today

My day revolved around being at the doctors office.

Two days ago I got large red swollen patches on my lower legs.  Weird.  I ignored them for two days...but decided I better call the doctor just in case.

Went in late this morning and honestly wasn't feeling great by the time I got there.

My legs have some pregnancy induced skin reaction...totally ugly and benign, but not so benign was my blood pressure.  It has been picture perfect this entire pregnancy- until today.

My blood was drawn for pre-eclamsia testing and I was told to go home and rest.

So much for my grocery store run after my appointment.

I napped a little this afternoon and canceled Colby's violin lessons.

My mom picked up the boys from school and by the time they were home, by blood pressure had returned to normal.

My nurse called and told me my blood work was completley normal and to just monitor my blood pressure at home.  I'm supposed to call if anything changes.

So much for me secret evil desire to be induced this week.

The kids were great this afternoon and we all played hookie when it came to work.

Music practice and homework was done, but that is where any responsibility stopped.

Grilled cheese and fruit for dinner.

Steve took Carter to Pack Meeting and guitar.

I watched food shows on netflix with the other kids most of the night with my feet up.

The kids are treating me great and helping out with one another...and I oh so appreciate it.

I also appreciate my sister this week.

A few weeks ago we sent Flat Stanley to her house for a project in Colby's class.

He came back today with fun filled pictures and the most darling letter from the Johnson family.

The way my sister had put things together made it perfect and super easy for me to make a Flat Stanley book just like Colby wanted.

Yes...Flat Stanley went ALL the way to Boise.

I asked Colby if he wanted to send him to a more exotic location...but he insisted on sending Stanley to stay with his cousin Wes.  Cousin blood is pretty thick.

 Stanley went to the Capitol building in search of the Governor, Cabella's (there are awesome animals there), my personal favorite- Krispy Kreme, and then hung out at Wes's house for some outdoor chores (Stanley didn't help one bit- lazy little guy) and sweet bike jumping.

Thank you Wes and JaNae for showing Stanley such a rocking time in Boise!

Can we come next?

Another thing I appreciated today?

Carter willing to read Saylor and Colby bedtime stories.

Walked in on this scene tonight.

Melted my heart.



Side note:   The out house across the street was removed today.
Small miracles do happen sometimes.

Real Life in the form of some crazy phone pictures

I love the camera on my phone.

I love that I can capture life's real moments no matter where I am.  I love even more that I can send them to my mom and sisters two seconds after I take them.  How did we ever survive without them???

Here are a smattering of the pictures I took last week and this past weekend.

They have no true purpose...just snapshots of my life and how warped it can be!

My friends and family know how much I dislike track/athletic pants. 

There is a time and a place for them, but I have pretty strict rules about when and where my kids can wear them.  I also won't purchase them...unless they are required as part of a PE class or sport.

Andrew shelled out his own money last week and bought two pair.  (oh brother)

 I guess you can say I loosened up enough to take him to the store to buy them.

He has worn them (only at home of course) since the minute he bought them.

He's one happy track-pants-wearing kid.

I've nested a little this past week.

Grady's dresser is full of clean clothes, blankets and burp clothes.

I'm still working on his bed and bassinet.

(It's a lot of work to make this body pull stuff up from the basement.  I need to bribe Steve.)

I've also nested in other weird ways that have nothing to do with a new baby.

Such as...buying my kids new shoes.

Because heaven knows there won't be stores open after I have this baby!   I'm sure there is going to be a shoe apocalypse and my children will have to wear cardboard on their feet if I don't buy them new shoes right now! 

They are all four ready for this summer shoe wise.  I'm a freak. 

 (Steve is so lucky I will only buy stuff on clearance.  He would be a poor man this month if I didn't.)

Went out to dinner with my best girlfriends Friday night.

One girl's cornish game hen came to the table looking like this.

I had had my OB appointment that morning and found this disturbing cooked fowl even more indecent than I normally would have.

I laughed until I  hurt.

I think Jakers should invest in some poultry string...just saying.

When I said in my earlier post that I had perfected a gluten free cream puff...I really meant it.

Steve is now asking for homemade vanilla pudding with chocolate frosting.

All in good time Steve...all in good time.  I ran out of my GF flour and have to wait until it comes in the mail before I can make more!

My mom and sister JaNae on one of their sewing tirades made this most amazing pillowcase for my daughter.  I about died when I saw it.

Saylor asked where the other one was for her other pillow on her bed.

Maybe putting a three year old only daughter in her own queen size bed wasn't such a good idea.

She's getting delusions of grandeur. 

My friend Megan brought these over for my unborn son.

Yes...these are the cutest shoes I have ever seen in my life.

I don't even own a pair of Toms! 

I'm going to go buy at least 10 outfits for him to wear with them!!!!

 Token 37 week picture.

You'll be happy to know I cleaned my bathroom today and my mirror no longer looks this horrible.

I however...still look the same. 

 Our super fun neighbor was in Portland this weekend and brought home three buckets of donuts from VooDoo Donuts.

(I actually have heard of it from the Food Network.  It's a pretty famous place.)

He knocked on our door this morning at 7:30 and delivered these beauties.

He is even more now my kids' idol.

These donuts are crazy and covered in everything form M&M's to Cocoa Puffs.

Yep...that is real bacon on a maple bar!!

You think that fritter is big???

Not as big as the donut!!!

Is saying I have a 'bun in the oven' too cliche?

(love Saylor trying to push her tummy out)

 Lastly, this morning I pulled out my old Strawberry Shortcake doll collection for Saylor to play with.

It has kept her busy all day.

I'm happy my mom kept them for me all these years.

And yes...they still smell the same...and I still have all the shoes and individual pets.

parenting quote of the year...or at least the month

Steve and I were having a discussion about our children last night late.

We tend to weigh on the strict side of things when it comes to parenting, and I was asking him if he thought our kids would ever rebel...as some kids do.

Steve and I were very similar growing up and neither of us ever had the desire to rebel.  We may have marched to the beat of our own drum, but we were both very obedient children and teenagers.  Normal...but obedient.

And as we were raised similar, we tend to parent in the same fashion.  We agree on how to parent and try to back each other up.  There is no "get out of jail free" parent for the kids to run to when they don't agree with what the other parent has said.  

We are tough on our kids.

We expect a lot.

We don't put up with much.

Our children know they can't play one parent against another.

As we discussed these facts, Steve said something I found extraordinary.

I've pondered it all day and wanted to save it.

I feel I married a very wise man.

"Kids rebel when they percieve injustice.  There's little room for injustice if there is always consistency."

If this is true...I hope we can always be consistent with our children.

(much easier said than done)

Truly Annoying

Welcome to the view from my front porch.

It's been like this for months now.

This beauty is a side effect of the new house going up across the street.  The house is just off centered enough that the outhouse placed lovingly on the edge of the property is right out my front door.

On windy days like to day, I'm lucky enough to to have the view of the outhouse interior too. 

On really special days, the outhouse gives me a real treat and a length of toilet paper can be seen  blowing in the breeze.  It's like a friendly banner of peace coming from across the street.

It's high class let me tell you.

Even more spectacular is sitting in my living room watching to construction workers going to and from.

Hallelujah the door has remained locked when these men have used the facility...the wind is mighty strong around here and I've been nervous a few times.  

There is one neighbor boy, however, who takes advantage of the proximity to the park compared to the extra 40 steps it would take him to actually return home to relieve the call of nature.  He does not know how to use the lock properly.  I haven't told him mom about his outhouse habit.  I'm sure she wouldn't want to know.

The home construction will be finished in the next few weeks (hopefully) and I'm NOT going to miss my spectacular view.

Another truly annoying piece of information?

I saw my OB this morning was sadly told that I'm only dilated to a two.

All those contractions and pain for nothing...nothing.

I can stay at a two for weeks...and weeks...and weeks.

So much for secretly planning (wishing and praying) that I would go into labor next week.

I guess it's official.

I can't plan everything.

I will "happily" remain pregnant for at least two more weeks.

My husband will "happily" listen to me whine about how much pain I'm in.

My children will "happily" pick up my slack around the house and consume freezer meals because I  have no ambition to clean my house or cook dinner.

On a brighter note????

I found I can make perfect gluten free cream puffs.  Can't even tell the difference. 

Bring on the pudding baby.  Bring on the pudding.

Everyone...

Carter has asked multiple times the last few days if he could wear shorts to school.

I don't blame him, the weather will be in the 70's tomorrow.

Unfortunately I don't have the desire to get out the bin of clothes so perfectly packed away that has all his shorts in it.  (I'm tired and the weather will return to the 50's by the end of the week)

I told him I would get out shorts after spring break.

"Mom...It's not fair!  Everyone is going to be wearing shorts.  Everyone!"

I didn't answer him but just turned to Steve and whined.

"Steve...It's not fair!  Everyone gets to have their baby before me.  Everyone!"

Steve came back with this...

"Everyone gets to buy a new Land Cruiser when ever they want.  Everyone."

Carter got the point and huffed out the door to get in the car to go to school.

Steve and I are not sympathetic.

(We think we're funny though.)

We've Come a Long Way Baby!

 Today was one for the record books.

It was the end of an era.

It was epic.

Today I did not go even ONCE to Carter's school for diabetes.

NOT ONCE.

I (or my spouse or my mom) has gone into the school EVERYDAY since Carter was in kindergarten.

That's 3 1/2 years of going into the school once, twice or even three times a day.

Today...Carter took his phone and texted me his numbers at both snack times and at lunch.  I even got a phone call at 10:30 am from him telling me he felt low, was 110 and wanted to eat a cinnamon bear.

He then texted me what he ate at lunch and the amount of insulin delivered.

Man Oh Man...have we come a long way in six years. 

(March 4, 2007)

I couldn't wrap my head around this little three year old ever being able to take care of himself diabetically.

He's living proof that miracles can happen.

(Yes, I think a nine year old owning his diabetes and owning it like a rock star is a miracle.)

I can't describe my adoration and love for this little man.

He has been my hero from day one of this diabetic mess.

Carter thank you for being so strong, so wonderful and so utterly fantastic.

You are an amazing human being!

I am humbled to be your mother.

Thank you for teaching me what true resilience and strength can be.

(Would have posted a picture of Carter today...but I wasn't at the school to take one!  I was with Saylor celebrating our milestone by eating ice cream.  Please don't tell Carter!)

On other diabetic notes....

We're in the process of ordering Carter a new pump.

We received his first pump by way of the The Virginia Commonwealth.  (Don't feel guilty one bit...we paid out of state tuition...and are still paying for it!)

Because of warranties and one small upgrade, we have not had to pay for a replacement for 6 years.  

Until now.  His current pump in no longer under warranty and needs to be replaced.

I talked with a representative today from our diabetes supplier and with our insurance and pump trade in refund we only have to pay $1,200 for his new pump.

Gulp.

I'm trying very hard to be grateful I don't have to shell out the full $6,000.

Carter is excited and has requested a blue one.

It should be here as soon as all the paper work is officially filled out.  I'll be grateful we are under warranty again.  The thought of going back to syringe therapy if there was a pump malfunction make me shiver. 

had plans

I had plans to post a billion pictures from one of our many Virginia adventures last night (the kids wanted the one with the Botanical Gardens) but I sat on my bed eating Cadbury mini eggs instead.

I feel I made a wise choice.

It was daylight savings yesterday and even though it was practically still daylight outside, the kids all went to bed around 8:30.  I sat on my duff the rest of the night.

My body is feeling the toll of being 36 weeks pregnant.

I hurt a lot.

I contract even more.

I'm crying over clothing now.

I'm entering the hermit stage full force.

I need to have this baby.

Good thing I realize and have embraced (like a cactus) that I have at least 2 weeks left.  This baby and his lungs need 2 more weeks.   2 weeks of waddling, contracting, hurting, and wearing the same blasted clothing.

It's my saving grace that the LONGEST I have left being pregnant is 17 days.

17 days.

I can take one for the team for 17 days right?

I may be taking one for the team...but that doesn't mean I have to put on church clothes again.

I officially informed Steve that I am done with church.

As I sat sweating on our pew yesterday afternoon and contracting every 10 minutes...I declared myself finished.  

I will disappear for the next 2 months- minimum.

Today my plan is to finish up loose ends for the science fair, run a few errands (my children have grown out of our worn out their shoes) and sleep.  Just try and guess which one I am looking forward to the most.

Andrew thinks I'm taking him shopping...the $100 is burning a hole in his pocket.  He has big plans to buy running shorts and a new sweatshirt.  He already spent $25 on the optional track jacket for his upcoming season.  I bought his needs...he can buy his wants.  We'll see what I'm up for tonight.

Other than a nap my biggest ambition today is to polish of the last piece of chocolate cake my mom brought over yesterday.  It has cream cheese in it...um...yes it is fantastic.  Now I wonder why I don't fit into my clothes???