LOL

Today as I was walking back from lunch I overheard a college student on his cell phone. Now I don't usually eavesdrop on others conversations, but the load voice was difficult to ignore, as I was walking past I hear him say, literally "L-O-L!"

Seriously? Have we gotten to such an age of technology that we cannot let the person on the other end of the line know we are amused without using an acronym? We have to say "L-O-L" instead of actually Laughing Out Loud?

What is this world coming to?

Disneyland: Just Mom & Brendan

Last Saturday, Scott had training for his college classes for most of the day. Daddy had gotten Brendan up and dressed by the time I got up, so when Daddy left, Brendan thought it was time for us to go too. “Bye, bye? Bye, bye? Bye, bye?” He was not happy that Daddy left and we were still home. I quickly got dressed and thought I would take him out for the day. We ended up going to Disneyland, just the two of us!

It was actually very nice. We got to Disneyland at about 9:45, since it was a Saturday, and typically is a little more crowded, I immediately went into California Adventure which seems to be the quieter of the two parks. We started with Breakfast and Brendan danced to the music.

We then rode our first ride, Monster’s Inc. Brendan was very excited to ride the car. He pretty much enjoyed the ride, it was a little long and he was ready to get off. I actually think Brendan’s favorite part of the day was the car parked outside of Monster’s Inc. We kept coming back to it to climb in and out of it. By far, our favorite adventure of the day.
Brendan has been watching a little more TV as he gets older. One of his favorite shows that he watches is Handy Manny. He and Daddy will watch an episode together in the evenings while Mommy cooks dinner. I decided to take Brendan to see the PlayHouse Disney Live on Stage show. They have puppets from 4 Disney Channel cartoons. They are puppets and completely cheesy, but Brendan sat on my lap through the entire thing watching it. He was most excited when Handy Manny and the tools came out to sing. Brendan will sing along to the song, although you cannot understand the words, you can actually tell by the “tune” that he is signing that it is the Handy Manny song.
After the show, I took Brendan by to meet Chip & Dale and get our picture taken. He doesn’t do too bad with the characters, he is still a little uneasy, but he will give them a “bump” of the fist and stand there as long as I don’t try to walk away.
We walked around a little longer, climbed on the car some more and rode King Tritons’ carrousel. The rides are not really Brendan’s favorite, he doesn’t mind them and acts excited to get on, but then he is ready to get off before they are over. His favorite part of the park is the places that he can just run and climb himself. He does not like to be “Strapped down”
By the time we left, it was well past Brendan’s naptime. He wanted my sunglasses, so I let him play with them as I drove out of the parking structure. I filled up with gas before leaving Anaheim, when I got back in the car; I turned around to see my baby, fast asleep.
It was a long day for the little guy. I'm so thankful that we have passes that I can go to Disneyland for just a few hours, and enjoy the day with a toddler without feeling like I have to give-up nap-time justbecause we paid money for a ticket. We are lucky to have the oppertunity to use Disneyland as a quick outing when we don't know what else to do.

Week 30-31 - The end is near!

It is hard to believe that I am now in my 30th week of pregnancy! Less than 10 weeks to go! (If my baby comes on time, which I am not banking on…) I realized last week that I have not taken a single “Belly shot” with this pregnancy. It is sad but I guess there is a lot more attention on the first baby than the others. It does not mean I will love him any less, probably just have less pictures. As my sister says “It’s good to be the first!”

In week 26, I had to have a Rhogam shot due to being RH negative.

In week 28, I had to have my glucose testing done. They want to check to be sure that I am not at risk for diabetes. Although the drink made me feel really sick all day, the test came back negative and all is well. It also gave me time to just sit and think.

My sister has started planning my baby shower, which I am excited about! We weren’t going to have one at all since we are having a boy and don’t really need a lot of stuff. But Bekah thought it would be nice for us all to get together and celebrate the new baby together. We are keeping it very small, just family and a few of my closest friends.

Sleeping has gotten a lot harder lately. There is more pressure and I can feel there is less room in there for him to move around. Which mean I get more “jabs” in the ribs and jumps that startled me. It is fun though to feel and see him move so much.

I also find myself short on breath easily; I need to sit down more frequently. Even standing to do my hair and makeup and be too much and I need to sit down halfway through.

The end is in sight and we are excited…So much to do!

Scrapbooking Weekend

A couple weekends ago, I had the opportunity to have some quality girl time. Some friends from work invited me to go away with them on a scrapbooking getaway. To be honest, I was a little afraid to go. I have not scrapbooked in almost a year; my excuse was that it was difficult to do so while Brendan was running all over. I also was a little afraid of branching out and going someone where overnight with a bunch of people I did not really know that well. However, since I had missed the one in November due to family issues, I had promised that I would go on the next one.

I decided not to go up on Friday night with everything that had been going on at home; I thought I would only leave Scott home alone for one night. Saturday morning Natalie picked me up, bright and early and we headed up the mountain to big bear.

The drive up was an adventure in itself! We made it about 1/3 the way up the mountain and were told that we could not go further without chains. Natalie and I turned to each other and realized we would have to turn around and get chains to get up the mountain. (Here is the part where my husband inserts “I asked you before you left the house if you had chains!”) We ask where the nearest place to buy chains were and are told to turn back and go to Wal-Mart or Chevron in Highland. Our first stop was Chevron since it was closest, $80 for chains, and we find out that it will cost us $40 to have them installed once we get up the mountain. We decide that $80 is too much and go to Wal-Mart. Of course, everyone driving up the mountain that weekend needed chains as well and they were out of the size we needed.

Our next choice was to either go back and wait in line at Chevron, or drive back to the Wal-Mart in Redlands for chains. The chains at Wal-Mart were only $35, much better than $80. Two hours after we left my house, we are less than 30 minutes away at Redlands, but on our way again! (Husband: “I told you so!” Yes dear, you were right). We did have to stop and pay the nice men in yellow install our chains. I told Natalie I had seen it done before and instructions were included but I was not about to stand out in the snow, pregnant, trying to put chains on the tires. We finally made it up to the cabin in the snow, but it was beautiful. The snow covered mountains, the white silent trees, all spoke of God’s Beauty to be admired and praised.

Although the drive was long, I was very thankful to have the time with Natalie just to talk. We talked about work, life, family, her newest Grandbaby that was due to arrive in just hours, all the usual topics. We were also able to talk about our walks, God’s beauty and I was able to share how God had been moving in me lately and get some feedback from someone who has been there before.

As far as the actual scrapbooking weekend went, I had so much fun. For not having scrapbooked in over a year, I had a lot of catching up to do. One of my goals for this year (Count this as another resolution) was to get caught up on Brendan’s Baby Book and Scrapbook before the next baby comes along. I was able to crank out 22 scrapbook pages for Brendan’s album. I was so excited. It really motivated me to get back into scrapbooking. I realized that it is one of my stress relievers. IT gives me the opportunity to just sit down, let my creative juices flow, and create something that came just from me to be admired for years. It documents my son’s life and is filled with the love of his mother. I hope to keep it up and continue to create pages for his scrapbook. Maybe not 22 in one weekend again, but if I did only one a week, I would get caught up.

On Sunday morning, we got up, had breakfast, and scrapbooked some more. We left the cabin about 1:00 in the afternoon. The snow had stopped so we did not need the chains on the tires anymore. I ensured Natalie that taking chains off was so much easier than putting them on. The man in yellow instructed us not to pay someone more than $10 to remove the chains. Instead, pregnant me got down on my hands and knees and removed the chains from the tires! (Sorry, no pictures to prove it). I did have some help from the other girls, and it really is not that difficult. The trip back down was much less eventful, but I was happy to be home to my boys.

The weekend really made me appreciate the opportunity to make new friends, and get together to share something we all have a passion for. Later this month one of the ladies already has a scheduled Saturday to come over and scrapbook at her house, I am excited!

Car Trouble

I actually started to post this blog post a few weeks ago. I had started drafting it to come back and finish later. Then, everything changed.

I was going to talk about paying off a car. If you remember, a couple months ago, we made our last payment on our 2004 Hyundai. It reminded me of that bank commercial that talked about how easy it was to make a payment using your phone. As the couple is driving in the car, she makes a payment and says something along the lines of “Our car is now paid off!” Just then, the rearview mirror falls off.

That is how we were feeling, as soon as the car was paid off; we had to start putting money into it to fix little things. Our car needed another oil change, new brakes, and there was a “ticking” noise that had been going off since December that we were not sure what was wrong. Our suspension was it was the alternator. Our car repair shop was going to charge us $85 an hour just to figure out what the noise was, not to fix it. Therefore, we had been putting it off, knowing we needed to get it fixed, but that we really did not want to spend that kind of money right now.

It was a good car, it had driven us around for almost 5 ½ years, and best of all it was paid off.

Unfortunately, on the day before Valentine’s Day, it all changed. Driving home from Temecula on Saturday afternoon, Scott had just filled the car up with gas, $35 later we were driving home on the 215 freeway and were in a car crash. Although it has now been over 3 weeks, it is still hard for me to write. The accident was 100% our fault, no arguing that fact. Traffic slowed down suddenly, Scott and I were talking and he did not see the truck breaking in front of us until it was too late. With construction dividers up right against the freeway line, and only two lanes, we had nowhere to go but straight into the pick-up truck in front of us. I braced myself for the worst (having crashed my own car on the same freeway 5 years earlier) and watched as our little Hyundai crumbled at the force of the impact and the strong bumper of the large truck in front of us.

I know that my husband was not thinking logically after the crash, although in his mind I am sure he was. AS soon as we stopped, he turned to me and started spouting off all the consequences of the crash “Our premiums will go up, we will be down to one car for a while, I am so sorry, I was so stupid, we are going to have to cut back on expenses, start cutting things out…” While he was correct, it was not the time to start listing everything that was going to change because of the accident. I sent him out to deal with the other driver as I tried to calm Brendan down in the backseat and call AAA for towing.

I didn't take any pictures of the car even though my camera was in my purse. Looking back I really should have, but Scott was so upset after the crash, feeling as though he put his entire family at risk, that I didn't want to make him feel bad by taking pictures of what "he did".

One of our biggest fears after the accident was if the baby was okay. I did not feel funny, just a little sore, and the air bags did not go off (which they probably should have but I was worried what the impact of the air bags may have done. Bekah & Kevin picked us up from the tow yard in Menifee to take us home. They kept Brendan and Scott and I went to the ER to get me checked out. The doctor looked me over and said that everything looked good, I would probably be pretty sore the next couple of days and to take Tylenol. They listened to the heartbeat and sent me home.

The next day we spent the morning after church cleaning out our one car. Scott washed and vacuumed it out. We scheduled an oil change for Monday and got the car ready to serve as the “Family car” for a while. Monday morning we had to deal with the insurance company and figure out the logistics. Luckily, Scott had the day off and was able to take me to work and deal with a lot of the insurance business while I was working.

I was very impressed with the way AAA handled the whole situation, from our first phone call minutes after the accident to our follow-up conversation today. They immediately sent us a check for a new car seat, since you are not supposed to use the same car seat after an accident. They paid for us to have a rental car for 2 weeks until the determined the value of the car, but now, unfortunately, we are processing paperwork, and can’t get new car until our check comes to us. We are now back down to 1 car for the two (three) of us. Once again, we are lucky to have our little car. It may be a two door and a little cramped, but it is a good car, that runs and once again, is paid off.

We hope to get our check from AAA soon so we can start car shopping. We have been pretty lucky so far. I used the rental car for 2 weeks, last week I was able to borrow my sister’s car while she was out of town, and this week, Bekah and I are carpooling to work. God does provide for us.

Let's talk about Doctors....

Specifically OBGYN’s….

When I was pregnant with Brendan, I had one OB. Due to my insurance, (HMO) I have to be “referred” to an OB by my Family Practitioner. For the most part, I did not mind this doctor. His PA irked me a bit, I felt she was ditzy and a bit clueless, and less than helpful. However, they were little things that I was able to get over. That is until it actually came to my due date. My induction date was scheduled, finally, 2 weeks (okay, 12 days) after my due date. Since this was my first baby, I did not really know better, I had heard that being induced was painful (it was) and so I was willing to wait for my baby to come on his timing. I may not have waited gracefully, but I did wait.

When I finally began progressive labor on early Sunday morning, the day before my induction date, I was excited to finally deliver. I knew that my OB had been “off duty” but with my induction date being on Monday at 8:30 am, I was hoping he would be there to deliver the baby. Without going fully into my labor story, after a LONG day/night in the hospital I finally gave birth at 8:26 Monday, July 14, just minutes from my scheduled induction. Guess who never showed up?
Nope, not for the delivery.
Not for a check-up later in the day.
Not even to release me to go home.
The nurse finally had to call him at 6:00pm the next day to ask if I could be released. Without ever seeing me, talking to me, checking me out in any way, I was released to go home with my newborn.

Needless to say, I was not happy with this OB, and determined not to have the same one for this baby.

Once again, I received a “referral” for a new OB, this one was in the same office building, Great! I thought, close to home and easily accessible. Until I realized I could only schedule appointments on Monday afternoons (at 2:00) or every other Friday. Frustrated I was determined to make it work. The little things kept adding up. I was frustrated, but Scott had never met this OB or his PA so I had no one to talk to and see if I was just being crazy or if I should switch. On January 4, I was told that I was considered “High Risk” because of Blood work being done in the 19th week of pregnancy instead of the 18th. Nothing came back negative with the results; it was just done in the wrong week. Which I was not told specifically what week to have the test done. I was frustrated. A friend of mine was talking to me about it on January 6, without being pushy; she encouraged me to possibly find a new OB that I would be happy with.

I convinced myself that it was not worth it to switch halfway through the pregnancy, it was not a big deal, I could get over my frustrations and lack of communication on my doctor’s office part.

Although the “High Risk” should have been my final straw, on February 8, I had an appointment. Once again, they had delayed my physical that should have been done in my 10th week. The lack of communication was too much for me. Was it so difficult for the office & doctor to read my chart to see what needed to go on? At dinner with my girl friends that night, I brought up my problem. I had just started my 3rd trimester, was it worth it to switch? The answer was “YES! Do what makes you feel comfortable!”

The next day, I made the call to request a new “referral” from my regular doctor. Feeling high maintenance, I had to call and verify that they would take on a new patient at this late point in my pregnancy. The new office said they would. I have now been to visit this office twice. I have seen the doctor both times, I do not know if there is even a PA in this office. The office is small, quiet, and very helpful. I am encouraged that maybe this one will work out.

Feeling confident in your OB is very important, and being comfortable should not be put on the back burner. I will keep you updated on how this doctor goes, because switching again would be a bit ridiculous!

Really brief update, more to come

Wow, I cannot believe how long it has been since I have posted; so much for my resolution. Do not worry; I will try to catch up as quickly as I can. The truth is, there has been a lot going on that I have wanted to post about, but they are longer posts and I just cannot find the energy to sit down and write them. Do not give up on me I am trying. For now, my family is happy (for the most part) and healthy (for now) and we keep plugging away at our daily lives.

Scott has been busy lately, which means not much time for the gyms after work. To most of you, this is not that big of a deal, but when Scott does not go to the gym, he does not release his stress. Instead, he brings it home with him and in turn, the entire family becomes stressed out.

Brendan is going through “a stage” that I fear once it leaves will only bring another to replace it. For now our “stage” is not using the 52 words we know, but grunting and whining for what he wants “eh, eh, eh!” I cannot handle the constant whining; it really makes me crazy. I am constantly telling him “use your words!” I am not sure if he understands what that means, but I try anyway. His new things is also “Mama, Mama, Mama, Mama” and when I answer, he just continues “Mama, Mama, Mama” Oh Lord, please help me through this stage.

As for me, lately I have been learning more about myself, and digging deeper, as well as expanding my horizons, and just trying to make it to the end of this pregnancy. Every once in a while, I look at Brendan and think, soon, I’m going to have two of them; two boys to love, but two “stages” to go though. I am tired and stressed, but who isn’t? I know that I am not the only one struggling with something right now, and when my focus is in the right place, I will get through it (More on this later).

So, for my brief introduction back into my life, we are all alive and “well”. I will be posting more updates as what we have been experiencing the past couple of weeks.