To the 18 year old me,
Today you are graduating from High School. Enjoy the day. Have fun with your friends. Give your Grandmas extra hugs because you only have four more years with them. And as an FYI avoid the spiral curl hot rollers, it's NOT a good look for you.
Don't stress the lack of dates in college. That Joel guy will finally come to his senses before your senior year starts. And skip the late night munching and high carb foods at Walt's. The extra 20 pounds will be hard to get rid of. One other thing - major in Home Economics. History and political science won't be very helpful in your day-to-day life 15 years from now.
Speaking of life in 15 years. You are not going to believe yours! You live in Rhode Island. Yep, surrounded by Yankees. You even sound like one (at least to Southern ears). You own a comfortable house, ranch style which you will still dislike. And you will be pregnant with your 4th child.
That reminds me, you're going to want children after you've been married for 3 years. Joel won't be ready for a few years beyond that so relax and enjoy the freedom. Sleep in. Take spontaneous day trips. And enjoy being a couple with few responsibilities.
'Cuz once the babies start coming that will all change. In fact, 15 years from today you will wipe poop off a little boy's legs and tush, scoop it up off the floor with only a wipe, use your hand to make sure it all rinses off his underwear in the sink and clean it off the foot of his big brother - all before breakfast. I'm proud to say you won't even gag or think twice about it. But, I will spare you the stories of catching vomit with your hand and wiping boogers with your fingers. I know 18 year-old girls have their limits. Let's just say what is unthinkable for you now will become a source of amusement in 15 years.
Last but not least, enjoy fried catfish and hushpuppies and a Sonic Route 44 Vanilla Dr. Pepper every chance you get. Those things aren't found in Rhode Island but you will crave them often.
Much love,
The 33 year-old me
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The post you've all been waiting for.
It was never my intention to go this long without posting. I certainly haven't lacked for blog-worthy material! I'll just plead tiredness and leave it at that. Here's a brief synopsis of the last few weeks.
* My hubby turned 33 (love you, Sweet!). My "little" brother turned 30 (I remember bringing him home from the hospital!). And Joel's niece turned one year (where did the year go?!).
* I had the stitches removed from my leg. Joel offered to do it but I declined. I ended up taking all three kids with me (it goes without saying that we were late for a 9 AM appointment!). Will & Ben watched the doctor with fascination as she worked.
* Will cut Ben's hair (but I couldn't tell where). Ben cut Ellie's hair (again, couldn't tell where but combed out LOTS of loose pieces). Ben also cut Ellie's new shirt from Gymboree on the second time she wore it! I was more upset about the shirt than the hair, even if I did get it on sale! There are days when I tell Joel he's lucky he has 3 kids when he gets home - that was one of them!
* Ben is ALMOST potty trained. And Will's "accidents" have gotten fewer lately. It's amazing what kids are willing to do in order to get dessert after supper. We have two incentives going for each boy: go all day dry and get dessert, a potty chart for which they earn stickers.
* Ellie has decided shoes are optional and if she wears them she likes them on the wrong feet.
* Yesterday I looked out my window to see two full moons in my backyard, in the middle of the day no less! This has become quite the trend in the last week or so. They don't want to take the time to go in the house. Hmm... I seem to recall a certain now 30 year old doing something similar. It's that Y chromosome thing again.
* Two of my friends are pregnant and both due in December. Amy's 2 kids are 6 months younger than each of my boys. This time we're only about 6 weeks apart. We've been commiserating a lot. Christie's oldest is 6 months older than Will, her second is almost exactly a year older than Ben, and her third shares his birthday with Ellie. In fact, she called my hospital room from her hospital room after her delivery. It's always more fun to be pregnant at the same time as friends. = )
I think that about catches us up one the last few weeks. Now moving on. Today I had "THE" ob/gyn appointment. An ultrasound. We decided the boys, at least Will, are old enough to understand the pictures of the baby and enjoy going with us for the ultrasound. So Joel took off work this morning and we all trooped to the doctor's office.
Where we waited. And waited. And waited. AN HOUR LATER we made it into the ultrasound room. You understand that my little gang was not on their best behavior after all that waiting! The tech explained that they were running a little behind because the baby before us "wouldn't cooperate." 15 minutes I understand. But an HOUR?! I can't help wondering what would happen if I showed up an hour late for an appointment with them.
Will was fascinated and had lots of questions (when does he not?). We saw the four chambers of the heart, the brain, spinal column, arm bones and leg bones. The baby appears healthy and is growing well. The due date appears accurate from this ultrasound. I find that amazing because my other 3 had due dates moved back, and moved back again, and were still "late."
She said I have a slight placenta previa (placenta is close to the cervix) but she says it's so small she knows it will move out of the way as the baby (and uterus) grows. But to be on the safe side I go back in 6 weeks for another ultrasound. I'll be going alone to that one, taking a book with me, and praying I get to sit in the waiting room alone for an hour. = )
I'm also still 2 pounds under my weight from my first appointment at 8 weeks. The nurse assistant questioned if I've been sick a lot. Not lately. I eat eat whatever I want. She said I need to gain 3-4 pounds every month from now on. She recommended nightly ice cream sundaes, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers and granola bars. I found it interesting that she did not recommend food high in nutrients, just high in calories. Lest anyone get worried, let me assure you this is the way I do pregnancy. The pounds will start coming soon. But I only gain 20-25. Mainly because I try to eat when I'm hungry instead of the 17 jillion snacks "they" say to eat all day. Don't get me wrong. I eat whatever I want.
I find it funny that my first pregnancy I followed all the dietary guidelines and gained about 28 pounds. And birthed a 6.5 pound baby. The other two I followed my own plan, gained just over 20 pounds, and birthed a 9 pound 9 ounce and a 8 pound 11 ounce baby. Hmmm... I wonder who's plan works better? Then there's poor Joel who gains 10 pounds with each pregnancy but doesn't get the benefit of delivery and nursing. = )
Moving on. Here for your viewing pleasure is Baby #4 at 17 weeks 4 days. Can you tell what you are looking at?
***Just in case you're wondering. Baby #4 is a boy. Which I totally knew already because this pregnancy has been so like Will & Ben's. I will do some serious evaluating of our room options while we are on vacation next week (not that I haven't already been thinking things through!). It's a little wild to think I'm the mom of THREE boys. But I'm ok with that. = ) In case you are wondering about names, that hasn't been settled yet. I'll let you know when it is...maybe. = )
* My hubby turned 33 (love you, Sweet!). My "little" brother turned 30 (I remember bringing him home from the hospital!). And Joel's niece turned one year (where did the year go?!).
* I had the stitches removed from my leg. Joel offered to do it but I declined. I ended up taking all three kids with me (it goes without saying that we were late for a 9 AM appointment!). Will & Ben watched the doctor with fascination as she worked.
* Will cut Ben's hair (but I couldn't tell where). Ben cut Ellie's hair (again, couldn't tell where but combed out LOTS of loose pieces). Ben also cut Ellie's new shirt from Gymboree on the second time she wore it! I was more upset about the shirt than the hair, even if I did get it on sale! There are days when I tell Joel he's lucky he has 3 kids when he gets home - that was one of them!
* Ben is ALMOST potty trained. And Will's "accidents" have gotten fewer lately. It's amazing what kids are willing to do in order to get dessert after supper. We have two incentives going for each boy: go all day dry and get dessert, a potty chart for which they earn stickers.
* Ellie has decided shoes are optional and if she wears them she likes them on the wrong feet.
* Yesterday I looked out my window to see two full moons in my backyard, in the middle of the day no less! This has become quite the trend in the last week or so. They don't want to take the time to go in the house. Hmm... I seem to recall a certain now 30 year old doing something similar. It's that Y chromosome thing again.
* Two of my friends are pregnant and both due in December. Amy's 2 kids are 6 months younger than each of my boys. This time we're only about 6 weeks apart. We've been commiserating a lot. Christie's oldest is 6 months older than Will, her second is almost exactly a year older than Ben, and her third shares his birthday with Ellie. In fact, she called my hospital room from her hospital room after her delivery. It's always more fun to be pregnant at the same time as friends. = )
I think that about catches us up one the last few weeks. Now moving on. Today I had "THE" ob/gyn appointment. An ultrasound. We decided the boys, at least Will, are old enough to understand the pictures of the baby and enjoy going with us for the ultrasound. So Joel took off work this morning and we all trooped to the doctor's office.
Where we waited. And waited. And waited. AN HOUR LATER we made it into the ultrasound room. You understand that my little gang was not on their best behavior after all that waiting! The tech explained that they were running a little behind because the baby before us "wouldn't cooperate." 15 minutes I understand. But an HOUR?! I can't help wondering what would happen if I showed up an hour late for an appointment with them.
Will was fascinated and had lots of questions (when does he not?). We saw the four chambers of the heart, the brain, spinal column, arm bones and leg bones. The baby appears healthy and is growing well. The due date appears accurate from this ultrasound. I find that amazing because my other 3 had due dates moved back, and moved back again, and were still "late."
She said I have a slight placenta previa (placenta is close to the cervix) but she says it's so small she knows it will move out of the way as the baby (and uterus) grows. But to be on the safe side I go back in 6 weeks for another ultrasound. I'll be going alone to that one, taking a book with me, and praying I get to sit in the waiting room alone for an hour. = )
I'm also still 2 pounds under my weight from my first appointment at 8 weeks. The nurse assistant questioned if I've been sick a lot. Not lately. I eat eat whatever I want. She said I need to gain 3-4 pounds every month from now on. She recommended nightly ice cream sundaes, cheese and crackers, peanut butter and crackers and granola bars. I found it interesting that she did not recommend food high in nutrients, just high in calories. Lest anyone get worried, let me assure you this is the way I do pregnancy. The pounds will start coming soon. But I only gain 20-25. Mainly because I try to eat when I'm hungry instead of the 17 jillion snacks "they" say to eat all day. Don't get me wrong. I eat whatever I want.
I find it funny that my first pregnancy I followed all the dietary guidelines and gained about 28 pounds. And birthed a 6.5 pound baby. The other two I followed my own plan, gained just over 20 pounds, and birthed a 9 pound 9 ounce and a 8 pound 11 ounce baby. Hmmm... I wonder who's plan works better? Then there's poor Joel who gains 10 pounds with each pregnancy but doesn't get the benefit of delivery and nursing. = )
Moving on. Here for your viewing pleasure is Baby #4 at 17 weeks 4 days. Can you tell what you are looking at?
***Just in case you're wondering. Baby #4 is a boy. Which I totally knew already because this pregnancy has been so like Will & Ben's. I will do some serious evaluating of our room options while we are on vacation next week (not that I haven't already been thinking things through!). It's a little wild to think I'm the mom of THREE boys. But I'm ok with that. = ) In case you are wondering about names, that hasn't been settled yet. I'll let you know when it is...maybe. = )
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Mom Talk
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
A recap of the last full week of April.
I've noticed a trend on my calendar. Apparently, I schedule as much as possible into a week rather than spreading things out. I don't intend to do this. In fact, I'd rather spread my activities out a little because I've become a serious homebody, but somehow it keeps happening.
As an example I give you last week.
Monday: Dermatologist appointment. I had a bump on my left calf that seriously got in the way of shaving. My doctor said it wasn't anything to be concerned about but it was a nuisance. So I had it removed. That's a nice way of saying SHE CUT A BIG OL' PLUG OUT OF MY LEG! The bump was slightly larger than a pencil eraser and perfectly round. Apparently it had roots cause by the time she was finished I had about 10 stitches in an incision over an inch long! I knew there would be stitches. I knew there will be a scar. I didn't realize it would be so large. It addition to being large, it hurt when the shot wore off! So I mostly sat around the rest of Monday and Tuesday. Not good. I had plans that did not include sitting around.
Wednesday: Obstetrician appointment. Also known as, A Big Fat Waste of Time. I remember being so excited about every OB appointment with my first two children. I was even OK with them for the third. Now, it is an annoyance. I got to drive 15 minutes, sit in the waiting room for 5 minutes, pee in a cup, have my blood pressure and weight checked and then wait in the exam room for 10 minutes. The doctor introduced herself (remember I've changed groups), used the doppler to hear the baby's heartbeat (which is the ONLY reason I go), and I was on my merry way home. BORING. Next month will be more exciting. I'll be having the regular mid-way ultrasound done. All the kids will go with us. Ellie won't understand but I think Will is old enough he may remember it when he's grown. = ) In case you are wondering, we will be finding out the boy/girl answer. I'm not sure yet if we are going to tell anyone. ; ) Yes, I know that's wrong and it's purely to aggravate those folks who refuse to find out what there babies are but always want to know mine. I'm mean like that sometimes.
Thursday: I spent the day cleaning house and washing all the laundry I was behind on. I had a ladies Bible study that night but had already decided I would not have enough energy to go. I was very right!
Friday: Our friend, Mike, flew in from Kentucky for his grandmother's 90th birthday party. His parents live around the corner from us and already had a house full so he asked to stay with us. We kindly allowed him the use of our extremely lumpy futon and cold basement. Joel enjoyed hanging out with his friend all weekend. My guys were very taken with "Mr. Mike," who showed great patience with all of Will's questions and conversation.
Saturday afternoon: I attended/co-hosted a wedding shower for 3 young ladies in my church. I ate a ton (now I'm craving tortilla chips!), and laughed and talked, and shared some of the "wisdom" that nearly 11 years of marriage has provided. (Remember, ladies, he's a man - he can't read your mind!).
Sunday: We attended church. After church we dropped "Mr. Mike" off at his parents' house and they took care of getting him to the airport. My guys were so disappointed not to be able to take him to the airport. After a quick lunch we all took naps. Mine last for about 3 hours!
Monday: More napping! I didn't realize how tired I was from last week. Tired and some of the nausea has returned. It hasn't helped that we woke up to rain. And more rain. And more rain.
Tuesday: I met Amy and her kids, in the rain, at Ben & Jerry's for our annual free ice cream cone. We thought they opened at 11 am. Sadly, no. Noon was the correct answer. So we loaded up, drove down the street to Burger King and let the kids play on only one of two indoor playlands in the entire state of Rhode Island. Joel's office just happens to be on the same street so we picked him up on the way back to B & J's. Free ice cream with some of my favorite people. That's what I call a good time. We came home and more napping took place. The rain finally stopped about supper time. I'm holding out hope my guys can play outside tomorrow but I'm thinking the mud might be too much for us.
The rest of this week is free and clear. Next week is another story. Miss Julie (our Parents as Educators worker) comes to visit, I get my stitches out, and the boys have a camping trip with folks from our church. Like I said, I schedule everything for the same week.
As an example I give you last week.
Monday: Dermatologist appointment. I had a bump on my left calf that seriously got in the way of shaving. My doctor said it wasn't anything to be concerned about but it was a nuisance. So I had it removed. That's a nice way of saying SHE CUT A BIG OL' PLUG OUT OF MY LEG! The bump was slightly larger than a pencil eraser and perfectly round. Apparently it had roots cause by the time she was finished I had about 10 stitches in an incision over an inch long! I knew there would be stitches. I knew there will be a scar. I didn't realize it would be so large. It addition to being large, it hurt when the shot wore off! So I mostly sat around the rest of Monday and Tuesday. Not good. I had plans that did not include sitting around.
Wednesday: Obstetrician appointment. Also known as, A Big Fat Waste of Time. I remember being so excited about every OB appointment with my first two children. I was even OK with them for the third. Now, it is an annoyance. I got to drive 15 minutes, sit in the waiting room for 5 minutes, pee in a cup, have my blood pressure and weight checked and then wait in the exam room for 10 minutes. The doctor introduced herself (remember I've changed groups), used the doppler to hear the baby's heartbeat (which is the ONLY reason I go), and I was on my merry way home. BORING. Next month will be more exciting. I'll be having the regular mid-way ultrasound done. All the kids will go with us. Ellie won't understand but I think Will is old enough he may remember it when he's grown. = ) In case you are wondering, we will be finding out the boy/girl answer. I'm not sure yet if we are going to tell anyone. ; ) Yes, I know that's wrong and it's purely to aggravate those folks who refuse to find out what there babies are but always want to know mine. I'm mean like that sometimes.
Thursday: I spent the day cleaning house and washing all the laundry I was behind on. I had a ladies Bible study that night but had already decided I would not have enough energy to go. I was very right!
Friday: Our friend, Mike, flew in from Kentucky for his grandmother's 90th birthday party. His parents live around the corner from us and already had a house full so he asked to stay with us. We kindly allowed him the use of our extremely lumpy futon and cold basement. Joel enjoyed hanging out with his friend all weekend. My guys were very taken with "Mr. Mike," who showed great patience with all of Will's questions and conversation.
Saturday afternoon: I attended/co-hosted a wedding shower for 3 young ladies in my church. I ate a ton (now I'm craving tortilla chips!), and laughed and talked, and shared some of the "wisdom" that nearly 11 years of marriage has provided. (Remember, ladies, he's a man - he can't read your mind!).
Sunday: We attended church. After church we dropped "Mr. Mike" off at his parents' house and they took care of getting him to the airport. My guys were so disappointed not to be able to take him to the airport. After a quick lunch we all took naps. Mine last for about 3 hours!
Monday: More napping! I didn't realize how tired I was from last week. Tired and some of the nausea has returned. It hasn't helped that we woke up to rain. And more rain. And more rain.
Tuesday: I met Amy and her kids, in the rain, at Ben & Jerry's for our annual free ice cream cone. We thought they opened at 11 am. Sadly, no. Noon was the correct answer. So we loaded up, drove down the street to Burger King and let the kids play on only one of two indoor playlands in the entire state of Rhode Island. Joel's office just happens to be on the same street so we picked him up on the way back to B & J's. Free ice cream with some of my favorite people. That's what I call a good time. We came home and more napping took place. The rain finally stopped about supper time. I'm holding out hope my guys can play outside tomorrow but I'm thinking the mud might be too much for us.
The rest of this week is free and clear. Next week is another story. Miss Julie (our Parents as Educators worker) comes to visit, I get my stitches out, and the boys have a camping trip with folks from our church. Like I said, I schedule everything for the same week.
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