Sucker for a good deal...

...and this is the best deal --- FREE!

I've seen this on several friends' blogs, so sorry for the repeat.  BUT, let me tell you about shutterfly and the fun things it has to offer.  And speaking of offers - just by letting you know about some cool things shutterfly does, I get 50 free cards.  Pretty sweet, huh?

But honestly, I would tell you about shutterfly whether I was getting free stuff or not.  I've used shutterfly for both cards and photobooks in the past.  I personally love that I can put multiple pictures on a card or be flexible with photobook pages.  You all know how cheap of a scrapbooker I am -- the more pics I can share on a page the better!  I like the many different colors and icons to choose from.  Check out these selections and prices:


Christmas photocards
Holiday cards
Christmas cards

But of course shuttefly does more than just cards and photobooks.  Look at these cute holiday invitations!  Makes me want to host my OWN party!  I made a photo calendar for my parents last year and they loved it - I made a desk calendar, but the poster might be fun to do with yearly family photos as a keepsake ?  Oh boy - my Christmas shopping is done - I better not get too many new ideas!

Thanksgiving 2010

I haven't written in forever!  It hasn't been for lack of topics to write about!  I'm going to *try* a short recap - especially of Thanksgiving... and it may need to go into a few segments!  ; )

We took our first trip up north since moving to KC in July.  I was apprehensive of the drive to say the least especially since we wanted to hit the road Tuesday night.  We packed up and set out with the intention of driving the whole way unless we absolutely couldn't stay awake OR if M was either crazy or just plain not sleeping.  I took the first shift (the easier one) because the car makes me SLEEPY and if I slept first I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to wake up enough to drive. 

We picked up some McD's on the way out -- JJ set up our meals and we sang some tunes and then M was out.  JJ soon followed and I drove until we were on E (Sioux Falls, SD).  When I stopped (around 11:30ish), M woke up and J gave her a quick diapey change.  She had a little water and a little snack and was back out in no time.  JJ hit the road, I quickly fell asleep and we arrived in Fargo around 2:30 am... to a locked house.  I won't go into details of how we got in - ever the internet safety stooge, you know!  ; )  But, we did, and our wonderful hosts, A and LJ (although I'm going to guess this was all LJ!) had their youngest son (A)'s room (with a futon) all set up for us, while he bunked with them in their room.  They have a fabulous walk-in closet, but it still makes me giggle when she says, "You can stay in A's room - we'll just put him in the closet."  We got M situated with Baby Stella, two blankies and her sippy.  She was a little giddy --- Mommy!  Daddy!  Sleep!  --- she's not used to sleeping in the same room as us!  But only a few moments later, she lay down and was out.  We all slept soundly until about 7:30 when M happily woke up (right about her usual time - yay! - so much for all my worry about her getting totally off her routine).

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving week(ish) full of family time.  We got to visit with J's brother A and SIl LJ (and their three kiddos), J's parents (B and CJ), J's brothers B and P, and LJ's parents (D and CM).  MVJ was constantly playing (while making sure I was either right there or holding her).  She loves, loves kids and cousins L, B and A were fabulous with her!  A and L's house is set up perfectly for kids running around more or less independently.  She slept relatively well, ate ok, and didn't do anything too naughty besides cling to me like velcro - very clingy, clingy velcro.  She even had her first experience with snow - last year she was too little and... well... it was 73 in KC the Sunday before we left...  She wasn't quite sure about it, but did get some good kicking and throwing in.  Her gloves left much to be desired, but we should now be ready for the next bout (Christmas at the least)! 

I ate a ton of delicious food, shared some laughs and lively conversation, got in a game or two (including some fabulous Guess Who action with L and B and a very heated Whist game), got to share some gifts with our family, opened some very thoughtful gifts, did a little early morning shopping Sunday (but not crazy shopping - we were up about 5:30 and went to three shops) and just overall enjoyed being with people we know and love!

It was not only a J holiday - my parents also drove up Friday night to visit though Saturday afternoon.  Knocking off about nine hours to visit us was too tempting for them!  M entertained and we even had lunch with Uncle W.

We headed home Saturday evening after our success with the night driving Tuesday.  Though we were about an hour later, it still worked out really well - M did wonderfully and JJ and I were able to take our turns driving while the other at least rested.  I think the best part was having today to recoup.  We can't wait to see our family again in a few weeks for Christmas!

From the mouth of babes...

...about babes

My tummy is growing.  That is not a big surprise.  Although, the rate at which it is growing is definitely different this second time around - which I've heard is pretty typical.  I haven't officially told every student at my elementary school, so I still get lots of interesting looks AND - thankfully for your sakes - some interesting comments.  Here are a few:

When telling my small reading group, one of the 5th graders said, "I thought you were getting bigger."

A random 2nd grader: "Will you be going to the doctor soon?"
Me (kind of thrown off): "Uhh...?"
R2ndG - meaningfully glancing at my belly.
Me: "Oh!  Are you looking at my tummy?"
R2ndG shyly: "Yes..."
Me: "That was a nice way to ask!  Yes, I am having a baby."
It was then followed up by R2ndG: "So how did the baby get IN your tummy?"
Me: "You'll have to go home and ask Mom and Dad about that one."
I know, I know, missed teachable moment...  but sorry... not going there especially with MY belly big and huge!  Hypotheticals are one thing people!  Also, what would his parents (and the parents of all the kids in the class - whose ears had definitely perked up by this point) want him to know at this point??
R2ndG: "Well, so will it hurt when the baby comes OUT of your tummy?"
Me (cringing slightly): "Yes, it will.  Now I think you should get back to your spelling page."  (stinker)

My high needs kiddo has something new to say every day and yes, there have been some attempts to touch the tum-tum, which have been thwarted... so far...  I'm pretty sure he's discussed me being pregnant at home.  Some of his comments include:
"So... are you going to have a baby?"
"Well, so is it going to be a boy or a girl?"
"Are you going to have the baby like now or soon or something?"
and my favorite -- "Is he going to be cute?"

Here's a little song I wrote for... me...

sung to the tune of "The Bear Went Over the Mountain"

The fifth graders are going on a field trip...
The fifth graders are going on a field trip... 
The fifth graders are going on a field trip.
And I don't have to go!

And I don't have to go!  (everybody now!)
And I don't have to go!

The fifth graders are going on a field trip...
The fifth graders are going on a field trip... 
The fifth graders are going on a field trip. 
And I don't have to go!

What does this mean exactly??  Well.... the only part of my day that does not consist of fifth graders is 1:30-2:50.  SOOOOOOOO oh my... the possibilities are endless.  Last night right before I left I giddily wrote down my to-do list.  File, shred, correct, schedule, make, plan..... OH my!  This is not sarcastic in any way.  I LOVE to do lists and am beside myself with knowing I have some time to get things done.

Happy Friday to ME!

If Daylight Savings Time were a prescription drug...

...it would definitely come with a warning:

*Not for children under five.
*Not for people with such children in their households.
*Not for women who are pregnant or nursing.


I used to LOVE daylight savings time -- well especially the fall one of course!  Gain an HOUR!  An hour of sleep!  An hour of hanging out with friends!  An hour in the morning before Church so I actually did my hair that day!

I can't even blame M too much - it was all me this year.  I woke up about 5 am (with DST adjustment) and could NOT get back to sleep, no matter how hard I tried!  When you try so hard do you find that you're keeping yourself awake that much more??  Anyways, I decided enough was enough.  Baby decided he was hungry.  At about 5:30 am I was eating breakfast and taking care of some computer business I needed to do (pay my student loan... choose a few new books from M's book order... write to our Compassion kiddo... facebook... check my email...).  Even this morning I was up a good hour before my alarm.  It does have some perks - getting a few things done - some laundry here, a clean sink there - but I'll be dragging tonight I'm sure!

M did pretty well... at times... But she also had her moments.  One of them being throwing herself on the floor (down the aisle) at Church and kicking her legs and swinging her arms (not tantrumming, but "floor dancing" to the music).  I was inclined to let it go.  JJ was like, "Take her to the nursery!!"  Another one was when she looked at me with that "I'm SO doing something naughty!  Are you watching this Mom?!" look on her face as she put a big stick in her mouth while we were having a nice conversation about how we don't put such things in our mouths.  Then she also went with us to Bible Study.  Ok, get this, because it is a first for us.  Bible Study with adults... and the leaders' parents come over to babysit downstairs.  What, what, what?!  Perfect!  M had a blast.  They were so quiet that at the end of the study we were all joking that we would find the poor H's tied up downstairs and the toddlers running the place.  The H Grandma runs the preschool that is affiliated with our Church (and nursery during Church), so she definitely has a few tricks up her sleeve!   

It's a BOY peanut!

We are so excited to announce that we are having a BOY! 

Of course I can't just have a quick announcement.  I HAVE to tell you the whole story!  : )  I would include pics this time but our printer/scanner is acting up.  AND JJ is taking some pics with him to school today.  I'm not kidding when I say we have THIRTEEN pics to choose from!  Our ultrasound tech was AWESOME.  When I said I was a scrapbooker she made sure to take extra I think.  The feet ones are just too perfect - I commented that we'd be making that part of our Christmas card, so she quickly shot another one through and took off the word feet.  Besides being so accommodating to my photo "needs" she was (in JJ's words) flippin' good at it too. 

BUT my story doesn't actually start at the ultrasound tech.  Oh no.  I had to get there first.  And we have a temperamental Gar-Gar.  I knew "about" where I needed to go.  Oh - I should insert that my doctor works Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays if you might remember, BUT on Thursdays she works in a different suburb.  So, like I said I had an idea of where to go, but then of course I ran into road construction and Gar was NOT workin' with me.  I missed one exit.  Boo, so I knew I'd have a little bit of backtracking.  Then I could see the Medical Center on my right and knew I was getting close.  I got off and assumed I'd be going right.  Oh no, Gar wanted me to go left.  Being ever trusting, I took a left and sure enough, there I was on a frontage road.  Perfect!  (Also, at this point I was about bursting at the seams with pee - they tell me to drink X oz of water?  I double it!  I want a PERFECT opportunity to see this baby!) 

I quickly pulled into the parking lot, and about peed my pants.  I wasn't in the right parking lot but was right next to the building so I traipsed around the building and ran inside.  No JJ... and... my doc's name is nowhere.  I broke a cardinal rule and used the restroom.  I was flustered and the potty situation was NOT helping.  I called JJ, and he said he WAS in the waiting room so I looked around the building.  It was a Women's Clinic... but not MY women's clinic.  Also when I told JJ the Medical Center was across the interstate he assured me that I was at the wrong place.  I backtracked, got on the CORRECT frontage road and pulled up quickly.  JJ already had filled out my paperwork and we were off to the ultrasound room.  A no-appointment had jumped in front of us so we waited (but for not very long).  The ultrasound tech. apologized up and down but we explained that I had been running late so it really was not that big of a deal.

THE BABY.  OH!  Our first glimpse of our tiny miracle was "the baby" (we didn't know it was a boy at that point) all doubled over playing with "his/her" feet.  It was PRECIOUS.  Then she asked what we thought (after establishing that we WANTED to know).  I said boy right away and JJ agreed.  I mean I don't want to be so... cavalier... but seriously baby boy parts are hard to miss.  Ok?  Ok.  I turned to JJ and said, "What are we going to do with a boy?"  The UT said, "OH!  Boys are much easier!!"  : )   

He was an active little thing - we even saw him with the hiccups!  He stretched and curled up.  He put his hands in front of his face when she was trying to get a face pic.  He put his hand out to look almost as if he was waving.  It was way too amazing.  Too amazing.

Then, I started dancing.  I had to go to the bathroom SO bad.  I had admitted that I had cheated with using the restroom at the other clinic so JJ found it hard to believe I still had to go.  I assured the UT that I wanted as much face time with my baby and would be ok.  She said she was almost done anyways and went it to take a pic of the placenta and all that jazz.  THEN, then she saw my bladder.  I'm not too proud of this fact: I had the fullest bladder she'd ever seen.  She told me that the measurements of the placenta and all that would be off because of the fullness of the bladder so she kindly asked me to relieve myself and I kindly accepted her directive.  I'm pretty sure I ran out of the room with the goo-towel still on my tummy.

After that she noted that my placenta WAS still measuring a little low and far away from whatever it is it should be closer to (JJ already left for school so my anatomy resource has left the building).  Darn.  At my next appointment they have to do another ultrasound.  WELL... I guess if we HAVE to check out that beautiful baby again... I GUESS we can!  ; )

Everything else went well.  And now... to prepare for a BOY!  I'm already planning on going through at least the newborn-3 month bin this weekend... and of course a little shopping is in store!  I think we already know the name...  But, when we were trying it out in the doctor's office, JJ announced that the name might be "too cool" for us.  I'm not sure exactly what that means, but I'm thinking we better keep trying it out to make sure it's "the one"!       

RAVE!: Best baby book!

I definitely have some rants running around in my head, but would way rather share this fantabulous book with you!  My SIL LJ introduced me to this book and I had talked myself into perusing it when we got there for Thanksgiving.  It's just that... well... I became impatient and also decided this is probably not our last baby and so of course we'll need the book for our subsequent pregnancies, right?  Right.

This is the very best baby book I've ever flipped through.  It's like an actual book - not just a list of names.  There are many awesome features, but I think my favorite one is the name genres in the back.  I can say without a doubt that we will probably never choose a name from the "Country and Western" section.  Beau?  Rowdy?  Tex?  Yeah, just probably NOT happening.  M's name was in the "Antique Charm" section and... what can I say?  I just love those names.  Another cool feature of the book is the way it shows a name's trend.  Not only does it tell you it's ranking, but also the year it reached it's highest ranking and a quick graph of the name's popularity from the 1880s to present.  Just one more cool thing about it and I'm done with my blog-infomercial!  While I don't hang my hat on this feature, it is just cool to see: it also gives brother and sister names that would pair well with each name. 

Naming is such an important process.  Will we have a pattern with our names?  All Ms?  All Antiques?  All with cutesy nicknames?  We are sure that the middle name will always carry a namesake.  I'm trying really hard to not commit until we find out if our peanut is a girl peanut or a boy peanut... trying... : )

Worst call ever...

I'm in my room with a student working at about 9:30 when my phone rings.  Really, my phone never rings and I have it on a very low setting so it was kind of shocking I registered that I was getting a call at all.  My student happened to be on "reward time" so I just happened to be at my desk.  It was all as if it was meant to be!  We have caller ID, so I saw that it was the main office.  I figured I'd better answer.  When I picked up, it was M's daycare.  "Hello, this is *Assistant Director* at *M's school*.  She has been crying all morning and we think we have it narrowed down to her arm.  She hasn't been moving her right arm all morning and cries at the slightest movement.  We tried giving her her sippy just to her right arm and she wouldn't take it."  Poor baby!  I went across the hall to get the school nurse (who knows my student well) to see if she would cover me for a minute so I could call M's pediatrician and Daddy (who was home sick this morning with my stomach stuff... ewww!).  She said, "No, you just need to go right now.  Just go right to urgent care." 

I made the fastest arrangements I've probably ever made and headed out the door.  I left a quick message on JJ's phone on my way out the door.  Smart me I had programmed M's pediatrician's office into my cellphone and called them on the road to daycare.  They said they had an opening immediately (with the other ped. in the office) and could see her for that type of health concern.  When I got there the Director of the daycare met me at the door with M crying.  She looked miserable.  We got her into her coat.  Wailing.  I got her into her carseat.  Screaming.  Poor sweet baby girl.  I kept telling her that we were going to the doctor and he would make it all better.  When she heard doctor, she said, "No more monkeys!  Naughty, naughty monkeys!"  (That's what she knows of doctors right now: Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!")  As I was gingerly getting M into her carseat, Daddy called and said he was heading out a little later to do vision screenings at a school with his class - he had missed morning class but felt better.  He would meet us at the clinic to see what we should do the rest of the day.

We beat Daddy to the clinic and she was just absolutely worn out from crying.  She was worried as the nurse tried to weigh her and resigned to a little cuddle time as the nurse took down "the story".  JJ was the next to arrive, thank goodness.  Daddy just brings a sense of calm to intense situations.  I *try* it's just when my baby is crying like that I want it fixed yesterday... you know?  Daddy felt M's arm and told me exactly what he thought was wrong.  Subluxation of the radial head (of the elbow).  Uh-huh... EXACTLY what I was going to say...  Doctor came in.  He again wanted to know the scoop.  He wanted to know a specific incident last night or this morning.  I totally believe my daycare that they were twirling her around by her wrists or anything like that!  I think it definitely was a case of a kiddo grabbing her wrist and she wanted to go one way and he wanted to go the other or a good bonk that went unnoticed until she tried to move it or whatever.

He felt her arm - to M's discomfort and pain.  I'm sure she was also worried and anxious at this point.  All this hullabaloo, pain, unfamiliar situation, not in the routine, etc. He said he wanted us to take a little time - read a book or two and see if she would start moving her arm on her own.  If not, he wanted her to have x-rays done.  Sure enough.  It was crazy!  We read one, maybe two pages, and she completely started using her arm again.  No more tears.  Laughing and playing with Mommy and Daddy.  It was such a miracle.  JJ looked at us reading and said, "THAT is why I want to be a doctor."

Now whenever MVJ hears the word "better" (as in - "You're so warm, let's take off your sweater.  There, that's better.") she says, "Doctor.  Better."  We are so happy she has this positive association with doctors.  Maybe the sucker at the end of the visit helped... : )

Weekend Woes

I refuse to get used to this.  Every weekend it seems like I'm down and out.  Last weekend it was the head stuff.  THIS weekend I was throwing up all day Saturday and near it all day Sunday.  : (  Baby?  Bug?  Either way it was not fun for me.  It seemed like I was fine until I ate leading me to believe it was bug.  But then I get so nervous about taking in enough food for the baby.  At one point I felt like I hadn't felt the baby in a while and asked JJ to intervene.  A few good pokes (with some "help" from M) and the baby poked him right back.  At about 3 am... I guess it would be Monday morning... I woke up completely well rested... and starving.  So goofy.  I hope I'm not overdoing it during the week and it catches up to me on the weekends.  I guess we'll find out what the doc says this week...

COMPANY!

I have lots of blog topics floating around in my head, so stay tuned this week!  I promise to be better at updating than I was in October!

This week we were absolutely blessed to have our good friends C and M (and cute as a button daughter N) A visit us all the way from I-wa.  Pronounced that way in the sawth.  C is an air traffic controller and his weekends are Thursdays and Fridays right now.  Ever since we moved here we rooted around for the perfect time for them to visit and this last weekend was IT!  With parent-teacher conferences M-W evenings and all day Thursday, we had Friday OFF!  Also, JJ had a blissful week off due to his outstanding test scores.  Well.... not EXACTLY a week off... he did take an elective course - one of a few he has to take before he gets out in the "real world" of rotations.  But, this class was Monday and Wednesday morning only.  Oh, also making his week less blissful was my to do list!  But that's another story!

So anyways, we enjoyed so much having friends visit.  Like M noted, it's just nice when people already know you!  Conversations and fun can start RIGHT away without all that awkward trust building and such.  We hung out Thursday evening and watched the girls get to know eachother.  M is about three months older than N and they just absolutely hit it off.  We (Moms) were a little worried because they both seem to have ... errr... strong personalities, but they were both SO good.  N is the epitome of petite.  Even when she appears completely ticked off (which happened like twice I think), she gives a little squeak.  She is pure joy. 

Friday we ran some errands, hit up Noodles, took naps (ME included!) and did the required Deanna Rose (What can we say?  It's the perfect kiddo place!).  N is so brave - she was feeding goats like nobody's business.  I guess her auntie has a farm so she does get in some extra practice.  Good thing Daddy C was able to save li'l N's arm from the INSIDE of a rather big goat toward the end!  I only regret not quite getting it on film!! 

M, N, M and I (can you keep track?!) went on a short walk to get the mail and the girls held hands.  Can you say priceless?!  When the A fam had to leave Saturday - C worked in the afternoon - M was so sad.  All day she said, "N-n... bye-bye." and even cried after they had pulled away.  I guess that means that we just have to go visit them soon!