Tough Times

Well, our little family is going through some tough times lately. BUT, I know that God is good and He is faithful and will bring us through this time and make us stronger. Sometimes I wonder when it will all be over, all this struggling. Will it ever be over or will it just be another thing to worry about after that? I have been trying so hard lately not to worry, but to leave everything in God's hands and trust that He will help us through. That is hard, though, when dealing with other people. "Don't worry, landlord, God will provide the rest of the rent in His timing." Not sure that would go over too well. It's looking like I am going to have to find a job. Not as easy as it sounds. Who is going to want to hire someone who will have to leave to have a baby in about 3 months? I'm thinking about looking into a temp agency or something. Any ideas?
Through all this, though, I am continually amazed at the blessings and the joy that God has brought into my life. I have a great husband who I love and who loves me, a wonderful little son who is the light of my life and a baby daughter on the way who, so far, seems healthy and perfect. I am blessed richly.

The Stop and Shop Chronicles

Part 1

I was at the grocery store today picking up some formula for Oliver and since I only had 2 items I decided to go to the self-checkout lane. I had a coupon for $4.50 off the formula, but it would not scan. I tried in vain for a few minutes and then reluctantly pushed the help button. After waiting what seemed like an eternity I was tempted to give up and save the coupon for another time. But $4.50...that's alot and we need those savings this week. So, I waited patiently trying to scan my coupon all the while. Then a woman slowly approached me looking confused as to why I would have pushed the button. I tell her, "My coupon won't scan." Her helpful comment? "Well, it should." Duh, that is why I called you over here, lady. If it shouldn't have scanned then I wouldn't have even tried. My pregnancy hormones made me cranky about that comment. She manually entered in my savings and we all lived happily ever after.
The End

Part 2

Saturday I was again at the grocery store trying to get all my shopping done before the big blizzard. (Along with the entire town of Weymouth, incidentally) I had been feeling kind of tired and emotional all day, but I knew I had to get this done before I was housebound for who knows how long. So, I got my veggies and then took my number for the incredibly crowded deli counter. There isn't much I hate more than waiting in line at the deli. I think the best invention was that computer thingy that lets you order the cold cuts and then pick them up in 15 minutes after you do the rest of your shopping. Though, most of the time I forget about picking them up...but that is another story. I digress... So, I am standing amidst the crowd and suddenly begin to feel not-so-good. I try shifting my weight back and forth thinking that maybe I had locked my knees or something (bridesmaid syndrome), that didn't help. I stood there thinking about what to do. Do I abandon my cart and veggies and go home? No, I've made it this far in line, they are a few calls away from my number, I can stick it out. I try putting my head down on the handle of the cart. Still not any better, my number is getting closer, what to do? Then, my ears started ringing, my vision got dark and I knew I was going down. Falling down if I didn't sit down quickly. So, I wheel my cart over to the side as I hear them announce my number (Nooooooo!) and tell this nice gentleman next to me that I am going to pass out. I then proceed to sit on the nasty filthy floor with my head between my legs. The poor old man is freaking out, telling me to relax, not to get up, etc. I have to explain about 5 times that I am not diabetic but I am pregnant and NO, I do not need an ambulance! I was so embarrassed. But, everyone was so nice about it and two people called Joel for me, which sent him into quite the panic. This nice woman stayed with me while I was waiting for Joel. She talked my ear off, it almost made me wish I did lose consciousness, or at least my hearing. Joel arrived and by then I was feeling much better and wanted to finish the shopping. Joel wouldn't hear of it and made me come strait home and lay down. Turns out I just got overheated with my coat on inside and my blood pressure dropped. Pretty common in this stage of pregnancy, I'm told. Now I feel weird going into the store, like they have a picture up of me with a "Pass Out Warning" label. "Watch out for this one, she's trouble." Joel has forbidden me to go shopping by myself now. Yeah right, like he will do it! He'll go and do it once and then he'll be like "Well, I guess you are ok now. You can do the shopping."
The End

Oh Mah Gosh...

OK, check THIS out. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. Not only is it so not attractive, but it looks oh-so-uncomfortable. Why would anyone wear this? I know a thing or two about being pregnant and I know that I would never a) want my preggers belly hanging out for all to see and b) want anything riding up that high anywhere on my body. Pregnancy is all about trying to make yourself more comfortable. What is up with Katie Holmes anyway? Is she really a naive little girl being sucked in by Tom Cruise and his Scientology friends or is that just the Joey Potter image that she cannot shake? The whole situation is just weird. There is something about celebrities being pregnant that gives me a little satisfaction. Like, now I know that they are not all perfect and pretty all the time. Pregnancy makes them gain weight and get hemorrhoids and stretch marks and heart burn and saggy boobs. Like when Britney Spears was pregnant I just felt like saying "Hah - take that, Miss Perfect Body! Hope you enjoy those stretch marks!" Is there something wrong with me?

You Know It's Bad When....

...you can smell the poopy diaper from outside the baby's room, with the door closed. I went in to get Oliver this morning and I got way more than I bargained for. I will spare you the details, but it wasn't pretty. Not what I look forward to dealing with first thing in the morning.
You know why I love my OB/GYN? Because she says things like "You gained some weight...good girl." I think I'll always be pregnant.
My parents are in Florida for 6 weeks. They offered to pay our way to go and visit them, but we opted not to this year. Trying to be responsible and what not. Now I wish we were going. I sure could use a vacation with some sun and a pool. (And a Grammie to take care of Oliver every waking moment) Granted we really can't afford a vacation right now, even if they paid our way, but a girl can dream can't she?

Girl Power

So, did I mention we are having a girl? We are. At first we really wanted another boy, but the more I think about it, the more I am glad that it is a girl. Lastnight, Joel and Oliver were tooting away and laughing and I don't know if I can take 3 of those! Another girl on my side to say "Ewwww" with will be nice. Although, my girl will probably end up joining right in with the tooting!

Metamorphosis

It seems like Oliver is transitioning into toddlerhood rather quickly. In the last month he has sprouted three teeth, is pulling up on anything and everything and can crawl faster than his preggers mommy can keep up with. He is an accident waiting to happen! It's like he has "baby-gate radar", as soon as we take one of them down he is off in that direction in a flash. It is much harder work than when we could put him in one spot and he would stay and play for a while, but it is also so much fun to see him exploring and figuring stuff out. He is learning so fast these days, I feel like he has a new trick every day.
Here's a funny thing, I was having this really bizarre dream lastnight (they're even more bizarre when you are pregnant!) and I remember thinking in my dream that I should blog about what was happening. Of course I can't really remember it now, but I thought it was funny that I would dream about blogging.

By the way...

It encourages me to blog when people comment...just so ya know.

Like Father Like Son

So, I've decided to start planning Oliver's birthday party since I will be super-pregnant by then, and may not be too into birthday party planning or carrying out. I've been thinking about what kind of cake to make and have decided that the only things he really likes at this point are my boobs. Therefore, I think I should make a boob cake. Seriously, even though he is not nursing anymore, he is obsessed with them. He is constantly pulling my shirt down and raspberrying my chest and now they have become handy handles for pulling himself up. Not fun. I told Joel of my idea and he said he wants a boob cake too. Go figure...

Top Ten Reasons Why New Year's Eve Was Sad

1. We're Getting Old. There used to be a time when we would brave the bitter cold and go into First Night in Boston and stay up almost all night...not so anymore. Now we just hang in with some friends and head home as soon as the ball drops.

2. Dick Clark. Did anyone else find themselves choked up while he was doing the countdown? Poor man can hardly talk! What happened to the ageless, invincible, robotic Dick Clark? I could barely make it through the countdown. It was painful to listen to him.

3. Janice and Chris' Upstairs Neighbor. As we were coming into their condo, we could hear the people upstairs talking and the wife told the husband that she wanted to file for divorce. Then the poor man just left. Happy New Year...

4. Ok, there is no # 4. I guess it should be top three reasons, but those are biggies - they can count for three or so each. Don't get me wrong, I had a fun time on New Year's Eve. It's just different, and sometimes different is sad.

Merry Christmas

One of the things I love about the Christmas season is the radio station that plays continuous Christmas music. Not just because I like Christmas music, but because the Gospel is being preached loud and clear and they don't even know it. I always think to myself while I am listening to a "real" Christmas song that there must be someone out there who is listening and searching for the truth and it hits them as they hear the words to O Holy Night or Joy to the World. At least that is my prayer. What other time of year would you hear the Barenaked Ladies singing about how Jesus Christ is the Savior and came to save the world from Satan's power? I love it.
In other news, Oliver is sick. This is his first real sickness. He is "throwing and going" as my mother would say. Yesterday was worse than today. It's amazing what motherhood does to you. As he was throwing up green peas, I found myself putting my hand out to catch the vomit. Then I thought "Ugh, why did I just do that?" Then, as he was doing it again lastnight, I put my hand out again and actually caught a handfull. It was gross, but you gotta do what you gotta do. (Mostly I was trying to spare our down comforter from the spew.) Let's just hope this all runs its course and is done before Christmas.
Meryy Christmas to all!

Sorry

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately. I do have alot to say, but unfortunately not enough time to blog about it. Joel is on lay off for the month (which is an entire blog in itself), and so he dominates the computer from the time he wakes up until the time he goes to sleep. We are at my parents' house at the moment. I promise I will blog as soon as I can get the chance to sit and think and type without a hubby and a baby waiting over my shoulder!

Pictures!

Here's a picture from the reunion. Eric Juhola, me and Janice. I think I'll post some more pictures while I have access to DSL!



And here are some of Oliver. Getting big!

I Went...

So, I did it, I went to the reunion. I'm glad I did. We didn't stay long, but long enough to catch up with some fellow classmates and realize that not alot has changed with some people since high school. The skinny-little-you-know-whats are still just that, and still didn't bother to look in our direction. Quite a few of us are married, not as much with kids. The bar that we had the reunion at was not really conducive to talking to or hearing anyone else. The music was SO loud you had to scream to make yourself heard. That made it hard to really get beyond "So, what are you doing?" It was nice to see Eric Juhola, my elementary school and junior high buddy. (and my first love, if you must know.) There was also this girl who introduced me to her boyfriend, who looked strangely like a girlfriend. Name was Julien so that didn't help.
All in all it was a pretty good time. Not ready to do it again anytime soon...good thing I have another 5 years to gear up for this next one.
Also, not seeing some of these people for ten years made me really appreciate the friends from high school that I do see regularly. I'm glad we have not lost touch. I'm glad our children know each other and will be friends too! I'm glad I don't have to ask what they have been up to for ten years and only have enough time to get the condensed version. I'm glad we are friends.

Seems Like a Lifetime

Ten year high school reunion this coming weekend. To go or not to go? I'm torn. Part of me really wants to go and just see what everyone is like now and part of me does not care at all to see most of these people who hardly acknowledged my existence in high school. (Unless they needed an answer on a test or homework!) It really does seem like a lifetime has passed since high school. Will I feel this way about my ten year college reunion? Like I am a completely different person? I don't know. Right now I would give anything to have a college reunion, I miss those people dearly, even the ones I haven't seen since graduation. But the people I care about from high school I see now anyway. (All two of them!) What do you think?

Wasted

I just wasted an hour and a half - almost Oliver's whole naptime/my time to get things done, putzing around on the internet. Why do I do this? When I finally snap out of it and start getting things done, ie housework, I inevitably hear little whimpers coming from Oliver's room. He is whimpering not only because he is awake, but because his mommy just wasted her whole morning.

A Good Weekend

It was! It started out by Joel doing the dishes for me on Friday night. That was such a treat. I was able to put Oliver to bed and then just relax myself instead of moving on to the next job. Yay for a thoughtful hubby.
Then, on Saturday night we had a date night while Grammie had Oliver. We went to see the Wallace and Grommit movie and then went to Friendly's. We liked the movie and we had a good laugh about Friendly's. Every time we go there, no matter which one we go to, the service is terrible! We always vow never to go there again, but always end up there, wondering why again. This time, it took forever for anyone to even acknowledge that we were there, then our food took forever to come out. It was so bad, that the waitress gave us half off our entire bill without us even saying anything. She was going to give us free ice cream too, but by then we were too full and it was too late. Anyway, we had a good time and it was nice to be together, just the two of us.

Weather and Heartbeats

Man, the weather here is crazy. Saturday it was snowing and the past three days have been almost 70 degrees! Not that I am complaining, but make up your mind! It was very nice weather for trick-or-treating. We had a good time and Oliver was the cutest little pepper I've ever seen.
I heard the new baby's heartbeat today. It was strong and fast and very reassuring. This pregnancy is becoming more and more real to me now. It is hard to imagine that I will love another one as much as I love Oliver, but I know I will.
In other news, Joel has a new critter. This one was not free and he did not find it in someone's yard. This one was expensive and had to be ordered from the internet. It is a gecko and I think it is weird looking. It came today - my mom had to come over while I went to the doctor so that she could be here to sign for it. I don't know how this thing survived the trip. I was expecting it to arrive in a box with many holes in it for air, but no, it was sealed tight in a regular box, all taped up tight. Then, when I opened it, the box was also packed with newspaper. The gecko was in a little styrofoam cup, which did have holes in it. How did it breathe? I don't get it. It is now settled into its cage and hiding in it's little house. I'm sure it will never come out. Fun pet...

T.V. Alternative

There are two t.v. shows that I would love to have on DVD. One is The Wonder Years. Does this exist? And if not, then why not? That was the best show ever on t.v. in my opinion. Everyone was rooting for Kevin and Winnie. Everything about this show was good, the cast, the music, the clothes, the storylines.
The other show is Family Ties. For some reason I have been thinking about that show alot lately. BUT, I cannot think of the theme song. The only part I can remember is the "sha-na-na-na" part. But, I also get it confused with the theme from Growing Pains... "As long as we've got each other, we've got the world spinning right in our hands...." How did the Family Ties one go? Please help, it is driving me crazy!

Special Guest Stars

Couple things... first of all, Sarah Curry, my college roommate and fellow
mom-to-be-again, sent me this article about her husband, Jesse. Check it out and pray for Jesse , Sarah and family while you are at it. (Oh yeah, and applaud my ability to successfully make a link.)
Also, my friend, Jennifer, sent me this funny e-mail about baby names:

This weekend I watched a VH1 special on celebrity baby names, it was so funny I had to write the names down. Girl Names...HeavenGod'iss Love StoneReign BeauStoryDreamTu MorrowPumaPoppy HoneyDaisy BooSaffron SaharaTalullah PineTrue Isabella SummerOceanFifi TrixiebellePixie Peaches HoneyblossomDixie DotBoy Names...BanjoJermagestyPirateKydDenimDieselSevenScience (middle name)Hopper JackSonnetRebelRacerRocketRougeCashPilot Inspektor

What are these people thinking? Do they think that because they are famous thier children will be immune to mockery and people saying "Your name is what?" I am all for unique names, but this is too much.

Cinderella

Catching up on some much needed housework today. I really hate doing the dishes. I have not done them in a few days so they are piled up and somewhat stinky. I don't know what I hate more, piled up stinky dishes or washing the piled up stinky dishes.
I also made the bed this week. I NEVER make the bed. It seems like a pointless effort to me. It just gets messed up again every night. Granted, it is more comfortable to go to sleep in a freshly made, tucked in bed, but then you have to do it all over again the next day. Fruitless...
I also have to fold laundry today which I find strangely relaxing.
I think stay-at-home moms should get paid by someone, the governement or something. We are helping to make our children better members of society and preparing our men to work their hardest.