Another Day-late Daybook! 12/26/2011

Outside my window...

Dark and cold, very cold...  Okay, well not as cold as some places...  We don't exactly have snow here, but we are in California, so cold none the less!

I am thankful...

For so many things!  For family and friends and wonderful holidays!

I am thinking about...

Tomorrow...  Baby Smith will finally be making her appearance.  A little nervous, a little anxious, very excited!

Learning all the time...
My daughter is one of the funniest kids I know without even thinking about it!  She has been NUTS about getting so many new toys for Christmas!  It is amazing to watch her get so engrossed in her imaginative playing!  New kitchen, new dollies, new dolly stroller, playpen and high chair!  Christmas is always more fun when there are kids around.  And I would think that even if she wasn't my own kid!

From the kitchen...
Well, mom made fudge and gingerbread and sugar cookies.  Me?  Not so much baking this year.  I kind of trapped myself in my sewing room.  This week?  Well, I won't be around much to know what's going on in the kitchen!

I am creating...
I am taking a short break from "creating."  However, as soon as I am getting enough sleep to function I will be back in my sewing room!  I am now following a blog called Project Run and Play and I may not be joining in on the contest but it has given me a bit of a goal for myself this year.  I do not do New Years Resolutions.  I just hate them!  I will shoot for a few goals however...  First, well, to lose this weight!  Mostly by keeping up a better diet and getting a bit of exercise in.  Second, to attempt a few Project Run and Play challenges by only using fabrics and patterns that I already have!  I really do need to get "rid" of some of this fabric!

I am working on...
Keeping my brain busy.  You see, tomorrow I am having a C-section.  I was caught a bit off-guard by this, last Thursday!  I have wrapped my head around it, gotten information from family, friends and internet, and am gearing up to meet my new little girl!  I am also trying to keep my spirit up as I am not looking forward to the extended hospital stay and being away from my bigger girl for so many nights.

I am going...
We're going to call my adventure this week "vacation!"  I know, I know, how can I think of a hospital stay as vacation???  Well, if that's where my head needs to be, that's where we're going to go!

I am hoping...
For a quick recovery and release!  And for everyone to have a happy and safe New Years holiday this upcoming weekend!

I am reading...
Lot's of blogs!  Haven't been on Facebook or even Pinterest very much lately.  I've been kind of obsessing over a few blogs.  I've also spared a few minutes on the NOOK to read more about OZ.  Yup, still reading...  I think there are 15 stories?  And I think I'm on 7 or 8...

I am praying...
For all the wonderful things the holidays bring!  For the health and safety of family and friends.  And for all the new babies coming into the world over then next few months!

I am hearing...
Little is cooking away in her new play kitchen and the Saints game just ended...

Around the house...
Getting a few last minute things cleaned up before our household adds one more!  Getting the last of the laundry done, a few dishes, finding places for all the new toys!


One of my favorite things...

Hanging out with family on Christmas and celebrating "old" traditions!  This year for Christmas we couldn't do too much for all the family we were going to visit.  I had an idea (a few years ago actually) to make Christmas stockings and fill them with things we used to get when I was younger.  You see, once upon a time, stockings were not filled with electronics and gift cards!  When I was young and we went to my Nana's, we all got a stocking filled with candy and small toys, but in the toe was always an apple and an orange.  I found out in more recent years this is a long custom and there is some real meaning behind it.  It will always remind me of Nana though, and that's enough for me!  Lot's of family did more of a "remembrance" of Christmas this year and I think it made all the difference.   I must admit I did get some inspiration from another blog I have been following (obsessively) over at Tidbits.  Cami created a "way back" Christmas for her household this year and I was incredibly inspired, not to mention a few of the posts were incredibly heart-tugging...  If you get a minute I encourage you to check it out.  She also has some great tutorials!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
I promise to try not to injure or kill anyone at the hospital!  Plans?  Well, have a baby and try to get some rest in between feeding and changing and snuggling!

Random thought...
Ah the random thought...  Well, my random thought this morning has actually inspired me to write a week of blog posts!  I haven't decided when I will be posting these blogs, only that my topics will be things I have experienced to be a bit taboo in our society.  It really started when discussing this whole C-section thing.  I would love to tell you that I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable that I discuss it, but I don't.  Don't get me wrong...  I have not intention of sharing the yucky-mucky details!  Well, not unless you ask...  But I find the way people talk about things, well, let's just call it "funny."  As I was thinking about a blog post about pregnancy, miscarriage and C-sections, I heard a song on the radio that made me think of another "taboo" topic, then another!  So, there we go.  I will pick a Taboo Week and will post my random thoughts on those taboo subjects!

Here are picture thoughts I am sharing with you....

Wish I had better pics to share!  I was busy preparing those stockings and then handing them out!  I didn't know hubby wasn't taking any pictures, only video.  Then when I tried getting in a few shots people kept getting in the way.  I will post better ones when I can!

Thought-filled Thursday...

Sorry everyone about skipping out on my Wordless Wednesday post!  Between an added doctors appointment and getting ready for the Holiday weekend we decided to take yesterday "off."  Well, more specifically, after my doctors appointment we went out for the evening to dinner and a walk around the mall!  Although we've never stuck to a specific date, it really is a "tradition" of ours at this time of year.
What was this extra appointment for this week?  Well, I keep insisting to my doctor (more specifically my nurse practitioner) that while they are treating me as if I have gestational diabetes, they have not talked to me about inducing, which was done with my first pregnancy.  I follow up this question with a reminder that I am not confidant about my actual due date, I am not having any contractions (nor did I with my first pregnancy) and we grow babies big in my family.  I feel like she finally listened to what I was saying at this last Monday appointment when I asked about having an ultra sound to confirm the size of the baby.  You see, baby is head down but not in any position looking like arriving!  After my NP took some measurements she agreed that an ultra sound should be done, and soon...  Well, yesterday was as soon as they could get me in.
I'm not sure who I should blame for this "big" baby thing...  Whether the blame falls to my family genes or my in-laws may never be determined, either way, this little girl is big.  In fact the ultra sound tech looked like she didn't want to tell me how big my little bundle looks!  After assuring me that the measurements for weight can be off by a pound or two she informed me that based on measurements, we're looking at around eleven pounds.  ELEVEN POUNDS!!!  "Well, that sounds happy!"  I told the nurse.  She looked at me trying to figure out if I was kidding.  I guess my sarcasm is so natural it's hard to tell sometimes.  Either way, I think hubby was more nervous yesterday than I was.  Well, that was yesterday...
After a night of busy thoughts keeping me from sleeping, not to mention the potty disruptions, I went into work today knowing I needed to call my NP and find out what is going to be the next step.  I really just don't want to be in the hospital on Christmas, you know?  NP is not in today, but the phone operator will be happy to relay a message to her.  Tomorrow...
Okay, not going to freak out, nothing I can do, gotta let it go.  Then I get a call a few hours later from a nurse whom seemed to want to "ease" my thoughts.  I'm sure she thought she was doing just fine until I told her the nurse yesterday told me the baby looks about ELEVEN POUNDS and my due date is over a week away.  She promised to call me back after she got the report and talked to a doctor on duty.  Sure, I'll hold my breath.  No worries, I have a non-stress test tomorrow, so I figure when I don't hear back I will just ask them in person.  Nothing will happen today anyway!
I got another call at around 1:30 today from the nurse.  She was calling to schedule my C-section.  What?  When did we decide that?  Apparently the weight must be pretty accurate.  Although no one has told me the length of the baby, so maybe that is a bigger factor?  I was explained that at this point trying for a vaginal delivery would not be possible, too many opportunities for something to go wrong.  Okay, I can handle this...

But I'm not dealing well.  I mean, sure, now I'm getting used to it.  I looked up information about C-sections.  Not that I really needed to, I know enough women that have had them, both planned and emergency, and some with both!  I think the biggest mental hurdle for me is the hospital stay.  Geese I don't want to be in the hospital for three (or more) days!  Also, it's the "unknown."  Not knowing what kind of pain I should be looking forward to, what won't I be able to do for a few days?  For a few weeks?  I don't want to be a wimp but I don't like the idea of not being able to go-go-go!
What will I do to keep my mind busy and not go crazy?  Well, there is still plenty of Christmas sewing to do!  And the never ending pile of sewing that has been gathering over the years to fill in after the holidays.  Not to mention the fact that I have neither unpacked the baby clothes nor have I packed a hospital bag, so I would say I've got some things to keep my mind occupied!
Thank you in advance for all your well-wishes!  Honestly, I didn't write this post to pilfer well wishes, only to help my crazy head put things back into perspective.  Thanks for your time!

12/18/11 Daybook

Outside my window...

Who knows?  I've barely left the house (let alone my sewing room) all weekend!  I did look out the window this morning and saw that it was about forty degrees at around 9 a.m. I know it's got to be dark outside because it's night-time, and it must be cold because the heater is coming on.

I am thankful...

For a hubby that keeps our Little busy so that mommy can get some "work" done!  And also that my stamina has kept up this weekend, although I may have pushed myself just a tad too far today.

I am thinking about...

What I need to get done the rest of this week in order to be ready for Christmas.  And what I need to get done this week in order to be ready for when this new baby will arrive!  I think I (and hubby too) have been in denial about how quickly this year is ending and how much needs to be done before our next daughter gets here.  I take for granted the fact that I have mild pregnancies and that (as far as I can tell) I am not having contractions, so I convince myself that there is more time than there really is.  Tomorrow I will be 38 weeks, you'd think I'd be slowing down about now instead of gearing up?  I've said it before, I'll sleep when I'm dead!

Learning all the time...
We're learning that the things we want Little to learn, and the things she is picking up on, sometimes end up being one and the same!  Unfortunately that includes some of the "bad" words Daddy mutters throughout his day!  However, on the up side, (as I have already bragged on Facebook) Little surprised Daddy yesterday morning by counting to nine!  I tried to video it but she was far more interested in her color-changing snowman and kept saying nine before eight.  Plus she kept moving and I was using our "photo" camera, so it didn't pick up sound very well.  Before bath time last night she shocked us both by asking to be put on the potty chair!  She has been pretty against it for months.  As she sat there Daddy kept asking if she was all done?  She answered with a "nope" until finally she agreed, "All done."  And there it was!  Her very first potty in her chair!  Even did another this morning, both just #1's, but hey!  For 21 months I don't think that's too shabby!

From the kitchen...
Surprisingly very little.  We have been trying to eat more at home, and we have been throwing together whatever we find in the fridge.  That has worked this week.  Mom did make some sugar cookie dough this week and even managed a few batches of baked cookies.  I know I should get in there and get my Christmas baking done as well, I just can't seem to tear myself away from the sewing machine!

I am creating...
Oh let me tell you!!!  I still need to finish the applique on Little's Christmas dress.  I am going to have to sew that by hand and am just waiting to get to the store to get the right thread.  Hat is done, think I mentioned that before.  Jacket?  Well, I attempted button-holes today.  Did a few practice ones to see how it all works (never used the attachment yet) and it seemed to be okay.  Well, those silly instructions messed me up again!  Whoever wrote the pattern is treating the button-holes like an afterthought!  Well, if you use wool, and wool facing, and interfacing, you get a very thick section of fabric!  After I finally got a button-hole sewn (I did it twice because I like them to be nice and filled in) I looked at my end work and thought I might have sewn it over too far!  Since Daddy took Little out for the day I had to wait until this evening to try it on her.  Thankfully it is actually going to work there, so I will add the other button-holes tomorrow and then sew on my buttons.  The buttons?  I made them!  I forgot I had a kit to make my own fabric covered buttons!  I didn't like the idea of using the wool, A)  Because it is so thick, and B)  Because they wouldn't stand out enough.  I ended up using some of the red cotton from the dress.  Not an exact match but I think they look pretty good with the coat!  Check out my Stuff N Junk blog for pictures!  And also for info on my other two sewing projects from this weekend.  Yup, I was a sewing freak this weekend!

I am working on...
Finishing things before Christmas and before this baby gets here.  I'm also trying not to "over-do-it."  Do you see where the contradiction lies?

I am going...
To bed soon!  And trying to work on getting up a little earlier to work on projects in the quiet of the morning, then going to bed a little earlier than I "normally" do.

I am hoping...
For things to fall into place like they "normally" do!  Hubby is keeping busy staying on top of the every-day chores and is also going to help me a bit with my Christmas sewing.  Once taught, men can actually be pretty good at pinning and cutting, you just have to be very specific about what you want done.

I am reading...
Same-old-same-old...  I have been keeping up on blogs mostly.  Reading patterns as I need them...  I did sneak in a few moments last night to read a couple chapters of my most current Oz book.  I read an article last week that was supposed to "de-bunk" myths about what makes us sleep better.  The author said that reading before bed does not make us more tired, although they later contradicted that statement by saying if you wake up in the middle of the night you should go read a book...  Either way, I know that reading may not make me "tired" but it does get me nice and relaxed, which late in the day, will make me sleepy!

I am praying...
For a happy and safe holiday!

I am hearing...
Heating fan, keys clicking, Hubby snoring on the couch.  He has been getting up a bit earlier lately and we are working on better sleeping habits for both of us.

Around the house...
The regular hustle and bustle of pre-holiday shenanigans!  Are we ready?  Nope.  But we're getting there!


One of my favorite things...

Sewing.  Sometimes I get so caught up in a deadline that I forget how much I really just love creating things!  I have so many projects that I have started and never finished.  Not that I do "New Years Resolutions" but if I had a "goal" for myself for 2012, it would be to continue to sew just a little each day.  Whether it is to work on a new project or one that was started ten years ago!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Ah the doctors appointments!  Work...  Same-ole stuff.  Although we are trying to plan at least one night out, maybe to go to dinner or to see Christmas lights!

Random thought...
Memories...  They pop up at the most interesting times, don't they?  I do understand that generally a memory popping up has something to do with whatever is going on in our day, a song playing, a smell, a feeling, a saying...  But perhaps they are something just a little bit more?  Perhaps it is a loved one that has passed on, letting you know that you are being watched over, that you are loved.  Maybe it is our subconscious reminding us how short our time really is, and to let those that are still with us that they are being thought of and that they are loved...

Here are picture thoughts I am sharing with you....

The Not-So Wordless Part of My Wednesday...

So, I am a firm believer that even when our loved ones pass on, there is still part of them with us.  Maybe not all the time, but usually when we need them most or when we least expect it...
I finally started listening to Christmas music at work today.  I can't handle too much Christmas music, it starts to get on my nerves, so I take it in doses...  A song came on earlier that prompted this post, and was a song that had never played on my player before.  I listen to the same Yahoo! player at home and work, and generally it's set to what they call "Holiday Lounge."  The song that brought me to typing?  "I'll Be Home For Christmas."  Not exactly a song I have never heard before!  But it was done by Jackie Gleason, and he didn't sing, he whistled the whole thing!  Now, if you are related to me, you may agree that my Grandpa Len looked a bit like Mr. Gleason (and a bit like Fred Flinstone!) and the man whistled day and night!
It dawned on me that we are constantly asking for signs and yet when they are the most obvious we tend to pass them off.  Well, I am hearing you loud and clear Grandpa!  Last night my Little walked up to me with her sippy cup and clinked (well, a plastic sounding clink) glasses with me.  I giggled and said "CHEERS!"  And then showed her again what she had done...  You see, my Grandpa Len taught me to "cheers."  And although he used actual "glass" glasses, which in the beginning were broken during the learning process, I rarely clink a glass without thinking of him.  Last night was no different.  And I told Little that Great Grandpa Len taught Mommy to do that.  She was able to meet Grandpa before he passed, but she was only eight weeks old, hardly old enough to remember that we were able to spend his very last birthday with him.
So when I heard Gleason whistling "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and remembered last night, I knew Grandpa must be around and is just letting me know.  When I was little there was never a Christmas spent without seeing him and Grandma.
Merry Christmas Grandpa Len...

12/11/11 Daybook

Outside my window...

Dark and cold.  It must have been a cold weekend, our house got down to 67 degrees...  Not sure how warm other people keep their homes, but during the day I don't like it to get below 67 mostly because I have a Little that refuses to leave on her socks!  With hardwood floors, it gets pretty cold.  Of course, in the evenings we turn up the heat, usually just around 70.  Hubby and I are pretty warm normally, so I don't know if 70 is warm for anyone else.

I am thankful...

For a husband that "let's" me sew even though he already watches Little all week long.  I know he needs his time to get away but he has let me have quite a lot more "me" time that I generally require.  Whether it's to keep working on the Christmas outfit for our little girl or to take a mid-day nap.  He even insisted that I go put my feet up for "at least 20 minutes" when we noticed my feet starting to swell after I had been at the sewing machine for too many hours!

I am thinking about...

Sewing...  I've been getting much more done than "normal" and it would truly be wonderful to keep on the happy roll I'm on!  Of course, with the impending arrival of daughter number two I know that sewing will come to a screeching halt at any moment!  Thankfully I am almost finished with Little's Christmas dress (see here for my updates) and I got a decent amount of hand-sewing done on her coat!  Although I was hoping to have the whole outfit done today, I am fairly confident that if I put in a few hours the next couple days I will have it done before mid-week and will get to start the other Christmas projects I have in mind!  Yes, I am a glutton for punishment!  I have already talked to hubby about getting some assistance for the "pre-production" process so if he can help me cut some things out I will be moving right along!

Learning all the time...
What did I learn this week?  Well, every day is a learning adventure when you boil it down!  However...  My nephew belongs to the boy scouts and he had told me before about being able to get a patch for sewing!  The other night after a Christmas party at their house, my nephew was supposed to be getting on his jammy's...  What he did was come downstairs fully dressed for boy scouts, p.j.'s underneath!  It was very late, but after a few giggles we finally convinced him he needed to take off the uniform.  He asked me about sewing on some patches.  I told him that we would talk about it very soon, that I would be honored to keep sewing on his patches, but maybe he could come over one day and I could show him how to sew them on himself!  He was very excited about this idea!  I can't wait to teach him to sew!

From the kitchen...
We did really good this week and only had fast food one night, tonight...  We made meatloaf one night, chicken another, pork chops...  Tried to use up as much from the cupboards as possible to keep food rotating and to keep our budget in check.  Not to mention the fact that I have been able to keep my blood sugar completely in check this week!  No high readings, at all!!!

I am creating...
This-that-and the other!  Trying to keep up with the items on my "to-do" without getting overwhelmed or burnt out.  I'm actually shocked I haven't gotten burnt out yet but very excited that things are getting done!

I am working on...
Keeping up momentum around the house and still getting things done at work.  Knowing I plan to work up until I head into the hospital to give birth is one thing, keeping up with my duties is getting harder.  Not that the work is difficult, I just get so distracted!  This week I am trying to keep focus on getting things in order in case I go into labor early or so I might get a few days off after this baby arrives.  Last time?  I had Little on a Friday and was answering phones on the following Monday!  Partly because I am a bit of a control freak and knew things would get behind if I wasn't doing them!  Keeping up around the house is made easier by the hubby who does all the "heavy lifting" and even the not-so heavy lifting.  He just gets my input when needed and tries to "schedule" me so that I don't get too overworked.

I am going...
To have to come up with some plans this week about Christmas and what I am going to bake!  I feel like I take off every-other year from baking.  Last year I know I didn't bake, since we were in Disneyland!  There have been years I over did it and years that I do only the barest minimum.  I do like at least baking my sugar cookies and gingerbread cookies.  Cut-out cookies are always a good one for me because I can make them one day and bake them another.  I'm just not so good at the decorating part of it.  I can't wait till my girls are old enough to help!  At least then when it looks like a little kid decorated them I have a better excuse why!  Maybe I will enlist the help of my two nephews...

I am hoping...
To make it through the next two weeks the way the last couple weeks have gone!  Good blood-sugar readings, lots of home-cooked meals, sewing buzzing along...  You know the drill!

I am reading...
Tons of blogs!!!  Not sure what it shows on my blog page but I will have to update it to show some of the amazing blogs I follow!  I mean, other than the fun ones my family post, I have been following two really amazing women that are so creative!  One of them has a little girl (well, she has three girls, but one is just around my Little's age) and she is having the same problem with her Christmas decorations that we have been having with our Little!  She is posting every single day an aspect of her "new" Christmas decorations that are not only hand-made, but they are safe for her kids as well as being a bit more "Classic" Christmas!  I really look forward to her posts every day.  Even when I'm not feeling so Christmas-y it is a daily reminder of how wonderful the simple things are!

I am praying...
Oh for so many things!  Maybe not even the things you would think!  There are just so many crazy things going on in the world today.  I just pray that people would slow down a bit and think about what they can do for someone else and stop thinking about what they want themselves.  My heart and prayers go out to the family that just lost their son this week.  That poor little boy didn't even make it to his 2nd Birthday due to a drive-by shooting just after Thanksgiving.  As if it's not terrifying enough to think of all the things that can happen to our kids each and every day, who thinks they have to protect their kid from that?  The world is moving on to a crazier place each and every day, and I just pray there are enough people out there that will keep fighting against the crazy.

I am hearing...
Clicking keyboards, heater fan running.  Hubby is on the "big" computer checking out phone upgrades and whatever else he is doing on Facebook.  I resorted to using my laptop since it's only fair I've been in this room most of the day!  Ever since we put the family computer in my sewing room there are a few nights each week that we end up in here together.  It's kind of nice, I can get sewing done or can check things on the laptop while he does whatever he does on the computer.  We are able to catch up with things we forget to during the week and can show each other stuff we've seen on the internet, or I bore him with my sewing stuff!

Around the house...
Oh things around the house...  We have come to the point where things get done when they get done.  Even though we have been eating more at home we have managed to keep the kitchen on the good side of clean.  We have been working hard to teach Little that her toys need to be picked up every night.  Not that teaching a 20 months old how to pick up toys is easy...  Mostly hubby and I pick up the toys and if Little gets one or two back in the toy box we make a big deal out of it!  We've been watching a lot of Christmas movies on t.v.  Little isn't really all that into them but she likes the shows with songs.  Keeping up on the "regular" chores, although my sewing room needs a good vacuuming...  And Little is getting much more interested in having books read to her!  She has always had a bit of a love for books, but mostly wants to look at them herself.  When we read to her, she only has patience for the rhyming books, and even then, if they are too long, she'll only stick around for a while.  Tonight we read Peter Rabbit and we got almost all the way to the end before she got bored!  She did come back and finish the last few pages, so we are getting some where with that little attention span!


One of my favorite things...

I know I've mentioned my night-time rocking with Little, but I just can't get enough!!!  I will miss it when I can't do it anymore.  You know, when she no longer wants me to rock her to sleep!  So I just eat it up every night she still lets me rock her.  Of course now she let's me rock her, put her in her crib, and the minute she hears me walk down the hall she starts talking or laughing or singing to herself!  What a silly girl I have!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
Ahhh, the doctor appointments!  First is the doctor check-up, then the next day is a non-stress test, I then get two days off from appointments to be followed up with my end of the week non-stress test!  At least they were able to get my appointments scheduled so I don't have to drive too far away.  One non-stress test is at an office about 15 minutes from work, and the other (as well as my check-up) are both only a few blocks from my house!  Other than having to be out of the office a bit more than I like, it's really not bad.

Random thought...
I should really start writing them down during the week when I have them.  Most of my random thoughts happen when I'm in the bathroom.  You might think that's because I'm pregnant and in the bathroom more often, but in reality, I've always gotten more random thoughts in the lue!  Please don't ask why, I really don't know.  As far as this week, and today, I can't remember what I have been thinking about.  Did I ever mention that once, while in the bathroom at the bridal shop I worked at, I started wondering how doors are made!?!  That's strange, but not the funniest part!  I generally tell my brother every random thought that pops into my head, cause I'm crazy and he already knows that!  So, anyway, a few years later I get this random call from brother-dear telling me to turn on the t.v. to some specific channel, but he won't tell me why!  Usually it's because a show is on that we saw growing up.  Not this time, it was a show about how doors are made!  Now, I wonder, who is more nuts?

Here are picture thoughts I am sharing with you....
You would think since she's only 21 months old, she would care less about mommy making her a dress.  Oh, we couldn't have been more wrong!  She got so excited when I asked her if she wanted to try on her new dress.  She ran around the house twirling, then she decided to run up and down the hall, when she would get to me at the end she would run into me to give me a hug!  Later, when my mom was around we put the dress on Little again, when my mom tried to take it off her, she threw a fit!  We ended up having to bribe her with a cookie to get her out again!  I guess after the new baby starts sleeping through the night my next projects will be dress-up clothes!  I have a ton of Disney Princess patterns I can't wait to bust out!!!

Wordless Wednesday 12/7/2011

Day-late 12/5/11 Daybook

Outside my window...

Dark, and cold...  Very cold.  Yeah!!!  Work still hasn't picked up as much as I'd like but we are head-on into winter now!

I am thankful...

For the time I get to spend with my Little girl and the time I get to do other things.  Sometimes I feel a little guilty if I feel the need to escape to my sewing room in order to get a couple more stitches in the Christmas dress I am making for my girl.  Then I have to remember that, for the most part, I only work on things when she is sleeping or when I have spent a good deal of time with her already.

I am thinking about...

Crazy doctors!  No, seriously, I just wonder how these people get paid so much!?!  Last week I was supposed to have two "doctor" appointments, the first was my "orientation" transfer appointment, the second an appointment with an actual doctor.  I went to the first one and guess what they told me?  Their "standards" for gestational diabetes has changed and I do in fact "qualify" because I had what they call "one 'equivocal' reading."  So, I have to do four blood-draws a day (again) and they have me back on my "diabetic diet" and I am supposed to walk for at least 10 minutes after every meal.  My numbers?  Mostly low...  Because in "the real world" I don't actually have diabetes!
To top it off, they cancelled my Wednesday appointment and rescheduled for a different doctors office (this one closer to my house) but that appointment wasn't until today.  I go in today, they are happy with my blood-draws but are questioning why I haven't been scheduled for non-stress testing.  I want to say "Hey, your guess is as good a mine!"  Then they did a bunch of tests that apparently should have been done already.  To top it off, I was told I need to go in for two non-stress tests a week, plus my weekly doctor appointment because we are just under a month from my due date.  Although, the correct due date has STILL not been updated in my file, so they keep telling me I am two weeks less than what I really am.  They had to call me back for my non-stress test.  I can't have the tests done at my local office, back to Pittsburg!  Actually, they told me Martinez, which is about 20-30 minutes from my house.  I asked if I could do one a week in Pittsburg and the other in Martinez to save on gas.  Sure, no problem!  Got a call around 6 tonight telling me my first test is TOMORROW!  If they want you to take a NON-stress test, maybe they should not try to stress a girl out?  Basically I will end up with four days of appointments this week and then three every other week till this new baby arrives!

Learning all the time...
Little has finally reached the "picky" eater stage!  Don't get me wrong, she still eats like a champ!  We just have to find more creative ways of getting her to eat the food she isn't loving at the moment.  She goes back and forth on veggies and only eats certain meats.  Pretty much eats grains and fruits with no problem though!  We used to get her the Gerber pasta pick-ups (the ones with meat) but the prices just keep going up and one serving size according to Gerber is not enough for what this kid wants to eat!  My solution?  I am going to ATTEMPT to make my own raviolis!  Yes, I know, I'm quite the dare-devil!  I figure though if I can make the pasta and then through in pureed bits of foods during the week that she refuses to eat, it just might work!  I'll let you know once we get to the point that I make the dough...

From the kitchen...
Last week was a JOKE in my kitchen!  Of course, isn't that always the way?  Doctor says "You can't eat 'this' or 'that'" so that's exactly what I crave, right?  Yup!  Dollar menu never looked so good!  It mostly tasted like crap though...  This week?  I roasted some potatoes and carrots and made pork chops last night.  Tonight?  Steak with mashed potatoes and corn.  My blood-work numbers?  Totally awesome!  Although I did splurge today and had a couple chocolate chip cookies and milk.  I evened it out with a 30 minute walk after dinner.  I tell you what, we waited in line overnight when the Wii was released in order to get it that first day and I have never regretted it!  We have the Balance board, not many games with it, but it did come with a type of exercise "game" that has different options to work on balance and some aerobics, it also has some yoga on there too.  You think "How good could this really be?"  Well, I can say that for the most part, it's harder than it looks, but the nice thing is that it has a timed "free walk" that keeps your pace steady.  I set it for 10, 20 or 30 minutes and then I can even change the channel and watch a show!  Yes, I know I'm a dork...

I am creating...
That Christmas dress for my Little!  I also have a coat and hat in the works but both need quite a bit of hand sewing, so I'm saving that part until last!  Next up on the sewing block...  A few Christmas gifts.  I fully intend to recruit the hubby's help for those, that ought to be fun!

I am working on...
Getting things done that really need to be done.  Eating at home instead of going the easy route.  Getting my few walks in every day.  At the end of the day I just remind myself that each thing is worth it in its own way...

I am going...
To appointments.  All week...  This weekend we are going to a holiday party, so that should be fun.  Get to bring Little, so that always makes things easier to go to.  Plus I get to see my nephew and that is one of my favorite things!

I am hoping...
For business to pick up.  For some motivation and focus to get things done both at home and at work.

I am reading...
Still reading Oz.  I think I might be at the last book?  I really should have been taking better notes about the books.  Or any notes at all would have been good I suppose?  Otherwise, reading patterns and my sewing machine manual.  I was just telling my mom that this machine came with more feet than I ever could have imagined!  What I couldn't imagine is that if I read the instructions, those feet could save me time and stress!!!  Go figure?
   

I am praying...
Same old stuff.  Thankful of all my every day blessings.  Praying for family and friends, especially as we progress into this holiday season.  I saw a man dressed in Army fatigues at the store the other day.  It was another reminder of my brother leaving as well as all the families that will celebrate this happy time of year without a loved one.  I am praying for those families as well...

I am hearing...
Commercials...  I think hubby is watching The Santa Clause?  Not on purpose of course!  The other sound I hear...  Hubby snoring!  That would be why there's a Christmas movie on in the other room!

Around the house...
Just getting things done...  Trying to keep up daily with the around-the-house chores.  Hopefully the hubby remembers he started the laundry and gets things moved around before he crashes out for good...  I need some clothes to wear to work tomorrow!


One of my favorite things...

Hanging out around the house.  Sure, I know I've used that one before, but it is tried and true around here!

A few plans for the rest of the week...
What?  You mean OTHER than doctor appointments?  Holiday party at the end of the week.  Hanging out.  Cooking and sewing.  I think that's about enough...

Random thought...
So today on the radio the DJ's were talking about some lady who is unhappy with her life because she let her husband convince her that they should have not one but TWO children and that she should quit her job to stay home to take care of the kids and now she resents her hubby and their family...  And then there was some comment made about the "Occupy" people and they referred to them as "Occu-tards!"
First of all...  It is NOT a RIGHT to have children!  It is a choice!!!  Stupid women please listen up!  IF YOU DO NOT WANT KIDS, DO NOT HAVE UNPROTECTED SEX!  It's really that simple, for the most part.  Sure, there are "accidents" but REALLY?  And don't try to blame things on other people because you don't like the way your life is going.
As far as the "Occu-tards" that is my new favorite word!  Again...  STOP BEING SHEEP PEOPLE!  You don't like the way things are done, FINE, do something REAL about it!  Don't sit on the front steps of the local government office to tell me how "they/the government" are taking homes and jobs and what-have-yous...  I get up every day and go to work, feed and cloth my family, pay my bills.  Don't YOU tell ME how things work.  Not when looking at you on the news I know for darn sure you are some college student that has never actually had to pay a mortgage, fix the plumbing, install an appliance.  Don't tell me what it's like to pay your bills.  Mommy and daddy never bought me a car, let alone a cell phone!  Get over yourselves and move on.  AND PICK UP YOUR MESS ON YOUR WAY OUT!  Dirty, filthy people leaving their trash all over these cities...  You give vagrants a bad name!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you....

Sorry, not much on the photo taking this last week!  Here's a sneak-peak at my sewing desk to show I am truly getting some things done!

Wordless Wednesday 11/30/11

11/27/11 Daybook

Outside my window...

Dark, cold, foggy...  Hopefully that means a good amount of work this week!  I do love the cold weather though.  I know my birthday is in the summer time, and I have always loved the summer, but especially with being pregnant, I am truly enjoying the winter!

I am thankful...

For holiday weekends, photo/text messaging and internet video chats!  I was able to stay home for Thanksgiving, got texted photo messages from my brother while he visited The Happiest Place on Earth and was able to talk to my dad and family in Arizona all in the same day!  I may not be the most computer savvy person in the world but the internet is a pretty amazing thing!

I am thinking about...

Swollen feet!  I understand getting swollen feet on Thanksgiving, I did a lot more standing than I am used to and not enough resting.  I spent a lot of Friday off my feet and with those feet up!  But in an effort to get things done this weekend I have been doing quite a bit of sewing and SOMEHOW am ending up with swollen feet?  I'm not even on my feet, how does that work?

Learning all the time...
The sewing I mentioned...  Yeah, learning that I dislike working with suiting fabrics...  The weave is just too big!  If ever I take on a mammoth project again that involves suiting I fully intend to serge the ends first!  I realize that's even more work, but in the end it's really not!

From the kitchen...
Ha-ha!  So a lot has come out of my kitchen this week!!!  I may not love cooking every single day but holiday cooking is definitely my thing!  Mom made two pumpkin pies on Wednesday (we have two or three slices left!) and I made apple pie on Thursday.  I forgot to look at the recipe and didn't realize the apple took such a long time to "rest" before serving!  That one just barely made the table!!!  We always make potatoes fresh, so I did the washing and peeling and mom cooked 'em up.  Mom made both sweet potatoes and candied yams and of course had a yummy turkey!  Canned cranberries that we found at the very last second, as well as a can of black olives mom missed in the cupboard.  Found green olives in the refrigerator!  Mother-in-law brought the green bean casserole to complete the meal!  OH!  The gravy!!!  So our tradition has been that when I cook, the in-laws like to buy the turkey, I'm totally cool with that and tend to overload them with left-overs!  So, cleaning out the turkey there was the normal bag of "goodies" inside and then an extra bag labeled "gravy."  Now (it might have been last year or the year before) my dad taught me how to make gravy from "scratch."  You know, from the drippings...  Well, that year I had no wine and barely anything good to put in to give the gravy any flavor.  We made it work in the end but I could have done better.  I figured, "Hey, I forgot to think about gravy, so let's try this packet!"  Basically I still used the turkey drippings and added two cups of water, then brought to a boil.  Once boiling add the contents of the bag and keep mixing until we get it back to a boil, then let it sit for a few minutes.  If I do say so myself, it was quite good!  Oh yeah, and we made crescent rolls with dinner at hubby's request.  Ah...  And cornbread stuffing, but that is one thing I tend to make from a box.  Yeah, I know, I have TONS of family that make GREAT stuffing from scratch, why on earth have I not begged for their recipes?  Well, because at the holidays I am more of a dessert kind of girl!  And no one complained eating that boxed stuffing!

I am creating...
A holiday outfit for my Little!  Check out my other blog to check on my status!  I was trying to post every other day with updates but I found that to be a bit of a distraction as opposed to keeping me on task.  I am happy to report that things are coming along well!

I am working on...
Keeping on task!  I have a great habit of getting off track when I do things.  I have been spending a little time each day getting some of my sewing done, a little time reading, a little time playing with my Little girl!  I prefer to do my sewing when Little is down for a nap, or before she gets up or after she goes to bed.  I don't think it's "fair" for her if mommy is hiding out in the sewing room.  Of course then I am also trying to catch up on shows and movies I have recorded and squeezing in some reading time!  That whole getting a schedule down is much harder for mommy than it has been keeping Little on her schedule!

I am going...
Blah...  Back to work this week!  I feel like I haven't been to work in for-ev-er...  Back to the grindstone!  That whole motivation thing fails me and when I'm at work I just keep thinking of all the things I could be doing at home.  Of course, when I'm at home I can't help thinking of all the things I need to do at work!

I am hoping...
To be able to get up in the morning!  I am posting much later than I intended to!!!  At least I got a good amount of rest this weekend.  

I am reading...
Blogs, pattern directions, Oz...  I've really tried to read a chapter or two a day from the Oz stories.  Since they are kid stories they go pretty quickly.  I just feel like since I have that NOOK I really should be using it, at least every other day if not daily!  Blogs I can read every single day!  Pattern directions I tend to try to skim and then figure it out on my own but I'm trying to be a good girl.  I've only had to remove one row of stitches due to not reading the pattern correctly, although the coat I am working on may need some adjustments at the collar.  I wasn't paying complete attention and may have put the collar too close to the front of the coat.  We'll see!

I am praying...
Same as before!  Thankful of the daily blessing I have, praying for traveling family and friends, for babies being born and those celebrating birthdays.  Praying for some movement with regards to hubby's job applications and regarding housing situations of those we care about.

I am hearing...
Christmas music.  Clicking keyboards from both my laptop and the computer hubby is on. Fan humming overhead.  Yes, that's right, it's cold outside and the heater is coming on in the house but in the office/sewing room it gets rather warm with a computer running, my sewing machine on and the extra lights I need for sewing, add in two adults and earlier our two sleepy kitties, it's quite the hot-box in here!

Around the house...
Amazingly, the laundry is done.  The dishes are pretty much caught up.  The living room has been picked up of all Little's toys.  The bathrooms are mostly clean.  A few things to be done here and there but overall not bad for a holiday weekend at home!


One of my favorite things...

Pizza Sunday!  Tonight we had a pizza from the grocery store since hubby had a few last-minute items to pick up.  Cheaper to buy a pepperoni pizza and then add my own pineapple!  Little has fully embraced her inner pizza-girl!  Since mommy and daddy met working at a pizza parlor is that any surprise?  She kept saying "PIZZA" until I gave her a slice!  No more cutting it up for her, she dives right into the slice and now even eats the pepperoni and finishes the crust!
   

A few plans for the rest of the week...
I transfer doctors this week and have two appointments scheduled.  Otherwise just work and sewing on the schedule.  Getting into the count-down stage of this pregnancy.  I really should pack a hospital bag one of these days...

Random thought...
Why do some of us think we are so funny when we talk using mostly movie quotes?  As if coming up with our own one-liners wouldn't be funnier?  I am constantly using movie quotes to describe people or situations, or just because they pop into my overly-full noggin and they make me giggle!  No, really, I will be sitting somewhere and a movie quote POPS right in and I start giggling, and then laughing, out loud!  I don't know if people ever look up to see what I am laughing at...  I just assume everyone knows I'm slightly off!  OH!  Like Elf was on over the weekend!  Now, I know there are a TON of funny quotes from that movie that I can recite at random but the thing that makes me TOTALLY laugh out loud is thinking of the part in the movie where he gets hit by the taxi cab!  I know, I'm totally off!!!  But even now, I am totally laughing!!!

Here are picture thoughts I am sharing with you....