The Loot

Birdman's first Christmas was exciting and fun! He tore into the packages with unabashed excitement. He ate candy like it was the last sugar on earth. He woke up early screaming Santa Claus is Coming To Town at the top of his lungs...

Not really. He actually slept in to a leisurely 8:30 am (due to the egg nog the night before) and then sat around with a cute expression as we opened his gifts.

Here is the damage:

Clothes and a Lightning McQueen from Grandpa and Grandma M., Books from cousins and Grandpa and Grandma J, A fancy 2 dollar bill, Additional Cash for his 529 savings plan from Aunties, Uncles, and Grandpa and Grandma K (college! never too early to plan), some sweet Teddy Ruxpin books and tapes for dad's old Teddy Ruxpin (Grandma J searched high and low for on the black market), some toys from cousins, and a Sweet Stokke high chair from us. He made out like a bandit.
Here he is sitting in his new high chair (he is still a few months off from using it regularly) And here it is pushed up to the table. Birdman told us he wanted it so he can sit at the table with us and use it for years to come. What a Smart Young Man.

He has a special message for everyone:

Merry Christmas,

Love Junior Birdman (we're working on his originality)

The First Run In

Saturday we took Junior Birdman to see Santy Claus at Macy's. It was a joyous meeting, as evidenced in the picture below.

Birdman whispered all of the desires of his heart into the bearded man's ear (mainly things about "more food" and "less work") and Mr. Claus responded with a Ho Ho Ho and Merry See You Next Year When You Know What The Heck is Really Going On.

8's

I got Tagged. finally!! I have been waiting and waiting for a tag. Hooray for tagging....

Here is my tag: Things of 8. Or as I have renamed the blog: Things of Eight That No One Really Wants to Know, But I am Telling You Anyway.

8 TV Shows I Watch
Disclaimer: When I was home with Junior Birdman, I watched a fair amount of the tube while he was sleeping....
1. The Office
2. I have a sick addiction to America's Next Top Model
3. I HAD a sick addiction to Jon and Kate Plus Eight. Mainly because Hello Sextuplets!!! Then I got over it.
4. Little People Big World (They are Little People in a Big World....the title alone!)
5. Cash Cab. I can't get enough of this one!!! I Love it!
6. Iron Chef. Wow. The Replays! The Secret Ingredient! The Judges faces!!
7. Ace of Cakes. I don't catch this one very often, but AM-A-Zing. I can hardly frost a cake..
8. The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Funny. Hilarious. Games. Dunking people in the Dunking Booth! Fun times had by all

8 Things that Happened Yesterday
1. Dropped Birdman off at Day Care. (insert sad, forlorn sigh here)
2. Went to a presentation on an Electronic Document Management System. For Five Hours.
3. Went to the Doctor
4. Drank two pints of Chocolate Milk (not at the same time)
5. Made Quesedilla's out of the Taco makin's from Sunday
6. Picked Birdman Up from Day Care (Insert Joyful, elated, happy dance here)
7. Snuggled with Birdman after work and before dinner
8. Gave Birdman a bath and laughed because he only kicks and splashes with his right foot.

8 Favorite Places to Eat
1. Chili's...I don't know why, but I love it.
2. The Ram
3. Ono (Hawaiian and absolutely fabulous)
4. Rita's House or The Gilettley's House (not restaurants but some Kick @#$ cooks from Toronto/the mission
5. Texas Roadhouse
6. White Water Pizza
7. The Brick Oven Bistro (lovingly referred to as The Beanery)
8. George's Deli

8 Things I Look Forward To
1. Everyday: Holding Junior Birdman in my arms at the end of the day
2. Everyday: Seeing my Honey come home
3. Getting some Shut Eye
4. Paying off the car and student loan
5. Having a Conversation with my son.
6. My Anniversary!! Saturday!!
7. When My Brain will come back from being Pregnant
8. Building New Traditions

8 Things on My Wishlist
1. To Be A Great Mom
2. Gift Cards to Borders. Like Forever
3. New Shoes
4. To Be Content
5. Time to make Jewelry
6. Time with my little family
7. To remember every moment with Junior Birdman
8. 8 more wishes

8 people I tag...if you haven't already done it...
Mar, Kaintie, Tara, Ken, Becky, Rachael, Melissa, Anyone else who reads this???
If you do it, leave a comment on this blog that you did so I can read it!
Kisses....

Sadness...

It is SO hard being such a tiny baby....

Quirky, I am Not

So, my sister tagged me to write 6 quirky things about myself, and in my search, nay, my quest to find some quirky things, I have discovered that I am quirkily UN-quirky. My Husband and I were driving to Twin Falls, Idaho, and on the way I was brainstorming my quirks.

Unfortunately, the TWO things I came up with, my sisters have already listed as quirks on their blogs: 1) Before I go to bed, the covers, pillows, sheets, etc., all have to be perfectly made. And the Husband cannot mess up my side or I get very upset and I can't sleep well. and 2) When I take a shower I have to do the same things in the same order: Shampoo, Condition, Wash the Body, Wash the Face, Brush the Teeth, Rinse the Body, Rinse the Hair.

That is it. My two quirks> that apparently are shared in my family, so who knows if they are really quirks?

I tried for Days! I would walk up to my Husband and say "what about blah blah blah", and he would look at me with a bit of sadness in his eyes and say "Honey, that isn't that quirky" That must have happened twenty times.

He on the other hand, plenty of quirks. P-L-E-N-T-Y. I will share a few in this post:
1) He constantly checks to see if his wallet is in his back pocket. Not like one or two times a day, but constantly. When we go to the movie theatre, during the movie he will check upwards to twenty times to ensure it is in his pocket.
2) If he irons in the morning, and knows that he turned it off and unplugged it, he has been known, more than once, to drive home from work to double check that it is unplugged. Even if he knows.
3) He can quote the entire Wizard of Oz
4) If, when watching a movie, there is any dust on the TV or Lamp, etc, he has to get up and clean it, which leads to cleaning something else, and so on and so on...
5) Eats his potato chips with ketchup
6) Some fabrics have been declared "drying" by him....fleece, micro suede, etc, and cannot be tolerated.

So, there you go. Because I am unquirky, i.e, Boring, I had to cheat and use him.
I tag the two people that read my blog....

Two Months Old!

Dear Junior Birdman,
What a great month! You are getting so big. Gigantic is what I call you most of the time, because you seem so gigantic to me! When I hold you in my arms, Dad will look at you and say "he is getting so big". It is true. You are growing by leaps and bounds. Mostly growing in a Round way, around the middle area. You grow out of your clothes so fast! We bought you some "real pants", instead of the staple of your wardrobe: Sweat Pants with Elastic waistbands and we should have bought the next size up, because when we put them on you and buttoned the button, your pudge spilled over the sides in a newborn muffin top....it was cute! But also alarming that you are gaining weight so fast and furious. (We went to the doc for your two month check up: 90% for Height and 95% for Weight!)
You love to eat. You never miss a meal, that is for sure. And you go from zero to STARVING in five seconds. At night, if I don't feed you fast enough, you start freaking out sometimes, and won't settle down enough to realize that you can eat.....But, really, that is the only time you really "freak out". You started smiling this month!! We were so excited to see you move your smile from during your sleeping hours to actually smiling. At Us. While you are awake. It is the sweetest smile. You smile with your eyes, like your dad. You still laugh in your sleep, and I can't wait for you to laugh on purpose. You also started mimicking me a little bit, if I stick my tongue out, you'll do the same. You are sleeping better. 7 to 8 hours at a time. It is glorious. Now. When you first started sleeping for longer periods, I couldn't handle it. I kept waking up, checking on you, listening to you on the monitor, wondering if you were okay. In the last week or so, I have been able to sleep for longer periods and not worry about you as much. You met your aunts and uncles from the Kieffer side this month. Sadly, my grandmother passed away, and we traveled to Utah for her funeral. You were the star of the show, and I have fully accepted the fact that it will no longer be exciting for them to see ME, but you will forever be the excitement. That is okay, because they LOVE you. My cousin, Diana took some awesome pictures of our family, and of you...they turned out fantastic (some of her photos are featured here and her photo blog is here)/

Unfortunately, you also got your first bug while we were there. You got a cold and haven't felt good for about 2 weeks now. I totally freaked out that first night, worried to death about you, as you stopped breathing due to the snot build up. You still aren't feeling very good, and this cold has gone through the house. But, even though you are sick, you are still a happy, sweet baby.

One of my favorite times of the day with you is the morning, when you are taking your morning nap. We cuddle and I look at you and you are so peaceful. I can't imagine that you were in my belly. Life with you feels natural. Perfect.

Love,
Mama

Favorite Baby Stuff: Installment #1

I am working on the 2nd Month of Junior Birdman's life update, but it is still in the making. Instead, I will share with you a few of my favorite things for babies:

#1: The Miracle Blanket

This blanket is the ultimate swaddler. We did okay with receiving blankets, but this blanket makes it so much easier. Birdman likes to be swaddled at night, it helps him sleep. And this blanket has flaps for his arms, a pouch for his feet, and extra material that goes all around his middle. I LOVE this. After he puked on it on the second night home, and we had to do the laundry in the middle of the night, we went and bought a second one. Since Week 6, Birdman has been sleeping about 7-8 hours per night! This blanket makes the whole swaddling process So Much Easier. Instead of the blankets coming loose, we strap him into this little straight jacket, and he loves it...and we love it too. And he sleeps good. And we love it even more because of that.

#2: The BOB

I love love love this stroller. It has the smoothest ride, mad shocks and is fun to take out and use. I can take it anywhere, to the mall, outside, hiking (if I wanted to)...but it is amazing. The front wheel unlocks and swivels, so I can take it inside stores with the greatest of ease. It has a big shade, and an attachment for our car seat. I went on a walk with another mom the other day, she had a Travel System Stroller, and I was really glad that we purchased the BOB. It is Awesome....folds down a bit big, but it is easy to fold and unfold and it is fun fun fun.

#3: Diaper Caddy
I Love this diaper caddy. We tote it all around the house. Since we two levels at our house, it is nice to be able to tote around all of the things we need from upstairs to downstairs. It has a little drawer that we keep his fingernail clippers, nursing pads, thermometer etc. in.

#4: The Sleepy Wrap

PS: This picture is not of me.....

Of all the carriers that are out there: Slings, Pouches, Bjorns, etc. I LOVE this one. I have a sling and a Bjorn, but the Sleepy Wrap is so comfortable. It doesn't hurt my back, and I am comfortable going "hands free". And I get a lot of compliments on it. I was a little apprehensive at first, because it is a long piece of material I have to wrap around my body like I am a mummy, but I think it is the best thing out there. Junior likes it too. He usually falls right asleep on our little walks.

Darn you Bulb Syringe!!

This is the bane of my, Junior Birdmans, and my Darling Husband's existence right now....Junior Birdman is fighting off a cold, and I have to suck the snot out of his nose every five minutes. And he yells and screams and it makes me so sad....

Our Tiny Pirate: tRiCk Or TrEaTiNg footage!

Our tiny Pirate

aaaarrrrggghhhh...remember when I was a waitress and I would tell the patrons Pirate Jokes, in hope to get bigger tips...well, that never happened, but Gram was a little Pirate for Halloween...and I very handsome one at that....and scary....aaaarrgghhhhh....

One Month Old

Dear Junior Birdman....

I know, weird that we call you that. We have called you that since you first came home....you know, like "Where's Junior Birdman?" "Oh, he's in his room, reading a book" or "Hey, have you seen Junior Birdman?" "Oh, he's online again, researching colleges"...

I want to start documenting your progress by the month. So, I am late for this month...but I regret not doing more documentation when you were in my belly, so I really want to make up for it here.

Being your mom has really been amazing. And crazy, different, insane, and rewarding. I remember saying in my Prenatal Water Aerobics class: I can take such good care of him now, inside my belly, but when he comes out, what the heck do I do? Well, I quickly found out that the answers are inside. And it just comes naturally as I look at your sweet face.....

This month you have made a lot of progress....like, learning how to eat. Wow that was painful. But I think we have a hang of it now, and it works pretty good! If I don't immediately read your hunger cues and take care of business, you freak out. You get that from me. So I totally understand why hunger=total freak out. You LOVE your food. Which is definitely reflected in the fact that you are chubbing RIGHT OUT. You wore Newborn clothes for the first few weeks. Then all of the sudden you started gaining weight and busted out of those. You are definitely getting Roundish! At your five day check up, you weighed 8 lbs. One Week Later: 8 lbs, 13 ozs. 13 ozs. in ONE WEEK. It is expected for newborns to gain 6 ozs a week. You are totally The Newborn Valedictorian of Weight Gain.

And you follow us with your eyes now. It is fun to see you interact with us a bit, since most of the time you are sleeping....

Sleeping: You do that really really well. You are a NOISY sleeper. So LOUD. Grunting and groaning and sighing. We swaddle you at night, and my favorite part of the morning is when we unwrap you and you take ten minutes to stretch. You throw your little arms above your head and S-T-R-E-T-C-H your little heart out. We used to take naps together in the morning on my bed for a few weeks, but I can't nap anymore because you are so loud....sometimes I put my hand on your belly so you know I am close and you usually quiet down. I like to think it is because you know I am there, but I think it just distracts you from whatever you are dreaming about and grunting at.

You hold your head up like a champ. If I hold you upright on my chest and you aren't feeling restfull, you will hold your head up and look at me, or look around.

You like Tummy Time. You like to eat. You like to be cuddled. I love Cuddling you and couldn't put you down for the first week I had you all to myself. I just sat on the couch and cuddled you. Your little chair or swing didn't see much action that week. I barely got a shower.

Your grandparents LOVE YOU. On both sides. They love to hold you and kiss you and love you. Your Grandma and Grandpa Kieffer came to visit after you were born and they couldn't get enough of you! How can you blame them? Grandma Jensen loves you so much and misses you and Grandpa Millard just holds you and looks and looks and looks at you....You are definitely the star of the show and I have learned, it isn't about me any longer.

You are the best baby. I am so excited to be your mama. And, as I keep telling you "Mama Loves You".

Love,

Mama

Welcome Junior Birdman

Well, he came. It was awesome. It has been awesome. It is awesome. Five weeks later, I am totally in love with the little guy.

I don't know how anyone gets anything done. I just want to stare at him and cuddle him EVERY SINGLE MINUTE....

We affectionately refer to him as Junior Birdman. I don't really know why, exactly, but that is what I will refer to him on this website, as to protect his anonymity. You know, from stalkers and the like.

Here are some pictures:

Right after they yanked him from my belly...

A few hours old, after his first bath....

At home, a few days old...

One week old...

Two Weeks Old...

Now he is chubbier...more on that tomorrow.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

It is This Thursday. That is D Day.....

We went to the doc today. I am at 4 cm. Which is great, but come on baby, L-E-T-S-G-O Let's Go Let's Go! I had a minor breakdown this weekend about him not coming.

Now, I know you are thinking, as is EVERYONE "you aren't due until tomorrow" And that is why I promptly punch you in the nose.

Three weeks ago, I was at a 2 and the doc said, hmmmm, I bet you won't make it 2 weeks.
2 weeks later she says (on Thursday) wow, you are at a 3.5, I bet you won't make it past the weekend.
It is the anticipation and excitement and let down that is killing me. Because I thought for sure he would be here by now. Especially with medical expertise backing that up!

That and everyone at work saying such helpful things like "WOW you are STILL here?" and "I didn't expect to see you here this late" and "How are you feeling, besides Huge". Well, I will tell you how I am feeling: Like filliping the bird to anyone that says things like: "Oh, with a boy, you could have two more weeks" or "I was stuck at 2 cm for like 3 or 4 weeks" or "I thought you would have been done by now" or "Have you dropped? I don't think you have", or the sweet old bag in the elevator that asked if I was having twins. Twins. I took her cane and hit her in the knee.

Anyhoo, we scheduled an induction on Thursday if nothing happens before then. I would be totally freaking out if I didn't have that bright spot of hope in my life....

Here's to Gram and Thursday: L-E-T-S-G-O!

Smugglin Pumpkins

My sister asked me if I was bigger in the belly area than when she was visiting in July.

I should say so....

Oh and another thing....

Feel a bit weird about riding around with an empty carseat in my car.
So, in order for that carseat to be filled, here are Things I've Been Doing to Get This Kid Moving:


1. We went on a long #$% walk the other day along the lovely Boise Greenbelt. Most of the reason it ended up being about two miles, is we were looking for a bathroom, and instead of turing back, said to ourselves: There has to be one around this bend. There was, a mile later.....so more walking, I think...right?


2. Sitting on The Ball. Rumor has it this will help. So far, I have just been bouncing around.


3. Eating Spicy Foods. Do Chili's Boneless Buffalo Wings count?

4. Getting a Pedicure. I got a sweet gift card to a local spa and am going to get the Deluxe Floating Feather Pedicure. Here is the Divine Description:

Deluxe Floating Feather® Pedicure: 75-minute treatment. This ultimate pedicure starts off with a relaxing foot soak and includes nail grooming, cuticle maintenance, and oil massage of the cuticles. An exfoliating scrub is rubbed on the feet and the calves followed by an extended foot massage. The feet are then dipped into a paraffin wax followed by a foot mask. This refreshing treatment is finished with a polish application.
Sounds Divine to me. I will let you know how that goes!

5. I finished things at work that were hanging over my head. FINISHED I said. The stress should be gone, no? PS I even went into work late today. And left early (mainly due to paint fumes and did not want to get the child high before he even comes into this world).

6. There are "other" ways, but I will not post about them, as I know you are all innocent. Not saying we have tried them or anything, just sayin....

Any ideas out there??

Is he ever coming???

That is my question for the day.
I don't think he is.
I think I am stuck being pregnant for the rest of my life.
And huge.

Ankles: What the hey?

We went to a concert last night.

Great music.

Lots of standing.

Lots.

During this pregnancy, my ankles and feet have stayed REALLY close to regular size. Surprisingly.

Then this week, they decided to start to swell a bit here and there. Then last night, post-concert they looked like this:

Please notice how my knees are "normal". Then my ankles are like twice the size. That is exactly what it looked like. My shoes BARELY came off. With a bit of Pam. And a bit of tugging.

Pregnancy PERKS

There are a few perks to being pregnant.

I read in a magazine that one lady told her husband that the smell of dishwashing detergent made her sick while she was pregnant, so she couldn't do the dishes. I haven't gone that far.

A few perks:

• Everyone thinks you look cute, even though you resemble a whale


• You can wear the same clothes in a week, because everyone understands that you just don't want to buy that many prego clothes


• People look at you and smile


• Sometimes they hold the door for you, or carry heavy things for you, or offer you a chair, or water. Only offer you water, and no one else in your group. Ahh the joy!

But the best perk? Chili's Salsa.

After swimming class, sometimes I cruise by Chili's and get some chips and salsa. I don't know where else you can get a bag of chips and some salsa for $2.99. Plus, I LOVE the stuff. I just get it to go and then pig out. A few times that I have called, I have asked for extra salsa, and said "it's because I am pregnant and I LOVE it. I will even pay more for extra salsa". They usually just give me an extra tub or two.

On Monday when I called, I said, I am pregnant and I love the stuff. This was the conversation that ensued between Andrew, the Holder of Salsa, and I:

-I Love your Salsa. I am pregnant and I need an order to go. Stat.

- Oh great. That is so awesome. Babies are great. How far along are you?

-About 32 weeks. Now...about this salsa thing....

-Wow. My wife had a baby last year and she loved Chili's Black Beans and Queso Dip. We have an 8 month old. She is the cutest thing and so much fun....

- Cool. Wow. Back to me and my needs. I LOVE the salsa and can't get enough. I need some to go, but can I get extra? Like a LOT of extra? And a Straw. Or just a straight IV into my arm?

-Of course, crazy pregnant woman.

This is what was waiting for me when I arrived:

Yes, each tub was individually labled for each month:

Viva la Chili's!

Gigantic Proportions

I have reached a milestone. Hugeness

Mowin Green

Our new house has the cutest lawn. It is tiny. And perfect.

We came from a rental house, where the lawn went on as far as the eye could see and we spent mad money trying to keep that thing alive. Kyle spent hours mowing, and watering, and re-positioning the water spickets to ensure optimal coverage. But to no avail. I took a chunk of that dastardly lawn to Zamzows, a local Grass, Flower, and Pet store. Cause "Nobody Knows Like Zamzows" and the dude said "huh, this is carpet grass. Basically, if it gets too hot, it kills itself, then reseeds." Turns out, our suicidal lawn was sick of the heat and dying off, no matter how much water we put on it.

We walked by that house the other day. It is up for sale, no one lives in it and the lawn looks HORRIBLE, so we beat our fists against our chests, and cried a lot for the money we poured down the drain for the last two summers. C'est La Vie.

Onto our new lawn: Hooray! It is only about 700 square feet TOTAL. It is tiny and perfect and cute. A bit patchy, but I can live with that!!!

Kyle's dad gave us his old lawn mower after we moved in:

He was so nice. He spent hours cleaning and oiling that thing. Even cut his finger in the process. It worked one week. Then stopped working the next week. So we cruised to Home Depot and got a Reel Mower. With no motor. Just pure push power. We are SO going Green.......

When Kyle mows with it, the neighbors all look at him with wonder. And I am just glad our lawn is so cute. And tiny. And perfect.

Ole One Kidney

So, yes, once upon a time 11 years ago today, I got my kidney ripped out of my body, and it was placed gently into my sister's body. Hence the motto of my blog: Half the Kidneys, Twice the Fun. It was an experience full of fun, craziness, and lots of presents (thanks everyone for all the presents). The nurses ripped me out of bed 12 hours after being sliced in half to weigh me. I got a sweet 9 inch scar. The Dean of Students at my college called me every Wednesday to see how I was doing. I got a nice bottle of pills to take home with me. Thanks to cable, I could watch 3 hours of 90210, straight. Every time I stood up, I could feel all of my insides swishing around trying to find a new home. I slept a lot. Oh, and my sister got to pee again. So that was good. No, that was great. She didn't puke nearly as much anymore and she actually got real color in her cheeks, not that crap from CoverGirl she would swipe on her face. That was the best part.

But the second best part? The drugs right before the surgery. They put this epidural in me. Then shot it full of some happy koolaid. I was higher than high. It was feeling good. I had no idea what was about to hit me. There is a picture of me and Kathryn right before surgery. It was after I had the sweet elixir of morphine, and before Kathryn had any drugs. The picture looks a lot like this:

Hope your (or technically, mine) kidney has 11 more years of fun and sassiness, sis!

Bathing Suit

For my Prenatal Water Aerobics class, I have been wearing the ghetto-est get-up available. Partly because I am cheap. And partly because I haven't had the heart to buy a new swimsuit until I got a bit bigger....and knew it would fit the whole time.

The Old Outfit: A shiny black, hideous WalMart special that was like 12 bucks and is now stretched to the max, paired with a lovely pair of Carolina Blue Boy Boardshorts from Old Navy that I have had for probably 10 years now....I think I took them to Mexico in 1998....

I took a picture the other dayLately, because the belly have gotten big, pulling up the swim suit has involved a lot of deep squats and odd contortions in the changing room. The Shorts now cannot be enclosed with the velcro enclosure, and I have to roll down the top of the shorts a few times, secure with some crazy boy scout knot on the ties, and hop in the pool really quick to avoid being seen by anyone I work with (did I mention these classes take place at my place of work??? How insane am I, really?)

The New Swimsuit: I got bottoms from one store (a skirt with bottoms attached) and a top from another, and when I mentioned that to my lovely husband, he said :I don't understand, you had to buy two parts at two different stores???. I know....

So I took this picture of me in my new swim suit:

Hooray for modern photo taking!

I don't really know why I am smiling. I guess just smiling through the pain.....Today will be the first time I wear it in the pool. I hope it stays on and doesn't fly off my body, but with my luck, you never know.....

Wake Up Calls: Two in one week.

So I got a wake up call in my hotel this week when I was in Nashville. That was exciting, as my morning voice sounded kind of like a witch and the lady hung up really fast so I couldn't cast a spell on her.

But the other wake up call I got? The more exciting and slightly depressing one? Saturday Kyle and I were walking downtown, cruising around and I caught a glimpse of myself in the huge window of a store, walking down the street, like from the side.

This is what it looked like, like this could be a real picture I took that day it is so life like: (mind you, this is really the first time I have seen myself in action, from a side view)

Swimming Lessons

So I decided to be proactive in this whole "Can't Fit Into My Clothes Anymore" thing and take some prenatal exercise classes. This week I started a round of Water Aerobics for the Pregnant and Huge Feeling Whale-Like Lady. Hooray!! I am going Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and I might even sign up for Prenatal Yoga and really rock out my body. Hooray...

Sidenote: Funnily enough, I thought I would feel better about buying a maternity swimsuit than a regular swimsuit (which I have a massive allergic reaction to each and every time~ha). I was wrong. I still had the allergic reaction which involved something like watery eyes, crying and hyperventilating.

So it is fun. The ladies are all pregnant and look all cute and fun and I just look on the chubby side (I know you are all thinking "but it is for a good reason, you are growing a little baby inside of you, it is CUTE"...I know I know I know...but it is still hard and Kyle is still getting sick of me saying "Do you think I am still cute? huh? Do you? Today more than yesterday? or less than yesterday??? huh huh huh????" Hopefully he'll make it through this whole thing still in love with me and hopefully I will make it through an evening at home without falling asleep at 8:15. We'll see.

Pregnancy: Weeks 21 and 22

Oh dear, this has been a more eventful two weeks than all of the other weeks combined


1. Found out we are having a Boy....hooray!!

2. Decided on NOT calling it Bruce anymore, out of fear that it will stick, which we NEVER intended...


3. After the UltraSound, Skeletor is a much more appropriate name..See what I mean?

The doctor came into the room after the US and really didn't have much to say....because so far he is PERFECT!!

4. Celebrated my first mothers day for real, kind of for real at least!

5. Grew THREE inches in ONE week. What???? THREE INCHES~!!!! What kind of insanity is that????

6. Still keeping the impending name choices for Skeletor a secret and it is KILLING our moms...sorry moms! We love you still!!! They are good names, you don't have to worry.

7. Speaking of names...You can comment on potential names! That would be rad. We are having a hard time, and have whittled it down to three or four, but still aren't sold on any of them....

8. Got a mattress for the crib. Organic filled so little Skeletor won't be sleeping on formaldehyde soaked cotton.

9. Back at "fighting weight" as the doc called it....

10. Discovered that people patting my growing belly isn't as cute as they think it is.

Recap: Week 20

Hungry hungry Hippo.
Little bit of Rage.
Hungry.
Threw up for the first time!
Haven't felt little Bruce move yet.
Starting to show more.
Not as sleepy, but still sleepy.
More anxiety.
Looked into Day Cares. Got depressed.
More Hungry.

Goodbye, Old Friend

To some of you, it may come as a shock that this weekend, I said goodbye to an old friend

And hello to a new one:

It was a good 20 years, wasn't it?

Sweetest Girl Ever

Last time I was at Kyle's sister's house, Iwas sitting with the nieces and nephews and we were talking about things I would need for Bruce (my favorite toy mentioned : a three car train that hooks together and moves around the floor) and names for Bruce if it was a girl or boy. Before I left, I told them I needed them to continue to brainstorm names.

Maddy, my 8 year old niece totally took it to heart. Kyle and I cruise over to visit last night and Maddy had done the follwing:

1. Kept a running list on a piece of paper of Boy and Girl names, polling her family and friends for good names.

2. Handed each member of her 2nd grade class a white square of paper and polled them for names too. They each (mostly) wrote down and girl and boy name. She is SO thoughtful! Example: One of her cousins fell from her bedroom window and broke some bones. Maddy also had her class make the cousin Get Well Cards and mailed them to her.

Sweet and thoughtful Maddy.

In honor of Mother Earth and Babies

We saw this book at Fred Meyer the other day, and I want it: It talks all about how to raise your baby in a more organic environment, as well as has hot tips on cool baby gear etc. Maybe one day I will get it....or just rent it from the library....

The High Chair

As I am with child, I get a lot of unsolicited advice. Like, "Oh you are going to HATE being pregnant in the summer", and "Wow, your life is NEVER going to be the same", or like my NP said at my last check up appt, while listening to the heartbeat and trying to discount the old wives tale that Girls Have Faster HeartBeats, said "It's only 50 percent accurate". I was like, really? 50?

So, basically I am saying, I am used to it. I am going to post some products I am interested in looking into further for Little Bruce, and all I can say is Bring On the Advice...let me know what you like/dislike etc.

First: The High Chair. This is the one I want. I don't think I can be persuaded in any other direction, so here goes;


The Stokke Tripp Trapp High Chair.
I am really excited about this high chair because of the following reasons:

1. The kid can sit at the table. With everyone else.

2. The Seat and Foot rest are adjustable and can grow with Little Bruce so s/he is comfy when eating.

3. It is compact. This suits our house very nicely, as our house will not really work with a big rolly polly high chair.

4. It comes in an array of FUN colors. and you can get different cushions in different colors for added comfort and cuteness..

5. You can only use it at about 6 months and up, when they are sitting up on their own, but that is AOK with me.

Well....what do you think? I saw this in a magazine probalby three years ago and cut the picture out and pasted in one of my blank books, knowing I wanted it for my littles one day. Hooray for Germans!

Pregnancy: Weeks up to 17

Maybe I will start posting about my thoroughly exciting pregnancy... as SO much has happned (not really) I will give you the best highlights of the past 17 weeks:

• Am really hungry all the time, like I have a tapeworm, but, nope, just an energy sucking organism feeding off of my body.
• Haven't been sick at all (knock on wood). It has been a pretty easy pregnancy so far, and I have lost about 8 pounds since week 6, mainly due to eating better all around)
• There was some Pregio Rageio (that means Rage...it didn't type the way I heard it in my brain)- about weeks 13 through 15, but thankfully we made it through alive and I am still married.
• Heard the heartbeat, which I was thankful for, because sometimes I am like, huh, really? there is something in there? Today it was beating fast and little Bruce was doing somersaults and moving all around.
• Cloth Diapers or disposables? Doing some research.
• Find out the sex the first week of May then I am going on a shopping binge.
• Been a bit picky about what I eat.

I guess that is about it. I am excited to meet this Bruce person, girl or boy.

Oh, and we are keeping the names a secret. So don't feel bad when I won't tell you because no one knows. We might give it up to the highest bidder........

Just One Word Answers, Ma'am.

Just a Little Exercise to include One Word Answers. Only. Just try it. It is harder than I thought it would be, thinking of one word for a few things... You can copy my list and add your own in the comments section, or do it on your own blog....

You're Feeling: Uneasy
To Your Left: I-Pod
On Your Mind: Bruce
Last Meal Included: Cheese
You Sometimes Find it Hard To: Motivate
The Weather: Teasing
Something You Have a Collection of: Candy
A Smell that Cheers You Up: Clean
A Smell that Can Ruin Your Mood: Dirty
How Long Since You Last Shaved: Days
The Current State of Your Hair: Ponied
The Largest Item On Your Desk/Workspace Right Now (besides computer): Binder
Your Skill with Chopsticks: Ridiculous
Which Section You Head to First In the Bookstore: New
...and After That?: Baby
Something You're Craving: Salt
Your General Thoughts On the Presidential Race: Mudslingers
How Many Times You've Been Hospitalized this Year: None
A Favorite Place to Go for Quiet Time: Bathtub
You've Always Secretly Thought You'd Be a Good: Spy
Something that Freaks You Out a Little: Bruce
Something You've Eaten Too Much of Lately:Chicken
You Have Never: spelunked
You Never Want To: Mislead

Washing Clothes

We bought a new house in November. Our washer has two settings:
Small.
Extra Large.

Spandex=Sexy??

Yesterday I was sitting in this lame meeting about Emergency Prepardness at Work. Probably, I should have been paying more attention, but basically, I just couldn't. So, I started thinking about how clothes really do hide a lot, and the question came to mind:

What if EVERYONE HAD to wear Spandex. Like that was the only material available. And you had to.

I heart Obama.

I like Obama. I must admit. I saw him speak in Boise.

I am a fan.

I also like this shirt.

Here is another AWESOME one...

My Desk Drawer

So, sometimes I go to the store to buy Healthy Stuff to Eat. Because that is what WTEWYE says.

(Note: In case you don't know, WTEWYE stands forWhat To Expect WHen You're Expecting. AKA: The Bible of All Pregnant Women, even if it does go a little over the top, , and basically will scare you straight out of your mind about what to eat, what to wear, how to sleep, how to move, how to breathe, etc.)...

Okay, so back to the store. I usually go to the WalMart (Evil Empire) across the street from my new office buildling. When I go, sometimes I think, Gosh, I need a treat after I eat this healthy lunch, because I am pregnant and it is okay to have a treat every now and then. ThenI buy it and stick it in my desk drawer for such occaisions. But I never eat it. I just collect it. I just am never in the mood for treats. I know, CRAZY.....People ask if I have cravings, and I don't, really, but I don't like treats as much as I used too.....weird...

Well, here is the list, laid out for all to see:

• Half Eaten Bag of Pretzel Sticks (got sick of eating them and being thirsty all the time)
• Two Logs of Saltine Crackers (just incase I GET sick)
• Box of Nurtigrain Cereal Bars, Mixed Berry (You know, just because)
• A ZipLock Bag of Cinnamon Hearts that I still have yet to eat more than 2 of
• An unopened box of Junior Mints
• An unopened bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs...the yummy chocolate ones with that crazy addictive shell...you know the ones
• A real Cadbury Egg (unopened....)
• An unopened bag of Tootsie Rolls
• A Box of PopSecret Homestyle Popcorn, Snack bag size (I DO eat this. And it is the BEST Flavor)
• A few granola bars, Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Nut
• A bottle of Tums

There it is, the confession of my Secret Stash. Now, if I can just find any of those darn Girl Scouts at the WalMart, then I could add a few more line items.......

12 Weeks

Wow. Wednesday I will be at 13 weeks in the ole pregnancy. And sometimes I think to myself, am I really pregnant? Other than feeling tired and extremely hungry all the time (is that really a change, though? I can't really say) I haven't felt super prego.

Anyhoo, luckily one of my coworkers gave me a gift today and I can't wait to share it with all of you. It is a book titled "Pregnant & Beautiful", published in 1985 and must have Rivaled What to Expect When You're Expecting in its day....The opening Paragraph reads as such:

It's satisfying to see a radiant woman who looks as lovely when she's pregnant as when she is not pregnant. Does she look better because she feels better, or does so look great because she keeps herself looking nice and feels good about herself? Experience has shown that any woman who keeps up her appearance feels better......This book is designed to help you choose fitness over flab and beauty over blahness during your pregnancy.

Luckily, the book will teach me such things as What Colors to Wear, What Textures to Wear, Beauty During Pregnancy, How to Apply My Makeup and Do My Hair, which are all things that have been BURNING questions in my soul. How can I be more attractive? Thank goodness I have this bbok to assist me....and you....

Too bad I don't have a scanner at work. Just you wait....

It's known as BRUCE for now.....

Here is the big news!! The First Addition to our family and we are "totally stoked". ha ha ha.....

I am due 9/9/08. I haven't felt too bad. Just TIRED! I could lay my head down right now and fall asleep with no problem at all. I have to eat ALL THE TIME and sometimes I have to eat TWO breakfasts...who knew? But all in all things are great and we are excited for Bruce to make his/her appearance......I will keep you updated....

Much Love!

Job #2 and #3: Shampooologist and the Sugar Shack

I know you are thoroughly thrilled and excited about the prospect of learning what shaped me during my formative years and why I can make such a freakin awesome snowcone....

Job #2: Shampoo-ologist

When I was 14, maybe 15....I was in the 8th grade at least, I had the biggest Badittude you have ever seen. My mom hatched a plan with her long time friend, Julie, to save my soul (I found out this was their motivation years later). Julie owned a beauty salon in downtown SLC and she hired me "under the table" to be her shampoo-ologist. I would lovingly wash customers' hair awating their new cut, wash off color and perms, sweep up hair and fold towels. I went every Wednesday afternoon after school and every Saturday. I don't really remember for how long, but I remember spending all of the money I earned. I think I made 5 bucks an hour, tax free. It was awesome. On Saturdays, my friend Lindsey and I would go to Crossroads mall and spend all of my money I just made at the Gap and the Golden Spoon Yogurt place.



What I learned: 1. How to shake someone's hand for real and not like a dead fish. I shook Julie's hand once and she gave me a grossed out look and said "that isn't how you shake hands. Ever." I have never forgotten that and have since developed a very firm and confident handshake.

Job #3: Sugar Shack Attendant
Somehow, I got roped into working at a SnoCone shack the summer I moved to Kansas City. I was inbetween my sophomore and junior years, so I wasn't 16 and I got paid with some Training Loophole in the law and made about 3 bucks an hour. But that was better than nothing.
I knew the ins and outs of shaved ice. I knew every flavor that could be added and how to put two flavors together to create such concoctions as Tigers Blood and Creamsicle.
The company expanded and opened a second location later that summer and I manned it during the day. BORING DAYS OF SUMMER. That is what I think of when I reflect back. Because I read books all day. I finished Les Miserables.... They asked me the summer after I turned 16 if I wanted to be the Pseudo Manager and make: $3.50 an hour! I politely laughed in their face and worked at a Dry Cleaner instead.
Lesson Learned: Don't eat too many snow cones. It makes you sick, and Les Miserables is a boring book. I was trying to be all uppity...
Back to my real job: The Art of Looking Busy!

Job #1: Door to Door Sales Girl

I have decided to blog about past jobs I have had. While sitting at Big Juds, a greasy burger joint in Boise, with Kyle, we were talking about jobs we have had. I have deduced that in my early, formative years, I did a variety of things that make me what I am today:
Read on, I know I have you hooked....

So, I will start the fun off with Job #1: Door to Door Sales Girl

I can't remember the exact circumstances, it might have been a FUNdraiser at my elementry school, a harebrained plan of my brothers that I stole, or the sheer joy and greed and racking up points I could later cash in for a stash of useless prizes that I have never used since. Whatever the reasons, I was a Door to Door Sales Girl.

I lived in Georgia and I was probably in First Grade, maybe Second and Third (hey, I was trying to make a career out of it). I would cruise around our neighborhood with a catalog of greeting cards and wrapping paper that I peddled to all of the neighbors. We lived on a LONG street that was a cul-de-sac (going back last year, the street isn't long, but I sure thought it was). I went door to door, flashed my famous smile, batted my dark brown eyes, and somehow convinced everyone on the street that they needed boxes and boxes of greeting cards and rolls and rolls of wrapping paper, because buying it from WalMart or KMart or whatever Mart, just wasn't good enough.

In turn, after taking orders, and collecting money, I received Points, Oh Glorious POINTS!! I had hundreds of them. A catalog came with the sales package, with so much crazy crap that I could cash my points in for. There were globes, and scooters, and maybe electronic keyboards...I don't really remember. I would look through the catalog and determine what my goal prize was, circling it lovingly in pencil, or turning down the corner of the page to save it....I can see myself counting them up in the middle of my sales to see what else I needed to reach the coveted prize...The only prize I remember getting was a globe that was a bank. I think.....

I remember being very successful in this venture, or at least my parents TOLD me I was awesome at it. I am sure I was. Awesome. Sales. Girl. at the age of Seven.

I am sure that I had a very loving and kind neighborhood, because #1: Almost everyone bought something and #2: I never got stolen. I think I went by myself......

Next Job Update: Job #2: Shampoo-ologist. For real. That was the title.

Introducing: Lucy Macaroni

We got a puppy. She is sweet, most of the time. Her name is Lucy Macaroni.
Here is the cutest picture of any puppy you will ever see:

That is after bath time. Here is one of her during bathtime:

Notice how she kind of looks like a rat. Well, when we are out walking her, (or, more approriately, dragging her along) people will stop us and ooo and ahhhhh. One time someone said "I was wondering what you were walking" and I replied "A rat". She is tiny, but pudgy too. She currently weighs in at 5.8 massive pounds.

Other names we affectionately refer to her as: Lucy, LuLu, Lucy Goosey, Midge, Super Midge, Fatty, and my personal favorite, Bargain Bin (because that is where we got her, the Puppy Bargain Bin)

Puppy Preschool starts on Saturday. I will let you know how it goes.