It's been a looong time!

Katie was born on October 20th at 5:33am.I had a scheduled Csection on the 24th but she decided her time was up all on her own! Griffin has had a language explosion and repeats everything.He even repeats sentences-but most of the time he doesn't know what those sentences mean.Most of the time he is talking in two words sentences though and those he understands.This is a new phase with Griffin.Not just language but attitude and just everything.He is growing up :(

8 or is it 7 more days

Until our new baby Katie Grace is here...It has been awhile!

Lazy Saturday

Usually I find something for us to do but I guess this wekend we have to make up our own fun.#We'll probably end up going to the park (at the end of the day when the equipment isn't hot enough to burn Griffin's hands.I have been procrastinating on all the wonderful organizing I have to do but have moved forward slowly.I really need to get my butt in gear and actually get something accomplished right? It must be a summer thing, or a pregnancy thing or maybe just an excuse thing that I don't have much umph to do anything.The months ahead seem to be a mound of work lol I think I feel blah.My mil will be coming aroudn the first week of August though and we will be driving 4 hours to see Joe's cousins for the weekend in New Bern,NC.It'll be nice but for some reason they "feel funny" about people spending the night.They always say "won't you be more comfortable in a hotel room".I think to myself "uh no I wouldn't feel more comfortable spending $200 to stay in town for 2 days on our very tight budget" and it just boggles my mind that they aren't open enough to say yeah throw a sleeping bag down and sleep wherever.My family on the other hand, would think you were wierd if you wanted to go to a hotel and would insist you stay-even if it was on the floor.I mean what's the big deal? To spend $100 a night on a hotel to see your family is crazy to me.I know some people don't like you sleeping on their couch but if they are willing to sleep on your floor what should you care.I don't get Joe's family sometimes honestly.So they haven't seen us since January.I already told Joe's mom we don't have the money to stay in a hotel and she said she would talk to them because she doesn't either and she thinks it is ridiculous too.She is already spending the money on airfare and we are spending the money on gas to get there.Maybe it is a long Island thing? Whatever so that is about all that is going on....

July 4th weekend

Well we had a nice weekend.We pretty much did nothing on Saturday but my husband really was ancy and wanted "to do something besides sit around" so we took a trip a couple hours away to Boone,NC and rented a hotel room with a heated pool.I use the term "heated" because it didn't feel like it but Griffin loved swimming.We went out to dinner and took him to Tweetsie Railroad for something to do.He was really young for most of it but enjoyed the choo choo rides and the cloggin and dancing shows.next year when he is bigger he'll enjoy it much more.His attention span is all about 10 seconds on his best days so considering that and his age he had a good time.I told Joe to enjoy this because in a year or two he'll be begging for icecream,begging to go on all the rides and whatever else lol He was so tired at the end he fell asleep before we even got out of the parking lot lol I have been trying to pack up all his clothes that are too small for him and get organized.I bought him a really nice dresser for $10 at a garage sale a few weeks ago and I still have to paint it.We also got 5 small bags of clothes for our little girl due October 25th so I have to sort that to see what we still need.We did get some sleepers and things so at least we have some things for her.I'm not gonna buy any bibs or anything because even though they are blue in color all they do is get messy anyways so.I still have to get a new breast pump, some bottles and I was thinking about a different bath tub than the one we used for Griffin-a bigger one.So there is much to do here.One of the projects I'd like to finish this summer is Griffin's baby book scrap book and our photo albums-which os a huge project in itself so it'll go slow but my goal is to have that done soon.The weather has been beautiful-hot and humid but more of a breeze than I remember there being last summer.I was dreading being pregnant in the summer but so far so good.That could change quick here though.This summer sun is brutal.Well I shall update soon and hope everyone had a great weekend!!

Please interpret me mama

Ok so my son is a fruit addict.He has narrowed down watermelon and strawberries to being his favorite but he still loves grapes and pineapple.He isn't sure about cantalope yet.He still loves the old stand bys like pears and peaches and raisins but watermelon and strawberries feverishly go in his mouth like he hasn't eaten in 3 years.It is really funny to see him start begging for certain things he likes to eat and so funny when he tries something new.We've had the video camera out more and more this week.He wasn't too into corn on the cob since he wasn't biting it hard enough and thought the cob was a stick to be thrown lol So I ended up cutting the corn off of the cob and he munched it right up.Seems he is quite the corn lover these days.He seems to be quite the meat lover as well.He likes salami, pepperoni, turkey, ground beef, steak. He isn't into potatoes anymore and green beans and spinach don't seem to have the same appeal anymore either.I'm trying to gove him a big variety of food so he doesn't become picky.Of course I notice sometimes he refuses to try something and I make him eat it and once he gets that first bite he is usually into it and starts feeding himself lol It is really wierd.I can finally see that he is geting a bit taller and he just looks "bigger" to me and bulkier.He just turned 17 months on the 26th and although he really isn't talking yet he definately expresses what he wants and doesn't want all day loong lol We do get repeated sounds a lot but I still don't understand what he is trying to say.He has an 18 month check up in about a month so it'll be interesting to see what she says about him not talking.He babbles like he is havign a full blown conversation with you-including head movements,talking hands you name it and it is so darn cute to see him look up at you his head bobbing up and down talking away-but hell if I know what he's trying to say lol He did say "ish" for about a week when referring to fish and bab when referring to the baby in my belly but then as always I don't hear it again.I will have to update after we see the doctor.The 4th of July on Friday is gonna be a long day.We have a parade at 9am and a cookout with a neighborhood group right after then the waterpark party is starts at 1pm then later there is music and fireworks in the park.We live in a small town (which is much bigger than the small town I grew up in) so it is nice to attend family events here and the town is very family oriented.If I don't blog before then have a great 4th everyne!

Today

Is gonan be a slow day.I just feel it-the heat is already blazing.I haven't slept very well at night and Griffin has shocked me by twice-yes twice sleeping in until 830am.It's like I went to heaven or something.Usually I'm up at 7am wether he's awake or not but restless nights must be catching up to me.I'm sure this won't turn into a regular sleeping habit for him but once in awhile it is a nice treat.We haven't done much this week excpet make homeade pizza,go to the library,swim in his pool everyday (for a max of 5 minutes before he starts jumping out lol),stuff like that.I really want to go to the store today and try to find him some poster sized paper so he can color.Maybe if I can find some washable markers I'l consider it but for now he has crayons.His attention span is so short it's funny.He's onto something different a minute after he is totally into something else.So keeping his preoccupied is a challenge.The poor baby has been living on tons of grapes,raisins and watermelon all week but he loves it and it is good for him so there is no harm.I think I've cause dan addiction to watermelon though lol I got corn on the cob to have for Saturday and since Griffin loves corn I can't wait to see what he does with it on the cob.It is so funny and entertaining to watch him eat sometimes and Joe and I have been shooting some of it with the video camera.We have him eating spaghtti,pizza,watermelon,raisins,cereal. I guess we're easily amused lol He is quite the monkey and has to be watched every minute because he tends to stand up and jump off any of the furniture he climbs.We have to remind him to sit and he is getting better (I think lol) so I hope this is just a daredevil phase? I don't think he understands about the baby but he rubs my tummy and kisses it when I tell him there is a baby inside.I tell him nice and show him how to rub it so I think he is just mimicking me-but it is so cute anyways lol We were supposed to go to an outside pool playdate tomorrow but boo I have a doctors appt Oh well.I will update soon!

It's been so long

Well it has been awhile.My parents and my sister were here for two weeks and then I went to NY for a visit with Griffin for two weeks and I hadn't had much to say before that so well I'm back.Just trying to get caught up on "my house".I have a newly painted kitchen.Gone is the very very ugly wall paper and here to stay is nice white walls.It was a tough job.3 coats of paint ugh! It is so worth it looking at the end product though.It was a depressing dark maroon almost a brown I'd say.We also got a used Kia Sedona minivan to prepare us for transporting two babies.We are having a girl.It is still unbelievable to me and I feel sooooo lucky because I always assumed I'd have all boys like my sisters.I am 22 weeks right now and time is flying by.I know in a few weeks time will seem to have slown down and I will feel more uncomfortable.I am not looking forward to the dreaded back pain I experienced in my first pregnancy.All that weight on my smaller frame made me walk in pain for months.Oh the joys of pregnancy right? lol Well I will be back to update.

Money and Mums the word

I guess that has been why I have been so quiet-money or the lack there of... It has become apprent that we may need a different car-especially when the new baby comes.Problem is-there is no room in the budget for a car payment and the whole thing has spun me into a bit of depression as I have to figure out how to bring in money and make sure my son is taken care of... So I haven't been much into talking about other things for awhile since I am having this inner battle.I don't judge other people by saying this-it is just how I feel-and I feel wrong for having someone take care of MY CHILD we created 40 hours a week just because of the allmighty dollar.I am a terrible decision maker so to solve this problem I have to do lots of research and figure out some sort of solution so I have been trying to do just that lately.I am just having ahard time with it emotionally and to top it all off when I lived in NY the job market there was so bad.I mean so bad as in people with Masters degrees competing for $8 jobs.Hence the last coupdl fo jobs I had were low pay and sucked so bad.My resume looks awful and I just frankly have no confidence when it comes to getting a job at all so that adds to this dilema.I guess I will figure it out I have to somehow.Plus I'm pregnant and I don't know how employers react to that thinking I will be gone 8 weeks int he near future.Oh what to do-it is such a dilema.I am looking forward going to NY for a couple weeks around the 22nd and when I get back then I can look for some type of job.It would be nice to visit some people I know,especially family,I need it right now.

I'm still here

I have been not in the talking mood for a few weeks.I am still reading other blogs but have just been doing a lot of thinking and such and I tend to not have a lot to say or more accurately I don't want to say any thing if that makes sence lol I have had Joe's father come visit for a few days and then his mother come visit for a few days (they are divorced).It was very nice to have them visit from NY as we miss them so much down here in NC.It was very nice to show off our son Griffin who of course put on a "show" the whole time-dancing like a wild little monkey.He swings the head back and forth,swings the arms,spins in circles,falls a million times,gets himself back up laughing the whole time and repeats the whole process.I admit I get so much enjoyment seeing him so happy and animated and just being a kid.He is also very affectionate and I have to feel I am his biggest influence since I kiss and hugs him so many times a day he gets sick of it lol He hugged his grandparents without encouraging him to do so-he just did it because he wants to and it was great to see.He just turned 15 months old so it's nice to see his pleasant personality and how he relates to others so openly.I am hoping to ride up to NY around May 22nd with my parents to visit with family in NY for a few weeks.My parents are Florida snowbirds who spend their summers back home in NY so they said they would "stop and pick us up" on the way so we are excited about that.For the first time since Griffin has been born I have been bad about taking pictures.Tomorrow I am going to make sure that ends since I wanted to take a picture so badly tonight and alas was not prepared.There is the best and cutest little carnival in town referred to as the follies for the weekend.It was so nice to hear some good music and show Griffin the carousel-which I hope to take him on tomorrow.The lines were atrocious tonight.I will update soon and I apologize for the hiatus! My little baby to be is now 13 weeks along and because I am *whispering* advanced maternal age as they referred to me as(while I was laughing hysterically inside) I was able to have an ultrasound last week and it was more than amazing.I was completley in love and felt reassured I could see the heart beat etc... (more on that later).The midwife who saw me after the ultrasound actually laughed with me about the whole advanced maternal age thing as well and she was so great and made me feel great.I will have to come back to talk more about the ultrasound this weekend.Hope everyone has a good weekend!

I've been on break

From my blog as everyone can see.I have been trying to "get out" kind of.Get out of the house that is.I've been trying to meet people,bring Griffin outside more and go to the park since the sun started shining and the weather has been better-still a little chilly at times but warm enough to be outside.So I haven't been on the computer as much.Plus we have family coming next week so I've been trying to organize and do a little spring cleaning-not only in my house but with myself.I have my big OB appointment on the 22nd and I'm excited to hear the baby's heartbeat and know that ll looks good so I'm looking forward to that! I will be updating soon.So far I've met a few nice moms around here.It's different and harder as you get older to cultivate friendships because we are all so busy taking care of our own families but it's easy to forget that adult conversation and company is good for anyone.It's been nice to meet people more than once and actually remember someone.I also went to a Pampered Chef party(I'm a PC junkie) but I was very conservative in my order.I ordered stoneware since I am sick after finding metal pieces in food I cooked from my expensive non stick pans!!! So I will update soon.I am reading though keeping up on everyones blogs!

Come on Sunshine

I'm still waiting for the sun!! It always is sunny here and it is so unusual that there has been no sun for almost two weeks now! Even when it is freezing here the sun shines .... I just can't wait until it decides to come again. Griffin and I went roller skating today with a local mommie group and we had a lot of fun.I actually put him in his stroller and zoomed around on the rink with him and he looooved it! He clapped and swayed his head to the music and had a permanent smile on his face the whole time. Everyone kept remarking how smiley he was. of course secretly I loved just the fact that he was getting tired out for a nap later lol I let him push the stroller around the place for what seemed like a half hour.He loved visiting with the other kids too and he especially wanted to touch the older kids skates who had brought their own skates.I think he liked the bright colors and he just loves wheels on anything. I tell ya it really is good excercise. I did it a few months ago and I laugehd because it had been so many years since I roller skated I thought I looked ridiculous. But you definately get a good workout and it's better than staying inside on a gloomy day like this for sure! I've been feeling utterly exhausted these past few days and today is no exception.. so now that we are back I am gonna try to nap.I doubt it'll happen but nothing wrong with hopin' right?

Whoopdee do

The event we were supposed to go to with a local moms group got cancelled cause it's raining.What's funny is our area is still supposedly experiencing 'a drought" yet it's been raining 6 out of 7 days this week *sigh* Oh well.I haven't felt like such a sloth in so long.I seriously want to do nothing.Ok well I HAVE to take care of Griffin and do dishes and start another load of laundry but other than that I plan on doing as little as possible.It isn't what I should be doing but I just don't see much of any productivity happening today.Tomorrow it is supposed to not rain and be sunny so as the plan goes Joe will mow the large lawn we have and I will be productive inside *sigh*.My husband has been a good sport and offered to to do the grocery shopping today-I sent him out with coupons and detailed descriptions and let's just say I'll probaly be finishing it or "adding to it" tomorrow when I go to Aldi's.I really love my husband and feel lucky cause he really is such a good partner.He doesn't run from responsibilities (though he still is a man so his excuses are comicale lol).My body is definately constantly tired yet I can't sleep so it seems to be playing tricks on me.Check out Sarcastic Mom's blog it's the funniest thing I've read in awhile....

It's Friday Folks

The day where all the stuff I've procrastinated about (like going to the post office) comes to an end and I just gotta do it.It's been cold and rainy here and I've had that chill in my bones so I haven't felt much like going places.I just have to get a couple things to make broccoli cheese quiche for tomorrow and so I may do a little browsing at Walsmart as well.Tomorrow we're going to an event for a couple hours held by a local moms group here and they are gonna have balloons for the kids and such so I said why not since my schedule isn't packed.Not much else going on so this is yet another boring post but if something more interesting comes up I'm sure I'll be posting! Have a great weekend everyone!

A choice

I forgot to mention that with the new practice I chose for prenatal care I get my choice of an OB or a midwife and I am thrilled.With Griffin I started out with a midwife and later when we moved had to switch to an OB.What a difference! To the OB I was a number and they were too busy to answer questions and to be honest didn't seem very caring at all.So I am thrilled to be able to choose a midwife.My only worry is that I have had a C section in the past and do not want to play around if it is too dangerous for me to try a VBAC.But anyways I wanted to mention this! They used to actually have a birthing center there at the office but now do all deliveries at get this "Women's Hsopital"-that is the name of the hospital as it is geared towards woman only.Cool huh

Another Day

So not much to report except I had my first doctors appt. It was pretty much a Q&A session on my medical history and some other paperwork.They used the little wheel thing to estimate my Due date as November 2nd-which is a great time since noone in our families has a November birthdate.I go back on April 22nd for the full exam, bloodwork,weigth check-the whole shabam. I can't wait to hear the heartbeat and I wish I would of been able to hear it yesterday to calm my worries a little but what ya gonna do? I haven't had the extended knock me off my feet nausea I had with Griffin I'm just really tired. But alas, now that I have a one year old I'm used to performing on little sleep!!! The one thing that is bad-and this happened since 3 days after I found out I was pregnant is insomnia.I can usually hit the hay like a ton of bricks no problem which I do.But then, a couple hours later, my eyes pop open like someone called my name "wake up there is a lot of action going on". Of course there is nothing but Griffin in his room snoring, darkness and my husbands breathing.I swear I lay there for hours.I try different positions,I try to tell myself over and over just freakin' sleep but no. I am wide awake.This started at 4 months with Griffin and he's pretty active ...now I'm wondering do I have a wild child in my belly? Oh I can't wait to find out. I have to wait until 18 weeks to have an ultrasound unless there is a medical reason to have one sooner and boy I can't wait for that.Except I hate the thought of drinking all that water,filling up your bladder to capacity, arriving at the office to find "they're running behind" and trying to act like a normal person when all you want to do is pee your pants! Man I hope we can videotape it like we did with Griffin.That is something to see and I think,I may be wrong but he was only 7 or 8 inches long at the time.They blow of the screen and make them look so big you forget how tiny they are.My little peanut is the size of a grape right now.Can you believe that -a human being the size of a grape-what a miracle it is to me!

Springtime

I haven't been good at updating since I have had so much swirling in my mind which makes it so hard for me to write. Today I am doing my SMW blog assignment "Springtime" and updating on my last post. I had a really good time going out with three girls last Friday.One only stayed for dinner but the rest of them (us three) went bowling and then went to Denny's afterwards for a long time.I hadn't stayed out that late in so long I couldn't remember and we all hit it off.They were very down to earth and we all had a lot in common and we're all about the same age (ok I was the oldest but what's two years lol) I am glad I went and I may meet one of them at a Pot Luck dinner the mommies group has planned at a park this weekend.They have face painting and games and balloons for the kids so why not.It's only for a couple hours so I think it'll be great.

Now about my blog assignment Springtime.A time when the cold goes away and the warm weather starts. It has a lot of meaning to me. First off, it is the time of year when my parents return from Florida to NY and stop by here in NC for a visit so I always look forward to that! Last year I drove to NY with them. Me and Griffin hitched a ride. I'm thinking we may do the same this year. We'll see how the whole being stuck in a carseat for hours thing goes. When he was little it was no big deal but it is sure to be different now. I mean we're in a motorhome so he can get out sometimes but I don't like it.My parents stop every few hours but to a toddler that can seem like days.We'll probably do it anyways though for the free ride lol

Now as for the other benefits of Springtime it is the start of a fresh new wonderful season of weather when the temperature is just right-not too cold and not too hot! Summer here is scorching so Springtime is perfect.We have hundreds of birds surrounding our house and they have already started their morning serenade here It is LOUD but I love it because I just love birds.I don't like the one that wakes at 6am though I have to admit.... But in all it is just a reminder of a happy, warm time just around the bend!!!!

It's Friday!!

Not much to report that is entertaining. Today I filed our taxes so we'll be awaiting our refund. The money will be used eventually for some type of vehicle as mine is slowly dying.God I love my Honda and I can't bear to give her away but it looks like we have to eventually. So I'm not too excited about our refund but to me it's another chore crossed off my list today. Tonight I am actually going to do something totally different and I am nervous to say the least. I am supposed to go out with some women from a local mommies group to eat and possibly bowling afterwards.I'll have to update everyone on the experience as I've only met one of these women so far and I am very nervous in social siutations as I've mentioned before.It'll be interesting to say the least and I don't have far to travel so why not.Nothing pressing to do today except go to the bank and the post office and make oatmeal raisin cookies. Damn commercials I see a commercial and they show me something good and the craving starts and isn't satsifed until I have it.Yesterday it was banana bread-I think that came from a Hotel commercial advertising continental breakfast. I am so pathetic lol

Griffin has been perfecting his tantrums and they have become louder.I always seem to point my finger up and down at him when I tell him no no so he's begun doing this to me.His cold has made him a little moody I guess.He's learning how to be a man ha ha Now my husband has been telling me "Griffin gave me a cough".Well boo hoo I think to myself and laugh when I'm alone.I am so bad!

Today is one of those days

..and it seems like I have a lot of them.One of those days when I love being a mom and glad he can so easily make me laugh or take my mind off what I'm worrying about.My son was sick once when he was 3 months old with a cold for a bout 5 days and that's it.He was a happy camper the whole time go figure.Well it seems he started developing a cough Sunday and today his nose ran twice.I had to laugh though cause he has this big smile on his face and the snot is running down and I'm trying to chase after him with a tissue and then he gets the tissue from me and it's a fight and it rips and he is laughing and I'm like you're so silly just let me wipe your nose.So what does he do-he swings his head from right to left as fast as he can so I can't wipe his nose laughing the whole time.He got me laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes and then he hugged me while wrapping his arms around my neck.So yeah I got snot on me but I can deal with that.... Those hugs feel so good.I have to say he is quite the snuggly boy.Sometimes if I ask him for a kiss he'll run right over and give me one and I hope it's because he gets so many hugs and kisses all the time... Snot and all those hugs rule!

Many Thanks to Huckdoll http://huckdoll.blogspot.com/ for yet another great web site on organizing your day!! Here it is folks- http://www.flylady.net/ have been slowly workin on getting more motivated and actually accomplishing more! Thought the thought of having a garage sale is less than appealing to me I've realized we have more stuff that we could get rid of that is just cluttering up my house. So that will be event I will have to plan on when the weather warms up. Plus I'm trying to make room for another addition to our family and all the "stuff" that will be out of our basement and back in the house for the new little one.
Easter was very nice! We just had a laid back day and gave Griffin his little basket and played outside while the weather was so nice.We had a nice dinner of Grilled chicken, baked potato,corn and applesauce. It was nothing special but grilling outside made it seem so. It is still a bit chilly here yet some days it warms up so much it almost seems like winter is over. I can't wait! Then again last summer was sooo hot I couldn't breathe and the thought of being pregnant in that heat makes me content to keep the weather like it is now.I already warned my husband that we have to buy another air conditioner.It's funny, here they will actually announce on local stations not to spend more than a few minutes outside..... So I better be careful what I wish for!

What u find when u look

I've come across some different and interesting blogs in the past few days.Every one of them can teach me something! I need a little organization help and I think the new blogs I've added to my blog roll are if nothing else inspiring!! Not to mention the new recipes and tips I've found so helpful... So enough whining on here from me! Especially being a sahm, I am concerned about stretching that dollar every month and the first step in tackling any chore or mess is really organizing the mess first and then figuring out what goal you want to accomplish... Wether it be to get good deals on groceries or other items or organize your office-it never hurts to read about someone else doing it and how they do it successfully... I love new ideas..and I also truthfully need some help getting organized. Sometimes I just need some ideas to motivate myself... So I hope some of you check out the blogs like http://becentsable.blogspot.com/