6 weeks to go...

34 weeks

I can't believe that yesterday I hit the 34 week mark! That means that in less than two months, I'll have two baby boys to keep me busy. April seems so far away. At the same time, it's probably because I'm in denial about March being halfway over. Even though it's so close, it still seems so far away. I feel like I still have all the time in the world to "get ready." I don't really have a ton to do. The extra diapers have been washed and are ready to go (to be added to the rest of the stash once labor starts so Noah has plenty while we are away and the in-laws don't have to worry about laundering them). Other than that, we still need to retrieve the infant clothes and infant car seat from the attic, set up the co-sleeper, and pack the hospital bag (Taran and I will share a bag). For some reason though, I'm not really in a rush to get any of that done.

Most of the time, I'm more focused on Noah and making sure I'm feeling as best as possible at any given moment. As time goes on, I've been experiencing some varying levels of back pain (probably because Noah weighs 31 lbs now) as well as increasing amounts of indigestion and heartburn. As a result, I tend to focus on what I can do, what has to be done, and what can be put off until another time. I'm trying to stay active but not over do it. Fortunately, my friend Laura and I have gotten the opportunity to be cliché stroller moms at the mall several times over the past few weeks which gets us out of our houses, gives us some exercise (though I'll admit, mall walking isn't very vigorous), and allows our kiddos to get some activity in the kids' play area at the mall.

We've had a pretty good low stress week this week, so that's been nice. Well, aside from our very unlucky St. Patrick's Day - things just seemed to keep going wrong yesterday! I just hope the weekend continues in the same low stress pattern as the early part of the week.

Keeping active...

It's interesting. Most of the time I feel like life is going in slow motion. Looking back at the past week, it has been anything but that. So, in keeping with early tradition of my blog, here's an overview of my week:

32 weeks

On Monday, I had my 32 week pregnancy visit. Everything is going well. The baby's growth looks good (in fact he's a bit on the big side). My blood pressure is normal. My weight gain looks good. The baby's heart rate is also good. An added bonus, my doc palpated the baby this time and he's confident that he's head down. Let's hope he stays that way.

Tuesday I attended my regular mommy meeting. I can't say there was anything particularly memorable about it, which I guess is good. We had a new mom at the meeting, that much I remember. Otherwise, it's a bit of a blur. It's likely my fatigue and exhaustion cloud my memory.

Wednesday I went to Hobby Lobby and the mall with a friend. It was so nice to get out and socialize where my kiddo wasn't bullying everyone else smaller than him. I spent the rest of my gift card for maternity clothes since I'm running out of time where such a gift card is even useful. I picked up some cute tees to add to my very boring wardrobe of t-shirts and jeans. Our two little munchkins played around at the kid section in the mall and they were so tuckered out that they both fell asleep in their strollers before we even left. I can't really complain about that.

Thursday the same friend and I met up at Target and picked up a few things we both needed. We then headed to a nearby playground and let the kiddos have fun sliding and running around. Ok, well, my kid ran around. Had anyone else been around they would have gotten a good laugh out of a very pregnant mama chasing a 19 mo old. My back was really bugging me and it wasn't easy. We eventually left the playground with the kiddos wearing out and ready for naps. I chilled at my friend's house for a bit to recover and get some Tylenol before going home. Thursday evening Taran returned from his two weeks in PA on a rig. It's so nice to have him home. It makes the house seem much less empty.

Friday was primarily a relaxing day. I did get some grocery shopping done which was nice. I was able to take advantage of some great sales. I ran out of steam after one store though and didn't get all my shopping done. I may just skip the other store this week.

Super yummy!

Today, we went to the home of one of Taran's co-workers for a crawfish boil. It was my first one to ever attend and the same goes for Noah as well. It was nice to be able to relax a bit. Noah had fun playing on the trampoline and with the two boys of the co-worker. He also really enjoyed the crawfish which couldn't have made me happier. He kept asking for more and more and I couldn't peel them fast enough for him! I love that my munchkin is so willing to try new foods!

Soft soled shoes for Noah

I did have a project that I worked on starting on Wednesday. At Hobby Lobby I picked up some materials and supplies to make some soft soled shoes for Noah. At 19 mo, his feet are too big to fit into most of the commercial brands of soft soled shoes and I can't afford to pay for most of them anyway. It's really important to me to help ensure proper foot development so I really wanted to keep him in this style of shoe. My sister-in-law found a shoe pattern for me that was for 0-6 mo. I did a bit of measuring and managed to enlarge the pattern to an appropriate size. I first made a practice pair of shoes with some scrap fabric (that project I worked on about a week ago). The practice shoes fit great so I felt confident in making the real deal with a leather sole so Noah could wear them outside. So over the past couple of days that's what I was working on in my "spare time" (does that actually exist for me?). The real test came today when we went to the crawfish boil. The shoes are great, but I need to tighten the elastic a bit more since they slipped off of Noah's heal a couple of times. Otherwise, they stood up great and I'm encouraged for the next size up. I may have to narrow the pattern a bit since it's really wide at the top.

Aside from that, life is pretty normal. Ok, well, maybe not. Noah has been really volatile the past couple of weeks because of teething. One of his 2-year-old molars has shown it's ugly face and I'm sure the others are close behind. The poor kiddo has been clingy and wanting to be held all the time (not and easy task for preggo mama over here). He also seems to get easily irritated or frustrated. Add to that the fact that he's not sleeping well and you have just a bad equation. Needless to say, I also haven't gotten much sleep lately either. I'm almost getting used to the constant tired feeling as sad as it is. My only hope is that the teeth come in before the new baby arrives and we can get Noah back to his regular routine. You know, just in time before it's disrupted by another munchkin!

Keeping up to date...

A friend of mine told me today my blog was out of date, so I guess I should at least post something...

For the most part life is "business as usual." Noah continues to get into things as he grows and explores and drives me crazy! His most recent antics include a wide variety of things to keep my blood pressure up such as climbing on chairs and stacks of boxes to get to light switches. He has also decided he likes coloring on the walls, doors, boxes, etc. with whatever coloring implements he can find and then consuming those coloring implements. I guess he thinks he can hide the evidence - hard to do with purple ink running down your chin. He has destroyed half a dozen or so more books that are currently awaiting repair as well. Throw into the mix the crankiness that comes with teething and it's just a hoot and a holler at our house, often quite literally. Gotta love those two-year-old molars. He's only 19 mo, but one has already broken through on the edge. I can see white of another just under the gums. It's only a matter of time. I can't wait. I wonder if the drooling will stop after that since he seems to have very productive salivary glands even between teething times...

30 weeks, 2/17/2011

Despite Noah's activities like setting off his dad's car alarm multiple times and figuring out how to open the dishwasher (oh no, knives!) the comment about the blood pressure is thankfully not true, which is good with the pregnancy and all. So far so good in that department. I'll be 31 weeks tomorrow and everything looks good. I do get comments about how I don't look like I'm that far along (it really isn't fair when you compare me to someone who is further along and carrying completely differently). Sometimes the comments are a bit annoying, sometimes they are complementary - depends on my mood, really. It's just a bit frustrating, because it's not like I'm dieting or anything. I'm just not gaining a ton of weight and letting myself go simply because I'm pregnant. That's ok, after the baby is born I can just brag about how easy it was to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight. Maybe... if I'm lucky. Anyhoo... the baby is growing fine according to the doc and he's super active too. No other issues or complications so, yay! Unless you count heartburn. I really don't. I just have to up my dose of Pepcid - joy. I had to get shot (correction, injected) for Rh factor since I have negative blood - I don't remember it stinging that much - owie, but that's just part of the deal (Free bruise with every injection!). I'll have to get another injection if the baby turns out positive. We'll see when he gets here. I have noticed that I'm kinda chill about the whole thing. I know what I want for labor and I don't feel the urge to get all prepared. There are a few things we'll need to do like pull down Noah's infant clothes and car seat, install the baby car seat, set-up the co-sleeper, and what not; but, I'm not really stressed and I have no urgency to do those things right now! I did receive the additional diapers to supplement our stash, they were delivered about a week or so ago (Thank you to Taran's mom). I have to prewash all of them, but again, no rush. I'm mostly focusing on keeping track of the trouble maker. My doc advises me to pick him up less - riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight... like that's a feasible option. I guess I shouldn't have mentioned that sometimes I've been experiencing some lower back/hip/upper thigh discomfort. I need to learn to keep my big mouth shut.

I've been trying to work on my baby boutique stuff and pet nutrition consulting "business," but both have been slow going. Probably because I do it in my free time - wait, what's that? Oh, that's the problem! Most of my efforts in those departments have been brainstorming. It goes a little like this: "I need to increase business. What can I do to increase interest? Think, think, think." It's very Pooh-like. To be fair, I have developed two new products and a new style of diaper cake for my baby boutique all in the past couple of months so that's not nothing, but I feel like it could be better. Oh, and blogging for both the pet nutrition consulting and baby boutique. I've tried to keep that up too, so I guess that means this one is suffering.

Ok, well, once again it's time for diaper duty (heh, doody - sorry, mom humor - or just my 12 year-old sense of humor - you pick). I hope this something is sufficient for updating my blog. Let me know, Laura!

A visit from the Jehovah's Witnesses

Today I had the pleasant experience of a brief encounter with some Jehovah's Witnesses. We had a nice little chat, they gave me a book and then went on their way.

I really don't mind visiting with them, honestly. They are typically nice and polite, as are the Mormons when they come by. And honestly, you gotta give kudos to people that evangelize like this. It can't be easy. In today's day and age, they are as welcome as a telemarketer calling during dinner time. So, it's nice to see people keeping up with and sharing their faith.

Being the type of person I am, I of course started reading the little book they left with me. I flipped through the pages and read excerpts when something caught my eye. I also started looking up some other information about the beliefs and origins of Jehovah's Witnesses. It's quite interesting. Now, I also have to consider the source, because the source of information tells you just as much as the information they are providing. I'm learning quite a bit, and despite some similarities and commonalities, I can't say I really agree with a lot of what they teach. It is, however, enlightening.

I've always been one to try to learn about the beliefs of others and share my own beliefs. I love religious discussions. I do draw the line though, when they change from respecting my beliefs and sharing theirs to converting me or questioning and challenging what I believe. That's a conversation stopper for me. If I were asking about their beliefs because I wanted to learn and found my own beliefs to be lacking, that's different. But I don't. And every religious discussion I've been in, whether from someone simply conversing or trying to convert, has never done anything more than strengthen my own beliefs. Funny how faith works.

They may come again, I told them it was ok. I don't mind people evangelizing. I do, however, have a better idea of what they believe and teach and the methods in which they do so. If they do come again, that's fine, I don't mind brief discussions, but they won't get anywhere with me if they try to convert me. That's just the way I am.

Same ol', Same ol'

Not a ton going on lately. We are basically keeping with our normal schedule. Hubby goes to work, mama and baby stay home, hubby comes home, dinner, baby bedtime, then our bedtime, and repeat the next day. Sounds relaxing and a bit boring, but really when you throw in the fact that the baby is very active and I'm preggo, it adds to the "excitement." Yeah, that's the word I'll use.

I do try to get out, but lately I've been a home-body. Hey going out of the house costs money, even if it's just gas money. Eventually though, I do need to get out and run errands...

I had my 24 week visit on Monday. Nothing terribly exciting. All is well. I'm a bit bummed that I gained 5 lbs since I last saw the doc, but since my weight gain has been nil, well negative (I'm still technically under my pre-pregnancy weight) the doc isn't worried. I went to my mommy meeting yesterday and was asked if I was sure I was pregnant. It's a bit sad. Mostly because I'm showing, but because of how I'm carrying the baby (and this happened the last time too), I look like I'm chubby as opposed to pregnant. It's a bit depressing.

Taran may be going out to work on a rig in PA. I'm not too thrilled about that, especially since his schedule for that rig will be three weeks on, two weeks off. He said that means he'll have two stints out there before the baby is born. I don't like the idea of him being gone for three weeks at a time. Of course, he came home yesterday talking about all kinds of big changes in the company so he doesn't even know any more if he'll be going out. There's a lot going on this week for him. Today, he's giving a presentation for a promotion (this is the third time they've scheduled it because of various reasons) and then tomorrow he has one of their regular meetings. Both his presentation and the meeting are in Louisiana so I have almost two solid days without him. On Friday after his supervisor has a meeting he'll know more about what's going on with the rig job and other things at work.

I've gotten the urge to be crafty lately, but lack the time. Probably because I'm being lazy and watching TV or blogging when I have the free time. I did make a new bracelet pattern recently. I was intrigued by a pattern book I saw at Jo-Ann's the other day, so I picked it up. It had a bunch of patterns I knew or ones that were in other guides I have, but some were new or variations of what I'd done, so I picked it up. It took me most of the day to make the bracelet, but if I had been able to sit and make it in one session it probably would have taken 2-3 hours which is short considering the size of the bracelet. I like it, but I think I'll have to use different material if I do that pattern again. I'm not sure how long it will stand up.

This is the full bracelet. The patterned portion (without ties) is about 5" long and almost an inch thick.

 

 

 

 

Up close view of the pattern.

This is the backside of the bracelet. A bunch of people will wear friendship bracelets with the back facing outward (I'm not sure why), and with this pattern it kinda works, but I prefer to wear them with the top-side out.

Anyhoo... maybe I'll continue to be inspired by crafty projects so I feel like I'm productive. We'll see. Maybe next time I'll have something more interesting to write about. =)

Happy New Year and Keeping up with Christmas!

Time for resolutions, right? Yeah, right....

I just don't participate. Most aren't held up, and those that are last through January if you are lucky. I'll pass. Yep, that's right, I'm admitting I don't have the discipline. At least I'm honest.

I do, however, want to vent a bit. I was watching a news show of some sort, I think it was a talk show on CNN not long before Christmas. The topic kind of confused me. They had the host, a priest, and an atheist leader discussing Christmas and Christmas decorations and symbols and their affect on society. Apparently, some people are feeling awkward about Christmas. I'm guessing it has to do with not celebrating it. The thing that gets me though, is that Christmas is not exclusionary.

As a Christian, I celebrate Christmas recognizing the religious aspects of the holiday, and attempting to focus primarily on those. I prefer that to be the main focus of my celebrations of Christmas, and as a result, I maintain the decorations and try to keep up the holiday spirit for the full 12 days between December 25th and January 6th (aka the twelve days of Christmas).

There are however, many secular traditions like Christmas trees, decorations and lights, gift giving, and Santa Claus (in his current lore and apparitions) that are celebrated by many people that don't acknowledge the religious aspects of the holiday. Although many of the secular traditions have changed from religious origins or since their pagan beginnings have had Christian concepts superimposed on them, they can still be a part of Christmas celebrations without the focus on one specific religion. One of the biggest parts of Christmas is celebrating family and a spirit of sharing and giving. In that way, Christmas has nothing to do with religion and those that aren't Christian should feel no more excluded than an American at Thanksgiving.

The biggest thing though, that people seem to forget is that Christmas is a national holiday. The governmental recognition of the holiday may have roots in pagan, Christian, and other religious origins, however, in today's society, the national holiday is in tact in all it's secular glory. It is appropriate for salespeople to wish you a "Merry Christmas" just as they would say, "Happy New Year". Your religious beliefs are not an issue. It is not exclusionary if you are non-Christian or if you chose to celebrate the Winter Solstice instead of Christmas, but the well wishes are the same. It's an American thing, not a religious thing. It is naive to feel excluded or left out.

I celebrate Christmas my way. Every American is welcome to do the same regardless of creed. So I do hope you had a truly Merry Christmas! And for those still celebrating as I am, I hope your Christmas continues to be merry!

Finding a new appreciation for my blog...

So, this post sadly will not be an account of what has been going on lately. I figure, I can either drop that whole plan entirely or do that at a later date.

Instead, I'm going to use this blog as I please and write about what I think. That is the point after all...

See, I'm in a mild state of annoyance today. A Facebook friend of mine put up some post about how she was boycotting Amazon.com for an item they were selling, and she was wondering if that item had been removed from their list (in fact, I learned through her post that she isn't even the only one that decided to do that). Instead of argue or make a sarcastic comment in response, I decided to write on my blog. I don't want to call her out, but really?

So, here's the situation. The item she was boycotting Amazon.com for was a how-to pedophilia book. The book itself is of course a horrible concept, however, I would NEVER boycott Amazon.com for that any more than I would boycott Barnes and Noble for selling Hitler's Nazi book (which they do, by the way). To do so is to laugh in the face of freedom of press. That is what the first amendment is all about. Would I read such a book? No. Do I support the author and his/her goal of teaching people to be pedophiles? Of course not. But hell yeah do I support the author's right to write the book. It's our American right! Assuming the author is American anyway. And even if he/she is not, it's still within the rights of America to have that book available to the people. And I'm thankful for it.

Most of us had to read books like Fahrenheit 451 or 1984 when we were in junior high or high school. They make us read those books for a reason. They have a point. We need to protect our first amendment rights. They may not always lead to popular stuff like the book in question, but they are there for a reason. Boycotting Amazon.com for selling an item like that is almost like saying you don't support the first amendment. Sorry, but it's the way I feel. And thanks to the first amendment, I can write that.