just being cautious...

Ok, so for the record these were taken waaayy back in January when Chandler had the mystery virus. But, in light of recent news (swine flu) and to keep things light I thought I'd post them. To be honest I'm more than a little concerned, but I am hoping the media is making a mountain out of a molehill... I am being super diligent about handwashing and disinfecting, just to be sure. How about you? Being just as cautious or do you even know what I'm talking about?? Anyone out there think I am right on track or paranoid? Would love to hear your opinions...

Me, keeping out the germs. At least I hope so...


Hunter, Chloe, and Hayden playing video games in their Michael Jackson masks

Status Quo

Well, since I don't have any awesome pictures or groovy stories to tell I am gonna just do an update kind of post.

I am so glad that warm weather is here! The kids have been swimming every day this week and are already begging for their friends to be able to come over and join them.... not ready for that part! Personally, it's too cold for me. But, I can almost guarantee that when I am giant preg-o I am gonna be out there like Shamu at Sea World...

Chandler FINALLY started driver's ed. Not sure how I feel about that... I mean I am excited but also nervous. Excited that I won't have to drive him around all the freaking time, but nervous for obvious reasons. Thank goodness he has to drive with me or Jon for 6 months before he can get his license. Jon was able to get him a truck already (a '77 Chevy) and he only paid $475 for it. He bought it an auction for a children's charity as a non-running vehicle and all it needed was a battery. Plus it's in mint condition. Score!

We still plan on trying to sell our house, bad economy and all. We are decluttering here and there and will be working on little projects throughout the next month. The goal is to have it listed by late May. I personally will be praying diligently that what is meant to be will be. If it doesn't sale by January we will take it off the market.

One of these days I plan on changing my blog design but I am currently feeling lazy, forgetful, and design challenged. I actually have a neat idea but I keep putting off getting the ball rolling. Maybe this upcoming week... we'll see.

Hunter, Chloe, and Hayden are all doing good. Hunter has a new girlfriend and is always texting. Big surprise. Chloe is becoming more and more of a teenage drama queen by the day. There are many unpleasant moments around here... that's all I'll say about that. Hayden is just as sweet as ever. He told me today that he would skip the big BMX race in November to help me with the new baby. Awww. And, he gets to go on his first ever field trip on Tuesday. Complete with sack lunch and bus ride. He is very excited. I am going along as a chaperone. I really can't wait.

What is going on with this freaking swine flu? Seriously, as if there weren't enough things to worry about! So scary. My prayer is that it can be contained and that proper medicines will be found and that everything will be ok. Maybe I'm being paranoid, who knows. When I was pregnant with Hayden 9/11 happened and I was so worried for my family and our new baby. Looks like I'm gonna be on edge again for awhile.

And, lastly: the pregnancy. Somebody help me- I am a hormonal monster! Ugghh! Also, I am still suffering from awful nausea. It is so bad that I had to go to my doctor for an anti-nausea RX. It does nothing but make me tired. So, I am back to wearing motion sickness bracelets. They don't work either and they don't match any of my clothes. And, you'd never know because of the nausea- but I still have little cravings here and there. Right now I could go for a steak and baked sweet potato or Chinese. It's Saturday and I am so not cooking, maybe I'll get one of my cravings satisfied... And, speaking of cravings- I have gained about 15 pounds. Yikes! My goal is to not exceed 10 more pounds, then I'll be back where I started before I lost all my weight. I fully plan on breastfeeding 24 hours a day so I can burn a ton of weight off. I have done a little shopping here and there. Mainly clothes. It is super hard to find cute boy stuff, but I'm trying. Jon and I are gonna go this week and look at travel systems and a bassinet/cradle. Once I get those I have everything I need for his first week of life. And, my personal favorite: he kicks ALOT! So sweet, like popcorn popping in your tummy. That is a feeling I could never, ever get tired of.

And that's it! Hope y'all have a great weekend! Plus, be on the lookout for a fun giveaway... I am only 10 posts away from 600! And, I plan on doing a giveaway to celebrate! Yee haw! Y'all come back now- ya hear?

quirks

Dude, I'm not gonna lie. I don't have alot to blog about. Ok, I have bought some cute baby boy stuff. Eventually I'll take photos. In the meantime here's a LIST. I know, I know your favorite...

A List of my Quirks
by: Ashley

I won't use soap if it has hair on it. Gross! I've been known to throw a bar of soap away and start fresh. Yes it's wasteful but oh well...

I can only drink root beer if it's super cold. I mean ice chunks cold. Same with milk. Only 1% milk will do and it has to be freezing. If it's not cold enough I put ice in it. My kids think I'm a freak.

When someone returns a borrowed item like say a dish or an article of clothing I re-wash it. Even if they say it's clean and I can smell the soap. It's still gonna get a re-do by me. Yes, I'm being wasteful again...

I tease my family for doing this, but I usually always order the same food every time we go to a restaurant. I like most foods but I will only eat 2 to 3 things at any given restaurant we frequent. Only because when I don't I almost always hate the new item. And, when I'm hungry I don't want yuck food.

When, I'm home alone I rarely close the bathroom door or flush. Plus, I never turn on the lights. See, I am redeeming myself for being wasteful. No comments on the no flushing. Besides, haven't you ever heard the saying: If it's yellow let it mellow if it's brown flush it down.

I use my blinker always, no matter what. If no one's behind me, on a winding country road, in my neighborhood, in the carpool lane at school. Not sure why, it's just a weird habit.

And, lastly: my van is my home away from home. I often make all my important calls there and I can't tell you how often I eat my meals there... My kids call it The Office. So true.

So there you have it. A NEW POST!! All in all a fairly decent attempt... At least I think so. I hope it will tide you over until I find something groovy to write about.... I do hope to have a new blog design soon. As a matter of fact I plan on putting my photography skills to use later today. I may even try some photoshop. And, sometime in the near future I plan on re-naming the blog to reflect our family including our new baby boy. And, speaking of names: I know what his name is, but I'm not telling....

Mr. Depp, may I have a ride?

All I have to say is: what's happenin' hot stuff?
Man, I love Johnny Depp. I could go for a 21 Jump Street Marathon right about now...

So, can you sew?

Now that I know what I'm having my wheels are a-spinnin' with ideas for bedding and stuff. More than likely, unless I win the lottery or my house sells for 10X the value this baby boy is gonna be bunking in mine and Jon's room. Which means I want our things and the baby's things to coordinate as much as possible. So, my idea was to have a crib set (bumper, dust ruffle, etc.) made that would go with our things. I am thinking some sort of patchwork, with cool boyish fabrics. My problem is: I can't sew. I checked etsy and all I could find was massively expensive, was already pre-made, or was made with fabrics of the seller's choosing. That is where my blog friends come in... can anyone that reads this blog sew? Would you be willing to help me? I can pay (within reason) and I would obviously buy all the materials and would be available to help in any way I can (cutting squares, etc). If this is something you or someone you know would be interested in doing or who already does this kind of stuff, shoot me a comment or an email. Thanks in advance!! And, if you know of a 6 bedroom home for under $10,000 let me know that as well....only kidding.

Snips, Snails, and Puppy Dog Tails...

Well, if you haven't guessed by the title (and the crotch shot)- It's a BOY! I was expecting it to be a boy, but secretly wanted a little girl. Of course, Heavenly Father knew this little man was meant to come to my family so I am totally cool with it. Chloe on the other hand insisted she was moving out if it was another boy... I'll fill you in on her decision later. I know the moment she lays eyes on him and holds him she's gonna be in love. I am excited because I can finally start shopping and planning. Plus, I need to pick a name and on and on. Oh, this is gonna be fun. And, no I won't be trying for a girl. Thanks for asking.

Isn't she lovely?

I have noticed lately just how much my baby girl has grown up and changed the last year. I am honestly not sure I am ready for it... Not only is she getting taller, but her facial features are rapidly changing. She is looking more and more like a young woman. And, I may be biased- but I think she is beautiful! She could use an attitude adjustment, but I think about 99% of girls her age are in the same boat. When she's being pleasant, I really like her. But, there are moments EVERY day where she has a mini tantrum. Yikes! I know I gave my mom fits, but dang, Chloe might have me beat... One of my biggest gripes: using my stuff without asking. My razor, facial soap, hair dryer, tweezers, flat iron, makeup, etc. are constantly disappearing and lo and behold, they show up in her room. Call me crazy, but I am thinking the next 7 or so years are gonna be bumpy. Help me!

P.S. here are a few pics taken from last year and the last 2 months

June '08


May '08


March '09


April '09

OMG- a current photo!

So, I am afraid that cute pics of me are gonna be few and far between until I have this baby and lose 120 million pounds! And, as the picture plainly shows, I look like crap. For some reason my nausea has come back with a vengeance after taking a 2 week vacation. I am currently battling some serious sinus problems- massive headaches, dizziness, drainage. I am swollen. I am complaining. Aren't pregnant chicks supposed to have a pregnancy glow? Where's the second trimester energy I've been hearing about? I am just blah! Sorry... hopefully I'll sweeten up a bit after my sonogram next week.

P.S. baby- please have your legs spread wide open. That is the only time I will ever say that. Love, Mommy

boys will be boys

I found a a piece of paper in Hayden's folder the other day. It contained one paragraph. I am assuming he was answering a question about a story that they had read in class. Here was his response, spelling and all:

David is most like me becaze I brak stuff and pick my bogers and I get puneshst and I make the bathtub full and do football in the house.

Ok, so I really had no reason to post this except I thought it was HILARIOUS! That kid freakin' cracks me up. This morning he told me that our cat Pedro was his biggest fan. All together now- awww. Ok, I am gonna log off now and go cuddle with my baby.

Grumpy Girl

Disclaimer: I am hormonal and this is MY blog, so I am going to rant a bit- okay?


This week has been pretty rotten. I won't go into details, but if I was a glass half full kind of girl I would more than likely let the week roll off my back and be glad tomorrow is Friday. But, I'm not and today was especially crappy. Again, no details. Ok, I spilled red nail polish on my bedroom carpet. But, that was one of the brighter moments. It just seems like each day is presenting challenges that frustrate me beyond belief and I need a break. The hormones definitely aren't helping. After yet another annoyance I decided that I was gonna relax with some TV and a snack. So, I headed to Chili's for some of their awesome chips and salsa to go. Apparently I was going 47 on a 30 mph road. And, I got pulled over. And, my insurance cards (both perforated copies still attached together) are still in Jon's truck from when he got his oil change and inspection done ON MONDAY. I haven't had a ticket in 12 years. I was so mad. So mad that I didn't even try and beg my way out of it. I was afraid of what choice words would have come spilling out of my mouth. Plus, I really didn't feel like going to jail. I bawled all the way to Chili's. When I got there I added a chocolate chip cookie molten cake to my order. I sure hope it helps....