Suck

I got some blood sucked out this morning. On purpose. No really! It’s nothing exciting, I had to go in for some lab tests that you’re supposed to get done when you’re about 8 weeks pregnant. Well, we’re doing things differently this time, so I didn’t get it done until today. However it’s not a big deal, because I’m very brave about needles. No big woop, and the lab had a very comfortable couch in their waiting room. It was probably riddled with germs, but it was REALLY comfortable.

I am at work, and I am discouraged. I can’t go into it more than that, but there you have it. I also have popcorn to eat at my big meeting, which is a perk. I bet you no one else brings snacks. Pregnancy makes me smart! (not.)

I can read.

I bought a Sunday paper yesterday, and I read the whole thing. What do I remember reading? Not a ton about the health care plan, not a ton about sports. I remember that they are trying to pass a law in California to make it illegal to declaw your cat.

I doubt that’s what the reporters in the front section wanted me to take away with me, but, there you have it.

Yesterday we took Caden to the park for the first time since he learned to walk. The weather was so beautiful, sunny and about 73, just perfect for the park. Caden LOVED it, his happiness was SO cute. He doesn’t really get the concept of the park, but he had a great time anyway. Aaron took him on the slide, and pushed him on the swing, and it did something great for my heart to watch Aaron play with Caden on the swings and slide. He’s such a great man, I feel really lucky…

Mostly Caden ran around and fell down and picked up rocks and ran screaming his “hello” scream at strangers. Then he would halt abruptly, and grin at them. It was just so cute.

Then in the afternoon we went to ANOTHER park with Joanna and Tyler and their dog Bowser and went on the walking trail, then hung out at the toys. Aaron and Joanna took Caden up onto the play ground, and Aaron stood on the drawbridge texting, while Joanna tried to make sure Caden didn’t plunge 4 feet to the ground. Oh, don’t worry, he says he was “watching” Caden. Suuure honey. Still it was so fun to watch him run around chasing the other kids.

He seems to like blonde girls. Caden, not Aaron.

Today it’s work time, courtesy of MamaJo, and then I am taking her out to Panera for lunch to say thank you, then we are going to Costco. Followed hopefully by naps for all at the James casa.

In other news, I need a hair cut desperately. I would also like highlights, though my need for them is not as desperate.

Selah.

Catchup

I have got a lot of catching up to do for you people. With you people. At you people? One way or another this long hiatus from the internet is KILLING me.

Caden’s birthday was a huge success. We had people over for dinner, which Meghan and mom made, and it was delicious and fun, all at once. Caden received many cool toys that he promptly stuck in his mouth or chucked in the air. I even put aside my sugar paranoia (it makes him barf) and let him eat a brownie with a candle stuck in it! I took the candle out first of course.

Mom and Meghan visiting was more fun than I can describe. There is something so amazing about being about to sit around a house with your family. I miss them every day, and you should never take for granted the ability to sit around in a room with those who’ve known you from birth.

Scrub Something.

Quick everyone, my mom is coming! Everyone, scrub something! If this house doesn’t smell like bleach when her plane lands tomorrow, someone isn’t getting dessert!

No, I’m totally kidding. Mostly.

My mom is arriving tomorrow, and my sister arrives on Saturday! I can’t wait to have all my favorite Chiquita Banana’s in one place at one time. There will be shopping and pizza eating and probably some cookie baking.

But first. The Cleaning.

The Little Moon

I swear to you, up, right down left and center, that this baby is a girl. The one time I felt her move, she smoothly glided from right to left, like a little moon rising and setting, so that’s her nickname. I could be wrong about her being a girl, but I will refer to the unborn fetus as “she” until medical science proves me wrong.

I had a great pre-natal appointment today with my midwives, Anita (the midwife) and Amber (the apprentice midwife). I love these two women like cats love cream. I will also forewarn you, as I tell you about my day, that I am incredibly biased towards midwifery because our experience with a doctor was so awful. Doctors are necessary and save lives, but I want them out of my uterus until something is actually wrong. I am pregnant, not sick. So, I love doctors, we need them around, lots of women couldn’t have or deliver healthy babies without them! But I don’t want them at my healthy normal pregnancy and birth. Disclaimer issued? Good, let’s go!

Create.

It’s one of those days outside: kinda dreary, warmish, dripping rain, soothing wind. It makes me want to create something. It’s been so long since I’ve gotten any of my painting stuff out. Mostly because it’s difficult to paint while a child hangs on your leg. Still, since Aaron has the day off, maybe I’ll try and get a little painting done today, or something.

I’m at work right now, with a few minutes of free time because one of my meetings got cancelled. Which is a beautiful thing, since I haven’t been near enough to a computer to update lately. I am thinking of buying internet for our house, maybe by selling clothes, or some of my hair?

Speaking of hair, I need a haircut. But when?! I am so busy. Mostly with being a mom.

Speaking of MOMS, my mom is coming next week. So is my sister. Hollah! We are going to do many fun things, including watching Numb3rs together, going shopping, etc.

Aaron and I have realized we just plain ol’ need more Jesus in our lives. In the busy-ness we forget to focus on the one thing that is where all our help comes from. It’s not something that should take a back burner, and somehow it has, and we are just not ok with that. So, Lord, COME!

In sad news, I accidentally send one of my favorite movies, Baby Mama, back to netflix instead of the horrible movie we rented: Fantastic Four Rise of the Silver Surfer. And, I can’t get Baby Mama back. Netflix did kindly offer to discount our next two months though, so it’s all good. I am very sad to have lost Baby Mama (with Tina Fey) because it’s hilarious. But I bought it at costco for 9.99, so it’s not the worst monetary loss in the world.

I went shopping with friend Joanna yesterday, and found so many cute things I wanted to buy. Boots are so expensive though! Found cute pajamas’, cute shirts, etc. I’ll hold off until Meghan and Mom get here and we and shop together. That will be good times.

Caden will be one year old on the 29th! We’re not doing a big party, since mom and sis are in town and Caden will never remember, I thought we’d just have a small dinner at home. Since I love birthday’s, we’ll be reminding him all day it’s his special day. I’ll let him wear pajamas all day and have fruit at every meal. Fruit is like baby dessert. Trust me.

I have a prenatal appointment on Friday with Amber and Anita, and I am very excited about that. I have many questions for them, such as: Can I have an ultrasound at 20 weeks please? Can I hear the heartbeat today? Can you suggest more proteins for me to eat, because I am direly bored of all my regular food.

Should be an exciting few weeks.

Sing out Joyfully

I am filled with joy, joy and amniotic fluid. Lots of amniotic fluid. More than should be there, I feel. Not really though. I’m sure my fluid levels are fine. My joy however, it overflows abundantly.

You’re asking me why. I can hear you. I’ll tell you why! My mom is coming to seeeeee meeeeee!!! That means there will be wonderful mom snuggles and mom-meals and falling asleep knowing when I wake up in the morning I get to seee myyyyy moooooooom…… Oh such is my joy I can not even tell you. It’s just so great I could spit. I won’t though, because spitting would get my gag reflex going, something a woman full of fluid can NOT afford to have happen.

This means I have to do laundry. And vacuum. And put my child in something other than pajamas. Well. At least the first two things.

Walking and Talking

Caden has mastered the word “up.” He says it for all kinds of things: to say hi, to ask for a toy, to ask for Puffs (tiny baby snacks) and, last of all, to ask you to pick him up.

He’s also walking all over the place lately. It’s super cute. He’s pretty unsteady and falls a lot, but it’s still a darn faster way to get around. Aaron grabbed his hand to walk down the hall with him, and Caden, with the extra stability of dads’ hand, booked it down the hall. He was so excited and laughing all the way.

He also says dad pretty consistently, but I don’t think he necessarily attaches the name to Aaron. He just uses it for who ever. I can’t get him to say mom to save my life. Ah well, he knows where the food comes from.

Out.

It finally happened. I was laying on the floor yesterday, desultorily stacking blocks for Caden to knock over when I just knew. I knew it was going to happen. Now it was just a matter of delaying the inevitable. It was a few hours after breakfast when it started, and I knew it wasn’t going to end well.

Then Joanna flew in on her magic carpet of awesomeness, and borrowed Caden for an hour or so. How did I pass the time? Did I make tea and read a nice book, all curled up peacefully in bed? Did I watch a calming movie, wrapped in my favorite plaid blanket that I stole from my college room mate?

No. I spent the hour and a half hunched over in my bathroom, paying homage to my good housekeeping skills and being very thankful that my toilet was scrupulously clean.

Raw (fish)

I have a pregnancy confession for you. I just ate some raw fish. Yes. I did. Raw fish. Me. Even now it’s being digested by my stomach acids into particles small enough to have the nutrients absorbed out of them. Or something. I don’t really need to know how stomachs work, as long as mine’s working.

Thanks to Tyler’s willingness to watch football at my house, I am out without the baby. He and the Squeakster are chillin at home, and I am at Starbucks eyeing the super cute barista.

Aaron works at this Starbucks. He is the barista. Don’t worry.