24 Days

Yes, 24 days until we welcome little baby Jacob into this world. Time is definitely ticking and I’m getting more and more anxious every day. I just read a mommy blog – and most of these mommy’s have their hospital bags packed and ready to go! Erg! Makes me think what the heck? Am I supposed to have my hospital bag ready to go too? I feel like the lyrics from the Black Eyed Peas song, Boom, Boom, Pow….”I’m so 3008, you so 2000 and late”. I’m not BOOM, BOOM, POWING the pregnancy prep!

I had the most wonderful surprise on Sunday. There are not enough words to express the way I felt on Sunday. Our friend’s Lauralee and Carl invited us over for lunch after church. We hadn’t seen their house since they moved from their apartment at the end of last year. I told her we would bring a pitcher of sweet tea – if someone invites us over….we simple HAVE to bring something – never empty-handed. I was just raised that way. So, she said that was fine.

Little did I know that she and all of my close friends, mom and husband had other plans for me that day.

We showed up like 10 minutes late (yeah – you know my blog page name isn’t a joke – we are usually always late). As we approached the house, I didn’t notice the cars in front of their house – all except my friend Audra’s blue van. I love the color of her van and it stands out! By the time we pulled into the driveway, I said to Cy, “Oh man Cy, are they having something for us?” And his reply was, “I don’t know, let’s go see”. Sure enough, we opened the door and I saw Lauralee and then saw Audra doing what she does best - flashing her camera like a paparazzi! She was taking pictures of the “ WOW, Wendy is shock looks” – but then, as I turned to my right, looking into the living room….I just burst into tears! There standing were the most amazing women of my life – all my friends, plus my mom! You know I’m pregnant so the rush of hormones just exploded in me and I was in total shock and awe! I was filled with over-whelming joy and excitement. I couldn’t believe how many of my friends where jam packed like pickles in the living room. I was truly surprised! I mean, really – I even bought Lauralee a housewarming gift, wrapped up and everything. I honestly did not know nor had any inkling about the shower. Everyone was amazed at how well no one “spilled the beans” to me.

They had been planning my surprise shower since December. They pulled it off and got me – and GOT ME GOOD! Everyone was in on it – including my three wonderful sisters who are scattered around the world. Rhojon is in Germany and she sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It made the table even more beautiful. Lani is in Japan and she sent an awesome diaper cake – but it didn’t arrive in time, and then my little sister Amy who resides on Maui. She sent an animal blanket and eco-friendly bag. When Evan was born, Amy sent him an animal blanket and he still sleeps with it. Now Jacob will have one of his own. To top it off…each of my sisters had been in contact with my good friend Audra and they had written a personal letter to me saying how much they wanted to be at the shower. Lots of tear-jerking gushy stuff. I didn’t read the letters out loud at the shower, but I did read the beautiful poem Lani wrote about us - Four Sisters. I was crying, my mom was crying, and I think just about everyone in the room had tears trickling. My sisters are amazing and I so wished they were physically there. But you know what, in all three letters – they stated how blessed and fortunate I am to have sister-friends in my life who love me, be there for me and would put this all together – just as they would have if they lived nearby. My sisters are right! I am so grateful and I’m truly blessed to have close sister-friends here in South Carolina. I love surprises and love surprising others. That was the best, by far the best surprise ever!

If you’re reading this blog…again, there are not enough words to describe how much love I felt on Sunday. I can’t call out everyone’s name, but I know Audra out-did herself with planning and prepping (invitations, contacting my sisters, etc.), as well as Lauralee opening up her home to have the party, plus all the ladies who bought food, my mom, my three sisters and including my sweet Cy who made sure not to spill the beans, and made sure to get me there. So much hard work and effort for little ol’ ME! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!

I don’t have pictures…but lots were taken. SCRATCH THAT - I see Audra has posted a picture of me on facebook. More to come! I’m sure Audra will give me a copy of them so I can share them. For now, here’s the beautiful invitation Audra created.

And I’ve also included a rather funny picture of Jacob taken at 33 weeks. It’s not his penis. Yep – you guessed it! It’s a little baby birdie flicking us off! Guess he wasn’t pleased by getting his picture taken. Hah!!

Randomness

Thoughts have boggled my mind of so many different things. Figured I should at least type them out so that I don't loose my marbles. :)

I'm about 6.5 weeks left until Jacob joins our family. So much to do, and so little time. I read daily mom blogs online - other mom's who are due around the same time as me and it appears that I'm way behind on preparation. We finally got the crib out of the basement and upstairs, but still haven't assembled it. Thankfully, we finished transitioning Evan's room from his loft bed to a regular bed. I'll have to post some pictures of his room. He's got a big room, but it looks even bigger without the slide or loft bed in there. He really likes his new safari bedding. We even put his dry-erase board up and also a cork board for his paintings. The boy loves art! We also switched dressers too! He knows how to put his own clothes away now...which is and will be a big help once Jacob arrives. A few months back, we started testing Evan on how well he can take a shower on his own. He has managed and can do it ...except with the help of washing his hair and me reminding him to don't forget to wash his armpits and other body parts. It never fails, his response is, "Oh, yeah". He's squeaky clean by the time he's done. Another PLUS to having a 4 yr. old who is growing up and starting to do things like a big boy. I'm grateful since I don't have to stand there or watch him because he knows what to do and is persistent on doing it on his own.

This whole week Cy has been spending time downstairs in the basement with the Green Monster. From the time he gets to work to the wee hours of the night. It has become a MONSTER just learning to fix those "little things" every time something goes wrong. If its not one thing, its another. He has done an excellent job getting our house nice and warm, and has worked really hard at assembling the Green Monster - joining it to our HVAC system. He did all the duct work and broke the brick wall to gain access to our chimney for the flue pipe. I'm eager to see our electric bill, since we haven't had to start the heat pump at all this week. I'm sure our bill will go down - but I wonder just how much.

I'm pretty nervous about this pregnancy. Because this is our second child, you would assume it would be pretty easy going. It is to some extent, but this pregnancy is little different for me. I'm more nervous since I know all what will happen when the time comes to give birth. Plus, I'm so worried about trying to juggle time with Cy and Evan, plus adding Jacob to the mix. I know, I know....I'm such a worry-wort. I shouldn't let these things get to me and let God handle it all. I know that. But, it's my flesh talking and it's just my personality. I know it'll all work out.


I realize I have lots to do before I take maternity leave from work. Taxes are due at the end of this month, so I'll be doing my W2's magic for my job. Always challenging for me since the forms are so tedious. I don't think my job "gets it" when it comes to recreating something from scratch. I also have to train a temp before I leave. Now that's not hard to do, but preparing and getting the right temp is somewhat challenging. I was successful four years ago when I went on maternity leave for Evan. So, I'm sure I'll do fine this time around. There are so many people without jobs now, the sad part about getting a temp, is that I will return to work and when I do, we would have to release the person. Which is sad, b/c jobs are so scarce nowadays. I'm blessed and thankful to have a job. Wish it was easy for everyone else.

I'm excited about my last crop tomorrow. I have so many pics to crop and need to finish Evan's ABC Album. It'll be a surprise gift to him from me. I plan on giving it to him at the hospital. It'll be neat to see him looking at it, b/c he already likes to look at my other scrapbooks. I must say, I don't have too many hobbies that keep me going, but scrap booking is my nitch. Just putting the photos together lets me reminisce on how much we have grown as a family. I look back at the days where it was just Cy and I and think - man, that was such a long time ago. And then I look back at Evan's baby pictures and it just melts my heart to see that he was once a tiny, tiny baby. Awee...

Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year - 2010

It's a New Year! Lots of things in store for me and my family this year! Looking forward to the new and wonderful blessings in this coming year. I hope the same to all my readers!

It was pretty quiet for us on New Years Eve. We put Evan down to sleep about 10ish. Last year he stayed up to watch the ball drop with us, he was pretty grumpy. So, this year -- we ended up lighting up some fireworks, then got him ready for bed. Since being out from school, he has been slacking on his naps - that includes New Years Eve. No complaints from him - he went straight to bed. I too got ready for bed and laid down a bit. I guess all of my day activities had wiped me out. In the meanwhile, Mr. Early was enjoying his time sipping on some cheap wine and catching up on his pre-recorded mechanic shows on TV. About 11:45 - I awoke and went into the living room to join Cy. About 8 minutes later (before midnight), my parents dropped by and watched the ball drop too. Yeah... it was very relaxing - not having to entertain or go out.

Spent all day Saturday at home. I couldn't believe it. WE STAYED HOME - didn't go anywhere! Hadn't done that in a very long time. We did get lots of things done. I ended up packing up all our Christmas decorations. And we also knocked down Evan's cool bed to a regular twin bed. He doesn't have his slide attached to his bed anymore. Being this is the 2nd day of no slide -- he has said he really liked his new bed. Even told our waitress at Hudson's Smokehouse that he got a new bed. So, I guess he really does like it! This is the transitioning part for him. We want to get him acclimated to his new room setup before his little brother arrives next month. I must say, he has adjusted to this pretty well. The other thing I did was get the laundry room/craft room/scrap booking closet organized. I'm going on another crop this coming weekend and need to get my stuff organized. Still working on Evan's ABC album and plan to give it to him when we're at the hospital. It'll be a little gift to him from me. I need to get cranking. I'm only on the letter J.

As I type this - Cy is down in the basement messing with our new wood burning furnace he installed. Wait, wait -- I take that back - he was outside chopping wood or getting more wood for the furnace. He has literally worked on it all day today. From the time we got home from church this morning till now. He's been non-stop. We are hoping this will bring our electric bill down, down, down. I took some pictures, but will post them tomorrow. Forgot my usb cord at work.

Well, now I hear him in the kitchen - better go check on him. He's starting to dwindle down and that means cuddle time on the couch with him. :)

Gute Nacht!

TGI - FRIDAY!!

Well, after two weeks of madness...I'm still alive. :) I can't believe it has been two weeks since I last posted a blog and that was about Thanksgiving. We are well into the Christmas holiday's now! Where has the time gone?

We had a great Christmas party at our house last Wednesday. Our house was picture perfect with Christmas lights trimming all around throughout the house. I have a few pictures...but it kinda came out a little dark. I'll need to photo shop them and will post them later. Most everyone came, except three other couples. Not bad for 28 people in our house. It turned out great and I think everyone had a great time - even the kids.

We did our annual family event this year and went to the Carolina Carillon Holiday Parade last Sat. Didn't stay for the whole thing since Evan had kids production practice at church. Then afterwards, we headed home and got in a good nap. I cherish those times....soon we'll have an addition to our family and right now....I'm loving that we just have one child to take care of. I hear it's a bigger challenge when you have more than one. Evan, by far, has been a big helper. We have been talking about how he'll be a big brother and since he's at a good age - he understands the responsibility (I hope). I'm sure he'll do fine. So far, he's really great with our friend's kids who have little infants. We will have to see!

Speaking of another addition - I had my three-hour glucose test yesterday. Ugh! Talk about time just ticking by. I got there at 7 am and didn't get done until 10:45ish. Four pricks/viles of blood drawn on every hour, sitting with a mask over my mouth so I don't get any germs from other patients who are in the same room with me getting other lab work done. It was not fun at all. There was another pregnant woman there and her husband was with her. I thought...geez...poor guy having to be there. What is he going to do? Then she complained about being sick and she asked for some water, which they gave her ice chips instead. I guess it didn't help too much, because half an hour later, the nurse asked if she wanted to lie down on a bed. Now, here I was - the same due date as this girl and I was doing the exact thing as her....but I thought to myself, okay Wendy - you can do this. You don't need ice chips just b/c she has some. I too wasn't feeling good and the chairs in the office was super uncomfortable. I shouldn't complain. This is my second child for goodness sakes! I held my head high, sucked it up and dealt with it. I managed to make it, but boy was I super hungry afterwards. A mighty woman I was!! :)

Anyway, I'm off to pick Evan up and then to a birthday party. Woo hoo! This weekend we're going to another family tradition -- seeing the Christmas production at First Baptist Church downtown. :) And then Evan will do his little performance at church on Sunday. Then next week we have loads of other events from a homeowners meeting dinner, to Winter Festival for Evan's school and then my company Christmas party. Can you see... I WILL BE BUSY NEXT WEEK!!

Love and Peace to All!

Thankful!

I'm on day #3 with the Thanksgiving foods. Only TWO MORE DAYS till the actual day, and boy I am wiped out with stuffing my face with the delicious turkey, ham, broccoli casseroles, mash potatoes, green bean casseroles, etc. You name it, I've had it and already eaten way before the Thanksgiving holiday! I have had my small group dinner, then my work lunch, and then today's lunch.


Today, I was happy to enjoy a Thanksgiving lunch with Evan and all of his school buddies. Cy joined us too! It was really nice to eat and chat with other parents. It's so cute when I'm walking around the school and some of the kids say, "Hi, Evan's Mom" to me. I know Evan does the same thing to other mom's and dad's. Very cute!


This morning, we had a good start with a good meal - PANCAKES! Cy made his pancakes, per Evan's request and I sat and enjoy some too! Again, if you didn't read my previous blog entry - read it. Cy came up with a unique way of making these pancakes extra special. Check it out:




Evan loved it and ate it all up! Here's another picture of Cy making pancakes and his way of checking to make sure its cooked - using his own temperture sensor gun. Yeah, such a guy!

I'm thankful for a wonderful family who loves me for me. I'm also thankful for my friends - near and far and want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Easy Breakfast

Ever need a quick and somewhat decent breakfast meal? Especially those who have children who despise the mornings and just seems to move like a sloth when they should be a roadrunner?

I believe Cy has found a solution for a quick and easy breakfast for Evan. When it comes to the M-F morning routine, Cy is in charge of getting Little E ready...which includes waking the boy up, breakfast, brushing his teeth, and changing into his clothes. In the meantime, I'm getting ready for work and will make E's lunch in between. Everything is timed. Hey - I can't help it if I'm that organized. :)

Okay - getting back to Cy's breakfast solution. We went to Kroger's on Sunday...gathering up for dinner meals and such. Low and behold - Cy sees the most clever thing ever. Pancakes in a Redi-Whip type canister. I was busy looking at Sister Shupert bread, so I didn't think anything of it. Cy kept saying, look at this...this is cool. Man, this will make life a little easier in the morning for me. Finally, I turned my attention to him after he mentioned it being organic and read the ingredients. I thought - wow, that is actually cool. Then I asked him how much was it. He didn't say...I knew right then it was costly. I'll admit it people - Cy is frugal and I'm one to follow. I checked the price - $4.99. "Heck no...we are not getting that, I said. We can buy a box of Aunt Jemimah's or Bisquick for less then that and make over 1000 pancakes."I told him, not a good idea, turned around and went to the next lane. He didn't follow. I could hear him thinking about it (making gesture noises) and could see his brain just churning. Little E was singing, "I'm cold, I'm cold, it's cold over here, Mommy, where are you?".... then I hear Cy saying out loud, "I'm getting this, I will be responsible for the finances for this decision, Evan you're going to have some cool pancakes tomorrow." Hah! I didn't want to argue, I just said okay.

Cy made the pancakes this morning - talk about EASY PEASY! I even sat down to eat some. And boy, they were good! So all you busy mom's out there who needs a quick breakfast and a change from your normal breakfast routine, even though cereal and milk is quick -- try Batter Blaster! We did, and it was YUMMY!

Who ROCKS?

The Thanksgiving Holiday's have started for me already. On Wednesday, it was a huge blessing to share a meal with my small group. I truly enjoyed it and felt so blessed to be surrounded by people I love. My small group ROCKS!

Cy and I bought the turkey, ham, and a sweet potato casserole and everyone else completed it with sides and desserts. I can tell we all did good - we were all stuffed! We were so grateful for my parents watching Evan during this time. It has been a really long time not having to "worry" who watches Evan while we have time to ourselves. Mind you, we have wonderful friends who have watched Evan and greatly appreciate it. But when its family watching your kid - its different. I'm sure some of you can relate. When we got home, Evan was asleep and tucked in bed already. My Parents ROCK!

I was up this morning at 4 am, catching up on last weeks Grey's Anatomy episode, while eating leftover ham from our small group dinner, and rice. I even ate a Chess Square for my dessert. Yes - a complete meal eaten at 4 am. If I wasn't pregnant, I'm sure I would've been snoozing at this time or waking up to go to the gym. BUT GUESS WHAT? I am pregnant and its acceptable to do "weird" things such as that. Hah! I'm already starting to have some weird and funky dreams too! It's funny how I don't remember doing this when I carried Evan. I am so eager to find out how this little boy will look. If he'll be like Evan when he was a baby. Will he look like Evan - having lots of hair when born (looking like a Japanese bombucha baby)? Or because of Cy's background...will he have curly afro hair? Only the Lord knows and I can't wait to see how our cute baby burrito will be. Only 17 more weeks to go. Seems like a long time to me. But, I'm sure it'll go fast. Especially with the holiday's rolling in.

We are slowly making some progress at our house. Though lots of things need attention, we are focusing on priorities. Like the ditch that surrounds the front and back of the house. Well, it's our french drain in progress. Cy has been working on this project for quite some time now. Every weekend so far has been somewhat interrupted from bad weather to other committed activities. It has been a process. He had to dig and make a ditch, literally lift/jack-up the front corner of the house due to foundation settlement, then mortar loose bricks, then he stuccoed quarter of the wall. The next thing is to put the french drain in - adding the pipes and rock, then finally push all the dirt back into the ditch so that it'll look like nothing ever happened. Oh, another thing he had to do before digging was dig out the beautiful bushes that surrounded the front of the house. We're hoping that they haven't died since they have been uprooted for a while. We put them in plastic bags and we plan to put them back where they were. So, like I said...it's been a process. I'll mention the other projects later. For now...the french drain is our #1 priority. :)

It amazes me how much house projects/renovations my husband does. He's my Handy Manny and I'm so blessed to have a wonderful husband who has the talent to do all this. Cy ROCKS!

Have a great weekend and enjoy this SC weather. Heard it was going to be nice and sunny today and on Sat. Woo hoo!!