Shhh...I'm Reading

I read Room by Emma Donaghue for our Book Club One Year Anniversary (so cute, huh?) and it was the most wonderful book. I lent it to Meme, who read it in two days, and I am going to pass it on to Steph. If you love to read, pick this book up and give it a go. It is about a young mother and boy, Jack, who are trapped in a sound-proof room and held captive by the mom's sexual predator and kidnapper. Although disturbing to think about, it is written from Jack's point of view and he has the most innocent childlike perspective. Really makes you realize how resilient kids are. Good read.

Yesterday I was fixing lunch and Amelia all of the sudden stopped playing with her Dora bus and got verrry quiet. I snuck around the corner to check on her and saw this...

Hilarious. I got the biggest kick out of watching her read her book on the couch. We got a really fabulous book at the library called Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley. It was so awesome and I hated to take it back to return it. We will probably buy it. Or, someone could buy it for us for Christmas. Wink. We still really enjoy going to the library each week and I can see Amelia becoming more and more engaged in the storyline of the books. She is definitely becoming opinionated on books that she doesn't want to read again and those that she wants to read, um, say five thousand times in a row.

The doctor told me that Amelia has FIVE teeth coming in and to expect bearlike behavior. I said, and I quote, "She has been perfect--I guess she is used to having teeth trouble." Hmm. Eating. My. Words. Definitely bearlike this morning. Nothing I do is right and she has been crying at every little thing. Ross just got home from overnight call and she is hugging him and said, "Daddy, doctor, teeth, popsicle." We laughed so hard. I guess she thinks he can fix anything. So, since they are being buddy, buddy, I escaped. I hope she has fun at Spooktacular and can forget about the teeth bursting through her swollen gums. Ouch.

I had some of the residents' wives over last night because the guys all had a mandatory meeting and we had a fun time playing and it helped the evening pass quickly. Here are Amelia and Lynna modeling their new hats from Target. They are so cute. We can't wait to see Lynna all dressed up at Spooktacular.

Asher got sick as soon as he got to our house and had to turn around and go home with throw-up clothes. It was so sad and the girls were distraught since he is their "boyfriend" lol.

I gained three pounds in two weeks. I have eight weeks left. I cannot gain three pounds every two weeks until the end. So, today I am cutting back on Hershey bars, Riesens (heaven), Hostess cupcakes, brownies, etc. Yes, I have had all of those in the last twenty four hours. Sigh.
Here is a 31 week shot...



Feeling Elise move is the greatest thing...I really do love that about pregnancy. That is all :)

Amelia is still playing with Ross and has not had ONE fit and said her teeth are better and is making a big deal out of the fact that she is having fun with him. Cracking me up.

Trick Or Treat

We took a beautiful spider to trick or treat when we were home this past weekend. She was really excited because the characters on Wonder Pets have been trick-or-treating and so have the crazies on Yo Gabba Gabba. She knew just what to do. And even though she has never had candy, she knew just what to do there too :) When she wanted to be a spider (costume blatantly in the boy section) I was really thinking the choice was not going to be cute. Oh how wrong I was.



The Pixie Stick and Reese's Cup were the two biggest hits, but she loved it all, ha. Mom took some pictures of her at Steph and D's that I will have to get. They took her over there after we already left for Conway. We went to G and Pa's to trick or treat on Sunday when we got back. She had it down pat by then. Plus, G went overboard and had an entire Halloween present with books and silly glasses and treats.

I love this child. I love her spirit. I love how easily she excites. And, because of her, I love Halloween, ha. We have Spooktacular at the zoo and Trunk or Treat coming up this weekend. Amelia can't wait to be a 'diber' again. Thanks to everyone who had special treats for my Buzzy Bee, umm I mean spider.

Ridic

Ross said the other computer is beyond repair (yet he is still tinkering with it) and off he went to buy a new laptop. As in, right after I posted on his computer. He set it up for me last night right before the big storm that forced us all to sleep in the basement. Oh how I love to have a basement to go sleep in. He and Amelia never even woke up when it hit. Tornado Watch at the end of October? Ridic.

Anyway, I have a new laptop. It is cheap. But, it is silver. I love silver and feel that it will give this computer the ability to not crash. We shall see.

On to the pictures. Ross and I just spent some time doing this..
And this...

Isn't he so cute? It was observed that we couldn't put him in his swing or bassinet. Perhaps this is why Amelia wouldn't lay down? Oh well, I love to spoil. When he was crying, I tried to walk around and pretend Amelia was tailing me, but I couldn't get a feel for it. Oh well, soon enough, right? Aaron and Reb have a beautiful house on the golf course and we only wish our visit could have been longer. The next time we see them, Elise will be here!
I can't forget Spode...he was quite worried every time Caleb would cry. Sweet dog.
Shots went well today and Amelia scored some treats at Target for being such a big girl. I still like having someone go with me, but was surprised at how well the two of us managed. Mainly me. Thanks for checking on us and for the prayers. At 20 months she is in the 10th percentile for weight and the 60th for height. Tall and skinny like her Daddy. My favorite part of the visit was when she said, "Uh-oh Pink," because the Dr. forgot to look in Pink's ears. Then, Pink (her doll) had each thing done to her as well. Patient doctor lol.

Back to organizing pictures now.

Blow Out

This title has a two fold representation. But first, the second half of vacation was so fun. Went to Conway and Little Rock and Bryant and Jonesboro and Harrison and back home. I am paying for the traveling. Literally exhausted. Not the smartest move at thirty weeks pregnant, but necessary. I needed to see my friends. I needed time with Ross. Now, I need the couch and television. '

Amelia had the most fun with Gammy and Gampy. It was so sad leaving her for three nights and I cried as we pulled away and in continued on and off for a bit. Which is another BIZARRE thing about being a mom. You want a break, you need a break, some days you pray for a break and then when you get one, you cry. Weirdness. But, I knew she was in good hands and she has not stopped talking about them since we got home. Twice while in timeout she has cried down the hall for Gammy. She yelled out Gampy in a dream last night. Obviously she was just devastated that Ross and I were gone, lol. Thanks Mom and Dad for all the updates, picture texts, and just full, adoring attention that you give Amelia. Seems you already had your plates full being the best parents in the world, but you are somehow keeping that gig going and adding the best Gammy and Gampy in the world to your act. We love you.

1. Blow out- My gallbladder is trying to wreak havoc on the rest of my body. I had two bad attacks while gone and one involved a two hour blow out on night number two of vacation. Two cool, huh? Gallbladder attacks and even removal are common during pregnancy, but I prefer to be uncommon. It is a strange pain that can best be described as "a burning hot fire poker stabbing right under the ribs and through to the back." This leads to an "attack" as they are called and I will spare you those details. Just know it involves a lot of sweating. And praying. And toilet paper. Okay, I'm done. I have a doctor appointment on Friday, but my dear husband has already predicted what she will say. Eat no fried foods and no raw vegetables and bascially no fat and try to deal with it. My main question: Does that involve chocolate? Once the attack is over, you are just left with soreness. Fun times.

2. Blow out- My computer is gone. Fizzled out. History. A mere ten-ish days after the warranty expired, my laptop is kaput. Ross knew it was acting weird and backed up all the pictures on a hard drive. If those were gone, I would be insane right now. I'm still a little insane because I am having computer and picture withdrawal, but for now, I will use Ross's computer. It is incapable of uploading photos and I always make fun of it, but it is saving me right now and so I apologize.

Thanks for the vacation well-wishes--it was honestly so nice to just spend time with Ross and talk. Hopefully you will soon be gazing at pictures of our little spider trick-or-treating in Harrison or pictures of twelve day old Caleb or belly pics of Brandy and I or pumpkin carving night. Till then, love, peace, and no blow outs.

I do realize that no picture posts are not highly popular, but carry on I must. Oh, and please pray for Amelia. Shot day tomorrow :(

Discover This

We went to the Discovery Center this morning and we had a great time. Amelia kept saying museum over and over before we left, ha. I thought it would be way over her head and although a lot of it was, there were plenty of things for her to do and she had a blast. Ross asked if we could go back without Amelia for our anniversary. He wasn't kidding. I cannot believe I married someone who is obsessed with all things science. This was his face the whole time..



Amelia is like him in many ways and it was funny to see her want to have "my daddy" do most of the experiments with her. They loved the air tunnel that held the ball up.



And the magnet table was one of the biggest hits of the day...


I even got into the anti-gravity mirror--it was pretty awesome. I should probably add that I was tricked by how it worked. In fact, I was clueless as to how everything worked in the whole museum. Science isn't my cup 'o tea. Amelia and Ross drank up though and that in itself was DELIGHTFUL to watch. I guess I will say it, everything doesn't have to be all about me. That sentence might be retracted at a later date.



Ross and Amelia had to dig pretty hard to find dinosaur bones and when they uncovered some she would yell, "bones," and clap for herself.


Fun day full of learning (for, umm, everyone). Lunch at Panera (that was completely about me). The Discovery Center was a bit pricey, but I definitely recommend it for a special treat and we are on vacation, so that is pretty darn special. Especially in Residency Land.

Vacaaayyy

After about nineteen days without a day off, Ross had a weekend free that led straight into vacation!!! We are so pumped to have him around--I, for help and rest and Amelia for some major playing time. Honestly just after Saturday and Sunday, I felt like a whole new woman and his vacation hadn't officially started.

Friday Mom, Steph, and Michelle and Sarah (Steph's co-workers) came to get me for dinner and Fiddler on the Roof. The play was amazing and I loved the man that played the lead --just loved him. It was a great night out and I am so glad they invited me. Ross and Derek kept Ingrid and Amelia and the girls were both sound asleep when we got home with no problems :)

Saturday was pumpkin patch day and the weather was ideal, accompanied by delightful moods, and the perfect people. Honestly--the day was so fun. See for yourself.


Amelia truly wanted a green pumpkin, but at the last minute decided on a flat, semi-smooshy, lopsided orange one. We let her get it..why not? Ingrid was good as gold and snug in her little sling sound asleep. She woke up in time to hear the live music and pick a pumpkin though. Thanks for coming up and spending the night Henderson family!I love the little family above and none of us wanted them to leave. Specifically Amelia Claire, lol.

Oh, and my sugar was fine, so I polished off the rest of the Chips Ahoy and a new box (yes, box, the rolls are for wimps) of Starbursts to celebrate. Thanks for those that asked :)

This Pregnancy in a Candy Shell

I cannot stop eating candy and sweets this pregnancy. Nope. Can't. At first it was specifically red and pink Starbursts. I continued to buy them and eat only those two colors out leaving mountains of yellow and orange lying everywhere. I am also a sucker for pink Mentos, but it isn't even worth buying them since they put ONE pink in the package. Does it cost more to make the pink ones? Seriously... cookies, brownies (by the pan), Hershey bars, M&Ms, and now, those dreaded pumpkins, and the list goes on.

When I hit month five, my sickness vanished :) No nausea in sight. No puke in sight. I have most of my energy back until night falls and then zzzzz. As of right now, I am not as nervous this go around. I would like to chalk it up to my incredibly strengthened faith, but I know it is because I have Amelia to focus on and thus, time doesn't allow. Either way, I am falling more and more in love with both of my kiddos each day.

Finally found out yesterday that we have a precious girl who is looking great. Elise Mae will be a delight, I know, and I can't wait to meet her. I am, however, having some major scary moments where I am not sure how I will handle two so close together. Amelia is just tiny and still has many needs. Plus, I love tending to those needs and I don't want her to feel stripped of my time or neglected. That is worrisome too--I want to give 100% of my time to both. Sigh. Ross told me when I have those moments to do what he does, "Just don't think about it. Denial is my friend." Bless him.

I was so SWOLLEN and had massive cankles a good part of my pregnancy with Amelia, so I have been drinking water like no ones business. Hopefully it will ward of the pitting edema this time- a.k.a. mushy legs.

It still feels surreal that I am pregnant again and sometimes I will feel a kick and think, "Oh my word. That is a baby." Genius, aren't I?

I have gained 12 pounds total and am wearing most of Steph's maternity clothes. She gave me several bags full and I am so thankful, considering her maternity clothes are more stylish than my regular ones.

It is different being pregnant with number two because you don't get to sit around and talk to the baby as much or rush to your husband to feel every little kick. You don't constantly think about the baby and some days you carry on and forget that a little one will be entering your world in a few months. But, it is almost like this time around I am carrying around a special secret. I already know how great it is to be a mom. I already know how amazing it feels to watch your child learn and grow. That in itself makes this pregnancy so darn cool.

Tomorrow is my sugar test. Yikes. Please refer to the first paragraph. I could be in for it.

Unrelated, here is our new ghost- Amelia talks to him all day.

Have I Mentioned...

I like Halloween. I haven't really ever just loooved it like Steph, but my child sure does :) It is fun and has caused me to "decorate." Christmas is the only holiday that I ever put any effort into, but Amelia has really helped me get into the spirit more. Have I mentioned that she loves monsters and ghosts and pumpkins? We bought a ghost to hang up (and she promptly wanted to sit in its lap??), painted some pumpkins, painted a monster, and bought a fall sign. She seems satisfied :)


Amelia says she thinks the baby is a boy, and painted his pumpkin hot pink, lol. After we painted the pumpkins she needed to paint something else so Ross drew a monster and she might have even enjoyed painting it more.



Have I mentioned Ross and I are not artsy? As in, we actually tried on our pumpkins bahaha. However, my child is in an art phase (or maybe it's not a phase) so artsy I will try to be.

Meme and Pop got Amelia a dancing ghost last Halloween and it was a big hit then..

But this year when we got him out, it was more than a hit. He is her buddy and she will barely let him dance a little before picking him up and kissing and hugging him lol.

Ross had to work today till 1:30. He is now napping. Goes in tomorrow at 5 a.m. and won't come home until Monday. Oh, and have I mentioned how muuuuuch I despise the rotation that he is on? If not, let it be known. Despise.

But, we had supper Friday night with the Hahn's and we get to hang out with them and live here in this awesome house because of residency. Wonderful consolation. We had loads of fun and they bought our dinner AGAIN. We so owe them--the sneaks. I sat and sat and waited for the ticket and then they just got up and it was mysteriously taken care of. Emily also brought me some cute maternity sweaters and I am just waiting on the weather to wear them.

We Love Ing-Ing

Ingrid Cate is so precious it isn't even funny. Amelia has a major love for her and constantly talks about her. The last two times Mom and Amelia went to the store, they picked out a toy for Amelia and a toy for Ingrid. I took Amelia to Target yesterday to get a toy for being good at school (yes, I totally take that route) and she immediately asked, "Ing-Ing?" I told her Ingrid was not going to be at the store and then she said, "No, Ing-Ing toy." We get to Target and have this conversation.

Me: (after forty minutes of looking and not being able to choose) "Amelia please pick out a toy for being good at school or I am going to have to pick one out for you."
Amelia: "Troller."
Me: "A stroller for your babies? Good choice! Now let's go home and get some lunch."
Amelia: "NOOOO ING-ING."
Me: "Inside voice please. Why are we getting Ing-Ing a present? She didn't go to school today."
Amelia: "Ing-Ing nice."
Me: "Yes, Ingrid is nice. What do you want to get her?"
Amelia: "Book."

We go over to pick Ingrid out a book and I am thinking that I will go broke if I have to buy Ingrid something every time that I buy Amelia something. Thanks Mom. :) We read it when we got home and might read it a few more times before we give it to Ingrid. No one tell her, okay?

Happy October

Well, it is fall and felt like it a few days, but it is already back up to the mid seventies here by the afternoon. Confusing on outfit planning for sure. Steph had her Fall Festival at school this past weekend and we took Amelia to play a few games and check out the scene.
We got to play on the playground after Aunt Steph got done setting up. Yahoo!


As you can tell, SOMEONE was an Aunt Steph head this day. The games were fun and I was really surprised Amelia played them. Her favorite was the fishing pond and the duck pond. Those pics are on my phone so I will try to upload them soon.

Today was MOPS and I was a nervous wreck since last time did not go so well. I told Amelia we were going to school and she said, "Mom, back?" I told her yes, I would come back for her and that I always would. She seemed satisfied until we stepped into her classroom and the bawling began. I left quickly and stood outside until I heard her stop. It took about five minutes. Her precious teacher held her for ten minutes and then she got down and played. I am glad we moved her up to the 2-3 year old room. I had a great time too and she didn't cry again for the entire two hours and thirty minutes. Big success for us. Here are a few bullet points of things that spoke to me today.

• God picked ME to be Amelia's mom. This means that each fit and each new situation and each fun time and each learning moment were created for ME to be the one to teach, lead, guide, and instruct her. He thought that I could do the job of being her mom better than anyone else. I will be remembering this and saying a prayer of thanks in each situation we are in--no matter how tough.
• No one has it all together. Or even close. We broke into small groups to share our fears and dreams and expectations of being mothers and as we became more comfortable sharing and started being honest, it became apparent that everyone struggles. Everyone wants to do things perfectly, but what it all amounts to is that each mom can only do what works for her and her family.
• I have been judgmental in the past (and maybe even the present) of some moms and the decisions that they make or the behavior that they exhibit. I feel very convicted to squash those feelings and realize that right in that moment, I have no idea what is going on at home and I have no idea why that mother is behaving the way she is. This definitely doesn't mean I will magically start agreeing with things that other mothers do, but I can stop judging.

Here is my cutie pie before "cool." She decided that she NEEDED desperately to wear her sticker from library time yesterday.

Hilarious

Amelia loves to laugh--primarily at men--and this past weekend she did just that. She has always thought men are loads funnier than women. Case in point...Meme has always been able to hang with the boys though....


I always ask Amelia, "How are you sweetie pie?" Not really sure why, but I do and I give her a hug and she never really has a response. This weekend when I asked, she answered for thetold me, "Happy." Yep, tearing up now. I am happy too my buzzy bee.

And speaking of happy, she was tickled to be heading to storytime today in her new cat shirt and her new pumpkin bow. The theme was apples and we did some apple stamping and did a parachute game after our books were read. Amelia and Lynna did great with the parachute and then we headed off to Chik-fil-a and played in the mall play area. Such a fun morning and I love watching Lynna and Amelia become friends--they are too cute together.