I'm still alive Part duex

Ok so Christmas was crazy over here! I basically had a Christmas everyday since last Friday and then yesterday BAB had her last visit with Biomom. Thats right. Last. Visit. More on that later. Poor BAB's sleep schedule went down the tube. She was getting in a good sleep schedule with one nap (weeping into my shoulder....), but that all went down the drain when we had late Christmases Friday and Saturday. But that is all done and over with. I am happy that we did not have plans today and are home. Besides that the weather is crap here so I wouldn't want to get out anyways.

BAB got enough toys to give one each to every kid in the continent of Africa. We are going to have to go through and give away a bunch of old ones so that we have room for the new! But they were all very nice gifts and she loves them all.

Also BAB's biomom signed off! It was actually very sad to see. It was an act of love given to BAB from her. I truly and honestly believe that. The judge was not convinced that they had done everything to find biofather, so we have to wait for a few more months before we can officially adopt her. But I am not worried.

In other news BAB has started rolling her eyes at me. I swear to you. I am not stretching the truth at all. I have witnesses. She even did it to someone else. I can already hear my mother saying "you reap what you sew......."

OK now I'm miserable

I am 38 weeks pregnant. I don't think I have slept 8 hours in the last 5 days. When I wake up in the morning I feel worse then the night before. It probably doesn't help that I have been to 2 family Christmases that lasted to 9pm. They both did not start until 7pm. That is coincidently when BAB goes to bed. So she has been an absolutely wonderful child the last couple of days...... (Please wipe dripping sarcasm off your monitor.) And to top it off Pilot has been gone since Thursday. So I have been doing this all by myself. Although I do have to say I have been getting help from my sister and her husband and also my mom and dad. But that has only been at the Christmases. It looks like I have 2 giant bowling balls under each eye. I also have exema under one eye so it is swollen, red and black. It looks like somebody took sandpaper to my left eye and punched me twice once in each eye. Pilot is coming home tonight at 2am. He is getting up with BAB tomorrow. I don't care how tired he is. If I have to gag my way through another poopy diaper at 8am in the morning because that is how she always wakes up I think I will drop her off at my mom's house and run for the hills. Oh and I woke up last night with a leg cramp from H E double toothpicks. I couldn't get rid of it. I was up for an hour fighting it.

Side note- yesterday I had a pizza delivered by here because well, I didn't want to get out and the baby wanted pizza. So I got breadsticks and a veggie pizza. I was so excited. Until it came and the veggie pizza was not a veggie pizza. I would have been fine with that, however it had feta cheese on it. You can't eat feta cheese when you are pregnant because it has a bacteria that may not digest well or something like that. I cried.

Glamour Girl is in town

So I am a planet. I stand alone. I do not even want to see how much weight I have gained. Actually it really can't be that bad. I'm mostly baby. Except my butt has decided to join forces against me and is growing to astronomical proportions. It would give the equator game. I'm sure of it. Anyway, I decided to post a picture of my belly for you all to see!


My sister in law has finally made it in town. I think. I haven't heard from her yet though. I think she hates me..... Just kidding! I'm sure she is busy with her parents! We are going to try and get together today. We have a club called the BSILS. We are the Brodbeck Sister in Laws. If your thinking thats crazy. I understand, but if you have ever met Pilot or his brothers you would know why we have to unite against them. I am still amazed that their mother is still alive. Really. I am.

Relaxing

So I am getting closer and closer. I have less then 4 weeks basically 3 until my actual due date. I am hoping for an early delivery, but I'm sure it is wishful thinking. My hormones are changing though. Instead of being cranky I just cry all the time. I am really not sure what is worse. I opened a Christmas card the other day and I thought I was going to have a breakdown.

We went to our birthing class last Saturday. Pilot made it through the whole class with out fainting. He did have to go out in the hall and lay down. I am currently taking bets on weather he will make it through delivery or not. He has been threatened that if he does I will kick him out of the delivery room. I would rather do it myself then have to think about him. He says you don't have to worry about me, but I am a woman and a mother...... Yeah, not gonna happen. Instinct, buddy.

My pregnancy hives have decided to go away. The ones that I already have, that is. I still get new ones. But they go away quickly. I am using this soap that is called Pine Tar soap. It stinks like cigars! But it really seems to help. It doesn't keep new ones from coming up, but it dries them up pretty fast. So I have decided to not complain yet. However my nose has been running for about 3 months now and it is now decided that it doesn't like it. It swelled up and got all scabby inside. I have started putting neosporin INSIDE my nose! That is how bad it is! I'm just waiting for BAB to see me and start putting things up her nose.

Christmas is just around the corner and I am getting a little grinchy. I can't help it. Old habits die hard I guess. I have all my shopping done. Well, a few things left. But those aren't that bad at all. I actually need to organize those and get them all set up so I don't have to worry about them later. Especially BAB's.

So my next thing now is to start trying to relax. I have a hard time giving up control. So I have started now. It has been REALLY hard. But I know that I will not be able to be on top of everything when I have the baby around. I think relaxing is more stressful to me then being all over BAB's back! I'm thinking long run here!

Gaurdian At Lidem

BAB has a Guardian At Lidem, a court appointed attorney. I don't like her. She is by law supposed to come out to see BAB in my home before each and every hearing. She doesn't. Last hearing she didn't even call me until the day before the hearing. Then she wanted to see BAB before the hearing at the court house. She was supposed to meet us a half an hour before the hearing at 8:30am. I had to wake BAB up and bring her along with my mom because I do not think that it is appropriate to bring a child to a hearing about her and her mother's indiscretions. So not only do I have to get BAB up I have to bring her to an old court house that is not 14 month old friendly. At. All. Then she doesn't even show up until 5 minutes before the hearing. I am chasing a toddler around a cement hall way for 30 minutes. I was pissed. So much to my surprise her secretary actually made a call today. It is still a week and 2 days until the hearing. I almost had a heart attack. Unfortunetly I have to take an 18 month old to her office for a visit. (Of which I'm sure she has all nice and toddler proofed.) I was like "Give me a break. Don't try to hard, GAL." The problem is that these attorney's do not get paid so they don't give a rat's tail about these kids. It ticks me off.

Oh Christmas tree

Well, we decided to put up a Christmas tree this year. Last year I was the grinch. I mean really, I was. I didn't put up any decorations. I didn't do a tree and I didn't send out any Christmas cards. In fact last year it ended up that we had to host a Christmas at my house since all the other brothers and parents lived out of town and they were all going to be here around here for Christmas. So instead of getting a Christmas tree and putting up decorations I stole my mom and dad's tree! Decorations and all I just shoved it in the back of the truck and left. I brought it back the next day. Although I think they figured it out anyways....

So this year I decided since we had BAB we would do a tree. I'm sure she will not remember, but I guess its what you do with kids, right? So last night we watched WEW and his 22 month brother, Cuddle Bug for my sister. They were having a night out. After BAB did not get a nap all day she was so stincking tired we put her to bed at 6:30pm. So she did not get to help do the tree. Although I do believe the 'help' she would have given was not so much help in the long run. But WEW did help. We put the tree on a small table in the living room so Sheila, BAB, and the cats would not get to it. Although the cats look at in a very disdainful way anyway. I mean who asked them to put a tree in their house? *rolls eyes* Anyway, most of the ornaments are on the bottom because that is where WEW could reach. But it is beautiful.

Asthma

I think I forgot to mention BAB has been diagnosed with asthma. She is now on a steriod and another medicine. She has to do the nebulizer 3 times and day. She actually does really good at it (for me!). She will sit for 20 minutes with her mask on. We watch Baby Praise and she has fun while we talk about the flowers, babies, kitties, and balls. Looks like this is something we are going to be facing for awhile. She has had problems breathing still although she is definitely feeling better.

In other news, I just ate a bunch or cookie dough and milk and I'm not feeling so well anymore.........

Warning!

I reserve the right to complain the last four weeks of my pregnancy. I have really not had that much to complain about anyways. However, complaining will commence in 5 days. Starting Sunday I will let loose because let me tell you what, I am biting my tongue.

Also, BAB just slept for 2 and a half hours. I'm shocked! She must have needed it.

Pregnancy Plague

So I started getting these little red bumbs on my skin the other day. I thought it was poison ivy actually. I know it is snowing out, but I could have got it from the animals....... I know I'm stretching. Anyways, it kept popping up in different areas and it was really itchy. So I thought well, I am pregnant I better go check it out. I'm allowed one of those, right. I have made it 35 weeks with out freaking out. For me that is an accomplishment. So anyway I ended up going to the doctor today. I have Pruritic Urticarial Papules and Plaques of Pregnancy or PUPPP for short. Apparently it only effects 1 % of pregnant woman. Yippee for me! It is a terribly itchy rash that starts in your stretch marks. (not that I'm saying I have any....... :) It also affects those having more then one baby or first time pregnancies. However I only have 5 weeks left at the most so I can grin and bear it right? I'm supposed to only take a shower every other day and use a special lotion 3 times a day. I have to take a shower every day or I don't feel human! I'm in big trouble! Oh well, its still worth it. It could be worse. That is what I keep telling myself. It seems to work until I start itching again. I did read on line that there is a soap that is supposed to help. It is at health food stores. I am going there tomorrow.


In other news, BAB has decided that sleep is no longer a necessity again. She was extremely tired at 3 after only taking a 40 minute nap earlier. So I put her to bed and she is still up there an hour and half later playing. I better go get her though. She has been tiring herself out all day with no nap and then when she does this she fall alseep at 5 and sleep till morning. Which them she doesn't get her nebulizer, medicine, or supper. So then she is miserable and very hungry is the morning! Which makes us all miserable!

much to catch up on

Well, let's see....... BAB is doing sign language like its her job. Her 'vocabulary' consists of eat, more, all done, drink, help, and please. Drink and please are the newest. When she gets the hang of those we will do thank you. She is doing really well with them! When she gets mad because she can't do something (most of the time) she will sign help instead of screaming. I enjoy this much better! She also says some form of each word as well. Although you would have to have the BAB translation bible to understand this.

Her eating issues are going much better. I have seen much improvement. On Thanksgiving she did very well. I was impressed. She didn't even throw a fit when we were all done. Although I'm sure it helped that she saw her little cousins playing with out her!


Still no word on how the termination is going. I'm not surprised. I'm sure the social worker is doing everything she can. Everything will happen when it needs to. I'm not stressing at all.


I am now 34 weeks pregnant! YAY! Everything is going good. I have been getting leg cramps at night and a little heartburn. Nothing I can really complain about though. I am a little uncomfortable, but nothing unmanageable......yet! Christmas is a little daunting knowing that I will be very pregnant for all the celebrations. But I will be fine. I can only do what I can and if some people don't agree then that is their problem. (not that I am anticipating anybody having a problem)


I will leave you with this-

Pilot, my brother in law and WEW went to the planetarium to look at stars. It was a Christmas program for kids. He was very nervous when they got in the seats and had to hold both of their hands. When all was said and done they walked out of the building and WEW says just as if this was normal-
"Oh, we are back on the ground."
He thought they were in a space ship!!!!! He is so cute!

Cribs, baby clothes and heartburn! OH MY!

Well, my mom and sister came out today and we overhauled the rooms. We moved BAB's stuff over to the big room and the new baby's stuff into the nursery. Although BAB is still in the nursery and the new baby hasn't even been born yet! We don 't have a heat register in the big room yet, so we are keeping BAB in the nursery until we can get heat for her. There is still a few things we have to do, but the rooms are mostly done. Since I only have 6 and a half weeks left until my due date I figured that I better get it done. I still have to move the bassinet and changing table into my room. That shouldn't be a problem since it is all cleared out. In fact I may do that tonight! OK maybe not.....

Also I have really bad heartburn from bending over all day!

Things are moving along fast now...

BAB's social worker came by today for her monthly visit. I can not discuss alot of what was said as it is confidential. BUT I can say that we will most definitely be able to adopt BAB. And we may be able to be adopted her a little bit sooner then before. The next court date has also been moved up to the middle of Dec. instead of the beginning Jan.

Sheila the valliant defender

So this morning I was watching out the window and saw 2 big dogs being walked by their elderly owner. I knew Sheila was out (she has an invisible fence) so I went to the front door to check it out. Their dog was off his leash in my yard attacking my dog. I wasn't really afraid of my dog getting hurt. I was actually more afraid for the other dog. Sheila was in fact a little bigger. So I call for Sheila and she starts coming. The owner gets the dog and puts the collar back on. Then the dog slips out again and attacks my dog again! So the owner is glaring mad at Sheila for some reason so being the polite neighborly type I say 'sorry' and get Sheila in the house. I get a glare and a very angry huff from the guy. I was like ok, mister, your dog was the one in my yard! My dog was being attacked not yours! Ornery old fromp! I hate living in town!


In other news, I had a dream about my Sammy last night. I miss her so much. She was the perfect dog. I know everybody has the 'perfect' dog, but she was MY perfect dog. Time will heal I suppose.

I'm firing myself

So this weekend was full of tragedy and mishaps. As I was driving BAB to day care Tuesday I said outloud to no one in particular that I was going to just fire myself. And yes, it was that bad.

First off, one of my very good friends went to her 20 week ultrasound and found out her baby had died. I was beside myself for her. How terrible to find out that way. It scared the crap out of me for sure. I'm here for you if you are reading this, very good friend.

Then on Sunday I dropped my new phone in the TOILET! I mean seriously! I had to put my hand in the TOILET to get my phone!!!!! UGHHHHH!!!! It stopped working. Then that night it would turn on, but I couldn't push any buttons and I couldn't hear the other person talking. BUT the next day it started working alright. Thank God!

THEN on Monday I stopped at my grocery store to pick up a few items I needed. I was all alone. No BAB to distract me.... I left my wallet in the cart in the parking lot. The store was less then helpful. I went back to try and find it and they were even less helpful. I was not happy and intend to make a complaint. Anyways, so my dad and I searched the whole parkinglot, the trash cans, every cart we could find to no avail. I was so mad at my self! Not only was there ALOT of money in my wallet, but my licences, credit cards, my insurance card, BAB'a insurance card, and alot of information in general! My social security card was not in there though so that was good. So I had to cancel my credit card, my debit card, get a new driver's license (which ccost me 10 bucks!!!!), and not to mention all that money!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

Then Pilot decided that he is going to farm (all his extended family are farmers) all day on the days he has off. So I have been with BAB for about 2 weeks straight without much of a break. We are getting on each others nerves. I woke up Tuesday morning at 5am with BAB because that is when she thought she should be up..... grrrrr..... She has started to be opstinent. That is she is not throwing fits all the time she just decided that she isn't going to do something and she will sit on the floor and eventually just lay down. No crying nothing. She will just decid that she is done. Also she will not help put her coat on anymore which is already hard to begin with. SO now I am stuffing a very limp 18 month old into a coat. Its not fun. I barely made it out of the house with out it coming to drastic measures.

So I quit. And thats that.

feeling better

Well, we are all feeling a little better. I'm still hacking a little, but not to much. I am well on my way to recovery. BAB is feelng much better too. We are all finally sleeping through the night and having good nap times. I am even taking naps! My house has imploded due to me napping instead of cleaning, but who cares! BAB had a little bout with some asthma issues, but no bronchitis! So her lungs are slowly getting better. I'm so happy! Hopefully she will grow out of it all together. I've heard that it could happen. Got my fingers crossed.

Tomorrow is Halloween. I always have my friends and their little kids out to have a little fun. I have snacks and hot chocolate ready for all. Its fun. I will have to send Pilot out with BAB to trick or treat. I don't really like it anyways. I like to yell at the rotten teenagers that come trick or treat with no costumes. I mean seriously! I even had one girl (at least 16 years old) ask if I would give her candy for her grandma that was driving the car to each house! That was just wrong on so many levels!

I'm sii..iii.....iiii.....ck

I am sick. I am whiny. I can't breath. I can't stop coughing. BAH!! The only thing that makes me feel better is that Pilot is sick too. But he is not home so that is worse. I hate being gone and sick. So poor babies to him. I can't take any medicine so I think that redeems my poor babies for that one.

finally some answers

A friend of ours is a dietitian and also studying to be a nurse practitioner. She came out last Saturday and gave us some hope. She said that BAB has an emotional attachment to food. Which I knew this. However, I was glad to hear a professional say that as well. She said that ALOT of kids in the foster system do have that. I'm guessing the story on why BAB does is this-
When BAB was in her biomom's care her mom would give her a bottle whenever she cried. This is the only thing BAB could count on. BAB was very over weight when she came. She had acid reflux from eating to much as well. So she thinks food is comfort. She does not know when to stop because food is comforting. She will literally eat until she pukes. She has no shut off for food either because she doesn't know when full is because she was just fed all the time or because she feels that it is comforting. (side note- most foster kids have problems with food because they were not given enough)

Skip to now. She is doing so much better then before. She is on zantac for her acid reflux and does not puke. The only time that she does is when someone else has fed her to much. For a normal child to want more food is great so people think she is ok with more food. Also she eats so fast, and by fast I mean she does not chew, people do not realize that she is over eating. This is a great struggle with me. It is hard for people to understand that even though BAB looks normal and acts normal her eating problems are not. People think that she is just a normal child and for the most part she is. I do not sense much emotional problems and no physical problems at all. Who knows as far as long term because she is 16 months we really don't know all that much. However, I do not think that there will be either.
So starting today she is going to have a set schedule for eating and sleeping. Ok the sleeping is going to be hard because she does not like to sleep and will sit up in her crib for hours. But we will try this. It is going to be a little hard to enforce some of the rules that I will have for her. To a normal child they may seem overbearing and wrong. One rule that I have a hard time explaining to people is that she does not get anything to drink in between meals. (She literally eats every 2-3 hours. She is not going to dehydrate.) She needs to learn again when she is full. Also she needs to learn that food is for nutrition and not a comfort. When I let her have a drink when not in her highchair she will carry it around in her mouth. As in she will literally just put it between her teeth and carry it there like she would carry a blankie or something. (ok not the blankie in her teeth, but you get the implication!) This is the hard part. I have to put my foot down and just say this is how it is. This is what is good for BAB and I have to be her advocate as hard as it will be.

goats

So I'm a little more queesey latley. A friend, a nurse practitioner, told me it may have been a surge in hormones. It was like the 1st trimester all over again. I was getting sick in the morning and everything. Watching Winney eat was making sick again and different odd things like that. Also I believe I heard the words "Why do you hate me?" come from Pilot's mouth a few times..... So today we went to a petting zoo. Pilot let BAB feed the goats which she thourghly enjoyed. I however was barely peaked. Have I also mentioned that I am trying a new and relaxed attitude. I am not going to freak out at things and start letttng things go. I think that it is going to be better for the baby and after wards when I can't be all over BAB any more. So in laeu of this I was 'letting it go.' Things were going ok I was relaxing. I realized this wasn't killing her nor was she being harmed. Until.......... she put her hands that were dripping with goat saliva IN HER MOUTH. I promptly gagged and nearly threw up a little in my mouth. Then I was embarressed upon realizing that there was a nice little family all dressed up nice about 10 ft away looking on me in horror. I just booked it to the car. That is after demanding Pilot wash BAB's hands with soap and water while singing Happy Birthday 3 times. Pilot was less then enthused, but pacified me non the less.

3rd Trimester

So I am finally in my 3rd trimester. YAY!!!!! Everything seems to be going pretty good. I have been getting the leg cramps and the heartburn, but I can't complain that much yet. Although she is now sticking her feet in my ribs and planting a arm squarely in my bladder so I feel like I have to pee all the time....... :) But I am so happy to just be able to be pregnant that I refuse to complain.

The Hearing

Well, BAB's 9 months hearing was Wednesday. It went very well........for us. We have 3 more months of biomom around and then we will have what they call a permanency hearing. This will determine her long term well being. Basically what is the next step if termination is going to happen or not. If it is then where will it be in BAB's best interest to be. This will most likely be with us since we have had no problem's with her and we are interested in adoption. The way things are working out is that BAB will most likely not see her biomom again. I believe they do allow a visit if her rights are terminated though.

Think twice

The other day I was walking into the health and fitness center were I work out. It is part of the Hospital and has many physical therapy patients there too. As on many occasions an elderly man was slowly making his way to the door on the other side. I walked up to the door and opened it so he could come through. I smiled and said "Hi, how are you?" He says "Well, I'm walking and able to eat." I almost started crying. (OK, you can blame it on the pregnancy hormones!) I thought 'Wow, what a good attitude! Here I was complaining because I couldn't get my iPOD loaded right.'

Christmas Music?!?!?!?!?

So I was listlessly driving to town to get some much needed groceries. I fear Pilot might have shriveled away or gotten to grouchy to handle... At any rate, as I was saying, I happened to catch what the DJ was saying and started listening. All that he said flew out the window when to my alarm a CHRISTMAS SONG came on the radio. I about careened off the highway. I searched for my phone thinking somebody could surely stop this madness, but I realized it had flown to the floor of the passengers side when I almost careened off the highway afore mentioned and I was to pregnant/fat to reach it. I had to do something quick. I suddenly realized in my pregnant stupor that all I had to do was switch the station. So I did. I slowly started breathing and all settled down. I was so distressed by this atrocity that I momentarily forgot where I was going. Poor Pilot almost withered away due to some careless DJ who put Christmas music on the radio on Oct. 2.

Baby sign language

We have recently been trying to teach BAB baby sign language. I know the controversy on it. But I think that it would be beneficial to her so we are going for it. She will talk. I have no worries. Telling me off in sign language is not as effective as yelling or screaming. Considering that she already yells at me when she is mad I have no worries. So the first one we did was 'all done'. This is done with 2 hands waving back and forth. It took pilot 1 hour to get her to do it. I gave up. You would have thought we were threatening to rip her arms off! We would take her arms to do the motion and she would rip her arms away and scream like we were commiting a crime against her dainty little fingers. OY! Can you say DRAMA QUEEN! However once she figured it out she is fine and does it everytime. Well, alot of times it takes about a half hour. But she just sits and plays with her cup until she does. Maybe she just wants to sit there and she really isnt done...... I don't know! This morning I was trying to teach her 'eat'. That went over like a lead balloon. But it took only about 15 minutes this time. Next will be 'more'. I can't wait.....

Pink Dyson

OK, I love Dysons. I do not have one, but I really want one. I pay homage to them when I see them in the store hoping some rich lady will take pity on me and buy me one. With 2 cats and a dog I need a vacuum that works. My floor looks like a barnyard the moment I turn off the vacuum. So they are giving a breast cancer awareness dyson away. And it is pink! http://www.5minutesformom.com/2334/dyson-pink/ Check it out!

Sheila was sent to the corner

My dog has decided that TJ and Bruce's puppy is her friend and needs to be protected. Which doesn't surprise me much. At doggy obedience class she insisted on barking her very loud get the crap away from Gus bark in an inclosed area. So the trainer said I had to put Sheila in the corner for 2 minutes. Believe it or not it actually stopped her from doing it. Even after she got out of time out. hee hee

Oh the horrors of teething

BAB is teething once again. She has started this new drama queen act. (of which doesn't fool anybody) I have mastered 'the look'! (I am so proud of myself!) So when I give her the 'the look' she falls to the floor and cries like I have caused some unseen horror against humanity. I have to laugh every time. I do believe if she knew how to she would put her arm up against her forehead damsel-in-distress style. She is a little drama queen for sure.

And I do believe she glared at me in the car the other day. She was screaming and I turned around and said 'no screaming'. And if I am correct I think she actually glared at me. That to I laughed at. Mind you it will not be so funny in 10 years when she does this, but I feel pretty confident that looks do no kill so I laugh and go on. I told my mom about the glare and she told me again 'you reap what you sew'. I'm starting to see a trend......

Monday Blahs

Today was yucky out. Which never helps a mood. BAB has been teething and is in a grumpy mood. Which mostly goes with screaming, whining, and in general being a big boob. She didn't get good naps today because the naughty little girl next door and her friend think its fun to not only ride their bikes up and down my drive way, but also right in front of my house screaming at the top of their lungs. I told them that they could not ride their bikes in our driveway because they kept waking up BAB. But I couldn't do much about the sidewalk in front of my house. I guess I could be the evil cat lady that lives next door..... Anyway, so I put her down early tonight and she actually went to sleep right away. So now I am sitting here bored stiff because I have no book to read and there is nothing on TV. BAH! I tried bugging my dog, but she just got huffy and went across the room. My cats are outside giving me the stink eye because it is raining (even though they are half way across the field doing this).

high larious

I found this on the internet the other day. I almost peed my pants laughing so hard. I thought you all might enjoy it.

The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) has determined that the maximum safe load capacity on my butt is two persons at one time unless I install handrails or safety straps. As you have arrived sixth in line to ride my butt today, please take a number and wait your turn. Thank you.

Where is my dog?

To set this story up I need to first say that I have the weirdest neighbors. They are terribly um..... ok, let's put it this way- I am from the way country and the community is 99% white with the other percent being hispanic. We live in the small town of this community that has about 2 blocks each way from the yellow light in the middle of town. Next door the teenagers all smoke and have many a guy hanging around causing all kinds of mischeif. They are constantly swearing at each other and yelling at each other. There is a boyfriend and girlfriend living there along with the girlfriend's brother that is still in school, the girl friend's 3 daughters (17, 15, and 5) the boyfriend's 2 sons (I'm not really sure how old they are! Older teens..) and 2 very old Labs. The youngest girl is always in our yard playing with our toys and being obnoxious. I can't stand her. She is the rudest little girl I know and I would like to ring her little neck sometimes. The only reason I don't is because I know it is only her parents fault. She is always outside alone or with a few friends. I assume it is because they don't want her inside where she can see them doing their drugs and drinking. We live on a 1/2 acre of a lot in this small town and I assume theirs is about the same. They have a chicken Coop and a cage of rabbits in the back. But before that they let the chickens around all over town. They would always poop on my deck and I would get really pissed and try to kick them off if I saw them. I tried to be nice about it, but I had had it when I found chicken crap on my shoe for the 3rd time. The fact that when my dad comes over he plants himself on the sofa and watches the neighbors the whole time instead of watching TV should speak for itself.

So I let Sheila out a couple hours previous and hadn't seen her in a little while. So after putting BAB to bed I decided to investigate. I called her and she didn't not come which is very unusual for her since she usually comes hightailing it in. So I walked around the house and didn't find her and decided to go behind the garage. I saw her amongst the neighbor's chicken coop much to my chagrin. I called her over and soon realized she was INSIDE the coop!!!!! I was like "OMG get your everlovein' hide out of there!!!!" I soon realized she did not know how to get out. So I ran back in and did the only thing a 26 year old independent woman would do - I called my mommmy. She told me like any sane person that I needed to go tell my neighbors that my dog was in their coop. I said "I don't want to. You can't make me." She laughed and then repeated that I really did need to. So as I was talking to her I saw the neighbors running out there and decided to wait it out. So she comes storming up to my door. " I was wondering if you could turn the shocker ( I have wireless invisible fence) up on your dog. She was INSIDE out chicken coop." I was all angelic like "What? I'm sorry. I hope she didn't get any chickens?" That seemed to calm her down for the meantime. So I went about my business. The next day I noticed the neighbor girl once again riding in my drive way. I walked to the kitchen to look out and noticed that she was IN my garage. SO I walked over to the neighbors and said "I was wondering if you could keep a better eye on your daughter. She was INSIDE my garage." Ok so I didn't but I really felt like it. I hate living in town. I want to move tomorrow, please.

I'm still alive

Ok so it has been awhile since I have blogged. Sorry! A few things have been going on around here. I am getting freaking huge! BAH! I mean its not all that bad.I have an excuse this time! The doctor said I have only gained 10 lbs., but I am not so sure. I think their weight machine just happen to break when I got on because I feel like I have gained about 30 lbs. From here on out I should be gaining a pound a week. Which would bring me up to 28 lbs. gained total if all goes as 'planned'. Which doesn't sound so scary I suppose. Actually I think at the end maybe I am suppose to gain 2 lbs. a week..... hmmmmm....... Ok I am going to go work out tomorrow. Is it bad that I am thinking that I am hungry right now?


Next big thing is I took Sheila to obedience class last night. I know, that was killer news. Peel your self from the wall and sit back down. My sister in law TJ and I took both our dogs last night in the same car. I think we both took retard pills earlier that day too. She has a 6 months old Australian Shepard and mine is a year old Australian Shepard. They get along great, but like to play and wrestle. We ended up stopping and I sat in the back with Sheila and Gus, her puppy sat in the front with her. So in essence I got put in back with the dogs.... hmmmmm......... Next time I think we will bring the truck and put them in the back! Other then that they both did well. I have to teach Sheila to heal. That went over like a super leaded balloon. But I will triumph. I swear!

I think that is all the excitement I can dole out for now. I should go and read since BAB is taking a nap right now! YAY! Maybe eat a snack.......

The ultrasound

I had my ultrasound yesterday. Now why the crap do you have to have a full bladder?!?!?! I think that is so asinine. The baby is like 12 inches long. You can't miss it! You won't confuse it with the bladder either! I tell you what it was down right painful. I couldn't even concentrate on being happy because my baby had 2 arms, 2 legs, 10 toes, and 10 fingers because I thought I was going to pee my pants! But the tech guy was nice enough to let me go to the bathroom. Then he tried to see the gender. I shot off that table so fast I don't think a bullet could have got me. Then he gelled me up again and jiggled my belly around trying to get the baby to move its legs. It unfortuentely did not want to move. But it finally did. IT'S A GIRL!!!!!! She is already stubborn. I guess what can I expect. She's my daughter! All my mom had to say was "you reap what you sew". I laughed and then gave her the stink eye.

What is that I hear?

NOTHING!!!!!!!! BAB is sleeping and it is only 7:30! She has been teething again. So sleep, good dispositions, and all around fun has been few and far between with us. But there must have been a break through because she finally took a couple naps and is sleeping tonight before 9! Thank God!

In other news, I ate taco salad at my mom's tonight and I don't think the baby liked it very much. Sorry Baby!

Trampoline anyone?

My baby has decided to use my bladder as a trampoline. I'm not sure why, yet. I give it all the comforts she/he needs. Prenatal vitamins, nice cushie uterus, some nice amniotic fluid to float and swim around in, but nooooooo he/she has to use my poor bladder for jumping excersizes. Depends anyone?

In other news the ultrasound will be this Wednesday. So I will be able to tell you all what the sex is!!!!!

Girls road trip

So TJ and I left 6.5 turned 10 hour trip to the MIL's house. I had a very busy morning taking Sheila to my grandparents to dog sit. Taking BAB to my sisiter's house to baby sit. Go make sure the cat's are alright at my mom's house since she is on vacation as well. Pick up snacks for trip. Then I had to stop by the house again because I realized I didn't leave the garage door open so the cat's could eat!


So I get this all done and head over to TJ's house. We pack up and get the crap out of there. YAY! As per tradition some really weird things happened on the trip.

Number 1 weird thing- Now to set this up if you are Pilot and his brother's you would say everyday 'you can't mow concrete'.we say a man 'mowing concrete'. Which TJ and I are tremedulously sick of hearing this. We don't know what it means and personally I don't think they do either. So while we were driving along we saw a guy actually mowing concrete! This was hilarious to TJ and I. We almost stopped the car and asked for a signed statement from the guy. Lucky for him we didn't.

Number 2 weird thing- We are driving along a major interstate and another interstate dumps into us. We are absolutley shocked at this guy with a camper and big truck because he is not getting out of the way of the incoming traffic. So we go around him on the left anyways. We are so busy ragging on the guy that we didn't notice our lane ended in like 5 feet! All of a sudden I'm shouting at TJ who is driving at the time "you lane is ending!!!!!!!!!!!!! Your lane is ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!" To which we both peed our pants and started screaming like girls. We fortunately made it unbeknowst to the smart trucker camper guy.......



Number 3 weird thing- Ok I'm not sure if this is really weird, but it is worth saying. On all road trips concerning TJ and I conversation ceases to exist when the song supercalafradgilistic comes on. And that is all I will say about that.

I'm back

Well, we took a long weekend to my MIL houses. There was going to be a wedding for Pilot's cousin. The thing is my MIL lives 7 hours away. ARGHHHHH! So my loving husband let me go up early with TJ and he left a day later with Bruce and BAB. They had to leave later in the day due to work, but figured that BAB would sleep most of the time. Not true. Sorry hun! I guess she screamed most of the time. BUT TJ and I had a great car trip and a nice day to have girly fun before the boys got there. We stopped at every, and I do mean EVERY rest area from here to there. It was so nice not to hear the boys complain about how many times we had to stop. We also stopped at a Mystery Spot. Decided it wasn't so mysterious after all. All in all the trip usually takes 6.5 hours. We made it in a timely manner of 10 HOURS! But we had fun. More later. To tired to type.......

Memories of my Saving Grace

I was giddy as a school girl in the back seat if the car. We were going to get my dog. Later looking back was destined. I looked at all the puppies wiggling around. They were part Cocker Spaniel and Lab. Some looked like a Lab and some were more like a Spaniel. I picked one that was spunky and wild. She was a wiggly in my arms as I took her to my car. I let her down and she immediately ran back to the barn. I turned around frowning and saw another little wiggler. She was coming up to me with tail wagging and mouth smiling as only a dog can. I new she was mine. She picked me. And I fell in love with her immediately. She slept with me every night. I would wake up with no blankets because she had made her little nest of them down at the end. I would let her be and freeze my buns off because I didn't want to disturb her. She was spoiled. She was mine.

My childhood and teen years were filled with tears and pain. She was always there for me. She would lick my tears and stay by me. She was my companion to which I told my darkest secrets. She just listened with out judging me. She never once made me feel terrible for my mistakes. Whenever I got mad at her she always loved me back anyways. She never held a grudge. She was always happy to see me after school. I would pretend I was sick just to come home and be with her. She always made me feel better. She had this way of putting her muzzle under my chin. It was her way of hugging me. She would lean into me and put her muzzle in my neck. We would sit and watch TV or movies like that.

Years later my future husband started coming around. When new people would come around it would take her weeks sometimes to decide if she liked them. When my future husband started caming around she went and sat on his lap immediately as if to say '"This is the one I know it". She was right. He was and always will be.

We married and moved out of state and could not bring her. I was gone a year and missed her terribly. When we finally moved back she came to live with us. Because of Pilot's work making him be gone alot of nights she became very protective of me. She always stood by me when strangers came by. She would always read my body language. She new when I wasn't comfortable. She would sit in front of me always touching me to make sure I was ok. I think she knew I'd sit there forever talking and didn't want me to leave with out her! One time I got really sick while Pilot was gone. She never left my side Except to run out and pee. We spent 2 days like that until I fianlly called my mom. When she came to pick me up she was pretty excited. She knew help was there. My parents took me back to there house with Sammy. She still did not leave my side. Everytime I moved she would wake from a dead sleep and look anxiously at me. I finally started feeling better and she finally started leaving me a little bit at a time. I knew she was my angel.


When I was having problems with infertility she was always there. She listened to my woes and always made me feel loved. I would cry into her shoulder while she waited for me to finish. Again she never judged me for the horrible things I said. She loved me as I was. I didn't have to be in a good mood or pretend like I cared about anybody but myself. She just simply loved me. She had started having seizures when I was in highschool. The vet said there wasn't much we could do. She only had them a few times a year. I cried for hours after the first one. I thought she was dieing. I eventually got used to them. One day she started falling down and panting alot. I think that she had a stroke. She must have had several in a 2 day span. We thought she was dieing. Pilot had to carry her out to potty and carry her back in. He put a little bed together on our bed for the night because I did not think she was going to make it that night. She hadn't ate in 2 days or drank. I gave her a asprin in a turkey roll which she actually took for me. I walked out of the room to do something quick about a half hour later, before I went to bed. She slid of the side and waltzed right on passed Pilot and I like she had been walking for days. She seemed to say "HA think you could get rid of me!" Pilot and I just stared in disbelief. Years later the same think happened. But again she made it through. Tough old bird she was. She had also devolped arthritis any years ago. She could hardly make it up our steps anymore.

She turned 14 years old on Feb. 11, 2007. We thought she would live forever. She had stopped eating her hard dog food. I was buying her canned dog food just so she would eat. One day she just stopped eating all together. She did not seem to be suffering and I could not take her to her death. We waited for a sign but one never came. She died on June 29, 2007.

Looking back she had stopped eating about a month after I found out I was pregnant. She was ready to leave this world now that she new I was through my worst. She knew it would be alright for me from here on out. She suffered through arthritis and strokes for many a year for me. She knew the right time to leave me. She got me through the toughest parts of my life. I will never forget you Sammy. You were my angel in doggy form. I will always love you.

Some complex math

7am+ One hungry whiny 4 yr.old nephew + one screaming hungry 14 month old + one crying hungry 19 month old nephew + one hungry blood sugar dropping by the second pregnant mom/aunt = mini meltdown


Luckily I contained it to the kitchen that was gated and nobody could see. Or so I hope.


One hour later and several screams and mini meltdowns from the kids as well they all had food int here bellies and were acting a little better. 2 Hours later The Wide Eyed Wonder (4yr. old nephew) was still eating his toast. After many very patients 'recommendations' from Auntie he finally finished. Now it is time for BAB's first nap! YAY!!!!!!!!

To new levels

Just when I thought BAB's screeching couldn't get to a higher pitch....... It did. yay...........

God on the Pilot

I was having a very bad day on Friday. I was starting timeouts with BAB. Not a good idea to do alone! I think Pilot called me 3 times. Once to tell me he wasn't coming home until late. I cried. The next to see how I was doing. I cried again. The last time to say he was at the airport and headed home. I cried....again. When he got home he came in with flowers (my favorite kind) and a card. I cried........again. :)

Why won't she sleep?

BAB was half asleep in her carseat at 1:15pm. She is now in her crib talking still an hour later. WHY!!!!!!!!!!!???????????? She has not taken a nap today!

What we have here fellas is an over protective dog.........

Ok not really, but she is getting pretty protective. I do have to admit that I like it. I wanted a dog that was gonna protect me from the random solicitors that come to my door at 7:30 in the morning. Why? People, why? Do they think a person is going to be happy to see a random person trying to wield their religion in your face at 7:30 in the AM? OY! Sorry rabbit trail. So anyway, I was "resting" on my couch the other day and Pilot leaned down to hear me better and instead got a very loud bark to the ear. Sheila had been in a dead sleep at the end of the couch the instant before and was now between Pilot and I looking very stern. I'm not sure how a dog could pull that sort of look off....... but she did. Then a few moments later he bent down to give me a kiss and got a growling muzzle instead. He He He. She works for me. I love it! Also she wasn't very happy that Pilots cousin was on all fours playing with BAB. She kept getting in between them and growling ever so lightly. I guess I will have to keep that in mind when company comes over next.

If you find my sanity please let me know!

OK, this is how my day started.

Me (dead sleep)- Snorrrrrre
Pilot *in loud whisper*- Hun! Where is my shaving cream?
Me- mmmmm mmmmm
Pilot- What?
Me *making a swirling motion with hand*- MMMMM mmmmMMMM
Pilot- My shaving cream, where is it?
Me - Toilet
Pilot- The toilet?
Me- ITS BEHIND THE TOILET! OPEN YOUR FLIPPIN EYES!
Pilot- Why do you hate me?
Me *giving him the severest stink eye I could muster.* Why would I know where his shaving cream is? It just so happened that I did, but the fact remains I am not the keeper of his shaving cream!

After that BAB woke up screaming. Which is always nice to hear. Sheila is licking my face. And I am trying desperately to get a 50 lb dog off of me unbeknowst to my very carinf husband who is walking back out of the door. After all are fed and I have taken a shower I hear Pilot talking to someone on the phone.

Pilot- I can't come help you I have to work.
Me - *Starting to tear up because I was so looking forward to having a day to myself. * I didn't know you were working today?
Pilot- Yeah, didn't you hear work call last night?
Me- NO!!

So I called my mom and begged her to take BAB for the day. She obliged. I went shopping. I went to babies' r' us to register and then on to the mall. It was sooooooo nice!





I would also like to take a moment to commend all the single mothers out there. (and fathers) I am home with BAB for a little over half the week. It is the hardest thing ever. Being the sole responsible person for a child is totally over whelming. It is amazing that these people survive raising kids on their own. I only have one and I am drowning! Now I wouldn't go so far as to say that BAB is special needs, but she does have a few issues. She has acid reflux which means a special diet. And she has a few emotional issues steming from her biomother. Which at this age can not be diagnosed, but are still there. We will probably have issues with her for the rest of her life. This all is so draining and stressful. Kids of divorced or single parents otherwise I'm sure have a lot of issues just the same. You all get kudos from me.

BAB's visit

So BAB had a visit with her Biomom on Thursday. It was scary for me. But as I predicted it didn't even bother her. She does well in various situations when I have to leave her. She goes in the nursery well and if I have to drop her off somewhere for them to watch her. She is attached to us, but it doesn't bother her to be somewhere else. She doesn't mind it as long as she is getting attention and food. Which brings up the whole email triathalon with SW. I asked her to let the biomom know that I would appreciate her not feeding Winney to much. And also that she will scream and carry on if she sees food even though she is full. And as I've mentioned before she will eat until she pukes. So I went back and forth with the SW about this. She even said to me "oh you are so funny." I was like no I'm not funny this is serious I don't want to be up all night with a crying baby because she is sick! Of which I think she was offended, but she isn't the one that is going to be up with her. Biomom needs to learn this stuff to if she is going to try and get her back. Anyways, BAB did not seem to be effected with the visit. I am assuming she did not even recognize her biomom. It will be interesting to see how long she will have her act together to be able to have visits.

Aquasize

Its not just for senoir citizens anymore! Its for pregnant people! Ok I joined the gym. Because I am pregnant the health and wellness center at the hosptial I am delivering at I get free membership until delivery and 3 months after I am able to excersize. I thought that was pretty cool. So today I went to check it out. I walked "briskly" on the treadmill for a while. Then I got bored and decided to check out the pool. There happened to be a aquasize class about to start. I was like alright sign me up. It was pretty fun. And I'm sure if I wasn't in a pool I would have worked up a sweat. I was by far the youngest on there, but i didn't mind. I still looked good!

Two Things

I realized to things today. 1.) I never blogged the funny moments from the wedding. 2.) My other brother in law and sister in law do not have a moniker even though I have posted about them several times.

Okay number 2.) Their moniker will be Bruce and TJ. And they are owned by a very nice Kitty named Allis. (that is not a moniker......)

Number 1.)

Glamour Girl's dad (the bride's dad) was put in charge of hanging little pretty stars from the ceiling of the dance floor. Which he did so very nicely I might add with fishing thread. We kept making him do it even though he didn't want to. He was pretty good natured until we told him he had a whole other set to go. And then this was uttered - "This is sick and I don't want to do it." And he really did look sick! They whole gaggle of girl's making the nice reception hall pretty and pink about busted a gut.


During the rehearsal for the wedding the pastor was talking about putting your left hand out when your spouse to be puts the ring on. I turned to my MIL, whom I love to death, and said, "When Pilot and I got married I put out the wrong hand." She looked at me in all seriousness and said ,"Then you are not really married." I said "Oh great." In which she replied, "And your already knocked up!" I thought they were going to have to excuse the mother and sister in law of the groom from the rehearsal. We got that pew a shaken.






OH!!! And I had a young man whistle at me when I walked by! I had to look twice. I mean I"M PREGNANT and now people are whistling!

It sucks to be on the other side

A very good friend of mine had a miscarriage today. She has had a long road of infertility like me. She finally got pregnant with in vitro and lost the baby today. What sucks the most is that I'm on the other side this time. I remember how I felt when I was going through years of infertility and all these people kept getting 'pleasantly surprised'. I was so mad with jealousy. I can't describe how it feels to be going through what my friend is going through right now. If I could I would have a baby for her. I would do anything for her. But the worst part is- I'm on the other side now that I'm pregnant. Its the sad truth. I understand the hate and the jealousy the best, but I can not help her. I am the last person she wants to see. I understand. I do. I don't know why God chose this time for something like this to happen, but he always does it for a reason. My heart is breaking for her. I wonder where this is in the fair book. Why do I get to be pregnant and not her? Why do the druggies and otherwise bad parents continue to get pregnant on a whim when there are so many hurting infertile woman? Why? Why.........

Sheila

Well, she is home. Sheila fits in reallt well here. BAB and her get on fabulously together. She comes to her name and is house broken. The previous owner 'taught' her to jump up on them, so we are aggressively trying to deter that since we don't like that. We also have to put her in a crate at night so she doesn't chew our shoes, but she doesn't really seem to mind. All in all she is a good little doggy!

My cats are pissed, but they will get over it. Hatshepsut, my grey cat, has already decided she likes her. Nefertiti, my white cat, is so pissed I haven't seen her since this morning. I hope she comes back. She can hold a grudge like nobody I know. Even me......

I am going to go to petco tomorrow to get a few needed items. I need some toys. I have none! Poor Sheila! We knotted up some socks, but she loked at them like ' a pathetic excuse'. Oh well I tried!

A New Dog

We are getting a new dog! She is an Australian Shepard. Her name is Sheila. We haven't decided whether to keep this name or not. She isn't quite one years old. I have been talking to the owner for a couple of days. We are going to meet her tomorrow to pick her up. I hope she fits in good with us. YAY!

No Visit

BAB did not have a visit with her biomom yesterday. I was glad. I'm still waiting to hear if there will be one next week. Blech. I was kinda glad she didn't have one. I didn't want her to see her biomom. I know it sounds bad, but I don't think that her biomom can keep her life together long enough to actually stick around. So in the long run I think it would be worse for BAB. Although at this point I don't think she would even recognize her biomom. Who knows.

15 weeks

I am 15 weeks into my pregnancy. Starting Sunday I will be 16 weeks! I can't believe how fast it has gone! My baby is the size of a softball. Can you believe it! I can definietly tell I am getting bigger. To other people it just looks like I got a belly. I try to wear things that make me look pregnant and not fat! I felt the baby move about a week ago, but haven't since. It is really early for that and I assume that it just happened to be in the right spot at the right time. I prolly won't feel it again for a couple of weeks. But I did hear its heart beat again. I just can't tell you how that feels! Its amazing.

BAB may have a visit with biomom today. I have to wait until the SW calls me. I am interested in seeing if BAB will recognize her biomom since it has been awhile. I am going to try very hard to convince the SW to tell biomom NOT to feed and give her juice since both make her very sick. Last visit she did both. Which led do her being up all night with a belly ache and acid reflux. I'm prolly being an over protective mom. I can't help it!

But in the cute department her hair is long enough to put in a pony tail on top of her head. SO CUTE! I have to put a barrette in it so that it doesn't stick straight up!

In the not so cute department. She has discovered biting. NOT SO CUTE! She doesn't do it to really be mean. I am sure she doesn't understand it hurts others. It is more of a realease when she is over excited or when I tell her no. She is testing. yay..... So when she gets something I don't want her to I get down to her level and hold her hand away from the object saying 'mama said no.' Which inturn she has started pulling my hand to her mouth and biting. Obviously I don't let he now, but the first time it really hurt! Hopefully this will be a short phase!

It finally happened

Someone rubbed my belly. Let me repeat that. Some. One. Rubbed. My. Belly. Ok number 1. I am not that big. First baby + only 15 weeks pregnant= Little belly. Most of what you see is a little flab that I have sticking out. So when she rubbed it, quite vigorously I might add, my fat kinda jiggled around a little. Which was quite embarrassing. A coworker at where my mom works did it. I was polite. But she was lucky she recovered her hand with out teeth marks. Number 2. Since when does a pregnant woman's stomach become public property. I mean I have never ever, ever rubbed a random persons stomach. Why do it now because there is a baby growing in it? OY! All was done in innocence I know, but still very frustrating.

some addition

4 new molars+BAB= one crabby little baby

One crabby baby+One pregnant mommy=Dairy Queen drive thru

3 bathroom visits a night+insomnia= no sleep

babies heart beat on doppler+me listening=priceless

Camping round up

Can I just say that a bathroom 10 feet away from you at all times is not over rated. I regularaly thank God for my indoor bathroom since coming back home. That said BAB did really good camping. Aside from the peach dump cake incident that coincidentally someone (unbeknowst to me) fed her right before she went to bed and it gave her a bellyache that kept her up all night. Other then that she slept really good in the camper. We had alot of fun walking around and going to the beach. Pilot mountain biked enough to save a village while I biked enough to the bathrooms to save a country......

Camping

So we are going to attempt to go camping this weekend. I am actually feeling really good lately so that will help. Winney however has been fighting the sleep. So this will be interesting having her sleep in a different place. The only thing that is keeping me sane is that we are borrowing my sister's camper so I have a nice......... toilet!!!!!!!!!! Okay before you go ballistic on me about camping in all its great woodsy crap. I have done that. My dad and I backpacked a small strip on Lake Superior in the UP of Michigan. I lived on what was in the backpack on my back. I know what true camping is about. I am 13 weeks pregnant....... Peeing is a necessity... alot.. And squatting is not an option at this point. We will also be camping with a few extended family so I will have help with BAB. So that will be nice.


UPDATE- My mom has taken the vitamin B6 for a week now and no signs of genius yet. Still waiting.

Samanthe Jo Brodbeck (2/11/93-6/29/07)

I am sad to say we have lost another pet. My Sammy passed away today. She lived a good life and made many a happy memory for me and later both Pilot and I. She was 14 years old. She was my saving grace growing up and I loved her so. She will always live in my heart. My mom and dad took her and buried her under their apple tree. I will make a marker tomorrow and bring it to her grave. We will miss her dearly.

My guts are revolting

My baby is getting bigger. I have popped out a little. However it is putting pressure on my guts. They are revolting in return. I am an innocent stand byer. I swear!

Butter's and GG are back

My brother in law and sister in law made it back from the 'sin city'. They went to Las Vegas for there honeymoon. Fun was had by all. I had lunch with them and my other brother and sister in law. Looked at pictures and went home. They are headed to the UP today. By the way in case you don't know it costs $2.50 to cross the bridge.


Winney is doing good. She has settled down a little....... She also has about 4 more teeth. She got 2 more on the bottom and finally her two front teeth. She may be getting her first molars
on top soon too. She had her 1 year well baby visit last week. She is a little shrimpy. Thats alright she will fit right in! She still has to take her Acid reflux medicine and do the nebulizer every night. But all in all she is a healthy baby girl! YAY!!!!!!

12 weeks!

So I am 12 weeks today! I am so excited to be starting my 2nd trimester. Everything is going good. As long as I can stay relatively less stressful! I am feeling really good. People are still finding out. It is kinda funny. This is what I hear "Soooooooo, how are you feeeeeeeling?" I am all like "fine, is there something you want to tell me?" Its kinda funny the reactions I get! I have had some crazy cravings. So far I have ate up to 5 fruit rollups in a row, about 4 HUGE piles of mashed potatoes and gravy, and drinking milk like it is going to be gone anytime (not all of these on the same day!). And of course I am soooooooo freaking tired! Oh well, it is worth it!

The Wedding

The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!! It was nice. Everything came together at the last minute and I mean the last minute, but it worked! The reception was fun. Pilot's aunt danced to 'sexy back' with a hot stud of which she did not know. It was hilarious! Fun was had by most..... Butters and GG went to a B&B for a couple of nights then went to Las Vegas for a week. I'm so jealous! And the presents! I'm kidding. I'm really happy they were able to have a nice honeymoon and get some nice stuff.

Warning!

TO ALL WHO DO NOT HAVE KIDS YET- WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOU, ONLY THE KIDS.

My brother in law is getting married today. (YAY!!!!!) There was a rehearsal and dinner last night that really turned into a family BBQ. Everybody said this statement right here as soon as seeing me -"Where's BAB?" or "Where's the baby?" I was like ummm....... "Hello, what about me?" Apparently I'm not important anymore. Just BAB. So I started getting creative, mostly because I hate repeating myself, and started saying "Ohhhh, I put her down for the night and figured she be all right." or "It's right here!" and pointing to my belly. I mean seriously! Am I not allowed to have night to myself?!?!?!? Do I always have to have BAB?!?!?!?!?


On a brighter note, the wedding is going to be FABULOUS! It is going to be so beautiful! I am going to name my sister and brother in law Butters and Glamour Girl for moniker purposes. I am so nervous and excited for her I can't even sleep. I woke up at 6 in the morning just because I was so excited!

He's gone

Pilot and I took SP to his grandparents yesterday. It was a very sad day. I miss him so much. It's the little things. Like this morning when I woke up and my thoughts go to what I have to do in the morning - Make sure SP is okay. When did he eat last? When will he be hungry. What is the order for the morning? Feed BAB then SP or SP then BAB? Do I have time for a shower? Then I realize SP isn't here anymore. I almost cried again.

On the up side his grandma and grandpa are very nice people. I know in my heart that he is supposed to be there. His 8 year old brother reached up into SP's car seat stretching his little body in to give his little brother a big kiss as soon as I got there. It was so sweet! SP will have a wonderful life with his family. I know it is important for him to be with family. I know this..... But as far as he and I know WE are family. He will always be my little baby.


His grandma said I could visit anytime. I probably will to!

The latest

Pilot and I are going to take SP to his grandparents in Tuesday. It will be a sad say for us. But I know that it is for the best.

BAB had a small birthday party on Friday. My sister and her husband and kids came out. My mom and dad and grandparents all came out too. She had her cake and ice cream and then promptly threw up all night! Oh well she had fun. Now to plan the big one for next week!

Also I am very excited to be wearing maternity pants. The shirts not so much. They look pretty loose still. I am going to have to go buy some nice shirts that have a little extra "room". My sister thinks I'm crazy because I like wearing them! I guess thats what happens when you wait for so long for something like this to happen!

Very sad news

I received word today that SP will be going to his grandparent's to live. I'm not sure when. I asked to have him until Monday, but I haven't heard back yet. While I am glad that he will be with family, I am very sad. He has been my baby since he was 3 days old. There will be a gapping hole when he leaves. I hope to keep in contact with the grandparents for a little while at least. I will keep you all updated.

Three visits a week

Did I mention before that I had 3 visits a week with SP. This is insane! I understand why they do it though. The mother needs to bond with the baby if she is going to take him home after a year. Since this is such a crucial time with bonding. BUT what a pain in the butt! We do, however, get some money reimbursed for traveling. I believe it is like .35c a mile. Not much, but its something. So I have been marking them down. I never did with BAB, but we didn't have this much going on with her. I got word today that we were to know a little bit more on SP's long term placements.

Also BAB is having a big birthday party the day after Pilot's brother gets married. That way some of Pilot's family that lives all over may be able to come. However, my family is going to get together on her birthday so that we can have a little party. She doesn't know its her birthday, but its fun! So she gets 2 parties! Lucky her!

Heart beats

So I had my 2nd prenatal visit today. I am only 9 weeks, but they tried to hear for the babies heart beat. And they found it! I was so excited. I, of course, cried. My mom got to hear it too. Pilot was gone to work, but I called and told him. He was pretty excited to.

I am no longer able to wear my regular pants. I have to wear maternity pants, which most are to big. But its still pretty fun. I'm so excited! Not everybody nows my news yet around town. Its kinda fun being sneaky! I was a little worried about how much weight I had gained, but I had only gained 4 pounds. SO I wasn't to worried. But I really do need to be more careful. Especially since I could easily get gestational diabetes.

Other then that nothing else new. I haven't heard anything new about SP. BAB is driving us all crazy with her new "screaming". But all in all she is doing good.

Pilot Did a Good Thing

Pilot got up with SP last night! It was very nice. I, of course, had to get up to pee. And heard SP when he cried. BUT I slept all night! It was nice. Then he left this morning before BAB woke up. Which if you don't know me to well, I am not a morning person. And BAB screams from the time you put her down to change her diaper till when you put food in front of her. And when I say screams. I mean screams. Not some whiney cry. A real get in your bones and rattle them. I am honestly suroriesed that the neighbors haven't called the police on us thinking we were beating her! So my morning went down hill fast. But she is sitting in her highchair eatting now so we are good. Now SP is waking up and I have to feed him. No shower for me yet.

Teeth

Why can't teeth just magically appear in little ones mouth's? Why do they have to scream at the top of there lungs for hours because they are getting 2 molars and their front teeth all at the same time. Why? For the love of Pete, Why!?!?!?!?


Side note- Who is Pete and why do we love him so?

Vitamin B6- The wonder drug

So as we know when you are pregnant you get morning sickness. I was starting to get into the time when things get going and hormones start making you feel like crap. My doctor suggested taking B6. I can't tell you how much better I feel! This is the conversation I had with my mom

Me- "Mom, this stuff is amazing! I'm not tired. I don't feel sick any more! I am thinking better. Can you imagine what I would be like if I was taking this and I wasn't pregnant? I'd be a genius!"

Mom- " Are you sure its not crack?"

Me- " I don't know, but you should try it!"

Mom- "Riiiight......."

Sweat Pea

I heard today that he is going to be here another 3 weeks at the very least. But nothing is for sure. I will miss him terribly when he leaves. I think he will end up with family in the end. Which is important as well. I guess what ever happens is meant to be. He has a visit with the mom this week so maybe I can get more information from the social worker.

Some very exciting news

Well, I found out I'm PREGNANT! I am going to be 9 weeks on Sunday. We are very excited. We didn't think this would happen. I will keep you all updated as to the latest and greatest!

The God of Hot Water

I would like to announce that my brother-in-law is my hero and the God of hot water. The story starts like this- Pilot left me incommunicado camping yesterday along with my dad. All was going fine until this morning when I awoke at 5:30am with 2 screaming babies. After all was fed, including my very nauseous stomach, I was going to quick jump into the hot shower for a small, but very enjoyable few minutes. I turned the water on and waited for it to start getting warm....... It never did. So, beside myself, I thought "Woe is me. *throws hand over forehead* I have no hot water. Whatever shall I do? And no husband to fix it." (Okay so I really tried to fix it myself until somebody told me that it could be dangerous if I didn't know what I was doing...... Which I had no clue.) So I called my incredibly busy brother-in-law to see if he could possibly come by and rescue his favorite sister-in-law. (not to mention his only... for a couple more weeks) He manged to put his work aside to come all the way out to see what the problem was. He relit the God Blessit machine and I have beautiful hot water pouring from my shower as we speak. AHWOMAN!!!!!!!

What is this sleep people keep asking me about.....

Only kidding! Actually I have been getting a little bit more sleep then I thought! The newborn who I've decided to call Sweet Pea is a pretty good baby. Once I figured out how to get him to sleep through the night and keep him awake during the day we were doing good. Last night he even slept about 6 hours. He woke up once which woke me up and I gave him a bottle. He promptly fell asleep with out eating a half a once! So maybe I can do the same trick tonight.

I do have to say that Pilot has been very good the last couple of days. He has been cleaning and cooking a little and taking care of BAB for me so I can get used to SP. He hasn't complained much...... But today he left me for a camping trip with my dad. *sigh* My mom os going to help me though. I mean if I have SP much longer I am going to have to figure out how to manage two babies. I'll be fine...... I think.......

Well it is time for little guy to awake for a couple of hours so I'll have to stop writing for now. I will hopefully be able to blog a little bit more though!

New Arrival

We have a new foster baby. The SW told me it was going to be just a couple of weeks........ We'll see. He is a newborn. I got him right from the hospital. He is a CUTIE! Not so cute at 4 on the morning, but who is. He was a pretty good citizen last night as a whole. He wanted to be awake, but we made it through. He is waiting for a placement with a family member. The DHS has to check them out first of course. And of course nothing is for sure and he may need long term care...... Which I wouldn't cry over..... I think that it is important to have children and babies stay with family if at all possible. But after taking care of him for a little bit it will be hard to let him go!

Mass Chaos in My Backyard

Ok so I've never lived in town growing up so there may be some unwritten rule that you are allowed as children to roam free and play with other children's toys. And if there is I will live to change this rule. My neighbor and I have our playsets close to each other so that we can chat and play on each others playsets. My nephews, BAB, and I were inocently playing in the brand new kiddy pool(not even near my neighbors play set) and all of a sudden there were about 10 kids in my yard and the neighbor's play set. It was mass chaos! I had kids I didn't even know trying to get in my very small kiddy pool! One kid even exclaimed to me "You don't know me!" I was like "Your right. Why are you in my yard?" OKay so I really didn't say that, but the thought came to mind. Anyway, that girl and her 3 sister's and brother's came from a block down! Where are their parents!?!?!?!?

Helpful Nephews

The Wide Eyed Wonder was at our house the other day. He was playing games on the computer while Pilot and I were picking at each other. Pilot poked me a little and I said "Ouch!" WEW promptly turned around and said "Are you alright Aunt Leslie?" I said "Yes, I am. Thanks WEW for asking." He turns to Pilot and then says "Don't do that again or you will go in quiet time."

Thank the Lord the baby is sleeping.....

Finally BAB has decided that it is okay to sleep again. Ever since she got here she always just liked to be laid down to sleep no rocking no cuddling. She would sometimes play a little, but generally go to sleep sooner then later. So when this last couple of weeks she hasn't been going to sleep when I laid her down it was hair pulling! She would play in her crib for a good hour until I would finally go get her and have to deal with a no nap cranky little person all day! BUT! Last night she went to bed at 6:30pm and did not wake up until 8:15am. I am still in shock! And to further the shock I put her down for a morning nap at 10:15am (reluctantly) and she has been sleeping ever since! I heard her at 11:50, but haven't heard her again. I should check, but I think she went back to sleep. I'm just shocked! I hope this is not the calm before the storm.........

Racoon VS 4 grown men

Pilot was out late last night helping my dad move stuff from his mother's house. So I went to bed with out him. He came in yelling "Hey, Hey, there's a baby raccoon out there everybody is looking at with a flash light." So I get my clothes back on and walk out to see 4 grown men standing around looking at this little defenseless baby raccoon the size of a baseball mitt. They were all scratching their heads saying "I'm not touching it." He was screeching away for his mother. Apparently the mother fell out of a tree across the road. So..... I went to my garage got a 5 gallon bucket. I scooped him up and brought him across the road to the tree where his mother fell. Laid the bucket down and let the poor little imp crawl out and climbed up the tree. The 4 grown men were all like "Hey can it crawl up a tree?" I was like "Uh, Yeah." I guess it takes a woman sometimes.........

BAB is 11 months old!

BAB is going to be 11 months old tomorrow! I can't believe it! She is growing like crazy and doing all kinds things that I can't believe it! She is saying 8 words- dada, byby, dog, cat, hello, duck, mama, and all done. She is walking with just one of my hands now as well. She even sleeps all night for me. When she turns 1 I am going to throw a big party for her. She deserves it!

Grupsters

Bear with me here. I was half listening to the Today Show today and heard this word. So I stopped for a moment and listened. I was appalled. Which led me to google the word. I came up with a few websites of interest-
http://www.statesman.com/life/content/life/stories/style/03/15/15hipparents.html
http://nymag.com/news/features/16529/
And also the clip is on the Today Show's web page found here-
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032633/

I could not believe the reaction something like this got. They are making a mountain out of a mole hill here. Grupsters refers to a group of parents who "refuse to grow up". The listen to Rock music and dress their kids in clothes from The Gap and Children's Place. They dance to Disco with their children instead of Barney. These parents have been called selfish and accused of wanting to be their children's friends instead of parents.

What IS the difference if they listen to disco instead of Barney! Is their some hidden hand book that says you are supposed to forget and never bring up all music that you listened to before you had a child. Are we supposed to assume completely different identities after the babies first breathe? These parents just want their kids to know who they are, where they come from. Its part of the child's heritage.

And seriously...... God forbid parents make there children wear nice clothes. Our culture has become fashion obsessed, yes I'll give you that. However, wanting your kids to have clothes that look like your own is not selfish. All parents choose what their babies and children wear. Some choose to put their babies in little puffy balls of pink and wear sports pictures on their clothes. So are they being selfish as well by assuming the kids want to look like cotton candy and little sports freaks?

I think these parents love their children. They are just showing it to them a little differently. They are having fun and interacting with their children. Isn't that what it is all about? Isn't that what all the studies say? Spend more time with your children. They are! And you want to criticizes them for they way they do it now! Oy!

The Bike Ride

So I finally got out on my bike. We road about 6 miles. My legs immediatley took a vote and decided they hated me. I have come to the conclusion that I am REALLY out of shape! Pilot's brother and sister in law came out for the monumental ride. We ate supper and chatted for a while after that. As soon as they walked out the door I collapsed on the couch convinsed that I was dieing. Pilot seemed to think I was grossly over reacting. Easy for him to say his legs didn't take a vote.......

Weird Dreams

Last night I made Pilot sleep on couch because he hogs the bed and I get no sleep. In the middle of the night a weird thing happened. When I was about 2-5 yrs old I would sleep walk and talk...... alot. I would have whole conversations with people! Anyway I remember this happening last night like I was awake but it obviously doesn't make sense. I woke up and started panicking because I couldn't find BAB in the bed (She is never in our bed accept for play....... sometimes). I started throwing the blankets off the bed and ran out to the couch and woke Pilot up shouting "I CAN'T FIND BAB, I CAN'T FIND BAB!!!!!" He's all like "What?!?!? Isn't she up stairs?" This went on for a couple more rounds. All of a sudden I realized what was going on. It was like I was sleep walking, but I wasn't. It was weird and I never want to do it again! Poor Pilot thought the house was caving in!

New Bike

Yay! I got a new bike! Pilot and I enjoy riding on the 'rail trails' (old rail road ways that have been paved) of Michigan. Last year I had an okay bike that I think someone gave me. But this year we went and purchased a nice Trek bike and bike trailer for BAB so we can all go. I can't wait!

*sigh*

Poor BAB....... Among having breathing problems and having to do a nebulizer every day, she has acid reflux. She has to take zantac twice a day. She likes to eat and try new things as per any baby at this age. I think after she stops eating it probably hurts because she starts screaming and crying. But if you didn't know that you would think she was hungry. You would not believe the looks I get when people see this. I would seriously not be surprised if someone called social services on me! If I was looking at myself I would think 'that lady is starving her child!' However I would like to say that she is quite "meaty". There is no starving of the baby. She gets 2 food meals and 3 bottles a day. On the flip side when I'm not around people give her to much food because she acts like she is hungry when in reality I think she knows it feels better for her to eat. However in the long run she is miserable. She pukes up and is obviously not feeling good since she cries alot and has a hard time getting to sleep. I know these people are just doing what they think is right. I guess I need to be more assertive on what she needs and when. This is all new mommy stuff for me. *sigh*

My nephew

My oldest Nephew whom we will call Wide Eyed Wonder called me the other day. This is the conversation. (BTW he is 3 going on 20)

Phone ringing:
Me: (jamming to the song) "Hello"
WEW: " Hiiiiiii. Whats BAB doing?
Me: " Oh she's sleeping."
WEW: "Is she upstairs?"
Me: "Yep."
WEW: "OKay.......... What are doing?"
Me: "Checking my email"
WEW: " Okay........ Bye!" CLICK

I guess he decided everything was up to code.....

Bug A Boo

BAB is doing good. She is going to be 11 months pretty soon. I can't believe it! She is practicing standing on her own and almost ready to walk! She has come so far in 2 months of being with us. She says mama, dad, yeah, baba (as bye bye), and I swear she said 'ganpa' the other day. Anyway she is getting in her incisor teeth. I'm guessing.... She has no teeth inbetween! Two on the bottom though. I call her Miss Fangs.

Pilot is coming home

So my husband is coming home tonight. But the whirlwind starts soon after. We have PRIDE training first thing in the morning. Afore mentioned training would be a required training for foster care. It is incredibly boring and goes from 9am - 4pm. I can hardly stay awake. Along with about half the class. The rest of them are annoying-look-at-me-I'm-so good-because-I'm-going-to-be-a-foster-parent-and-I-like-the-attention-when-I- talk
people. Which is so fun since I can't even look at Pilot without busting a gut since we are thinking the same thing. So then after that we have a wedding to go to. And then come back home and sleep. Next day church then to my mom and dad's house for lunch. Hang out a little then go home. Next day Pilot is back to work.

Part TIme Single Mother.....

So Pilot's schedule is odd to say the least he works 3-5 days a week. Sounds good right? No he is actually gone 3-5 days a week. So I figure I am a part time single mother. Well some times it can be hard. I knew it would be. But sometimes I just can't help but be mad anyways. This is a highlight from the conversation Pilot and I had today:

Me: "I need you to be here. I can't just get people to watch BAB whenever I have an appointment, funeral, or just to get out alone for a while. She has been to 3 different people's houses this week and its only Wednesday!" (at this point I will admit my voice was raising ...... slightly......)

Pilot: (Calmly) "Well, I can't be home tonight. I still have another trip to do tomorrow."

Me: "I NEED YOU HERE!" (Ok at this point I was shouting............ a little bit)

Pilot: (Calmly) "I don't think shouting at me over the phone is going to magically make me appear in front of you...."

At this point I was glad we were on the phone because I couldn't help but crack a smile at that. It was kinda funny. Darn him.....

What a day

My great Grandpa died last Saturday. He just turned 100 years old. He has been living with my grandma for over a year. She took it pretty hard.
I'm not sure how, but I've managed to futtel through my grandma's "simple" computer question. So they think I'm the geek squad..... Anyway, I've been put in charge of finding and down loading the song 'This ole'house" by Stuart Hamblin. Well, after a hour search I find out he was the composer....... Rosemary Clooney sang it. Not only did Rosemary Clooney sing it she sang it in 20 different versions....... I coldn't pick so I downloaded 4 different versions so they can pick which one they like. (Oh brother)
And......... I cleaned the house because the Social Worker is coming over tomorrow. I have been getting behind since Bug a Boo (foster baby) came, much to Pilot's(my husband) chagrin. But I am finished. Bug a Boo is in the crib. Still not sleeping. She likes to play a little before she sleeps. Whatever.

First Post

Well I have succumbed to the blogging. My friend has been blogging for a year and I thought I would join the club. I live in Smalltown, USA. I am married to a pilot. He flies for a commercial airline. I have a dog and two cats. I own a house and my husband comes a visits me when he is not working. We also have a 10 month foster baby. She keeps me going......