3 Month Picture - Or Lack Thereof

Since I'm 15 weeks as of yesterday, I've decided to nix the 3 month picture and just give you a 4 month picture in a couple weeks.

By the way, our big ultrasound is June 9. That's in 3 weeks. Bob and I are still undecided on whether or not we're going to find out the gender of this baby.

Part of me feels like that's silly since we've already had two boys, it just seems like, duh, of course it'll be another boy. On the other hand, Bob really wants a girl. I don't like the thought of knowing Bob's disappointed if we don't know until delivery day and then out pops a boy. Maybe I'm also a little nervous about whether or not I'd have any disappointment...? I THINK I would like to have 3 boys. Of course I want a girl, but both options are looking good to me.

How's that for a "thought-dump?"

I know everyone has an opinion on whether or not we should find out, soooo, I'm giving you permission. Sound off in the comments. And if you feel so inclined, give a reason with your argument. You just might help us make this decision.

And for good measure. (These two at the pool are a HANDFUL!)

A Couple Things that Make a Big Difference

Imagine the alternatives. There could be catastrophic ramifications.


Microwaving on 50% instead of full power
Sandwich size zip-loc bags vs. snack size
Whip cream on coffee drinks
Having a coffee filter
Putting on marker caps - think small children
Having an extra diaper...AND wipes
Remebering to take your wallet into the grocery store
A few sheets of toilet paper

Can you think of any others?

Are You Busy? Cuz I'm Busy. It IS December.

So apparently, I've given up blogging.
One might think that at lease, with the 11 or say days that have gone by since my last post.
Maybe you stopped by and heard the crickets chirping....

There they are again.

Anyway. Jenna who writes a blog that is awesome, because she's hilarious, has decided to blog at least once a day for a whole week. Is that right, Jenna? So, I'm taking on the same challenge.

By the way, this post counts. Here goes.

An Addition to Today's Wordless Wednesday

I Guess I'm Now Responsible for Disciplining the Public at Large

As I was emptying the car today, i.e. loading the kids into the double stroller to head into the mall, Sam pointed to a discarded cup (read: repeated "cup, cup, cup" about 15 times) in the parking space beside us. I told him, "yep, someone left their trash there and they shouldn't do that", to which he responded, "time out?"

So now I'm wondering if this kid thinks I have the power to put anyone in time out! (Wouldn't that be nice?)

Raise Your Hand if You Want to Cut Down on Your Workload

Do you ever figure out something that should seem so obvious and wonder why it took you so long to start doing it? Or, in my case, you don't figure it out on your own, someone else suggets it to you...
Well, if so, I would love to hear about it. I've listed two things my mom and sister pointed out to me. I appreciate the tips but they left me wondering what else am I doing that just makes more work for myself.

Sippy Cups
What I used to do - Put the cups in the cabinet, the lids and stoppers in the silverware drawer.
What I do now - Put the stoppers in the lids, lids on the cups and cups in the cabinet.

Silverware in the Dishwasher
What I used to do - Throw the silverware in the basket wherever.
What I do now - Sort the knives, forks, spoons, sharp knives and Sam's utensils into their own sections. That way, I can just grab a handful and put it all in the same section in the silverware drawer.

Do you have any obvious time-savers that I may not have heard of? Please share.

It's Becoming Apparent that I Have a Problem

When one posts about food as often as I do, like here, here, here...and here, people may begin to wonder.

People may begin to wonder things like, "Does that girl do anything besides eat?", "How big is she really?" and they may even challenge each other with thoughts like this, "Is there anything she won't eat? I mean seriously. Give her a Mr. Pibb and I bet she'll eat it!"

So, since people are probably wondering all that, let me attempt to distract you with this little bit of news. Tomorrow is National Cheesecake Day (who knew it even existed?!). The Cheesecake Factory is selling cheesecake for 50%. The only catch is that you have to dine-in...which foiled my little plan of running by to get some to go. Who wants to wait an hour - wait, who wants to wait 2....argh, who am I kidding? Who wants to wait 3 hours for a half-price piece of cheesecake?

He's Baaack

Yesterday, while Sam and I were at the pool with Courtney, MCM & LCM, this kid made another appearance.

He greeted me with, "So, are you pregnant, or what?!"
I answered, "Yep, I'm still pregnant." (in a slightly annoyed voice, I've gotta be honest)

Creepy Kid: "How long have you even been pregnant?"
Me: "I've been pregnant for 9 months."

And later.

Creepy Kid: "You don't have rings on your hand! WHY NOT?!
Me: "I forgot to put them on. You don't have rings on your hands either. Why not?"
Creepy Kid: "Uhhh, I don't wear rings on my hands."

And even later.

Sam had been playing with a bush behind the pool chairs. I can only guess that he pulled off some leaves and rubbed them on his head, irritating the skin or scratching it because he started crying and saying "ouch, off, off, ouch, off, off!" You get the idea.
So, I rinsed his head under the shower and took him in the pool to dunk him, thinking the cool water would ease the pain. As I sat on the stairs trying to figure out what was making my kid scream like he was in pain, Creepy Kid broke the last straw.

Creepy Kid: "What's his problem?!"
Me: (A little, ok a lot, fed up with this kid and his underwater surveillance). "Can you just leave us alone for a few minutes, please?"

Next thing I know, the kid is leaving the pool. Oops. I felt pretty bad until Courtney told me his mom had come to pick him up. Whew.

Creeper at the Pool

I attract creepers...I just do. Something about me being pregnant (even though stuff like this seems to happen even when I'm not pregnant) just attracts creepers.

Sam and I were at the pool this morning with my friend Laura. (Yes, this time there was a witness to the creepiness).
We were minding our own business, playing near the stairs when I notice this boy, maybe 13ish, floating underwater very close by...with goggles. So I'm of course suspicious because there's not a whole lot for him to be doing other than looking...at me...underwater.



He pops up and looks at me, with the creepy eyes and asks, "Sooo, hmmm, are you pregnant?"
"Yes I am", I respond while keeping an eye on him AND on Sam.
"For how long? Uh, Imean how far are you?" creeper asks as he eases closer.
"8 months" I say, backing up.
"Mmm, so not much longer then..." he sort of asks.
"Nope, not too much longer" I say backing up some more as he eyes my belly.
It's important to note here that I'm wearing a two-piece suit...which is something I'm currently re-thinking.

I decide it's time to get the heck away from this creepy kid before he reaches out and rubs my belly Sam out of the pool and take a little break for some juice and a snack.

I do and the kid kind of slinks away...if you can slink in a pool.

So we get back in a few minutes later and he comes back.

Popping up from underwater, he asks, "How many are in there?!" It may have just been me imagining it, but I think his eyes were kind of bugging out.

I look up at Laura and repeat his question while sort of laughing.

I tell him there's just one.

He asks if it's a boy or a girl and I tell him boy, intentionally being short in an effort to wrap up this little convo we're having.

Then, he slowly sinks back underwater while I'm left standing there feeling like I showed up to school naked...and pregnant.

Call Me What You Want

I'm starting to get tired of being big.

Awkwardness Shared

I feel like I would be remiss if I didn't clue you into this website I heard about from Tyler.

(Shudder).

Paranoia, Paranoia

(Did "everybody's coming to get me" just run through your head? No? Ok, nevermind.)

The other day, I was checking out at Walmart...in a lane with a live person, not self-checkout. Can you believe it?!

Anyway, the lady keeps talking to Sam and telling me how cute she thinks he is. He's vacillating (10 pt. word) between flirting with her and almost falling out of the cart to push the buttons on the credit card swiper machine.

"Is he yours?" she asks.

I sort of chuckle and say "yea, he is."

According to Bob, that was just her best way of trying to find out if I was the un-married, pregnant mother of a toddler or simply a babysitter or aunt.

Again...with the ring paranoia. I'm ready to have them back.

I know Rachel's with me on this. Anybody else? Do you ever "ring-check" a pregnant lady and wonder? I know I do. And yes, I know that I'm paranoid because I'm guilty of it.

Just Some Thoughts

I was trying to take a nap yesterday. After about 10 minutes, I woke up to the phone ringing. I couldn't go back to sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about eating a peanut butter & jelly sandwich. Sad.

I had a delicious veggie sub for lunch today. I'm sitting here contemplating making another one.

I'm not a vegetarian.

The first three thoughts are about food and I'm holding back.

I just got some really cute burp cloths off Etsy. (These aren't the exact ones I got. The beauty of this store is that you can just pick and choose which fabrics you want. I got some for gifts a couple for myself!)

I can't wait for May. With it comes my birthday, Mother's day, a camping trip, our family beach trip, and the wedding of some really good friends! Oh, and my blood glucose test. How could I forget that?!

I'm in a phase of pregnancy where I'm not sleeping well. Although I'm usually awake and back to sleep before this once or twice, something happens around 3:30 a.m. that wakes me up every morning. Maybe it's just that I have to go to the bathroom....

I lost a small diamond from my wedding band. My rings, since they're saudered together, are at the jeweler for the diamond to be replaced. Now I'm paranoid that everyone thinks I'm a single, pregnant mom of a toddler.

It won't be just Bob, me and Sam much longer. That makes me a little sad. That, obviously, means it won't just be Sam and me hanging out during the day much longer. That's gonna end real soon and it just makes me kinda sad.

Yes, I Want the Fat Milk

There's a Starbucks pretty close to our house. Because of that, it's the one we frequent the most often. And because of THAT, we're fairly recognizable to most of the staff (i.e. we know each other's names, some of them know what we order, Sam usually draws quite a bit of attention to us etc.)

So I'm in the other day to buy a pound of coffee. While I'm there, why not get a drink too, right? The guy asks if I need the coffee ground. I say, "no thanks, but I would like a grande caramel macchiato."

He rings it all up. I hand him my black card and money. And then he asks if I want non-fat milk or "anything".

This leads me to a couple conclusions.
1-This guy probably isn't married.
2-If he is, he and his wife didn't date long and she still has a lot to teach him.
3-This guy probably hasn't gotten many, "dude, you just don't say that to a girl" talks from his buddies.
4-I must still be in the is-she-fat-or-pregnant-fat-or-pregnant-which-one-is-it??? stage.

Not THE, but A Great Divide

So I've been doing quite a bit of linking recently.
I know it.
Surely you've noticed too.
Blame it on overthinking blog topics, laziness, busyness or just the fact that I've come across some stuff I want to share.

With that said, here's something else.

I appreciate this article because one, it convicted me and put into words some things I know to be true but couldn't necessarily articulate as well and two, I think it's a fresh perspective on an old problem.

Let me know what you think.

A Taste of the "Care" in Healthcare

Tech: Y'all are qwi-yet!
Bob: You'd be quiet too if you'd had a stomache for 3 weeks.
Tech: Well, leesen here. My ex-huzband had Crohn's disease so nuthin' bothers me. But at least it wudn't ulcerative colitis or sumthen lak that.
Me: That's what he's got.
Tech: Who??
Me(pointing at Bob): Him.
Tech: Oh. Sorry...I din't know that.

A few minutes later...

Tech: Not to sker y'all or nuthin but we had a guy here in the hospital for 2 months an he went home ginst medical advice and he diiiied the next day. He was 28.
Me: (long pause) That's not real great stuff to be going around telling people, ha...ha. P.S. Get out.

Dude, Your Pants are Falling Down

Do you remember when you were a teenager, still living at home and anxious to stay out late - especially at times like New Year's?


Well, I remember wondering why my parents weren't on board with the idea and what the big deal was. Yes, I knew people tended to drink quite a bit on New Year's, but I had never seen this steady stream of drunk drivers, out on the roads, late at night, hunting young teenage girls.


Fast forward to yesterday....New Year's, 2009.


Driving home after running some errands, we were stuck behind a car that seemed to be having quite a bit of trouble every time we had to stop. Bob and I figured they were driving a 5-speed and just struggling. At the next stop light, they stalled no less than 5 times. We became suspicious. Then an up-standing young man, holding a large dark glass, opens the door and promptly closes it back. They stall out a couple more times and the passenger gets out.


His pants fall down. He is unphased.


He goes around to the driver's side obviously expecting to show the driver how it's done. As we drove around them, it was quite apparent these fellas were still enjoying their New Year's Eve celebration. Both looked wasted. As we passed them, Bob slowed down and rolled down my window a little. I suggested we just keep driving (you know, they're wasted, it's my side and we have a baby in the car).


We passed them, drove a little further up the road and pulled over. We were thinking we could get their license plate and call them in, you know, do our civic duty. Well, they flew by so quickly that even between the two of us, we couldn't be sure of what the plate was. They pulled a U-turn in the middle of the road, flew back by and turned onto a busy highway.


The best part is, there was a cop sitting at the intersection where this was all happening. Maybe he noticed and followed them after they turned...but it didn't look like it.

How Do YOU Relax?

Saturday morning, I left a napping Sam with Bob and headed to get a massage. (My mother-in-law is generous enough to provide me with occasional gift cards to this particular spa).
Anyway, Bob needed me to make a deposit for work while I was out.

I headed to the drive thru and had the following conversation with the teller, who was a jolly, happy, late-60s woman.


Teller: Good morning!! Are you out Christmas shopping?!

Me: No ma'am. I'm actually going to get a massage :).

Teller: (pause) Did you say a scotch? (Doing the drinking hand motion. You know what I'm talking about.)

Me: Hahaha, no, no, a ma-ssage.

Teller: Oh, ha! And maybe a scotch afterwards??


No. No scotch afterwards. Just the massage.

Sweet Grossness

I can't think of a more disgusting smell than the sweet-ish smelling cleaning (?) supplies used in the Walmart bathrooms.

Can you?

Little Bit of This & a Little Bit of That

We're going to my parents' house for Christmas and I can hardly wait! If things go according to their plan, this will be our last Christmas in that house...the house my sisters and I grew up in. (My parents are hoping to sell this year and move to AL permanently).
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We have a few more gifts to buy, well I should clarify, we have a few more to decide on. However, short of those, I'm done shopping and I've only got a couple more to wrap. And, I love wrapping gifts so I actually have that to look forward to.
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My house is a wreck (well mainly upstairs) and I just cannot get motivated to change that.
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Sam is getting his molars. Poor little guy. I can feel how swollen his gums are and it just makes me hurt. Will the teething ever end?!?!
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Some of our really good friends just got engaged this week. Bob and I are so excited for them and can't wait to see them in person to celebrate. It has brought back good memories for us of when we were first engaged.
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At our Small Group Christmas party this week, we played Party Playoff. I'm quite a fan of games...of any type, really. Bob, on the other hand...notsomuch. However, he did enjoy this game. We had a weird coincedence occur. For the game, you pick a few winners (think like the NCAA bracket). Well, Bob and I both chose all the same bracket winners, including the "champion". Weird....
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Ok, I told ya this was gonna be a little hodge-podge. If you're still reading, bless you.
Is it Friday yet?