Snow, snow and more snow...

It's been winter for months now, but until recently it didn't seem like it. Yeah, we had temps that were below zero, but just last Friday - Sunday we finally got our snow. In fact, some spots got 20 some inches. That was fine, it was over the weekend and we could all sit and watch it from inside our homes and let the kids go play once-in-a-while. There is more stinkin' snow coming. Starting tomorrow at noon, last I heard, we are in a winter storm warning...again. 12-20 inches expected over the course of another 3 days. I am kind of hoping that this storm will be Minnesota's "March Storm"...you know, the last one of the year. I have a feeling that I'm dreaming.

Everyone in the house seems to have recovered from their colds...except for me. I would give anything to have a day or two just to be home to rest without any kids. I know that's why I'm still sick and it's miserable. I thought I couldn't breathe healthy and pregnant, now I really am having a heck of a time. It's the kind of cold where you cough every time you breathe in and then out again. And seeing as I have Asthma it's 10 times worse because when I cough, I can't catch my breath. I know I shouldn't complain, as I have said many times before, but I really want it to be May, I really want to have this baby, and I really want me to get back to normal. Yeah, I am pretty sure that this will be our last baby.

Luke is going to turn 5 next Wednesday. I can't believe my first will be 5. Kindergarten is coming up on us for the fall. I thought I was ready to let him go to school, but the closer we get to the end of preschool the more nervous I get. I know he'll be fine and I am excited for him, but he's scared to go...shy and nervous as always. And the poor kid, I've been feeling so crappy that I haven't even thought about what to do for his birthday.

Well, I think it's time I go and try and get some sleep. 'Nite all...good luck with the snow!

The Fate of Grey

Tonight is going to hopefully tell us what the show's fate will be...Grey's Anatomy. I just think that everyone behind the scenes of that show would be stupid to have Meredith Grey die...I would hope they'd be smart enough to know that an act like that could end the show. Lincoln thinks that Meredith is going to die and everything is going to center around her mom...the other Dr. Grey. I think she's going to be just fine. I am also hoping that tonight's show will prove that all the hype has been worth something. I'll be bummed if I get all excited and it's a boring episode. You all know I'm pregnant, so if I don't cry tonight at this show...then something's wrong. :)

We're all still sick, but getting to the end of it, I hope. Lincoln and the kids got their flu shots Tuesday. Then the nurse tells me that the kids should have another dose in 2 months. "...but, we probably won't have any left, so we'll call you and let you know if you should come back." Well, I would hope that we'll be fine by then...that's May and I'm not dragging both kids plus a newborn to Red Wing for a shot that won't really do any good at that point. Joke.

Busy weekend in store for us. A couple parties Friday night, a couple baby showers Saturday, a second coat of paint to go in the nursery and a whole lot of cleaning to do. I may just blow off the last part and sit all day Sunday stamping cards and scrapbooking. That sounds better.

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Enough Is Enough

Well, now all 4 of us are sick. Hope our room is ready at the clinic.

Monster Jam 2-17-07

The picture layout looks ridiculous, but I don't have a program to make the layout look better...you get the general idea though.....enjoy. This is the last Monster Jam until December. Luke's a little bummed about that.

Sick Kids, Doctor's Office, Monster Jam & Flu Shots

Almost one month ago we were contemplating how we were going to go to Monster Jam because we had sick children. Well, we're doing it again today. Monster Jam is tonight and Luke is well for the most part, but Ashlyn found out yesterday that she is fighting a double ear infection (see photo) and her poor little nose is as red as a cherry. Lincoln woke up with a sore throat...what the heck, huh? Oh-well. We're going to Monster Jam...no doubt about that.

As far as going to the doctor, I feel like we should just pay rent on a room at Fairview in Red Wing. I'm there every other week (well, it's been every week this month) and the kids are there once a month lately. (We may not have to go next week!!) It would probably cost a lot more than a hotel room though, but I suppose the employees have to get paid somehow. And my last post, flu shots...I am thinking it is such a joke. Did you know that Goodhue County Public Health only offers them for 2 hours every Tuesday, from 2-4 pm (you know, when people are working and can't get there). The clinic won't even provide them to children over 35 months of age. So, if this is such a huge issue on the news then why isn't it more convenient to get them? They freak us out and then make it impossible for working parents and people to get one. Frustrating. Stupid really. Whatever.

Well, I haven't painted the nursery over again yet and I've had new paint since Tuesday so away I go. I want to get it done before Monster Jam so it can dry tonight and I can continue to work on cleaning the upstairs of this house which continues to look like a Goodwill which ironically enough is where most of the stuff is going. By-the-way, if anyone out there needs a nice brand new set of Correll dishes and some nice drinking glasses, let me know. I'd rather give them to someone I know than to Goodwill.

...more Monster Jam pictures to come...

Flu Shots???

The latest news on this flu going around finally did me in. A little boy in Duluth and a Fireman from Minneapolis died today from this stupid flu. So, is it sad that this was finally what made me say, "OK, fine....I'll take the kids in,"? Then when I found out the Goodhue County only offered the shots on Tuesday's, Lincoln got a little nervous thinking that it was too long to wait. Don't know what else I can do..... 2pm - 4pm next Tuesday is when we can go. I've had one because I am pregnant and doctor kinda had to talk me into it. It's not that I am against them at all...I don't know what it is. Anyway, we're going. Hopefully nothing happens between now & then. I suppose I can go anywhere and my children's lives are worth it, of course, but I know I'm not the only one that doesn't have time to research and get on the phone to find out where else we can go and when they are available. Red Wing is the closest for us.

I painted the baby's room on Sunday. The goal...to go with a semi-neutral color that match the bedding and wouldn't have to be painted over when she moves out of that room. I thought that the chip I picked out was going to be great until I bought it, got it home and painted the room. Now it looks like a bouquet of sunflowers exploded in there. Nothing wrong with the color except that I don't like it in that room. So, what do I do?? Went and got actual samples that I could try on the walls. I picked a new color...well, it's a really pale yellow (to match the stars and fairy wings on the bedding, the rest of the bedding is pink) and I'll be repainting tomorrow night. I can't really explain why I was so picky with this, I blame it on the pregnancy because usually I am really easy-going about decisions like this...especially about something as simple as paint. I really can't wait for these next few months to go by...I really want to get back to my normal self (if I was ever normal).

Conversations With a 3-Year Old

"Why baby's gonna sleep in my room, Mom?"
"The baby isn't going to sleep in your room, babe. She's going to sleep in her own room by mommy & daddy."
"Oh, that makes sense..."


Now, I know some of you have never heard my daughter's voice, but if you have I know you can hear her little raspy voice saying these sentences to me with chocolate chip cookie all over her face. Plus, she's never said "that makes sense" in her 3 year life yet. I am still laughing at this conversation we had just minutes ago.

You Try To Raise 'Em Right....

Yeah, there is no denying it...these are my children.

Wearing Grandma Darla's glasses. Good thing they're just reading glasses otherwise I'd think this can't be healthy on the eyes.

"It's all good, Mom!"

Everything's Fine

We got our new washer and dryer Tuesday and I am so happy they are here. I never thought I would get excited about mini-vans and washers/dryers. That is a sure sign of getting old.

Yesterday was my 3-hour glucose test for Gestational Diabetes. I got an orange drink this time and by 2:00 I was getting my second round of blood drawn. The whole process was over by 4 pm. I'm pregnant, I hadn't eaten since 8 pm the night before and I was a little crabby about that. Good news is, everything is fine. One blood test was abnormal...the first one done after I drank the sugar. Go figure. Lincoln and the kids met me at Applebee's for supper and I enjoyed a lot of food. :) The nurse told me to watch my sugar intake. We'll see....

Baby girl is getting more and more active with everyday. You can actually feel her and see her on the outside now. Usually at around 5:30/6:00 in the morning she is the most active. Knowing this is my last one I just lay there and take it all in every morning. I love it. I can't wait for her to get here, but I am not even close to ready yet. There are still rooms to clean and paint, a crib to get together...stuff to buy ($$$ to spend that we don't have) I can't wait for the hospital stay, as sad as that sounds. It'll be a nice break.

Well, tonight is Grey's Anatomy night...I better get started on supper and get the kids in the bath and into bed before 8. Thursday's usually change my priorities around a little!

Two Heads Are Better Than One

Jennifer's little boy, Ethan, and Ashlyn playing blocks and building towers.

24 Nite

Monday's are 24 nites. It was a twisty episode as usual. Jack's dad is behind everything...it's gettin' good now. Next week is 2 hours long.

Our laundry dilemma is over. We are having a new washer & dryer delivered tomorrow afternoon. YAY! That's the fastest I think I have ever made a decision when a lot of $$$ was involved. Guess we'll have to keep watching the funds. My mother-in-law was kind enough to do some laundry for me today. She's the best!

I have a feeling that we are going to go with Chloe for a name. I have a boy back-up just in case they were wrong, Jacob (Jake) Neal. I don't know if Lincoln likes it completely, but that's ok. He'll learn to like it. :)

Preschool tomorrow...I better got lay down so maybe I'll fall asleep by midnite.

Later...

Who's Is She?

I had to get one more post in to show you all this picture.

She wanted to go swimming today. She obviously doesn't understand what temperature is yet.

Cold Enough????

Weatherbug says that Red Wing is -18 right now. I know it's been colder than this before, but boy were we spoiled here in Minnesota this year. My open house for lia sophia jewelry yesterday didn't go as well as I was hoping, but I have to say...I understand why I didn't get a rush of people on this cold weekend. I wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere if I didn't have to either. It was fun though and all my girlfriends from high school stayed for supper and conversation. I am sure that I'll just try again this summer when another new catalog comes out.
My dining room and bathroom on the main level I think are finally at about 68 degrees now. They were at 60 (if not colder) all day yesterday and evening. We had to get some space heaters out. Then this morning I went to do laundry and discovered that my dryer died. I pushed the start button and nothing. And...Ashlyn had her first accident overnight so I had to get her clothes and sheets washed. So, we took what was in the washer and transferred that load to a basket, took another basket and filled it with Ashlyn's sheets, wet clothes and more stuff to make it a whole load and headed to town to the laundromat. There are a few advantages to the dryer dying...first, laundry didn't burden my day today and second, now we'll actually be active in shopping for a new washer/dryer. We've been talking about it for a year now. Sure, we could probably fix the dryer we have, but we might as well get the purchase over with now. The set was owned by the family who lived in the house before us and then they sat for 2 years or so in this empty house not being used. Yuck.

Sunday nights are my least favorite time of the week. I have the worst time getting motivated to go to bed because I know when I wake up, I'll have to leave the house. However, I am pretty sure the lack of sleep and doing way too much is contributing to the swollen ankles and headaches I have every day. I suppose that's my que to go to bed now. 'Nite all.

The Best Valentine's Idea

So, Luke brought home some papers from preschool yesterday about Valentine's Day and their party. Miss Stephanie sent home a page that had every students picture on it along with the 5 teachers that are involved from a day-to-day basis. We are to attach a picture on the valentine card instead of write names. I thought that this was the most brilliant idea ever. Of course the picture here shows Luke's (just an example), but I wanted to show how this is the greatest idea. The littlest things can amuse me sometimes (ok, all the time). The best part is that I am stamping and making the cards myself so this allows me to use the pictures in a really creative way. I can't wait to get started.

By-the-way...congrats to Aunt Tiffany. She passed her nursing boards yesterday. She is now going to be working in Hastings as a real nurse. :) Way to go!!!!

The Name Game

It's probably just me having problems naming this little girl. We've both made a list. So far, and this is subject to change I am sure, but we have narrowed it down to Chloe Christine or Apryl Christine. I still like Carly too. It'll probably change a few times before May and we'll probably be naming her in the hospital, but at least we've started thinking about it.

Did Time Stop?

I have 3 1/2 months to go...that's 15 weeks. It's also 101 days. I want to have this little girl now. I shouldn't complain...I have no right, but I am so uncomfortable. I told my nurse that if I have this baby past my due date I'll have a melt down. She probably would be rich if she collected on every time she heard that. Yesterday was my glucose test. I drank a rancid lemon-lime liquid sugar drink and sat for 1 hour. Then they took my blood. I failed that test. A normal sugar level after that test should be about 130-140, mine was 190. So, can you guess how I get to spend my afternoon next Wednesday? I get to fast for 8 hours (nothing to eat and only water to drink all that morning) and then go in at 12:45 pm, drink the sugar again (I am so picking the orange this time) and sit there for 3 hours. Once I drink the sugar, they take my blood an hour later...and an hour after that...and then the hour after that. Sounds like a blast. Sorry, I'm done complaining...if this is the worst thing that happens, Gestational Diabetes, during this pregnancy I should consider myself blessed.

Ashlyn is still going strong on the potty training. She even got to go back to ECFE today. That was her incentive because she loves 'school' so much. She was excited.

Luke is really excited for the next Monster Jam. Everyday he asks me where the 17 is for this month. Very funny. This one is going to be special though because his Uncle Clinton and Aunt Bonnie are coming with. We were hoping that Uncle Grant and Aunt Tiffany would come too, but Uncle Grant has to work that weekend and who knows...if Aunt Tiffany passed her nursing boards, she may have to work too.