Tuesday, September 30, 2008

another crazy, hare brained theory

It's that time again. Time to unleash another crazy, hare-brained theory on the world. After dodging the Home Teachers for most of the month, Brother Turley finally cornered us this past Sunday and arranged to visit us today. When I say dodging, I kid..honestly. Our Home Teacher is really good about getting to us, and trying early. It's really our fault that it's the last day of the month, and he's coming tonight. We're flaky like that.
And it's not because we don't like the HT, or because we don't believe in the concept/principal of Home Teaching....To be totally truthful, more often that not, it's because I don't feel like committing to having a clean house, or having visitors. Though it does work out, because my Visiting Teacher is married to our Home Teacher, so that makes only one, instead of two visits to worry about.
So, that being said, here is my crazy hare-brained theory: I am slightly convinced that the reason for Home Teaching is so that once a month, the bathrooms are clean, the living room is picked up, there are no socks on the living room floor, the table is cleared, all my sewing/crafty supplies are put neatly away, the floors are mopped/vacuumed, the laundry and dishes are done and put away, all at the SAME time!
Not to say that I don't clean, it's just more likely that a couple of things on that list will not be done at any given time (usually the kitchen b/c no matter how spic and span I get it, the next day it's trashed again!). So, I think that the purpose of Home Teaching is to make sure that I have to clean up, spic and span every month.

**disclaimer-this is truly crazy Rachel talk, this is in NO way, shape, or form anything even closely resembling an even semi-official Church teaching!

Saturday, September 27, 2008

YAY!!!!!

I got calls today from my brother-in-law, my mother-in-law and finally my sister-in-law. Sara's baby was born today. As of yet, her name is to be announced. Personally, I'm still rooting for Madilyn. She is 19 1/2 inches long, and weighs in at an impressive 7lbs 8oz.
I'm soooo happy for Sara, especially after all the headache she went through to get the pleasure of having a c-section. From nurses who didn't believe she was in labor even though she was having consistent contractions 4 min apart, but wasn't dilating (because she never does...that's why she has c-sections) to the doctor that said it wasn't real labor, but come back if anything changes to the doctor who finally agreed to move her c-section up a week, but it had to be a black market c-section, under the table and off the books...they wouldn't schedule her earlier, but he said to come into the ER when he was on call, and he'd take care of her.
Anyway, from what I hear, my new niece is beautiful....but what mom doesn't say that? (and what aunt doesn't believe it?) And she looks like her mom and her big sister.
I thought for a minute or two there that maybe the cousins would be born on the same day, but Nate decided he doesn't want to share his birthday. I was at 2cm when I saw the doctor today (eat your heart out Sara!), and started contracting very irregularly as we were hearing the updates about Sara and the baby. Now Nate has settled down, and I'm going to try to get some rest, but Dan and I are both having the feeling that he's going to be a guest at his baby shower next week.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

It's all in my head

At least, I think it's all in my head....I hope it's all in my head. I've kind of got baby on the brain, more specifically, labor and delivery of a baby, on the brain. What with all the craziness that Sara's been going through lately, and going to visit Dan's cousin Kathleen (who just had her adorable baby girl Elara!) in the hospital, and reaching that all important milestone of "full term" myself, and the fact that my 2 pregnancy books are now focusing not on baby's development, but on labor and delivery, I've been a little preoccupied with the thought of Nate, and his upcoming birth.
And I'm remembering things. Like the fact that Devon came 22 days before his due date. And Nate is now 21 days from his due date. And that the two to three days before Devon was born, I was miserable, and I couldn't get more than a couple hours of sleep at a time. And that the day before Devon was born, I had horrible achy cramps in my lower abdomen all day long that got worse and worse, but didn't feel like contractions, just cramps. Besides, according to what I'd been told, real labor contractions would be more in the upper abdomen and work their way down, and false labor contractions would be in the lower abdomen/groin area. But I had them..ALL DAY LONG, and let me tell you, that in and of itself was not pleasant, but the fact that I was having that particular experience at the Madison Street Jail, while trying to bail someone out....well, let's just say that didn't exactly help matters.
That's only really significant because right now, at this very moment, at 2:58 am on a Wednesday morning, 21 days before my son is due to be born, I can't sleep. Not a wink. And for the past 3 hours, I have had horrible, achy cramps in my lower abdomen that are fairly consistent, but spike to more uncomfortable levels occasionally. And as I read my pregnancy books, and go to the online pregnancy sites that I like to visit, I've been looking at the lists of signs and signals of real vs. false labor, and the early signs of the first stages of labor.
Like I said, it's probably all in my head, but I can pick out a bunch of signs that make me sit up at night, worrying. (tee hee, I'm sitting up at night right now....but that's mainly cause my tummy hurts) As I said, it's probably a psychological thing, since Sara's been making threats against my life all week, if I go into labor and have Nate before she has Madeline on Friday. And since I'm at the uncomfortable stage of pregnancy and I'm ready for it to be done so I can meet my son.....Wow, I just arched my back and rubbed my stomach like I was doing the day before Devon was born; it's the only thing that relieves the discomfort.
Hmmmm, well.....I'm off for a 3am snack of raw veggies, water and fruit so that just in case we do end up headed to the hospital, (not likely) when they ask when/what I ate last I can tell them something that will impress them and make them think I've been a good nutritional monkey. After all, a bell pepper, apple slices with peanut butter, and a glass of milk at 3am sounds a whole lot better than some cranberry juice and sherbet at around 11. And it would probably be more productive to unload the dishwasher, or finish packing my hospital bag, instead of subjecting the world to my sleepy ramblings in the middle of the night.


*****yes, it was all in my head; 17 hours later, it's back to regular life. But not until after I scared Sara and Mom!

Monday, September 22, 2008

Which dwarf are you?

I've determined that on any given day, my disposition can be expressed by answering a simple question. Of Snow White's Dwarfs, which one am I today?
Today, I am Sneezy from going through boxes of baby stuff, and because the cats are more clingy and attention needing than usual (they got spayed today).
I am Sleepy because due to the wondrous joys of pregnancy combined with the need to take the cats to the vet this morning, I got a grand total of maybe 3 hours of sleep last night. And because due to the many joys of pregnancy, I'm pretty much always Sleepy.
I am Dopey today, as usual. I can't remember a dang thing, and when I'm Sleepy, I have a tendency to be a little incoherent and/or rambly. I feel like a special ed 10 year old, trying to function as a normal adult sometimes. Also, I am a complete butterfingers which really sucks, because everything I drop, I've got to bend down to pick back up!
And, as usual, I am Grumpy today. Today, yesterday, the day before....Grumpy is one Dwarfism that pretty much describes me on a daily basis. I try to be sweet, and loving, but it's just not happening lately. Dan is looking forward to the baby being born not only because we'll have him then, but more importantly, I won't be pregnant anymore. So, then I can go back to being nice, and happy, and I won't be mean and sleep for 17 hours a day anymore. (he just thinks I sleep 17 hours a day, I try, but I'm lucky to get 7!)
Despite my negativity, I am glad that very soon we will get to meet our son. I can't wait to see him, and to hold him. And I know that I would do it all over again in a heartbeat (or a year, if Dan gets his way). I do know that I should be more grateful that I can have children, and that I've had an uneventful pregnancy, and a baby boy who is showing no signs of any illness or problems.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

All are invited!

Just to let everyone know, Suzanne is throwing me a baby shower on Saturday, October 4th. Everyone is invited, and it's going to be at her place (just like her shower was) probably in the earlier part of the afternoon, she hasn't quite gotten back to me on that detail. Invitations are going out, but just like her big sister, Suzanne is prone to putting off and procrastinating. So I'm supposed to share this info, and I think she may be making phone calls too, to make sure that enough notice is given. If you have any questions, call either of us, and if I don't know, I'll give you her number. I'm not putting any detailed info up like I did for her shower because of that David Santos incident. It really made me think about what I post, because while I don't really want to make my blog private, I also don't want to tell everyone with a computer and Internet access where my sister or I live, or how to get in touch with us!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Bed Bath and Beyond-why have you failed me?-I owe you an appology

The following is not true. And I feel compelled at this time to issue a retraction of my angry comments against Bed Bath & Beyond. As it turns out, the shams and the decorative pillows that I thought had not been included were, in fact, folded into the comforter. I would like to apologize for my passionate outburst that turned out to be preemptive and incorrect.

AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!! This is a rant, which is very different from how I usually rave about Bed Bath & Beyond. I LOVE that store. It's filled with all kinds of homey stuff that I can bring home and proudly show to my uninterested husband. He's still trying to figure out why I brought home "stupid curtains that don't even cover the window" (valences), and "why is our bed covered with all these pillows? And why are two of them the wrong shape?" (euro pillows) He just shakes his head when I bring crazy gadgets like an avocado slicer, or a cherry pitter, or a salad bowl that you put ice in the bottom of to keep your salad crisp. Though he does like the dryer balls. Not that he uses them appropriately, he uses them as massagers, or cat toys.
Anyway, although I usually love BB&B, today they have pissed me off! The sheet/comforter set that I bought there 2 months ago on a day that I forgot my coupons totally fell apart. The comforter ripped, and the decorative embroidery on the pillowcases had a bunch of loose threads. Luckily they are super helpful there and they have great customer service and a really lenient return policy. So I was able to take it back, and I went with another set, because even though I loved that pattern, I'm mad at it for falling apart!
So, as I was getting ready to make the bed so I can get some much needed rest (after all, I only had 1 nap today :( --I know, I'm a wuss, but I'm ok with that) I noticed that a few pieces are missing. So, now I have to take this one back too, and exchange it for a set that has all of the pillow shams, and decorative pillows. After all, Dan loves that his bed is covered with "all these stupid pillows" (especially the ones that are the wrong shape)

Unusual accomplishments

Over the past few days I have come to appreciate certain accomplishments that I never really thought about, and that are certainly unusual.
For instance, I never thought that I would be proud of the accomplishment of being able to pee in a cup without getting my hand dirty.
Or that as I enter my ninth month of pregnancy, I can still wear my temple dress with the empire waist, so I don't have to rent one.
Someone was able to walk by my in a narrow hallway.
Last night I got my husband and my poor, unsuspecting brother to eat not only whole wheat pasta, but I sneakily put some hated zucchini in the sauce too.
Dan and I went to the Temple today and I managed to stand up and get back down in a short enough time frame so that I was not the last one standing.
I only woke up twice in the middle of the night.

But, I don't want to leave the impression that I'm just some kind of super preggo, and infallible. So I'll let you all in on a little secret. I'm also ridiculously scatterbrained. Today I needed help from friendly workers in almost every stage. In an effort to dress myself, I got the order wrong and had to start over again! Twice!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

I'm starting to worry

I've realized something troubling about myself lately. I have little patience lately, and am very easily annoyed. I'm not pleased that the cats wake my every morning by whining loudly to be fed, even though their bowl isn't quite empty yet, and once I do feed them they look at their bowl and run off to play. And I find myself quite annoyed when the kittens rub up against my legs, begging for attention. I love it when they play together, or even when they're annoying the dog because that means that they aren't bugging me for food or water or attention, or love. Their total dependence on me for all their physical and most of their emotional needs is tiresome. And when they run underfoot, I'm likely to kick them out of the way before they trip me up. And I have no pity for them when they run underfoot and get stepped on.
I also don't have as much patience with my husband right now. I used to be willing to do simple things like get him a glass of water before bed. Now if he asks, I'm more likely to mutter under my breath and grumpily ask why he he can't do it himself. And if I'm already about to lay down myself, I may even throw something at him! And if he asks me where something is, and can't find it-despite my detailed explanation of exactly where it is-I'm now more likely to ignore a second request for direction, or just say too bad, find it yourself.
These traits are beginning to concern me. I have a baby coming in a month or less. And being resentful of small creatures that depend totally on me, is not a sign of good things to come. And annoyance/anger at the need to get up when I'm about to lay down, or to get up in the middle of the night is not going to serve me well with a nursing infant. Cause I can't even get Dan to get up for that one, it's all on me. Also disturbing is my total lack of concern/pity/empathy for small creatures' pain/discomfort.
Needless to say, some things are going to have to change

Sunday, September 14, 2008

A rant

Ok, I've just got to get a few things off my chest.
One: People who park in spots that aren't for them. Like the person who parks in a handicap spot who doesn't have a licence plate or even a rearview mirror placard thing. Also included in this group are people who have access to a rearview mirror thing and use it when the person it's intended for isn't with them. I knew a person who used to do that, and it always made me feel a little weird about it. Also, non-pregnant people who park in spots designated as "expectant mothers only" spots. I find it especially funny when it's just a guy or all guys who get out of the car. And when possible, if I see that, I make darn sure that I waddle my big pregnant self right in front of them, and I'll admit that I've been known to make it look like I'm really struggling with my bags as I walk to my car that's parked waaaaaayyy farther down. But that's just because I'm mean like that.
Two: Another car related one. I know that it's irrational and ridiculous, but I hate it when I let someone get in front of me, and I don't get the happy thank you wave. I mean, come on, I just saved you like five minutes of waiting to get across 3 lanes of traffic from a driveway to the far left turn lane, and you can't spare me four seconds to raise your hand in a wave of gratitude? What's up with that?
Three: People who are crazy and mean and get away with it. There's a couple of people like that in my family and extended family and in-laws. It drives me nuts that they can do or say something stupid, hurtful, and/or totally untrue and everyone just sighs and says, well, that's just how they are. That may be true, but I'm sick of pretending that it's ok, and not saying anything because they're just looking for attention and it's going to be a bigger production and more drama than it's worth.
Four: People who are just stupid in crazy efforts to get attention. Lately I've encountered a certain person who claims medical miracles, conditions that are not present, complications that arise from these nonexistent conditions, and then talks about how much they have been through and how hard the imaginary stuff has been on them. Normally I would just chalk it up to a crazy attention starved person with nothing better to do with their time, but this person is claiming conditions that I have actually dealt with, and conditions that people who I love a lot have had to suffer through and live with. And they way that this person talks and they way this person is acting feels like the severity of the condition is being cheapened and lessened. If even half of the stuff being "dealt with" was true, or even plausible my heart would go out to that person, but it's really annoying me right now. Dan keeps telling me to ignore it, and not to let it bug me, and that it really doesn't impact me in any significant way. He's right, of course, but man, it gets under my skin!



Whew, I've gotta say, I feel better now that I've gotten all that off my chest! Well, good night

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Baby update


He still likes having his hands up at his face

And look at that nose! I can definitely see the Adams influence there!

Today was my third ultrasound, and it was really neat getting to see my little boy again. I can't wait to see him in person! Everything is going well, and he continues to grow and develop. One thing does concern me though...today he weighs 6lbs, 15 oz......And he still has 5 weeks of growing to do! He's in the 94th percentile for his weight. And I am terrified! Because if he continues to grow at the standard rate of 1/2 a pound a week for the next 5 weeks, he is going to be a 9 1/2 pound baby! And while that's good for him, and a plus b/c he'll fit in all his little clothes right away, and it means that I've been doing something right these past few months to allow him to grow big and strong....BUT....that would mean that I would have to give birth to a 9 1/2 pound baby! The scariest part is that he's only my second. And typically you have bigger babies each time around (Devon was 7lbs, 3 oz born 3 weeks before his due date), so I'm scared to even think about how big my kids are going to be by the time we're done. Overall, I'm happy and grateful that he's healthy, with no signs of any problems, and he doesn't have a cleft palate like his uncle, or a semnicolsal cleft like his daddy, and like I said earlier, I can't wait to see him in person. I can't believe that it's coming up so soon, we've only got about another month to wait!

Monday, September 8, 2008

keepin it real

As most of you know by now, I have no problem at all poking fun at myself. I try not to take myself too seriously. And luckily for me, Dan is usually willing to help not take me too seriously. Take tonight's dinner, for instance. Hang on...let me back up a little bit. We were lucky to even have dinner tonight because I have not wanted to clean out the fridge. I didn't do as thorough of a job as I should have before we left town for a month, so most of the contents had to go. And for me, cleaning out the fridge is not fun. I would almost rather change a newborn black tar goo diaper without wipes, or clean out a vomit bucket than clean the fridge. It's just one of those things. But I had to do it, because I couldn't go grocery shopping until I did, and we were running out of food. Yesterday I scrambled half a dozen eggs and ate a third of a thing of ice cream for dinner. As you can see, the pickings were getting slim. So today was "The Day"...I finally cleaned out the fridge and went on my way to the grocery store with my well organized list in hand. (I had to put that part in because I almost never actually make a list, much less an organized one; and even if I do, I usually forget it at home) After 3 1/2 rigorous hours of shopping, and making a youngish Hispanic guy feel bad I was finally done. (The guy parked in a spot designated for 'expectant mothers' and I had to park waaaaaay farther down, so as I walked past him, I waddled extra waddly and rubbed my large stomach cause I'm mean like that)
At Frys I found glorious ribeye steaks at a pretty good price, which I can't remember now, but it was under $5/lb, so the entire drive home I'm imagining a ribeye, grilled up all deliciously (bonus point-Dan does the grilling, so I wouldn't even have to cook them!) with mashed potatoes and fresh green beans, and a big, glorious salad with strawberry lemonade to drink. As you can tell, I really had this planned out....but when I got home, Dan had thoughtfully pulled out a pack of chuck shoulder steak to thaw because he thought that looked good, and he knew that I would need something thawed to make for dinner. And he looked so pleased with himself that I quietly put away the ribeyes, and started cutting stuff up for fajitas. Because when he saw that I had picked up tortillas, that's what he wanted. When the meat and onions and peppers were all sliced and cooked, and the cheese and sour cream were out, and refried beans were warming up, something caught my eye, and I announced that dinner was ready. And Dan looked at me strangely and said "We're having fajitas and potato chips?"
Apparently that's not a traditional pairing....mmmmm, ruffles!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Lilly and Uncle Dan, the Baby Whisperer

Tonight Dan and I got to babysit for our niece Lilly for the first time. She is soooooo cute and adorable and darling, and precious and beautiful and cute! But I forgot about Dan's hidden super power. He is Dan, the Baby Whisperer. Meaning that he can hold an infant or toddler and put them to sleep effortlessly. No matter how wound up they may be, or how difficult they usually are to put down. So, in the first 5 minutes of her being here, Dan ended up holding her because I had to make my 586,387th trip of the day to the bathroom. And by the time I got back into the living room, she was out. Seriously, I don't know how he does it, but I am grateful that he can-after all, someone is going to have to put Nate to bed every night.

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

pictures

Today has been a half day for me. I've been doing lots, but abandoning most endeavors halfway through. That's why I have a load of clean laundry unfolded in a basket, one in the dryer and one in the washer; a drainer full of clean dishes, and a sinkful of dirty; half an abandoned blog post saved to drafts; and pork chops that have been abandoned in a 30 min. marinade for hours while Dan and I eat canned soup. I also made a delicious bruschetta, then remembered that I don't have a yummy baguette to put it on, so I've been eating it with a spoon. So, in an effort to continue putting off moving the laundry to the dryer and finishing the dishes in the sink, and making up the cupcakes (I opened a box of mix, dumped it in a bowl and got the veggie oil out) for my Dad's birthday tomorrow, I've decided to post a bunch of pictures from our trip to Illinois.


I swear, Dan was in a much better mood most of the time!


My very first from scratch blueberry pie! Even Dad liked it, and he is not usually a fan of blueberries outside their natural, uncooked state.

This was at 6 Flags, Jack got himself all worn out, the guys had a blast, and Sara, Mom, Dad and I sampled the various culinary offerings such as huge turkey legs and funnel cake. Sara has an unnatural love for funnel cake!

Although you can't really see it in this picture, this is a terrified Grampy holding a sleeping Jackson in one arm and using the other to hold on for dear life! I didn't know it, but apparently Dad is scared of Ferris wheels, but he has no problems with the thrill rides/roller coasters.

This is a very sad Sara at Olive Garden. We went for soup, salad and breadsticks, but stayed for the never ending pasta bowls. And Jack decided that simply rubbing his tomato-sauce-covered hands on Sara's white shirt was not enough. (those spots could be controlled by the Tide pen that sneaky Aunt Rachel had in her purse) He moved onto finger painting, and Sara gave it up as a lost cause

A pool full of scouts, and my hubby. Can you tell which one is the 23 year old man in the pool full of teenagers? I'll give you a hint, he's in the back.

Dan and PJ at the St. Louis Zoo
Explorer Dan, searching...always searching

The Lines Family, featuring Justin-recently joining the ranks of overworked law student; Sara-sporting her Coach sunglasses and baby Madeline bump, Jack-chilling in the stroller, sporting the cute new hat that Aunt Rachel got him; and Madeline-who makes her debut in a month.
Dan, being a good monkey brother, grooming PJ


Another 6 Flags pic, with Jack hanging out with his fav uncle, sporting the way cool shades that Grammy got him


Jackson, "helping" daddy play the piano.
Another Jack pic, this time at the botanical garden.
Jack playing in a water feature at the botanical garden. This is the end of a progression from looking, running up to, splashing, drinking from, and finally putting his head in the fountain.
Jack and his other fav uncle, PJ

Jack was really into the butterflies. He kept wanting to touch them! And though you can't really tell, that's Justin in the brown and turquoise striped shirt, Sara is next to him, and Dan is holding Jack. A second before I took this pic, Jack was looking down at a butterfly, but he realized what tricksy Aunt Rachel was up to and looked up at the camera at the last second!

Wow, looking through these I'm realizing that I have a TON of Jack pictures. Guess I've got little boys on the mind.

Ummm, that came out wrong. I don't have little boys on the mind per say, at least not in a creepy, disgusting way. I just mean that with only six weeks to go, I'm really excited to get to meet my own little boy!