Well, as you can tell, I haven't had time to post an update in quite a while.  And, after much consideration, I have decided to not post any more updates.  Maybe I am just overwhelmed by having a newborn right now (seriously, people, there are days I don't even get a chance to shower!), but, I just don't see how I will be able to give this blog the attention it needs.  When I go back to work -- which is oh too soon! -- I will have Mr. Parker with me, so my post-writing breaks will be a thing of the past.  And, with this whole breastfeeding thing....well, I don't have any free time at home either. 

So, that's it.  It was fun.  I did enjoy the short time I had a blog.  But, my life has changed a bit, and there's just not the time for it like there was before.  However, if you would, by chance, like to stay in contact with me, I have an idea how we could....so, e-mail me (click on the E-mail button on the home page) or leave a comment, and I will let you know my grand plan.  : )  I'll give you a hint:  it's more fun than just exchanging e-mails.  (Actually, it's almost bloglike.)

Maybe in a few months I'll get a handle on this juggling act I have and resume the blog.  But....for now, FAREWELL!  I will leave you with the birth announcement pic of Parker.  (Sorry I didn't share more baby pics.)

Parker Jason

born April 4, 2008

8 lbs, 11 oz

20 inches long

Well, the long road is at an end!  Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m., I will be induced into labor. We will have a baby on Friday, April 4, 2008! 

Yes, we are SO EXCITED!!!!!

I will have a little more free time come next week, and be off of the prior physical limitations, so I promise I will post some pics.  Belly pics, baby pics, family pics...

Oh, and house pics!  Another exciting thing in our life right now is that the siding job has begun!  By Monday we should have a newly polished house.

Lots of fun, exciting things happenin!  Check next week for an update on it all.   : )

Well, the sonogram today showed that the baby has turned back into the head-down position.  Thank goodness!  I really did not wanna have her try to turn him herself.  AND!  No more standing on my head!  : )

What is it about that magic 36th week that makes a pregnant woman decide that, after waiting 36 long weeks, the last 4 are completely unbearable to sit through?  I remember this with my other two pregnancies as well.... once I got to 36 weeks and was on the true downhill slide, I COULD NOT WAIT!!!!  Can't this baby just come already?!?!?!? 

Yeah, I'm there now, too.  And, I only have 2 weeks left since we've already established that she'll induce at 38 weeks.  I know part of it is the whole bedrest thing -- I'm just so ready to be normal again.  But, also...we found out Wednesday that our darling son has decided to turn breech.  So, now I'm standing on my head 15 minutes a day to try to get him to turn back over (not literally, but that's what it feels like w/these exercises I have), and if that doesn't work, then the doc said she'd try to turn him over manually, which she told me and I have read IS NOT A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE.  AND!!!! It's only got a 58% chance of working AND there are possible (bad) side effects....so, I"m thinking, why bother?  But, if he doesn't turn, then our only other alternative is C-Section, and although I'll do that if I need to, I"m not too excited about that thought either, really.  I think, with this latest "hurdle" I'm jsut to the point of C'MON ALREADY!

Go ahead, you can tell me. I'm being a baby.  I know it.  And, thank you for listening, because I feel better having a chance to vent.  It's only 2 flippin weeks.  I'm totally enjoying being pregnant (except for the standing on my head and the bedrest).... but, in two weeks, I"m totally gonna enjoy having a new baby!

I'll try to post again....we have another sono on Monday. 

Oh, and to answer your question, Jenn P......after much debate, I think we are going with 2-tone brown/beige and green shutters!  I think it'll look fab!

We have some major work going on at our house right now.  We decided to spend our tax return on some much-needed home improvements.  One, we are getting siding on our house (to cover the holes that a hail storm left and hide the falling-apart, rotting original siding we currently have).  Also, we are also getting our basement framed and a bedroom built.  This whole Sam and Will sharing a bedroom thing is not working at all for a number of reasons.  The main problem we have is that we have two children and all their many toys crammed into a room built for one.  Consequently, the room is in a perpetual state of disarray.  There's just too much stuff and not enough places to put it.  Another complaint of have is that they really just need their own space..... they get along most of the time, and I'd be crazy to expect them to not bicker amongst each other, BUT, I really think they need their own space.  They need their own room to go to when they wanna play by themselves, and if one wants to sleep in, it's hard 'cuz when the other gets up, he can hear him.  ...Things like that.  So, our goal is to get the extra bedroom in the basement finished while I'm on maternity leave, or at least by the beginning of summer.  Sam is for sure moving downstairs.  Will is likely to stay in the room they currently occupy upstairs, but we have discussed moving Will down as well and having Brittany move up.  I'm just not sure Willie will sleep down there -- he's a bit of a chicken.  But, it would be most handy for us to have all three "big boys" down there because the other part of our basement is basically a large playroom, and all of their big toys that won't fit in their rooms are down there.  So, we are thinking that if they're rooms are all down there, and all their toys are down there, it'd just be more  convenient.  But, like I said, I'm not sure Willie is up to it quite yet.  And, that's fine.  I guess we'll just have to see how it all goes.

As far as the siding goes, that'll be done in a month or two, as soon as the guy we hired can get out to do it.  We are not siding our garage simply because it's too costly.  It would double the price because our garage is literally almost as big as our house.  So, we've got that fun job ahead of us of painting the garage to match the new colors of the house.  Wee haw!  It'll all be worth it, tho.  I"m pretty excited about both projects.  We will also need to stain our decks.  And, SOMEDAY, I NEED to get new cabinets.  My cabinets are in sorry, sorry condition.  But, we had to make choices, and the cabinets will cost as much as the siding....so, we chose siding first, cabinets next.  AND THEN!!!  I want to remodel our bathroom.  It's the crappiest room in the house.  I suppose it's on the back burner because it's in our bedroom, and nobody really sees it but us, but, dude...it's a craphole.  If we didn't have such an awesome interest rate on our mortgage, we'd just refinance and do this all at once, but right now, nobody can even match what we have, and the rates are going up.  So, I must just have patience.  : )

We have the baby's room and our room completely ready for this litlle guy!  Charlie washed up everything for the babe, and I put it away (with much scolding from Charlie).  The girls at work had a shower for me and gave me a big bag full of goodies (diaper bag, diapers and wipes, bibs, socks, changing pad cover, and much more!!!!) and a pack-n-play that I"d registered for with the plans of using it as a bassinet.  We have that set up in our room, and every time I go in there, I have to stop and just look inside it.  When I get up the many times in the middle of the night to go potty, I always pause just a moment by the bassinet and imagine a baby snuggled in it.  I'm so excited for this baby to get here!

Speaking of getting up to go potty.....dude!  Seriously.  We are at a whopping 6 times a night anymore.  I get up at least every two hours to go, and often it's even more than that.  Last night, for example, I had to get up 3 times just between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m.  I keep thinking that it's just good practice for me since the baby is no doubt going to get me up many times a night as well.  But, at least that's understandable.  I just don't understand how I have to keep getting up in the middle of the night.....how on earth is my bladder always full!  I'm not refilling it after I go to bed!  *sigh*  Ah well..... it's all about to end, I think.  We are on the countdown!  : )

Sam's birthday is coming up, and we need to do his birthday shopping.  We also need to go shopping for Easter goodies.  Charlie and I are trying to plan that....since I"m not really supposed out and about shopping and stuff......I told Charlie that this evening (Sunday) would be a good time since I"m home all day resting.  But, since he's helping frame the basement, he's not sure he'll have the energy to do it.  And, I'm wiped out after my few hours a day at work, so.....  who knows when we'll get it done.  We've only got a few days, tho -- Sam'd bday is the 29th, but we are having his party this weekend, and, of course, Easter is Sunday.

Well, lunch is here (pizza!!!), so I"m off of here.  Bye for now.

You would think that with as much extra time I have on my hands these days that I'd be able to compose something to post more often, huh.  But, nope.  Sorry.

I do have a couple funnies to share w/you and maybe a gripe or two.  First, the funny pic I have of Willie to show you.....I'm obviously not gonna get it posted in a timely manner, so I will just tell you the story.  After Will gets ready in the mornings, he either watches cartoons or plays on the computer while we get ready to go.  The other day, Charlie hollered for me to come quick.  So, I waddle out of my bathroom to our computer room where Will is asking Daddy repeatedly to help him log on to Cartoon Network.  It turned out that Will tried very hard to type it in himself but was having no luck....he did, however, manage to pull up a Singles dot net site.  It was quite comical to walk up and catch my 5-year-old checking out a dating site.  Of course, he was oblivious to what was going on, but I had him smile by the computer screen for a pic.  This will be one of those pictures that get posted on a memory board at his wedding or something.  : )-  Another funny Will story just occurred yesterday.  Charlie had a Playboy magazine laying on our bed....no, not for THAT!  He had gotten it out to show a friend, and after the friend looked at it, Charlie just tossed it on the bed (unbeknownst to me), shut the door, and left to go fishing.  Well, I cut the boys' hair yesterday in my bathroom.  Sam went first so I told Will to sit on my bed and wait (you see where this is going, don't you!?!?!?!).  Pretty soon, Will says "WHOA!  This girl is NAKED!!!"  Of course, I immediately knew what he was looking at and, in a panic, I yelled, "SHUT THAT BOOK!  GET OFF MY BED!  QUIT LOOKING AT THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  Oh my god. I about died.  Willie, having been caught redhanded, shut the mag and hopped off my bed.  But, then, 101 questions ensued about why "that girl" didn't have any clothes on and why couldn't he look at it and so on.  Of course, I was trying hard not to laugh, too......  I tried to get Will to tell Charlie about and he would not, WOULD NOT fess up.  I asked him to tell Daddy what was in the magazine he found on our bed, and do you know what that little shit said?!?!?!?!?!?    "Um. Words.  Lots and lots of words."  BWAH!  He ain't no dummy!

In other news, Sam got braces. I cannot even remember if I have mentioned that here or not.  I have a picture of him, but, of course, I don't have it on here yet.  He is also gonna have to go back to the eye doc this summer to most likely get glasses.  Charlie took all three boys to the eye doc back in Feb.  (I have to take so much time off for these baby appts that he took one for the team and took a day off to run the kids around.)  So...Charlie calls me when they are all done to give me a report.  Will and Dustin are fine; they need to not sit too close to the computer or tv, but otherwise, they're fine.  Sam, on the other hand, has cateracts.  Yes!  I said Cateracts.  Charlie said the doc said it wasn't anything to be too concerned about but he probably needs glasses.  I was completely stupified.  How on earth does a 6-year-old get cateracts and why should we not be worried aobut that?!?!?  I mean, can't those things make you go blind?!?!?!  So, I of course stewed about it all the way home.  At supper, I asked Charlie more about it...he explained it to me, and..well, it didn't sound like cateracts at all to me.  So, we got online...and, lo and behold, he remembered!  Sam has an ASTIGMATISM, not cateracts.  *WHEW*  But, from now on, to prevent me from having a heart attack, I think I'll attend the appointments as well. 

Well, that's all for now.  I'll try to post again soon. 

Here I am at 34 weeks.....only 6 weeks left!

And here is a comparison from 27 weeks to 34 weeks.....

I don't think the pictures look like there's much difference, but in person -- at least to me -- there is.

With all the extra that Charlie has taken on, I hate to bother him to take a pic of my big belly.  And, quite honestly, this weekend was no time to do that because I didn't really look all that fabulous.  But, someday there will be pregnant pictures posted on this website.  I think come Wednesday we'll <read HE'LL> have more time.  With all four kids home, he's double busy.  It's twice as many kids to tend to, twice as much food to make, twice as much supper dishes to take care of, etc.  The Redheads will visit their mom on Wednesday, so maybe then I'll get him to take a pic.

Saturday was a very hard day for me.  I cried at the drop of a hat, and that craziness lasted all damned day.  It started when Charlie told me he felt I should stay home and not attend Sam and Dustin's basketball games.  (My bp got up a bit high on Friday, and he did not want me to overdo it.)  I hated missing the games, and I cried both times they left the house for games.  When Charlie got home from the last game, we started talking about household stuff, and I didn't feel like he was paying attention to me, so I ran to my room crying.....he, of course followed me in and tried to talk to me.  I know he thought I was crazy.  After we had our discussion, I took a nap (honestly, I cried myself to sleep).  The nap proved to be beneficial for me; my evening was much better, but OY!  I don't want another day like that.  I know it was just because of a combination of hormones and sadness over the whole "limited physical activity" deal.  Charlie reassured me that everything was oooooookay, that he still loved me and didn't think I was lazy or a burden or anything crazy like that.  He told me to enjoy the time "off."  I have been trying to, but I'd imagine I will have my days, ya know.

Sunday was much better.  We went out to breakfast (I had to pop a bp pill 'cuz it got a bit high while we were out), and we let the kids finally cash in their Valentine's Day gift certificates for new fishies.  Our aquarium is so full now...it's nice.  Charlie and I mananged to sneak a nap together, and we watched the family movie "Firehouse Dog" and the new Justice League cartoon movie.  My bp was in check for the rest of the day.  I'm trying to figure out what triggers it to rise and the most effective way to lower it and, even better, keep it low.

The baby has been so active throughout this whole pregnancy, and, now that my poop issues have been resolved, I'm enjoying it again.  I think it's so cool to see my belly move and feel it at the same time.  The kids love to feel him kick and roll, too.  He's been getting the hiccups lately, and that is, admittedly a bit annoying.  It's just so constant...it doesn't hurt, it's just....well, kinda like I have the hiccups, too.  I cannot wait for this little guy to be born!  We had our second sonogram last week, and we got a really good face shot!  He has the chubbiest little cheeks!  I will try to get Charlie to scan it and post it here someday, too.  : )

Well, supper is ready, so I need to go.  More updates later.

Just a quick update -- I got released to go to work!  The poop issue has been mostly resovled.  I feel good ... tired!  but good.  My bp was a bit high this morning, but I took some meds and am taking it easy.

I will try to get some pictures in the next couple days.

Go ahead and grab your spoons because I am about to gush over my husband for a moment.......I know! I know!  GAG ME!  But, seriously, guys, I just have to brag about how well he is doing with all this.  He has had a pretty big culture shock, I think since last Thursday.  He's always been a help around the house, but now that he has to do EVERYTHING -- that's a big change.  Admittedly there are some things that I just have to take a deep breath and remind myself that I can "fix" it after I have the baby (i.e. since last Thursday the boys' closet has transformed from and organized, albeit very full, closet to something that resembles a trailer park after a tornado).  BUT!  Every.single.night.  Charlie makes supper...and then cleans EVERYTHING up afterward.  He washes down the table, hand washes my pans, loads the dishwasher.... To me, that's a big deal.  I mean, I do that normally every night, but he constantly reminds me that the dishes could always wait til the next day, and I know it would not bother Charlie in the least little bit to let the dishes sit in the sink for a day or two or to have crumbs on the table until the next meal, but!!!! he keeps it all up for me -- to keep me happy.  And, people, I cannot even tell you how much that makes me wanna hug that man.  He has also kept the house very tidy (with the exception of the boys' closet -- which the boys need to keep that tidy, but they are only 5 and 6 years old, and they need some direction still in that area....) -- every day he puts blankets back in the blanket basket and has the kids pick up their toys and pitches junk mail and puts shoes in the shoe basket, etc. etc.....  He has also waited on me hand and foot without complaining.  Granted, I have heard a couple meant-to-be joking comments, but he honestly has not complained or made me feel bad for asking for anything.

I am getting better about dealing with all this.  Barb had a great point that I hadn't really thought of (even tho it makes so much freakin' sense I SHOULD have!) -- right now, it's Charlie's time to take care of the house and me and it's my time to take care of the most important thing of al....this little baby inside me.  (Thanks Barb!)  Don't get me wrong -- I really REALLY wanna get back to work and some sort of normalcy, but I am at least not laying around crying over it anymore.  Again, guys, keep your fingers crossed that Thursday is a good day at the doc for us and I can at least resume work.

Okay, enough about me....we have sick kids in the house right now.  Sam is currently finishing an antibiotic for an ear infection and respiratory infection.  He has stopped the coughing, but he's been to the school nurse twice since he started the meds complaining of earaches, and the nurse checks the ear, and its still red.  Thing is -- he never complains about it at home....  Anyway, I do think he's on the mend, but now, Willie is sick -- he's got a stuffy nose, his eyes are a bit bloodshot, and he occassionally coughs.  He told me this morning he didn't feel good.  Brittany also has a cough.  Dustin was sick last weekend, but I believe he is for the most part better.  I hope they can all kick it quick -- I'm sure the change in weather right now is contributing to the sniffles.

Now, back to me!  Oh, and this is totatlly TMI, so if you care not to know every single detail of my life, just skip this paragraph......I have another "sickness" going on at the moment.  Since about, oh, I'd say Saturday, I have had poop issues.  Now, this is something that is rather common during pregnancy, as is something else that often develops with poop issues (are you following me), but, well, now, it's all turned psychological for me.  Because of the secondary issue, the primary issue has been worsened -- because now I am too scared to "try to go" ......  I talked to the doc about it and she told me to just buy an over-the-counter mild laxative/stool softner.  So, I did.  But, so far, it has not helped.  And, well, I hate to complain, but I AM MISERABLE!!!!!  Really, miserable does not even describe how I feel.  It's worse than miserable!  My tummy hurts, my nether regions hurt, and every time I get up to go to the bathroom I almost have a damned panic attack!  It's becoming difficult to even relax enough to potty.....  And when the baby moves, it's so uncomfortable, which SUCKS because I love to feel him kick and roll.  But, because of all the ... uh, turmoil... in that region, the moving is not really a pleasant experience right now.  I took my second dose of over-the-counter cure this morning, and I'm very hopeful that by the next time I post I am feeling much, MUCH better.  Okay....now, you made it through THAT!  I'll share a funny with you..........and, it's TMI, too, but I think it's funny nonetheless.  You know how sometimes when you "have to go" there is some, uh, side effects..... Well, Sam came in the bedroom this morning to give me a kiss and hug before he hopped on the bus for school.  He leaned over the bed for a hug, and then jerked back, plugged his nose and said, "EW! You stink like fart!"  Thaaaaanks, Sam!  That makes me feel better!!!  *sigh*

So sorry for that last paragraph, but I had to complain about it!  Anyhoo....Sarah asked the other day for some pics....I told Charlie that he has to take a picture of me tonight, and he promised to do so.  Then, I need to have him put some pics on the laptop for me and I"ll post them.  We keep our picture files on a desktop computer, and since I"m taking this whole bedrest deal seriously, I have not/will not get up and go sit at the desk -- I'm keep my ass planted in bed or on the couch.  Aren't you proud of me!?!?!?!??!  : )  BUT!  Pictures will come at some point....I promise. 

I feel like I've just talked your ear off this morning, so, I'm gonna shut'er down, even tho I could talk and talk and talk......I'm kinda lonely!  : )  So, you guys have a good day.  I'd imagine I"ll update Friday -- Thursday is busy w/a doc appt and then a sonogram.  TTYL and HAGD!

So....my blood pressure has been nothing but in the normal range for 4 days.  FOUR FREAKIN' DAYS!  But, lo and behold, I show up to the doc this morning, and it's 153/99. 

Fuck.

I'm home for at least 2 more days.  I have another check up on Thursday (and a sonogram!!!).  On top of it all, I was "spilling sugar in [my] urine," and I gained 3 flippin pounds...in four days.  I was taken off of all sweets.  That was partially at the fault of my husband.  He was spoiling me, giving me cookies or cake every night for dessert...ya know, to keep me happy, but it backfired.  And, she told me to eat more fruits and veggies.  Which, I'm okay with that, really.  Nobody wants to gain 3 lbs in 4 days! 

As far as my bp goes -- like I said before, it's honestly been in the normal range ever since I've been home, but at the doc, it was high.  My personal theory is that it's in my head -- I know that whatever that nurse reads determines whether I can go back to work and I get myself worked up over it.... but my doc says she thinks it's normal at home because I'm in bed or on the couch and it's high at her office because I'm "up and around."  But, ya know, I took my bp immediatlely after getting ready this morning (shower, do hair, makeup, get dressed, etc. -- that took far more energy than simply walking in to the doc office), and it was 119/79.  PERFECT!  So......beings how she has the medical degree, her theory has rank, and I'm home.  *sigh*

Thank you ladies for your comments and well wishes.  I actually did not watch a single movie yesterday; my sister gave me 3 magazines, and I read them.  I think tomorrow is movie day, so we'll see if I can find that Jodie Foster one.  And I think I'll check out Good Luck Chuck; a friend of mine told me that was good. 

I will post some pics as soon as I get some.  I am assuming you are meaning baby belly photos?  Well, I'll just post all kinds of pics --  I have a really cute one of Willie that I can't wait to show you!  As far as my Valentine's Day...it was great!  Charlie always spoils me -- I am so lucky!  The kids had fun at the school parties and we gave them gift certificates for new fishies -- they were stoked!

Okay, guys, that's all for now.  Look for another update on Thursday or Friday.

As of last Thursday, I have been on what I'm hoping is TEMPORARY bedrest.  My blood pressure was a bit high for the second doctor appointment in a row, so my doctor took me off of work and told me to get my bootie home and do "no physical activity".  She even lectured my husband over the phone and told him that I am to do nothing.  Now, seriously, I always daydream about how nice it would be to just sit in the recliner all day and watch tv, read magazine, surf the net, eat meals that have been prepared for you......ya know, just take.it.easy.  But, I'm here to tell you, it's not all that it's cracked up to be!  I'm not gonna lie, some of aspects of the "bedrest" is nice -- I have full control of the remote control 90% of the time; I have been able to nap anytime I want; I can suf the net without any time constraints; and I actually had time to paint my fingernails!  However, I.am.so.done.with.it.

It might just be me and my overanal personality (is that even a word?!?!?!), but it really does not suit me to sit on my ass while everyone around me takes care of things.  Honestly, people, it really bothers me.  It makes me feel so guilty.  And so helpless.  And....well, I don't even know how to explain it without sounding like an ungrateful beeyotch, but..... *sigh* something just bothers me about not having a part in the running of the house.  I have to give Charlie major kudos -- he has stepped up to the plate.  Major League style.  He has really done EVERYTHING -- he brings me breakfast in bed and makes me a lunch before going to work.  He's done the laundry, he's made all meals, he's kept the freezer full of ice cream.  He has been adamant that I do nothing, just as the doctor ordered.  I really REALLY appreciate his help.  But, I'd like to not just "be a lump," as Sam would say...I'd like to be a part of the household and it's upkeep.

Does that even make any sense?

BUT!  Tomorrow is my checkup, and my blood pressure has been in the normal range since Thursday (new meds and inactivity), so I'm hoping to be released to do more -- I'm hoping I can at least go back to work.  I want to save my leave for AFTER the baby is born.  If I have to continue to take it easy at home, so be it.....I'd much rather deal with the guilt of having my husband pick up my slack at home than the worry and anxiety about using all my leave before this baby comes and then having to either go back to work right after delivery OR stay off without pay.  I think that the latter creates more stress for me than being a lump does.

I will keep you posted.  Also, I feel the duty to report to you movie reports, to save you all from the agony I have gone through in the last couple days.  Ya know, I actually was looking forward to watching some movies that I wouldn't normally get to watch (I'm typically outvoted in movie votes).  So.....Hairspray -- don't waste your time; Dreamgirls -- keep flipping throught the channels; Undercover Brother -- marginal but still far better than the previous two mentioned; Under Seige -- typical Segal movie, action packed and entertaining, but cheesy moments.  I"m almost scare to buy anymore PPV movies due to the back luck I"ve had at choosing them, but......I'm thinking about maybe checking out Good Luck Chuck or The Heartbreak Kid.  Any advice?