Finally...

... a breather! We had a wonderful Christmas. We were over scheduled and over ate but isn't that what usually happens? If were weren't celebrating it seemed liked I was working. Finally, today, I have a little time to catch up on my blogging, download my Christmas pictures and kick back. We only had 3 Christmas parties this year but I think because Max's birthday is so close to Christmas the whole month of December feels like a party.

Great Grandma B and her great grandkids!


Rob's family (minus one sister, her husband and 2 girls)


Max, Rob, Denise




I bummed that I didn't get any really good pictures at my family Christmas. Here is one of my sister and me.


We took a picture like this last Christmas. It turned out so cute we're making it a tradition.


Another pic of all the nieces and nephews with Grandma and Grandpa


The whole family



Finally... Max's first driving lesson from his dad. We got him and John Deere Gator for his birthay/Christmas combined. Until the weather clears up we're keeping it in the basement.





We had a wonderful Christmas but I am looking forward to things slowing down a bit. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2008!

I'm so excited... I just can't hide it...

I got an elliptical machine today! Whoo, hoo! I couldn't decide between an elliptical or a treadmill. Most of the people I talked to, friends and sales staff included, recommended the elliptical. I can't wait until it's put together and I can start shedding some poundage. I'm starting "Weigh-in Wednesday." A friend from work and I are going to motivate each other with rewards along the way. I'm hoping to use my blog to journal my success, my setbacks, but hopefully my weight-loss. This is NOT a New Year's resolution. I don't believe in them. It's just coincidental that it happens to be the first of the year and I'm starting a weight-loss plan. Again. Anyway- WISH ME LUCK!

Say what?

This was my conversation with Rob last night... while he was sleeping.

Me: "Hey can you roll over... you're snoring."

Rob: "Hmmm?"

Me: "Roll over." "Change positions." "You're snoring."

Rob: "Well, they won't be surprised when they get the bill."

Me: "What bill?"

Rob: "Walking in the woods."

Me: "Ok." I then roll over thinking this was a lost cause.

Rob: (Mumbles somthing)

Me: "What did you say?"

Rob: "Choo, Choo."

I kid you not! Sometimes I can't believe that he is truly asleep. He swears he doesn't remember any of it in the morning.

Our Meijer trip-

My sister ask if we wanted to go to the Fred Meijer Gardens and Sculpure Part to admire their Christmas trees. I had to work until 7pm yesterday so we couln't make... I was bummed. Since I couldn't go to the Fred Meijer Gardens I decided to go to Meijer- the grocery store. Rob met me at work so we could exchange Max. It's always a surprise to see how Max is dressed or if he has left over lunch on his face when he's been with his dad all day. This time wasn't too bad. His shirt was just a size too small and he had a mild case of bed head (which Rob claims was much worse until he "fixed" it.) Max and I headed to the store while Rob went to play dodgeball. It was an interesting trip. I was checking out the yougurt when a little old lady pulled on my arm to get my attention and said, "Your son has the nicest hair." I didn't know what to say... I, of course, thanked her and then started rambling on about bedhead and who knows what else. Next I'm in the process of selecting some shredded cheese. Another little old lady comes up to me and says, "Your little boy is so cute." I thanked her but spared her the rambling. While in the produce (yes, the story continues) a younger man in a wheelchair stopped to just chat it up with Max. He had difficulty speaking so he was hard to understand. After a bit I wished him a Merry Christmas was about to leave when he said, "I just have to tell you this because I will hate myself if I don't." "You are beautiful." And then he rambled on. Now I'm looking for the hidden cameras. This had to be a joke! No joke, just a bunch of nice people at Meijers last night.

After getting home a friend of mine from work called me. I told her about our trip of compliments. She knew exactly who the man was in the wheelchair. Apparently he comes to the ED where I work and is the same way... very complimetary!

Who's the biggest loser?

I'm the biggest loser! Everytime I watch the Biggest Loser on T.V. I pig out while doing it! Tonight I ate half a frozen pizza! It had been 10 hours since I had eaten last- and then I pigged out on spaghetti. This is outrageous. I was talking with Rob tonight about getting a treadmill and he said he didn't have a problem with that "as long as you use it." I need to do something... I am so sick of they way I look. I watch this show and get motivated (believe it or not) and then I wake up the next day and it's the same ol' stuff. Maybe blogging about it will help motivate me. Forget New Year's resolutions, I'm starting tomorrow. For sure. I think. Maybe?

Two year check-up-

Yesterday Max had his 2 year check up and he HATED it. The waiting room with the chalkboard and singing/dancing snowman was great but the minute the nurse called his name to go back to the room he started crying. He didn't cry only if someone touched him, he cried if someone talked or looked at him. Our pediatrician is great. Max loves flashlights and momentarily quit crying when the doc brough out his otoscope. He asked Max if he could look in his ears for birds. Now all Max talks about are the birds in his ears. Here are his stats:

Weight: 32lbs (90th percentile)
Height: 38 inches (100th percentile)

I read this article from a parenting site that said if you double the childs height at his second birthday you can get a good estimate of how tall your child will be as an adult. Six foot, four inches?! Holy cow! I'm 5'8" and Rob is 5'10". He must be getting this from his grandparents. Must be Rob's side since my mom's dad was only 5'4".

After his appointment I dragged him to the mall. He actually likes to go shopping with me. Anyway... about an hour and a half into our little extravaganza I turned around to find Maxy lying spread eagle on the department store floor. Apparently he had had enough!

Birthday Pictures!

Here are the birthday pictures I promised. They aren't as good as I had hoped but good enough! Some seem kind of blurry. I'm bummed that I didn't get a good picture of Max and me. I'm the picture taker in the family so there isn't many of Max and me together. I really don't like myself in pictures but I do want to have the memories! I also didn't get a good one of him blowing out his candles but check out the Thomas the Train cake that took me hours to decorate! The pictures of him opening the presents are funny... in a couple of them he's in the background while all of his cousins open the present! I can't even describe the love we have for Max. Every day he continues to amaze us. Just when I think I can't love him anymore he does or says something that just makes my heart grow to make more room.

Patience....

For one reason or another our phone/internet is down. I will post birthday pictures when we're back up and running!

Two years ago....

The guests are all gone. The house is picked up. The birthday boy is in bed. The past 24 hours are a blur. Thursday night we hosted our small group's Christmas party. I really enjoyed myself and just love having people over. It was especially nice this year... being in the new house and all. Our small group is a blast and our gift exchange was interesting. Anybody want some Colt 45 and pickled eggs? How about a stuffed dog that does "tricks?" (I won't even go there.) Let me just say that my dog Graham thought he found the love of his life.

Two years ago today at 1:25pm I delivered a 10 pound, 22 1/2 inch long baby boy! What a day that was... what a blessing the past 2 years have been. Tonight was Max's 2nd birthday party. It might seem overwhelming to have 2 parties in a row but it actually worked out nice. I really only had to clean the house once! I spent about 3 hours (nope, not a typo) decorating Max's birthday cake today (what you won't do for your child)! Thomas the Train was our theme. I'll post pictures tomorrow. I'm too whooped to do it tonight. I can't believe our little boy is two. I've been reflecting this past week on the past 2 years. Here are some of my thoughts and lessons learned.

1. It is true that I would do anything for my child.

2. He is the cutest kid in the whole world. (Remember, these are my thoughts.)

3. He is the sweetest kid in the whole world. (Refer to disclaimer in thought #2).

4. Don't wear black when your child has a snotty nose.

5. Your heart really can melt.

6. Cherish the midnight feedings/rocking/cuddling times. It's a special time together, just the two of you. Eventually they sleep through the night.

7. I will check on him every night, at least once, until he's who knows how old. I haven't missed a night in the past 2 years.

8. They truly grow up too fast.

9. You can never love them too much. You can never hug or kiss them too much. (They may protest, however!)

10. There isn't a job in the world I'd rather have than being a mother.

Our little 2 year old!

Well, he's not quite 2 yet... just 4 more days! Just a bragging post! Our cute little Max.

What was I thinking?

I think it was a moment of insanity (just one of many)... I agreed to work two 12 hour night shifts in a row! I guess that sounds worse than it really is. I was scheduled to work 7p-3a anyway on Friday and Saturday and then 5p-1a on Sunday. I decided to work the entire night shift on Friday and Saturday and then just take Sunday off. I can't miss our weekly pizza night!

This week is going to be busy. I'm finishing up my Christmas shopping on Monday. Rob and I are hosting our small group Christmas party on Thursday and then Friday we're having Max's 2nd birthday! I've got lots of cleaning and cooking to do!

Happy Birthday!

Max, and my sister's two children, Aaron and Lacy, all have birthday's within a month of each other. We decided to consolidate the parties and have all three together. This was really the first time Max got into opening presents. He wasn't sure about it at first but got the hang of it really quickly! The last picture is my favorite. Max was all partied out but not ready to part with his presents. He has a truck clenched in each hand!

O, Christmas Tree

This is the earliest I've ever had my Christmas tree up! My rule is Thanksgiving has to be over and it has to be December. I broke the second rule. We cut the tree last Wednesday and did our decorating that night. I'm really big into tradition. I love the idea of going and cutting our own tree.

Here's a picture of Max looking for the perfect tree!

After everything was decorated this is what the living room looked like! I'm so excited to have our first Christmas in our new house.

"Bo, sit!"

We have a boxer named Graham... I've published some pictures of our sometimes cute, sometimes pain in the butt canine. Anyway, when Graham was just a pup we started calling him Grahmbo- It just seemed to flow. When Max started talking he couldn't say Grahmbo so he started calling him "Bo Bo." Today Max was telling Graham to sit. He was saying "Bo, sit!" But with his new found language skills still in early development it comes out sounding like "bullshit." He was saying it over and over. Rob and I were cracking up. We knew what he was saying but would anyone else?!

Thanksgiving Update!

Thanksgiving turned out great. It was so nice to see my family again. Our family is notorious for running late with dinner. If we say we're eating at 4pm it's usually not until 5 or 5:30. I did pretty good this year. I think we were only 30 minutes or so behind. Next time I have Thanksgiving at my house I think I'll bake a ham instead of turkey. I'm really not a turkey lover. I made it just because it's tradition.

Not enough turkey, I guess- had to finish it off with some Apple Jacks!


Dave getting tackled by the kids!





Yvonne, Dave, Aaron and Lacy


Aunt Karen and Uncle Bob


Jennifer and Chris


A group photo!


Lacy Renee


Turkey Time


Watching the WVU game! (They won!)


Max helping with the mashed potatoes!


Just cheezing around!


Grandpa and Max playing.

P.S. Thanks Aunt K for making the gravy!

One of the worst nights!

Last night ranked as one of my worst nights at work. The charge nurse du jour came to me to tell me she was giving me an ambulance. Then she told me it was the 8 month old son of one of my friends, who also happens to work in the ED with me. I couldn't believe it. More than anything I wanted to be a friend, not the nurse. But I knew she would rather have me there. He had a seizure at home. I was hoping and praying that it was due to a fever. That is something kids usually out grow and tend to be fairly harmless. To my dismay- no fever. His CT scan was normal but he ended up getting admitted for an EEG and MRI today. I hope and pray this was an isolated event. As soon as I saw his mom she started crying and I started crying and we were a couple of blubbering fools. It was really hard for me to keep it together and I don't think I did a very good job. I'm really a sap. I get emotional over little things. It only gets worse when it's someone you know. Fortunately, he didn't have another seizure while since his intial one. I just talked to his mom and they are getting ready to sedate him for his EEG or MRI. I'm praying for you baby E.

I'm so excited!

My two younger sisters and brother--in- law from West Virginia are in town. I haven't seen Sarah in about a year and Jennifer and Chris since their wedding. We're having a belated Thanksgiving dinner today. The bird is in the over and, so far, everything is under control. My dad, aunt and uncle, Lisa, sister Yvonne and her husband and 2 kids are coming over. We're going to have a group of 14! I love having my family together. We're so spread apart that it's hard to have everyone together. I feel like a rotten sister for not making an effort to visit West Virgina on a more regular basis. I guess I'll have to change that. Max loves visiting with his aunts and uncle. I'll post pictures later!

Happy Thanksgiving!

What I'm thankful for:

1. God's grace.
2. Rob and Max.
3. My family.
4. My friends.
5. My job.
6. My new house.
7. Changing seasons
8. Chocolate
9. The writer of Gray's Anatomy (I love that show)
10. Many countless other things that I can't think of right now but will as soon as I publish this!

Facebook

When I started blogging everyone told me, including my husband who really isn't familiar with computers, to try Facebook. I am still learning to blog and really didn't want to try anything new... until my sister and niece in Egypt told me they had facebook accounts. It's completely different than blogging and I had a hard time navigating it. Nonetheless, I'm really excited to be able to keep in touch with them this way. My niece is in college in Egypt but wants to move back to the states. Her mother is a little worried but I think, eventually, the whole family will move back. I really hope they do. I loved visiting them in Egypt but it's so far away. Maybe I can figure out how to post links. Someday.

My sister and her 2 kids came over for a playdate last week. Max showed Aaron how he and Graham, our dog, like to play under the crib. Max and Aaron then had a "make your own pizza" pizza party. It's so easy and fun. I use pita bread for the crust and then we add whatever toppings we are in the mood for! I'm really bummed I didn't get a picture of my niece Lacy! Maybe the next playdate!

Just blogging away....

The nice thing about having a cement guy for a husband is he is home in the winter. He works his cute little butt off in the summer but then sits back and relaxes all winter. Usually this is the time that work begins to slow down for him. He isn't working tomorrow so I decided, with the holidays just around the corner, to pick up a night shift. I'm in the slow CDU tonight so I have time to blog away. I will do something productive though. I'm organizing a journal club for our department and have been putting off my research. I think I'll dig into that.

On a compeletly unrelated note... here is a picture of 2 friends that visited us a couple of days ago. I took the pictures from our dining room door. Rob is a hunter. It really doesn't bother me... I think there is something sexy about him in camo. But I refuse to let him bait these deer and then sit on the back porch to shoot it. They were 2 doe anyway. The bucks are smart and stay away. I know how the whole food chain works but I still couldn't kill another animal. Especially for sport. Rob likes venison but I don't. We still have some left from his hunting trip last year. Hopefully he doesn't get one this year. He would kill me if he heard me say that. If so, we're donating the meat. I guess there are people out there that really like the stuff.

My handsome little boy!

I met a friend of mine at a local park last week. I love to take pictures but really don't know much about the art of photography. I happen to have a really nice camera and I give all the credit to the camera for good pictures. Anyway, she had asked me to take some pictures of her 3 year old son. I figured as long as I was there that I would take some of Max, for his 2 year pictures. He didn't feel like having his picture taken that day, of course. After much bribing we finally got a few. Here are two of favorites.

"Boppie broked"

For the past 6 months or so Max has referred to his pacifier as his "boppie." We're not sure where that came from. We always called it his "pipe." He really loves his boppie. I try hard to give it to him only when it's naptime or bedtime. Nevertheless, he asks for it all the time. A couple months ago he started requesting 2 boppies. If I'd given him just one he'd ask for another. I began getting concerned that he was getting "addicted" to his pacifiers and how on earth would I ever wean him from them. Last week Max bit through the nipple of 2 of his boppies. He kept trying to put it back together and when he was unsuccessful he had me try. I told him, "your boppie is broken." He repeated "boppie broked." And that was it. I figured he was ok with it because he still had one pacifier left. This final pacifier had already been halfway bitten through. Last night Rob and I went to dinner with some friends and left Max with our favorite babysitter. Tori and her friend came to our house to watch Max and put him to bed. Of all nights to finish the job, he decided to do it last night. He bit the nipple off. Apparently he didn't ago to bed so well. Tori searched the house for another one but we didn't have any more. We decided when this one was done, Max would be done. After about an hour he eventually went to sleep. I was nervous about today. I wanted to buy him another one but Rob refused. At naptime he asked for his boppie and I told him it was broken. I layed him down in his crib and to my surprise... not a peep. The same for tonight. I have been so worried about how to wean him from his pacifier and had been thinking of elaborate scenarios. The lastest was buying helium balloons and sending the pacifier off into the sunset. I guess I don't need to do that now. For old times sake he holds on to the broken boppie. Maybe that's enough for him. Just another milestone that makes me feel like he's not my baby anymore. He's becoming a little boy.

It's my party...

Last night, or maybe I should say this morning, I got home from work around 1:45 am. I always check on Max before I go to bed and this night was no different. He was out like a light. I covered him up with his blankets and closed his door. Just as I was turning off the porch light I heard him stir... and then yell. Hoping his pacifier would help him fall back asleep I plopped it in his mouth, covered him up again and left his room. All was good until I shut the door. Then he began to cry again. It really isn't crying so much as it is him yelling his disapproval. I waited a few minutes to see if he would settle on his own. No luck. I rocked him and sang is favorite songs. He was cuddly and quiet. I tried putting him back in his crib. Again... fine until I closed the door. I gave up and brought him into bed with me. After convincing him that it was still nighttime he fell asleep. Unfortunately for him, and his future spouse, he has inherited my sleeping habits. I am like a fish out of water. I don't just roll over... I flop over. My husband describes it as a sort of acrobatic maneuver. Realizing the potential for severe injury if we collided mid air I decided to put Max back in his crib. Same thing again. Back in bed again with me. Now an hour later and still no sleep I decided just to keep him in bed and hope that we both can eventually fall asleep. I roll (sorry, flop) over and am facing away from him. He then decides to crawl over top of my head and put his face in my face (now we're nose to nose) and say, "Hi." I lost it and began laughing. This woke my husband up. Normally an early riser, he gets up and says "I'm really not tired anymore. It's 3:30 am. The plan was he would stay up with Max for awhile and then when he finally gave it to sleep (which was at 5am), Rob would go to work. I went to bed. And then I heard "choo choo." Max was playing with his train... with all it's bells and whistles. So much for sleep. The whole family was up. We had toast and homemade jam and Max was on the go. It was a party at 3:30 am. I finally went to bed around 4am and slept until 8 when, like clockwork, Max woke up. Sometimes you just have to party, no matter what age you are.

Mandatory rest.

I've been given a mandatory month of reprieve from fertility medications. I am actually ok with it. For me, anyway, trying to have another baby has become a compulsion. I've had friends say, "just take a month off." "Give your body a rest." But what if this is the month, I would think. I certainly couldn't make the decision myself. I was on a mission and that was it. On Monday I went to the doctor for an ultrasound because of some side effects I was having and the doctor made the decision for me. I have developed 3 large ovarian cysts and with the threat of an ovarian torsion I was told not take the medication this month. It was almost a relief if that makes sense. Rob and I talked about taking December off as well. Let's just enjoy the holidays and start fresh in January! We'll have to see... like I said, it's a compulsion!

Bummed out.

I haven't felt much like posting lately. I've been on this emotional roller coaster that seems to be never ending. This month of fertility treatment didn't work. I was initally hopeful after my ultrasound- I had 4 good sized follicles- but then my body felt different than normal and I wasn't sure what was going on. My period was late which it shouldn't be because one of the medications I have to take will cause me to have my period almost exactly 14 days after it's given... that is, of course, if I didn't get pregnant. So then I let myself think that maybe I was pregnant despite having negative home pregnancy tests. Finally I gave in and called my RE. They speculate that I have now developed ovarian cysts and some other stuff as a result of being on the clomid for so many months! Aghhhh! So, we corrected one problem that was keeping us from having a baby just to create another, or two. Tomorrow I go in for another ultrasound to check on the cyst thing. Make sure they are not too big. If they are then we will have to wait this month out. If not, we are going to tweak the treatment plan a little. I was really bummed on Thursday but I'm ok now. I try and remember that this is in God's hands. Max was a gift from Him and if He is willing we will be blessed with another one. I believe that this is something God wants me to go through and I try to find the good in it. Right now the good is pulling at my arm begging me to let him watch Thomas the Train.... AGAIN. I get to spend tons of quality time with my little boy and we have FUN!

Nothing really.

Ok, last night was not so bad. I actually didn't even notice that the clocks had turned back automatically. My hubby was home so I was able to sleep in. Tonight, though, I had hoped to go home at 11pm instead of 3am but it ain't gonna happen. Instead of blissful hours at triage I'm in our CDU (clinical decision unit). Basically it's an observation unit. It's more inpatient nursing than emergency nursing. We're all still coming to terms with that. Emergency nurses like drama and there just isn't drama here. I'm curious what time Max with wake up tomorrow. Some kids sleep 12 hours straight no matter what time they go to bed. Not Max. It doesn't matter what time he goes to bed he is still up at the same time. Our morning routine includes laying in my bed and watching (or snoozing depending on who wer're talking about) cartoons. Considering I'm going to get home at 3:30am and he will be up around 7am, I think I'll stick with the routine!

My little baby is not so little!

I've been in denial but I must come to terms with it. My little boy is not a baby anymore. He is getting so big and talking up a storm. Usually on the nights I don't work I do the bedtime duties and put Max to bed. It is one of my most treasured times. We sit in the glider in his room and read books and then I sing him the Barney song (love the song, not the dinosaur!), You are my Sunshine, and Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star over and over again. I know, I should change up my repetoir but that's what it's been for the past 2 years. I dread the day he realizes I can't sing and begs me to quit. I got the glider as a gift just after I had Max and that has been the best present. I love rocking him at night. I was noticing the other night how big he is. He lays his head on my shoulder and his legs hang down to my knees! He barely fits on my lap anymore! We say a prayer before I put him in his crib and then I tell him "I love you." The other night he says "uv ew." I know he doesn't know what it means but is still melts my heart.

I've been preparing for the day that we will have to move him from the crib to the big boy bed. So far he hasn't climbed out of his crib, although he has tried. The other day I was at Target with my sister and this bedding that I've had my eye on FOREVER was on sale. I was worried that it was being clearanced out so I bought it... and all the accessories that go along with it. He loves the bear pillow and the bear bank. I wanted to do an outdoorsy theme and I think this will be perfect.

Please don't turn back the clocks!

EDIT: There IS something worse... working 13 hours when the department is SLOW. It's definitely not a typical Saturday night. Oops- I probably just jinxed us. I just finished the first 8 hours of my shift. Now it's five blissful hours of triage (sarcasm).


There is nothing worse than working an evening shift when time changes. Just when I'm supposed to leave at 3am the clocks go back an hour! Ahhhh!

Trick or Treat!

The weather acutally cooperated and we were able to do a little trick or treating last night. We met up with some friends from our small group and canvassed their neighborhood. Finally we ended up at our church for "Light of the World," another Halloween festivity! Just as we were getting ready to trick or treat there was a beautiful rainbow.


I was also feeling a bit creative yesterday. Ok, I stole the idea from an internet recipe site. I thought they turne out good. I did learn a lesson, however, almost 2 year olds and chocolate sprinkles don't mix. Max didn't quite understand, "that's enough sprinkles." They were all over the floor! We did have fun though.

Halloween Party!

Our first Halloween party was a huge success! The kids all looked great in their costumes! I had so much fun decorating and planning this event that I hope it becomes a yearly tradition! The kids had a pumpkin rolling contest, played "pin the nose on the pumpkin," used squirt guns to try to extinguish the candle in a pumpkin and last but not least had a "donut on string" eating contest. This was hilarious. We had this really old couple show up, too. I don't know who invited them. Wait a minute... that voice sounds familiar. It's Mom and Dad B. dressed up for Halloween! At dark we went on a haunted hike in the woods. Rob and I decorated different "stations" with Halloween periphenelia and luminaries. We had a flying ghost, a goulish monster, a skeleton sitting in a chair, and a spooky spider. I think the kids loved it! Here are some pictures of our party!

Mousie Mouse

The other day I was emptying some pots that I had used for summer flowers and inside of this wooden crate I have was a mouse. I was startled at first but then realized that I was bigger than the mouse. But, still, it was a mouse. This mouse was big and round. Convinced that this was a mommy mouse getting ready to birth her babies I took pity on her and gave her a baby carrot, celery and some cheese. We had this mouse (outside and in the wooden crate) for 3 days. I thought it was acting kind of funny- occassionally it was having these convulsion like shakes. I was sure that any minute I was going to see some babies. Max loved this little mouse. He loved to just sit and watch him. This morning he ran into my room and grabbed my shirt and drug me outside to see the mouse. I asked Rob if he had seen the mouse today and he said, "Yeah, it's sleeping." Max wanted to go look again. I took one look and the nurse in me said, "it ain't sleeping." Our mouse friend had gone to mousie heaven. So this afternoon we have the mouse a proper burial (dumped her in the woods). I told Max the mouse was going to heaven in the sky. Now he points to the sky and says, "Mouse, sky." I have to admit, I was bummed that it had died. I didn't intend to keep it as a pet but it was still fun to watch Max learn about animals.

Here birdie, birdie

I've been really surprised how few birds we've seen on our property considering we live on a wooded lot. The other day my hubby hung a birdfeeder on a tree limb to try and attract more. No action for a couple of days so I thought that maybe they didn't like the birdseed I bought. Well, they like it. Alot. After just 3 days or so they've eaten about 2/3 of the seed. Anyone know what kind of birds these are? We've seen blue jays and cardinals as well. I think the blue jays are here to stay but the cardinals come and go.

Since we're talking wildlife I have a cute story. The other morning I was fixing breakfast and Max was looking out of the door leading to the patio. He was excited and trying to get his attention. I looked out the window and on the edge of our patio was a deer. Now Max points to the woods and says "Deer, deer." A few minutes later he was at the door again and all excited. I thought for sure another deer would be there but instead seven wild turkeys. It's been hard to keep him out of the woods since. I think he is following in his father's footsteps and will be hunter.

Monthly Menace!

Well, this month of fertility medication didn't work. I wasn't feeling too optimistic about it but was still secretly hopeful. I called my doctor and begged him not to make me take another month of clomid. He was out of town so I talked to his nurse. The next step is a medication I inject for a certain amount of days and it requires that I have mulitple ultrasounds. It just wasn't going to work this month to get everything done that needed to be done so I could start the meds. Everything is so time specific. Meds have to be taken on these days, ultrasound on those days. So, I'm stuck with another month of clomid. I swear it's a world record. This will be my 10th month. And I haven't killed anybody. Kudos to me, I guess. These injections are expensive. And my insurance doesn't cover costs of infertility treatments. I'm praying that God will provide... emotionally, physically and financially.

Another week gone!

I can't believe another Sunday is here and almost gone! We've been so busy that I haven't posted much. This weekend I spent time at a friends cottage scrapbooking. Boy did I get a lot done. We seriously scrapbook for hours... I mean like 12 hours at a time. And we eat. Alot. We had enough food there to last for a month. I'm caught up for this year and was feeling pretty good about it until I realized I don't think I did an album for last year. I was so focused on gettting Max's book done, which is still a work in progress, that I don't think I did one for our "family book." I guess that's my next project. My apologies for the not so interesting post.

Where has the time gone?

I can't believe how time flies. Seriously. Rob asked me tonight if I was going to make pizza for dinner. Sunday night pizza is a ritual for us. When he asked me about it was totally thrown off. I felt like I had just made pizza...like it was a day ago, not a week ago. I remember our conversation so vividly- we generally critique the pizza and compare it to the previous week. I remember thinking, "it's ok." "Not the best I've ever made." Rob loved it, on the other hand. (Sometimes I think he could lick the inside of a garbage can and say it was good.) He'll eat just about anything. But back to time- tonight's pizza night could have been last weeks. Well, last week I didn't pig out like I did tonight. Tonight's pizza is probably one of the best I've made. With time so fleeting I sometimes wonder if I'm doing enough to preserve it. That's part of the reason for this blog. Thanks to a relatively new online blogging friend (Lori :-)) I've decided that this is a perfect way to do it. Each blog is a glimpse. Right now a glimpse of the present but years down the road it will be a glimpse into the past.

bugs, Bugs, BUGS!

Ok... I was warned when I moved out to the "country" to be prepared for the bugs. I didn't expect to see bugs of such mammoth proportion. Yesterday I was sitting outside reading when a big, I mean BIG, bug landed on the front of my shirt. He just dropped out of the sky. I jumped up, then shook my shirt, all the while turning around in circles in a panic. I have no idea what this thing was. I haven't been able to identify most of the creatures I've encountered. Not only are the bugs on the outside but they are on the inside as well. Our house is infested (maybe that's a stretch) with fruit flies. So bad that I called my husband and told him we needed an exterminator. He called around and was told that there is nothing to do about it. They would go away in with the first frost. I'm not sure how long I can take it. I constantly think I feel a bug on me. So, don't mind me if I'm swatting at things in the air or smashing invisible bugs on me!

LIFE

I love my job. I hate my job. It's an adrenaline rush. It's frustrating. But what it really is is a reality check. I've learned that it doesn't take more than a second for your life to change. A cancer invading the body without anyone knowing. A drunk driver who kills someone's child. A heart attack. In an instant life will not be the same. I think because of my job and what I see I tend to be more sensitive to this. I constantly think, "When is it going to be me?" "When is something bad going to happend to me or my family." Sometimes I wonder if I should just get a CT scan of my whole body but I think my doctor would just think I'm crazy! It's kind of sad to live like there is this black cloud overhead but, on the other hand, it makes me realize how much I have and how thankful I am for all of my blessings. Live like there's no tomorrow!

Fun Stuff

I can list a thousand reasons I love being a Mom. One is being able experience stuff with your kids. Two days ago a friend of mine and I took our kids to the corn maze. What fun! I did learn something. The kids can get lost so don't dress yours in camoflauge! We were given little hint cards that would get us from point A to B but for some reason we ended up going in circles and never finished the maze.

Fertility Check

It's no secret... at least to most people. Rob and I have been trying for over a year to have another baby. My fertility status is the first thing people ask me about at work. I've been pretty open about it because I don't really feel like it's a taboo subject or anything. By being so open I've heard the stories of other people and their trials and tribulations. So far the doctors aren't really sure why we got pregnant so easy with Max but not so easy with the next one. I've been on Clomid for 8 months. Let me tell you a little about Clomid. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. The doctors should really screen couples and make sure the husband knows what he is getting into. Mood swing is putting it mildly. It almost like an earth shattering siesmic shift! Poor Rob. He has taken the brunt of it. Hot flashes. Compulsive eating. If it wasn't for the end product... a sweet little baby... I would have to reconsider. I was finally referred to a reproductive specialist about a month ago. When he told me he wanted to try Clomid for a couple more months I about cried. But he is also doing ultrasounds to see if the clomid is producing follicles. This month I had three. I called Rob and told him, "Well, the most we would have would be triplets." He promptly shut me up and told me not to talk such foolishness. I had to laugh. (The ultrasound tech didn't think one of the follicles would mature so it really was just a mean prank on Rob.) Anyway, by posting this in my blog I am just asking for those who are reading it to say a little prayer that if it is God's will we will have another baby.

Dirty Boy

Last week we had underground sprinkling installed. Max though the sprinkling system was the coolest thing ever. Rob called me and asked where the camera was. He couldn't find it so I took this picture when I got home... AFTER Rob had already cleaned Max up. Water + Dirt = Mud.

Now is the hard part. We've put seed down so we really can't play in the yard... well, the dirt. Soon to be a yard. I can't wait!

The Northern Lights

Did anybody catch the Aurora Borealis earlier this week? Wow, it was probably the best I've seen except for the time I was saw the show on Mackinac Island. Beautiful.

To Blog or not to Blog

Wow... I knew it had been awhile since I've updated this blog but I didn't realize it had been 2 weeks. Is anybody checking in on the blog? Any of my distant family? Friends? No comments have been posted- I'm deciding whether or not to keep doing it.

Hide and Seek!

I thought this was absolutely hilarious. For some reason or another Graham, our dog, loves to go under Max's crib. It's not like he fits under there easily. He really has to slink down and then does a canine version of the army crawl to get under there. Anyway, this time Max saw Graham go under the crib and he thought it would be fun to join him!

The Zoo!

Last week Max and I met up with his little friend Carlie and her mom to visit the zoo! Max is really into animals now and loved the petting zoo! His favorite animals are cows (I think because they say moo) and chickens (not sure why about that one) and monkeys (he says "ooo, ooo, ahh, like a monkey)!

Happy Labor Day

Happy Labor Day to everyone! According to the US Department of Labor, Labor Day "constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country." I'm spending the weekend working. While everyone else is BBQ'ing and enjoying one of the final weekends of summer I will be holed up in the ER contributing the the strength, prosperity... blah, blah, blah. Some days I love my job, other days I wonder what it is about it that is so good that I'm willing to work weekends and holidays. I'll have to think about that one.

Rob and Max are going up north for the weekend. I thought since it's my weekend to work already and it's my holiday I might as well really work. So I picked up some extra hours. I really didn't think it would be such a big deal to send my son off with his father but the departing conversation went something like this, "Uh, don't forget to put sunscreen on him, it's in the diaper bag, with an extra change of clothes." "Make sure he doesn't get to close to the water unless you're there. I don't want him to drown" "Please be careful that he doesn't get run over by a four wheeler." I threw in "have fun" because it seemed like the right thing to say. I started thinking, "when does a mother quit worrying?"

So, for all you hard workers out their... enjoy your day off. And have a beer for me.

Home Sweet Home

Our latest and greatest project has been building a new house. We broke ground in November of 2006 and moved in July, 2007. Rob did all of the subcontracting which kept him very busy. While we still have a few little projects to wrap up it's nice to have him back! We are looking forward to our first fall/winter when things will slow down and bit and we can really enjoy our new home.