Manic Monday
I’m afraid I’ve actually taken on too much but my damn stubborn pride won’t allow me to admit it out loud. (Especially not to Derek.) It’s safe to say so on xanga because this is all just a figment of my imagination. =)

  The two little boys I have recently “acquired” aren’t bad, just stressful. I don’t think it would be so bad if it wasn’t for the four month old, Dominic-Point-Chin. Even now, four hours after he’s left, I can’t get the sounds of his incessant screaming out of my head. Unfortunately, between pregnant hormones and his constant stressful screaming, I’ve had horrible nightmares lately where I wake up thrashing and smacking my poor husband several times a night. Already, I’m begging for it to be Friday.  Fortunately, Derek took the rest of the week off so we could  have a little free time together. ( and I can have a big kid conversation  for more than 20 minutes of the day.)

 For the next three days, I’ve got two more who’ll be staying with me while their parents get ready to pack and leave this base. The lucky buggers are headed to Texas.  *le sigh*  I get paid by the base to handle their kids while they pack and leave.  For just the three days, I’ll make $180 and then I get a treat: on Friday, we’re leaving as soon as the last kid is out the door. We’re headed to Derek’s grandma’s house in Indiana  and I’ll get to spend a weekend there just being around family. They’ve got house projects that I can help with, but I won’t have to think for a single moment about that screaming four month old. I swear something has to be wrong with him internally because the kid is NEVER happy or quiet.  His mom’s taking him to the doctor tomorrow, maybe that’ll bring out a clue?

  Either way, I was told today by my FCC supervisors that I’m being too lenient  by the prices I charge my parents. (I’d originally called them to see what I’d need to qualify to get on a government sponsored aid program to help out the lower income parents.) Apparently I’m the lowest price on base, but isn’t that called a competitive edge?  I know in my heart that even if I was charging as much as the other providers, it wouldn’t relieve the excess stress. More money just causes more stress. I guess I kinda think of my grandpa when I make business decisions. I’m not out to screw anyone, I’m just making a fair living. Deal fairly with me so I can get by and I’ll give you a fair deal so you can get by.  He’s a great man…. With his eyes being so blue, you’d never know he was so full of spit and vinegar.  (love you pepaw!)

   Anyhow, the entire point to this post was to relieve a little stress with a little rant. I’ve packed it all onto myself, so now I need to  ride the wave until they’re all gone in the next two months.

Also, we did get the final word on Derek’s deployment: He’s NOT GOING.

 He talked to his first shirt, told him that we’d be getting out of the military just weeks after he’d be getting back from over seas and I’d be trying to get our move all set up with two infants.  His first shirt knows me and is a doll for sympathizing with me. He called up someone at a big desk and wrote Derek down as “Non-deployable.” So now, there’s a 99% chance that he’s not going. The only way he could go is if every available person and secondary backup person was abducted by aliens. (Put on your tin foil hats!)

 Thanks for all your prayers.
(PS, for those of you who didn’t see the update on the last post, there’s pictures and videos available. I added them several hours after I posted it.)

Weekend Update! 

I’ve been a member of xanga for 727 days according to my counter.  Since I started this xanga when Derek and I first got married, you can take a guess what that might mean…

We’ve just celebrated our 2 year anniversary. =) I meant to post a tributary on Monday (the actual date) but you’ve just gotta hear about this past week.  

  My new kid, little blond Jack started last week so we’ve spent this week adjusting to the rules. He’s two years old so  I know it’ll take awhile…  Monday was my and Derek’s two year anniversary but he was working so we couldn’t do much, plus he just started a new schedule that keeps him out until 11pm at night. Since Jack gets here at 7am, I can’t exactly stay up until Derek gets home each night so I’ve seen a lot less of him. (but I had a big fancy steak dinner waiting for him when he got home.) On Tuesday, we were all told to  evacuate our houses in the midmorning and we had *no*idea why. So we complied. This involved Derek actually having to wake up before 11 am. What a punishment for the poor man. =) We later found out it was a “chemical spill” on the highway in front of the base fenceline. We found out even later than that, the “chemical spill” was an empty barrel that had rolled away from  the abandoned gas station down the street and up against the base fencing. Since they didn’t know what it was or where it came from, they treated it as potentially dangerous and at first, thought it might be a bomb…. *eek*

 Wednesday I got a call from a mom with a four month old infant and a two year old (both boys) who she needed care for starting N.O.W.  She brought them over that very morning at 7:15 and wanted to make it a permanent thing, not just a drop in. Since Aidan is due in November, that would be too many babies under the age of two so they’ll only be with me until his birth. Now I have three boys to watch and one girl, all of them are under the age of three. Dear Lord what have I done? Wednesday was a nightmare.  The two boys fought and screamed and chased each other all day. I relished the silence during naptime. Thursday was a little better, but I got a call from the mom of the *other* Jack I used to watch, (the snotty-nosed  kid who dropped in from time to time.) She set up a couple dates for us and *oh boy* it’ll be three two year old boys.  The four month old is only used to his mom and doesn’t smile, nap or eat, he just screams… all… day. (and he has the pointiest chin… I swear it could cut glass.)  The good point to all of this is how much money we’re able to put into savings and the fact that we’ll have this new laptop paid off in just two months.  I won’t continue care for all of them, just little blond Jack and drop-in Jack. Blond Jack’s mom is very distrusting of everyone she meets and always seems like she’s questioning me and my motives… I told her that Jack was running low on wipes and she didn’t take it too well, stating that although I used less diapers than the last daycare center did, I used double the amount of wipes and how suspicious that seemed. (Although I don’t know how that’s suspicious? Can you snort wipes?) I had a heck of a time explaining to her that my overseers, the FCC, judged our sanity standards and how we were required to use a few extra wipes for cleanliness. She was pretty upset about it and told me  that it was ridiculous. Okay, maybe it *IS* ridiculous that I have to use three wipes  minimal with each diaper change, but it ends up being cleaner for the kids and myself.   Either way, she brought more wipes the next day and shoved them into my hands. I know this is only one example, but on a daily basis it seems she questions me as though I’d lie about something so simple. What would be the gain in lying about wipes? (I don’t have a wipe addiction… I could quit anytime.)

 On Friday I had my baby Dr’s appointment. Everything is normal as usual and Aidan is progressing wonderfully.

All of you single people will think that picture is gross, I know I really did (and kinda still do) before I had my own.  However, my mom and grandma get a kick out of it. Well, maybe they just get a kick out of grossing you out?

  Anyhow, at the Dr’s appointment, we couldn’t  get a decent heartrate on him since he wouldn’t sit still long enough to hear it, but my midwife said an active child is a healthy child.   If that’s true, he’s gonna come out healthy as a carrot- he NEVER stops moving.  It might be cute during the day, but the kid wakes me up several times a night  going crazy in my belly. I’m slowly gaining weight and I’m right on target with the amount  I’ve gained.  They said healthy gain for my height was 25-35 pounds and so far I’m at 23 pounds and should begin to gain a pound a week. (dear Lord that sounds like a ton…) This last week I didn’t go for a single walk or do any exercise, but with the schedule I’m keeping, I’ve literally not had ONE single hour when I *could* have gone. Besides, doesn’t watching two 2 year olds count as a couple hours of aerobic activity? (*sighs* I can’t wait to get back into law enforcement. I would love to enjoy my job again.)

 I promised to send packages to a couple of you guys relatively soon, but you’ll have to forgive me on my tardiness. My intentions were to send some out on Wednesday. As you can see read from my week, that didn’t happen.  Meanwhile, I’ve never appreciated my weekends as much as I do now.

Here’s Caity dancing for the weekend:

Also, I posted 5 videos and a couple pictures on the photobucket site: http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j48/Life_by_us/

 Here’s the baby update: 29 weeks (11 left)

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you’ll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby’s hardening skeleton each day.

EDIT!!! 8-19-2007

Here’s the link to pictures of ebay stuff I ordered and decorated Caity’s room with. Plus, there’s also a picture of her asleep on her new comforter. (SO CUTE!)

 http://s77.photobucket.com/albums/j48/Life_by_us/?action=view&current=DSCF1292.jpg

NEWS

Since I’m a bad updater, I’ve got a lot to say. So grab a glass of tea and sit down- this could take awhile.
 I’m in my first week with my new full time kid who is also named Jack.(like my first boy I took care of. Remember snot kid?)However, I adorethis little boy, he’s super cute and listens relatively well.  He andCaity have become quick friends as well as toy-sharing enemies.

 Good news: Derek gota promotion! He’s officially a Staff Sgt and has a whole new stripe onhis shoulder and a little more money in the paycheck.
  Bad news: His troopgroup is deploying in February. We’ve known for awhile but wanted totalk to all of our immediate family before we posted anything online.
 Good news:  Thedeployment in February is *NOT* going to Iraq. It’ll be going to theArab Emirates, Turkey and Kuwait. (His previous two deployments were toKuwait)  Also, since we’re supposed to get out of the military  inNovember of next year and his deployment won’t be back till just a fewweeks before we’re out for  good, Derek has hope that they won’t sendhim due to the time constraints.  (It’s  8 months of deployment: 2months training somewhere at an unknown base in the US and then sixmonths  over seas.)

  Now, realistically speaking, I’m aware of how the military works. Ifthey need you to go, it doesn’t matter when you’re scheduled to getout, you’re going. Period. So I’m not hoping too much or being overlyoptimistic, just realistic. We have a plan set up as to what we’ll doshould the worst happen and Derek and I have already had tears and hugsso we’re moving onto the “what if” planning to be well prepared.  I’vedone tons of praying already  and I know you’ll all think I’m crazywhen I say this but I don’t care. I feel fine about this deployment ifhe does go. God’s sent me a peaceful feeling about it all and I knowwithout a doubt that he’d come home safe to my arms if he was sent.  Soalthough I’d miss him like mad, my faith in the Lord is strong and Iknow our family will be fine and whole again.  Yep, told you you’dthink I was crazy, but I don’t care.
  I know some of you don’t believe in a “higher being”  and probablythink I’m just imagining a peaceful thought to make this transitioneasier on myself, but who comes out on top? I do. I get the peacefulfeeling of my faith and if I’m wrong about God, I don’t suffer any. If*you’re wrong* about the existence of God and you die? Hee hee… Well, hope you were a  law abiding citizen otherwise.
 Sorry about getting off track,  I’ve just been thinking about God andhumanity lately. It’s too deep to get into on a blog site, but worthmentioning.
  Cool news: I’vefinally given in to the whining of my beloved hubs and bought him afancy laptop.  I kept telling myself how useless this thing was and howhe’d only use it for gaming. He kept telling me how useful it is andhow he’ll only use it for school.  I’ve discovered though that I’musing it in ways I wouldn’t have thought of…(when he lets me playwith his toy.) Wireless connection is COOL.  I sat upstairs in my roomlast night  playing internet games and then got on web cam with mom (ithas one built in!)  and walked her around the house and showed herAidan’s room.  
Also, I ordered some stuff to redecorate Caity’s room  and it just camein last night.  But not to my house. Apparently there’s another”Williams” a few blocks away who received my box o’stuff. Fortunately,she’s also in the FCC (Family Child Care) and recognized my name on thebox so she called me.   So pictures to come  of Caity’s room  andgripings to come about UPS and/or LTD commodities. (whomever I foundout was responsible for giving someone else my 65 dollar package. )

 By the way, I’ve officially  changed my dream car.  I want a 2007/08 Dodge Charger in Candy Apple Red or Black please.  (I won’t get choosy)
 Anyone wins the lottery before Christmas, it was because I was praying for you to do so. The least you could do is repay me with the hottest car any mom could ever have. Have you seen those bad boys?  They’re like the old muscle cars on the outside  and family sedan style on the inside. It makes me want to let my hair down and let the wind blow it going 80 miles per hour… while I’m cleaning up Caity’s french fry crumbs  from the back seat.

Baby Update 28 Weeks (12 to go!)

Home stretch! You’re in your third trimester!
By this week, your baby weighs a little over 2 pounds and measuresalmost 15 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blinkhis eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he maybe able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He’s alsodeveloping billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat inpreparation for life in the outside world.

Business As Usual

Wanna know something strange? I’ve had *so* many dreams lately  involving myself getting irate with someone in a customer service position. This afternoon during naptime, I dreamt I was throwing a fit at the Chick-Fil-A server…. Why? I dunno. They haven’t done anything to upset me, I’m just dreaming about being mad at stores. I read that  crazy dreams are a part of preggo hormones….

Speaking of businesses, I have my first full time kiddo starting on Monday.  I’ve had enough drop-in kids to equal over 40 hours a week, but now, I’ll have a whole week  with 7:15-4:30 hours. The boy is two and his name is also Jack, (like the runny nose kid) but his mom is a schtickler for discipline and grilled me on specific rules in the house. She won’t allow him to do anything at other’s houses that he isn’t allowed to do at home. (I love this woman…)  She was very specific about *having* lots of rules to follow to encourage the discipline she sets at home. The boy is almost completely potty trained, so within the next few weeks, I won’t even have to worry about his diapers. (What a dream!) And since he’s over the age of two, I won’t have to give him up when Aidan comes along. (I can only have two kids under the age of two at all times and that means Caity and Aidan.)

 Anyhow, we’re six months pregnant and Aidan is moving like CRAZY. I know I’ve said it before, but it’s still true. In fact, I caught it on camera. I dunno about you guys, but seeing other pregnant bellys moving is gross and creepy, so feel free to not visit the site.  If you do, keep your eye focused on the left side of the screen, that’s where his feet are.  I finally got his crib built and his sheets all set up and I’d take pictures, but that would involve *getting up*. That’s a committment I’m not willing to make right now. =)  Meanwhile, I’ve been on Ebay a little too much lately and have found some of the CUTEST things for Aidan’s room on there including some stuff that matches the cowboy teddy bears we’ve already started on.

Baby Update:  27 Weeks (13 to go)

This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn’t bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby’s brain is very active now. Wonder what he’s thinking?

Howdy from a procrastinator

  I’ve not really had the gumption or inspiration to write much lately. (Sorry!) I’ve had a lot on my mind and  everytime I sit down to type, I can’t think of anything except my little problem. Don’t worry, it’s nothing health or baby related but if it does come to fruition in the next few weeks, I’ll let you guys know what’s happening. No worries now!

   Anyhow, today I felt particularly inspired because it was one of my favorite gospel readings at church. It made me smile. =) It was about remembering that monetary value is nice but what does it do for your soul?

A personal favorite story: Every year on New Years Day, Ernest Hemmingway would give away several of his most valued possessions  and every year he would be asked “Why are you doing this?”

Every year he gave the same response:  “If I can give them away, I truly own them. If I cannot give them away, they truly own me.”

Our priest told a joke: “Three bills of money died and went to heaven. The fifty dollar bill spoke of what an exciting life he led. He’d gone to Vegas and on cruises and  passed amongst celebrity hands, etc. The twenty dollar bill told of how many elegant dinners he’d gone to and how many entertainment events he’d  paid for, etc. The one dollar bill sighed and said, “My life has been so boring. All I ever did was church, church, church, church.”

 It makes sense. Whether you believe in Christianity or karma, have you ever thought about how much you spend on entertainment versus how much you spend on things that actually matter to you in life?  If you believe in feeding the poor but don’t donate money to do so because you spent all your cash at the bar last night, are you a hypocrite? If you spend $200 a month on dinners and movies and magazines but only give ten dollars a week to church, how does that help out with the faith you so strongly proclaim? They say money motivates the world, but how do you show the world your true motivations?

I found the sermon SO interesting today  that I’ve even come up with my own quote: “May you take an interest in your spiritual poverty before noticing your earthly poverty. ” Yes, I’m a genius. I know. =)

  Speaking of earthly possessions, guess what? I’ve finally got the decor picked out for Aidan’s room. My mother and sister in law went with me to the kiddo shop yesterday and we got girly. (or rather, they put up with me while I squealed over cute decor.) We picked out the theme and talked about decorations. I really needed that estrogen boost, so thank you ladies. =)  Anyhow, I’d sent out several emails to people wondering if I should do a red/white/blue theme, a teddy bear theme, a cowboy them, or re-use Caitlyn’s pond them.  Well, we picked out a super cute decor  that encompassed three of the four themes. We have red/white/blue cowboy teddy bears! (Awww… my little cowboy Aidan) I was so fortunate to have found something that was so easy to match things to and Debbie and I have already discussed cute things that would easily dress it up. Yes, I’m a decorating fiend and Debbie and Ally were so good for putting up with my mindless/endless chatter about Aidan’s room. God bless those who have patience with me. =) Meanwhile, I also got a very manly grill for my birthday so while the family was here, we made hamburgers on my new toy! ^_^

Baby Update:

Your baby now weighs a little less than 2 pounds and measures about 14 inches. His weight will more than triple between now and birth as he rapidly puts on baby fat. He’ll need that fat to help adjust to colder temperatures outside the womb and as a source of energy and calories in the first days of life. It’s not uncommon for newborns, especially those who are breastfed, to lose weight (sometimes as much as 10 percent of their birth weight) in the first week after birth. If you’re having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.   <– (isn’t that something you were dying to know?)

Thirteen pounds (and craving ice cream)

    Alright Texas, I blame you. That’s right, I’m mad at you and everyone else in San Angelo who invited me out to dinner, over to their house for food, out for ice cream, etc. Why? Today was my baby-doctor appointment and I really hadn’t gained any significant weight since the baby was conceived. I’d told my midwife Joann that I’d been careful on my portions of fat and eating lots of fruit as well as walking at least a mile a day.  That was six weeks ago. Now I’ve gained THIRTEEN POUNDS! In a month and a half!!!!! WTF!?!? You’d think I was sitting around eating lard all day. I know I had a lot of trips to Enrique’s and Cold Stone Creamery but geez, thirteen pounds??
   The doctor I saw today (my midwife was unavailable) said it was probably just because I really hadn’t gained any significant weight to begin with that it’s catching up to me now. He said to avoid making this kind of weight gain a monthly habit but not to worry. He’s ordered an early glucose test to make sure I don’t have gestational diabetes (they usually don’t do that for another month) but he’s not too worried about it. So tomorrow I have to go in, get my blood drawn, drink a grossly sweet drink,  sit on my thumbs for an hour in the waiting room and then get poked for blood again.  If it doesn’t come back the way they want it, I’ll have to do the same thing again the next week but it’ll be a three hour test with pokings every half hour. (my poor arms!) Being hypoglycemic to begin with, I never thought I’d have a problem with diabetes but apparently the rules of pregnancy don’t work well with logic. 
Tomorrow is supposed to be the baby update but I wanna do it today! Besides, I have sonogram pictures!!
25 Weeks

 Aidan’s Head:

 Aidan’s Feet:

 A view from the toushie – this should be self explanatory…..

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight —
a pound and a half — doesn’t sound like much, but he’s beginning to
exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his
wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he’ll start to look more and
more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color
and texture), although both may change after he’s born.


 Now for any of you who know my sweet little Caitlyn, it’s pretty 
obvious that she’s bald as a cue ball. So the last line on there about
recognizable hair? Don’t count on it. =)
By the way, when I was down south, *SO* many of you mentioned how much
you loved the weekly baby updates and I’m so pleased to hear that. At
first,  I started plotting it to show any of you pro-choicers what
stages the baby was going through when you decide it’s okay to murder
it. (a little sinister, I know). Now I just enjoy seeing how far he’s
come.  From here on out, there’ll only be minor changes each week,
mostly weight and length.
Also, I think I’ve mentioned before we’re going with the name Aidan
Derek Williams. Well, unbeknown to me, there’s actually a saint named
Aidan, so I can use that as his baptism name. http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=107

 I had originally intended to just give him the baptism name of the daily saint of whatever day he was born on.
This is a huge relief because one of the saint’s days around his due
date is “St. Jehosephat” to which my son would never forgive me. My
cousins are already running around shouting “jumpin’ Jehosephat!” Lord
save us all.

Aidan is currently kicking me in anger. He wants ice cream. Not me though. I’m being good,  I don’t need any for myself. I’m gonna go get some for him. =)
Love to all!

Photos
Here’s the pics I didn’t post with my last entry. (shame on me!)
Baby Belly picture at 24 weeks:
Ewwwwww:

(My buddy Morgie always says “Ewwww…” whenever she thinks of my baby belly or I talk about it. So I think this one is appropriately labeled just for her.)
And here’s what’s going on inside the tumtum:

Sorry this was so late in posting. =)
Love to all!

Baby Update

We’re at 24 weeks which according to a lunar calendar puts us at 6 months. (by lunar calendar methods, pregnancy lasts 10 months.) The kid moves CONSTANTLY so I’ve never had to worry if he’s okay in there. Caity would move once or twice a day but this kids moves several times an *hour*. I’m taking this as an early sign that he’s going to be a hyperactive-spaz-boy. 

 I’ve convinced myself that I’m going to go on a walk today. I haven’t done any exercise for almost four weeks between the NC trip and the TX trip. I’m watching kids almost every day for the next week and a half, so it’s not as though I’m lounging around the house. (it *is* Jack  I’m watching. There is *no* such thing as lounging when he’s here.) 

Thanks to Kelly Marie and Nathan, I’ve picked up a book called “The Five Love Languages” which helps those in relationships to better understand how to appreciate their mate. It’s all relatively common sense stuff and rather than focusing on “What’s my mate doing wrong?”  it focuses on “How can I make my mate happier in their daily life?” which fixes alot of problems. When you go out of your way to appreciate your spouse,  they tend to go out of their way to appreciate you, thus, fixing problems. Now I love my hubby as much as the next soul mate but I’ve not been really applying the  book to our marriage. I’ve sorta been disecting it from a psychology point of view and applying it to all the other relationships I know. It teaches you how people like to be appreciated and how they show their appreciation to you. For example: Even when I’m really ticked at Derek, I still show him I love him by performing “acts of service” like washing his clothes, doing his dishes and bringing him a cold glass of tea. (sometimes, I’m nice enough to not spit in the tea even…)

 Anyhow, I’ve been disecting each of my friends to decipher how each of you like to be appreciated. How’s it feel to be a guinea pig? =) Derek instantly regretted Nate letting me have the book because he knows how much I love psychology and how I typically don’t stop talking about it for weeks at a time. He makes fun of me each time I highlight another passage and make notes in the margin. *me = psych nerd*

The ever exciting update:

24 Weeks

Your baby’s growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when he was just over a pound. Since he’s almost a foot long, that makes a pretty lean figure, but his body is filling out proportionally and he’ll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby’s skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, his brain is growing rapidly, and his taste buds are developing. His lungs are developing “branches” of the respiratory “tree” and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

I’m told that for the rest of the pregnancy, the baby will start to gain 1/4 to 1/2 pound each week.  So why does it seem like my love handles are the only thing growing?

Love to all!

PS- Today’s song had absolutely NO relation to the blog. I just like this song alot and couldn’t get it out of my head. A little bit of nostalgia: In the apartment I shared with Lori and Amber,  I used to sit and sing this song in my hammock under the stars when I’d be lonely and thinking of Derek. (back before we started dating again) A month before we moved out, I found out the boys upstairs would open their glass door and listen in. Only slightly embarrassing.  =)

This is mean cat

We’re back in Ohio. I had NO idea how much I missed *my* house. I walked in and was so happy to see all of *my* things that I didn’t see any of the dirt. Well… plus my husband spoiled me and cleaned the house before I got home. =) Isn’t he great? (for now…) Caity has ALL of her toys strewn across the floor and is in ecstasy over having her kitties back. (This involves beating the crap out of their faces when she “pets” them and chokes them with their collars in an attempt to bring them closer for more beatings. They strangely love it…) Today and tomorrow, my husband is off work and I don’t have any clients until the day he goes back to work. So we’ll have two whole days to make fun of each other  to our heart’s content. I have a really busy two weeks after that with clients *every day* and my new full time kid will be in town at the first of  August.  (my birthday is next Monday, July 23rd, so be nice to me on that day!)

  I suprised myself at how much I missed my inlaws too. Even if I’d been home those whole two weeks, I wouldn’t have made  any extra trips in that time period. Maybe I just missed the fact  that I could  go see them whenever I wanted.  I kinda like them…. a little.  =)

  I had a blast with you all in Texas. Memaw & Pepaw’s 50th wedding anniversary and Nathan’s wedding were both beautiful.  I have a ton more pictures to post, but they’ll have to wait. (except this one.) Caity was laughing and playing in the tub, but the *second* we pulled out the camera, instant tears. I love this photo,  makes me laugh and feel sympathy at the same time.

And a funny video I stole from Paige. (turn off the sound at the top of the screen to hear it properly.)

Bonus!

The following was developed as a mental age assessment by the School of Psychiatry at Harvard University. Take your time and see  if you can read each line aloud without a mistake. The average person over 40 years of age cannot do it!

1. This is this cat.
2. This is is cat.
3. This is how cat.
4. This is to cat.
5. This is keep cat.
6. This is an cat.
7. This is old cat.
8. This is fart cat.
9. This is busy cat.
10. This is for cat.
11. This is forty cat.
12. This is seconds cat.

Now go back and read the third word in each line from the top down.

Parenting 101

Who decided that ANY outfit in the infants department was supposed to be white? Who honestly let me BUY the cute white dress when Caity is my baby?

 So my daughter was wearing this dress: 

yesterday and had done SO well in keeping it clean. I knew it was a silly idea for us to buy a white dress but it was so cute that mom and I were almost squealing in the store. By dinner time, we’d gone all day without spilling a single drop on it and I decided to reward my precious girl with her favorite dinner at the restaraunt, rigatoni with marinara sauce. We were at Cheddar’s with Nathan, Lori, Marcia and Phil (nate’s bud) eating and having a good laugh at one another. I’d wrapped up my girl as best I could with napkins, knowing full well that some red would definitely make it onto the dress.  By the end of the meal, there were only two very *small* red spots on her precious white dress. I beamed with pride telling myself how good of a mommy I was at keeping her clean and how fortunate I was to keep the white dress… well, white.

    I picked my sweet girl up out of the high chair to place her on my lap to play with everyone before we left. That’s when I felt her back was soaked…? I turn her around and notice large dark clumpy wet  stains poking through not only around the butt area, but all the way up to the middle of her back.

    I panicked and rushed her off to the restroom, hardly saying a word to anyone before I left. I held her to my chest at an awkward angle so none of the other  customers could see her poopy white dress but still at an angle that didn’t let it touch me. (I’m a germophobe, remember? I even disinfected the darn highchair before she sat in it….)

 I lay her down on the changing table and poop went everywhere. I used *EVERY SINGLE* wipee I had with me and then went back for damp paper towels. (cursing my luck and sighing the whole way) By that point,  I’ve got the dress in a ziploc bag and a little girl with nothing on but a clean diaper and a pair of shoes.  Thankfully, I had a suitcase of clothing in the car  that I had yet to drop off at my mom’s house. I rushed through the restaraunt and out the door, clinging my child to my chest. She, however, was fighting me the whole way, *determined* to wave and show people “Hey! I’m naked!” I put on a new dress (NOT white)  and got back into my table of friends. Confused faces stared up at me and my childs new green dress.

“Parenting 101,” I told them. “Always keep a change of clothing in the car.”

 Now the dress is washed and spot free, hanging in the laundry room, but I’m too afraid to put it on her again. I think it’s cursed…. In the process of washing it, I slammed my bad knee into a door and it’s been swollen ever since.  When I sat down from putting Caity to bed and washing the dress, I went into my grandma’s room and told her my story. Tears rolled from her laughing eyes, she could hardly contain herself. My frazzled hair stuck out everywhere, my face was covered in sweat and I was exhausted. Barely audible above my grandparent’s roars of laughter was my plea to God, “Can the whole world just go to bed and leave me alone?”

Warning to those of you who are NOT parents yet, this WILL happen to you. Mark my words, God has a sense of humor.  For those of you who ARE parents,  I’m getting my just desserts.