A few of my favorite things...

Tiny fingers wrapped around mine.

Baby fine hair that stands on end.

Little eyes that cross when they try to focus on my face.

Big yawns.

Baby grunts and noises.

News flash!!! In case you didn't know or have been in a cave for the week, Little Man arrived late Monday afternoon. I have never been so relieved and so terrified in all my life! It's been a rough week for all of us, but he's here. And I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE him. He's absolutely beautiful.

I won't lie, though. I did not have that instant rush of love that so many mothers claim to have. As a matter of fact, after delivery, I didn't feel much of anything for a while. I was relieved and scared, but I didn't feel much of anything when they handed him to me. All I could think is, "Oh dear, something must be wrong with me." I knew he was mine, I knew that I carried him for months on end, but all I felt was relief. He was here, he was healthy. My job was done. (Oh was I wrong)

And then night happened. Doctors were gone. Nurses were at their stations. Techy was asleep in the bed next to mine. Mom had gone home to get her 20 winks. And there he was. Still awake, making the cutest little noises ever. He cried, he ate, he slept. And I...

I FELL IN LOVE.

Don't get me wrong. The past few days have been among the hardest days I have ever lived through. But he's really, really worth it. And if I can say that now, imagine how I will feel when the really good stuff starts.

I know every mother thinks their child is beautiful, but mine really is.

And if you don't believe me, try to argue with this....

Go ahead. Just try.

He's crying again. I have to go back to the hard work of being mommy, but I really don't mind at all. It's one of my new favorite things!

Ponderings

I love Christmas. It's always been such a magical and exciting time of year. Well, until I got married it was always a very exciting and magical time of year. But something happened when I got married. Not sure if it had to do with the extra family, the travelling, the lack of someone else being my Santa, but the last 3 Christmases - although being memorable and some of them very fun - have not been the same.

This Christmas has been nothing if not hectic and lacking tradition. To be honest, I think that's the clincher. My life has changed so much in the last 4 years that tradition, which is something we all seem to cling to this time of year, has flown right out the window for us. Realizing as I finished up my final gift wrapping last night, that these days will soon be gone made me hope for a future filled with tradition for our Little Man.

The one thing that keeps me hanging on to my sanity during this magical season?

The Nativity.

Never has the life of Mary and Joseph seemed so real. Never has her pain been more understandable. Never has the hope of a better future been more understandable.

Last night, I watched "The Nativity" (TNT made for tv special....) and as many years as I have heard the story, as many times as I have thought about it, never has it seemed so real. The Jewish people were waiting for their Messiah of promise to come. No one expected him to come in the way he did, and certainly no one would have expected him to arrive in the shadow of shame that Mary and Joseph carried with them. And yet, come he did in star studded simplicity with only a few shepherds as witnesses.... And shepherds were the recluses of the day, living their lives in solitude, except for their sheep. Who was going to listen to shepherds?

As I reflected on the heritage that we have been passed, I noted a few key points relative to the Providence of our great God.

-He provided a husband for a shamed Mary. A man of strong character who was willing to care for her and her unborn son in spite of the shame it would cause to himself.

-He provided a way of escape from the shame that the couple lived in. If you know anything of Bible times, you probably realize that the engagement time had not yet been completed. For Mary to become pregnant meant either she had been unfaithful to Joseph or she and Joseph had together defiled the law. Either way was shameful, and in a village the size of Nazareth, with a population of less than my own housing development, everyone would have known of their shame and would have likely looked down on them.

The call to have every man return to the city of his birth for the census, took them away from that shame during the most critical hour, and Herod's killing craze of all the baby boys in Bethlehem drove them to Egypt for several years. By the time they returned to the small village of Nazareth, the shame that had once been associated with the couple would have paled and life would have moved on.

-He provided strength to get the couple to Bethlehem. The journey was more than 80 miles from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and Mary was very near term. Whether she walked or rode a donkey is not known, but either way, the assumption can be made that the travel did nothing to help her condition. And yet, true to prophecy, the couple made it to the small village of Bethlehem just in time for her delivery.

-He provided solitude in a crowded little village of people. No, a stable would not have been the most desirable place, but considering the fact that Mary was probably a young teenage girl, and had already been living in shame for several months, I would say that giving birth in a crowded inn full of men, women, and children staring at you would not have been any more desirable.

I think what touches me most about the arrival of our Savior is the sheer beauty of God's hand. The fact that in accomplishing the largest task He has ever completed, he wove in immaculate detail, every provision needed into the lives of the people he used.

As I look to the very near future of my own son being born, I realize I have been blessed. Unlike Mary, I have never had to suffer shame for my condition. Unlike Mary, I will more than likely deliver in a clean comfortable environment with the luxuries of modern medicine. Unlike Mary, I will be surrounded by loving friends and family who are proud of our Little Man.

However, like Mary, I am faced with the knowledge that my child is God's to do with what He chooses. I have no idea what God may call my Little Man to do or what I, as his mother, will be faced with. I do know that our great Father who orders all things well, has a plan for this little baby, and that in His divine providence He will continue to show himself faithful to us, as he did to a young couple from Nazareth so many years ago.

Title Confusion

Dear World, I am sorry – very, very sorry.

I am very irritable.

I actually enjoy complaining about the things that are getting to me….

Like the fact that I can’t sit in a chair comfortably anymore. Like the fact that I feel like my arms and legs are giving out on me. Like the fact that the ONLY way to sit comfortably is to hunch my back and round my shoulders like a little old lady. Like the fact that my shoulders hurt…probably from hunching and rounding so much! But seriously, who heard that shoulder pain was a side effect of pregnancy? Come on now….

Things that I would normally laugh at are really getting on my nerves….

Like the fact that people continue to ask me if I am having twins. Really? You have the nerve to ask that?

Like the fact that people who know that I am only having one, think it is funny to ask me if the doctor has really checked to make sure it’s just one! Please…you deserve at least a verbal face slap…not that I ever dole it out, but you deserve it!

Like the fact that my sister keeps saying, “I am so glad it’s you and not me this time!”

And finally, today’s clincher-

Like the fact that no matter how many times I tell people what my baby’s name is going to be, they get it wrong. Ummm, seriously? We have been talking about him for MONTHS now.

You may ask what prompted this tirade…. Please, allow me!

This morning, one of my coworkers (many of which are already getting on my nerves by making polite/impolite comments about my size, my discomfort, as well as their opinions about my future plans) walked up to me and asked the most absurd question ever,

“Are you getting excited about Charlie coming?”

Um, what? Charlie, who? Coming where?

I just looked at her like she had 4 heads. Then it occurred to me. She meant my baby!

In case you don’t know, or haven’t asked, my baby’s name is Charles Connor, BUT we are calling him CONNOR, not CHARLIE! As many times as I have told that to everyone, E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E, there should be no one who knows us without knowing that. Especially someone who came to my baby shower and signed my card with “Good luck with Baby Connor!”

Back to the story.

So I stared at her like she had 4 heads, until finally she said, “Little Charlie?”

More staring…at this point just because I was irritated that she didn’t have the decency to remember my child’s name when we talk about him daily.

But finally, I said, “Oh, you mean Connor!”

Her response?

“Oh, you are calling him Connor?”

A moment for the screaming in my head to stop….

“Yes. Connor….” And then some polite conversation about how I am excited for the baby. The most ridiculous, redundant conversation to have at this point.

I don’t think it would have bothered me so much, but she is really, really bad with names and it irritated me before I was pregnant.

For instance, one of our coworker’s son’s name is Kyen, pronounced Ky-in, but she refuses to pronounce it correctly – she always calls him Cayanne, pronounce Ki-yan, with the second syllable all drawn out, like the pepper. No matter how many times we have corrected her, she still calls him Cayanne…. Come on, just try a little harder, I know you can do it!

One of my girlfriend’s said she has repeatedly experienced the same thing. Her little boy’s name is Tristan…but no one ever calls him that. More often than not, he gets called Christian—I get that, and she does too (she isn't pregnantly irritated at EVERYTHING right now). Sounds very similar and Tristan is an uncommon name. But then she said that someone at work called him “Trisket”, i.e., the cracker?! Seriously, you think I would name my child after a flakey snack cracker?! So she has offered a new suggestion for all the pronunciation challenged people in her life and has started calling her little man, "T". So simple, so understandable, so adorable. I am sure there are still people who could mix that up and call him "P", but I would say the occurrences are not as often!

Which leads me to my next suggestion – if you don’t know what my child’s name is, don’t try to fake it. (I am much too irritable for that.) Use some kind of cute nickname – “Little Man” works just fine for me.

My bet is that even after this baby is here, and people at work talk about Connor, the offender won’t know who they are talking about and will still call my Little Man, “Charlie”. Maybe by then, I won’t be quite so irritable and will handle it better.

The Whines of Change

I am done…that’s it. I have had enough. Let’s get on with this.

Life is never going to be the same again, and I have bid farewell to my old life forever. I have made my peace with that. The only thing to do now is get on with it and start making life tolerable again.

The first step in doing that is…

GET THIS FREAKING BABY OUT OF ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you read my last blog entry, you know that I got a little upset last week about delivery and pretty much closed up shop.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED…

For one, I am so freaking miserable that I can’t take this much longer. I feel like I am going to lose my mind if something doesn’t soon change.

My tailbone is still throbbing and of course I have welcomed a new, "friendly" (a.k.a. hateful, crappy, horrendous, crippling) pain accompanying it in another, more centralized location. I am no longer able to walk properly due to the pressure. Believe or not, people actually have the audacity to laugh at me. They obviously don't realize the dangers of upsetting a pregnant woman.

The good news?

I go for my next appointment on Wednesday morning, and I am just sure that she will tell me that I am dilated 6 cm and 120% effaced and they need me to run over to the hospital so they can check me in before the baby falls out of me.

More good news?

Apparently, I still have a sense of humor as well as an amazing imagination!

The bad news?

Despite my best efforts, including but not limited to galavanting out during the blizzard, dancing my pants off at the wedding, shopping for WAY too long yesterday, nesting like a crazy person (I literally unwrapped Christmas gifts and re-wrapped them yesterday!), and every other old wives tale in the book, Little Man has still not made his appearance.

The good news?

There is still a chance I could go into labor naturally, which would obviously be my first choice.

The bad news?

This is still a first time pregnancy, and very few of them go early, so I will more than likely be pregnant for another week and delivering Little Man sometime next Monday.

The good news?

There is no more good news. A week is too long! I can't take it anymore!

Confessions of the Un-“Single Lady”

I have a confession to make…several actually….

No. 1
I have unfortunately failed in one of my goals. I was never able to learn the Single Ladies’ Dance! Not for a lack of trying…last night, alone, I spent a solid hour, possibly more, trying to learn the trademark wiggles and kicks. I won’t lie, I look pretty remarkable doing the dance, especially since I was not able to haul my butt out of a chair to do it, so I was attempting to replicate the moves while sitting in our rolley office chair. But from the chair I can’t kick, I can’t wiggle, I certainly cannot manage bending to the ground on one leg, while stretching the other out to the side!
HEARTBREAK CITY.

Since I cannot lug my rolley office chair to a wedding, however, I absolutely will not be able do the dance. Not in a box, not with a fox…I cannot do it, Sam I Am.

In case you want to know how bad dexterity is these days…. Last night, I sat in the floor for about 20 minutes in order to assemble a baby toy that had been given to us, but when I went to stand up, I couldn’t get up! I practically had to lie down in the floor, roll to one side and use my arms and legs to maneuver myself into a crouching position in order to get upright. RIDICULOUS!

No. 2
When I announced my pregnancy, I promised one of my girlfriends that I would not let my life revolve around the pregnancy. Although I could argue my innocence in several ways, to someone who has never been pregnant, I flat out lied. All my facebook statuses are related to my little man or my pregnancy woes. All my blog entries discuss my pregnancy in some way or another. Sorry about that! I had no idea what I was talking about when I made that promise and if you are offended by my drastic lifestyle change, you need to know that pregnancy has got to be one of the strangest things I have ever experienced in both good and bad ways, and I just wanted to share that weirdness, because I love to share weirdness! I promise that if you ever speak to me again, I have other things to talk about as long as you don’t ask me about my pregnancy or the baby.

No. 3
I want my life to be normal again. I don’t want to have to bend over a giant belly anymore, but I don’t want to have to get up every few hours all night long to feed a crying baby either. Terrible, huh? Yes, I am a terrible person and I am pretty sure I will be a rotten mother for a while.

No. 4
I slightly resent the fact that my husband gets off so easily with this whole situation. I mean really, I had to provide my greenhouse of a body for 10 months to grow this thing, then I have to sacrifice my genitals to get him out of me, and of course, we are going to try the breastfeeding thing, so the child will be totally dependent on me for feedings as well…. And then after just 1 week of helping take care of the little guy, Techy gets to go to work for 9 hrs a day and forget about keeping Little Man alive. So unfair.

No. 5
I am being very pessimistic today.
I was doing just fine with all of this until last night when Techy decided it would be fun to Google child birth videos. DON’T EVER DO THAT! EVER!!! The video we watched was from like 1980-something and the mother had to have an episiodomy. If you don’t know what that is, lucky you. But we watched it. And I have been sitting with my legs crossed ever since. I am not telling ANYONE if I have a contraction. Maybe he can just stay in there for a while. I don’t know why they ever did away with that whole “knock mom out and let her wake up when her baby is here” thing. Seems like a much better option.
Pretty sure that video pushed me right over the edge....

No. 6
I am 99.9% sure that I am going to have this baby this weekend.
Determining factors?
-I am 2 cm dilated and 80% effaced, meaning that Little Man is approaching the runway.
-My tailbone hurts like crazy, meaning that Little Man is approaching the runway.
-It is supposed to snow 8-10 inches of snow this weekend.
-My parents are going to be snowed in with predictions of more than a foot of snow coming their way and they definitely won’t be able to be here until sometime next week.
AND THE CLINCHER?
-I am currently terrified of giving birth and have talked myself out if.
Yep, I will be very surprised if he hasn’t arrived by Monday.

From One Blog Queen to Another...

Just typing the words made me laugh….

Yesterday, I did something so incredibly ridiculous.

Yesterday, at 38 weeks pregnant, practically ready to burst, I drove an hour north, in the pouring down rain, risking life and limb to see a celebrity. Ok, so you probably don’t classify her as a celebrity, but I sooo do. I mean, she published a book, she was in a magazine, and she has been on TV at least twice now – the Bonnie Hunt show and QVC! Therefore she IS a celebrity. She freakin’ met Paula Deen while on QVC—definitely celeb-worthy.

Ok, so she isn’t a real celebrity. She is merely a normal person that happened to create a blog about her extremely normal life and it caught on. She calls herself “The Pioneer Woman”—you may have heard of her.

Well, yesterday, I met her. As I said before, I drove an hour away (technically a no-no when you are this close to giving birth, but I kept telling myself I was only 15 minutes away from the state line and very close to several great hospitals….) and waited for 4 ½ hrs for 3 reasons….

1. A lady in my church wanted to go, but couldn’t. She had asked me to pick up an autographed cookbook for her IF I went.
2. It isn’t every day that you get to meet even a semi-celebrity for free (or very little cost, once I had paid for my cookbooks….) I knew that if I let the opportunity pass I would completely regret it.
3. I really wanted this picture for MY blog….

And she was very accommodating. There was quite the crowd. There was Q & A time. There were savvy women. There were giddy, not so savvy women. There were a few men. There were mommy’s with lots of adorable babies. And there was me. HUGE. PREGNANT. ALONE.

For the record, when I posed next to her, I think I surprised her. I don’t think she was expecting me to plop my big ole belly up on her shoulder!

Don’t worry, before I left, I apologized for any long term damage her close contact with my enormous mid-section may have caused.

All that being said, I succeeded in accomplishing my goal. I met my celebrity and definitely left an impression or quite possibly a bruise!

Run for your lives! An alien has invaded!

Help! My life has been overtaken! My whole world revolves around this little person who is still happily lodged in my midsection. My whole BODY revolves around this little person who is still happily lodged in my midsection. I dropped my razor in the shower this morning, and realized as I bent over to pick it up, that the little man was kicking me in response to ME making HIM uncomfortable…. “So sorry about that! Did not mean to inconvenience you…I will try to be more careful next time.”

One of my girlfriends had twins this summer, and somehow she managed to carry them to 38 weeks, which is where I am now. How in the world she maneuvered around 2 of these little people is incredible to me!

This little guy kicks me in the gut all the time and occasionally, he will strum my rib cage with his toes…super painful…super annoying.

For the record, the main reason I am documenting this information is so I won’t forget. In a few years when I start to think that having another one is a great idea, I want to remember a few things….

- Morning Sickness. From the time I hit 6 weeks until at least 12 or 13, I was constantly nauseated.
- Bladder Control Issues – I thought I had a small bladder before…yeah, right!
- Leg Cramps – They were wretched until I started taking my vitamins before bed. Let this be a lesson to any of you who may be pregnant or may get pregnant…take your vitamins every night before going to bed! It makes for a much better sleepy-time!
- Blood tests, blood tests, and more blood tests
- The pain in my side that started around 20 weeks and never fully went away
- Feeling sore and bruised from the inside out
- Back Aches
- Worries, lots and lots of worries.
- Swollen feet
- Double chin
- Stretch Marks – giant stretch marks!
- Moving like an old woman every morning when my hips ache from the loosening and separating….
- Hot hands

The only good point I have experienced so far?

That stuff they say about women’s hormones kicking up in the 2nd trimester and your love life being really, really good…. It’s really, really true. (Sorry for the TMI, just being honest...)

After visiting my doctor yesterday, I now know that I am still probably several weeks away from delivery but I am growing more uncomfortable with every day. New aches and pains develop almost daily. Everyone insists that you get so miserable toward the end that you forget about the fact that your whole life is going to change and you really just want that baby to get here. Although there is a certain part of me that would relish nothing so much as to be done being pregnant, I have yet to forget what comes next.

After all, if this little guy can disrupt my life while he is still tucked in my belly, how much more will he do once he arrives? I am praying that I am one of the lucky ones who ends up with a baby that comes out sleeping 6 hrs a night, but I am highly skeptical. Just a few more days until we know for sure.

OK, gotta go, I am feeling a little lightheaded now…life…changing…completely…changing…. So…terrified….

Surprising Turn of Events

Today is an exciting day.

Today Techy, my sweet hubby, got to experience something he never dreamed that he would ever experience…. Today Techy’s office threw him a surprise BABY SHOWER!!!!

I was in on the secret, because they, of course, invited me. However, I could not attend as I had a previously scheduled visit with my doctor that I absolutely could not miss.

As fun as it would have been for me to be there, it is much more enjoyable to think of Techy squirming from what I can only assume was one of the most uncomfortable situations he has ever been placed in. Had I been there, it would remove far too much of that pressure from him, and that would just be wrong! Every time I think of him sitting there with cute little bags and boxes around his feet as he awkwardly tries to open gifts I have to smile!


I hope there were lots of bows and tissue paper! I hope there were bunches of baby clothes for him to act excited about!!! I hope there was one of these:

He will come home with it and say something to the effect of, "I have no idea what this is, but isn't it cool? Can you return some of the stuff you bought and use this stuff instead?" Because that's what he says about everything we have gotten from baby showers.

I hope someone took pictures!!!! Imagining my husband, whose favorite past time is playing video games and burning things, opening tiny baby things and trying to be excited about it while also being the center of attention, is just too much for me!

As much as I know he won't enjoy being the center of attention for that time, I do know that he will love the fact that the people he works with felt the need to do something for him. He loves his job and he adores the people he works with and for. I can't wait to have this little guy here so Techy and I can introduce him to all those wonderful people!

Swollen Feet and Sweaty Palms

These days, I am nothing if not active. I remember a time when I used to schedule my life around my workouts and be sad because I didn’t have anything else to do. I remember a time when I thought life in Delaware was lonely. I remember a time when I said to my husband, “I need more friends! I only have 2 friends in Delaware, and one of them is you!”

Remembering those times are sad, and yet, in times like these, when my life refuses to calm down, part of me misses those days.

I have decided that my newest goal, which I will add to my ever growing list, is apparently to allow myself as little time as possible to sit on my couch and DO NOTHING until the baby gets here. All evenings possible should be filled with running, doing, baking, cleaning, planning, talking, and all other exhausting plights.

Last week, someone asked me if the pregnancy insomnia has begun yet, (for the record, I have been dreading the “insomnia” stage since the first day I found out I was pregnant.) and surprisingly, I was honestly able to reply with a no (so far - fingers crossed). If I had to guess, I would venture to say that is only because I keep myself so busy every day that by the time I hit the pillow at night, my body is screaming for the sleep that I need. ( I can only imagine the devastation this will work on me once this little guy is here and I am used to a good 7 hrs of solid sleep every night.)

This past weekend was a prime example of my busy-ness. Friday night, I ran out of work, drove across town to pick up my husband from his mechanic, then dashed home to start straightening up my house. (I’ve learned there are limits to things that a pregnant woman can do, and I had invited 2 of my favorite teenagers to come over on Saturday in order to try to get my house together. But I had to do a little pre-work—there was no way I was going to let them to see it in the shape it was in on Friday!) After about 30 minutes of that, my girlfriend picked me up and we headed off to a poker party at another friend’s house for the evening.

Saturday was much the same. Up at dawn, groceries, shopping with the mother-in-law, back home to wait for my teenage assistants, wrapping gifts, baking cookies, cleaning, taking Techy to pick up his car, more baking, more cleaning, crafts, and some time around midnight, bed.

Sunday, up a little after dawn, church, more baking, cookie party, youth Christmas party. CONSTANT RUNNING! Needless to say, last night I was EXHAUSTED. As I climbed into bed, I was able to see my feet for the first time all day….they looked like my husbands! You probably don’t understand the full impact of that statement, but I tease my husband ruthlessly about his “Barney Rubble feet”—when my feet start to resemble Barney Rubble’s…well, you can imagine my concern. When I nearly cried over the size of them, Techy kindly offered to rub them before we went to sleep, and I graciously accepted. However, this morning I woke up with the same swollen, manly-looking stubs at the end of my legs – guess the rubbing can only do so much.

I don't think my hands are that much better. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t swollen, but they are distinctly different than they were pre-gestation. There was a time when my extremities were always cold. Ok, so let’s just be honest, there was a time when my entire body was cold and my extremities were icy. The body that I am currently occupying is rarely cold, and my hands and feet are actually the warmest portions.

Last night, I reached over to pat Techy on the shoulder, and when I made contact with him, he jumped and jerked away like I had hit him. When I questioned the gesture, he leaned over and whispered, “You burned me!” I almost fell out of my chair laughing.

Oh how things have changed!

All that being said, this morning, I started my day with a fairly light week ahead of me, since then I managed to fill up my Tuesday night, Wednesday night, possibly Thursday and Friday, and Saturday was already filled. Considering the events now on my schedule in correlation to my current body issues, I can only hope to find appropriate shoes to fit my enormous, manly feet, since they apparently want to stick around for a while. On the upside, I won’t have to worry about finding gloves to match my outfit, even if it snows, since my hands are the same temperature as the sun!

4 Years and Counting

Today, Techy and I celebrate 4 years of marriage….

Looking back over the last 4 years, I realize I had no idea what life held for us.

In high school, I thought 4 years was an eternity. In college, 4 years was a long time. And now, 4 years has passed without me even knowing it. How did that happen?! And in the last 4 years, we have experienced the highest of highs and lowest of lows.

So much has changed in 4 years. Like this…

Then

Now

And this…
Then

Now

We started out in the tiniest 1 bedroom apartment we could find for the first 10 months of our marriage.

And then we bought this….

And then we got one of these….

And decided we needed this….

And then we got the crazy notion that we needed one of these...

So yes, lots has changed in the last 4 years.... I can only imagine what the next 4 years will bring. It's pretty exciting and terrifying all at the same time. But, some things haven't changed...

like the fact that I have my best friend by my side to share the laughter, the tears, the good times, and the bad--sleepless nights and all. I love you, honey!

Thankful in the chaos

It is December 1, 2009, and Techy and I have officially celebrated our last Thanksgiving as just the 2 of us. Correction, I should say, we have officially celebrated our last Thanksgiving with out children. Alas, it was not just the 2 of us—there is always Gizmo to take into account as well as my ever extending family.

To be honest, as far as Thanksgivings go, this was an interesting one. We arrived home to find my parent’s house completely torn apart – they were in the midst of a remodeling project that I was not aware of until we were half way there. Imagine the scene—walking through the door into my parent’s family room, 9 months pregnant, tired, and sore from the 6 hrs of riding to find bare subflooring and only 2 places to sit available, one of which was occupied by every blanket in the house and my mother nailing in a second layer of subflooring. I had to laugh. Mom almost cried. Long story short, we needed rest, and weren’t going to get it at Mom and Dad’s, so we unloaded the Gizzer’s (did I mention that we have a dog?) and headed off for my sister’s house. Out of the goodness of their hearts, my sister and her husband allowed us the use of their bedroom (ya know, since I am 9 months pregnant and all) and they relocated to the guest room. However, we all forgot some very important things in the transition….

1. The baby monitor perches on my sister’s bedside table so she can hear all the adorable little noises her 8 month makes throughout the night.

2. My 2 year old nephew occasionally wakes up and likes to run into their room and climb in bed with them.

In case you are not good with math, situation 1 + situation 2 = no rest for the weary, and a very miserable, headachy hubby. A.K.A. A very LOOOOOOOONG Thanksgiving day.

Lucky for us, we could rest on Friday…NOT!!! For us, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to thank God for all our blessings—big or small—cherish all your strange family members, eat, give thanks, and strategize for our biggest shopping day of the year. My sister and I started the tradition a few years ago, and after I got married, my husband naturally fell into line with us. Usually, my sister’s husband watches the kids while my husband keeps us safe in the 1-2 major stores on our list before we take him and our first bags of loot home to catch up on some rest.

By Friday night, my husband was miserable, cranky, sick to his stomach from the monumental headache that sleep deprivation had evoked.

By Friday night, I was tired, sore, pregnant, miserable, cranky, mean, and pure evil to my loving, very miserable hubby. After a brief phone call to mom, we determined that we needed to go back to their house at least to sleep, and sleep we did! From 9 or 10 that night until 9 or 10 the next morning.

All that being said, I have learned a few new things to be thankful for this year…

-Houses with finished floors – carpet, hardwood, laminate, linoleum, doesn’t matter. If it has a floor, you can probably put furniture, including things to sit on in the room, which leads me to my next item….
-Seating…need I say more?
-My old body…the one that was 45 lbs. lighter. The one that I used to think was fat. The one that could climb stairs without panting like a dog in 95 degree weather. The one that could bend over. The one that weighed less than my husband!
-Sleep-filled nights…And I am not even experiencing the 3 hour feedings yet!
-A happy, well-rested husband
-A fenced in yard that Gizzy can run around in without worry
-Amazingly generous family members who will do whatever it takes to TRY to make you comfortable in spite of the chaos in their own lives.

My hope is that by next year at this time, I can say that I am thankful for these things again because I am enjoying them again. Only time will tell.

Who's SOOOOOO BIG?!

"The Office" is one of our favorite tv shows. We absolutely love it--Michael's antics, Dwight's craziness, Jim and Pam's epic love story, Michael's stupidity. What a great show.

One of my favorite episodes is one in which the whole office goes on mandatory sales calls. During one of the calls that Jim and Dwight are on, Dwight asks the potential customer if he can use his phone. As Jim continues speaking to the prospect about the advantages of working with their company in spite of the fact that they are small without the advantages of the larger chains, Dwight dials a number and lays the phone down, putting the line on speakerphone. After a few moments they are greeted by the automated service line of one of the large chain stores. After several menu choices, the automated system places them on hold to wait an eternity and a half for the next available customer service rep. To prove his point, Jim picks up his cell, promptly dials back to their office, and immediately gets one of their customer service reps…no hassle, no wait. Point made. They make the sale.

I couldn’t help but think of this yesterday as our pastor spoke a message about how big our God is. As one peruses the scriptures, it is difficult to deny the fact that our God is a super big God with all power, holiness, awesomeness, greatness, perfection…. But the thing that struck me during the sermon is that our God is so big that He is able to be small. He has all the resources necessary—like the big chain store, but He provides the personal customer service of the little guys.

I continued to be reminded of it as one of my friends told me a story about her dog disappearing. She said the entire time her dog went missing, she was crying and praying, yet she kept thinking that what she was going through was such a petty thing to be requesting prayer for. Why waste God’s time listening to her cry about her missing pet, when there are so many more important things to be praying for? People are dying of cancer, families have lost loved ones, children have gone missing, and we are praying about a dog? But that’s how big our God is….

In case you don’t want to take my word for it….

Matthew 10:29 states that sparrows, who are really worth nothing by our standards, matter to God to the extent that he has a plan for each of them
-and-
Luke 12:27-28 basically says that God takes care of the flowers on the ground, and they do nothing for him…how much more is he going to care about our concerns?

The thing is, God made us because he wanted a relationship—a close relationship. I don’t know how much you know about relationships, but usually, if you are in a close relationship with someone, things that matter to them, even small things, matter to you. Things that hurt them—even little things—rile you up, make you want to tear people’s hair out (not that God actually goes there, I am sure he is much more civil in his anger).

Point being, God cares. Big things…little things…it does not matter to my God. If it matters to me, it matters to Him. He’s just that big.

Reasonable Responsibility

I think it makes sense for me to be reflecting on responsibility at this point in my life. Seems like I am confronted with it at every turn. I realize it is likely due to the age I am and the age of my friends, but I find it funny that we are the ones making these decisions and being the responsible parties. Even more amazing are the people who I thought would be successful and responsible that have failed-most of them, epically.

Responsibility is seen as so many different things anymore. Some see it as being true to yourself no matter the cost, while others see it as self sacrifice no matter the cost. And fiscal responsibility is a term that is said daily on almost every news network out there (yet no one seems to be practicing it). I think my best definition of responsibility would be making decisions with the knowledge that your decisions and actions affect more than just yourself.

For instance, my decision to learn the Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance in order to perform at my friends' wedding in December is a responsible decision since it will not only help me get in shape for delivering this baby, but it will give my friends a wedding memory that will last forever--enormous pregnant woman shaking her booty on the dance floor at their wedding one week before her due date, hopefully going into labor right then and there?! What an honour! Hopefully, their photographer is as responsible as I am and will snap some amazing pictures of the moment!

My hubby and I had a long conversation this morning about where we feel our responsibilities lie at this point in our life. Obviously, the "Single Ladies" dance made it to the top of the list, closely followed by Black Friday Shopping (fiscal responsibility) and finally prepping for Little Man, whose arrival is getting closer every day.

(Did I mention that I am pregnant? Bet you didn't know that yet...I really don't like to talk about myself too much.)

As far as Black Friday shopping, we really only participate due to the thrill of the chase...there is nothing we really need or want right now (other than a year's worth of diapers, formula, and money for day care) so when we discussed the infamous day-after-holiday-that-has-pretty-much-become-a-new-holiday, this year we aren't on a quest for any particular items and are waiting to see the sale papers and determine what is too good a deal to pass up since we will probably need it at some point in the future.

As for prepping for baby, now even we have begun throwing around the term "fiscal responsibility". Not that fiscal responsibility is something that can ever be achieved once the little guy is here. (From what I understand, once you have children, money grows wings and flies so fast you don't even see it leaving your wallet.) My plan is to not plan and let life happen. My husband hates my plan. He wants to plan every detail, but my argument is that we can't know how things are going to pan out and we certainly can't know how much this decision is going to cost upfront. That's just not the way this works! But I do know this--it's going to be worth it all!

And personally, I think that is only reasonable.

"Surviving" the "Reality"

I have developed a recent love for must see tv, including, but not limited to reality television. Last year, Techy and I got a free DVR upgrade in our new cable package, and in order to fit in with convo's at the water cooler, we started DVRing some of the more popular shows...the Office, Survivor, House, American Idol.... Needless to say, we love it.

This is a copy of an email I sent my sister earlier today. (Spoiler alert if you have not seen Survivor this week!)


"Oh my gosh...I honestly thought I was going to hate this season, but it is amazing. Allow me to catch you up....

Last night, they turned the tables big time. Russell (who I really DESPISED at the beginning of the game) continues to find immunity idols without any clues. They just got to the merge last week with 8 on one side (team Galu) and 4 on the other(team Foa Foa). Last week, the smaller team that Russell(FF) is on convinced the bigger team(G) that they needed to vote off their strongest player because he was really manipulative. That brought it down to 7(G) and 4(FF). In the meantime, Shambo (who is by far the biggest idiot ever as well as a member of the larger tribe-G) hates her team and loves Russell's team. It was an easy transition for them to swing her to their side, her whole team hates her and she hates them. Making the totals more like 6-5 right?

Stick with me now... Last night, Russell found his second immunity idol with NO CLUES. Meanwhile, the other team completely hates him and tried to vote him off using ALL their votes on him. And what did Russell's team do? Of course, they all knew about the idol and were banking on the other team trying to vote him off, so they ganged up and voted another member of the bigger team off.

BOO YEAH! They just leveled the playing field. With Shambo hating her own team, the game is now 5-5! I LOVE REALITY TELEVISION!"

I realize that I am a little overly passionate about it, but it makes me think.

I love it when something/someone that I interpret to be weak proves to be stronger than I ever thought possible, and I do not think that I am alone in that. I would say that many enjoy seeing the underdog overcome.

Right now, I identify with the underdogs.... I am tired, sore, weak, vulnerable and more scared than ever of the daunting responsibility that is mere weeks away. (44 days, to be exact) But I take comfort in the continued reminder that as a child of God, his "power is made perfect in weakness..." and "when I am weak, then I am strong". (2 Cor. 12:9-11)

(How sweet is that?! I think it deserves a fist pump, but probably from someone with a little less arm flab than I have, so one of you will have to do it for me...if you are even reading this...oh well...I guess He knows my intentions...)

Lord knows I am going to need some of that strength to shake up the reality that I will soon be living in!

Remarkable remarks....

Ummm, so did I mention that I am extremely new at this blogging thing?

I didn't promise to be good at it!

I just realized today that people actually have commented on my blog! I am popular! (Double fist pump combined with an amazing high kick in honor of my popularity!) I have waited all my life to have people follow me! Now there are 6 of you. AMAZING! I have really achieved something.

In case you haven't read the comments or weren't one of the ones to comment, don't feel bad. I completely understand. But so you know, people are clamoring for me to post a video when I get the Single Ladie's dance down pat, Techno Geek should be renamed either Dexter or Tknog33k, and the fist pump action should live on for as long as possible!

I am on top of the world.

In other news, tonight is bound to be a tragic evening. I have 3 boxes behind my desk to take home with me tonight. You may ask what I am planning to do with the boxes. You can't even imagine the sadness--I am boxing shoes. Either for disposal or for relocation to my attic. As difficult as it is to imagine that any girl would want to give up shoes, I have reached the absolute max that my closet will hold and I cannot justify taking closet space away from my unborn baby to house my shoes (most of which are high heels that I can't even wear right now--blast these stupid pregnancy hormones that cause everything on my body to swell!)

Don't cry for me, I am brave. If you feel bad, though, you could comment knowing that it will make me feel popular enough to wash away the tears!











By the way, I need to clear my conscience.... I didn't actually do that amazing high kick from earlier. I know, I know. I am sorry to have fooled you like that, but seriously, take a look at that belly and tell me how you think I am going to get my leg to go anywhere. No, no...it didn't happen. Sorry about that.

Techno Geek...

Had to post this! It totally made me laugh out loud!


Saw this ad this afternoon on http://www.dealcatcher.com/ :








Remote Controlled Switch Socket (3-Pack)$16.99 $11.99 at Computer Geeks
Computer Geeks is selling this remote controlled switch socket 3-pack for $11.99. Allows remote operation of many electrical devices, including lamps, appliances, and more. Standard shipping is $8.




The funny thing is, my hubby has one of these (not identical, mind you, but same concept) and it is one of his favorite toys. He thinks all things should come with a remote control. To be able to control the power of a lamp from across a room or even upstairs is extremely important to him. Now, I know you have to know at least one person like that...Christmas gift, anyone???



Remind me to tell you a funny story involving this toy and one gullible grandmother sometime.



Let's just say my hubby can be pure evil sometimes!

Unchangeable Marks

Memories are so powerful. For me, they have the strength to put a smile on my face or even make a tear roll down my cheek for no good reason. According to my hubby, I am pretty much one of the most emotional people of all time. I won't deny this. I may actually claim it with pride.



Over the past week or so my Techno Geek and I have been compiling a digital photo album of 2008, and reliving so many memories. Some happy, some sad, and some simply painful memories.



Looking back over last year made me realize something, though. People come in and out of our lives so fast, sometimes only for a season--very few actually make it to "lifers" or the people you will continue to turn to for many years to come. I have no way of knowing for sure who those people may be for me--I have no way of knowing what the future holds at this point.



What I can know is that no matter what comes, I already have alot to be thankful for not only in the people who are still actively involved in my life, but also by those who have moved on. Long term, short term.... Every single one of those people have made an unchangeable mark on my life.


Thanks for that!

A day in the life...

I had a really good idea for today's blog...I forgot it. Sorry. That's today in a nutshell. I have sticky notes all over my desk to help me remember everything that I want/need to do, but most of the time I forget to look at the sticky's and still forget.





Just so you don't walk away feeling empty-handed, my sister sent me this hilarious picture today. You probably won't find it as hilarious as we did....

She dated the picture by the articles of clothing. I dated the the picture by the size of those computer monitors...this is how I know that my Techno Geek is rubbing off on me. (But seriously, I think I wore both that blue dress and that striped black shirt some time in 6th grade...)

The picture took me back to a simpler time when computers were bigger than most office chairs and horizontal stripes were in style.

Thanks for the laugh, sis! I needed that!

Switching Sides

I don't know how anyone does it. It is one of the more difficult things I have ever attempted. When the weight of the world is on you and you just have to change your point of view for some relief. The pain, the raw ache, the agony of it all. I am, of course, referring to trying to roll over in bed these days. Think I am kidding? Try having a 40 lb. bowling ball strapped to your stomach and let the fun begin! It's ridiculous! I am pretty sure beached whales have looked more glamorous floundering on the beach.

Not that I care how I look, anymore. I have determined that what I look like is absolutely the least important thing in my life right now. That isn't to say that I don't fix up...I try, but there is only so much one can do! I only have 4 pair of pants that still fit, and I have about 4-5 long-sleeve shirts. Without doing multiple loads of laundry per week, I could possibly look like a hobo or a misplaced beach bum. All that to say, I am getting as creative with my wardrobe as I am with the contents of my cupboards these days. (I haven't had the time or energy to go grocery shopping in almost a month)

Don't take me wrong, pregnancy isn't all bad. One thing I can say for pregnancy--it definitely teaches you to be thankful for the things you took for granted before. Things like single digit sizes, any amount of time without food on the brain, sleep that isn't interrupted by a full bladder, being able to stay in any one position (whether sitting, standing, lying down, etc.) without getting a backache and swollen feet, bending over...I think you get the gist.

Not that I don't enjoy being pregnant. I did...weeks 4 to 6 and weeks 12 to 24 were great. It was fun, even. I got attention from people, I felt great, I looked great (in spite of some crazy acne that popped up--I blame the hormones), and I slept--oh, how I slept. For the first time in my life, I had the most wonderful, luxurious, restful sleep. Trains could have barrelled through my bedroom, and I wouldn't have noticed!

But alas, those days are gone. I am 32.5 weeks, and as I said before, counting the days. We found out yesterday that Little Man is already about 4.5 lbs. and is head-down, meaning he has started his progression. Part of me is terrified of things to come, but part of me doesn't care! I just want to be able to switch sides in the middle of the night without feeling like I am shifting the world's largest water balloon across my bed.

52 days...52 days...52 days

(By the way, that means that Christmas is exactly 50 days away, so time to get shopping!)

Countdown

Every year, we celebrate the countdown to the new year. Most of us end up watching the gigantic bedazzled ball drop in Times Square. It wasn’t so long ago that I actually took part in that celebration, on what was admittedly the coldest, wettest, most miserable day ever. It was the first year that Charlie and I was married, and I have never forgotten the experience.


This year, my countdown to the New Year started a little early…somewhere around mid-April to be exact. I could give you an exact date, but that’s a little over the top. Since I want to hold to my reputation of being “under the top” I will spare you.


For you head-scratchers, who don't get it, mid-April was when a simple, everyday trip to the bathroom changed my life. Ok, so it was actually 3 trips to the bathroom, and they weren’t everyday trips to the bathroom. It’s not every day you take a little plastic contraption and hold it under you while you…well, never mind. But all the same, that day changed my life and began the countdown to the New Year.


In case you still haven’t gotten the gist of this, April 15 (ok, so I am over the top) was when I found out that I was going to be joining the ranks of motherhood (the few, the proud, the strong...). And based upon detailed, scientific calculations (also known as the last time "Mother Nature" visited), it was determined that I should deliver this little guy sometime around December 27—4 days before the new year. A new year that holds a very uncertain future, and for once, very few scheduled plans, other than what absolutely has to happen. Feed baby, sleep, eat…repeat.



Today marks 54 days until my due date, 58 days until New Year's. So let the countdown begin! As I stated in my first post, I had several goals that need to be accomplished before Little Man gets here. I am proud to say I accomplished at least one of those goals this week--I finished the curtains for the baby's room. (Can I get a high five, anyone?) I have to say, I am pretty proud of them. They don't look amazing (especially if you look at the back of them, so please if any of you come to my house, do not look at the back of my curtains) but they aren't half bad. My goal for the coming weekend is to finish the remainder of the #1 item from my to-do list--all things baby room.


As soon as that's done I am running to the nearest store that sells giant leotards and tights and buying myself a pair. It would be unfair to myself to start training for the "Single Ladies" dance in anything but the original costume. (Lucky for me, I already have an uncomfortable pair of black heels to wear.)


Hopefully, with just less than 50 days left until Baby Peck's scheduled arrival, I should have completed 1/3 of my goals in my "one last shot for ridiculousness" checklist and well on to 2/3. I figure it should only take me a few days to learn some killer Beyonce moves to shock the crowds with. Can't wait!

The Name Game

I realized something new today as I was reading another blog...I need to create an alias for my dear sweet husband if I am going to blog about him. For instance, one of my friends affectionately refers to her boyfriend as "The Foliage", other favorites include "Marlboro Man" and the infamous "Mr. Big". Even Garfield had a nickname for his true love--it just so happens to be the nickname that my husband has called me by for the last several years--Pookie.

I have affectionately (and unaffectionately) called my husband by several names since I met him, but today is the day that I will "blog-name" him. I think it should be humorous yet affectionate, strong yet sweet...blah, blah, blah. I have no idea what I should name him, but my goal for today is to figure this out. I am throwing around "Schmoopsie Poo" since it seems to go with "Pookie", "Free spirit" since that is what his name means (I think this might be a little too hippyish), and "Energizer" for his ADHD (a little too, well, just wrong).... I could always go with "Mr. Something", but I don't know what the something would be. If it weren't derrogatory, I think I would totally call him "The Nerd", but since I know he occasionally reads this, I don't think that's the best option. However, I don't think he would be offended by the title, "Techno Geek". I will have to test it out....

Last night, Techno Geek and I went over to his parents' house for dinner. As a demonstration of how techno-geeky my dear, sweet husband is, during dinner his blackberry went off multiple times and his cell phone (separate from the blackberry--this is his personal cell phone) went off at least 3 times. I finally had to take them away from him and put them on vibrate so he wouldn't hear them and continue checking them throughout dinner. However, at the end of dinner he took them back from me, and proceeded to take one apart in order to ignite fireworks with the battery. (Get the point?)

Techno Geek is always coming up with new hobbies. After we went on the cruise, it was video editing. Now it is photography. It changes constantly, but among the favorites are fireworks, "Technosolving" or playing video games online with 25 of his "closest" friends (a.k.a. people he rarely sees except while playing his video games). Had he lived in caveman times, he would have been the guy who wanted to not just create the wheel, but hot wire it so that some kind of flame would come out of the back as it rolled down away and then find some way to create some kind of entertainment out of it for others to enjoy.

Yep, Techno Geek fits.... Techno Geek it is. (Sorry, honey, I love you, but....)

Blissful buggy

I am the classic procrastinator.... Life is always busy and the fall seems to be the busiest time of year, but I have been able to devote very little of my time toward the goals I had set for myself. However, in spite of my busy schedule and the frustrations I face, I continue to be reminded of how blessed we are.

Last night, as I pulled into my driveway, I spotted a large box on my front porch, which I assumed to be the Pack-n-Play that my mom and sister gave me as a shower gift. I was so excited. When I got to it, I realized that it wasn't my Pack-n-Play, but the travel system that we registered for.... In the world of new babies, certain expensive items you can do with out and I had discounted the travel system to that status. One of my girlfriends loaned me her car seat and base as well as the collapsible stroller that went with it, so I had decided that if there was one expensive item on my registry that I had to forego--the travel system would be it.
But there it was! When I saw the return address, I was shocked. It was from someone that I work with! As it turns out, several of my co-workers pitched in to help fund the big purchase!

Having recognized how blessed we are with amazing friends and family in Virginia, it's impossible to deny the fact that I am also blessed with wonderful coworkers and friends here as well.

Overall, it would be ridiculous of me to ignore the fact that my husband and I have so much to be thankful for. To disregard the fact that God has provided so much for us would be unforgiveable of me.


For you cynics, I have to admit that even I find it a bit odd that I experienced sheer delight about something as "ridiculous" as a car seat and a stroller. I have become "those people". It's embarrassing, but true. Just wait-in a few months, I will be worse-"those people" who put their children on the phone to make baby noises to friends and family. For those of you who have already been "those people", I love you and I love your children. (And payback for all the picture messages, video messages and phone calls will be incredibly amusing!) For those of you who are not yet "those people", there is a very high probability that one day you will be delighted to see a stroller sitting on your front porch or you will call/text me with baby updates. It's the circle of life--so don't make too much fun of me!

From the Valley to the Mountaintop and back again

In my humble opinion, family is either one of the absolute best or worst parts of life, depending on who you are stuck with. Fortunately for us, we have two of the most amazing families ever. Charlie's family is nothing if not interesting and my family...how would one describe my family??? Assuming that you have seen the movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding", you may get a sense of what kind of family mine is. Everyone is in everyone's business, extended cousins-who most families never know-are just as much a part of our family as our siblings, no one ever moves away, grandmas cook, kids are everywhere, everyone knows embarrassing stories about everyone and doesn't mind sharing them, and everyone loves everyone. The difference is we are the southern version.... So instead of the Greek accent and words flipping through the conversation, we add extra syllables to all words and throw around southern vernacular that outsiders scratch their heads at. (Words like "yonder", and phrases like, "Daddy went over to the holler for the afternoon" are extremely common.)

All that being said, we made a trip home to visit this wonderful, unique family of mine for the weekend and to celebrate our first baby shower. What a weekend it was!

Truthfully, I have a large family, so had there been a room full of family members alone, the shower would have been as average as anyone else's with 15 or so people there, and I would have been thrilled. I realize that I have lived in Delaware for more than 3 years now and should expect some of those non-family ties that were so strong before I moved to have weakened. I honestly didn't expect a crowd, but I was so excited to see everyone who came. Most of them, if not all of them, are people who went to church with my family for my entire life. I grew up under the supervision of these women, all of them, in some way my teachers, mentors, Sunday School teachers, or friends. So much has happened in the 3 1/2 years since I moved to Delaware, though, and God has moved most of these women out of the "old circle" and into new arenas where they rarely, if ever, see one another. I had such a fantastic time talking to them and catching up, and I know they enjoyed catching up with one another as well. I told mom after the shower was over that I am pretty sure that's what heaven will be like. All the people we know and love, catching up and so excited to be able to share our lives with one another again.

Almost every trip to Virginia includes some kind of amazing opportunity that we would never get to experience in Delaware. My husband is always amazed at these new experiences. Before we left, we went to visit my grandparents. Over the past year or so, my Pappaw has taken up a new hobby...he decided he wanted to build himself a cabin in the mountain behind his house. It took quite a bit of coercing to talk Pappaw into taking us to see it (complete sarcasm--I mentioned it and he practically lept out of his chair to grab the keys to his truck). He chopped down the trees and built the cozy little one-room cabin himself. The little structure is solid and warm and overlooks a "holler". Charlie was enthralled to say the least. The structure is habitable for their use, complete with limited electricity due to a back-up generator, running water (piped straight from the fresh mountain spring), and outhouse - also handbuilt by Pappaw. (I promise to post pictures as soon as my husband uploads them to a computer that I have access to!)

The trip was just another reminder that although I would never consider any of my connections in Virginia to be financially wealthy, we are certainly rich in life experience and love, through our connections with these people--and that's something I wouldn't trade for the world!

To start things off

I have decided that blogging is a much easier way for me to share my ridiculousness with the world. I am so excited! I feel like Creed from the Office...keep hoping that anyone who reads this doesn't think the same!

I would love to establish some really high expectations from this blog such as Biblican insights, noble thoughts & deeds, creative outlets, and pure entertainment, but I know better.... It will more than likely be the crazed ramblings of a sleep deprived, hormonal female for quite some time.

For those of you who know me, you probably know that I am pregnant with my first baby...a boy, which my husband is a wee bit more than excited about. I am thrilled, although, if you know me well, to imagine me with a boy would probably make you laugh out loud. Growing up, I was the babysitter that played dress up with all the kids and inspired 3 year old little girls to ask Santa Clause for "makeup". I was never what one would classify as a tom-boy. It's not as though I know nothing about boys...my sister has a little boy who I absolutely adore. But I never really imagined myself having a boy. I see it as an opportunity to explore a side of myself that I have never explored...Mommy of a little boy...sounds like a challenge--I LOVE IT!

Prior to giving birth to this little guy, though, I have set a few goals which I plan to accomplish. I plan to document my journey through these goals, so be prepared for amazingness.

1) Obviously, I have to finish getting this baby's room set up. We have already painted, but I still have to make curtains, dust, get a mattress for the crib, clean the crib, vacuum, wash all the baby clothes, clean out the closet.... Should be a weekend FULL of work. Another challenge! YES! (Double fist pump to emphasize my excitement)

2) Learn Beyonce's "Single Ladies" dance. I mean seriously, if some barely walking baby can do it, I should be able to as well. And how hilarious would it be to see me, as huge as I am now, in a leotard and high heels? Even bigger challenge! (No fist pump can convey my sheer delight over this idea)

3) Finish Christmas shopping and baby shopping without busting the bank. My husband has become rigorously involved with reading our credit card bills and wanting to know what every purchase I made 60+ days ago was for, so I MUST accomplish this! He thinks we should be "surviving" rather than "living". Let me just say, I think this will be my largest challenge to date. Not as excited about this one, although it does mean that I get to use Excel to the max, so "Cha-ching" (with a single fist pump from the early 90's for this one)

Wish me luck!!!