tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-303000112024-03-07T13:09:44.672-05:00Screaming on the InsideAbbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.comBlogger721125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-9336632541151924872013-05-16T20:51:00.001-05:002013-05-16T20:51:53.943-05:00Day 15<p>I've felt so caught up in my mommy mind lately that I haven't given much thought to my wife mind. I've been feeling so so stressed out and just tired. So tired. It's hard doing this alone. No friends or family in sight. Not easy, that's for sure. I'm trying.</p>
<p>Today was actually the easiest-going day yet. The kids were just happy. Minimal yelling. This makes me happy. Also, it opened up the room to consider my husband. Which is so alien to me...not considering my marriage. But when he's here, he helps. When he helps, I'm not stressed and it allows me the time to focus on us. To be cute and lovey and annoy him just a little. But, you know, he's not here and I'm going going going from children up to children down (and most nights since he's been away, in the middle of the night too.). By the end of the day, I'm beat. I've been going to bed around 9 lately. That's new.</p>
<p>So, my mind is open, and I'm thinking about him. I miss him incredibly deeply. My best friend. My very best friend in this whole world. This big old house feels so strange..so lonely without him. Like there's an entire void where he should be. At the table, on the couch, walking beside me, and talking to the children. I still look over to where he would be for input. It's so dang strange. </p>
<p>Sometimes, I think, 'Man! Time must be flying!' because there's just been so much going on. And then I look at the date. Oh. It's only been 15 days. Sigh.</p>
<p>Must. Keep. Busy. <br></p>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-87379617127101177672013-05-03T07:47:00.000-05:002013-05-03T07:51:56.355-05:00And just like that..So, Sir left. With all of the crying and blubbering I had done in the months leading up to this and the FEAR I felt at going at this "alone", I thought I'd have been a huge mess when it actually came time to part ways.<br />
<br />
I wasn't. I welled up with tears a few times...but only a few spilled out and down over my cheeks where he'd catch and gently wipe them away. I guess I was pretty much cried out by then. We snuck away for a little bit of privacy because who wants to hug and kiss and cry in front of everyone? Not me. I took a few pictures (am I the queen of self-portraits by now or what? hahaha!) before sending him on his way. Not goodbye. We said, "see you later" because we will. He headed back but turned around one last time. We waved. I shouted, "I love you!" and he was gone. Just like that...he was gone. <br />
<br />
I'm not entirely sure how I made the 20 minute drive home (and apparently to Wendy's first because it was 2pm and I hadn't even had breakfast). My head was buzzing. Everything felt foggy. I felt completely out of it...but focused on the road at the same time. No tears have spilled since. I've welled up...but no spillage quite yet. I think when it becomes clearer that he's in Afghanistan and not in the field, I'll cry more. I think that when the kids stop tiptoeing around me and start acting like their wild selves again, I'll beg for mercy and a break and there won't be a man to say, "babe, go take a break...I'll handle the kids" and then I'll cry. <br />
<br />
Adjusting. We're all adjusting. I said on Facebook that it's comparable to the feeling a house has when a new baby is added to the mix. You know that...buzzy...quiet...strange feeling that comes with a new baby? That's exactly what this feels like..except, I have no new baby and my husband is gone. <br />
<br />
<br />
We'll be okay. All 5 of us.<br />
<br />
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Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-11651969212643041192013-03-30T08:32:00.001-05:002013-03-30T08:32:07.284-05:00A Much-Needed Break<p> I thought I'd take a little time away from Facebook so I could focus more of my energy on my little family and making memories in these last however many days we have left together til next year.</p>
<p> Facebook was getting bad for me. It became this automatic thing I did because I was always logged-in on my phone. I can't even tell you the last time I sat at an actual computer. Gadgets these days, huh? Haha. It became this..automatic thing, I guess. When I woke up in the morning, I'd turn off my alarm and go straight to Facebook to catch up on what happened while I slept. All throughout the day, if I were bored or lonely, if there were pauses in conversation or during a commercial break. And even during dates with my husband. That's the one I'm the most ashamed of. These dates that are so rare..and I'm on Facebook scrolling. It was time for a break. I'll be back, of course. Ideally, on the 22nd when Orion heads back to work for the last few days. We'll see how long I can last. ;)</p>
<p> Yesterday, a bird somehow flew down our chimney and flapped around in the wood-burning stove for hours until it finally found its way up and out. I reached for my phone to talk about it with 130 of my "closest" friends before I'd realized what I was doing, chuckled to myself, and put my phone down. </p>
<p> Today, egg dyeing is on the agenda. Thanks to Pinterest and super creative people, we'll be doing so with KoolAid. The beautiful colors caught my eye..plus, no stinky vinegar! We'll see how it goes..just as soon as I track down Berry Blue..or whatever it's called. Walmart had most flavors except for blue and, dang it, I want beautiful blue eggs! </p>
<p> Funny, I was going through the (expired) KoolAid packets I already had when Calix saw me. "What's that?" "KoolAid" "...what's KoolAid?" I guess he's never had any. I'm not complaining. </p>
<p> Another thing I'm excited to be doing again..taking pictures with my actual camera! I love my phone to pieces..but, man..my Nikon takes way better photos. I need to use it more. </p>
<p>Time for me to get dressed and head out for that dang blue KoolAid. Have a jolly day, folks. Here's to not taking family for granted. Time is not a promise..spend it wisely. <3<br>
</p>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-25896398809214594502013-03-24T10:36:00.001-05:002013-03-24T11:00:19.415-05:00This Time<p>He's leaving again soon. I know I've had a vague countdown on Facebook for a while now and everyone must be thinking, 'you've been saying "soon" for months now!' Well, yeah, but that's because I cannot give accurate dates. Know that it's in the thirties. High end? Low end? Does it matter? Not really. <br>
Anyway, so we're dealing with that. It got me thinking about the last time. We'd been married for a short year and a half. We had a 16 1/2 month old Calix and a 5 day old Maddox. We were still learning so much about one another. It's so strange to think of myself from that time (and to be able to go back and read the posts from that time). I was so young. Thrust into this life I knew nothing about. Kind of shocking to the system, really, when I think back on it. </p>
<p>Our 8th wedding anniversary falls shortly after he leaves this time. The boys are 7 and 6 and we've added Kaydence to the mix since. She's 2. We're older (though, not much), a bit wiser, and still completely into one another. I think we've got this one..no problem. Hopefully, there won't be as many tears from me this time since I won't be dealing with a brand new baby and a toddler on my own. Though, a mouthy 7 year old brings its own challenges. And summer vacation with 3 kids on my own will prove to be difficult, I'm sure. I'll do my best. </p>
<p>Something else we've been thinking about - the countdown sex. It didn't happen last time. I think the last time we did was the night before Maddox was born when we still weren't positive that he was leaving..and then, ya know, I had JUST given birth and my body was in no condition for that sort of action. I couldn't even sit down to drive him and see him off. We hugged and kissed and cried our asses off at home, he called a cab, and off he went in the cold February night. That was a hard night for me. I brought newborn Maddox into bed with me and I cried most of the night. </p>
<p>But this time, we know when..almost down to the hour. And it seems so silly and morbid to think of it this way..but random acts happen and you just never know. Will the last time we're naked and entangled in one another be the very last time ever? That feels so sad to think about..but it's also a very real..very sobering thought. Of course everyone hopes for the best..but, still. So, we've definitely got countdown sexings on the brain. </p>
<p>He's got 4 more days left of work before he's out for the Easter holiday and then his 19 days of leave begin. We have a trip to Canada planned during that time..and as much naked time together as we can possibly get. </p>
<p>Here we go.</p>
Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-18789271068750739882011-11-10T17:08:00.004-05:002011-11-10T17:44:40.502-05:0011-10-11<div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was forming some <a href="http://www.melskitchencafe.com/2011/10/baked-doughnuts.html">baked doughnuts</a> 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. </div><br /><br /><div>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. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>This is what we saw (though, it was far more glorious in person):</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7t7J3H06sxWcVyHFmgW4VNheVIRi6lN3jNIqExbgYBwQuFMVp_Xn8RpjKw7My6lelbTCg-WZ4Z_K9j9DODPIL1j6NyiIaNUPg3zJ_atGhwdWWqqecksF5J6o4dPDcG93xr5L/s1600/150.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673498563162055186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm7t7J3H06sxWcVyHFmgW4VNheVIRi6lN3jNIqExbgYBwQuFMVp_Xn8RpjKw7My6lelbTCg-WZ4Z_K9j9DODPIL1j6NyiIaNUPg3zJ_atGhwdWWqqecksF5J6o4dPDcG93xr5L/s400/150.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbur0DQkzE3kD9cJvgcnmj6J8ZLNix01nyq16dCQrhm14VRsD59x3gt4qfNXDWcxmbRyQAfpgtbU6QeoUS4dRMTXGf6TZmZD_6BllCcwZ9NdNJscxDlbYXi5urulS9PflnMmk6/s1600/155.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673498555499707794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbur0DQkzE3kD9cJvgcnmj6J8ZLNix01nyq16dCQrhm14VRsD59x3gt4qfNXDWcxmbRyQAfpgtbU6QeoUS4dRMTXGf6TZmZD_6BllCcwZ9NdNJscxDlbYXi5urulS9PflnMmk6/s400/155.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyuP518cynyygjVF0mT7q6dec0FrsdElGPZUJ1E4cYJ_BLX2acOkfQ7uhhRyyq1cu-OFTJE_HeJ2yqw9quiXUBGxYlUlGsYqRzgbdSl7kMXmyUn4zK_aaqwhirIFkkDAErVeT/s1600/167.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673498553509419186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUyuP518cynyygjVF0mT7q6dec0FrsdElGPZUJ1E4cYJ_BLX2acOkfQ7uhhRyyq1cu-OFTJE_HeJ2yqw9quiXUBGxYlUlGsYqRzgbdSl7kMXmyUn4zK_aaqwhirIFkkDAErVeT/s400/167.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0NfOugNSNbnijapMPXI7oFVlZwnQbkCB8etkKAiQaONQRErcIntWosUe1idwDJqcahGCiDs_xrCtWw_7hZGDGjgorsF4xFxFlbAu3GNR0Yic29TGoQEs03gEs6p-h6eRjGMf/s1600/170.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673498545540207170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0NfOugNSNbnijapMPXI7oFVlZwnQbkCB8etkKAiQaONQRErcIntWosUe1idwDJqcahGCiDs_xrCtWw_7hZGDGjgorsF4xFxFlbAu3GNR0Yic29TGoQEs03gEs6p-h6eRjGMf/s400/170.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>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. </div></div></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-16731328402191225442010-11-22T14:41:00.003-05:002010-11-22T15:10:47.177-05:00Week 30!<div>We're 30 weeks today! How exciting! 10 weeks left (but probably less with my history haha)!</div><br /><div> 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! </div><br /><div> 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. </div><br /><div> 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.). </div><br /><div> 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. </div><br /><div> 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. </div><br /><p><br /><br />Anyway, I haven't taken any 30 week pictures (and probably won't)..but here's 29 weeks:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkpGZdUAt1AqpsXxhdWMlWNw-tLWVvVgLVsO9TnuE9kHjV82kOwXMuYzJ8GfG9yli_nZWXpbIXpxJg4bZrMc4vUk7mNrkca0AZ02k9QY1fbspi5_uxCkGxyXw7kt2f9mdn27w/s1600/006.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 215px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542467254333396194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkpGZdUAt1AqpsXxhdWMlWNw-tLWVvVgLVsO9TnuE9kHjV82kOwXMuYzJ8GfG9yli_nZWXpbIXpxJg4bZrMc4vUk7mNrkca0AZ02k9QY1fbspi5_uxCkGxyXw7kt2f9mdn27w/s400/006.JPG" /></a> </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF34GYJZKGoeCle8RIIQyJDOwbAt1q_HBPTrytPelu5U3xrptmREfFFeYTdrSjExwJkXzALJX-k9q2YwHyQxwNGM6hoXqsgbn0tHghDb9RVJfRzZ7S5LQEk4zK25hKPPrRqE62/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 226px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5542467245315910562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF34GYJZKGoeCle8RIIQyJDOwbAt1q_HBPTrytPelu5U3xrptmREfFFeYTdrSjExwJkXzALJX-k9q2YwHyQxwNGM6hoXqsgbn0tHghDb9RVJfRzZ7S5LQEk4zK25hKPPrRqE62/s400/003.JPG" /></a><br /><br /> Hooray for baby bellies! :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-43380370448951326572010-09-10T13:21:00.002-05:002010-09-10T14:34:11.098-05:00It'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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Calix's</span> 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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">texted</span> 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.<br /><br /> I thought I should call 911. But it was 7am and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Calix</span> 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.<br /><br /> These are the texts I left him:<br /><br />6:19am -<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Oe</span>?<br />6:20 - There's something weird going on with my vision<br />Side of left eye<br />It's like a swirl of colors<br />Kind of like if you stare at a bright light or something then pull away<br />6:21 - and you have that jumbled colors feeling<br />That's what's going on..just on the side of my left eye<br />And I didn't stare into any lights<br />6:44 - Orion<br />ORION<br />Left hand is numb<br />I'm scared that I'm having another TIA attack thing<br />6:45 - Orion<br />Orion help<br />Do you even have your phone??<br /><br /><br />**Orion**<br />6:56 - Call 911.<br /><br /><br />**Me**<br />I have to take <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">calix</span> to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">sdchool</span> (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)<br /><br />**Orion**<br />I don't remember asking you what you have to do. If it's a TIA attack, then call the hospital.<br /><br />**Me**<br />I'll take <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">calix</span> to school then go to the er I guess<br /><br />**Orion**<br />Are you trying to be stupid on purpose or on accident?<br />I am on the way.<br /><br /><br /> 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?<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br />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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Kaydence</span> 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.<br /><br /> 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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">susceptible</span> 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 (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span>..) 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> And then we went out to a late breakfast at the bowling alley..because that's just what classy folk do.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-2273531324012177572010-08-23T11:44:00.006-05:002010-08-23T14:10:43.960-05:00And We Have A...<div> 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!)</div><br /><br /><div> 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.. <a href="http://www.tomorrowtodayultrasound.com/">http://www.tomorrowtodayultrasound.com/</a>) 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. </div><br /><br /><div> 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.). </div><br /><br /><div> 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 <a href="http://www.theshapeofamother.com/">http://www.theshapeofamother.com/</a> 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"</div><br /><br /><div> 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). </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwWDhpkO5EJngi8ydFr5SHiYkEfE2dtIXwwzB8o4bTYXA2075Jjs_SgK1xPK3m4wcZfirNleYH0xgfsv-vMZR9UJFrC17O9Gvn41LuNCf7i8PM2QuRtafuKr3zDxaje-jXogz/s1600/DELGADO+BABY_14.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508671964732889074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwWDhpkO5EJngi8ydFr5SHiYkEfE2dtIXwwzB8o4bTYXA2075Jjs_SgK1xPK3m4wcZfirNleYH0xgfsv-vMZR9UJFrC17O9Gvn41LuNCf7i8PM2QuRtafuKr3zDxaje-jXogz/s400/DELGADO+BABY_14.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UiJAPA-EKqspTAGYRx_1LpY04pN2irx_RGFNE4t7TNrVNOtlzVXlmpWkFr8jUSBafklzfWTa5gak6TM31ZDWeaOf0opnmcbTrcudrQGHV_kXF0Y3Pv8toIvSqK6nWCr4ne6L/s1600/DELGADO+BABY_15.JPG"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508671955731741554" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4UiJAPA-EKqspTAGYRx_1LpY04pN2irx_RGFNE4t7TNrVNOtlzVXlmpWkFr8jUSBafklzfWTa5gak6TM31ZDWeaOf0opnmcbTrcudrQGHV_kXF0Y3Pv8toIvSqK6nWCr4ne6L/s400/DELGADO+BABY_15.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div> </div><br /><div> 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! </div><br /><div> </div>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.<br /><div> </div><br />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.<br /><div><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CUaoieRpR6k?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CUaoieRpR6k?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br />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. :)<br /><br />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*<br /><br /> Lots to do..lots to do!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKBwZfxJ6bivp6EuPzWuCUJ35DFWowMx4-_oGSB8NECx0K9ufOevNFSPwzXWg1_3E2nZxKkpH7PiL5iw4IYVReuC0qlFXa4xUzou0UscfHsrDRkborOW7w5XuoZYHzkPmjr9F/s1600/045.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKBwZfxJ6bivp6EuPzWuCUJ35DFWowMx4-_oGSB8NECx0K9ufOevNFSPwzXWg1_3E2nZxKkpH7PiL5iw4IYVReuC0qlFXa4xUzou0UscfHsrDRkborOW7w5XuoZYHzkPmjr9F/s400/045.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508682691845016786" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br />Grow, Kaydence..grow! <3 <3<br /></div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-41267857175172466482010-07-21T13:46:00.005-05:002010-07-21T15:07:20.551-05:007-21-2010I'm in love. I'm SO in love!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><br />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*<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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)<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBO5jI3SEVIhVcKU9BG1DfHftwffkbynpwFPikxFVMESlpJfEONCvVjhYiXIXDFVsrEgutxu6XMZDrK6gUO8ZWCAucGjvu4TLj7U5rWGJTcrrBC8IXXsqJsbPYVNsoJi0wChp/s1600/7-20-2010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496448146525703554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBO5jI3SEVIhVcKU9BG1DfHftwffkbynpwFPikxFVMESlpJfEONCvVjhYiXIXDFVsrEgutxu6XMZDrK6gUO8ZWCAucGjvu4TLj7U5rWGJTcrrBC8IXXsqJsbPYVNsoJi0wChp/s400/7-20-2010.jpg" /></a><br />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 :)<br /><br />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.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-8602434471640101852010-07-13T15:33:00.004-05:002010-07-13T16:22:58.305-05:007-13-10 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.
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<br /> 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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahaha</span>. 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! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ew</span>!).
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<br /> Remember what it looked like before? I hope so..because I don't feel like digging through photo folders <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahaha</span>!
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<br />There are still a few things I want to do..but this is what's going on right now:
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<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeV-wwBB1CVljLniOrxRZaYxHZkVzkMpa6OoimTN48qteUxtXwVaPw00jLiZN7u3R9ptPT5TTyujhUfVUqmyZmv0Lhd21NJLluasyRhDqnadd2wK_CbrnD56-BN7ms9dLGYxz/s1600/004.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493495379038337234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBeV-wwBB1CVljLniOrxRZaYxHZkVzkMpa6OoimTN48qteUxtXwVaPw00jLiZN7u3R9ptPT5TTyujhUfVUqmyZmv0Lhd21NJLluasyRhDqnadd2wK_CbrnD56-BN7ms9dLGYxz/s400/004.JPG" /></a>
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<br /></div><div></div><div>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).</div><div> </div><div> 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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">goodie</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">goodie</span> 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! <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">hahaha</span>..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 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">willin</span> 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! </div><div> </div><div> 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-<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">ish</span> 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.
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<br /> 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. :)
<br /></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> ALSO! A very happy sweet 16 to my niece Lyndsay today! From your aunt who was just 11 when you were born. Precious! <3>
<br />Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-88771658375043173442010-07-09T14:46:00.002-05:002010-07-09T15:41:30.758-05:0007-09-10There'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.<br /><br /> 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!)<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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?<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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.<br /><br /> 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?Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-60563455462480135802010-07-09T01:02:00.003-05:002010-07-09T01:20:45.161-05:0007-08-2010Had 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.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzrAP3RUUwjN2hE4QhYyhYMCU4Bg5INRo3Jdutybe-3JbFDMY719DuF0Gb4dA_EJ9xeoGgfgd4MYDU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-43378349020129224812010-04-03T15:09:00.003-05:002010-04-03T15:53:16.734-05:0004-03-10I'm one of those people that when my interest is sparked..I go in full force. If I'm in? I'm in all the way (which is probably part of the reason why loyalty is so important to me. But that's another issue for another time haha). My new interest? Saving money. Buying a lot..paying very little for it. Funny how I wasn't into this when we needed it the most (our poor days)! Anyway, so I've been following The Grocery Game's message boards and everyone put up their April grocery budgets..and because I'm still very new at this..my monthly budget is still the same as usual. Orion made me a spending and saving spreadsheet (gotta involve the man! He's SO into this you have no idea! Makes it so much easier!) and every time I go out shopping, I write in how much I've spent and next to it, how much I've saved. Last month, we saved $526.68! Granted, we spent that other places..but it was still nice to see that huge number for only participating for a couple of weeks!<br /><p>So far, this weekend, we've saved $221.89..hooray!</p><p>I made a trip to Walgreens that looked like this:</p><p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ8lpM-opmwnSOzZxn8fBmc2FzO4VkZ4q084dJIsaCmbampCI7zqv6KUqdkTnFc6qdQ8YJ5idsjAkqAytzYFKOPA4yR5qUH4AxU7RZGmNhf_VQ0-Aj-aZOdQ5Fenv80Iqv7t6/s1600/003.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456008140876398418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJ8lpM-opmwnSOzZxn8fBmc2FzO4VkZ4q084dJIsaCmbampCI7zqv6KUqdkTnFc6qdQ8YJ5idsjAkqAytzYFKOPA4yR5qUH4AxU7RZGmNhf_VQ0-Aj-aZOdQ5Fenv80Iqv7t6/s400/003.JPG" /></a></p><p>Total spent (OOP..Out of Pocket..): $53.73</p><p></p><p></p><p>Total saved: $54.19 PLUS we got back $11 in RR (register rewards for those new to Walgreens) so that's like saving $65.19! </p><p>Sweet, right? I mean that Clean and Clear blackhead eraser thing is usually around $21 by itself but by me going to Clean and Clear's website and printing out a $5 coupon for that same item and then seeing it on sale for $9.99, I only ended up paying $4.99 for a $21 product! Sweet!</p><p> Yesterday, we tried out the Hickam AFB commissary because we drove by the Pearl Harbor commy and it was super crowded. I'm not into crowds..they give me anxiety. This was my first time in the Hickam commy..and ya know? I think I like it more than the Pearl Harbor commy. It seems like the frozen foods section is SO much bigger and has a way larger variety than the one closer to us has and ya know? The shelves aren't all End of the World Bare like the Pearl Harbor commissary's are. So..I think that's where we'll be going from now on. </p><p>I ended up using 60 coupons in the commy..thank goodness I had such a sweetheart of a woman checking me out! Something I wish the commissaries did that other stores do is include your in-store savings on your receipt along with your coupon savings. The larger numbers make me feel better! </p><p>Total OOP: $126.91</p><p>Coupon savings: $56.20</p><p>My cart was overflowing and my freezers are both full..so I KNOW we would have spent way more than $183.11 but ya know..awesome deals paired with coupons? Pshh..win! Our cashier was sweet as can be (which is hard to come by in the coupon world..seriously. They tend to sigh like you're a huge inconvenience to their lives. Whatever. I'm saving money..and I'm actually making you guys money by even using coupons. You're welcome.) and even told me to keep up the good work when we were done! </p><p> It's been a good weekend so far and it's not over yet! The Easter Bunny hops tonight! </p><p> </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-84348778811977950472010-03-27T00:53:00.004-05:002010-03-27T01:51:55.715-05:00Purchase vs. TransactionI'm so annoyed. SO ANNOYED!<br /><br />Hi, I haven't written in a while. I'm sorry.<br /><br />So I'm like..3 weeks in on this whole <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">couponing</span> adventure I've taken on. I've had awesome experiences..most of the time. I remember when I didn't used to even CHECK my receipts. I remember walking out of the store over a $3-$5 <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">discrepancy</span> because, whatever, $3. Who cares? Why would I make more work for someone and be THAT customer over a measly $3-$5? It's not that important to me. Wasn't until I started <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">couponing</span> and realized just how much stuff I can buy with $3-$5! Holy <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">geeze</span>!<br /><br />So, I needed to go out and buy a couple of birthday presents for the birthday party the boys were invited to attend tomorrow afternoon. Cool, I'll just bring my coupon binder with me and get some other good deals I've been thinking about since we're going to be at Target anyway. (wanna see my binder?? You do?! Okay!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zc3G5GY2D4VcwrPVRb4Pbg9hXvEbgM3f_1RgvE7YwvRni9SmGpMmcFkCJCX4By4lW3IeBzhfkFnBv2qSfuJEVHBRGrZdMTeRvetaiJ89WdgwaO_dD5QKOZo6KVrPFqHJk5sU/s1600/026.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 268px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453191472421968162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6zc3G5GY2D4VcwrPVRb4Pbg9hXvEbgM3f_1RgvE7YwvRni9SmGpMmcFkCJCX4By4lW3IeBzhfkFnBv2qSfuJEVHBRGrZdMTeRvetaiJ89WdgwaO_dD5QKOZo6KVrPFqHJk5sU/s400/026.JPG" /></a><br />don't mind the loose coupons that I haven't put away yet.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-4h49SCjed0eP7e5VFYobKcjZYF2hZKPKEYtDI4VJ8X90Yjpw6jBy_V3foGoxx9FNMneGT_hrvMicvY6RXcBPvJzmYV8W_JwtbmWfbm_CXemKTydKzVHy1W9DZhM4XJdArmR/s1600/027.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453191466969838402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0-4h49SCjed0eP7e5VFYobKcjZYF2hZKPKEYtDI4VJ8X90Yjpw6jBy_V3foGoxx9FNMneGT_hrvMicvY6RXcBPvJzmYV8W_JwtbmWfbm_CXemKTydKzVHy1W9DZhM4XJdArmR/s400/027.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tD81xdtpUsw6bFRvJBhKgTZkOqwW3Xj6zgdioDY-vQgIlI0Ij0WNwbmEQdYhhPm4xUbH2gBvc30Is72duKfOPt4IR4c8YC2LbuY0xgiVXCFiq3tZUwbSy8NbKaksP33yQVgA/s1600/028.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 268px; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453191465319247026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tD81xdtpUsw6bFRvJBhKgTZkOqwW3Xj6zgdioDY-vQgIlI0Ij0WNwbmEQdYhhPm4xUbH2gBvc30Is72duKfOPt4IR4c8YC2LbuY0xgiVXCFiq3tZUwbSy8NbKaksP33yQVgA/s400/028.JPG" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Gloriousss</span>!!!!!<br /><br />So, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">everything's</span> going great..I've gotten some *awesome* deals and then I get to the register. We're the only ones in our lane..the woman looks jolly enough. I even tried to do her a favor and put each coupon (or couple of coupons..like a Target coupon with a Manufacturer's) on top of the item it belongs with. Tried to save her some trouble. Then? Then I said "I have a question about this item right here.." and asked. Oh, no. A manager had to come up and go investigate for me and everything. Look, I try my best to read each coupon and compare it to the item on the shelf to make sure I'm not screwing the company out of money or cause trouble..ya know. There was a little more confusion..but whatever, we got through the transaction. So we left..and I'm thinking..ya know..$42 just seems like more than I anticipated..by at least $10..let's see what's going on here. I'm tired and sick and hungry and annoyed anyway..so when I see that she charged me for 2 Johnson's Buddies when I only bought 1..charged me for 4 Reese's cups when I only bought 3..and didn't use one of the $4 coupons I handed to her..I was like..okay, let's turn around and head back. That's not something I'm just gonna go home over. <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Nono</span>!<br /><br />Orion drops me at the door, I go in and wait in line at Customer Service. "Hi, I was just here like..5 minutes ago.." and I show her on my receipt what my issues are. I figured it was just going to be a quick "oops..sorry" and hand me back the money I was owed. Nope. She goes to the register I checked out at..digs through the drawer and grabs all of the coupons I'd handed over..as well as talked to the checkout woman and called a manager over. Roughly 10 minutes later, they all marched back over to me and the manager starts to get things worked out. Okay..$4 back for the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">unscanned</span> coupon. $1.30 back for the Johnson's Buddies..$.90 back for the extra scanned Reese's cup..(and something else that I can't remember because my receipt blew out of the car after I got back in. The receipt even quit! It plum gave up!)..and then? Then she tries to tell me some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">bullcrap</span>. Total <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">bullcrap</span> and I KNOW IT'S CRAP but cannot prove my case and I'm SO tired and SO hungry that I give in and just say "ya know..I don't even care anymore. It's late..I just want to go home. You're wrong..but let's get this done." Employees are giving one another THAT look..that "we've got a bitch in line" look. You know the one. You know what line she tried to give me? If you use coupons..you might be able to guess.<br /><br />"Ma'am, for these other items (<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">friggin</span>..super <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">clearanced</span> pads that I could NOT pass up on. The deal was too great! and the Reese's), it says one coupon per purchase. Do you want to return those items or do you just want to pay the difference?"<br /><br />WHAT WHAT WHAT?! So I say "right. I have 2 coupons for the Always pads and bought 2 packages of them. I have 3 coupons for the Reese's and I bought 3 of them. Each one is a purchase." and she said "no, they would need to be purchased separately" and I said "no, it doesn't say one per transaction..it says per purchase. Just about all coupons say per purchase. Am I supposed to buy everything separately?" and she's NOT giving in and I'm like..whatever..it's like $2..just get me out of this freaking store. So after she gives me back the money I was owed..she seriously did another transaction and had me pay the $2.20 that she believed I owed her. Sigh. I said "I'm not trying to be sneaky about this, ya know..I know how coupons work and I didn't do anything wrong.." but I told her I was sorry for all of the trouble..and I left.<br /><br />That's when my receipt jumped ship.<br /><br />I had to check online JUST in case I was wrong. JUST IN CASE I was uninformed.<br /><br />Guess what? Yup..I wasn't wrong. <a href="http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/one-88177-coupon-limit.html">I CAN USE ONE COUPON PER ITEM PURCHASED</a><br /><br />So now, I will be spending a small amount of time looking up each store's coupon policy and printing it out to keep in my beautiful green coupon binder..because that was crazy and made me feel crazier.<br /><br />(in a side note..as I was walking down aisles and scouting awesome deals with my binder spread eagle in my cart, a woman said to me "that's a really nice coupon binder you have there" and I said "thanks" and she said "you read all of those coupon sites, don't you?" "I sure do!" and she was all "I can tell" and we laughed. There ARE cute moments like that when I go out shopping, too. I pretty much never have a problem..but apparently, I need to be more prepared for them! Because try to avoid it as much as I want..they will happen.)<br /><br />So..manager lady at the Target in Honolulu (Michelle.), you will not deter me. Try as you might, I WILL be back with my coupons a plenty! :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-89651346207598157712010-02-25T16:05:00.004-05:002010-02-25T16:09:17.639-05:00Because Sometimes You Need to Witness the LoveMy post for today will be in the form of video.<br /><br /><br /><object width="400" height="293"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><param name="movie" value="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9738490&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=01AAEA&fullscreen=1"><embed src="http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=9738490&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=01AAEA&fullscreen=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="400" height="293"></embed></object><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/9738490">Fort Time!</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/xximojoangelxxi">xximojoangelxxi</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.</p><br /><br /><br /> <br />Have a lovely day! :)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-15761898093514252502010-02-24T13:33:00.010-05:002010-02-24T15:06:28.086-05:00He's..wait for it..not Lost anymore! hahahahaNerd alert. Listen, so I don't think I've ever actually gone up to a famous person of any sort and gotten a picture with them or anything. I've seen a few scattered here and there..but I've always left them alone. Who wants to be bothered *again*, ya know?<br /><br />Last night was different.<br /><br />Amy H. asked me if I wanted to go check out the Trump Tower condos for one of her sisters (whose name is Amanda and, say, I have a sister named Amanda! And she has sisters with the middle names Lynn, Beth, and Ann and I'm like..hey, say..me too and one of them's me! hahaha) who will be spending a few months down here for work. I'd just gotten home from a cleaning at the dentist and we were already having a conversation over texts so it was like..sure, why not? I'll go.<br /><br />So I took some pictures so they could be sent off to her sister..<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ96wd4n9aCJdhltMPdTIvbAFfGkVRCS6ZZGQI2TNZqnzVSkD8p3IvbR55bRYQ3j0P3CEJsUSzxslB1zXmYbWKE9_ypI0ImStrck9HTs_n3cj0JCLpsBJQm4IEV6Q3grAjq-eM/s1600-h/IMG00167-20100223-1936.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441883333949396674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ96wd4n9aCJdhltMPdTIvbAFfGkVRCS6ZZGQI2TNZqnzVSkD8p3IvbR55bRYQ3j0P3CEJsUSzxslB1zXmYbWKE9_ypI0ImStrck9HTs_n3cj0JCLpsBJQm4IEV6Q3grAjq-eM/s400/IMG00167-20100223-1936.jpg" /></a><br />oh, look! Hi, me!<br /><br />And I asked the kind gent who was showing us around inappropriate questions. Ya know..like if I ask the concierge to cuddle..will they? Does it cost more to throw a leg over them while cuddling? Ya know..that sort of thing. It tends to get a little too serious and stuffy in those places, ya know..SOMEONE'S gotta ease the tension. That's where I come in.<br /><br />Afterwards, she treated me to dinner (nice!). We wandered around Waikiki for a little bit..trying to decide on a place..and as we were standing in front of <a href="http://www.giovannipastrami.com/index2.html">Giovanni Pastrami</a> looking at their menu, Amy says to me "it's that guy from Lost!" "what..?" but by this point, I couldn't see a face..only the back of his head as he walked past us. She shouted "hey you! Turn around!" of course he didn't (clue #1..because what normal person DOESN'T turn around when someone calls out towards you?) and so I say "wanna follow him? Let's follow him." and I pulled out my Blackberry to take some pictures<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtfLmElaPAYDtykIqN6_xd6ouy5CAhBPCGY_ZE-5rTNkfNMPl_OdEGw8rRZ5aYx5dgVZ6fw5FMHAGuJIbCz-Tn6e-5JmCHSG0UIdaeFYi7kodtpyNiL_GWj0NBV3zz3ECE11x/s1600-h/IMG00170-20100223-2001.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441886914749179586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDtfLmElaPAYDtykIqN6_xd6ouy5CAhBPCGY_ZE-5rTNkfNMPl_OdEGw8rRZ5aYx5dgVZ6fw5FMHAGuJIbCz-Tn6e-5JmCHSG0UIdaeFYi7kodtpyNiL_GWj0NBV3zz3ECE11x/s400/IMG00170-20100223-2001.jpg" /></a><br />He's the one with the..circle..around his body hehehe<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXwmTHxDIlM2qQp9H-91EjdZZIqBJ2aEdu84_gd6vBc_wMvp8Em7jW_WCERp-yqlj9x0aquHAd7QVp3SmdBldfDfAsswamlMNTZpreAF1FmaO4B8d_E564uMhAXIW7OkI3KZD/s1600-h/IMG00172-20100223-2002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441887703306323954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXwmTHxDIlM2qQp9H-91EjdZZIqBJ2aEdu84_gd6vBc_wMvp8Em7jW_WCERp-yqlj9x0aquHAd7QVp3SmdBldfDfAsswamlMNTZpreAF1FmaO4B8d_E564uMhAXIW7OkI3KZD/s400/IMG00172-20100223-2002.jpg" /></a><br />He sat down at the bar with his friend and we were like "okay..that was fun. Let's go eat" so we headed BACK to Giovanni's and after talking a bit we were like.."wait, what place did he go into? Let's go eat there!" before heading back to..PF Changs, turned out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGoHhyphenhyphenR9kZ_-r4329upQ5ZCH0J3rhA3x8qoABr8czcWo5H4_eUV-SxfX9N0LHFxO3kXF6Eng194WyNRTVSFkRDCSNr5BPPoDUvme8FxTwPeoapo2v0XTh_YYXycob-ZPyBeg6/s1600-h/IMG00173-20100223-2002.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441892277543389650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGoHhyphenhyphenR9kZ_-r4329upQ5ZCH0J3rhA3x8qoABr8czcWo5H4_eUV-SxfX9N0LHFxO3kXF6Eng194WyNRTVSFkRDCSNr5BPPoDUvme8FxTwPeoapo2v0XTh_YYXycob-ZPyBeg6/s400/IMG00173-20100223-2002.jpg" /></a><br />The wait was 15-30 but we were welcome to go sit at the bar (!!) if we would like. So we creeped up behind him and it was one of those things where you know he can see you out of his peripheral..but he's having a conversation with his friend person and I don't want to interrupt. So we're standing behind him and Amy says "you do it!" "I will..I will..hold on, they're talking..I don't want to be rude.." or something along those lines haha. I wait for, what seems to be, a break in conversation and I say "excuse me..I'm sorry. I don't mean to bother you, but can we get a picture with you, please?" and he says "of course!" and wraps his handsome arm around my shoulder:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OOC12zTDDMrTK5xDi8KceTcje0137r4c4n3qxzHN9vWOp5v3gIpR55Qgh202uMnqI5lCgRPleZSmAsdmQwl56OvYBac0GHI03Kls56dj1g3H1_sE5VDdX5ZhX2n4cxedw_WX/s1600-h/IMG00175-20100223-2010.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441894547233234434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0OOC12zTDDMrTK5xDi8KceTcje0137r4c4n3qxzHN9vWOp5v3gIpR55Qgh202uMnqI5lCgRPleZSmAsdmQwl56OvYBac0GHI03Kls56dj1g3H1_sE5VDdX5ZhX2n4cxedw_WX/s400/IMG00175-20100223-2010.jpg" /></a><br />and Amy's like "the flash isn't on" and I say "just leave it..I don't want the flash to hurt his eyes..he's just little!" (dude, I know. I KNOW. Embarrassing.) but then I fix it and turn the flash on anyway..and I say to him "thanks so much for doing this. I just started watching a few months ago..I'm a big fan" he thanks me and then his friend pipes up and says "you just started watching what exactly..?" and feeling like *maybe* we were wrong and *maybe* he's just a guy who looks EXACTLY like Mark Pellegrino I stumbled and said "uh, I don't know" like trying to brush it off and not wanting to be all "wait..you're Jacob in LOST, aren't you?"..so I felt a little flustered and then Amy gets this picture:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvx4fK0H-WGvSCkCq_D5wIqbYrSSCDoG2epikUEj8e_-WlPV-lr3VtwoYU1LvYRvkH3SmwLYEQSXjItIA0mooFVil8Z4-m-fHMsgSnCN1qe8mqY-YTaOI316geBL_5EWe7YBR/s1600-h/IMG00176-20100223-2011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441896926602827650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvx4fK0H-WGvSCkCq_D5wIqbYrSSCDoG2epikUEj8e_-WlPV-lr3VtwoYU1LvYRvkH3SmwLYEQSXjItIA0mooFVil8Z4-m-fHMsgSnCN1qe8mqY-YTaOI316geBL_5EWe7YBR/s400/IMG00176-20100223-2011.jpg" /></a><br />..he looks like he thought it was kinda funny haha and I'm like "eek! am I taking a picture with a random person again?!"<br /><br />And then it was my turn to get a picture of Amy with him:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7KT8cnhyuWHVvZCMEImDnlXHg8DaKuRztXEkmCKKLtqay4RHr4xs8ljsytRrgHCqO_7GL8YLlu9fgjtJe5jyxdftO0DccxcLiXcExVv-dz2HMjeutpDr4VwKnwqNNR7DBorE/s1600-h/IMG00177-20100223-2011.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441898875394567234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7KT8cnhyuWHVvZCMEImDnlXHg8DaKuRztXEkmCKKLtqay4RHr4xs8ljsytRrgHCqO_7GL8YLlu9fgjtJe5jyxdftO0DccxcLiXcExVv-dz2HMjeutpDr4VwKnwqNNR7DBorE/s400/IMG00177-20100223-2011.jpg" /></a><br />way cute!<br /><br />We said thanks and left him and his friend to their beers and we went back, again, to <a href="http://www.giovannipastrami.com/index2.html">Giovanni Pastrami </a>where we ordered yummy food and giggled over what just happened. It wouldn't have happened had it not been for her noticing him and my ballsy "let's follow him" attitude.<br /><br />I had a blast with her..*and* I got to know her a little better. Fun night!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-68438854633449308912010-02-17T15:20:00.003-05:002010-02-17T16:13:25.152-05:00Catching Up: Maddox's 3rd Birthday<div>Somewhere along the way, this little pile of love turned 3</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVdIRPH3K6bCZxbUS9aMN0qeq7tH-dzSRwMh2-8E9yJmFMtuvUTqpKlY4x-q4i_ksBgea8yGXfzD3iacVbJ7Q6ICXF5bDKA-Htg6YLAq918vXMqZDEj26v9-OvP4GHLxnb4Lq/s1600-h/2007-07-14_016.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439313201524655058" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVdIRPH3K6bCZxbUS9aMN0qeq7tH-dzSRwMh2-8E9yJmFMtuvUTqpKlY4x-q4i_ksBgea8yGXfzD3iacVbJ7Q6ICXF5bDKA-Htg6YLAq918vXMqZDEj26v9-OvP4GHLxnb4Lq/s400/2007-07-14_016.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I don't know how it happened! There's barely a trace of baby left in this boy but that doesn't stop me from scooping him up and cradling him every day. He's still my baby and I'm glad that, for now, he holds still and lets me cuddle him.<br /><br /><br /><br />I love that when he's sad, he grabs his blanket and comes over to me and says with a frown "I need to cuddle"..total music to my ears. Yes, my darling!<br /><br /><br /><br />I love his compassion for others. If his older brother is crying, he automatically starts up with his tears and says "my Calix is sad!". If I'm hurt, he cries because "I don't want you to be sad" (which totally breaks my heart).<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how he's such a good eater and would rather have a slice of toast and some fruit over junk for breakfast (or a salad over chicken for lunch) ANY DAY.<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how he hates to be photographed..but that will never stop me from taking pictures of him!<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how he's so daring! He will hurl his body from couch to pillows on the floor..he will jump down the stairs or belly crawl the whole way down. (That kid needs to be in sports for sure)<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how when he's been scolded, he shuts down..totally. (like drops his arms and whatever he was holding and slumps his shoulders..and is totally unresponsive to anything until he's done)<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how he randomly looks at me and says "I love you, mommy"..it feels *so* sincere.<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how when it's time to change his diaper (we're working on the potty training thing.), he'll back up as far as possible and take a running leap into my arms and giggle the whole time. (but be careful, because if you're not paying attention you can get smacked in the face with his head.)<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how if I hold out my hand and say "put your tummy in my hand" he totally will EVERY TIME even though he knows it means he will be tickled. He loves it.<br /><br /><br /><br />I love how he sticks up for himself (and his brother when needed). You cannot tell this kid to feel one way if he doesn't want to..that's for sure.<br /><br /><br /><br />He's so fun and SUCH a tough little boy and while I'll always wish he were my chubby snugly baby, I'm enjoying watching him grow into a wonderful person. I'm cheering him on the whole way..and if he wants a cuddle with his mom no matter how big and strong and tough he gets..I'll always be available for one because he'll *always* be my chubby snugly baby..even if I'm the only one who sees it.<br /><br /><br /><br />I love YOU, Maddox! Happy 3rd birthday, darling boy!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRfBx0MrRPm2HWluioRUlcEaMOU0JGasfNkeu72NrwLAkjpTNdY0bxLB3toKhcsOsR27CRx3piaboXYPrtG47YgXUecGOcDPl5WSYb9Dwx614yo6KIpCQPyX4EwKQjb6ZcWxS/s1600-h/207.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439322440454866690" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRfBx0MrRPm2HWluioRUlcEaMOU0JGasfNkeu72NrwLAkjpTNdY0bxLB3toKhcsOsR27CRx3piaboXYPrtG47YgXUecGOcDPl5WSYb9Dwx614yo6KIpCQPyX4EwKQjb6ZcWxS/s400/207.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />(for more pictures of the day..see Facebook)Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-56932180285203207542010-02-16T15:28:00.005-05:002010-02-16T16:09:21.117-05:00Catching Up: Fun with the Fam<div> On Thursday, we finally gave in and bought a nav system for the van (I get tense when I have to drive somewhere I've never been..even if it seems really simple. I will even try to get out of going at all if I can. Yep. I think I have some PTSD from that car accident all of those years ago...just a theory)..and because Orion had a 4 day weekend, we took it out for a spin on Friday. It came up with all of these attractions on the island we've never been to..so we started to check them off. </div><br /><div>First, there was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valley_of_the_Temples_Memorial_Park">Valley of the Temples</a></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoimJ4ndbWJpcZvh4i1iCxNqyOmgw21zN_gjY1bjsph3aFD4we6wnjvqUCm8KPLMXUfiONFUIT3P83hpBgri5x3VtdGqmZ0SGWu_-9yoY2NyVW_b7tHkfaHKT39tM11VJ9KNl/s1600-h/010.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438944526820318834" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoimJ4ndbWJpcZvh4i1iCxNqyOmgw21zN_gjY1bjsph3aFD4we6wnjvqUCm8KPLMXUfiONFUIT3P83hpBgri5x3VtdGqmZ0SGWu_-9yoY2NyVW_b7tHkfaHKT39tM11VJ9KNl/s400/010.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And then there was a scare going up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nu%E2%80%98uanu_Pali">Pali Highway</a>..where we were so low on gas and there wasn't another station for 4 miles. Our palms were very sweaty and we were pretty tense..but, we made it to the gas station. We looked back up at the highway and it was storming so much up there that there was no point in going back because the pictures would have sucked. So we hit the next one on the list that we'd never been to and it brought us to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Makapu%27u_Point">Makapu'u Point</a>. We've driven by it many times..just never pulled over.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pEsxeMORhrR6oy7Vq28hFdcWxZq2GhFDbKaNDyiHJpVNuzU96uvhrxfMaynWovoT4qR6PtkOfDMv2leN7myA6Qj62Tflzelha7miBDWj2Ujk5kJ6qeB1JUqLWK4-QV6gdizA/s1600-h/022.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438946529982992642" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pEsxeMORhrR6oy7Vq28hFdcWxZq2GhFDbKaNDyiHJpVNuzU96uvhrxfMaynWovoT4qR6PtkOfDMv2leN7myA6Qj62Tflzelha7miBDWj2Ujk5kJ6qeB1JUqLWK4-QV6gdizA/s400/022.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Gorgeous view! Windy..but gorgeous.<br /><br /><p>I then set the GPS to go to another place we'd never been..but didn't tell Orion where. "Just go where she says"...it brought us to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanauma_Bay">Hanauma Bay</a>. After a brief video (with song lyrics that had me church style laughing in the back row), we were granted permission to go down to the beach. It was raining. Boo. So we took a few pictures with intentions of heading back on a sunny day (free for military!).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZltkXbqcsasvpGpPYp-y_2_rOMR2V1ex8Kb6GvwY5tfUY0Z2f_-aoOZFVemT0a0DBZUSawkyG21536f7544XHMUud0SgjfBtSvBcsvPY3Ewg6KyShk_aRB3Eflp56Sr0Q9dl5/s1600-h/058.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438948410683948306" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZltkXbqcsasvpGpPYp-y_2_rOMR2V1ex8Kb6GvwY5tfUY0Z2f_-aoOZFVemT0a0DBZUSawkyG21536f7544XHMUud0SgjfBtSvBcsvPY3Ewg6KyShk_aRB3Eflp56Sr0Q9dl5/s400/058.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It was time for dinner, so we headed home buzzing from the fun time we had with our small family. This is one of our favorite things to do. Just load everyone up in the van and not really know what we're going to go see or do..just have an adventure..and always *always* bring the camera with us.</p><p>Next on catching up..Maddox's birthday!</p><p> </p>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-89771396097583508392010-02-11T16:32:00.005-05:002010-02-15T15:14:02.588-05:00Smiles on the HorizonI had an appointment with my new dentist on Tuesday. I brought my x-rays in like I was asked to do..and guess what? It didn't even matter. It didn't matter because the x-rays we'd waited so long for..were digital. So when they were printed out, you couldn't see everything. I ended up having to shell out the $90 for new x-rays anyway (my insurance covers x-rays once every 5 years). Not a big deal and at least they're new and up-to-date..which is what I preferred, anyway. I'm just bugged that so much time was wasted in getting them to me..when I didn't end up needing them at all.<br /><br /><br /><br />We went over what needed to be done and how much it was going to cost (round abouts, anyway) and then she asked if I was in any pain. I said yes and pointed my biggest problem out to her. It's, what I've suspected for a long time, to be the source of everything else that's wrong with me. They do say the health of your mouth is an indicator as to how healthy your body is. Or something along those lines. Guess what? My mouth..is not in awesome shape..and neither are my inner workings.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have had an intense earache on the right side of my head for about..7 years. Meds didn't work. I wouldn't even let my husband kiss or even whisper anywhere near it. Totally sensitive. Then, last year, <a href="http://adoubleb.blogspot.com/2009/03/updates-i-guess.html">I developed a middle ear infection </a>of sorts that has messed with my balance and causes me to get extremely dizzy if I turn my head too much to the left..and forget about sleeping on my left side. It doesn't happen. I will spin and spin until I vomit. Yep, ya'll..almost a year living with that one. It's a shame when you start to get used to something because you feel like there's just no hope. And the headaches! Ohhh, ya'll *know* about the headaches. On and on and on the list goes. I'm 27 years old..this is ridiculous.<br /><br /><br /><br />I was then set up for an appointment to remove that problem..the next morning. Yesterday. I was a ball of nerves. I'm talkin..I took Pepto on the way there I was so nervous. It was a fairly quick procedure..the doctor ran into a small issue, I guess. The roots went up a little higher than he anticipated or something along those lines..so the drill was pulled out and he had to like..drill into my bone. I thought I heard him say something about bone grafting? But I could be wrong. I know he was forced to stitch me up..when it wasn't planned originally. A lot of stitches, too..like..it looks like a fishnet up in there hahaha. I said "it'll be nice to see if my earache and headaches clear up now that that mess is gone" and he said "they really should" (!!!! Oh, hopeful!!) He put me on some Amoxicillin and some kind of mouth wash and sent me on my way. I return next week to remove stitches.<br /><br /><br /><br />After that, we have a cleaning and some fillings and then I go on the 5th of April to talk about getting me set up with Invisalign to straighten everything out..and when those come off we then start the couple of implants (I guess you can't straighten your teeth after implants..which is why the straightening is coming first)..and ta dah! Bright, straight, sparkling teeth! Horray!<br /><br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />^^I wrote all of that on Thursday and cannot remember, for the life of me, how I was going to end it. I just know that, so far, I haven't had another headache when I was getting migraines DAILY. It made life pretty hard for me..but I internalized it as much as I could because who wants to ruin everyone else's good time, ya know? My dizzies are easing up a bit..not totally gone yet..but for sure gettimg better. I'm going to go ahead and suggest that those problems stemmed from my mouth now that the problem is gone stuff can heal. Wouldn't that be nice?<br /><br /><br />I have a lot of things to write about..but want to keep the topics separate. So. Til next time!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-39830868576581765372010-02-09T16:25:00.003-05:002010-02-09T16:53:33.869-05:0002-09-2010My boys are into being "super helpers". They run around saying "super helpers to the rescue!!". Calix's new thing to do is when he's going to bed for the night he leans in and says to me "if you need my help, I will help you, okay? If you need my help, I will break down the door and come help you, okay?" and I always smile (while giggling on the inside) and give him a serious face "okay, Calix. If I need your help, I will call for you". Sometimes I do call for them (like if Orion is tickling me too much). They like to feel like super helpers, after all.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5TjIgvBMOClKoqXBYpCre3R5lVLIuOYYqmAVeQyt9bUW6ONW2XBRtU9hmFSisz5-iRUZXNf4IdTAp60eRmd-VGkZELtPxL8UoZzhFb8_twstQiB_W_P6QEQ8R4RXeMj47r9h/s1600-h/005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436358357704046562" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw5TjIgvBMOClKoqXBYpCre3R5lVLIuOYYqmAVeQyt9bUW6ONW2XBRtU9hmFSisz5-iRUZXNf4IdTAp60eRmd-VGkZELtPxL8UoZzhFb8_twstQiB_W_P6QEQ8R4RXeMj47r9h/s400/005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxSlLkGCFdvnFUlIJD3tM6RPmTlMlj0mcVuwzZOz6dI0xb3HqmTgsGZ-KJ2M9nFERG50We_puKWVX6M0b_gjo-TV8egGGrf-3IohBMvD79yoDeKXV9OeFtAmD7f-eorapFpsN/s1600-h/030.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436358354491264290" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghxSlLkGCFdvnFUlIJD3tM6RPmTlMlj0mcVuwzZOz6dI0xb3HqmTgsGZ-KJ2M9nFERG50We_puKWVX6M0b_gjo-TV8egGGrf-3IohBMvD79yoDeKXV9OeFtAmD7f-eorapFpsN/s400/030.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Besides, they come complete with blanket cape. And what mom can say no to that?</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>**As soon as I hit publish, I went to go throw a load of laundry in to be washed and saw that Maddox had already taken it upon himself to put all of the dirty laundry into the machine for me! These kids are the greatest!**</div><div></div><div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-45646474134148497572010-02-08T14:11:00.003-05:002010-02-08T15:03:55.255-05:0002-08-2010I cannot believe it's been 3 whole months since I've written anything in here. That's sad to me because I've been such a good blogger since 2003 (and journaler since I was a kid..but those journals are long gone..never to be seen again. Depressing.). Back then, I used Deadjournal..and then moved to Livejournal (once upon a time, I had an account on Diaryland..but I totally don't remember any of that info so all of my posts on there are long gone. So sad). A gap like that is pretty embarrassing for me.<br /><br /> I'm not saying I have a whole lot to talk about today because my mind is still a little jumbled with thoughts from last night. I was feeling pretty down about myself and feeling like no one around here really wants to hang out with me and blah blah blah woe is me pity party for one kind of stuff. It's embarrassing, really. I've been feeling like I don't fit in and what not..so I've been keeping to myself and doing the family thing around these parts. I'm okay with that..I went a year and a half here without any friends at all..and sometimes, I just like to be by myself anyway. A sweet friend talked me out of my yucky thoughts last night and helped me to realize I just need to spend more time with these people. She's right..I do. I've always known that. I guess it's just easier to throw in the towel than it is to actually do the work, right? Haha.<br /><br /> So what's coming up around these parts? Well, tomorrow, I have an appointment with my new dentist out here. I FINALLY got my dental records from the other dentist in Kentucky..and we've been waiting for those before we could even do a cleaning. I know. How annoying..especially since it took them MONTHS to get them out to me (and many phone calls on my part). **Self reminder - bring dental records with you next time you move. It'll make your life easier.** I'm not sure if they'll do much else besides a cleaning tomorrow..but this is officially the start of my new smile. New and improved! I can't wait! It'll be a painful process knowing how much work I actually need done..but I am so amped for the results that I'm not even considering the pain and healing time. Horray!<br /><br /> Saturday is Maddox's 3rd birthday! We're not doing a big ol party for him..just doing the family thing. A day at the bounce room place in the Pearlridge mall..and whatever else his little heart desires. He can't really make up his mind on what kind of cake he would like..because every time I give him options, he likes them. All of them. So..I might try my hand at an ice cream cake. I don't know..I don't know. Going into this thing blind because Maddox will be happy with anything..seriously. Calix is very specific..Maddox just goes with the flow.<br /><br /> Sunday is Valentine's Day! I have thoughts of making the entire day about love and having it be about our little family instead of just about me and Orion. We did the romantic dinner for 2 thing last year..how sweet would it be to bring our 2 little valentines with us out to dinner or whatever? We'll see. :)<br /><br />Also, Orion is heading out to Japan for the month of March. I have personal goals to meet while he's away. I'll have too much time on my hands to NOT meet them, ya know? No excuses! This is the year to get it done!<br /><br /><br />Okay, I have chores to get done around these parts. Consider me back (didn't I say that last time?).Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-50625916520295433912009-11-02T16:39:00.004-05:002009-11-03T00:09:23.821-05:00November 2, 2009<div>I'm sorry I've become such a bad blogger. I've been busy, yes..but never so busy that I can't sit down for a couple of minutes to write SOMETHING. Other things I'd rather do, I guess. Distracted..lazy..tired. So very tired. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What's been going on..well, I've been to the podiatrist twice so far (and my doctor is incredibly good looking. He can't help it.). He's given me 2 steroid shots (one on each visit) to help relieve this plantar fasciitis pain I've had since June..and with the last visit a boot. Dude, I know. And I'm not even allowed to walk around in it. I'm supposed to sleep in it and every time I'm on the couch it's supposed to be strapped on. I also have to do foot stretches 3 times a day and I'm still taking the pills for the inflammation that comes with the whole thing. While it still hurts a little...it feels better than it did so we're hoping for my next appointment on the 16th to be the last. Fingers crossed! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've also been hanging out with a new group of girls. I think I'm the oldest in the group..but not by much (like a few months haha). We try to meet up once a week for coffee or eaties or whatever and other things are planned on the side. They're a nice group of girls and it doesn't feel so lonely anymore now that I've found them, ya know? My plan is for all of us (or whoever can make it) to do it up Sex and the City style and hit the town for my birthday next week (!!)..but probably on the 13th so Orion can have his wife on her actual birthday. So that'll all be fun..I'm pretty excited. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Orion left on the 20th for WLC (finally! It's only taken a YEAR to go haha). He graduates on Wednesday the 4th..I'll be there in a cute dress taking pictures of my darling! Time flew by..but time was also named Abby and she was in a constant state of drippy sweat. Yo, being a single mother..or playing a single mother for a couple of weeks is HARD when the kids are not itty bitty anymore. Calix has had an especially hard time with daddy being away..and golly knows I've been trying my best to make things happy and merry around here..but you know, your day can only be as good as your attitude is. And when you have a crappy attitude and you make all kinds of evil 'if I had a knife I would stab you' kinds of faces at your mother and scream out in public that she's hitting you when she's buckling you into your carseat so you don't DIE because believe it or not, child..I LOVE YOU. When you act like I'm kidnapping you at Walmart instead of just trying to leave the store without buying you a special treat for not taking a nap (I have ears, my darling)..when you beat your brother up and consistently go play in the upstairs hallway well after bedtime..when you beg for something specific to eat and mommy makes that thing for you and then you refuse to eat ANY of it..when you hurl chairs at mom..when you outright disobey mom..when you bring your mother to embarrassment and tears in public or at home on multiple occasions because she is just exhausted from all of this..I'm sorry, dear..but your life is going to be hard. There will be plenty of corner time, your toys will be taken away, and you will absolutely get spankings (as much as it hurts my heart to do so).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I honestly believe his behavior is because he misses Orion so much..but doesn't know how to express it. He'll call at night and Calix will say he doesn't want to talk to him..like he's too good to talk to him..and when I hang up, he'll cry that he wants to talk to daddy. That sort of thing. Either that, or this child and I will be the mother and son who are in a constant battle with one another..all throughout our lives. I'm way too tired for the latter. I want a happy relationship with BOTH of my sons. I want to be able to scoop them up when they are hurt and check out what's going on. Calix screams and pulls away and says "don't touch me! don't look at me!!" and then cries about the splinter that's in his foot and he won't let me pull out for him. It sure is frustrating.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Anyway, we're trying. I'm always sweaty from all of the running around..but I'm still here. I've threatened to run away..but I guess that's frowned upon. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I've finally started to work out. I had to wait a few days because I couldn't take my eyes off of Calix for more than 2 minutes in the beginning without there being some kind of something awful happening. So that's helping me to lose more weight than I was without it..which is freaking awesome. I love that number ticking down to my goal! I'm still about 25 pounds away from the goal..but you know what? 25 seems like nothing compared to the initial scary 60. It's just that it's the food time of year and with delicious eats everywhere..it's just taking a little longer than I anticipated. But that's okay..I'm still proud of me for still dropping the weight..even if it gets a little slow for a couple of months. I had gained 4 pounds right before Orion left..from all of the fast food and what not..but since he's been gone, I've lost those 4 as well as another 4..but then gained a pound from the Halloween party I threw but then lost that pound. And I haven't weighed myself yet today so I'll check tomorrow morning..but I feel like I've probably lost a bit more. I'm running at a faster pace..I ran 3/4 of a mile this morning before going back to speed walking..but the thing is? I felt like I could have run longer. How awesome is that? I'm so proud! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm too tired to re-post the Halloween pictures (the majority of them are on Facebook if you want to see them)..here have this one:</div><br /><div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOgj131GjmD3-_iNwm-LK-dWOYPX1WBJBMTnyCz99pKSEpcJJ2Yv_AI5rPmA1HNHb0LOMeul7AZZvKXRag2x9Dv_NeBtG81kqo7QsIC-NwPpD_-sl77oSkErtGVhZ1qKD0hRd/s1600-h/057.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399738679003079954" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOgj131GjmD3-_iNwm-LK-dWOYPX1WBJBMTnyCz99pKSEpcJJ2Yv_AI5rPmA1HNHb0LOMeul7AZZvKXRag2x9Dv_NeBtG81kqo7QsIC-NwPpD_-sl77oSkErtGVhZ1qKD0hRd/s400/057.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /> We had a super awesome time..and I'm pretty impressed with how my first party like that turned out. I need more practice, for sure..but I don't think it was a bad one by any means.<br /><br /> Okay, I'll try to be better about this. You'll at least get graduation pictures on Wednesday..so there's always that to look forward to. And kissing Orion. At least I look forward to that one..if anyone else does, we are going to have some problems. Step up. hahahah<br /><br /><br /><br /> Hey, happy birthday, Emily!!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-34843469735042261142009-10-05T14:11:00.004-05:002009-10-05T15:42:45.284-05:0010-05-09<div>Over the weekend we pulled out the Halloween decorations..both old and newly purchased. We have a few more things to go up (like spider webbing and what not)..so we're not quite done yet. But it is still early so I don't feel rushed. October can go by smoothly now..all costumes have been purchased and the majority of the decor is up. My mind can go back to being frazzled about Christmas.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFDljwoF0Z1ExTIOLVP2K-hJeRzTxIj5xalCAImD4UkYrHkXScKOi5NSBySPRitEOcfiNr8lwJv1HgMr5aEmquOoaB2mw4wnqRhN1e6dReJJ0u4qpCfFQEwBc0ppVuzEBUEZK/s1600-h/017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389211279804889378" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWFDljwoF0Z1ExTIOLVP2K-hJeRzTxIj5xalCAImD4UkYrHkXScKOi5NSBySPRitEOcfiNr8lwJv1HgMr5aEmquOoaB2mw4wnqRhN1e6dReJJ0u4qpCfFQEwBc0ppVuzEBUEZK/s400/017.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>some tombstones, a mummy (with a sensor..so when you walk by he moans all mummy-like haha), a hanging skeleton, a jack-o-lantern, a skull in the window, and light up skulls on the path. We tried to keep everything out of the actual front yard so that it wouldn't be a problem for the yard care guys. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrfWo-X1meFyaRVUnBTMZH5Gh40TAvF-Dr-QzDkyfM8HkHwpE8ptfBkr-aW_yzEDkYuhP7llsMXqmhP-idzAf2dYqsXX9V22v-UxcYgFp9sJE8Duv-cLUKWpWXe3Cbdnh3SUz/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389211273920433090" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrfWo-X1meFyaRVUnBTMZH5Gh40TAvF-Dr-QzDkyfM8HkHwpE8ptfBkr-aW_yzEDkYuhP7llsMXqmhP-idzAf2dYqsXX9V22v-UxcYgFp9sJE8Duv-cLUKWpWXe3Cbdnh3SUz/s400/014.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The boys checking out the yard the first night we lit it up<br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>On Sunday, we headed back to the beach. I don't think we spent nearly enough time there this summer. I wanted to go like every weekend..but it didn't happen. But while it's still warm enough..and before the rainy season starts, we're trying to get as much in as possible. Swimming is awesome exercise for me and it doesn't hurt my foot to do so..so that's a total plus. </div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FJ6kah5EWWGMSYNlXYWLlP67gVonIfQ_PmtLC2WE9uka707dQEsWMn7wtiWt27RaAPtJ-_HarVLijQE1bNgDzPtcjAx6j1MZ22AUkbSxPSgmWmuoVv1w1nMuZp2QolKu9fgK/s1600-h/024.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389201109692788770" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9FJ6kah5EWWGMSYNlXYWLlP67gVonIfQ_PmtLC2WE9uka707dQEsWMn7wtiWt27RaAPtJ-_HarVLijQE1bNgDzPtcjAx6j1MZ22AUkbSxPSgmWmuoVv1w1nMuZp2QolKu9fgK/s400/024.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9nyw8cXpjOpog-HkBOwbJXa2ln09oIoRsRqTv33zEZ9P0CnuvqkxWFFwxiCQICRfI4o9jjWq5TUpEba1hvhwUrsFK6dZg_TUzmDcuzsxj79k1xLjbnco5xr8JsRIvXCXpX2C/s1600-h/031.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389201108414990290" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk9nyw8cXpjOpog-HkBOwbJXa2ln09oIoRsRqTv33zEZ9P0CnuvqkxWFFwxiCQICRfI4o9jjWq5TUpEba1hvhwUrsFK6dZg_TUzmDcuzsxj79k1xLjbnco5xr8JsRIvXCXpX2C/s400/031.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQowHL_kDKE_Na58FH-6rI6HQHdsFV3-Rld4F3UD2_2fWeqV4oZKFm8G52OQuw1rkyW71K1ucIzSTtzHKqp0ZEafCUo1LnhMI9qUdZHuq0kUW2w9OTgE3UdH5mS96Q_AzFulcT/s1600-h/033.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389201096483758530" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQowHL_kDKE_Na58FH-6rI6HQHdsFV3-Rld4F3UD2_2fWeqV4oZKFm8G52OQuw1rkyW71K1ucIzSTtzHKqp0ZEafCUo1LnhMI9qUdZHuq0kUW2w9OTgE3UdH5mS96Q_AzFulcT/s400/033.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yQ_2CgtDjJq53ZWXCJlrWeJtZmK4wgfjJt4tPcr-Q_4TUqWjxNHwJhoel5O_r9d3D6TwF_CP97bTD_Qj8ja_OksoS2ukNvGGibp8kBHkZ0pwrVHKlZjwH7PlR8epd0tUxa-v/s1600-h/034.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389201093204338754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2yQ_2CgtDjJq53ZWXCJlrWeJtZmK4wgfjJt4tPcr-Q_4TUqWjxNHwJhoel5O_r9d3D6TwF_CP97bTD_Qj8ja_OksoS2ukNvGGibp8kBHkZ0pwrVHKlZjwH7PlR8epd0tUxa-v/s400/034.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Maddox and Orion..I love these pictures!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI1Qju_GYoc8CajGuIdgkwPP8cdvf4Q5TdNutaZ4clPzSOv2Fn7l1KM9H0FlXtaqSK-6e8lbxnI6o2ka1r_Y00162zelQGlXRERJz1po4I9NFsinedk2iLKRTDLjjBV07Utb8/s1600-h/047.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389201085807814642" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI1Qju_GYoc8CajGuIdgkwPP8cdvf4Q5TdNutaZ4clPzSOv2Fn7l1KM9H0FlXtaqSK-6e8lbxnI6o2ka1r_Y00162zelQGlXRERJz1po4I9NFsinedk2iLKRTDLjjBV07Utb8/s400/047.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I spent a large chunk of my swim time doing underwater handstands. I love that Orion got a couple of pictures of it..and I love that this is one of my favorite pictures of the day. I love the colors..and I love what it means to me. Freedom. Silliness. I love that I'm a month away from being 27 (!!) and I still act the same in large bodies of water as I did when I was like 13. I love that my husband loves me for these reasons. I keep it light.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTBatj6ITXz_pch-zoKwqKqrBq1R44kSXkSd6AF10DOE6YDDII2u7x0Twzh-SsTCXzCtxsMxBi3YloXLgPs0Wiub6mik5Co-6VUXz0Oz13ZdirqIJo2N0eV5akgg8Ir5UqAt6/s1600-h/093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389200335081539186" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzTBatj6ITXz_pch-zoKwqKqrBq1R44kSXkSd6AF10DOE6YDDII2u7x0Twzh-SsTCXzCtxsMxBi3YloXLgPs0Wiub6mik5Co-6VUXz0Oz13ZdirqIJo2N0eV5akgg8Ir5UqAt6/s400/093.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>This is also one of my very favorites from yesterday..the coloring is just so perfect! I'm sad that I didn't get any close up pictures of him on the board..like I did with Maddox..because Calix just looked like a total surfer boy and it was ADORABLE.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaNTkzU4xqXv4JshGJtRYynJ2SSpFKW3I5giVaBGthOceLcfDoxjZ7wOs2Q5UnhGTmO8R-LM-wpgtQ86PbrGpY8_TkSAhzvL8HBNvbvimiqsfZez1OQGfZVeGjcxZ1ZTqcgRt/s1600-h/092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389200324508003170" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGaNTkzU4xqXv4JshGJtRYynJ2SSpFKW3I5giVaBGthOceLcfDoxjZ7wOs2Q5UnhGTmO8R-LM-wpgtQ86PbrGpY8_TkSAhzvL8HBNvbvimiqsfZez1OQGfZVeGjcxZ1ZTqcgRt/s400/092.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm1srPGoTnDJVTacTkEj1zN-iTOZQ5wXAyu9wSI79LdTw73MP7XUSpqYTn_fkfy8QI-Zn6J8SJ1bOopmS2cm62YYmduGxsdHNFC_2sVQFQ88_z1fSAS5XEyOiGL8HmlbrPZyu/s1600-h/089.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389200318520318402" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnm1srPGoTnDJVTacTkEj1zN-iTOZQ5wXAyu9wSI79LdTw73MP7XUSpqYTn_fkfy8QI-Zn6J8SJ1bOopmS2cm62YYmduGxsdHNFC_2sVQFQ88_z1fSAS5XEyOiGL8HmlbrPZyu/s400/089.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpDS6BJ3b4ZdeHdct9Pt9ETXpeNKoNy9d3ta73dNPc6vNkjXMPae5OsjDL0aPSkF3v_bobcHWPjHNPbYyfOUHHBtD59WNdOwPbTgg4EKKh_vCw7NTvL23NKb7rrMYe6MTgFtE/s1600-h/079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389200312036822850" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpDS6BJ3b4ZdeHdct9Pt9ETXpeNKoNy9d3ta73dNPc6vNkjXMPae5OsjDL0aPSkF3v_bobcHWPjHNPbYyfOUHHBtD59WNdOwPbTgg4EKKh_vCw7NTvL23NKb7rrMYe6MTgFtE/s400/079.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI9fofjCS2OTcllxevpVhuRW8CbbThef1JxQyhAkrskYjnBGJK9UwYB6qQQSu-R5cAX3CJ73h9U8J9TvvIxak1oNFYeZ9ava-n_yFpIT1m8hEoVtbhEVYwHR10pYxTSJiubIH/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389200302593379554" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI9fofjCS2OTcllxevpVhuRW8CbbThef1JxQyhAkrskYjnBGJK9UwYB6qQQSu-R5cAX3CJ73h9U8J9TvvIxak1oNFYeZ9ava-n_yFpIT1m8hEoVtbhEVYwHR10pYxTSJiubIH/s400/076.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Orion and Calix going out for a swim.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>And last night for dinner I made sweet potato fries and hamburgers:</div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklOJuDQURkAfFRBeR6-V_F1KD7m3xDMNJvY2F9_VGgrvx2-bJNPrtO3YLQcdN0IM8gfzcS9IiGpdrEc2K51aWQ9sw9CoIVvtmmHqwoRk0Ol6zprU_ux4rFlGRn8ZW8BYKpYwN/s1600-h/004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389217044404579458" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 238px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiklOJuDQURkAfFRBeR6-V_F1KD7m3xDMNJvY2F9_VGgrvx2-bJNPrtO3YLQcdN0IM8gfzcS9IiGpdrEc2K51aWQ9sw9CoIVvtmmHqwoRk0Ol6zprU_ux4rFlGRn8ZW8BYKpYwN/s400/004.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />And a tip for how to keep the calories on the not as high as they could be side? Only use one side of a wheat bun! Use at least 85% lean ground beef (that's 93%). So freaking delicious. I swear, one day I'd like to open a diner..and I'd serve all of the delicious yummies..PLUS healthier versions of the yummies. It's a dream of mine. Ya know.<br /><br /> For lunch today I'm making butternut squash soup..and I'm adding couscous, spinach, and grilled chicken pieces to it. Yum! I'll probably show you later.<br /><br /><br />Also..Hey, happy birthday, Kaiti!Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-59705416015449595992009-09-29T23:19:00.003-05:002009-09-29T23:38:37.654-05:0009-29-09A few days ago, Orion asked me if I'd ever taken before pictures. Like..before I got serious about losing weight. I surely did. I remember taking them and thinking 'man..why am I even bothering with this? I'm just going to regret having these fat pictures' but I don't. I'm glad I took them because while it's not the end point in all of this? We're halfway there (are you singing Bon Jovi now? Because I am)! Halfway to my goal and anything more than that is just a bonus. My Wii Fit tells me I'm no longer obese (but I do wish they would change my Mii's body type with that achievement! Grr!) and? I'm no longer in the 200+ range. That's right. I'm in the 100's (the very top but still..STILL!)..and you know what? I weighed 205 when Orion came home from Afghanistan..so take THAT! Wooo!!! I'm still barely working out, though, because my foot STILL freaking hurts. I can work out just fine..run and all..but then I want to cry for the rest of the day. It's not good times..but my podiatrist appointment isn't until the 5th..so there's not much I can do except continue to feed myself correctly...with the occasional fast food slip. Whatever, I'm human.<br /><br />Anyway! So when he asked me that, I put that same outfit on for reference and took a couple of pictures. I was a little bloated from hormones and like..beer..but whatever. I think you can still see a difference..an obvious one.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbenPXn56YRt07plk9oIND3hxpCniWScu4UXjnSx6jZC8r4h9Dj0kCMhu107woh2n2pr8JHDKvpv48w9zwxhe4gj2R_hF8pqplicH8wGUnpSuFzQ8cjcdJYaUp2Evto8fRMTB3/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387110511107997586" style="WIDTH: 183px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbenPXn56YRt07plk9oIND3hxpCniWScu4UXjnSx6jZC8r4h9Dj0kCMhu107woh2n2pr8JHDKvpv48w9zwxhe4gj2R_hF8pqplicH8wGUnpSuFzQ8cjcdJYaUp2Evto8fRMTB3/s400/027.JPG" border="0" /><br />Before: 230<br /><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCqcV3AsN90Wx3GFJrPcrve9KGC_xHYh78nCfT2RX0dkulhsuWT3kMwTZ7Irai2FXVe2N7fdmFWDbV_bNjSudKNkbFLx85tSbpAOgdgjBE1RQveTSktlEtXVedgAdW7Ze3Xlq/s1600-h/012.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387110503248043154" style="WIDTH: 164px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCqcV3AsN90Wx3GFJrPcrve9KGC_xHYh78nCfT2RX0dkulhsuWT3kMwTZ7Irai2FXVe2N7fdmFWDbV_bNjSudKNkbFLx85tSbpAOgdgjBE1RQveTSktlEtXVedgAdW7Ze3Xlq/s400/012.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Midway<br /><br /><br />Who's feeling good? This girl. I hope to be at my goal by New Year's..or at least very close to it. I feel like it's totally do-able.Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30300011.post-8160172627524315552009-09-28T19:31:00.015-05:002009-09-28T21:26:55.427-05:00The 4th 27th (Calix's birthday)So yesterday the one who made me a mother turned 4. Sigh. I still don't know how that's possible..but it's true. Oh, little man was totally amped to have just about everything go his way for one whole day.<br /><br />The day before, he'd told me he wanted waffles for breakfast. Absolutely, darling. I haven't had homemade waffles in months..total treat for everyone. So while I was preparing them that morning, he went to the cupboard and pulled out these little 100 calorie packs of cookies and asked if he could have them. I was torn. "Can you wait to have those for snack time instead?" "no..I want to eat them right now" well..it IS his birthday and we DID say that pretty much anything was game..so..sure. Have a little pack of cookies while I make you waffles. Maddox got one, too. But I have to say, I was impressed because he ate his entire massive waffle. I can't even finish one! (Ya know..anymore)<br /><p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ48ohm_S2oYwkBWebHbv2zYiiM9LCEHVh3Lv_LSydOijIqzXItxwdAYdDbCZfWG8FTh9DHfFZx6owIVHAxTTX7RwPfItGP3R4Dil4fDH-W3sG8sn9HLSu67JW0djPgPsYLnd3/s1600-h/015.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386682702957120146" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ48ohm_S2oYwkBWebHbv2zYiiM9LCEHVh3Lv_LSydOijIqzXItxwdAYdDbCZfWG8FTh9DHfFZx6owIVHAxTTX7RwPfItGP3R4Dil4fDH-W3sG8sn9HLSu67JW0djPgPsYLnd3/s400/015.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />After breakfast, we pulled out the cards <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">that'd</span> been sent to him<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdABOwq2cklHiLTHgG3jMrR69-LafyMtY4jFSV1ENxVDdXwU7a_ixUAhJAU8-EeJdjuCixJa7upPPtrS7rE1U-UtiMPWf0Sm5RTCWr6os4M1yDrz2JrqDNCet_1pYBH1t2ko2/s1600-h/027.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386683194106077922" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfdABOwq2cklHiLTHgG3jMrR69-LafyMtY4jFSV1ENxVDdXwU7a_ixUAhJAU8-EeJdjuCixJa7upPPtrS7rE1U-UtiMPWf0Sm5RTCWr6os4M1yDrz2JrqDNCet_1pYBH1t2ko2/s400/027.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />from Orion's mother..<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDpGE84jSVYj_7txUx7sLpeFOaioQsv1LG4p_-BP0BXMzZhAj8GOHWFrCWpueIkW_bceITx6WIeIXrg0aJASZVjviD7ROETQU-g9nZTtxfnb_1tkX5JIDHxY6ex2JidM01PHY/s1600-h/041.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386683616480590930" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDpGE84jSVYj_7txUx7sLpeFOaioQsv1LG4p_-BP0BXMzZhAj8GOHWFrCWpueIkW_bceITx6WIeIXrg0aJASZVjviD7ROETQU-g9nZTtxfnb_1tkX5JIDHxY6ex2JidM01PHY/s400/041.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />My mother and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Calix's</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Gramps</span> (with cold hard cash that he cannot wait to spend) (thanks <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Nana</span> and G<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">ramps</span>!)<br /><br /><br />And I gave him a little robot card, too that said "Happy 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">th</span> birthday, my darling! May this year be full of fun, learning, & adventure for you. I love you every day! Love, Mommy" <p></p><p>We then set about getting dressed and packed up for the beach..as per little man's request. I have to say, I haven't been to the beach since before I started losing weight..and let me just tell you how much easier it was for me to not feel like everyone was staring at the big girl..because now I'm not fat..just chubby (and I do have before and midway progress pictures..but that's another post). We had a fabulous time. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Calix</span> and I played in the sand and made sculptures and we went swimming..except he can't swim yet..just holds onto my hands and kick kick kicks. But it was very relaxed and just..ah..nice.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WQnAiQN1p4B3DxFfR6_uDW5nmnlmKCoyDjPVgEY2_vcZlyErCabgi9D32mfcxTzwiWopZseaSo6x-wIwTM9vw1CRnhnKvKGivYQQnW2OEPpT4FT05TuySKefobxWdSukYcdm/s1600-h/049.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386687085479751986" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WQnAiQN1p4B3DxFfR6_uDW5nmnlmKCoyDjPVgEY2_vcZlyErCabgi9D32mfcxTzwiWopZseaSo6x-wIwTM9vw1CRnhnKvKGivYQQnW2OEPpT4FT05TuySKefobxWdSukYcdm/s400/049.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp2x2RjRSaFJH31ExZTgB784PoeIfUBjtmuYlUGA78y53v4K7HHZDDhbksER50MCDvEafh6jV0DwxJNHv7JyRyGbEhH6cMrowaJl1KpbbMcrk8NGGq21Vb3_sT6ViOEpKJtDR/s1600-h/045.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386687079913190514" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisp2x2RjRSaFJH31ExZTgB784PoeIfUBjtmuYlUGA78y53v4K7HHZDDhbksER50MCDvEafh6jV0DwxJNHv7JyRyGbEhH6cMrowaJl1KpbbMcrk8NGGq21Vb3_sT6ViOEpKJtDR/s400/045.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJySCd8gmzAhQfwt5DE2J5KqcpCD2M8FToicE4rraUrsfCmgFPPhNiu6PrHawTrXb0LsrlAMhytqSnEHKcXL0UgjecMOoARIFng2ixd-WRBVWUxanyPFrXqTQudsjTKUbPL_sm/s1600-h/054.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386687101302251426" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJySCd8gmzAhQfwt5DE2J5KqcpCD2M8FToicE4rraUrsfCmgFPPhNiu6PrHawTrXb0LsrlAMhytqSnEHKcXL0UgjecMOoARIFng2ixd-WRBVWUxanyPFrXqTQudsjTKUbPL_sm/s400/054.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />...that's me way out there <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">haha</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS0zQV5P8elySnp8u78fffXwa0KhVRxEKC_jTjRBVcy3kA_JQqVo61vuD5inQQrOUtc6Sm3v37DvtTr6j0m98oNvavVKryOfeAeUkVdbZBG7wLrhmjLXKOHKM6h1SAqT4KvLu/s1600-h/074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386687108255155538" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtS0zQV5P8elySnp8u78fffXwa0KhVRxEKC_jTjRBVcy3kA_JQqVo61vuD5inQQrOUtc6Sm3v37DvtTr6j0m98oNvavVKryOfeAeUkVdbZBG7wLrhmjLXKOHKM6h1SAqT4KvLu/s400/074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />off to get some water for sand sculptures!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDt51Ve5n01CTLC_NaJ4eOKtjWFAOrJLNIGGJQ8YX7DbcghsLRMNjkyTU2nTlxlzhu7CGdakwTc_Q_FnK3YTVlh5s8lLK9uYcmEAwUJpEn8UrTglTkaE9JoANcQZmG9uoniqN/s1600-h/076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386687116739009698" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDt51Ve5n01CTLC_NaJ4eOKtjWFAOrJLNIGGJQ8YX7DbcghsLRMNjkyTU2nTlxlzhu7CGdakwTc_Q_FnK3YTVlh5s8lLK9uYcmEAwUJpEn8UrTglTkaE9JoANcQZmG9uoniqN/s400/076.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />he waits so patiently <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">haha</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCTmlmoaYunlZ8BWO4ULljaejjYgfrpo0Q2ZfNM_e2nm8fiI68udUcz6mqbnUJH0x7ZZQyXgAFWksKtpcbxsbVG5xBHgczx5uwQgVtfpfwUeuqF-ATACPn7KOfGYpmQfyQinT/s1600-h/079.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386690488414703922" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKCTmlmoaYunlZ8BWO4ULljaejjYgfrpo0Q2ZfNM_e2nm8fiI68udUcz6mqbnUJH0x7ZZQyXgAFWksKtpcbxsbVG5xBHgczx5uwQgVtfpfwUeuqF-ATACPn7KOfGYpmQfyQinT/s400/079.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />"I've got some water, mommy!"<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGipJcXHNfIFEyfuz_NQxO48ALHa4nt3ZTgmaUt-8jn7y4GY1Z6_7h-IQTi-8s3L-sALEpTo1dE_EqPxoZz073yDw-4uh8UCnWHijqv-2LCRORSESQvzNMY-EYzbLpxJ0q9H5/s1600-h/088.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386690479883942306" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGipJcXHNfIFEyfuz_NQxO48ALHa4nt3ZTgmaUt-8jn7y4GY1Z6_7h-IQTi-8s3L-sALEpTo1dE_EqPxoZz073yDw-4uh8UCnWHijqv-2LCRORSESQvzNMY-EYzbLpxJ0q9H5/s400/088.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />did you know it wasn't until year 25 in my life until I learned about water in buckets and THEN putting sand in? Ya know..it makes better castles and what not that way. I saw it on a show. Ya know..professional sand castle makers or something.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7zPArPdxxRFlmrhqi14X_CFFzYmO3LxOkSk8I_Sbx6s5sLI2xO3I-6Tx32Dh6fAoSjDYMcA78j-YRdT2DeVYw28cmB9OFeeIVMQlwmQlU3NzdXK9wtQ2yu_vX4jE4B1B1ybf/s1600-h/093.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386690465915175122" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7zPArPdxxRFlmrhqi14X_CFFzYmO3LxOkSk8I_Sbx6s5sLI2xO3I-6Tx32Dh6fAoSjDYMcA78j-YRdT2DeVYw28cmB9OFeeIVMQlwmQlU3NzdXK9wtQ2yu_vX4jE4B1B1ybf/s400/093.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Orion and Maddox floating around<br /><br />The best part about the beach this time? No one got burnt. Not even a little bit. Lagoon #4, we'll see you next weekend. And this time I'm bringing snorkeling gear.<br /><br />After the beach, we came home and cleaned ourselves off. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Calix</span> decided he wanted peanut butter and jelly for lunch..and then naps all around.<br /><br />After naps, it was time to bust open the pinata Orion's mom sent (I thought about getting one but thought maybe he was still too young to be swinging a stick like that. Orion's mother didn't know about this..but sent a pinata with the pull string trap door thing)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFwYefMKN17T_Z0iGAcuOtejdwnjOE8nioTAlx7aXjH7jzSHuHUOst0Dr1E35OzjjHcVJ03AFc79Fxq3MPGNWzveEcy7zMzen7UydL01LC1_LnRwwE3LIoiSdkJe9iBt0XPXR/s1600-h/111.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386690459907041826" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjFwYefMKN17T_Z0iGAcuOtejdwnjOE8nioTAlx7aXjH7jzSHuHUOst0Dr1E35OzjjHcVJ03AFc79Fxq3MPGNWzveEcy7zMzen7UydL01LC1_LnRwwE3LIoiSdkJe9iBt0XPXR/s400/111.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />keep pulling!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNI7mbWo69BWlSrR5YSVaIYUd-Rdjne0eEomnz15cETnafl_IRovMBsflQqBtkUzTlUVOF_cItbo0vCMWLUGNwslHhegzBE5AKOTZ5n8BEqUWDwn9IMHcxmaD39YpY9efNCzb/s1600-h/113.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386690451326020546" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNI7mbWo69BWlSrR5YSVaIYUd-Rdjne0eEomnz15cETnafl_IRovMBsflQqBtkUzTlUVOF_cItbo0vCMWLUGNwslHhegzBE5AKOTZ5n8BEqUWDwn9IMHcxmaD39YpY9efNCzb/s400/113.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">yay</span>!! candies and stickers and confetti..oh my gosh the confetti. I'm just glad the correct string was on the birthday boy's end.<br /><br />After the pinata fun..it was time for presents! (Now, Orion and I discussed the night before how we thought the day should go. We wanted the fun to last all day..and we wanted him to be able to open presents and still have daylight to play with them and also not be distracted by so many other things, ya know? I think this order worked out perfectly for us..so it may end up being just how it goes from now on)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCZUqbEhO1zQCkKBJbTina8iWDlz_7ugGYbgn18bUBcuows3PkizG1dRKqDpa5weHH6wgrzXTYqmjNItcyJuav188xIjFbeLgb1-LqO9ne62fc0nRBSrmAcb-ZHCsSU9jym-w/s1600-h/131.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386694293516888482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCZUqbEhO1zQCkKBJbTina8iWDlz_7ugGYbgn18bUBcuows3PkizG1dRKqDpa5weHH6wgrzXTYqmjNItcyJuav188xIjFbeLgb1-LqO9ne62fc0nRBSrmAcb-ZHCsSU9jym-w/s400/131.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There have been so many of my kids' birthdays that I'm just not a part of..picture-wise. Orion was keen on this and stole the camera so that I wouldn't be sad about that..again.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLIt8OEFbT-ReORDtsM9ig1YJgDsuCT2NbtqUXQD0qSsbdf4Q1L9BfS1J4raWIRvfoqHJ1CDwQWgxxVLi6LE-jKn9SJMWvCXJtILcMWJoyDiCxoqaCL3lGnGvn3fFXszktSVD/s1600-h/152.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386694286741803346" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLIt8OEFbT-ReORDtsM9ig1YJgDsuCT2NbtqUXQD0qSsbdf4Q1L9BfS1J4raWIRvfoqHJ1CDwQWgxxVLi6LE-jKn9SJMWvCXJtILcMWJoyDiCxoqaCL3lGnGvn3fFXszktSVD/s400/152.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />wooden stacking robots from Maddox (I'll do an entire post about those guys in the near future..they are *awesome*)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlNell8IQY_3sL6wcFTii949DrzxvSeOeYkm39CnsOD2SVLsBtmrt5LIt2IeW50b9hJZOrQjYLoV7bjy64XPr6KKcsV1FcDP2WVr_miw1qPHmEp3y9_zKxFk4gYLnwbnW05sf/s1600-h/163.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386694277739311810" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizlNell8IQY_3sL6wcFTii949DrzxvSeOeYkm39CnsOD2SVLsBtmrt5LIt2IeW50b9hJZOrQjYLoV7bjy64XPr6KKcsV1FcDP2WVr_miw1qPHmEp3y9_zKxFk4gYLnwbnW05sf/s400/163.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I just like this picture and love those shoes<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu3HFcD1ANO0sQx-kjXwmmHNdtLAZ8sGBJp0VtFWUKEfGRz97dWv6NWpEWNyyhHn4fks1FZHMnb15J3dku4XEET-NZM0OVk1o9MeP3OVlXqCzDJ1VjgVLGl-hQYLJWXPPlI0x/s1600-h/167.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386694263042309522" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVu3HFcD1ANO0sQx-kjXwmmHNdtLAZ8sGBJp0VtFWUKEfGRz97dWv6NWpEWNyyhHn4fks1FZHMnb15J3dku4XEET-NZM0OVk1o9MeP3OVlXqCzDJ1VjgVLGl-hQYLJWXPPlI0x/s400/167.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Interactive Wall-E from daddy<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruirosILHfZ_8M-1ue2-Teey63cCo3tY2NA1vWUSSdupHiHeTXFFjxAv1cUdDxkGHhl_sHAl-dKJr3tc-NdIbl-Hgu0QmMHkemK6lCLfvqtQrj1LO0-1ku_oJkTajmJOCQd54/s1600-h/169.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386694254510758482" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgruirosILHfZ_8M-1ue2-Teey63cCo3tY2NA1vWUSSdupHiHeTXFFjxAv1cUdDxkGHhl_sHAl-dKJr3tc-NdIbl-Hgu0QmMHkemK6lCLfvqtQrj1LO0-1ku_oJkTajmJOCQd54/s400/169.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkXp5sxMnoyUQ7pADujjJ88JnDXEOePxzkAvybn-fwiP1EyK-RbosI7bMlqHYIQF7tkUufGKJnJiU_HxBPXisJ_c06A2m6o3P0AVhsr_Py95A4V0qVqObWmei-GSbElldhRJs/s1600-h/183.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386697947706748194" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkXp5sxMnoyUQ7pADujjJ88JnDXEOePxzkAvybn-fwiP1EyK-RbosI7bMlqHYIQF7tkUufGKJnJiU_HxBPXisJ_c06A2m6o3P0AVhsr_Py95A4V0qVqObWmei-GSbElldhRJs/s400/183.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Interactive EVE from mommy (these guys are cool on their own but when you put them together..they interact with one another! AND you can talk to them and they'll respond in their own way. Like..I was all "I love you, EVE!" and she started to giggle but then put up her gun, her eyes got serious and she started making shooting sounds <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">hahahah</span>)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm1aNtdTj8gRbI36_PZxUr3pVH0boQvDtnIF7ENmFePPq2yKVI6UXkCehiAg9EAvnOwYh7qQ-RoPR80hBRTO4-pz8Q3YLzfOThkSlSPBwCs-w-hDjmCs1ZdFWEI6fvMN_JFgy/s1600-h/199.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386697941303484834" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMm1aNtdTj8gRbI36_PZxUr3pVH0boQvDtnIF7ENmFePPq2yKVI6UXkCehiAg9EAvnOwYh7qQ-RoPR80hBRTO4-pz8Q3YLzfOThkSlSPBwCs-w-hDjmCs1ZdFWEI6fvMN_JFgy/s400/199.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Daddy was there, too!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgZ_uYV5RUJqa2rDmBW9qqQHtUpKFyFvfh2TlWwHt6tqwSbCAXyFn8IE8X5qEoS3QR487m6er72PzGEUcM8gMr9LFZORxTZ0-49YlUTgzTl4C3VCNSWFK6rZAsQCvTXpE0SGB/s1600-h/204.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386697931031513330" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPgZ_uYV5RUJqa2rDmBW9qqQHtUpKFyFvfh2TlWwHt6tqwSbCAXyFn8IE8X5qEoS3QR487m6er72PzGEUcM8gMr9LFZORxTZ0-49YlUTgzTl4C3VCNSWFK6rZAsQCvTXpE0SGB/s400/204.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivssn4nLdkVUEaSMxnA9Q140-Hm-l2IlfvleUnQNo6g1h9Jt_k3OWkQSZrGe-5-Wl020jP8wpsCs6-TMwwcEb7EnypCAVYzWnR75s8EXuNSCiVjICLSFoPbXxzJsvPNxTVMWpG/s1600-h/216.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386697922602357426" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivssn4nLdkVUEaSMxnA9Q140-Hm-l2IlfvleUnQNo6g1h9Jt_k3OWkQSZrGe-5-Wl020jP8wpsCs6-TMwwcEb7EnypCAVYzWnR75s8EXuNSCiVjICLSFoPbXxzJsvPNxTVMWpG/s400/216.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>making them hold hands..</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>He then played for a while and requested McDonald's for dinner. What a total <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Calix's</span> favorite foods kind of day <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">hahaha</span>. After dinner? Cake!</div><div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0EiWLzmZo1begSmJVSEp9_xMCkk0rUjYRGHpOnaEtL8xDxKzh1fxIUCvYFJVm3ptejcWyzUNKenudtsN9f5vz0jfxr1t60HcrCOQbsw5V0u6DkHtx3rpYVWsfU3f6LUTGmGx/s1600-h/032.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386706325829326418" style="WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM0EiWLzmZo1begSmJVSEp9_xMCkk0rUjYRGHpOnaEtL8xDxKzh1fxIUCvYFJVm3ptejcWyzUNKenudtsN9f5vz0jfxr1t60HcrCOQbsw5V0u6DkHtx3rpYVWsfU3f6LUTGmGx/s400/032.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Next time, I really need to pay attention to the frosting. It was so..thin. Like every time I would spread it onto the cake it would start sliding down. Made it kind of difficult. Little robot man was supposed to look like <a href="http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/robot-cake-113716.aspx">this</a> but I opted out of using Cool Whip..the bigger <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">dragees</span> didn't show up in time..and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">shoppette</span> around the corner didn't have mini O<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">reos</span> so I used mini Grasshopper cookies or whatever. He's still okay..and ya know, it's always the inside the counts, right? And he was very yummy!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7QzVF1l2tJ7ed8ZYM2OYY8o18PSN83LEidDtwt7kLYpaczaZgbJCThzHZVFVySyxh7GR6B5c8LRceDCjpfq7cXoslLyzKSG6PNlbQisB4QH7PObUZ5F5X2qZmlyGNny3x2z6/s1600-h/250.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386697913818638498" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ7QzVF1l2tJ7ed8ZYM2OYY8o18PSN83LEidDtwt7kLYpaczaZgbJCThzHZVFVySyxh7GR6B5c8LRceDCjpfq7cXoslLyzKSG6PNlbQisB4QH7PObUZ5F5X2qZmlyGNny3x2z6/s400/250.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />belting out Happy Birthday to the little man<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FRQlq-zV_XrwYfF9MMNPvFwQ6a8BONhLVLwaW7kiadBKeEFnniVRquehcia06Ii0Cu-Ho7ikZ9hWrWCaWUlmHdnuZc7cPCJhfeyCohELKZIhzFU59D4khyA8bnNbYdmVUIXE/s1600-h/255.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386699794638827442" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-FRQlq-zV_XrwYfF9MMNPvFwQ6a8BONhLVLwaW7kiadBKeEFnniVRquehcia06Ii0Cu-Ho7ikZ9hWrWCaWUlmHdnuZc7cPCJhfeyCohELKZIhzFU59D4khyA8bnNbYdmVUIXE/s400/255.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>make a wish, darling!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEKVEosiQatcvXiDfFc6xLmD-lcfjoh92_UqUBHqkxYHgW1wRIbiCcp-EgbPRq2H1SIw6nDJxRL9vKCLv0buc-TRUc1hvWgG2-KnFzS9LMt72LnQPng4y0sYblimrPwPh6seL/s1600-h/256.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386699786388112754" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEKVEosiQatcvXiDfFc6xLmD-lcfjoh92_UqUBHqkxYHgW1wRIbiCcp-EgbPRq2H1SIw6nDJxRL9vKCLv0buc-TRUc1hvWgG2-KnFzS9LMt72LnQPng4y0sYblimrPwPh6seL/s400/256.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">yay</span>!!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThx_9UNa_z1BhRV-OqLMknvGij4kOj8cJD-BGVT-s014_ax7I-mBdayE-B0MWCXj6JDCaMAASdzsbr7EIkzCLPiW3j6UZ7rMv61GSJLEcEWMEgY8emuMgFQNnsk8fU7svCHJO/s1600-h/258.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386699779658605602" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjThx_9UNa_z1BhRV-OqLMknvGij4kOj8cJD-BGVT-s014_ax7I-mBdayE-B0MWCXj6JDCaMAASdzsbr7EIkzCLPiW3j6UZ7rMv61GSJLEcEWMEgY8emuMgFQNnsk8fU7svCHJO/s400/258.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>his slice request was the belly. That's so like him..a slice? Any slice? Okay, give me the middle. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">hahaha</span> loves it!</div><div></div><div></div><div>We all had a wonderful time..and this was confirmed when he was heading up to bed and came to give me a hug and a kiss. I kissed him and looked at his face and asked if he'd had a good birthday. He said "my birthday was very special. Thank you, mommy" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">ohhhh</span> golly! </div><div></div><div></div><div>The 26 hours I was in labor with you were very much worth it, my love. </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Abbyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772859120482774595noreply@blogger.com7