Feed Me!

I am soooo hungry. I haven't felt this way since the beginning. I have had to eat every hour today. Right now I am heating up casserole and green beans and it is only 10 AM. I am trying to eat smaller meals so I don't feel so full, but I think it makes me hungry all the time! Don't tell me this baby needs more food. I think he is growing just fine. We are making an offer on a house today. Actually, it is the one that we had a contingency on in the spring, but our house never sold and the contract ran out. We sort of let it go mentally and emotionally at that point and we were glad that we weren't getting it. We have reevaluated our situation and there are several factors that make us think it just might be the house for us. First, it is the only house available right now. Second, they have come down in price and we are hoping they are desperate so we can get a deal. We looked at it again last night and it was better than we remember. We really want it now, though we will be fine if we don't get it. However, your prayers are appreciated. It is empty and that means that we could move in as soon as possible though there are a few other things that need to fall into place. I have to admit that I think the house thing kept me up all night again. First it was our house sale and now it is buying one. You just worry that you might not be doing the right thing when you decide to buy a house. After all, they are very expensive purchases. I put back note cards at Target sometimes because I don't want to spend $5, so you can understand that this is a little more serious. One inconvenient thing is that we don't have a refrigerator anymore! I loved our fridge, but we threw it in to seal the deal on our sale. It had a vertical cabinet in the freezer for frozen pizzas and it was a magnetic stainless finish. A refrigerator that accommodates pizza. A dream fridge. We can always buy a new one that goes with our new home and if we don't have a new home, we can always live in the box.

Here is a recipe that I made yesterday and it it so good:

Chicken Roll-Ups (Serves 4, but you need a bunch of sides if people are good eaters)

1 1/2 c. chopped chicken (make it small)
8 oz sharp cheese, shredded
1 (8oz) can refrigerator crescent rolls
1 c. milk
1 (10 oz) can cream of chicken soup

Mix the chicken with half of the cheese in a bowl. Unroll the dough and separate along the perforations. Place 2 tablespoons of the chicken mixture in the center of each roll. With 1 point of the roll facing you, fold the 2 side points over the chicken mixture. Fold the other point up toward the center of the roll. Place in a greased casserole. Pour the milk over the rolls. Spoon the undiluted soup over the top. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for one hour.

Back Ache and Leg Cramps: Even Trade or Evil Partners?

I haven't had a leg cramp in a few days so I thought that I might have traded it when I started the back problems. My back has basically incapacitated my left leg. Well at 5 this morning my right leg started to cramp. This was inconvenient to say the least.

Yesterday, I went to the doctor and had my normal appointment. For once, I actually spoke up when she asked if I had been having any problems. Much to Adam's delight, my descriptions of my nausea and back pain earned us an extra ultrasound. As she suspected, my problems are being caused by my short body and a big baby (he is already 5lbs 10 oz. Alas, my cutting out the sugar only controlled my weight...which isn't so bad). Back in her office she said that most surprising thing. " You are a small person, and you can't deliver a 10 pound baby." Adam's response, 10 pounds? My response, You think I am a small person? Thanks! (this is just what a pregnant person needs at this point.) Oh wait, he could be 10 pounds? Yikes! Ok, the 10 pounds is a possibility, but 9 sounds bad too! She said that her mind wasn't made up about a c-section at this point and that we would have another u/s in 4 weeks (I will be 37 then) and at that point the decision would be made. Thankfully, I thought to ask something that I have been wondering (I always forget questions when I am there). If a c-section ends up the way to go for me, when would this be done? Do we have to wait until the due date? She said that she wouldn't want me to go past 39 weeks because of blah blah antibodies and other history (ok, as you can see, I have no idea what she said about the antibodies, but I suspect that I do have some sort of autoimmune problems that they tested me for early on in the year because I had JRA as a child). All I could hear was that we could have the baby early and that there may be an early end to the back pain and the trouble breathing. So now I already have my calendar out and I am planning packing, a move, the last childbirth class (which actually covers c-sections), a tour of the hospital, possible business trip with Adam (by car not plane), doctor's appointments, and the arrival of a round baby boy all in the next 6 1/2 weeks.

My current focus is eating smaller meals throughout the day to help with the sick feeling when I eat too much. He is taking up a lot of room!

SOLD!

We have finally sold our house! I know everyone is probably glad that they don't have to hear anymore about it. Don't get too excited about that though. We still have to move and find a house that we want and don't forget that I have basically reached that "very pregnant" stage overnight. So I will have many house things to talk about!

There are a million things to do now. I already have my lists going. I am not sure when we will close. They really want to be in as soon as possible, but they have said that they understand with our situation that we need to find something and get in that house too. That is really nice of them, but we feel that the chances are not great that we will find something and move into it in the next month and we don't want any pressure to buy something that we don't really want. It will be easier for me to pack over the next few weeks than it will in late July or early August. So I guess will proceed on a fast time table.

Last night, Adam and I went to our second childbirth class. We had to skip the second portion because I wasn't feeling well. I just couldn't get comfortable with my back and I was actually nauseated for most of the class. Some of the videos and props used for this class actually sent me into a panic. I have been preparing myself for all that, so I was surprised when it bothered me the way it did. Maybe if I had been feeling better it wouldn't have been so bad. I had trouble sleeping last night andwith my back and basically being so tired this morning that I could fall over, Adam decided to work from home to help out. I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon anyway and he can help me get Sydney to my Mom's office before my appointment. I need to figure out some sort of situation for keeping Sydney during the appointments. With them being scheduled at such a short frequency now, I don't always have the luxury of getting the day or time that I want. After my next appointment, I will be going every week. The thing I hate most about that is the expectation. I hope to avoid being asked if I am *dilated* (said with a whisper) every week, because it tells nothing and it makes me a little uncomfortable anyway. People hope to be able to tell something from it, but my thought is that if even the doctor won't venture a guess from it then it really isn't an accurate clue anyway. Most people are induced anyway. I don't know many friends that have actually gone into labor on their own.

Sydney, The Minimalist

When I went to get Sydney out of bed after her nap, this is what I found. All toys, blanket, bear and paci had been thrown from the bed and her diaper had been removed.

Mom, Cherri, don't read this.

I thought about my grandmother last night, because I made Angels on Horseback for a snack. Saltines, pb, and marshmallows toasted in the oven. I usually think of her in the mornings because breakfast seemed to be her specialty and where the world's vegetable oil supply made its exit. I wonder if she were still here would she still be making breakfast for us or would we be making it for her. Either way, I would like to be able to talk to her about things over breakfast. I can still here her saying "Baby, you should just...or Baby, you can... or Baby, you tell them they can just...". That is the thing about her. Everyone one would still be the baby to her. Usually, you are replaced by the newest member of the family, but I am convinced that she would still think of me as the baby. And Stewart as her #1 grandchild. I tease my mom when she calls and says, "how's my baby? or what is my baby doing?". I say, " I'm fine or I'm not up to much.", knowing good and well that she didn't mean ME! We were talking this weekend about how you look back and think if I could only go back, I wouldn't let this or that bother me, because it certainly wouldn't now, or I would take advantage of that time with a certain person. My mom says that she would be proud now to take her Dad somewhere in his white socks with dress pants though she felt differently when she was younger. If I could go back, I would slam my car door as hard as I could when I got home so Mawmaw would hear me get home and come out of her house and say she had something to give me or something for me to do. That used to drive me and Stew crazy so we would roll down the driveway as quiet as possible and sometimes leave the car door open so we wouldn't make any noise (she lived behind us), only to have the phone ring as soon as we got in the house. Mostly, I think I wish that Mawmaw were here so she could see her great grandchildren and enjoy them. Most importantly, so she could tell us how to do things for them. And I would listen.

Achievement

I just heard Sydney walking around the house. The sound was different though. Slap, clomp, slap, clomp. What is that noise? Sydney had put on her shoe (on the right foot too) all by herself. She is very particular about people wearing shoes in the house. If yours are off she will bring them to you and try to put them on even though she is always barefoot. Well, now we know that was only because she couldn't put hers on! Now she can!

Potential Move Anxiety

Pictures taken of Sydney swimming this weekend in Yazoo City by Adam's Mom, Lavetta.

We have been waiting and waiting to sell our house and it looks like we have a couple that is interested in making an offer. It could not work out for several reasons. They could change their minds, the offer could be too low and they won't come up, etc. Even still, it kept me up last night with mixed emotions about this potential move. I would be somewhat relieved because this is what we want. I am a little annoyed because we just lowered our price and now we get an offer. That makes me worried that they will still want to bargain us down even though we want to be firm on this price since our house wasn't overpriced, we lowered it to move it quickly. I don't understand what is going on with the market around here.

Moving on with my anxiety, I started wondering where we would live until we found something. Would they want to move it right away? They are in student housing so I am sure they would! Can we hold them off until we find what we want to buy and then when can we move in there? I think it is best to assume that we are going to need a temporary place to live. The odds are slim that we will find something and not have a gap between. That might be hard. Everything is so up in the air. When will the baby be here? Where do we have a our mail forwarded? Will they let you change the address again after a few weeks? Will I be packing boxes or moving boxes when I go into labor (ok, I can probably pack but moving them is out of the question with my back the way it is. Besides my arms aren't long enough now with my stomach in the way.)? Will I even go into labor? Will Sydney be upset by all these changes? New house, new baby, where is my yellow room? What do we take with us to a temporary house and what do we send to storage until we find a house? (We will use PODS because we can have them delivered and picked up.)

I guess everything is so uncertain it makes me nervous. I am even and little sad about leaving this house. What we find may need some work and it won't be as nice as what we are leaving. On the bright side, having something else to think about might help the next 54 days pass by quickly. I say 54 because, by that time, I just might be one of those people who refuses to leave the doctor's office until they agree to take her directly over to the hospital and induce her. I guess I just planned out Sydney's return carefully and I want this one to be the same. I would guess that most people imagine driving home to a cute nursery and putting the baby in the bed and staring at it. I can remind myself that we were in a hotel suite for 10 days with Sydney sleeping in a tiny Eddie Bauer travel fold out basket/box thing and it was great. Of course, there was snow, which makes everything pretty, and I was skinny(er) than now. I know that God has all this planned out for us and I shouldn't worry (I am just "wondering" really). A day after we left Utah there was a huge pile up on the interstate because of all the snow that started when we left. We were kept safe on the roads the whole time we were there. They weren't icy at all, which was good because we have no experience driving in snow.

Well, all of this might be pointless after 3:30 this afternoon (they are returning a third time to look at the attic space and reportedly our Realtor (who is also theirs) is bringing a contract (unless they like one of the house they look at today better, but it was implied that they are just looking at a few so they didn't just buy the only one they looked at). If it doesn't work out then we are back to square one.

This is me.

I haven't done anything taxing all day and yet I am in constant pain! I think this may be the point of no return... the point where this isn't fun anymore!

Posterior pelvic pain during pregnancy:
Posterior pelvic pain (in back of the pelvis) is four times more prevalent than lumbar pain in pregnancy. It is a deep pain felt below and to the side at the waistline, and/or below the waistline on either side across the tailbone (sacrum). This type of pain may be experienced on one or both sides.

Posterior pelvic pain during pregnancy can extend down into the buttock and upper portion of the posterior (in back of) thighs, and does not usually radiate below the knees. The pain does not quickly resolve with rest, and morning stiffness may also be present.

I LOVE THIS NEXT PART ...

Posterior pelvic pain during pregnancy can be brought on or exacerbated by the following activities:

• Rolling in bed

• Climbing stairs

• Sitting and rising from a seated position (such as getting in and out of cars, bathtubs, bed)

• Lifting, twisting, bending forward

• Running and walking

WHAT ELSE IS THERE????

Unlike many other forms of low back pain during pregnancy, a previous high level of fitness does not necessarily prevent this problem.

WELL THAT MAKES ME FEEL BETTER ABOUT BEING OUT OF SHAPE.

I AM FIGURE B, EXCEPT MY BUTT DOESN'T LOOK THAT GOOD (SEE PREVIOUS SENTENCE).

Fig 1: Typical pain distribution of lumbar pain (A) and posterior pelvic pain (B)

Party Food

I am sitting at the table of a clean house (one reason I love parties at my house. Gets you in gear) eating leftovers for breakfast. Tiny ham sandwiches on rolls, fruit with dip, and vegetable pizza. I did pass on the mexican cheesecake with chips. I will save that for lunch. Not exactly a breakfast food. Sydney stayed up late last night. Adam kept her down at my mom's and they watched some of the 3rd season of Arrested Development and the 2nd disc of Pride and Prejudice. Now Sydney is still asleep and I am enjoying a chance to wake up gradually. I was on my feet all day yesterday and the day before. I feel pretty good though! Sydney was so good yesterday while we were cooking for the shower. She took long naps and played on the couch with toys while she watched us decorate and cook.

She is starting to become interested in the potty. She is very interested in what we are doing in there and yesterday while I was cleaning the bathroom she walked in and opened her potty and tried to back up to it and sit down. Of course her pants were on so there was no hope for her teaching herself. I have been toying with the idea of training her early. This was actually my plan after finding out that we were expecting a new baby. I hear there is a window at this age where you can do it. Otherwise, they may lose interest and you have to wait a while. All my friends have mostly done it the same way. No pants or diaper around the house and be prepared to clean up some messes. Depending on the age, some take a while and some are done in a day or two. I am just not sure. It would be nice to do it while it is warm and she can go bottomless. I just don't know if I want to add one more thing to my day/life. Adam is traveling less so I won't be pulling many all day and nighters for the next week or so. I guess we will start talking about the potty some and explaining more of what is to be done with it. Good plan. Now I must go give my child a cupcake for breakfast.

World's Longest Nap

Sydney has been asleep for 3 hours now. Or at least in bed for 3 hours. I think she was playing for the first part. I have made and iced and dotted 50 cupcakes, taken a shower, and started cleaning the kitchen. I am at that point where I think I should check on her to make sure she is ok, but then I don't want to risk the chance of waking her. I know she is fine. I can hear her breathing on the monitor. Surely she will not want to miss Oprah so I think she will wake in the next few minutes. I just realized that I don't have enough chairs for tomorrow night. We have some things packed up in our POD and I forgot that a lot of the chairs are in there. I am hoping that my mom didn't pack her folding chairs in her POD. I think we will have about 25 people and I have counted 14 places to sit in the main living room. Wait, I have a piano bench and a couple of chairs in our bedroom. Where will they go though? I guess some will be in the sun room visiting...I could put some in there.

I tried another Paula Deen recipe today for lunch. Hot Chicken Salad. Not that great. I am going to give it a shot cold this evening or try it on some toasted bread. It was a casserole of sorts. It said to put it in a 9x13 pan but I used half of that and I followed all the directions. I guess it is meant to be eaten in small portions. I am really excited about these cupcakes. I filled the liners right to the top so they would have nice over sized tops. I have a large crown muffin pan but it only makes 6 at a time. I also have a muffin top pan. This is very cool. It gives every bite that crisp top taste. Ok, I think I will check on my little butter bean now. She might like a cupcake.

Grocery Store

We went to Walmart this morning and to Family Dollar to get microfiber washcloths. They are really great for wiping little hands and faces after meals. They really grab the food. Who knows, they may even help clean the wooden high chair that seems to stay so grimy. I just got the groceries in after a little altercation with Sydney in the front yard. She actually said no when I asked her to come to me! Now how do you handle that in the front yard? I put down my purse and the things I was carrying and took her inside. Of course my action was delayed by the fact that I can't find my keys and I had to use a credit card to break into the house. Sydney is now is bed for her nap and I can hear her making fun noises. She will sleep soon enough. Talk about a long trip. The green bananas I bought are now ripe. How long was that trip? I need to do things in the kitchen so I am ready for my the shower I am co-hosting tommorow night at my house. I just needed to see the baby ticker in the 50's for a little pick me up. I think I can do this.

Childbirth Classes

We went to our first childbirth class last night. It was a very crowded class. There were quite a few early people in there. One couple wasn't due until December! And I thought I was an early bird type person. Last night was an overview of the birth process and then we learned some basic breathing techniques. My friend, Beth, said that using what she learned in the this class was all she needed to do natural childbirth. We shall see! We were "late" (ok, just on time) for the class. I wanted to be early so we wouldn't have to sit in the front. If you sit in the back you can make fun of people. (We were in the front so I guess we were the ones being made fun of). Ok, just kidding. I am not that mean. This class is definitely more informative than the childcare class we had to take at St. Dominic's for our adoption paperwork. That class was pointless. It could have been good but it was way too basic and it felt like a waste of time. I am sure someone got something out of it. We will miss the last class and it turns out it is only on post partum care and the tour of the Birthplace. I am going to call today and schedule a private tour. I think I would do this anyway, because like I said our class is huge and that wouldn't make for the best tour.

I have a babysitter this afternoon so I have an appointment to get my hair de-triangled. I have a problem finding someone that is less concerned about my style looking round and more concerned about the flatness on top (hence producing the triangle look). I called and basically said that I didn't have a regular person and I didn't want the cheapest person there, but not the most expensive either. Adam and I are making the switch to Barnette's since we will live near there and we like to go there and occasionally do, but sometimes we are desperate and will go to a place in Clinton.

Speaking of hair, Sydney's hair is so cute in pigtails. She looks like the little girl from Monsters Inc. I will style her hair later and get a picture on here of it.

I just noticed that tomorrow I will be the 50's for days left of pregnancy. I am getting anxious about being done. I had a dream last night that I went into labor and no one seemed interested in getting me to the hospital. Adam was sending emails out saying that I was in labor and I was upset about this because I didn't get to tell them myself. No one seemed interested in keeping Sydney while we were having the baby and we didn't know what to do with her.

I woke up from the dream with a leg cramp and decided to handle it myself instead of involving Adam. So I suffered in silence and used some of the breathing techniques taught in class last night. I finally was able to walk around and that helped. I might try going for a walk before bed tonight and see if that helps. Otherwise, I have no idea what to do.

Monday, Monday

Tonight Adam and I have our first childbirth class. I have devoted most of my lunch to trying to find out if we really need to lug 5 bed pillows into the hospital for the first class. I have a hunch that the person signing up people just tells you that. I think we will stash them in the car and go back to get them if we do need them.

I have been cooking up a storm. I tried a baked spaghetti recipe last night (paula deen) and it basically tasted like regular spaghetti though I think the leftovers are better since all the ingredients are baked into a casserole style dish. I also broke my no sugar rule and made Savannah Cheesecake Cookies. They are good too. The kitchen was a wreck! I am not a neat cooker. I really enjoyed it though. This morning I made the filling for cucumber sandwiches (this afternoon's snack) and a grape salad that has pecans on it. I guess I am really having some cravings. Blueberries are my obsession right now. I eat thawed frozen ones on my bran flakes with splenda, I have the infamous blueberry oatmeal as an alternative, and I bought wild blueberry preserves at the store for my toast. I haven't had any fresh ones yet. Did you know that Blueberries are very high on the anti aging food list? Avocados are on there (split one with Adam last night) as well as nuts (bought some almonds for snacking). I wish they would work soon. I look so puffy and old that the comic book feature on my computer photo booth draws a line under my eye puffiness when it transfers the picture to comic book "look".

Filet!

Adam and I went out to eat after we put Sydney to bed tonight. We went to Walker's Drive In to try the filet. It was really good. We also had the BLT Salad Wedge. It was so good. I am going to try to duplicate it. I am glad that Adam is home. No traveling next week. Yea! Well, I am tired and off to bed.

I am steaming!

I am sooo mad. Sooo mad! I only have 9 weeks left and I just discovered that Ann Taylor Loft has maternity clothes. I am annoyed beyond words! That is my store. All my clothes are from there. I have been checking for t shirts at Old Navy store and online and they never have them in my size. Most other places just don't fit or they are really cheap or really small fitting. I don't even want to look. I had decided to wing it for the next two months. Now what? Should I look at them? Should I buy something? I am tired of seeing myself in the brown dress. Surely others are too? Now I have the same dress in blue. I like them fine. As for the purple frock I bought recently at Target...I am not leaving the house in that thing ever again. I look crazy. I guess I now own my first house dress.

I really need shoes too. Am I making the transformation to denim jumpers? Is this how it happens? I always assumed that those that wear them have had them since they were actually in style (If they ever really were. Like Big Foot, I think there could be a debate.). I say that will never happen to me, but did I ever think I would own a house dress? Well? The past three or four months of my Lucky Magazines are still in their plastic sleeves. Maybe that is what happened. I think that really it is a result of few choices. I won't wear sleeveless (wouldn't last year either) and only a few stores in Jackson sell maternity clothes. Let's face it though, I wasn't that "in style" to begin with. Ok, I am watching way to much What Not to Wear. First episode of the next season will be "Jessica W". This is what happens when you don't watch what you wear when you are expecting. Friend beware! Below is a computer generated picture of me and the new baby a few years from now. If there isn't an intervention that is.

Friday, Finally!

Sydney and her Aunt Cherri (actually great Aunt). Doesn't that make you feel old Cherri? You need to start a collection of stale candy and offer to send half of a tuna sandwich wrapped in a Kleenex home with us.

I am so glad that it is Friday. That means that Adam is coming home. He will be here in a few hours. I already have the night planned out. As soon as he hits the door, I am out of here! Just kidding. I am not letting him leave my sight for at least a day or two. Sydney and I have been playing and watching What Not to Wear. We have also been going through some cookbooks. I am back into Paula Deen. I can't find the one cookbook of hers that I own. I have used it enough that I think I have earned the right to get one of the others.

Last night I sewed until 10. I did figure out the dress back facing thing. I just followed the directions. Turns out they do know what they are doing. Who knew? I did get either delirious or over confident, because I sewed more piping to somewhere it didn't belong. I decided it was time to stop for the night. Now I am debating whether to just cut two more sleeves and try again or actually rip out what I did. I hate using a seam ripper. I have been having fun with my new computer. I haven't actually thrown out the old one. It is no good and needs to be thrown away. The picture above is a sample of something that can be done in the photo booth on the computer.

Reverse Image

The pictures taken by the computer are in reverse image. So the S on the shirt isn't backwards in person and the same with the M on the wipes case. Sydney is taking some good naps today. Two hours this morning and over 2 this afternoon. I think she will be getting up any minute because the garbage truck is on the street and making tons of noise. I have been sewing while she was asleep. I was very excited about my progress on the outfit I am making, but now I am confused. I guess I will just pick back up with it tonight and follow the directions though I don't think I am really getting it. I did sew piping into a collar. If you use a pintuck foot it makes it very easy. The problem lies with the back facing where the buttons will go. I may have to find a dress of Sydney's and see what is supposed to go on back there. Above is a picture of my progress so far.

Funny Picture

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Originally uploaded by adammichaelwhite

I took this after Adam took some pictures of Phil's family. I feel it is very artistic. Just look at the emotion the photo captures. Friend pictures are totally in. Maggie, you might not want to show Phil this. I have a feeling he will not be impressed by it. Adam won't even notice. I am bored and alone and I need entertainment.

The Daddy Chair

Sydney has taken to sitting on everything. Here she is showing off her green crocs and sitting on Daddy.

Wednesday's Project

This is what I did tonight. I am covered in glue, but the end result was pretty good. Sorry about the quality of the picture. Still using my computer to take the pictures. Oh, it is a travel baby wipes case covered in fabric. It didn't take me all night. I started watching So You Think You Can Dance and was distracted for while.

Chicken Salad

Today Sydney is eating Sonny's Chicken Salad for lunch. Yum, she says. Or at least it sounded like she said that. I love Chicken Salad. Last night my mom and I decided that crackers are the way to go with good chicken salad. She had crackers and I had a pita pocket. A sandwich is too definite. When it is gone it is over and you have to make another to have a little more. With crackers you can always get a few more. I am ready for lunch. Please excuse me. I have to have it ready so I can flip between Martha and What Not to Wear.

Mind Powers?

I am not sure what was up with out internet connection. Yesterday, the power was out for a few minutes while some work was being done on the lines. Since then I have had problems. I think it reset the wireless router or something and I couldn't find our "White" network. I just tried it again and there it was! I was able to guess the password (ok I remembered it. I wouldn't insult Adam by saying I could guess it) and now we are connected and have all bars. Now how did that happen. Maybe I willed it so! I haven't used my mind power in months and then look at me now.

Productive Week

This is the outfit that I have been working on this week (sorry about the quality of the picture. I used the camera on the computer). I made the shorts and hand embroidered the lady bug bullions onto a tank from Target. I also appliqued the S on the front with Heat N Bond. Lets hope it all holds up in the wash.

You should see the table in our house from all my work last night. Now I have to clean it all up again. We have someone looking at our house tonight.

By the way, my internet isn't acting its best so I may not be able to check my email some this week. It happens to be working now. What timing with Adam out of town! I guess I will be getting some cleaning and sewing done this week.

Sweet Slumber....LEG CRAMP!

This morning at 5AM I was awakened by a leg cramp. Thankfully, I was prepared enough by the one the other week that I knew what was going on. Nothing seemed to help and I couldn't get out of bed at the risk of falling on my face. I just sat up and pulled my foot back for a while and practiced some breathing techniques. I hope that contractions don't feel like that. I am a little worried.

This morning we went to the park really early. 7:15 AM. It is the only way I have energy to chase after her outside. She has been able to go down the slide unassisted for a few weeks now and we can stand at the bottom to catch her. Well, this morning, the dew on the slide made her go at light speed. She seemed to like it but I would really have to get to the other end to catch her. Of course she did cry when we left. I can't figure out how to stop that. She was so dirty that I gave her a bath and I think that made her feel better. Now she is napping and I have my chance to get ready for the day. I have made my list for this afternoon. I have a babysitter now on Tuesday afternoons. I plan to run by the grocery store, run to a fabric store (actually two of them), and mail a gift. Last night I almost chickened out with my sewing project, but I went on with it and I would have finished it had I not made a few mistakes when cutting it out a few months ago. I will post a picture of it when it is done. All I have left is add one ruffle to the shorts, add the elastic and sew up the bottom. I did get an S appliquéd onto the front of the shirt I bought to go with the shorts, fixed the cutting mistakes, sewed the front and back, and made one ruffle. I don't have a camera here with a cord, but I may be able to use the camera on my computer to take some pictures of my projects this week.

Early Morning

Adam left this morning at 4:45 wondering why he hadn't remembered his promise to himself to never do 6 AM flights again. It is way too early. Thankfully, Sydney was still asleep so we didn't have to see her cry after him when he left. She is very sensitive anyway and lately she is very attached to Adam. Of the few things she says, "hey da-da" is one of them. We will definitely miss him this week. I am going to use the daytime for cleaning house and playing with Sydney and the evenings for a little sewing boot camp. I have a few projects that are half done so I plan to finish them so I can move on.

This weekend I went to the 1/2 price sale at Helen's in Jackson and we bought some things for Sydney next summer and one thing for baby boy to wear next summer. It was hard to know what size to buy for him since he isn't here yet. I would assume that he will be just on track size wise, but all the boutique brands are different. We bought some 2T and 3T for Sydney. I was glad that I was able to eye it since she wasn't there. With things being 1/2 price I did a lot less "I can make that for nothing!", which was a nice change. I did stick to things that I really can't make for the most part.

Today we are going to go buy stamps and I think that is it!

Say something!

I am really trying hard to get Sydney to start saying more words. I decided to try some alternative techniques. This morning she repeated nana for banana back to me when I pointed to it and said banana. I gave her a "piece of candy", which is actually a Gerber Graduates juice chew. She said it again when I asked so I gave her another one. She wouldn't eat it but wanted to carry it around. This was a problem for me so I had to take it away. This was a problem for her. So this set in motion a very bad series of temper tantrums and fussing throughout the morning. Now she is in her bed "cooling off". Next time I will put her in her high chair when she wants to hold the candy instead of eat it. She would probably understand that better. Live and learn.

Skiing in June

It is good to have a few laughs when you are cleaning out clutter. If you didn't you would be so hopelessly overwhelmed that you might sit down on a pile of junk and cry. Just now, while sorting clothes that were to go back into the guest room, we discovered something that looked a lot like a ski suit. As Adam looked at this huge, puffy, black unitard of a garment he said "That isn't a ski suit. That is...something that I must put on right now." As he was putting it on I tried to remember who loaned this to us or where we got it. After seeing it on and Adam confirming that it actually is "ten times hotter than the sun" we collectively decided that we are doing someone a favor by throwing it out. Should they ever ask for it back and then go skiing we will surely be saving them from some horrible vacation pictures and quite possibly helping them avoid looking like a main actor in a "Friday the 13th type ski movie". Oh but wait. Adam has decided to keep it. It is now back in the closet with my wedding dress. How nice.

Park and Pool

Because Sydney was up at 5:30 this morning for a bit and we put her back to sleep, we ended up at the park at 9 this morning. It was already soooo hot. I guess we will have to shoot for 8 tomorrow. There was no one at the pool and it looked so inviting. After about 15 rides down the slide and the exploration of the grass at the park we went home and put on our swimsuits. I have found the trick to wearing a maternity swimsuit. Put it on and don't look in the mirror. Thankfully I did find some shorts that worked over it and a bid t-shirt (which I did removed before getting in the water). Going to the pool used to be easy. I guess everyone could get themselves out of the car and bring their own stuff. I had sunscreen, towels, keys, a phone, a baby float and a baby. We got in the big pool (something she had not done yet and something I had not done in at least 4 years). It was really nice and I think she was enjoying it. She did not like being out of the float and towards the end of our twenty minute swim she became scared of the float and basically the water. I was hoping we wouldn't have any water fears, but we just might. We are home now and I am thinking that maybe it could be that she was too close to nap time. I guess we need to swim more so she doesn't develop a complex.

New Carpet!

Today was a busy day. We had new carpet installed in the only room of the house left with carpet. It didn't take long but I had to rush off to a doctor's appointment. I was there an hour and they only spend maybe minutes with you total. That is fine with me, but I just wish I didn't have to be there so long. I was so tired all afternoon because I only had about 5 hours sleep the night before. I stayed up late and Sydney arose at her usual time. I slept very cofortably last night because we finally got a memory foam topper for our new queen size bed. The full size didn't fit when we switched beds so we have been suffering for a while now. Adam's mom stood in line and fought for it at Hudson's in Yazoo City for us to have it and I have to say it made such a difference last night that I stopped feeling guilty that she had to work so hard to get it. Surely, she will see the benefits of our good sleep. Maybe we will be nicer or win some cash and prizes in some random contest that requires major alertness as part of the skill of winning. If that happens, we will surely share the prizes. I promise. Anyway, I think that my poor sleep has been a combination of mattress and pregnancy. Now I can at least blame the real cause.

I have a new plan to try to get Sydney some good quality outdoor time each day. I am going to take her out after breakfast and before her morning nap. I can avoid some of the heat and I will have the energy (brought on my the memory foam mattress) needed to hoist her up the slide over and over.

The rest of the day will spent trying to get rid of all the stuff that was cluttering the guest room. Only the stuff we really want or NEED to keep will go back in. I just ask myself the following question for each item: Do you really want to pack this and move it across town and then unpack it? This has prompted the trashing of many rolls of good wrapping paper. This all because I seriously doubt that we will have a wrapping room in our new house like Martha Stewart.

Strange Wake Up

As I was getting up this morning I turned to put my feet on the floor and I suddenly couldn't move me foot or leg. I have had some leg cramps during the night lately but this was unbelievable. My foot was turning out and would not turn back in even when Adam tried to force it. The pain was radiating up the side of my leg. I seriously don't know what I would have done if I had been by myself. Adam brought me some OJ with sugar (we have both these days) and I drank that. I guess it eventually helped. I have never experienced anything like that. I can't say that it was worse than the time my calf muscles got stuck in a high heel position for three days. That was the worst experience of my life. At least that was funny though. This was not.

Calendar

I am making out my calendar and I am already dreading the week of the 11th. Adam will be gone all week. I know I should be arranging babysitters and things to do to make it easier, but it is hard to know exactly what will be done that week.

This afternoon we have two people looking at our house. One is a return from the other day and I am thinking that they are interested. That is exciting, but I have no idea what we will do if we sell our house. I wonder if they would want to really get a move on closing since they are renting under no contract now and it sounds as if they want to move from that place asap. That could be good and bad for us. We need money in hand to buy a house in Fondren so it is good to have a contract pending on it in case we find a house (they sell really fast in that area-typically). The only problem is that there might not be a house that we want to buy right away. You seriously have to drive through there every day and see if there are new ones (for sale by owner) and hope that your Realtor stays on top of new listings. This is all speculation, but when everything is so up in the air you have to prepare yourself for things like this. Where on earth will we live if we can't find a place right away? Being in transition could seriously get in the way of my nesting instinct. Then again those skills could be put to use in packing and getting ready. I may need to come to someone else's house to clean and organize if I get the urge. Sign up for this by posting a comment!

Reason to stop twirling my hair

I was just twirling it while Sydney finished her pizza and she start doing this twirling motion with her hair. She was copying me! Yikes. In case you are wondering I am sitting here at the computer watching her eat. This is sad that I am giving minute by minute descriptions of what she is doing.

Sydney's Pizza

Sydney just ate a piece of pizza. I usually tear it up, but this time I gave her a small piece and she held it with both hands and ate it. She doesn't even need another bath!

What is the deal?

I have been trying to eat healthy and not cave to my cravings. The oreos in the house are not helping, but I have successfully ignored them all morning. Last night I arranged a babysitter so I could go to eat sushi while Adam is in Monroe. I had a good time eating and then we went to Old Navy. They were completely out of my size in all their maternity t shirts. I tried a few maternity "fashion" shirts on. So depressing. Nothing looked right. I didn't buy a thing. Too many ties and ruffles and gatherings. I don't know if this influenced my mood this morning, but I woke up early craving pancakes. I called my mom thinking she might go somewhere with me and she was already out running errands and had her whole morning planned. So no pancakes. I actually teared up a little bit. I took a nap in case I was acting this way because I was tired. I guess I feel better. Sydney is now sharing her wheat crackers with me as I type. I had fun last night and usually our weekends are spent at home anyway so last night was more than I usually do, but for some reason I feel lonely today. I know I have plenty to do to keep me occupied, but it doesn't seem to matter.

A Good Reference Tool

About a year ago or more I was recommended a book/tool for biblical child training and I made plans to purchase it later. I did order last week and I recieved it two days ago. I can really recommend it now that I have it and I am a little sad that I didn't order it sooner. It is called For Instruction in Righteousness . It is so helpful to find verses and stories relating to different sins. It has suggested memory verses for each topic. I really see how much reading and memorization I need to do and that is why I needed it earlier! The site has other products like charts and such that would be great for older children.

Another couple of books I can recommend are Susan Hunt's ABC Bible Verses and Big Truths for Little Kids .

Time is flying!

I was just trying to arrange a babysitter for my doctor's appointment next week and while looking at the calendar I realized how close it is getting. I am going to the doctor every two weeks now (I can't believe it was only a week ago that I was there!) and I noticed that our childbirth classes will start before I have a chance to go again (after next week's appointment). And the classes are scheduled for a normal time in the pregnancy. Usually, I would schedule things way early just like I get to the movie the recommended 30 or more minutes before the start. I played it cool this time because I realized that I couldn't require Adam to change his work schedule to accommodate the classes when we could have taken them later...

I am pleased right now because it is raining (though a fly is putting a damper on my blogging experience right now, by making me smack myself repeatedly like a crazy person) and the house was supposed to be shown this afternoon but was switch until tomorrow. This gives me more time and a reason to not let the house slip back to the way it was last night. The floors are mopped, 5 loads of laundry are completed (folding and putting away included!) and Sydney is taking a nap. I did eat 4 oreos though.

Anyway, back to time flying. I have already found several events that I can uses as little markers along the way. This always helps me pass the time. I think that may be one of the reasons they have you come to the doctor so often towards the end. They must know that time gets slower as you get bigger.

Last night we took Sydney out to eat and I am proud to report that it was actually a good experience. We had given up taking her out for a while but realize that she really needs the practice more than time to get into a different stage (right now she wants to walk everywhere not to mention her constant whining. I know the grandparents don't believe the whining part, but you are entertainment when you are here). Our trick last night was to hold her until the food got to the table. That way she wasn't too tired of the high chair. It actually worked.

Something to make you giggle

Sydney had a toy that played this tune and Adam and I would sing the first verse all the time and when we tried to find the rest of the song we came across this version. It is so hilarious. I will have to remind Adam about it because he had it memorized last year and could barely sing it because he and Sydney would laugh so hard.

Do your ears hang low?
Do they wobble to and fro?
Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?
Can you throw them o'er your shoulder
like a Continental Soldier?
Do your ears hang low

Do your ears stretch wide? Do they reach from side to side?
Can you use them as a parachute
or wings that let you glide?
Can you cast a cooling shadow
over most of Colorado?
Do your ears stretch wide?

Are your ears too big? Are they heavy as a pig?
Do they bruise your cerebellum
when you dance an Irish jig?
Can they function as the anchors
for a fleet of oil tankers?
Are your ears too big?

Are your ears real small? Barely visible at all?
Do they look just like two peanuts stuck onto a bowling ball?
Can you store them in a thimble when you're feeling rather nimble?
Are your ears real small?

Are your ears quite clean? Do they have a lovely sheen?
Did you harvest all the vegetables that grow down in between?
Did you wash out all the soil after all your farming toil?
Are your ears quite clean?

Are your ears so thin? Do the breezes make 'em spin?
Can you shine a light right through them like the finest onionskin?
Can you wrap up a salami? Do they fold like origami?
Are your ears so thin?

Mom my Ride

Check this out. Mom my ride
Mara Petersen told me about this. Sadly, this is what my car looks like at times.

Parenthood

Last night we fried catfish with friends and Sydney was having such a good time that we just let her stay up way past her bedtime. She is now taking the world's longest nap this morning. While I should be taking advantage of this time to clean and get the house in showing condition, I am too tired after staying awake after yet another strange dream. Instead I have been reading our former blog from the beginning. I love all the comments. So many people were right behind us. It feels good to have so many people in our lives so willing to give help and advice when we need it. Man, that feels like a million years ago. I can't help but think that having a new baby will remind me of that experience. Isn't that funny? They are so different, but I just know that the feelings are exactly the same. Worry, anxiety, joy, happiness.

Adam and I couldn't enjoy being parents more than we have the past year and three months. It is amazing to us to see this little thing walking around and we are responsible for taking care of her. It feels like a privilege. Lately, we have had some problems with little butter bean (Sydney) fussing a lot and we have felt discouraged and worried that maybe we haven't been doing what we could have/should have as far as correction and this is the result. It isn't fun staying on her, but we are already seeing the improvement and it makes you very proud as a parent to see your baby learn and grow from correction. She has such a sweet personality. She is so sensitive! (What are we in for?) Last night she saw little Will O. fall and being tough he just got up. (What is funny is that Sydney probably would have to.) She just broke down when she saw him fall and walked over to Adam and cried in his lap. We told her that he was fine and to go see if he was ok and she got down and tried to pat him on the head.

Even after a year we rush in to get her when she wakes up. We talk constantly about how cute she is. Though I know we can always do better, our constant devotion is to training her to be the girl God wants her to be. Now what about Butter Bean II ? We just can't wait for him to be here (and for more reasons than the hot weather I will have to endure). Adam finally was able to feel him move instead of just kick. It makes it real to feel some body part pushing back when you push them. Last night he was rolling around and it felt as real as if he were here kicking me in bed. I know Adam is ready for my emotional mini-breakdowns to end. Yesterday I bought three boxes of some special oatmeal that I am addicted to because apparently they aren't going to make it anymore. Being lazy, I left the boxes on the counter and they got wet later when the cutting board formed a channel for the water while Adam was washing dishes. The boxes soaked up the water and the oatmeal's integrity was compromised. This upset me and I blamed myself for not putting the oatmeal away as I should have done. Adam's response..."I am not equipped to understand this situation". Oh, sweet Adam. He makes me laugh.

Fun in the sun...

My mom bought Sydney a pool (or seahorse play center with detachable rainbow) for our backyard. She was very excited about this and though it has created another reason to cry when we stop doing something fun it is still worth it. About 75% of the time she just sits there and laughs really loud. She has started playing with toys in it now and is having a lot of fun. It is in our garage right now (Adam moved it yesterday) so Bailey won't pop a hole in it. We plan to get a tarp to cover it so Bailey will be less interested in it and Sydney won't keep looking at it longingly from the sunroom all day. The only other problem we still have is that it will kill the grass under it and let's just say our backyard isn't the best anyway and I don't think a big dead spot is going to help it sell. We may have to come up with a system for moving the pool every other day or something. Then again, I was supposed to water my plants every other day and I failed to do that too.

Diaper Rap

Adam's Rap

I can tell from the smell
that you gotta dirty diapa
We gotta get her home
and wipe, wipe, wipe her.

Projects

As I clean out our guest bedroom this weekend, I plan to organize my projects so I can actually start or finish them. We are getting new carpet in there. This is only room in our house that has carpet and it is pink so we are hoping that a change will help our house sell soon. Here are the projects that I need to complete.

Sydney's First Year Scrapbook/baby book (this is most important because I will need to begin a new one soon) - see my ideas on scrapbooks below

Transferring mini dv tapes to DVD and possibly editing some into cute videos with music

Printing pictures in general and getting them into family albums

Finish a smocked dress that I am working on for Sydney.

Sew some shorts for Sydney (I already have them cut out and ready to go, but I can't find the red thread)


My Plan/Theory on Scrapbooks for children

I have found that baby books don't have the room for all the stuff that they should (unless you can find the three-ring binder kind like my friend Christy) so I plan to supplement a baby book (mine has space for a few details up until kindergarten) with a first year scrapbook. I figure I can do one year. After the first year, I plan to start a birthday scrapbook for each child and do a one or two page spread on each birthday party. That way they will have their parties, guests and themes documented in one place and you will really see how they grow. When they get older they can do it themselves. I will consider helping with one in high school because I have a friend that hired someone to do her daughter's (she would take her the pictures, letters and stuff each month during her senior year) and it was so awesome.

I just don't have the time to dedicate to scrapbooking so I am not going to do it. I will do family picture albums by year and save pictures they colored and cards they made just like my mom did. Another friend of mine put all her pictures in a scrapbook (not the post-bound kind but the strap kind) and just lined them up (she even rounds the corner, which looks awesome) and uses a black pen to label them under the picture. She covers the page with a plastic sleeve. The result is unbelievable. I am inspired!

A Good Day

We have had a good day. I needed one. It started with Sydney sleeping until 7:15 this morning. Last night Adam and I were sitting around after she went to bed and Adam said "she is so cute, I want to go wake her up and hold her". I said, " if she makes a noise in the next 15 minutes I am going to go get her". This was at 9:30pm. You would think that people who were so desperate to see and hold her would have been happy to accommodate her when she started whining at 1am but we were much different people at that point. Somehow I have Adam convinced that she would rather see him during the night (this was achieved by making the observation that she looks for him when I go to her), but last night he got firm and she that she needed to work it out for herself this time. So we waited to see if the fussing escalated. It didn't and she was fine. Had the noise gone to another level we would have gone to see. This morning there was a paci still in the bed so I think she was just wanting to see what we were doing.

This must have helped her with her day because she took a good nap this morning. We did our play and learning time after lunch and now she is asleep for a late nap. I have been wanting to get her napping later instead of right at noon. Maybe this will be a change for us. Sundays are always hard and we tend to get off schedule that day so we may have to adjust something next week.

Last night Sydney was visited by her Mimi and Pop (Adam's parents) and they brought the tiniest, cutest little crocs for her in lime green and another pair in pink. She thought she was something in those shoes and pranced around clapping at herself. We would all applause over nothing and she was ok with that. I will post pictures of her in the shoes when I can get some.

Maternity Wardrobe and other things

A few weeks ago I was thinking that I was happy with my three t shirts and capri pants for the week days. Now I am tired of them. They are shrinking! Ok, THEY are not shrinking and neither am I. I hesitate to share this because I dread the comments that come with it, but there is no way to keep it a secret. Ready? The baby is huge! I am not saying this because I think that I am huge (though sharing this fact has gotten a few "I thought your stomach looked bigger than usual" comments). This was confirmed by an ultrasound and the doctor. 3.4 pounds at 27 weeks. 97% percentile. My "book" and baby center emails say that most babies are 2 pounds at this point. I decided to share because I know that a few of my friends carried big babies and I need some encouragement and consolation. I think because of the increased size of the baby and my low iron, I am experiencing some of the inconveniences of late pregnancy a little early. I can't tie my shoes without a struggle and turning the air conditioner on full blast. If I even sit on the couch without a pillow behind my back I immediately have trouble breathing. Forget laying on my back for a few minutes to read in bed. I am staying on my left side like a good girl, but my left hip and leg either become numb or radiate pain throughout the night so I wake to find a better position. One good thing is that I have something else to complain about instead of my sinuses.

Ok, I will talk about something happy now so you don't think that I am not pleased to be having a baby. I am very happy that we will soon have a baby and I can't wait until he is here. I am trying to pick out announcements and actually had myself looking at ideas for making them. I am going to be realistic and just buy them. I will print them myself though. I like to get them out before it is old news. I might treat myself to looking at some today before we look at a house (pointless probably since everything sells so fast). Ours is still ours. :( Looks like the likelihood of us moving during the birth or possibly not having a house to come home to is increasing. I can go with the flow though. I can make box labels between contractions while at the hospital.

A few things...

Mangoes smell weird. How do you know if they are ripe?

Also, don't look at Martha Stewart Craft supplies online and especially at Michael's. They will convince you that you are crafty, that you must have them, that you have time for them, and that no other kind will do.

Little girls!

Yesterday afternoon I decided that I needed to organize Sydney's toys AGAIN. Unfortunately, her room has become a haven for bags of clothes, toys, and other baby items that she isn't using. It is hard to pack things up and put them away. I am tempted to be organized as I pack away her clothes but I know that matching tops and bottoms are not ending up in the same bag sometimes. I really want to get her summer clothes down from the attic so they can go to a consignment store. Her winter clothes would not be desirable at this point so I will have to remember to get them out this fall. After almost a year and a half, I still can't decide if folding or hanging clothes is better for her/me. It would make sense to hang dresses and fold other things but you would need to actually be able to get into her closet to get to the dresses.

Anyway, back to the toy organizing. I gathered all the toys yesterday and put them in the sun room. This morning I sorted them and found all the coins to the piggy bank toy, the rings to the ring stacker thing, and the shapes to the shape sorter. Those are now going on a shelf in the closet with the puzzles and we will play with them during a concentrated play time. The toys are no fun when you can only find two of the pieces. That makes for a really short game. Of course our house is a wreck now and Sydney keeps taking the toys out of their respective piles as I put them in.

I went to the doctor on Monday and I am now to go every two weeks. I had very low iron so now I am taking supplements. I hope if feel better soon because I have been really tired lately.

Sydney has been playing with her baby doll a lot lately. She is very interested in my belly button (or what is left of it) but refuses to touch it so she grabs my finger and makes me touch it instead. She said nana for banana the other day and last night she was humming to the alphabet song on one of her toys. When we were in Monroe the other week she and Ava (my friend's little girl) sat in one of the car carts (this was the one with the car on the front bottom) and had a great time. Yesterday my plan was to put her in one so our shopping trip (the one where she is up by me and facing out) would be potentially less of a pain. When we got there though I just couldn't do it. Have you seen the size of those things? It looked really dirty too. I have said for a while that they need to make regular carts so you can turn them towards the basket. She is always wanting to turn that way to see everything. At the store we bought some new fruit (kiwi and papaya) for her to try. I think we will do that today during our snack. We discovered that she loves strawberries the other night so she has been eating them quite a bit.

Well, back to the house while she is sleeping!

Good Site

I have been using a great site and wanted to tell my friends about it. Especially the ones that have babies coming and won't be registering for gifts again.

www.thethingsiwant.com

I find this useful for keeping track of things I plan to buy and I let close family know about it so they can see what we are needing/wanting for birthday, christmas or new arrivals.

hello

Sydney swinging. Notice the scraped knees from some serious play.

Well I think the tiring stage is here. I don't know why I am surprised that I am tired. Adam and I both are tired. The night before last I was hopeful that I might get some sleep and as Adam slid into bed he aggravated a pinched nerve (sustained years ago while helping someone paint) while taking his shirt off. If he had only fallen asleep in his daytime clothes like I had he could have avoided this. Unfortunately this was at 12:30 am so by 1 am I was calling family members trying to procure a muscle relaxer (never found one) and by 1:30 am I was emptying frozen pecans from the only available ziplock bag to make an icepack. By 1:45 Adam was asleep and I was laying in bed listening to the unusual sound he was making from sleeping on his back with a crumple-y ice pack under his neck. This must be practice for what is to come. Sleepless nights. Thankfully, Sydney is pretty good about sleeping all night.

Yesterday I went to Target while taking advantage of the last Mother's Morning Out of the school year. Remembering how tired I was that morning as I rushed around the house getting it in showing condition (we are still trying to sell) in case someone wanted to look while we were out, I came up with the brilliant idea that I should go ahead and buy everything I need for the summer because I will only feel worse as it heats up and will probably only leave the house when the world becomes air conditioned or when I have the baby (whatever comes first). The other day I made a list of things that I need for the new baby and for going to the hospital. I listed everything down to travel shampoo for me. So 1 hour and 2 or 3 bathroom trips later I had my cart full of lap pads, bibs, travel toiletries, a father's day gift, a teacher gift, metallic gel pens (for me...I am not sure why), wrapping supplies, pacifiers, one snickers, bassinet sheets, bottles, a hanging closet organizer, one diet coke to counteract the snickers, a new sleep positioner with a flat head prevention system (we loved the one for Sydney but it was worn out) and more. I still have a lot on my list but I think most can be achieved through Walmart or baby boutiques.

I keep calling my friends and asking them if symptom here is normal. Finally, Amy said that anything unusual can be considered a side effect of pregnancy. Each time a new month rolls around I check my "Everything Pregnancy Book" and see that I am right on track with most the symptoms. Thankfully I have been able to avoid some of the more undesirable issues. Yesterday I felt the baby moving and I was able to actually make out a real and continuous movement. Usually it is just a kick, but this was different. I could press back and he would press and slide whatever it was, hand, elbow, or foot, from side to side. It was a weird feeling and I described it to Adam as the point where I really thought "there is a person in there". I have known that all along, of course, but I just hadn't connected with the thought.

Hey

I am not sure who still reads this. I guess I will update it for myself if anything. So what have we been up to lately? Well, presently I am sitting on my bed watching my stomach lurch from the baby boy kicking me constantly. Adam is in Las Vegas for work this week. I made a trip to Michael's craft store and am now feeling crafty. I am a little annoyed as I bought the wrong item today. I will have to make an exchange tomorrow. Sydney is walking everywhere and we are working on our attitude when I don't let her do something that she feels is very important for her to do. She just gets cuter every day. She makes the cutest words and though we have no idea what she is saying, it all sounds very important.

We have been trying to sell our house. Some days I don't think it will ever sell. This weekend we will be replacing light fixtures and ceiling fans. When I say "we" I mean "Adam". I have been doing a little sewing. Right now my planned projects outnumber the actual completed projects. I think I may need to bring the sewing machine from my mom's to my house for a few days. I have hesitated to bring anything else into the house that could potentially clutter it, but we have really been doing a good job with keeping it eveready so I think I have earned a few days with the machine in the home. I am promising myself that I will only bring out supplies I will actually need for that particular project. There went my stomach again. What a weird feeling.

Tomorrow is Sydney's next vaccination appointment at the doctor's office. I hate watching that. It is really pitiful and barbaric. The pool is open in the neighborhood and I still can't figure out why I am planning to actually put on a bathing suit and go down there. My mom is right. You will do anything for your kids. I don't even own a regular suit and haven't been swimming in at least 4 years and yet I pick this time in my life to say "I need a suit so I can swim!". Sydney really does love it.

It's a....

Boy! That's right. We went to my appointment today and within seconds the sono. tech said "o.k. I know what it is! Do you want to know?"

Update

Sydney is into the separation anxiety phase now and it makes me sad to leave her anywhere. I guess it doesn't help that I am more emotional these days too. Adam is out of town and I am counting down the hours until he gets back from Atlanta. Next week we find out whether we are having a boy or girl. I will just be 17 weeks. I have a friend that is also expecting and she finds out that day too. There seems to be a whole group of people I know having babies this August and September. I remember when everyone was getting married at the same time and now they are all having babies.

The second baby is different than the first. You obsess over making lists of things you need with your first, but with a second baby you have everything you need and feel more prepared to handle things like changing diapers and when to feed them. Sydney was such a good newborn. This is making me expect a harder time of it with the next. Surely you can't have two good babies. Maybe there is some off chance that she was good as a result of the way that Adam and I are at home. I have friends that seems frazzled all the time and their kids seem that way too. I am sure it has something to do with it.

Sydney is such a little girl. When Adam pretends like he is chasing her, she runs from him, squeals, and buries her head in the couch. Her favorite thing is to pretend to be talking on the phone. She has a play cell phone and she rides in the car with it up to her ear. I don't usually talk in the car so I don't think she learned it from me. So she chatters and chatters, saying nothing in particular. I wish she would say more words. She sounds like she is saying something very important.

Random questions

Why do hospitals still follow a Catholic menu? Fish on Friday? I think it is more out of habit or tradition than anything. They always do fried chicken on Thursday too. Weird.

When did/why is text messaging become an acceptable form of getting to know someone when dating?

Why did I try the Little Debbie snack cake sitting on my desk when I don't really like snack cakes?

Why is Walmart such a drag?

Why do I buy water?

Why am I still watching Grey's Anatomy? The characters get on my nerves. I really dislike them. Yet I still watch. I am stopping right away...after I find out what happens to Meredith. I also need to see if she is ever going to change her hair. I know mine is probably worse, but she has no excuse.

Should we really trust movie reviews?

Crafts and other stuff

I went to the doctor on Monday and was glad to find that the appointment was simple with only the nurse listening to the baby's heartbeat. This was hard to do as the baby would not stop moving. It was so weird to hear the baby bumping around. I keep thinking that if I really focus I will be able to feel it. This early though would get me in some record books so I am not expecting it for a while.

Adam and I went out to eat (sushi, yum) and then to Barnes and Noble last Friday night. I bought a book in BN because it was full of inspirational crafts for babies. Crafts are fun. I like thinking about them but I must admit that I never seem to finish them. This is mostly because I never have all the things I need or the time that must be committed to finishing the project. I asked Adam if he would like to craft with me and his response surprised me. NO? Why not? Apparently, Adam hates two things. Board games and crafts. He sighted the many things that he willing did with me in the past as a way of showing that he paid his dues. Chic flicks, ballroom dancing lessons, cake decorating, shopping, looking through potterybarn kids catalog together picking out what we like best on each page. Ok, ok, ok, I get it. I need a craft partner.

First Steps

On Saturday, Sydney took her first steps. I am so excited that Adam and I both were there to see it. I was holding her and I put her on the floor. She just stood there for a good while and Adam and I were bothe watching for some reason. She put her right foot out and then squatted to the ground. I was thinking that is was such a good move towards walking and then she stood up and took 3 steps. We couldn't believe it! Just an hour before we predicted that it would be the end of February before she walked. She still isn't "walking". Just taking steps. She took 7 in a row on Saturday. Sunday was not as active. Sunday's are hard. With church getting us off the food and nap schedule it is really hard. She did take a fall into the leather ottoman. Of course, she hit the one spot that isn't padded. I am sure we have quite a few falls in our future. At one point she became so excited about walking that she clapped herself right to the floor. Walking and clapping is a hard thing to do.

First Steps

On Saturday, Sydney took her first steps. I am so excited that Adam and I both were there to see it. I was holding her and I put her on the floor. She just stood there for a good while and Adam and I were bothe watching for some reason. She put her right foot out and then squatted to the ground. I was thinking that is was such a good move towards walking and then she stood up and took 3 steps. We couldn't believe it! Just an hour before we predicted that it would be the end of February before she walked. She still isn't "walking". Just taking steps. She took 7 in a row on Saturday. Sunday was not as active. Sunday's are hard. With church getting us off the food and nap schedule it is really hard. She did take a fall into the leather ottoman. Of course, she hit the one spot that isn't padded. I am sure we have quite a few falls in our future. At one point she became so excited about walking that she clapped herself right to the floor. Walking and clapping is a hard thing to do.

Cool

This is something that Adam was playing with last night. It is really cool.

Watch this first:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atZMhaGn8fQ

Then go here to play:

http://www.official-linerider.com/play.html

Best Junk Food Poll

What is the best junk food?

I will start...Pop Tarts

Doctor Day

Sydney is going today for her 1 year check up and her shots. I wish I had remembered that it was today and planned for Adam to go with me. I dread seeing her get her shots. It hasn't been that bad in the past but now she is older and she will really have her feelings hurt. I hate going to the doctor with her. They put you back in the room forever when it would be easier to stay in the waiting room with her. While we are in the tiny room I feel like I can't let her or any of her belongings touch the floor. It is a long hour there. An hour really isn't that bad, but when you consider that they spend maybe 10 minutes of it with you it really is ridiculous.

Tuesday, Tuesday, the day before the day before Thursday

I am having trouble with subject lines. And posts. You would think I would have all kinds of brilliant things to say after listening to toys that play classical music all the time. I am not sure that they work. I did notice that the ticker says 200 days and I am very happy about that. Getting into the 100's makes it seem less like a year to go.

We had Sydney's birthday party this weekend. It was lots of fun and she seemed to have a good time. Adam insisted that she have her own cake to play in and to our surprise she ate it rather methodically. She pulled little pieces of icing off one at at time and kept her dress looking pretty clean. We are having a cranky week with 4 teeth threatening to come in any day.

Ticker

That ticker on the top is bother me again. I remember Sydney's ticker barely moving along and it bothered me so much. Now it is back and taunting me again. Only 205 days to go? ONLY? Why can't it say 205 more days of getting up and not being able to find something to wear? Or 205 days of having to wake up and take your vitamin that makes you feel sick? Or 205 days of waking up not being able to breathe? 205 days of no caffine and now no Lipton Diet Green Tea with citrus (apparently there are reports that excessive green tea cancels out folic acid. Not that I drink that much but why take the chance?). I hope I don't seem like I am complaining. Other than those "issues" I am pretty happy. Adam says I shouldn't worry about what I wear. Doesn't he know by now that that is impossible??

Thursday, the day before Friday

I like Thursdays. They hold the promises of the weekend to come. You can stay up late on Thursday nights because you can always make it through a Friday. That is what I used to think when I worked full-time. Thursdays are the day before school field trips or spending the night with your best friend. Thursdays have good movie previews on tv. The Office comes on on Thursdays. No, I love Thursdays. There is something good and fun about anticipation. This weekend is Sydney's first birthday party. I have done away with the handmade hats and the banner. I am still trying to find the magnetic photo sleeves for party favors (I am going to write her name on them with a paint pen and put a birthday dress photo in them). I did find a smocked birthday dress for a good price so my main objective was met. Maybe I could go for some crepe paper. Nah. I will stick with balloons. Crepe paper rarely looks good.

Adam has been out of town this week. It is really hard without him. Yesterday, as 5 o, clock approached I remembered that he wasn't coming home. With four teeth coming in on top, Sydney and I both needed a break from each other. A realtor showed our house yesterday around lunch so we did get out. We went to Big Lots and then to the park. I found the cutest easter baskets. I bought three because I couldn't decide. Once I decide I will return the others. Do I want to go Martha Stewart pretty or Pottery Barn cute? I just can't decide. The good part about the Pottery Barn knock off (besides being only $6) was that there were a variety of basket liner colors in gingham (I bought blue and green) and shapes (I bought one oval and one retangular). I could buy two and have one to match for the new baby next year. They did have several colors in the Martha style but I only liked the pale robin's egg blue. The other colors were not as good. If you have older kids, you should really check on Big Lots for your Easter Basket needs. There were these really cute fishing poles with magnetic fish and bubbles and paddles with eggs bean bags to toss back and forth, butterfly nets, and so much more!

Snickers...

It really does satisfy the hunger in you.

Party Animal

Sydney's first birthday is around the corner. It wasn't a hard decision to keep it a family only event. While I love the thought of scores precious children in their cute clothes toddling around my mom's house (better hers than mine...evil grin, sinister laugh), I think I do agree when "they" (they=parenting experts and free magazines giving generally bad parenting advice)say that it will be a happier event if it is kept simple.

I do find myself sneaking in a few more decorations than originally planned. This is mostly for that classic birthday picture. Baby on table, cake in front (out of reach), balloons, party hat, and a Happy Birthday, Sydney Banner (which is the latest addition). My plan is to make party hats from cute printed scrapbook paper and I did actually think about making an arch from balloons (I am rethinking this). I will have to make the banner if I want it to look right. I see a trip to Michael's in my future...

By the way, Adam and I are expecting a baby this summer sometime around August 18th...