Wowzer. 200. And what a post this will be.
As I type, I am currently sitting with my left leg propped up, crutches by my side.
I've got your attention now, don't I, Gentle Reader.
So, yesterday started with plans for my younger brother and his family to visit in the evening and stay the night and drive home on Saturday (they were returning from a vacation to Colorado). As it turns out, they ended up needing to be home BY Saturday, so they were just going to stop by for lunch and continue driving. But then my youngest nephew got into his mom's contact case, so that set them back to stopping by for dinner and then they would just drive on home and arrive at their place later that night. Does this make sense so far?
Anyway, since I had a doctor's appointment (where I discovered I'm still at a 2cm but 30% effaced), I decided I'd just get pizza from Costco when they got here for lunch (at this point, I thought they were still coming for lunch). And then, of course, found out they'd be here at 3:00ish! Ohhhhhh! So, I put Miss O down for a nap and got to thinking, how can I get dinner without being gone almost the entire time they would be here...hmmmmmmmmm...I know! I'll get the pizza early and we can always reheat it. So, I had Miss A and E go to the bathroom and get shoes on and get in the car ("Let's move it, girls!!!!" I distinctly remember being short with them because their pace was soooooo slow). I came into the house from the garage and was getting ready to go upstairs and wake up Miss O when...I'm not 100% sure what happened, but suffice to say, I tripped on the carpet (????) and ended up face down, basically belly flopping onto the floor after hearing a very ugly "POP" noise and feeling my ankle go kinda wonky.
Gentle Reader, I bawled like a baby from shock and pain. I just need to remember this moment so that I have more empathy for my children when they biff it. Hang on while I have that moment.....okay! Done.
So. My first thought was, "MY BABY!" because, seriously, fell SMACK on my front (I have bruises on my shoulder, my left palm, my right hand on some knuckles and my right knee...when I do something, I don't just halfway do it). Then, the next thought was, "Oh my gosh! I just ordered 5 pizzas!" (there are 8 in my brother's family and you should see them eat pizza). Next, "What am I going to do!" "The girls are out in the car!" "My baby!" "Where's the phone." "WHAT HAVE I DONE???????"
I called the girls back into the house, and had Miss A get me the phone. I called Super J and he just up and left work to come home. Love that man. He told me to call and cancel the pizzas. Duh. Why did I not think of that? I called my OBGYN and spoke to the nurse on call. She was an amazingly calming influence while I was trying to hold it together...and luckily, I was able to tell her that there was no fluid lost (aka: amniotic fluid still doing its job), no blood (placenta still in place) and yes to fetal movement (baby still kickin'). She told me to prop my ankle up and take some Tylenol and assess the situation when I wasn't so much in shock, and that it was appropriate to have it looked at and that it was perfectly safe to get it x-rayed (all these dumb questions I had! Ugh!).
Super J got home, closed up the minivan (which had been left with doors wide open), closed the garage door and was there when Good Brother and family arrived. We actually had a nice visit for about an hour and a half, which was when we determined based on the size my ankle had swollen to, that we should get it looked at. I got a blessing, found some childcare for the girls, and got Good Brother and family loaded up (NEXT time I promise to feed you guys!) and away we went to the Urgent Care.
I should say that the childcare was a bit of a blessing. I called Kristan (aka: our friend JK's mom), and the first words out of her mouth after saying hello was, "Are you psychic?" and our conversation went something like this:
"No! Why?"
"Seriously! Are you psychic?"
"Were you thinking about me, and how I had fallen and have either sprained or broken my ankle and need someone to watch the kids while I go to the Urgent Care?"
"Nuh uh! You are kidding me!"
"I wish!"
Suffice to say, she was on her way home and was able to watch the kids for me while we went to Urgent Care.
3 hours and 4 x-rays later, turns out that the doctor thinks I have a severely sprained ankle, but there's "one little spot" she wasn't sure of, so I have to wait to have that confirmed (one way or the other) by the radiologist on Monday. So, while I have all this sprained ankle info, we are treating it like a fracture for now. Good times.
Personally, I'm thinking it is a sprain, because it feels much better today (well, all things considered...it still hurts and is still swollen and is now varying shades of purple and blue, but you know what I mean). And, of course, I'm not really walking on it and I'm keeping it elevated and I'm taking Extra Strength Tylenol (have I mentioned how much I miss Ibuprofen when I'm pregnant???? I MISS IT! It's my medicine of choice, I just gotta say, but you can't take it for blood clotting reasons when pregnant), but I'm able to get around better. I wish I wasn't feeling so achey all over, but I guess that's to be expected.
Anyway, I'll keep you updated on my progress. I'll be fine. I'm just taking it slow and trying to let Super J be...well...Super. He's really doing an amazing job handling the girls and EVERYTHING (I am so mad at myself for doing this and so embarrassed and feel like a GOOF!), and he and Miss A even made me a delightful breakfast "in bed" this morning. He told me, "The kitchen's a mess and if I come home and find you've done the dishes.." (he knows me too well...honestly, I don't know if I'd actually do the dishes, but I do know that I'd WANT to do the dishes)"...I'll spank you!" lol.
And, I have to say that the girls, in particular Miss A, have been SOOOOOOOO HELPFUL! I mean, seriously, I can't tell you the number of times she has said, "I'd do anything to help mom. She's so poor right now." Too cute. Miss O just wants to touch my splint and remove the frozen peas from it (I'm not feeding my ankle frozen peas, mind you, but keeping a bag of them on it to help with the swelling), but I know it's just because she's curious as to why I'm such a lump! Miss E was plenty freaked out when it first happened, but has calmed down since and is very good at getting me things when I ask for them.
All in all, I'm very blessed. I look back and I try to think, "Did I miss something? A prompting? A quiet word of warning?" and there's really nothing but when I really stop and ponder, 2 things do kinda come to mind. One, I'm annoyed with myself that I was so short with the girls being so slow and was on the verge of yelling at them I was getting so frustrated, and two, kinda thinking to myself why are YOU rushing so much. Maybe if I'd taken the turn a little slower...maybe if I hadn't been trying to GET IT DONE RIGHT THEN...I don't know. All I do know is that I'm definitely taking things much slower right now, and hopefully, my ankle is only sprained and will heal or be well on the mend when New Baby does show up. It's also funny how Friday morning I was longing for New Baby to just get born! Now, I'm like, Stay in there! Stay in there! lol. Ohhhhhhhhh, how things change.
And on that happy note, I better go put some more "magic peas" (aka: frozen peas) on my ankle which is starting to swell a bit.
Hope YOUR day turns out better. :)
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Daddy Daughter Treasure
Super J has implemented $2.00 Daddy/Daughter dates...not because he's a cheap date, but because this way, the girls can each have one "date" a week without breaking the bank (or Daddy). This is the second week and they are LOVING it. They get an hour of Quality Time with Dad to run an errand or get a sundae or whatever they choose to do on a $2.00 budget, and then they also get to take a tub bath by themselves (though we may rethink that with Miss O...she pooped in the tub AGAIN during her special tub time...ugh. Seriously. UGH!)
Normally, this evening would be Miss A's "date night", but because of a Pioneer Day Celebration (Happy Pioneer Day, btw), she and Miss E doubled up last night and Super J took each of them (though individually) to a new CVS Pharmacy that just opened up in the neighborhood (Super J reported back that girls definitely shop differently than boys, and Miss A and Miss E shop very differently from each other. I guess they trolled up and down EVERY INCH of EVERY make-up aisle at the new CVS with Miss A. Miss E got bored somewhat quickly so they ended up going to the local Sonic and just getting a pineapple sundae). Miss A came home with a pack of gum. She is very very pleased with her purchase. She has also been very very good about sharing her prized possession...probably because this is her very first pack of gum and ownership, she has discovered, can be very gratifying indeed.
Last night, just before bed, she plotted about her next opportunity to chew her gum (Trident Bubble Gum, if you want to know what flavor captured her fancy). And, sure enough, after breakfast she popped a piece into her mouth, invited Miss E to join her and, per MY request, did this all out of Miss O's line of sight.
About an hour later, she came up to me and said, "Mom. You know why I like to chew gum?"
"No, hon. Why do you like to chew gum?" (please keep in mind, this is maybe the 5th time she's actually chewed gum).
"Because it's good exercise for my teeth. It makes them super strong."
Whatever. I'm just happy she's so happy...let's just all hope she keep it out of her very long hair.
Normally, this evening would be Miss A's "date night", but because of a Pioneer Day Celebration (Happy Pioneer Day, btw), she and Miss E doubled up last night and Super J took each of them (though individually) to a new CVS Pharmacy that just opened up in the neighborhood (Super J reported back that girls definitely shop differently than boys, and Miss A and Miss E shop very differently from each other. I guess they trolled up and down EVERY INCH of EVERY make-up aisle at the new CVS with Miss A. Miss E got bored somewhat quickly so they ended up going to the local Sonic and just getting a pineapple sundae). Miss A came home with a pack of gum. She is very very pleased with her purchase. She has also been very very good about sharing her prized possession...probably because this is her very first pack of gum and ownership, she has discovered, can be very gratifying indeed.
Last night, just before bed, she plotted about her next opportunity to chew her gum (Trident Bubble Gum, if you want to know what flavor captured her fancy). And, sure enough, after breakfast she popped a piece into her mouth, invited Miss E to join her and, per MY request, did this all out of Miss O's line of sight.
About an hour later, she came up to me and said, "Mom. You know why I like to chew gum?"
"No, hon. Why do you like to chew gum?" (please keep in mind, this is maybe the 5th time she's actually chewed gum).
"Because it's good exercise for my teeth. It makes them super strong."
Whatever. I'm just happy she's so happy...let's just all hope she keep it out of her very long hair.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Grousing
I was listening to the radio on my way to Wal-mart for our School Supply Adventure when I heard Trace Adkins, "You're Gonna Miss This," warbling on my local country station. I love that song because it really does remind you of the sweet things that go by too fast. So, in the VERY near future, I'm going to dedicate a whole post to things I am going to miss about being pregnant and this phase of my life.
But not now.
No. Right now, I have a couple of pinches in my last nerve that I'm going to try to expel. Starting with:
**I am still sweating from our little adventure this afternoon (ugh. Sooooo not pretty and feminine. Update: I'm no longer sweating. lol)
**AND I am having another moment where I wonder what people are thinking when they look at me. I mean, clearly (CLEARLY!) I feel I look pregnant, but at Wal-mart, where I guess all shoppers must walk around in our own little dazed "looking for the best deal" world, I am appalled by people's lack of consideration. I'm tempted to start a line of clothing with such phrases on it as, "Hey! I am 9 month pregnant. YOU move." I mean, how ridiculous to have me back up with my cart and skooch against a wall so someone else can get their cart through when they could have done the same, just as easily (or more so) for me and my 3 kids. Ugh. This proves, sadly, that I am NOT an Alpha female because I kowtow very quickly to others.
**I do believe I'm going to stop accepting the lovely offer of people in cars to let me cross the street. Yes, I know as a pedestrian I have the right of way. However, when I have my kids with me (heck! even when I'm alone) and a car stops and waves me on, I feel that we need to cross...quickly. Very very quickly so as not to hold up traffic any longer than necessary. In fact, I tell my little ducklings, "Let's walk with a purpose, ladies!" which means they need to skedaddle, because it drives me personally to the brink when you have random people mosey across the street!
Now, the people in the car do not know this weird thing about me, but I must confess that this is one example when their kindness just compounds my stress because Miss A inevitably pulls a Cinderella and loses a shoe in the middle of the road; Miss E FREAKS out that the car is secretly waiting for her to cross so it can ram her and so she crosses like (and I say this with alot of love for my 2nd eldest daughter) an epileptic deer; and *I* am stressed because I just want to get out of this very nice car's way!
So I had this amazing epiphany...I don't HAVE to cross. I can actually just wave the car on and cross at a more leisurely pace. This way, I acknowledge the graciousness of the driver but I don't have to push/pull my kids across the street.
And thus comes the grousing post to a close. Yesterday, when I was in more of a snit, there were so many things to look at and see the negative. Today (because I'm finishing this up on Thursday), things don't look so bad...for now. lol.
But not now.
No. Right now, I have a couple of pinches in my last nerve that I'm going to try to expel. Starting with:
**I am still sweating from our little adventure this afternoon (ugh. Sooooo not pretty and feminine. Update: I'm no longer sweating. lol)
**AND I am having another moment where I wonder what people are thinking when they look at me. I mean, clearly (CLEARLY!) I feel I look pregnant, but at Wal-mart, where I guess all shoppers must walk around in our own little dazed "looking for the best deal" world, I am appalled by people's lack of consideration. I'm tempted to start a line of clothing with such phrases on it as, "Hey! I am 9 month pregnant. YOU move." I mean, how ridiculous to have me back up with my cart and skooch against a wall so someone else can get their cart through when they could have done the same, just as easily (or more so) for me and my 3 kids. Ugh. This proves, sadly, that I am NOT an Alpha female because I kowtow very quickly to others.
**I do believe I'm going to stop accepting the lovely offer of people in cars to let me cross the street. Yes, I know as a pedestrian I have the right of way. However, when I have my kids with me (heck! even when I'm alone) and a car stops and waves me on, I feel that we need to cross...quickly. Very very quickly so as not to hold up traffic any longer than necessary. In fact, I tell my little ducklings, "Let's walk with a purpose, ladies!" which means they need to skedaddle, because it drives me personally to the brink when you have random people mosey across the street!
Now, the people in the car do not know this weird thing about me, but I must confess that this is one example when their kindness just compounds my stress because Miss A inevitably pulls a Cinderella and loses a shoe in the middle of the road; Miss E FREAKS out that the car is secretly waiting for her to cross so it can ram her and so she crosses like (and I say this with alot of love for my 2nd eldest daughter) an epileptic deer; and *I* am stressed because I just want to get out of this very nice car's way!
So I had this amazing epiphany...I don't HAVE to cross. I can actually just wave the car on and cross at a more leisurely pace. This way, I acknowledge the graciousness of the driver but I don't have to push/pull my kids across the street.
And thus comes the grousing post to a close. Yesterday, when I was in more of a snit, there were so many things to look at and see the negative. Today (because I'm finishing this up on Thursday), things don't look so bad...for now. lol.
"School" supplies
Back in April, we attended Kindergarten Roundup for Miss A. They gave us many many forms to fill out (which brings to mind that we still need to turn in her now complete medical forms) and lists of things for school. In my heart, I was like, "Ah ha! Here will be a priceless treasure of time and memory where I will go with Miss A, and we will collect all these precious things for Kindergarten. We will lovingly select all the appropriate crayolas and markers and papers and...stuff."
But at some point during May, when I was going through her folder and found the PTA offering to buy all the stuff for the kindergartners (and remembered the teachers' almost frantic pleading that we allow the PTA to buy the desired listed items because then they [the teachers] would actually get stuff that they prefer to use), the unrealistic dream of blissful shopping with Miss A turn to realism and the fact that we'd be getting a killer deal for $25 as well as saving oodles of time. So, we turned in the form and a check and viola, we were done with shopping.
Until today.
I don't know if you know this, but at Wal-mart, they have fabulous crazy deals right now on school supplies. So, I decided with my three sweet Misses in tow, to just do some memorable school supply shopping for stuff that I know we'll want and will use at home! You can never have too much construction paper and crayons and markers and glue sticks and...a protractor? And opened glue???? And...Nut and Honey Flavored Sunflower Seeds???? What the heck? Ohhhhh, Miss O must have been doing a Mad Grab for things when I wasn't looking. Grrrrrrrrrr (happily, I caught the Nut and Honey Flavored Sunflower Seeds before I actually paid for them)
Then, in a fit of COMPLETELY MENTAL REASONING (and please read that using a very chic British accent to thus define "mental" as meaning "completely and utterly crazed") , I thought I'll just go through all the stuff at home and get organized (hahahahahahahahahahahaahhaha!) so the girls can do all sorts of projects at home, especially when New Baby gets here. Again, I seem to be hearing laughter. Let's ask how much organizing I have done now that I have all this great stuff in my house, out of my car. Answer: None. Let's ask how much organizing I WANT to do now that I have all this great stuff in my house, out of my car. Answer (truthfully?): None. It's all still sitting in its bags. And let's ask how many "fun" art projects I've actually sat down and done with the girls during this pregnancy. Answer: Um...none? Super J let them fingerpaint once...but that doesn't really count for me, though, does it...(does it???). And yet, I'm thinking that will *magically* change once I give birth??????? Really?????? Yep. I am definitely hearing laughter somewhere.
Anyway, back to the Wal-mart adventure. In addition to all this, we did a small amount of grocery shopping which seemed to entail spending a great deal of time in the frozen food section (ugh...I say this because when I came home and had to shift most of the contents of the freezer to make room for these frozen foods, I broke a nail at the quik. Tarnation! I hates me that!) looking for veggie burgers. Do people no longer eat veggie burgers??? I thought I might be able to trick Miss E into enjoying one (and thus, enjoying some veggies), but alas! I couldn't even locate them. Oh well.
I also got the last of my stuff for New Baby...some new sheets for the bassinet (where on earth did the others go??? NO.CLUE. Especially since I've loaned the thing out twice since Miss O was born) and a new folding changing pad which Miss O has decided is PERFECT for carrying around and climbing upon. So now I feel good about checking all that off my list of things needed to do/get before New Baby's arrival. Things in that sense are coming together and it's actually a relief.
So, school supply shopping wasn't quite what I envisioned, but maybe we can have a nice Mom/Daughter afternoon one day and go get some new outfits. :)
But at some point during May, when I was going through her folder and found the PTA offering to buy all the stuff for the kindergartners (and remembered the teachers' almost frantic pleading that we allow the PTA to buy the desired listed items because then they [the teachers] would actually get stuff that they prefer to use), the unrealistic dream of blissful shopping with Miss A turn to realism and the fact that we'd be getting a killer deal for $25 as well as saving oodles of time. So, we turned in the form and a check and viola, we were done with shopping.
Until today.
I don't know if you know this, but at Wal-mart, they have fabulous crazy deals right now on school supplies. So, I decided with my three sweet Misses in tow, to just do some memorable school supply shopping for stuff that I know we'll want and will use at home! You can never have too much construction paper and crayons and markers and glue sticks and...a protractor? And opened glue???? And...Nut and Honey Flavored Sunflower Seeds???? What the heck? Ohhhhh, Miss O must have been doing a Mad Grab for things when I wasn't looking. Grrrrrrrrrr (happily, I caught the Nut and Honey Flavored Sunflower Seeds before I actually paid for them)
Then, in a fit of COMPLETELY MENTAL REASONING (and please read that using a very chic British accent to thus define "mental" as meaning "completely and utterly crazed") , I thought I'll just go through all the stuff at home and get organized (hahahahahahahahahahahaahhaha!) so the girls can do all sorts of projects at home, especially when New Baby gets here. Again, I seem to be hearing laughter. Let's ask how much organizing I have done now that I have all this great stuff in my house, out of my car. Answer: None. Let's ask how much organizing I WANT to do now that I have all this great stuff in my house, out of my car. Answer (truthfully?): None. It's all still sitting in its bags. And let's ask how many "fun" art projects I've actually sat down and done with the girls during this pregnancy. Answer: Um...none? Super J let them fingerpaint once...but that doesn't really count for me, though, does it...(does it???). And yet, I'm thinking that will *magically* change once I give birth??????? Really?????? Yep. I am definitely hearing laughter somewhere.
Anyway, back to the Wal-mart adventure. In addition to all this, we did a small amount of grocery shopping which seemed to entail spending a great deal of time in the frozen food section (ugh...I say this because when I came home and had to shift most of the contents of the freezer to make room for these frozen foods, I broke a nail at the quik. Tarnation! I hates me that!) looking for veggie burgers. Do people no longer eat veggie burgers??? I thought I might be able to trick Miss E into enjoying one (and thus, enjoying some veggies), but alas! I couldn't even locate them. Oh well.
I also got the last of my stuff for New Baby...some new sheets for the bassinet (where on earth did the others go??? NO.CLUE. Especially since I've loaned the thing out twice since Miss O was born) and a new folding changing pad which Miss O has decided is PERFECT for carrying around and climbing upon. So now I feel good about checking all that off my list of things needed to do/get before New Baby's arrival. Things in that sense are coming together and it's actually a relief.
So, school supply shopping wasn't quite what I envisioned, but maybe we can have a nice Mom/Daughter afternoon one day and go get some new outfits. :)
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Nesting at 37 weeks
I subscribe to various online Pregnancy sites that send me reminders of things like appropriate exercises for my ever changing form for week such and so (though, honestly, my excitement of the exercise phase lasted and then imploded around week 26), or what the baby is doing at week such and so, or my "3D Pregnancy Calendar." I have to admit, I like this one because it comes a day earlier than the others and has a different twist because you can see what the baby looks like (animated-wise, anyway) in "3D", and it's very optimistic in its little peppy "you can do it because your body is amazing! Your baby is amazing! Look what's going on! And your partner is amazing! Check it out!" attitude.
In fact, under the header of "Your Body" this is what it said:
Speaking of laundry, today's little newsletter also talked about "nesting." This is where you supposedly clean like a crazy person to get ready for your new arrival. I kind of have to laugh at this, because what's going on with me is that I see ALL sorts of things that need to be done, but I only have the energy right now to keep up the normal every day tasks. For example, I did the dishes today. The extra step I took was that I washed my plastic cup collection (actually, I just brought down and washed all the plastic cups that migrated upstairs when I took them full of water for the night). I've done several loads of laundry, but the extra step is that I actually folded and put some of it away (talk to Super J, he'll tell you that's nigh unto nesting right there for me).
I'm even trying to keep a happy attitude about the state of my living room. My sweet Misses, bless their hearts, have taken over my living room with Polly Pockets, Barbies, Mermaids and Lego's. So whilst the living room/dining room start out somewhat tidy, it's bedlam by the time I get up from my afternoon nap. I mean, crazy whirlwind of toys all over the floor bedlam along with a fort made from the blankets and chairs, type of thing. If someone came to the door expecting to come in, I'd be embarrassed by the state of my space. I want to be cranky at the girls for not cleaning up after being LEFT ALONE downstairs for A COUPLE OF HOURS, but I'm actually just really grateful that they are playing so well with each other that I get over myself pretty quick.
I should add: they truly aren't alone because they know they can come get me at any time, and I keep my door open and an ear out for them, but they quite contentedly play and know that after a certain show, they can go and get a snack from the "snack box." Anyway, you see where I'm going with this. It's just actually very comforting knowing that I can take a break and they are responsible enough to, while spreading their toys everywhere with much glee, don't do anything besides just untidy two areas of the house. It could be so so so much worse.
But it kinda saps away my "nesting" energies because every day we must clean up Polly and Barbie and "Shelly" (aka: Miss E's beloved Mermaid) and everyone/thing else who is put through their playing paces during the afternoon. So, though I see that the baseboards need to be cleaned and the wood floors need to be mopped with their special wood floor cleaner, and the blinds need to be dusted...well, I just prioritize and try to realize that we'll all make it through if we can just get Polly and Barbie and Shelly picked up.
And so goes nesting. Oh well.
Maybe it's just time to go kick up my swollen feet.
In fact, under the header of "Your Body" this is what it said:
You made it! Your baby is considered full term at the end of this week. So kick your swollen feet up and swig back a glass of lemonade. All that hard work has finally paid off!When I read that, you know what I did, Gentle Reader? Did I go and get me that glass of lemonade? Nope. Did I kick up my swollen feet? Nope (at least, not yet). Here's what I did: I burst into tears. Right into the UGLY CRY I did go. I cannot explain it, but it's like seeing the finish line after running a long race that you were prepared for, had every confidence of finishing, but were getting a little bogged down towards the end. So, I had a nice cry and was quite grateful that no one else was in the room with me so I could pull it together before I had to face the children or the laundry again.
Speaking of laundry, today's little newsletter also talked about "nesting." This is where you supposedly clean like a crazy person to get ready for your new arrival. I kind of have to laugh at this, because what's going on with me is that I see ALL sorts of things that need to be done, but I only have the energy right now to keep up the normal every day tasks. For example, I did the dishes today. The extra step I took was that I washed my plastic cup collection (actually, I just brought down and washed all the plastic cups that migrated upstairs when I took them full of water for the night). I've done several loads of laundry, but the extra step is that I actually folded and put some of it away (talk to Super J, he'll tell you that's nigh unto nesting right there for me).
I'm even trying to keep a happy attitude about the state of my living room. My sweet Misses, bless their hearts, have taken over my living room with Polly Pockets, Barbies, Mermaids and Lego's. So whilst the living room/dining room start out somewhat tidy, it's bedlam by the time I get up from my afternoon nap. I mean, crazy whirlwind of toys all over the floor bedlam along with a fort made from the blankets and chairs, type of thing. If someone came to the door expecting to come in, I'd be embarrassed by the state of my space. I want to be cranky at the girls for not cleaning up after being LEFT ALONE downstairs for A COUPLE OF HOURS, but I'm actually just really grateful that they are playing so well with each other that I get over myself pretty quick.
I should add: they truly aren't alone because they know they can come get me at any time, and I keep my door open and an ear out for them, but they quite contentedly play and know that after a certain show, they can go and get a snack from the "snack box." Anyway, you see where I'm going with this. It's just actually very comforting knowing that I can take a break and they are responsible enough to, while spreading their toys everywhere with much glee, don't do anything besides just untidy two areas of the house. It could be so so so much worse.
But it kinda saps away my "nesting" energies because every day we must clean up Polly and Barbie and "Shelly" (aka: Miss E's beloved Mermaid) and everyone/thing else who is put through their playing paces during the afternoon. So, though I see that the baseboards need to be cleaned and the wood floors need to be mopped with their special wood floor cleaner, and the blinds need to be dusted...well, I just prioritize and try to realize that we'll all make it through if we can just get Polly and Barbie and Shelly picked up.
And so goes nesting. Oh well.
Maybe it's just time to go kick up my swollen feet.
Monday, July 21, 2008
"Get to know your friends"
I never do these when they come in my inbox, but I figure, you know...why not. I'll just post it for everyone. If you like to be "tagged," consider yourself "tagged." If not, don't give it a moment's thought. Let's just all enjoy the rarity of this moment for me actually answering one of these things. And thanks to Katie, for answering and "pressing FORWARD."
Let's begin.
Welcome to the 2008 edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends." The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!
1. What time did you get up this morning? About 3 something, then 5 something and then for good, around 7:40.
2. Diamonds or pearls? I enjoy diamonds, but I've always wanted a pearl necklace. A single pearl on a gold chain pendant kind of thing. I'd take a diamond like that, too. I'm not picky. I probably want it, though, after I don't have to fear small hands trying to rip it from around my neck.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Ironman when we were down in Florida. Loved it.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Summertime is slim-pickin' for shows, but we DVR all the new episodes of Stargate Atlantis, Masterpiece Theater (just finally caught up on Cranford. Very very good) and in yet another proof of friendship with Katie, recently, In Plain Sight
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Eggo Waffles, double toasted and spread with butter and syrup. I kid you not.
6. What is your middle name? Something that begins with S and was/is an Native American Indian tribe of old.
7. What food do you dislike? Peas, Okra and American Cheese. Also, don't really care for gobs of mayo on things. **SHUDDERS!**
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Yeah, that's a tough one. Favorite???? Ha! We've been listening to the Primary Music for the Sacrament Meeting Program and Baby Signing Time music and the Laurie Berkner Band...I like to listen to the radio when I'm in the car and can get away with it.
9. What kind of car do you drive? The Red Rocket, baby! Mazda MPV Minivan
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey and Avocado...I'd add with mustard and tomatoes
11. What characteristic do you despise? Disloyalty
12. Favorite item of clothing? Not really clothing, but a hair comb that I've been wearing in my hair to create my fabulous coif (and if it's actually unsightly, please hold your comments because I'm happy with my delusion at present).
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Scotland and Ireland.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? ANYTHING THAT FITS, including my shoes.
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? They all have their moments, but one of my favorite birthday gift memories was getting all the Harry Potter books on CD from Super J because he wanted to make up for being out of town because of business on my b-day.
16. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey
17. Farthest place you are sending this? The farthest reaches of the Internet, wherever that may be!
18. Person you expect to send it back first? Because I'm not sending this via email, I don't expect ANYONE to send it back
19. When is your birthday? My birthday month is March
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I so used to be a night person. Probably still depends on what's going on...
21. What is your shoe size? Right now? A size 11. (sniff, sniff)
22. Pets? None. We are not ready for a pet. We are reminded of this every time we watch someone's beloved pet. Yep. We are not yet ready for a pet. Though Miss E, who is our family's biggest allergy sufferer keeps informing us she'd like a cat.
23. What did you want to be when you were little? A writer
24. How are you today? I'm plagued with a weird rash, feeling kinda swollen in my extremities and have no desire to be less of a slug. Hmmmmmm. Pretty normal, I guess.
25. What is your favorite candy? I enjoy gummy bears, as far as candy goes. I enjoy Snickers and 3 Musketeers, as far as chocolate bars go.
26. What is your favorite flower? I like roses
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? August 11, if not before!!! (Come on, New Baby!)
28. What is your favorite pastime? reading
29. What are you listening to right now? Miss O, who keeps getting into the DVD box and showing me the DVD cover with "Yo Gabba Gabba's" Foofa
30. What was the last thing you ate? Ugh. From the KFC/Taco Bell store, a chicken wrap chased by a chili-cheese burrito. MISTAKE! ugh. Say it with me again: MISTAKE!
31. Do you wish on stars? Sure.
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Um...my favorite color is White.
33. How is the weather right now? Hot. 97 degrees. Sunny.
34. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My honey, the Fabulous Super J
35. Favorite soft drink? Peach Fresca, and of course, Half Coke (or Pepsi) Half Caffeine Free Diet Coke (or Diet Pepsi)
36. Favorite restaurant? Love Mimi's Cafe and Carino's Italian Grill
38. Real hair color? Brown with lots of little grey strands
39. What was your favorite toy as a child? I had a Chewbacca stuffed animal and a Grover stuffed animal. I also used to love Lego's and Barbies
40. Summer or winter? Summer
41. Hugs or kisses? MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm, both
42. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla (though not in pudding. Love Chocolate Pudding you make on the stove)
43. Do you want your friends to email you back? See way at the top...no expectations!
45. What is under your bed? Dust. I try not to store anything under my bed, as I once heard that junk under your "marriage bed" is symbolic of the junk in your marriage. I'm weird that way.
46. What did you do last night? Watched the last part of Cranford, made dinner and swelled up a bit and went to bed
47. What are you afraid of? Spiders, Vampires and dying. I'm not afraid of death, just afraid of having to deal with leaving people behind or surviving when they are gone.
48. Salty or sweet? Sweet, unless they are Lays Potato Chips.
49. How many years at your current job? 6
50. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
51. How many towns have you lived in? From my birth, 20
52. Do you make friends easily? I believe so, but I always worry that once they get to know the real me, I'll scare them off. sigh.
And now you know a little more about me! :)
Let's begin.
Welcome to the 2008 edition of "Getting to Know Your Friends." The theory is that you will learn a lot of little things about your friends that you might not have known!
1. What time did you get up this morning? About 3 something, then 5 something and then for good, around 7:40.
2. Diamonds or pearls? I enjoy diamonds, but I've always wanted a pearl necklace. A single pearl on a gold chain pendant kind of thing. I'd take a diamond like that, too. I'm not picky. I probably want it, though, after I don't have to fear small hands trying to rip it from around my neck.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Ironman when we were down in Florida. Loved it.
4. What is your favorite TV show? Summertime is slim-pickin' for shows, but we DVR all the new episodes of Stargate Atlantis, Masterpiece Theater (just finally caught up on Cranford. Very very good) and in yet another proof of friendship with Katie, recently, In Plain Sight
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Eggo Waffles, double toasted and spread with butter and syrup. I kid you not.
6. What is your middle name? Something that begins with S and was/is an Native American Indian tribe of old.
7. What food do you dislike? Peas, Okra and American Cheese. Also, don't really care for gobs of mayo on things. **SHUDDERS!**
8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Yeah, that's a tough one. Favorite???? Ha! We've been listening to the Primary Music for the Sacrament Meeting Program and Baby Signing Time music and the Laurie Berkner Band...I like to listen to the radio when I'm in the car and can get away with it.
9. What kind of car do you drive? The Red Rocket, baby! Mazda MPV Minivan
10. Favorite sandwich? Turkey and Avocado...I'd add with mustard and tomatoes
11. What characteristic do you despise? Disloyalty
12. Favorite item of clothing? Not really clothing, but a hair comb that I've been wearing in my hair to create my fabulous coif (and if it's actually unsightly, please hold your comments because I'm happy with my delusion at present).
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Scotland and Ireland.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? ANYTHING THAT FITS, including my shoes.
15. What was your most recent memorable birthday? They all have their moments, but one of my favorite birthday gift memories was getting all the Harry Potter books on CD from Super J because he wanted to make up for being out of town because of business on my b-day.
16. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey
17. Farthest place you are sending this? The farthest reaches of the Internet, wherever that may be!
18. Person you expect to send it back first? Because I'm not sending this via email, I don't expect ANYONE to send it back
19. When is your birthday? My birthday month is March
20. Are you a morning person or a night person? I so used to be a night person. Probably still depends on what's going on...
21. What is your shoe size? Right now? A size 11. (sniff, sniff)
22. Pets? None. We are not ready for a pet. We are reminded of this every time we watch someone's beloved pet. Yep. We are not yet ready for a pet. Though Miss E, who is our family's biggest allergy sufferer keeps informing us she'd like a cat.
23. What did you want to be when you were little? A writer
24. How are you today? I'm plagued with a weird rash, feeling kinda swollen in my extremities and have no desire to be less of a slug. Hmmmmmm. Pretty normal, I guess.
25. What is your favorite candy? I enjoy gummy bears, as far as candy goes. I enjoy Snickers and 3 Musketeers, as far as chocolate bars go.
26. What is your favorite flower? I like roses
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? August 11, if not before!!! (Come on, New Baby!)
28. What is your favorite pastime? reading
29. What are you listening to right now? Miss O, who keeps getting into the DVD box and showing me the DVD cover with "Yo Gabba Gabba's" Foofa
30. What was the last thing you ate? Ugh. From the KFC/Taco Bell store, a chicken wrap chased by a chili-cheese burrito. MISTAKE! ugh. Say it with me again: MISTAKE!
31. Do you wish on stars? Sure.
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Um...my favorite color is White.
33. How is the weather right now? Hot. 97 degrees. Sunny.
34. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My honey, the Fabulous Super J
35. Favorite soft drink? Peach Fresca, and of course, Half Coke (or Pepsi) Half Caffeine Free Diet Coke (or Diet Pepsi)
36. Favorite restaurant? Love Mimi's Cafe and Carino's Italian Grill
38. Real hair color? Brown with lots of little grey strands
39. What was your favorite toy as a child? I had a Chewbacca stuffed animal and a Grover stuffed animal. I also used to love Lego's and Barbies
40. Summer or winter? Summer
41. Hugs or kisses? MMMMMMMmmmmmmmm, both
42. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla (though not in pudding. Love Chocolate Pudding you make on the stove)
43. Do you want your friends to email you back? See way at the top...no expectations!
45. What is under your bed? Dust. I try not to store anything under my bed, as I once heard that junk under your "marriage bed" is symbolic of the junk in your marriage. I'm weird that way.
46. What did you do last night? Watched the last part of Cranford, made dinner and swelled up a bit and went to bed
47. What are you afraid of? Spiders, Vampires and dying. I'm not afraid of death, just afraid of having to deal with leaving people behind or surviving when they are gone.
48. Salty or sweet? Sweet, unless they are Lays Potato Chips.
49. How many years at your current job? 6
50. Favorite day of the week? Sunday
51. How many towns have you lived in? From my birth, 20
52. Do you make friends easily? I believe so, but I always worry that once they get to know the real me, I'll scare them off. sigh.
And now you know a little more about me! :)
Ugh. Giggle. Snort.
Ugh: I have developed a strange rash on the back of my neck, right under the hairline. I put some hydro cortisone cream on it, so it no longer itches, but I was wondering what type of plague I have been gifted. Heat rash? Allergic reaction to something? Psoriasis? Eczema??? I called the Nurse Line at the ol' OBGYN (because you never know what they'll say about a mystery rash this far along) and we are "just keeping an eye on it, unless it gets worse" for now.
Giggle: Today I taught Miss O how to "Ugga Mugga" or Eskimo Kiss (rubbing noses). So cute. So potentially dangerous. She doesn't quite have the grasp of " be gentle" down, so it often begins with a head-butt (and as we learned with Miss E, nothing says I love you like a good solid unexpected smack in the head), but we're getting there.
Snort: Driving to get some lunch (I know, so pathetic), I hear this from the back of the Red Rocket...
Miss A: "Miss E, I bet you can't count to 10"
Miss E: counts to 10
Miss A: "I bet you can't count to 105!"
Miss E: "Oh yeah? I bet you can't count to the biggest number ever!"
Miss A: "Yes I can! What number?"
Miss E: With a big voice, "A Million!"
Miss A: (really fast) "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 1 Million."
Miss E: With sincere awe, "Wow."
Me: while driving in the front, literally guffaw, and then I try to hush myself up before they notice I have laughed because I don't want to spoil a precious moment amongst sisters.
Giggle: Today I taught Miss O how to "Ugga Mugga" or Eskimo Kiss (rubbing noses). So cute. So potentially dangerous. She doesn't quite have the grasp of " be gentle" down, so it often begins with a head-butt (and as we learned with Miss E, nothing says I love you like a good solid unexpected smack in the head), but we're getting there.
Snort: Driving to get some lunch (I know, so pathetic), I hear this from the back of the Red Rocket...
Miss A: "Miss E, I bet you can't count to 10"
Miss E: counts to 10
Miss A: "I bet you can't count to 105!"
Miss E: "Oh yeah? I bet you can't count to the biggest number ever!"
Miss A: "Yes I can! What number?"
Miss E: With a big voice, "A Million!"
Miss A: (really fast) "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 1 Million."
Miss E: With sincere awe, "Wow."
Me: while driving in the front, literally guffaw, and then I try to hush myself up before they notice I have laughed because I don't want to spoil a precious moment amongst sisters.
Room Service
Miss A has taken it upon herself to bring us Breakfast In Bed, and it's starting to be on a fairly regular basis. I think she views it as such a treat when she gets it (because I try to do it for their birthdays or if they are really sick, we set them up in "The Guest Room" and I'll bring up soothing breakfast foods that they can eat while watching t.v.), that she wants to return the favor. She loves it. Miss E loves it.
So, spearheaded by Miss A, they will often work together to bring up various delights for breakfast. Initially it started out as crackers and water. Sometimes with a side of raisins. These were all things that they knew they could get into without getting in trouble. Once, I got a pop-tart and some buttered Ritz Crackers. And a side of water. Well, a week or so ago, Miss A brought up about a fourth cup of raisin bran and milk, in a bowl, on a cookie sheet for myself AND Super J. She didn't get in any trouble (thus, precedent is set) even though she spilled milk on the upstairs carpet. She worked hard to "clean" up the spot and we told her how nice a surprise it was.
And so, it really shouldn't be any surprise when she brought up a bowl of cereal for Super J this morning. It was filled with a combo of Life Cereal, Raisin Bran with just a hint of Captain Crunch (or whatever the name of the knock-off cereal it is we are currently eating). It was very very full, milk already in the bowl, and he had a cup of water next to it.
The sad part (beside the combo of cereals...Super J is not so much a reveller in combo cereal) is that Super J was in the shower. He'd just jumped in, so the cereal sat and sat (because Super J enjoys a LONG shower. I don't understand this, because when I'm getting showered, I am IN and OUT. Probably because I have been trained by years of having babies roaming the house, unsupervised, I am used to the GET IT DONE AND GET OUT mentality, but Super J? It's like a special thinking room and he often sorts through work issues or project ideas and comes out not only clean but with renewed energy and vigor to get things done. I wish that worked for me). AHEM! CLEARLY I've digressed...now, back to our regularly scheduled topic...so, yeah, the cereal...it sat and sat and got INCREDIBLY soggy and, when I viewed it, you could barely make out what type of cereal was in it (the winner??? The Raisin Bran stuff).
She also brought me up some breakfast, too, this morning: a banana and some water, which I didn't eat because it was kinda on the...um...how to describe the banana wrested from its peel by a 5 and 4 year old? Well, let's just call it "tired."
Anyway, when I came downstairs, there were all sorts of cereal boxes on the table and the milk was still out. I asked Miss A if she'd eaten breakfast.
"No, I want waffles."
I guess I need to show her how to work the toaster! But who knows WHAT kind of treat we'll get then. lol.
So, spearheaded by Miss A, they will often work together to bring up various delights for breakfast. Initially it started out as crackers and water. Sometimes with a side of raisins. These were all things that they knew they could get into without getting in trouble. Once, I got a pop-tart and some buttered Ritz Crackers. And a side of water. Well, a week or so ago, Miss A brought up about a fourth cup of raisin bran and milk, in a bowl, on a cookie sheet for myself AND Super J. She didn't get in any trouble (thus, precedent is set) even though she spilled milk on the upstairs carpet. She worked hard to "clean" up the spot and we told her how nice a surprise it was.
And so, it really shouldn't be any surprise when she brought up a bowl of cereal for Super J this morning. It was filled with a combo of Life Cereal, Raisin Bran with just a hint of Captain Crunch (or whatever the name of the knock-off cereal it is we are currently eating). It was very very full, milk already in the bowl, and he had a cup of water next to it.
The sad part (beside the combo of cereals...Super J is not so much a reveller in combo cereal) is that Super J was in the shower. He'd just jumped in, so the cereal sat and sat (because Super J enjoys a LONG shower. I don't understand this, because when I'm getting showered, I am IN and OUT. Probably because I have been trained by years of having babies roaming the house, unsupervised, I am used to the GET IT DONE AND GET OUT mentality, but Super J? It's like a special thinking room and he often sorts through work issues or project ideas and comes out not only clean but with renewed energy and vigor to get things done. I wish that worked for me). AHEM! CLEARLY I've digressed...now, back to our regularly scheduled topic...so, yeah, the cereal...it sat and sat and got INCREDIBLY soggy and, when I viewed it, you could barely make out what type of cereal was in it (the winner??? The Raisin Bran stuff).
She also brought me up some breakfast, too, this morning: a banana and some water, which I didn't eat because it was kinda on the...um...how to describe the banana wrested from its peel by a 5 and 4 year old? Well, let's just call it "tired."
Anyway, when I came downstairs, there were all sorts of cereal boxes on the table and the milk was still out. I asked Miss A if she'd eaten breakfast.
"No, I want waffles."
I guess I need to show her how to work the toaster! But who knows WHAT kind of treat we'll get then. lol.
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