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The valentine's balloons at the grocery store. I am thinking of getting some for the kiddos. Who doesn't love balloons?

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Matching heads on the littlest and biggest.

Believe it or not, I'm going to give a real blog post here because I can't really torture anyone else with this stuff. You're welcome!

Our house has been on the market, on and off for the better part of 4 years. Pretty well the girly's entire life. So we take it off when the leaves fall off the trees, for a variety of reasons. About a month ago, a realtor wanted to show it (again, no leaves on trees, not at all in mode of selling). So we scrambled and house cleaned and it was good but we don't hold out hope anymore since no one has bought it yet. But they really liked it. And are coming back again Sunday.

The house is a disaster. It really is, but it's all relative. We've been really good at purging, making sure the kids clean up their rooms every (other?) day, not having crap around, so it isn't as far off as it has been. I just have to put all of the valentine craft stuff away, both the girly and I had colds so much tissue tossing, and then that extra "put the toaster in cabinet make the whole house sparkle and smell like bleach" step. I'm always glad to have it done so I'll keep thinking of how wonderful Sunday night will be.

I, however, did tell my husband that I have a theory that he and the realtor are in cahoots, and that whenever the house hits a certain untidiness level, they "schedule" a "showing". That also would explain why no one has bought it yet.

ranch

ranch
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Someone was asking about dream houses recently. While this isn't my dream house per se, but this style is it, and this house is a good example of that. I really like it. They built another house basically in this one's backyard, so ignore that part.

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Snow day pillow fort. M was reading the valentine poem she memorized at school:

I love you more than applesauce,
and peaches and a plum
and chocolate hearts and candy tarts
and berry bubble gum.

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Took this because I was scrambling around last night and realized my hair looked just like I wanted it to (minus the bangs that are too long). I like when it's super smooth and a bit flippy. Of course, I can't reliably do it like that on purpose. Oh well.

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He was a friendly dragon.

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I have the intermediate pictures but I can't figure out how to get them to post in the right place.

Anyway, M drew a picture "of you momma!!" at Sunday school. What a riot. I love my smile.

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I went out to get the mail and the baby was laying on the blanket and the big boy was in another chair. 90 seconds later I returned to the cutest cuddle ever.

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Not the best picture, but this tree is almost as old as the house. There's a story about this tree and John Greenleaf Whitter, but I take that with about seventeen grains of salt. The blue sky was really pretty though. Very typical February weather here.

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The funniest part is that he's sitting on daddy, who is taking a nap. I mean, hard at work. It is a Wednesday after all.

Rockin' Moose.

DSC00489
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I can't wait until babyboy is big enough to use this. It's the cutest thing ever.

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The husband's grandmother had this prism at her house, and this last month it's been throwing wonderful rainbows all over the kitchen. We love to see it on all the various surfaces. I thought it was kind of funky on the colorful rug.

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The big boy had written a book and was reading it and explaining it to Daddy. Daddy looked away because he realized I was taking a picture but I'm quick like that.

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Typical saturday morning. And this is why we need a larger bed.

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Baby boy loves to watch the fire. He is sitting on my lap here, don't worry.

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My girl and her best pal. When they play outside they come around the school and it's too cute to see them all. Ms. Judy, the teacher with them, said she was calling them The Slowskis because they were so lollygagging and singing and taking up the rear.

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I think I'd get along with this person.

"It's hard to convince people that you're killing them for their own good"
"Magic happens"
"If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?"
"If you can't operate the turn signal, what makes you think you can operate the rest of the car?"

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Because he makes my heart go squee.

25/365

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My boy was chosen to lead stretches at karate today. He takes it very seriously.

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It is almost Papa's birthday so he came over. We had lunch out but then came home and made a cake. I love this pic because of the look on the birthday boy's face.

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Not the best picture but it was sort of constant motion. Family swim today at the gym. Old pool.

Oatmeal crispies

Oatmeal crispies
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The girl loves to make things. And she can do it all if I make it really easy for her too. She can unwrap the shortening, and dump the rest in (we ran out of brown sugar so white plus molasses it is!). And she can turn the mixer on to a 2. And is pretty good at scooping out balls of dough (the imperfection is part of the charm!).

And me, I'm really good at eating them. It's a useful skill.

Here's the recipe if you want. They are delicious, sort of a combination oatmeal/sugar cookie. Not like an oatmeal-raisin cookie, but I bet they would be great with many things added to them. My niece (nut allergic) was there so we skipped the pecans.

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He painted the Statue of LIberty. Not sure why but there it is.

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Wednesday is dance class day.

19/365

19/365
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Nursing off the four month shots. He's getting nice and fat. 14 lb 13 oz already. No wonder that bucket is getting so uncomfortable.

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Snow day! I love the way the dog is looking at them here.

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The girl has decided her dolly Lila needs a quilt. So we're making one out of some leftovers we had around. I think I even have some batting somewhere, even though I'm not a real quilter. She was illustrating how we will make it, therefore blurry hands. It's an action shot. ;o)

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Last night the gym daycare lady made my baby smell of perfume. So morning tub it is! He's finally to the point where it's not utter torture, but I think it won't be "fun" until he's in the big tub with siblings.

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Waiting at the bus stop in pajamas. We only go to the bus on Friday mornings, and usually the babygirl is still asleep. She gets plenty of beauty sleep. But today we all went. All but for daddy and baby who were still asleep when we returned.

gym

gym
Originally uploaded by archimom

Entering the gym yesterday. Not a great shot but it's been this beautiful sunny cold weather lately. Also, that back portion is the NEW POOL which may be open by March 1. I am not holding my breath because it was supposed to be open in August. At least all the dirt is out now and it really is just finish work. I just can't wait to go directly from the locker room to the pool - right now you walk through all of the weight area, including the judgmental body builders. And it's cold!

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I took this yesterday and posted it and forgot to blog it. Anyway, I figured since I spend so much of my day, might as well include a photo of it. So here tis!

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This is the property I fantasize about. It's perfect in so many ways, except for the $1.2 million price tag. Oh well. I'm a masochist who drives past it a few times a week so that when it gets ripped down and filled with mcmansions, I can cry.

Our fearless protector.

moon
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Moments after this, she barked at the ups guy who threw our package up to the stoop. Good thing nothing's breakable.

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A view from our typical Sunday seats. The sun was so lovely off the snow.

Nap kisses

Nap kisses
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The big boy had to run over and kiss his brother while we were putting laundry away and things during naptime.

Seven year checkup

Seven year checkup
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Is this not super stylish? He thought it was a riot. He's my healthy and strong boy. Also, his BMI is at the 90% which just goes to show how flawed that system is. He's fine and the doctor said that's a load of crap (although she's much more tactful anyway).

Dance class in January.

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The boots, the hat, the gloves, the coat. The tutu.

Also, she is such a little bag lady. She always, always has to have a bag with some of her friends in it. Lately it's been a holiday gift bag.

Quiet time.

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Each afternoon, when the girly is done with school and lunch, we go downstairs for some quiet time. Since she doesn't nap any more, she definitely needs down time before brother gets home and life gets more active. It usually involves turning on pbs and all of us piling into the one chair for an hour or so. We had just gotten off the floor from doing a puzzle.

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We are partaking in some 90% off christmas candy. The cherry cordial ones are totally gross, by the way.

Taken by the girl

Taken by the girl
Originally uploaded by archimom

So yes, it's blurry. But the girl took this and I like it. The light off the snow is nice, I don't look horrible, and the smile is this really lovey smile. Directed at the photographer I'm sure.

By the fire after the bath

By the fire after the bath
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The title says it all. He hates the bath, loves the naked, loves the fire, so it's a mixed bag. But he smells good now!

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This morning, all 3 boys (look closely!) in my bed. Well technically *one* of the boys belongs there. But I'm powerless to the other two.

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Oh gosh this didn't end up being the best picture. But he's taking it *so* seriously.

Project 365

In the interest of becoming a better blogger I'm starting up project 365. I honestly think the reason I've been such a slacker has to do with the love for the iPhone and the fact that I rarely use a real computer. So here we go!

The child in my arms is 6.5 weeks old and my last post was his birth. Blush. Things are a leeeeetle busy around here.

He's super cute. He even smiles. See?

The preschool teacher the other day said she took a photo of me when we went apple picking, two days before his birth. She said the photo was amazing, from the side. I'm dying to see it but I'm sure I'll be horrified as well.

I'm actually at that point where I'm going to start giving him a bottle so that I can Get Out and do fun things like volunteer in a first grade classroom. Watch out world! Okay, and so maybe I will go out for dinner with the husband and have wine and stuff once in a while too. 

Just had the first grade conference with the big boy's teacher, and she says he's great. Funny and great vocabulary and all that stuff I like to puff myself up about. 

On Saturday I had a baby. His name is Dante Antonio and he's perfect. I had a c-section despite our efforts otherwise, but it all went smoothly.

A few interesting things.

The first mom of the 3 in our childbirth class had her baby recently, and she was going to have a homebirth. She ended up in a hospital she hardly knew, and had a c-section. Her baby had a double wrapped cord on her neck which prevented her coming down enough, and this is one of those cases. If they hadn't made the call, I'm sure they're all terrified thinking about that situation.

The reason I know all of this is because the teacher came to visit yesterday. She feels sort of bad - we're 0/2 on the c section front, and the other couple is a vbac couple as well. May they get their perfect birth. They were really worked up about their first c-section and I would love it if this one kind of atones for that.

The reason the teacher visited is because she was working with a doula client, and they were supposed to deliver at a hospital about 45 minutes away. But the baby was practically crowning and here we're about 5 minutes away. She delivered within 10 minutes of walking in the door. It was her fifth, I guess that's why you hear about the farmer ladies dropping babies in the fields.

Also, I found this a little strange. I have two brothers in law who live locally. Not a word of congratulations to myself or my husband or visits or anything. He called his twin because it's so weird, just to make sure he'd heard the good word, and it was "oh ya congratulations I guess". Not really, but that's the attitude we heard. Is that strange or what? Poor third kid.

We're going home today, a day early. I can no longer handle these 4 walls, these uncomfortable beds and chairs, and I miss my big kids. They come to visit pretty often but it's boring here and we expect them to behave and I just want to veg out and cuddle with them.

So I'm just over 37 weeks along and I've never been so ready to birth. It's not even that I feel bad (although last weekend I felt awful, I think it was a stomach bug or something), but that I have to go in 2-3 times a week for non stress tests and ultrasounds and I spend about 8 hours a week being monitored. It's draining, and then to be resting on top of that, I'm always on my bum but it's still exhausting. Mentally I guess. So I've been doing things like making eggplant parmesan and taking evening primrose oil.

I have been really impressed with my doctors though, even the one who I was afraid would be on call when I go into labor. People toss around the delivery thing but when I go to the birth center to be monitored, they just send me home. I'm hoping that every day I become more inducable, because I think that saying "deliver" at this point still means a c-section. So we shall see. 

And no, we don't have a name chosen yet. 

Well, that's a first. An online friend died of cancer tonight. She leaves a 4 year old daughter and two year old son. She was a real gem. We had this connection as she worked with (and goofed about, and I knew *exactly* what she meant) residential architects. I miss you already, Vaike.

Oh I am such a super slacker. Let's see what goes on here.

Only about 3 1/2 weeks left until we are a family of five. No, we haven't chosen his name, and since some events this weekend (OH NO I HATE THAT NAME) we're not discussing it any more. Also, we'll probably choose the name that YOU HATE mostly because you're such a twat about it. Okay, not really. Plans for a vbac are still on, still good. I feel great, even though my blood pressure is still creeping up. No one is mentioning taking him early though so I'm good. I am, however, prepared. My bag is packed, the changing table stocked, and I'm about to wash the cosleeper linens.

The boy started first grade. The transition wasn't quite like kindergarten, but he still shed a few tears. Today we visited him at lunch and that was happy, but he got a mite sad when we had to go.

Speaking of which, the reason we were there was because the babygirl is starting preschool. Tomorrow is a "real" day with getting up early and all, but today we just filled out forms and met the teachers and all. She is very super excited. She charmed all of the teachers and checked out most of the room. She can't wait to meet Rocco (Wocko!) tomorrow, whom she knows nothing about other than he has a brother with the same name as hers. 

I am rather glad that I will have a few mornings to myself before the baby thing begins. Hopefully more than a few.

A couple of weeks ago, I was thinking about my twice weekly appointments, and how lucky I am to have great healthcare. The very next day, my daughter put a bead in her nose. And it really hit home. I was able to go to the pediatrician and a specialist, that very day, and only pay my regular copay. Also, the bead was never heard from again, but she's fine. Gotta love it.

Today I had another nst and stuff. But the appointment was my 34 week one, the one where we go over The Plan. So she asked all the questions, starting with the vbac one, and it went well. Even though I'm now "high risk" due to blood pressure stuff, vbac is still the plan (I just have to sign off saying they told me it can go badly. As can all births). But the no epidural, no circumcision, breastfeeding, all of it - no matter what she thinks, it was the right answer. Totally supported. Hooray!

We finally got up to Maine camping this weekend. It was so hot and I was miserable most of the time. But there were lovely moments and the kids had a blast. That will probably make things into happy memories in a week or two. However, when the husband asked if we could go back this weekend, I think my response had something to do with hell freezing or pigs flying. 

Today I had my weekly ultrasound and non stress test. Baby passed it all, and I guess I did too. The doctor said my weight gain is great, the baby is finally head down (and may he stay that way, you hear baby?) and I got some really great 3d images. He's right around 4 lb now, they say, and looks just like my kids. That round head and pudgy cheeks.

I'm supposed to be resting though. It took me about a gallon of water and an 8:30 bedtime to recover from camping (actually, I'm probably not even recovered yet). Now today has been so darn hot, and I think it's supposed to stay this way, I'm not sure what I'm going to do. We just went to the nice cool grocery store. 

I'm really quite a slacker. But you should know, it's a testament to the fun summer we're having. It really only started about 3 weeks ago, what with the fourth of july and all. But the girl had her dance camp, we bought the state park pass, it started to (finally) get hot, and we started doing regular fun summer stuff. 

Also, I'm sort of a glutton for punishment. This one expecting club that I can't peel myself away from (and I should, because it's not vbulletin or similar, it's an impossible to read format) is discussing c-sections. And I know that every mom wants to think they made the right choice, and I know that your doctor told you you HAD to have one, but I still think there are too many out there. And I frickin had one! But seriously, I have a reason to think that a vbac is the best choice for me, and you know, I'm not knocking your decision to already schedule your october birth, so don't knock me mine.

Mothers can be so judgmental.

So let me tell you a story. We have this childbirth class which started last night, from 7:30-9. Now, in our household, particularly in the summer, going to bed after 9 is not unheard of, at.all. So I'm looking for childcare for said class, and ask my mother in law. I said we could just drop them off and pick them up, etc. She says "oh no, that's after bedtime, I'll come there". Okay, so no. Firstly, I'm not putting them to bed at 7, in the summer (heck that's 20 minutes from now, and we haven't even eaten yet, but I digress), or letting you put them to bed. It's complicated for us and I just don't want to give you fodder. But that was the only option I really had, so I figured I would do lots of tiring activities and at least try to get the girl to bed that early (a long car ride oftentimes does the trick).

My sister in law, the other option, is spending her summer at her lake cottage. But I called her to find out when we could come visit and yay! She's at home, until Wednesday. And is dying to see the kids, and they her. And sure! They can hang out during that time, and heck, why don't you drop them off at 5 so that we can play outside and we'll give them hotdogs and watch Lady and the Tramp. And for once, it all worked out. Called mother in law, said thanks but no thanks, and the kids had a frickin blast. Oh and they weren't asleep at 9:45 when we picked them up, but they were vegetative in front of some movie, and fell asleep in their carseats, which I am 100% okay with.

I actually had been stressing about this and instead got to have dinner with just my husband, before rolling around on the floor doing labor techniques. Also, the class was great. Not too hippy-dippy, but lovely and supportive of natural birthing. The other couple there are both chiropractors, and she's due 3 weeks after me. And huger. Or at least I thought so, but when I mentioned how huge she was to my husband, he went "oh . . . ya, I guess so". I think I'm bigger than I care to admit. The heartburn speaks otherwise. My poor GI tract. I can no longer have pizza or anything tomato saucey. Bummer. I like that chicken parm stuff.

Two fabulous new recipes. I made cheese straws, but put about half cheddar and half asiago. And instead of red pepper, used a sea salt and herbs de province blend. Not a spicy fan and when cooking for a crowd, you never know. They were aweresome.

Also made hot artichoke and olive dip, pretty well exactly as presented. Have been happily eating leftovers for 3 days. Can't say the same for the poor pasta salad.

Well, the boy is 3 days into summer vacation. And it's been raining for approximately 40 days and 40 nights. I think it's a bad sign that God hasn't talked to me. Yet.

Also, the house is back on the market. It took like 3 weeks to get a showing request and we thought it was bad news. But now it's picking up and there's no place to move to. I'm not entirely sure what to do. Other than hope that the house is still clean enough from yesterday's showing for tomorrow's.

We saw UP today. It was a fun beginning of vacation event, I ate too much popcorn and cried a few times. I think my six year old saying "she died huh?" makes it even sadder. I hope that's not a spoiler, it's about 6 minutes in to the movie. We all liked it and it aided an early bedtime. Although when we got out at 4:30, the girl said "momma, it's another day!" The movies do that to even grownups.

Oh also, I had another ultrasound yesterday. At the hospital, where I went alone, so because of earlier dream, I was freaked out. All was fine, and now I get them once a month or so to check on growth, because my blood pressure is mad. Which it always is. Especially with two kids and a house on the market. This will be the first time it's medicated, actually. I get to take something, starting tomorrow. Let's just hope it doesn't mess with my vbac plans. The doctor said it might, but I'm fortunate that I have a history of naturally punctually going into labor. Even the time I didn't need to and was really hoping for a few more days of sleep and had a nice appointment already lined up . . . but the girl has been like that. ;o)

Let me tell you about my life lately.

Thursday night I was putting the girl to bed and my ear was a little sore. An hour later, I thought I would be better off just amputating it, myself. I didn't sleep more than 45 minutes the entire night. I called the oncall doctor at 7:30 am, and no one ever called me back. The whole thing was so weird - the office opens at 9, so that's when they get their messages. You know, I could have called at 9 to get an appointment. They couldn't see me until 11:45. The thing is, after all was said and done, it would have been worth it to go to the ER at midnight, spend the $100 and possibly get some rest like 12 hours sooner. Actually more like 18 hours sooner, because even though I got antibiotics, they don't kick in immediately, and I didn't really get any relief until 10 pm that night when my eardrum burst.

But back to earlier, at the doctor, my blood pressure was sky-high. I wonder how *your* blood pressure would be if you hadn't slept and had been in pain for 15 hours straight? But they wanted me to call the ob. So this morning I went in, and it's better, but not super. I do have this issue while pregnant, it's how I grow babies. Generally they do the watch and wait tactic until I give birth. And I pretend that I'm going to rest more and eat less salt. So they want me to do a 24 hour urine collection, and I get another ultrasound next week. But we're otherwise cool, I guess.

Ack, it's been a long time.

The boy has been bringing home the year's worth of work these last few days. It makes me burst to see the "writing journal" from the year. Mostly they are things like "the __ lives in the __": draw a picture and write the sentence. But just to compare September to May is amazing. His spelling is great, and being able to read what he wrote, putting together sentences, and just the humor factor. Many of his fantasies involve rappelling with helicopters. He always has a very elaborate plan.

Although I think in terms of neatness, he peaked around January. He was finally good at upper vs. lower case. Now he's just so comfortable with it that it's sloppy again.

I have to figure out a schedule for the summer. We really need to be good about reading and writing every day, even if just for an hour.

We've all been passing around a summer cold here. I think we're mostly on the recovery side. I'm a little worried that the boys are later and haven't been hit as hard - I hope that doesn't mean theirs is still forthcoming.

I had a very unsettling dream last night. I was at the hospital because I was bleeding, and no one was taking care of me. They were sort of lining people up (husband, "my" doctor, etc) because they knew it was bad news. But they hadn't done anything yet. I hate those dreams.

So at some point over the weekend, we were weeding and I guess I yanked some poison ivy and then touched my face. So now I have a lovely red splotchy complexion going on. I called the doctor and get to go in this afternoon since it's all around my eyes. She's going to flip when she sees my belly.

Also, it reminded me why I hate my doctor and need a new one. Not only is her bedside manner totally sucky (and that hasn't even been demonstrated today), but I called at 9:05 this morning (they open at 9) and got the answering service. At 9:10 when I called back I got the triage nurse's answering machine. I got a call back after 10. And an appointment at 2:15. My eyes are going to fall out or something! Not even any reassurance. Ugh.

Also, I'm freaking out about moving. If we move, it's going to suck. Any way. Even if we get a zillion dollars for our house and find the perfect situation, moving sucks. But in all likelihood, we'll have to scramble to find a decent place, and then will we move again in 3 years? Will we find a great spot with a dumpy house? No house? I'd love to build but then where will we live? Right now there are less than 1 decent options we've found. Where are all the great deals on foreclosures and estates and stuff?

Also, did you know there are real estate listings on ebay now?

So my neighbor is kind of an asshole. We know this and just deal. But he's also the coach of another baseball team in the same level as my boy. Last year, he was a coach, and chose many neighborhood kids to be on his team, but not my boy. In fact, all but my boy. But whatever, he's an asshole as I said, so no biggie. Not to mention that the kids are all a grade level older.

So today we played his team. And he had some issue with the way our team (a much younger, smaller team) was playing or something. So he says something to our coach, who then says "well you're pitching 5 strikes" (as the coaches pitch and tell the kids when they're out), and the ass guy starts to get into it. "We'll talk later" says our (awesome, if I do say so) coach. But then again, he's the one who's a middle school principal and the other is, as previously noted, just an asshole.

After the game the ass man tries to get into it, but the good guy just blows him off. Wtg coach.

Oh also, tonight marks the completion of one week TV free for the boy. This has been a great thing for all, more outdoor time, more violin practice, all that. Except for early mornings. I like saying "Oh hey transformers is on!!" at 7:30 saturday morning, and then staying in bed. I like that. Tomorrow, tv is back on, and transformers is on at 8. *Sigh of love*

These last two days have been a nightmare on my sinuses. Whatever is pollinating this week, I am not a fan. As I was out just now, hanging laundry on the line, I could see it floating through the air. It looked like inside when the dust is in the sun? The girl calls that "pixie dust" and makes it okay.

Speaking of, the house is super duper clean because some lady realtor called, said she had a couple looking for a house, and knows we didn't sell last year, can they come over? Tomorrow? So we scrambled, and fortunately, they loved the house. I don't know what to expect next though.

smile

smile
Originally uploaded by archimom

Here is the wee one! He's got a secret, can you tell?

I'm a hormonal mess. This morning I was ready to kill my husband for no good reason. I seriously mean that. Looking back I have no idea what the issue was, but I hid in the guest room for an hour and then gave him the silent treatment for another hour. The rest of the morning/afternoon was uneventful. Then, when at 4:30 an emergency calls him off to a client, I'm on the verge of tears that he's leaving. And even on days when I don't spend much of it hating him, this is good. I like renting movies and having happy meals with my kids. But today this was a big whoop.

I think it has something to do with the rhubarb cake I made. And by that I mean, the hormones made me make and eat most of that too.

Excedrin Migraine, I do love thee. Not only are you safe for the first 2 trimesters of pregnancy, but you really work (I'm looking at *you* extra strength tylenol). I'm sorry that you didn't kick in in time last night, but I'm pretty sure I still got 3/4 of a dose. I hope I don't need you after pregnancy, but I'm glad you were here for me.

Also, thanks Ikea for making a comfy bed so I can lay in it (even though it's a tish short) and "play" little people with the girl. That dragon is totally in the sky.

Yesterday I signed the girl up for a week of half day dance camp. I couldn't figure out how to do it online, so we showed up at the place. Mis.take. She has been wearing her leotard with attached tutu nonstop since then, and thinks that it starts *today*.

I'm also a little bit worried - the reality of momma leaving her for a few hours is hitting her. The way the studio is set up, you can't watch the kids in class, unless they open this curtain (which I guess they do sometimes at the end of class), and she realized all the mommas sitting out there weren't watching their kids. Hopefully by the time it rolls around, the excitement will win.

So, I'm researching birth options now. Yes, it's early, but I'm one who pretends to prepare early and still cram it all into the last second. So, I really loved having a midwife with G. Since I'm vbac-ing, they want me to be managed by a doctor. So I contacted a friend who's a doula, and it turns out she's now a homebirth midwife. Suddenly that option is on the table. In theory, I'd love to. In reality, someone would be expecting me to make them a sandwich 45 minutes after giving birth. So I'm gonna say no. However, having a doula will be huge. This way I can just stay at home as long as I want. And the fact that she's a midwife will be great - if an "accident" happens, I'm all set. I've fantasized a bit about that particular accident, I must say.

So we had this tax fiasco for 2007, which resulted in us paying about $42,000 in taxes to the IRS and state over the last 15 months. Just now, I wrote out my final check. The business reimbursed us, but it still sucks. Want to know why? Because our (personal) stimulus money, tax refund, anything, was applied toward that. Not only that, but that extra money bumped us into a higher tax bracket, so the taxes paid on "our" money were also taxed at the higher rate.

Paying bills is always a mixed feeling. I feel great - I know we have heat and hot water and internet acces (what? it's important, man!!) for 30 more days. However, the money goes in and just as quickly goes out. Yes, some goes into savings and some into 401k, but it's all gone. I mean seriously *gone*. I get maybe one trip to the atm where the receipt makes me look like a lottery winner, and the very next one makes me go "how long until next month?"

Living the American Dream, I tell ya.

The big boy is very, very excited about sharing his room with the little boy in 2-3 years. I hope that when that time comes, the excitement still holds. That or I'm more comfortable with having the biggest boy sleep on the lowest level.

I'm beginning to realize that this room will be a den of testosterone, right around the time the girl probably begins to care. Right now, her primary entrance is through his room, but I have a feeling that will shift to the hall door when there are two boys, double trucks, double legos, double stinky feet.

Here's my littlest son!!

The girl has named our game alter egos Callida and Bellulah. I just love them, they're so close to real princessy names but just aren't. Bellulah. Collide-uh.

Mom you have hair too!! I see it!

(last week I was showing her the tiny hairs on her arms and legs so I assume, but we're in the pool)

In there mom! See? It's black!

My armpit. I guess I need to shave.

So here is where I tell you the saga of the late school bus. Last friday. So I go out to the bus, I'm 3 minutes early. It usually comes at 1:53 by my cellphone, but has been as late as 1:56. We had just bought a new sit n stand stroller so the girl was in that, testing it. Which turned out to be fortuitous.

At 2:08 I call my house, no call from school. That's 15 minutes late. Five minutes later, I call the school. No answer, and I ring through to the main office, no answer. I am freaking.out. at this point. Fortunately, the school bus stops at a house where I know the mom, and she was home. So I bang on her door, ask her to keep watch while I run home to make sure there's no caller id or message from school, or note from teacher letting me know of issue. Of course, there isn't, and as I'm walking back out the door, I see the bus and lovely Sheila greeting my kid. I also wave down the street (maybe 200 feet?) so the bus can see I'm okay with letting him off.

But how UNCOOL is them not answering, not calling, nothing, when he was 30 minutes late? I guess the bus was late getting there, there was horrid traffic somewhere, so he wasn't sitting on the bus, but was playing at school, but I was having a meltdown?!

And of course it was the day before vacation so no one's reachable now. Which might make it a little better for those who have to deal with me.

Oh also, we had plans to meet the husband in Boston, taking the train and having A Grand Adventure, with the new stroller. Which all worked out fine except for the travel to the train/parking/running up the platform with 30 minutes less than planned. I didn't get my camera, comfy shoes, or idle time before the train left the station, but it was fine.

I love having other little boys whose backyards touch ours. So I can send him off all independent to play, but sit here putting dishes away (or, um, planning to) and watching him play with his friend. It doesn't hurt that he loves orange so he has on a bright orange baseball cap which is super easy to follow during whatever they do there in the woods.

What do we think of this vehicle? What do we think of buying an American car for the first time ever for both myself and my husband (unless a toyota counts, which it kind of does, but a Ford?)?





Hubby's car has 100k miles on it, and mine has 55. We've had both the same amount of time, and mine started at 10k, whereas his started at 0. So we're considering having his company lease a new car and then he will drive the bigger one, and I'll drive the scion. It's in great shape and I would *love* to go to a manual transmission. And a smaller car day to day would be lovely. We're planning a pretty big road trip for this summer, and a new car sure would be fun for that. It seats 7, gets better mileage than our current van, and is 4wd. It's weird not having a vehicle that's 4wd, even though both of our fwd cars do well in the snow. The scion will be tight with 3, but I do like having the kids close - right now the girl sits in the 3rd row, just the best way it works out, and she's so darn far away. Not to mention that I only have a back door on one side and the rear windows are manual slides. It's a cool car but less and less practical.

We shall see. We've only ever looked at one from the outside, not been in one, not driven one, nothing. And I have no idea how good the lease terms are right now.

You know what word always looks misspelled? Affidavit. I don't know why, that I looks wrong. But affadavit doesn't quite look right either. Thank god that I'm someone who actually looks it up and doesn't write definately repeatedly. I passed sixth grade, thankyouverymuch.

Easter was lovely. We had it here, but everyone else brought most everything. We'll be eating leftovers for the next 90239023 days. I'm thinking pea soup tonight, but I'm not sure the kids will go for. Maybe one more day of ham sandwiches and potatoes au gratin.


Doesn't he look so big and grown up? Cry.

I think it's really mean that Cartoon Network has been advertising New full length!! Scooby Doo!! Movie!! Scooby Doo and the Samurai Sword!! for like a month, available this past tuesday, and I can't find it anywhere. Scooby Doo is the A#1 show in this household for moms and kids alike. Rrrg.

Completely blindsided by Good Friday being a public school holiday. I'm not sure why, because we always had it off growing up. Also, I thought I was fully prepped for all holidays, being that he went to this school for two years prior, but he never had school on Fridays. And growing up, generally it was the Friday before April Vacation, which sort of made sense. But that's not for another week, so I didn't really even consider.

Thankfully, they just moved pizza day up by a day, so he still gets that. Which to a six year old is a big deal. Now to finagle the music class teacher into allowing a big boy to come visit on Friday. He's been asking to come, and I'm sure it'll be fine, just this once. Right? :|

14wbelly

14wbelly
Originally uploaded by archimom

I took this at the end of last week. Maybe friday? I wear these fitted clothes and maybe I look more pregnant less fat. I still feel mostly fat. It's taking longer to show than it did with the girl, I think by 15 weeks with her I was clearly in maternity clothes. This time they fall off my behind. For good or bad. I'd love to wear something non-yoga pants though.

My daughter likes to write in her diary. Except she pronounces it die-uh-REE, so it sounds like messy bathroom illness missing a syllable. It cracks me up.

I had a checkup today, because 2 weeks ago my blood pressure was up. Today, at 9:30 am when I only had to wait five minutes, it was fine. And the little girl just loved to hear her "girl baby sister" on the doppler.

Okay, firstly, I'm creeped out. There seems to be a guy hovering near kids on the bike trail, saying "follow me" (this to our neighbor boy). Could be the same guy who did similar in the fall to kids getting off the bus across town. Could be the same guy arrested for taking photos of kids getting changed at the town lake last summer, right when we were there many times a week. So yuck. I am on high alert and have branded the photo of the guy from (at least) situation 3 in my head. However, it did prompt us to have the stranger danger talk again. Refresh it yourself if you don't mind.

Also, I realized just now, that my son's favorite movie for the last 3+ years has been Peter Pan. This makes me incredibly happy. It's animated, it's not too grown up (and the violence is, well, Captain Hook and pirates), and it's a blast. I just watch their faces as they watch it, and that's my entertainment. And it's only embarrassed me once - when the boy had to name "bad guys" at karate, he chose "indians". Oops.

We have this fabulous cowboy songs cd. We're particularly fond of Ghost Riders in the Sky, and Jingle-Jangle-Jingle. And maybe I tune out much of the rest of it. So today, in the car, the girl asks to hear "chasing the sun", and I don't even remember that line of a song or what song it may be from. Thankfully, the name of the song is in fact, "chasing the sun", and my ipod tells me so. Phew. Crisis averted.

So I had this mixed salad that got frozeded. And I heard about this red cabbage gender test. If it turns red it's a boy, purple it's a girl. So I yanked out the red cabbage from the icy salad bag, chopped it and made the "tea" from it. I had this lovely pink liquid.

This morning I added my contribution to it. It turned exactly the color you'd expect of mixing yellowish clear with pink - light orangey. What? I think the change is supposed to be more clear if there's a girl, something about more uric acid from a girl, but I'm not running out to buy blue any time soon.

April 30 I will know if this bubs cooperates. Till then, I will follow the wives tales and boil more cabbage or whatever is asked of me. Just not the drano. I'm already smell sensitive enough, I don't need *actual* toxic fumes involved.

I made a mistake recently. I started lurking on a due date club and then started posting. And you see, I've spent some time on the interwebz and I know that I am pretty stuck in my ways. And I also know that these clubs are way more traditional than I. Lots of "of course I'm getting a (sic) epidural" or "if it's a boy he'll be Jayden because it's so original" but still I go there. And as it always does, the topic of circumcision comes up. When your arguments are "I have been with uncirc'ed men and ewww!" you lose all credibility to me. Also, uncircumcised is like saying unamputated arm. You have to remove your arm, else it's just the way you come. Not that I think it compares with amputation, just that it's such a double negative it makes me cringe.

So I (in a definitely self-conscious and definitely deliberately inflammatory way) said "I am not interested in cosmetic surgery for my newborn" and got all "why be judgemental!!" (again, sic, these people need spelling lessonz). But "uncirced is eww" is not judgmental?

So I need a breather and to talk to people who have left the midwest, ever. Oh that was so totally judgmental. Oh well.

This daughter of mine cracks me up. I think three is the apex of "make you die laughing" behavior. She says things like "mom I want you to make me a white dress with a white thing for my head for married". Or wants to play with brother's remote control tarantula but it scares her, so the whole time she's willing it not to walk toward her, because she doesn't really get the controls. Or saying "I'm tired", then leaning her head on a kitchen chair and falling asleep. Standing up. At 6:15 pm. Or wearing a crown, necklace, ring, sparkly cape, and sparkly shoes, 24/7.

I had a checkup yesterday. We were late. Which was good, because we *still* had to wait 45 minutes. The rest of my appointments for the rest of time will be in the morning. I forgot the whole afternoon snowball effect. So then my BP was up. They took it about nineteen times and it was still 140/92 or something crazy. This is me in pregnancy. The rest of the time I'm cool as a cucumber. I don't know. Maybe the 45 minute wait with the boy and his K-9 unit GIJoe, who had to blow up lots of things and the dog barking, added a teeny bit of stress. I don't know.

Things otherwise are fine. We got to hear the heartbeat with the regular doppler which was fun. The boy liked that muchly.

When I was 13, I was skiing with a friend and hit a tree. I had a concussion, broken nose, all sorts of things. I missed several weeks of school that year. I guess it's that combined with pregnancy hormones that has me a weepy mess over Natasha Richardson. That one photo that keeps popping up of her with her sons - that's the one that does me in. How often do you see 13 year old boys smiling with their mom, anyway? And now they lost her. :(

Of course, just as the husband is getting excited about properties all over the region, I am making new friends. Every Monday morning I go to a playgroup, which has always been more "regular" moms than me. I don't know what that means, but I never feel like I quite fit in. But this semester, there are like 6 new moms and it's a blast. I actually look forward to getting out the door Monday mornings and visiting with my pals, and we basically neglect our kids while we chitchat. Yesterday I learned that one new friend is due like a day after me, and she's moving to a house about 11 houses down from me. I don't want to move. Don't wanna!!

Today I feel exactly like I'm hung over. I'm guessing it's a migraine? I think I'm going to climb into bed.

So today we drove to check out a piece of property. The one we all totally fell in love with, sold. In like 3 weeks. Why we could not have that karma selling our own house, I do not know. We would have lived there in a heartbeat, happily, until our dying days. I'm quite certain.

Anyway, so driving up to this other house, which is a really cute house in the one photo, and the price is really, really right, and the last/only store, 6.1 miles away, is super walmart. So as we're driving there, I'm praying there's somewhere else to shop. Or even somewhere a bit further than walmart. But no.

The end result is, the town it's in is cute. The property is that price for a reason. A "no thank you" reason.

Apparently I do too much blog reading. Last night in my dream, I was at the pioneer woman's ranch, making cake balls. I was making a mess. Also, once I really *did* make the cake balls, and they're much too sweet for me and mine, so I wouldn't actually be making them. Maybe if I was at the ranch, I'd do whatever was asked of me.

Also, at the other end of the island, TPW was making dinner, which was chicken and lots and lots of shredded cheese. It's all good.

Inspired by Cheri, here is my life by the numbers.

10. Tulip bulbs planted in our yard last fall. Soon we shall know our success rate.
9. Weeks until I'm halfway through this pregnancy. And will know gender!
8. How many times Mary Poppins has been watched this week. We have to return it soon. And buy our own copy.
7. Number of months until I meet number 3!
6. Approximate number of hours I slept last night.
5. Junk food items bought at ill-timed midday lunch trip.
4. Number of females in the summer house situation, as opposed to my son's 1 male.
3. Pots of tomato seeds on the windowsill. They actually have half grape tomatoes in them. I'm not sure how that will work out.
2. Time at which little girl came into bed last night. Yawn.
1. Still, the number of operational side view mirrors on my car. Not.happy.

I'm really, really motivating to get to the noon spin class today. I have to drink my (decaf of course) coffee early so that it can be out of the system by then. I haven't been in about two months and it shows. I plan to just ease back in and not push too hard, but I really need to exercise.

A little freaked out today because a vbac board I lurk on, a lady went in to the hospital with some strange pains, as well as contractions, and came home having to plan a funeral for her baby. When she said "bad outcome", I was expecting a c-section after all her planning. I don't even know this lady, not even know in an internet way, but it's rocking my world.

The big boy has a pal at school. His Best Friend. This is really the first friend that he's chosen - I don't really know his mom, he doesn't live withing walking distance, they just are pals. And poor boy, his Best Friend is moving. To Austria. Try as I might to make the best of things (pen pal! we will write letters and learn all about Austria!), his buddy is still going to be thousands of miles away, and we're probably NEVER going to see him again. It makes us both rather sad.

Last week I smashed the mirror off my car. I went to the dealer. They needed to order it. So they checked all the numbers, asked me if it was motorized (yes) and ordered. They called and today! I went to have it replaced. $175 for the part, $90 for the labor, was the quoted price.

I wait for 2 hours. And then another half an hour for good measure. And then! Steve from service comes in! And they have the wrong part! But I can order the right one, for $530, and then pay $145 to install it. And for your time and effort and *our* screwup, you get to wait in our room with chatty old ladies and crappy coffee for 2.5 hours. You're welcome!

I came home and did what I should have last week - called the VW mechanic we know. Sigh.

Again with the food. I've realized that although I get hungry (and the resultant psycho) really quickly, I'm craving halfway decent things and am really appreciative. Like right now, my belly full of steak salad wrap and oven fries, I'm just happy with it. I've really been into somewhat junky salads. Last weekend I needed, NEEDED, a buffalo chicken salad. I know it's not the most healthiest salad ever, but greens are still greens, and in the first trimester you can't really complain. I think by this point with the girly, I'd had about 3 dozen bagels and a gallon of cream cheese, and that's it.