Giving a Shout Out!

August 27, 2005 was the day that I married my BFF. 4 years of marriage, a kid and a half, a horrible real estate market, a big move, and destructive dog later.....we still got it! As of this moment....what would I say is the key to a happy marriage!? DATE NIGHT.....quiet time, a little booze, interesting conversation....and maybe a locked bedroom door at the end! (well.....not really maybe!) Here is to another year! Can't wait to see what unfolds!

Break'n out....

The hubbie just started a new work schedule that will allow him to be home weekends AND 2 days off during the week! All I can say is "SWEEEEET"! I am taking this as a blessing, especially with baby number 2 quickly approaching. Sleepless nights and green poop here we come!

To celebrate our family's new routine I am trying to make these days off as "perfect days" for us. Like today...the weather couldn't be more beautiful. So we are going to get out there and enjoy it! Since my last entry I have been really thinking about what DOES make me happy.....and as I have said before.....little things. So today...the hubbie is picking us up our favorite coffees from down the street, then off to Good Will to donate some unused goodies, then to the recycling station (Go Green!) book store to get something new, then some playtime at the park, and then my favorite.... pool time.....end the day with a nap and a relaxing evening at home. Which of coarse will be filled with cooking dinner on the grill, watering the flowers and playing with John Deere tractors.

Doesn't sound like much. But actually this day could NEVER sound better. I want to be thankful for what I have...not dwell on the negative. Like I have said before...I dont have my shit together. But that doesn't mean that there aren't things in my life that are going pretty freak'n awesome! So....yes....I'm thankful for those small little things that can turn my day around. Time to enjoy it!

Trying to be honest.......

I survived the week without Gavin and I have to say...... Being without my "meaning in life" has opened a window to what I need to deal with. I have many MANY issues that I didn't even realize that I have ever had. I had time to actually think about my life and how it has and IS changing. To be in your familiar "safe zone" with something major missing. It just gets your mind rolling. I came to the fact that I am a stay at home mom...I love it but I live for my family and not myself. I also realized that I keep my house clean because I'm scared of what someone might think more then my supposed love for cleaning. And I have no real friends in this new location I call home (actually I have one...Emmie I know your reading this but you don't really count cause your family)....all of my true girlfriends are far and away. The distance makes the heart grow founder but can also make the relationship itself weaker. AND to top it off....I have found that I miss alcohol way too much. But I do say this with a smile. I mean come on....it's only 3 more months. But its like I can't be or have fun without it. I know in my heart that its not true...but it sure feels true.

I also always thought that the more people you surround yourself with meant that you never had to feel sad and alone. This is not true.

I guess what I am saying is that I am normal... Meaning I don't have my shit together, even though I try to pretend. Does anyone really have it all together!? I would love to talk to someone who thinks they do...I used to be that person. But I'm not sure why...actually I do. Because for whatever reason I have people tell me that all of the time. I've heard it so much that it MUST be true. But sadly it's not. But what determines the standard that makes you think, "man she really has it together!" ?????

Now could this all be caused by the hormones?!?...sure...but I like to think that this is all COMING OUT because of the hormones. You can't try to improve yourself until you have determined the problem. And some of the most ridiculous people in my life never think that anything is THEIR fault, they are ALWAYS right, EVERYOONE ELSE is to blame. I never want to be that person. But is blogging about bits and pieces of my near to depression going to help!? Who knows, but it can only make me a better person....right!?

Okay....I'm being THAT mom.....

I am a lady who LOVES to travel. And my love of travel is so important to me (and the hubbie) that no matter what, we put the seperation anxiety with the kid aside. We feel that it is EXTREMLY important for each of us and our relationship. I have never once regreted leaving my child with a babysitter or grandparent for an extended amount of time. Because in the end.... I KNOW it will make me a better mother, wife and PERSON. And it does the same for our kids. They know that mom and dad , "love me enough that they WILL come back and get me (eventually)" and it helps them to become more independant and a well rounded person in society. Those are MY beliefs and I know not all mothers feel that way.

I have friends that have NEVER left their children. I understand, but I don't agree. BUT I will say this......it has been 20 hours since I left my little guy back at the grandparents. I am sitting at MY home at MY computer with MY dog and MY son is not here! This is WEIRD!!!!! Normally I have warm sun on a sandy beach, or a glass of wine with a beautiful view, or even swanky hotel room in the heart of a city to keep my mind occupied. But the truth is this....right now my little man should be asking for his second snack, Noggin on in the background and a poopy diaper should be approaching shortly! And its not......

But what I will say is this. I have a feeling that my house will be spotless, ALL the laundry will be done, I will have blogged (check) craft projects will be finished, the errands will be done and I will (amazing) have showered and probably shaved, by the time my hubbie comes home at 5:00 for a home cooked meal! So feel free to check in on me becasue I feel I may lose my mind!

Gavin come home tomorrow!!!!!

I have to VENT.......

I just want all my lady friends to know.......wax your face. I know it can hurt, it can cost a little extra cash, and its sometimes hard to fit into a busy schedule. BUT COME ON!!!!! Its something that needs to be done. Like brushing your teeth or clipping your toe nails. And I don't care how pretty you think you may be. If you have a mustache....no one can see your real beauty because we are sidetracked by the fuzz on your face! The reason some women age beautifully?......they keep up with the maintenance. So call your esthetician before the weekend. You'll thank me!

Happy Little Trees

This week my job was to paint a simple tree in my soon to be daughters bedroom. I thought... no problem.....I'm an artsie kind of girl. I will bring out my skills from all of my past art classes, make Mrs. Wolf proud (my favorite art teacher)....this will be cake! Well maybe not yummy cake, but burnt with too much baking soda kind of cake! Ha!

Lets just say things weren't going as planned, and I was dreading this process.....then by day 3 I had a thought. I'm not sure if any of you have read, "The Last Lecture" by the late Randy Pausch. (Awesome book by the way....get out there and read it. You'll never be the same!) In his book he talks about wanting to paint his room as a child...and finally one year to his disbelief his mom said yes. So he paints....an elevator door, pandoras box, and other goofy stuff. He recalls it being one of his best childhood memories.

I had never done anything like that before! But I too....always wanted to tear down my pale blue wallpaper with the pink hearts and bows.....and paint my room red...with a big, fat, pink pig! No joke....if you knew me back then, this would make sense to you!

So anyway....I started to think....this is my chance. This isn't a chore. This is some fun shit, pardon my french...but it is! I am living out one of my childhood dreams of painting my room while I paint my daughters childhood room! All of a sudden the trees got easy, relaxing, and FUN! And guess what....they are DONE!!! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Cheers to "happy little trees!!!"

P.S. I dedicate these happy little trees to Randy Pausch and one of my favorite men....Bob Ross!

This pregnacy has not been bad....but hasn't been great either. But with me at 23 weeks as we speak I have realized how I can make it more enjoyable! Thru much trial and error I have found that if you go on with your normal everyday life just as you did before...the symptoms go away!

Okay not for everyone....but think about it! Complaining brings the problems to the surface. I mean are my boobies getting huge, YES do they have yucky veins going thru them like a cows utter, YES. Do I get so bloated at night that I have to get on my hands and knees just to roll over in bed, YES. Do I have pains from my old c-section that feel like your ripping in half that NO ONE told me about.....YES And is constipation painful enough that you find yourself praying to Jesus...HELL YES! But why complain, it doesn't get you anywhere.

So today I have a great friend with me, a sunny morning, and a big cup of coffee. The bloating has calmed and I look like a normal almost 6 months along preggo and fabulous lady! Sans the hives I might add! Hallejuah! Life is good!

What I find is that the people who complain truely have NOTHING to complain about....but the ones who do!?!?! never let it in their vocabulary! Have a great weekend!:)

To be a Dinosaur Bodyguard....

Wednesday July 15th, 2009 the day we learned that this little monster in my belly is a baby GIRL! Go figure....ladies always know how to get people to notice them. And if its by giving your mother teenage acne and a case of serious Hives....so be it! Let the mother and daughter relationship begin!

My hubbie has ALWAYS said that he wants all boys. With a boy you only have to worry about your son's penis....with a girl, you have to worry about every elses penis! Sick I know, but sadly so true! He also was worried about the money she was going to strip him of, and will she be exactly like her mother (but not in the GOOD way), and the wiping from front to back freaks him out to no end! But to much of my surprise the moment the Xray tech said girl....you could almost see his heart melt. Little does he know it, but she is already working on getting wrapped around that finger....

As for me. I am SUPER excited! I come from a family of 3 brothers...then having Gavin, the hubbie and Moe (who is also a boy) I am ready for that extra estrogen! My thoughts of this little pink bundle of joy are that I hope she will be a nice person, confident, funny, smart, athletic, with MY eyes, great hair, straight teeth, daddys temperment, and her own sense of style. What more could you ask for in the coolest girl in the world!

As for her BIG brother......ummmm...is he excited!?! Not so much.
"Gavin are you so excited to have a baby SISTER!?"
"No"
"Why not!?"
"I want a BOY!!!"
"Why!?"
"Caaaauuuuusssse"(he likes to exaggerate the cause)
"But did you know that if you have a sister you need to grow EXTRA big and strong to protect her from icky, ugly, no good boys.....You have to be her bodyguard and watch after her...."
All of a sudden the little 2 year old looks up at me! His brown eyes grow larger and full of excitment as he says...
"Like a DINOSAUR???"
All I can think is....WHAT!!!!
"Umm.....sure....."
Seriously holding back laughter from this comment was harder then usual. I have NO IDEA where in the HELL he came up with that. But who cares.... it worked. Were on day 3 and we haven't had a "I want a boy" tantrum since.

Gavin is now officially known as the "Dinosaur Bodyguard" and he wouldn't have it any other way!

So as I have said before....I am organized. Procrastination in not in MY vocabulary. Actually, now I'm lying. The unpregnant, not dealing with a two year old, working professional Jami would NOT have ever excepted the THOUGHT of procrastinating....this new version of me. Whatever......

Anyhoo we are going on a weekend trip to Ohio for a birthday party. Yes....we ARE that nice! The roadtrip begins in 2 weeks......I finally remembered that Moe the Mut is going to need a place to stay. So what do I do....I make a list of all the things that needed to be done today....one of which....call the "Pet Resort" yes...you have read me clearly, my doggie is one spoiled pup! I have the phone up to my ear, my navy colored Sharpie in my hand waiting with anticipation to cross this off of my list!

"ummm......mam..(which I want to yell MISS!!!) we are completly booked that entire weekend. Would you like to be put on our waiting list!?"

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! Why did I wait until the last minute! NOW I can't cross it off my list, I have to find a backup RESORT, and I am so annoyed that I can't even function. What do I do!? Do I go play with my son....spend time with the dog......go about my chores for the day!?
No....I sit here with a chocolate chip cookie in my hand and BLOG!!! Happy Manic Monday everyone!

Its official....I'm pregnant!

So I am EXACTLY 20 weeks today.....so half way! Actually.....I'm one of those special gals that gets to be chopped in half to retrieve my little bambino. Which means.....I can pick my date....which means....I won't put myself thru 40 weeks of this itchy bloatedness....which means.... Hallelujah!!! I'm past the half way point!

So far I've been lucky. No....I'm definatly not glowing unless you consider shiney, red, inflamed bumps, glowing! But I HAVE managed to keep my weight under control....yeah amazing to me too! Each time I go into the doctors office I slip off my shoes and take deep breathes to buy MORE time so I can prolong that damn scale....(dramatic I know!) But to my surprise the past 4 visits. I have been losing weight! WHAT!?! I guess its called eating healthy and exercising....who would have thought! Anyhoo....the nurses keep saying things like, "Ummm......It's kinda time that you started to gain some weight" (secretly I love it when they say this)

But I think that ship has just left the port. The time is now. I know cravings and/or aversions are common in EVERY pregnancy. Do I LOVE a mustard potato salad a bit more these days....YES......Do I think about the Arby's medium Roast beef with a side of their special BBQ sauce everytime I drive by....YES....have I lost the desire to drink my favorite cheap bottle of Pinot Noir......very sadly YES. But this is the norm...nothing crazy.

Until now....the scale better start running...I have officially crossed the border in more ways then one. It happened with Gavin and now again with this bun in my oven! SEVERE....and I mean ravenous cravings for MEXICAN. Spicy, cheesey, guacamole filled beef things with a bit of heaven on the side. When done right it can be truely orgasmic.....REALLY. So I am calling it now, baby number two's first hormonal, side splinting, on the verge of tears, begging for the hubbie to go after hours, don't care where you find it craving! CHIPOTLE....a burrito bowl with Barbecola, lettuce, key lime rice, pinto beans, roasted corn salsa, sour cream and extra guacamole!! I ate it ALL while giving Gavin his night time bath....now I bet THAT was a sight!

But I have to say the quote for the evening came from my beloved husband who looked down at me on the white tiles of our bathroom floor as I washed a toddlers hair while wiping guac from my chin........ "Damn, you are so pregnant!"