They say there's no such thing as a free lunch...

That goes for puppies, and kittens too. In our local paper, which has a monopoly in the area, it will cost me 41.50 to advertise "free kittens". Sheesh. I'm beginning to think that the kids and I are doomed to a day sitting in front of Walmart accosting everyone to enter or leave until they're gone. No one at church wants them. No one we know wants them. Who knew people were so smart? I sure wasn't.

Birthday SOS

Kat turns five soon. In exactly two weeks. And I haven't a clue what to get/do for her birthday. Monkey-boy turns two in exactly three weeks. Same story, except that I don't think he'll notice if it's less than perfect. I don't think he'd even notice if we forgot, but we won't do that of course! Kat has asked for a Barbie doll for her birthday. That's it. And since she only has, oh, about two hundred of them, what's one more, right? Add to this the fact that Hubs will be working the week of her birthday, and will get home sometime on the day of or the day after Monkey-boy's day, and we have a little more trouble. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Please?

Loaded

The following are some statements/questions that one should approach a pregnant woman with very carefully. You never know which way the hormones are swinging her temperament, so be ready to run if you utter any of following:

1. Are you sure you're pregnant? You don't look pregnant. (This can brighten her day, or ruin it, depending.)


2. How many are you having?


3. Again?!


4. But why?


5. So, any interesting cravings yet? (Be prepared to fill an order if you're dumb enough to ask this one!)


6. Do you know what you're having? (Why, yes, I believe we'll be birthing a litter of puppies! And you?)


7. How do you feel? (ummm, does the vomit on your shoes answer your question?)


8. Have you tried crackers? (Really! People still make this suggestion!)


9. How much weight have you gained?


10. Can I get you some water? (I'm sick of that one already. I know it's well meant, but really, don't I sprint for the toilet enough?)


11. Four! Wow! (or whatever the applicable number is... it's always awe-inspiring.)


12. Do you breastfeed?


13. Gonna circumcise?


14. Got names picked out yet?


15. Are you still pregnant?


16. Have you met so-and-so? She's pregnant too.... (followed by details guaranteed to either scare you to death or make you insanely jealous)


17. Is it moving yet?

Of course with two of my three children fluent in the english language, you may never get the chance to ask. They'll tell everything you wanted to know, and a lot you didn't want to know, at top volume, before you've finished drawing breath to say hello. Isn't it kind of them to save us all the trouble?

Is this real?

I came across this website purely by accident and cannot figure out if it's real or if it's a hoax. What do you think? And if it's real, then what do you think?

Appointment

I had my first pregnancy checkup today. I love this midwife! She was so excited for me, she gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek in congratulations! All the usual first appointment stuff, and an official due date of January 16th. One healthy baby with a strong heartbeat. I'm demoted to Flinstones vitamins for a couple weeks to help with the morning sickness. All in all, a good day.

Just Because

I am an Echinacea What Flower Are You?

I'm a rebel!

Last night I watched a History Channel show about the hippies. It explained their reasons for many of the things they did as rebellion against the expectations of their parents in order to find a more fulfilling life. Really.

Now, with that line of reasoning, I must be a rebel too! I'm living my life completely against all the expectations set out for me by my mother and her family. I was supposed to get a college degree, use it in a professional career, and maybe get married sometime in my late twenties. One kid, maybe two would be ok with them.

Oops, I guess I fell off the prescribed path somewhere. And most days I couldn't be happier about that. I love being a wife and stay at home mom. I think I'm pretty good at it, too. But there are times when that happiness feels a little thorny, a little less than perfect. Usually my mother is involved when I feel that way.

She called me to get my email address, and I decided to tell her I'm pregnant. There would never be a good time to tell her, and I was tired of dreading it. So I told her, "I have some news I need to tell you. I don't expect you to be happy for me about it. I'm pregnant again." She said, "Why?" and then at my stunned silence, "Was it (in horror) on purpose?" There are so many things I could have said, should have said to those two questions. But I didn't. I knew that there really was no point. I just said, "Yes, it was on purpose." She gave a great big sigh, and stated, "Well, it's going to be a hell of a lot harder when you're abandoned with four children to take care of than three. Didn't we talk about this last week?" (this was a reference to a tirade about the evils of men, how they always abandon you in the end, culminating in her announcement that my stepdad is leaving her.)

I let her lecture me on my lack of value as a human being because of my lack of skills in the workplace, until she realised that I wasn't bawling on the floor like she'd hoped. Used to be that a sharp word from her would send me into hysterics. This time, I stayed calm, at least outwardly. Inside I was raging at her, pitying her, wishing I could understand what made her so bitter. She finally gave up, said bye and hung up. I gathered my kids to me and told them that I love them no matter what, and that all I want for them when they grow up is happiness. They looked at me like I'd lost my mind, but I felt better. I'm just going to keep telling them and showing them, and hopefully I won't screw up too much along way.

Aren't I rebellious?

I'm baaaack! (well, sort of)

We had a fantastic visit with my father and his wife. (I don't call her my stepmom because I already had one of those and his wife is a much nicer person.)

They brought salmon that he caught somewhere in Oregon and grilled it for us. This was great timing, as I was really craving fish! They took us out to dinner lots and lots. More cravings satisfied!

They took us to see Shrek the 3rd.

We all went to the local museum, and my dad pointed out all the wildlife exhibits that were labelled incorrectly. There were a few guns mislabelled, too.

We went for a picnic lunch in Lamoille Canyon, and then took the kids on their first hike, which turned out to be more of a mini-hike when we reached a creek crossing that had been reduced to a very narrow tree for a bridge. We decided to turn back. The kids were mad, but they just don't have the experience to have gotten across safely. It was fun anyway, and very beautiful.

I was sad to see the visit end, sad to say goodbye. It's been so nice, and they spoiled us all so much!

I still have morning sickness.... oh, boy do I have it! It took some serious determination to go go go with my parents all last week, and I all but collapsed into an imitation coma on Saturday- just in time for Jehromy to come home from work hoping for attention and help with his laundry. Apparently, he got promoted, and this meant coming home for a day and leaving again for two weeks. Poor Hubs wound up my nursemaid while still taking care of his own stuff.

Since Hubs left again, Bug has been extra cooperative. He even loaded the dishwasher for me when I asked him, even though he usually just unloads it. And he's been letting me sleep in lately. Woo Hoo! I'll have to do something special with the kids when this finally passes. Like that baking party! mmmmm.

I'll Be Back Soon...

Schools out, morning sickness has commenced, and my parents are coming to visit. My plate is full. I'll be back when I'm able.

Waiting.....

For almost the past week I have been waiting for just one of my children to do something to merit a fun evening baking together. I've literally been searching for any excuse to reward them this way, thinking that it would be a fun bonding activity. I swear, it had nothing to do with a craving for brownies!

Every single day that I've had this fun surprise in mind for them, we have had worse and worse behavior. I don't understand it. Today was horrendous. I'm beginning to believe that Bug likes being grounded. Monkey-boy is trying to prove to me that he can be more defiant at almost two than his sibs were at four- and that's saying something. Kat can't finish a meal to save her life. Birds exist on more nourishment than she takes in. Maybe this week will be better than last.

What to do?

Bug was very upset when he came home yesterday. After some trying, he finally confessed to me that someone at the bus stop told him that I drink lots of alcohol. After some more trying he told me the little girl's name, and I went to ask her mother about it. The little girl overheard, and clarified that she heard it from one of Bug's friends and was just asking Bug if it were true. So I talked to Bug's friend's mom, who told me that he heard this from another boy at the bus stop who claimed that we are always throwing beer bottles into their yard. I was dumbfounded. I don't drink. My husband might have a beer with dinner, but the bottle usually makes it into the trash, unless he's having a bad day and then I'll find it in the sink. But someone else's yard? Who lives an entire block away from us? I don't know what to do from this point. I was comfortable talking to the first two kids and their mothers because I already sort of knew them. I don't know these other parents at all, so I'm not sure that it would be the best idea to knock on their door and ask them about this, or if I should let it go. I don't like having my charachter maligned, and I don't like that Bug is having to deal with this for absolutely no reason at all.

WFMW: Early Christmas Shopping

It's that time of year again..... time to start shopping for Christmas presents! Yes, I know, I sound completely insane. There is no way that I will know my kids' sizes seven months ahead of time, but fortunately for me, they are fairly predictable in their tastes.

What really works for me is buying books. Lots and lots of books. On ebay in "lot sales", at garage sales, on clearance, from scholastic. Whenever the price is right for books in good condition, I snap them up. Then I stash them in my closet. Over the year I will give the kids a book here, another book there, for various occasions. As a reward for good behavior, to keep them entertained on a long car ride, or as a distraction during a doctor appointment are all fantastic reasons to give a kid a book in my opinion. And I'll still have lots left for Christmas presents! (Lucky for me, my kids love reading as much as I do!)

Happy Mother's Day!

They whispered and giggled and planned all week long. They roped Daddy into their plans. They were all set to make breakfast in bed for me on Mother's Day.

It didn't happen.

Instead they got to watch me coax the cat into keeping herself in one relatively small area to give birth to six kittens, while Daddy made a pancake breakfast.

This takes the prize as my most memorable Mother's Day. How about you?

Big News!

I can't believe it has been a whole week since I posted! I had my appointment with the specialist, and my breasts are just fine. Woo Hoo!

As if that didn't make my week good enough, I found out today that we're pregnant again! Very funny, really. I complained to Hubs all week about how huuuungry I was, then today, food was making me sick. I'd crave something, eat it, and then wonder what possessed me to think that eating was such a great idea, what with the heartburn and nausea and all. And I've been so tired, it was really annoying. So I told Hubs today that I wanted to pick up an ept, because this really felt severe for pms. And he called shortly after I took it, wondering. So, the phone is ringing, all three kids are screaming, and I'm trying to pee on a stick. I answered the phone, glanced down, said "I guess we'll have to try again next month", and went about my evening. The next time I went to the bathroom, I glared at the offending peice of plastic in the trash can next to me, and it had changed to positive! I immediately called Hubs back, and told him the good news. He said, "I don't how it happened.... I've been working so much! Congratulations!" Pretty neat, huh?

WFMW- Birthdays

Birthdays in our family are not convenient. My husband and I are on the 18th and 19th of one month, Keeghan is one month after Christmas, and Kathryn is one week before Collin-who happens to be on the 4th of July. With all the madness, we've noticed that it's pretty pointless to have big, blowout birthday parties, especially when the inconvenient timing means that attendance will almost surely dissapoint the honoree.

My solution: The birthday boy or girl gets the birthday dinner of their choice (within reason, of course), one present from each family member, and one birthday wish (again, within reason). For example, Keeghan wanted me to make chicken marsala for dinner, and wanted to go see a movie in the theater with just me. Grandma and Grandpa babysat the others for me, and it was a very low stress day, but Keeghan really felt special and celebrated. That's what works for me!

Ten Years

There's nothing like a high school reunion announcement to inspire feelings of inadequacy in a person. What have I been up to for the past ten years?

I have married the wrong man. I have divorced him. I have dropped out of college. I have been an exotic dancer. I have had a falling out with my mother. I have moved eight times.

I have given birth to three beautiful children. I have married the right man. He and I have bought a home together. I have found Jesus. I have found joy in faith, wife-hood, and motherhood. I have learned who I am.

None of this sounds very impressive next to someone who has x number of degrees and a salary with six zeros. But I've sure done some living, and I've found peace within. I don't know yet if I'll go to that reunion. But I will send some emails to old friends to say hi. I hope they're doing as well as I am.

Good news!

Answering phone calls and checking mail are two things that have always made me feel slightly nervous. These are the ways that bad news gets communicated, and usually when least expected. Lately, however, I've been pleasantly surprised.

First there was the phone call from my mother. This bears repeating; my mother called me! When I looked at the caller id before answering, my heart skipped a beat and my stomach jumped into my throat. I was so sure that the only reason she would willingly call me was if someone had died. I'm so happy that I was wrong. It seems she has made a little progress toward forgiving me, as she was calling to get my address for graduation announcements from my baby brother.

Then the phone call from my midwife. I wasn't really expecting bad news but it's strange to me to have finally found a health care provider who cares enough to call with test results, even late at night if it'll ease my mind. ( I ok'd the late night phone call, actually prefer them to when the kids are clamoring for my attention.) The ovarian cancer screen came back negative. We also talked about PCOS, and possibly checking for it if I don't "normalize" in the next three months.

And last, when I checked the mail yesterday, there was a big, fat envelope from the government. That can definitely go either good or bad, now, can't it? But, once again, good news. The state of Colorado sent paperwork for me to sign, if it's all right with me if they almost double (!) the child support that they take out of my ex's checks when they add Kat to the order. Hmmm, let me think about that one.... Heck yeah!

What kind of news have you gotten lately?

Contest

If you go here you might win a digital photo frame. Pretty cool, huh?

Drink more water....

My husband is insanely healthy. I'm not sure if it's because he's got such a great immune system, which he does, or if it's because his stubborn streak is such that even germs just give up and pick on someone else.

Like me. Now I don't get sick very often, and then just the occasional cold. However, it never fails that when I do fall ill, I can count on my caring and oh-so-helpful husband to dispense this doctorly advice: "Have you tried drinking more water?" So I knew it was serious when he told me that he was worried and would I please see a doctor?

At first I resisted, feeling very much like I had taken up too much screen time in a Twilight Zone episode involving doctor's offices that are impossible to escape. But I went, and wound up with a not so confident diagnosis of Bronchitis.

At least he didn't tell me to drink more water this time....