Seven Not So Quick Takes

Friday, December 11, 2009
I apologize for the delay in posting. I have every good intention of posting more, but I just can’t seem to find the time. Not only to blog, but to read other blogs, and to do things on my to-do list. My to-do list keeps growing, and GROWING, and G.R.O.W.I.N.G!!! I have marked very few things off of my list. Pretty depressing, but I’d rather spend time with my daughter and do the “little” things that I must do. Like laundry, dishes, cook, what little cleaning I can manage, and wash and sterilize bottles! FUN STUFF! :) So pretty much, my ambitious attempt to make my blog more entertaining and post more is getting pushed to the back burner. I do have a good plan, that with any luck, and probably a bit of a lack of creativity and lack of sleep I may be able to post once a week! If I write my blog post offline and save it I may manage to post more! HAHA! So here goes seven not so quick takes, as I need to catch everyone up on what has been going on.

1. I returned to work. That alone explains a lot of why I am so busy. Alice is getting into more of a routine…FINALLY! Of course, I now work full-time, so I actually have less time than before. I just have to be more efficient with my time. My husband actually told me the other day that I need to be more “time efficient”, which irritated me. I wanted to scream and slap him, but that would accomplish nothing. So what did I do? I went and got my hair cut and left him with Alice. See he had a long list of stuff that he wanted to accomplish, so I figured if he was in my shoes he would see how difficult it is. Sure you have nap-time, but Alice is not much of a napper during the day. Which during the week is nice and also a bit rough, but I get to spend more time with her. So when I returned home from my hair cut and running a few errands, he told me he doesn’t know how I manage to get any of the stuff I do get done, well done. He hadn’t started on anything that he wanted to do, except the dishes. This basically meant he piled them on one side of the sink, started the water, and never actually washed a dish! While I was happy that he realized how tough it is, I was a bit annoyed that he did not get anything done. Not even one dish! *sigh* He did manage to hop online for about the entire time I was gone *roll eyes*…so I suppose he did manage to get a lot done!
2. We had our first Thanksgiving(s) with Alice! Of course, she couldn’t enjoy any of the yummy food, and I’m sure it was just another day to her, but to me and all of her family members it was a time to realize how blessed we have been. I am so thankful for my little girl. I have no idea how I was so blessed to given her. I’m still not sure I’m deserving of her, or Sean. Without him, I would not have her. And while Sean may really irritate me (and sometimes worse) he is my best friend. I love him so much, and he has given me the best gift in the world!
3. Alice has reached a milestone! I’m a bit delayed on blogging about this (if you follow me on FB you may have seen the post), but she is now rolling over. In fact, she rolled from both sides for the first time on the same day. She was not quite 3 months when she did it. She is currently working on a “dead man’s” crawl right now. I can’t believe that at 3 ½ months she is mobile. I know this because we had gone out to start the car (it is that time of year!) and when we came back inside she had moved 7-8 feet. You’re probably thinking she rolled, but I know she didn’t. She pulled/kicked herself that far. I know she didn’t roll that far because of two reasons: she only rolls to the left (she can roll to the right, but won’t) and there was a couch in the way that she would have had to navigate around. While she is smart, I don’t think she is capable of calculating that quite yet. Plus she only had a few minutes to do all of this. Looks like I need to start cleaning the floors more (i.e. daily) and start child-proofing.
4. Back to the work thing. I found out that my job is getting phased out next year (August-September timeframe, though that is unofficial at this point). I really could not be happier! You’re probably wondering why in the world is she happy about getting laid off??? Well, I get to spend more time with Alice, and because I will get a severance package (roughly 22weeks or so) I will still get paid for awhile. Who wouldn’t be happy about that? I suppose if I had only been at my job for a couple of years I wouldn’t be as happy, but I will have been there for 11 years by this projected timeframe, so I couldn’t be happier! I still can’t believe I have been there for 10 years! That seems like such a long time!
5. So what am I planning on doing after getting “phased out”? Well spend time with Alice of course! However, I also would like to get back in school and get my nursing degree. After having a baby, I find that fascinating, and would like to be a Labor & Delivery Nurse. I may go and get medical transcriptionist training first, so I could work at home on the days I won’t be in class, and that would allow me to still have some income coming in. I’ll keep you posted on all of this!
6. I have been decorating for Christmas. This is a big deal, as I haven’t decorated in several years. I think it has a lot to do with having Alice. While she has no idea what all these lights are (ooh they are pretty!) I want to start traditions for our family. When it was Sean and me, it wasn’t that big of a deal. Perhaps I was suffering from a really long lasting case of the bah-humbugs! Now…well now it is a big deal to me.
7. My sister will be home soon! I can’t wait to see her…and hug her, and kiss her, and keep her for my very own (okay Elmyra)! I haven’t seen Lindsay since Christmas last year. She hasn’t seen Alice in person yet, so I’m even more excited for her to get to interact with Alice. I’m sure if Alice realized what a big deal this is she would be just as excited; if not more. Of course, Lindsay knew at Christmas last year (technically I called her on December 1st to announce the news!) that Alice (well we didn’t know she was Alice then) was in my belly. Lindsay was the only family member who knew. She is so good at keeping secrets! I’m sure it was killing her to not be able to share her joy with anyone else. And she is really good at keeping secrets because we didn’t tell family until after Valentine’s Day, so the poor dear had to keep it all to herself!!!
And just because it has been awhile, a bonus quick take!
8. It has been over a year now since I found out I was pregnant with Alice. I remember seeing that second line on the pregnancy test. I had a flood of emotions, and while I’d be lying to say that I wasn’t scared, all of the other emotions were very positive! I was excited, joyful, ecstatic! That was just a really great time and I can’t wait until one day down the road when I get to see two lines again. Okay, I can wait. I’d like to wait awhile, but there are days that I really miss being pregnant (never thought I’d say that!). And on those days, I wish I was pregnant again or want to try. I just take comfort in the fact that, when the time is right, God will bless us again with another little baby! I just wish I knew when that would be *wink*. Sean only wants one more kid, but I would like at least two more. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind. That is my prerogative! This is why I sometimes think that people that have kids back to back (to back to back!) know what they are doing. That way if you get to a “stage” where you find it extremely difficult, you don’t have that stage influencing your decision on more children. I’ll just let God handle the kid thing. He knows what He is doing. I just hope He has a few more little rug-rats for us :)

A Very Productive Day (for me anyway!)

Oh this heat is killing me! And to be honest, it isn't even really that hot yet. Upper 80's. I just keep reminding myself 8 weeks (well technically less than that now-unless she decides to bake longer; and with this heat I'm willing to bet she will be "done" before that-ha! j/k). I have been living in my bikini lately. Well that isn't entirely true. When I am at HOME, I am living in my bikini. Oh, I bought a new bikini the other day. Very cute! Sean likes it, and said I looked good (or maybe it was sexy?) in it. Anyway, I won't post a picture of that! HA!

So I'm home alone this Father's Day Sunday. Sean went up north to see his dad, stepdad, and Aunt Oly. His Aunt Oly is in the hospital, as she had a heart attack the other day. I'm hoping and praying for her. Feel free to also say a prayer for Aunt Oly. One can never have too many prayers :)

So I'm home alone (well Bruno is here)...and I'm cleaning, doing laundry, and baking apple bread. I LOVE apple bread. It is easy to make, and sooooo good! I will be posting directions at the end of this (a picture will be soon to come-it is still baking). I plan on taking a loaf of it over to my dad; for Father's Day and part of his birthday present. I haven't actually gotten his real present yet. In fact, I can't even seem to find it anywhere. He wants a lavendar bush (or two), and I have checked almost every garden center around here. So in the meantime, I'm bringing him a loaf of bread-APPLE bread! You may be thinking that doesn't even seem to compare to each other, but you haven't tried the apple bread. I would be willing to give up (almost) anything I wanted for a loaf of apple bread.

I also need to really start getting things ready for the baby (who still is without a name-we have it narrowed down but probably won't name her until we see her). I am now 32 weeks and a couple of days. It just seems so surreal that I will have a little baby soon. Her room is not done. Her clothes are not washed. In fact, we are now going to have to buy a new crib (I'm happy about this) because the one Sean bought was missing parts; and those parts are discontinued because the crib is so old. Thanks honey!!! I need to pack my hospital bag, Sean's bag, and her stuff. I need to get my FMLA stuff in order. These last two things I have been purposely procrastinating on, as I'm a firm believer that I will jinx myself. As soon as my bag is packed, and the FMLA forms have been sent in I will go in to labor. I just know it. I also need to get a few spare keys made for the house. One for my father. One for my brother and sister-in-law. These are just in case I go in to labor, and none of my stuff is ready. Plus, my brother and sister-in-law have agreed to puppy-sit their canine nephew. Speaking of my sister-in-law, she is throwing me a baby shower next Sunday! I'm excited! I just hope my mom doesn't annoy me to no end, drive up my blood pressure, embarass me, or send me in to preterm labor. I guess that is probably too many things to hope for (I'm being realistic-you don't know my mom), so let's just hope and pray that I don't go in to preterm labor because of anything she does.

Okay, enough of this jibber-jabber. Here is the recipe for apple bread. I got it from cooksrecipes.com (though I have modified it a bit)

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups diced apples
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)


Preheat oven to 325. Grease two 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pans; set aside. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; set aside. Beat the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla together, mixing well in separate bowl. Stir in flour mixture until just mixed. Fold in apples and walnuts and spoon into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center of loaf comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pans before removing to cool on wire racks.

*Now for my changes. I usually use whole wheat flour, but it tastes just as good with white. I don't peel the apples (call me lazy!) and I don't add the walnuts. I add more cinnamon than the recipe calls for (I love the stuff-and it is good for your blood sugar). And to be really honest, you don't need all of that sugar; you could easily cut some of it out. I have made it both ways and I think it tastes a little better without so much sugar (Sean would probably disagree), but make it how you want :) You can also sprinkle some sugar on top of the mixture after putting in the pan.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (and catching up)

I'm bad! I haven't updated in awhile. I mean to, but I ususally end up forgetting or get tired. Enough with the excuses! I will make my best effort to update more regularly. And by regularly, I mean more than once a month. Maybe I'll be able to committ to once a week!!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! If you are planning on imbibing, be careful! But also, have one for me!!! Today is Sean's dad & stepmom's anniversary. I do have to say that if they didn't already have this day as their anniversary then Sean and I would have it!!! Today is also the day that I find out whether we are having a little boy or a little girl!!! I have a 3pm ultrasound scheduled...and it won't get here soon enough! My mom will be going with me. I hope Sean is able to go also, but he is working down south, so he may not make it in time :( Either way, I will find out :) I will have to swear my mother to secrecy and silence-this will be the biggest challenge of all. Even more so than me being secret and silent-and if you know me well you know how difficult that is! Of course, after Sean knows then everyone else can find out. It is only proper. So if you are all so very luck-and I do have to say that St. Patrick's Day is a very lucky day-then I may make 2 posts today!

Oh and I forgot to update awhile back that we didn't move to that farm house. But that is a post in and of itself, so check back!!!