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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Nesting Woes

I might be the only one, but does it freak out anyone else to watch that ticker count me down day in and day out?  I mean... does anyone else realize how fast time goes?  I have a bowling ball in my belly and so much to do.  I have the regular day to day activities and responsibilities to manage.  The overwhelming part is when I think of all that I need to do in order to prepare for this little boy to come.  I have this insane need to re-do our entire house.  (Yeah--like the man-child's going to care what color the bathroom is.)  

I've been in an organizational panic for about a month now.  My kitchen is getting there with the addition of this.  Does anyone else get giddy about a trip to Ikea?  For me it's the kind of store that would be found in heaven, if heaven had Swedish discount stores.  Oh the possibilities!  I just love going to Ikea and imagining the clean lines and organization that can be a part of my world!  It truly is a thrill to this OCD heart of mine!

A couple weeks ago, you may remember my nesting need to add 10,000 square feet of additional storage shelves to Natalie's closest and even to Scott's closet.  The thrill of that change was short lived.  (It is a serious addiction--organization!)

I have slowly been working on the living room.  Second only to the bathroom upstairs, it's the room I feel needs the most work, and unfortunately it's the first room you see when you enter our house as well as being the room we spend the most time in.  This room needs an enema!  I need so many things to make this room feel complete to me (and of course--I'm in a panic to have this all in place by D-day--May 17).   I also need a bottomless checkbook in order to fund all these changes I want.

First and foremost is this and a couple of these or something like it.  Then there's this beast that will finally make spending the extra money for Sunday Ticket worthwhile.  (Can any other wife say amen to that?!)  But that's not all!  Because then I want the tv mounted on the wall and this (or this) to house all the other stuff that my techno-geek husband says we need.  Of course once all of those things are in place, I'll need a new rug, lamps, side tables, accessories, and artwork.  Not to mention window treatments and other organizational items to be found at Ikea!  But that's all pocket change, right!  (I just gave my husband a heart attack when he added everything up.  I'm sorry.)

Then there's the bathroom, the most needed change, but not nearly as costly as the living room and thus much more likely to get done.  We need to put in a shower head in our gigantic garden tub, tile up the walls, rip out the existing stall shower (which is really just a vertical coffin with this growing belly!).  We need to add lighting and a vanity.  Change out the mirror and put down new flooring.  Of course we'll have to paint and buy all new linens, rugs, and accessories.  So see, there really isn't all that much to do here either.  And hey!... we already bought the paint, so we're on our way!  Again, this all needs to be done before baby #2 makes his arrival.  

So this nesting thing that happens when you head into the second half of your pregnancy?  Well, with my firstborn, it manifested itself in organizing my collection of baby clothes and toys.   Perhaps this is why my daughter changes clothes four times a day.  This time around, I'm nesting by wanting to remodel my entire house.  If my nesting needs manifest themselves in my son as they did my daughter then I can look forward to my son helping me to redo the house as often as my whims dictate a change, which I'm finding out is often.  There's just something about owning our own home that frees me up to re-paint four times a year and rearrange the furniture every other week.  

But I guess before I do this big stuff, I need to go through the 10 ginormous bins of baby girl clothes and take them to the consignment shop or sell them on ebay.  I also have 3 bags of things to go to Goodwill.  Half of my pre-pregnancy wardrobe is in a clothes basket in the basement and the other half is still in my drawers and closet.  As I continuously add to my pregnancy wardrobe I'm quickly running out of room, so I need to rectify that.  

Then there's the never-ending laundry that must be done.  It's harder than ever to stay on top of that because I'm limited in how much I can do at one time.  Those darn stairs will be the end of me.  Of that I am sure!

As if all that wasn't enough, I still find that I need to do this and make baby blankets in addition to hoarding diapers and wipes.  Oh and did I mention that I homeschool preschool with my three year old?  And I need to update this, contribute regularly to this, redesign this, and post pictures on here from a year ago.

It's no wonder that most days all I want to do is sit on the couch and stare at the wall.  This is all to overwhelming to actually do any of it.  I think I'd rather just be lazy.  If only I could stop this urgency within me to do all these things today!!!  I think I might soon explode.  

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Happy Birthday Leith!!!

I apologize for the late hour in which this is getting posted.  I began it last night, but life interrupted.  

Leith, my darling, we may not get to see one another often, but I want you to know how very much I love you.  You are a special girl and have planted yourself deep in my heart.  I hope your birthday is wonderful!  Three years old is oh so very grown up!  May God bless you richly and may you walk with Him all the days of your life.  

Love,
Aunt Lissa


Nati wanted to post this for you, too...


And this just always makes me smile!
Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Friday, January 25, 2008

You Did What!?

Natalie and I have purple hair.  

No joke.

We got it done last night.

Pictures coming soon.

I promise.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Are They Really That Clueless?

On Sunday I felt like crap.  All morning as I tried to get myself ready for church I just couldn't catch my breath.  My heart would race a bit and I felt as though a ton of bricks was sitting on my chest.  It was awful.  Because of this I didn't have time to do my hair so I dried it curly and pulled it back into a soft ponytail.  Then I couldn't put my panty hose on because every time I tried I couldn't breath.  So I finally settled on a pair of black palazzo pants and a gold silky dress with a little black sweater to stay warm.  I felt like crap.  I felt like I looked like crap.  And to top it all off... I still couldn't breath.  

We weren't late for church, thankfully, but the whole morning I was self-conscious about my crazy curly hair and flowing outfit that I felt made me look fatter than I really am.  I was shocked when someone complemented me on how I looked.  Then another one did.  Then another.  Then someone was even nuts enough to tell me they liked my hair better curly like it was than straight!  (Are they on drugs?!)  The next day a girlfriend of mine called to tell me how great I looked, and another one emailed me the same.  (Seriously, people!  Of all days to complement me--not the day I look the worst!)  I got more complements that day on how I looked than I have ever gotten.  

The whole point of this ridiculous post is to tell you how while my girlfriends are all clearly out of their minds, but still quite complementary, my husband's friends are just typical men.  One of Scott's best friends, who shall remain nameless, other than to say that to say that his name rhymes with Don Babrielli, not only noticed, but proceeded to comment to my husband that I have the pregnancy waddle!  

To make this even worse, my husband, a man who sometimes fails to understand the precarious hormones of his pregnant wife, thought it was so funny that Don had said this and thought I would find it equally funny.  I didn't.  I was shocked, horrified, and embarrassed almost to the point of being humiliated.  I'm only 23 weeks along--far too early to be waddling!  Besides!  I felt like crap on Sunday.  I was chasing after my 3 year old most of the day.  I was also suffering from a very painful pain in an delicate spot (which I believe is what caused me to limp!!! Not waddle.  There is a huge difference between limping and waddling!)  Oh and did I mention that I couldn't breath!?  AT ALL!!!

Bless my precious Music Man because as he's telling me this on Sunday night and I'm getting upset, his eyes take on that look that every man gets when his wife has an emotional breakdown over nothing and he has no idea how it started or how to make it stop.  He tried to comfort me by saying that he loved my waddle and thought "it was cute."  Poor man.  That was the worst thing he could have said!  What is wrong with men?

So the next morning, right before I woke up, I dreamt that he and Don (who I have always liked immensely) were discussing my waddling while flirting ostentatiously with skinny hot chicks right in front of me.  I was so mad at him.  He then woke me up but I was still so caught up in my dream that I really was mad at him and completely ignored him.  It took me a good couple hours to get over that creepy feeling you get when you dream a dream that is so real it actually feels like you lived it.  He laughed about the dream when  told him, but it still bothers me a little. 

I am feeling a bit better today.  I can now breath for the most part and the delicate pain has lessoned somewhat.  I have been practicing my walk, too.  I'm not going to waddle until I'm ready to waddle this son of mine on outta me.  

But still!  The fact that they noticed and discussed me waddling irritates me something fierce.

Music Man!?  Are you listening to me?  You and Don owe me BIIIIIIIIG TIME!!!  You better get creative because I just may tell Don's wife, Mandy, what he said and then he'll really be in trouble!  

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Be Still My Beating Heart


Heath Ledger is dead.

He was one of my two great celebrity loves*.  I used to dream about being whisked away to some Aussie palace where he would sing, "You're just too good to be true. Can't take my eyes off of you..."

My favorite Heath movies:
A Knight's Tale (which, might I add, first brought my attention to this remarkable creation.)



*The other great celebrity love is a no brainer for any teenage girl in the 90's!  

Monday, January 21, 2008

A Must For Every Dinner Table

I made Mac n' Cheese tonight.  From Scratch.  And it was actually good.

I have always been intimidated by making this dish from scratch.  I don't know why.  It's relatively simple.  My mom made it all the time when we were growing up.  I think part of the reason is that my husband is not a "casserole man" at all.  In addition to that, he doesn't care too much for pastas of any kind.  (What is wrong with this man!?)  Seeing as Mac n' Cheese falls into both of those categories and because it intimidates me, I have avoided making it in the past.

A couple months ago I was watching Good Eats, which by the way is just darn Good TV, if you ask me.  I have learned more from Alton Brown about cooking and food and all that jazz than I could use in a lifetime.   Anyway, so I was watching an episode about cheese.  (How can you go wrong there?)  He made this stove top version of mac n' cheese that looked simple, quick, and didn't involve an oven (which everyone knows will take away the wicked label of "casserole").  I promptly forgot about it, but for some reason tonight I thought of it.  So I decided that I was going to try this recipe and see what all the hoopla was about mac n' cheese from scratch.  

Well, let me just tell you.  You. Have. To. Make. This. Right. NOW!  It was that good.  My casserole/pasta hating husband loved it.  And when I say he loved it I mean he LOVED it.  He had two huge servings all the while gushing over it (as much as a ScottBall can ever gush).  As I was cleaning up dinner he even commented again about how good it was.  So this was a huge wild card winner!  (Kinda like the Giants, huh?)  

So here's the recipe.

1/2 pound elbow macaroni

4 tablespoons butter

2 eggs

6 ounces evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Fresh black pepper

3/4 teaspoon dry mustard

10 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the butter. Toss to coat.

Whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.


Go forth and make Mac n' Cheese from scratch.  It will be so worth your time and energy.  Just be sure to serve it and eat it immediately.  It's the best when it's super creamy.  As it sits the sharp cheddar cheese hardens just a bit.  

In the future the only change that I would make would be to use regular cheddar cheese rather than the sharp.  Don't get me wrong I love sharp cheddar.  It's actually the only type of cheddar that I buy, but for this recipe it seems a tad too strong.  I'm also going to play around with different cheese combos.  You know, throw a little monterrey jack and maybe a little havarti to shake things up a bit.  

Whatever cheese you use, just make sure that you make this. Right. Now.  It really is that good and that easy!  I promise.  


Thursday, January 17, 2008

AHHHHH!!!

Disclaimer:  Before you read this post I have a few things to say.  First of all I have been married for 6.6 years.  I have gotten pregnant 4 times and am working on having baby #2.  I know the difference between boys and girls.  I have desperately wanted this baby to be a boy and he is.  I also want to apologize to my husband, my grandmother, my mom, and my sister for what is to follow.  I'm going to specifically ask that my mom and Josh refrain from making any comments regarding this post on here or in my email inbox or any other time.  Thank you.  You may proceed.  

I'm sorry.  Again.

Did you see what that silly airplane ticker says!?  This baby is coming in 17 weeks and 2 days!!!  I am so not ready!  Did you know that when you have a boy, you add another... part to your household?!  

As I read through some hospital info my midwife gave me on Tuesday, I realized that I will have to deal with this... this... other... part on a very frequent basis!  I really can't handle more than one at a time.  Let's face it, I'm a one-man woman!

Did you know that when you circumcise your son, you have to then take care of the wound on the... part with every diaper change!?  I'll have to touch another... part and use petroleum jelly all day long.  

For some reason I kinda had a freak-out moment when I realized that I am such a girl mom!!! I've heard other moms who have all boys and then get pregnant with a girl and say stuff like, "I just don't know what I'm going to do with a girl!"  Like they have no clue what girls do or like.  Have these mothers forgotten that they themselves are after all girls!!!  

But when a mom of very girlie girls (i.e. ME!) has a boy it's totally different.  I mean seriously, another... part in the house when you are used to only one part changes everything.  

And to take it one step further--and I know this is pushing the bounds of decency (for me) and I'm already blushing knowing that my mom and grandma are reading this--but I just have to say.... You know that thing that you do to get pregnant?  Well, my poor husband has forgotten what that is because well, there's another... part in our bed!!!  

There I said it and Grandma I am so very sorry I said it!!!  Mom--I'm sorry!!!  I'll stop and end this post in the dumps.  Forgive me.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Gaining Weight and Other Pregnancy-Related Woes

I had a doc appointment this morning.  I'm 22-ish weeks along and everything looks good.  I've gained a total of 11 pounds so far.  This last month I gained a pound a week.  If I continue this way I will gain another 16-18 pounds before this child makes his appearance.  I'm not so sure that I'd like to do that.  My midwife was pleased at my weight gain, but she's not the one that is getting bigger by the moment.  

So what am I going to do about it?  Umm...losing weight has never been something that I've been successful with, so I can't imagine trying to not gain weight will be any easier.

But there are 3 things that I have been VERY successful with this pregnancy.  
  1. I can eat like there's no tomorrow.  It's a serious miracle that I only gained 4 pounds this past month.  Don't even tease with a granola bar for a snack either.  A snack to me consists of a few cheese and crackers, and orange/apple/pear, a few carrots, and a pickle every now and then--but that's all at the same time.  Quickly followed by 16 ounces of water.  I don't mess around with my snacks, folks.
  2. I can sleep anytime!  It's never mattered that I'm in the second trimester of pregnancy.  You know, that trimester where you are supposed to have all that energy?  I do have extra energy and drive and ambition to get my house in order, but it does not take much to wipe me out.  For example...The hour and a half that it took me to drive to and wait for my 15 minute appointment this morning made me ready for a nap.  I got home (around 1030), started some laundry, had a tea party with my girl-child, and read a bit...the next thing I know, I'm being woken up by a hungry 3 year old.  It was 130.  I don't mess around with my naps, folks.
  3. I can pee anytime.  Again, this little side effect is supposed to ease up a bit during your second trimester.  Oh no!  Not for me.  I always have to pee.  The most annoying part of this is the fact that when I go, it's a few little dribbles and then that's it.  Twenty minutes later I'm back in the bathroom.  Talk about frustrating.  As soon as I get comfortable on the couch or at the table for school, I have to pee.  School would take us maybe an hour at the most, but because of my frequent urination problems (and need for snacks and occasional rests of my head on the table), our school day is often lengthened to an hour and a half - two hours.  I wake my husband up at least twice during the night to go.  You'd think that he'd get used to it, but he never has.  I don't mess around with my need to pee, folks.
Notice that exercise was no where on my list.  I'm thinking it has to do with #2 mostly, but #1 and #3 keep me rather busy, so there really isn't time for much more.  But don't forget I have an always present source of exercise that doesn't require a sports bra or tennis shoes.  All I need to use it is dirty clothes.  

This boy-child of mine is riding very low, which might be the reason for the never-ending potty-ing.  Most of the movement I feel is very low which is so different than the first.  I supposed that is to be expected.  What I wasn't expecting but am thoroughly enjoying is the seemingly constant kicking.  This child rarely stops moving.  I really love it, but one of these days I'm afraid he's going to kick his way right out of my belly button.  That is, if he can get up there from his comfortable perch on my bladder.  

Other than all of that... I'm feeling good and my midwife is pleased with everything.  I measure right where I should and the heartbeat is still strong at 135.  I'm over the halfway point--YIKES!!--but still far enough away from my due date to not be freaking out yet.  I'm beginning to get things ready for this boy.  We've installed $60 worth of extra shelving into Natalie's closets, which if you know anything about the inexpensive shelving available at Home Depot, you know $60 worth of shelving is a ton of shelves.  Oh, but it feels so great to have a place for everything.  

Over the weekend we picked up some crib bedding.  I was planning of just registering for it, but the set we wanted was already on clearance so we went ahead and got it.  This is it, but these pictures don't do it justice.  It looks so pastel and pale.  In reality it's quite bright and not at all pastel.  It matched the best with everything we have done so far in Natalie's room.  I'm contemplating just a few changes that will most likely involve blue and green paint.  (I'm sorry, Honey.)  I have to see it all together in the room before I decide for sure whether we'll keep it or not.  I'll keep you posted.  

But for now... I have to pee and get something to eat.  Big surprise there, huh?  Oh and I'll post a belly shot one of these days.  I promise.  I know everyone is DYING to see it.

Friday, January 11, 2008

I Love Getting Kicked In the Gut!


Thought you might like to know that my son is kicking me like crazy right now.  





This has got to be my absolutely favorite part of being pregnant.

Monday, January 07, 2008

Just Checking In...

I apologize for the lack of posts lately.  My beautiful husband has confiscated my computer and I get VERY limited time on it these days.  You see, his computer has been freaking out and he finally had to send it in for an overhaul, thus leaving him without a computer for 7-10 business days.  Because his life revolves around his computer, he stole mine and has been using it for work.  

(You should have seen him on Sunday with my white MacBook on his piano complete with my name written across the top of the lid with rhinestones.  It looked kinda silly but I found it completely endearing.)

Anyway....I have it for the next few minutes, so I thought I'd check in and say hello.  Hi.  Tonight is the Big Game.  I am decked out in my OSU jersey.  I do that only to make my husband smile.  He loves to see me in clothing that announces my support of his beloved Ohio sports teams.  (If I wear the shirt or hat, then sometimes I can get out of having to watch the game itself.)  We have friends who are LSU fans that are coming over for dinner and to watch the game with us.  It should be fun.  We're having tacos.  Mmmmm... 

In other household news... Natalie and I have started school again after a semester off.  She is doing very well and I'm ok.  I'm sure I will talk more about things as we progress but I'm too tired right now to say any more about it.  

Baby is good.  I'm 21 weeks along and getting bigger every day.  That's a good thing but I have to say that after everything last year, it feels really weird to be pregnant.  It's been four years since I've had a belly.  I'm starting to be forced into maternity clothes.  Ugh!  I hate 'em!  So far it's only been the pants and jeans that have to be maternity.  I can still get away with regular shirts most days.  Besides, maternity shirts are still big tents even though I do have a little more than just a bump these days.  I haven't taken any pictures of my belly lately, so I promise to do that soon.  I know you are all dying to see me grow big as a house!  

You would all be proud.  We have had two semi-serious discussions about what to name this man-child that is currently kicking me like crazy.  I say semi-serious because we're still NO WHERE NEAR choosing a name.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  We have some guidelines... 
1. Must be 2 syllables or more (with a last name like Ball--it's just a necessity, well to me it is.) 
2. Must not be horribly common or trendy.  As much as I love the names Aidan, Carter, and Jackson, I know too many of them to use them myself.  
3. Must not be so out there that it causes people to wonder what the heck those weird parents were thinking.  Remember our firstborn is Natalie.  It's a common name that no one wonders about but not so common that there will be five Natalies in her graduating class.  
So there you go... HELP US!!!

I think that's all for now.  I have to go to the store and get more stuff for tacos.  I'm really too tired, but alas I have to go anyway.  Ooooo... I just asked my Beefcake to go and he said yes.  Now I can be lazy for a bit longer.  What a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!!!

Oh and by the way...no one guessed what my picture of the week was.

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