Christmas meme

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
can't choose - like them both!

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Santa doesn't wrap presents

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white?
Multi-colored. White. Red. Blue. Green. We have LOTS of lights -- check back in a couple weeks when we're home from vacation for pics ;)

4. Do you hang mistletoe
Nope

5. When do you put your decorations up?
After Thanksgiving, leave until January

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
turkey roasted on the grill by DH - yummmmmmy

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child:
My parents used to throw a big Christmas Eve party every year. Very fancy, lots of food, lots of family and friends. One year (I was maybe 7?) Santa showed up in the middle of the party. Wasn't until I looked at pics years later I realized it was my grandfather ;)

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I think I was 8 or 9? I don't remember it being a big deal - but I do remember not wanting to admit it bc I was afraid the gifts would stop.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Yes. Well, the boys do -- usually a gift from extended family. Also pjs, and a special ornament.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
When DH & I were first together, I decorated a tree that was all gold and white. Over the years, it's become much more eclectic with lots of special ornaments that are memories of trips taken, things done, new skills. I loved our tree in the first few years -- but I really love our tree now.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
DREAD IT! That's why we live in Arizona ;)

12. Can you ice skate?
Nope

13. Do you remember your favorite gift?
I remember the year I got a red wagon and a baby doll most clearly. I was 5 maybe?

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you?
Being with my family

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert?
home-made, decorated Kris Kringle butter cookies

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition?
putting up outside lights. Our neighborhood goes all out and I love driving down our street during December.

17. What tops your tree?
a Madame Alexander angel tree-topper

18. Which do you prefer giving or Receiving?
Giving

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song?
Silent Night

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum?
yum. Especially the softer, old-fashioned kind.

short shirts?!

Who decided that shorter maternity shirts were a good idea?

Thank goodness I kept my maternity clothes from my previous pregnancies! I picked up a couple new shirts to go with the clothes I had, and they are a good 2 inches shorter than the ones I had previously (and they're a size larger!) I'm not showing very much yet, but they are just more comfortable. I already spend my time tugging the new shirts down in the front. I can't wait until I'm 25 weeks and the shirts won't even cover the bottom of my belly. URGH!!!

And, the jumpers/dresses I've found are short in length - like above the knee?! I like to wear them about mid-calf, but it looks like I'm out of luck unless I suddenly learn to sew, or find someone to sew some for me.

clean

My cleaning help is here again today.

I still have clutter that needs to be dealt with, but it is so nice to have someone come in and do the floors, scrub the bathrooms, change the sheets.

C turned 6 yesterday. He woke up chanting "I am 6, I am 6, I am 6!" It was so sweet, and made me grateful that we've made it so they can sleep in our room when they want (we have extra beds.) I love waking up in the middle of the night and being able to hear my entire family breathing.

But, back to his birthday. He spent the day saying "This is the first time I've done/seen/thought XYZ since turning 6!" We ran a few errands in the morning, then headed to the zoo, and when the zoo closed we headed to the Botanical Gardens. He requested Subway for dinner (easy!) and his birthday cake has been delayed a bit, so we picked up some Baskin Robbins treats.

He wanted a Cars birthday cake, but we couldn't find any toppers he liked. He did find a shaped cake pan of Lightning Mc!ueen and requested that. Unfortunately, we found it Monday night, and I was too tired to make the cake that night - and Tuesday was too busy. This pregnancy exhaustion is getting to me! He was a good sport about it though, and enjoyed his birthday. As I was tucking him in last night, he said that it was the best 6th birthday ever.

new things

Yesterday, we visited that pizza place with the mouse and the games as an early celebration for C's birthday. The boys had a wonderful time. It was not crowded, and C hit the jackpot a few times with big ticket wins. N discovered he loves to play air hockey. It was a fun afternoon.

Almost next door, there was a store going out of business. I thought it was an art store - but it ended up being a furniture/accessory store. My sister wanted to stop in to see if they had any good deals, so we did. DH & I ended up buying all new living room furniture! LOL! We were just wandering around, looking at different stuff, when I happened to sit in a leather rocker/recliner. It was SO comfortable! The price was right, too, so I told DH I needed it. It is almost black - I guess the actual color is a very dark brown, but it looks black. We realized it wouldn't match our existing couch, but I didn't care. All I could imagine was nursing in this comfortable rocker and I knew it had to be mine.

It was part of a set with a couch and a loveseat, but DH really didn't like how dark it was (our current couch is a soft, light tan leather.) I wasn't crazy about the color either - but did I mention how I wanted that rocker?

After much searching, we found another couch that was two-toned, but would match the rocker. I wanted all leather (it's easy to care for!) but this couch has microfiber for the cushions, with leather for the sides and back. The colors were good, though, and we found a big, soft ottoman that can go in front of it. I just hope the dog and the kids don't spoil the microfiber quickly, and make me regret the purchase.

We ended up purchasing 2 of the rockers, the couch and the ottoman. I'm excited about the new furniture and can't wait to see it in the living room! DH is off picking it up as I type this. I think we got a fairly good deal on all the pieces.

C is very upset and does not want to give up our current furniture. He's claiming that we will ruin his birthday if we put it in the living room today. He argues that the couch will be too small (our current couch seats 4, the new couch seats 3.) He argues that we need the futon. The poor child is so very sensitive. I just hope I can quickly find new homes for the old furniture!

Well, I need to finish picking up so we can move things around and arrange our new furniture!

Veteran's Day and misc stuff

I'm saying a special prayer to all the veterans and all those who have served in our armed forces today. Especially my brother - currently serving in Kuwait, my cousins who have served, my grandfathers, my great-uncles, my uncle, my father-in-law, my husband, and our dear friends.

And how nice for all the people who were given my birthday off yesterday as a holiday. LOL!

My boys are currently picking up all the misc stray toys that have gathered in my bedroom. I offered a penny a toy, so they're shouting out how many pieces they've picked up. They're up to 19 at the moment. Between K'nex and legos, I may be out a whole dollar before this mission is completed.

People keep asking me if I'm hoping for a girl this pregnancy. I reply that we're just happy that our family is growing. I think it's a rude question. If truth be told, however, I'd like another boy. I'm used to boys. Another boy can easily be fit into the bedroom, and we can keep the playroom. I was shocked when I found out C was a boy. At the time, I assumed that I would have a girl! What was I going to do with a boy? LOL! Then, with N, even though we had a couple ultrasounds, I still kept thinking he might be born and we'd find a girl instead. NOW, that I'm perfectly content with the idea of 3 boys, I'll probably have a girl. The boys want a sister. C tells people - "I already have a brother, we need a sister now."

What American accent do you have?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Inland North You may think you speak "Standard English straight out of the dictionary" but when you step away from the Great Lakes you get asked annoying questions like "Are you from Wisconsin?" or "Are you from Chicago?" Chances are you call carbonated drinks "pop."
The Midland
The Northeast
Philadelphia
The South
The West
Boston
North Central
What American accent do you have?

some funnies

We were eating dinner a few nights ago and suddenly N says "Hey! I know! The baby's name should be Otis!!" I don't know where he heard that name, but it was very cute - and an improvement actually over his previous choice of Cruz de la Cruz (from "The Boy Who Saved Baseball")

In the car last week C asked me "So, next year, when I should be in first grade, will I still go to E?" (where he attends a one day/week enrichment program) I said "of course! You and N will both go next year." And he replies with "Well, I know I will be very busy taking care of the baby, so I won't have as much time for schooling." I tried to explain to him that his education is very important, and that it is a priority to us and we would NOT let anything interfere with that. I don't know WHERE he got the idea that all his time would be taken up caring for the baby? It was very sweet (and sad) at the same time. My mom claims I must have said something to make him think that, but I'm pretty sure I didn't.

We're currently reading "The Tales of Desperaux" as our bedtime book. In the book, there's a character named "Princess Pea." N listened to a couple chapters involving her and finally said "WHY would they name her Pee? Is her brother Poop? That's a TERRIBLE name for a pretty princess!" I couldn't help but laugh, and then explained that she was named peA, like the vegetable -- not like urine. He still isn't too sure about the name. When she appears in the book he mutters to himself "Vegetable?"

I'm sure there are more, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

happy halloween!

The boys designed the jack-o-lantern faces, and DH carved them on Sunday. This was the first year we've carved pumpkins! In years past, I've always had the boys paint the pumpkins either with tempera or colored Sharpie markers. However, C really wanted carved pumpkins this year, so I went along with it. (Well, I say I went along with it -- but truth be told, I was sleeping the entire time the carving went on.)

They've been counting down the days to Halloween. In our house, it is the start of the season -- 10 days from now is my birthday, then 4 days later is C's, then Thanksgiving, then Advent, then St. Nick's, then Christmas, then New Year's, then Epiphany. We've got a lot of celebrating that will go on in in the next 2 1/2 months!

The boys are both dressing as St. George this year (dragon slaying knight). DH thankfully does not have any late calls, so he'll be able to walk the boys through the neighborhood. They love this tradition, and never even notice when their candy bags are seriously depleted after a week or so! (at least, they haven't in the past. We'll have to see what this year holds.)

I've never been a big fan of Halloween. Our dog goes crazy with all the people coming to the door. I'm not that thrilled with all the people coming to my door! BUT, I know it's fun for so many kids, and I won't spoil their fun. I think it's a shame when people intentionally leave their houses just so they don't have to hand out treats. What's the harm in spending $10 for a couple bags of candy?

doctors

I had a regular appointment with my OB today. One thing I like about her office is that she offers child care during your appointment if you need it. Since DH's schedule is so wonky, I like knowing that the boys can go with me, but not have to be part of the appointment.

I'm not that crazy about HER, though. She doesn't have much of a bedside manner - she's sort of aloof. I don't LIKE her, as I did the OB I used with C and N.

BUT

She will let me VBAC (vaginal birth after c-section). That in itself keeps me at her practice, since it is hard to find a doctor in AZ these days who will support that. The trend is "once a c-section, always a c-section" and I don't buy into it. N was a VBAC and my recovery was so much better, that I have no desire to schedule surgery to have another babe. (C was an emergency c-section.)

She is not freaking out over my age. Even with N, when I was 34, there was a lot of talk about "advanced maternal age" and how "lucky" I was that I wouldn't turn 35 before he was born. This doctor takes it into stride and while she's monitoring various things - she's not making me feel like I'm a freak because I'm pregnant at 38.

I know (because a friend had her last baby with this doctor) that she is very hands-off and avoids intervention when at all possible. She let my friend go 2 weeks overdue and wasn't panicking even then. She was willing to let her go 2.5 weeks before trying to move things along (but my friend gave birth at 2 weeks, 1 day past her "due" date.) She won't push pitocin or other unnecessary drugs. (I still wonder if the pitocin was one of the factors that made me need an emergency c-section for C.)

For all those reasons, I think I'll stay with her practice. So what if I don't "like" her as much as I want to? I think she'll let me have the kind of birth I want, and that is really more important.

And, today, I got to hear the heartbeat again. The baby's heart was beating away, and the doc said the baby was moving around quite a bit. Both good signs! I'm just over 11 weeks - - so I think I can start to relax and trust in this pregnancy ; )

what have I been up to?

Well, I haven't been updating blogs, that's for sure! LOL!

Yesterday I had the absolute worst dental appointment of my life. It lasted for about 40 minutes and during that time I gagged almost non-stop, cried, had to be strapped down, and thought for sure that I was going to faint before it was over. If a dentist ever tells me again that I need crown lengthening for another tooth, I'm going to tell him to pull the offensive tooth instead. The 2 root canals I had a few weeks ago were better than the 2 crown lengthenings yesterday (and I cried and gagged during that appointment, too -- but not nearly as much.) Part of the problem may be the strong gag reflex I have while pregnant, but it was horrific.

DH was out of town this week attending an awards ceremony for work. He was one of the top salespeople in the country, and they put on quite the shindig for the top people! 4 days of fun, food and awards. He had a wonderful time, but he's always happiest sleeping in his own bed ;) I had thoughts of organizing / de-cluttering while he was gone . . . but didn't do much (okay, ANY) of that. Instead, we did schooling, and that's about it.

On Sunday, we went to the Pumpkin Festival at the botanical gardens which is always fun. N was thrilled to visit the Gardens again, as it is one of his favorite places - and someplace we don't go during the heat of the summer.

Tomorrow we have our 2nd symphony concert. DH missed 3 days of work this week, so he'll work on Saturday and I'll take my sister with the boys. His usual work-week includes Saturdays, but he can ask for the day off when we have something special planned. However, since he missed 3 days of calls, and he is 100% commission, we thought it best that he take any calls that he might have on Saturday.

I'm off in a few minutes for my OB appointment. I'm 11 weeks and I need to talk to her about genetic testing because of my age. I'm not sure if we will have any done or not, but I would like to talk over the options. In 2004, I easily denied any testing, but this time I'm not as confident in my choice to deny all extra testing.