UPDATED: Tom Cruise Crazy

Today The Music Man came home and told me he was Tom Cruise crazy about me.  I asked if he came up with that one all on his own.  He said no and began to sing this song to me.

UPDATE:  I forgot the best part... He brought home the most beautiful spring bouquet of flowers for me.  Isn't he the best?!

Is There An End In Sight?

So for those of you who are sucked into the insane saga that is Lost, I have something for you.  Scott and I came across this the other morning while we were surfing the web.  (I know that sounds strange, but some mornings I join him in surfing the web on his tiny little iphone when we wake up.)

Anyway, I think he was actually late in going to the office because we read through the whole thing and then discussed it at length.  It was very interesting and answered ALOT of our questions.  Is it actually what's going to happen?  Who knows with Lost.  This guy just has too much time on his hands, because seriously, what kind of life to you have to live if you are able to piece all the Lost nonsense together in such a concise way?  

Take a few minutes to read his theory of what's going on on the island, and then come back here and tell me what you think.  Do you agree or do you have your own theory of what's up with this show?

My Life Is Forever Changed

...because of this!

I am so not kidding you either!  We were at the mall to get a few other things and I wanted to get a pair of jean capris and I needed to get some maternity underwear.  (Hey, listen!  There comes a point in ones life when rolling underwear is no longer a funny side effect of a growing belly.  I'm tired of it!)  

Anyway, my Sugar Daddy was paying for my goods when I remembered (finally!!!) to look for a support belt.  I'd been hearing about how one might help eleviate all the lower belly pain I was having, but every time I went shopping, I forgot about it.  So I tried it on and immediately the pain was gone.  It was incredible!  I was so stunned that it kinda, kinda left me speechless.  All I kept saying is, "I cannot believe this!  There's NO pain!"

We had promised Natalie we'd take her to the Disney Store and we were all starving, so we did those things first.  But then I headed right back to Mimi.  I walked in and the lady just grinned.  I slapped that belt on the counter and said, "I am wearing this outta here."  She just laughed.  But I tell you what, I put that sucker on and walked out of the store like a regular person.  No waddling here!  I couldn't believe that I was actually walking semi-normal again.  Once we were home I walked up and down the stairs like I used to.   

I so wish that I would have bought one of these 5 months ago.  Why did no one suggest one of these to me before!?!?!?!

Random A - Z

A - Amazon

B - Baby Boy Ball

C - Chai Tea

D - Dahlias

E - Etsy Shops

F - Food, Fun, & Fellowship

G - Gigantor

H - Horton Hears a Who

I - I'm procrastinating.

J - Jessica, my sister

K - Kathleen - my mom

L - Laughing Cow

M - Mammoth belly

N - Natalina

O - Oh what a beautiful mornin'.  Oh what a beautiful day.

P - Please tell me you are not still reading this.

S - Stepping Up

T - Time out - I need one!

U - Unlimited joy for those who are OCD, like me.

V - "Verily, verily I say unto you, 'Unless you become as little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of heaven.'"  Matthew 18:3

W - Weather - It looks like it's a beautiful day and it is, but it's still cold. 

X - X-ray the Yellow Zucchini

Y - Y am I still doing this?

Z - Zzzzzzz....

Severe Weather Alert

I'm used to seeing severe weather alerts.  Growing up in Wisconsin, the winter is full of them, but they usually involve feet of snow or ice headed our way.  Even the spring and summer have their fair share of severe weather alerts and warnings.  They mostly consist of thunderstorms with the occasional tornado watch.  

Since moving to the East Coast, I have come to expect that little red bar when I look at my weather widget.  We always have severe weather.  Usually the alert is to inform us that we may be getting an inch of snow sometime in the next couple of days or that a lot of rain is coming.  Their idea of severe weather is so different than what I was raised with.

Perfect example is today's severe weather alert, which is as follows...

CECIL-KENT MD-QUEEN ANNE'S-TALBOT- CAROLINE- INCLUDING THE CITIES OF... ELKTON...CHESTERTOWN...CENTREVILLE... EASTON...DENTON 413 PM EDT WED MAR 19 2008

...HIGHER THAN NORMAL WATER LEVELS... BUT NO PROBLEMS EXPECTED...

THE TIDE AT HIGH TIDE THIS AFTERNOON AT CAMBRIDGE REACHED CLOSE TO MINOR TIDAL LEVELS BEFORE STARTING BACK DOWN. HIGH TIDE WAS AROUND 3 PM...AND NEXT HIGH TIDE WILL BE AROUND 3 OCLOCK IN THE MORNING THURSDAY. THE HEIGHT SHOULD BE COMPARABLE TO THIS AFTERNOONS HIGH TIDE. HIGH TIDE AT TOLCHESTER OCCURS AT 6 OCLOCK THIS EVENING AND AGAIN 615 AM THURSDAY. THE WATER LEVEL WILL ALSO REACH NEAR MINOR TIDAL FLOODING...BUT NO PROBLEMS ARE EXPECTED.

A COLD FRONT WILL SWEEP ACROSS THE CHESAPEAKE BAY EARLY THURSDAY MORNING AND MAY CAUSE SOME MINOR OVERWASH AT THE TIME OF HIGH TIDE ON THE EASTERN SHORE ESPECIALLY AROUND SUNUP ON THURSDAY. WINDS ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY COULD GUST TO 35 TO 40 MPH.

I love how the first line says: "...HIGHER THAN NORMAL WATER LEVELS... BUT NO PROBLEMS EXPECTED..."

Phew!  That was close.  I thought for a second there we were going to have problems.  

GreenMail

Look what I found in my inbox yesterday morning...

[To check out these treasures and a whole lot more, head on over to Crate and Barrel.]

I am telling you what!.... Green is where it's at.  It's everywhere!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Lookey What I Found

See... I'm not the only one obsessed with green lately!

I Was Just Thinking...

...and I know how dangerous that can be, but some of my greatest ideas come to me out of the blue like that.  

But I was thinking about this blog and all my friends that read my ramblings on a regular basis.  I wonder, though, how many of you know that I also write regularly on a fun site for moms.  My girlfriend and I started it last summer after a hilarious conversation about what it means to be a lazy mom.  

So I decided I'd write about it here to let you know about it.  It's called I'm A Lazy Mom.  (Creative, right?)  My girlfriends has three kids, her youngest is my oldest's age.  She gives tons of genius tips for lazymoms as well as hilarious anecdotes of a mom's life.  I have been writing mainly about my pregnancy lately and about amazing products I've recently discovered.  This site is for all moms.  It's our desire to encourage and build them up on a daily basis, while offering practical ways to make life easier for them.  

Take a few minutes, and join us for a cup of tea.  Bookmark our blog and be sure to check back often.  Coming soon: GIVEAWAYS!!!

Bowl Full of Baby

Here are the much anticipated belly shots. I took these myself last week. I had spent the day washing baby boy clothes in Dreft and was putting them away. I was so tired that I just laid down right on the kids' floor. I had been taking pictures of the baby clothes, so camera was still in hand. I began to snap pictures of my belly.  This is what I got...

I had a bit of a rough start...

Ok, so there you go.  My belly as of a week ago.  They're probably already inaccurate. I'm 31 weeks now, which means I have less than 9 to go.  Things are progressing nicely and I no longer feel the ongoing panic that I'M NOT READY!!!  Now I just have organizational OCD that hits from time to time. 

:::

Oh and by the way, we narrowed the millions of names down to four solid collections (first and middle names).  We couldn't narrow it down any further last night, so we decided to put it away for a a bit and review it later.  I'm kinda thinking now that we should just take this list with us to the hospital and see who this little guy ends up being.  I'll let you know what we decide to do.  

Four Badges and a Crown

Last Wednesday was the mid-year awards ceremony for Missionettes.  Natalie is in the youngest class called Rainbows.  It's the 3 and 4 year old class.  She has earned 4 badges so far this year... Bears, Lions, Rabbits, and Sheep.  Her favorite Bible verse: God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Here's my Princess...

And here she is with her two best girlfriends, Larissa and Rachel.

Natalie and Larissa are always talking... ALWAYS!
Here's the typical parental photo of the little girl who pulls her dress up in front of the whole world...
The girls were so proud of their certificates!

Congrats Girlfriend!  I love you thiiiiiiiiis much!

GreenScapes

In the theme I began last week on the color green, I put together a few shots from Getty Images of amazing shades of green.  

Coming up next: Dressing in Greens

Random Pictures

I finally downloaded the pictures from my camera of the last month.  We haven't been especially busy, but I've been documenting our lives moment by moment.  Sooo... Here are some of the more random shots...

Random Scott and Natalie: 

First golf lesson at Golf Galaxy...

Look at that grip!

Father/Daughter Baking...

Random self shots: 

Ask my husband why this.  He took it, along with one of my ch**t, my b*tt, and my eye. (Sorry... I had to edit per The Music Man.)

I will soon show you all the shots taken this day, but I'm giving you a sneak peak of how incredibly tired I was on this day... (Ugh! Look at those roots!  I'm so ashamed!)

(I'm not mad.  I promise.... Just exhausted!)

Random Closet Shots:

A few of my favorite outfits for the man-child, who is still nameless, I might add.  

This is just too adorable!

I wore this when I was a baby, but I remember it most on a baby doll I had named Mary Lou or was it Amy?

I bought this the day we found out we were having a boy.

Round on the ends and high in the middle... Oh - Hi - Oh.  (Really this isn't on my list of favorites, but I know it's at the top of my husband's, so it made this list of random shots.)

And because we live in Maryland, I just had to have this!

Here are a couple random belly-ish shots:

Cool, right?

I have tried my hardest to NOT wear maternity shirts if at all possible this pregnancy.  They're just too mammoth.  I feel so fat in them rather than pregnant.  This shirt was on the clearance rounder in the Junior's section at Target.  God bless the designers who decided long, full shirts are the latest style!

More to pictures and posts to come soon...

Going Green

Normally when you hear those words you think about recycling and eating organic food made with energy star appliances, but that's not what I'm talking about today.  I was browsing blogs this morning and happened to notice that so many are talking about the soon coming spring.  Yeah!  (Warm weather will soon be a daily occurrence rather than just a couple times a week.)  I noticed alot of spring photos being posted and the main color scheme is green.  

I was so inspired by all the green I was seeing I decided to look for all the green lovelies I could find.  And did I ever find green.  So as not to overwhelm you with all this green at one time, I'll start with my two favorite things to shop for...EVER, and then post other green themes in the next couple of days and weeks.  Hopefully this will help you to get inspired to brighten up your lives with the colors of spring.  

Shoes...

Patent Slides, Old Navy, $14.50

Bliss, Keds, $60

Falcoin, Nine West, $79

Handbags...

Gain Medium Hobo, Nine West, ON SALE $49.99

Heritage Stripe Demi, Coach, $198

Convertible Clutch, Old Navy, $12.50

Unfortunately I can't afford to just go out and buy all of these things (well other than maybe the stuff from Old Navy), but that doesn't mean that inspiration can't come from them.  I would love to see what inspires you.  Leave me a comment with a link or email a picture.  

GO GREEN!

(My email is honeybz at gmail dot com for those of you who don't know.)

Panic!? What Panic!?

I have mastered the panic!  At least I hope so.  

This weekend I had a near meltdown.  My sympathetic husband's solution was to take me to Babies R' Us and let me go nuts.  $160 later I was beginning to feel better.  I came home and went through the stuff packed away in Natalie's closet, pulled out the things I thought I might need with this next baby.  

Ahhh....

After dinner Scott helped me get to the gigantic bins filled with baby clothes in the basement and I sorted through all the pink frills to find a handful of yellow, green, and blue things to put on my man-child.  

Ahhh....

Yesterday I washed and dyed burp clothes in hues of blue, green, orange, tan, and brown.  (More to come on that later this week.)  By late last night, I was physically exhausted from all the bustling activity, but mentally I couldn't stop myself.  

I had a hard time waking up this morning, but when I did, I literally jumped out of bed (what a sight that was) and jumped right into my day.  I stripped the beds completely naked (as Natalie says) and got those going.  Breakfast is next on the agenda and then we are off to Target.  I order a couple things online and unfortunately they aren't going to work, so I'm returning them.  I need to get some Dreft and then it's back home to begin washing baby things.  By 2 o'clock this afternoon I will probably be absolutely exhausted, but I will feel so much better about the fact that my son will be here in roughly 10-11 weeks.  

Next on the list:  Begin posting maternity clothes and girly baby clothes on ebay.  

Purge! Purge!! Purge!!!  It's the nectar of life!

I had my first two-week appointment this morning.  Everything went well.  I gained another two pounds.  Two pounds in two weeks was not at all in my plan, but I suppose at this point in time, that just means that the baby is growing and gaining weight as well.  Since none of you know my beginning weight, I have no problem telling you that these last two pounds have brought the grand total of weight gained during this pregnancy thus far to 17.5.  That's a little less than half of what I gained in total with my first.  

I was able to convince my midwife to wait three weeks till my next appointment (as long as my glucose test comes back good).  I was so glad because, seriously, I'm not ready to admit that I'm in my seventh month.  I have too many things to do.  A few more weeks of denial should be just the remedy.  (You are aware of the fact that I am a middle child and thus a born procrastinator, right?)  One of these weekends, we're going to really get productive and bring the cradle up from the basement.  That should jump start me into admitting than in a matter of a few very short weeks I will have a newborn in the house.  

Speaking of that little guy... During the appointment this morning, as the midwife was trying to get his heartbeat, all you could hear was the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of his every kick, and I felt every. Last. One.  Even now as I type, he's flipping around like a fish out of water.  (And I think Natalie is energetic! Yowzah!!!)  I'm in for trouble if his in-utero activity is any indication of what he'll be like once he's born.  

This latest series of acrobatics began a few days ago has been constant and severe ever since.  Last night I climbed into bed, so tired and already half asleep, and my son, bless his heart, was up and raring to go.  He kicked me so hard over and over and over.  I had The Music Man put his hand on my belly in the hopes that his presence there would calm his son, which it usually does, but it only intensified his insane activity.  Scott thought it was hilarious.  I, on the other hand, just wanted to go to sleep!  For crying out loud!  The only time he stopped was when I would roll onto my back, but that wasn't comfortable so it was back to my side and the internal battle.  I would just doze off and BAM! Foot in the ribs or elbow on the belly button.  The worst were the repeated slaps on my bladder.  I got up twice before eventually falling asleep.  Bless his heart is all I can say.

In other news... I know I never posted pictures of my ultrasound, and I'm sorry about that.  They're hanging on the fridge, so if you ever want to stop over and take a look, you're welcome to.  I also have pictures from our pre-Christmas trip to New York, Christmas, Natalie's dance classes, Natalie's first trip to New York, as well as a recent belly shot (that I have been meaning to take for about 10 weeks now.  Sorry about that).  Most of the pictures are already on my computer just waiting to be captioned and posted.  Maybe I'll do that this weekend or something.  I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you, though.

Baby Stuff Accumulation

Look what I got today!  My collection of baby boy stuff is slowly growing.

It's the JJ Cole System Diaper Bag.  I am hoping that this will be the only diaper bag I use for this soon-coming man-child.  With Natalie I bought a different bag every week practically and I never did find one that I loved.  (I might note here that that particular method of choosing a diaper bag is not cheap.)

I've been looking at the System Diaper Bag ever since I first saw an ad for it in an old issue of BabyTalk.  I have also been looking at this sling bag in red.  I've compared them side by side and I'm still not sure if I've made the right decision.  I guess I could always sell this on ebay if I find I don't like it and get the Pottery Barn one. 

I'll show you two of the special features of the System Bag that sold me on it.

The first is the ultra-cool, ultra-hip little pocket especially designed for my iPod.  The bag comes complete with a vent of sorts for your headphones.  How clever is that!

The second is the clips to attach the bag to the handles of your stroller.  That way you don't have to fill up the basket below with a diaper bag and struggle to yank it out every time you need something.  Things are right in front of you and easily accessible.  

Love the idea--only time will tell if I truly love it at work.  I can see the bag flopping around.  I only hope that it won't make the stroller awkward to push.

Here's a close-up of the clips...

Anyone have any suggestions on diaper bags you loved?  I'd like to hear your thoughts and what it was about the bag that made you fall in love with it.  I'm a middle child, so decisions are hard for me to make without getting input from everyone.  Help a sister out!

It's a February Miracle!

I actually slept good last night!

I have finally discovered the perfect sleeping combination for a third trimester good night's rest.  It involves seven, count 'em SEVEN, pillows and no husband in the bed.  

Wow!  What a magical night, it was.  I only got up to pee twice--another miracle!  

I discovered the perfect combination of activities to make my body scream in misery.  Here is is...  Are you taking notes?  Wear three inch heels for eight hours straight while 27 weeks pregnant.   (Of course you need to be standing and walking for the majority of that time!)  Thanks to my vanity I am now suffering more so that I have for months!  (I did look cute though!)

Oh and have I mentioned that I only gained 2 pounds last month?  I am thrilled.  Midwife--not so much--but what does she know anyway!

Ahhh...

After a day like this (See below), seeing these things provides some much needed rest to this weary mind.  I love it all.  

Ahhh...   :::BIG SIGH OF CONTENTMENT:::  

My next home will probably be decorated much along these lines.  I find it so incredibly peaceful!  If only I could wave a magic wand and instantly make these pictures a reality in my home.  It sure would make this nesting thing a whole lot easier to handle!

I'm Freaking Out!

I just finished my appointment with my midwife.  She told me that she wants to see me every two weeks now until the middle of April and then she wants to see me every week.  

I was a completely stunned by this news, seeing as from time to time I still find myself forgetting that I'm even pregnant.  I'm uncomfortable and haven't slept well for weeks, but I just forget sometimes.  I mean, I'm still wearing pre-pregnancy clothes and unless I'm naked, the belly just kind of disappears.  I do have trouble putting on socks sometimes and painting my toes is getting rather difficult, but yet I still forget I have a man-child within my womb.  I've even been having Braxton Hicks for weeks now, daily!!! and still I forget.   Maybe this has something to do with it.  Whatever it is, it's completely downhill from here.  

Do you understand what I'm saying?  I have nothing ready.  We don't have a name or evena list of names that we are considering.  We only have a mental list of ones we hate.  

Oh for crying out loud.  

Babies need so much stuff and while we have everything from the first time around, most of that is pink.  So those things have to be replaced.  Some of our other "gear" is busted and in need of replacement.  (Give me a break--we've been using it for 4 years!)  I have crib bedding--That's about all I have, but since we'll be using the cradle for the first six months or so, there is no satisfaction in having the crib bedding.  

And there's still so much to do!!!!

I am seriously freaking out!

BBB

I've been using babynames.com for years to help me find names for my children.  It helped me name my daughter - Natalie Lauren.  But this time around it seems as though nothing is helping me name this man child within my womb.  I'm terrified that delivery day will come and all we will have is Baby Boy Ball.  Can you imagine if we leave him with that name for the rest of his long life!?  What awful parents we would be!

This is why every time someone asks me if we've picked out a name I jump on them begging for suggestions.  I get the same look of shock and awe every time!  I need help!  WE need help!

A few weeks ago we were at Barnes and Noble and I bought a baby name book thinking it would help us.  That night we picked out a whole list of names that we didn't hate.  By the next morning, I hated every last one.  Back to square one.  

Oh, for crying out loud!

We've tabled this name discussion so many times, I've almost given up completely.  But then the thought of "BBB" being my baby's initials for the rest of his life gets me motivated to find him a name.  

Sooo... I decided to read other books.  I borrowed baby name books from everyone I knew.  Yeah, that brought me no where near closer to a name for my son. 

Seriously, people!

A couple days ago I was reading a review about The Baby Name Wizard by Laura Wattenberg.  I thought, "What the heck!  I might as well get it and give it a try.  Nothing else is helping."  I just couldn't bring myself to buy it though at the time.  I wasn't optimistic enough about it's usefulness.

Then, just this afternoon, I ran across this website based on the Wizard book.  So I played around with it for a while and was able to find a few names that I had not seen in the 1,375,000 baby names I've read over the last few months.  So I sent a list of my favorites to The Music Man to see what he thinks.  Chances are, he'll hate everything, suggest a bunch of name I hate and then - WHOOP! - we're back to square one...BBB.  

Can anyone help a sister out?!  We are in peril.  Baby Boy Ball needs a name!

It's a Good Thing I'm Pregnant

Have you ever woken up with the distinct feeling that perhaps today is the day your family won't need you any longer? I didn't wake up that way this morning, but maybe if I had I would have been more prepared for what happened while I was making lunch.

I was making Tortilla soup for the family (a terribly simple rainy-day meal), but my independent 3 year old really, really wanted a tuna salad sandwich. (I didn't sleep well last night due to the NON-STOP dreaming of those dumb people trying to get away from the Others and off the island) so I was a bit crabby and didn't have a fight in me.  So I said, "Sure. Why not."  But then she insisted on making it all by herself.  So again, I said, "Sure. Why not."  I helped her a bit with opening the can and scooping out the mayo, but she really did the rest on her own.  Then she got the bread out and slapped some tuna on it.  Before I knew what was happening she had eaten half of her sandwich.  

It was at this point that I began to realize how easily she did that for herself.  Then I panicked further realizing that by doing it herself, she didn't need me.  Oh!!  The agony of realization!!!  Don't get me wrong.  I am a lazymom through and through, and I have been training her whole life for this very moment, but when it finally came, it took me by surprise.

Then I looked down and remembered I'm pregnant and starting all over with a helpless babe.  Phew!  That was a close call.  

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.  

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

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

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

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

And this just always makes me smile!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

You Did What!?

Natalie and I have purple hair.  

No joke.

We got it done last night.

Pictures coming soon.

I promise.

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!  

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:

10 Things I Hate About You

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

Casanova

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

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.  

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.

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.

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.

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.