Good news at the doctor's office

Thank you all for the birthday wishes...we had a nice dinner and a relaxing night.

I had a doctor's appointment this morning and everything looks good. I had a sonogram and I got to see the baby's heart beating away. I am right around 8 weeks so there are still a million months to go, but it is still nice to get good news. I feel really good about my doctor and I think she'll keep a close eye on me. Since she unfortunately is not psychic she couldn't reassure me that this will be a nice long 40 week pregnancy with a full-term healthy baby at the end, but I still like her!

I'm off to cram some clothes in a bag for our trip. Hope everyone had a fun Labor Day holiday!

Mellow birthday

I had a nice, mellow birthday today just hanging out with the cats, watching some shows I had DVR'ed and cleaning the house a little. Stephanie and the girls came over for a play date and the kids spent the afternoon climbing up and sliding down the huge pile of dirt from the basement hole for the house going in behind us. We're headed out to dinner in a few minutes. All in all a nice day...

A little more patience...

Thank you everyone for reminding me that Bryn is going through a lot of changes and I probably need to chill out a little about the sleeping thing. Between kindergarten and the new house, it is plenty to deal with (we haven't told her I am pregnant yet, but that will just be another thing to add to her list of things to adjust to). We do leave lights on and have walked through the dark house and such. I think it did start out as her being a little scared, but now I think it is just habit. She wakes up between 1 and 2 am every night and just doesn't settle back to sleep. I know it will pass - I just don't happen to be one of those people that deals well when my sleep is interrupted. Hard to believe I survived the baby years!

Aaron's car is fine and all set for us to head to Memphis this weekend to pick up a few furniture odds and ends. It will be a quick trip...it sure was easier to travel before I had to stick to this kindergarten schedule!

I'm back

I'm finally back after what feels like a really long time of not blogging and not checking in on my blogging buddies, and I don't even have much news to report after my hiatus!

We're still battling sleep issues around here - mainly me not getting enough because Bryn doesn't want to sleep in her bed. I am not really sure why we're having a problem after 5 1/2 years in her own bed, but I guess me not understanding doesn't make the issue stop! I'm currently trying bribery (a stack of little toys she can choose from in the morning if she doesn't wake me up a jillion times a night) and punishment (no TV or computer all day if she does wake me up a jillion times). And no, neither one seems to be working!

I did the final walk-through the old place with the landlord this morning. He is going to charge us for every little thing including painting the walls and cleaning the carpets (they look fine - I already cleaned them), so we'll be lucky if we get 4 cents of our deposit back. Some of our other neighbors who had moved out had already warned us that he charged them for dust on their ceiling fans, so we weren't expecting much. He told me today that scuffs on the walls are not considered normal wear and tear unless they wipe right off with a damp rag because he will have to repaint before someone else moves in. Um, yeah - isn't that what you do between tenants and don't you roll that cost into the major bucks you charge us for rent? He was generous enough "to only charge us what the carpet cleaning guy charges to clean the carpets". I refrained from pointing out that he cleans the carpets himself with his own little truck and hoses - I guess that's a secret he expects me not to know since he does it during the day when everyone is at work. Anyway, enough of that rant...

I am taking Aaron's truck in for a tune-up tomorrow and am hoping I don't bring the same kind of luck I brought last time I took my car in and came out with a new vehicle! One new car payment is plenty!

Sickness and sin

We're waiting on symptoms of hand, foot and mouth as it is evidently going around. We had a playdate here yesterday afternoon and one of the little girls had blisters today on her mouth and hands. Sigh. One of the other joys of children - all the fun germs they can pick up to make life interesting!

On a more amusing note, I cracked up yesterday when Bryn proceeded to tell her little friend all about me using a mean voice and adding sin to the world. "Sin, sin, sin - she is just making more sin using that kind of voice". Obviously something is sinking in at school - after only 5 days my kid is already preaching hellfire and brimstone!

We are still covered in boxes around here and I am starting to feel a little nauseated throughout the day so I am not getting much done. Not that I was getting much done before...I guess at least now I have a valid excuse!

I did send an email regarding the horrible online class I tried to take. I haven't received a response and am interested to see if I get one.

Another day goes by...

Sometimes I can't figure out where the time goes. I feel like I blink and days have passed! It doesn't help that my calendar is not up and our house is still in unpacking disarray. In fact, this morning I was halfway to a doctor's appointment (no exciting news - they just drew blood and I have a sonogram scheduled for next week) when I remembered I was supposed to meet someone from the school to get a copy of the text for the class I am taching this semester! Aaargh! I frantically called Stephanie and asked her to meet him for me and get the books. Being the wonderful friend she is she loaded three kids in the car and got the books for me. Am I blessed to have such great friends, or what?

On the teaching front, classes have started and the ususal questions about what is due when have started rolling in. The questions are always something I have answered in the course materials for the class, but I am convinced that posting all of that is just for my benefit as none of the students seem to read it! And just as I was feeling like I must be doing something wrong with my class, I logged into a class I decided to tkae online this semester just for fun. It literally made me embarassed to be associated with the school as it is possibly the most poorly designed and uninformative online course I have ever seen. If I was paying for it (and not getting free tuition b/c I work there) I would be so angry I wouldn't be able to see straight. I am seriously considering emailing the department head about it, but I am thinking I should probably just keep my mouth shut and get off my soapbox!

Napping and parties and unpacking

We had a nice Saturday...we went to little Levi's first birthday party and had a nice long nap. We had taco salad for dinner and had movie night (admittedly Aaron and I worked on our laptops while Bryn watched "Madeline Lost in Paris", but she didn't seem to mind!). A perfect day as far as I am concerned. Poor Aaron loaded some more boxes up and brought them from the other house - I have big plans to get them unpacked today. We'll see how that goes.

Even though Aaron and Bryn didn't go fishing this weekend, I thought I'd post the old fishing photos that I never posted.

Nothing new today...

It is nice to be getting back to normal with no new developments in our lives. I suppose there are a few "new" things around the house as I made a run to Target today for various items. But no new big things! I did have to laugh at Jean's comment on yesterday's blog...there actually is a new pet in our future! We promised Bryn when we moved we would get a fence and get her a puppy sometime after Christmas - that will be an adventure! If anybody has any suggestions for a calm smaller dog breed, let me know!

Bryn had another good day at school, I think. Figuring out what she does each day is a bit of a guessing game as she is not very forthcoming with any info about her school time. Thank goodness I'll get a weekly newsletter form the teacher so I'll have some vague notion of what's going on!

Another "new" development

Well, used "new" development. I took my 2001 Honda Accord into the shop today for what I figured was a transmission issue and of course, it was. The mechanic reassured me that he had never seen the transmission go out on an Accord with 130,000 miles on it. Really....lucky me. Now, it could be fixed to the tune of $2500 for a used transmission or $3900 for a new one...on a vehicle worth maybe $6000 on a really good day with a working transmission. Sigh...

I am now the proud owner of a 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan. I suppose I should be happy as I always wanted my next car to be a van, but instead I just want to vomit! What a way to spend my first full day as the mother of a kindergartener (Bryn did wonderfully today at school and it looks like we are off to a great start with school!).

On another note, I no longer have to stuff myself into a bridesmaid dress in October as the wedding is now off. It sounds like the situation was really bad (I had no clue what was going on evidently) and in the end (I wish it hadn't taken her so long to figure it out) Nikki knew she couldn't stay with her fiance. I am just glad she and Ellen are safe and have her family there to support them.

Bryn's first day of kindergarten

Each school day should start with a nutritious breakfast (at our house today that would be cheese and pretzels - the breakfast of champions, right?)




We made it out of the house on time and learned that traffic does get kind of backed up during the school year when the Middle School is only a block away!




Look at this face - so sad to be leaving Mom (or just tired of Mom taking pictures!)




All settled in at her desk and ready to go!

All the agonizing about starting school - public, private, none at all (kindergarten isn't mandatory in Kansas) is officially over. I walked Bryn into her first day of school at Genesis Christian Academy, stuffed her supplies into her cubby and left her in the capable hands of her teacher, Mrs. Field. I think she has been a little nervous even though she wouldn't really admit as much. No tears this morning from Bryn or Mom and she didn't even blink as I left the classroom. Another milestone passed...

Another day!

Thought I'd post a quick update...

All is well here...just a little tired, but feeling pretty good. We are enjoying my mom and John's visit and have been doing all kinds of fun stuff - unpacking boxes, moving more boxes, eating lots of food, going to the fair, shopping. Staying busy for sure!

I did get a new knob for the buffet. After many phone calls, we managed to agree that me going to the store and exchnaging the knob would be the easiest course of action. Really, you think? That would be easier than sending me a whole new buffet? Who knew?

Today we're off the do some more shopping (curtain rods) and more eating (T-Rex Cafe). And only two more day until Bryn starts kindergarten...it's hard to believe!

Still in shock, but well fed!

I'm still trying to absorb the fact that I am pregnant and not recovering from surgery...I think it may take a bit longer to sink in. It is hard for me to be completely thrilled as I am a natural worrier and know all too well the things that can go wrong during pregnancy (a couple of years working at an OB office can really make you paranoid, not to mention the problems I had last time around). I have some good docs this time around, though, and much more time to lay around with my feet up since Bryn will be off to kindergarten next week!

We have been well fed as my wonderful friends have been bringing dinners by even though I am completely capable of cooking at his point - who am I to pass up a free, easy and tasty meal?!?

My Mom and John are coming in tomorrow night and are staying until Tuesday (and bringing meals since I was supposed to be incapacitated and Mom already put the casseroles together!). I don't have anything planned except getting the dining room curtain rod up so I can get some measurements for those drapes. We desperately need some curtains in this house as I am tired of hiding in the closet to change clothes for fear of scaring the neighbors!

And the "are you kidding me" part of today (not nearly as exciting as the last one!) is the fact that Crate and Barrel is planning on sending an entire new buffet to us b/c I need a replacement knob (one of them has some weird rust spots). Yes, the knobs do simply unscrew and come off, but evidently no one can seem to order just one knob. My request to simply go into the store and simply exchange my bad one for one of the good ones on their floor model was met with a two day delay while that request is emailed to the production manager. Who knew it was easier to order and deliver a whole new piece of furniture rather than send one lousy knob? Maybe I'll just paint the knobs hot pink and call it good!

Are you kidding?

I did not expect to be blogging today, but here I am am. Thank you for all your prayers and well wishes for my surgery - it meant a lot to me to have so many people thinking of me.

Now for the "are you kidding" part...I did not have surgery because I had a positive pregnancy test! Quite an unexpected turn of events as I have had hormonal issues for a while and getting pregnant was not something that was expected to happen without some medical intervention. I guess that just goes to show that there is a bigger plan than I can understand or anticipate. It is sooooo very early still (I am most likely not even 5 weeks pregnant), but I figured I better go ahead and tell as I couldn't figure out how to explain why I am not going to be laid up and recovering from the surgery! The surgeon said the surgery can happen during the second trimester if I am having problems (like may happen if the lumps are endometriomas) or it can happen later if I don't have any problems.

O.K. So I think that's enough news from me for one day...

Moved in!

Well mostly, anyway. The movers came today and moved all of the furniture (except the computer desk which failed to fit up the stairs - it was assembled AFTER we took it to the basement originally!). All of the neccessities, plus some non-essentials, are in the new place and mostly unpacked. The rest will have to wait, but at least we get to spend our first official night in our new house tonight. The cats are both a little bit freaked out by the new digs, but I figure they'll be out and about and shedding all over soon enough!

I am headed to the hospital tommorow morning for my surgery which will be at 9:30 am. It is supposed to take less than an hour and then after an hour or so in recovery they will send me home if all goes well. If y'all have any prayers to spare, say one for me tomorrow...

Making progress

We are definitely making progress on moving thanks to some wonderful friends and family! Some friends from church and Jim and Sherry came over yesterday morning and we moved about 7 pick up loads of stuff. They would have moved everything, but we had to save a few things for the movers we hired (who I haven't talked to in a while - I am hoping they show up tomorrow!). And then my friend, Stephanie, brought chicken spaghetti over for everyone for lunch...how fortunate am I to have such a great people in my life?

Bridges of Hope is happening today and I am not going...it is one of those things that I am sure will fall apart without me when I know in all reality it will go off without a hitch whether I am there or not! The cooks made brisket this month...I love that they are making a nice Sunday dinner meal and not a "soup kitchen" meal.

Off to pack a little more...

The fun continues...

All is well here...just continuing to move stuff to the new house. It is kind of nice to be able to take a few things over and put them away as we go. Tomorrow morning some friends are coming over with trucks to help us move the few boxes we have packed. Unless we get some serious work done, there won't be much to move! Also arriving tomorrow are Aaron's parents - Bryn is thrilled to have Grandma coming to play with her and I am thrilled that there will be someone to entertain her as she is growing quite weary of this moving business.

My surgery is still scheduled for Tuesday...the nurse called a couple of days ago to get all of my pre op info. I will evidently have a choice of IV sedation with a local or general anesthesia. The surgery should take less than an hour, so hopefully it will be quick and complication free. I try not to worry, but the stories I have heard in the past week about blood clots in the lungs after surgery are not doing much to calm me down! These types of situations are definitely the ones that my control freak personality does not handle well!

I think we have decided for curtains the full length of the dining room windows - being there in the late afternoon/evening with the hot and blinding sun coming in made me realize I definitely want the option to close some curtains!

Window picture

So all that rambling about the dining room window and I didn't get the picture uploaded! O.K., so now you can vote!

P.S. For those that asked, the pic I am in on Pioneer Woman's blog is the one with her daughter and one person in the distant background in the store. My cousins daughter is the redhead in front of the distorting mirror on Navy Pier.

New house

Here is our new house! It is so exciting to finally have our own space (I am sure I won't be nearly as excited when the first big repair/replacement comes along). I am continuing to have a dilemma with curtains for the dining room, so if you care to vote I would love the help! I had originally planned to put dark red or chocolate brown silk (the dupioni silk that looks kind of nubby) drapes with sheers underneath all the way from the top of the windows to the floor. My friend Stephanie suggested putting a curtain on the bottom 2/3 of the windows and leaving the top windows open for the natural light. It is a west facing window so it gets lots of sun in the evening. The dining room furniture will not be ultra formal (it's Crate and Barrel so it is somewhere between casual and pretty simple). I thought the longer, more formal drape may be a nice touch since the furniture is simple. Then again, the adjoining living room will most likely have seagrass blinds and a zebra striped rug, so the long drapes may be too much. O.K., enough rambling - I think I have proven I am in serious need of some outside opinions!

Aaron started his new job today - he basically just ran around like a madman filling out all the paperwork. Gotta love Human Resources!