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May 29, 2007

I heart 3 day weekends!

We had such a fun weekend, it was hard to see it come to an end. This morning started with a bang by me shattering the coffee pot which caught on the loop of my robe and fell to the ground. Oh how I wish it were Saturday again!
Andy's birthday was Friday and after a special birthday dinner here with the girls he and I went to see Spiderman 3. I had low, low expectations which was probably a good thing. A friend was at the house while the girls were in bed (free babysitting) and I had a free movie pass, so I think not spending a paycheck on one evening out helped my attitude. I did insist on getting popcorn though, I can't help myself once I walk in the door and smell it. I actually enjoyed the movie and had a great time out with Andy.
Satuday we went to the St. Elmo community yard sale where I scored a dust buster for Lizzie. I've been wanting to get one for her for a while and was glad to find this one for $5. She now vacuums under the dining room table after meals. It's a great toy!! :) How else can I sneak in chores in a fun way!
Sunday I went to church with the girls while Andy "ran an errand". He saved up to get himself a wii for his birthday and they couldn't keep them on the shelf at Best Buy, but were getting a shipment in on Sunday so I encouraged him to be there when the doors opened at 11. I hadn't anticipated that so many people would ask where my husband was at church and I felt a bit awkward explaining that he was getting his new gaming system! My cousin Val came over that afternoon and we all played tennis, which was a great workout and a lot of laughs. After dinner with Val we had friends over to play the wii and we got another husband addicted and another wife rolling her eyes. LOL
I was so happy on Sunday evening, knowing that Andy would be with us one more day it was so nice.
Monday after a bit of a pity party over not having anything to wear and not really liking how anything fit (by me in case you are wondering) we ventured out to Target for some clothes. Andy was so awesome, he entertained the girls patiently while I tried on several tank tops and shorts. He was as determined as I was to help me find a swim suit (BLECK) and even took us to the mall so I could check out what Motherhood had. I didn't get a suit but did get some new shirts and a pair of shorts from Target. We made a picnic dinner and went to eat it at Coolidge park that night. It was so hot, much hotter than I had thought it would be so we didn't stick around for too long, but it was fun to be together and be outside.
I really loved having him around so much and for so long. What a great weekend without any real obligations. Back to the grind now and the awaiting laundry and mopping.

Posted by JennR at 10:29 AM | TrackBack

May 25, 2007

Happy Birthday Andy

Happy Birthday sweetheart! I know you are going to just love that I posted this picture! :)

We hope you have a great day, the girls can't wait till you get home and its totally not because of the birthday cake they are so excited about!

We love you!

Posted by JennR at 10:26 AM | TrackBack

May 24, 2007

Well, the verdict is in!

It's another GIRL, that's right folks- that makes THREE GIRLS!.
(check out her hobbit feet by the way, and I thought my first two were tall)

Ok so honesty time, althought I have now had 3 hours for it to sink in. I totally cried when I found out and then cried more cause I was feeling so guilty for crying over a healthy baby just because she had a vagina. LOL, I guess I really hoped for a boy more than I thought. It was a bit of an emotional morning, feeling weird for being disappointed and laughing at Andy's jokes and pitiful girl name suggestions!

Thankfully everything checked out fine and she seems to be growing just fine. She. . . hmmm, I guess I'm getting used to it.
The scan did make things more real, no my growing belly didn't do it for me Lisa! :) I don't usually get emotional about the babies until they come out but I do feel like my status of knowing her a little bit has been raised and for that I am thankful.

So this weekend I think I'll go out and find something crafty to start making for her. Maybe I'll take Lizzie with me and do a little bit of shopping for girl's baby clothes I totally won't need but more need mentally and emotionally.

Posted by JennR at 01:40 PM | TrackBack

May 22, 2007

What will I listen to now?

Last night I finished listening to the 6th Harry Potter book and now I just don't know what to do with myself. Ok, that's a bit exaggerated but I am a little sad. What will I do during my walmart trips now, those lovely evenings where I got away for over an hour and submerged myself into these books. When I got home last night I think I was on the next to the last chapter and something very traumatic was happening, if you've read the Half Blood Prince then you know to what I am referring. Anyway, I found myself sitting in the garage with a van full of groceries and I was crying. What a nerd! What a pregnant nerd! Man those books were entertaining though. Can't wait till the last one. I saw last week at our library they were having a Harry day where they were going to read the last chapter of the 6th book and the first chapter of the 7th and I got excited but then quickly realized I'd be there with a bunch of kids. Whose 12 yr old can I borrow just to be able to attend? (just kidding I'm not that bad off)

I usually don't post about recipes or cooking mostly because I am embarrassed of my lack of ability, however this week I've been on a site I thought I'd post. It's no secret or anything, it happens to be the Kraft site. Now normally I don't like recipes where you add something already prepared to a meat and some veggies (like on some campbell soup labels) but there are some good things on this site, and they don't seem too processed. (if that makes sense)
Just thought I'd share.

Also side note: I'm not sure that this is limited to just the Brainerd, but bilo is having their frozen bags of chicken buy one get one free and I took the ad to walmart when I did my shopping and got my frozen bags of tenderloins (3lbs) for $4.44 each. (since I know I have some Brainderd readers)

Yep thats a graduation cap and those are red tights on the outside of a hot pink leotard!!

Posted by JennR at 03:18 PM | TrackBack

May 21, 2007

How far to take things

Being healthy has been on my mind a lot this pregnancy. I think some because for the first time I am actually pregnant at the same time as some of my friends so there is a lot of discussion about pregnancy. Early on I had wanted to try to do some version of the Brewer diet and am just now finding myself able to stomach some of the foods listed. With a family I already meal plan for its hard to work these extra things in or to change up some of what we eat all together just to add more protein. I probably won't ever strictly adhere to it but I can see the benefits.
All this to say I'm finding myself tired of thinking of such things. While being pregnant with friends has been fun, it has been somewhat mentally tiring. I've had to decide what is best for me and catch myself from being too influenced by others. Luckily I'm surrounded by pregnant women who have varying standards, one who won't even paint her toes nails and one who is fine taking the approved over-the-counter medicines. My strictest friend recently made a comment to me about how she feels about having a bit of junk food- she tries to remind herself that she is building the body that her child will have for the rest of their life? I'm not sure if I really think it works that way, is my sherbert each evening (which is my miracle cure for heartburn) robbing this baby of something or keeping him/her from having the greatest foundation ever? Worse than that, is the pepsid ac I take very other day causing some kind of unforseen harm? That one is the real kicker, the one I think about each time I take it. It is really improving my way of life for this pregnancy though. It's hard though to be in discussion with someone so eager not to take anything and not have a bit of the anxiety and guilt rub off on me. Not blaiming her and her ambitions in the least, its all on me. Just some stuff I've been thinking on.

I ordered a pregnancy workout dvd on the recommendation of a friend and have so far really enjoyed it. I only do 2 out of the 4 sections cause I don't care about upper body or partner stretching. I'm not sure Lizzie could be much help in the partner stretching and its easier to do during the day. : )
My friend who told me about it said the instructor seemed kind of cheerleader like and if you'll click on her site you'll see why she might think that.
Tracey Mallett

I highly recommend this dvd (which I actually got on amazon for half its listed price), especially if you have a fondness for yoga and pilates. The instructor isn't annoying at all and I would know since I also own a Denise Austin pregnancy video! She also has a normal pregnant women's body so you don't have to stare at some blond skinny thing with a basketball for a tummy.

Posted by JennR at 03:38 PM | TrackBack

May 20, 2007

My day with Lizzie

Yesterday I took Lizzie to Oak Ridge to go to my cousin Emily's wedding. It was just a day for the two of us since Andy and I thought it would be silly to take Julia just to put her in a nursery and then take her to a late reception. We went up before lunch to visit with my mom for a bit which was fun. Then we all got dolled up and headed to the church. I had talked to Lizzie that afternoon about how she would sit with us and we would have to be quiet like when we went to the ballet and like when we're at church and one of the pastors is speaking. I took her out to the bathroom right before the ceremony started and we snuck in to see the bride and all the bridesmaids. Lizzie was so excited and thought everyone looked beautiful. She was just awesome during the ceremony. I was a bit tense anticipating her every move and whisper. Have you ever noticed how 3/4 yr olds can't whisper? They think that breathing heavy while talking in a normal voice is a whisper. But that was her worst offense so it wasn't that bad. The wedding was really wonderful and watching Emily and her sisters was ripping my heart out. I was so glad to be able to be there, everyone looked amazing.
We drove back late last night, Lizzie sleeping in the back seat and me listening to the 6th Harry Potter book (I'm a bit addicted). When I finally checked in with Andy I learned that Julia had been stung by a wasp earlier in the evening! I felt instantly heart broken that I hadn't been there but Andy had quickly gotten on the phone with his mom to see what could be done and with a little tylonol Julia had gone to bed fine. What an ordeal for both, but they survived. He's such a stud.
As much fun as we had I am looking forward to a quiet and long weekend next weekend. Andy's birthday is on friday so I'm going to plan a bit of family fun.
Only 4 more days to wait to find out what we're having. . .

Posted by JennR at 08:39 PM | TrackBack

May 18, 2007

Disappointing

I had kind of a bummer of an evening last night, I guess in hindsight its not a huge crisis but discouraging just the same. I got some jewelry making supplies out last night that I had taken to the lake and found that some sterling silver cleaner had spilled all in my container of supplies I took. You are only supposed to submerge the silver in this cleaner for 10 seconds max (according to the directions) so when silver is exposed longer it turns black.

It ruined (or I guess I should say I ruined) 6 pairs of earrings, lots of silver wire I had just gotten, 2 pairs of hoops I use to wrap crystals around and other various supplies. It even ate the metal off my round nose pliers. This just flat out stinks! I try to be frugal and only buy supplies that I will use and now I've lost over $25 in supplies. I was tearing up as I was cleaning it off and throwing stuff away, but that doesn't mean much since I cry during the American Idol results show.
The bummer of it is, I was making a few pairs this week to sell so that I could take Andy out on his birthday (next Friday) using my own money and not the checking account. (that sounds so pitiful and trite, but it does suck!)

After I finished cleaning up I sat on the couch and thought, man I hope Greys Anatomy is at least good tonight. And it wasn't! What a downer in every way!!! I'm considering seriously giving up the soap opera type dramas, I get so irritated with the love triangles and general stupidity.
I might be giving up that show for sure next year, maybe I should take up reading. :)

Posted by JennR at 08:56 AM | TrackBack

May 15, 2007

Recovering

After a fun filled weekend at my friend Cindy's lake house, we are slowly getting back to normal. We met up with the Gosey's from Hotlanta and the Hancocks from Louisville. It was the beach crew back together again plus two little girls and four dogs. We had a blast together and I am so thankful to my very generous friend and her parents who offered the house to us while they were out of town!
Andy and I didn't sleep very well, with both girls in our room and one up coughing for 3 hours in the middle of the night. Needless to say we came home exhausted. This morning even the girls were still whiny and bickering and I really didn't want to go anywhere but thought a trip to the library for Tuesday story time would do them some good. We got there and they were showing a movie instead of reading aloud and doing crafts! What!?!? I was so bummed, I took them to get some brain food cause I was so tired and fighting the urge myself to just stick them in front of the tv. We left early and got 5 books and came home. The movie was too old for them, it was some old Fred Savage movie where he goes to camp with a talking mouse. Lame.
I did find out about their reading club for the summer which we'll join next week and get on a reading list and log a chart and all that jazz. I thought it would be a good habit to get Lizzie into, something to work on for the summer.
I've been sewing baby gifts most the day for a friend of mine who is having a shower tomorrow. It's actually been a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to finding out what I'm having cause I'd like to sew some for myself as well.

I made another towel, this one with hearts made out of felt. They were surprisingly more difficult than the stars I've made on the boy towels in the past. I also made some flannel burp cloths. These are so easy, you only need a 1/4 of a yard of flannel fabric. I put wrong sides together and sewed around the outside edge leaving a few inches unsewn to then turn it right side out (like sewing a pillow). I ironed them and then sewed around again about 1/4 inch from the edge. The hardest part of this process is trimming the edges of the fabric straight. I'm also making her one of those fleece blankets where you cut fringe on two pieces of fabric and tie the fringe together. I haven't made one in a long time cause fleece is so expensive but I found adorable fabric and it was a great deal! These are awesome on hard wood floors since they provide extra cushion to play on and my friend just put hard wood floors in her house.

Ok enough about the boring craftiness.

Posted by JennR at 02:37 PM | TrackBack

May 09, 2007

My little tour guide

We just got back from pre school and Lizzie is so excited that Andrew and Christopher came home with us. She is hilarious, commentating everything on the way home. I had to stop before feeding them lunch to write it out. She talked about how to get to our house while I drove and when we drove up it went something like this:

L: This is our house, its blue on the outside and black on top. That's the retaining wall. . .

L: Here are our steps and I have 20 toys, wow it smells really good (I made lunch ahead of time), our house is really impressive (I swear she said that) and here it is- Ta-DA!!!

Hilarious, I had to stop and write it out. They are playing in her room now and I need to feed them lunch, I just heard her say- who wants to jump on my bed? you have to take your shoes off first. (that's my girl!)

update: more instruction from my mini me!
During lunch while I was scooping out their food they were at the table with their juice I could hear Lizzie at the table saying, "ok now let's put it down to save some room for our macaroni". She was at least being kind in her bossiness!
When her and Chris were done Lizzie said, "now we can just sit nicely and visit".

The boys are gone now and its movie time and time for mom to crash a bit.
It was a fun morning though for sure.

Posted by JennR at 12:47 PM | TrackBack

May 07, 2007

Quick Update

I just got a message from my sweet cousin in OR asking what sex our baby was and I forgot that people might be checking back to see if I posted it. I actually often forget people read my blog. : )

Unfortunately our scan was cancelled today, big bummer. My aunt was squeezing me in on her lunch hour and someone scheduled a pretty extensive scan right before so her lunch was a wash.

I don't know if we'll get in anytime soon, but we have our scan with the Dr on the 24th so I am content to wait till then. That's only a little over two weeks, no big deal. I'll be 19 weeks at that point so still finding out earlier than some people, so I have nothing to complain about.

So there you go, the sex is still unknown and we will hopefully see in two and a half weeks!

Posted by JennR at 04:36 PM | TrackBack

May 04, 2007

Getting a little glimpse

The girls at Clumpies two weeks ago.

On Monday we'll be driving up to Oak Ridge to have a 3D scan at my aunt's office. She scanned me several times with the girls and always is the one who tells us what we're having. I won't lie, I'm hoping for a boy. I could give the cheesy- I just hope its healthy response but I'll assume that goes without saying.
I really thought I'd be posting more about this pregnancy but I don't think I've been able to think about it all that much. Life seems too hectic. When I do think about what the reality might be like, I can see myself stressfully trying to get a baby to latch on while Julia is peeing on the floor and Lizzie is whining about soemthing. So I just don't go there that much. I need to work on having more positive happy thoughts instead of worrying about what it might be like. Sometimes when the girls are singing and performing for us at the end of the night, a private show only Andy and I get to see (Lizzie in a princess dress and Julia in her Elmo costume), I wonder what role a third one might play. They really are so funny, it's exciting to see what kind of personality this next one might have.

Posted by JennR at 08:19 AM | TrackBack