11-10-11

Hi, it's been a while. Heh. I'm not going to do the whole, 'I've been such a bad blogger!' thing, because, whatever...I'm here. You can't ask for more than that.

I was forming some baked doughnuts for tomorrow morning...the first bits of Christmas melodies in the background (that Pandora!) and apple cinnamon candles were filling the air. Two of my children were under my feet trying to help with the doughnuts (really, I gave them some dough to play with/eat/whatever/JUST DON'T STICK IT TO ANYTHING OR THROW IT AT ONE ANOTHER) and when I was done with that, I shredded the pork loin that had been cooking in the crock pot all day and tossed it around in some BBQ sauce.

Avoiding the stack of dishes in the sink, I headed out to the deck to feed the birds (what's left of them) and squirrels. The boys lost track of me for a whole 3 seconds and hurried out to find their mother (I swear, they think I'm going to run away. I don't know *where* they got that from! Haha!) and then we all saw a beautiful sight, "Oh, I wish I had my camera with me right now!" I said. "Go get it!" answered Calix. "But it'll all be over by the time I get back and I don't want to miss this." "It won't be, I promise. Go get the camera!". So I hustled into the house and grabbed the camera from the office and scurried back outside.

This is what we saw (though, it was far more glorious in person):

It's hard to tell, but there were thousands upon thousands of birds. The group felt so endless. The boys and I watched in awe and they kept saying things like, "this is so beautiful" (those tender kids of mine!) as I snapped away.

Unbeknownst to the kids, the camera that was snapping away the most was the one in my mind. I can't ask for lovelier memories than these.

Week 30!

We're 30 weeks today! How exciting! 10 weeks left (but probably less with my history haha)!

I had plans to go to the commissary today to pick up the last of the fresh produce and a couple of other minor things for Thanksgiving..but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I've been feeling a bit of pressure and even small bits of sharp type pains..but I'm hoping they're just stretching type pains. She's been moving around like CRAZY all morning and there are no contractions (though, LOTS of Braxton Hicks last night)..so I'm pretty sure we're in the clear. Just trying to relax and take it easy for the day. Totally annoying because there's so much I want to get done!

Our hospital bags are packed (minus a couple of things like nursing bras, underpants, and socks and then the easy grabs like cameras, phones, and makeup) because we've been down this road before. When I went into labor with Calix at 32 weeks, we literally just went to the hospital (as per instructions) without anything and Orion ended up making a trip or 2 back home after I was settled in to fetch some things. Maddox at 36 1/2 weeks was a fast grab and go sort of situation as well. So this time? Orion was bound and determined at like..27 weeks to be packed hahaha. So we are.

I've been trying my best to keep up with the housework (okay, my bedroom and bathroom could use a good cleaning) and keeping the fridge, freezer, and pantry stocked so that WHEN we have to head out and Amy comes to stay with the boys (and if it happens during school days, Calix won't be going for a day or 2 just because it's an added hassle for Amy and I'd like to keep her life as easy as possible while she's here.), there won't be hunger issues hahaha (though, with couponing and stockpiling the way I do, I don't think that would be an issue anyway. But still.).

Her nursery is all set and ready to go (if you just looked past all of the presents wrapped and waiting for tags and bows)...we're ready. The most prepared we've EVER been for a child..and that feels so so good. We've certainly come a LONG way in 5 years and that makes me feel so proud.

Wednesday morning, I have another COB (complicated OB) appointment (it is also Orion's 29th birthday!), Thursday is, obviously, Thanksgiving and I'm hoping I won't crumble in the kitchen because we're having company over for dinner and ya know..I just can't crumble. Then next Wednesday the 1st, I have another ultrasound! I feel so spoiled with all of these ultrasounds..but they're, ya know, because I'm a "complicated patient". They've gotta keep a close eye on me and her. It's for a reason.

Anyway, I haven't taken any 30 week pictures (and probably won't)..but here's 29 weeks:

Hooray for baby bellies! :)

It's...Complex.

Have you ever stared into a bright light? If you have, do you know the colorful spots you see when you look away? That's how my morning started out yesterday. I was sorting through clean laundry before getting the boys up and moving when I noticed colorful spots kind of swirling around in my left peripheral. I thought maybe it was just another crazy pregnancy side effect and kept at what I was doing. I got the boys up..teeth brushed..fed them breakfast and even packed Calix's lunch with these swirling spots in my vision. I thought I was going blind. I sat at the computer and tried to look up what was going on to see if I could get an idea. And then? My left hand went numb. Oh, no. I remember now. So I pulled up a blog entry of mine from October 30, 2006..when I was 21 weeks pregnant with Maddox. And sure enough, just like my blog described..then the left side of my face went numb. I happened to have been eating oatmeal at the time and dribbled some on my face. I tried to wipe it off but could not feel my hand..or my face..so it was pretty pointless (and frustrating). My lips went numb..my tongue went numb. I called Orion who'd already left for work. He wasn't answering. I called again. I left messages. I texted him multiple times. SURELY he feels his phone vibrating like crazy! SURELY he knows *something* has to be wrong! I *never* bother him like this unless something is urgent.

I thought I should call 911. But it was 7am and Calix had to be at school in about 30 minutes. And what do I DO with both of my children in the ER if I do call anyway? I can't babysit them when I'm the one needing to be looked after..and my husband ISN'T answering his phone so I can't even confirm with him that, hey..I'm going to the hospital..meet me there and handle the kids. I was scared. I was crying. I was getting more and more confused by the second. Maybe I can drop him off and drive myself to the hospital? I could barely see and feel half of my body and this is what I was thinking. It wasn't logical. I know this.

These are the texts I left him:

6:19am -Oe?
6:20 - There's something weird going on with my vision
Side of left eye
It's like a swirl of colors
Kind of like if you stare at a bright light or something then pull away
6:21 - and you have that jumbled colors feeling
That's what's going on..just on the side of my left eye
And I didn't stare into any lights
6:44 - Orion
ORION
Left hand is numb
I'm scared that I'm having another TIA attack thing
6:45 - Orion
Orion help
Do you even have your phone??


**Orion**
6:56 - Call 911.


**Me**
I have to take calix to sdchool (yes, I'm aware that is spelled incorrectly..but that's how it looked in my text. my fingers felt fat and heavy and kept slapping the wrong keys)

**Orion**
I don't remember asking you what you have to do. If it's a TIA attack, then call the hospital.

**Me**
I'll take calix to school then go to the er I guess

**Orion**
Are you trying to be stupid on purpose or on accident?
I am on the way.


And the answer to his question was, of course, that I was NOT trying to be stupid on purpose. Nothing made sense to me. I was just trying to go about my morning..get my kids taken care of and THEN get me taken care of. It isn't logical. I know. There's just no way to make any of that make sense. It was stupid..I knew it was stupid..but at the same time, I wanted to be normal. Does that make sense?

By the time he got to me, the numbness had gone away..as had the color swirls..but I still felt out of it and I still couldn't verbalize what I was thinking (which happened to me in a worse way later on in the day. The words strung together and made sentences in my head..but by the time they got to my mouth, I couldn't remember..or form..any of those words. So all I would end up saying is "I don't remember what I was going to say" and I felt SO dumb because of it). Names blurred together and didn't feel like these peoples' correct names (like Rachel Ray. I thought there was no way that was her name. It didn't even SOUND like it could ever be her name..and how come this magazine says Rachel Ray under all of her pictures?!? People are stupid..they don't even know who this lady is!). He dropped me at the emergency room door and went to go find parking while I tried to convince my legs with all of my brainpower that they work. Wobbly legs..shuffling into the ER to check in. It's a horrible feeling to know that NORMALLY you can make your body do these things..and here it is, acting like it can't.

I sat and stifled tears while I was checked in. I tried to act stronger than I felt. I tried to joke with the guy who did my initial screening thing. The usual long wait in the waiting room was cut down to about 5 minutes. We were called back..I was put into a hospital gown and apologized to an angry with me Orion for not calling 911. He still didn't get it. I wasn't being dumb on purpose. I just wasn't all the way there mentally and needed a decision maker for me. He's the one I run to in situations like that. That's really how simple it was. But..he was angry. He was angry because he needs me. The boys need me. If he was NOT able to get to me and I still didn't call 911 and I died out of stubbornness and took Kaydence along with me..he wouldn't be able to forgive me. He was angry because he loves me and doesn't want to lose me. It's really as simple as that. It's just hard to have the one person you want a hug from..and told everything will be okay..be so upset with you. I know. I know. I'm sorry.

The migraine that comes with the numbness and vision issues had shown up. Maddox turned my lights out and I was given Tylenol. I had to recite what had happened 3 times..to 3 different people. I had to go over my history with this thing (as in..I'd had it happen once before 4 years ago when I was exactly as far along with my Maddox pregnancy. They thought maybe it was TIA (a mini stroke)..I'd had 2 CT scans done WHILE I was pregnant with this child and after months of not really knowing what it was that had actually happened, was told it was a "complex migraine"..without any information about the thing. It felt like it was just a 'here take this diagnosis. We're not really sure what's wrong with you..so uh..have this instead'). Around 9:30, they'd come back and confirmed that it was indeed..a complex migraine and that because I've already had one while pregnant, those parts of my brain were already open and ready to be given the chance again. Or something. And because I'm pregnant NOW, they just may be more susceptible to happening because of the hormone changes..or..something along those lines. What he said made sense. What he said was detailed and made us feel better than the simple University of Louisville diagnosis of "complex migraine". At least now we KNOW what they are (ish..) and now we KNOW we don't have to rush back to the hospital with each one. They see this all the time..it's a total classic case of a complex migraine.

I was told what to look out for (because these are similar to mini strokes..mini strokes just last longer) in the future. I was told to take some Tylenol and lay down in a dark room when these things happen. After the doctor had left and I was told I could put my clothes back on, Orion came over to me and gave me a long and deep hug. The one I had needed all morning.

And then we went out to a late breakfast at the bowling alley..because that's just what classy folk do.

And We Have A...

Last Wednesday, I'd mentioned on Facebook that it was 3 more weeks until we found out the sex of the lil one growing within and who thinks it's a girl and who thinks it's another boy? It was unanimous..everyone thought it was a girl. Orion and I have felt like it's FOR SURE a girl for a while now (for a bit, we were back and forth. Feels like a boy. Feels like a girl. And my choices to wear yellow didn't help anything..but I did think it was funny. Here I am not sure if it's a boy or girl and my clothing won't even sway me one way or the other!) but then there's the whole..is everyone saying it's a girl just because this is my last baby and they all know how badly I want one? (older readers REALLY know how much I want a girl. I've spent DAYS crying and aching for a lil girl of my own for so long!)

So anyway, a friend who lives down the road from me said, after finding out I was 18 weeks along, there are places out here that'll let me find out the baby's gender (assuming it will cooperate..because sometimes the lil ones don't!) for a very small fee. A seriously small fee for something that magical. I quickly got to work looking them up and found Tomorrow Today (which won't let me link it.. http://www.tomorrowtodayultrasound.com/) and while shaking, called them up and made an appointment for the next day. Orion's been on an exercise on the other end of the island..he leaves at 6 in the morning and doesn't get home til about 8 at night..but I wanted to give him the opportunity to be there for it..so I e-mailed him and asked if he could sneak away for about an hour the next day to come with me.

There's something you should know about me..I have very little patience. Especially when I'm so anxious about something. Like finding out the gender of my baby. So I called back and changed my appointment for that same afternoon..ready to surprise Orion (he's really not the type to get mad about such things..and besides, he'll get to see baby on September 8th when I do my military doctor appointment where they do the measurements and what not. He'll see a bigger baby..and for a longer period of time.). I picked Calix up from school and headed over to Amy's house because she was coming along for the excitement. I'm not going to lie to you..I had to pop a few Pepto tablets. Something you should also know about me..I keep a box of Pepto tabs in the van (I still get anxiety over driving after that nasty car accident where I almost killed my friends and myself 6 years ago..six years ago on Saturday. And because I'm pregnant, I can't take my real medication for this anxiety..so I deal with it and take Pepto.).

While in the waiting room, I checked my e-mail and there was one from Orion. To my relief, he'd said he couldn't make it the next day. Oh, thank goodness..I don't have to feel like the worst wife ever for going without him a day early! I was called back and left Amy with the boys in the waiting room..and after the technician ran the wand thing over my belly I called out to Amy and the boys and asked if they wanted to come back and watch..but to not judge my gross belly as it's carried 2 other babies and has fluctuated in weight by large numbers. It'll never be able to wear a bikini again..I'll say that much (but may I direct you to http://www.theshapeofamother.com/ I know I've talked about that website before..like after I had Calix..but it's still a good site!). She led the babies back and they each took a seat. I had to lay on my side to get the baby to flip over a little bit so we could get a better look at it and then..then she ran the wand (what's the real name for that thing??) over my belly again and Amy gasped and said "oh, no." "what??" "I think I just saw some balls" and my heart sank a little bit and then I was thinking 'how did you see ANYTHING?? She ran over my belly SO quickly! Ninja eyes!' (hahaha) and then the tech woman (who was the sweetest tech of all time..she even had her own baby in the office for a bit..aww!) said "oh, no..what you're seeing is a swollen vagina"

Ahh!!!!!! I cried! Tears started flowing and the tech (what was her name?? Caley? Something like that) handed me a paper towel and said "aww, I'm gonna cry!" hehehe and then I let out a big "WOOHOO!!!!!!". My girl! I finally get my baby girl!!! AHHH!!!!!!!!!! And then we spent some time checking out her small body. She really had no issues flashing the vadge..but just about every time Caley tried to get a good shot of her face, she would put her hand up and cover and turn away. She must want to keep SOMETHING a surprise. But what I did see..was, of course, adorable (as adorable as you can get on an ultrasound).

I see so many of my features in her face already. Is this 2 for Abby's side of the family or will she end up looking more like Orion and have it be 2 for his side of the family?? What a precious little baby!

Amy had this awesome idea (though, I totally did a poor execution of it..nerves, ya'll..nerves!). We stopped by the commissary on the way home and she purchased a blue cake and we had the decorator write in blue icing "congratulations it's a girl"..hoping he would see all of the blue and think it was a boy..until he saw what it actually said. It didn't work so well because I didn't build him up in any way for the thinkings it's a boy.

This video is terrible..I look like a total frump a dump (I am most of the time I'm at home anyway)..but it was one of those..normal clothes make me feel icky and sweaty and uncomfortable..so let's just throw on some baggy jammies and put my glasses on.

We've known for 5 years that we wanted to name our girl (if ever we should have one) Kaydence. That was a for sure name..but we kept going back and forth on middle names (Peyton, Lennon, Ellie..) for just as long. Nothing seemed "right". Well, last night while Orion was giving the boys a bath, I was watching tv and someone had said something along the lines of "it's going to be such bliss to have this baby.." and I gasped. I gasped and I started crying. Then I said it out loud "Bliss. Kaydence Bliss" and she started kicking around in my belly. I'm not sure if that means she hates it or likes it..but I took it as a good sign haha. I waited until Orion was finished and I called him down to discuss. I teared up as I was telling him about this name. He said it a few times and we both agreed that, yes, this is the right name for our little girl. Such bliss to finally have our girl..this little bundle that we've waited so long for (when, *really*, we haven't waited THAT long for her..just feels like an eternity). The finishing touch on our family. :)

I've been doing shopping for little girl items and finally found her bedding and came up with what I think (in my head it's amazing) will make for an adorable nursery..and I finally got to finish our baby registry on Target.com (if anyone was wondering. There's not a whole lot on there..but I *did* sell everything baby about 2 weeks before we found out I was expecting. That made me feel awesome. You can either look up Abby Delgado or Orion Delgado to access it. We don't expect anything from anyone..but I know we've already had a few people ask about it. So there it is.). Orion finally moved the rest of the extra furniture out of her nursery and I've hung up flowy curtains. I have a package of..ideas..coming in the mail today..and I'm really hoping they work like I imagine they will. *fingers crossed*

Lots to do..lots to do!

Grow, Kaydence..grow! <3 <3

7-21-2010

I'm in love. I'm SO in love!

Yesterday afternoon, I was sure I just wanted the day over with. Between battling the kids over various things ("stop fighting!" "stop squealing!" "Give your brother back his toy!" "No, you cannot have a snack") and Maddox (who has been AWESOME at potty training for the last month or 2)..continually wetting his pants and making a mess everywhere, I wanted to run away. I needed sleep. I wanted a day do-over. Let's everyone go upstairs and start all over. Try this again.

I almost cancelled my doctor's appointment because I was so grumpy. But..I pulled myself together long enough to put make up and clothes on and head out the door. Sans kids, of course..because I didn't even want to look at their faces. I felt bad about not bringing Orion along with me..but the kids were attempting a nap (read: Maddox was sleeping..Calix was up there playing and having a good ol time..which is against napping rules.) and I needed a breather. Besides, it's just going to be a meet my complicated pregnancy doctor and go over some test results kind of appointment..no use in dragging everyone along for something so boring.


I pulled into the parking garage and found a parking spot literally 1 minute before my appointment was supposed to be. Being late bugs me. Lateness gives me anxiety and makes me feel like I'm being disrespectful..but Orion got home late (like so late it gave me 15 minutes to get there and find a parking spot in the hell that is Tripler parking) not much I could do about it. So, I hustled my rump up the steep hill towards the OB/GYN clinic..checked in and sat for maybe 7 seconds before being called back. Still out of breath. Heart pumping. Oh, great..they're going to take my blood pressure and it's going to be out of control. *sigh*

Weighed in at 6 ounces less than I was 2 weeks ago (woo!)..in the middle of the afternoon AFTER lunch (woo! woo!). And then...blood pressure. Dun dun duunnnnnn!

It's not news that I have high blood pressure. Ever since I was pregnant with Calix it's been high. Ridiculously high. Waiting on a stroke kind of high. Losing those 60 pounds over the last year barely budged it. So at my last appointment 2 weeks ago when it was at 158/94, it was time to put me on meds. Yesterday, it was at a cool (to me) 140/82 which I thought was amazing..especially since I was still frazzled about the hill and being late and what not. Down 18 points in 12 days?! YES! The nurse wasn't as impressed as I was. Oh. (but she did know right away which perfume I was wearing..which I thought was amazing)

I sat and waited for my doctor and when he came in, he had a worried/sad look on his face..which freaked me the frig out. So I looked at him all scared and asked "what? Is there bad news?? What's going on??" and he was all "what? no. Nothing's wrong" and I said "oh my gosh, you SCARED me! The look on your face and.." then we jabbered back and forth for a few minutes clearing things up and what not and I laughed and assured him I'm not a too serious kind of person and that it's okay and kind of funny, really. Ya know.

But my test results? All of them? Stellar. Perfect urine in my 24-hour collection (thank you..thank you..)..my blood looks great..my lady test was perfect (except for finding out I have a friable cervix..and that my uterus is like..long? Like it sits like a football or something? I don't know. It's kind of weird. But nothing to worry about) and then he went to listen to the baby's heart.

Question..for those of you who've been pregnant, do you know exactly where your baby is perched within your body? Because I do. I can feel him or her..and have been able to for about 5 weeks now. (which seems ridiculously early..but I know my body and can feel slight changes, I guess. I'm a weirdo.) A couple of weeks ago, when we heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time, I knew the baby was on my left side..but I didn't say anything because I thought it might sound too weird and the midwife might have told me I don't know what I'm talking about..and then what if the baby turned up on my right side and I was wrong that whole time (even though I could put a 99% accuracy on the whole thing)? I would look so stupid. But, it didn't surprise me one bit when after digging around on the right side, the baby ended up being on my left. That's where I feel the thumps. When I lay down, that's where I feel the little squirming arounds. The familiar feelings.

The person I saw yesterday was a resident..not my real doctor. I told him I felt the baby on my left and he began searching for a heartbeat. Couldn't find one. He assured me that he was still new at this..but that if he can't find one, he'll just do an ultrasound. EEEEE!!!! I dang near did an air jig on the table. He asked me if I wanted it to be a girl or a boy and I was honest and said I have 2 boys at home and since this is my last baby..I'd really like it to be a girl (though..if it's a boy, that's more than okay, too..I just want my chance to have a daughter, ya know?) so from then on, anything having to do with the baby he referred to it as "she" and I'm like "you're getting my hopes up! In 5 weeks if I find out it's a boy, I'm just going to have to cry..you know that, right?" just poking at him..because, whatever, if there's anyone you should be real with..it's probably your doctor (and your spouse..but ya know..ya know.). I tried to get him to at least TRY to get the gender of the baby (hehehehehehe) but he said there's no way it was even possible and the quality of picture on this ultrasound machine wasn't great because it's the kind they use down-range and what not. So. Okaayyyy..let's just see the lil heart a fluttering away!

We saw the face. We saw the body, the bum, and the legs. I don't think I have ever..ever been so in love right away with one of my babies. Is that weird? I feel like I've been waiting SO long for this baby..and that I'm actually finally ready to BE pregnant. Things just feel different with this pregnancy. I feel..more grown up or something. Hard to explain. But guess what? Totally on my left side. Without a doubt in the world..it's just lounging on my left side. I asked for a print out..not thinking I would really get one. He said he wasn't allowed to do that..hit print..handed it to me and said not to show anyone there because ya know. I thought that was pretty cool of him.

I tucked the picture away in my purse and when we were done, I walked out of the hospital with a stupid grin on my face and feeling like I was floating. I felt high. I felt drunk. As I walked back to the parking garage, I updated my Facebook status about being so in love and seeing the baby for the first time. I texted Orion about how I got to see the baby. As I climbed into the van, he asked if I got a picture and I said "he wasn't allowed to" and then giggled the whole way home..my world feeling fuzzy. I teared up..I laughed loudly..I even allowed people to get in front of me while driving so I could relish the feeling a little bit longer. When I got home, I went over the happenings with Orion. I tried to explain how sweet our baby looks..I went over the little face and the long legs and then I said "wait..here, let me just show you" and I pulled out the picture. He said "I thought you said he wasn't allowed to give you a picture??" and I said "he wasn't. But he did anyway" and then I laughed and he laughed because I'm always doing things like that to him. We both gazed at the little being in this picture in front of us and we hugged and laughed. It's amazing how fantastic your reactions can be when you're both totally ready and excited for this baby. The finishing touch on our family.


She/he..is just chillin away in there! Check out those gorgeous long legs!! The long torso! Is it just me or does it look like the arms are behind the head in total chill mode? This one has a total Delgado child face already..I can already see a lot of the same features my babies have. I think I've been staring at it too long :)

And I'll just bet if they took my blood pressure while I stared at this little person, it would have been a perfect 120/80.

7-13-10

A couple of days ago, I'd mentioned to the husband that I've wondered pretty much since we've moved in how the downstairs would look with the rooms switched around. Why? Well..because our dining room table left about maybe 2 feet on all sides to scoot around in order to even sit down..which was awkward when we had company..not to mention just how grubby that room got on the daily. It was like the boys finger painted on the furniture. Absolutely nasty. So while I had intentions of eating there as a family for all meals..it rarely happened. I just didn't want to even go IN that room..it just didn't feel right.

And then everything else? Was in the Great Room. The "office", the living room, exercise equipment scattered all over the place, and then? The kitchen. The kitchen island has enough hang over space for cute saddle stools..but with the living room furniture just behind it? Too crowded. Everything was too crowded! Jumbled and messy and gave me anxiety hahaha. So..what can it hurt to move some things and try out a new set up? If it doesn't work..hey, at least everything was deep cleaned and can be moved back in about an hour or so (and uh..you never know just how grubby and dusty your house is until you MOVE things! Ew!).

Remember what it looked like before? I hope so..because I don't feel like digging through photo folders hahaha!



There are still a few things I want to do..but this is what's going on right now:

Everything feels so spacious..except for the living room which feels cozy..like a little den or something..and I like that. I like that the table is now a part of the kitchen area and that we, as a family, have eaten together for the last 4 meals (which would be every meal since the re-arranging was done).

I like that the exercise equipment isn't just stuffed into corners anymore and that it feels more accessible now..which is awesome because I've been ordered by my doctor to exercise every day until I start sweating to hopefully keep my blood pressure at a decent level and weight lifting will hopefully help to keep me from getting gestational diabetes (I have another 3 hour test for that in about 15 weeks at the 28 week mark..oh goodie goodie gumdrops!)..not to mention working out will help to keep the extreme weight gain down (I don't even want to discuss how much I've gained so far. Okay, it's 14 pounds. NOT HAPPY! hahaha..though, I will give myself a little credit by saying that the first 9 or 10 pounds came back super easily because of the way I was losing weight. It wasn't off for good yet and was just ready and willin to come back on if given the chance. And it got its chance when as soon as I found out I was pregnant, i was like BOOM! Let me eat! So.). If I can get away with not gaining more than 21 more pounds..I'll call that a smashing success (given that I was not eating healthily while pregnant with Maddox..nor was I exercising and I only gained 32 with him). But I *really* don't want to gain more than that...so I'm super willing to do what I can to keep those numbers down (in a healthy way) so that I'm not struggling to lose all of the weight afterwards. I figure if I put a cap at 21 more pounds..after the baby's born, I would pretty much just be at what I was on New Year's..which would then make me feel hopeful about it not taking forever to get back to where I was before getting pregnant. So..here's to crossed fingers!

Anyway, the whole new setup is taking some getting used to..but I think we all like it..and, to me, that's all that matters. I don't really care if people think it's weird to have my treadmill close-ish to the table. It is what it is and if it means I'll be getting more use out of all of those things that we paid such good money for? Yes. Absolutely yes.

And, the boys LOVE that they have more room to run around and drive their trucks in..which is very loud for me..but feels nice at the same time. I'm sure the neighbors *LOVE* the added noise. They're welcome. :)

ALSO! A very happy sweet 16 to my niece Lyndsay today! From your aunt who was just 11 when you were born. Precious! <3>

07-09-10

There's a new topic over on The Grocery Game's message boards that had my ears perk up this morning. Bagged lunch ideas for school aged kids.

Amazingly, Calix is starting kindergarten next month (I say amazingly because I still don't understand how they're growing up. SCHOOL! Oh my gosh! He'll be dating soon! *throws up*)..he'll be turning 5 about a month and a half after school starts (which is different for me because I turned 6 about a month and a half after I started kindergarten..ah, the difference a month and a half makes when it comes to the cut off!). Orion and I are still pretty mushy about the whole idea of sending our babies off and letting other people help mold them and their brains. (Our babies! Not yours! Back off! Hahaha) When the school supply list was brought home, Orion was reading the list out loud, and though he wouldn't ever want me to say this, the man was tearing up. Awww..my precious darling! We just can't believe it. Would I keep my babies home forever if I could? ABSOLUTELY! Am I the kind of mom that can handle homeschooling? No. Do they need to socialize with lots of other little kids their age? Yes. So..okaaayyyy, go on, lil one..grow! (but don't forget about your poor mother who would do mostly anything for you!)

I got away from myself there for a second..just lots on my mind..lots going on around here..and I just want to spew it all out like a gift in front of your feet. You're welcome.

Anyway! Calix is starting kindergarten next month and when I brought him to pick out his school supplies (black marble notebooks! I remember! I remember!), I also let him pick out a lunch bag (read: he wanted character items..and I don't do that crap. Sorry, kiddo..you grow out of that sort of stuff too quickly and if I can get away with using your bookbag and lunch bag for a few more years? I will. Do you want to be in 2nd grade with a character you loved in kindergarten strapped to your back? Ugh, I hate character items..I think they're tacky. Just my opinion..sorry. He tried to pick out Toy Story bedding..I don't do character bedding, either. Nope. Mean mom, mom mean!). I remember my pink with yellow trim Land's End lunch bag my mother would stuff with yummies as an elementary student. I remember before reusable lunch bags were hip and being the ONLY kid in my class toting one around while everyone else either bought lunch or carried in a brown paper bag. My parents were (are) hippies..and forced the awesome (before it was awesome) upon their children before everyone else started catching on. It's hard to be a lunch bag trendsetter as a kid. It was embarrassing..but not really embarrassing. Know what I mean?

So he's got his hilariously large bookbag (even though it was one of the smallest non-character bags available) that I make him put on when I need a good chuckle (mean mom! Hahahahaha!!) and his sweet little blue lunch bag with a monkey ice pack (aww!) and now I'm wondering just what to stuff in there. Calix is..by far..the pickiest eater I've ever known. Ever. It's not like I can put fish sticks and nuggets in there and have them be edible by lunch time, ya know (ew!)? I've asked him for ideas and he's said things like "well, I like sandwiches" "what kind?" "umm..how about peanut butter and celery?" I'm pretty sure he got that idea from Wonder Pets and wouldn't actually eat such a thing if I really packed it up for him. While his little brother is super interested in fresh fruit and veggies and yummy snacks (he calls Colby cheese sticks "milky cheese" and who am I to correct something so adorable sounding?? I'm the same mom who has her kids call pastries "sweeties" because I think it is hilariously adorable to hear them ask in small voices "can we have a sweetie, mommy?" or sometimes I have them call me "mother" because in their small voices it sounds more like "motha" and it sounds like the little boy from Peter Pan..all British and sweet. It kills me!), Calix wants packaged..unhealthy eaties.

The way he feels loved? Gifts. If you do special things for him, he's the happiest kid in the whole wide world. In fact, the day I took him out to buy his uniforms and school supplies, we also picked up lunch and brought it to Orion's work where we ate with him and then the boys got to play on the playground until it was time to head home for naps and then after naps, we went back to the mall where they got to ride the dinosaur train and then we went to a restaurant for dinner. He declared that day "the best day ever!!". See what I mean? And I understand that feeling because I, myself, also feel loved when I get things I want (though, that's not my number one way of feeling loved..it's still high up on the list). So I'm trying to be more understanding instead of feeling like he's greedy and selfish. If you just spend time with him..whether it's reading books, playing games, or taking him somewhere..he's the happiest boy in the whole world. (Maddox is a loved by touch kind of person. He's the happiest when he's cuddling. Seriously. He wants to sit on your lap..or cuddle under a blanket with you while watching his favorite tv show). So taking the special things into consideration, we've decided to pack his lunch 3 times a week and let him buy lunch 2 times a week. Keep it special..but also let him feel like "wow! *I* get to buy my own lunch today!" big boy type of stuff.

So I need ideas for a picky kind of a kid. I've got a bunch of those Go-Gurt things in the freezer, and I've heard that if you freeze them and then send a kid off to school with one, it will be thawed and still cold by lunch time? So there's that. I've got a lot of those Kid Essentials shelf stable milk box things (he can't do juice..hurts his tummy)..and all kinds of snacky treat type things..but I can't make him peanut butter and honey EVERY day..there needs to be some kind of variety. Anyone out there who has kids..and super extra picky eaters..have any tips for bagged lunches? Anyone?

07-08-2010

Had an appointment this afternoon to hear the baby's heartbeat! I hoped for an ultrasound..but apparently, they don't roll that way at Tripler. You get the one and only ultrasound at 20 weeks for measurements and to determine the gender of the lil person if you'd like..and that's it (unless there are issues, of course). I was going to put this video on Facebook like I usually do..but I asked Orion to like..NOT get my gross belly. All white and large and stretchmarky. Yuck. He did anyway. Husbands. But I did want this video for our records and what not..so it gets thrown into the ol blog for quick reference (anyone else do that? You wonder when something happened and remember you wrote about it in your blog so you quickly scan through to find what you need? I do it ALL the time). I figure if the fam wants to see it..here ya go.