tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52033368376394157402024-03-13T13:01:30.376-04:00J B2 & The BubbiesOur lives, full of drama, love and laughter. Living in the moment....Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.comBlogger100125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-1617273878627174992013-10-24T10:00:00.000-04:002013-10-24T10:00:08.802-04:00To Work or Not To Work....<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">How do you draw the line between your work time and your personal time in a virtual workplace? Expectations are that you’ll do your job whenever you’re asked to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That could mean long hours or even working on vacation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I worked on my vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was unavoidable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to present to leadership about a topic that I own; it was bad timing on my part honestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d planned this vacation well before I switched jobs and I guess the assumption was that I could take the time off with no worries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any other week and I probably could have, but not the week we chose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So in the middle of my glorious getaway – prized time with the family – I had to find a way to dial into a conference call and miracle of miracles, find wireless so I could get onto my laptop to present my slides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was a lot of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the way, on Cape Cod in the off season, free wireless is very difficult to come by.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, B drove around one afternoon with his laptop just looking wireless so he could upload his homework!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s amazing how attached we’ve become to being connected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can remember a time when if someone from work needed you after you were gone for the day they had to wait until you came in the next day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gasp!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You didn’t have a laptop and goodness knows there were no cellphones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was definitely a separation of work and home – but you did spend more hours in the office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FB7KPIvBLxc/UmkijnEidpI/AAAAAAAAAnE/sMKvIxldPr4/s1600/043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" isa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FB7KPIvBLxc/UmkijnEidpI/AAAAAAAAAnE/sMKvIxldPr4/s200/043.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So where’s the win?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either you have a laptop and you can work from home when you need to, which slowly becomes more and more hours <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">or</i> you work only at the office and come home later in the evening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I miss putting little man to bed or doing dinner with B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s not good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I do enjoy working from home – it sure is nice to do laundry and multi task while I’m on conference calls – but I miss the camaraderie of my co-workers and the teamwork that is so important to my job when I’m not in the office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I guess the answer is to balance both options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Work from home when I need to be there and go into the office the rest of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They gave me a laptop and Blackberry for a reason and I guess working a day or so on vacation is the reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least I got lobster on vacation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Thursday Ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-48446235073493804962013-10-21T16:50:00.000-04:002013-10-21T16:50:00.016-04:00Cold Baby Toes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taUWwzZQEAg/UmWPGbT-Z5I/AAAAAAAAAmo/91ZsM2EectU/s1600/Ptown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" isa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-taUWwzZQEAg/UmWPGbT-Z5I/AAAAAAAAAmo/91ZsM2EectU/s200/Ptown.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blake dipped his toes into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time while we were at the Cape; it was so much fun!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were at the Cape, we drove out to Provincetown which is at the extreme tip of Cape Cod. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Near there is Race Point Beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a gorgeous, peaceful beach that is part of the Cape Cod National Seashore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are tons of huge dunes and since it’s on the Atlantic side, the water is really cold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d been there years ago on our one year anniversary and decided to head over to see things – the weather was spectacular!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqr67Waac9s/UmWJzu1KVFI/AAAAAAAAAmI/s4t5JHjH7hY/s1600/RP+Beach+100113+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" isa="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uqr67Waac9s/UmWJzu1KVFI/AAAAAAAAAmI/s4t5JHjH7hY/s200/RP+Beach+100113+3.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We went on Blake’s 7mos birthday and decided it would be great take our traditional monthly shots out on the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wasn’t too keen on the idea, but he’s such a sweet baby, he just went along with the fun…until Daddy dipped his tiny feet into the water!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OH he screamed!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just for a minute – but he was SO not happy with his Daddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I of course had nothing to do with it </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> but just took pictures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1Bn-kDlMGQ/UmWJ1fAHC1I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/NPQFILxbmYU/s1600/RP+Beach+100113+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" isa="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o1Bn-kDlMGQ/UmWJ1fAHC1I/AAAAAAAAAmQ/NPQFILxbmYU/s200/RP+Beach+100113+4.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In hind sight, we probably should have taken the photos earlier in the day, but decided to head into Ptown for lunch first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, Blake did really well, and we have some wonderful pictures to document his big day!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84PKGBwdxlA/UmWJ28ZX7OI/AAAAAAAAAmY/rJeG6OqBS1U/s1600/RP+Beach+100113+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" isa="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-84PKGBwdxlA/UmWJ28ZX7OI/AAAAAAAAAmY/rJeG6OqBS1U/s200/RP+Beach+100113+5.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I miss it already….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Monday Ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-69189212948902762252013-10-17T12:07:00.000-04:002013-10-17T12:07:04.572-04:00Time to Update the Bucket List!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Life changes when we aren’t looking doesn’t it? I get that a lot of changes happen while we’re looking, but then there are some that you just realize all of the sudden – like when did I get white hair above my forehead?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been ‘going gray’ for 30 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No joke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But lately I’ve been seeing more and more white hair between my coloring sessions and I don’t think I like it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess around my face is the final frontier for losing my brown.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s probably been there a while and I just didn’t notice it, but it’s still a shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m wearing glasses too, well, readers just to clarify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m still wearing glasses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Old is just staring at me with new interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have you heard of the term <b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">perceptual blindness?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">It’s also known as inattentional blindness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">It is categorized as a psychological lack of attention.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Basically, you’re so focused on something specific; there might be something obvious right in front of you that you miss!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess in my case, I was staring at my brown spots and missed the gray hairs? </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am fascinated by this concept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It comes into play when you talk on your cell phone and drive -or those days when you drive on ‘autopilot’ and don’t remember the ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think that I’ve been on autopilot for too long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been looking right at life and just haven’t been <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">seeing </i>it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The time has come to be more aware and actually live life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We spent so much time waiting and dreaming of having a family, that now that we have one, we need to enjoy it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a comment the other day that came out of nowhere – which most of my comments do might I add – but I think I surprised the person I was speaking with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said that I could die tomorrow and be content with my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I mean that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My whole life there was a part missing and now that it’s completed through little man, I’m at peace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LY5D10RKzQ0/UmAIZSzlhBI/AAAAAAAAAlc/n0--G_l8Gl4/s1600/IMG-20130818-00966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_lm_532412="null" esa="true" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LY5D10RKzQ0/UmAIZSzlhBI/AAAAAAAAAlc/n0--G_l8Gl4/s200/IMG-20130818-00966.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But what a shocking waste of a great life!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I’m focused on living again and am doing my best to not ignore what’s in front of me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to SEE more and look less.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I need to come up with some new bucket list items and goals and get on with enjoying little man and B every single day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’ll stop dying my hair so I don’t have to stare at the white hairs….who knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Either way, God gave us an awesome gift and it’s now time to enjoy it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all deserve that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happiness reigns!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Happy Thursday Ya’ll.</span> </div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-14435351782549898882013-10-14T17:00:00.000-04:002013-10-14T17:00:07.174-04:00Road trip!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been fully converted - I am now a road tripper!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We drove from NC to PA to MA and then back through NY to NC a few weeks back and can I just tell you what a gorgeous ride it was?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, that was my view from the back seat with little man, but boy oh boy was it pretty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always been a ‘just get there’ person and never really appreciated the trip itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rve_Moo_zw/Ulw7FtYs3AI/AAAAAAAAAlA/S6pBaBt1dxA/s1600/Yellow+Wagon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8Rve_Moo_zw/Ulw7FtYs3AI/AAAAAAAAAlA/S6pBaBt1dxA/s200/Yellow+Wagon.jpg" width="200" xsa="true" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess I can attribute the reluctance to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">drive </i>to too many road trips as a kid in the good ‘ole yellow paneled station wagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time it’s what people did (yay ‘70s!), but I did spend many, many hours stuck in my tiny corner of the bench seat with no seat belts to help contain my brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had ‘lines’ on the seat that defined our areas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God help you if you went over your line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot imagine how my parents retained their sanity on those trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I digress…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We originally began our plan simply motivated by the sheer volume of stuff that a 6 month old requires to exist for 10 days– and honestly we were driven out of fear of hauling all of that on to a crowded airplane with absolutely no status to let us board early!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So we were wimps – I’ll cop to that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But the bottom line was, by driving we were able to see people and things we haven’t seen in years!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw my Godmother!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yay!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I loved our visit – even if it was just a blitz.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed with friends and family on the way up and back – which was so nice and again something we’re very <u>un</u>accustomed to…we typically stay at a Hampton Inn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so sweet to wake up and spend quality time visiting with everyone and little man in his PJs – he’s so much fun in the morning!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93uRK8ovjCg/Ulw7I806EoI/AAAAAAAAAlM/X4A5Co0qVCY/s1600/Blackberry+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93uRK8ovjCg/Ulw7I806EoI/AAAAAAAAAlM/X4A5Co0qVCY/s200/Blackberry+027.jpg" width="200" xsa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">B & B @ a Rest Stop in PA<br />
Stretching their legs!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We got to really enjoy the ride too because little man was actually a good traveler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He really did sleep much better than expected and I think really adapted well to being strapped in to his car seat for long periods of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried to break things up when we could and get out and stretch our legs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in reality, I know the drive was hard on B.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drove the entire thing – from start to finish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ouch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Of course he had the option to share the drive, but stayed up front in the ‘grown-up seats’ while little man and I stayed in the middle row – his choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does he need a massage to work out the kinks, probably?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But in reality, I think driving was the right choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Breaking it up into three days instead of two was nicer too – but that all depends how much time we have to get away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Going forward I think I would do it again – I didn’t realize how homesick I was for up north – driving through the mountains and seeing the gorgeous scenery certainly made me want to head to Amish country again….who knows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe I’ll convince B to go on another road trip to Maryland….would be good to see the old stomping grounds again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Monday Ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-90699792200176839962013-09-25T06:00:00.000-04:002013-09-25T06:00:13.938-04:00I am a Pumpkin Snob.<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iY6ZySrEEA/UkG0QLIFyZI/AAAAAAAAAkw/eaCjmsgfNc0/s1600/Pumpkin+3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4iY6ZySrEEA/UkG0QLIFyZI/AAAAAAAAAkw/eaCjmsgfNc0/s200/Pumpkin+3.bmp" width="200" ysa="true" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Welcome fall!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’re finally here!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been waiting for you. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love your cooler weather and think what you do with the leaves on the trees in my backyard is just gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thanks for that! My craving for homemade applesauce has kicked in and I’ve already started snooping around for pumpkins. But in an attempt at full disclosure, I am a pumpkin snob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t love the bright orange round ones that just sit there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prefer a smart pale orange pumpkin and a white pumpkin will always make me smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know why honestly – somehow in the last few years as they started introducing all of these designer pumpkins, I got hooked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love the way the colors are softer – although as most of you know – I have never met an orange shirt or sweater that I didn’t love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>SO I guess I’m good with the color but only if I wear it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t want to decorate with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That makes me an official pumpkin snob.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2Q0vXq2xQ0/UkG0NIli1BI/AAAAAAAAAko/Fo2hnSaU5Sg/s1600/White+pumpkin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M2Q0vXq2xQ0/UkG0NIli1BI/AAAAAAAAAko/Fo2hnSaU5Sg/s200/White+pumpkin.jpg" width="200" ysa="true" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don’t even like Halloween – I’m a Halloween Hater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it will be fun to dress up Blake, but I so don’t get into the whole witches and skeleton thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ghosts maybe a bit – but forget the vampires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a Halloween hater with a baby boy who will surely love getting dressed up as a super hero and getting free candy – I’m going to have to change my outlook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But not for a bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For now I’ll continue to decorate with my designer pumpkins and be content with my calmer colors. I know in the very near future I’ll have to start actually carving the stupid things – but there will always be a Blake pumpkin and Mommy’s pumpkins in our house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Because I said so! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-73072744425706206902013-09-24T12:00:00.000-04:002013-09-24T12:00:06.150-04:00There was something I wanted to tell you....crap. Never mind.<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_NqB-LSN4Y/UkGaIzzQJVI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Nz9Q7IZOsVk/s1600/Juggling+Mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-S_NqB-LSN4Y/UkGaIzzQJVI/AAAAAAAAAkQ/Nz9Q7IZOsVk/s200/Juggling+Mom.jpg" width="200" ysa="true" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So I had a topic all ready to post about today and I have completely forgotten what I wanted to say. Fortunately, this lapse in memory has helped me to find my new topic du jour…I forget things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sweet mercy I forget things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been this forgetful in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it was a side effect of pregnancy, but had no idea it was also a side effect of being a Mommy too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I guess you could think this is funny, but it’s also a huge pain in the butt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I write things down (when I’m feeling organized and efficient) and then of course I forget to read the damn notes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(My moments of organization and efficiency obviously do not last as long as they should.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I ask my sweet B to remind me of some things, but then he forgets to remind me and that just makes me annoyed at him – when I should actually be annoyed at myself since I forgot to begin with!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry B!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, where does that leave me?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would love an assistant, but that isn’t going to happen in this lifetime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake is too young to help remind me of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess I’m just going to have to make do with only getting half of things done I wanted to accomplish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Phew- that my friends, is easier said than done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve never been one to drop balls – they might bounce occasionally, but never <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever</i> do they stop bouncing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So now the proverbial ball has dropped and I’m sitting on my hands so I don’t try to grab at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>OH it’s killing me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There you have it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m a control freak who had to lose my freak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m now just a tired Mommy who recalls she put laundry in the washing machine, but can’t remember if she added the soap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I’m fairly confident than I didn’t turn it on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So there’s that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Tuesday Ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-88113385217016269842013-09-23T12:00:00.000-04:002013-09-23T12:00:04.923-04:00We're Car Schleppers Now<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taking a baby on vacation ain’t for sissies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is seriously a huge challenge my people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I’m laughing at myself here in case you can’t tell.) I was getting all misty this morning thinking about my awesome Diamond Status with Hilton – and even that silly Silver status with US Air had its benefits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of that is long gone…sniff…sniff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These days, we’re car schleppers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t even think about an airplane with a car seat, Baby Bjorn travel crib, diapers and food – and that’s just the carry-ons!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The days of just heading into NYC for the weekend are long gone but gosh they were great while they lasted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The idea of going to NY now makes me shudder not to mention what would happen if we walked into Tiffany’s with a stroller! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>EEK!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, heavy sigh, it’s a car or nada.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since we haven’t been on vacation in “I don’t know how long” except for a long weekend, it is now time to get away and truly relax.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that it’s the same definition of relax that it used to be – relax now means Blake is fed, cleanly diapered, and chilling out on his activity mat for a few minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It means you have time to clean the bottles without holding a baby or singing silly </span><a href="http://jbthebubs.blogspot.com/2013/09/parlez-vous-francais.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">French songs. </span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It used to mean, reading a book and falling asleep with a toasty afghan on a Sunday afternoon or driving aimlessly around the Cape going where the whim took us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we have to plan; probably one activity per day; at least for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And odds are we won’t even get that in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake will set the tone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCvPYuHDCaI/UkBiSqN-NXI/AAAAAAAAAkA/MYd0dFw3Czw/s1600/Blake+082913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FCvPYuHDCaI/UkBiSqN-NXI/AAAAAAAAAkA/MYd0dFw3Czw/s200/Blake+082913.jpg" width="150" ysa="true" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">All I’m hoping for is that he actually sleeps.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t care where.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The car ride up to the Cape (15 hours!) in itself could be a total nightmare as he is not a huge fan of his car seat, is too young to be occupied by videos and lastly, very rarely sleeps in the car.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am afraid Mommy’s singing voice will be taxed before we even get out of the state of NC! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, instead of stopping for Mommy’s bio breaks, now we will be stopping to get Blake out of his seat, feed him, change him and just find a bit of sanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Any tips from you experienced traveling Moms and Dad would be greatly appreciated!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now I will try not to over pack and remember there <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">are</b> stores on Cape Cod.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We will try to get him used to his travel ‘bed’ and continue to pray <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a whole lot</i> that we get to the Cape in one happy, cohesive family unit! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Monday Ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-41533825018477252652013-09-22T06:00:00.000-04:002013-09-22T06:00:03.001-04:00Blake & the Bubbies<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Bubbies have adjusted pretty well to having little man around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, they adjusted much better than I thought they would!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For now, Seamus is both jealous and protective of Blake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paxton, he just ignores him – unless there is a treat involved and then he will lick his face and look at us like, “I’m such a good boy aren’t I?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t I deserve a treat now?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>HA!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blake for the most part will ignore them, unless Seamus lies down next to him – then he’s all about the tail! </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Seamus has lost many of his tail hairs over the last few weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m afraid that will happen more often but for now we’re able to hold onto Blake’s hands and warn Seamus to get out of harm’s way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYacMoP12M0/UjxdLcCvbWI/AAAAAAAAAjo/20pPbAjNvG0/s1600/Paxton+under+the+crib+080413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aYacMoP12M0/UjxdLcCvbWI/AAAAAAAAAjo/20pPbAjNvG0/s200/Paxton+under+the+crib+080413.jpg" vsa="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stealth Paxton -<br />
They won't notice me under his crib...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Paxton avoids this treatment by staying as far away from Blake as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s as though he’s been around babies before and knows what they can do to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are times that he notices Blake like he’s never seen him before and barks at him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, “who the hell are you and who let you into my living room?!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It startles Blake, but for the most part, the dog barks don’t bother him in the least.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">He stays sound asleep when the dogs bark which is great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I guess he heard it all the time when I was pregnant with him so now he’s just used to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last weekend we went out to dinner and were sitting outside waiting for our meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake was a bit antsy so I walked around with him to distract him. He’s a social baby and doesn’t like to miss anything; bring on the noise and the people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were walking around he saw a big Golden Retriever mix lying on the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He just stared and stared at that dog whose name was Buddy - he was sweet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We said hello and I walked on, but Blake swiveled in my arms to see Buddy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At that moment, Buddy barked and Blake got a huge grin on his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knew that Buddy would bark – didn’t faze him in the least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I really love that he likes dogs, people and chaos in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I often wondered when I was lying in bed for all those months whether he would be a quiet baby, a loud crier, a mellow bub or what.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew that what I wanted for him was to be adaptable to things at a very early age - to just be able to go with the flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He definitely does that; at least for now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lTUj-XZK_Y/UjxdO8j773I/AAAAAAAAAjw/ZBSwgaHKkCw/s1600/Seamus+and+Blake+051613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--lTUj-XZK_Y/UjxdO8j773I/AAAAAAAAAjw/ZBSwgaHKkCw/s200/Seamus+and+Blake+051613.jpg" vsa="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seamus the Photo Bomber!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think he’ll give Pax and Seamus a run for their money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seamus is going to be his cuddle bud and Paxton will stay under his cloak of invisibility under the coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seamus will continue to photo bomb our Blake pictures and Paxton will steal his toys and put them – you guessed it, under the coffee table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake will smile and laugh when they bark and pull Seamus’ tail hairs and hopefully learn to scratch his belly – gently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And peace will reign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Happy Sunday Ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-88799637891496450232013-09-21T06:00:00.000-04:002013-09-21T06:00:02.236-04:00Parlez-vous français?<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have I mentioned that little man loves when I sing to him in French?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He can be screaming his head off, teething and starving, but when I break into:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,</span></span></i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i>Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?</i><br /><i>Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!</i><br /><i>Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The child will break into a huge smile and stare at me like I’m the center of the universe!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I noticed that his Baby Einstein toys will play classical music or old school nursery rhymes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes you’ll hear a mix medley of <i>Frère Jacques </i>or <i>Alouette</i> – so I think that’s what made me think of those songs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blake loves music to begin with, but if he could make requests, I’m pretty confident it would be Alouette over and over and over again!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope we’re not creating a Francophile!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down the road, we’ll probably need to expose him to other songs and retire the French, but for now I secretly love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another of his favorites is one that drives B just crazy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as I utter the first word of the song he snaps! </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i><u>So</u></i> of course I feel compelled to sing it all the time too;<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Bushel and a Peck</span></span></i></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I love you, a bushel and a peck! <br />A bushel and a peck, and a hug around the neck!</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">'Cause I love you a bushel and a peck <br />You bet your pretty neck I do – <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s from Guys and Dolls and I have NO earthly idea what brought it into my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was in the musical in high school, but that was a really, really long time ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other night, Blake was in bed and I was sort of watching Julie and Julia for the 4000<sup>th</sup> time… and lo and behold, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Bushel and A Peck</i> began to play in the background!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe that’s where I got it from…either way B was groaning when it began to play. Teehee…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4qv5p5nBlE/UjxPLeBmr_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/qujrLoCUTPc/s1600/Blake+082413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t4qv5p5nBlE/UjxPLeBmr_I/AAAAAAAAAjU/qujrLoCUTPc/s200/Blake+082413.jpg" vsa="true" width="200" /></a><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every time I sing that one, Blake breaks into an adoring smile with an expression that says, “Sing it again mommy!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I do my best to channel my inner Doris Day, but I know my voice is sadly lacking; he loves it anyway!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Isn’t he the perfect child? ;o)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Happy Saturday Ya’ll!</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-71196335105241713192013-09-20T06:00:00.000-04:002013-09-20T07:57:37.266-04:00My Heart Is Full!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This whole "Mommy" thing has been a revelation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had literally no expectations going in, except for knowing that I would love little man to pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had no idea that every day it would get harder and harder to leave him to go to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It does not seem to matter that I know he is safe and happy and loved beyond recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is just hard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Being a Mom is hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I get that now in a way that I never could have before Blake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your heart literally splits when you have a child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He/she takes a piece with them when they are born and you are forever tied together in the strongest way possible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Their pain is your pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their happiness is your happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best things are the little things – watching him figure out he has fingers or that you have fingers too – brings tears to the eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Each success is a conquest and each delay is heartbreaking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life seems to slow down yet go so fast your head spins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life becomes a study in contrasts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recently heard about friends of a friend who just lost their triplet baby girls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twenty four weeks of praying and watching them grow and then they are born and gone so fast that it is a blur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My heart is just broken for them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God had other plans for those sweet little babies, but how does a Mother recover from that loss?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The minute you know you’re carrying a miracle, you bond.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your heart is theirs and no longer your own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This is why I knew I had to become a mom – my heart was too full and too big and I needed to share it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I have – life is complete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can deal with the ups and downs and blurs – every time I see his sweet face, all of the pain, sadness and the rocky path we had to take just goes away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My slate is wiped clean and I am fulfilled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake, Mommy & Seamus</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I still think I am the luckiest mom on the planet – I guess that’s how the whole silly bumper sticker thing started isn’t it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You want to tell the world about your amazing gift; I get that now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise though, that if I ever put one of those silly bumper stickers on my car, that car will not nor will it ever be a minivan! :o) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have a great Friday ya’ll!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-92069007311376337452013-09-19T12:25:00.000-04:002013-09-19T12:25:17.548-04:00So, Where Was I...<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Hello everyone! Sorry I dropped off of the face of the Earth! My pregnant hands were just a swollen, ugly mess and typing was something I had to reserve for work. By the time I finished that, I was unable to do anything online!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t have too many pictures of me pregnant – I really hated how I looked. I didn't 'show' until the very end of the pregnancy since I carried Blake so high under my ribs. It was worth the discomfort, the bed rest and the drama though! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuviNpE-lxA/UjsUCfN1Z-I/AAAAAAAAAig/q8K643dXLlM/s1600/Blake+BW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UuviNpE-lxA/UjsUCfN1Z-I/AAAAAAAAAig/q8K643dXLlM/s200/Blake+BW.jpg" vsa="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake two days old</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here I am at 38 weeks</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">So much has happened since my last post! It's been a long drama, but such an incredibly happy ending! Our little man was born on 3/1/13 and was a healthy little peanut! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">He was a tiny one, but soon understood the concept of eating and boy oh boy did he take off! He's now just shy of 20lbs and is over 6 months old. We are so incredibly blessed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVgwV4k258w/UjsUHMBIkeI/AAAAAAAAAio/7PRX4QbP0hg/s1600/Blake+in+HighChair+081113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DVgwV4k258w/UjsUHMBIkeI/AAAAAAAAAio/7PRX4QbP0hg/s200/Blake+in+HighChair+081113.jpg" vsa="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blake in his high chair - 1st time!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We are very busy these days with our new crazy schedule too. I went back to work after a two month leave. It was certainly hard to go back and leave little man at home, but it was easier knowing that he is at home with his wonderful Daddy. It's been a true comfort knowing he is safely at home getting lots and lots of attention from his Super Dad!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>B is still slugging away at his masters and is juggling his Daddy duties and school duties really well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I've been back to work for a while, have switched positions in the company and am now learning a whole new job. I never make it easy on myself do I?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">We're getting ready to go on a much deserved vacation and can't wait to get away from the hectic life we now lead for just a bit. A change of scenery will be good if nothing else. Going on vacation with a six month old will give a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'everything but the kitchen sink' as I'm sure we'll have a packed car. It's amazing the amount of 'stuff'' a little guy needs - makes me seem so low maintenance! :o)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">I hope you've all been well since I last posted and I promise to use this blog to document our whirlwind of a life more often!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-55606136660866394362012-11-15T17:00:00.000-05:002012-11-15T17:00:03.530-05:00Hi, My Name is Jennifer and I'm Belly DeficientFor those of you who have been pregnant, did it bother you when you ran into someone out and about that you hadn't seen in a while and as soon as you saw them they would immediately look down at your stomach? I feel like I need to have a button made that says, "Seriously, I AM pregnant!" <br />
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I get that I'm not showing all that much yet; give a girl a few months my people! I'm sure I"ll pop out like a balloon any day now - but for now, trust me when I say I'm in my 6th month and my baby is huge! He's just a stealth baby! O'Pedro is just tucked in there and kicking me like a mad baby - Seriously, he's big for his level of development. I'm hoping he continues to be big too! I can take it!<br />
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I wasn't a toothpick when I started and I gotta tell you, the first 4 months of the baby's development didn't include a whole lot of eating on my part. I'm eating now, but about 1/2 of what I used to be able to eat. I'm so incredibly hungry these days, that it's actually annoying when I have to stop because the hiccups begin.<br />
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By the way, that's my sign to stop eating - I hiccup. I try to stop before I actually get to that point though let me tell you. I also CANNOT drink when I eat. It just takes up too much room. It's sort of like when I was in college - you didn't eat AND drink beer because it was too many calories and besides, it was more expensive to get a good 'buzz" going when you had food in your stomach....I know - bad. But I went to an all women's college. We had our priorities my people. <br />
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So I've gone back in time about 20+ years in reverse and am now rationing my beverage intake so I can eat instead! How history sort of repeats itself!<br />
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So if you know me and have asked for a 'belly shot' - You won't get one for a while. I would seriously disappoint you. I'm hoping by Christmas-time that I'll have a 'belly worthy' picture to share - for now, trust me when I say, I have a pooch, I'm still wearing my regular pants and probably will for a while. I have exactly 2 pairs of maternity pants - hate them and haven't worn them- but that's a whole other post....I plan on making my jeans hold out as long as is possible!<br />
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For now, please remember to not stare at a pregnant woman's stomach! It's already miserable enough without thinking you're slacking in the belly size department! :o) I'll get that button made and hey, maybe I'll sell them on Etsy - <br /><br />Happy Thursday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-14904920665652433032012-11-14T18:37:00.000-05:002012-11-14T18:38:29.061-05:00Life Goes On....One more doctor down! Woohoo! We got great news today from the cardiologist - he doesn't need to see me for another 2-3 months - it feels so good to check one more thing off the list. It's a relief for sure, but in reality it's just so nice to have one less doctor poking at me! <br />
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Things are going well - I'm having some swelling in one of my legs. It drives me crazy as it's so random and weird; I'll suck it up though - it's better than both legs right? :o)<br />
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Work is crazy as usual - especially since my boss has decided to move to a new position with a new company. Change is good though and I'll just go with the flow. I've learned in my career to <em>Keep smiling, keep your head down and show them what you've got</em>. My mantra these days. I get that everyone is struggling with changes and layoffs are still happening - but change will happen. I have just learned over the years that things will continue to change and sometimes, they are changed for the better.<br />
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The oddest thing is knowing that even if I wanted to leave, I can't right now! It's odd to think that I really can't talk to anyone else about a new job - after all, hiring a woman who is 6 months pregnant can't possibly be appealing right now for any company. SO for now, I'll enjoy the new challenges and keep smiling.<br />
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We're in the process of trying to just enjoy the moments we're experiencing. We're living in the moment and having fun feeling "O'Pedro" kick like crazy and watching my body morph into a baby carrying machine. I never let my heart get to the point of thinking about these these kinds of things - so this is really fun! We're finally able to enjoy our baby-to-be!<br />
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We still have no boy names - nothing official anyway. Hopefully Baby McG will be untarnished by us calling him "O'Pedro" for the first 6 months of his development! Poor kid, it's almost guaranteed now that people will be calling him Pedro for the first few months of his life! I guess it could be worse, but we (read B) really need to find a name and SOON! :o) We have monograms to plan and things to think about that involve names!<br />
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On that note, our "Player to be Named Later" and I will sign off for now....<br />
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Happy Wednesday Ya'll!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-91266326859731785422012-11-07T05:30:00.000-05:002012-11-07T15:20:42.477-05:00Spaghetti Squash and Good News!I'm still here...sorry I've been out of touch, but I've been buried with work and oy do my hands hurt! I am dealing with a circulation thing that when I wake up in the morning is just miserable. It also gets worse throughout the day from typing for work, so I really don't want to spend more time typing. <br />
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I know I'm lame - but I'm working on it! <br />
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So here's the latest and greatest on me and Pedro! He's 22 weeks and growing like crazy. He likes to punch me when I sing at church and when I least expect it. I'm ok with that though, because the more I feel him, the more I know he's ok! He's a big boy my people...it's a bit scary!<br />
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<em>Right now he's 11 inches (</em><a href="http://www.babycenter.com/slideshow-baby-size?slideNumber=20"><em>the length of a spaghetti squash</em></a><em>) and in Pedro's case, about 1 1/2 lbs. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. </em><br />
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I have to admit I'm in withdrawal - We <u>were</u> having ultrasounds on a weekly basis so I never really had to wonder how he was doing. So that leads to the latest great news! On a high note, at our last appointment with our regular doctor (2 weeks ago) our doc told us to 'get out of his office.' He won't see us for another month! :) Woo hoo! We're doing well enough that we don't have to be poked and prodded all the time! What a relief.<br />
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He did say, 'what you're doing is working, so keep doing it.' That translates to staying in bed most of my days and working from home, but I'll do it if it means he'll continue to thrive! Anything is worth that I guess!<br />
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So for now I'll go into work when we have meetings and stay home with my feet up the rest of the time. I miss the day-to-day interaction with my co-workers, but have really enjoyed having the extra time with the Bubbies and B - I'm spoiled now I guess. :o)<br />
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Work is full of upheaval for me right now though....I'm super duper busy but the infrastructure of my department is pretty shaky right now. I hope things even out quickly, but we'll have to wait and see....not my strong suit of course.<br />
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Do you know that the best part of today is???? The elections are OVER! I'm not happy with the outcome, but I have sincere hope that things will improve with our economy. I hope the rhetoric spouted out for the last year comes to fruition and that the United States becomes more <em>united </em>again! I want Pedro to have a great future in this world - <br />
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A Mother can hope....<br />
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Well, with that I'll say Happy Wednesday Ya'll! I hope you're doing great!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-19756248009530600992012-10-09T17:00:00.000-04:002012-10-09T17:00:05.320-04:00What's For Dinner &*%*^&* ???Ever feel your heart pounding so hard that you feel like it's going to explode? I deal with that every day right now. Not sure if it's normal for a pregnancy or not - but either way it doesn't feel too great.<br />
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I see a cardiologist tomorrow and I hope he can do something to help. This happens when I'm sitting still for goodness sake! Of course you know I Googled pregnancy and tachycardia and of course they said it happens - but I'm not sure what they consider to be a normal range. My heart rate sitting still is a bit scary and I haven't really checked it after moving around yet - would probably make me cry! Taking a shower can exhaust me to the point where I need a nap. I have to sit down when I blow dry my hair. What the heck has happened to me?! When did I become a weak kneed wuss?<br />
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On the high side, I can eat again! :) My butt isn't happy about this, but it sure is nice to not gag at every smell and sight of food! I haven't gained any of the weight back that I lost though, so I'm hoping eating normally won't cause issues in the weight department! Pedro still prefers meat in pretty much all shapes and sizes - except for hamburgers. <br />
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I'm hoping that someday, my love of a good burger will come back - but one never knows I guess. It's amazing how my tastes have changed though. I couldn't even begin to tell you what restaurant I want to go to - I eat completely differently than before. Drives me crazy. In fact, I just ate a yogurt for a snack. I haven't done that in over a year. It actually tasted good. <br />
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I wish someone had told me my body was going to go crazy in the food craving department - I would have planned my pantry and freezer MUCH better! Instead, we have a pantry and freezer full of food that I just don't want to eat! Hopefully things will even out soon!<br />
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Now it's time for the nightly drama of "what do we eat for dinner?" B has absolutely NO opinion these days - I'll ask him what he wants and I get, "whatever you want." OMG. Part of me thinks it's really sweet and the other part of me wants to smack him and say pick something - because I can't! <br />
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So I'll leave you for now....I'm in a cranky phase for now - getting tired of my own company I guess. <br />
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I hope today was a great one!<br />Happy Tuesday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-3345441789360662522012-10-08T16:30:00.000-04:002012-10-08T16:31:39.759-04:00Pedro It IS!Hey everyone - sorry I dropped off of the radar once again. The mental game of sitting in bed for so long tends to get to you after a while - I have so much to share though! I've started my 5th month! Go crazy I know - but time is finally moving ahead!<br />
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Baby McG <em><u>IS</u></em> a Pedro! We found out last week that I'm not having a girl as we both thought, but instead, we're having a little boy! It couldn't have been more of a shock if they'd told us we were having 4 babies! We both sat there with our mouths hanging open while the ultrasound technician laughed at us!<br />
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Baby BOY McG is still growing ahead of schedule and as of last week was 6 oz! He's going to be a big one! <br />
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As for my health, I am still on bed rest and am hoping to get good news from my regular doctor at the end of this week. The specialist is hoping that the bleeding issues I've been having will stop when the placenta completely shifts but we won't know that for a few weeks. Fingers are crossed and prayers are going out - the baby continues to thrive and really, the fact that my butt is numb from sitting isn't the issue - right? :)<br />
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It's all about Baby McG as usual! So the deal with names was this - I had a girl name in my heart for more years than I can count. Sadly, it will have to stay in my heart! Since I had picked the girl name, B and I made a deal that he would pick the boy names! So the pressure is on - I do have veto power mind you, but it's all up to Daddy! It's going to be tough because we have no ideas yet at all!<br />
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So for now, things are moving along as per the norm. B is buried in school work and I'm slammed with work. Working from home is convenient, but the lines get blurred - you find yourself working at odd times just because you can - I need to work on the boundaries of things - home is home, work is work....<br />
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I'm hanging in and feeling better on some days and not on others, but that's ok. I have a little pooch on the front but am bumming people out that it's not bigger! Right now I'm placenta anterior so the baby is tucked in behind the placenta. When that shifts - I'm sure my tummy will balloon!<br />
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I hope you're all doing great and enjoying some fall weather! <br /><br />Happy Monday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-68628771466956079772012-09-24T16:22:00.001-04:002012-09-24T16:22:24.245-04:00Boredom Has Set InAnother few days down. It feels like I spend A LOT of time these days just watching the clock...dare I say, wishing my time away? The days feel much longer than in the past and I've just got to come up with ways to stay busy. <br />
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I'm so over Facebook that I'm amazed at how people can spend so much time on it. I'm not reading - at all. Not sure why. When I have work - I work...but I can't do that 24/7. TV is just ridiculous....and I refuse to watch Honey BooBoo!<br />
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So where does that leave me? Pouting and grumpy...even the Bubbies are out of sorts. Paxton has been spending lots of time in his crate - which is so very odd. Seamus is just miserable and won't settle down. They aren't cuddling with me anymore. I think they blame me for being in bed and for ruining their days. I wish they would stay with B downstairs or somewhere else in the house but no. They will not leave me for any length of time. I almost feel guilty about it!<br />
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I think I need to dig out my embroidery or something, but honestly, I'm just not motivated. This is the time of year I'm in the kitchen. I want to make my applesauce and my Jewish Apple Cake - I want to bake and cook comfort food - instead, I'm racking my brain every night trying to come up with something that will appeal that we can order for take out.<br />
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It's going to be a really long 5 months my people. I think B will go crazy soon - today he was fitted for new running shoes (Thanks DD!). His knees were giving him grief - but considering he has just started back to running after an almost 10 year hiatus, he's doing really well! Go B!<br />
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I'm really proud of him - he's training for a 5K in November. I hope I can go and yell for him when the time comes!<br />
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In the meantime, I think Long Island Medium was on last night....and there's always the Barefoot Contessa. Oy, I'm so not good at being sedentary.....wish me luck!<br />
Happy Monday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-48011020866936113552012-09-21T17:16:00.000-04:002012-09-21T17:16:56.319-04:00Our First Date!So I'm a rebel....sort of. I had no choice but to drive myself to acupuncture last night - no way I was missing the appointment. I find the bleeding really slows down following each visit, so I don't want to lose the momentum and relaxation I'm getting. B had to work and my awesome parents who also chauffeur me were out of town, so since I was feeling somewhat ok, I drove myself.<br />
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Of course I didn't eat much all day; in fact I was really hungry driving down to my appointment. Seriously when I'm done with acupuncture, I'm starving. They calm all my Qi and I'm ready for some grub! For the past two weeks, because I'm so anemic, I have been craving meat and spinach. I've had this issue before, so I recognize the symptoms...but usually I'm yearning for a hamburger. Right now, Baby McG isn't interested in burgers - bummer. Baby wants a steak!<br />
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Since acupuncture is near Uptown, and I was already <em>so close</em>, I scooted over to Outback. WAHOO! We had tried to go there a week or so ago, but got there before they opened - and then I realized I'd forgotten a chiropractor appointment so we had to leave and head towards home - sans steak.<br />
<br />Eating alone isn't my favorite thing to do - I've done it a lot when traveling. But last night, I wasn't alone! It was me and Baby McG, going out on our first date! I asked for a table for one - and was seated in the deserted bar area in a booth. Perfect! I put my feet up and the waiter came over. I smiled politely and told him I hadn't eaten a whole meal in over 3 months and was on a mission. I ordered my meal and sat to play on Facebook a bit.<br />
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Well, let me tell you! The salad came out in about a minute. I chowed that down and was done before the waiter even came to check on me. (A bit embarrassing I must admit!) I knew I was acting like someone who hadn't eaten in a month. Who cares, right?<br />
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Out a minute later, my little steak and my wee little baked potato. Perfection. They lasted exactly 6 minutes my people. This time the waiter had learned his lesson and came over sooner to check on me - I was only half done. Took me a little longer than the salad because of the chewing factor. I did taste it, I promise. I just didn't savour it. I scarfed it down. <br />
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As soon as I'd cleared my plate (like a charter member of the clean plate club,) I pushed it away - full to the gills. SO done.<br />
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It was a great experience and I'm sure if I walk in next week, they will remember me! <br />
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Sadly, this morning I awoke with an upset stomach today and I've lost that hungry feeling once again. :( It was fun while it lasted! I guess I'll have to wait until my next acupuncture appointment. I won't complain though - I'm losing weight while lying in bed - what girl wouldn't love that right?<br />
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Happy Friday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-6687910395435365642012-09-20T16:53:00.000-04:002012-09-20T16:53:24.011-04:00Update on Baby McGHey everyone - sorry I've been offline for so long. It's been a grueling 3 weeks for sure. Basically, Baby McG is doing well and is now 15 weeks! Yay! Unfortunately, I'm not doing as well. Before I get into my issues, here are a few stats on Baby McG - he/she is 4oz! Baby is measuring a few days ahead of my due date - we have an over achiever! According to my fruits and veggies chart - the baby is the size of an apple now so I guess that's why I'm feeling a pooch finally.<br />
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So now for my drama...I have had bleeding on and off since about 5 weeks - now the bleeding has escalated and is threatening the baby. SO, I'm on Double Secret Probation - aka - bed rest. I'm allowed to work for now and go to doctor appointments etc...but otherwise, I'm tied to this bed. The Bubbies are loving it - me? Not so much.<br />
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I also found out that I am RH negative and the baby is not....so that is creating problems as well. So now the baby might have complications as well. Right now the numbers are really low - so please keep the baby in your prayers that they stay that way.<br />
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Otherwise, I'm tons of fun to be around - my pain is actually much better and I'm allowed to go see Dr. Matt, DD and the rest of Team McGowan for now...fingers are crossed that they continue to allow this. We've become experts at ordering from menus across town and I still really don't have an appetite. But for the most part the nausea has left me. Woohoo!<br />
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For now I'm focusing on how well the baby seems to be doing for now and am praying like crazy. I'm allowed to work from home for the time being and I hope it's allowed for a while. Helps to keep me sane! <br />
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I hope you're all doing well and having a wonderful week and September so far!<br /><br />Happy Thursday Ya'll!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-61860717197304804762012-08-30T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-30T07:00:06.614-04:00Let's Re-define High Risk Shall We?Well, we have hit 12 weeks - the beginning of it at least! Today is a big day for us and Baby McG! We meet our new doctor! We'll call him Dr. Wickham - aka Pride and Prejudice. He comes highly recommended so we're pretty excited.<br /><br />Baby McG is the size of a lime right now! Woohoo! Here are some other fun facts about what will happen this week!<br />
<em>The most dramatic development this week: reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. </em><br />
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<em>Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over 2 inches long </em><em>and weighs about half an ounce.</em><br />
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How fun - our baby's brain is firing away! I promise not to poke my stomach to make him/her squirm! That just sounds mean. Maybe Baby McG will take that into consideration and not poke ME too much in the future! :o)<br />
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The interesting part of this visit will be convincing the doctor that I'm not as high risk as he might think I am. Since our baby is adopted, (See <a href="http://jbthebubs.blogspot.com/2012/07/winkin-blinkin-nod.html" target="_blank">Winkin, Blinkin & Nod</a>), the baby is the product of an egg that was only 34 years old - not an antique 45 year old egg like mine are. So there's a big difference in genetic testing I'm sure and hopefully they will let me breathe a bit more. Of course when I tell them my trachea is collapsed, that might cause another wave of panic, but we'll get to that. NO worries right?<br />
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I'm sure I will help to redefine the term "high risk" but hey, I'm used to living outside of the medical box. I'm made for this kind of thing. I hope he's the kind of doctor who listens to his patients' gut - as in instincts. Time will tell. <br />
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Overall we're trying to focus more on the excitement and fun of things. I'm still feeling like I've been in a car accident - Dr. Matt's doing his best. My nausea is now more just a sensitivity to smells of all kinds - so I eat here and there. Still not eating well, but I'm eating - so we're getting somewhere.<br />
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I'm looking forward to a long holiday weekend and maybe some mattress shopping! Goodness knows, this body could use a soft landing pad at night!<br />
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Hope you all are having a great week!<br /><br />Happy Thursday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-25082314549435969742012-08-29T12:36:00.005-04:002012-08-29T13:18:44.623-04:00Party at the McG's, BYOC - Bring Your Own Cheese!Wednesday is here! We started our special day with a bright and early visit from Terminix! Yay! I actually was happy to see our service guy, James; he's such a nice guy - but today he was here for a <u>rescue.</u> <em>We have a dead critter in our house.</em> Yep. It's horrifyingly disgusting from a pregnant woman's perspective my people.<br />
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It's in either the vent or the walls outside of the powder room downstairs in the very center of our home. Of course. Only the most important room for a pregnant woman when she's downstairs - the bathroom! It's very <em>fragrant </em>and let me just say it makes me gag. It is so foul. Candles don't even begin to touch the smell.<br />
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It all started on Thursday night we got home from acupuncture; I was all relaxed and mellow. Sigh. We walked in the house and OMG - something had died - where was that horrible smell coming from?? We threw away some flowers thinking it was the water, but no. I walked into the powder room and screamed. That fast, something must have croaked in the wall and boy oh boy are we stuck. <br />
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We immediately called a company to check things - they had been out to put vent caps on the house a few years back. Since we'd had this problem once before, we assumed they could help. Wrong. Of course they charged us for the service call - but nothing. They actually told us to 'keep the door closed.' ARE YOU KIDDING ME????<br />
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So B called our boy James at Terminix. He came right out - climbed up into our attic and said, "you have mice." WHAT???? No. Not in my house. It's not possible. We've never seen or heard anything! Well, apparently, the mice in the 'hood have been enjoying the comforts of our attic for years now. They shimmy up the siding and slide on in to get warm and take nappies - <u>and</u> apparently, die in our walls.<br />
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So now we have to have new insulation installed in the attic to keep them out. Then we block the spots where they were getting in through the siding and rain spouts AND I have to live with the idea that they have been having parties above our heads while we lie in bed. Blech.<br />
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Of course no one can help with <em>Au De Dead Mouse</em> issue downstairs - we just have to live with it for a while. It should 'go away soon.' Needless to say, I will never be doing any renovations in this house. There are probably little skeletons all throughout the framework of our home.....yuck!<br />
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I'm a country girl my people - I understand mice. I guess I'm just so surprised that they never showed up in our kitchen looking for a snack! I'm OK that they haven't mind you, I'm just amazed that the boys haven't gotten a scent of them or heard them....the Bubs are hanging their heads in shame....if there's a fly, they are on it....mice apparently, are outside of their wheel well....bummer.<br />
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Happy Wednesday Ya'll! <br />
<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-28745107784119049842012-08-28T07:00:00.000-04:002012-08-28T07:00:04.686-04:00Sometimes You Want to Go....Reconnecting with old friends - such a fun thing to do isn't it? I love going down memory lane and catching up with folks that I've lost touch with over the years. My life has taken me down a pretty screwy path, so it was hard to stay in touch with people that mattered to me over the years.<br />
<br />How lucky we are to have things like Facebook to help us reconnect! I often reflect on how different my life would be without all of the wonderful people I've met in my life. Some were around for very short spurts, and some I'll hold in my heart forever, eternally grateful for their role in my life.<br />
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Some I crossed paths with due to dumb luck and some I think Fate put in my way on purpose. Among them, I've had some really great roommates - what a blessing they all were. Some just to get me out of my country bumpkin shell - thanks GEEK! And others, to keep me grounded...thanks ROOMMATE! Others to keep me sane - Thanks Lou....and the list goes on...<br />
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I've learned what it is to have some seriously great friends. At a very young age, I learned that just because you have fun hanging out with someone, it doesn't make them a friend; it makes them a fun <em>acquaintance.</em> That was a really hard realization - it hit me when I was sick with a jaw problem back in my 20s. I 'woke up' after surgery and realized that the people I thought were my friends were simply 'playmates' and they didn't want to play anymore.<br />
<br />Don't get me wrong - they were really nice people. I was just no fun to be around. Since we hadn't created the bonds that makes up a true friendship, when I wasn't up to go <em>play at <a href="http://www.moesandjoes.com/" target="_blank">Moe's & Joe's</a></em>, I dropped off the call list. So I moved on. I learned to make better, lifelong friends. It was a hard lesson - but one that has served me well. It moved me in a different, more meaningful direction. One that I needed to take I think. I needed to "<em>go somewhere else where everybody knew my name!"</em> (And not just for hanging out in a bar either!)<br />
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Over the 10 years of our marriage, I've been sick quite a bit. B and I haven't been able to make that many friends as a 'couple' because of that (well that and because we moved across country.) I feel like I've short-changed him on that....and I'm hoping we can work on fixing that moving forward. Not that I'm looking to replace the wonderful friends we do have - unfortunately, a lot of them live somewhere else! If I had a dollar for every time I said the line, "I wish we lived closer" to friends, I'd be able to retire by now!<br />
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SO for now, I'm going to enjoy reconnecting and laughing over silly memories and I'm going to look forward to creating new memories. I know that the next phase of our lives will be pretty complicated. Not only am I going to be a new first time mommy, I'm going to be a lot older than most of the other mommies. That's going to be a shift. Most of my friends are sending their kids off to high school or college - mine isn't even here yet! I always did do things at my own pace - married at 35, baby at 45...<br />
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Change is good though and I'm looking forward to the new challenges. I'm looking forward to making new friends and keeping in touch with the great friends I've made over the years. No matter where we travel in the US, I think we have someone we can visit with when we get there! <br />
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Now how fun is that?!<br />
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Happy Tuesday Ya'll.<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-4995756128194352762012-08-27T11:29:00.002-04:002012-08-27T11:29:13.399-04:00Made in CharlotteWell, I'm back. Sort of. I've been on a hiatus of sorts - trying to get rid of these wicked, wicked headaches. I've asked for advice and tried it all, but unfortunately, these nasty things are caused by me, myself and I - not hormones. I have numerous musculoskeletal issues that resulted from a few surgeries about four years ago. When you add those to hyper mobile joints and strong muscles, you get issues and evil headaches.<br />
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Dr. Matt has been at the center of my universe followed VERY closely by DD and her 'evil' yet healing massage hands. Between the two of them, I'm able to see straight for now but still need to get a good night's sleep. <br />
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Baby McG is thriving - thank goodness - I guess this is my first "mommy" lesson - I feel horrible, but the baby feels great - that's all that matters! Suffering is all part of the deal! :)<br />
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So I'm here...I'm fighting through the fog and dreaming about Advil and chewing food again. But until I get 'on top' of the headaches, chewing isn't in my future. I've been released from the amazing fertility clinic we've been going to for years - it was so sad and yet such a happy moment. <br />
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It is always their goal to release their patients to our <em>regular docs</em> for further prenatal care, but it's bittersweet to leave that amazing support network behind. There were tears and hugs and they gave us the sweetest onesie that says "Made in Charlotte" on the front - our first baby clothes gift. We love it - it's surreal for now. I guess it will feel more real when I start to see a 'regular' doctor and the ultrasounds change from weekly to monthly - OY! Team McGowan is morphing!<br />
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I'm in the middle of week 11 - Baby McG is almost the size of a lime - but according to the doctor, "it's a long one!" Uh oh. Where on Earth will <em>I put</em> a long baby??? Looks like I'll be carrying a pretzel soon! Poor kid - let's hope he/she stops getting longer and just starts to fill in! God did not give me a normal sized upper body - in fact I'm so short wasted that petite shirts are long on me....should be an interesting time!<br />
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For now, my focus is on work and getting through some really interesting projects. I'm swimming in a sea of bureaucracy right now - luckily I'm a strong swimmer. I'm hoping this too shall pass and good things will come with this new job. It's interesting and requires out of the box thinking - nice for a change! <br />
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I hope you're all doing well!<br />Happy Monday Ya'll!<br />
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<br />Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-89978485515142614462012-08-20T14:27:00.003-04:002012-08-20T14:27:48.562-04:00One Mack Daddy CrackWow. What a wacky weekend. It was a blur....after seeing Dr. Matt this morning, I now understand why. My people, my body is adapting all too well to this baby thing. So well in fact, that my neck decided to slide to the left side - all of it. That was causing my monster headache that would never go away and caused my entire weekend to be nothing but a blur. <br />
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He did one mack daddy crack - a cranial sacral pull -and wham. My whole spine cracked in response. I heard it and felt it all the way to my tailbone. Sweet mercy. Needless to say, going forward, I will now be seeing Dr. Matt twice a week. None of this <em>tough guy, I only need him once in a while</em> business. <br /><br />Pain has a whole new definition when you're having a baby I've learned. No popping Advil. No heating pads. No hot baths. All of my vices are off limits. So the chronic pain that I've had for years now is magnified to the nth degree. Add in hyper,loose joints and I'm a human rubber band who pops things as a hobby. Good times.<br />
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At least we know that the headache was due to a mechanical problem and not hormones. There's that at least.<br />
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I'm waiting for the magic day that everyone has told me about....the day I wake up and feel GREAT! Energized even! I'll be content with an afternoon like that - seriously. A great night's sleep would be good too. <br /><br />I did breakdown and buy a maternity pillow today - I'm praying that it works - if it doesn't, the Bubbies will have a really expensive new bed to fight over!<br />
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So for now, I'm still fighting the vestiges of a slight headache and although it was fun to see L & L for a short while this weekend - it wasn't nearly long enough! Can't wait to see the whole H clan and <u>soon</u>!!!<br />
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For now, good luck to all with the 'back to school' traditions going on this month and I hope that everyone loves their new teachers! Don't let the homework break you! :)<br /><br />Happy Monday Ya'll!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5203336837639415740.post-18461622369972219562012-08-17T10:48:00.000-04:002012-08-17T10:48:21.862-04:00MMMmmmm Green Onions!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The Free Dictionary defines a headache as, "A headache <span style="color: black;">involves </span><a href="http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Pain"><span style="color: black;">pain</span></a><span style="color: black;"> in the</span> head which can arise from many disorders or may be a disorder in and of itself." To me, the definition of a headache is this:</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y6-5fjZmCE/UC5XJow6J-I/AAAAAAAAAf8/fv9J9HU-3zg/s1600/Headache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y6-5fjZmCE/UC5XJow6J-I/AAAAAAAAAf8/fv9J9HU-3zg/s1600/Headache.jpg" /></a>Yes, I'm sitting at my desk wearing sunglasses. I've taken a dose of the dreaded caffeine medicine and am just trying to hunker down until my critical call at 11AM today. After that, I'm going home to bed! This has got to end.</div>
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This headache will just not give up. Haven't ever had this before, although I've always been able to take my beloved Advil in the past. Now, I get one little Advil a day and that doesn't even take the edge off of things. (At least I get that!) So I'm praying to the Tylenol gods that I get some relief so I can play with L&L later today!</div>
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I'm going to be flying solo tonight - been a while since B has had a double work day, but he's working today at my favorite place and then tonight is working an NFL football game. So it will be just us girls! It will be so great to see L&L that I think that's all that's getting me through today so far!<br />
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Well, B was a total trouper and made chocolate chip cookies last night! (OK, so I'm made the batter - held my nose the whole time.) He baked the batch and cleaned up and everything. While he was doing that, I cleaned a rotisserie chicken - I deserve a medal for that - and made chicken salad. (Again while holding my nose.) <br />
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In the recipe that I use, I add green onion, basil and a few other <em>fragrant </em>ingredients. After I had it mixed and in the fridge, B cleaned up the cutting board and counters for me. After which I sliced strawberries to place in the freezer in readiness for my protein shake in the morning - on the same cutting board. Well, as you can probably guess, the cutting board still had 'au de green onion' on it and this morning I"m enjoying a <em>strawberry and green onion</em> <em>protein shake.</em> Yum.<br />
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I really should just go back to bed shouldn't I? :)<br />
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Hope you're having a great Friday Ya'll!<br />
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Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12666735018957184631noreply@blogger.com2