Thursday, June 26, 2008

Wedding Bliss

My little brother and his new wife, Micci!

The Good, the Bad and the Pregnant

THE GOOD
-I met that most adorable girl today who innocently restored my faith in humanity pretty much without knowing it. She came to see the car we are selling and was so sweet. She was one of those people that is just geniunely nice and makes you want to be around her. It's been a while since I have met someone like that. After a few phone calls she was even calling me 'Brit'. I think I want to make her my friend. Is that weird?

-Micci called out of the blue and asked if she could come help me clean before the baby shower tomorrow. Normally I would decline such kindness but at this point her service will truely be a huge blessing and the fact that she is a clean extrodinaire makes me smile and happily accept her help! This was an answer to one of those quiet prayers so thank you Micci. You are an amazing example of love, kindness and service once again.

THE BAD
-Ellie had wicked crazy diarrhea through the night that kept us both awake,. The poor thing! It really was sad. I had to replace Dayton's mask 4 different times again last night and he still woke up with it off. I so just want him to feel good and be better. I feel like a failure. Besides the fact that I don't sleep super well anyway right now all of this seriously exhausts me and makes the idea of a new born seem so much more glorious than actually being pregnant right now!

-My poor Dad has lyme disease so while they did find the cause of his illness it is quite unfortunately many months later. While he insists that he is from 'strong Nordic stock' we've had to question this quite often and it just makes it hard to be so far from home. We almost lost him last year so needless to say all of this makes me rather emotional. Hopefully his sleeping pills are kicking in nicely and his body can rest. Why does PA have to be so far from Utah?

THE PREGNANT
-Normally you think of things to say and do when you are frustrated but you never actually say or do them because they just aren't reasonable or nice. There must be something about pregnancy that removes that filter or maybe it's just me (it's probably just me). Suddenly you find yourself blasting someone for being a moron when normally you would just politely smile and walk away only to roll your eyes to yourself later (but never to put energy into it again). Sorry about that to the lady behind the desk at the office in WJ ( but I still think you're a moron).

My hair ball pal Sarah sent this to me recently and it's pretty much spot on. Apparently I am not only pregnant but psycho as well.

10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ESTROGEN ISSUES
1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You 're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that
says: 'How's my driving-call 1- 800-'.
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space.'
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

I can't have chocolate or ibuprofen but I'm sure if I could I'd be batting 10 for 10.

On the B Side: The week is almost over and there are lots of great things on the horizon. If I can push past this next little while and keep my emotions in check I won't have to ask anyone to take me out back and shoot me!

Happy 36 Weeks!

Whew! We made it! Adalie and I hit that safe place. At 36 weeks the odds and fates are in our favor. My only real complaint is that I am so tired all of the time. Other than that (and rolling in and out of my bed, the couch, etc) all is well & I feel blessed.


I lost more weight at my last appointment but Adalie is supposed to be gaining a 1/2 a pound a week now. She is around 19 inches long and weighs about 6 lbs. Babies gain weight quickly at this point because layers of fat pile on and help in both body temperature regulation and developing their immunity in preparation for real life.
She has definitely dropped (it's nice to be able to breath a little again!) and our only concern is the diabetes. She has remained head down and the contractions just keep on coming! Doc said the earliest he would let me go is July 7th (after his vacation) so we'll see what happens!

On the B Side: We are prepared to some extent as we have the crib and the car seat. These things help me feel less stressed but I'm still wondering how on earth we're going to pull this off! I am grateful to be experiencing this beautiful process all over again and somewhat relieved to know that this is it for us! Now I just need to push myself through this last little stretch!!!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

From Clancy's Jar...

How many siblings do you have? Describe them. Tell a story about you and each of them.

I have one brother. His name is John but I have never in my life called him that, not even in jest. He has been Jazz for as long as I can literally remember. It sounds so foreign, so strange when others refer to him as John and frankly it irks me. Thankfully his new wife calls him Jazz and he even goes by Jazz at work! Jazz just married the love of his life about a week and a half ago and I must say that this is easily the crowning moment of his life to this point as I have never seen him any happier! Not only is his bride beautiful but she's a sweet heart and a half and the perfect compliment to my little Jazzy!
He is tall, with really white teeth and baby blue eyes. His hair use to be blonde and had curls to die for! He is almost three years younger than myself and has a heart the size of Texas. He's the strong patient one with a mind of his own. He's very private and keeps much to himself (although he is the King looper but that's another post!) He loves to tease and giggles like a school girl rather regularly. He is truely a kid at heart and still loves to play whether anyone is watching or not! His vocabulary is hilarious as he still mangles words and tries to sneak the most absurd pronounciations past others while keeping a straight face and knowing that he completely slaughtered it. It's vit-i-min Jazz, not vit-e-mon!!!!!

He's a trickster and likes to pull pranks. The best was probably the time he taped the spicket in the kithecn for my Dad (annual occurance in our home) except that year Libby got it and dude she was not happy! He's super particular about some things (like his car) and completely careless about others (like his laundry). He's quick to help others and loves to quietly serve. He's very much a night owl and quite a sleepy head in the morning (how many times can you really hit the snooze button???). He's a hard worker and always rises above the occasion. I'm way proud of him and so happy he has his Micci!

We have a crazy amount of memories together especially since it was just the two of us. In the mornings we would get ourselves up for school as my Mom left for work early and my Dad worked a lot of night shifts and was not yet home. When we were really young we would head next door to my Grandparents but by the time I was in 5th grade we stayed at our place and took care of ourselves. Most of the time we did really well. He would hit the snooze button on three different alarm clocks for an eternity and be barking at me by 7:10 every morning because he insisted we never be late. Did I mention he can be a bit of a control freak?!

We didn't have to leave until 7:30 at any point in time. We use to walk to the bus stop together and when I was old enough to drive the rule was that I was allowed to drive to school provided that I take him. I use to make him scrunch up and lay down in the hatch trunk of my Dad's Porsche so that I could pick up a friend. Sure enough he'd climb into the little hatch back, curl up in the fetal position and everyone seemed happy. He got a ride to school and honestly I don't ever remember him complaining or telling on me! I got to drive and pick up a friend! He was a way good sport.

There were plenty of fun times to be had and I'm sure that we had more than our share of them! From diving for Star Wars characters in the pool in the back yard as the morning sun came up to playing school in the playhouse that my Father built for us to swinging on the rope on the big tree behind the boat house to building bike ramps for our banana seat Huffy bikes on the grassy alley! We always had a blast and were good friends at the end of the day (even the day he hit me in the mouth when we were supposed to be sleeping nad knocked my tooth out)! Jazzy, you are the best and I sure do love you!!!

On the B Side: I am so grateful that Jazz and I had and have each other! I can't imagine my life without this little pesky brother of mine!! Life with him was always an adventure (like the time he broke his ankle while my parents were away for the weekend...BIG DORK!)

P.S. Two Things; 1) All I can say is that you're lucky my thumb nail grew back after that little stunt you pulled back in the day! 2) Thank you for not decapitating any of my children's stuffed animals as your tendency has been in the past!!!

Pretty Fly for a White Guy

There is no way that I could do this any justice so the best way to share this little priceless gem is to direct you you here. Dayton really is too sexy as captured by his Padre!

On the B Side: I wish I was creative/motivated enough to capture these moments! Sure am glad that others take the initiative!

Monday, June 23, 2008

Manic Monday: Night


When I hear the word night I am reminded of the children. Since their Father and I separated in 2005 we have always made an effort to have the children call the other parent before bed. This has been a consistent effort for years now and very seldom do we miss a night (except for last night, whoops!).

The association for me is that the kids always say, "I love you. I miss you. Good night, bye". Some times they will chatter away about their day and then follow up with these simple phrases and other times when they are preoccupied they just rattle off these phrases and call it good. Either way, these are the phone calls that I look forward to most when they are gone.

There were many long nights trying to figure out who I was and how to function when they were gone. I use to cry more than any one person should and lived for those phone calls. Over time I have learned to take this time for myself and some times even look forward to the down time now that I'm so pregnant and entering ful time parenthood again.

Regardless, I love the night time. It's a time to relax, reflect and wind down. It's a time of renewal and helps us to prepare for a new day and each day brings something new. These phone calls are the next best thing to snuggling my babies in to say good night!

On the B Side: I am thankful for these brief phone calls at night. If they children are with me it's a chance for them to connect with their Dad and Mommy Amy. If they are with their Dad it gives me a chance to hear their sweet voice and catch up on their day. Either way it provides security and makes everyone feel special.

Still Going


Adi and I are like the Energizer bunny! We saw Doc N this morning and have started to efface. The process is in the works but there is just no telling when we will have a birthday but we are getting closer! I measured at almost 37 which wasn't great news. He talked about gestational diabetes babies having bigger shoulders, birthing difficulties and permanent damage from delivery due to nerves being stretched in the neck and back. I did lose more weight but my blood pressure was great.

It looks like we may be having a C-Section given all of the risks. I'm also on the hook for not monitoring my blood sugar and have to report in early Thursday morning. This means insulin and weekly fetal monitoring. :( I'm tired as all get out all of the time but was pleased to get a bunch of cleaning done this weekend. I also got the crib set up and took care of a bunch of returns. This week I will tackle the basement...ugh. I'm determined to keep moving though so we'll see!

My Dad was in the hospital yesterday. I know he'd like to believe that all is well and that he is of 'good Nordic stock' but it makes me nervous. They were able to rule out his heart and a blood infection; however, it appears he has some type of muscle disorder. He's supposed to go back today so I am anxious to hear more from him. We've had a promise for years that there are no secrets. We agree that with holding information is dishonest, especially when it comes to these difficult matters. He's always upheld his end of the deal and I'm holding him to it now for sure!

Last night we had dinner at my Moms. It gave Dayton a chance to serve everyone since he didn't get to do so at school last week. Ellie insisted that she help out as well and the two of them were cuter than cute about it! Dayton was well pleased with himself and kept taking bows. Ellie was so excited about being a "waitress" and having responsibility! I think we have so me new traditions and I'll be honest that having them help clear the table was so helpful!

On the B Side: Jazzy and Micci return today or tomorrow! YAY!