Station of -1

That means absolutely nothing to most of you. I even learned this terminology myself for the first time with this pregnancy (and not with Annabelle).

But, basically, the station is where the baby is positioned in your pelvis. It goes from -3 to 3. The baby is at a station of -1 right now. Per the doctor, a station of 0 is active labor, and at a station of 3, the baby is crowning.

So, all that being said, the baby is really low (per the doctor), and she anticipates I'll go into labor on my own, without induction, some time this weekend. If not, I have an appointment scheduled for Monday, and she said at that time they will schedule an induction for Tuesday night (with her) for the baby to be delivered on Wednesday.

She said they don't usually like to go more than a week past the due date for the safety of the baby, but as long as an ultrasound (scheduled for tomorrow morning) checks out alright with the amniotic fluid levels, then I am alright to wait since I prefer the natural method.

She did understand that my first concern was for the baby, and she felt comfortable waiting as long as the ultrasound checks out alright tomorrow. If it doesn't, they will be inducing tomorrow night.

And, they ran a non-stress test today, and she was fine (finally, after the baby started moving) with those results. They did have us a bit concerned at first though.

And yet again, the contractions picked up this evening in regular 6 minute intervals. We even called my parents to the house as I thought for sure that this was the real thing. I guess not since it is now 12:26 a.m., and the contractions have pretty much stopped.

This child is a complete tease! It must be a boy, not in a rush to do anything.

Snug as a Bug

Okay, so we made it past the weekend. Thank goodness! And, the contractions are no longer strong and uncomfortable. And, they are few and far between. I rescheduled my doctor's appointment that was scheduled for tomorrow until Thursday, April 15th, tax deadline day. The one day I will never ever forget as long as I live because it brings back wonderful memories of stressful days.

Since Beebo has decided to wait until after his/her due date, and I was planning for Beebo to arrive 5-7 days early, I am now praying that Beebo will wait until at least April 18th to make his/her grand appearance. April 15th is definitely out of question if I have anything to say about it. That being said, Beebo's birthday will officially be April 15th, 2010.

Why April 18th? Because you see, if April 15th falls on a Saturday, the tax deadline is extended until the following Monday, April 17th. Therefore, April 18th clears the deadline completely, and Beebo and I can celebrate his/her birthday with less stress every year.

What if Beebo arrives between now and April 15th? Well, I guess that will be the end of my career as I know it because my babies will always come first! Perhaps that is an excellent reason for Beebo to arrive early? I'm enjoying not working so much that I don't think I ever want to go back to work as long as hubby can support my frugal habits.

Annabelle was respectful enough to dodge the tax deadline perfectly. October 15th is another major tax deadline, but she was kind enough to wait until October 18th! That's my girl! She planned accordingly! I guess she wants me to continue working because she thinks I am going to buy her a car and pay for her wedding one day. She can keep dreaming!

So until Sunday, let's hope Beebo stays just as snug as a bug!

Doctors On Call

Say a little prayer that Beebo is just teasing us again. I really, really wish that Beebo would hold off until at least Monday to make his/her arrival.

The doctors on call this weekend are doctors from a completely different practice. Doctors I have never met, much less seen.

That is just a tad bit irritating to me. I didn't find this out until about a month or two ago. The paperwork I had read stated that if you wanted to have a doctor from my particular practice to deliver your baby, then you had to go to the Northside Atlanta Hospital instead of the Northside Forsyth Hospital. Well, that is what we are doing.

Why did they all decide to take the weekend off? I know it is Spring Break, but come on! Of course, there is definitely one from my practice that I would prefer to most definitely do without. He ticked me off when he was doing his rounds after Annabelle was born.

Contractions

What is up? These annoying, uncomfortable and somewhat painful contractions are NOT going away. And, just wait, I bet my next appointment will show absolutely no progress whatsoever!

I thought for sure that if you had calculated your due date accurately, then the baby would arrive just on time. I am becoming doubtful as my actual due date is Saturday, April 10th. My first and only ultrasound predicted today, Thursday, April 8th, and based on my last cycle, my OBGYN has a due date of Sunday, April 11th.

In all honesty, I am feeling rather awesome despite these annoying contractions. If the first trimester morning sickness could be eliminated and I could afford to pay someone to clean our house and cook our dinners, I would have 4 more children on top of these two!

Who believes me?

In the mean time, I am going to go indulge in some more ice cream while I still have an excuse. Of course, I still have an excuse until Beebo stops nursing too, right? Right!

For that reason alone, bring on the six kids!

Barometric Pressure

I'm taking a poll, except I'm too lazy (more like tired) to figure out how to add a poll to my blog tonight. But, here are the questions.

Do you think the change in barometric pressure caused by the thunderstorms and rain tomorrow will send me into labor?

If not, do you think this child has enough of a sense of humor already to wait until April 15th to make his/her arrival into this world?

As for hints, all of the labor indications are definitely there. Contractions (definitely contractions) since Monday, low dull backache with contractions, emotional mood swings since this weekend, nesting and other hints I won't disgust you with on this blog.

Any guesses on the weight? Hint: As of Monday's doctor's appointment at 39 weeks and 2 days, I had gained approximately 32 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. When Annabelle was born early at 39 weeks and 2 days, I had gained 40 lbs and she weighed 7 lbs, 9 oz at birth!

False Labor

What is up? Yesterday afternoon, I thought for sure that we were going to meet Beebo for the very first time by Tuesday early morning at the latest. I even called hubby home from work at 2:30 p.m. because my emotions took the best of me, and I was afraid that labor was going to progress quickly as I started having uncomfortable contractions around 1:00 p.m. And, they were becoming fairly regular.

But, now I'm just waiting for the real thing, and frankly, I'm a little freaked out that the real thing will hit suddenly with all intensity at the worst time.

Fortunately, yesterday's little episode did prepare me more emotionally for Beebo, and believe me, that goes a very long way! Based on my emotions alone, the remote thought of natural childbirth before yesterday made me cringe. Now I say, bring it on (assuming pitocin is not involved in the equation)! But again, let me reiterate, I am NOT against an epidural.

For now, I'm just a little worried that my water may break and require an induction of labor. The doctor stripped my membranes yesterday (and caused this mess of contractions). I just hope he didn't do anything that will cause my water to break because of it.

And, I'm also a bit worried about the size of this child. But, of course, isn't it really the size of the head that matters? And, I've already mastered the birth of one big headed child (in more ways than one). Hubby's side of the family doesn't make small headed babies!

Baby and Me

Annabelle attended a Baby and Me class at Northside Hospital today. She had an absolute blast, and as we were walking down the hall for a tour of a hospital room, she turned to me and whispered, "This is fun!"

Some highlights of today included the following:

1. Ms. Pam taught the class. At the beginning of the class, Ms. Pam asked all of the kids to spell their names. When she got to Annabelle, Annabelle literally jumped up and down with excitement as she spelled her name. "A-N-N-A." Then she turned to me and whispered, "Mommy, what is next?" I was so proud of her for spelling Anna all on her though!
2. Annabelle was not shy at all when the class first started. We didn't know what had happened to our little girl. She was so excited! However, two girls in the class who were sisters aged 6 and 4 got to laughing so much that Annabelle quieted down. She watched them the entire time, and she became very shy again when it was her time to change the baby doll's diaper because they kept laughing every time the diaper was referred to as a stinky diaper.
3. Ms. Pam asked if she was going to have a baby brother or baby sister, and she replied, "We don't know."
4. Then she was asked what the baby's name was going to be if he or she was a boy or girl. She told Ms. Pam, "We call it Beebo while it is in Mommy's tummy. But, if it is a girl, I think we should name it Pin-cess Jasmine or Ariel." Ms. Pam actually thought we are planning to name it Beebo if the baby is a boy.
5. When asked if she wanted a boy or a girl, she said, "A boy!" I think she's been brainwashed by someone as she used to say she wanted a girl.

She graduated with flying colors, and she was rewarded with a certificate and two coupons for a free McDonald's McFlurry.

Nesting?

I went into labor with Annabelle the day after I cleaned things in my house that probably have never been cleaned. Because apparently, it was very, very important.

Based on the following tasks completed today, do you think I'm nesting?

1. Emptied refrigerator completely and gave it a detailed cleaning. It was looking pretty nasty though!
2. Washed covers to glider in Beebo's room. I think I've only washed it once since Annabelle was born. I'm not sure I should even admit that on here!
3. Washed another load of clothes. Although these only had to be washed because someone failed to put a diaper on Annabelle last night before she slept in her big girl bed for the very first time. And just for the record, it wasn't me! And it wasn't hubby either! Annabelle got herself dressed for bed, so neither of us realized she didn't have a diaper on. Have I mentioned that the diaper before bedtime has never been forgotten? Oddly enough, she only wet the top sheet! But, that was followed by a full fledged, complete loss of bladder control, empty her entire bladder on my hardwood floors at 10:30 a.m.
4. Detailed cleaned the bathroom while Annabelle was bathing this evening.

And, the night isn't over yet. If only my sweet child would go to sleep, then maybe I could get something else accomplished! The bedtime routine started at 8:00 p.m. (and that was already after she had her bath and hair dried), and it is 9:30 p.m., and she's still not asleep!

I guess this will become my new blogging time since it has to stay quiet around here until she's asleep. We really need to invest in a DVR!

P.S. I am hoping by blogging the above that it will in all actuality make Beebo wait until at least Monday to arrive so that I am completely wrong about my instincts. Right now, I'm not sure I'm emotionally (or physically for that matter) ready to take on natural childbirth again. But, I'm going to give it a try.

My Prediction

I predict Beebo's arrival no later than 3 days from today, if I'm lucky! Lucky in the sense that I have at least 3 days! The signs are all there, and it is pretty clear to me that Beebo has dropped even more.

Just three days before Annabelle was born, I had a very similar pain as to what I had today. And, I had several contractions, 8 minutes apart, with slight pain Saturday evening. And, yesterday, during our "Childbirth Refresher" course, my back started to hurt slightly.

Have I mentioned that I am NOT ready for this? Besides the emotional readiness not being there, we are not set up for a newborn in this house. For example, the following still needs to be completed:

1. Hospital bags need to be packed.
2. Swing needs to be washed and set up. It is still upstairs in the shed.
3. Bouncy seat needs to be washed and set up. It is also still upstairs in the shed.
4. Beebo's clothes need to be washed and hung. Again, they are still in the shed.
5. I need to find the "going home" outfits for either sex. If only I knew where to look!
6. Baby names need to be confirmed. Yes, I'm having second thoughts on the names.

Besides the lovely pelvic pressure, I am still in complete disbelief that we are going to have a baby living with us in a few short weeks (most likely days). This has been the most surreal pregnancy ever which is so strange since I've already been through this before.

And, I just realized that 3 days from now is April Fool's Day! Hubby and I have been joking all along that this baby would probably be born on April Fool's Day. Mostly because it has been a jokester from the very start (for reasons forever unknown to everyone else). Must be a red-headed boy just like his Daddy!

We get what we get

"We get what we get, and we don't get upset."

I'm not sure where I heard that saying told to 2 and 3 year olds, probably some parenting book as I just read that exact saying in a magazine in the past few weeks. But, I've been telling Annabelle that for awhile.

On Sunday at my niece, Molly's, birthday party, everyone was asking Annabelle if she wanted a brother or a sister or if she thought Beebo was a boy or a girl. I don't think anyone else (besides hubby and myself) heard her as she is quite timid in big crowds, especially when the attention is all on her.

But, her response was "we get what we get." And, in all honesty, I don't think she cares. I've tried to instill that attitude in her although it is tough with everyone voicing their preference on the sex.

So, I was telling my mom about her response today. Annabelle was obviously listening (as she doesn't miss a thing). She chimed in with the following.


Annabelle: "We get what we get, and we don't mail it back."

Insert snicker from Mommy.

Mommy: "Where are we going to mail it back to?"

Annabelle: "Jesus and God."


As for the "we don't mail it back" part, she thought that up all on her own!


Dear Annabelle,

You have brought the most joy to this pregnancy with your sweet and innocent sayings. When I've been down and in complete denial about Beebo, you have lifted my spirit to remind me what a true miracle and gift from God you and Beebo both are.

I love you, and I know that your sweet, loving spirit will always mend my heart and lift my spirit when needed.

Love always and forever,

Mommy

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

There is something about the near birth of a newborn baby that causes things to break in our household. Before Annabelle, I probably would have adjusted the above sentence to say "that brings bad luck our way." But, slowly, very slowly I must add, I am learning to not sweat the small stuff. Maybe it is knowing that we have been very fortunate and very blessed in our almost 10 years of marriage. Or maybe it has been watching our economy crumble around us over the past few years and still knowing that we are going to be alright because we have planned accordingly. Or perhaps it is the simple joy that a child brings that makes you realize that money is just that, only money.

Before Annabelle was born, I remember specifically telling hubby, "We just cannot get ahead! Every time we are doing well, something else happens!" Those things that happened seemed to be big ticket items such as a new transmission for my lovely first car, a 1998 Mazda 626. Or a new roof required by our homeowners' insurance policy. But now I laugh at that comment. We were living very comfortably on two incomes. I should be making that comment now instead of 5 years ago!

Within a week before Annabelle was born, we realized that our furnace was not working after we turned it on for the first cold wave. It was supposed to be a $500 fix, if I'm recalling correctly. Of course, that freaked me out as we were attempting to live on just one income in a few short months when my maternity leave ran out. But, I think I was more freaked out about bringing home a newborn into a very cold house. It turns out that the part was actually covered under warranty (after hubby demanded more information), and the company acted fast and got the furnace working again the day before Annabelle was brought home from the hospital.

And now we have another newborn baby due in 4 short weeks, and within the last week, our television and vacuum cleaner completely died!

I am blaming Pigs' Tales for the television. Only kidding Pigs! But, perhaps I shouldn't have commented on that blog post or maybe the television would have lasted just a little bit longer.

As for the vacuum cleaner, I am sure I can find someone to blame. Hubby! Aren't men to blame for most everything anyway? Again, only kidding hubby!

So, I have spent this week reading up on televisions and vacuum cleaners in Consumer Reports as well as shopping online.

And along with those big purchases, I have also been desperately pricing twin size mattresses and box springs (aka foundations now) for the best deal. Let me tell you people, shopping for mattresses is like shopping for cars. Perhaps worse! The choices are endless, and there really is no ability to compare properly. Thank goodness we are only looking for a twin mattress for a 34 lb toddler right now. I'm not looking forward to replacing our queen mattress that needed replacing 5 years ago!

As for having another baby, I think we'll hold off another 3.5-4 years as the expense seems to get bigger each time! Oh wait, I probably shouldn't have made that comment either!

The Honeymoon is Over

Yes, the honeymoon is officially over. Isn't that what they call it? You know, those 3 months they call the 2nd trimester. I sure was hoping that honeymoon would continue into the 3rd trimester, but nope, not this time! Well, I guess it did by one month since I have less than 2 months to go, but I was hoping to only be miserable and really big the very last month.

But, the back pain has started. I guess it doesn't help that I'm toting around a 34 lb 3 year old! And, I'm still having to lift her into her crib every evening for bedtime. We need that big girl room and bed finished ASAP!

And, the best part, I think this child is now ALSO on my sciatic nerve, hence the back pain. Apparently that is a real comfortable spot for Annabelle and Beebo both. I literally had to have Annabelle's bath stool AND hubby to help me crawl into bed every evening while I was pregnant with Annabelle for the last few weeks (if not the last month) because she loved chilling on my sciatic nerve.

Please just pray that this child isn't planning to come a month early! I'm anticipating a week early based on Annabelle's arrival, but I cannot handle any earlier than that. Seriously folks, there is way too much to do!

Change is Good

Since Annabelle stopped napping completely in July 2009, I have stayed in her room every single night until she's fallen asleep. I never meant for it to turn into that routine as I struggled and conquered the "cry it out" method with her at 18 months when I could take no more.

When she first stopped napping, she was so exhausted that she would fall asleep within minutes of me singing to her while rocking her. Those were sweet moments because they reminded me so much of her baby days. But, since Annabelle has never been a child that likes to sleep, she slowly has learned to survive off less and less sleep. She is now down to only needing 10.5 hours of sleep at night (again, with no naps during the day). According to "they," most kids her age require a total of 12 hours of sleep per day. Not my Annabelle!

Well, this bedtime routine has taken its toll on me. It is hard to get anything else accomplished when hubby isn't home until 6:30 or 7:00 or sometimes later (and, believe me, I am not complaining...I used to leave the office at 6:30 and that was on a very good day), dinner is served and the bedtime routine begins between 7:30 and 8:00. I have not typically left Annabelle's room until she is asleep between 9:30 and 9:45 p.m. And then there is time for what?

Keep in mind that only Mommy has been the one able to rock Annabelle to sleep or stay in the room until she falls asleep. I probably only have myself to blame, but it is hard to change a routine, especially when hubby travels periodically.

Well, over the last month (especially since she started climbing out of the crib and has greeted me every morning on her own), we have started discussing the "big girl bed" with her. I've started telling her that "big girls" who want to sleep in "big girl beds" have to fall asleep on their own without their Mommy's in the room with them.

So, Monday night was our first attempt. I told her that if she fell asleep on her own without Mommy in the room that we would go the very next day and buy her stickers to put on a sticker board. I told her that once she gets 5 stickers in a row, she and I will visit the dollar store for her to pick out a prize and that Daddy can also start working on her "big girl room" and "big girl bed."

She seemed alright with the idea until a few minutes after I had left the room. I told her I would set the timer for 5 minutes and come back to check on her. I set the timer for 5 minutes. She started crying after about 2 minutes. The timer went off, and I took the timer with me still beeping so she knew that I had kept my promise. When I arrived to her room, she whimpered to me, "I was just a 'ittle bit scared. Dat machine scared me." Apparently, something had interfered with the noise maker and made it make funny noises which scared her.

So, I told her I would sit right outside her door where she could see me. She didn't like that one bit. She wailed for the next 5 minutes. The timer went off, and I went back and checked on her. That was a mistake because she had just started to calm down, but I was determined to keep my promise. I sat right at the entrance to the door again where she could see me, and she finally calmed down within 5-10 minutes.

Easy enough for the first night, right? It didn't qualify for a sticker in my eyes though.

Tonight, I spoke with her again regarding the "big girl room" and "big girl bed," blah, blah, blah, and I told her that this time I would sit right outside her door, but with the door closed. Again, I promised to check on her after 5 minutes. She wasn't thrilled, but she requested that I turn off the noise maker which I promptly did without question. I left, sat outside her door, set the timer for 5 minutes, let the timer beep so she could hear it as I knew she was still awake, and I then went back to check on her. I told her I was so proud of her and that she was being such a big girl. Then, I told her I'd check on her again in a few minutes.

This time though, I didn't sit outside the door, and I set the timer for only 7 minutes. When I went back in to check on her, she was asleep! And, the best part, it was somewhere between 8:15 and 8:30 p.m. Hurray! Granted, I did shoot for an earlier bedtime this evening since she woke up around 7:50 a.m.

So, I think we'll be buying stickers tomorrow if she's feeling better. She seems to have come down with something (an upper respiratory infection) as this morning she was complaining of a sore throat and earache. Poor baby! I hope she didn't catch it from me.

And, as for the next child, whoa be unto him or her as he or she will NOT get away with as much as this first child. I know that is typically the opposite with most parents, but I've been very "attachment parenting" with this one, and I don't think I can take 3 years of "attachment parenting" with a second child! I've learned some lessons on this poor guinea pig child. Perhaps that is why the first child typically seems to be more selfish than the second? No offense if you are a first child, but that is just my observation.

Here is to hoping that Annabelle will go to sleep on her own before Beebo arrives! Otherwise, this Mommy is going to be completely overwhelmed and tired. Oh wait! That will probably already be the case, but at least maybe I can prevent a nervous breakdown.

And tonight with such an early bedtime for Annabelle, I accomplished my grocery shopping without child (well, without one child) AND snacked on pita chips and hummus and Dove caramel chocolates at midnight! Because I can (at least until March or April)! I really wanted some kettle corn popcorn too, but I refrained. Perhaps it isn't smart to grocery shop while you're pregnant?

And, a big thanks goes to hubby for cleaning the microwave while I was gone grocery shopping! And you thought I didn't notice?

P.S. Hubby, I am NOT sharing the Dove caramel chocolates with anyone besides Beebo! They were a steal, and they are mine, all mine! Go cut your own coupons!

Who flipped the switch?

I am sad (and happy, but mostly sad, right now) to say that Annabelle is fast approaching the "Terrible Twos!"

My, I sure have a lot to learn!

Annabelle and I just arrived home last night from a very long vacation. Oddly enough, pre-Annabelle, I don't think I would have ever referred to a vacation as a "long vacation." But, this child is wearing me out! I honestly need a break from my vacation. And, my husband tells me that he doesn't feel sorry for me after another long, hard day because "I just got back from vacation."

We left on Saturday, July 19th right around 9:00 a.m., and we just got back home last night, Tuesday, July 29th, around 9:30 p.m.

Hubby had a conference to attend in St. Simon's through Wednesday, July 23rd, so Annabelle and I and my parents went along for the ride. Hubby rode back with a friend (coworker) on Wednesday, while my parents, Annabelle and I ventured farther south to Orange Park, Florida, near Jacksonville.

Well, the fun started early in the week on Sunday, July 20th. It probably started before then, but I recall specifically that I experienced the worst dinner out with Annabelle that I have ever experienced. Hubby had other plans for dinner that night, but my parents were "fortunate" enough to join us.

Before dinner, Annabelle wanted to climb from chair to chair in the waiting area. As more people waited, I told Annabelle that she needed to sit in my lap so that other people could sit down, and she didn't like that one bit. So, I took her outside, and we walked around a little bit waiting on our name to be called. Of course, it was so very hot and very humid, so she decided she wanted to go back inside the restaurant only to go back outside again within less than a minute. I told her if we went back outside again that we were going to stay outside until they called her name. She obviously didn't understand the consequences until I would not let her go back inside, and then she just fussed.

Annabelle would not sit still during dinner, and she kept attempting to stand up to get out of her high chair. She didn't want anything I fed her except for the bread and the mushrooms (I know, strange child, isn't she?). There are more specific examples, but I cannot remember all of them now. I just remember thinking that leisurely dinners out were going to be no longer!

When we arrived in Orange Park, Florida to visit with some long-time family friends, Aunt Mary and Uncle Bill, Annabelle walked inside their house as if she had known them forever. Keep in mind, Annabelle is normally very shy when she meets people for the first time, but she wasn't this time! I guess she remembers meeting them last year when she was closer to 6-9 months of age because she made herself right at home!

By the time we left on Tuesday, Annabelle had been going way too strong on very little sleep. She would fall asleep in the car for anywhere between 5-15 minutes every day we were there and out and about, and as a result, she would not fall asleep when I put her in the pack-n-play for naptime (whatever time we finally were able to lay her down for her nap). Her schedule was so messed up! And, she was only getting 10-11 hours of sleep at night. Poor child! She was going on only 10-11 hours of sleep per day when she is used to between 13-15 hours of sleep per day. I guess I shouldn't have expected her to be a perfect angel with the lack of sleep.

But, as parents, we all want everyone to "think" we know how to parent, so when our children act ugly in front of other people, especially family and friends, it is quite embarrassing. Not to mention, since Annabelle has been fairly good until this past week, I know nothing about disciplining! Yes, I know what I always thought I would do in certain situations as I watched parents in awe while I was still childless, but all parents know that they know more about parenting when they have no children, right? We've all been there! "I would never do that!" "I cannot believe that they let him get away with that!" "My children will NEVER act like that!" But, it all changes when you have children of your own and you learn that they don't listen like they are supposed to listen.

So, I am currently struggling with my technique for discipline as Annabelle tries to rule the roost.

What did I hear from Annabelle from Wednesday, July 23rd, through now? "NO NO Mama NOOO NOOOO!" Over and over and over and over!

And, my birthday was probably one of my worst birthdays ever because my child was driving me bonkers, and she threw the worst temper tantrum she has ever thrown for me. It probably didn't help that I left my twenties behind! Happy birthday to me!

As we were getting in the car for dinner on my birthday, Annabelle decided that she wanted to climb into the car seat herself. Alright, no big deal! She has done this in the past. However, it took her forever to climb in. I finally told her that Mommy was going to have to help her get in her car seat if she didn't get in the car seat right then. She didn't listen, so I had to "help" her in the car seat. She screamed and she turned over in the car seat with her butt in the air. I threatened for just the two of us to stay home while everyone else went out to eat, and I was dead serious! I was pulling her out of the car to stay, and Grandmama said, "She'll be alright. You need to eat. Just get her in the car seat, and she'll calm down." I don't think Grandmama wanted me to eat at home by myself on my birthday. So, I did finally force (gently) her into the car seat, and we left the house for Whataburger with a screaming child in the back seat. Grandmama tried to feed her Ritz crackers and a granola bar, and I think she finally calmed down after she got some food in her tummy shortly before we arrived at Whataburger. She was an angel during dinner.

After dinner, we headed back home for birthday cake. Annabelle enjoyed her Mommy's birthday cake very much until it was time for me to clean her up. Once again, I heard "NO NO Mama NOO NOOO!"

I think by Monday I decided that I was no longer going to put up with this attitude, so when she acted up, I left the room with her and asked her, "Do you want to go sit in time out?" It didn't seem to help much though because she repeated the misbehaving only seconds after she was in "time out."

Also on my birthday, Sunday, I told her that I needed to change her diaper, so I asked her to go into the bathroom. I had Grandmama come in the bathroom as well to help me. I had the diaper and wipes in hand ready to change Annabelle's diaper. That little stinker took the diaper and wipes from me and said, "NO NO Mama NOO NOOO!" She proceeded to hand the diaper and wipes to Grandmama. She did not want me to change her diaper! Of course, I took advantage of the attitude she gave me this time, and I let Grandmama change her diaper. It was quite funny, and Grandmama asked Annabelle, "Did your Mommy put you up to this?" Grandmama told me later that Annabelle also said, "Back!" to me as she pushed me back towards the door after handing the diaper and wipes off to Grandmama. If I had known she said "Back!," I probably would have handled that situation a little different!

On Monday, after she had already been sitting in time out two or three times in a row (probably all within less than 5 minutes), she told me "NOOO!" as I walked inside the house from the garage. And, she was no where near me when she told me "NOOO!" She was standing on the opposite side of the house in the den looking outside the glass door at the birds with Grandmama. She didn't want me to come near her and Grandmama. And, I am positive she was talking to me as she turned around and looked straight at me as soon as I walked in the door. Talk about attitude!

Then, on Tuesday, July 29th, we stopped in Valdosta, Georgia on the way home to visit with my cousin, Beth, and her two daughters. I thought for sure that Annabelle would behave since she was only a few months old the last time she saw Beth (and like I said before, she is normally shy around new people). I was wrong!

She did not want the Subway sandwich that my cousin, Beth, had picked up for us for lunch, so once again, I heard, "NO NO Mama, NOO NOOO!" She handed that sandwich back to me. I insisted that she try a bite before she could have any Sun Chips, but she refused. So, I offered that she could instead have some grapes before eating the Sun Chips. She ate one or two grapes, and I then gave in to the Sun Chips. It wasn't a battle I was ready to fight. And especially not with new people standing by to judge my lack of disciplining skills.

Earlier in the week, while we were still at St. Simon's, Grandmama said that she told me "NOOO! STOP!" I didn't hear the "stop" part of the conversation. I wonder where she learned that word! :)

So, as you can see, a switch has flipped, and my sweet, innocent baby must be gone forever! This is just another step for her towards independence!

And, it should come as no surprise that I have been suffering with canker sours in my mouth ALL week long! They are normally stress induced for me. It looks like I am going to have many more years of constant canker sours! Oddly enough, they disappeared with the migraines while I was pregnant (I do not remember having one canker sour at all while I was pregnant and I recall only one migraine headache), and they were pretty much non-existent until Annabelle stopped nursing as often (around 15 months). Maybe I should just stay barefoot and pregnant! Ha! Ha! ONLY KIDDING!

Pregnancy Aversions and Cravings

My cravings for ice cream, milkshakes and Moe's (an upscale fast-food Mexican restaurant) has not lessened since Annabelle was born. While I was pregnant with Annabelle, those were my major cravings.

Maybe that explains why I sent hubby to get a $2.88 gallon of Breyers ice cream from Kroger this evening while I continued to try and get Annabelle down for the evening. Not because I'm pregnant! Let me reiterate, I am not pregnant!

Moe's was definitely my favorite, and I probably would have eaten it 7 days a week if my husband could have stood it too. I know that on some weeks we did eat it for several meals. I typically ordered a taco salad with chicken. I still LOVE Moe's! Of course, some people believe that if you eat a lot of spicy foods while you are pregnant, then your baby will have a lot of hair at birth! Maybe that explains Annabelle's head of hair!

And during my pregnancy, Chick-fil-A came out with their delicious milkshakes. The danger in this is that we have a Chick-fil-A less than a mile from our house! Unfortunately, several months before Annabelle was born, they decided to close down our Chick-fil-A to remodel. I was devastated! They did open it back up before Annabelle was born, but it was definitely closer to the very end of my pregnancy. I mean, seriously, how could they do that to me? Didn't they know that a pregnant woman lived less than a mile from them? Nonsense!

I also craved Publix Ultimate Subs early on in my pregnancy, but it was probably more because it was the only thing I could tolerate during the first trimester, so we had those subs for many meals. My husband very quickly got tired of eating them. I cannot blame him much though.

McDonald's and pretty much every other fast food restaurant (besides Chick-fil-A and Arby's) was off my list as well, and frankly, just thinking of McDonald's in particular turned my stomach. One night during my first trimester, I had left the office late (probably around 11:00 p.m.), and pretty much the only place still open on my way home was McDonald's. I guess I could have resorted to a grocery store, but I would never have made it into the grocery story without the typical dry heaving of pregnancy. I started feeling really queasy as I pulled through the drive thru. I ordered my Big Mac and then headed for the house to eat it. Looking back, I should have pulled over and just eaten the Big Mac in the parking lot, but instead, I opted to drive the 5 additional minutes to make it home, and I ate that Big Mac in the comfort of my own home. That was the first and last time I ate McDonald's while I was pregnant. I pretty much forced myself to eat it as I knew if I didn't that I would continue to feel queasy. I laughed the entire time I ate it, simply because I had to keep a sense of humor during that first trimester. I am just surprised it stayed down on my stomach. And, I do believe that I actually had eaten dinner earlier in the evening, so this was just a midnight snack.

Another night during my first trimester, my husband went out and got an Arby's Beef-N-Cheddar and Potato Cakes for dinner because the only thing I could stand to do that evening was lye in bed. I ate my Arby's that evening in bed and proceeded to throw it up shortly afterwards. If memory serves me correctly, this is the only time I actually threw up something of substance while I was pregnant. I did the dry heaving thing a lot of mornings during the first trimester, but it was always just that nasty yellow acid. Sorry for the lovely description, but you've probably all been there already! I just knew that I would never eat Arby's again after that episode, but I did, and fortunately, it does not turn my stomach.

I remember also craving popcorn shrimp one evening. I am not sure what triggered this craving, but when my husband asked me what sounded good for dinner, I told him "popcorn shrimp from Captain D's." There are not too many Captain D's around, and he could not find one (although he did try very hard). So, instead, I asked him to stop by the local Sam's Club and pick up a box of the frozen popcorn shrimp. He did, and I enjoyed those popcorn shrimp that evening, but I believe they stayed in my freezer until after Annabelle was born as I never (or rarely) touched them again. I guess it was just a one-time craving.

I would typically eat breakfast every morning as soon as my feet hit the floor. I typically enjoyed Honey Nut Cheerios and a banana. And, I also enjoyed a glass of cold milk. This is very unusual for me as I pretty much NEVER drink milk. But, I seemed to crave the milk in the morning, and it actually tasted good to me. Oddly enough, I just had a small glass of cold milk on Monday night because I wanted to dip some Trader Joe's Peppermint Oreos into the milk. It just sounded good. But, I probably haven't had a glass of milk in 9 months or more.

For my midday meal (during my first trimester), I typically had a Kroger yogurt and/or a Dole cup of fruit (the cups you can buy already sealed).

Also during my first trimester, I had to eat lunch no later than 12:00 p.m. And keep in mind, this was after I had arrived at the office probably closer to 10:45 a.m. after eating breakfast between 8:00 and 8:30 a.m. And, this was after my midday snack around 10:45 a.m. Fortunately (and unfortunately), my office offers flex hours, so I always was a late comer to the office. I don't think I would have made it (without throwing up everywhere) if I had to be at work by 8:00 a.m. (or earlier for that matter).

I also enjoyed a carton of Martini's Apple Juice every morning (during my entire pregnancy) after I had arrived at the office. Our office keeps the drinks stocked with Coca-Cola's, juices, etc., so I always helped myself as soon as I turned my computer on for the morning. I wonder how much money my pregnancy cost my employer! Sorry employer!

For lunches during my first trimester, Jason's Deli was a favorite because it was convenient and nearby. And, they had an ice cream machine that was open to everyone who ate anything there! And, the mini muffins (included with any meal) were yummy as well! I would eat my lunch ever so slowly in hopes that I could get it all down (while still feeling queasy). I remember one day I craved a tuna sandwich, and after ordering it, I felt guilty the entire time I ate it because of the mercury in tuna. I don't typically eat or crave tuna, so I wonder if I craved it simply because I kept hearing and reading about the mercury levels in tuna.

I remember thinking (before I was pregnant) that pregnant women ate a lot at one sitting. That is so untrue (at least for me)! You sit down for a meal thinking you are starving, and then you cannot even finish half of it. Of course, an hour later you are hungry again.

And, for me, a salad was almost always off my list! I loved salads, but they never completely filled me up, and I was always starving later.

And, something else no one ever tells you about pregnancy (and childbirth), after you have a baby, and if you breastfeed, you will eat as if you are pregnant with twins! I swear that I ate more after giving birth than I ever did while I was pregnant. I am just hoping that my appetite will decrease after Annabelle stops nursing. If not, my body will definitely balloon!

"Nana"

On Sunday, December 2nd, my husband and I were in the kitchen with our daughter, and I was holding her. She looked over at something on the counter, pointed and muttered something in her own little words. My husband said, "Banana. Yes, that's a banana." She was saying "Nana," and she was actually pointing at a banana on the counter.

She actually was trying to say banana a few weeks ago when Grandmama, Granddaddy, me and Annabelle went to the Varsity for dinner on Monday, November 12th (after the final 12 month photo shoot). She also had a taste of my Frosted Orange (from the Varsity) for the first time then as well. She's a smart girl, as she loved it too! Of course, she should because I somewhat craved the Frosted Orange when I was pregnant with her. The baby store that we bought her baby furniture from, New Baby Products, and that we visited very frequently towards the end of my pregnancy, is right down the road from the Varsity, so after I tasted one Frosted Orange while I was pregnant, I wanted another and another and another! They are yummy!

So, anyhow, this past Sunday, I think she actually realized that it was a "nana" she was pointing at. It was a good thing my husband was there for translation though! I think I am going to be a very critical mother. I expect the words to come out very clear...it should be "ba-na-na," NOT "nana." I only answer to "ba-na-na."

All joking aside, I really hope I get better at this translating! She talks up a little storm in her own little words, but I have no clue what she is saying. I think "Ju" means "Juice" though.

Do I have pregnancy brain?

Ha! Ha! For those of you who I have just given access to my blog, you are probably wondering, is she pregnant? Nope! At least I hope not...I'm not ready to give up my 12 hours between feedings right now! Maybe in another 10 years? And, I had mothers tell me I'd never get a full eight hours of sleep again! Of course, maybe I could stay up on that laundry and cleaning if I didn't get my full 8 hours. I'm hoping to start working on that soon...maybe I'll reduce my sleep time to 6 hours at night.

So, my title is related to my short memory today. I've already almost forgotten what I am trying to write about, and I don't really know why. I didn't do much today besides grocery shop. But, then again, grocery shopping is a full day with a toddler who still takes 2 naps a day, and who gets fussy when she's been up for more than 3 hours!

Today, she only had her morning nap from 11:30-1:30. But, I cannot complain as her naps rarely last 2 hours! She was a pill by dinner this evening at 6:15 p.m. though. I was trying to cook dinner, and she wanted nothing else but me to hold her. I'd pick her up to comfort her, but as soon as I'd put her down again, she'd just start screaming and talking in her gibberish to me. I finally realized that I think she was a bit hungry too (as I jipped her out of her 4:30 p.m. feeding session). I realized she was hungry because she kept pointing at the dinner I was preparing on the stove when I held her. Instead of her 4:30 p.m. nursing, I gave her about 2-3 ounces of Organic Whole Milk for the very first time! She was not interested in the milk, and instead, she wanted her juice. Looks like weaning may be a problem! I cannot blame her though, I don't like milk either.

Okay, and before I get into my pregnancy brain story, I want to mention one other thing. This blog is my daughter's journal for her too, so I have to document her firsts as I remember them. I just wish there was a way to change the dates on this blog so I can write past entries. I guess I'll just have to enter the dates into the actual entry. So, for Annabelle's first today, she had shrimp for the very first time this evening. The doctor said she was clear to eat anything now, so we gave it a shot. And, yea! She didn't have an allergic reaction. I guess that eggs is our only concern right now. We had shrimp alfredo for dinner this evening, so she got the whole wheat pasta alfredo and the shrimp. We have just recently (this year) switched to using whole wheat everything (well, almost everything).

Okay, so my comment about pregnancy brain. I typed my first and last blog on Friday, and I just tried to go into my blog to type another entry, and I completely forgot my user login AND password. So, I had google send an e-mail to me so I could change my password. Alright, so that worked, I changed my password, but after I changed my password, and after I proceeded to this screen to enter a new blog, I realized that I do not remember the user login (which just showed up on the previous page that google took me to after I changed my password). And, you are thinking, why don't I hit the "Back" button. Well, I tried, but it would not go back to the previous page. So, now I have a new password that I have probably already forgotten. I think I may have to change my password daily just so I can enter a new blog!

So, to make this blog a little more interesting, I think I'll add a little humor from my first AND only pregnancy back in 2006 that I never documented, and that I'd love to keep for the future because it was just too funny (to me at least).

It was in May 2006 (mid-may, around May 15th or so). I remember the date (sort of) because my husband and I had planned a cruise out of Philadelphia to Bermuda. Well, my best friend and her sister had loaned me all of their maternity clothes. They were so gracious as they loaned me two huge boxes full. And, when I say huge, I mean the boxes were the size boxes that lawn mowers come in.

So, I had picked up the clothes from my best friend's sister shortly before our last huge vacation with just the two of us. Our vacation was from Friday, May 19th, 2006 through Wednesday, May 31st, 2006. Well, I felt the need to try on every single piece of clothing so I could determine which clothes I liked the best and which clothes I would never wear. If I didn't think I would wear the outfits, I had planned to box the clothes back up and send them back (as we already didn't have enough room in our closets for the clothes I decided to keep).

Well, I made my sweet husband turn off the television and look at every single piece of clothing to help me make the decision whether or not I would ever wear the shirt, pants, capris, etc. He was so very patient with me. I kept the clothes in our living room, and I would change into each outfit right there in the living room. I would ask my husband's opinion as he sat there in the living room with me (ever so patiently). But, then, since I felt the need to check out every outfit on my own as well, I would trot off to the office (right next door to the living room) to look at myself in the only full-length mirror in the house. Every time I would enter the office, I would turn on the light, and every time I would leave the office, I would turn off the light! And, I am not exaggerating either! I had to see myself in every outfit, and every single time, I would turn on the light and then turn off the light.

My sweet husband started to get annoyed as he saw the light go on and then go off again. After a few times of my very obvious "pregnancy brain," he commented and said, "You know, you don't have to turn off the light every time you leave the room." He told me I was using more electricity by turning the light on and then off again. But, for some reason, I could not remember NOT to turn off the light when I left the room. I must have turned the light on and then off again for almost every single outfit I tried on!

This was the worst case of pregnancy brain that I remember from being pregnant. I do recall having a hard time remembering things at work that I used to never forget, but I fortunately had my handy Outlook calendar there to remind me of my daily appointments. I don't know what I'll do when I'm pregnant with our second child! I rarely use my handy Outlook calendar now that I'm a stay-at-home mom. I keep almost every appointment in my head now! Maybe that is why I am not the best about remembering to send cards for birthdays until the day of the person's birthday! Of course, by then, it is a little too late!

Enhanced Sense of Smell

From: Mommy-To-Be
Sent: Monday, March 27, 2006 11:26 AM
To: Daddy-To-Be
Subject: the smell here...

is about to drive me crazy (it is making me sick)! They were supposed to stop painting last weekend...it stinks again!


Copy of original e-mail is posted above in blue.

Smells are definitely enhanced during pregnancy! The building's management of my office building decided to paint the ENTIRE building while I was pregnant, or so it seemed! They painted the main lobby and entryway, and the entire building rinked of paint. I even called the doctor once to make sure it was alright for me to be working in those conditions while being pregnant. They recommended I just step outside and get some fresh air. However, they did tell me they are not as concerned any more with paint fumes since the lead is no longer in paint. I still was not happy with the situation, but what was I to do?

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 12:43 a.m.

First Doctors Visit

From: Mommy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:42 AM
To: Daddy-To-Be
Subject: RE: hello

we probably won't get out until 3:00.

http://www.awhg.yourmd.com/ypol/user/userMain.asp?siteid=1802309&content=userHomePage&bcx=My

See above to get directions. I already printed, but I wanted to make sure you saw ahead of time.


-----Original Message-----
From: Daddy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:40 AM
To: Mommy-To-Be
Subject: RE: hello

how late? I was given permission to go home and be lazy, remember?


From: Mommy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:34 AM
To: Daddy-To-Be
Subject: RE: hello

yeah, but I brought a pbj sandwich, cheese, etc. You may want to stop and get something...I don't want you to be starving since it will be late probably when we get out.


-----Original Message-----
From: Daddy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:11 AM
To: Mommy-To-Be
Subject: RE: hello

why would I be nervous about hearing what I already know?

Are you going to want to eat lunch before?


From: Mommy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:10 AM
To: Daddy-To-Be
Subject: RE: hello

I just am, your not?


-----Original Message-----
From: Daddy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:07 AM
To: Mommy-To-Be
Subject: RE: hello

y?


From: Mommy-To-Be
Sent: Friday, March 03, 2006 10:02 AM
To: Daddy-To-Be
Subject: hello

my stomach is in knots...I am getting very nervous.


Copy of original e-mails are posted above in blue.

These were e-mails sent back and forth between hubby and myself on the day of my first OBGYN appointment to find out if I was in fact pregnant. I had actually called and scheduled the appointment on the Monday before this appointment on Friday. I remember telling the scheduler at the doctor's office that I needed to schedule an appointment to find out if I was pregnant. She said, "Well, have you taken a home pregnancy test?" "Yes," I said. "Then you are pregnant," she said. "Those tests will sometimes provide false negatives, but they do not provide false positives."

I still was in complete disbelief at this point though. There was no way I could possibly be pregnant! I mean, seriously, it wasn't in my grand plan timing wise. And, I thought I was way too young to have a baby (despite the fact that I was 27 when I got pregnant and 28 when Annabelle was born). If I couldn't prepare a decent meal for hubby and myself, how on earth was I going to feed a baby and a child?

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 1:16 a.m.

Cosmic Bowling

Cosmic Bowling with coworkers and Cashew! Little did I know that I was pregnant!

Posted on Tuesday, February 24th, 2009 at 12:11 a.m.