Accomplished

Yesterday was spent running around town(s).  I got some blood work done so the results will be in by my appointment next week, although they didn't do all that I wanted them too.  And the frustrating thing was that I hadn't even planned on doing this testing, but since I wanted to get some other things checked too I figured I could knock it all out together.  I was a tad upset.  But then Mom took Luke and I to lunch (she had stayed with him here at the house while I went...I thought it would take 20 minutes but I was gone an HOUR and a HALF because they didn't have my paper work ready.  That didn't make me mad either.) and after nap time we went to get Ashley and took her furniture shopping, where I found a bedroom suit for her and she bought it!  I don't have furniture jealousy at all.  I've only been wanting a bedroom suit for oh, three years now.  (Guess where my furniture money went all of a sudden?)

Then I was all set to have a great night's sleep- no rain, allergy meds in action way before bed time, sore throat almost gone- when SOMEONE decided to have a rough night.  Luke woke up at 12:45 crying and then spent the next three hours tossing and turning and moaning.  Not a clue what was wrong.  He wasn't feverish, he shouldn't have been starving.  Finally I just had to turn on the lights to snap him out of it, sat on the side of the bed questioning him in an agitated tone, and he finally went back to sleep after that.  So much for my refreshing night.  I haven't gotten a good night's sleep in at least a week and it's really wearing on me. 

This morning for breakfast I fixed some biscuits and coffee.  This last grocery trip found some frozen biscuits in my basket.  They start out like this:

And after 20 minutes in the oven come out like this:

Okay, they don't double, but they sure are flaky and creamy and wonderful when slathered with butter and drizzled with honey.  After breakfast I got to work.  I told myself that I wanted to clean out that computer room over the Christmas break while Kayden was gone, and umm....he comes back Monday.  So I tossed and donated and rearranged various spots in my house to accommodate what I couldn't part with.  It's not half bad!  The bottom of my linen closet has been cluttered wasted space for years (okay, the three years we've lived here) and now it neatly houses my sewing machine, sewing basket, knitting basket, scrapbook paper bag, a few other bags I use when traveling, and my  tub of scarves.  Why I need so many scarves when I live in a place that's still 75 in December (yes, that was the temp today) but I just can't part with any of them.  I love wearing them when the thermometer reads anything less than 55.  Between that, the preparing of dinner, and the folding of all the laundry from earlier this week, my whole day was gone.  Now I just have to "encourage" Cody to get on the ball sometime this year.  Hmmm...that will be over in a day.  Sometime this decade.  Nope, that won't work either.  Let's just say he better hop to soon.

I would like to say that the night ended on a sweet note, but unfortunately that was not the case.  Have I mentioned that I'm a little sleep deprived and pregnancy is causing little patience?  That coupled with trying to give Luke his antibiotic caused us to spiral out of control fast.  We can get the medicine into his mouth, but for the life of me, we CAN NOT get him to swallow it.  We wait.  We blow in his face.  We offer juice (he just drinks some juice and then dribbles everything out).  We bribe with rocking.  We threaten with spanking.  We spank him.  He will. not. I repeat WILL. NOT. swallow it.  Finally after the third small dose ended up on the floor I picked him up at arm's length,  carried him to bed, and shut the door.  No teeth brushing, no story, no puppy, no blanket, not even jammies.  Just bed.  If he doesn't get any down on his last dose tomorrow, I'm not sure what will happen because the kid has barely taken in any of it. 

17 Weeks

Lord have mercy, my boy is back.  He was up this morning at 7 raring to go.  I told him groggily from bed that it wasn't time to get up yet and he needed to go back to night night.  Instead of climbing back into bed (or our bed for that matter) he ran into the living room and played straight until nap time.  Plus his appetite was back, he actually ate all three meals today!  At one point I just had to grab the camera.  Remember the tubs I bought yesterday to corral the toys?  Someone had a different idea for them.  He was in and out.  In and out.

and the toys that belong in them?

When he finally got distracted by something else an hour later I quickly cleaned it all up.

Much better! 

We spent the rest of the day at home, where I de-Christmas-fied the house (aka- found a home for all the new things we've gotten) and did loads and loads of laundry.  yaaaaaAAAAAYYYYY Me!  (sometimes it's okay to cheer for yourself, mkay?)   And now for the late update.  The shirt I'm wearing is actually Cody's.  I did have on sweat pants too, but I changed to jeans just for the picture.  You're welcome!  I don't think it's much better than what I would have come up with from yesterday, but at least I didn't skip out.  And sorry the sign is crooked.  It's surprisingly hard to hold that thing straight.

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 17 weeks

Size of baby: weight of a turnip, which would be 5 oz.  He is also 5 inches long from crown to rump!

Total Weight Gain/Loss: According to the doctor's office yesterday, I've gained a pound putting me up to total of 4 lbs gained.  But I have the feeling that the numbers will rise drastically soon due to the incredible amount of sweets I've eaten lately.  I don't think I mentioned that Cody got me 2 lbs of Godiva chocolate for Christmas?!  Holy moly, that thing is three trays deep of pure rice goodness.  I'm almost done with the first one.

Maternity Clothes: I've pretty much made the switch all the way around, except for a few tops that are long enough and stretchy enough to keep me covered. 

Gender: We'll find out in a little over a week!  I'm getting so excited!  Except tomorrow I have to go do a bunch of blood work.  :(  *sniff* I hate this part.  It's the quad screen (for genetic disorders) and I'm going to request some thyroid testing.  I could put it off a couple of more weeks, but I'd like to get it over with and this way we can discuss the results at my appointment next week.

Movement: I'm confident he's moving around in there.  Last night I was laying on my back in bed with my hand pressed into my abdomen and I felt two little thumps.  I SO HOPE it's getting to the point where we can feel it outside the womb!

Sleep: Not so great, but that's more of me being sick and my allergies being out of control.  But, I hate to say, I think my hips are going to start giving me trouble soon.  They've been getting a little stiff after awhile.  I was hoping this would hold off longer.  For me it's the worst part of pregnancy!

What I miss: I was thisclose to stopping for sushi one night for a dish I'm pretty sure isn't raw but has cooked shrimp.  But I didn't, just in case.  I could taste it though.
Cravings: Nothing

Symptoms: Just the boobs, which has lessened this week. I'm so thankful that my body is gracious towards pregnancy. I LOVE being pregnant! I really do!

Best Moment this week: I wish I could say Christmas was the best thing about this week.  While it was very good, being under the weather brought the celebration down a notch. 

No update

Sorry, there's no pregnancy  update today.  While I feel much better, there is still a touch of death around the eyes so a picture's out of the question, plus Cody and I got into a ginormous fight and I don't want to ask him to take it. 

This morning I woke up and I could tell we were both marginally better.  Even so, I called both of our doctors and made appointments.  I wanted to make sure I didn't need to be taking anything for Flicker's sake and Luke's snot had turned from clear to goopy green with the worst death breath ever, no matter how much I brushed his teeth or forced him to eat something.  I got an appointment for 10- sinus infection- and Luke an appointment for 12- beginnings of bronchitis and an acute asthma attack.  We both got antibiotics (the same one actually!) and I was so glad we went.  In between the appointments we ran to Target to get some more stacking tubs to corral all the toys in the living room.  Much needed. 

Soon it was nap time (he didn't sleep nearly as long today) and while he was down I took all the Christmas decorations down.  I would have liked to rest too, but I was itching to get this done.  Plus I want to make sure I sleep tonight.  When he got up we went to the grocery store for our weekly groceries, then it was time to fix dinner.  After dinner I took down the tree and put it away, then it was bath time and bed time for one little boy.  I know he is feeling better because I put him down at 8 but he laid in bed chattering and awake until 10.  Yep.  2 hours.  We've both had our first dose of antibiotic so we are on the road to recovery!

Sick day and missed Christmas #5

There was a slight hiccup with trying to go to bed early Saturday night.  My problem was that I couldn't sleep.  As I laid in bed I could feel the little invisible hands going at my throat with a cheese grater and pumping hot air in there to swell it.  I barely slept all night I was in so much pain and I didn't know what I could take due to pregnancy.  When Luke woke up in the morning at 8 I called Mom to sub for me in bible class and went back to sleep.  Luckily Cody had fallen asleep on the couch at 5 the night before so he was okay to get up with Luke.

When I finally got up at 11 I just moved to the couch.  I laid there as Luke semi-played with his toys, I could tell that he didn't still didn't feel great and was  running a low fever.  We suffered through the rest of the morning until I deemed it naptime at 1.  Cody left for his grandmother's house and we slept until 4.  I felt bad about us missing the Christmas with his mom's side of the family, but when you're sick you're sick.  Once we woke up I forced myself to drink some water and nibble on some grapes.  Poor Flicker was being starved from my lack of appetite.  That's not good.  I called Mom and she brought me some soup while I made Luke and I a grilled cheese sandwich, but neither of us felt like eating it.  Back to bed by 7 for us!

Merry Christmas!

I hope you're having a blessed day!  A post dated account of Christmas Eve to come later, as well as a detailed account of today.  ;)

Christmas Morning (Christmas #4)

I actually woke up on Christmas morning on my own, at 8:30.  What?!  That should have been a big clue to the day.  Since Luke wasn't up yet I went into the kitchen to get the rest of breakfast in the oven (the part I didn't stay up until midnight doing) and the any other last minute details ready I had forgotten. 

At 9 he was STILL asleep, but my grandmother called and the phone just happen to be right by his door.  He stumbled out of his room and I got all excited about "Santa came!  Santa came!" so we got Daddy, turned on the video camera, and went for his stocking.  At first I thought it was all going to be great.

But then it turned sour.  

He would not get off the floor.  We turned off the camera, I rocked him for awhile, and got him a plate of breakfast.  After a little while he calmed down and we were able to turn the camera back on and proceed.  This time was much better.  We got through his stocking and moved on to the presents. 

Half way through the presents all the grandparents started to arrive for brunch.  I really meant to get a picture of the table all set, but I forgot.  We had brunch, then everyone watched Luke play with his new toys.  He LOVED the train set, just like I thought he would.  By noon I could tell he was really starting to feel bad, and he had barely eaten any of the breakfast I'd set out for him.  His cough was increasing and his poor eyes were so droopy.  I put him down for a nap, but he didn't sleep for very long due to a coughing fit.  When he got up I could tell he felt BAD.  He was running a fever and just wanted to be held.  He sat with me for a long time, then sat with Daddy, and by 6:30 I was running a bath to put him in bed.  The kid was out by 7:15 (HOURS earlier than normal) and I soon followed suit because I was feeling pretty run down myself. 

Merry Christmas to us!

Christmas Eve (aka Christmas #3)

Christmas Eve dawned dreary and rainy today.  It rained a lot.  We bummed around the house for awhile before heading over to Mom's to make our Christmas cookies.  I should not have wasted that time. 

You see, the night before, I had checked on Luke before getting ready for bed and determined that his breathing was awful.  Horrid.  I gave him FOUR puffs of his rescue inhaler and it did nothing.  I was worried that he wasn't getting enough oxygen, coupled with the fact that he had developed a nasty sounding cough within the hour, so Cody and I scooped him up and ran up to Acute Kids emergency care before they closed at 11.  They diagnosed him with croup and gave him an oral dose of steroids to open up his throat.  What they didn't tell me was that it can upset kids' tummies (something I found out the next day), and 15 minutes later when we were pulling in to the drive way he threw it up.  Awesome.  I put him back to bed and the poor kid couldn't sleep.  I ended up laying down with him until he did.  My sweet boy. 

So when the morning was dark and rainy, it kinda fit the bill.  He wasn't too keen on making the cookies- playing Hot Wheels with Papa was much more enticing- but we had to have something to leave out for Santa! 

(eating the cookie dough was better than waiting!)

While he played a little longer and Mom finished up the cookies, I did a couple of quick errands so he wouldn't have to get out in the rain.  I wanted to get some congestion medicine for his runny nose and we needed a new filter for the humidifier, which I figured he would start to need. 

I should have stayed put.

When I ran up to CVS I stepped with both feet in a giant puddle that filled my shoes with cold water and soaked my jeans up to my calves.  They didn't have the filter, so I bought the medicine and left.  I knew where the only place to get the filter was.  It was the only place I didn't want to go. 

Wal Mart.

On Christmas Eve.

At noon. 

Talk about the trifecta of disasters. 

But I actually found a decent parking place, located my filter with relative easy, and EVEN was able to walk right up to a self check out register.  I don't think I've ever been in and out that quickly.  Jesus was with me.  I swung back by to pick up my boy, and we headed home for nap time.  My plan had been to get him down for a nap, then get me down for a nap until 4 so that I could have time to get me ready and some baking done before Christmas Eve dinner.  Momma wasn't feeling good and needed that nap. So I got out the humidifier, fixed it all up, and RIGHT BEFORE I put him to bed......disaster happened. 

A disaster called "the entire tank of water from the humidifier poured all over Luke's bookshelf crammed with hundreds of books".  Ya'll, I cried.  Only half the books (the side where the tank was) got wet, but it still led to a nap time that looked like this.

There were books everywhere.  Fanning them out to dry really ate into my time.  Finally I got him down, then me down, and I hoped the day would get better.  At 4 Luke actually woke up too, and I went through all the books that were dried.  More time wasted.  The baking of one item took longer than I thought, more time wasted, and I didn't get to the second thing.  But we made it to dinner on time, traditional Macaroni Grill with my family, and after 3 glasses of mango tea and eggplant Parmesan I felt better.

Then it was present time!  Per tradition, we open presents with my parents on Christmas Eve after dinner.  Luke had a ball.  There were big presents.

And little presents.

Presents not for him.

And presents just for him.

Plus a good family shot!  Hallelujah!

Then we went to get ready for Santa.  There was a letter to write:

Cookies to put out:

And a story to read:

Okay Santa, we're ready!

Luke's room and painting

So, now is about the time most people are signing off of their blogs for the next couple of days, some even until the New Year.  Well, I'm not.  Seeing as the whole point of me rambling almost every night is to keep a record of life as a young mom, life as a toddler for my son, and more in depth stories to the pictures I take than I can go into in my photo books, I'm not about to miss the chance to remember our Christmas festivities forever and ever!  So.....you're stuck with me. 

And now the big month-in-progress room reveal.  Presenting Luke's new vintage cowboy room!

Those would be pictures panning around the room starting from the doorway.  I also did close ups of my craft projects from the last few days:

the french memo board (he LOVES naming the people in them!)  It wasn't too difficult to make, but trying to get the lines evenly spaced was a pain.  And yes, I did measure and mark them on the back at first.

His new letters.  Just cardboard letters, scrapbook paper and Modge Podge.  The trick to these was trying to attach them to the wall.  They are fully formed all the way around so there was no way to hang them on a nail (unless I cut a hole it in.  Now I think of that.)

And this is just a poster attached to a canvas the same size as the canvas I used on the memo board.  I love it!  I think my favorite is "Honor yer Ma & Pa"  Ha!

I can't believe my sweet baby is such a big boy.  And I have to say, I've LOVED having him in a twin sized bed this last month.  Last night he had a really bad breathing spell, and we ended up taking him to a pediatric urgent care at 10:45.  He was sounding TERRIBLE and I was afraid he wasn't getting enough oxygen, plus he developed a cough suddenly.  The doctor said it was croup, but I'm not so sure.  He's done this before and when I've taken him to our regular pediatrician they've never said croup.  Anyway, they gave him a steroid dose to help the swelling in his throat go down and the wheezing to stop (4 puffs of his rescue inhaler hadn't worked at home, which scared me and was another reason we rushed him up there).  What they DIDN'T tell me is that the medicine can upset their tummy (I found that out today when they called to check on him) and he threw it up as soon as we pulled into the garage.  Awesome.  We put him back to bed and I jumped in the shower (ahem, something I hadn't done all day due to slaving over a sewing machine).  When I got out I checked on him and poor guy was just laying there awake.  I climbed into bed with him and he finally fell asleep.  See?  Big bed= amazing. 

Today my boy was up and at 'em early, and no worse for wear.  We just piddled around the house all day (at some point I did get the floors and bathrooms clean, so it wasn't a total waste) in our jammies with bed head, and I actually let (okay, remembered) him paint his ornament.  I told  you this was the tradition I wanted to start with my kids each year, right?  Well, no time like the present.  And since this was the first time he's ever wielded a paintbrush, with permanent acrylic paint no less, I was understandably nervous.  But he did great and he LOVED it!  So I give you Masterpiece 2010!

(after the ornament was full of paint I hung it up to dry, but he wasn't done painting, so I let him continue on paper.  Of course when I wanted him to hold it for a picture he refused.)

(he really and truly did the whole thing by himself!  All I did was hold it for him so it wouldn't smear across the paper!  What an artist, eh?)

Christmas #2 and Lovely day

Yesterday was a great day. Really, it was!  Gorgeous weather, a since of accomplishment, tasty meals.  I had originally planned to sit on my behind and relax for the morning, but that didn't happen exactly. 

First we colored.

(I prefer it when he sticks to his side and off of mine, but as you can see our coloring blends together some times)

Then I got all 6 loads of laundry washed, dried, folded, AND put away.  (okay, this was done in conjuncture with all the other things, but you get the idea.)

Next we did a little body work on Luke's fire truck.

Some of us sat in weird places and stared outside.

Others of us lounged around.

(you can't really see in this little picture, but her tongue is ever so slightly hanging out.)

I, on the other hand, finished putting up the wall art in Luke's room since he was getting his bedding last night.

Finally it was lunch time.

(ahem.  Someone couldn't wait for one little picture before digging in.)

I was the personal hero of my little boy for fixing such a lunch.  And obviously we like a little chicken with our plates of mac n cheese. 

After that it was nap time and get ready for dinner time, because last night was Christmas at my Grandmother's house.  We had a WONDERFUL turkey dinner with all of my very favorite comfort foods- turkey, dressing, cream cheese corn, broccoli cheese and rice casserole (the only casserole I'll eat), sweet potatoes, and chocolate pie to top it all off.  I even took home a huge pie plate of left overs home with me and at the WHOLE. THING.  for lunch today.  It's my very favorite meal that I only get at Thanksgiving and now, so I make the most of it.  After dinner it was present time.  Luke totally knew what to do this time!  He was so excited to open his presents, but unfortunately Momma was a spoil sport and picked bedding for most of his presents.  But I did pick a motorcylce that zooms and a train that were big hits.  I mean big.  And  it was super cute, he was so excited about ripping paper he opened Grandmother's too.  (She was very gracious about it and even invited him to help when he wasn't paying attention.)  I can not WAIT  for Saturday morning when he gets to open the presents from us!  He is going to LOVE the train set we bought for him, I'm just dying for him to see it.  That present will have to be the last one he opens though, because I'm fairly certain he won't want to open anything else because he's playing with it!

(I'm wearing short sleeves again because it was a WONDERFUL 80 degrees yesterday.  Don't worry though, today was cloudy and in the 50's) (and you can kinda see Flicker in there!)

(we kept trying to get him to smile for the camera, so finally I said "show us your teeth!"  This is what we got.)

 (opening some of the bedding with Daddy.  I feel there are enough pictures for one day, so I'll post the make over tomorrow.)

(watching his new toys zoom down the tile)

(the ever-elusive family picture.  Still a no go.  No one can seem to get their eyes in the same direction and the look on Luke's face seems like he just heard a really bad idea.)

16 weeks and Christmas Lights

A preview of what's to come:

First off, we'll get the up date out of the way, since nothing too exciting happened this week.

(yes I'm wearing a Valentine's day shirt, but I'm thinking in 2 months it won't fit anymore.  And yes, I'm wearing a short sleeves shirt....it was a beeeeeeee-autiful 75 degree day.)

Pregnancy Highlights:


How Far Along: 16 weeks

Size of baby: an avocado. Sorry babe, but I ate you for lunch.

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Rats.  I was totally at Mom and Dad's tonight and I meant to weigh myself.  Maybe I'll remember Friday when we are over there so I'll have one next week.  Or maybe ignorance is bliss at this time of year.

Maternity Clothes: I'm fully converted in the pants department.  Still 50/50 on the shirts.  Today's shirt was not.

Gender: I can't believe the reveal is only 2 1/2 weeks away!

Movement: Yes!  There have definitely been some fishy movements in there, like a little minnow panicking away from your hand.  I was leaned up against the counter one night doing the dishes and he did not like that!

Sleep: I can tell the knot in my abdomen is growing.  My tummy sleeping days are numbered.  :(

What I miss: Nothing

Cravings: Nothing

Symptoms: Just the boobs, which has lessened this week.  I'm so thankful that my body is gracious towards pregnancy.  I LOVE being pregnant!  I really do!

Best Moment this week: I guess really being able to identify Flicker's movement.  Although, I wish it would pick up!  I lay down and it's almost like I'm willing myself to feel movement.
 
Okay, now that that's done with I can move on to tonight.  But real quick before I do, I forgot something about yesterday.  When we were at lunch in Sweetwater my uncle ordered Texas Bottlecaps as an appetizer (fried slices of jalapenos ) and of course my starved two year old wanted what everyone else was eating.  Except me, I hate jalapenos.  I told him no REPEATEDLY, that it was too hot, it would hurt his tongue, give his mouth a boo boo, whatever I could to stress that he did not want what was on the table. Finally our food came and I thought that was over with since he had chicken strips.  Well, all of the sudden he starts whimpering and wiping his tongue with his hands.  Sure enough, there was a bottle cap on his plate with a bite out of it, which he had swiped off of Cody's plate.  His eyes watered and he was trying to wipe off the burn with his napkin.  Even drinking half of his milk didn't make it go away any faster.  *sigh*  I tried to warn you and protect you son.  Maybe next time you'll listen.  And I really did feel bad for you as I laughed.
 
Tonight Mom and Dad and Ashley came and picked up Luke and I, and we headed off to look at Christmas lights.  Mind you, it was still a very comfortable 72 degrees outside even with the sun down.  Mom passes this house ever day on her way home from school, and she was very interested to check it out.  We pulled into some family's yard, parked, and walked around. 
 
They had creepy wise men.

  
A little village.

 
 
More blow up displays that I've seen in awhile.

A light show set to music. (okay, you can't really get a picture of that.)
 
And their very own Santa.

It was....interesting.  And I'm sure we'll be back next year.  I am glad to carry on this tradition with my children though.  Ashley and I vividly remember every year we would pile into a car with Grandmother and Poppy (Dad's parents) and go all over town at 10 miles an hour looking at the light displays.  It's those kind of traditions that really stick with you, and now is the time in Luke (and Flickers!) life to start them!