TGIF!

Well, I must make this quick, I just discovered Punky apparently managed to get pee on me somehow AFTER peeing in her pants.

Yesterday was a better day than the rest of the week was.  No gallbladder spasms!  I watched what I ate and cut back on my fat and it worked like a charm.  Hopefully I can continue the trend and not have any more attacks.

Chicken slept until 9:30 this morning, so I'm still celebrating that fact.  Punky laid in bed with me and watched cartoons while I caught an extra hour of sleep.  I'm feeling pretty groovy today.

On top of that, my best friend from high school and her hubby are coming for a quick visit this weekend.  I'm looking forward to some girl time...So I hope everyone has a great weekend and enjoys some sunshine!

Food for thought

Anyone want a grilled cheese for lunch?  I apparently have an extra.

Ugh.  I'll be glad when this week is over!

Another bad report

Well, for all my ailments this pregnancy, I guess this one takes the cake.  I thought for the longest my heartburn was kicking up a notch and driving me crazy.  Like chicken-bone-stuck-in-the-throat-radiating-throughout-my-whole-upper-body-heart-attack type pain.  Ha.  For someone who tries to learn all she can about the medical field, I sure can be stupid.

Heartburn?  Nyah.  Why would it be that simple.  It MEEEEE we're talking about here!  I call the ob to tell him I need something different for this pain I'm having.  Apparently Nexium isn't working.  The nurse says, "Girl, that sounds like a spasm."  I said, "What kind?"  She hemhawed (as my grandmother used to call it) and said she had to talk with the doc.  Calls back and said, "We're sending you to Dr. Soandso.  You still have your gallbladder, right?"  I just lowered my head and shook it.  I had a sinking feeling about everything as soon as she said spasm.  I had a college friend who had to have hers removed after her second pregnancy.  There have been several times I've wondered if the things I was feeling were gallbladder related.  So now I know without even having to go see the doc that I'm probably going to have to have surgery after this kid is born.  But hey, if I expect surgery and wind up NOT having to have it, that means I'm pleasantly surprised, right?

For those of you who pray, add me to your list.  I'm feeling very helpless right now!

It's definitely a "Monday"

Punky decided she needed to go potty while I was checking my email this morning.  It's pretty common for me to find her on the toilet.

Just not in it.

Ugh.  Standing in the middle of the potty with only a shirt on was my daughter, looking a little helpless.  I guess she was afraid to call me because she might get in trouble.  I very calmly explained that she has to tell me when she needs to potty so I can help her.  "Ok, Mommy."  Now let's wash you off in the tub.

I turn the water on and I start wondering why there's air bubbles in the water line.  Oops, not air bubbles, the lever has been lifted on the tub for the shower and there it goes.  All over Punky.  Her hair gets drenched and mine does, too.  Around the same time, Chicken decides he's going to climb in.  Head first and do a belly seal slide over to the toy he wants.

Why do "Monday's" have to always be one.of.those.days?

BTW, I'm editing this to add that my former critique partner, Jennifer Shirk is now a published author!  A Role of a Lifetime is now available.  Please visit her site here to check out an excerpt and buy the book!

How to teach personal space?

Punky is an extremely loving, "mothering" type of child who stops me several times a day with a hug around my knees and an "I love you, Mommy!".  I was raised in a home where physical contact was limited, verbal affection was practically non existent and emotions were supposed to be kept private.  I'm determined for my children to know how much I love them and feel free to express their affection with hugs, kisses, praise and kind words.  I discovered tonight that perhaps we've all gone overboard with teaching her this.

Punky loves this adorable little girl at our church.  She's very into babies, real or otherwise, and this little girl is super tiny for her age and as cute as can be.  Punky loves to invade her "bubble."  She touches her face, plays with her hair, and rubs her legs and arms, proudly exclaiming, "I'm touching her!"  I'm the kind of mother who's very conscious about my kids annoying other mothers and them doing things they might not like.  I'm good friends with "Tiny's" mom but I still feel like I can use this as a teaching time for Punky to learn personal space.

My in laws had us all over tonight for burgers and Punky enjoyed playing with Tiny but also enjoyed annoying every other parent there.  She hugged them all, kissed them all before leaving, which is incredibly sweet, but I could still see the weary faces of everyone just tired of having to dish out one more hug on her command.  She also decided she had to fix Tiny's mom's hair.  I pulled her aside and told her that while she was being very sweet, she couldn't touch Tiny's mom's hair anymore because we had to give her some space.  Of course, a "spacey" look was all I got in return.  Of course she doesn't understand what I'm saying.  I try again.  "Mommy said don't touch Tiny's mom's hair because sometime people don't like it."  That got a little spark of light in her eye.  "Don't touch her hair again, ok?"  Ok, Punky said.  And she didn't.  But she didn't back off Tiny or any of the other parents there.

I know she's just being a kid.  A sweet kid at that and the last thing I want to do is discourage that.  Far too few people in this world are the way she is right now.  But how on earth do I teach her not to invade the bubble and give other's their space?  How do I teach her that perhaps it's ok to hug everyone in the room when she's leaving, but she MUST make sure she doesn't over do it?

I guess of all problems to be having with Punky, this is probably a good problem to have, but I still don't want people to dread being around us because she demands so much attention, you know?  Anyone have any suggestions or comments on how to fix this with a two year old?

Movie Review/Weekend Thoughts

Well, we had planned on taking the kiddos to a local petting zoo this morning, but Hubby's parents asked to keep them since they will be in FL for graduations the next two weekends.  So we're postponing until next weekend or the next for that fun little trip.  To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to the smell (from what another mom told me), but I was looking forward to some special family time.

Now, I'm at home.  Hubby's outside working on the swing set.  Again.  There are no kiddos bringing me toys to play with while I type.  No kiddos screaming and giggling in the play room.  It's too stinkin' quiet in this house.

I did have a really fun night out with a girlfriend of mine last night.  We had dinner at Macaroni Grille and went to see What Happens in Vegas.  Hilarious.  I had read the bad reviews and didn't expect to like it as much as I did.  At one point, between being 31 weeks pregnant and having a full bladder, I think I might have peed on myself I was laughing so hard.  But don't tell anyone I said that.  Ashton Kutcher is my new hero.  SUCH a wonderful actor and so expressive.  His facial expressions whether funny or serious are right on the money.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that he's a total hottie.  But PLEASE get rid of that frat boy/forgot to wash or cut my hair in a year hair do, dude.  It ruins the ensemble.

On Thursday night, for Hubby's birthday, he chose to go see the new Indiana Jones movie.  I wasn't impressed, but I never was a big fan even in the 80s.  It was very reminiscent of the old movies, yet there was something about Harrison Ford, all wrinkled and "grandpa" like that just ruined it for me (and yes, I CAN appreciate a movie that doesn't have a hot guy for a lead role).  Granted, there were many references about him being old, but I just didn't think he pulled it off as well.  Several times he was running and I thought, WOW, he looks like he's having a little trouble with his hip there)  Oh well, I wasn't bored either so I guess that was good.

It's funny how Hubby and I hadn't been to see a movie in over a year and then all of a sudden we see three in 2 weeks.  We also went to see Iron Man a couple of weekends ago, which in a nutshell has to be one of the best movies ever made.  It.Was.Awesome.The.End.  

Hang on, just one more year!

Hubby in Gatlinburg, TN, 2005

Well....you're only one year away from the big THREE-OH.  Although I've threatened, I promise not to trade you in for a newer model...yet.  At least until you lose control of your bodily functions.  I've dealt with poopy diapers for almost three years now and I think I deserve a break, don't you?  30 isn't that big of a deal for most, but since you were mostly bald when I met you at 21, things seem to be happening a little quick, so I have to make sure there are no surprises in our marriage.  So just a head's up.  In 365 more days, I'll be watching for signs of elderliness and more than just the "dutch oven" kind of farts you grace me with every.morning.and.every.night.

You have mentioned, or rather your mother tattled on you that you would like to have Logan's Roadhouse sing you a special song tonight at dinner.  Because - after all - you told her, you have to enjoy your 29th birthday.  In another year, it'll be time to become an adult.

Amen to that.

Hubby reading with Punky and Chicken, Xmas 2007

On a serious note, I watch you with our children and think about what a wonderful father you are and I feel a swell of pride when you play with them, hug them and kiss them (even your son) in public.  People who see you can no doubt see what a good father you are and how much you love them.  I want to pinch the heads off of the fathers who are passive with discipline, passive with love, and passive with their relationships with their children because they miss out on so much.  It shows how content they are with you when you walk through the door after a long day at work and immediately grab them up and shower them with love regardless of how tired you are (although I still think you get an 8 hour vacation every day)  ;oP  Punky's "I'm so glad to see you, Daddy!" melts my heart every day.  I also want to thank you for giving them what I never had growing up.  While I don't like to imagine bad things, I at least have the comfort of knowing if we went our separate ways you would still be an active part of their lives regardless of our relationship.  That means a lot to me.  I want you and Chicken to have the kind of relationship you and your father have.  Hopefully I'll have a picture like this to frame in about 25 years:

Hubby with his Dad, 2005

I want to thank you for choosing to share you life with me.  Our almost seven years together have been an amazing journey of infertility, too much fertility, growing pains, happiness and stubbornness.  For what it's worth, I wouldn't trade it for anything else, except to have met you earlier and had even more time with you.  

And lastly, thank you for being good to me.  We still have a lot of growing to do and a lot of learning, even after 7 years, but every day I feel like we're closer to that and to giving each other the best of ourselves.  I couldn't imagine my life without you, couldn't imagine where I would be had I never met you.  Without each other, we're only one half of a complete story.  Our marriage is just beginning in the grand scheme of things and I can't wait to see what the future holds (just please schedule that vasectomy so our future doesn't hold any more kids!).

Here's to 50 years and a happy ending to our less-than-perfect beginning.  But it could have been a lot worse - like you never deciding to shave your head.  I want to say thank you for that, too.

Our engagement pic, 2001

I love you with all my heart,

The Wife

I think I'll go for a stroll...

Usually on Sunday afternoon's after church, I take a nap while Hubby does...well, whatever Hubby does.  I don't know, I'm sleeping.  So when the kiddos wake up, I get a blissfully longer nap than I would otherwise and he watches them for me (thank you, Hubby).

This past Sunday, I would have given money to have been awake and witnessed the hilarious story he recounted when I got up.  

He's currently building a swing set for the kiddos and decided to let Punky go outside and play while he worked on it.  Some of her toys are still in the garage since the move and amongst them was a stroller she loves to push.  He got out one of the numerous babies from our van (I promise you those things come alive when we're not looking and strategically place themselves everywhere I DON'T usually clean).  So Hubby places the baby in the stroller for Punky and tells her to take her baby for a walk.

Hubby doesn't spend as much time with them as I do.  He doesn't fully comprehend sometime how smart my daughter is nor does he realize how incredibly fast she can be.  As he recounted to me, he began working on the swing set and kept an ear open to make sure he heard her playing.  He, being the engineer he is, got engrossed in something for a minute and when he came back to earth, he realized he didn't hear her anymore.  Hubby looked up to see our daughter, my dear Punky walking down the street with her baby in the stroller, pretty as you please.  He says she wasn't even past our front yard yet, but there she was going, taking her baby for an afternoon stroll through the neighborhood.  Thankfully, we live on a relatively quiet street.

This story cracks me up every time I think about it.  Not only because it could have just as easily been me in the yard with her but because I can just picture her strolling down the street, wind in her hair, happy as can be for her newfound freedom.  That kid does love her independence!

And, as Hubby said, at least she was obeying and doing EXACTLY what Daddy said!  HA!

Ready for a weekend already

What a day I've had.  

I peed 4 times last night.

Woke up at 11:30 and 6 to a crying baby

Chicken's been extra whiny today

Punky's been extra whiny

Punky gets a tick in her head and I have to pry the evil little blood sucker from her tender scalp

I flush the tick down the toilet and the toilet overflows after a two flusher I just had...

Have to get down on my hands and knees to clean up the water from the toilet overflowing (we're talking 1/2 inch of water all over the bathroom)

I hope and pray the tick somehow drowned although knowing it's probably caught in one of those towels I just used from our bathroom and will make it's way to my head and seek revenge

Now I have to deal with all the laundry.

The worst part?  I feel like bugs are crawling all over me now.

Monday's stink.

Pregnancy, Heartburn and Potty training

Yeah, so as soon as I walked away from the computer from posting my last entry yesterday, Punky had peed in her pull up.  The turkey.  Did I call it or what?  The good news is, still no poop accidents YET.  YET YET YET.  Today marks all week with only one poop accident and I told her when Hubby gets home we'll go to the bookstore and pick out a brand new book.  She's been doing great and despite how well she does today, she still deserves recognition for her accomplishments.  She's excited about it or seems to be.

Sooo, on the pregnancy front, heartburn is kicking it up a notch.  Yesterday and today I've had to take a nexium in the morning and at night.  It's not bad, but this morning when I sat down to drink my morning cup of tea, it burned my throat.  I knew then it didn't bode well for the rest of the day if I didn't pop a pill.  I hate doing it, but heartburn is one of those things I consider unbearable.  I'd almost rather have a kidney stone!

I also got to order the changing table for New Baby and wall prints that I will have to frame when they arrive.  All that's left is a lamp, hamper, a crib mattress and my mom to make the baby bedding and possibly paint the room pink (not decided on that one yet).  We decided on a black, white and pink french theme.  Hobby Lobby has a ton of cute accessories so as the Hubby allows it, I'm going to buy a few little things to accent it.  I'm excited to see how it all pulls together.  With 8-10 weeks to go I MUST finish this soon or my nesting instincts are going to cause a mental breakdown.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Potty Training Success!

So Punky is definitely my daughter.  A little chocolate, a little encouragement, a LOT of praise, and some new toys and we've been accident free for two days now.  I do realize now that I've written that, she'll poop in her pants in a matter of minutes, but I'm so proud of her.

She seems to like pooping in the potty now and has made a habit of taking a 45 minute two flusher before bed every night.  Which is fine with me.  It's way less poop I have to clean up since chicken is down to once or twice a day.

She still needs to be reminded of pee pee but she seems to be able to hold it a lot longer this week alone and does tell me if she needs to go most of the time.  I told her if she can remain accident free until tomorrow she can go pick out a new book, which she's way excited about.  I figure books are far more productive than toys.  And she does love to read, so it's a win win situation, right?  

Finally something good to report!!!

Well, a round of antibiotics and apparently a small kidney stone later, I got a good report from my OB today at my 30 week appointment!  New Baby's heart rate was 166, and my urine came back clear.  WOOHOO!  That means, at least for the time being, I have NO KIDNEY STONES.  That's subject to change in two weeks at my next visit, but for right now, I can enjoy a piece of chocolate without feeling guilty (chocolate, tea and peanut butter are all MAJOR contributors to kidney stones).  Sooooo....I can safely say I'm in a pretty good mood today.

In other news, Chicken has learned to say "Bite bite" and "up".  For those of you who don't know me personally, let me just tell you what an accomplishment this is!  Punky was saying words like this at 8 months, putting words together to form sentences by a year or shortly thereafter.  Chicken has been...well, a little slow.  Not behind, but slow.  He even began a grunting sound accompanied by a pointed finger to tell us what he wanted.  This is SUCH a pet peeve for me with other kids and I don't want my kids doing it.  I know he's capable of talking or he would be able to say mama, dada, down, is that? so clearly.  I've really been working with him on his talking and while he doesn't say it every time, he will tell me bite bite after he's thought about it a little.  He's also able to "wiggle his fingers" and "show me his mouth" on command now.  Again, a feat Punky mastered around 10 months.  I try not to compare them because they are SUCH different children, but when your first kid is a slight genius (No, I'm not one of those who thinks my kid is the smartest in the world, she was just a quick learner!) the next one has a lot to live up to!

I definitely think he's ready to learn how to speak more.  Even as I type this, he found one of Punky's cat stickers and I told him what the cat said.  Chicken is now walking around making the cat sound.  Even if he hasn't connected a cat makes that sound, for him to even repeat it means we're making progress.  Maybe there's hope for him after all!  HA!

Tag, I'm it

I've been tagged by Stephanie 

What was I doing 10 years ago:

Finishing up my Junior year of high school, looking forward to another year as drum major of my high school band and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. 

Five Snacks I enjoy:

1. Brownies

2. Chocolate Chip Cookies

3. Granola Bars

4. Macaroni & cheese

5. Sourdough toast...hmm, nothing that healthy is there?

In the real world:

1. I'm a writer.

2. I have no idea what I will do with my life once my kids are grown.

3. I love being a mom most of all.  

4. I'm preparing to be a mother for the third and final time and I'm ready for her to be here.

5. I can't imagine waking up without my kids in the morning.  They recently spent the night with Hubby's mother and I woke up depressed. 

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

1. Pay off remaining debt and house.  

2. Buy an RV and travel the US and Canada.

3. Give money to both sets of parents and set up a trust fund for my kids. 

4. Buy Hubby the latest and greatest car of his dreams (which I think is a corvette) and buy myself something that doesn't have enough room to carry the kitchen sink like my current wheels.

5. Do missionary work and put the rest in some funds with my old boss at Edward Jones and give him a good commission month.

Five jobs that I have had:

1. Cashier at grocery store (first job)

2. Retail clerk at JCPenney

3. Office manager at Edward Jo es

4. Payroll Manager

5. Quality control specialist

Three of my habits:

1. Changing diapers 

2. Biting my nails

3. Checking email

Five Places I have lived:

1. (Skipping this one for security purposes)

2. 

3. 

4. 

5. 

What do you want others to get from your blog:

That I'm really not crazy, just misunderstood.  ;oD

The teenager returns

So Punky is sitting on the potty.  She's gotten into the habit of flushing the toilet whenever she feels the need and this time was no exception as soon as she sat down.  So I couldn't hear whether or not she was actually peeing.  I gave her a minute and she said, "I'm all done."

"Did you go pee pee?"

She didn't really answer me, but rather gave me the look that said she wasn't sure.

"Did you go pee pee?"

Again, a blank stare.

"Are you all done?"  (Sometimes we have to ask several times before she actually is.)

Her eyes round at me and she cocks her head to the side and says in her sweetest, matter of fact voice, "I told you once I'm all done."

Adoption is definitely in her future.

It's time...

Alright...so May is here.  I've got 10 weeks to go before this pregnancy ends (give or take depending on my doc) and my life turns chaotic for 6 months.  I have about 8 unfinished novels that need finishing and polishing.  I have the desire to write but no time and no energy.

My solution?  I'm going to write, regardless.  I'm going to devote two hours each evening after the kids go to bed to finishing at least one of these novels by the beginning of June.  I might even pay someone (referrals please!) to professionally edit and critique it.  It's time I do this for me.  I've beat around the bush for so long I'm losing any semblance of creativity that I thought I once had.  I'm not using it, so I'm losing it.

Soooo...this week is get it together week...starting next week it's down and dirty time.  Starting Monday.  So Hubby dearest, if you're reading this...don't expect to see me for a couple of hours every night.  8-10 pm.  That's my goal, help me stick to it.

Weekend Recap

So our weekend was pretty typical.  My parents came into town on Saturday and we went shopping for material for the new nursery bedding.  I've bought the previous bedding and my mom, being the disgustingly crafty person she is, wants to make this one.  We decided on a black, white and pastel pink pattern with a french type theme.  It's going to be really cute with the white crib.

Hubby also attempted to put track lighting in our kitchen to replace the ugly florescent lighting and the effort was futile.  The track lighting was too spotty and didn't provide enough light.  Otherwise, the track he got was totally cool and contemporary and would have looked awesome.  We just didn't light the way it actually lit everything.

Yesterday was a typical Sunday: church, lunch, nap, church again, bed.  Nothing to report there.

My ribs are starting to ache with this kid.  I was hoping my ribs hurt with Chicken because he was so active, but alas, that must not be the case.  New Baby is quite active, too, but I don't feel her in my ribs yet.  I guess it's just my body expanding to make room.  I just hope it doesn't get as painful as Chicken did.  There were nights I had to take pain meds with him because I couldn't sleep.

Sooo...after a boring weekend, I get to look forward to the kiddos spending the night with Hubby's parents on Friday and spending all of Saturday with them.  Hubby says he's going to knock out building the kiddos swing set on Saturday, so it looks like I've got about 4 days to decide what I want to do and who I want to do it with!

Why do I suddenly have a teenager?

I was changing Chicken's diaper in his room and I heard Punky into something.  Usually this means she's in the bathroom trying to go potty herself.

"Do you need to go potty, Punky?"

"No."

"Then come in here where I can see you."

No answer.

"Come here Punky!"

Still no answer.

Usually this would be where I go get her and remind her she has to obey, but Chicken is still butt naked.

"Punky!  Come here!"

I wait a second and still only hear rustling, finish up Chicken's diaper and just as I'm about to lower him from his changing table, I hear:

"Just be quiet, ok, Mommy?  Just be quiet."

Is it too late to give her up for adoption?