41 Weeks

Oh, yeah.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

This would be a really good habit to get into - we just dropped Maggie off at preschool, and I've decided now would be a really good time to sit down and write a post. Yay, me!

Another habit that would be easy to slip into at this time would be a nap! I'm mostly resisting because I won't want to get up in time to go get Maggie again...I think the nap will be well-played when she's home safe and sound and wants to relax after school in front of the tv.

A couple weeks ago Maggie cracked us all up. We were at my brother's house, and Maggie and her two cousins were playing in the other room. All of a sudden we hear, "I'm okay! I'm okay!" from Maggie. She was on a ride-on toy a bit too small for her and flipped it. We chuckled a bit. The best part, though, was after dinner when we hear, "Oh no - not again!" and see Maggie and the toy flipped again. We couldn't stop laughing that time.

I'm still chuckling just re-reading that last blurb. I'm easily amused :)

It's finally getting too cool for flip-flops. And my tennis shoes are almost too small on my fat pregnant feet! I've got socks and shoes on today, but I have to wear them in the house too because there's no way I'm taking them off and actually getting them back on again. Sorry, hubby!

Menu Plan Monday

In the last few days, my appetite has once again kicked into high gear!!

Monday: Kielbasa and Mac & Cheese

Tuesday: Lazy Tacos/Nachos (I just layer refried beans, ground beef, cheese and salsa, then scoop it up with tortilla chips - yummy with awesome leftovers too!)

Wednesday: Chili

Thursday: Pork Chops (hopefully hubby will make his schnitzel!) with Au Gratin Potatos

Friday: Beef Stew?

I wish I could sit here and try a bite of each RIGHT NOW!!

Something to Look Forward To!

We're into that limbo with no plans...

My life is sort of like that (except my weekly midwife visits) until the baby is definitely on the outside.

I do have stuff coming up once he's sure to be here. The middle of October is when our fun starts! October 12 - 16 is our next Disney on Ice show! We'll be seeing Disney on Ice presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Some people are questioning my plans to have my newborn with me and try to continue with life as usual, but especially in the first month or so, I think he'll be pretty easy going. What's your experience been?



To get your discounted tickets online, at the box office or by phone, use the discount code MOM - you'll get four tickets for $44!


I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

Mystery Shows

Guest post of the week by Bradley Guthrie

I really like mysteries, always have, so when I got Direct tvI started looking for shows that would totally feed that addiction. I think my favorite ones currently are Unsolved Mysteries (who had any idea that show was still on!?) and there’s one called Cold Case that’s also pretty cool. I like the shows that are sort of like CSI but they’re real life, and they often have an actual resolution, which is gratifying. I don’t really get scared even though I live alone and I feel like maybe in a previous life I was supposed to be a detective or something. My friends all think I’m really weird when they come over and I’m watching some show about a horrible murder but what can I say? It’s just what entertains me and I think that’s what TV is all about at the end of the day! I like the creative and intellectual aspect of figuring out a crime and I don’t feel bad about watching something like this rather than, like, Jersey Shore.

Happy Due Date!

Spit and Polish

I don't consider myself to be particularly meticulous about my car. Sure, I like it to be clean enough to be comfortable, but since some days I feel like I live in it, I'm not surprised for it to have a 'lived-in' look, you know?

It may not have every fancy bell and whistle, but it has my nifty travel basket in the back, and there's another cloth tote that I like to keep in the car just for Maggie's toys. I accept that we have a bit of clutter, and I try to give it a place.

Hubby, on the other hand, would love to see a spotless car every time he gets in, but it's usually just him getting in the car. And that's usually for a trip to work and back, not to seventeen errands that involve picking some stuff up, and dropping other stuff off. When he gets home, he has nothing to carry into the house.

Periodically we try to reach a compromise. I make several trips into the house to get all of the 'leftovers' from multiple trips of shopping, pick-ups and deliveries, and Maggie's assortment of daily favorite toys. And then he'll admit at some point that it's as good as it will get.

Someday I won't have so many important errands, and special toys to haul, and pictures painted at school or a friends house. Someday I'll have time to sit and eat my lunch at home, instead of on the run to something fun that Maggie or I just can't stand to miss. My car may look forward to that day, but I sort of dread it. ;)

Now Much Longer Now?

I now feel like I've been big forever, but I keep reminding myself that this is the easy part ;)

Have you ever had kidney issues? I've been having some kidney pain lately, and it's HORRIBLE! I've been through childbirth once already, and my back surgery stuff a few years ago, but I don't remember either of them being quite as excruciating as my kidney hurting last weekend (and then trying to hurt that bad again!). I of course checked with 'Dr Google' and found some advice for avoiding future kidney issues, and I can only hope it'll work for a couple more weeks (or til the baby is ready to come out ;) ).

Today's special me treat was a massage. I wish it was strictly for a treat, but I'm really hoping the kink that's been in my neck will be gone tomorrow. It's worked in the past, so I'm optimistic.

The 'official' due date is September 20 - five days from today, and six days from when the picture above was taken. After tomorrow, my plans are pretty much taken care of for almost a month, so once Saturday hits, I'll be as ready as ever...

Just Curious...

Someone posted on Facebook (of course) the other day, wondering what kids of today would feel they had done without while growing up.

It got me to thinking now only of what crazy (but great) new developments there will certainly be, but wondering whatever happened to some things that were supposed to be real gifts.

Since I was a kid, for example, there are decidedly less people smoking (or at least that's the impression, since it isn't really allowed anywhere). But whatever happened to the e cigarette? They were supposed to be the greatest thing, allowing one the comfort of continuing to smoke, without the health risks to themselves and those around them.

What do you remember being presented as the next greatest thing since sliced bread? Do you have or use it?? If not, do you know why not?

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I have a constant 'stitch' on my left side, near the back. Ouch.
2. The cat wants to be fed, but I don't want to go back down the stairs til I'm done with this. Sorry, Audrey!
3. I've had a tic in my left eye for almost a week. Pretty annoying.
4. I hope I'm not usually this whiny :(
5. I've watched a little bit of Top Gear with hubby lately. It's amusing.
6. As a result a whopping half-episode of Top Gear the other night, everyone in my dreams that night spoke with a British accent. This has much more impact if you realize how much more frequently I dream when pregnant.
7. Maggie had a ball visiting her preschool today. I can only imagine how much she's going to love the real thing starting next week.
8. I'm excited to say I'm having the new baby's (and Maggie's!) placenta encapsulated. There's a company a few hours away who will be coming to do it after the baby is born.
   
9. I was also pretty happy to realize the great deals we got at Carter's outlet store in the mall closest to us the other night. The mall is really big so I haven't been able to 'stroll' around much, but I was glad to get a bunch of what we needed ;)
10. Are you familiar with Ooma home phone service? We're considering it, so collecting opinions from anyone who uses it, or knows someone who does. Thanks!
    

Ugh...

I keep meaning to go check my old posts and see how I was feeling at the end of my pregnancy with Maggie. Hubby says it's just pregnancy amnesia, but I'm feeling pretty rotten lately, and I don't remember feeling yucky at the end of my first pregnancy.

I'm starting to cross more things off my schedule and spend more time just lying around. There's a meeting I've said I'll try to attend on Monday, but I'd be much more likely if it was via conference call services by Zip conferencing. To make it a half hour to a meeting now kind of involves hubby going with me, since he doesn't want me out gallivanting this late in the game alone. Which doesn't mean we won't go, but everything takes a bit more planning on all of our parts.

I keep hoping that I'm just fighting some regular sort of bug, and I'll feel better soon, but I'm not terribly optimistic. I suspect my body is just beat, and will continue to feel like this until it's back to one occupant, if you know what I mean ;)

Am I Ready for Childbirth?

I doubt it! Hahahaha..... Even the intro to this quiz pointed it out for me:

"The nursery is painted, the diapers are stacked, and the too-cute clothes are washed and ready. But are you actually prepared for the main event? Read on to see how ready you are for labor and delivery!?

Reality around here? The diapers are in a package (sposies) or arriving daily (cloth I've acquired so far), and the few clothes we have are nowhere near washed (I'll need to pick up detergent first, I imagine!).

So their final results tell me, "Not bad! You could stand to brush up on a few more childbirth facts. Check out our labor and childbirth resources for a bit more information."

Pregnant? See how prepared you are for childbirth at babyzone.

Disney on Ice - Coming Soon!

Boy was I excited to open my email and see that Disney on Ice presents Mickey and Minnie’s Magical Journey is coming to the Palace of Auburn Hills next month! Bloggers can once again get four tickets for $44 by using the discount code "MOM" when purchasing online, by phone, or at the Palace box office.



I don't know if I told of my stress at the last show we went to (Maggie DESPERATELY needed to use the bathroom when we arrived, and there is no facility until after you pick up your tickets and get past the gate security), but this time we'll have no such problems - our new house is just minutes from the Palace!
Maggie thinks Disney on Ice is always happening at the Palace, and she's been pretty perturbed that we haven't been again lately. She's very excited to introduce her new little brother to the fun next month.

The show runs from October 12 - 16. Hope you can come out and see it too!


I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this blog, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I really need to start writing stuff down. I've known I had a lot coming up in September, but I suddenly find myself guessing what it was! Have I missed anything yet? And would anyone dare to confront my very pregnant self about it?

I'm getting so flighty I can't even remember what's random anymore...

Why does Faygo have to only stock Rock N Rye regionally? At least that's my assumption. I had no problem buying it near our old house, but now, a mere hour away, I can never find it when I really want it. So I'm trying to enjoy my cream soda and Funyuns and pretend it's just as good, but I'm not really convinced that it is.

I love feeling the baby move around inside me. I honestly enjoy being pregnant, and I'm especially appreciating it knowing this is the last time. I'll miss the miracle of growing a baby inside me <3

Still on the Agenda

Lately my to-do list never seems to become a 'done' list. I blame it on third-trimester exhaustion.

I was talking last week about needing a couple school dresses for Maggie. We tried to stop in a couple shops on Friday while bumming around the mall, but I just wasn't up for the crowds. We decide this may be a good mini-outing for Saturday, to the outlet mall nearby. I'm so close to the end of this pregnancy that I'm not really looking for anything, clothes-wise, but we'll keep an eye out for mens designer clothes and some Maggie school stuff.

I'm glad Saturday is practically a bonus day, since everything I wanted accomplished wasn't done on Friday, and we're having company on Sunday and Monday. It all works out in the end ;)

10 Random Things for Friday

1. Today has been an exceptionally long day, and I keep thinking it's already Saturday. Hubby went into work for a few hours, and we went and picked him up at 11AM when we were headed out to start our day. Now we've been going, going, going ever since, and I feel like it's been a day of hubby at work, then another day after that. Whew!
2. Did I mention it's hot?
3. What is it about wet fingernails that makes me have to use the bathroom? Is this some corollary of Murphy's law that no one ever told me?
4. Why did I think it would be a good idea to put another coat on my nails in this humidity anyway??
5. I'm excited that hubby (hopefully) will have three days off with us! He worked a lot of hours this week, thus the half day off already today ;)
6. The baby in my tummy is moving a ton today. And hubby says he 'dropped' today too. That doesn't necessarily mean anything immediate, but boy do I not feel ready to have him on the outside yet!
7. Other freak-out for today: A friend I used to work with who was due Sept 18 (two days before me!) had her baby last night. Yikes! Everything's okay - he's just in NICU while his lungs develop a bit more.
8. Oops. I also forgot I have laundry in process before I painted my nails. Guess what I get to do in the morning?...
9. I am looking forward to autumn/cider mill season. Is this just a regional thing? I've never lived anywhere but Michigan, so I really don't know if everyone gets to enjoy fresh cider and donuts in the fall. ;)
10. Hope you have a great Labor Day weekend!!!
    

The Heat Again?

Whoa. It's really hot again. At 11:30PM, I'm sitting in my office enjoying a game of Zombie Lane that I wouldn't expect to be strenuous, and sweating. Really?

Maybe a better plan this evening would have been a lukewarm soak in the jacuzzi tub (at least our bedroom is the coolest one upstairs) with some mellow-smelling sugar scrubs. I don't even think I'd worry much about the water cooling off. But I suspect a bath, much like my morning shower, ends in disappointment when I still have to get out eventually and try to put clothes on in the humidity. Ugh.

All that being said, don't get me wrong - I really don't like the cold. When it's this hot, I could always go hang out in the basement, where it is always cool. I just enjoy the other conveniences and distractions in my life enough to tolerate the heat. Even at 37 weeks pregnant ;)

Might Have Been Worth It....

Yesterday? Was like Alexander's no-good, very-bad day. Unfortunately it was like this for everyone in our household. That meant no one got any sympathy or comforting either. Luckily we did all live to tell the tail.

Today? Has been a much better day. Early on it was still pretty neutral, but I got done what I needed to get done. My P.O. box held some new freebie return address labels, along with TWO Carter's catalogs with coupons attached. Tonight hubby got to leave work on time (as opposed to the last two days, when he was there well past 9PM) to come home for an appointment he had. And I left in high spirits for a chocolate tasting party.

The party finally broke my streak of..well...some not-so-good parties lately. We're not actually closing it out until next week, but it's already up by my average from last year, instead of last month. And when I got home and checked my email, I had one request to book a show, and two other leads! So I got to sit down and enjoy the delicious dinner hubby had made with a smile on my face.

I really like when the karmic payback for an undeserved horrible day comes quickly ;)