Photo Shoot...

Second shot at getting these pictures online! Sorry everyone! Anyway, my sister got a really cool camera and came and took pics of me and Corgan. Travis was here, but not up for a photo op. Maybe next time...

"Where the Heart Is..."

Corgan and I were playing with our backyard pet, Hopkins the Bunny

Hug with my Favorite Corgan

Kissing his Baby Brother

Grrrrrr........

I am a beast. I am a freaking psycho beast. I don't remember being like this last time I was pregnant, but I am EXTREMELY impatient with people and just about snatched a woman's head off today at the movie theater, which is HIGHLY unlike me! I'm usually pretty easy going! But pretty much everything is getting on my nerves. For example, I can't post pictures on my blog. That makes me mad. Then we get our electricity bill, which threw me into a literal panic attack. My hormones are completely whacked. Were any of you like this during the last couple of weeks, or is it just me? Do I need to up my meds or WHAT?!

Ummm, ok?

So I went to the doctor today for my 38 week checkup. I've lost a couple of pounds, which is pretty normal at this stage and he did an exam to see if I'm progressing at all. So the exam was taking a bit longer than usual and I asked him, "Are you stripping my membranes?!" He said, "Yep. That's exactly what I'm doing." It was a little weird (ok, more than a little) that he proceeded to do this without my consent. In fact, it really bothered me. I've been so relaxed with this pregnancy. I'm not watching the calendar and counting down the days to D-Day like I did with Corgan. And now he goes and tries to get labor going without even asking me first?! The good news is, if my body isn't ready to go into labor, it won't. The bad news is, I feel kind of violated. I mean, I've trusted this doctor and put complete faith in him, and I feel like I was really let down. I don't want to be a pain in the butt about it and throw a huge stink, because after all, what's done is done. But, I need to make it clear that I want to freaking KNOW what someone is going to do BEFORE they do it, not DURING. I don't think that's asking too much, do you?! Sheesh.

So, after all of this hooplah, I'm about two centimeters dialated and fifty percent effaced. I'll keep you all posted.

Sick and Tired...

Sorry I haven't blogged in a while. I've been sick with some sort of funky chest cold thingy. I'm still not a hundred percent, but I finally feel like I'm going to live. I don't think there is ANYTHING worse than getting sick while you're pregnant! You can't take anything for fear of having a child with three heads and seven toes on each foot.

We've had some exciting happenings this week! My house is slowly but surely fighting it's way out of 1984!!! My wonderful brother Michael came and textured over the retro wallpaper in the den and it looks PHENOMENAL! He did the venetian plaster technique and painted the first coat on top. He'll do the glaze either this weekend or next. Hopefully prior to Caiden's arrival, but whatever! I'm just excited to have that nasty wallpaper gone.

The Young Women offered their services on Saturday by painting Caiden's room and finishing Corgan's. What awesome girls! They really are the best. They did a great job! I'm so proud of them! Caiden's room is YELLOW. I have to put that in all caps since it's not just yellow, it's YELL-OW. As in, when you enter the room without sunglasses on it YELLS at you!!!! Why is it a color looks fantastic on the swatch and then you paint it, step back and think, "Holy crap." It's growing on me, but it'll take some time...

Due to all the noxious fumes in the house, Travis got us a hotel. Have I ever mentioned how much I HATE staying in a hotel with Corgan? He won't sleep in the crib since we're in the same room and has to sleep superglued to my side. He does this really annoying thing while he's going to sleep where he rubs my arm and pets me. Seriously. He won't let me pawn him off on Travis, no, he must pet Mommy. And ONLY Mommy. So, then I can't sleep. Very frustrating.

Anyway, tune in tomorrow for a pregnancy update!!! I know you are all on the edge of your seats with anticipation!

Pregnancy Update...

Well, I am now about 38 weeks. When I asked Dr. Montanaro last time what my due date was, he said, "Well, it's either the 18th or the 25th. Sometime around there." I love that man. Having a range is so nice and I feel so much less pressure this time around. But, I am feeling other symptoms. I've been reading the usual... "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and "The Pregnancy Book." I think it's really interesting to read about what you may be feeling physically and emotionally at different stages in your pregnancy.

"More Ambivalent": So, yeah, I'm excited to hold Caiden, sleep on my back and tummy, and have a mini vacation courtesy of Trinity Medical Center, but then I stop and think, "What the heck?! I'm gonna have TWO?" It's those moments of clarity that I decide, Caiden can be in my belly for just as long as he wants to be. But then, I think, "Oh, I can't wait to hold my baby." And so goes the cycle of ambivilance.

"Craving Solitude": I have become very antisocial. I have to force myself to put a bra on, brush my nappy hair and venture outside of my safe four walls. It's a very odd feeling for me.

"More Sensitive": Oh, dear. I am DEFINITELY more sensitive. Case in point: Last night I was sitting at the computer playing Scrabble Blast and Travis was asking my what was wrong. "Nothing." "You look really mad." "I'm fine." Now normally when a woman says, "I'm fine" she is anything but. But, actually at that moment I was fine. I was just trying to find a really long word so I could get a lot of points. I was concentrating. The facial expression is apparently easily confused with anger. I'll have to work on that.

Anyway, so he keeps pestering me. I feel as though I'm being verbally attacked and start to cry. Another thing that is not common for me. I got started and couldn't stop, so I go and lay on the bed, sobbing my little heart out (don't you feel sorry for me?). Travis and Corgan come in and Corgan gets this really concerned look on his face and says, "Uh oh! Mommy sad? It's ok Mommy." He kept wiping my tears away and giving me these really big hugs. Which of course, made me cry even harder since my son is such a sweet, sweet empathetic little boy. He kept telling me everything was going to be ok. Just like I do to him. And his little eyes welled up with tears... Sniff sniff.

"More Concerned": Not really. It's been done before.

"More Scared": Not of labor, but of having two little boys? Um, yeah.

"More Nesting Instincts": I am so over that. I'm too tired.

So, there you have it. I'm just as crazy as the next pregnant woman. Very reassuring.

It's quiet.... TOO quiet....

On Sunday Travis and I were both getting ready for church. Corgan was all dressed up and ready to go, but I still needed to iron my clothes. Travis was in the shower and all was quiet. Too quiet. I go into the bedroom and Corgan turns to look at me and says, "Hair!" He had gotten into my lip balm and put it all over his hair. In HUGE clumps. Now this is no ordinary lip balm. This is the mother of all lip balms, "Satin Lips" by Mary Kay. This stuff is like Crisco. Your lips are slick as snot (grossssss...) for hours after using it. And now he had the entire tube of stuff on his hair. I throw him kicking and screaming into the shower with Travis and it comes out looking like this....

The only style I could get was a mohawk! I thought, "I can't take my kid to church looking like a butt rocker!" So, Travis sacrificed his salvation to stay home and take a nap with our crazy butt rocker child. I really wanted to go to Young Women's since I hadn't been in a couple of weeks, so I volunteered to teach Travis's class that was meeting in fifteen minutes. I was STILL in my robe, without a drop of makeup on. Then I couldn't find my skirt. I looked all over the stinkin house for my skirt. Finally found it and realized that it's a small. Not a maternity small, but a normal person small. Not gonna fit. Then I have to iron another shirt, find a skirt and shoes to go with it. Needless to say, I was having a bit of a bad morning... And after THREE washings, his hair is STILL greasy.

So the moral is... When your kid is quiet, worry.

"Mommy Juice"

I had the pleasure of taking Corgan with me to the OB yesterday morning. I prayed the doctor wouldn't do an internal exam for fear that it would warp my child for the rest of his life. I could only imagine the future sessions with his psychologist.

"I have this weird memory of my mom..."

Thankfully, Dr. Montanaro didn't check me, just the regular measuring of my buddah belly and listening to the baby's heartbeat. Phew! But, Corgan did get to go in the bathroom with me for my weekly "sample." I got my little dixie cup, proceeded to leave my "sample" and put it on the counter. Corgan sees it and decides he's thirsty! (Major, MAJOR hiney clenching here) I said, "Nooooo, that's not a drink!" "Juice!!!" "Nooooo, that's Mommy's pee pee." (I can only imagine the nurse listening at the door...) "Mommy Juice! Drink Mommy juice!!!"

Sick and wrong. Thankfully, I happened to have a bottle of water and was able to alleive my son's dire thirst. Every time I pee, I think of "Mommy Juice." Nasty.

Totally freaking out....

As the month of January slips through my fingers, I begin to... panic. Oh, yes. True, "hiney clenching" (thank you Pioneer Woman), arm pit staining panic.

For those of you who don't know me very well, I'm a bit of a control freak. I like to plan ahead. I hate surprises. For example, Travis's and my first Christmas together I searched the apartment high and low to find my presents. Nowhere to be found, I had a sudden bit of inspiration... THE CAR! Bwaa haa haa haaaaaaaa!!!!! While my unsuspecting husband was on the phone one evening, I nonchalantly went outside and had just opened the trunk, glimpsing my booty when I hear, "What are you doing?" "Ummm, changing the tire?" He didn't buy it. Sure, some spontaneity is good... deciding last minute that you want to go the movies for example. But, for the most part, I like to know what I'm doing in a day. So, needless to say, being in the last few weeks of pregnancy has me a bit on edge. I don't know when, where, or what time I will go into labor. Will it be at church? Will I be at Walmart and have my water break? Or, will it be three o'clock in the freaking morning? What is he going to look like? Are we really SURE he's a HE?!

Last time I was sooooo anxious to have Corgan. Every week I would go to the doctor and be sooo disappointed to find that I hadn't dilated one stinking centimeter. I would be in a totally foul mood the rest of the day. I was ready to be a mother dang it. Ohhhhh, what little I knew! They are so much easier to handle when they're INSIDE. I'm not so much worried about dealing with a newborn. They're pretty much lumps for a while. Corgan has me a bit freaked out. He's quite loud. Do you know that I actually thought the other day that it would be GOOD if Caiden had hearing loss?! What kind of sick person am I? I was just thinking, "Man, if this kid's deaf, too, at least he'll be able to sleep through Corgan's monologues." Bad mommy.

Not only is Corgan loud, but he tends to throw things. At your head. And poke you in the eyes. Hard. He tends to stick things in your ears and up your nose. He climbs and tackles. He is two. And good at it. So tell me it's going to be ok. Reassure me that even if Corgan jumps on Caiden's head and pokes him in the eyes with his talons (you try cutting the kid's fingernails) that Caiden will come out of it unscathed. He will survive, right?

Nesting, nesting, nesting!!!!

I'm driving my husband crazy. And myself, to be honest. I have been nesting like a mad woman!!!! I've scrubbed the fridge and freezer, cleaned the house from top to bottom, organized Caiden's room, completely reorganized Corgan's room, weeded the yard, changed sheets, washed all the clothes, towels and sheets in the entire house, and am still feeling very restless. I don't remember being this bad when I was pregnant with Corgan! It's kind of annoying. But at least the house looks great!

I got an hour and a half massage yesterday and nearly passed out on the table. Literally. I've passed out three times in my life, and I see these sparkly lights (they're kind of pretty....), get all sweaty and then feel like I'm going down a tunnel. It's kinda trippy. Anyway, the massage therapist had me laying on my back at an angle to keep the pressure off my aorta, but apparently it wasn't working! It was an awful sensation. I got so hot I wanted to strip all the covers off and just lay there in my skivvies. I didn't care. Poor massage therapist. I think she thought I was a nutter. As soon as I laid on my left side, the world was all well again. I don't think I'll be getting another massage until after Caiden gets here. Not fun.

Favorite Picture....

I just LOVE this picture of Corgan. He was six and a half months in this shot and had just woken up from a nap. Look at the CUTE toes! I just wanna kiss em!

Happy Family!!!

I'm sitting at my mom's computer, going through her pics and came across these of her, dad and Aaron. I just love the innocence and naivety... This was before four more kids, medical school, clinics, ER and teenagers. Sigh. Aren't they just lovely? I really do have a very handsome dad and gorgeous mom, dontcha think?

Special Post for Uncle Larry....

Corgan decided he wanted to be cool like Mommy and wear her kicks. At least it's not heels. But, I think he has a bit of growing to do!

Car Wash

Have I mentioned my son LOVES cars? The other night I asked him if he wanted to take a bath. "Nooooo." Hmph. Stinker. I said, "Do you want to give your cars a bath?" "CAR BATH!!!!" He started collecting ALL of his cars and putting them in his special "car box" which is an ugly, gray, plastic portable file folder carrier thing and starts pushing his cars into the bathroom. He LOVES cars!

I thought this picture was just too sweet. My little nugget.

Buddah Belly

Here I am, thirty six weeks prego. Please don't mind the hair. I'd had a nap and worked out, so it's a little, um, let's just say "lacking" and leave it at that....

Copy Cat

Here's a list of Corgan's likes and dislikes, just like you will find on Danielle and Chrissy's blogs.... I thought it was a great idea!

Likes:
Cars (the movie, the toys, the Expedition, he loves it all)
Wagons
Cheese
His "Ka" (pacifier)
Babies (thank goodness)
Blue's Clues
Beans
Coloring
Playdoh
Jumping
Coats
Outside
Swinging
Books
Mac N' Cheese
Vaccuum
Broccoli
Lego's
BALLOOONS
Pizza
Bathtime
Salsa

Dislikes:
Going to bed
Booger Snatcher
Fingernail Clippers
Peas
The word NO
Naughty Spot
Diaper Changing
The Potty (It's going to take forever to potty train this kid)
Being confined - crib, shopping cart, holding your hand, hates it all....
Having his hair cut

It really was hard to come up with his dislikes! Corgan is such a happy, easygoing child. I just LOVE being his mommy. Here are some of MY likes and dislikes (Copying Molly):

Likes:
Naps
Working Out
Massages
My Quick Trip Mug
Soup
Salad
My husband and family... Travis is sometimes in the other category, but for the most part, he's a "like."
Mother's Day Out
Blogging
Long Showers
Money... I just don't have any.
Smashing Pumpkins (duh)
My new vaccuum cleaner
Friends
Reading
Walmart
Being able to take a nice, deep breath.
Sleeping on my stomach
Sleeping on my back
HOT baths
(can you tell I'm kinda tired of being pregnant?!)

Dislikes:
Shaving my legs
Getting up early
Milk
Cellulite
WOW (World of Warcraft... I truly HATE this stupid video game)
Pretentious people
Yearly checkups
Texas Summers
TRAFFIC
Feeling guilty

Where Corgan's Name Comes From....

Every time I tell someone my child's name, I get a confused look and an intelligent, "Huh?" "Corgan." "That's really neat!" It was very important to Travis and me to name our first born child something meaningful and unique. Let me tell you where this name comes from....

Travis and I met through some interesting circumstances (the subject of a future blog) in Provo, Utah. On our first date, we found we had a lot to talk about and many things in common. We asked the typical get to know you questions like, where did you grow up, what's your favorite type of food ("what... is your name? what... is your quest? what... is the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow?" ... sorry, had to stick some Monty Python in here).

Anyway, Travis asked me what my favorite music was. This was during a time that N'Sync, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and other crappy groups ruled the airways. My response to his question was not, "Oh, I just LOOOOOOOVE 98 Degrees!" Like I think he expected, but instead, out of left field I answer, "I really love the Smashing Pumpkins." To test my knowledge of the group, Travis asked, "Oh, really. What song?" I know he was doubtful. I mean, what nineteen year old girl in Provo, Utah likes a punk band? "I really like the song 'Eye' from the Lost Highways Soundtrack." "OH MY GOSH. You really know who the Smashing Pumpkins are?!" I think that was the moment he knew he had to marry me. You see, Travis LOVES the Smashing Pumpkins. I mean, when they broke up, he cried as he watched their unplugged show on VH1. He has EVERY SINGLE cd they ever released and for Christmas one year I got him an autographed picture of the band. Now the picture is kind of creepy, but he loved it.

That was a moment of great connection between us. Well, for those of you unfamiliar with the Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan is the lead singer of the group. About a year before we even got pregnant with Corgan, we decided what better name for our first child than "Corgan." It sort of symbolizes how we started and is anything if not extremely unique. My poor child will never find his name on those personalized bike plates, but that's OK.

Maybe we should name Caiden Billy instead. Then I could just yell, "Billy... Corgan..." I'd be the COOLEST mom on the block. Or the craziest. Who knows.





See, they're even kind of alike! They both have a tendency to wear really strange things on their head and both love music!

Confession Number Three....

Since I'm stuck indoors for the next million years due to an impending horrific ice storm that is to blow through the area ANY MINUTE (whatever), I thought, "What better time to confess another sin?" I don't think you know about this one mom....

Here's a little bit of background info.... I went to high school in a very small town, one where everyone knew everyone and was related somehow. Made for interesting dating opportunities. Anyway, you could walk down to the corner store for a soda at ten o'clock at night and your parents wouldn't have to worry about your safety.

After graduating in a class of 42 people, I went from a teeny tiny town to a division one college across the country. I didn't know anyone, nobody really cared to know me, and it was a little weird to say the least. I lived on campus with some great people and we were in our own little "bubble." Needless to say, we were a bit naive...

Well, I am somewhat of a night owl, if you notice the time of my posts on this blog. I started to take to jogging at night. Up the canyon. Alone. By myself. At about eleven o'clock at night. STUPID, STUPID, STUPID. I'd tell my roomie that if I wasn't back in a couple of hours, to call the cops, but she was almost always asleep when I got back. She was very concerned for my safety and well being. Bless her heart. (Alisha if you're reading this, just know I love you.)

I did this for several months without any crazy people trying to rape or murder me in the streets, so I thought, "Well, this town is really safe!" The next semester I started dating a guy that lived across campus and I would go to his apartment to hang out since we were poor and neither of us had cars. We would just sit on the couch and bask in the "true love" we had for each other until the wee hours of the morning when I would decide it was probably time for me to go back to my dorm. So, at three o'clock in the morning, my boyfriend would be too tired to walk me across campus to my dorm and would let me walk the mile or so back BY MYSELF. ALL ALONE. Now, there had actually been some instances where women had been attacked in the same area I was walking and had been nicknamed "Rape Hill." I knew this. Butt head boyfriend knew this, but he was "too tired" to escort his eighteen year old girlfriend, "love of his life" back to the safety of her dorm. What a dork. That's ok, I think he's gay anyway.

So let's just say, I am an extremely naive, stupid, stupid girl. Just remembering the things I used to do makes my pitts sweat. Seriously, I think I'm going to have to put on some more Degree. I'm so lucky that nothing ever happened to me, although it would have served me right. WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING?! Please tell me you did something at least as stupid and reckless as this in your life.... PLEASE?!

Crazy Texans....

I have been home bound for two whole days and am starting to go a little nutty. The house is clean, the laundry is done, I've worked out and read books. I AM SO SICK OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I came home early from working at my dad's clinic since it was supposed to be horrid and icy on Saturday, so I drove home in a freakin hurricane since I didn't want to be stranded in Paris for four days (no offense mom and dad). Saturday we stayed home due to a "chance" of an ice storm. Nothin. I was really looking forward to church today since Corgan needed an outlet and I needed to socialize, but we got a call that church was cancelled today due to a "chance" of an ice storm. Come one people!!!! When I went to college in Utah, you went to classes in a freakin blizzard! Your eyeballs froze and it hurt to breath, but you bundled up and walked to class. Here, in the great state of Texas, when the weather man says there's a "chance" of an ice storm, we rush to Walmart, buy bottled water and huddle in our homes with the heat cranked up to 75 degrees and moan and complain about how cold it is outside. Sheesh. Now, we probably will be stuck indoors AGAIN tomorrow since there is a CHANCE of AN ICE STORM. GRRRRRRR!!!!!

Confession Number Two

I like to consider myself somewhat intelligent. Not brilliant by ANY stretch of the imagination, but I can watch the news and I totally know where Baghdad is, and I think that counts for something. But, some of the simple things, man those get me. Uncle Larry, this confession is for you!!!

My mom and her brother Larry have this ongoing joke that goes back, waaaaaaaaay back to when they were just cute little kids growing up in Northern California. Larry had this duck that Mom accidentally killed. The poor girl was only five, I think, and she snapped his neck in the ironing board. No more duck.

Well, the duck's name was Bill. I just figured out why his name was Bill about three days ago. Like I said, sometimes the simple things go WAAAAAY over my head... I just told Travis and he looked at me like I was the biggest dork. But TRUST ME, Travis has NO ROOM TO TALK. I won't go into it, because after all, this is my own confession.

Pregnancy Cravings....

It just hits you. You're minding your own business, reading a good book, and all of a sudden, BLAM! You absolutely MUST HAVE mashed potatoes. No question. Do or die. Your mind focuses on one thing, MASHED POTATOES. Mmmmm... Who cares that it's ten o'clock at night and they have to be the starchiest thing on earth to eat? Who cares that you know you're going to eat the whole package with about a billion butt plumping calories? It is a necessity. And believe me. I ate the whole thing. Scraped the bowl with my finger even.

Did you know it takes FOREVER to make instant mashed potatoes? I mean, HELLO, they're supposed to be "instant," as in, you eat them NOW. But no... they take a whole TEN MINUTES! And when the beast in your belly is tugging on the cord, demanding mashed potatoes, you just try reasoning with him.

I really haven't had that many cravings during this pregnancy, but boy when they hit, it knocks me on my butt. My butt that has been plumped due to mashed potatoes. Mmmm....

INDECENT EXPOSURE!!!!!!!!!

My kid is apparently learning the fine art of stripping. Oh, yes. Future employment at Chippendale's is a sure thing... If he can figure out how to get his shirt completely off. That part kind of puzzles him....

My Gorgeous Neice

Emily is the one, the only granddaughter in the family and is therefore treated like the princess she is! Emily is an absolute doll (she does a great impersonation of a cabbage patch doll) and has the sweetest little grin and laugh! She's nine months old and walking like a pro. I'm so impressed with her!!!


These are pics from Corgan's Birthday Bash. She had been sucking on the car that was topping Corgan's cake and it had a bunch of black frosting on the wheels. She was a bit peeved that we took the car away from her... It was TASTY!

My Handsome Nephews...

I have the most handsome nephews in the whole world, if I do say so myself. Nick is turning 8 in just a few days (AAAAHHHHH), Carter will be FOUR YEARS OLD next month and Eric is the baby. They all have such different personalities and are so much fun to be around! I just love my nephews and think they hung the moon!

Party Pics

Corgan had his second birthday party at Chuck E. Cheeses. He had so much fun!!! A lot of his buddies were able to come and ran wild. They had just finished renovating, so there was new carpet, a bunch of new games and it wasn't very full at all - perfect!




I had to cut Travis out of this picture. Not because I don't love him, but he has a tendency to look stoned in pictures. I would post it, but I think he'd have a heart attack.

Confession Number One....

I'm having trouble posting pics. I know you guys are all in suspense, just waiting to see the pictures from Corgan's birthday extravaganza. But, alas, you will have to wait. Sorry to disappoint. So, in lieu of pictures of cake, pizza and fun, I will have to thrill you with memories of my past. I've decided to start confessing things I've done that were just really, really stupid, in hopes that it will prevent you from doing the same. Learn from others. It's safer and painless!

When I was a senior in high school I was on the cheerleading squad. I know, hard to believe. But, I really was. Promise. I wasn't any good, but you really didn't have to be GOOD for a small school. You just had to be able to fit in the uniform and count to three. So, I qualified. In my sophomore year of high school my parents moved the family to a town thirty minutes away, but since my older brother and I were very involved in the high school, my parents let us drive to and from Honey Grove every day for school. I think they were hoping we'd tire of it and consent to go to Paris High, but Jason and I did this for two and a half years.

I got to where I could literally drive that two lane highway with my eyes closed. Or with the headlights off. Whatever my teenage stupidity felt like attempting that day. But, my senior year of high school I did the ultimate stupid thing while driving a stick shift.

I had forgotten my cheerleading outfit so had to run home after school, grab it and then head off to the football game. Now, I couldn't be late, since that would mean a demerit. Ooooh. Scary. So, all I had time for was to grab my uniform and jump back into my little Ford Escort and fly back down the highway. Here's my confession:

I changed into my uniform on the way to the game.

Now, this may not seem like a huge deal to some, but let me tell you what. Driving 80 miles per hour (yes mom. I was a speed demon) down a two lane highway with the sun in your eyes and changing into a skin tight cheerleader uniform with bloomers AND getting your shoes tied, is quite a feat. Not for the faint of heart, I'll tell you that.

The good news is, I survived. The bad news is, some truckers probably got an eye full. Ewww...

Which actually leads me into another confession that I won't delve into today. But it has to do with driving during rush hour traffic in Alabama while pumping breast milk. Yes, I am quite the multi tasker. Not only can I change clothes (Superman has the phonebooth, I have the car) but I can make like a dairy cow during rush hour traffic. Anything to make the drive more interesting.

My ride in a cop car....

Ok, it wasn't technically a "ride" since it wasn't actually moving down the road, but yes, I did get very intimate with the inside of an Oklahoma State Trooper's vehicle. Wanna know how?

Travis and I went on a little vacation to a secluded cabin up in South Eastern Oklahoma near Beaver's Bend. We were cruising down this winding back road in the foothills and apparently I was speeding. A bit. Well, we come up on TWO state troopers, BOTH turn on their lights, but thankfully only one pulled me over. I think I would have birthed Caiden right then and there if I had two cops knocking on my window. Anyway, guess who didn't have her driver's license! Oh, yeah. AND, guess who didn't have the most current insurance card in her car? Yep, that would be ME! I swear, every single time I go on vacation, SOMETHING bad happens. I told Travis that I have the Patron Saint of Vacation Hell as my personal saint.

Anyway, so this trooper asks me to come back to his car and have a seat while he looks up my driver's license in his nifty computer. I said, "I've never been in a cop car before." He responds, "At least you're in the front." Me, being the idiot that I am, actually thought I was going to be arrested for not having a license or proof of insurance and was going to sit in the back seat and bawl my little eyes out. Whew.

So, sitting in the hot seat, he politely asks me for my information. Date of birth, address, height, weight, etc. When I asked if he wanted pre-pregnancy weight or current, he just laughed and said it didn't matter. I think that was the moment I knew that everything was going to be ok. I didn't get a ticket, just a warning. Apparently he felt sorry for a fat pregnant chick with no makeup and bed head. Nice man. And, I learned something new! In Oklahoma, two lane highways are 65, NEVER 70 like they are in Texas. Who knew? Not me, but thought I'd share so you don't have to sit in a state trooper's car like I did and have rubber neckers driving by ten miles an hour to check out the new felon in the area.

New Year's Goals....

I like calling them "goals" instead of "resolutions." That way, if I don't keep my goals, it sounds better than breaking my resolutions. I don't know. Makes sense to me. Anyway, here goes nothing. Putting it in writing and letting the world see them makes them a bit more concrete. Keep me accountable you guys....

1. Read my scriptures every day. Not just read, but actually ingest, study and understand. I would like to read the New Testament all the way through.

2. Get back down to my pre pregnancy weight. Or at least fit into the pants. Weight is just a number.

3. Be a better mom. Lose my temper less. Actually TEACH my children, instead of just sitting on my butt.

4. Be a better wife. Lose my temper less. Actually go on dates with my husband and talk with him. Not just talk at him or let my mind wander when he's telling me something. Even if it has to do with computers. I'll try to listen better.

5. Lose my temper less. That's a biggie.

6. Go to the temple at least once a quarter.

7. Get back on a budget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8. Be nicer to myself. I'm really hard on myself when it comes to, well, pretty much everything. I need to learn how to relax and enjoy the ride.

9. Be a better housekeeper. I've tried assigning a day of the week for a particular task, but that worked for two days. Not even the whole week, just two days. Maybe I should try that again. They say it takes twenty eight days to make a habit. I think I'll try that!

10. Work out at least five times a week. That'll be easy. Hey, you have to have some easy goals or you just get frustrated and give up all together!!!

So, there you go! My top ten goals for 2007. Now, I'm counting on you guys to keep me in line, k? I need some accountability!!!!

Melt My Heart...

I remember when Corgan was just a newborn and he started smiling. It made all the sleepless nights worth it! I LIVED for his mini grins! Then he started laughing! It was really kind of weird since I would use this really loud, crazy laugh and he would just crack up! It NEVER failed, he would giggle and I would be putty in his tiny hands. THEN he started giving me kisses. Oh, how sweet is that?! Of course, his mouth is wide open so they're a little juicy, but I don't mind! Next he started giving these really big bear hugs. He wraps his little arms around my neck and pats my back saying, "My mommy."

Tonight, my heart has offically melted. My sweet little boy finally told me "I love you." I seriously teared up! We had been in Paris since last Friday and Nana, Corgan and I got home this evening. Well he was very excited to see Daddy and was just running rampant around the house. He gave me this big hug and said, "I duv you!" Then he ran up to Travis, gave him a hug and said, "I duv you!" Then over to Nana. Same thing. Then back to me, over to Travis then to Nana. He repeated this circle of love for ten minutes!!! I couldn't get enough! It doesn't get any better than this! Yes, he can be a huge butt nugget. He can be super ornery and give me headaches. But I'm his mommy and he duvs me!

Don't I wish....

This was fun! I knew Sarah Jessica Parker would be on there, cause of the nose. I have quite the schnoz.

Happy Happy Birthday Corgan Dear!

In lieu of cake (Mom didn't want the extra cake hanging around the house... or her butt) we gave Corgan a piece of pumpkin pie with lots of whipped cream and TWO count them, TWO candles. The top picture he is blowing them out. He had the sweetest little smile on his face while we sang an off-key rendition of "Happy Birthday". He didn't care. He just basked in the attention of four of his favorite people, Mommy, Daddy, Nana and Grandpa. What a sweet boy! We're doing the whole party thing on Friday at Chuck E. Cheese's, so mark your calendar and come on down!!!!

Side view....

Per Chrissy's request, I stole this picture from Tammie's blog so you could have a nice side view.

Fine people....

All right. Here's a picture of my hair and my buddah belly. Happy now? I am quite rotund.

My how you've grown...

HELLO WORLD!!!!!!!!!

Well, two years ago on Christmas Day I received the best gift in the whole wide world! My first child, Corgan. And my, how he has grown. I was looking at him today, just in awe of what a big boy he is. He's no longer a baby and while it makes me sad, I'm so excited for all the things to come. I was tearing up while I reminisced about the two years I've had as this special little boy's mommy. Even as I write this, little Caiden is kneeing me in the gut, letting me know that in just a couple of months I'll have another little guy to love and kiss and hug! How amazing!

Being in labor on Christmas Day sucks. For one, there is nothing on tv except for A Christmas Story, which is fine once, maybe twice, but for TWENTY FOUR HOURS straight?! The nursing staff is less than stellar since the only ones there are those who drew the short straw (hence my being given 100 mg of pitocin instead of 10 leading to a lovely emergency c-section), no food places are open (my parents and Travis ate fritos from the vending machine for their Christmas feast), and your kid is forever destined to have a crappy birthday for THE REST OF HIS LIFE. However, he does share one of the best celebratory days of the year with someone very special!!!

Dr.'s Appointment....

I went in for a check up today and wanted to let you all know how it went! I did my glucose tolerance test and should know the results by tomorrow. Man that stuff is nasty. The least they could do is add some carbonation to that stuff. Ugh...

Anyway, I haven't gained any weight since my last visit four weeks ago, but I'm measuring three weeks ahead. Apparently I measured three weeks ahead last time, too. Kinda makes me wonder when this kid will get here. Caiden (we've decided to spell it this way) is head down and VERY active! He kept kicking Dr. Montanaro while he was trying to do the doppler.

I've been having some problems with dizziness and I don't remember dealing with that last time. I'll wake up in the morning and feel really light headed and it takes about an hour and a half to get over it. I've tried lying on my left side, but it really doesn't seem to help it. Any ideas?!

My next visit is in two weeks. It's so hard to believe that I'm in the last two months of my pregnancy!!!! Freaky!

Oh, hair update.... I'll post a picture as soon as I get one! I HATE not having a camera!!!! I got those big rubber bands that you use as a headband to keep my hair back and last night Corgan kept putting them on his head and dancing in front of the mirror. And of course it was the pink one! AAAAHHHHH!!!!! ;) Anyway, I kept wishing I had my camera!

Gripe Session Number One....

The wonderful thing about blogging is you get to take the opportunity to share your true feelings. Who knows who's going to read it, who knows who's heart it will touch. Well, this isn't going to touch any hearts, but I need to get on my soapbox for a moment...

Travis and I went to his company party last night. It was held at the Fairmont Hotel, which is absolutely gorgeous and we had some wonderful food. In lieu of Christmas gifts, they decided to have a raffle for various prizes. Each person was given ten raffle tickets to start with and then you could purchase ten more tickets for ten dollars a piece. There were some pretty awesome prizes, and you could put your ticket into a bowl for whichever prize you wanted to go for. All Travis wants for Christmas is an XBox 360 and that JUST SO HAPPENED to be one of the prizes!!! I bought some extra tickets and loaded about twenty plus tickets into that bowl alone. Some of the other prizes were hundred dollar gift cards to Target, Best Buy, Macy's, Barnes and Noble, an IPod that plays tv shows as well as music, a Sirius radio, digital camera, and two round trip tickets to ANYWHERE in the US (INCLUDING HAWAII AND ALASKA).

Let me give you a little background on Travis's company. He works at a major insurance company and aside from admin staff, is probably one of the lowest paid people there. There are people there that get paid (literally) several hundred thousand all the way up to several million a year. They travel all over the world to places like Bermuda, New York, Ireland, etc. Now, that having been said, guess who won all the prizes? The Target gift card went to some single woman who makes over three hundred thousand a year. Now that could've been groceries!!!! The man who won the round trip tickets said, "Well, that will just add on to my hundred thousand air miles!" I could've smacked the man. But, the XBox was won by the nicest woman who was going to give it to her children. Travis was disappointed, but we did win something! Drumroll please..... we won a lovely centerpiece. Yee haw. No, it really is beautiful. There are gorgeous red roses and lilies and all that stuff, but it's not an XBox. Or a trip to Maui.

I'm finished griping. In the time I've spent whining and complaining about how life isn't fair, I can't help but realize that while these people seem to "have it all," they are missing out on the greatest gift ever. This time of year people (me included) seem to get caught up in the material things, such as a Tickle Me Elmo doll (Chrissy has it and it IS cute, but come on people), a PS3, or any number of "MUST HAVE" toys that a month later, will be collecting dust next to last year's "MUST HAVE" toy. How sad is it that this time of year, a time that should be for reflection and good will toward men, we get caught up in who has what and how that isn't fair. Shame on me. I have been so blessed to have the knowledge that this is the time of year to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He doesn't care what is (or in my case, isn't) in our bank accounts, but rather what is in our hearts.

I'm going to do better. Thank you for letting me vent. It made me realize some hard truths about myself, what I'm lacking and how I can improve. And isn't that what life is all about? Realizing your faults and improving yourself? Whoa. I'm getting too deep and thoughtful. Time to go watch Jimmy Neutron. Now that is ANYTHING but deep and thoughtful.

"I'll Never...."

Isn't it funny how when we're young and idealistic we look at other people in disgust and think, "Oh, I'll NEVER do that!" Here are some things I thought I'd NEVER do....

I'll never let my kid be a picky eater.... Corgan just ate three bites of sour cream for dinner. That's all he wanted. Wouldn't eat my homemade enchiladas, no. He wanted sour cream. So I gave it to him. Sigh.

I'll never let my kid scream in Wal-mart... Oh, please. Kids, screaming and Walmart go hand in hand. The other night I was pushing my cart through the aisles as Corgan screamed and cried, chunking his hearing aids at passers by and I just hummed a little tune in my head.

I'll never let my kid eat candy.... Oh, come on. He's so CUTE when he asks for "dee nee". How can you say no to that? Especially as I myself am shoving candy kisses in my mouth faster than you can say, "How DID I gain those last ten pounds?" And besides, he's saying please.

I'll never be a "frumpy" stay at home mom.... HA!!! The main staples in my wardrobe are t-shirts, workout pants and sneakers. With the hair in a pony tail (no more of that, though!) and makeup? Are you kidding? Who the heck has time?

I'll never let my kid drink soda... I'm a bad mother. I know. His teeth will rot out, I'm sure of it.

I'll never let my kid sleep with me... Ugh. Finally got rid of that little bed bug. After A YEAR AND A HALF.

I'll never bore people with talk about "how cute" my kid is.... As if I could resist. I mean, he's soooo cute! Like the other day, well, never mind.

I'll never make McDonald's/Wendy's/Burger King a main staple in my kid's diet... As if.

I think part of growing up and maturing is learning that "never" is something you should never say. Don't judge someone's parenting skills because you think you'd "NEVER" let your kid get away with that. I've learned that every child is different. Every child goes through different stages and phases. Each child has a unique personality with his or her own idiosyncrasies. You just have to pick your battles. If Corgan only wants sour cream for dinner, well then, he'll be hungry in an hour and then he'll eat. But I decided I want to make dinner time family time, not screaming death match time. And actually, as we speak he is eating a fistful of banana bread (thanks, Danielle!). That's healthy, right? Bananas, nuts, grains. It's all good!

Can I blame Hormones?

I kind of lost my mind today. Sick to death of my standard ponytail hairstyle, I walked into a salon and had my hair cut. No, that's not an accurate description. Hacked would be more appropriate. I don't think I have ever had my hair this short!!!! While the lady was cutting my hair, I had a mini panic attack and wanted to tell her to glue it back on, that I was only kidding. Oh, boy. I haven't told Travis yet. I want to shock him when he gets home. I'm so mean!

I would post a picture, but I have no idea where my camera is, so you'll just have to use your imagination! This is kind of what it looks like, without the bangs all in my face. Don't you think that would tickle your nose and get in your eyes?


Ok, Corgan saw this picture and said, "Mama!" So, I guess my hair DOES look this way! Funny little nugget.

Talk to the Hand!

Corgan thought this puppet was just too cool! I put it on his hand and he talked and played, just cracking me up! What a nutter!!!! 

Fun with Drake!

My kid is nuts about cheese. It's really kinda weird.


A couple of weeks ago, my friend Mary and her cute little boy Drake came over to play while I was at my Mom's house. Drake is only two days older than Corgan, but at least ten pounds heavier!!! The boys had a great time playing together and actually did suprisingly well sharing. Drake is a complete sweetheart and sooooo smart! This kid is speaking in whole sentences! It was wonderful to see them and hopefully we'll get to hang out more often!

Hugs and Kisses....

 

PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's been a rough two weeks, but last night, Corgan FINALLY slept through the night in his OWN BED! I woke up this morning to the sounds of Travis taking a shower and was really disoriented because I'm so used to waking up several times with Corgan calling for me in the wee hours of the morning. I'd forgotten how lovely it is to have seven hours of uninterrupted sleep. It's kinda nice!

Hopefully this trend will continue. It's been really nice having a set schedule for him. Not to mention, it's nice to have a couple hours to myself in the evening! The house has never been cleaner!!!!