Because I'm Human...

I have to tell you, your comments yesterday completely brought a smile to my face.

After I read my own list, and before hitting publish, I thought to myself...wow, pretty pathetic. And smiled. And then after reading your comments I smiled some more, because the truth of it is, most of the stuff that annoys us is also stuff we love dearly.

Because being annoyed occasionally, is not being ungrateful. It's being human. So a big thanks to all of you for sharing in my humaness.

Ok, couple of things:

1. I had mentioned the other day that I would share with you the story of a girl calling our house. But, upon further thought, I decided that my son would rather me not share it. I will say, that the next day at school the teacher ended up telling (some) of the girls in the class that they needed to stop telling the boys they "loved" them...that the boys didn't want to be loved by them till Junior High or so. She said all of the boys looked relieved. :) In the mean time, I will be working much harder to perfect my scariness so that any and all girls decide my cute son is just not worth dealing with his mom.
2. Cute, cheap shoes from Target:

Happiness.

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Annoyed

I can't seem to shake that annoyed feeling. Little things, big things, frankly it doesn't matter, it's likely to annoy me right about now.

I'd like to blame it on my hormones. Or the weather. But likely it's just my attitude...my outlook...my perspective. It's skewed, I know that. Yet, for today, it's not stopping me from basking in my annoyedness.

Aren't you glad you stopped by?

Things That Annoy Me for Today:

• Feeling huge. Uncomfortable. The fact that I had to take my wedding ring off because it was just uncomfortable on my sausage-looking hands.
• Doing routine house-work is now a daunting task with this figure.
• And speaking of "figure"...I went to Target the other day and I am not even kidding when I tell you that everyone stared at my belly as I walked by. I wanted to say to each. and. every. one. HAVEN'T YOU SEEN A PREGNANT LADY BEFORE?!?!? SHEEESH.
• The feeling that I'm trapped in someones else's body.
• People in my household not picking up after themselves...and certainly not lifting a finger to pick up anything left by someone else. Heaven forbid.
• Commercials.
• Filing taxes. Mainly, paying in more money to the state of Iowa. Very annoying.
• Whining. Crying. Ironic, no?

Oh, I have plenty of stuff that is not annoying me. An abundance of stuff I'm thankful for...and love desperately.

But some stuff....grrrrrr.

And one more thing...don't go leaving me a comment telling me how sorry you are that I am so annoyed. Then I will be forced to be annoyed with your comment. *wink* Instead, let's share things that are currently annoying you. Because isn't there a Bible verse about being annoyed with those who are annoyed? Or something like that... *cough*

Post written while inserting-tongue-into-cheek

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She's Pretty Cute...

I have a sweet new niece! Born on Monday, March 1st. Meet Maiah Alexandra. She joins big sister Maddy...they are just precious. I have more pictures to come...

In the mean time, I still look like this: 32 weeks and some odd days.

Again with the stripes...seriously, I have a problem.

When I went to the hospital to visit my sister and new niece, the man at the reception desk asked me if I was there for a tour of the maternity ward.

I have some more stories for you (like how my 2nd grader received a call from a girl yesterday, and how happy *insert gagging* that made me. He was equally disgusted. I'll share tomorrow...) but Jake and I are heading to Target and Starbucks. Target and Starbucks trump blogging. Obviously.

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I Don't Want to Forget...

Part of the reason I blog is so that I can look back and actually remember some of the seemingly insignificant things. Over the past two years, it's the things that seemed unimportant at the time that end up making me smile the most.

We have forty-some days until our family changes forever. While we're all excited and anticipating the baby's arrival, we're also enjoying the last days of life as we know it.

Here's the some of the things I don't want to forget...

Jakob: I sometimes wish I could keep you 4 1/2 forever. You are smart as a whip, which gets you into trouble sometimes. You wipe off every kiss your daddy and I give you, all the while smiling and giggling. You love to draw and create things. I'm forever picking up your markers, tape, and scraps of paper, only to find you've gotten them back out a few minutes later. You've become a mommy's boy lately. Last week I was sitting on the couch and you were at the table while daddy was goofing around in the kitchen telling us things he was thankful for. You announced that you were thankful that your mom was so beautiful...and you melted my heart. I love you little man.

Eli: Your seven year old, easy-going personality is completely endearing. We spend many hours a week together, sitting at the table, practicing reading, sight words, and spelling. Sometimes there's tears and frustration, and sometimes there's laughter and joy over your accomplishments. No matter what, we're on this learning journey together. You have an amazing ability to look at the bright side of life. You're a dreamer...and to this realist, you often make me smile...or shake my head. Last week you hopped in the van after school and informed me you were going to make a car out of wood and then drive it to California to make a movie. Alrighty then. You constantly run around the house in bare feet, shorts, and t-shirts. It makes me cold just looking at you. I've given up asking you to put on a sweatshirt. Your latest fashion trend of choice is sweat-bands. You wear them everyday. You're convinced they're very cool, and we believe you. I love you little man.

Noah: You remind me of myself in many ways. You are a first-born through and through. You will be almost nine years old when this new baby arrives and already you are looking out for it. You take pride in a job well done. When you put your mind to something, there is absolutely nothing that is going to distract you from it. I loved watching football with you on Sundays...and listening to stats you'd learned. Our mutual love for the Packers and disdain for the Vikings has caused some major mom/son bonding. You are always planning and looking ahead to the future. You are thoughtful and considerate. This week you came home from school, concerned that the new boy in class did not have boots and snowpants, which then caused him to have to stand by the wall at recess. You made sure to hunt around the basement for some extra pairs and then carried them to school, just in case he didn't have them the next day. Your teacher and I couldn't help but hug you. You wear a red rubber bracelet on your right wrist, everyday, to help you remember to pray for a cure for cancer for your good buddy, Tate. I love you little man.

Can't wait to see what the next addition is like :)

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It's a Two-Week Addiction...

I tried to stay away from the topic of the Olympics. I really have. Because once the flood gate opens, I may not be able to stop myself.

I love the Olympics dearly. I've recorded all of it...even the boring stuff. Sometimes I watch it super fast, but I still feel the need to watch it none the less.

It's my American duty.

I'm amazed at their commitment. And the winter Olympians, they are a special kind of crazy. Fearless. Inspiring.

Our whole family has gotten into it. Noah, our 8 year old is desperate to buy a snowboard after watching Shaun White. In the mean time, he's been sliding down the snow pile in the yard, while standing on his red sled. It's snowboarding tiny-town style. I need to video it.

Ben and I have become expert judges in all events, thanks to the information the commentators give us.

Snowboarding was the most entertaining. Downhill skiing and their crazy crashes they walk away from left me with my mouth open. Speed skating keeps me on the edge of my seat. The Luge and skeleton thingy makes me half cover my eyes in fear. And the Figure skating/ice dancing brings out my best judging abilities. *cough*

And the behind-the-scenes stories...suck. me. in.

Good times.

Last night though...last night was something new. Did you see the 2-man American bobsledding team?!? Did you? The one guy looks like a linebacker. Not the average Olympian physique...which made me want him to win all the more!

I'm gonna stop myself now. But don't you just love the Olympics?!? :)

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I Should Have Known Better...

You had me going Jake, you really really did.

For months now, I've seen you playing with the cardboard tube that comes from the center of the toilet paper roll. I've watched you get it wet in the sink, unroll it, let it dry and then use it to paint on. Sure, I thought it was a little weird, but who am I to stand in the way of your creative genius?

For months now, I've also been very irritated with the one and only toilet in our house. It seems to get plugged all the time lately. I've had my suspicions. You were at the top of the list. And yet, you were very insistent that you had not put anything down the potty that is not supposed to go down the potty.

So, I started buying cheaper toilet paper, because someone must just be using too much at a time.

It wasn't until a couple of days ago when I met you coming out of the bathroom, with a fresh cardboard tube, that it hit me. I am the mother of boys, I should have figured this out waaaay sooner.

I'd JUST refilled that toilet paper roll...I knew it had been full. (Sidenote: I've also been perplexed as to why we're going through so much toilet paper the last few months...)

You were indeed right, you had not been flushing anything "foreign" down the potty...just a roll of toilet paper in order to get to the precious cardboard tube. What had I been thinking, all those times I saw you with a new tube?!? That you'd just always happened upon an empty one in the bathroom?!?

You got me kid...you got me real good. But from now on, can you just check the recycling container for some cardboard...I think you'll find it much less work...and probably far less entertaining as well.

Love you, my baby boy who is soon to be a big brother. You never cease to amaze me.

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You Helped...the Stipes Do Not.

You all are the best. THE BEST. You totally came through for me. The comments, the emails, all of it is so completely helpful! I can't thank you enough for taking the time to share your wisdom...never in my life have I typed and/or read the word nipple so many times. ;)

A few things really stuck out to me. The fact that in most cases you just had to grit your teeth and hang in there and it did get better. With Jake, I really felt like it was just never going to get better, so why bother. Knowing IT WILL is gonna help tremendously. And, I'll be implementing your tips and tricks and for sure harassing the experts until I get it right. :)

I have different reasons for wanting to make it work this time. It's not necessarily for the health benefits, or the bonding...because I really think formula is just fine...it's really for convenience.

Sure, bottles are less painful at first. But they are still a lot of work...I know, I've done it three times. Making sure they're washed, and have the right water, formula stockpiled, making sure you have enough bottles/formula for your outing, mixing them up, on and on.

I'm up for the challenge. I think. In the mean time, I'm going to pray fervently for a baby who just knows how to latch on perfectly. ;)

On a completely different note, I thought I would share with you what not to wear, preggo style.

It's called horizontal stripes when 31 weeks pregnant.

They are not helping my silhouette, even from the front.

Yet...I've worn them two days in a row.

It's official. I've reached the "I really don't give a rip if it's unflattering, because really, what IS flattering?!?" stage.

You're welcome.

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