Happy Birthday Amelia Kate. . .a bit late. . .

Poor Amelia. She's getting lost in the shuffle again this week! Yesterday was her 4th b-day and so far the only special thing she gotten to do is go to see the doc for her check-up. We planned to do something fun today but just got a call that a family member of someone in our small group died or is about to die so we are taking care of kids and VBS commitments instead and general running around instead.

So Amelia Kate. Where to begin?! As many of you know, we were trying to have a second baby for years after Caroline was born. After 18 months of drugs and injections and really embarrassing (yet funny!) procedures with the fertility doc, it just never happened. So we started to pursue adding to our family through adoption. We were about 1/2 through the process when I found out I was preggers. Shocked the heck out of me! I called my fertility doc and asked him what he thought. His question was, "Have you changed your body chemistry at all? Quit smoking? Lose a lot of weight? Quick drinking?" Well, I have never been a smoker, still just a "social" drinker, but hey! I did join WW and lose 40 pounds. He guessed that was what did it for me. He said the healthier lifestyle~mostly reduction in sugar intake~stabilized my body enough to ovulate regularly. (And boy did it ever~got preggers 2 more times with very little effort!)

Fast forward to June of 2003. I was a few days from my due date and just as miserable as a very pregnant woman can be. I went in for my appointment hoping that there was enough "action" to get me sent to the hospital. No such luck. Upon hearing that news I did what we all would have done in that situation~I burst into tears. Just sobbing, "I can't be pregnant anymore!"

Doc felt sorry for me and says, "Baby is not moving real well, right?"

Me: "Um, no. Baby is moving fine." I was a bit confused.

Doc: Winking and writing a scipt, "Baby is not moving, RIGHT?"

Me: Getting it now. "Oh no. No baby moving."

So she sent me to the hospital for a bio-physical profile which measures many things including level of movement. Wouldn't you know it, she wasn't moving enough! She actually flunked the fetal movement part of the test. So I went in the next night to be induced. Aunt Christine showed up at about 8 am and proceeded to be a really great coach/doula. She had be walking the halls, sitting on a huge bouncy ball, and on my hands and knees at one point. Tim slept through most of this. Around 1pm they decided to go get lunch thinking I still had awhile to go. The returned to my water broken with the discovery of menconium, lots of pain and me begging for my epidural. Once my good ole epidural was in, it was great! They had called the Neonatologist since there was menconium and warned us I wouldn't get to see her right away since they wanted to clear her airway. She was born at 3:29 and no one would tell me if it was a boy or girl. I remember asking Christine and her answer was "I can't tell." So NOT what you want to hear. Finally a nurse said she's was a girl.

Amelia has been a firecracker every since that day! She screamed though her first bath that day and has hated the water ever since. These days she won't play outside because she figures if she doesn't get dirty, she won't need a bath. Hates to swim. Loves to play computer games and dress-up. Her plans for the future include marrying Matt-Matt and being a princess as a full-time job. We love her to pieces!

Bye Bye Caroline

I spent the whole day doing a run to O'Hare Airport. Caroline left yesterday to visit Aunt Kim and Uncle Jer and Elise in Memphis for the week. It was the first time she ever flew alone. She was SSSSOOOOO excited and scared all at once. So was I. I was all cool about it til we stood in line at the ticket counter for 45 minutes among a throng of zillions of people. Then I started to panic! "What are we doing? Putting our 8 yr old girl on an airplane ALL ALONE?!?!" Once we got her checked in it was easy. AA was great~yes, Jer, they really do take care of your minor! But it took 2 hours to get there, almost 3 hours at the airport, and then almost 2 hours home. Pretty much the whole stinkin' day. Evening was taken up with VBS at church~or as the girls call it "BBBBBBS"

I will post Amelia's birthday post later this afternoon. . .I hope.

Cheap Thrills

With Caroline gone camping for the week her sisters were getting B-O-R-E-D. So here's what we came up with. Painting the house with a bucket of water and DIRT. Look at those filthy children. You'd think we live in Indiana or something.

What Did You Learn Today?

Why do you like to read? My sister-in-law says she likes to read to veg out~"nothing too serious that makes me have to use my brain." My sister only likes to read things that tell her what time her favorite shows are on. I have lots of friends who only read "Christian" fiction and just as many who shun the genre. I love to read to learn. If a topic interests me, I read about it. Ask my small group friends about our trip to an Amish area. They were ready to throw me out of the van because I kept spouting off bits of Amish trivia. I especially like to read fiction in which I learn about a subject. I just finished a great book that did exactly that. "Keeping Faith" by Jodi Picoult is all about a child who appears to have healing powers and shows stigmata. I had heard the term but really knew very little about stigmata or any other Catholic signs or miracles. I won't give away the story but I really learned a lot about the Catholic faith through this story. Now I spend time googling all kinds of interesting stuff about the historic church. Then when the small group is ready for a trip to Rome or the Holy Land, I will be ready!

QOTD~What good book have you read that taught you about a subject you knew very little about?

Say Thank You to Uncle Jim

There is a story in my family about me refusing to say "Thank you" to my Uncle Jim. I was about 3 and it was 1975 so Uncle Jim had a lot of hair. I remember being scared of him and all his hair. My dad was not taking "NO" for answer so the showdown began. I don't remember how it ended but I do know that for my parents saying "Thank you" was a huge deal.

We had an incident last night which made me realize that manners are not what they should be. Our neighbor was giving all the kids rides in the back of wagon attached to a tractor. First of all, I saw that on "Dateline" and it's not safe. I didn't want to be the uncool mom so I let the girls go. When ride time was over I helped the girls out of the wagon and said "What do you need to tell Mr. Brian?" Amelia and Greta both went over and said "Thank you Mr Brian!" I swear to you at that moment all my neighbors looked at me like I was from Mars. Not one other kid was prompted to say thank you. There was dead silence.

One of my biggest pet peeves is rude kids. Now I understand kids are kids and will always forget the politeness we try to engrave in their brains. What I am talking about is kids who never say "please" or "thank you". Or worse to me is the kids who's parents don't teach it. If I give a neighbor kid a juice box and he/she is older than 3, I expect a "thank you" (and a Mrs Last Name, but more on that later) I do expect said child to forget to say "thank you" and that is when I expect Mom/Dad to say "What do you say Junior?" What sends me over the edge is when parents don't prompt or correct their kids. Is that asking too much?

And on the subject of politeness. . .I expect to be called Mrs Last Name. (Or Mrs Jen or Mrs Amelia's Mommy are also fine) I was discussing this with a friend of mine who doesn't quite agree. She was trying to figure out why it bothered me so much. After thinking on it, I have come up with one reason. I am my mother. This was something my own mom was big on and it is ingrained in me. Deeper into it, I am bothered by the fact that the line between kid and grown-up is so blurred. I am a grown-up and kids are not. Adults are to be respected just simply because they are adults. My girls are not allowed to call an adult by a first name. Ever. Period. It is Mr or Mrs First Name if they are little and Caroline now says Mr or Mrs Last Name. Only exceptions are very close family friends who are "Aunt" and "Uncle" and our pastors at church who are "Pastor Kris" and "Pastor Drew". I have had other adults say "Oh no. She can call me Mary" While I respect another person's right to be called what they wish, I am trying SO hard to teach this that it frustrating. Sure, I feel weird when someone calls me by what I consider my mother-in-law's name, it is important to me that kids learn that grown-ups still run the world.

OK, stepping off my soapbox. . .Thank you for listening.

Happiness is. . .

buying dairy products that expire after your due date.

50 Random Things About Jen

Jana has a list of 100 things about her which I love to read! See, Jana is my sister's BFF and someone I have gotten to know a bit thru Kim but she is also someone that I would probably pick out to be friends with. And alot of that "knowledge" has come from reading her blog. So I decided to do my own list. And being that I have nothing new to talk about most days, this will give me some ideas! :-)

1. I am the oldest kid in my family.
2. I have a degree in Communications.
3. I am one class short of a degree in Political Science.
4. I do not drink enough water.
5. My first job was at County Seat selling Guess jeans.
6. My CDs are alphabetized.
7. So are my cookbooks~by genre and then author.
8. I love the Food Network.
9. I can not work my flat iron.
10. I love Wendy's.
11. My mom died of breast cancer when I was 30.
12. U2's "The Joshua Tree" is my favorite album ever.
13. I want to be a writer.
14. I want to be a caterer.
15. I love 80's movies.
16. I love the process of choosing names.
17. I adore Ebay.
18. I want to dress like a hip cool mom, but I fail miserably.
19. I once baked a 13x9 pan of bronwies and ate the whole thing in one day.
20. I spent 6 weeks after high school in Canada on a mission trip.
21. My first car was a 1987 Mercury Sable that was the color of dirt.
22. I love Ronald Reagan.
23. I do not like bananas.
24. I am learning to like wine~a lot.
25. I swore I would never dress my kids alike. Then I had 3 really cute girls.
26. I did not like being married for the first 3 years.
27. I have a crush on Alfonso Ribero~Carleton from "The Fresh Prince".
28. I also have a crush on Brit Hume.
29. I am terrible at sticking to an exercise regime.
30. My favorite color is aqua blue.
31. My favorite singer ever is Billy Joel.
32. I have re-decorated my bedroom 7 times in the past 12 years.
33. Unreliability is my biggest pet peeve.
34. And lateness.
35. I am terrible at writing thank you notes~~though I think they are important!
36. I am a closet Guns and Roses fan.
37. I watch "Days of Our Lives"
38. I sometimes buy TV dinners for my kids.
39. I am an avid scrapbooker. At least for my oldest daughter's book I am!
40. I make dinner at 10 am.
41. I love old cheesy Christian "rock"
42. I visit consignment shops on vacation.
43. I hate to make dinner.
44. I love to cook.
45. I had never set foot in Walmart til I was in college.
46. I was 24 the first time I tried a cigarette.
47. I once threw a shoe at my sister and gave her a black eye.
48. My first boyfriend is married to my best friend.
49. I am not good at arts and crafts.
50. I do not put batteries in my girls' noisy toys.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. . .la la la la. Good news from the doc today. I had an ultrasound and placenta has migrated north just a wee bit. .7 centimeters to be exact. Which is JUST enough for a regular old delivery. NO C-section!!!! I almost cried with joy. I still have to have one more U/S in 5 weeks to re-check but all looks good. I also have an "official" induction date. Baby #4 will be joining us on July 6. I get to have steroid shots next week to move the lungs along and an amnio on July 5. If all is good, we get to meet the last Lampen baby on July 6!

And no, I did not find out the gender. :-)

Summer Friday Five

BEST SUMMER SONGS
1. Summertime~DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
2. Magic~The Cars
3. Anything by the Beach Boys
4. School's Out~Alice Cooper
5. The entire "TOP GUN" soundtrack

BEST SUMMER MOVIES
1. Top Gun
2. National Lampoon's Vacation
3. Dirty Dancing
4. Shag
5. Say Anything

BEST SUMMER BBQ FOODS
1. Tim's steak on the grill
2. Potato salad~LOVE potato salad when I'm preggers!
3. Anything served at Mommy Brain's poolside
4. Spiked watermelon~once when Caroline was 3 she ate 4 pieces at a party before we learned it was spiked!
5. Chips and guacamole


BEST SUMMER DRINKS
1. Sweet tea
2. Ice cold beer in a bottle
3. Watermelon martinis
4. KoolAid
5. Homemade lemonade

Greta's 2yr Photo Shoot

She had so much fun! I was really glad since Amelia's 2 yr session was a nightmare. Greta hammed it up a ton. This one is my favorite but you can go here and see them all. Try the link again. User is lamp93@yahoo.com and password is jen372. :-)

Is It Really Summer?!

It was actually warm enough last week for running in the sprinkler! And boy did we have 3 happy little girls. They could NOT wait to get outside in the sunshine. We also broke out the first box of popsicles. Greta was a hoot trying to figure out how to eat one and finally just laid it down in the grass and went to play. She came back about 10 minutes later to finish it and could not figure out why all that was left was a stick. Here's some fun "summer" pics. Enjoy!
Greta Boo and her popsicle.
Amelia was SO excited about her new pink flower bathing suit that she would not sit down. "No drips on my bathing soup, Mom!"

And Caroline has officially entered the "DO NOT TAKE MY PICTURE MOM!" phase.

All About Caroline

In honor of Mother's Day (and b/c Caroline was reading this over my shoulder) I decided to do this post for her. Amamda did one for Luke so here's my tribute to my firstborn!

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Yes, with the precision of a space shuttle launch.

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Me- total excitement. Tim-on a cell phone "I'm pregnant!" "You're baking?" "I'm pregnant!" "You're baking?" "Never mind."

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
No, never

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
25 (26 when she was born)

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I was on fertility meds but had had a lot of hoping and disappointment. I was seeing the doc weekly to monitor the meds. She did a PG test when I was one day late and it was negative. So I went home to mope for the week. By Thanksgiving Day I still didn't have Aunt Flo so I took another test and it was positive.

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
Tim and then my mom.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
I did but Tim didn't. So we didn't find out.

9. DUE DATE:
July 30, 1998

10. DID YOU DELIVER EARLY OR LATE?
Late - Aug 6 1998

11. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
All. Day. Long.

12. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Tombstone pizza and hot dogs with ketchup and onion.

13. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
I feel terrible for saying this as she's was only here to irritate my with one of my four pregnancies, but my mom drove me CRAZY! :-) Right now I wish she was here to drive me loony again.

14. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX?
Girl

15. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
I don't now but then I really wanted a boy. I had images of the first born son, big brother, yadda yadda yadda

16. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY?
About 30-35. Same amount with each kid no matter what I do!

17. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes

18. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
I knew about it and forbid the playing of games. I hate games. :-)

19. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Not with Caroline.

20.WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Chicago Heights IL

21. HOW MAY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
Induced~Started the Pitocin at 11 pm and starting pushing around noon the next day. She was born at 1:04 pm.

22.WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Tim

23.WHO WATCHED?
Tim, my sister Kim, OB and 2 nurses.

24.WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
vaginal~nothing "natural" about a baby coming out there :-)

25.DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
an epidural from Dr Angela Scott. Almost named Caroline Angela.

26.HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH?
7 pounds, 10 ounces

27.DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS?
Her body temp wouldn't stabilize so I didn't get to keep her in the room til she was about 8 hours old.

28.WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Caroline Rebekah

29. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
8, she will be 9 in August.

Friday Five

FIVE BEST QUOTES FROM MY FRIENDS
1. OB: How are you at remembering to take your prenatals?
FRIEND: About as good as I am at remembering to take my birth control.

2. CHILD: Mommy, I can't sleep.
MOMMY: Why not?
CHILD: Because Texas is the Lone Star State.

3. I need to clean my house in case DCFS shows up.

4. Those were my drunk-and-naked years.

5. The TV does not watch itself.

FIVE BEST SONGS TO LISTEN TO WHEN YOU'VE BEEN DUMPED
1. Every Rose Has It's Thorn~Poison
2. I Hate Myself for Loving You~Joan Jett
3. Anything by Alanis Morrisette or Avril Lavenge
4. All Cried Out~Lisa Lisa and Clut Jam
5. Could've Been~Tiffany

FIVE BEST ALBUMS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD OF
1. El Camino Yes Maybe~Emitter
2. Romeo Unchained~Tonio K
3. Swimming in a Human Ocean~Servant
4. The Turning~Leslie Phillips
5. Naked~River Sevens Well

Let's Take Back Preschool!

Awhile ago Jana had posted some observations about her daughter's preschool and I was so happy to see that I was not the only one who wondered WHEN did preschool become so *much*? When Caroline was in preschool parents were in charge of everything except the actual teaching. Holiday parties (and I use that term loosely as there was a "holiday" every other week!) seemed to get bigger and bigger until Easter when they~meaning the parents, not the teachers~wanted each family to fork over $30 so the "Easter bunny" could come to the class party. Um, no thanks.

When choosing a preschool for Amelia, one of the questions I asked was what is the expected level of parental involvement? Don't get me wrong, I am all for being involved at your kids' school, but I did not want to spend hours per week decorating cupcakes to look like Christopher Columbus. Amelia's teachers told me right off the bat that they would plan all the parties. Parents are welcome to attend but it is not mandatory. Well, sign us up! All was going according to plan til this weekend. Amelia's preschool class has a stuffed frog that visits each child over a weekend. This weekend was our weekend to have Speckles the Frog visit. Great fun for Amelia, not so much for Mommy. See Speckles has a journal that we must document the fun of the weekend visit. As I page thru Speckles journal, it is crazy! Each page features tons of pictures and very elaboratly decorated scrapbook pages for each child. My heart sank. I am even someone who enjoys scrapbooking but I do not wish to spend hours on a scrapbook for a stuffed frog. I began to wonder. Is this because every other mom loves to spend her precious "free" time doing these things? Is there something wrong with me that I forgot until the middle of "American Idol" last night? Or is this a new form of junior high peer pressure? After all, no one wants to look like a bad mom! Each child also sends home huge candy treat bags for their birthdays. I sent cupcakes for snack time. Store bought cupcakes. What must the other moms think of me? So Speckles went back today with a few lines of truth about how he spent his weekend~mostly in the middle of a tug-of-war with Amelia and Greta~and a pathetic picture printed from the computer of Amelia in her PJs with Speckles before breakfast. And I feel liberated!

Friday Five~~The 80's

BEST MOVIE QUOTES(Extra points if you can name the flick)
1. Baby fish mouth!
2. I love my dead gay son!
3. I am opposed to any -ism.
4. Take me to bed or lose me forever!
5. I want my $2.00!!

BEST 80's CHRISTIAN "ROCK" ARTISTS
1. Russ Taff (before he went all Gaither)
2. Whiteheart
3. Petra
4. Leslie Phillips
5. The Choir

BEST STORES TO SHOP IN THE 80's
1. County Seat
2. The Limited
3. Deb
4. Merry-Go-Round
5. Ups and Downs

BEST TV SHOWS
1. Family Ties
2. Growing Pains
3. Cosby Show
4. St Elsewhere
5. LA Law

Peeing In a Cup is Not a Spectator Sport

I had a bit of a last minute OB visit yesterday. Since it was last minute, I needed to bring Greta and Amelia with me. OK, we can handle this. Lots of bribes, a handful of little people, and a bag of M&Ms should do the trick. And it did. With 2 exceptions.

As one must do at all OB appointments, one must tinkle in a cup. Now this is hard enough with a pregnany belly in the way but with an audience of 2 very interested little girls it was near impossible. And the entire office heard play-by-play. With an echo. So here I am. Seated on the throne with a girl at each knee staring at my crotch like it was about to spew candy or something.

Scene 1. Setting: Bathroom at the OB office.

Ameila: "MOMMY! You went potty in that cup! Cups are not for tinkle. Cups are for drinking!"

Greta: "MOMMY! TINKLE! CUP!! POTTY!!! MEEE TOOOO! I do it myself!!!!"

Mommy: "SSSHHHHHHHHH!"

Amelia: "Why you go tinkle in that cup? Now what are you doing Mommy? Why are you putting that cup in the hole? WOW! Mommy! That hole spins! Where did your tinkle go? (yelling into the revolving window to the nurses) GIVE BACK my MOMMY's Cup! There's tinkle in there!"

Greta: "MOMMY! TINKLE! CUP! MYSLEF!!!"

Mommy: "SSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Amelia: "When I get big and have a baby come out my tummy I will get to go tinkle in cup. Not you Greta. You a baby."

Greta: "I NOT a baby. I Getta. I potty cup. I do MYSELF!!"

Did I mention that the walls are paper thin? I can hear the nurses chuckling.

SCENE #2 Exam room.
Amelia is laying on the floor with Little People up her shirt. Doc walks in. Doc is a woman.

Amelia: "Hi Nurse. I have a baby coming out of my tummy. Can you get the doctor to pull it out my bottom?"

Doc: "Hi Honey, I'm the Doctor."

Amelia: "No you not. Doctors are boys and you are a girl. Girls are nurses."

Seriously, this is what my kid said. Is she learning everything about medicine from Marcus Welby MD?! I'm shocked she didn't tell Doc that she was going to have her baby on the kitchen table in the log cabin! And who told her babies come "out the bottom"?!? Ugh.

Friday Five

FIVE BEST THINGS ABOUT BEDREST
1. I am really caught up on Days.
2. My sciatic nerve doesn't hurt so bad since I'm not moving so much.
3. Laundry? What laundry?
4. Meals from people who are way better cooks than I!
5. More time to obsess over baby names.

FIVE BEST THINGS ABOUT 2 YR OLDS
1. They are not 1 yr olds.
2. They're love of dental hyegine.
3. Mullets.
4. When counting to ten, they love to yell their favorite number, "SEX!"
5. The Rainman-like repeating of everything.

FIVE BEST SONGS FOR HOUSECLEANING
1. I Wanna Be Sedated~The Ramones
2. Pour Some Sugar on Me~Def Leppard
3. Bad Reputation~Joan Jett
4. 9 to 5~Dolly Parton
5. Lord, I Lift Your Name on High~Petra

FIVE BEST THINGS ABOUT BEING PREGNANT
1. Feeling the baby move.
2. Not having to suck in my gut.
3. McDonald's french fries.
4. yeah, i got nothin else.
5. Nope. Nothin.

Seriously?

Ever since Caroline was about 3 we have gotten about once per trip in public THE COMMENT. It usually goes something like this.

"WOW! She looks exactly like that girl! You know, the actress one. From that movie with Sean Penn. What's her name?"

"Dakota Fanning"

"That's it. She looks JUST like her. Has anyone ever told you that?"

Since "Charlotte's Web" we have gotten the comment even more. Well, today while grocery shopping, I got it about Greta. Really? She's 2 and you compare her to a famous child actor who is 13? Oh well. I guess there are worse famous people my kids could resemble.

Since the naming post was such a hit. . .

Here's some new ones I have come up with the past few weeks. Feel free to honestly comment~~as if you wouldn't! These are names I like and kind of have been kicking around. They have either been suggested by someone or I have found them in books.

Mercy
Scarlett
Bronwyn
Eliza
Ella Grace (as in one name, not first and middle)
Piper
Margaret (this is one I would break my no nickname rule on) Probably Meg or Maggie
Penelope
Hilary
Mary Kate~~I really like this but is it too Olson twins?
Georgia
Tessa
Kathleen
Meredith
Eleanor
Charity

So whaddya think?!

A Rose by Any Other Name

Ask any of my friends and they will tell you Pregnant Jen is obessessed with baby names. I have spent about 80% of the time of each pregnancy fretting over what to name the baby. I owe every baby name book on the planet. I am on a 9 month quest for the absolute prefect name.

I have always said some of this obessesion comes from the fact that I hate my name. Always have. I was one of a zillion Jennys so when Aunt Barb changed it to "Jenni" to separate me from her daughter "Jenny" I was so happy to be different. As an adult I still hate that whenever I call someone I always have to say my last name. I think of "Jennifer" as the ultimate bimbo name. I wanted to be a lawyer but "Jennifer" didn't have the same classic cool as "Katherine" or "Margaret" I also hate that my name screams "I WAS BORN IN THE 70's!"

So now that you know how much I hate my name, you can help name the baby. Baby Girl that is. Baby Boy has had a name since Amelia that will be used in the event of outdoor plumbing. Baby Girl is running out of options. We are looking for something classic and pretty. Timeless is good. A perfect example of a name we love is Abigail. But it is way too popular. Here's some other ground rules, so to speak.

1. At least 2 syllables. This is Tim's rule.
2. No repeat intials of what we have. So no C, A, or G. EXCEPTION if it is a different sound. Like "CH" instead of hard "C".
3. Nothing ending in "a"
4. Can't be in the top 50. This used to be 100 but beggars can't be choosy.
5. No "L" names. Sounds stupid with our last name.
6. No unisex names. This is also Tim's rule.

So have it! Give us some suggestions and maybe you'll come up with the winner!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all! We had a really nice day this year. Full of surprises! We started with our family tradition of making Easter story cookies Saturday night. If you have never heard of these, they are great. It is a mereiguene cookie recipie that has a Bible verse and lesson for each ingredient. The last thing you do before bed is put the cookies in the oven and "seal the tomb" like the did with Jesus. Then in the morning~~or after church if you don't want the kiddies eating cookies for breakfast~~you open the oven and find hollow cookies. Empty just like the tomb. Caroline read all the verses, Amelia chanted "My Jesus is ALIVE", and Greta just yelled "COOKIE!!" over and over forever!

Church was great this morning~good music as always. Tim was a bit annoyed that the band did a rocking rendition of "I Am Free" while we sat. He thought we should be standing. He was right but I was not about to stand up! I am Linda's daughter after all. . .

We had planned a quiet afternoon of chili dogs, the Sox game, and the Masters but some of our small group had other plans. They decided it was just wrong to eat hot dogs for Easter dinner so they called after church and invited us over. And I am so glad they did! We had a great time. The girls got to do an Easter egg hunt, we had an awesome dinner, and still watched the Sox game. Thanks so much guys!

And to top off a great day was the Masters. Zach Johnson is our new favorite golfer. We were rooting for him coming up the back nine. Nice Midwestern kid. BTW~When do you get old enough to call people who are 30 "KID"?!? We were so happy to see him win. And then they did the interview. And what did nice Zach say?

Q: Who do you need to thank?
A: My beautiful wife, new baby boy, parents, coaches, blah blah blah, AND Jesus, my Lord and Savior. This being Easter makes it so much for special. My faith means everything to me.

Well that sealed the deal here. Tiger who? We love Zach!

Here we are after church getting the cookies out of the oven. And below is Caroline reading the Bible verses while we made the cookies.

Here's Greta already to find some eggs. And notice Abbey is all bundled properly and my kid is not! :-)

And this has to be the photo of the day. Pure happy Amelia.

Who's Your 80's Heartthrob?

OK, I so know none of you can resist this one. (ree ree, I'm talking to you!) Anyone surprised by mine?

Your 80s Heartthrob Is

Michael J. Fox

Who's" Your 80's Heartthrob?

Who Am I?

Did anyone else have to do those reports in 3rd or 4th grade? You know, the one where you write a book report on the life story of some famous person and then read it aloud to class so they can guess who you are? I did Nadia Comanchi~~hey, it was the early 80's and I wanted to be a gymnast!

Well, Caroline is needing to pick a person to do a book report. It will not be presented the same way as I remember doing it so she can pick a person of either gender. She wanted to do Laura Ingalls but her teacher put the kebosh on that since Caroline already knows a lot about her. The point is to learn about someone new, I guess, which makes this difficult for me. And it is all about me.

So we need some input. Tim and I have mentioned everyone from Tiger Woods to George Washington. Tim voted for Susan B Anthony so he can find out why she's on the $1 coin. I voted for Medgar Evers and everyone said "Who?" Amelia suggested Cinderella and Greta said "Doggie" After a while we were cracking ourselves up with suggestions like Ryan Seacrest, John Calvin, Bill Clinton, Sanjaya, Peter Van Raalte and Margaret Sanger. Right now some of the front runners are Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King Jr, and Abraham Kuyer. So we need some ideas. The biggest catch is we h ave to be able to find some books that a 3rd grader can read to gather info.

SSSSSOOOOOOO give us some ideas!

Am I Alone?

I often find myself on the internet~~reading blogs, learning more new things about my pregnancy, looking for the name of the song I heard on the radio, scanning Ebay for some new Gymboree duds, ect. When do I indulge in this activity? Mostly 2 times per day. Late at night when all is quiet and late afternoon when all is crazy and I want to escape. I usually feel some guilt about the fact my girls are screaming at each other and I am not making Rice Krispie treats with them. And then I get over it. It's really easy to blame this on the computer but it's not really it. Our moms didn't have the internet, they chatted on the phone. I have memories of my mom sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of iced tea talking to her friends while Kim and I did our thing. I really don't think media can be blamed for us mommies wanting to check out once a day. Heck, I bet Caroline Ingalls hid in the garden while Mary and Laura tore down the cabin!

Is it really so bad to ignore our kids once a day for awhile? I do love being an at-home mom, but I am a person who can only stand to read "Elmo Goes to School" 25 times before reaching for the vodka. I think it is so good for them to have some time to figure things out on their own. To not have mom showing them how to do the puzzle and how to set up the Polly Pockets. I also want my girls to see that being their mom is not the only thing I do. This is one area I think that my working girlfriends have it easier. It is obviously that "Mommy goes to work." Ask my kids what I do?

Caroline~write blogs, beat my sisters, put them down for naps
Amelia~work at the puter, watch TV, and eat around the clock
Greta~clean, play toys

OK, well, that's Mommy on Bedrest. Maybe I'll ask the question next year. So do you feel guilty when you ignore your kids to indulge in a hobby? Or just a mindless pasttime?

Friday Five From Memphis

Everyone else is out at the park so I'm here "resting" Kim ordered me to do the Friday Five so here's my Spring Break/Vacation special in honor of all our Memphis fun.

FIVE BEST ZOO ANIMALS
1. Panda bears~the really are more of a black and dirty white than you'd think.
2. Bald Eagles~they really give the eagle eye.
3. Monkeys~the girls loved watching them swing.
4. Black bears~we got to see them super close!
5. All the first graders who were on their zoo field trip.

FIVE BEST THINGS ABOUT ASIAN NAIL SALONS
1. You don't feel the need to make small talk because they really don't speak English.
2. They use those razors on your feet to get rid of the winter skin.
3. They have a zillion colors.
4. The shrine to Buddha in the corner.
5. The way they chat back and forth and make you paranoid that they are talking about you~like Elaine on SEINFELD.

FIVE BEST SISTERS
1. Kim
2. Kim
3. Kim
4. Kim
5. Caroline

FIVE BEST THINGS ABOUT THE SOUTH
1. All children are either dressed straight from a "COPS" episode or are wearing smocked dresses with matching Mary Janes and hairbows.
2. Everyone is really polite.
3. Chik-Fil-A
4. Humidity.
5. Backyard Burgers

Friday Five

FIVE BEST TV SHOWS
1. Little House on the Prairie
2. 24
3. St Elsewhere
4. Cheers
5. Roseanne (the early ones)

FIVE BEST WHITE SOX PLAYERS (NOW AND WAY BACK)
1. Ron Kittle
2. Paul Konerko
3. Carleton Fisk
4. Ozzie Guillen
5. Aaron Rowand (that's Caroline's vote)

FIVE BEST CHICAGO SPORTS MOMENTS
1. 2005 Sox World Series Win
2. Da Bulls~6 times
3. All of Devin Hester's TD punt returns
4. AJ Pierzynski taking 1st base on a ball 4 in the dirt during Game #2 ALCS
5. 85 Bears Superbowl Win

Who's On Bedrest?

Um. . .I thought I was the one who was supposed to be taking it easy? Evidently, Tim had a rough day of . . .? You fill in the blank.

Please Don't Call DCFS

So today was one the most interesting doctors appointments we've ever had. Last night Tim was playing with the girls in the backyard and was swinging them around. Not so much smart. By 10pm Amelia was hysterical about her arm. It didn't appear swollen or out-of-whack in any way so we just gave her Motrin and got her to sleep. By morning it was pretty obvious something was wrong. She was cradling her arm and not using it at all. Called good ole Dr Stroman who told us to come in. From there, the fun began.

We were sitting in the room and he walks in, looks at her chart, and asks us what the problem is. Told him "Daddy airplane rides." OK. What happened next we EXACTLY like the scene from "The Karate Kid" where Mr Myagi "fixes" Daniel-san's busted knee. Dr Stroman claps his hands, takes Amelia's arm, twists it around til she is screaming and on her knees. And then she's fine. He looks at us and chuckles, "Never seen an elbow AND wrist dislocated. That's pretty cool. No more airplane rides."

Friday Five

FIVE BEST BREAKFAST FOODS
1. Biscuits and gravy
2. Veggie omelet
3. English muffin
4. Corned beef hash (Though I feel as if I need a triple bypass afterward!)
5. Jeff's "Nasty eggs with toast"

FIVE MOST ANNOYING THINGS PEOPLE SAY TO PREGNANT WOMEN
(Disclaimer~~These bug me now b/c I'm pregnant. I have probably said all of them.)
1. WOW! You're huge!
2. Do you know what you're having?
3. Are you trying for a boy?
4. I was in labor for 8 days and tore all the way thru. My heart stopped and I had to be revived.
5. I did it without an edipural. If you just focus, you don't need one.

FIVE BEST SMELLS
1. Pink grapefruit.
2. Anything lemon.
3. Spaghetti sauce simmering.
4. Spring.
5. Burning leaves in the fall.

FIVE FAVORITE HYMNS
1. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
2. Blessed Assurance
3. It Is Well
4. Amazing Grace
5. By The Sea of Crystal

Take It Easy?

I had my 20 week ultrasound and check up yesterday. Good news, bad news, and in-between news.

Good News~Baby looks great. All organ systems present and working. No spina bifida, no water on the brain. No obvious signs of chromosomal errors.

In-between news~very modest baby. He/she has legs crossed at the knees and tucked under. He/she also was breech and facing inward so the tech could not tell the sex. I really didn't want to know but Tim and about 80% of everyone else does so I was kinda glad! :-) So for a while at least we are all still in suspense.

Bad news~I have had some bleeding off and on since the beginning of this pregnancy. Now I know why. I have a complete placenta previa. This is when the placenta forms at the bottom of the uterus instead of at the top and blocks the cervix. This results in 2 things for me.

1. For now, "partial bedrest". I am supposed to "take it easy" OK, how on earth is that possible?! I am trying, really. But it is so hard. There is so much to do. Tim is finally working again after the cold and snow of February. Everyone has been great about offering help but I suck at accepting it. I need to work on being gracious and saying "thanks" instead of "No, really. I'm OK." As Kim said, I am not resting so that my baby will have blond hair instead of brown. I'm resting to ensure the safety of the baby. Because the placenta is over the cervix it is easily irritated and could cause early labor. I have to have another U/S in a few weeks to see how things look.

2. IF the placenta does not migrate northward, I will need a C-section. That scares the heck out of me. As much as I hate pregnancy, I really don't mind the birth. All 3 girls had really good deliveries. As long as I get my epidural, I'm all good! :-) I watch enough Discovery Health Channel to know I do not want a seciton.

So for now, I ask you to pray for northward migration. My doctor said the chances of that are "remote" due to the placement of the placenta, but that's what we're hoping for. No complete bedrest and no c-section.

Thanks so much! :-)

Friday Five

Often my thoughts freeze between my brain and my finger for blog posts. I think of fantasic ideas at 3am but they never actually turn into posts. So here's an idea I saw on another blog. Simply for fun and because I really adore lists of any kind. Not necessarily in any order, just my opinion.

FRIDAY FIVES

Five Best Songs Ever~Excluding Hymns, P&W, and Country

1. Midnight Train to Georgia~Gladys Knight

2. Material Girl~Madonna

3. Sweet Caroline~Neil Diamond

4. Come Sail Away~Styx

5. Every Rose Has It's Thorn~Poison

Five Best Country Songs Ever

1. Anything But Mine~Kenny Chesney

2. Whoever's In New England~Reba McEntire

3. She and I~Alabama (Though it's hard to narrow that down!)

4. Whiskey Lullaby~Brad Paisley and Allison Krauss

5. I Don't Call Him Daddy~Doug Supernaw

Five Best Movies Ever (Ok, maybe this is more a Best 80's movies!)

1. Dead Poet's Society

2. Mr Mom

3. Boyz in the Hood

4. When Harry Met Sally

5. Say Anything

Five Best Restaurants

1. Wildfire

2. Chik-Fil-A

3. Quiznos

4. Ro-Sals

5. Gus's Fried Chicken

Meal Plan Monday. . .well Tuesday

I'm slow. I so meant to do this yesterday but I was busy. . .Celebrating Mr and Mrs Mommy Brain's Anniversary. . .working on Ebay. . .watching "24". . .um. . .

Monday . . . . . . . . .Grilled Cheese and Soup (GEMS at church)

Tuesday . . . . . . . .Chicken Stuffed Red Peppers (From Dinner's Done)

Wednesday . . . . . Egg and Sausage Casserole with Biscuits
(I have to make this for MOPS so I'm just going to do a duplicate.)

Thursday. . . . . . . Linguine with Clam Sauce and Garlic Bread (Also from Dinner's Done)

Friday. . . . . . . . . . Auction at Caroline's school
~babysitter for little girls~frozen pizza and broccoli
~Dad, Mom, and Caroline eat at school

Sat Out. . . . . . . . . Where or what I'm not sure but probably Quiznos as that I want Mama is craving!

Sunday. . . . . . . . . Cabernet Crock Pot Beef with noodles and beans (also from Dinner's Done)

I went to Dinner's Done on December 1 and made 13 meals. Soon after that morning sickness hit pretty hard and I haven't really cooked or felt like smelling up the kitchen since. This past week I am finally feeling able to get my "kitchen legs" under me again. These meals are the last of my pre-made stash. Money is always much tighter at this time of year for us so I will be cooking myself yet again! I have even started pulling recipes out of magazines again.

Baby Needs A New Pair of Shoes

This is what is happening in my kitchen right now. Yep, it's boys poker night. They are playing "no copper, no paper" so no one is betting away the mortgage money or anything so it's just guys having fun. I am listening in and they are FUNNY. They even wrote up a cheat sheet to figure out what hand is high. They think I'm in here working. . .hee hee. Nope. I just hope Tim wins b/c he's got 3 little girls who are clothes horses. :-)

Happy Birthday to Me

I am officially old. 35 today. I had a really nice day though! Last year, almost everyone forgot. Even Tim. So I have been milking this all week. :-) "Please clean the bathroom, dear. It'sm my birthday." ect, ect.

Things didn't start out great as at 4am Caroline climbed in bed with me because she heard thunder. GGRRR. . .But I had a half bag of Kettle Cooked Lays Potato Chips and Sweet Tea for breakfast and that made it all better! Christine came out and we went to get massages which for me was really more of a butt-rub as this sweet little baby of mine is sitting right on my tailbone and that HURTS! Then a lunch at the Olive Garden with Clark the Handsome Waiter. After Christine left to tend to her brood I chatted with Leslie the Wonder Sitter and watched this week's American Idol with her since she missed it and I have it Tivo'd. Tim and I went out for dinner with just Caroline which was fun since we usually are occupied with Smash and Crash. Caroline sometime has the curse of being ignored because she doesn't scream and throw things in public!

Got home just in time to tuck in the little ones and watch AI. Now, I gotta say, WHAT THE HECK?!?!?! We still have to listen to Sanjaya and Antonella?!? So not good. At least my 2 stayed put for another week. We love Phil and Gina over here. I want to start picking songs for them. Gina needs to do some Joan Jett~~I'm thinking "Bad Reputation" would be awesome. Tim loves Phil. Voted 57 times for the dude. If I didn't know better, I'd worry.

A Marriage Made In Heaven

Very hot crispy french fries and sausage gravy. Like the kind you put on biscuits for breakfast. It was so beautiful. I wept.

New Spring Auctions

Here's a bunch of new spring auctions. As always, FREE shipping for blogger buddies! :-) I will have about 50 new ones up by the end of next week~I hope. . .

Greeting from the Frozen Tundra

We are up in Michigan for the long weekend. Kinda a last minute trip as we realized Caroline didn't have school Friday or Monday and Tim is pretty much unemployed these days! We are staying at the in-laws house and the fun part is they are in Florida so we kinda are just hanging out. We are always spending our time with family up here so we kind of came to see the folks we never get to see.

We went to see our friends, Kent and Jen, last night. They have the most awesome house right on Lake Michigan! Amelia and Greta had a great time playing with their boys, Weston and Grant. I think Amelia is smitten as ALL she has talked about since is her "new fwiend who is boy named Wess-on"! They took us to a great local joint that had a lizard in a cage which kept the small folk entertained all evening. Thanks guys!

Today we went to visit our alma mater, the awesome Calvin College. The girls loved it. Caroline was very concerned that it was too big and she would get lost "on my first day of school here." Amelia and Greta were just in awe of the CHEESE. Greta would say , "Big cheese, are you?" and Amelia repeated over and over that big cheese is "silly thing at a school!"

After the girls played "Here Is Your Future" and had to listen to me and Tim blather on about how much it had changed and endless stories of "here's where we did such-and-such" we went to the famous Yesterdog in Grand Rapids for chili dogs with my step-bros and their women. We then went to see Joel and Liz's new house which is a really cool 1910 place with awesome detail. Amelia and Greta traumatized their cats til the poor things hid so far even Joel couldn't get 'em out. Again, Liz, I am so sorry. Send me the bill for the kitty therapy.

Tomorrow we plan to spend the day with Tim's sister and family. My niece is 13 and makes for a great babysitter so we hope to have dinner WITHOUT the kiddies! On Monday we will head for home with a stop at Russ's on the way out of town. Hope y'all are having a stellar President's (Condi Rice in 2008) Day and we'll see you at home!

Switch-a-roo

I always wanted my girls to have a blankie. Each one got a beautiful Gymboree blanket for coming home from the hospital. There was something so cozy about each kid having a blankie and it certainly helped with having a babysitter!

Caroline's was this beautiful fall one and this awesome navy one did not pay attention to it til she was older~like 3. Now she keeps it in her room and plays with her American Girl dolls with it. She still takes it on sleepovers.

Amelia was born in June and got this cute summer-y print one. She never once paid attention to hers so it's in a nice spot for "someday"

Greta got this great floral one. Really sweet. What does she pick to love? A very soft BUT very white fuzzy number from Aunt Christine. It was great for a January baby but so hot and sticky come summer. Greta loved that blankie to shreds. It has holes and a permanent icky smell that just won't wash out. This week was the end. She took it in the van somewhere and dripped that black melted snow/muck all over it.

At Target yesterday I kept showing her fuzzy blankets and asking if she'd like a new "go-ey" (kinda like Joey only with a "g") She said no, no, no. MY GOEY!! I gave up but bought a cute pink one with flowers just in case. At bedtime we gave her the new one and got her all excited about it. It certainly helped that once Amelia saw the attention she threw herself on the floor in protest that it wasn't hers. Once Greta saw that Amelia wanted it, she changed her tune and decided that a new goey wasn't such a bad idea. I am happy to report that old one is bye-bye and new sweet smelling blankie is tucked under her arm as she watches Dora.

OK, go ahead and comment about how mean I am. Tim already has. Until he thought about how many germs were in the old one. Now he's onboard with the new program!

Goin to the Chapel. . .

Everyone needs to check Josh's vlog. He's got big news! The link is in my sidebar.

Perception vs Reality

I was just reading an article someone emailed me about being a "good" vs "bad" mother. The authors basic point was that different does not equal bad. By her definition the only bad mothers are those who neglect, abuse, and abandon their children. Formula feeding moms are not bad moms. Co-sleeping moms are not bad moms. Vegan moms are not bad moms. Junk food moms are not bad moms.

When I was a new mom, I actually had a friendship fall apart over this. Perception is a powerful thing. My friend was a breastfeeding, make your own baby food, co-sleep, baby wearing mom. I was the exact opposite. I bottle fed, happily supported the folks at Gerber, stuck my baby in her crib from the first night home. Neither of us were sure we were doing the right things so suggestions sounded like criticism. When she said, "Just stick with it! Breast feeding is so much better for the baby than formula." I heard "You selfish wuss. I didn't let it get to me and my baby is better off than yours." What's not at all what she meant, but that's what I heard. When I would say things like, "Are you getting enough sleep? Do you feel like you need alone-time with your husband?" She heard, "Your marriage is going to fall apart because your baby sleeps with you." We both felt hurt and judged which led us to just stop talking to each other.

Lots has changed in the 8 years since I became a mom. I am much more comfortable in my decisions which has led me to be more comfortable in my friends' decisions. I know I am doing what is right for my kiddos and I know other moms are doing what is right for theirs. I have also learned to take what someone says at face value. Yes, breast milk is the best food for babies, but my babies get formula and I am OK with that. I no longer dissolve into tears when someone asks me why I don't breastfeed. My kids go to bed early and I have friends who kids stay up late. Big deal. When a friend asks me why I do or don't let my girls do certain things, I generally offer a brief explantion or simply say "Because that's what works for us." And I hope that when I say "Caroline really needs 11 hours of sleep." my friend does not hear "Your kids are sleep deprived brats."

This also becomes an issue as your kids get old enough to notice differences in families. Just recently Caroline has discovered that our close friends' kids have a TV in their room. I explained to her that is a choice each family has to make and we have made a different one. We are not better because we don't allow a TV in your room and they are not better because they do. (Well, cooler maybe, but not better.) Every mom has things that "push her buttons" A girlfriend and I have shared a good laugh over our inconsistancies. She forbids Kool-Aid because it's too high in sugar but her kids eat fruit snacks all day long. I don't have fruit snacks but my kids can drink Kool Aid til they have a permanent stain on their faces. It just is a "thing" for each of us.

I think as women and especially as moms we tend to read too much into the sub-text of conversation. I always say I don't offend easily but I guess that's not the best way to say it. I know that when I say something and it's misconstrued, it drives me nuts. I figure it probably drives others crazy too. If someone says something that rubs me the wrong way, I usually try to figure why, what were they really saying, and did it really have anything to do with me? Often what I heard, was not what was said.

And in case you were wondering, my friend and I did make peace. We are not close buddies but we have talked about it and both see that we were being way too sensitive at a hard time in our lives. We chat on occaision and I do consider her a friend. :-)

OK, Fine

I've been tagged by Amanda and out of my desire to do it before Kim (who was tagged before me) I am going to go ahead. I never ever answer these emails but since Amanda asked. . .

A- Available or married? Married for 13 yrs, taken in various stages since 9th grade. . .

B- Best Friend? Um, Kary and Christine and Kim

C- Cake or Pie? Cake, yellow with strawberries

D- Drink of Choice? Sweet Tea, Diet Coke

E- Essential Item? Cell phone

F- Favorite Color? green and pink

G- Gummi Bears or Worms? Ick

H- Hometown? Um, depends on who's asking. Chicago-area is my usual answer.

I- Indulgence? McD's french fries

J- January or February? January cuz it's Greta's birthday!

K- Kids & names? Caroline Rebekah (8 1/2), Amelia Kate (3 1/2), Greta Lindsay (2), and Baby Bean Due 8-2-07~you think I'd give up names?

L- Life is incomplete without? sleep

M- Marriage Date? December 18, 1993

N- Number of Siblings? younger sister, Kim 30, younger brother Jefferson 26, Step-bros Joel 27-ish, and Josh 24-ish. Sis-in-law Saena 26, Liz 27-ish

O- Oranges or apples? Oranges, but only if someone else peels it for me and removes every speck of white stuff.

P- Phobias/Fears? Snakes, spiders, heights, giving birth without an epidural

Q-Favorite Quote? Uh. . .blank stare

R- Reason to Smile? Bears in the Super Bowl

S- Season? Spring

T- Tag three people! 9 Hookers in A Forest Preserve, The Pregnant Woman With 6 Kids, My Dear Sister (now she has to do it. Her's will be fun to read too.

U- Unknown fact about me: I am really a great singer.

W- Worst habit? Ignoring my screaming kids.

Y- Your favorite food? French fries

Z- Zodiac? Piecies. I can't even spell it.

My Little Couch Potatoes

Ah, mother guilt. It strikes us all. When it was just Caroline, I was the perfect mother. "No child of mine. . ." crossed my lips A LOT! When Caroline was a toddler/preschooler she was allowed to watch 2 hours of TV a week. Yep. And you know what, I stuck to it. We played outside, did craft projects, went shopping and out to lunch with Grandma. We were in a playgroup, we went to MOPS, we went to the library. I'm telling you, I was the perfect mom.

And then I had another baby. And then another. And yet one more is coming. Life has changed and I have had to adjust my ideals with it. Now I'm not against TV. I'm not one of those folks who thinks Bert and Ernie are gay or that Barney is a occult figure. I love me some Blue's Clues or Dora. (Though I have had 3 kids so far that are DEATHLY afraid of Swiper!) My biggest motivation for limiting TV was I didn't want to start a habit I would have to break. I saw grade school age kids I knew who just spaced in front of the TV for hours. I am also married to one of those. Tim would watch Spanish game shows if that was all that was on. I am not a huge TV watcher~I like to watch certain things and when they are over, I move on. I rarely turn on the TV with no show in mind. I was successful with Caroline in this. She is not a huge TV watcher, usually turns it off as soon as her show is over. Amelia, not so much. That kid is just like Tim. She will watch anything at anytime and often whines til I give in and turn something on.

Since the weather has been mostly too rainy for outside play and I am spending lots of time lying on the bathroom floor trying to keep my lunch down, Amelia and Greta have been watching way more TV than I'd like. At first the guilt was crushing. I felt so bad that I was turn their brains to mush and not giving them the attention their big sister got. Slowly, I am accepting that things have changed. My mobility has changed, who wants to shop and do lunch with a toddler and a preschooler. Heck, I consider it a major accomplishment if I can hit Target and Strack's in the same day.

So I am hopeful that soon we can start to limit the TV time. I am saving my pennies for a fence so I can send 'em outside without close supervision as soon as it gets warm. Now we just need a sandbox and swing set. . .

Baby Update

Let's all take a collective sigh of relief. ***SIGH*** I went in for an ultrasound yesterday because I was bleeding~not spotting but bleeding. All is well with baby and there is ONLY ONE. Hallelujah!

Happy Birthday Greta!

My littlest kitty is 2 today and what a strange trip it's been! She's a hoot and a joy and total stinker. I was inspired by Jana and Nora's story to try to write Greta's. I have never actually written out any of their stories so I thought this might be fun to relive it all.

I found out I was pregnant with Miss Boo when Amelia was only 11 months old so I was a bit shocked to say the least. I took the test on a Sunday morning and Tim wasn't even home so I of course called Kary first. I believe I said "I'm pregnant" and she said "Shut up."

Anyway, a rather rough 6 months later I began to have really severe itching on the palms of my hands and soles of my feet. I mentioned this crazy symptom to a few friends and they all thought I was weird and my doctor said, "You're pregnant. You itch." I just figured it was another one of those strange things that happen when I'm pregnant as I had similar symptoms with Amelia. One night when I was 35 weeks I couldn't sleep so I got up to surf the internet for baby names~since we still hadn't come up with a girl name. On one site someone commented on a bunch of names and then added a PS question about itchy hands and feet in pregnancy. I about fell off my chair. I followed the answers thru the maze of websites and ended up here. I had every single symptom listed and then I did what any rational very pregnant woman would. I FREAKED OUT. I tried to go back to sleep but ended up staring at the wall til morning. After I got Caroline off to school and Amelia settled into TV, I called my doctor. She was on vacation for 2 weeks. Um. . .not good. So I asked to speak to the doc on call. She ordered a bunch of blood tests and said, "Come back in a week." I had a gotten a friend to watch the girls while I went for more bloodwork and in chatting with her (she's a nurse) she says, "So-and-so had that with her daughter and she knows all about it. Call her." So I called the girl who was actually researching to write a book on Cholestasis. Her daughter was delievered in distress at 34 weeks. She gave me a referral to a high-risk doc who knows all about Cholestasis. After 950 phone calls to his office I finally got my Doctor Uncle Dave to call him for me. He called me back within 30 minutes, said come on down and we'll get that baby delievered tonight. Um, hello? Now?!? So off we went.

We got to the hospital, they hooked me up for a non-stress test, ultrasound, and amnio. Baby Girl (who we had decided on the way to the hospital to name Georiga Grace) is not cooked fully. Her lungs were "close but no cigar" was what the doc said. So we were sent home for the weekend with strict instructions to go straight to the ER if there was no movement for 30 minutes or more. Talk about a relaxing weekend~NOT! Over the course of the weekend we got a call from a girl from church whose niece was stillborn from Cholestasis. So that really helped me stay calm. Tim would wake me up all night long to ask if she was moving. Or I would wake up to him poking at my stomach trying to get her to move.

I called Dr Ambrose Monday morning and said I'm really stressed out about this, what can we do. He was really great. He said he totally understood, come on in and we'll check the lungs again. If they are closer, we'll induce you. Cut to the chase, lungs were ready, sent us up to L&D, started the pit and we were off! My Uncle Dave is an anethesiolgist so he stopped to see me. He looked at my monitors and said, "Why don't you have your edpidural yet?" I told him I wanted to walk, wait til the contractions were stronger, blah blah blah. He laughed at me, went and got his partner, shot that epidural right on it. It was awesome. I was so numb I kept asking the nurse if I was still have contractions. At on point I yelled at Tim for farting in front of the nurses. She jsut laughed and said, "Honey, that's you." Oooo! I was so embarassed!

Morning of Jan 11 came. Dr Ambrose came in at 7:45 and broke my water. I was only 3 so we figured it would be a while yet. About 8:30 I started feeling really uncomfortable. I was buzzing the nurse but not getting an answer. I sent Tim out to find her. He told her that I thought I needed to be checked. She rolled her eyes, told Tim that I was just at 3, and she'd be there in a minute. She came in 10 minutes later, lifted up my sheet, turned white, yelled "Don't push!" and ran out of the room. I complete and Baby Girl was crowning. After a flurry of activity, Dr Ambrose starts the 10 count to push. I got to 4 and he said "Stop, the head is out. . .oh, nevermind." I looked down and saw her little feet. He never even got a chance to suction her. That's what happens when your last baby was 8 lbs and this one was 6 lbs! She was healthy and perfect.

Greta Lindsay (Tim changed his mind about her name while I was in labor) was born at 8:50 on January 11, 2005. She is so much fun! Greta learned early on that in the chaos she needed to speak up or we'd forget about her. These days her greatest goal is to be just like her big sisters and tries so hard to keep up with them at all times. We love her to pieces and are so thankful for the gift that she is!

An Amelia Quote for the Day

Upon seeing me in a purple shirt

"Thank you for wearing that Mommy. I enjoy purple."

American Idol

After all the craziness of the holidays I am so looking forward to some serious couch-potato time. And what better then American Idol? It starts again in a few weeks and we can't wait. I know it is the cheesiest thing ever but it is SO fun to watch! Here's a neat shot of our own American Idol on Christmas. This is what happens when fun aunts and uncles buy for your kids. And Uncle Jer had to get in on the fun too. I think he sang "Dancing Queen" while Greta did "Hinkle Hinkle Wittle Tar"

Would Someone Please Make the Room Stop Spinning?

I forgot how awful "morning" sickness is. I have also been enlightened that the older you are when preggers, the worse it is. Fan-freakin-tastic. I want to puke. All. Day. Long. It is so bad. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to be having another (final) baby but I am so hoping this passes soon. Ugh. I have tried every trick in the book including prescription drugs and so far nothing helps much. The drugs have almost stopped the actual throwing up but I am still so queasy I could die.

OK, pity party over.

Christmas was good~the girls were spoiled as per usual and we got to have Cuncle Jer and Cant Kim and Ewise here for a few days which was great fun. Lots of sorting of presents to happen today until the Bears game starts. We have no plans for New Years Eve but that's OK cuz I'm not sure I'm really a fun addition to a party right now. We had a great time in Hilton Head with Dad and Judy and Jeff and Seana. I went shopping alone. As in ALL BY MYSELF! I was giddy with joy. I also found a Gymboree outlet down there and was in my glory. :-)

Chirstmas Wishes to All!

Merry Children and Happy New Baby to All! Oops. Guess I'm a bit mixed up, being preggers and all.

We are off to Hilton Head for the week~without the girls! All alone to sleep in, eat out, and shop, shop, shop. We'll miss you all and see you all for the New Year's Eve!

Merry Christmas to You from us!

Tim, Jen, Caroline, Amelia, Greta, and Baby Bean

You Take the Good, You Take the Bad. . .

Here's Jen, Anne and Shawnie singing the theme song from "The Facts of Life" We knew every stinking word. We also did a mean rendition of "Little Red Corvette"
I'm not sure what Tim was doing here. Suffice it to say it was the end of the evening. He did roll up his jeans to earn him the nickname "Huck". Not sure why.
Here is our only guy who dressed for the night. Lee AKA Steve sported his Sonny Crockett look.
Part of the festivities of the evening included Totally 80s Trivial Pursuit. All kinds of fun and hilarity ensured. Boys vs. Girls. They did well with Sports while us gals had Music and TV locked up! Here Dawn becomes very excited to shout out "Alan Thicke!!"
Shawnie tries out the martini shaker. We had Wedding Cake Martinis, Jack Frost Martinis, and the non-alcoholic Cosmo-NOT Martini. They were yummy!

I gotta say, I love these people. We had our 2nd Annual Small Group Christmas party last night. Yee Haw. Over the past year we have been through a lot together, the most difficult being the losses of Andrew and Jesse. We also know how to have a rockin' good time. Real friends are the ones who are there for the fun and the not-so-fun. So last night was a Christmas in the 80's theme. Great fun for most of us who were cool in the 80's not so fun for the ones who were toddlers in the 80's! We had martinis and dinner. Cheesecake and beer. And lots of "candy from the crapper." I had a dish of wrapped candies in the bathroom last year and they were so excited about it! Some of the highlights of the evening included the girls singing the "Facts of Life" theme song all the way through, Tim making up his own questions, calling Lee "Steve" all night just because we could, Tim rolling his pants up like Huck Finn, laughing at all our pictures from the 80's, and dicussion of the term skin flute. Hmm. . . Enjoy the photos and join a small group today.

To Do's Done

In an effort to feel as if I have actually accomplished something, here is my DONE list. Now most will need to be re-done before tomorrow night's party but hey, we're closer.

CLEANED
Master bedroom
Master bath
Hallway
Laundry room
Amelia/Greta's room
Girls' bath
Family room
Mudroom

Nov. invoices
Paid bills


STILL TO BE DONE
Playroom
Office
Kitchen
Bath
Mop floors
Caroline's room

Make grocery list
Grocery shop
Plan menu

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to work I go. . .

My Insurmountable To-Do List

In my "free" time I often surf blogs~especially the Christian Mom varitey. While some are a bit on the cheesy side, they are often well-written snippets from other moms like me. One thing I have noticed on the Homeschooler Mom Blogs (LOVE these as they are full of organizational ideas) is the practice of listing your to-do list on your blog (I think my pronouns are all messed up there.) One mom I "chatted" with said she does it for accountability. Well, heck, I need me some o' that! So, here's my To-Do by Friday night list. We are having a Christmas party here and only one person has seen the house so you know I'll be doing the grand tour.

CLEAN
~playroom ~office ~family room ~mudroom
~downstairs bath ~kitchen ~Amelia/Greta's room ~Caroline's room
~guest room ~girls' bath ~laundry room ~master bedroom
~master bath ~hallway

Grocery shop
November invoices
Pay bills
Laundry
PHONE CALLS
~painter ~builder ~insurance guy
Find pototo recipie
Finish and mail Christmas cards
Organize Christmas presents
Figure out who needs what for Christmas

I think that's it for now. Anyone wanna help? :-)

Griswold Family Christmas

I have a really weird extended family. I mean that in the nicest way possible, but they are kooks. We had a family Christmas party this afternoon that ended with a bottle of Irish whiskey being passed around the circle with everyone taking a hit~especially my 81-year-old Grandma and her sister. So I got thinking in the season of much family togetherness that I really do like them and the biggest reason why is they are a hoot. Exhibits A-E

**My Grandma makes us sing the "12 Days of Christmas" every year and last year we tried to do it "gay"

**My dad and my uncle once went sledding down a hill. With no coats. Into a creek.

**When Tim married into my family, he didn't know quite what to think. His family is very nice and my family yells things like "GET OFF ME YOU FAT OAF!"

**We once had a "meeting" to move the official beginning of Happy Hour up to 10am so one could have beer on one's Post Toasties.

**My Uncle Jim does a mean rendition of "Junior Birdman"

What kinds of fun stories come from your family? Do you do weird things? Are we the only ones who spend hours of drunken fun?

A few additions. . .

A while back I listed so simple do's and don'ts to make this holiday shopping season nice for all. After being out all morning, I need to add some.

DO vacate your parking spot immeadiately upon arrive to one's car. DO NOT organize your reciepts, adjust the heat, light up a smoke, balance your check book and start chatting on your cell phone while others are waiting to take your spot.

DO NOT chat on your cell phone while navigating a crowded parking lot. Please pay attention.

DO allow the person behind you to ask a quick question of the sales person who is helping you. If you are the person asking the quick question, DO make sure it is a question answerable with one-word.

Anchor stores in the mall, DO NOT close any earlier than the rest of the mall without making a huge announcement. Especially when my car is parked near your store.

Thank you for your cooperation.

My New Favorite Website

I am having a moment here. This is my new homepage. Every recipie EVER! Check it out and we'll have a party!

The Sky is Falling! The Sky is Falling!

No time to chat. . .we're in for the "BIG ONE" and I need to prepare my disaster kit and set the DVR. I wonder if 90210 will record if the power goes out? We are supposed to get slammed with snow in the next 24 hours. Jerry and Tracy are saying up to 14 inches and Andy already has his sleeves rolled up. Every notice that the weather guys loosen their ties and roll up their sleeves as it gets worse? But our family favorite is Tom Skilling~or as we call him "Tommy Skillhead" Tom has a "moment of glee" every time the isobars are tightly packed across the lake. Love him.

The Answers. . .

Question #1
What month was I born in?
March

Question #2
What was my black lab's name?
Oliver
Ashley Correct!
Bridget
BJ
**A bit of a trick question as I did have dogs named Oliver and BJ at one time**

Question #3
What is my favorite movie ever?
Top Gun
Dead Poet\'s Society
Fame
When Harry Met Sally Correct!
**Another trick as these are all in the top 5 but When Harry Met Sally trumps 'em all.

Question #4
What's my favorite fast food restaurant?
Burger King
McDonalds
Wendys Correct!
White Castle
**Though I can see why Christine got that wrong. I made her eat White Castle to try and get me in labor with Amelia.

Question #5
My first job was at the mall. What store?
The Limited
Gymboree
The Gap
County Seat Correct!
**I sold Guess jeans at Chicago Ridge Mall**

Question #6
What is the one fruit I hate?
Bananas Correct!
Kiwi
Grapes
Blueberries
**Bananas are just icky.

Question #7
Who was my first boyfriend?
Lance
Mike J Correct!
Doug
Tim
**Another trick. Techincally, Mike J was the correct answer. However, Doug was probably my first "real" boyfriend. Like we actually went on dates and stuff as opposed to just making out at Sandy Mels parties when Mike and I were "going out" in 8th grade. And Lance, only in my dreams!

Question #8
Where do I go to church?
Faith CRC
Crown Point CRC
Crossroads Correct!
**Um, Aimee, you go to church with me and you got this wrong. Hello?

Question #9
What is my favorite band?
U2
Nickleback
Bon Jovi
All of the above Correct!
**Love 'em all.

Question #10
What is my favorite TV show ever?
Roseanne
Little House on the Prairie Correct!
St Elsewhere
Days of our Lives
**Long live Half Pint and Almanzo. I love him.

Need some help. . .

I need some Christmas shopping advice~especially from you boy moms who buy electronic gadgets. Caroline really wants a pink Nintendo DS for Christmas. Where is the best place to buy one? Is Ebay a good place? Are there ever coupons that you can use? How can I search for the best price without driving all over town? Will I ever be skinny again? Is she the right age for one? Will I ever see her face again or will it forever have that dazed computer screen stare? Are you sick of my questions? HELP!

Fashion Friday~A Bit Late for the Holiday

Here's a happy Greta at the Pumpkin Patch last month. I just love this picture and the outfit! How can you go wrong with Brunt Orange cords for pumpkin hunting?

Do you love me?

Amanda had one of these on her blog and it is so fun! hee hee It's all about how well you know me. Or care to.

http://www.testriffic.com/friendtest/622514

Holiday Shopping Do's and Don'ts

With the season of cheer upon us, I feel the need to remind us all of some simple rules when out and about. I have already been out and encountered many a Hooiser who needs an reminder. So here's a handy primer for all. . .

GROCERY SHOPPING
DO stay to the right of the aisle when stopping to check ingredients, compare prices, ect. This allows others to pass easily.

DON'T stop in the middle of the aisle when running into your BFF from high school. Kindly resume shopping or move the reunion to Starbucks.

DON'T make the poor clerk do a price check on every stinkin' item in your cart because you are sure that the sign said "Buy 1 get 10 Free" DO make dang certain that if you ask for a price check that you are correct.

DON'T chat on your cell phone while meandering back and forth down the aisle, making it impossible for me to pass you.

THE MALL
DON'T walk against the flow of traffic. With a stroller, 7 kids, Grandma in a wheelchair, and a seeing eye dog.

DO leave your coat in the car. I do not want to carry it for you. (This only pertains to my shopping companions. I do not carry strangers coats.) I also do not want to hear about how warm you are in your parka.

DO be aware of your surroundings~especially when needing to back up. My baby does not wish to be sat upon.

DON'T allow small children to behave like, well, small children in stores which they have no place in. Right now I can not think of one of those but I'm sure there is one or two.

DON'T hog Santa. Hug, smile for a pic, share your list, and get the heck out. Don't come back while my kid is sitting there and ask her to move so you can get another snap shot.

While on the subject of Santa DO remove yourself from the line in the event of a potty/diaper emergency. I would be happy to hold your place in line while you attend to business in a more private area.

DON'T attempt to return an item with no reciept or tags and then cuss out the store manager because she won't give you a cash refund.

PARKING LOTS
DO remember pedestrians have the right of way. Especially in marked cross walks.

DON'T park in the "Expectant Mother" parking if you do not own a uterus.

DON'T "steal" a spot that someone is obviously waiting for. If turn signal is on and car is waiting for another car to clear out, it is their spot.

DO return your cart to cart corral.

DO allow the pregnant, elderly, or mom with many children to have the closer spot. If you are alone, adult, able-bodied, and it is not a blizzard, please let those of us who need to shlep 3 kids into Target have the closer spot.

One final overriding tidbit~DO NOT for the love of Pete take your toddler out shopping at 9:30 pm and then yell "I'm gonna whip your butt!" at her for behaving like a toddler who should be in bed not in Target.

Thank you for reading and have a joyous shopping season!

Fashion Friday

Since I do consider dressing my daughters to be an Oympic sport~hey, I gotta be good at something~I'm flat-out copying Lisa's idea of Fashion Friday. It also gives me something post about other than all my angst. So here they are in all their glory! :-)

First we have a teeny newborn Greta in Playtime Piggy from Gymboree, that set is a Size Preemie!

Next is Amelia at 3 months in an awesome Tommy patchwork jumper I actually got at a garage sale! What a deal!

Last but not least is kindergarten Caroline in a great Gymboree Poppies set~we have had that set in 3 different sizes she loved it so much!

Thanks for looking and will someone PUH-LEEZE tell me how to make my posts with pics pretty?!?!?

Greta and the Staple Gun

We had an interesting trauma last week. We were at MOPS cleaning up (well, chatting) and Greta takes a dive onto the iron table base. I'm thinking she's ok, just whacked her noggin. I'm snuggling her and I say to Shawnie, "I taste blood. Did I cut my lip?" No, but blood is covering the back of Greta's head. And I missed this, how?

So to be safe (and cuz he's less than a mile up the road) we stopped to see good ole Dr Stroman. It goes something like this.

I walk in and announce "I don't have an appointment but we've got a head wound!"

And what does Tae Ni say? "I LOVE head wounds!" Takes a look at her and says, "Yep, ya gotta take her for stitches." Groovy.

Then Cool Nurse with the Nosering Lisa yells from the back, "We've got the staple gun!"

Um, hello? Did you say GUN?!? And STAPLES?!?!?! So Tae Ni whips out the gun, pulls her hairback and before I can spit out "Doesn't she need ANESTHESIA?!?!" He puts 2 staples in head.

So now Miss Greta-Boo has metal in her head and will not be passing through security anytime soon. She didn't even flinch. Wow.

And I know all of you are asking yourself "What become of her outfit with all that blood?" Worry not, I think I can save the outfit~great set from Petting Zoo. (OK, quit laughing behind my back. I made $1600 bucks this week. :-P ) I tried to check it discreetly while holding her and Shawnie caught me.

New Auctions Up!

I've got 96 auctions up~90% Gymboree and some boutique stuff and custom hairbows too! Click on the link on the side of my blog that says "Current EBAY Auctions" Sizes 6-12 up to Big Girl 8-10

~*~*~*Blogging Friends Special~*~*~*~
If you win an auction and tell me you saw it on my blog, shipping is 1/2 price!

Check it out~great holiday stuff :-)

I Love the 80s

Seriously. Like crazy love. Like I am still wearing leggings with big sweaters. Oh yeah, that's cool again. VH1 is running another totally rad show to feed my obsessions with both the 80s and organzied lists~The Top 100 Songs of the 80s. I am only thru 34 so DO NOT RUIN it if you know them all. I have it all TiVo'd and need to catch up.

A family friend who is a big music junkie once told me there was "no good music made after 1972" I find that wrong on so many levels~the biggest of which is I was born in 1972 and I did not ruin the music scene. I have thought about his statement and have modified it a bit. I think most people name their favorite music as what was popular when they were teenagers. Now I'm a big fan of what the kids are listening to today but I will always hold the 80s were the best. My parents thought the 60s were the best. And on and on.

So my QOTD is what are YOUR Top Ten of the 80's? Here's mine. I think. I may add more. Offensive and controversial as they may be. . .

10. Livin on a Prayer~Bon Jovi
9. Only in My Dreams~Debbie Gibson
8. Personal Jesus~Depeche Mode
7. It Takes Two~Rob Bass and DJ EZ Rock
6. Pour Some Sugar On Me~Def Leppard
5. Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For~U2
4. Every Rose Has It's Thorn~Poison
3. Material Girl~Madonna
2. Pride (In the Name of Love)-U2
1. Paradise City~Guns N Roses