The Story Behind my Ink

Back in the summer of 2009 my best 3 girlfriends and I decided we wanted a tattoo that would link us together forever. These are the girls that I met in college and we went through so much together. I lived with them all at one point or another during our college years.

We knew that we wanted stars, so we sat at my house drawing ideas. Then we went to a restaurant and drew more ideas. Finally we decided what we wanted. We each would be represented by a star of a different color. I would be turquoise, L would be purple, E is yellow, and C is green. We all got them in different places. Mine on my foot, L on her wrist, E on her hip, and C on her side.

These are the girls that I would do anything for. We even have our own FB group based on our tattoos. When we want to see each other or miss each other, we say our tattoos are "itching". It's cheesy, but I love it. Just like I love them.

A Little Lonely

This corner of my world seems to really have gone downhill. I feel like I am in a writing slump. There isn't much to write about...I mean, there is...but...sometimes when I know the people reading my blog, I don't blog as openly, I guess, as I would like to. Does that make sense? That being said...I am going to try to get back on track here. I am posting most of my Parker information on a blog that is specifically for him when he gets older. I will still do updates on the little monkey here though.

It's summer...I am home with Parker all day. I'm going to have to say, I am not cut out for this Stay at Home Mom gig. I miss adult interaction. I watch The Real Housewives so that I can pretend I am part of their group. Is this sad? Maybe. But I really don't care.

Yeah, I am just not cut out for staying home ALL the time. But for a few months, this is a pretty good gig. I get to spend an entire 3 months with my amazing little boy. I pretty much love that aspect to pieces!

Menu Monday

Monday: Cheesy enchilada rice meal, refried beans
Tuesday: Spicy garlic chicken, egg rolls
Wednesday: We have family photos, so probably will pick something up.
Thursday: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff (BC)
Friday: Going out of town
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Monday: Grilled portobello with red pepper and mozzarella, salad  These are A-M-A-ZING!!!!
Tuesday: Easy avocado burritos, refried beans Avocados were bad, so we had Monday's dinner again!
Wednesday: Chicken pesto panini, squash Again, YUM!!!
Thursday: Spicy garlic chicken, egg rolls Spaghetti instead.
Friday: Not sure...I have some friends coming into town! Had Mexican!

Menu Monday

Mr. S. asked if we could have at least one vegetarian meal a week. I loved the idea, so I actually have TWO vegetarian meals (Monday and Tuesday) scheduled. I can't wait! We are definitely on our way to some healthier eating!
Monday: Grilled portobello with red pepper and mozzarella, salad
Tuesday: Easy avocado burritos, refried beans
Wednesday: Chicken pesto panini, squash
Thursday: Spicy garlic chicken, egg rolls
Friday: Not sure...I have some friends coming into town!
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Last week!
Monday: Baked salmon with tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms , salad This was super amazing! I loved it!
Tuesday: Chicken pesto panini, salad I have moved this to this week. I cooked the enchilada today.
Wednesday: Healthified creamy chicken enchilada, black beans, chips and salsa This was so good! I didn't feel like I lost any of the flavor.
Thursday: Angel hair pasta with avocado and tomatoes, salad Always a favorite of ours!
Friday: Spicy garlic chicken, egg rolls Ended up BBQing with some friends. This is going on this week.
Saturday: Spaghetti, salad ...bag meal...
Sunday: Best Ever Saucy Kabobs, baked potatoes These were a crowd favorite! I loved them!

Reflections

I was sitting here thinking that a year ago this week, I found out I was pregnant. I remember one of my best friends coming into town, we ate sushi, drank slushi alcohol drinks, and just hung out. I thought that I still had a week before "Aunt Flo" made her visit. I woke up on Sunday and just didn't feel good...I thought back to the month of May and thought, "hmmmmm, I carried Saltines around at work, had sinus issues, and just felt icky." I double checked my calendar, "hmmmmmm, I was off a week. I am actually a week LATE!"

I ran in and took a test because I had a spare under the sink. The line was pink almost immediately. I ran in and scared the crap out of Mr. S. He was asleep and I went in whispering his name, he says I was louder than that, and told him we were pregnant. After he woke up a little more and I tried to control my shaking, we felt so excited...what a great feeling.

I can't believe it has been a year since we celebrated being pregnant. Now here I am, a mom. What a terrific year it has been!

Menu Monday

A blog that I follow, Learning to be a Wife, always posts a Menu Monday. I thought this would be a great plan considering that Mr. S. and I are going to start a new diet...or lifestyle change, as it should be called! School is out, summer is here, and it is time to shed this baby weight!

Here is this week's menu...
Monday: Baked salmon with tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms , salad
Tuesday: Chicken pesto panini, salad
Wednesday: Healthified creamy chicken enchilada, black beans, chips and salsa
Thursday: Angel hair pasta with avocado and tomatoes, salad
Friday: Spicy garlic chicken, egg rolls
Saturday: Spaghetti, salad

The weekend is the only part that might be kinda iffy. Sometimes we end up meeting friends, so we'll see!

Today was Parker's 4 month doctor visit. He is 15lbs and 24 1/4 inches long. He is in the 55th percentile for weight and 25th for height. The pedi said that he is perfect...I like to think so! :)

Summer Break is Here!

Parker and I will now be enjoyed each others company for about the next 3 months. I now truly understand why being a teacher and getting the summers off is wonderful. I now get to spend some key months of his life with him.

My baby boy turns 4 months tomorrow. I can't believe we are already here. Wow...

He loves to eat my index finger...it's his favorite. Oh, how I love this face!

Mother's Day 2011

A year ago, we had just created little baby S. He was just a mere idea, a "it could happen, it could not", a "whatever happens, happens".

A year later, I am able to hold the little baby and know that it happened, it did. It was so odd to receive cards in the mail wishing me a Happy Mother's Day. In my head I was an emotional mama. It was just overwhelming to really think about the fact that I have a baby that I am responsible for, that is starting to realize who I am, and that has grown so much in 3.5 months.

I feel very lucky to have this little boy that will call me mom. I never knew it was possible to love someone this much. When people said that it was a different kind of love, I never truly understood it, until I saw this little guy. I love waking up to his smiles and his babbles. I like that when linked together, his new babble noises sound like he is saying, "mom, mom, mama, mama". It makes me smile.

My first Mother's Day of many. I am so fortunate to be surrounded by so many loving people, including an amazing husband and child. They are my everything.

Working in the Garden

Ready to go to work?

Yep, bought him a hat. It's a little on the big side, but it did the job while he sat and napped outside...and drooled. Now he has a cold or allergies. Probably allergies from being outside...but it was such a gorgeous day on Saturday!

Bunnies!

Parker and I have a very important appointment this morning. He has a big photo shoot with REAL bunnies!! There is a photography place in town that has a special during Easter where they will do a 15 minute shoot with a 5x7 to take home that day for $20, or you can get an 8x10, (2) 5x7s, and (6) wallets for $45. I am super pumped to go take advantage of this!

He also turned 3 months yesterday...where has the time gone????

He has such a great personality! He has a wonderful smile, loves fart noises (I mean, he's a boy, makes sense, right?), eats his hands, loves his new play mat, and has a great time at daycare. He is so much fun! Oh, and he sleeps through the night with only an occasional "odd" night where he will wake up. He usually sleeps from 10p-5:45a. Yep, lucky.

Only 17.5 days left of the school year!! Then I get to play with little man everyday...I am so looking forward to it!

Yep, that's about right

 

If gas prices don't come down, I am going to have a cow. Literally. A cow. Or...I am going to be figuring out how long it would take me to get in a buggy with a horse and ride to work. I might have to leave at 3am to be there by 7:45, but I may need to if we want to eat! UGH!!!

Exhausted

P sleeps through the night. I am quite lucky. But, I am EXHAUSTED! Going back to work, keeping the house clean with a yellow lab living in it, entertaining a child, and just living in general have made me so tired.

Going back to work has been insane. I have so much stuff to do at the end of the year. It is super overwhelming right now. I am just ready for summer break!

The house seems to get dirty every 5 seconds. I just did a huge clean on Sunday and now it is a mess again. I am a smidge tired of having Truman. I love the dog to pieces and would hate to be without him, but the dog hair makes me feel dirty. Even though I'm not. I promise. It just gets to be too much. I seem to vacuum every other day and then sweep in between those days.

Entertaining P is fun, so there is NO complaint there!

Living in general is just different. Balance. That is key...and it is hard. I do a lot of work at home, and I feel guilty doing it. So...I tend to not do a lot of work at home right now. Mr. S. has been sick, so I have been taking care of P a little more than usual. He was putting him to bed so that I could go to bed early, but he has felt so rotten that he has been going to bed before me. Then he leaves Friday to go on a work trip until next Thursday...yep, I am on my own. My mom is staying all weekend and we have a girl that is staying at our house Mon.-Thurs. while she is contracted to work here in town. That should help me, at least knowing there is someone here if I REALLY need help. I won't depend on her because she is here doing her own thing, but I just want to know that someone is upstairs in case I have a meltdown!

*yawn* I need to cook dinner...and grade papers...and get P from his swing...*sigh* But I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Back to Work!

Went back to work a week ago...and I have to say that it has been really nice. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my son and I LOVE being around him. I am just not one that can sit at home all day long, and it is worse in the winter when there is snow on the ground and I am stuck in the house with a newborn. Being back at work has given me a break from P-man all day, so when I go to get him from daycare, I am super excited!

Little man is cooing and sticking his tongue out...he is super adorable. He is just so perfect!

These 4 walls close in more everyday

No, this is not the Tony Rich Project...yes, you remember the song..."and I'm cryin' inside, and nobody knows it but me"...no? Okay, moving on...

It is Friday, March...something or rather...I don't even KNOW what DAY it is anymore! It is time for mommy to get a life. Now, I don't want to take my child to daycare. I don't. Will she know how he likes to be turned on his side before falling asleep? Will she know that he kinda likes to sit up when he eats? Will she snuggle him when it is time for his afternoon nap? What will he do without his mom? *siiiiiiiiigh* These are all things I am battling. Now, with that said, I am ready to get back into the world.

I stare at these beige walls all day. Some days I get out of my p-jams, sometimes I just change my top, sometimes I change into regular clothes *right* before Mr. S. gets home so I look productive. I do wash my hair and put on makeup everyday. I need to do that to feel normal and so I don't scare my child. I think he can see more now, and he does not need to see his horrendous mother without make-up!

Work starts back up March 23, the day after Mr. S.'s 30th birthday. He already got what I call his "midlife crisis" present...a 2006 Volkswagon GTI. It's pretty sweet...heated leather seats, sunroof, 2 doors...totally not baby practical, but whatev. We have one car for that, I guess.

I need to see adults. The dog doesn't talk back, the cat just wanders around, and Parker babbles at me and cries. Time for a 2-sided discussion to occur...with someone other than Mr. S. I love him, but I need some time with estrogen-filled ladies.

With that said, time to go put the pacifier back in my child, pull the musical toy that hangs from his mat, and maybe vacuum. We'll see.

Triumphs of a Mom of 6 Weeks

My body can function on 3.5 hours of sleep in order to change a diaper and feed my child. Oh, and let the dog out and feed him.

I have a good idea of what my child needs when he cries.

Today we went out in public to Target by ourselves! I maneuvered a shopping cart and a car seat while shopping.

My old jeans went on, zipped, and buttoned...and I could still breathe! Now, there is PLENTY of work that still needs to be done, but I felt great that 6 weeks after Parker I was in my new jeans.

What a face!

Oh, I love this little man.

1 month old!

I need a break from this posting about your life thing to post about things actually going on in my life!

Baby Parker is 1 month old already! Actually, today he is 1 month 2 days. Here is a picture from 2/21, his one month birthday!

He is beginning to pick his head up more now, and he is so cute when he does. His mouth gets in kind of an "o" shape and he looks so aware. We have more awake hours now, especially in the evening. We are also working to establish a bedtime routine. I know he is too young right now to get it, but I think it will really help us later. I am a big fan of it because it helps me wind down for the night and have some good cuddle time with my baby.

We put on a clean diaper, sleeper, and sleep sack. Then we eat a bottle and rock in the glider. After that I turn on his sleepy sounds giraffe and read him a bedtime story while he sucks on his paci. It's my favorite time of the night. I love it!

Day 14: On the Beach

Day 14: A picture of something you want to do before you die

 I want to live in a beach house on the water...or near it. This might seem silly or not like a big thing, but to me it is. I would give anything to look out my window or sit on the porch looking at the ocean. It would be amazing to walk out my door and feel sand on my toes. Sipping margaritas with friends that visit after a day of playing in the water...perfection. I should probably start saving now. Something tells me a teacher's pay isn't going to do too much in the way of accomplishing this!

Day 13...10 Years Ago

Day 13: A picture of you taken over ten years ago

 

 I was at a movie premiere night in high school. Star Wars. I don't like SW...I just wanted to go with the gang. I think we were more there for the people watching!

Day 12: Black Eyed Peas

Day 12: A picture of your favorite band or artist

 

Love me some Black Eyed Peas! They have the catchiest music and it always brightens up a day when it comes on the radio!

 

Day 11: I love Reese's

Day 11: A picture of something you love.

I could have gone all mushy here, but I opted out. Obviously I love my husband and my son. This is something that is a given. I went the fun route...and with what I would love to sink my teeth into!

I really like Reese's! Yum!

Day 10: I hate peas

Day 10: A picture of something you hate.

 

 I used to like peas. My mom actually told me yesterday that she remembers the day that I started NOT liking these little green ickies. She said that she had made meatloaf and peas for dinner. She wondered why I had not put any peas on my plate. I then told her that I didn't really like them at all. So...I don't like peas.

Now, I will eat them if they are mixed in something, like a salad. I just don't want a bowlful of them. They smell funny and are squishy. I am not a fan.

Day 10: My Rock, My Husband

Day 9: A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

My husband has been my rock since we got together almost 11 years ago. He has been a part of my life through many of the ups and downs life has thrown my way. He is simply amazing.

Don't let the photo throw you...he is SOOO not gangsta!

Day 8: What Makes me Laugh

Day 8: A picture that makes you laugh.

 

One day I was in the kitchen preparing lunch and Truman, about a year old, was in the living room. He was pretty quiet, which was odd for him. He came in the kitchen a few moments later and I looked at his feet...they were purple. I walked into the living room and saw purple on my couch. I couldn't find where the purple had come from, but I knew it was from a pen I had laid on the coffee table. I lifted up his bed and there on the floor were the remnants of the pen and purple splotches.  Awesome.

So I spent the next 30 minutes rubbing purple out of my couch and out of my carpet. Needless to say, the purple came out of the couch except for one small spot on the bottom, but it did not come out of my carpet. Thankfully we were going to replace it anyway.

At the time, all I could do was laugh. What else was there to do?!

Day 7: The Ring

Day 7: A picture of your most treasured item.

Honestly, there are some other things I treasure more, but I don't have photos and they are at my mom's house. One thing is a blanket my grandma made me.

I chose this, not because it is a diamond, but because of what it represents. My husband and I have been together since high school. I was a sophomore and he was a senior. After many ups and downs, a couple of break-ups when we didn't see the relationship going the same way - I wanted marriage, he did not, and many amazing memories...this ring symbolizes the fact that we decided we couldn't live without each other. I love this man and what this ring means.

Day 6: Those I miss

Day 6: A picture of someone you miss.

 

 This picture is of more than one, obviously, but they are a packaged deal. I miss these ladies. I live in the middle of the state, one lives on one side, and the other 2 live on the OTHER side. Needless to say, we don't see each other as often as we would like.

These are the ladies I share a tattoo with, the sisters I never had...they are awesome...

Day 5: Favorite Memory

Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory.

 

I'm horrible. I can't choose just one. Here are the ones I am deciding between...

   -Mr. S. proposing

   -Getting married in Jamaica

   -Having Parker

I think that overall, having Parker is my favorite because although the other two are awesome, I have my family complete with Parker being born. 

Day 4: How we spend our evening

Day 4: A picture of your night

 

 Now that we have Parker here, this is how our evenings are spent! One of us falls asleep at the same time as the baby. If you notice, Mr. S. even has PepperAnn asleep on him. 

 

Yep, we are an exciting crew these days!

Day 3: How I Met Your Mother

Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

 

 

 

I like a lot of shows, but this one is one that I can't miss. Thank goodness for DVR so that I don't ever have to miss it! It is so well-written and amazing that they have not yet revealed the "mother" in all their seasons on air. Such a good show!

Day 2: My Mom and I

Day 2: A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

I don't have one of my mom and I handy right now, so I will just post a photo of her. My mom has and always will be, one of my best friends.

As a child she was very nurturing and loving. We could curl up on the couch together and watch TV. Mom and I could laugh for hours and play video games while my dad would just look at us like we were crazy. In the car we could sing 70s classic rock at the top of our lungs, dance, and be crazy. I loved it.

When I became a teenager I'm sure I went through the "push your parent" away stage, but my mom always remained close. She was always there to give me advice or to just hang out. We would go shopping and watch movies. She could hang out with my friends and I without being embarrassing!

As an adult I respect everything she did for me as a child. There are a lot of sacrifices I know that she made for me, and I really respect that. She has transformed from my mom to my confidant. She is there to help me become a mom to my new son. I love her with all my heart. She is an amazing person.

Day 1: A picture of me and 15 facts

Day 1:  A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

 

1. I have a thing for even numbers. I like things to be equal. I especially like the number 4.

2. The dark is one thing that I cannot stand. When I go outside alone in the dark, I typically run like crazy from place to place. 

3. My least favorite chore in the house is cleaning the bathtub. I don't know why, but it just irritates me. I feel like I can never get all the soap scum off the tub no matter how hard I scrub.

4. I would love to publish a book someday. I used to want to write a young adult chapter book, but I have since switched gears to wanting to write a children's book. We'll see.

5. I keep a spreadsheet of all the bills I have paid each month. Not sure why I do this. I don't really use the information for anything...just to do it.

6. Celebrity news fascinates me. I don't know why.

7. Reality TV will be the death of me. I love it. I have to DVR it or watch it when my husband isn't here because he makes fun of me.

8. Football rocks my world...I love playing Fantasy Football with the guys. I love watching the games with my husband. He likes that I can talk the talk! :)

9. Cooking is something I love to do. Baking, I hate.

10. I once wanted to be a TV reporter. Thank goodness I didn't choose that path. I don't think I would have liked it.

11. I have a tattoo on my right foot that matches that of my 3 best friends. Each of the stars stands for one of us. Mine is turquoise.

12. My husband and I have been together for almost 11 years. We have been married for 3.

13. I have a thing for technology. I can teach myself how to use a lot of it if I don't know how.

14. My hair never seems to look like how I want it to. It drives me insane.

15. Sometime I would like to have a new career...I love being a teacher, but I would even like to do college or even a new avenue of work. I love new things.

February Foto Fun

I got a great idea from Lipgloss Lounge. I am going to take part in February Foto Fun, which is where for each day in the month you post a picture that goes with a category. I am starting here on Feb. 3, so I will be going into March or I will pick a day to do a couple of the photos. This seems like a lot of fun!

Day 1: A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

Day 2: A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.

Day 3: A picture of the cast from your favorite show.

Day 4: A picture of your night.

Day 5: A picture of your favorite memory.

Day 6: A picture of someone you miss.

Day 7: A picture of your most treasured item.

Day 8: A picture that makes you laugh.

Day 9: A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

Day 10: A picture of something you hate.

Day 11:  A picture of something you love.

Day 12: A picture of your favorite band or artist.

Day 13: A picture of you taken over ten years ago

Day 14: A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Day 15: A picture of someone who inspires you.

Day 16:  A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Day 17: A picture of your biggest insecurity.

Day 18: A picture of you when you were little.

Day 19: A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Day 20: A picture of a  physical feature you love.

Day 21: A picture of your favorite book.

Day 22: A picture of something you wish you could change.

Day 23: A picture of your day.

Day 24: A picture of something that means a lot to you.

Day 25: A picture of yourself and a family member.

Day 26: A picture of something you're afraid of.

Day 27: A picture that always makes you smile.

Day 28: A picture of a person you'd love to trade places with for a day

Bathtime

"What are you looking at, duck?"

Our first bath went well. He didn't fuss until we took him OUT of the tub. So precious!

1 week old

Parker's original due date was today, 1-29. His induction date was 1-26. He was born on 1-21. See, he is totally my kid, better early than late! That is my way of life.

This has been an exhausting, exhilarating, busy, exciting, scary, emotional, crazy first week. We came home on Monday and my mom was here. She stayed from Monday to Thursday. I thought I would be okay with her leaving, but I was definitely an emotional mess that night.

Sleep is something I really miss. I seem to get enough to survive, I guess. I just miss sleeping for 7 or 8 hours...I wasn't really doing this the last month of pregnancy either. I think the difference is that I could lay in bed and think about not sleeping and now I have to get out of bed and function enough to change a diaper and feed a baby. *sigh* I do love those moments though. It's quiet and it's just him and I in the rocking chair while he eats. I love it.

I try to stay awake until his last evening feeding around 11-ish, then it is bedtime. Right now it is 11:40 and he needs to eat and get into his sleep sack. That is how I hope he knows it is bedtime! We'll see.

I can't believe how in love I am with this little guy.

Baby Parker is Here!

It was a long process, but here we are! After making my decision to stop working after Tuesday, things really began to happen. Wednesday was a nice relaxing day at home. There was snow that began that night, and it snowed, and it snowed, and it snowed. Mr. S. had this feeling that he should get a start on the driveway just in case. I just laughed at him and said we would probably be waiting until his induction date the next week.

Thursday at 1am I woke up to some contractions. I didn't think much about it because it had happened before. I started timing them and also realized I couldn't sleep through them. At 5:50 I woke Mr. S. up and told him about my contractions and that I was going to call Labor and Delivery to see what to do. They weren't really consistent so they told me to wait about an hour and see how things were going. I waited and things weren't changing, so I called my doctor and they told me to go on to L&D.

Mr. S. went out to scrape the driveway of the 7-10 inches of snow we got overnight. Ugh! We got to L&D after a slow drive. I was in pain with my contractions, so they let me in a room and started monitoring me. They decided to keep me because of the weather and the fact that I was in early labor. This was at 10am, so I had been in early labor for about 9 hours.

I went through contractions all day and night. At about 2am I received an epidural. At 5am they gave me pitocin to get my contractions to do something consistent and closer together. I wasn't dilating past a 5 and there were some other issues going on, so we had to make the decision of a c-section.

At noon they wheeled me in and by 12:35 we had welcomed Parker into the world. I have never been happier. He is a bundle of adorable joy!

Decision Made

I am at home...in the middle of the day...which means that I made yesterday my final day at work. I think Mr. S. would have kicked me if I continued working. He said he was going to barricade the door so I couldn't leave....haha! So, I told them that yesterday was my final day and now I am here at home.

Probably a good idea to be here since there is snow moving into the area. My last day was going to be Friday anyway and there is probably going to be a snow day at least tomorrow if not tomorrow and Friday...so yeah, it worked out well.

Now I am 7 days out from my induction date. This time next week I will be in the hospital awaiting Parker's arrival. It is quite surreal. I can't believe I am going to officially be a mom. Wow.

Decisions

Yesterday I went in for my 38 week appointment and had to go over to L&D due to high blood pressure. They ran labs and monitored me for a couple of hours. If it didn't drop they were going to induce, if it did drop then I would go home. Obviously I am typing this, so I am home.

I can't lie. I really wanted to just have him yesterday. The emotional roller coaster is going full steam right now and it is getting hard to go from day to day. My contractions have started hurting, my patience is gone, and I am exhausted.

I know that my blood pressure had to have gone up because of work. I started feeling crummy at about 1:30 yesterday. I ended up with a headache, was SO hot, and just done. With everything happening yesterday I feel like I need to make a decision about work. I planned for Friday to be my last day, but with this happening, I don't want to push it and make something bad happen. Mr. S. does not want me going back to work. I want to make it easy for me and just stay until Friday, but I don't know if this is realistic at this point. I think there will be some snow days at least on Thursday, so that might help...I just don't know what to do at this point. Everything in my head tells me that it is time. I need to go in and talk to my principal about it. Ugh...decision making is not good for an indecisive person!

Like right now, my contractions are 7 minutes apart. But they will eventually taper off. *sigh* I'll figure out something.

10 days...

...until Parker is here. That is, if he doesn't make his own appearance first. I wouldn't doubt that happening either. I have been having contractions all day every day for the past...like...3 or 4 days. Ugh, they are exhausting. Last night they actually started to hurt. One had me doubled over and hanging on to the refrigerator door handles. I thought that was THE ONE. It wasn't. I'm still here, and there is still a baby in there. I think his head was maybe on a nerve.

I bought the last of the baby supplies yesterday, had my final baby shower at work on Thursday, and there are clothes in the dryer to fold to put in his room. I had a burst of energy when we got home from Mr. S.'s holiday party last night and we put together the last of the items I bought. Now we are ready. Well, as soon as I fold the last of the clothes and blankets.

It is hitting me that my induction date is 1-26...just around the corner. My last day at work (as long as he isn't here before!) is 1-21. This Friday. I am nervous, scared, excited...a bundle of nerves. I have wanted to be a mom for a long time, but I never really thought about it REALLY happening. Here we are, a week and a half out. I am so...overwhelmed, but excited. I can't wait to meet the little guy...

I went from this to...........................................................this! WOW!