Smell my feet!!!

So - it's done - another holiday that we beat to death... YEAH US!

The kids had a great time going house to house - and our neighbor Todd didn't dissapoint - he has a huge professional sound system that he sets up and plays scary music or Halloween-y tunes - he saw me coming and threw on Thriller. :) It's so much fun seeing lots of people dressed up in their costumes dancing in the street.

So - I was a witch (surprise, surprise) and Dan was a hockey fan. The girls were precious.

Julia is a VERY popular little girl... many little kids squealed "MOMMMMMAAAA - it's JULIA!!! I LOVE HER!" :) That makes a mom's heart happy. :)

Anna was freaking precious in Julia's hand me down lamb costume - she enjoyed shreiking "TREAT" to the people in the houses. She rode in the stroller since after two houses she was done holding hands with her big sister and running all willy nilly in the streets!

So we're all cuddled in our jammies - watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" then it's to bed for this family... big day tomorrow!

WHOO HOO - It's almost Halloween! (m)

I just can NOT freaking wait!

Saturday afternoon we headed to the Pumpkin patch near my parents house (oh yeah - they're home!) and had a great time running around the dusty ground looking for non-rotted somewhat spherical pumpkin (it's 2 days before Halloween - we knew we weren't going to get top pick!) ... we found several good candidates. Well - Anna found nearly 3 dozen pumpkins she wanted - and that litte one does NOT take no for an answer - so we did a lot of pumpkin ditching!

My mom came with us and I think she enjoyed getting to watch the girls frolick in the dirt and Anna reveling in rolling on the ground and throwing clumps of dirt at her sister. Julia had a blast in the haybale maze... it was a good time for all.

Pictures????? You want pictures??? ok - here you go!!

They're HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOME

Yes - my parents made it safe and sound to Hereford. With little to no issues - they are home. Dick is there with them so that should help - DAD - not so much mom.

Dad is definitely as cranky as I was told he was - but I can understand why. Mom seems to be holding her own fairly well.

We celebrated her 56 birthday on Friday with a dinner at Johnny Carinos - and then Dairy Queen ice cream cake with her neighbors. It was nice - I think she had a nice birthday.

Thanks again for all your support, prayers, love and well wishes you have sent. It is appreciatied beyond measure. We love you!

Pizza and coffee ice cream - breakfast of champions!

So - Anna LOVES pizza... just like her big sister. She climbed up on the chair next to Julia and grabbed her pizza and went to town! :)

Then to finish it up - she opened the freezer - and took out the coffee ice cream - and tried her best to get to it!

:) SO CUTE!

It's my party....

How FUN was that Halloween party?????? Yes - I almost had a nervous breakdown leading up to the party with the craft fair and cleaning and life! :) But it was worth it. Julia had the BESTEST time!

The kids were on their best behavior and appeared to have a great time. I didn't have to stress too hard on the food - and it went well. I did have to get creative at one point - since I had run out of games (OK - you seasoned party people who told me I was OVER planning this party - you were SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO wrong! Pin the tail on the cat lasted all of 3 minutes!!) :) but that was ok too. I think that might have been their favorite part!

We played the aforementioned (dude - I am SOOO using that word wrong somehow) pin the tail on the cat, witch's hat ring toss, spooky music cake walk (thanks JULIE - you rock!!), a Frankenstein craft, dance/freeze game, glow in the dark toy hunt and more - but I can't remember it all - too much fun was being had!

I can't wait till next years party!

Gotta love a good SURPRISE!

Especially when that's all you're going to get! ;)

yep - yesterday was the big ultrasound - but no dice for me. Nope - the placenta is between me and the baby and their machine wasn't able to get a really good look at the details. They saw the baby - s/he's great - head and belly measurement came out to exactly my due date - so s/he's growing well. The heart was beating.

I guess I have to wait until Nov 1 now when I have my Level II ultrasound. That machine will be able to see through the placenta much better and they will be able to see what they need to see.

:) I'm bummed not to know yet - but sooooo glad it's healthy. I haven't felt the baby move in a long time - and it's because the placenta is absorbing any movement from the baby - so I'm relieved!

Thanks for asking you guys!

oh yeah - for those of you U/S viewing impaired - the face is looking at you - kind of reminiscent of ALIEN - the head is to the right of the photo.

A - Age when you moved out: 18 then 19 then 22 :)
B - First REAL boyfriend - Jon McCollister
C - Chore You Hate: Dishes
D - Dad's Name: Daniel
E - Essential Make-Up Item: Mascara?
F - Fave Actress: Jodie Foster is pretty amazing
G - Gold or Silver: like silver but usually allergic - so Gold
H - Heritage: German
I - Instruments You Play: I used to play the cello
J - Job Title: Domestic Engineer
K - Kids: Julia and Anna Bella and baby on the way
L - Living Arrangements: Live at home with da man Dan, Julia, Anna - currently 3 dogs, 1 cat and 4 fish...
M - Mom's Name: Karen
N - Number of TV's in your house: 3
O - Overnight Hospital Stays: 4
P - Phobia: I don't like snakes or spiders all that much - but not really a phobia
Q - Quote You Like:
R - Religious Affiliation: non-denominational - but believe...
S - Siblings: One brother - Benjamin
T - Time You Wake Up: ideally 9am! ;)
U - Unique Habit:
V - Vegetable You Refuse to Eat: I've never been willing to try Okra... like most everything - except canned veggies
W - Worst Habit: Lazy... yell too much
X - X-Rays You've Had: shoulder, arm, chest, hip - 2 MRA's, 3 CT scans
Y - Yummy Food You Make: lasagna, beef stew, chili, chicken enchiladas
Z - Zodiac Sign: Taurus

More potty fun...

The BEST part of potty training - talking with your pooping kid! Ususally I'm lucky enough to have a pooping kid and a non-pooping kid in the bathroom at the same time. Right now we are spending our potty time talking about animals and animal noises - so that's fun. What noise does a duck make "kack kack kack kack...." :)

I have finally determined what language Anna speaks... "Nell-ese" - you know "TAAAAYYY IN DA WAAAANNNN?" (clarification - from the movie Nell - with Jodie Foster...) Her countenance is very sing song - and sometimes she throws a recognizable word in - but for the most part she can talk for 20 minutes and it sounds very much like a conversation - and ALMOST recognizable - but just not quite.

Also fun to do during potty time - is reading. She definintely gets that from her daddy. We have a 5 minute video of her reading her Dora the Explorer book to us... :) Very funny!

She's a peeing fool! (m)

Anna Banana is SOOOO excited for herself - she is a peeing fool! After her peeing/pooping and then peeing again success (yes, I am thrilled beyond belief to be discussing the bowel habits of an almost 17 month old ... that should explain to you how exciting the rest of my life currently stands!!) on Saturday... we bought her the ROYAL THRONE. Hell yes, that's what it's called. My little Princesses hind region will sit on no normal porcelain seat - only a throne will do for the fecal discards of my offspring!

So - the Throne (as it will be called going forward) was not a huge success yesterday. She loved the freedom of standing up and just running off the potty for naked freedom. Today though... she found the joy of said Throne - and once again taxed our septic system with her little pee. It is SOOOO cute.

Yes -I said it - and I'm proud. My little girl peeing/pooping on the potty is Fing adorable... deal with it. There WILL be more to come because with the commencement of usage of the Throne comes many a day of accidents and yes, more pee/poop on the agenda.

SOMOFABIATCH......

The only thing worse than your team losing - is when you can't watch the damn game because some brilliant MF at a tv station thinks that PAC 10 football is better than BIG 10 football. ID-E-YOTS! So- by refreshing the website every 20 freaking seconds we had to find out that PSU lost in the last SECOND of the game by a touchdown.

UGH - those ugly stinking Wolverines won. :(

WOW - Anna's been busy!!

Anna was dancing with her sister - and then she stopped and pointed to her diaper and said "oooohhh, poopooo" She does this a lot after she goes and wants her diaper changed. So I checked and she was still dry. She said it again two times... so I asked her if she had to go potty and she shook her said yes, then I asked her if she wanted to go ON the potty and she said yes - and took my hand and walked me to the bathroom!!! She climbed up and sat for a couple of minutes. Then she did it!

She PEED and POOPED on the potty!!!!

oh my - we were all so shocked. Julia and Dan were both there as my witnesses. She was so excited - and confused! It was cute. I don't plan to push it - but if she wants to volunteer to go - I'll let her!! I guess instead of getting her a potty for Xmas - we'll get it for Halloween!She's not even 17 months old... crazy little monkey. I'm glad she wants to imitate her big sister so much!

I just LOVE shopping with the girls...

My dear husband thinks it's hysterical that my idea of going shopping with the girls is sitting in my chair (usually in my PJs) and IM'ing or talking with my friends while we shop for stuff online or ebay.

Considering my bestest friend lives in Georgia - and my local friends all have kids in school and activities - so scheduling a shopping trip is like trying to get two top level opposite coast execs together for a meeting... :) You do what you have to do...

Pathetic huh?

Oh man... I'm tired of blood and crying...

Ok - as I mentioned before - Anna is a BUSY, STRONG, UN-AFEARED (I made that one up ;) ) little girl.

So after falling off a chair and hitting her head - jumping off the couch head first, and running into walls (she spins in a circle till she's dizzy then falls - sometimes into the wall - ok - don't blame me - maybe she's Dan "smart" ;) ha ha ha ha) all in ONE day ... it's been a tough night - HELL - it's been a tough 2 months. Too much blood, too much injury, too much freaking stress. So - Anna decides I haven't had enough of a stress laden day - as if being on edge 24/7 in case she does something to injure herself - even in our baby proofed abode. I'm serious. I can NOT let her alone for 10 seconds. GOing to the bathroom alone? NO WAY - she either has to be put in a pack n play, her excersaucer (which is going to have to away this month as she's close to the weight limit finally) or go WITH me... She is a lot lot lot of work. Now - mostly this is balanced with her amazing sense of humor and the fact that her little soul is full of joy (oh yeah - and a healthy dose of evil).

Anna enjoys picking on Julia. Tonight she's in rare form - I separate her from her sister a couple of times - Julia NEVER EVER hits/kicks/bites/pinches back... she is usually just turned into a crying heap on the floor "Anna HURT me" she wails! Well, Anna is in a MOOD. I've already put her in Jr. Time out 3 times for pinches, tackling and hitting her sister (who is twice as big as she is!!!). NOW she's being a sweet baby - she's giving Julia hugs and being cuddly - when out of NOWHERE - she takes the plastic kitchen toy cup in her hand and WHACK - smacks Julia in the head. I have to physically pull her off of Julia - who is screaming a blood curdling scream - and when she looks up - BLOOD!

Anna hit her hard enough in just the right place to knock Julia's earring out! So - we find the front and grab both girls and head to the bathroom. I hand Anna the box of hair things that will keep her occupied. I have to calm Julia down - and try and convince her to let me clean the ear. Once I see it didn't rip out - just pulled out - I now have to convince her to let me put the earring back in. SO - she does - it goes in the front great- but not through the back. So - I have to take it out - and put it through the back to open it. I quickly find out why it won't go through the back - it's a little sac of blood! As soon as I pushed it in - it just bled and bled - and of course once Julia saw that - it was over - she freaked out! So - I got it cleaned up and decided to make ONE last attempt to get the earring in. It goes right in this time. So - I have to use an eraser as a back since the back is no where to be found - and with the force that she was hit with - it's probably out in the back yard! I give her some Ibuprofen to help with the inflamation and pain - and clean both ears one more time with the antiseptic cleaner.

She's now in bed after asking me a 100 times "why is anna soooo mean" through her tears.

Poor baby.

Now I just have to get this little brute/bully/daredevil to bed and I'm going to PASS OUT! I so wish I could drink - I'd have a couple shots of tequila and hand over my parenting duties to Dan (who is home now!!) then PASS OUT!

NIGHTY NIGHT ALL! Last post to this blog today... I promise!

Look - it's the baby...

Here's the baby!!! This was the ultrasound at 12 weeks 3 days. I know it's not much to see - but I'm really pregnant!! The head is on the left side with the spine to the top of the sac. It's mostly just a little head and blob of a body...

Sorry it's so blurry - it's obviously a photo of the U/S.

Photo Time...

oh yes - even MORE

i just can't stop blogging today - the world seems funny to me - my kids are causing me heart stopping panic althernating with side splitting laughter. It's just one of those days!

Julia is wearing a witches hat and walking around talking in another voice some sample Julia the Witch "isms"

"Yes, I'm a witch and I'm here to destroy your little bow Miss Minnie. Prepare for my powers!" ha

"excuse me, could you tell your little witch (indicating Anna) that my witching powers are WAY stronger than hers and she can't stop me!"

Oh my - she sure is dramatic...

And Anna - causing the heart stopping panic!! I was sitting less than a foot from her when she decided to stand up on the chair - and push back - so yes - she flew backwards - knocking the chair down and falling to the ground - smacking her head on the front of the chair. I had the corner of hte table between us so I couldn't grab her. Of course she had rice cake in her mouth - so I thought she was going to choke to death. She's fine. She briefly wailed - but Julia was soooo upset she couldn't stop sobbing. Think she's been a little stressed out??? I kept telling Julia "she's fine - see honey - she's done crying" and here's julia "But momma what if she's really hurt, what will be do" awwwww....

Did I mention it's a late night for Dan...

we're having fish sticks for dinner.. fish sticks and tater tots - can't get much healthier than that... Did I mention that I'm amking the fish sticks from scratch???
:)

Getting to know you - getting to know all about you... :)

HA HA - and you didn't think I'd do it!

1. Legal First name? Heather
2. Were you named after anyone? Nope
3. Do you wish on stars? Yep
4. When did you last cry? 2 nights ago - my shoulder was killing me
5. What is your favorite lunch meat? it depends - right now I've been craving bologna..
6. What is your birth date? May 16
7. Whats your most embarrassing CD? N'sync?
8. Would you be friends with you? Most likely - but I'm hard to get to know!
9. Do you use sarcasm a lot? no. ;)
10. What are your nicknames? Het, Heddy, Heetar Annibald
11. Would you bungee jump? Yes, if I didn't have kids
12. Do you untie your shoes when you take them off? They rarely have laces
13. Do you think that you are strong? More than I knew
14. What is your favorite ice cream flavor? it changes ALL the time right now
15. Shoe Size? pre-kids 7 1/2 - now 9!!
16. Red or pink? Red.
17. What is your least favorite thing about yourself? My fat ass...
18. Who do you miss most? Lately - lots of people
19. What color pants and shoes are you wearing? ummm yellow - and none...
20. What are you listening to right now? Invasion
21. What did you eat for breakfast? Dan and Julia made pancakes!
22. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Mac and cheese
23. What is the weather like right now? HOT
24. Last person you talked to on the phone? Deidre from the OBs office
25. The first things you notice about the opposite sex? nothing right now...
26. Do you like the person who sent this to you? Love her!
27. Favorite Drink? Used to be CocaCola - but now just VERY cold water
28. Hair Color? Brown with some blonde
29. Do you wear contacts? nope
30. Favorite Food? Right now - anything I can choke down
31. Last Movie You Watched? I don't remember!
32. Favorite Day Of The Year? Christmas Eve
33. Scary Movies Or Happy Endings? Good movies.
34. Summer Or Winter? Summer there - winter here
35. Hugs OR Kisses? hugs
36. What Is Your Favorite Dessert? Right now - cheesecake
37. Living Arrangements? House with da hubby, da doughkids, da 3 dogs, da cat and da fish
38. What books Are You Reading? Eragon
39. What's On Your Mouse Pad? Don't have one
40. What Did You Watch Last night on TV? Nothing - was out and about - oh wait - we watched last weeks Apprentice - and I think something else...
41. Favorite Smells? sleepy baby, and COLD
42. Favorite junk food? Right now - cheetos.
43. Rolling Stones or Beatles? Da Beatles
44. What's the farthest you've been from home? It depended on where I live - when I was in Michigan... California - when I'm in AZ - Maine!

How much fun is the freaking MACARENA!

Ok - I admit - 6 years ago it was NOT NOT NOT fun - but doing it now with my crazy 4 year old - it's a blast. I made a mix for her of the Cha Cha Slide (oh yeah - you know you are running to itunes to check it out), Electric Slide and of course the Macarena - along with some other forced movement types of songs...

she had a blast - but I had even more fun!

So, I did the macarena today - what did YOU do????

Oh yes - the baby!

Apparently by some of your email - I am in a certain state of denial that there is yet another Dougherty baby parasiting off of me! Well - yes. It's true - I am in denial - and I like it there!

Ok - so the info you are looking for -

Things are going well. My BP is under control with the meds and I've finally adjusted to the medication. The heartbeat has been good. My ultrasound is next week - Thursday Oct 20 (Happy Birthday Julie girl!!!) - and hopefully I'll be able to share with ya'll if this is indeed Dougherty girl #3. My next appointment is Nov 1 - 9am -and then I'm having a level II ultrasound later that morning.

So - that's all here - I'm 16 weeks and 4 days pregnant. Yes, I'm still nauseaus (you KNOW I can't spell that damn word!!)

Ok - I looked it up - nau·seous ( P ) Pronunciation Key (nôshs, -z-s)
adj. Causing nausea; sickening: “the most nauseous offal fit for the gods” (John Fowles). Usage Problem. Affected with nausea.

I am still NAUSEOUS - but it's letting up a bit. I can't wait to feel normal again!

Things are going well, I'll feel better after my ultrasounds determine this baby is growing fine and healthy - and when I can start feeling the baby on a regular basis.

Thank you so much for thinking of me - but I'm going back to denial for a while longer... :)

It's time for Julia Gulia Sister Mary Catherine Gallagher

Julia - my sweet Julia - what can I say about her... she is just about the most dramatic thing to hit the Western United States since I moved here in 1997! She is full of music and dance - she sings and dances ALL the time (little sister does the same). She is addicted to Radio Disney and all day long she asks me to turn the station to another "dancing" station. :) I love that she enjoys classical ballet AND more trendy styles of modern dance and hip hop.

She sings pretty much all the time. Some are tunes that she knows - others are songs she makes up. It's cute to hear what she's thinking about as she sings.

She loves dressing up as well - in princess clothes in her clothes... and dressing Anna up in her clothes too (Anna IS the best doll we ever got for her!)... she changes clothes 5 times a day minimum. She's starting to get good about putting them away when she's done with them - so I don't mind as much. She has some really INTERESTING outfits that she puts together - but for the most part - they are really cute.

One of the best things about Julia in my opinion - is how much she LOVES her sister... sometimes to her sisters dismay. She is very good about sharing with her - even unprovoked and is very concerned when she's hurt. She is very sensitive about the fact that Anna doesn't want to hug all the time (trust me - THIS I understand!). She is mostly very thoughtful although she is 4 years old and frequently forgets to watch out for Anna during some of her headstands/somersaults, etc...

We are quickly learning how smart Miss. Thing is. She has her momma's amazing memory - and she shocks us on a regular basis with things she remembers. Her trip to Sea World when she was 2 (remember we saw that Hammerhead shark in that tank? That little boy was with us too - what was his name again?) She remembers her friends addresses - even when she hasn't been there in months. She knows her letters and numbers, she's getting much better with her writing - and can write about 20 of her letters with ease - the last 6 she needs reminded on how to write them or which direction they go in. She knows some Spanish and about 30 Signs.

She is still very sensitive to peoples criticism - especially her peers.

She is a gorgeous little girl - with this blond hair and big brown eyes. She is so sweet and fun.

So - that's both my girls!!! Think I like em???

Let me tell you about Anna Bella Elise (m)

My little peanut is almost 17 months old. She is such a fun, cranky, busy little girl. She now sports a super short little spiky do, courtesy of her sister - that suits her sassy little tude.

She is becoming more and more loving - giving hugs and kisses and cuddles all the time. That's LOTS of fun. Oh yeah - did I mention the headbutts of love?? painful - but she does it with love! REALLY!

She's starting to talk more and more and using words to get what she wants. Thats fun - words she uses often - "juju"= Julia "up" "down" "ball" "ba pack"=backpack (yes from Dora) "Dora" "hi" "bye bye" "sweeetie" I know theres more - but it's hard to remember them all!

We bought this cute little ghost doorbell for Halloween and when you press it (bear with me - this is really an audio thing...) it goes BOO - ooooooohhhhhhahhhhhhhhh ooooooohhhhhh (think ghosty noises)... so Anna LOVES LOVES LOVES this thing. She pushed the button probably 300 times the other night. Everytime she does it she imitates the ghost sounds and wiggles her little fingers next to her head like she's trying to scare you. It is HILARIOUS!!!!

She likes to walk around the house singing the "backpack" song from Dora the Explorer (who she LOVES) and the only word you can really understand IS backpack - but we recognize the tune.

She loves to dance - and she imitates EVERYTHING her sister does. Coughs, sneezes, laughs, yells - it's funny.

She also watched LIttle Einstein for the first time the other night- and she is SOOOO cute - patting her little legs along with them and then throwing her arms up in the air screaming something that is supposed to represent "BLAST OFF!" :) ahhhh - 17 month old.

Did I mention she's cranky - that's mostly because of the big gash she received under her eye from sweetie pie (that's another story that I don't care to get into right now) and was put on Augmentin for it - so she has a TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD diaper rash. SHe also has all four molars coming in at various stages.

She loves to climb up on everything. You give her less than a minute unattended - and she's up on the kitchen table dancing... :)

So - that's my Anna update for now. Maybe a picture soon! Then Julia is next!

What I'm watching now...

Sad sad sad to admit that I'm watching A LOT of tv. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I think the DVR is the coolest thing I've used in a LONG time. Nothing like condensing an hour drama into 25 minutes or so - you can fast forward through all the commercials - the 3 minute beginning where they cover what happened last week - the last 3 minutes where they let you know what will happen next episode... then you have those fast paced scenes set to music. SO - hour long drama - in 25 minutes. A half-hour show can be boiled down to 15-20 minutes - since there is less added stuff into a 1/2 hour show.

Late at night when this insomnia sinks in or any time I have 20 minutes to fold clothes or something... I crank up the DVR and anything I've set to record is at my beck and call!

So - what the hell am I watching (you ask already)???? A better question is what am I NOT watching?

I am watching Invasion - not bad - not nearly as exciting, interesting or smart as Threshold but it's not too bad.

Medium - still like this show - the actor playing the husband STILL bothers me, but I like this show

Numbers - one of my favorite shows from last season. I have a little confession that I have a little crush on Charlie - the math genius brother on the show. I'm not sure why - he's not really my thing - but for some reason - I like him!

The Apprentice - Martha Stewart - I really like this show, it's a great concept, and I've always like MS and her style.

My Name is Earl - Ok - you should already know how much I love Jason Lee... so I was poised to really like this show - and I do. It's not the best thing on tv right now - but it's funny - and Jason Lee - even with his facial hair - is a joy to watch.

Threshold - This show is so much fun! Every week it's like watching parts of a motion picture. The last week was a little more boring than the others - but still fun.

Desperate Housewives - I like it but it seems forced this time - I think it's because it was SO popular I'm more critical of it. Or maybe it's because I don't really have anyone I identify with anymore. Still enjoy it - but not quite as much.

Speaking of Crushes - I have a mad crush on Jerry O'Connell - he is WICKED hot. I would also have to add Jill Hennessey is pretty damn hot herself. So - yeah I really enjoy Crossing Jordan. Especially now that she's not constantly tracking her own shadowy past.

Alias - I have it taped - but haven't watched it yet. We'll see!

Lost - I admit I got on the bandwagon late last season - but I'm fully caught up - and fully addicted. What crazy fun this show is. Love it - love constantly being confused, amazed and astounded. :) Great to watch at 3am!

Commander In Chief - interesting - not sure if I like it yet. I really like Geena Davis - and Donald Sutherland is a hilarious bad guy.

Grey's Anatomy IS my favorite show from last season. This season it is absolutely NO disapointment. Back to crushes - Yep - Patrick Dempsey... :)

Biggest Loser - Crazy inspirational stuff. These people are working their asses off. It's fun!

It is true - it's sad. A fat pregnant woman who can't sleep is a prime candidate for all this TV! :)

Happy Birthday Kurt! (m)

It is my cousin Kurt's 13th birthday - he's a teenager!! Keep in mind I haven't seen him (or my Aunt or Uncle!) for probably 10 years - so it's a shock that he's so big now!

This has been a crazy side effect of my parents accident. I've been able to rekindle relationships with several family members and a couple friends that I've lost touch with over the years. It amazes me how tragedies bring people together - even from across the country and through generations. Being able to talk to my Aunt Pam (who I know reads this - so HI Pammy!!!) after all these years of NOT - is wonderful. Dan and I both have sought out a community - an extended family of sorts - for years. We both feel a need to be "connected" to others out in the world. My Aunt and I are actually closer in age than she and my mom are (I think that's true--- isn't it??) and growing up she was a big part of my life. After she got married and you know had big people things to attend to (like a job, then a baby! ;) we saw less and less of her (my parents reluctance to do a lot of traveling didn't help either!)... but it's funny - the more time that passes - I still feel the same kind of closeness - although I appreciate her - and all the crap she took from me as a kid more. Tonight she called me while we were out shopping - and even hearing her voice it was like we've talked everyday for my entire life. I hope we don't let so much time pass again.

So - Hi Pam! I love you... and Happy, Happy Birthday Kurt!

I'm it! Kelly tagged me sooooo...

Here it goes...

What was I doing 10 years ago, 5 years ago, last year, yesterday, today...

Oct 1995 - I was living in sin in East Lansing with Dan. Soemtimes going to class - when I could manage up the courage to do it. I was LOVING my brothers football games for his senior year in HS... I was 20 years old. I was driving my Toyota Corolla - working at the Lansing State Journal as a dispatcher and living with Dan (my sweet hubby) and 2 friends - Kelly (I miss you girl!) and crazy but lovable Kristie.

Oct 2000 - I was very pregnant with Julia (born 12/28/00) and at this point I was working VERY part time for Arizona Services for the Deaf as a relay operator. I had already left the Accounting firm and just biding my time till I could hang out at home all the time with my baby girl! I think I was still driving my Toyota - and Dan was in a 2 door Honda Civic but I think both were sold very soon after for a new 4 door Honda Civic.

Oct 2004 - I was recovering from the fog of having little Anna (5/22/04), and doing the rounds of soccer, gymnastics and other fun kid activities. I was driving my brand new Honda Oddyssey and loving it. Nothing much else was going on other than family and kid stuff. We were getting ready for Julia's Halloween party - and I was working on a benefit car wash and a benefit yard sale for my friends SILs family.

Yesterday - you can check out my blog from yesterday to find out what particular brand of hell I was engaged in - but I had to drive Miss Daisy (my grandmothers 1986 Buick Century) - and it broke down 6 times by the time I was down the street!! Still driving my Odyssey most days!

Today - Things are much better today - Anna is down for her nap - and Julia is being a much better listener today - although she is SET on having a Polka Party with her friends tonight. She is not taking NO for an answer... so she's been in time out a bunch for being sassy. She helped finish up the invitations for her Halloween Party.

I'll tag - JOANNA - this was made for your OCDNESS! ;)

They are coming to take me away

Ah yes - it must be Wednesday. It's 4pm - and I'm praying Dan is home before 8pm tonight - because I know I will be in a corner lying in the fetal position rocking with a vibe of insanity if I'm left another 4 hours with my little creations of destruction.

This last 8 days has been a test of my patience and strength as mother. I know it's a phase 9that's what we say to ourselves anyway - to make it through - right??? We all know that there really AREN'T phases!!!) and that both girls can not continue on this path much longer. How do I know that you ask? Because at one point - their heads will explode from excessive amounts of troublemaking thoughts... or mine will explode from containing all the evil thoughts I'm having! ;)

Don't get me wrong - I am absolutely not making light of real child abuse/post partum depression/mental illness or any other such issue that I'm hitting her today for the sake of a joke - I'm making light of it for my OWN sanity. You know - the way ER doctors joke around to get through a particularly traumatic event.

So - Julia is laying in her bed having a half hour cooling down period - which apparently includes screaming at the top her lungs sobbing for the entire period... and Anna is now in "Jr. Time Out" which consists of my confining her to a small space with a safety gate in which she can not at any time do any of the following for a short amount of time while I regroup and stop banging my head on the wall.
- stick anything into an electrical socket
- climb on anything to jump off (preferably 3ft higher locations)
- draw on her self, sister, furniture, carpet, walls with the ONLY non-
washable marker in the house
- break Julia's toys
- hit/bite/smack another breathing entity
- eat dog food, spill dog food, spread dog food through the entire house
- turn the tv off incessantly during Julia's only 1/2 hour of tv
- play in the toilets

SMACK SMACK SMACK - yes - that is my head banging into a wall.

Ok - 10 minutes has passed - it's time to set the tiny terror free. By the way - she can manage just about everything on the list above WITH parental supervision. she's tricky and fast this one.

So - why is Julia banned to purple, princess hell you might ask? Because as I was chasing Anna from one obstacle to another - Julia decided that sneaking a tub of frosting from the pantry - and not only eating most of it - but spreading it all over the tv table would be a good idea. Keep in mind that this was preceded by emptying an entire bottle of J&J Baby Lotion onto one of her little kitchen plates and spreading it on her stuffed animals... and that was preceded by coloring all over her and her sister with a marker.... AGAIN!

Now - I know what you are saying - these kids are BEGGING for my attention - they are acting out because they NEED something. Unfortunately - I wish that was true - it appears to me that both of my children function better when I ignore them. Shortly after spending an hour of Anna's nap time doing crafts with Julia she demands I give her some privacty so she can play with her stuff in the play room. Then Anna seems to be at her most destructive during fun time with mommy!

OK - enough bashing my kids - I will wrap this up with something nice about both little girls...

Anna - has started giving hugs/kisses/mwahs on a regular basis - unprovoked and with lvoe... that's nice - even to her sister!!! She now does this little thing where she points with her index finger and says "YOU" and giggles - but you MUST respond with "NO, YOU" and point back - at which time the giggling borders on pee in your pants hysteria.

Julia - her vocabulary freaks me out! Last night she was getting ready to go to bed and says "Momma, just wait please - because I need to get situated" SITUATED???? She's 4! :) She has also been drawing the sweetest pictures of our family - she's getting to be more and more representational with her stick figures - and it's precious. She is also practicing writing her alphabet all the time know - in order - and she does Upper case - then lower case.

So - now that my monsters have quieted down - I think I need to take one last sip of my ice water here - and go give hugs and snuggles and pretend were having a joyous day. Aren't they cute!!!

Whoo hooooo - it's the most wonderful time ... of the year!

I just love the holidays - and this starts with Oct 1 - when we begin our preparations for Halloween - and goes all the way past Christmas - Julia's birthday and then New Years! 3 months of fun!

We began decorating for Halloween this weekend - Julia LOVE LOVE LOVES all the spooky ooky stuff! She wants us to get some things for out front to scare people. :) Our neighbor has a great set up for Halloween - and Julia wants to go see it every night!

Julia's Halloween party is less than 3 weeks away - and she can't wait.

In November we'll have the chili party and then celebrate Turkey Day - and that weekend after Thanksgiving - we'll begin decorating for Christmas! We have lots of fun things planned for the holidays this year - my annual Cookie Exchange, the Polar Express trip, our visit to see the Nutcracker by Ballet Arizona (we have front row, center section seats this year!!!). I'm sure we'll find more to shove into that time as 3 of Julia's good friends have near Xmas birthdays - and of course her birthday party!

I had my 2nd OB appointment yesterday - and things are going well. My BP was low - so they aren't going to adjust my medication again (thank GOOODNESS!!!!). I have my ultrasound on Oct 20 - and we hope to find out the baby's gender at that time - then a week or so after that I'm having a level II ultrasound to get a really good look at the baby. We all heard the baby's heartbeat yesterday - a solid 162-169 bpm. Everything else looks good and on track! I'm 15w4days today!