Times flying again

I can't believe I haven't been in here since Friday. Each day seems to fly by which I know can be a good thing in the last month of pregnancy. When you're not ready though, it's not so great. Seems like everything we did last week is getting undone already. It's been too hot and humid to really do too much so we've been taking it easy, and it's showing.

I had my sister's 3 girls (J, A, and E) here this last weekend. I couldn't give them the excitement that my sister did for my girls...but I think they had fun. Until my sister came to pick them up, then you'd have thought they spent the weekend on a deserted island. lol Amazing phenomenon.

Friday night Tom had a fire for the kids. He had the disco tunes cranked and most everyone was dancing (I was enjoying my rear in the lawn glider). They also got to do a ton of sparklers. BIL B loaded them up with snacks. They stayed up WAAAAAY too late. I heard little feet running down the hall at 2am and had to shooo the little girls back up into bed.

Saturday I mentioned that it was 07/07/07 which was a good reason for a party. The big girls decided that since Liz hadn't had a friend's birthday party they'd throw her one that day. They planned and cooked dinner, made a cake, picked flowers and laid out a tablecloth on the picnic table. Then they dressed up in prom dresses and played basketball. Liz was upset because she couldn't find the camera she just bought the week before (with birthday money). When the girls announced it was time to open presents she was surprised to receive....a almost new digital camera!!! LOL Mystery solved. Unfortunately the activities took a hit when at dinner it was decided that J was coming down with pink eye. By late night she looked and felt terrible. Luckily I had drops here from when we had it 2wks ago.

Sunday J woke up still not feeling so great but she didn't want her mom to come pick her up....so I waited to call my sister. Some ibuprofen and claratin seemed to ease things up a bit. Most of the day the kids spent in and out of the pool. My sister came and picked up the girls around dinner time. They were all shot and looked like they needed a nap.

Monday was spent mostly trying to stay cool. Temps were in the mid 90s with really high humidity. SIL D and I headed out to the store since I was out of a lot of important things. Unfortunately before we could get to the store we broken down! D called AAA and then her son to come pick us up. Then M, one of the boys from church drove by in his truck with a few other kids. They pushed us off the busy road. I switched places with one of D's boys. Fortunately M didn't mind taking me to Walmart so I could at least get the essential things. Him and N even helped me unload the truck when we got to my house. :o) Heat and breathingwise was ok until dinner time, then I couldn't breathe in the house. I headed out the door to sit with Tom and BIL B. I was VERY thankful for the A/C unit in my bedroom when it came time for bed. I know I survived many a summers like this with other pregnancies. Still I do NOT want to have to think about dealing with the humidity and trying to sleep.

Tuesday I woke up with PINK EYE! Oh joy! The kids were fooling around saying I couldn't hold the new baby now. Carrie also woke up with poison ivy all over her face, hands, belly and legs. So into the peds we go. We didn't want to give her prednisone because it sends her sugar levels through the roof. So we opted for a prescription steriod cream and a back up of low dose prednisone if the cream didn't help enough (face was swelling as we sat there....hate when it heads for the eyes). My sister called and told me that J is almost over with pink eye but also has poison ivy. A and E had just gotten the pink eye but the drops I sent home were helping.

Today is Tom's birthday! Poor guy isn't getting too much of a party. We're considering having a cookout on the weekend though. Depends on how the house cleans up in the next few days. The little kids spent most of the morning making him cards. Eileen and Olivia just took a box up into their room and came down with "presents" for him. I'm sure he'll be tickled.

I was suppose to go into my mom's tonight. My cousin from Florida was suppose to land at 7pm and is staying at my parents' house for the next 10 days. We talk often on the phone, so most of the visit will be centered around spending time with me and my family. I told her she might even be able to be here when the baby is born! :o) I said SUPPOSE to go in bwecause now her flight has been delayed until 10:30pm tonight. So doesn't make sense for me to drive 45mins to visit for an hour or so. They'll probably be exhausted anyways. I won't be able to get into my mom's until tomorrow night.

Tommorrow is my 37wks dr appt! Luke and Jake are the guests for the event. If Dr B is there I assume we'll discuss when we'll be thinking of starting my induction. I hope he decides to do a sono so we can figure out position (I can't tell this time!) and approx weight. Plus I like to get peeks of my babies. I've missed my weekly BPP (biophysical profiles) like I had with Danielle's pg.

Today I got a little bit emotional. Again nothing specific, just a bunch of stuff like last week. Mostly that time is flying and I'm not as ready as I'd like to be (and normally am) by now. I keep trying to remind myself that no matter what, we'll survive. As long as the baby and I get through delivery fine (not that I anticipate we won't) is the only thing that matters in the end. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Oh I never mentioned that my mom bought tickets for herself, my sister, a few aunts and me to see the musical Menopause. She went to see it on June 24th and loved it so much that she wants us to go. The tickets are for the show on the 22nd. I told her I couldn't promise that I could make it but I'd love to go. She says you start laughing from the first song and don't stop until the end. So now she wants me to tell DR B that he can't induce me until the 23rd. That I need to relax and have a good bellylaugh before this baby is born. She also assured me that she could find someone to take my place if I HAVE to miss it. :o) I found out later that a few of the women from church are thinking of going to see it also.

Well need to go start Tom's birthday dinner (whatever it's going to be... probably tacos) Will update Thurs or Fri night about my dr appt.

Out the door, nothing accomplished at home

Eileen, Olivia and I were out the door shortly after 10 for my OB appt (36wks). I wondered if they want to do cultures or not and they did. Eileen was SO embarrassed about the whole thing. Dr B was at the hospital so I was able to see the MW. :o) I think if Dr B had been there and done the cultures it would've been too much for Eileen to handle. lol My weight stayed the same from last week. My blood pressure as 122/80. I didn't bring my sugar numbers in because....I CAN'T find my glucometer since Tues night or Wed morning!!!! My backup meter is giving me really freaky numbers that can't be right. Since Dr B wasn't there we couldn't discuss whether I should be planning an induction in 2wks or not. Hmmmm maybe Dr B can be at the hospital EVERY week when I have appts and it'll never be planned. Then I'd can go on my own!!! (Hey a girl can dream!) Going back in in a week. We didn't schedule a sono like Dr B had mentioned the previous week, so not sure what'll happen with that. Would be nice to know the baby's position, approx size and whatnot.

I got the girls in to get throat cultures done. It's been bothering Eileen a lot since Tues. Olivia isn't complaining but talks like she has a sore throat. If I recall correctly the last time the girls spent the night at my sister's they came down with strep a few days later. I'm just hoping if it is strep that we can keep it contained to the girls and be done with it quickly. Do NOT want to welcome this little guy into a house of sick kids.

Our next stop was lunch. When I took the first group to my appt with me (oldest girls). I made the mistake of taking them out for chinese. So now each group wants to also go there. Poor me chinese buffet at least once a week. Would be nice if I didn't get so full so quickly. Oh well, it's not like we're doing a ton of stuff for summer vacation. So might as well treat them when we are out. I was happy since they buffet had lots of different veggie combos on it. It's nice when you've been looking forward to zucchini (not getting it from the garden yet) and find it all cooked up for you there. YUM!

We were tight for time because Pat needed the car for work. So we skimmed the Salvation Army thrift store quickly. I found 2 upholstered and chrome kitchen chairs for $12 which we really need!!! Trying to get them into the tiny Tercel was a joke and a half....especially in the rain! I can't describe how they ended up fitting but let's just say it was interesting. The girls were not amused, they thought I was going to crash having to drive with chair legs under my armpits. I also bought the girls some shirts and 4 sleepers...2 NB size terry ones (yellow and blue), 2 0-3mos or 3mos size...yellow...one with ducks and the other striped.

By the time I finished wrestling chairs into the car we had 45mins in Walmart. I KNEW it wasn't enough time and I should've just went home. Thing is, I really wanted to get some containers so I could take care of my fabric. So we ran but not fast enough. For the baby I bought 2 blankets...a double layered cotton one, a cheap fleece one, a 6pk of newborn socks, a 3pk of sleepers, and a pair of 0-3mos soft shoes that were clearanced. I'm going to check through my things again and see about a jacket/sweater. It's the only thing I feel that's needed now. Although I'm pretty sure it'll be pretty warm out when he's born, so the blankets might be enough. It's not like I'm delivering in Nov without one. Plus he'll be swaddled for at least a week or so. Thinking about packing stuff for him I wondered what his going home outfit would be. I don't really have a special thing for him to wear like I have with the others. (poor 12th kid...neglected already!) Do you think his psyche will be messed up if I take him home in just a cute onsie and not a little man outfit? ;o)

So now we're suppose to be half way home and we're not even in the car yet. UGH! I hate running against the clock all the time! We get out into the parking lot and can't find the tiny Tercel. It's so much easier with my huge van! We meander through the parking lot a bit and Eileen is getting freaked out. She says...my stomach doesn't feel good and I only get like this when I'm nervous. I'm trying to calm her and not blow up because after all Pat's waiting for us. Finally I figured out we went in the OTHER entrance and the car is on the opposite side of the lot. We then find it immediately. I load things in and take off as "legal" as possible. Needless to say we left Pat with not enough time. I think he was a few minutes late. I'm left feeling really bad until I realize...WAIT!!! It's not MY fault he got in the accident with our green car and doesn't have anything to drive!!!

The kids bring in what I bought. I kick a kid out of my computer chair and rip off my bra (it's really been bugging me lately!!!) I keep thinking about all that work I was going to do when I got home. It's not getting done for some reason. About an hour or so after I get home the phone rings...it's SIL D. She wants to know if I want to take my little kids (who aren't going to the youth meeting) to the County Fair with her and her little kids. Ride tickets are only $1 each. So I have the kids round up their cash/change, put my bra back on, get Danielle changed and we're out the door again...waiting for D to pick us up.

We had a good time. We got a lot of stares with 2 strollers and 10 kids walking around us...oldest being almost 12. (only 3 walking were mine lol) One guy yelled as we walked by..you better be babysitting!!! LOL I let the kids go on 4 or 5 rides each...Jake lucked out and got to go on an extra one...so I only spent $13. We were blessed with TWO different people giving us tickets as they were leaving...first one gave us 4, the 2nd one gave us 6. We did the same as it got dark. We were down to 2 tickets with little kids who were ready to head home. I hope the lady with the 2 little kids appreciated the gesture as much as we did when we were on the receiving end.

D dropped us off, the kids grabbed something to eat and headed to bed. I sat in my computer chair for a bit, realized my hips were killing me, grabbed Danielle and jumped into bed myself. Now I'm staring at all the work that I'd hoped to take care of yesterday. Oh well, not like my sister or her girls haven't seen my house messy. It's cleaner deep down but in spots looks worse then when she was here on Sunday (like a bunch of the litte girls things piled in the livingroom waiting to go up into their new bedroom and all the extra laundry that cleaning bedrooms seems to produce). So I guess I should stop staring at it, thinking about it and DO IT!!!

So WHY am I still here?

Today was a very productive day. My hips are aching and I'm exhausted. So why can't I seem to fall asleep? Maybe because I keep thinking of what else I want to get done. Or will get done. YEP I can now officially say I am nesting. Everywhere I look I see things that need to be done. Things that don't normally bother me are bugging me until I get up and get them done.

Today we.... washed walls, washed a few windows, took apart and changed bedrooms and various other jobs. The girls worked over 8hrs on switching rooms. I had to take apart of the beds and put them back together. The bunks were too much for me and left me in tears, feeling like I was going to barf. So Tom had to finish it. Liz did a LOT of the work....I felt so bad for her by 11pm...she looked like she was going to fall apart. I hope they're all happy now.

I did manage to work in my room for a TINY bit. Unfortunately it looks a lot messier then when I started. We're taking out a hutch and putting in dressers so unloading the hutch has left me with a few more piles that need to be dealt with. I'm hoping we can finish it up tomorrow. I'd really like to get the dressers out of my livingroom!!! I have an appt at the OB's tomorrow so can't work until late afternoon. I just hope I'm not too tired from running around to get at it.

I also need to work on the everyday work which has been slightly ignored. Only a few loads of clothes have gone in (and my hallway is PACKED with waiting laundry) and my kitchen hasn't been touched much. Although the table has been picked up throughout the day. Hey! I did manage to clean a toilet while Danielle was in the tub! :o) Now if only I can get some tub cleaner and scrub that out! lol

I'm looking around the house and trying to figure out if it looks any better then when my sister was here on Sunday. I can't say that it does on the surface just yet. She'll be back here on Friday morning/afternoon to drop off her girls for the weekend. I'm HOPING there's a significant difference by then!!!!

My brother stopped by today to drop off some wood he wanted to get rid of (we'll burn it at a bonfire) Him and the kids had to step over shoes to get in the livingroom. He says to the kids...just step over everything, this is typical. HELLLLLO!?!?! Yes! I always have huge totes of barbies, dollhouse, kitchen play things taking up my livingroom. Oh don't mind the 2 huge plastic dressers in your way...that's always there. We're tearing the place apart and rearranging you ding dong!!!!

He's one that always makes little comments about how easy pregnancy is for me compared to others. That so and so wasn't meant to be birthing kids like Kim and such. It drives me crazy even though Tom tries to point out that they are meant as compliments. OK, maybe they are but I KNOW he'd be the first one to say...well what do you expect? It's your fault for having so many kids....If I complained about how hard pg was for me. Or how hard my day in general was. He was really surprised when he was leaving and he asked me...What's the matter? I said oh nothing...I'm just really pregnant. I don't think it ever occurs to him that I might be in pain, uncomfy and whatnot.

OK...it's almost 4am and I really need to get into bed. Have to be out the door by 10am tomorrow. Eileen and Olivia are the tagalongs for the day. Next week is Jake and Luke. Eileen keeps asking if we'll find out what day I'll have the baby at this appt. She really wants to hear it'll be on her birthday. I keep telling them they are SO spoiled! Most people have no idea which week, much less which day they'll have their baby. They expect it all to be planned.

Now that the pity party is over

OK so I wallowed in some self pity for a few days. Monday was a so so day I realized that I hadn't even thought about packing a hospital bag or what I'd need once I was home from the hospital. Val had a dr appt that day and we were planning on going shopping....so I did! I'm now stocked in wipes, sanitary and nursing pads. (had bought a pk of newborn diapers a few weeks ago...they are SO tiny!!!) We looked at nightgowns. I decided it was silly to get one if I'm only going to be in the hospital for 24hrs like after Danielle. BUT I told Michelle, if for some reason (c-section or whatever) I'm in longer...MAKE dad stop and buy me THIS gown! LOL I also bought 3 preemie sized sleeveless rompers. I was a bit reluctant since I have NO idea how big this guy is. But it should fit him for at least the first week. There's nothing sadder then a baby in baggy clothes. ;o)

Yesterday it finally hit me, either I get up and do things or shut up about it! I sorted the basket of baby boy clothes I had. Seems I don't have as many newborn things I thought I did. But I'm still good. Most of it was 6-9mo stuff. I'll resort after I wash everything and reassess what I think I need. I also know that SIL D has some things for me already. Main thing I can think of is a lightweight general blanket and some socks.

Then I hit my room. I've managed to thoroughly clean parts of my room here and there. But I can't remember the last time I gave my room a DEEP cleaning. It's probably before Eileen was born and she'll be 9 soon. It doesn't help that my room is the room where everything no one knows what to do with goes, outgrown clothes intended to be given away and such. At first I just moved things around quite a bit (very inefficient, I know). Then it got down to the nitty gritty and we started throwing things away. (Michelle came in and worked with me) I'm ashamed to admit we took out 6 30gal size trash bags of STUFF. My overflowing baskets of laundry are now HUGE mounds of it. Before going to bed I felt depression start welling up again. With 5+ hrs of work my room still looks like it needs to be picked up. Tom told me that was silly, that I did a LOT of work and should be proud of what we've accomplished. He's right. If only I could figure out how to neatly store all my fabric. It's the biggest mess maker in my room and closet right now. I'm hoping to get in there and finish up today.

Last night in chat someone mentioned me nesting. I said I didn't think I was, or if I was it was a forced one. Either way I've noticed I'm motivated! I'm seeing things I want to get done and am actually planning on doing. (washing windows and walls, cleaning cupboards, reorganizing closets, picking and putting up the cherries on our tree, painting...which I know I'll never get to) Maybe I am nesting. Whatever you call it, I hope it sticks around for a while!

Today is my uncle's big 4th of July party. Everyone is bummed here that we can't go. Our van isn't legal right now. Seems because we bought it from Kentucky and it was salvaged we have to jump through some redtape to get it reregistered. So it's been "off the road" since June 10th. We're (Tom, Pat and I) sharing a tiny Toyota Tercel right now. Gets great gas mileage, especially compared to the van. But I can only take 3 or 4 other people with me. We're managing but it's a huge pain when all anyone wants to do is go and do things for summer vacation. (It's a 2 door and is going to be hard with the new baby and an infant seat) Hopefully things will be straightened out soon and I can have my people mover back.

OK...all this talk about getting and keeping motivated is great. Now to act on it. Tom's up. He was sleeping in after having to go into work at 2am last night. So I can get in my bedroom now. I think it's catching on here. Seems the girls are devising a room change. The only problem is going to be trying to move the huge bunkbed downstairs. I think they can handle the rest.

Is this thing on?

Testing...1...2...3. Hellllloooooo? Where is everyone!?! The birds are up and singing, so why isn't everyone else? LOL Yep, I'm wide awake and bored out of my skull, so excuse my goofiness. I've been awake since about 2:30 or so, laid in bed for an hour and couldn't take it anymore. So here I am!

Laying in bed I got to thinking...in all my hormonal, poor me, funk. I never talked about what the baby was doing most of the afternoon while I was on edge. He was rolling, kicking, squirming and poking. A lot of it was deep inside but it was all over. There were times when my belly would just be rolling and rolling. I almost said something to Tom on our drive to his friend's house, but greedy me kept it to myself. Of course now the little guy has slowed down and I'm left wondering...is he ok? Why was he so active before and is quiet now? When was the last time he moved? Luckily he usually obliges me and lets me know things are still ok in there. :o)

Sometimes being a mature, experienced pg lady has it's drawbacks. Like knowing that everything isn't a given. I've had miscarriages...I know getting pg and staying pg isn't always guaranteed. I've had 4 people I know personally who have had babies born silent...one at 26wks, the rest between 38-42wks. I know someone who's youngest has cerebral palsy. So even though my amnio said there's no problems...I know I'm not in the clear. And of course there's Carrie, who proves that even though things are perfect and the baby's perfect. Things can change at a moments notice...but that can happen with any of my kids. Oh to be in my 20s when being pg wasn't too much of a blip on the radar, had my babies "worryfree", expected to be pg again within a year or so and that was that. Then again, maybe I prefer this way...it's makes them all so much more special...the miracle that they are. Something to REALLY be appreciated. (don't get me wrong...I still loved, felt blessed and appreciated my babies when I was younger...just in a different way)

Stuck in a hormonal funk

Today is one of those pregnant days I hate. When hormones are running high and someone saying hi brings on the tears. I cried for almost the whole day and still feel on the verge of it. Of course Tom was concerned and kept asking me what was wrong. He doesn't get that it's a lot of everything and a bunch of nothing.

Tom and I drove over to his friend's house to pick up our van. Getting out of the house did me good but I still cried the entire 30mins to the house. I tried to explain to Tom that I'm frustrated at how little I can accomplish around here. That my body won't cooperate. That everyone has been so busy that I haven't had too much help. That I'm NOT READY for this little one and time is bearing down on me. I don't even know what I have or don't have for him (have a basket that I've been throwing things that I buy in...have to wash it and go through it still). My plan for the last 2wks was to get my room cleaned this weekend. I didn't even manage to get in there yet! It doesn't help that Tom tends to report all that he's done around the yard. And what he'll be doing next. I know it's just his line of conversation but grrrrr....frustrated lady here who would LOVE to be able to do whatever work she wanted...when she wanted!!!!

This morning reading my pregnancy board had me on edge and brought on the first round of tears. A woman just had a homebirth and there was lots of talk about the difference between pitocin contractions, natural ones and the ones she (and others) have experienced at their homebirth. Labor is NOT something I'm looking forward to. I'm not scared of it but still.... I'd love to have the option of going naturally. I always "threaten" to run away and hide in a cave until labor starts. Reading their experiences makes it seem so easy. I KNOW pitocin contraxs are brutal. I KNOW that what I'm experiencing would and could probably be better/easier if I didn't have to use it. Then there's the uncertainty of whether the baby will do well being born early. To me, who's natural deliveries happened 12-17days overdue....38wks is EARLY! Granted I've done it twice already and everything was fine. LOTS of ladies have their babies that soon. It's still in the back of my mind. I know...be anxious for nothing. I'm trying really I am. At least I'm not sitting here in a puddle of tears anymore. :o)

Well hopefully tomorrow will be an all around better day. Val has a dr appt so I'm not expecting to get too much work done. There is a bit of work to do though if the kids expect their cousins to spend the weekend. (my sister's 3 girls). Danielle is cuddling into my shoulder wanting to go to bed. So that's what we'll do. Maybe I'll even get some more reading in before my eyes close (read a couple chapters last night like I wanted to!)

What's that you hear?

That's right...SILENCE! Friday Liz, Carrie, Eileen and Olivia went to my sister's house for the weekend. Drew's house sitting for Tom's baby brother. Pat's in Lake George with Jess's family. Jake was down the nature trail campign with BIL By. Luke was out fishing with some boys from church. Danielle was sleeping. That left Michelle and Val who asked me for a ride to someone's house for a birthday party. I happily obliged, giddy with happiness at the thought of Tom and I home alone with NO ONE home!!! (sleeping babies don't count) I can't remember the last time that's happened. The girls and I jumped in the car, I hurried them there and got home as fast as I legally could. The whole time I was driving I was trying to think what special meal I could make for us. I walk in the door and find.....Tom out cold next to Danielle in our bed!!! Waaaaaaaaaaah! So now it's just me all alone in the house...not so fun. I don't care to be alone...I'm gregarious by nature. At least I still had the TOK chat to visit.

Today's weather was BEAUTIFUL! Unfortunately I didn't get outside to enjoy it. I had decided I was going to get some work done in the house, namely my room. I started sorting and doing laundry in the hall instead. That's about as far as I got. No one was cooperating with me. They all had things that needed to be done and I NEED HELP! How am I suppose to move a dresser all by myself. Or bend over and pick things up off the floor. I can't breathe and feel like I'm going to barf when I bend. IT'S NOT FAIR!!! PG LADIES SHOULD GET SPECIAL TREATMENT!!! Who raised these barbians anways?

At least my breathing problems eased up. So it was the heat and humidity that was giving me problems. I can't say that the baby is any lower. For the first time I kept getting poked along the ribcage. I like to "gross" the little girls out by having them come over and feel the hard bump (whatever it is) sticking out/up. Of course they are in a giggling fit as they complain how gross it is. And they can't stop themselves from being pulled into it again and again. :o)

So now I'm sitting here in a quiet house again. Luke, Jake, and Danielle are in bed. Michelle's vegging in her room, probably in front of her computer or a movie. Val's gone off to a friend's house. Tom's outside, I think with his brother. (could be enjoying some solitude out there...I'm not about to mosey out there to find out). It's amazing how the dynamics of the house change with kids gone. Usually just one makes a difference. Having seven of them gone at once is HUGE! Guess I should get used to it...they'll be moving out permanently soon enough.

I have high hopes for tomorrow, as usual. I really feel like I won't be able to relax about this birth until my room is clean. I NEED to get it done. It's not even a desire anymore but a need. (I know, I know...not really. But indulge a pg lady for once) If no one can or does help tomorrow I may have to take drastic measures here.

I did something I don't normally do this week. I splurged and bought myself some lotions at Bath & Body Works. I couldn't resist a tiny bottle of lemon and verbana that was clearanced for $1.25. I'm addicted! I'm trying to not use it all before I go into labor. It smells so nice that I think it would help me relax and calm my stomach if it gets queasy. Then again I could be totally repulsed by it once I'm in labor. Then I guess I can try my Grapefruit Lotion which is also yummy....although not AS yummy as the lemon and verbana. At least the grapefruit bottle is quite a bit bigger so I don't have to worry about running out of that anytime soon.

I'm not really sure why but I'm feeling the need to be pampered now. For the first time EVER I've been thinking about a pedicure and manicure for myself. Of course I'm always wishing someone would offer me a massage....especially on my, on the verge of cramping legs. But the hands and feet thing....not my style and usually not anywhere on my radar. I could see if I'd been running myself ragged, feeling neglected or misused. But I've been taking it really easy, almost to the point of slothfulness. Tom and I have been having it really good too. So WHY the need now?

Oh well, I'm going to try to not dwell on it too badly. I think I'll head off to a shower, slather myself in lotion and climb into bed. Even though I don't feel so sleepy. Maybe I'll take a book with me...haven't done that in a while. (Cause Tom's usually sleeping way before me)

Here's to a productive day tomorrow!!!

24yrs ago....

Tom and I had just gotten married!!! It was a Tuesday night, 2 days after my high school graduation and party. We used leftovers from my grad party for our wedding buffet, SIL made our cake, a neighbor made Italian wedding cookies and my dad bought some champagne. PERFECT! I woudln't do it any differently even after all these years. Now if I could just get my kids to do it just as frugally. ;o)

We moved our wedding date from Aug 22nd to June 28th for 2 reasons. We got sick of fighting everyone over the details of our big wedding we were planning. My dad had given me 2 options...big wedding and no present. Small wedding and a monetary gift. We needed the money for a downpayement for our mobile home so changed our minds and took the cash. :o)

Was fun watching everyone count the months on their hands when Drew was born 2 days short of our 10mo anniversary. (and he was 15days overdue!!! AF arrived on the last day of our honeymoon). They were all sure I was lying about why we moved the date up and that I was pg when we got married.

Unfortunately we're not doing anything for our anniversary today. Tom's over at a friend's working on the van. It broke down on the way to my dad's birthday party Tuesday evening. I'm waiting on the kids to call to be picked up from the youth meeting. Not sure if we'll do anything this weekend either. Although some girls are going to my sister's for the weekend (I get her girls the following weekend). But I think we're going to an anniversary party for another couple on Sat. Hopefully we'll find time eventually to do something...at least dinner out.

Another week, another dr appt... 35wks

So much for that 6lb weight loss. I gained back 2lbs which didn't surprise me. It's been really hot and muggy here and my feet are paying the price for it. I'm also having a hard time breathing which I thought was due to being muggy out. BUT when the nurse was hooking up the fundal monitor to me today she made the comment "OMG! You're WAY up here today!" (ontop of my sternum) So maybe this little guy decided to cooperate, turned from transverse to HOPEFULLY head down position and is all stretched out. I guess once the humidity goes away tomorrow we'll see how easy it is to breathe. Easy....it was the heat. Still difficult...it's the position of the baby.

There's nothing newsworthy to report about my NST so that's good. I did ask the dr if things continue like they are (blood pressure and diabetes under control) is there a possibility of being allowed to go further then 38wks. He gave me that...you know the answer to that question...look. Then proceeded to tell me that some are advising drs to wait until 39wks to induce diabetics and high blood pressure patients. That'd take me to the last week of July. I was planning on being over at church for the summer conference then so we'll see. Don't get me wrong...I want to wait until the last possible minute to have this baby. I'd LOVE it if they allowed me to go on my own. I haven't done that since my water broke with #5 Luke, and then #2 Pat's delivery before that. It's just that the kids are a bit bummed that they might miss the family fun week...after all it is FUN! I'm headed back in to the dr's on July 5th for another NST. I believe the week after that I'm due for a sono! Woohooo!

Busy weekend....

I had a plan and I wanted to see it done! This place has falling apart and I really want to get things in order before the baby gets here. So the plan is...

This weekend... Get the kids bedrooms taken care of. The older kids already do that so we concentrated on the littler ones. Val helped Luke and Jake....Michelle helped Eileen and Olivia. Carrie got out of cleaning her room because Liz was gone for the weekend (helping with the food at the band weekend). So I had Carrie helping me, flitting around, doing a lot things but really getting nothing accomplished. The boys managed to get their room finished (except maybe vacuuming a few cobwebs). The girls...only about 75% done. Even I helped in there...it was a HUGE mess. We have to downsize the things in there, there's just too much stuff to get all over. I have a plan for it but not sure when I can implement it. Hopefully we'll finish their room tomorrow morning.

This week...We'll get the main living areas taken care of. They've already started since school has been out. What I really want to do is deep down stuff, not just everyday pick up and sweep. It shouldn't take too long and hopefully the weather will cooperate (meaning won't bake us in our livingroom)

Coming weekend...hit my room. It's the room that everyone uses when they don't know what to do with something. I've hit it here and there but it needs a LOT of work. I'll need help for sure in there...hauling stuff out, rearranging things, etc. I was hoping to get it painted before the baby came but I don't know if that's reasonable. (it's the only room that hasn't been painted since we built this place)

Next week....the basement!!!! Again the collect all place. This time for things that are huge or no one really cares about. If you want to keep something, the basement is not the place....it's damp and musty down there. Most of the stuff will probably need to go out the door. It's just a matter of finding the time and having help available when you do have the time. Personally I'd be happy if we could just park a dumpster outside a window and start trashing. I know not the greatest attitude but it will make life a lot easier to be rid of things.

We've been dealing with pink eye all week. Carrie started it with Danielle, Eileen and Olivia following. We stayed home from church today even though most of the families have had it (or have it). It's where we got it. I still don't feel right bringing contagious kids in public. Plus I didn't want to break the momentum we had going toward the house. Can't say that today was as productive as yesterday but at least things did get accomplished. I just wish someone walking in my house could see it. Think anyone would mind if I ran up to them with a pillowcase in my hand, screaming....HERE SMELL! Doesn't it smell great!?!? Don't you just love bedding after it's been hung out to dry! I did a zillion loads of it this weekend! LOL

Pregnancywise I'm suffering a bit. It's not the heat, it's HEARTBURN!!! I woke up 3 times last night and needed to grab my antacid bottle. My sciatica was also acting up by the time I was done working last night. It hadn't hurt me that bad since the middle of May. Yes, my sciatica actually decided to give me a break and behave. It seems that I haven't really had much pain since the soccer weekend which was mid May. Luckily today wasn't so bad. It's something I can work through. I can't believe I'm almost done baking this little guy. I am so not ready to be done with this pregnancy. I want to keep him to myself for a lot longer. Plus I have to admit I'm a bit intimidated at the thought of dealing with a almost 2yo and newborn alone. I know...I've done it over and over again...even some closer together and with more of them. I just feel out of practice and shape.

Yeah I'm so proud of myself. I managed to post again in the same week! I'm liking this again. :o) Now you'll wish I stayed hidden. lol

I'm here and everything is OK!

I really am perplexed why it's taken me so long to update here. Everyday I wake up intending to do it. It just never seemed to get done. So now I'm writing before I head to bed so I don't have to start the cycle all over again.

Things are really going well. Michelle's been done with classes about a month. The rest of the kids have one half day of school left on Thurs...let SUMMER VACATION BEGIN! The pool is up and running although I'm not keeping up on it as well as I normally do. That means we've had a few bouts of green water here and there.

Val went to the prom in mid May with her boyfriend J. Here's my favorite pic of them.



Pregnancywise things are going well too. I had a week or two that had me worried. My blood pressure was up and I thought I was headed to bedrest. Luckily we upped my meds and it helped. Although today at the dr's it was up a bit again. The dr is still ok with it. I'll have to restart monitoring it better at home again. My sugar has been ok. I've been at the same amount of insulin for a few weeks. My numbers aren't as great as they were with Danielle's pregnancy but they are acceptable. I hit my highest weight ever last week after gaining 5lbs 2 wks ago and 3lbs last week. This week I seemed to have lost 6 of those pounds though. Don't ask my why or how...I have no clue. But I'll take it! :o) The heat has gotten to me for the first time this week. Monday it was in the high 80s which isn't so bad but the humidity made it unbearable. Tuesday was in the mid 90s and humid. Needless to say I didn't do or move much that day. Amazingly my ankles didn't disappear or explode though. Today it was a very nice day in the 70s with a breeze to boot. If I could have a week of days like that and a houseful of kids to help me...we could get this place in tiptop shape in no time. I'm really trying to work on getting things done and ready for the arrival of the little guy. Right now the present thought is I have 4wks to go (will be 38wks). Technically it could be less then that. TICK TOCK, TICK TOCK.

I had Liz take new belly pics of me today. I love the first pic, it's too cute! Liz was trying to get a front shot when Danielle came running up, grabbed my legs, looked at Liz and said CHEEEEEZE! LOL

Belly shots...33w6d



I think I'm as big as I was in my last belly pic of Danielle's pg

Oh and I didn't forget! (unlike other past years) I bought a cake while out shopping today. It is Carrie's 10th anniversary of her bone marrow transplant. It's amazing to think that much time has gone by. Then othertimes it seems like 10 lifetimes ago. I was the only one to remember it which is fine by me. It means that things are going well. She's doing really good, just wish she'd remember to take her meds better! I felt horrible last week after I resorted to scare tactics to get my point across. No one, much less a 12yo should have to worry about losing body parts or getting hooked up to machines (dialysis) inorder to survive. STUPID DIABETES!!!

PHEW! Managed to get SOMETHING out there afterall. I'm heading to bed and will really really try to keep things up to date here. Especially as I get closer and closer to welcoming our new little guy into the family.

One week and counting!

This is Michelle's last week of classes! Then she'll have a final next Monday and WE ARE DONE for the summer!!! I'm not only looking forward to being able to stay home more often. I'm also looking forward to not using the gas (although Michelle's paid me for most of it) and the temptation of going to the store and spending money. After all, there's almost always something we need. I found I saved so much money her spring break week.

My poor van broke down over a week ago. My BIL and Tom worked on it this weekend and it's up and running...at least I hope there's no more problems with it. Luckily Drew was here so I could use his car (our old Saturn) all last week. I was amazed when I figured his gas mileage...38mpg!!! I want my old car back! lol Actually if I was to get a used car it would be another Saturn. I'm curious to see what mileage the Tercel gets. We bought it off a neighbor for dirt cheap and it's in the driveway waiting for insurance and registration.

The weather this last week was BEAUTIFUL! I'm so glad that spring has finally decided to stick around longer then a few days. The kids are really enjoying their time playing outside. Unfortunately they/we aren't managing this time well and homework is getting forgotten until late. I'm trying to encourage them to do it as soon as they get home but it's hard. They're pretty shot after doing schoolwork all day and besides...the afterschool hours have the best evening sun!! My front garden is calling to me but my hips are yelling NO back. I just may have to let the weeds win out this year. I'd have the kids do it but it's so hard to judge between what are wanted plants and which are weeds right now. I know they'd pull something important out. The rhubarb has sprung and I already snitched a baby stem...YUM! In another week I may attack it bigtime.

Pregnancywise time is flying!! This week I start into the third trimester! I can't believe it. Part of me is excited but another part wants things to slow down. I'm so not ready. I have so much to do around here. The hard part is that my body isn't cooperating! I also have no idea how much time I'll have on my feet. Technically I could be put on bedrest at anytime now. I'm aiming for everything to be done by 34wks though. Then I can relax for the last month...I hope. Now if my sciatica would allow me to move, walk and bend...I'd be alright! Having Michelle home should be a big help.

My dr appt last Wed went fine. We've upped my insulin again so I'm now taking more then I did during anytime in Danielle's pg. My numbers still aren't where we WANT them although they aren't bad. I can't seem to get my fastings under 100. I'm really wondering how things are going to go now that I'm into the hardest insulin resistance part of the pg. I have to go in again this week and get my Rhogam shot.

I'm seriously doubting the OB nurse's ability to take my blood pressure. She always gets a low reading but last week took the cake. 102/70!!! The last time I saw a 102 I was on the verge of passing out (felt fine at this appt though). I complained and said there was NO way that could be right. She said she pumped it all way up to 130...huh? I'm hypertensive...why would you think 130 was high enough? According to her she listens to when the beat stops, pumps it another time or two and then starts decompressing the cuff. I always pump the cuff to 180-200 and then start decompressing. I'm not sure if the starting point before decompressing matters in the reading...it seems it would though. My problem is that I haven't been monitoring my pressure at home so have no numbers to prove she's wrong. I really need to start up again. (btw...took it just now and got 140/94...BIG difference!)

OK, enough rambling...time to take Michelle to class.

Couldn't have asked for a nicer ending

to spring break here. This weekend was BEAUTIFUL! On Friday we went to the zoo. Everyone but Pat and Carrie went with us. Pat was working and Carrie went to a birthday luncheon with a group of girls. As a substitute we brought J...Val's boyfriend of the last 2+ months. I had a little bit of a hard time getting around but did ok.

At one time we "lost" Danielle. She was walking while I pushed the stroller. We made sure someone was always holding her hand or carrying her. At the penguin display we stopped while the kids took pictures and I stood in the shade. After they were done taking pics of Danielle, they put her down and continued the photo session. When everyone was ready to leave the area I realized Danielle wasn't with ANYONE. I yelled WHERE'S DANIELLE! Spun around and there she was all by herself walking in a crowd about 25ft or so away from us. Talk about a heart attack!

Saturday we went to my parents' house for a cookout. It was a very nice and relaxing day. My Dad bought clams because he knew I was craving them after Tom and I went away for the weekend. It was SO hard to resist eating them raw. I finally brokedown and threw back 2 of them. THEY WERE SO GOOD! Steamed ones were good too, no denying it but the raw ones...YUM! (probably because they are taboo lol) After an evening around the firepit we headed home around 12:30am.

Sunday the temperature was in the 80s!!! It's insane! And to think that exactly a week ago I was out grocery shopping in a crazy mob, getting ready for a snowstorm. Yep, we got hit by the snowstorm last Sunday. Lots of schools had a snowday that Monday. My kids were looking at the fact that they didn't get a snowday 2 ways...What a waste of a vacation day. Then again, we still have a snowday so will get out of school a day earlier in June. :o) Anyways back to today. I was feeling a bit exhausted and weak so didn't do much. Tom BBQ'ed for dinner and we sat around outside. Danielle LOVES it outside and stands screaming at the door if she's not allowed out with everyone else. Luckily Tom loves it outside too and is usually willing to have her out there with him.

I had a dr appt last Wednesday. I gained 4 more lbs. :o( My blood pressure was LOW (for me) and my sugar was ok. We decided to up my insulin anyways since there was some room for perfection. I complained that my hands, feet and eyes were swollen 3 out of 7 days last week. (now it's there all the time to some degree) My urine must've been fine since he didn't seem too concerned. It's more irritating right now then worrisome. Especially since the hot weather isn't even here yet. Not to mention I have about 13more weeks to go. My next dr appt is a week from this Wed.

After doing the huge grocery shopping trip last Sunday my sciatica was KILLING me! I hadn't hurt that much in a loooong time. Mostly the pain goes across my butt cheeks and a bit into the back of my thighs. The hard thing to deal with though is that I can't physically lift my feet up much. And my legs feel really weak, like they are about to give out any second. Holding Danielle or carrying something is out of the question when I'm like that. I'm lucky if I can carry myself. This means that I didn't do too much work this past week. So much for plans of men. My house is still pretty much the same as before vacation....although the kids did hit it on and off all week. I'm looking forward to when Michelle is out of school and I'll have almost everyday at home to do things. (as long as I'm not on bedrest) She only has 3 or 4 wks left! Wooohooo!

Back to the old routine in the morning. Although I'm not dreading it as much as usual. It's still a bit hard to think of having to get back into a routine and force the kids out the door. The fact that the temperature is suppose to be in the upper 70's tomorrow doesn't help. I need some rain days lol.

Oh yeah, a DS update....he's been discharged from the hospital! He's not at home right now but he's recouping well last I heard. :o) He still has a loooong way to go and lots of hurdles to conquer though.

Zoo pictures

Danielle getting up close and personal in the aviary



Danielle from the front side being really cute way down there



My kids minus Carolyn and Pat

A week off, a week on

I'm enjoying not having to take Michelle to classes this week. I even canceled my OB appt for Wed so I wouldn't have to go out. :o) It stinks though that I have to get up and get the kids onto the bus. Just like next week will stink not to have to get the kids on the bus. Yet Michelle will still need me to drive her to classes.

Yesterday Drew and I ended up going into my parents' house. (so much for staying home lol) Drew housesat for them last week and it seems he didn't leave their computer desktop EXACTLY how they left it. With the computer being slightly intimidating to them...they don't like that. So we went in to visit and see if we could get it to an ok place.

Things have moved along fast for DS (church friend) right now. He ended up in emergency surgery on Thursday and is still in critical condition. I've heard a few reports of not so great things but I don't want to give out misinformation so won't mention them. (need to heard it from the family themselves) A few church families are helping out with the kids. They didn't want them to miss out on the egghunt at church so brought them. Another family was watching the baby, I'm not positive how often they have him. DS's parents came in, along with A's (his wife) sister to help out. I know it's a bit different but I can't help but be thrown back to Carrie's diagnosis and transplant. Which adds to my emotions (not to mention pg hormones helping out too)

PG wise this is a slow time. I weighed myself on my mom's scale and it seems my weight is that same. Although I'm not sure how their scale compares to the OB's. My sugar hasn't been so hot...especially the fasting ones. I'll probably be upping my nighttime dosage tonight. Of course if I ate more along the lines of how I did with Danielle's pg...the numbers might be a bit better. I'm not sleeping too well. Tom keeps bugging me to go to bed, rest, get some sleep. He says I'm going to get sick. I keep telling him...tell my body that! It won't listen to me.

Weatherwise we're like most of the country...CRAZY! We've been getting hit with Lake effect snow since late last week with 2 more storms expected this week. Saturday night 6+ inches fell on us. Freaky thing is that the village only got a dusting if that...it's 3 miles south of us! It's a bit chilly here today, I think we ran out of fuel. I was hoping the last delivery would last the rest of the season. Oh well we'll get one more delivery. At least we'll have fuel for the beginning of next season. I can't complain too much. We've only gone through 350 or 400 gals of oil all season. Good thing I didn't run out of oil last week since we were out of propane too. At least now I can bake something to help take the chill off of things.

Drew is in the mood to take care of some things around here. That means he's bugging me to help him. So guess that's my clue to end this. Can't turn down willing help when it's offered.

Life

It's so strong and just keeps on going. Whether we're ready for it to or not. This week we've been from one extreme to the other.

On Monday we found out one of our friends in the church was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. He's a dad to 8 kids. The oldest is almost 13, the youngest was born last fall. They all seem to be handling the news well. Although knowing from experience I'm sure they are functioning on survival mode. Luke, Carrie and Jake are good friends with their kids and spend a decent amount of time at their house. I'm especially watching Carrie in all this. She's been a little nervous of the "C" word since before this all happened.

She complained to me last week that a bump in the back of her head hurts. When she showed me where it was, my heart dropped. It's a lymph node she's had since her cancer diagnosis. It never went away like the others although was tiny in size. One time the nurse practioner mentioned it's probably where her relapse (if she did) would show up first. I'm thinking that it was enlarged due to the fact that she was just recouping from a stomach bug. Unfortunately Liz, not thinking, blurts out...It's CANCER! Trying to be funny. Carrie's eyes get huge and she looked at me. It was all I could do to put on a poker face and tell Liz she's not funny and it is NOT! Needless to say, we'll be getting that canceled appt to the hem/onc clinic made...really quick! I hate having those thoughts running through the back of MY mind...I certainly don't want them running through Carrie's!

On the other end of life's spectrum...My nephew and his wife had their baby yesterday!!! Woohooooo! Welcome to the world Sophia Rose! I haven't heard too many details yet, except she's beautiful! I LOVE the name...so does Tom. LOL Now that I don't have to think of a girl's name....I keep hearing all these beautiful names that I like. Big difference from Olivia's pg. WHY does that happen? As far as a boy's name goes...Tom has mentioned on particular name quite a bit in the last few days. He hasn't admitted that's what he wants. Maybe he's just trying it out. I'm not over the moon about it now but could see it growing on me. (One of the names is a name we had picked out for one of the older girls...before Luke and Jake were born)

On the daily aspect of life...we're plugging along. Today starts Michelle's spring break! YEAH! So I'm off taxi duty for the next 10 days or so. It's messed me up though. Yesterday I was thinking it was Thursday on and off. Then in a nap induced half awake haze I thought it was FRIDAY! LOL I hate when that happens. For some reason our school district officials were numbskulls this year. They scheduled our spring break the week AFTER everyone around us has it off. Yep, almost all the districts around us have next week (after Easter) off. We, we have to go to school all next week and THEN have the week off. I'm sure my sister's girls weren't happy to hear that since they usually spend a few days here on breaks.

Pg wise on the spectrum...things are kicking...and I mean that literally. This little guy is making his presence known. He's still a secret to everyone else though. No one has had the opportunity to feel him. Tom thought he MIGHT've felt some flutters one night but wasn't sure. My last appt went well. I had a sono to check everything out. Since we already knew what his sex was from the amnio we didn't waste too much time down there. Mostly it was checking all the vital organs and getting measurements for a baseline comparision later in my pg. He's measuring a few days ahead although we've kept my due date the same...fine by me. The more days he gets to cook the better. My next appt is next Wednesday.

I'm hoping to get some major work around here done. While it wouldn't take all of us too long to get this place picked up. It's all that's happened around here in a while. This place needs more, it needs the deep down nitty gritty stuff done that no one normally notices. The stuff that you feel like you wasted the whole day doing (like organizing closets, emptying drawers, going through clothes, etc). On the days I do have home (which aren't many) I tend to play catch-up instead of the deep down stuff. Unfortunately right now I'm finding it hard to do too much without feeling winded already. So I need some COOPERATION!!! Wish it came in pill form.

At least I can cross off one thing on my list...update my blog. :o) I'll try to not be such a stranger here during break. I keep telling myself...only 6 more weeks and then Michelle will be in summer break! I'm counting the days. :o)

Another dr appt....another update

Yikes! It's been 2wks since my last update. I've tried to get in here a few times to update but never seem to get it done. I had my 20wk dr appt yesterday and heard the results of my amnio. Everything came back NORMAL!!!! Everyone was dying to know if I'd find out what I was having. One nurse asked if I had an inkling of what it was or if I had a preference. I said No and No, although it'd be cool if it was a boy since we haven't had a baby boy in 11yrs. (Jake's 11th birthday is 5 days after my due date).

My blood pressure was fine and my weight is up...but I can't complain since I haven't gained a lot. Still it kind of bugs me since I know I haven't been eating as well as I should be. Hard to keep the carbs down when Spaghetti is the meal and snack of choice as much as possible.

The midwife came in and told me all tests came back normal. We talked about my insulin. I told her my numbers have been all over the place but I haven't been eating right or taking my insulin at times (can't seem to remember to do my evening shot). So I wanted to keep things where they are with me upping it if I feel the need. Then she asked....do you want to know what it is? YES! She walked over with my chart, flipped the paper on the report and showed me.... 46;XY. We are having a BOY!!!! Wooooooohoooooooooo! We found HIS heartbeat almost immediately...no chasing him today. She kept it on an extra long time. I told her I was wishing I could wear it 24/7. It's something you never get tired of hearing.

As I walked out of the exam room the nurses were standing there waiting to see the expression on my face. They were laughing at the huge smile I had on my face. I said you should see your faces....you're grinning like fools too! Thing is just hearing my baby and hearing about it put the smile on my face...I don't think the sex of it did. I'll probably have the same look after my next appt in 2wks since we get to do a full sono! :oD

Luke had a dr appt after me, then we picked up Michelle and grabbed something to eat at Burger King. I called Tom while waiting for Luke to be called into his appt. He was really happy but couldn't talk long. All the melting snow and rain has him working double shifts and running nonstop.

After the appt we decided to run to Marshalls so Michelle could look for jeans. Danielle and I headed to the baby section. I have a baby shower on Sunday for my nephew's wife and needed to find gender neutral things to buy. They don't know what they are having and aren't going to find out. Do you know how hard it is to find gender neutral things!! Yeah there are green and yellow clothes out there but they are always decorated in gender specific things (flowers, bugs, tools etc). I managed to find a nursery organizer and a set of 4 ecru with mint green receiving blankets. I think I might get a gift card for the rest of their present. (also have a mint green...I love my grandma bib and a feeding set put away). If I decide differently I'll try to get to Target before Sunday. Oh yeah and for myself I bought a 5pk of blue/boy print onsies..size Newborn and a 4pk of boyish receiving blankets.

While we were at the store my phone rings. It's Eileen, who had just walked in the door from school. She asks...Moooom when are you going to find out what you're having? Did you find out yet? I asked her if it had been bugging her all day and she said it had. I then asked what she was hoping it would be. She said a boy. I said Well YOU'RE RIGHT! Then there was a bunch of screaming in my ear as she tells everyone at home the news. So it's safe to say that everyone is pleased. :o)

There's more to talk about but I'll save it. Have to get kids out the door for the bus. TGIF!

My dr appt...17w6d...quick update

I had an appt at 2 today. Dr was at the hospital but wasn't too far behind me getting there...so the delay wasn't TOO long. Eileen wasn't feeling so hot so stayed home and went with us. Drew watched her and Danielle while I went in. He ended up leaving to pick up Michelle while I was still being seen. :o)

My blood pressure was perfect! 120/80 They are using a new scale now which is digital and EXACT to the tenths. I'm not sure how it compares to the old scale though so I can't say if I went up or down. I was 211.8. Which is about where I ended Danielle's pregnancy at. (dropped to 204 during pg before getting there though). I think I mentioned earlier that my sugar levels have been creeping up. Dr agreed my insulin needs to be split into 2 doses a day. So we're going with 20am/16pm (putting this here for my benefit above all else). I know I really need to eat better and keep better track of my numbers. And NOT misplace my meter! There are a few of them here so I can almost always find something to take it on. But then my numbers are scattered in different machines. The girls found my favorite meter that's been missing for a while in their room this weekend. I'm assuming I have Danielle to thank for that since I don't remember ever testing in their room before. (or have a reason to even think I would of tested in there)

I had my amnio done today. I think I freaked myself out more then it physically affected me. At one time the nurse asked if I was ok. She thought I looked a little whoozie. I admit I was bit light headed getting out of there. I made the mistake of going to Walmart afterwards and was a bit sore. Then nursing Danielle and carrying her to bed for a nap didn't help. I took a nap with her. :o) Tom said he's glad I did since he's thought I needed one for a while now. Me, I just see it as a waste of time...but I enjoyed it anyways. I'm a bit crampy here and there still. I hope tomorrow most of it is gone. The test results take 10 business days. I have an appt in 2wks. Not sure if the results will be in or not by then. I'm hoping they will.

I have to call the dr's office tomorrow. From what I've read online I think I was suppose to get a Rhogam shot after the test(I'm RH-). And I didn't. So maybe I'll have to run in tomorrow and get one. NO big deal since I have to pick up Michelle anyways but I'm not happy if they did forget.

I forgot I was suppose to take it easy after the amnio. So one whole day/night of getting ready for Luke's party is gone. I'll see how I feel tomorrow before I decide whether I tackle it full force or not. Hate to leave it all for Friday since I have his cake to make and such.

Well off to bed now that I've updated. I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Musings of a lurker

While surfing around the net I find myself thinking...

I'm OLD and my family is HUGE! I know, big news huh? Thing is I just don't normally feel like that. Yes, sometimes when everyone wants me at once it hits me but normally...nope, I'm just a mom to some kids. Maybe it's the places I visit online. Maybe it's cause it's the truth. Skimming through one of my old large family haunts found me rolling my eyes about how LARGE their families were...most were having #3, 4 or 5! I did see a few 8 kidders and of course the resident MEGA family who's already thinking about the next baby (you know who you are you nut! I love you!!!) Venturing on the expecting boards is even WORSE! The ladies above would be thought to have HUGE families. LOL

How does it make me feel old? Well, noticing the ages of everyone's kids and how many years married everyone was. I've been married almost as long as some of those moms have been alive!!! Let alone see anyone dealing with 20+yo kids.

Something I saw rubbed me the wrong way though. Women were describing themselves as a pregaholics. Pregaholic? Someone's who's addicted to pregnancy or compulsively needs to be pregnant? I guess it rubbed me the wrong way because we're (large family parents) already seen as thoughtless breeders. To give that excuse as the reason for your large family? Since when was enjoying 9mos of pregnancy compulsion enough to endure a lifeftime of blood sweat and tears? Over and over and over again.

Don't get me wrong. I LOVE being pregnant, even with its complications. With Danielle's pg I was the healthiest I've been in decades. I love having a little secret all to myself. To be able to sit there and enjoy the baby's flutters and kicks. (but not yet this time...I'm so ready for it) To know that this baby is ALL mine for the time being and I don't have to share. Seeing some of my online friends near the end of their pregnancy it hit me. I rarely WANT my pregnancies to end. Yes, there have been a few where I couldn't walk (sciatica) or was micromanaged so bad that I just wanted to be done. But for the most part...I'll stay pregnant (these words will probably come back to haunt me). I know I'll probably feel better after the birth but in truth it's a lot easier to take care of the baby while I can carry it inside then in my arms. I'll admit it's not as fun though. :o)

K, musings done...onto life

Pregnancywise I'm doing ok. My blood pressure has been GREAT (120s/70 or 80s). BUT it always has to be something. Now my sugar has decided it wants some attention. My fasting numbers have been creeping up so I upped my insulin another 4units (had permission to do it on my own) 2 days ago. Today I woke up to see it hit 122. :o( I haven't seen that in a while. I think it's time to go to a 2x dose instead of upping my one dose a day. At least a small dose at night to cover my morning numbers. Tomorrow is my appt. For the first time I'm actually having an amnio done. I don't know why this time I decided differently. Maybe it's my age, maybe it's that things haven't been as smooth as I'd like. I'm not really worried about it but do find the procedure creeping into my thoughts more and more as it gets closer. I know tomorrow I'll probably be a nervous wreck.

Familywise everyone is doing well. A few are finishing up on a gross cold but that's par for the course. Island week has ended and the kids are back to school. Sunday night it started snowing a decent amount. Everyone was wondering if the joked about snowday on Monday would be a reality. It didn't last long enough and everything was running on time.

We've jumped from Island week to the start of Birthday week. Friday is Luke's 14th birthday then Olivia turns 7 on Tuesday and Val turns 17 on the following Friday. It looks like we'll have a houseful of boys on Friday. Drew (and maybe Pat) will be helping Luke have an X-box party. I'd thought about taking them bowling or to laser tag but they're both pretty expensive. This way I can spend the money on some yummy food (there again with the food) and let the boys mellow out infront of their games all night. It's how they'd prefer to spend the time anyways. I haven't even started thinking about Olivia's or Val's birthday. Most of the time I don't have to think about Val's...she comes up with the plans.

Danielle has turned into a motormouth. Only problem is...her vocabulary hasn't caught up with her desire to communicate. It's mostly gibberish to us right now (I'm sure she KNOWS what she's saying lol) It's adorable and luckily it isn't frustrating to her to not be understood. Her siblings are doing their part...teaching her irritating and snotty things. Yesterday while walking through the frozen section of Walmart I noticed a man chuckling at Danielle. I look down and see her with her tongue sticking out, nose in the air, head wagging back and forth and her saying...nyaaaah nyah nyaaah in perfect queen brat fashion. *heavy sigh* I can't wait until they have kids of their own and I can repay the favor.

Had a funny moment while shopping at BJs yesterday. Drew was with me and had taken Danielle out of our original cart (groceries were in a new cart). While taking her away from the register he laid her on the register's rollers and pushed her a tiny bit. She was laughing and I was scolding...she could get something pinched ya know! The clerks were giggling and said...she liked that DAD! Drew stiffened up and got a funny look on his face. I corrected them that he was her brother. Their jaws dropped to the ground and they went on and on about how he was the BIG brother and the difference in their age. I didn't bother shocking them even more and saying there were 9 more kids in between them. lol As we walked away I shot over my shoulder to Drew...Come on Honey, we've got to get home before the kids from school get there. For some reason he didn't think I was very funny.

My brain has been driving me crazy. I keep looking around and seeing everything I want to start. Not to mention all the projects that need finishing first. At least the house isn't as bad as it's been. I'm hoping this week to put a big dent into my todo list. I really want to get into my room, clean and paint it so Tom and I can have a place to relax away from the kids (well as much as Danielle will allow it lol). Still have to figure out what to do with Danielle when the baby gets here too. She's in our bed as of now and I don't really have anywhere else to put her. Maybe a few older kids will move out by then, freeing up a room (there's been talk). I'm not counting on it though.

Time to put my body to work and let it try to catch up with my brain. All this thinking of doing things is making me exhausted before I even start!

Trying to get this out without destroying my keyboard or killing blogger.    I've been having a hard time getting my posts to format right for some reason.  I'm blaming the "new" blogger since I hardly ever had problems with blogger before.    I'm looking to see if I want to move my blog but I'm not sure where to go.     Not to mention I don't have tons of time to redo everything.   :o(

We've been getting hit with tons of snow in the last 2 wks.    The schools schedule 5 extra days to be used for snow days.   I can't remember if we've used 5 or 6 of them.  If we're up to 6 that means we'll either have a staff development day taken away later in the year.  Or the kids will have to go an extra day at the end of the year.  

Liz took pictures after the Nor'eastern came through on Wed.  I took the second pic of the same tree and picnic table on Fri morning after the lake effect had hit us with another 18+ inches.    



The kids were a bit bummed to see snow days this week since they canceled their V-day parties Wed.   I  didn't mind, especially since the last 3 snowdays comes on the heel of mid-winter break.     Helloooo extended vacation!     With Mid-winter break comes out annual Island week celebration.  We've been getting the house ready slowly but surely.  It's looking the best it's looked in quite a while.  :o)    Friday the kids started decorating.   Michelle made an really cool banner for the wall.    It's about 18ft long with HAPPY ISLAND WEEK written in block letters across it.  Each letter is decorated differently (rainbow, flowers, I looks like a dock, S looks like a water slide)    In between each letter she's drawn one of us doing something (Tom in a boat, me waving to him, Drew and Pat playing frisbee with on either side of a palm tree "P", Jake fishing from a hammock strung across the top of the "W"...etc)  I tried to take a pic of it and they didn't come out well.  Maybe once it's down and I can control the lighting a bit more it'll be ok.  

We've had lots of good food as always.  I sometimes wonder if we have an unhealthy relationship with food.  If I'm creating problems in my kids after they become adults...especially with Type 2 diabetes risks so great in their lives.   Thing is, having a large family....you don't go very many places as a group.  You can't always be doling out money to do things as a group.   Even a simple thing like a daytrip to the zoo can cost a pretty penny.   But it's ok to spend a little extra money on food to enjoy as a group.   You have to eat, why not make it fun too!    I guess I just have to trust that I taught them good everyday choices skills.    

So far we've had....

Sat...Roasted Sticky Chicken
Sun...Peach BBQ Porkloin Roast (ended up being bottled bbq sauce with peaches thrown in lol)
Mon...Chicken nuggets (things got away from me that day lol)
Tues...Easy Island Chicken
Wed...Fried Flounder and clam strips

Planned for the rest of the week....

Thurs... Sweet and Sour Meatballs(Yoshida's Hawaiian Sweet and Sour sauce over a crockpot full of frozen meatballs)
Fri.... Pork Chops (think I'm going with teryaki but not sure)
Sat....Hawaiian Pizza and wings
Sun...Chicken Skewers (seasoning unknown as of yet)

Things might get bogged up a bit on Thursday since we're heading out the door bright and early with no idea of when we'll return.  We may end up getting dinner on the road.  If that's the case then we'll move the meatballs to Fri and forget the chops.  Where are we going you ask?  We're going to use our family membership to the MOST (museum of science and technology) that my mom got us for Christmas.   Everyone is excited!  Especially Tom.  He's never been there.  I was there when it was just the discovery center (almost 20yrs ago! ....no comparision to what it is now).   The kids have all gone on school field trips there over the years.    I hope everyone else on break doesn't have the same idea.

Pregnancy wise things have been up and down.   The beginning of the month saw my blood pressure go through the roof.  I called and asked to be seen a day early when I woke up with a reading of 200/110.   It went down before I got there but it wasn't at a great level.  I was feeling like garbage and dr decided I had a stomach bug.    I probably did but wasn't the one to throw up, that was reserved for 3 of the kids that night. lol    I took it easy until my next appt and things seem to have calmed down a bit.  It's still a tiny bit elevated but we can live with where they are right now.   

I'm feeling a bit out of sorts already.  For some reason my legs and feet have decided they need to stay on the brink of a full blown cramp.  So one wrong move makes them cramp up.   When that's not happening they feel achey and tight.   I'm trying to make sure I'm drinking MORE water (then my 64oz a day), taking my cal/mag/zinc supplement, and my potassium prescription.  It doesn't seem to be helping.   I really need to be more active!!!  Once the kids get back into school I'm hoping to break out my WATP dvd I haven't used yet.  *blush*

I postedmy first belly pic on the LOK pg/ttc board (link to the board in my sidebar).   The story is that I threw on my bathingsuit in honor of Island week.  Since this is as naked as I'll get in public...it was a good thing to take a belly pic in.  My excuse for the harried look is...I was in the middle of doing the dishes and hadn't brushed my hair that day (only threw it up in a semi bun).  Maybe next time we'll do a glamour shot. lol


16w2d with #12

Well, I've wrestled with this stupid text box long enough.   Off to get some breakfast!   Have a great day...HAPPY ISLAND WEEK!

 

Trying something new....

 I'm finding myself a bit overwhelmed here.   My house is a mess and I have no idea where to start...so I don't.  The lack of motivation is depressing (you'd think having little 4 footed visitors would be motivation enough!)  I KNOW things have to be done around here and have to be done now.  To get me started I've decided to try something different.  

Instead of writing out a list of all the things I need/want to get done.  I'm writing ONE thing at a time.   Getting that done, then giving myself a certain amount of time for a break with the next goal written down (along with the starting time).    I'm onto the 3rd goal already which starts at 11:45.  

I'd like to keep thing going all weekend and get caught up here...even hitting my room (oh there's a pipedream if ever I did hear it).   I'm thinking of trying to keep track of my progress throughout the day here (editing this post at each break maybe).    So far it looks like this...

General cleaning up of the livingroom floor (thorough one to be done later) - finished at 10:45
11:00 - sort laundry and throw a load in - finished at 11:25
11:45 - load the dishwasher - finished at 12:17  (removed the counters...it's a goal in itself)
12:30 - another load of laundry, clean bathrooms (laundry, bathrooms started but put on hold....have  a toddler who very badly needs lunch and a nap) - finished 2:13....Danielle down, grabbed a snack (sugar was going low), finished the bathrooms and switched laundry,  time for me to eat a real lunch now.
3:30 - back into the kitchen for 30mins of work on odd jobs. (lunch greatly delayed...added an extra 30mins on until start time)

added at 12:17 - Why I think I need to do this today....
* I'm not discouraged by a long list I know won't get done.
* I know exactly what I'm doing next.  Prevents me from planning and doing the jobs in my head, making me "exhausted" from doing all that work already. ;o)
* It stops me from taking a break, going  online and allowing  internet time to suck away hours in a blink of an eye. (getting the best of both worlds without the guilt lol)
* I'm not flitting from one thing to another yet not getting any one thing accomplished.
* I'm not going like gangbusters in one area and then getting burnt out for the rest of the work that needs to be done.
* I'm pacing myself.  I've been getting achey and crampy at night, hoping to eliminate this a bit.

added at 3:43 - OK....kids are home from school so I'm NOT going to do the scheduled kitchen work now.  I haven't gotten this much done in one day in quite a while.  So it worked while I was doing it.   As usual I was hoping to get more then the basics done.  BUT I guess I should be happy I at least got that done.   My body is saying...TAKE A NAP!   My schedule says....pick up Val at volleyball instead.  Guess who wins.  Stupid schedule!  

Midnight Mouscapades

First let me correct my rudeness from last night. THANK YOU to everyone for their condolenses to Tom. He truly appreciates them. My heart goes out to anyone who's also suffered a loss, especially recently.

Secondly....I forgot to congratulate my best online friend MA! Last Wednesday she had 12th baby. She's absolutely beautiful!!! Congratulations ma and family!!

Now onto the story. As I mentioned we got pretty aggressive with the mousetraps last night. Having the mice in the house hasn't really bothered so much. I know we can easily get overrun with them if we don't do anything. So in my eyes it was a...they're here, we have to deal with it, so we will...type of thing. That was, until last night!!!

I climbed into bed after finishing my post here. Within a few minutes of my head hitting the pillow I heard the mousetrap snap. Not a big deal, it's a good thing. Then I heard movement like the thing was trying to get away. I thought...oh no! What if it didn't get caught in the trap all the way, what if it's going to go crazy and try to escape all night!? I woke up Tom (who wasn't very happy, he doesn't wake well) and he said there wasn't too much he could do. I asked if I could turn on the light and check that it was dead. That's all I needed...to know it was dead and not be trying to seek revenge on us. lol He agreed, I did and the mouse was dead as a doornail. Back to bed I go.

UNTIL....in my ear (and it did seem to be right next to my head) I hear loud massive paper shredding. Now I sleep with my back up against the wood sides of the frame. My goal is to sleep with Danielle as far from Tom as possible. It really bothers him if Danielle touches him during the night. (she sleeps in the middle, between us so she doesn't fall off the bed). I know that if that mouse, who seems to be right next to my head, decides to climb onto my bed. It HAS to go over me to achieve it. Ontop of being upset over the first mouse I started freaking out. I sat up crying to Tom about it. He really didn't know what to do. I calmed down a bit, said I was ok and laid back down. I laid there for a while trying to decide if I should just get back up and come back online. I didn't feel right leaving Danielle to fend for herself against the big bad mouse...so I stayed. Eventually I started to fall asleep.

THEN it happened...the mouse who seemed right next to my bed made this REALLY loud and manic scratching sound across something plastic. It was so loud that it woke Tom up on the other side of the bed. I jumped up, landing in the middle of the bed crying hysterically. He jumped up and decided he'd set a few more traps. He turned on the light and I tried to see if I could figure where the stupid things was. No luck. He set 2 more traps and climbed back into bed. I apologized to him if Danielle bugged him tonight but there was NO way I was sleeping along the edge of the bed tonight. And I climbed into the middle of the bed hugging Danielle to me closely and finally fell soundly asleep.

The morning found the extra traps undisturbed but the trap in the big girls closet caught one. So our count hit 10 overnight. While the kids were getting ready for school this morning (they had a 2hr delay) it seems a kitchen trap caught a dumb one in the hindquarters, allowing it to try to drag itself back home. I eventually figured out a way to scoop it up, trap and all and throw it out the door. I really do NOT care whether it was ok or not, or if one of the cats found it. I just want them all gone...NOW! 11 down (unless the traps in the basement caught some...didn't check them...Tom will when he gets home) only half a gazillion (or so it seems) to go!

I am such a dunce!

Or more like...I forget I'm not 20 anymore. We were hit hard with lake effect snow today. Between leaving the house a bit after 11am and getting home about 3:30pm about a foot of snow fell. At the college...21miles away...it was blue skies and sunny. Actually it was like that FIVE miles away...fickle lake effect!

Drew and Luke had started shoveling enough for me to pull the van in. THEN the plow came by for the first time and we had a huge mess at the end of the driveway. Drew went in the house for a break so Michelle and I started shoveling.

OMG!!! I am SO sore! My sciatica is killing me so much that I can barely walk and walking while carrying Danielle at the same time is totally out of the question! It's been acting up here and there but not this bad. I am SO hoping that tomorrow morning is a snow day. The county has a travel advisory out until 7:30am so I'm thinking they'll have at least an hour delay. This put me in a quandry as to how to get Michelle to classes by 9:30 when the hr delayed bus will be here at the same time. 10:30 if they're delayed 2hrs. Luckily Pat came to the rescue. He has to be at work by 10 so he'll leave a bit early and drop her off. The mall is only 5miles from the college.

On the mousefront we've gotten a few more. The count now is at 8 and I KNOW there are more around...including in my bedroom near the head of MY side of the bed. Last night Tom set 4 traps in the cellar and 2 of them had mice in them today. We caught one under the christmas tree. I'm afraid if I take the tree down (it's fake) we'll stop getting the mice...it's our best catch spot. I got even a bit more aggressive tonight with the traps. I've layed at least one in each bedroom on the lower floor. It's funny that Danielle has figured out they are owie just by seeing the mice in them. The first mouse we caught had her running around the house yelling Mou DEAD! DEAD! Mou! My SIL D suggested we might want to hire someone to come in and take care of things. I know we've made a huge dent in their activity. We just need to keep on being aggressive about it. Guess that's what I get for being complacent about ONE little mouse living in the wall of the girl's room. LOL

I wanted to brag on Drew's band a bit. (he's the bass player) They've been really busy playing every weekend this month all over Central NY. On the 2nd they are playing at a local tex mex place and then it looks like they'll have a bit of a break until St Patty's Day. Don't get me wrong...I don't think they'll be doing huge venues soon. It's just that they're a great group of guys that work hard and put on a good show...doing what they love, having fun and getting a few bucks to boot. They finally put one of their songs (it's an original) onto their myspace page. It just happens to be the one I like the best. So go...visit...listen. :o) (I tried to put the song on here but myspace is picky about taking music off their site for use on another one...go figure)

Val is still sick. She seems to be doing better although sometimes I wonder. She's really weak. Whenever she sits up she gets dizzy and it sometimes makes her throw up. I said I wonder because tonight she was complaining of a headache again and her neck hurting. I tend to get nervous when those two are mentioned together. Flashbacks of Carrie's meningitis came flooding in. It's really bothering her that she's missing so much school. It's another reason why I hope tomorrow is a snow day. To take some pressure off of her. She has been working on her research project and homework that Liz has brought home...so that's good. She wants me to call tomorrow and get some Math homework sent home. Her volleyball coach called today to see how she was. Val was bummed because tonight's game was Senior night (even though she's not a senior, it's still a special night) and she was going to miss it. It was cancelled due to the snow.

It amazes me that no one else has come down with it! You'd think we'd all be in bed with the flu by now. I thought I was on the verge of getting it (aches and pains, minor headache, tired) on Saturday and Sunday but I seem to have fought it off. (slept a good bit) I feel fine today!

Well I think I'll take my sore hips and buttocks into bed. Try to update tomorrow. Oh BTW...I didn't accomplish ANYTHING this weekend like I knew would happen. I did jobs here or there but it was just normal everyday stuff that gets lost as soon as you finish it. My goal this week is to get this livingroom in shape so I can start doing my Walk Away the Pounds DVD on Feb 1st (if my hips cooperate). A snow day would REALLY help me get closer to that goal. Let the slaves...I mean kids stay home!

Back in the saddle again

Thank you for all the notes of concern about my absence. Things are as well as could be expected here. I'm doing fine pgwise. Had a dr appt today and we heard the heartbeat for the first time YEAH!!!!! Little bugger was a bit elusive at first but my OB managed to hunt it down. We didn't take the time to count beats (it was moving around a lot and was on the verge of losing it almost as soon as we found it) but it was LOUD and clear! I've lost a few pounds and my sugar and blood pressure are doing ok. The dr has been nice enough to allow me to wait 2wks between visits this pg which is nice.

Michelle started classes again on Monday and I've put on my chauffeur hat again. In some aspects this semester's schedule is easier since I have time to go home between pickup and dropoff on Tues/Thurs and only a few hour stay on Mon/Wed (no classes on Fri...woohoo!) BUT (there's always a but isn't there) on Tues/Thurs she has to be to classes by 9:30 which is really hard to do. Especially if the weather delays the buses for the school kids. So far we seem to be managing though.

While we haven't been REALLY sick. We have had some viruses go through the house since Christmas (which was VERY nice BTW!) Right now we're finishing up (I hope!) sharing a Strep A bug. Up on deck is the flu. Val has been sick since Monday with a fever of 104degrees, aches, exhaustion and a cough. So I'm expecting at least some of the others to have a turn at it also. Guess we'll see if Danielle's flu shot (the only one in the house to get it) makes a difference. I HOPE SO!

As I said, Christmas was nice. Everyone got what they wanted and wanted what they got. I managed to stay within the boundaries I set for myself moneywise. There were times when missing my MIL or grandmother came to the forefront. Overall I think everyone pulled through relatively easy.

Unfortunately Tom and his siblings had to go through another loss a week after the new year started. His dad had a major stroke which the dr's couldn't do anything about (even though he got immediate treatment). He passed away on the 7th. :o( No one expected him to pass like that. It was always assumed the cancer would eventually win. Everyone is not pulling through this relatively easy or well. Tom is really having a rough time. On Friday he'll be having a sleepover at his brother's house. :o) I hope it helps them both.

Between FIL's death and the illnesses it feels like there has been a LOT of school missed. I can't remember the last time EVERYONE went to school. I know Eileen has fallen behind but she'll have no problem catching up (whoda thunk that'd be said about her! :o)) Liz went in today to make up work even though she had half the day off.

We have visitors and they aren't the welcome kind. We seem to be the mice motel around here. I hear them in my room, behind the fiberglass tub and refrigerator, under the furniture and sinks. One night they were having a field day in the livingroom and kitchen. They were using my shoe shelves as a playground. They'd climb it, run across a certain shelf, jump off and do a flip, landing on the floor so that they could scurry back to the shoe shelf and start all over again. I bought a LOT of traps and set them up one or two nights ago. We've caught 3 so far. About 5mins ago I heard a snap from under the kitchen sink so I'm going to assume our 4th one has been taken care of. Only a zillion more to go!

Oh, I stepped down from the Largerfamilies blog this week. I've had "writer's block" across the board and didn't feel I was or could continue to hold up my end of the deal there. The guilt even kept me from here at times. Writing on topic and on schedule was kind of hard for me but it was good to do. I learned a lot doing it. Wishing the ladies over there all the best in the future.

It looks like I'll be moving to the new blogger. I've been avoiding it like the plague but they've put me on notice that I HAVE to! So it looks like I'll be attempting that move this weekend. I'm still considering getting my own personal corner of the web, but not at the moment. Need to get back into the swing of things here first.

I have some pics that the girls have taken that I'd like to share. (the 3 oldest got dig cams for Christmas) I'll try to get those up this weekend too. Hmmm I think I might be overplanning for the weekend since I also plan to get this place back in shape! Guess we'll see what I have to report on Monday. How many of you are putting your money in the NAST (not a stinking thing!) category? There's where mine is going! ;o)

It's good to be back. Now that I've been sitting here doing it, I've missed it. It feels good. Hopefully now I can stop the noise in my head as I was constantly composing my next blog post mentally. Although I still have stuff running through my head...it'll just have to wait for another time. Wonder if it'll ever stop!

Changing things up a bit this time

The Largerfamilies blog decided to invite guest bloggers to join us with a post about the holidays. Being really busy with seasonal and last of the semester driving I never got a chance to ask any bloggers to take my day. Being desperate I asked my dad (1 of 13) if he wanted to write something for me. He declined since he's not a writer. He suggested one of his sisters. Knowing she's a Type A personality with a schedule full enough for 10 people, I decided not to try. I then turned to Tom...HEY! You're one of 7 kids. Do you want to write a piece for me? He said he'd think about it and never said anything else.

Last night (Thursday) I tried to gather my thoughts on what I was going to write about on Friday. Nothing really jumped out at me and I was pretty tired so decided to wait until morning. Well my morning was hopping and a bopping and I never got the chance to think about it, much less write it. About 2ish Tom called and asked if I still needed his story. He warned me it was short (not a bad thing) and read it to me over the phone. I said call me back when you have a few extra minutes and dictate it to me so I can put it up! So he did. And it's up. Introducing Tom's first ever blog post (actually first time he's done ANYTHING on the net).

Tom's Christmas Story/A Girl Named Sue

Making plans

Today is the first day I've been home this week. I'd decided I was going to get some wrapping done if it was the last thing I did. Danielle had been up for a while so I set the plan in motion....

Get Danielle down for a nap
Throw in a load of laundry
Clean up the livingroom floor
Grab some gifts out of the van while the kids were in school
Do some wrapping
Switch laundry
Do some more laundry

Danielle cooperated and feel asleep about 12:30. I started wrapping about 1ish and got a few things done. Then Danielle woke up again....45 mins!!! She slept a total of 45 mins! Trying to sit on the livingroom floor and wrap with her was like wrestling an octopus. First she had the tape dispenser and was freely liberating it from the roll. Then it was the wrapping paper that made tons of noise when your feet squinched it up. Can't ignore all the cool boxes of things mom had stacked up waiting to be wrapped. I absentmindedly ignored her for a while when she wasn't bothering me. She reappeared with marker all over her face and hands. I'm not sure WHICH room she found it, but at least I could wrap in peace. lol No one has screamed about their green whatnot yet. So I think I'm safe. I finished wrapping the last present I'd planned on doing just as the 1st trip kids got home at 3. :o) I didn't get tons done but put a dent into it.

After putting things away I realized I felt lightheaded and nauseated. I think I was fighting low sugar all day. While wrapping Danielle brought me an orange to peel which I gladly shared with her. Then I grabbed a tub of smoked turkey to gnaw on. I sat in the rocker and had Carrie hand me my meter....77 and quickly falling if how I felt was any indication. Carrie asked if I wanted her to make me something to eat and made me a turkey sandwich which I devoured! I was still feeling near the low end even though I was 90ish when I retested. While Tom and I were going over my lists I broke into the leftover candy from the bazaar.

Monday was Michelle's last day of classes. Danielle and I went to Walmart to grab some gifts. The little booger wanted to get out of the cart and play with the toys. I have Liz to thank for that one. Last time we were in there she let her get out and play. I think Danielle was also not feeling so great and was tired too. She was off the whole time we were in the store. We left WM parking lot and I headed to Big Lots. While driving there I thought...what am I CRAZY!?!? I just got done wrestling her in WM, not I'm going to torture her in Big Lots? So I went the long way back to the campus. By the time I got there Danielle was snoozing. Unfortunately as I pulled into a parking spot I realized...I HAVE TO PEE! There was NO way I was going to drive somewhere, wake up Danielle and drag her half asleep into a public bathroom. So I sat and suffered while I did a sudoku puzzle. Her nap didn't last long and we were heading to Big Lots to potty and run through the store. I pulled into the college parking lot about 5 mins before Michelle got out of class. She jumped in and we headed back to WM so she could do some Christmas shopping before heading home.

Tuesday Michelle and I spent the day at my parents' house. My mom had asked us in to help frost the 250 anise cutout cookies she'd made. Usually my grandmother is the one that helps her do it. I didn't want her to do it alone so we went in. We had a nice time talking and frosting...when I wasn't chasing Danielle that is. Luckily Danielle decided a nap would be a good thing to do so I could give frosting my full attention. Michelle and I were suppose to be home for dinner but my parents ordere pizza. I rearranged rides for kids that had activities to do and had the evening free. My dad decided we should take advantage of it and do some shopping. We didn't buy much but had fun walking through the stores anyways.

Tomorrow (Thurs) night we're going to a Christmas party. The TODAY study group is having it and hasinvited the whole family. I guess it's a catered dinner, so yeah for me! lol It's going to take a bit working of the schedules but we'll manage, we usually do. Tom will be getting out of work a bit early, Val will have to miss some of her volleyball practice, and we'll have to leave almost as soon as the 2nd trip kids get off the bus. The kids are really excited. I hope it lives up to their expectations. Either way I'm sure we'll have fun.

Time to go figure out outfits for tomorrow and the party.

Forgot a few things!

DUH! I can't believe I forgot to mention 2 key things from Dec 1st. Most important is....Patrick turned 21!!! I feel a bit bad since his celebration was a tad subdued. He worked until 6 or 7 and then went out for beer and wings with his friends. They came back here and spent the night hanging out in his room having fun. I was so busy with the bazaar and couldn't participate in the adult aspect of celebrating so didn't spend too much time up there with them. I do have to get his birth story written...last one...until this summer that is.

I'm a bit behind in touting my contribution to the Larger Families Blog. Things were so crazy here last month that for the first time, I had to blow off writing a piece at Thanksgiving time. I feel bad but you have to do what you have to do. The topic has been traveling. On the 1st I wrote... Make Sure You Pee Before We Go. Don't forget that you can find a menu of and links to my articles over there -------------> in my sidebar

Things are churning along....

The bazaar went well. I sold about half the things I brought. Although I didn't sell a single plate. Weird how one year they fly off the table and the next you can't give them away. I think next year I'll go back to non holiday fabrics (funky ones). I had tons of plans for when we got home Saturday. Instead I fell asleep on the couch and slept on and off for a few hours. I'm feeling icky more and more. Today I had cramping that was a bit disconcerting but it's gone now. Of course I'm a constant TP checker and am always relieved to see no blood.

This week is Michelle's last full week of the fall semester. Thurs is her last Tues/Thurs class, Mon is her last class...period. She was suppose to take a final next Tues in Math. Her average is so good that she's been excused from it. Although she has to take a quiz in the class on Monday. I can't believe I only have 1 day of driving her to Jess's house and one day of driving her to school left. It'll be so weird to not HAVE to go out the door everymorning. Well, with Christmas prep stuff needing to be done I don't know how much leisure time I'll have at home. I do feel like I'm doing well on my shopping. I still have to go through my prize closet and figure out exactly who gets what and how many small things I need for BILs house.

Today at Walmart there was a lady infront of us at the checkout. She reminded me SO much of my MIL!!!! She had curly red hair turning light strawberry with a tiny touch of gray. She was super friendly and talked to everyone. She was going gaagaa over Danielle. She bragged on her 5 grandkids. (after giving me a Puff's tissue for Danielle's obvious sore runny nose). It made me happy and sad at the same time. I wanted to bag her up and take her home with me, ask her to adopt me and my kids! I miss MIL a lot lately. :o(

I realized today that I hadn't seen Olivia's snack calendar for December (each child is assigned a certain day to bring in snack). When I got home I asked Olivia and she brought it to me. Her snack day is TOMORROW! PHEW! I didn't miss it. Although I'll probably have to give away all our bananas or oranges....haven't decided yet.

I don't know why but I've put off calling the OB. Part of it is that I've been out and about. But really that's not excuse since I have his number in my cell phone. I keep thinking I'll do it in the morning. Next thing I know tomorrow is gone and it's time for bed. TOMORROW I'll call and try to get in for Monday.

Karen...thanks for tagging me. I'll try to get to it soon. Right now it's too much thinking for this tired noggin. It won't be tomorrow since I'm hoping to organize my prize closet, start wrapping and get caught up on housework around here.

Just wanted to let everyone know that I was still around and things are going fine. Hope to be more active here since I SHOULD be home more often now.