday, June 08, 2006
In the News
Note: This was YESTERDAY's post, but blogger was being, umm, less than helpful...
So, I have decided that for at least the next 5 posts or so, that I will NOT be talking about my children. I love them, and they are darlings, BUT, I am going to use a different part of my brain on this blog for the next week or more.
So today, I will share some of what I read in the paper. First there was a classified ad for kittens which read: "Kittens- 8 mixed breed, 6-8 weeks old, male and female. $3 or best offer." The part that sruck me as funny was the "or best offer." If you are only asking 3 bucks, are you really thinking someone is going to try and haggle you down to a lower price? "Hmm, 3 is a bit steep how about $2.50?" Or maybe they were just hoping that someone would walk in and say, "Nope, this kitten is worth at least a hundred dollars. I won't buy her for anything less." I think they could have saved themselves on the ad price and left that bit off...
And then there were a couple articles about the "day of the devil" which apparently was yesterday, 6/6/06. Some 700 people on BetUS.com wagered $2 that the world would end, and a spokesman for the site stated, "come rain sleet or snow or apocalypse, our clients will recieve their winnings." But probably not if the world ended, right? They should have just bought a couple of candy bars instead of placing their bets, I think.
A movie about the devil's child came out yesterday too, and some expectant mothers fought tooth and nail to keep their own babies from being born on the day of the beast. One woman went into labor Monday and by Tuesday still had not given birth. She had this to say, "We were going to try to get it out before midnight or I was going to keep my legs closed. I don't want her to have that stigma for the rest of her life. When she gets older, her friends would say that anything bad would be because of her birthdate." Who thinks like this? Give me a break. Since I and many other people were blissfully unaware of Satan's day yesterday, I really don't think her friends would say stuff like that. If they were good friends anyway.
I just don't get into speculation and superstition. It's a waste of time.
Although I will say, when I was 19 I was a little nervous on New Year's Eve of 1999. I was at a party and shortly after midnight the power went out. Of course it was rigged by the kids that lived there. Good for a laugh, and then guess what? The world didn't end and all fall apart.
So while I am not too worried about end of the world, I think I may be placing an offer on some $3 kittens. Think they'd take $1.50?
So, I have decided that for at least the next 5 posts or so, that I will NOT be talking about my children. I love them, and they are darlings, BUT, I am going to use a different part of my brain on this blog for the next week or more.
So today, I will share some of what I read in the paper. First there was a classified ad for kittens which read: "Kittens- 8 mixed breed, 6-8 weeks old, male and female. $3 or best offer." The part that sruck me as funny was the "or best offer." If you are only asking 3 bucks, are you really thinking someone is going to try and haggle you down to a lower price? "Hmm, 3 is a bit steep how about $2.50?" Or maybe they were just hoping that someone would walk in and say, "Nope, this kitten is worth at least a hundred dollars. I won't buy her for anything less." I think they could have saved themselves on the ad price and left that bit off...
And then there were a couple articles about the "day of the devil" which apparently was yesterday, 6/6/06. Some 700 people on BetUS.com wagered $2 that the world would end, and a spokesman for the site stated, "come rain sleet or snow or apocalypse, our clients will recieve their winnings." But probably not if the world ended, right? They should have just bought a couple of candy bars instead of placing their bets, I think.
A movie about the devil's child came out yesterday too, and some expectant mothers fought tooth and nail to keep their own babies from being born on the day of the beast. One woman went into labor Monday and by Tuesday still had not given birth. She had this to say, "We were going to try to get it out before midnight or I was going to keep my legs closed. I don't want her to have that stigma for the rest of her life. When she gets older, her friends would say that anything bad would be because of her birthdate." Who thinks like this? Give me a break. Since I and many other people were blissfully unaware of Satan's day yesterday, I really don't think her friends would say stuff like that. If they were good friends anyway.
I just don't get into speculation and superstition. It's a waste of time.
Although I will say, when I was 19 I was a little nervous on New Year's Eve of 1999. I was at a party and shortly after midnight the power went out. Of course it was rigged by the kids that lived there. Good for a laugh, and then guess what? The world didn't end and all fall apart.
So while I am not too worried about end of the world, I think I may be placing an offer on some $3 kittens. Think they'd take $1.50?
Monday, June 05, 2006
Princess Reenie
Today I want to write about the cutest girl in world, my mini twin, my Reenie Bean.She is so similar to me in so many ways that it just blows my mind. Take sleep for example. I LOVE my sleep. I love naps, I love going to bed, sleep is my good friend. I have a hard time falling asleep at night however, despite my love for sleep. When Reenie was days old, she too had difficulty falling asleep, often staying up until 1 am. And she still struggles with falling asleep at night, and like me, she wakes up a bazillion times.
But she clearly likes to sleep, and she loves her naps. Today she was watching Bob the Builder with E and I told her in a few minutes we were going to read stories and have our naps. I walked out of the room and the next thing I knew, Reenie was in her bed, tucked in with the do
or closed. Not asleep yet, but still in bed, ready for a nap. (Which usually last for two to three hours) Who is this person? She is AMAZING! Of course, one difference in our sleep patterns is that I take awhile to wake up in the morning, whereas she pops up ready to immediately go sproinging off the walls.And it isn't just sleep. The kid is persistent like me, she's emotional like me, and when she thinks you aren't understanding her she gets frustrated like me. And yet, she is so different than me. She is so much more adventurous than I am. She likes Daddy to swing her upside down, she tries to jump off the back of our couch, she does somersaults in church... She's much funnier than I am too. And she always has a smile for everyone, whereas I think I am a little more umm... not having a smile for everyone (though I do try...)
She is just an awesome kid. A handful of energy, and yet helpful, cute and funny as all get out. She loves her big brother an
d all his big boy toys, and still loves girly things too. Like wearing her "pitty" dresses and carrying her baby named "Lady." She knows where mommy's baby is and likes to blow on my big pregnant belly and laugh at the flatulant-like noises. She loves to sing (like me) and will climb up onto the piano bench and demand that I "sit down" next to her so we can tickle the ivories together. She loves playing outside, she'll swing for hours and she loves her "Elmo" shoes.That's her. My Reenie. My Bean. She's going to be two soon, and I am so glad she's a part of our family. I don't know how we ever lived without her.
Saturday, June 03, 2006
What Have I DONE?
I CUT OFF REENIE'S CURLS!!!!
I was just thinking she was getting a little shaggy and that maybe she needed a little trim. I thought I would still leave some curl, but apparently I did not.
I mean she still looks cute, but when I went to stroke her sleeping little head, there were no sweet curls!
I hope they grow back...
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Because it Tastes Good
E was picking his nose the other night and eating the boogies. I asked him how it tasted, he said "tastes good" and laughed.
A couple nights later, Reenie was putting her feet in her mouth. I asked her why she was doing it, she replied, "tastes good."
Then today when I offered E some water instead of juice, he informed me, "no, I don't want any water. Water is yucky. It tastes gross. We don't drink water."
Well, at least they know what they like.
A couple nights later, Reenie was putting her feet in her mouth. I asked her why she was doing it, she replied, "tastes good."
Then today when I offered E some water instead of juice, he informed me, "no, I don't want any water. Water is yucky. It tastes gross. We don't drink water."
Well, at least they know what they like.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)