Where is John Madden when you need him?

Normally, most afternoons are not THIS nutty. Today is a special case, though, so I thought it appropriate to post it; for safe-keeping. That way, when people say to me, "boy, you look tired," I can point to this and say, "well YEAH."

Short weeks are fun, aren't they?

OOF!

2nd Day of school and my feet and legs are KILLING me! 

That being said, I've been to 8 campuses so far.  Tomorrow, I'll go to the southside campuses and snap pictures and video.  It's been a good start.  I'm ready to settle down a little bit, though, and get into some kind of routine. 

I'm tired too.  Did I mention that?  I went home yesterday and sweetpea sat in my living room while I napped.  I felt awful for falling asleep when I was so eager to visit but I could. not. keep. my. eyes. open. 

I found two new projects.  I'm excited too.  A pair of sisters with sparks in their eyes.  There is something special there that, I think, just hasn't been discovered yet.  It's going to be a good year. 

I spoke too soon

We are still trying to figure out the magic combination of rocking, singing, stories and other bedtime routines that will help her get to sleep at a decent hour.

CONCLUSION #1: She is some kind of night-owl/morning person mutant.

She won't go to sleep before about 10 but she wants to get up with me at 6. Um, that would be ok if she was five or six but she still needs more sleep than that. So, by 10, she's ready to nap.

I know the right answer is the one that works so I'm trying diligently not to stress about this (as Coach likes to say).

Everything else is going super well. She screams like a velociraptor from jurassic park, eats anything you put in her mouth and is starting to walk!!! She's hilarious and affectionate and funny and exasperating. (does this remind anyone of descriptions of Munchkin?)

CONCLUSION #2: I see a trend in the personalities of my children: brilliant little whirlwinds that can make you want to laugh, cry, pull your hair out - all at the same time...

Yesterday, I started putting the spoon in her hand and letting her feed herself. Yes, it went right in her hair. It was great fun. Getting the spoon away from her to actually get some food into her mouth wasn't so fun [insert velociraptor screams here].

CONCLUSION #3: Bananas might not be the next big thing in hair gel but maybe they should be. They are quite...effective at freezing hair.

I intend to fill up her little pool this morning so we can put her in it later today. She loves the water.

Life is good.

For the birds

I have officially given up on letting Princess Crybaby cry it out. It feels wrong and cruel and , frankly, Scarlett, I don't give a damn what the "experts" say. We're done subjecting ourselves and her to nightly torture rounds.

I sat on the floor, in front of her crib, and let her look at me until she fell asleep. she was hiccuping from crying son hard, but she was peaceful. When I picked her up to soothe her, her little body was clammy from the exertion. This is not the right way. At least, not for us.

I never let Munchkin cry it out and she is a great sleeper. There are some lessons about sleep we might have to wait to teach until she has more language. For now, we will work to find a more peaceful solution.

I downloaded The No Cry Sleep Solution by elizabeth pantley to my kindle app. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Here's hopin'!

Pole Position

I can remember that game - Pole Position - my brother and I played it all the time!  (he almost always won)  It was a cool racing game before racing games were cool.  haha  The point of the game, of course, was to maneuver your car into first place and win.  You did this by racing around corners at badly animated speeds.  (well, bad compared to now)

Looking ahead to this week, I can already see an exhausted me at the end of it.  We've come to the part of the year where we have something almost every night; sometimes two or three things.  It's pole position - just in real life; with better graphics, no music and people instead of cars - maneuvering around obstacles and insane curves (schedules), trying to get to the finish line (friday night).

Monday night, I have my standing meeting for the bond.  (and there is a board meeting but I can't go to both)  Wednesday after school is Munchkin's dentist appointment. Thursday before work is an appointment I'm looking forward to.  Thursday afternoon is the egg stuffing party for our staff easter egg roll.  This weekend already has plans rolling too.

We are less than a month from early voting.  This rush of information has been good practice and helped me really hone my time-management and organizational skills.  I've always had the ability and I really good at pulling off the impossible (most of the time) but I've certainly been able to put that ability on the test track with this bond to where it is an all-the-time endeavor, rather than a project-based focus.

Even though it's crazy busy, life is really good.  I made an appointment at the end of May for an all-girl day with Munchkin before school is out.  We'll go to lunch (anybody know a fru-fru place open on Saturdays, in Temple?), haircuts and new nail polish at the salon then, the day I've been promising for going on five years - I'm going to let M get her ears pierced.  That way, she'll be a few weeks into the routine before she goes to her dad's house for the summer.  We'll be a week from summer break (I told her she could get them the summer before third grade).  It will be our special day.  I will probably cry.  (because I'm a sap like that)

I've got to get her registered for summer arts camp at the CAC before too long and find somewhere for Princess Crybaby to be during the summer since her daycare is through the school district and it's only during the school year.

Also on my Munchkin list - she is asking about baptism so we're going to make an appointment for her to sit down with Brother Andy (our pastor) to talk about what baptism is and why it's important.  Then we'll know she's really ready.

*whew* I'm going to be ready for a vacation or something after May 14.  Hold on, folks - here comes another corner!

By the time we hang the lights...

...it'll be new years day and time to take them down.

I wish I had the pause feature in real life like I have in Sims. You can build without the clock flying by. Where is that feature in real life?

I never seem to have the time to get it all done. Today, for example, I wanted to work on getting the lights up and the front porch decorated. I laid down and took a nap instead.  I needed the nap but I also need to sweep and mop the floor, wash the sheets, etc....

Well, there is always tomorrow.

Downhill Slide

10 1/2 days until Christmas break. Thank goodness. Holy guacamole I am tired.  And not the kind of tired you feel when you've had a long day or you didn't sleep well. It's the kind of tired from having a long YEAR.*laugh*

On the homefront, all is great. Princess Crybaby is getting big. She is so alert - one of her favorite activities is watching people walk by.

She wants to talk and I think it aggravates her that she can't make her mouth form the sounds she wants to make.

Munchkin's teeth woes continue. I fear the fact that both her parents have less then great teeth combined guarantees we will have problems with her mouth.  I should get a job now to start saving for braces.

She had a tooth filled back in April. Well, the tooth was damaged and now requires a root canal. We started that treatment this week. The endodontist was top-notch and I really liked him. He used a lot if big words and I felt like I spent the better part of his explanation with my mouth hanging open with an expression you might see Mater make....uhhhh, whut?

Before and after school soccer practice has started so I don't see the Coach much.  I'm excited about the season and hope the boys do well and we get through it with no serious injuries.

Speaking of soccer, what on earth is up with picking Qatar for the World Cup in 2022? That's just stupid.

Work is going well. We have our annual clean up tomorrow and, while it has morphed into something quite different than the original intent if the day, it should still be a good day.  Work, otherwise, is fast and furious.

Oh, did I mention I'm doing another show? I've been cast as Grace Farrell in Annie. It opens the end of January.

I've become a little superstitious about doing shows as somebody important to me has died in the last three shows I've done.  Roy Finney, my beloved friend and mentor, died during the run of My Way. I miscarried Riley doing Godspell and my sweet kitty, Oscar, died right after I found out I was cast in Annie. Weird, huh?

Well, other than the insane juggling act that is my life right now, nothing is really going on.

*hysterical laughter ensues*

If you will excuse me, I will go slip into my white jacket with the buckles on the back now....  standard uniform here, in Crazyville.

'night, friends.

Stinkin' Tired

Yes, I know this is part of the deal. Bone-crunching tired is one if the many gifts that come with a new baby.

She is going four hours between feeding at night and sleeping almost three hours at a time. During the day, however, is a different story. She wants to nurse every two hours and won't sleep unless I'm holding her. That makes for days where I look at my list of chores and know they aren't going to get finished.

I know it shouldn't matter that the laundry gets washed and folded but not put away. It shouldn't matter  that the trash can is still sitting out by the curb.  The office is still full of boxes and the garage is a mess.

I guess I just have unrealistic expectations. It's only been two weeks. She is growing and happy and healthy. What more should matter?

ugh

I hate waiting.  I know it's better for her to be in there and she'll come when she's ready and it's almost time and it won't be much longer. blah. blah. blah.

No, I am not a patient person.  Yes, I am tired and cranky because I was up until nearly 2am with our "practice run" to the hospital.  Why is it that when you are at home the contractions are timing exactly as they should, bringing tears to your eyes and making you feel like you are actually getting somewhere?  BUT, when you get to the hospital, everything stops or slows down to just "irrritability" contractions - contractions that are still timing ok and have some strength to them but aren't long enough to really make progress.  I did laugh when she (the nurse) called them irritiable contractions - she was certainly right about that. 

By midnight, I'm a pretty irritable person.  By 1:15 am, if we aren't actively in labor, I want to go home and sleep.  And that's what we did - after a run to Jack in the Box.  *laugh*

Coach was a total champ last night.  He made me laugh - putting latex gloves on his head and telling his goofy jokes which, under the stress of the moment, made me laugh hysterically.  He held my hand when I cried out of frustration (I hate practice - I want the real deal). 

I will say this about practice though: we did have a chance to figure out our strategy for getting everybody in the car (including a very sleepy Munchkin), getting her to Mom & Dads, make a few phone calls on the way and get there in good time.  I guess that's something...

So, it won't be long.  We DO want her to stay in there as long as she needs so she will be healthy.  And I know she'll come when she's ready and that's ok with me.  Really.  But, Stowaway - can we please save our practice runs for daytime hours - Mommy is NOT a night owl like Daddy.  Thanks.  Love you.  I can't wait to meet you.

Gripey.

I feel entitled to, on the rare occasion, just gripe. 

Gripe because I'm hot.  I hear the news reports of the "critical" heatwave in the northeast and my pregnancy hormones want to scream back at the TV, "SO WHAT?!  I live in Texas, people - it's ALWAYS hot like that - get a fan and get over it."  But that's not very nice.

Gripe because I'm TIRED of my back hurting.  I swear I walk like a sway-backed mare.  The Stowaway is riding in a ball and she's really low in my uterus so my back is just killing me. 

Gripe because I'm hungry alll the time but when I DO eat, I can't eat more than a few mouthfuls because the Stowaway is squishing my stomach! 

Gripe because the time is totally dragging.  I feel like I've been 32 weeks FOREVER.  I want her and I want her NOW. 

Gripe because I don't really want to be at work but if I go home, I'll just be reminded I still have an entire house to pack... 

Gripe. Gripe. Gripe.

....

I try very hard to NOT be a gripey pregnant person.  In fact, it's been remarked that I'm one of the more easy-going pregnant people some have met.  This is not my first pregnancy so there aren't very many unknowns in this (at least of the stuff I can control). 

I don't know if it's just a combination of wishing I was home, hot, hormones, or whatever but today is a day when I just want to be anywhere but where I am.

It rained yesterday!

Oh, the rain was lovely.  It came down the better part of the afternoon and it was terrific.  Everything cooled down, the air was clear and it made for a lovely evening, watching a bunch of grown men play soccer out at Korompai. 

Better them than me, I say.  That ground looked hard. 

The Stowaway was kind enough not to wake me up at 3:30 this morning.  I did wake up at 5 but that was for other reasons and I went back to sleep until the alarm at 6:30.

I miss Munchkin today.  I was thinking about her this morning as I was waiting to fall back asleep.  I know she's having a good time but I'm ready for August already.  (for more than one reason!)

Packing is ... well, I made a list.  Does that count for progress?  Seriously, I just come home and die at the end of the day.  I straightened at the living room and kitchen last night and felt like I'd accomplished something but nobody but me could probably see any difference at all - it's still a mess.

I may have to take a few personal days to pack the house in peace and relative quiet because it's not going to happen after I've been at work all day and the weekends just aren't enough time. 

*sigh*

At least we have a long weekend coming up.  I may celebrate the 4th of July by sealing boxes.

A little preview *happysigh*

I love going over to my in-laws' house.  They are such sweet people and I consider myself super lucky to have them.  As if scoring Coach wasn't great enough (he really is the greatest thing since sliced cheese and chick-fil-a waffle fries), he came with a pair of parents who are a delight. 

So, we try to go over there at least once a week just to visit.  We don't always get over there during the school year but we've been pretty regular lately.  *laugh* 

We have a little added bonus for visiting - the Little Man.  Coach's sister had her second little boy around Mother's Day and he is a snuggle bunny.  I love holding him.  He's got that new baby smell and it is exactly what all these pregnancy hormones need.  Who needs to eat when you can hold the Little Man? 

I love babies - always have.  Since becoming a mommy, though, I know how hard it is to break one so they aren't scary anymore.  *laugh*  Since the Little Man was born, I can't hardly keep my hands off of him.  I'm a complete hog with him.  Coach laughs and asks if he'll ever be able to hold the Stowaway once she gets here.  I tell him, sure, I'll have to go to the bathroom and shower every once in a while.  (just kidding, honey)

I think my fixation on the Little Man is two-fold.  First, I'm VERY pregnant and can't hardly stand waiting until our little one gets here so holding the Little Man is a nice way to top off my happy mommy endorphins.  There is just something about holding a snuggly little baby that smells so sweet that makes all the achy joints, stretched and itchy skin and lower back ache go away for a little while. 

Second, had Riley survived, he and the Little Man would have been born about the same time; within a few weeks of eachother, actually.  Now, I don't think about Riley everytime I hold the Little Man.  I look forward to holding the Stowaway and know that Riley is in Heaven, fishing with Paw-Paw. 

I have plenty of love for all these babies.  We were remarking last night how neat it will be that the Little Man and the Stowaway will be so close in age and will get to grow up together. 

----

Speaking of previews, I had to laugh at 3:30 this morning when I was awake, trying to get comfortable.  I realized that the Stowaway was also awake, kicking around happily in there.  I told Coach to expect to see that time of day again.  *laugh* 

Normally, I can fall back to sleep in 20-30 minutes but I could not get back to sleep.  My left hip hurt terribly and I could not find a comfortable way back to sleep.  I finally moved out to the couch around 4:30 and fell back to sleep around 5.  *sigh* 

I could hug my Asst Supt of HR for coming up with the 10-3 work schedule idea.  Not having to be up and at'em at 6:30 this morning would have been delightful.  And, if I'm going to be this uncomfortable the last 7 weeks of my pregnancy, starting July 1 (new fiscal year) is going to be an amazing blessing (thanks Boss!). 

*yawn*

I think I enjoyed vacation TOO much.

Not that I'm not getting things done but, gee whiz, I'm tired!  My eyes feel SO heavy and I could close my door and take a nap (no, I'm not going to do that). 



I can feel the stowaway pushing around in there, trying to get comfortable.  Sweetie, I don't know how to tell you, but my lungs are attached and not really all that moveable.  Squishing them up into my esophagus just makes Mommy feel bad and doesn't really give you any more room!  *laugh*

 Well, back to it.  I may resort to taping my eyelids open.  If you see a very pregnant woman jogging around Central Office, you'll know it's just me.  ;)

tired

it's banquet week and, in typical fashion, I'm EXHAUSTED.  How about a whiny moment?  Great, thanks!

 

Ok, I'm better.  No, I'm not.  I am taking work home.  Banquet work. 

It's hard to be excited about this "appreciation" party when there is so much work and so little appreciation.  No matter how hard I try, somebody is going to be disappointed, aggravated or mad. 

*sigh*

I know this is an important part of my job and I really do enjoy event planning.  This event is just a hard show to pull off.

Ok, I'm done whining.  I'm going to pick up something yummy to eat for dinner, go home and listen to my kiddo read (love that!) and curl up in the comfy chair with my laptop and work on the program.

Coffee by IV

I like this picture - I found it on another blog (brighteststars.wordpress.com)

It's one of THOSE days, folks.  I am so incredibly tired.  For any number of reasons this week, sleep has eluded me like the storied Loch Ness Monster. 

Matt is sick and the heartburn that was my constant companion throughout my pregnancy with Munchkin is back for this one.  Yeah.

Well, other than needing way more sleep than this week has provided (yes, I know it's only Wednesday), the week is going well.

Baby is moving LOTS now.  Munchkin really enjoyed seeing my stomach jump last night.  She's so curious and excited.  It's fun to watch her.

Funny how God works, huh?  It was never in MY plan to space children this far apart but it's working perfectly.  Munchkin is thrilled about the baby and I think it's because she's old enough not to be so threatened by a younger sibling.  She's looking forward to "helping" and being a good big sister. 

Oh, did I mention Matt thinks she'll (the baby) be our "warrior princess?"  LOL  Because she's so rambunctious, he's convinced she'll be our athlete.  I just smile and say, "we'll see, honey." 

I can't wait to meet her.  (I know I've said that in every post since February)

In other news (pregnancy is not the ONLY thing I think of) -

Work is good.  Clipping along at our usual crazy pace but it's all good stuff so YEAH! 

Disney is starting to send teasers for our trip about once a week now and we are all getting excited.  This week's little package had three luggage tags with the "What will you Celebrate" theme on them. 

Munchkin wants to make sure she gets an autograph book for all her signatures and a princess dress for her breakfast with the princesses. 

I'm going to start making a list soon of what we still need to pack and take Munchkin shopping for vacation clothes (you HAVE to have a few new outfits when you go on vacation - my grandmother taught me that!) at the end of the month.  (that way, she won't have time to grow out of them before our trip!)

Well, it's time to refill my coffee cup and move on to the next project.  Later, gators!

only tuesday...really?

It's been a full week already and it's only Tuesday!  It feels like I'm trying to compress about three days into each day.  I know that's because I'm trying to get as much done before I go out of town for my conference but gee willakers!!  (yes, I really said that)

Life is good.  Other than feeling like a seasick monkey every morning (ok, I don't know about the monkey part but seasick is definitely right), I'm feeling great and really looking forward to our next doctor's appointment. 

Soccer season is going well.  The boys have won all but one district game. 

Family life is good.  I can't WAIT to get out of our apartment.  When we moved in, they were nice and quiet.  Not so much any more.  And, I'm tired of carpet and climbing stairs and having no storage space and a galley kitchen not fit for somebody who cooks and.... well, you get the picture.

Well, I'm off to another meeting.

I always know

...when 2 o'clock has rolled past because I want to sleep.  Like lay down under my desk and sleep. 

that is all.

*yawn*

I could use a nap.  It IS 4pm, after all... 

 

that's all.

11 days

Not that we're counting but it is 10 days, 14 hours, 27 minutes, 51 seconds...50 seconds...49....ok, I'll stop....

LOL

We are SO excited.  Everything is ready.  I can't sleep.  I can hardly make myself eat (it's too hot anyway!) and my hair is flat all the time.  (I think that's actually the heat's fault too.)

Oh, yeah, it's summer in Texas, y'all..  What EVER possessed us to do this whole down the aisle in 50 yards of heavy is BEYOND me.  It'll be perfect.  I know I don't make any sense.  Isn't that par for the course? 

I have these lists going in my head but I barely scratched the surface of getting them on paper.  Maybe I want something to do right before the BIG DAY.  You know, I can't be TOO relaxed; that wouldn't make any sense.  ROFL 

I am such a lunatic.

I'm happy - can you tell?

Tonight, Matt & I went over to Mom's house for dinner.  I drug mom through the water sprinkler with me.  I'm not kidding - do you know how great it felt?!  Then, I thought I would be cute and drag Matt through too.  Well, he picked me up, threw me over his shoulder and STOOD in the sprinkler.  THEN, he chased me across the yard with it.  Where I was just a little misted before, he THOROUGHLY drenched me.  It was HILARIOUS!

He's the greatest thing since sliced cheese I mentioned back in October.  Just in case you hadn't figured that out. 

*happy sigh*

I'd say I'm going to bed but Sims2 Castaway is calling my name.  I didn't play at all yesterday and it's beginning to nag...  I was so close to opening the ancient doors!!  Yes, I'm a dork. 

 

How long IS this list?!

*whew*

What a busy day!  I sent Matt home early, thinking I was going to bed early.  I promise I tried.  Really.  But here I am.  It's 10:20 and I'm finally starting to get all droopy-eyed and sleepy. 

Ok, so my creativity button must be in the "off" position.  I'll try and come up with something good tomorrow.