Go Ahead And Jump!

This was Lael yesterday morning jumping off of a snow hill hubby shoveled.

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We don't get much snow her in DC.

I mean it snows but not snow.

I remember when I was in '96 we had a Blizzard.  It was all of 16-17 inches.  To some states I know that is nothing but to those of us here it is.

For the last few years we've gotten and inch here and there but nothing to hoop and hollar about.

So Friday when everyone had their panties in a bunch about the apparent "snow storm" that was going to come through and sweep us away I shook my head and giggled.

When I went grocery shopping after work and had to stand in lines all the way down the aisle, I cursed under my breath.

But it came.  A storm like we haven't seen in years.

It started about 8pm Friday night and didn't stop until around the same time Saturday night.

Hubby shoveled and a few hours later it would look like he had done nothing.

Everything shut down.  I big plans for Saturday.  None of that happened.

I had HUGE plans for Sunday (Radio City Tickets).  Didn't happen either.

I had plans to go to work today and have my work Christmas Party.  Guess what? I'm home.

Why?

Because they closed the Federal Govt today. 

I'll be finishing up my shopping and wrapping gifts because Lael will be with her grandmother today.

Happy Monday yall!

Judging A Book

I got Lael this little Christmas Tree from Target last year.  It's a bit puny looking bu it' pink.  And it's Disney Princess.  And it's pink.  So naturally she had to have it.

It only cost me about $5.  I thought I got a good deal and stuck it on her shelf in her closet.

I forgot about this tree until it was time to put up decorations.

I pulled the box down and and quickly realized why it had been on clearance.  There was no tree stand.  Well how the hell was I supposed to put up her little tree with no tree stand.

I aplogized to Lael and told her that we weren't going to be able to put the tree up in her room.

She didn't take no for an answer.

She disappeared in the kitchen and came back with a green raindeer cup.  I asked her what I was supposed to do with the cup and she said to sit the tree in the cup.

Of course the tree fit in but it fell over. 

She then climbed on her step stool and grabbed some socks.

She then proceeded to stuff the cup with her little socks until the tree stood upright.

She has not let me forget to light that tree up one night. 

Like clockwork she gives me hugs and kisses before bed and reminds me to plug up her tree.

Children have such a spirit that it is hard to explain.

Lael and that tree have a lot in common.

From the outside they are small and underestimated.

But if you give them a chance they can surprise you and literally light up your life.

Good Things Do Come In Small Packages

Look at this cutie pie.

Can you believe how little it is.

4 oz of goodness that comes with a spoon under the top.

I found this at my base commissary (grocery store) the other day.

I haven't had many cravings but at times I just have to have something sweet.

It's nice because I'm not eating out a a gallon container feeling like a fat slob.

It's just enough. Ben and Jerry's also makes them this small and some flavors are like only a little over 100 calories for the whole thing. I kid you not!

Yummy! Guilt Free!

The Little Things

Today wasn't a particular good day.

Messy things at work and messy things at home.

It was one of those days you pray to the gods to be over.

I got home from work and it was finally almost over.

I just had to get through helping Lael with her homework without strangling her and ignore my husband to refrain from to dispose of his remains.

It had been a while since Lael had lost a tooth and we had pretty much gotten past the tooth excitement.

What I had forgot was that this one pesky tooth has been lose for MONTHS.  It was kind of hiding behind her newly grown in "big girl" teeth and I had forgot all about it.

Until she came home yesterday saying that it was bleeding.  I wiggled it a little and could tell it only had a few days left at the most.

Well Lael showed it to me when she finished her homework and I just reached in and gave a gentle tug and out it popped.

She looks at me and said "Well, that was easy."

True.

For many things.

It was that simple.  It turned my night around.  That easily.

Isn't she precious.  Big buck teeth and all.  Well except for that scarf, let's just pretend you didn't see that. 

USO

The USO (United Service Organizations) takes care of the military.

Whether it's free tickets to the Radio City (Rockettes) Concert ((which I may or may not have stood in line for 3 hrs on Sunday to get only to miss out by just a few people)) or calling cards to those that are deployed, they are there.

I haven't been on the up and up the past few years but that's what I have military friends for right?

My girlfriend called me up Saturday and swung by my house to pick me and Lael up for some USO Kids Christmas Event.

I wasn't sure what to expect but the USO never hardly disappoints. 

We go there and they were giving aways tickets for door prizes which included kids bikes and more.

There was free dinner, popcorn, cotton candy, treats, face painting, and even a Gingerbread House for the kids to climb through (yeah, it was that big).

But of course no Christmas event is complete without a Santa.  Even though he looked like he was maybe 25, the kids loved him.

Thanks USO for a fun filled night.  Especially because it was free, free, free.

Go! Go! Go!

I'm 5 months now.  Seriously.

It seems like time has flown but at the same time is dragging along.

I can't wait to hold my little bundle in my arms.

I had an appt Friday and was supposed to have my Sonagram to determine the sex but of course nothing goes as planned.

Apparently some things didn't work out and my appt was scheduled correctly.  I did get checked and got to hear the little heartbeat so things are perfectly normal.

However I have to find out until Jan 8th to find out the sex.  I am a little relieved so now I can focus on the holidays and deal with buying the baby things later.

So, there you have it.  5 months and counting.  Go baby go! Keep on growin'!

Christmas Party #1

Take a good look.

It's me and my mother-in-law at my work Christmas Party last night.

Take another good look.

I believe my body is officially gone.  Because of that, from now on you will only see my face or just my belly.  No more whole body shots. M'kay?
Not until after the baby and many, many rounds of the 30 Day Shred. LOL!

We had a blast though.  Good food, good drinks (for everyone but me), dancing and lots of pictures.

Just what I need to give me that EXTRA Christmas Spirit. ;o)

Christmas Spirit

I've been a bit of a slacker since Thanksgiving.  Don't get me wrong, I did get up my Christmas tree.

But everything else....not so much.

Lael has been on my ass everyday about putting the rest of our lights up in the window and outside.

Yesterday was her last string.  I told her that we would see and she then paused and said to me calmly, "Mommy, the lights are going up, and they are going up tonight."

So naturally I did what any mother would do to her sassy child. 

I put the damn lights up.

Funny thing is she helped me for about 5 seconds before she got distracted.

So I said.  "It's funny that somone made a HUGE deal about putting up these lights but yet I don't have any helpers right now."

She then says "Mom, I'm busy, I'm making something.  Don't you have any Christmas Spirit."

Here is what she was doing as I huffed and puffed and strung the lights up.

Stocking.  Made out of construction paper.  Taped to my kitchen counters.

I don't have the heart to take them down.

Here's the one she made for D.

And of course she made her own.

I have lots of Christmas Spirit. 

But if she doesn't make me a damn stocking too, the lights are coming down.

Just kidding.

No, really. :o)

The Nutcracker

Last week I chaperoned Lael’s field trip.  We were lucky enough to see the Washington Ballet perform The Nutcracker.

This was Lael’s second time seeing this performance.   She and her fellow 1st graders sat silently through the entire play in silence.

Too bad I couldn’t say the same for the 4th graders.

They were gorgeous, graceful and elegant.  She wants to see it again next year.

It’s funny how traditions accidentally happen.

Not that I mind at all.

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

ICE!

Last Saturday my MIL took me and the girls to the DC National Harbor.  There they had an ICE Exhibit.  Ice sculptures that were GORGEOUS!

See that red carpet?  It covered ice.  Yes, we were almost literally walking on ice.  It was mmmmm….9 degrees in there.  I dressed the girls in tights, fleece sweat pants, 2 pairs of socks, winter boots, undershirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, coat, hat, gloves and scarf and then on top of that they give you parka ohen you get there.  Oh, and best believe you NEED that extra parka.

We took pictures on an ice sculpted sleigh and the tour was even complete with slide made out of ice.
Check out Lael’s expression as she came off the slide for the first time. 

Awesome! Cold….but awesome!

What Joy Looks Like

We got our first snow of the season on Saturday. It filled us with so much joy!

Life has been so different for me lately. I have so much to say but can't manage to get it out.

I've missed you bloggy friends. And I've still been silently stalking you all, just haven't commented like I usually do.

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The pregnancy has been going wonderfully! I have my next appt on Friday. I'm hoping they take a peek to see the sex but my hopes are not up.

Can you all believe I will be 5 months in 4 days?!

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I have been so disconnected from my camera lately and had almost forgotten how much I love to take pictures. My goal will be to post a picture everyday from now until the New Year. Wish me luck!

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Today was Parent/Teacher Conf day. You all know how nervous I was, especially after getting her report card. The good thing was that I've chaperoned the last 2 field trips and have gotten a lot of 1-on-1 time with her teacher. Because of that, she had already expressed some of her concerns with me. I have been focusing alot of my time working with my baby and keeping her from having to repeat the 1st grade.

So today was kind of a big day. Well, all my hard work has paid off. She said that she didn't know what I was doing but she has noticed a drastic change in Lael. She is participating, her handwriting has improved, her reading is at 60% and she is only required to be at 30% right now. She does still need work with her math but that is normal. I was so relieved! She's such a smart kid and now it's showing.

My point is, not everything is perfect right now but if this may be as close to it as I will get for now. And because of that, I am joyful.

Christmas With A Blended Family

Christmas.

It's a wonderful time of year.  It's actually my favorite time of year.  It's sad that people are usually only nice during these next few months and not so much the rest of the year.

That being said, as excited as I am to have this season upon us I am also stressed.

The stress comes from being a part of a blended family.

I love D with all my heart.  I love being a step-mom.  But during the holiday's it's a challeging time.

Some may know but right now my hubby still stays at home so there is only my income.  We have adjusted our lifestyles to this but not everyone keeps that in mind.

We get D every other holiday.  Last year we had her for Thanksgiving and for her birthday (Dec 31st).

This year we get her for Christmas.

I know I should be excited about this, and believe me I am.  But some anxiety comes with that as well.

The thing is.  She gets 2 Christmases and Lael gets 1.

What I mean by this, is that I have to find a way to not let Lael's plethera of gifts trump D's few items.

How do I do this?

It has been a challenge EVERY other year.

We pay child support and her mother has spend about 2-3 hundred on her but we are expected to spend the same.

I don't agree.

I don't agree that she should get 2 full Christmases.  I can not afford to spend 3 hundred on each of the girls.  I think it's ridiculous.

A few weeks ago I had D's mom send me her Christmas list.  There were some pretty pricey items on there.

For her 6th birthday hubby bought her a Nintendo DS.  I thought it was a big gift for a little girl but he got it anyway.

She took pretty good care of it for a while untill she left it in her bike at her moms and some girl took it when she wasn't home and dropped it.  Since then it won't work unless it is plugged up.

So guess what my husband does?

He tells her he will buy her a new one.  But not a regular DS but a DSi the ones that cost about $170.

For fucking real? That was my first thought.

Then when I spoke with her mom about other gifts she mentioned a Barbie Townhouse.  Guess how much that is?

$145.  NOWAYINHELL.

Not gonna happen. 

I explained that it was impossible for me to afford that.  While she is only spending on D we have to spend for both girls. 

Somethings gotta give.

It's not that she doesn't understand it's getting D to understand.

She doesn't understand child support and that we can't send her mom $500 a month and also spend 3 on her for Christmas and still be able to provide for our other child.

All she will see is her 3 or 4 gift and Lael's 10-15 gifts.  Numbers matter not price.

Lael now saw the DSi on TV and asked for it.  How do you think she gonna feel when her sister get the new one with a camera built in and she still has her old crusty one?

Hmph.

What to do.  Get them both DSi's and then a few cheap gifts?

Sell my blood for Christmas money?

I would pimp myself out but something tells me my fat belly would repulse some.

I love Christmas time but making everyone happy can make it suck sometimes.

Through Her Eyes

She is awaken at 6:20. Way too early for a little person.

She has to be dressed because she is still half asleep.

She gets walked down the street to get picked up by a bus full of kids bigger and louder than she.

30 minutes later she drags herself to a cafeteria full of noise and tries to eat breakfast.

A day full of sit here. Don’t touch that. Listen carefully. Keep your voices low.

Story time. Art time. Music time. Chinese lessons. Lunch. Recess. Math time. Journal time.

Finally snack time.

Back on the bus for another 30 minute adventure.

Back home. Time to play. But only for a few. Homework time.

Chores.

Bath.

Bed.

Repeat.

The life of a 1st grader.

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Last Wednesday I spent the day with Lael. I went to her school. Chaperoned a field trip. And watched everything. Indoor recess. Snack time. Journal time. Chinese lesson. I have a better understanding of what type of student she is. It has helped me figure out what areas I can help her improve in.

It also gave me an understanding of how HARD life can be for such a little person. Because of this I have more patience. I got home that day and could barely keep my eyes open.

If I was exhausted I can only imagine how she feels everyday.

Remember that. School days can be tough on your little ones. Now when she has a meltdown I look down on her and smile. Not because it’s ok but because I understand.

My Thanksgiving Was Perfect Because….

   

I get to be her mother.

Hope everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving….or weekend if you don’t celebrate.

No Take Backs

I'm pregnant.

Like for real for real.

I think it kinda hits me at the weirdest times.

I realized last night in the car that I am basically starting over.

Lael has just reached the point where she is almost self sufficient.

She showers on her own, dresses herself, gets in the car and buckled unassisted.  I'm just there just in case.

You know, in case she needs me to "help" her be a big girl.  But rarely am I needed.

That will all change soon.

It will no longer be me and Lael throwing on clothes to run out on a Saturday morning to garage sale shop, or hit up the store.  Everything will be a process now.

Lael has always been a good sleeper.  Sleeping in is her THING.

On a weekend she can easily sleep in till 1030 or 11 if I let her.

That will all change soon.

What was I thinking.  I will have a crying, pooping little thing all over again.

And guess what.  It is done.

There are no take backs......

Not that I want to or anything.

Wow. What did I get myself into?

Parent Fail

I don't even know where to begin.

I don't know if it's because she's sensitive or if there's more to the story but just like anybody else she has boiling point.

And she reached that point yesterday.

Remember the beginning of last month I told yall about her "friend" bothering her on the bus?

Well since then her and the girl had been doing better.

However, she had mentioned to me another little boy and another girl and her younger brother messing around with each other on the bus.

The one little boy stuck out.  She constantly had stories of things that he was doing but I didn't really pick up on it.

Because of the baby and school I think I brushed it off as kids just being kids.  I didn't realize how much it was bothering Lael.

That is until yesterday.

I get a call from my husband yesterday saying that Lael smacked this little boy in the face and bit him on the back.

HOLYMOTHEROFALLTHINGSCRAZY!!

No.Freakin'.Way.

Yup.  It did happen.  Apparently the boy has really been picking on her and she had had enough.

The story goes like this. (Remember this is the 6yr old version)

Lael was napping on the bus when the little boy got in trouble and was told to move to a seat next to her.

The other little girl pulled Lael's shoe off and her younger brother began pulling her tights.

Lael sat up and demanded her shoe back.  The kids passes blame to one another until Lael yelled for them to give her the shoe back.

The kids laughed and the one boy said "I saw your underwear" and then the girl threw her shoe and it hit Lael in the head.

The boy then laughed and said "That was a good one."  At this point Lael turned to him and smacked him and then proceeded to try to take a chunk out of his back.

The boy supposedly moved seats and continued to say rude things at Lael.

The only way the bus coordinator found out about it was because the other kids told.  He wasn't upset or crying.

However, she had to do her job which was call us and the boys mom.

She then comes in sobbing about how her child is the victim.

I am speachless. I am literally sick to my stomach.

I could have avoided this by putting in a complaint the first time and then putting in another one when she told me this boy was bothering her.

It's just hard.  How do you differentiate kids playing around and them pickin on each other.

This led to a bigger mess.  Me and hubby argued about it because I never told him about the boy bothering her.

Now I have to go to the Youth Office and view the video tapes (yes they have cameras on the buses) with Lael and any other parents who's kids are involved this evening.

I feel so guilty.  Did she feel she had no other choice.  What am I to do?

Yeah. Happy Frickin' Friday. Ugh.

Now All I Have Left Is This Blog...and Twitter

I loved the idea of having a Blog, and Facebook, and Twitter.

It was my outlet.  I could bash my hubby and he never knew.  He didn't read my blog.  He didn't have a Facebook account and could care less about Twitter.

What my husband does love is his X-Box.  And guess what X-Box has now.  Facebook.  And guess who now has a Facebook page.

Yeah.  And guess who sent his MOTHER a Facebook request and guess who created an account also and sent ME a friend request.

So no more crazy crap.  I now have my husband and Mother-in-Law to stalk me and all of my updates on Facebook.

What is this world coming to.

I guess my updates weren't really that special to begin with. 

What Do I Do?

Guess what came on Friday?

Go on guess. 

Ok, I'll give you a hint. It ryhmes with Resort Card.

LOL! Ok, so Lael got her Report Card.

I was excited when I first opened it up.  To see how well my little genious was doing.

As I began to read it my smile slowly faded.

In her school/grade they don't get grade letters yet.  Instead they get a B=Beginning D=Developing S=Secure and for some things they got I=Independtly L=Limited Prompting F=Frequent Prompting.

Apparently Lael isn't doing as hot as I thought.  She got most ALL Beginnings on her tasks (even though I know beyond a doubt she can do more than it says) and it's seems she need a lot of Frequent Prompting for tasks.

At the end of the report card there was a note from her teacher.  It starts off by stating that Lael is a sweet child.

That was just a setup for what was to follow.

She says that Lael is often laid back and lounging in her chair.  She complains of being tired, and does not participate or seem excited about anything and that she often has to have thing re-explained to her after rest of the class is already doint their work and is very fidgity.

WTF!

My heart dropped.  I went back through the report card and it showed that Lael has trouble finishing classwork on time, listening while others are talking, and doesn't participate.  She does work well with others and seems to know that work but shows no motivation.

Ugh!

It has been really bothering me for the past few days.  Did I do something wrong?  Does Lael watch too much TV and not enough reading?  Did I make a mistake by sending her to a new school?  Did I make a mistake by letting her start early?  Is she mature enough to be in the 1st grade or should I have let her stay back in Kindergarten?

So many questions.

I do know that a lot of the information is new to her.  Going from K to 1st is a big change. 

I wasn't completely surprised though.  Lael does have a bit of trouble concentrating and following directions at home.

I can look her right in the eye and give her directions and she will walk away and then come back and say "Wait, what did you say?"  It has been a big deal at home and me and hubby have been on her about it.

I have had to repeat myself multiple times at home which is frustrating for me so I can imagine how her teacher may feel.

I have started to put her to bed at 8pm and last night decided to try 7:30.  It seemed to work fine.  Maybe 10hrs wasn't enough for her so maybe 11 will help.

I just don't know.

Me and Little Miss had a long talk and she said that she has questions in her head but she just doesn't like to ask because she doesn't like everybody looking at her.

We are working on it but I am shook.

I don't want her to fall behind.  This is the little girl who walked at 9 months, read at 3, she is capable.  I just need to give her the right tools.

At Least I Had An Excuse To Not Speak To People

We have 3 bathrooms in our house.

We have lived in this house, with the 3 bathrooms, for 6 years.

I get up for work the same time every most mornings.

I leave to catch my shuttle the same time every most mornings.

Me and Lael brush our teeth and primp ourselves in the same bathroom EVERY time.

So is there any particular reason you thought that why we were getting ready this morning you would go in said bathroom and proceed to take a dump?

Was there a need to threaten my toothbrushes life when I pounded on the door and demanded my deodarant?

Tough decisions had to be made.  I had to decide if I could afford to wait for you to finish and for the fumes to die or to go to work without brushing my teeth and deodarant on.

Yeah. Well.  Good thing I keep things like that in my locker at work.

I sure needed them today.

Let's not let that happen again hubby, m'kay?

Let Me Bring Back The Positive (Kinda)

Whew!

My blog has been a bit of a downer lately hasn't it?

I'm totally over THAT! I'm fine. Baby's fine. Lael's fine. We're all just fine.

While at the doctor's Tuesday they took a look at the baby's bottom to find out the sex...









And it's totally too soon and they could only see it's little butt.  Nice try though.  I go back Dec. 11th and they will try try again!

Lael's been doing really great in school.  She is telling time (well only whole hours) and counting money (well nickels and pennies so far) but still great!

So remember when I mentioned those potty words she knows? Yeah, so last weekend I went to get my hair done and she played with my girlfriends kids that are around her age.

They played great until the end.  They got to fighting and came to me and said that Lael had used a bad word.  I doubted is was anything that serious.  Lael looked at me and said that they had called her game stupid.

I asked her what she then said and she said she didn't remember.

After the girls left the room I prompted her again for her word and she said "Well all I said was what the f!*k, but it just slipped out because they kept calling my game stupid!"

Seriously.Can't.Tell.You.How.Mortified.I.Was.

My girlfriend thought it was hilarious and her mom ran to the bathroom to preven peeing herself.  Lael just cried because she was embarrassed.

We spoke about it being inappropriate AGAIN but I have a feeling it will peek it's head again.

So then a few days later we are out looking at baby stuff....you know just browsing.

Lael says "Well I sure hope it's a boy.  And when I change his diapers I'll get to see his nuts."

Yup.

I have nothing else to say.  I just think she should stop talking all together.  I just can't take it anymore.

Being On The Edge

The past few days I've been on edge.

Afraid to use the bathroom.

Afraid to sneeze.

Afraid to um...poop.

I've just wanted to sit and let Bubby be. 

But life doesn't work that way.

I can't just stand still.

Life must keep going whether I like it or not.

Me and Hubby are on our way to the doctors to "ensure" everything is ok.

I'll keep you guys posted because you all have been my only friends through all this.

I'm sure I'll be panicky until I hold this little person in my arms.

Until then.  I'll be holding my breath just a little.

And That Officially Scared Me To Death

Last night started out uneventful.  I got off of work. We ate dinner, lounged around and then I did some homework. Blah.  Around 10 or so I was done and so was Lael.

I had promised her to have a PJ Party in her room which basically means I get to squeeze my fat ass in her twin sized bed.  Not my idea of fun but I do what I can to support the kids.

Lael has a twin bed with a twin trundle underneath it that is D's bed when she is here.  Lately Lael has been sleeping on the lower trundle instead of her bed.  Whatever, no big deal.

I dozed off for a bit and when I woke up my husband had come into the room to check on us.  Behind hime came our 3 dogs. He sat on the top bed and the dogs jumped up on the bed with him playing around.  I had closed my eyes again and he got up to leave.  When he did Princess, my biggest dog, jumped off the bed but instead of landing on the floor she landed on the lower bed, well to be accurated, she landed RIGHT ON MY STOMACH.

I sat up in pain.  She was scared and I told her it was ok but my stomach was a little achy.  I felt a little queasy but just thought it was because I needed to eat.  I warmed up some fried rice from the day before and ate that with a glass of ginger ale and then I got back in bed with Lael.

I fell right asleep. My stomach felt a little sore but nothing alarming.  I tossed and turned a little all night but figured it was probably the springs from the tiny bed poking me.  Then I thought I peed myself.  I got up and peeked at my pants and they were wet with blood.

I jumped out of bed and realized my pants and underwear were covered in blood.  I sat on the toilet and it was nothing but blood coming out of me.  And then a little clot and then a really big clot. Like the size of slice of bread.

I then freaked the hell out.

I ran into the other room and woke my husband.  By then I couldn't even talk. Just cry is all I could do.  I managed to explain to him what happened and he remained calm and talked me through what I needed to do.  He looked in the toilet (I was too afraid to flush it) and he said that he didn't think it was the baby.

I continued to freak.  I had already been panicky about this pregnancy and this just did me in.

I got dressed and decided I was driving myself to the ER. My husband wanted to take me but I refused for him to drag Lael out of the bed at 5am and scare her to death.

I left.

They saw me right away.  The nurse asked me how far along I was and I started to cry as I told her I was supposed to be 12 weeks today.

She was very comforting and said that they would get me in right away.

The doctor came in after I changed and layed on a pad (in case there was more bleeding).  Being an ER doctor he was not familiar with the ultrasound machine but he figured it out enough for both me and him to see Bubby.  Safely where he should be.  Moving around and being, you know, alive.

The machine then shut off and he couldn't get it back on.  He left out and got the Doppler machine and we were able to hear the heartbeat (my first time HEARING it and not just SEEING it.)  It was just right. 

Everything seemed ok but he wanted to check my cervix to be sure it was still closed and to ensure I was no longer bleeding.

Great news.  It was completely closed.  The bleeding had completely stopped.

Because I am RH Negative he had to give me a shot of Rogam to prevent my body producing the anitbodies that are harmful to the baby so my butt is a little numb from that.

He wasn't sure if the bleeding came from the dog jumping on me or why I clotted so much instead of a light bleed.  But for now Bubby is safe.  I am safe.  We are safe.

I am resting.  Because I'm afraid to do much of anything else.  We are safe and I pray that things stay that way.

I will be calling my OB to get an appointment sooner rather than later.

Let Me Introduce You To....

Bubby.

And that is all.  Happy Friday my friends!

Trust, There's MORE Than Enough Of Me To Go Around

My mother-in-law is a planner.  I mean if we are going somewhere next year it's already planned out.  So naturally when she found out I was expecting she began to plan the baby shower.  Yes. Already.

It's in April.  April 17th to be exact.  You are all invited.  Seriously.  Send me an email if you are going to be in the DC/MD/VA area and you want to meet me and come.  Ahem.  So anyway, the date and location is already set.

Her house. Food, DJ (yes, a DJ!) and all my friends and family members that I can actually stand. 

Originally I had a few friends that had said they wanted to "help" out with the planning of the shower.  My MIL had been bugging me for 3 or 4 weeks to get her their information so that she could put together her baby shower "committee". 

So just Monday night I gave her the email addresses of 3, just 3 of my friends.  That is when all hell broke loose.

I had no idea that separately 2 of my friends are sweet and great and full of awesomenes. But together, planning something for me.  Not so much.

Everyone wants to be in charge.  Everyone claims to be my bestest, most special friend and know me the best and what I would like the best and blah blah blah.

For fucking real?  What's the deal?  I had my oldest friend calling me at work yesterday (yes only 2 days since I had sent out the original email) bitchin' about how unorganized it was and that she was taking over.

I had my other BF calling me to do my registry right then and there with her on the phone and telling me that she was sending out invitations.

Then I had my sister-in-law bitchin' with them about what the theme of the party was going to be.  The baby's room is going to be Classic Pooh so that is what she was aiming for.  But everyone else wants to wait until next month to find out the sex and blah blah blah.

By yesterday afternoon me and my MIL had had enough!  I remembered my "work mom" (our office secretary whom I love dearly) wanted to help plan. She is older, maybe in her late 50's and is the best party planner I've ever known.

I told my MIL and we both agreed to let her take it over.  My MIL sent her and email asking if she wanted to take charge and she agreed.  Immediately she sent out an email to my MIL with all her ideas and what colors will be used and she's doing the cake and punch to match the decorations and blah blah blah.

I love it.  She was just what the doctor ordered.  She will take charge and tell them other heffers what to do, when to do it and how.

Carlota. Where the hell are you when I need you Mrs. Germany?

Anyway, it's under control now.  I don't know what the big deal was.  When all the wrappers and cake is gone it will be just me with my kids.

Don't think they'll be fighting over me then. Huh? Will they?

Didn't think so.

In Which I Will Catch Yall Up

Alot has happened since last Thursday morning.  Let break this down by day.

Thursday:

-Lael turned 6. Yes, 6. I'm officially old.
-I took Lael to her school Halloween parade
-She went through the haunted house and came out with any tears
-I hit my head on a railing and almost gave myself a concussion (seriously, I even had the knot to prove it)
-Got home and felt like I was getting the flu (I didn't but I felt like crap)

Friday:
-I had my 10wk appt. I saw Bubby (the baby). And the heartbeat. Everything is GREAT!!! :o)

-I got my H1N1 vaccination. Ouch!

-Got Lael the Flu Mist (she said it tickled)

-Took Lael to the base Halloween Parade and then Trick O' Treating (they celebrated on Fri instead of Sat)
-Hubby went to pick up D so I had to do all the walking myself. My feet were DONE!

Saturday:
-Did midterms in the morning
-Took Lael and D to get us all Manis and Pedis for La's birthday.  It was all kinds of great!.

-Met up with 13 family members at Applebees to celebrate Lael's birthday. She loved it

-Stayed the night with MIL so the kids could give out candy at her house.
-Woke up at 5am because I was hot. Lael was on fire. MIL didn't have a thermometer.
-Drove around in the dark and pouring rain looking for a 24hr CVS. 
-Turns out Lael had a fever of 103.4 and had an awful cough. Gave Lael medicine.  It worked.

Sunday:

-Woke up and Lael was brand new.
-Went to breakfast and got home in time to shower and get back in the car.
-Took D home and met up with BF to get baby stuff for Bubby.
-Went shopping at Target to spend Lael's $150 in Target gift cards.
-Got home and stayed up till almost midnight finishing mid terms.

Monday and Tuesday haven't been too intresting. Just work. And recouperating. And remembering I planned Lael a surprise sleepover for Saturday.  Guess I won't be getting too much rest.

Oh, here are some picutres. Enjoy!

So This Is Six

Another year has passed. 

You have grown just a little bit more.

You’ve learned so much, you’ve changed so much, you love so so much.

At six, you can do many things that I never imagined you could.

You can shower all by yourself.  I mean get a towel, turn on the water, turn the shower spout on just the right temp and actually shower.

You can dress yourself, brush your teeth without me having to inspect your job.

You can pour your own drinks. Unload the dishwasher, change the trash in the bathrooms.

You feed the dogs, clean up your own messes and tie your own shoes.

You make your bed, put away your laundry and sometimes mine!

You command attention when you walk in a room.  You are the class clown but also one of the smartest.

You have so many thoughts and you try your best to get them all out before it’s time for bed.

You are concerned about other’s feeling.  This trait will take you far in life.

You don’t mind being alone.  You play well with others but value having time to yourself.

You have such a vivid imagination and manage to sweep others around you into your world.

I am sad to see you grow so fast but at the same time am overly excited to see the young woman you will become.

You are the reason.

The reason for me.  I would not be the woman I am if it weren’t for you.

You have changed me in so many ways I will never be able to fully grasp.

Like we say every night. You are my favorite and my best.

I love you more than love itself.

Happy Birthday Ladybug!

And Then I Blinked

I remember when you wouldn't leave my side.

I couldn't go anywhere without you tagging along.

If I left the house for the store you would run outside barefoot to make me stop and wait for you.

You used to make me play with you at the park instead of playing with the other kids.

But something was different about you last Friday.

You held my hand all the way up to the school doors. 

But once we went inside and you spotted your friends, you were no longer mine.

You belonged to them.  Your group of best friends.

You danced with them.

You laughed with them.

You whispered secrects in their ears.

You held hands with them.

You chased them around.

They made you laugh.

I sat on the sidelines staying out of your way.

Far enough for you to have your space but close enough to see you at all times.

I don't know when you grew up.  I supposed it was when I blinked.

It was time to leave.  I was a little sad that I didn't have as much fun with you as I thought I would.

But the most important thing was that you had fun.

But before we left our favorite song came on.

I blinked again. 

Then you grabbed my hand.

You asked me to dance.

I picked you up and you laughed, you smiled, you squealed, and you whispered to me.

The words you said made me remember that though you have grown up you are still my baby.

"Mommy, I saved the best dance for you because you are my best friend."

Ditto baby. Ditto.

It's No Starbucks Or Dunkin' Donuts But It'll Do

When the weather starts to get cool I break out my coffee mug.

But Keyona, you may ask, I thought you didn't drink coffee?

Ha! I don't silly.  I use my pink Breast Cancer coffee travel mug for my Hot Chocolate!  Hubby has become all sappy and crap (it could be because I'm carrying his child) and brought it home for me a few weeks ago.

Awww...how sweet. Yeah. Ok.

So the problem?  I am so tired in the morning that I don't have time to make the Cocoa before I leave the house. 

But Keyona, you may ask, why not just get up a few minutes earlier?

Did you really just ask me that? Pfff!

Anyway, you would never guess what came via UPS yesterday afternoon after I got home from work.

Go on, guess.  Go ahead.  You will never figure it out.  Ok maybe you will but humor me m'kay?

Yes people.  You are looking at a Mr. Coffee Cocomotion Hot Chocolate Maker (no I did not make up the name).

Seriously!?

I didn't know such heavens exsisted.  You can bet your money that this puppy was cleaned and prepped for the next morning.

All I had to do was pour my milk in it this morning, push a button and pour it in my mug before I left.

If all I had to do was be pregnant to get such treasures from hubby I would have a couple of litters for him.

Ok, maybe not, but can you blame me for thinking it?