Finally a new post in a new year

IM finding that blogging is the way that friends with young children keep up with each other. Most of us are cramming our few precious free moments into times of the day that make phone calls almost impossible. And honestly if i find myself with a quiet moment......well i just want to sit down and put my feet up. It never lasts long enough to call a friend, or even eat some ice cream. So im glad alot of blog alot and i can follow along and feel like im part of your life, or least know what is going on.

We are waiting for the baby to come. Sure feels like it could happen any time now. My parents are coming up tonight. God love them. It will be a relief to not have to wonder anymore about what to do if i have middle of the night labor. Although several of you have so graciously told me that you would be there for us anytime....and for that we are thankful. Its nice to know you have friends. And im finding i have some really good ones. Also my sister comes in next friday with the two nieces so that should be wild. With family arriving and friends on call....well the hubby and I are able to relax a bit now.

I spent last evening with three wonderful women having dinner and good old girl talk. It was such a nice treat. I dont take it for granted any more like i did in my 20somethings when it was an everyday things. I love these women....respect these women....and feel a connection to them, and their lives even though i dont see them often enough. I think its the understanding of where they are in their lives.....our common threads...and watching how strong and amazing they can be under such chaotic conditions. It makes me want to complain less.....but also makes me realize its ok to need help sometimes.....and to feel overwhelmed.....and to wonder if you are up to the task of your daily life. Its also nice to feel like their are women out there who arent all that different from me......that maybe get me. At the very least they know what its like to feel like no matter how much you do or how hard you try some days it sure doesnt feel like enough.....and other days it sure feels like maybe you ARE doing alright. Maybe i AM that strong warrior woman who will take her family on her shoulders and carry them into the next day.


All this on the eve of bringing another life into our family...our little world. Im excited, scared, anxious, and elated. Everything at once. I want this experience to be everything it can be......a celebration....an event....a spiritual experience. Its all those things. Very few things in life are as pure and primal as giving birth. Our connection to God is never more clear or apparent as when your natural body and your spiritual body are working together like they do when your pushing life into the world. Its amazing.......

We will keep you all updated.
Thanks Melinda for putting last night together.
Thanks Lara for the Lasagna.
Thank you Maria and Rachel.
Thanks to you all.

Goodbye with old, hello to the new

Always an exciting time of the year, looking forward for a change. Its been a whirlwind week and a half, and honestly year. Im looking forward to 2008 and wiping the 2007 off my feet. The christmas tree is down and the decorations back in storage. Now to figure out where to put all of the wolverines things. We did alot less this year and kept our word to not overspend or go crazy with gifts and overwhelm the little guy. However, our families didnt get that memo....so between christmas and his birthday...well.....his room is a little crowded. But the upside is he should have plenty to entertain him over the coming months, the least of which is the arrival of the baby sister.

I hope you all have a happy new year!! And be safe tonight. WE will be spending the evening like all parents of a 3 yr old and one on the way.....holed up on the couch spending quality couple time in the front of the tv.

Christmas Spirit

If any of you are feeling the yuletide bliss head on over to our house Friday at 6:30 for our annual Christmas pot luck dinner. Just bring a dish and your best Christmas cheer.



We finally have a decorated tree.....and a few other decorations around to make it more merry. Now the trick is not going crazy trying to keep the wolverine from taking everything off the tree. How can something so small make me so insane.

I went to my work party friday night and the good DR. has outdone herself again on the giftgiving. For those of you who dont know in the last 3 years she has given me a digital camcorder, a digital camera, and an Ipod. This year we all unwrapped GPS systems from her. the lady is generous. But what i most appreciate from her is my job. Working with her has allowed me to be the parent i wanted to be. She is so gracious and flexible and understanding. Im amazed. The woman is a working machine....her work ethic is crazy, so there are times i feel like i really leave her with the short end of the stick. But hopefully when i am there, i am doing work that makes her business better and her patients happier.


So what is everyone doing for the holidays this year? Anyone traveling? Or hosting? Or just going to spend the time in quiet contemplation?

Fun moments with a friend

Time to play dress up!!! Noah likes the spaghetti straps. The wolverine is feeling more modest today.

Too much cuteness!

"Good Baby" Shofner

Scary Tim terrorizing the children!

Getting some air!!!

Best Buddies!

Higher!!

Greco-Roman wrestling!

A little cross dressing never hurt anyone!

Look at our Beautiful Tree!!!

that is what the wolverine said as we stood before our newly "built" tree which stands as bare as a babies bottom at birth. Not a light, not a decoration, not a piece of tinsel.

and yet, he still loves it.
Priceless.

Go! Speed Racer! Go!

http://movies.aol.com/movie/speed-racer-2008/28066/video/trailer-no-1/2033773

Im sorry, but i admit, the Wachowski brothers vision of Speed Racer seems right on target for me. How else would you bring this cartoon to present day. For many of us, the first "japanamation" we ever experienced, putting Speedy in the Wachowskis world seems a perfect fit. They so obviously love the genre....and with their penchant for black leather, we are sure to be lucky enough to see Matthew Fox bad assing it up all poured into a leather suit.

Looks fun. Hilariously great cast. Perfect popcorn flick.

Plum Tuckered Out

that is what i am. And frazzled. And frayed. I wont continue with the F words because its likely to lead nowhere good.

Today has been one of those days. I like to blame it on the hormones. Nothing horrible has happened. Ive actually gotten some small things done. But for the most part i feel very on edge, impatient, and heavy. Those are not good feelings to have when you are a third of family. Not good mothering feelings, not good partner feelings. I think today would have been an excellent day for me to just be by myself. Of course then i would have missed the good moments. And all of those included the "rest of the family".

I blame it on the hormones and on the fact that any time we sit down and discuss the state of our finances it tends to stress me out. Contemplating taking time off for post partum is scary. We have grown to depend on my financial contributions and without them things look "scoshy". (a word we use for a variety of things.) But we just need to do the couple of things we can to make it better and not worry about the rest.

Im trying to go down my growing list of things to do before the baby gets here. For a procrastinator that is a huge deal. Some of you understand im sure.

But somehow, even with diminishing funds, gestational diabetes, and too much to do in too little time i am feeling optimistic. I think that is what pregnancy does for you. Helps you to look ahead. Im also really looking forward to Christmas with the wolverine and Tim. This year it will be the little things that make it special. And i look forward to being able to create something as a family that will hopefully one day make some great memories for the wolverine. More then just.."Wow, we used to get alot of presents". I want him to think of Christmas and think of the smell of banana bread, decorating the tree together, enjoying all the lights and carols, spending time with family, and most of all being thankful for what we have that is the most precious, each other.

Halloween flashback

Here is the wolverine decked out like Lightning McQueen and me decked out like the 11 yr old version of myself complete with jammies, matching house shoes, pigtails, and a bite guard.

See what you people miss when you dont trick or treat at our house. Also, i believe the wolverine enjoyed launching the pumpkins into the front yard more then the trick or treating.

Thankful for Thanksgiving

The long weekend turned out to be exactly what i needed. A nice birthday melted into a wonderful time with family for the holidays. And much needed rest and PEACE. It ended with a birthday dinner for a friend and a relaxing and fun day with the hubby and wolverine.

Ive been SO wound up the last couple of months....i thought i would never be able to shake it off. I thought i would not get any time to just chill and relax and for one minute NOT be stressed out. But i was wrong. I actually found myself feeling good and happy and at peace. What a nice place to be for a change.

The hubby and I went christmas and birthday shopping for the wolverine. What is it about Toys R Us that can turn a responsible, sane adult into a 7 year old with money to spend????!!!! We actually did good. But for a few crazy minutes our shopping cart was filled to the brim with nothing but big items. Luckily somewhere between theSit and Swivel music station, the drum kit, and the hot wheels aisle, we regained out composure, put all but two reasonably priced items back and were on our way. It felt good. I dont want to be one of "those" parents with one of "those" kids. Plus....oh yeah....we are trying to save up a little before baby girl gets here so no need to shell out several hundred on a child who would be just as content with some empty egg cartons and one dollar hot wheels cars.

Happy Birthday Melinda. Welcome to your 30s.

Thanks Tim.......i love you.

Good night little man. I love you too.

Baby girl.......love you too.

Two for the price of one

Today i failed not one, but two tests.
My Iron test.
And my glucose tolerance test.
Ive never been so proud.

Whats new this week

Heroes- eh. It was alright. The hubby says it ranks with their best. Im not as enthralled.
Would rather spend my time watching Season 3 DVD of Veronica Mars we got last week. Now THAT is the Kristen Bell i can get behind.


My birthday is Wednesday. I will be 38. Eh.

Thanksgiving is Thursday. Going to the folks house. We will play Rook. It will be a rematch, the old folks versus me and the hubby. We went down last time like punks. Hopefully we can regain our respect.

Welcome Audrey Rose

congratulations to Rachel. Adam, and Jude on their latest addition. All are doing well after an eventful and special birth. They chose a homebirth this go around, but the midwife didnt make the birth. So, Rachel and Adam helped bring Audrey into the world, just the three of them. Beautiful.

20 years and counting

Well i just wrapped up the high school reunion trip and its taken a week to recover from the stress of planning, lack of sleep , and travel time. But it was worth the effort. I reconnected with several old friends and had a good time. I was reminded of alot of memories i didnt even know i had. And i came back with a bit of a different perception of who i might have been back there in high school or at least who people thought i was. It feels kind of like the end of some productive therapy session, you know? How weird.

I actually found someone to head up the planning committee for the 25th reunion so i feel like my work is done.

I enjoyed stepping back into the past for a few days. But i sure am glad its now instead of then.
If any of you want to get together with "today me" just holler. We need to be more social while the weather permits. I always hate how this city shuts down for a few months during the winter. No one wants to do anything or go anywhere. And with the baby due smack dab in winter wonderland, i need to get out now while i still can.

Its good to be back. The reunion reminded me of just how good ive got it and how far id come to get it.

Dentist accused of breast fondling

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071013/ap_on_fe_st/odd_accused_dentist;_ylt=AgqwS_J8IKbSzpRiltaBDl.hOrgF



Ok...first of all....the dentist should lose his license. Even though he is correct in saying that there is a connection between the pecs, TMJ, and SCM muscles a dentist is not qualified to work that. Unless of course he is a licensed massage therapist as well. It is a lame defense anyway. Dentist are taught some interoral massage....but that is INSIDE THE MOUTH. DUH!!!!

Of course the woman that was fondled 6 times in 2 years.....come on. How many times would you have to be touched inappropriately before finding a new dentist, at least? Yeah....ONCE! And better yet, who would sit there and let someone do that???? Hello......clean my teeth, check, put in new fillings, check, root canal, check, grope my breast???!!!!

YooHoo....Where are you????

***last years pumpkinfest****

So we have kind of been off the map lately. Things have just been a cluster**** around here. Too many pots to stir....i blame most of that on the hubby who tends to be able to only run on maximum overdrive. If he idles even for a moment he ends up sick, hurt, or (and i dont get this one) feeling useless. So alot of you we havent gotten to see much of lately. It doesnt mean we arent thinking of you.....lord knows i miss the grown up talk.

I had thought about doing a Halloween party, but this 20 year reunion is just taking any desire i have for event planning out of me. So what about those of you who arent busy Sunday just plan on coming over. Its impromptu, the house is a mess, we have no groceries in the kitchen right now, and absolutely no planning has gone into this. I just figure if we dont do this on occassion we will never see anyone again since we are adding to this brouhau in a few months.

So how about late afternoon......say 3:00......its total free for all. Bring something to snack on, bring something to drink, bring your children. If we get energized maybe we can hoof it over to the park. No plan, no rules, just some fall fun. Let me know if anyone can make it.


And speaking of fall fun...has anyone gone to a pumpkinfest yet? We are looking at going to this one http://www.biwaterfarm.com/

But out favorite was this one.... http://doublestink.com/index.html Sadly, it is no longer up and runnin...they are trying to sell the farm so if any of you enterprising young people want to pick up the mantle and have a few million to spare ....SAVE OUR PUMPKINFEST!!!

If you arent a girl scout,

dont you DARE knock on my door or ring my doorbell and try and sell me something.

I am about to go postal on the people who do this. Today a man rang my doorbell TWICE (as if ringing that extra time is going to get me to the door) and he was trying to sell something. I know this because he left a flyer on my doorknob NOT because i answered the door. I was very angry because he woke up the wolverine who had only been down for a little over an hour AND i had a lot of work to get done. Yesterday some other guy came by around the same time selling something.....again i didnt answer the door. If it happens again tomorrow i am not going to be held accountable for my actions.

So now i have to get a sign to put on the door saying NO SOLICITATION !!!! If it continues after that its going to get ugly.

I take real issue with these people. Im tired of being bombarded everywhere i go with people wanting sell me something, or ask me something, or poll me.

And dont ask me to have sympathy for someone "just doing their job". PPFfffftttt!!!!!

The Feminine Mystique

This little boy is going to be a big brother in a few months. Do you think he has a CLUE what that really means????? Does he realize that in 14 years he will have to share his bathroom with

that person????

I guess i should be brushing up on all things female these next few months since we are having a GIRL! The ultrasound looked great. All her parts were accounted for and looked good. How amazing it is to be able to see your growing childs internal organs and skeletal system.

Another amazing thing.....i gained 9 POUNDS in 6 WEEKS!!!! That is frightening. If any of you see me going for a second helping of anything or attempting to shovel goodies into my piehole please remind me i would like to gain less then i did with my first pregnancy. My lower back already is sore by days end. I need to step up the stepping.

So now i get to go thru all the wolverines old clothes and see what is usable. This poor girl is going to be wearing big brothers hand me downs. Im putting a call into the Wu Tang Clan. We need your second hand clothes.

The 20 yr reunion is 4 weeks away and i am so behind in planning. The scary thing is Im not really all that concerned. I think its just so many other things are occupying my brainspace right now, i just cant seem to put the reunion at the top of the priority pile. Hopefully it will magically happen.

The wolverines first roller coaster ride

Here they are at Kings Island this past August. It was all fun and laughs until this first "hill" and then he told Daddy "Dont want to do it again". I love seeing the "big kid" riding on the kiddie roller coaster....with hands above head. I wonder if he was taunting the children.

Friday Brain Candy

featuring Dolly Parton, the queen of country music and hero to countless drag queens and plastic surgeons alike.

"When my time comes, I hope I fall dead in the middle of the stage and I hope it's to a song I wrote".

We hope you do too Dolly. But not for a long, long time.

Belated Birthday Wishes to Big Sister

on her 40th birthday. Looks like she had fun. First with a family party. And then on to some adult fun with a trip on the "party bus" for 14 friends and then to the karaoke lounge. Im surprised....never pegged my sis for the karaoke type. Evidently, i was wrong.