Conflicted

So Chris and I were standing in the bathroom...the master bath which is also the bedroom for the newest addition to our family -- Frankie, the puppy. Frankie has been with us for over a month now and, when it comes to training, is progressing nicely. He's sleeping through the night and learning to stay with us, rather than run after the cat. Of course, we're still working on the pee problem. While not as rampant as when we first got him, he always seems to surprise us whenever we let our guard down. Actually, about 30 minutes earlier, Chris had just scolded Frankie for peeing in the bathroom. Now, here we are standing in the bathroom and spy him, yes, peeing again...in the bathroom. However, this time he walked into the shower and pee'd. Hmmmmm. What to do? I mean, it's not a good thing for him to be peeing in the house; however, if he really has to go (like in the middle of the night) I'd much rather it happen in the shower. In the end, we let him off with a stern warning that he probably didn't understand.

So much time and so little to do. Wait a minute. Strike that. Reverse it.

Okay, the on-going joke at work is that my tenure continues to be extended. Well, in keeping with that note, I've been extended a couple more weeks. So much for my plans of lounging in pajamas all day long watching the grass grow. I'm sure my creditors are happy to hear about that.

Goodbye Work. Hello Comfy Clothes.

So, today's my last day a work. While I won't be getting any more paychecks, I can at least remove one worry from my mind...what should I wear today? Every morning I wake up and discover another article of work clothing that I can fit into anymore. And those crazy maternatiy pants -- you know the ones, with a waistline at your armpits and that hideous elastic insert -- that I vowed to not even give a glance months ago. Well, they're beginning to look more and more appealing.

Now, I can forget about all of that and look forward to days of sweatpants and oversized t-shirts. This takes me back to high school (circa mid-to-late 80's) where you would go to school in stretch pants and an (oversized) Echo & the Bunnymen concert shirt. (I think I still have that shirt somewhere...looks like it's time to dust it off again.)

With all this free time, I really should clean out and organize my closet while most of it has now been packed up & put in storage. Hmmmmm...time to start planning a layout.

Nesting

recipe_cards
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

So I made my first ebay purchase today -- a complete set of 1971 Betty Crocker Recipe Cards. I use to have a partial set with the original box. But time has left me with but a handful of cards. However, as of next week, I'll be the proud owner of what's touted as pristine set. So, if you thought the food at our house was pretty good. Just wait until you see some of the vintage yummies that come out of our kitchen in 2005.

Feeling a bit off...

So, I think all this sleeping on my left side has my belly leaning to the left. My belly button just doesn't seem as centered as it used to be. Just thought you may want to know.

Parker Update

Saw my OB-GYN today. Parker's doing fine. He has a strong heartbeat and, as Dr. Tzeng put it, "he's pretty big". My response..."Remember, he's gotta still come out."

Yeah, I've heard way too many gigantic baby birthing stories.

BTW, our next ultrasound appointment is January 6th so stay tuned for new (week 30) pics of Parker.

Maybe I should be worried...

So, lots of my baby readings have mentioned that I should be experiencing an itchy belly because it's growing.

Now, I haven't notice my belly itching...however, I have noticed my ankles itching.

Something to think about...and (yet) another thing to add to my list of worries.

Week 27

It's week 27 now in Parker's development. According to my baby info emails, here's what's happening with him so far... "Your baby's growing steadily as he prepares for his grand entrance. This week he weighs almost 2 pounds and measures about 14.4 inches from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. He's acting more like a newborn now, opening and closing his eyes, sleeping and waking at regular intervals, and maybe sucking a finger. He may also be hiccupping, which you'll notice as little rhythmic sensations in your belly. You may start to get leg cramps, especially when you're lying in bed at night."

May start? I've been suffering from nighttime leg cramps (often occuring more than once in a night) for weeks now. And if that wasn't bad enough, I've got one of those prego pillows that wrap around your body to give you more support. But when I'm roused out of bed half asleep from a leg cramp, the pillow becomes this anaconda-like creature that's now wrapped around my body hampering me from escaping the bed. I'm sure it's hilarous to watch. If Chris wasn't half asleep himself, I'm sure I would be able to hear him laugh (and laugh and laugh). Instead, I get the simpathetic, half-awake, "Are you okay?" To which I can only respond...now that I'm finally out of the bed and hobbling around, "Yeah." For someone who normally sleeps like a log, this getting up in the middle of the night is a wierd thing. I can't wait for this to subside...someday.

I'm HUGE!

The good thing about being pregnant and working in an office environment...if you're craving it...you can probably find it with all the holiday parties, lunches, and gift baskets.

The bad thing is that if you're craving it...yes, you can find it. Then you devour it...a helping and a half.

I'm stuffed right now. And it doesn't help that my shirt seems to keep riding up and over my belly. (I don't think it actually is but there's definitely an exposed area of underbelly flesh that not visible to anyone over 3 feet tall. However, walking creates a breeze that makes me self-concious.)

First Post

footprint
Originally uploaded by Car2nGrl.

Well, I've been meaning to do this for a while and as I sit here with little Parker kicking me in the gut I figure it's about time to just do it. So here's my first entry. The point of this site is to...eventually, record what's going on with our family for those who can't be near us...especially with the expected arrival of little Parker in March.

I'm not going to spend much time introducing myself or Chris because if you don't already know us I don't see any reason why you should be reading this. (Anyway, how exciting are stories about people's kids. Really, they only amuse other family members, specifically the grandparents.)

So, here's the Parker update. Not only am I (and now Chris) feeling him kicking...we can actually SEE him kicking. While wrapping Christmas gifts at the dining room table I looked down and saw my stomach move. I then lifted up my shirt just to confirm that...yes, my flesh was moving. That lead to a call to Chris, informing him there would be not TV tonight. Instead, we would be watching my stomach. I must say, it's a mixed bag of feelings -- exciting, on one hand, because the baby is seemingly active and healthy, while at the same time disturbing in an "Alien" sort of way. (Yes, I'm thinking of that scene where that crab-like creature explodes from the guy's body and goes scurrying across the floor.)

BTW, no this is not my stomach.