Monday, June 30, 2008

Best Deal

Gotta love Craigslist.

$150 pack n play for $20!!!!



Photobucket


10 year Reunion

I'm sure for a lot of people coming up to your 10 year reunion really isn't that big of a deal. Honestly, it really isn't. If you go your just going to find out who got hitched, who didn't, who had 10 kids, who hasn't had any....etc.

This year is my 10 year reunion (Go Archers!!) and I don't really have a choice if I can go or not because it's planned for August 15-17th. Considering I turn 37weeks on August 18th I'm seriously doubt my doctor would ever approve of making a 12hr drive each way for a weekend event. So sadly I must miss it. And honestly, it is sorta sad to me. Thanks to the sites like myspace i've actually been able to get in touch with people I went to school with. I just haven't been able to see most of them again since we are spread all over teh country. It would have been awesome to get together and see everyone and all that jazz.

Oh well...there is always the 20 year right??

Sunday, June 29, 2008

30 weeks

How your baby's growing:Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and she weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds her, but that volume will decrease as she gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. When she does open them, she'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means she can only make out objects a few inches from her face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

You may be feeling a little tired these days, especially if you're having trouble sleeping. You might also feel clumsier than normal, which is perfectly understandable. Not only are you heavier, but the concentration of weight in your pregnant belly causes a shift in your center of gravity. Plus, thanks to hormonal changes, your ligaments are more lax, so your joints are looser, which may also contribute to your balance being a bit off. Also, this relaxation of your ligaments can actually cause your feet to spread permanently, so you may have to invest in some new shoes in a bigger size.Remember those mood swings you had earlier in pregnancy? The combination of uncomfortable symptoms and hormonal changes can result in a return of those emotional ups and downs. It's normal to worry about what your labor will be like or whether you'll be a good parent. But if you can't shake the blues or feel increasingly irritable or agitated, talk to your doctor or midwife. You may be among the 1 in 10 expectant women who battle depression during pregnancy. Also let your caregiver know if you're frequently nervous or anxious.

I got the giggles

Read this blog entry first..... Default Exercise.

Now I'm sure you could understand why it was so funny to me when Friday night Robyn gets to our house and with in an hour of being here announces...."I can't find my keys!".

Friday, June 27, 2008

Monkey Munch...Recipe for Later Use

Obviously I can't make this now or my dietician my blow up in flames and smoke from shock at my testing numbers. I wanted to save it cause i fully intend on making some after this baby makes his appearance!!


9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions
Put chex in a large bowl and put aside
Place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter into a quart-sized microwavable bowl.
Stir the ingredients together.
Microwave the mixture uncovered for a minute on "high." Stir the mix again and continue to zap in thirty second intervals until it mixes smoothly.
Add the vanilla and stir.
Pour over the cereal while stirring.
Put combination into a 2-gallon, Ziploc freezer bag.
Add powdered sugar, seal the bag and shake until distributed.
Spread mixture out on wax paper to cool and dry.
Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for storage.

6 years

I've been at my job officially now 6 years today. And it's a running joke in my office that it's surprising I didn't quit in the first month or get fired with in the first year. I'm fairly well known for stating my opinions and not always in the best of ways. Come on though, would you expect less? I'm a hot headed red head who comes from a long line of bad tempered women. LOL I know I've come a long way in the last 6 years though. Seriously, if some of you knew me in those early days, surely you would have fired me. Ok, I'm not saying that with pride. Maybe more like astonishment myself. Because I guess it means I really am growing up. Gone are my days of job hopping and just floating through life. I think one year I filed like 8 w2's for my taxes the year before. You do the math.......not so pretty is it?

My boss called me this morning to say happy anniversary which is shocking to most of us here. Usually any birthday or anniversary is forgotten until a few weeks later when he happens to glance at his calander. Our conversation went something like this...

"Happy Anniversary"
"Good grief I can't believe you remembered! So what do I get after 6 years being here?"
"You just got it..."
"A phone call??"
"Yup"
"Geesh, I need one of those t-shirts then that say...."6 year working anniversary and all I got was a lousy phone call. I complained and they finally got me this t-shirt".
"You don't even want to see what I got at 6 years"
"Haha....ya...............ME!!!!"


"

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Thats it....

I'm grounding this little stinker already and he isn't even born yet!! Seriously, what kid should be allowed to drop kick his parent all day from the inside out with no break?? Or using my rib cage to push against as he sticks his butt as far out as he can?? A woman can only take so much you know.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Cravings

My latest craving....

Photobucket


totally sucks I can't have it either.

Post Office Humor

The other day i went by the post office to pick up my mail and had one of those slips saying a package had arrived that wouldn't fit in the box. Would I please see an attendant to pick it up. Of course our post office is never empty so by the time I got to the front my back and feet were hurting from standing and I probably looked how I felt. I walked up to the lady and told her I needed to pick up a delivery. She very brightly said "Well ma'am you have certainly come to the right place for deliveries....but keep in mind we don't deliver babies".

Yes I laughed.

Sunday, June 22, 2008

3 rooms = 1 Baby

Today was our official hospital tour. Although I've been through this before, baby E will be arriving at a different hospital and I really wanted to know their lay out adn procedures and all that. Although this new hospital has some benefits the other one did not, like free movies and wireless internet access it also has the disadvantage of the whole process being spread out over 3 rooms. 4 if for some reason you end up in an unplanned c-section.

First there is the lovely triage where they get to monitor you for a bit to make sure you really are in labor, get you changed into a gown, do some initial paperwork, etc. Then there is the delivery room where you go unless it's a planned c-section. nothing special about that unless your intrigued by the transformer bed and such. Then finally there is the recovery room when you spend the 48hrs after baby arrives. No guarantee that itw ill be a private room either. They have some private but if it's really busy then people start going into the semi-private rooms which share tv's adn bathrooms and all that. Personally, I really hope there is no full moon when this babe decides to arrives. The idea of hanging otu there for a complete stranger to see.....just not enticing to me.

Course being back in the hospital on a maternity floor just makes ya realize how close it is. Only 7 more weeks till we are considered full term and he could arrive any time. With the GD and blood pressure issues it wouldn't surprise me if he were early either. And to think......we haven't even put together the nursery yet!

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Another good Blog

Check out 15 Minute Lunch!

1930's Marital Scale

I'm apparently just Average.....hmmm. Actually I was surprised to even get that!

42

As a 1930s wife, I am
Average

Take the test!

Monday, June 16, 2008

I'm a Princess

You Are Cinderella!
Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Dignified and hard working. With a gentle and soft-spoken manner you have something many people don't. Patience. Even through the moments of heartbreak you're still able to hold onto all of your hopes and dreams. Bide your time; your dream will come true.


Which Disney Princess Are You?

Seriously people...

I have been meaning to post this all weekend but we actually got pretty busy and I hadn't had a chance yet. This blog is going to be dedicated to those people who use the self check outs in Walmart. For those who don't know what they are these give people in the store the option of checking yourself out. You scan, bag, and pay for all your items yourself. Typically there are 4 of them in a group however it's no guarantee that all 4 will be working at the same time. They are also typically located right next to the express check outs for those people with only a few items. I do believe there intent was to allow people to get through lines faster with out having to have more cashiers. Usually there is just one person who monitors the main terminal for any problems and to make sure people aren't pretending to scan items.

I love using these machines and think they are a great invention.....when used properly. Here's just a few tips I'd love to give people in case they are wondering if these machines might be suitable for them as well. Any of the reasons below should be an indicator to pass up the self check out option and proceed directly to the nearest cashier.

*Your cart is so full of grocery items that you need a second and third cart to transfer the bagged items too. You'll notice the little conveyor belt on these machines is just that....little. If you can't get everything in your cart onto the conveyor so that you can use the same cart to place your bagged items...please move on The only exception to this should be when the store is very slow and anyone coming up after you can either use another machine or get through a cashier quickly.

*If you have never scanned or rung up a single item in your life on your own, especially if you are purchasing produce items which involve looking up codes. Please leave it to the professionals. Everyone gets through faster when you do this as it takes you three times longer to look for the barcode on every single item and scroll through every page of the produce list.

*If you have any items your not sure you want to purchase. Everyone has done this at some point. You get to the register and the whole time you have been debating if you really do need that new movie or what ever. When the attendant has to spend her time with only you constantly voiding items there is an issue. Especially when there are several other people using the machines with their own problems as well.

Now for those who do use the machines here are a few more tips for you as well.

*Put everything on the conveyor and then move your cart up to load it as you bag items. Seriously, having to dig through bagged items to get to the ones on the bottom takes way longer than the 2 minutes it would have taken to put them all up to begin with.

*Use both hands. Unless you have a broken bone somewhere on one arm then use them BOTH. You can get way more done this way and avoid fewer glares from people behind you.

*If you do go through with an obscenely large amount of items, and notice the person directly behind you only has 2 or 3 (and even is very obviously pregnant)....let them go ahead of you! Trust me, they will greatly appreciate it and won't be trying to think of ways to make snide remarks about your inconsiderate behavior.

*Don't let your kids scan or bag the items when the store is busy. Seriously, I'm sure they could use a learning experience but when every line is packed 10 people long, the last thing they want is you spending 20 minutes explaining to them waht a barcode is and how items should be bagged. Save it for a time when the store is slow and your not holding up a mob.

*When bagging it's pretty simple when you think about the basics. You scan item, put it in bag. System has built in weight that double checks what you scanned to make sure your not trying to scam them. So if you scan it, bag it, and pull it off immediately fo course the system isn't going to recognize it was bagged hence having to do the skip bagging button. The problem beng that after so many times the system automatically throws up an error to the attendant and locking the system from future scanning until they clear it. You'll notice that each machine comes with 2 bagging racks. For future use fill one bag then move onto the 2nd one. When the 2nd one is full pull the first one off and fill the next in line. Then go back to #2. This allows time for the scale to verify the items, you move faster, and the attendant spends less time trying to make sure you not stealing.

I think thats it for now but I'm sure I'll think o fmore lady. And to the lady with $400 in groceries who went through self check out on Saturday and peak time....shame on you! And be glad I had my 4 year old with me when you cut me off in the parking lot while leaving. I was so tempted to show you just how inconciderate you were!

Funnies

PREGNANCY Q & A -->-->-->
Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth. Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational. A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Can't Wait!!

The Other Boleyn Girl is now out on DVD and available on my netflix account. yea!!! I just sent back a couple movies and as long as there isn't a huge rush for the movie I should have it for this weekend. So that means on Saturday I'll be wearing J out at the pool so she crashes hard that night and I can watch my movie uninterrupted while X is out playing his D&D game. Woohoo!!!

"Director Justin Chadwick's opulent historical drama stars Natalie Portman as Anne Boleyn and Scarlett Johansson as her sister, Mary -- beautiful, ambitious sisters vying for the heart of powerful but intemperate King Henry VIII (Eric Bana). Though both women are the monarch's mistresses, only one can become his queen consort -- but at what cost? The supporting cast includes Kristin Scott Thomas and Jim Sturgess."

Monday, June 9, 2008

HOT HOT HOT

Anyone notice how crazy the weather has been?? I drove to a babyshower on saturday and nearly melted even with the A/C going full blast in the car. So since our thermostat got to this...


Photobucket


we decided to do this....


Photobucket


Ahhhh....so relaxing! Anyone jealous?


Sunday, June 8, 2008

I failed...

The majority of preggo woman have to take that dreaded 1hr glucose test. You know where they fool you into drinking something that is supposed to resemble either orange or red soda but it's highly concentrated sugar. Then they draw your blood and make sure your body is processing the sugar right. Well I got the results on mine and apparently didnt' do well at all. So instead of just treating us for the issue the doctors apparently think it would be great to torture us some more and perform a 3 hour test. yes, it's exactly what that says. You drink even more of that dreadful drink, then wait around for 3 hours for them to draw blood and check results again. Only then if you fail do they proceed with treating you. If you pass well great...you just went through that pretty much for nothing and your 1hour test was probably a fluke. Tomorrow...I get to be one of those lucky people to experience the 3hr test. not only do I get to experience it, I have to be at the hospital by 6:40am. That means leaving my house by 5:15am at the latest to allow for travel time an ddropping off J. On top of that...I can't eat a single thing before the test. So it means it will probably be close to 11am before I can get a bite to eat. From past experience...that won't be a pretty site. In fact, from past experience I wonder if I'm even more likely to fail this one too. We'll see I guess.

New Project

Since I can't decorate for baby E yet since we're pending a big move I had to find something else to do with my time that was baby related and might satisfy that baby mania....at least temporarily. So i decided to make him a blanket. J has a beautiful pink crochet blanket that my best friends mom made. She loves it but I had to put it up since she likes to pick fuzz and stick it up her nose. So it's been put away until she outgrows that phase. I was thinking though that it would be nice for baby E to have a nice blue blanket that he could grow up with. So here is where I'm at. 4 days later and 2 things of yarn.....any guesses how long it will take and how much more yarn??


Photobucket


Friday, June 6, 2008

Crazy People In Our Neighborhood

This story was in the news this morning.....

"A man is charged with trying to abduct a four-year-old standing in line with his mother at an Oceanfront business
Police say Steve Vernon Fleming, 54, grabbed the boy at the Dairy Queen on Atlantic Avenue around 8:50 p.m.
The child’s mother ran after him and wrestled with the man, eventually getting her son free.
They went back to other family sitting at a table.
Fleming then allegedly tried to get the boy to leave his family, but he ran off when officers arrived. He was caught nearby.
Fleming is charged with one count of attempted abduction. "

All I have to say is that man is aweful lucky he could walk away after that mom got done with him. if it had been me....well he wouldn't have gotten a 2nd chance.

***Sniff Sniff***

J completed preschool and got her certificate today. Yes, I'll admit it, I got teary eyed on several occasions. I don't think I was the only one either. It was just one of those days that is a reminder that our kiddos are growing up!


Photobucket


Photobucket


Photobucket




Sunday, June 1, 2008

3 days later...

Took this a little bit ago......what ya think?

Must Try Recipe

J helped me make this tonight and had a blast helping and then totally chowed down on it. We made some sweet corn as a veggie and it went together quite well. Defintely one I'll be using for after baby cause it only took about 10 mins to put it all together.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 lb of cubed boneless skinless chicken breast
1 package of Stove Top Stuffing
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 can of Cream of Chicken soup (I used low fat and low sodium)
1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheeseDirections:

PREHEAT oven to 400°F. Place chicken in 13x9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle with garlic powder.Combine stuffing mix with 1 cup (250 mL) water. SPREAD Cream of chicken soup and then shredded cheese over chicken. Top with stuffing mixture. BAKE 30 min. or until chicken is cooked through.

Oh ya, I didn't have any garlic powder on hand so I just used some of the Mrs. Dash garlic seasoning. I'm not sure if it made it better than the other version but it was still good so you could probably play with that part of the seasoning if you weren't big on the garlic powder

Half Over

In case some of you haven't noticed it's freakin JUNE!!! The year is half over already. Where did it go?

Number of Visitors