Doctor check up and our first 'outing'

Today Teresa had her week check up from her formula change. She is doing great. She actually gained ONE pound in a week. The little porker. She is starting to fill out her clothes finally. Better get her in all her newborn stuff one more time before we move on to the next size. But all in all she's doing great, says the doctor.
I left Mary with mom while we went to the doctor and then went back to get her. We then went tot he park to see some of our Stroller Stride friends. So, this was my first time out with the two of them w/out any one's help. It was a challenge. Luckily Teresa does not move yet, but I had to keep ahold of Mary in the parking lot and such. Then she took her shoes off in the playground and she would not put them back on. I had Teresa in my arms and was not sure what to do. Luckily another mom helped me out. Then we had to go meet Dad at AAA to try to transfer the Minivan over to our name. Oh, I finally got a bigger car. The focus was just not going to work for me. Mom and dad bought a new van and so we bought the old one. Works out much better.
Anyway, so we were off to AAA to meet dad. Dad was not there yet so I had to get the kids out on my own. Mary was good and held my hand in the parking lot. Then we get inside and she wants to touch everything. Well, of course, she will not listen to me say NO!! Oh well, we are learning still. Then dad showed up and could help me. We forgot one piece of paper so we couldn't complete the transfer. SO, tomorrow mom will have to meet me to do it again.
So, all in all it was an interesting first time out. I have to give my cousin a lot of credit dealing with twins and a 5 year old. How do you do it???????

catching up on the past week

Ok, it's been a while since I've written anything. It's been a little nuts here trying to manage a 2 year old and an infant. We're learning what to do, but it's been tiring. Mary is acting up here and there and wants to be held all the time, but she's adjusting better than expected. But the things she is doing is to be expected.

We switched Teresa over to a different formula from the doctor and she's been a lot better. Not fussy and gassy like she was. She sleeps at night and lets me sleep too. Is up about every 3-4 hours to eat. That is fine as long as I get to sleep in those hours too. I get up and feed her and Kevin doesn't even move in bed to notice I'm gone or come back. He will get up when Mary wakes up about 6:30 and get her. That is good because I am usually up at 5:30 with Teresa, so I need to keep sleeping. SO, I will give him credit there.

Christmas was fun. We spent Christmas Eve at our friends, the Hill's, house. It is a tradition. Everyone was ga ga over Teresa, of course. We walked in and all the ladies surrounded her like a fly on poop (ok, not the best expression, but that's what it was like). They didn't even really say hi to Kevin or I, just the baby. HAHA = )

Christmas Day we spent the morning at mom's opening gifts. Mary enjoyed it all this year. It was cute. She didn't really like opening the gifts with clothes in them, but had fun opening it anyway.

I got my double stroller from mom and dad. Kevin and Matt put it together. It was pretty cute to see them working together.

In the afternoon we went to Kevin's sister's house for the Brochtrup family Christmas. It's always nice to see the other part of the family who lives further away. They all enjoyed to see Teresa as well. I didn't get to hold her much that day.

Aunt Margeaux holding Teresa and Cousin Stephanie below holding her.

Now it's back to reality and off to a new year. Not sure if we're doing anything for new years. Now that we have kids, it's a bit tougher. Can't really drink at home and get silly when you have a responsibility to take care of children. Mary will sleep all night, but we kinda have to be sober to take care of Teresa. So, if we find something then we will have to see if mom and dad will watch them. I do kinda need a night of fun and drinking after 9 months of none of it. SO, we shall see. If not, oh well, there are lotsa nights to do that. We don't need a specific day it is supposed to be done. We are going to Vegas in a few weeks for my birthday.

Teresa's first doc apt

Today was Teresa's first doc apt at 5 days old. Miss piggy has gained weight, instead of loosing it like normal infants. She is now 8 pounds even. The doctor said her weight and height and other measurements are all the same and are in the 95%. She's going to be an athlete he says. Well, with her flippers for feet I say she'll be a swimer. hehe
I asked him about her fussiness and gas. He said not to worry. I'm not too worried, except for the fact that I"m not going to see the inside of my eye lids for a while. So, he gave me two cans of a gentle formula to try for a week and see what she does. He said it could also be acid reflex. When you lay her down flat she fuss' a lot. If you put her down asleep in her car seat she will sleep for hours, since it's an up right position. So, if that's how she'll sleep, fine! I know she'll grow out of whatever it is and sleep normal soon, I HOPE!
So, off to try the new formula and hope for the best. Tonight mom is going to come over and stay up with her and give me some rest. THANK GOD! I think I will break in two if I had to do another night right now. Me and the insides of my eye lids will get re acquainted.

She, Teresa Kathleen, Has Arrived!!

Tuesday night, 12-16, I went to bed having semi pains. After having the false alarm on Sunday, I was ignoring them until they felt like real pains. So, they continued after we went to bed. They got stronger and stronger. So, I watched the clock and waited until I knew it was for sure until I woke Kevin up. 2am I thought I should walk around and see if they continued. Well, they went away. So I went back to bed to try and get some sleep. 4am I'm up and it's starting again. I decide to go downstairs so I don't bother Kevin as I toss and turn. The pains are getting stronger and closer together. 6am I decide to go up and wake Kevin up. I tell him this is the real deal and I hop in the shower. I figure this is the last good shower I'm going to get in a while. Nice and hot! I get done and tell Kevin to hurry up. They say the second goes quicker. He says ok, takes a shower and then proceeds to MAKE a breakfast. HELLO, I'm in labor!!! He makes a burrito and we call mom and dad and throw Mary in the car and we're off. This time it's real. I'm in pain. Kevin knows it now.

We get to the hospital about 7:30. I finally get admitted about 7:45 or so. I am having so much fun with the pain. WHERE'S MY EPIDURAL???? They say they have to take blood to make sure my blood count is ok to give it to me. Well, that took FOREVER. I'm bearing through the pains, as everyone watches me. I went in dilated at 3. About 9:30 I'm at 5-51/2. I see the epidural cart roll in. YEAH!!! Still waiting on the doc to give it to me, but the cart is there. There is hope! When she checks my dilation she says my sack is super thin and not to move, sneeze, or cough to break it. Ok, makes me feel good. I know if it breaks I have no chance of the epidural anymore. THEN, I have a contraction and the baby does not like it and kicks, and breaks the bag. OH CRAP!! THEN the doc comes in. Well, I was so persistent to get this darn drug that they gave it to me anyway. I did not do so well trying to stay in position for it, which made it hard for him. So, I don't think it ever got in right. He finally got it in and I rolled over and my body just wanted to push her out. She was on her way. The doc pushed in the drug and then Kevin said he saw her head. Well, the nurse was there, but no doc. She's yelling "DON'T PUSH". Well, I held on as well as I could. Luckily there was another doctor in the hall who heard the nurse and came in. He put on the delivery scrub and I was on my way. I don't know if the drug ever took effect, I just wanted her out. Two pushes later and she was in our world at 10:12. I was in the hospital about 2 1/2 hours before she was here. QUICK! Mary absolutely LOVES her sister. So cute!

What a different experience than Mary's delivery. I had the epidural almost the whole time with her and this one was pretty much a natural birth. It wasn't so bad. It was so super quick. No so bad. = )

My first night in the hospital sucked. I had to share a room. They were packed and there were no private rooms available. This mom was breast feeding. So every two hours there was screaming from the kid who did not want to eat. That was not such a relaxing night. I had sent Mary to the nursery so I could get a good nights rest. OH well. The next day I got a private room for the night. I got a much better nights rest. Thankfully. I was released about 1 on Friday. Friday night was not a good one either. Teresa has been such an Angel, and we brag of course. Well, last night she was up all night. She did not want to be set down. She'd fall asleep in our arms but when we put her down, she'd cry. So, I took from 10-3 and then Kevin came in and took over. Then I came back at 5. She finally gave up at 5:30 and stayed down and I got a little rest. Since then she's been back to a good little baby. So, who knows. A learning experience for all of us.

All in all it's been great. Teresa Kathleen is here and all's good!

No Such Luck

Well, Sunday morning at 1:30am I wake up thinking I"m in labor having contractions. So I lay there watching the clock courting the minutes and timing the pains. I lay there and lay there and then they start to subside. I think, ok I can go back to sleep. Well, that wasn't going to happen. I was now awake and anxious because this is it. So, now it's 4:30 and I'm tossing and turning. I decide to go downstairs and leave Kevin alone. I continue to watch the clock and time things. I think it's back up and running and it's going to be it. 7:00 I call labor and delivery and tell them what's up. The girl tells me to wait until they are 5 min apart for an hour and then come in. Ok, fine. I decide it's time to wake up Kevin and tell him what's up. Then back down to concentrate on the pains.
Mary is up now and so I go take a shower, since it's probably the last good one I"ll get for a couple days. Then I eat a little something. Back to watching the pains and the clock. Ok, I think they are getting there. Kevin is thinking not, but he won't say anything. I"m not in 'pain' as I was with Mary. But, in my head I just want this kid out and so whatever pains I have is going to be it.
11:00 we decide to go to the hospital. Call my parents and have them meet us there to get Mary. Get there and, well, I don't' really have anymore pains. BUT, I'm still going up there and getting this kid out. I get checked in and all hooked up to the monitors. Nothing is really happening. = ( So, they tell me to go walk for an hour. So, I walk the short hallways back and forth for an hour. I walk a blister to bleed on my toe. Now I go back to my room and get hooked back up. Nothing has changed. I tell the nurse, 'I'm here induce me'. She gave me that look like, ya, no. COME ON! She did say the baby is happy. Then she looked at me and said that I didn't look so happy. She was right.
SO, back home we go. I'm a little ticked off with the whole situation and in a bad mood. I know I created that myself. Today I've decided to give up. I am going to do my best to try not to think about it, too much. I'm going to just enjoy my time with Mary while I can.

She Did It This Year!!

This year we finally sat with Santa on our own!!!! We talked about him the whole way to the mall and got her all excited. Then we stood in line waiting for our turn. When it came to our turn she kinda hesitated, but I picked her up and put her on his lap anyway. She kinda looked up at him and was like, ok this isn't too bad. So I walked away and we started to tell her to smile. The girl took the picture and it was perfect the first time! Then we talked to Santa and she told him she wanted a dogie for Christmas. She didn't say anything after that, but she did her thing and we were happy she did it all on her own!!!

This was her standing in line waiting for Santa. She had to bring her bear, Pinto, with her. Hey, whatever works.

38 Week Doc Apt

Went to the doctor today for my 38 week apt. All's well and normal. Starting this week they check for any dilation. I'm 1cm dilated, which really doesn't mean anything. I could stay there for a while. Well, let's hope not too long and I progress soon. I need to just relax and wait it out, but I can't seem to. It's not like I can't thin about it. It's right THERE! Kinda reminded of it EVERY second of the day. I'm doing my best to make it until she decides to come. In the mien time I'll jump on the bed and jog around the house, ok I won't really do that, but it could help.

I"M READY

Ok, today is my original due date, the 11th. I"M READY! LET"S GO!!! I woke up with some energy and I"m ready to go! I've been walking at the mall for about an hour a day this week to try and get her out. I'm off to do it again today and see what happens. Then tonight I'm off to El Presidente for spicy food and a a beer. That is what worked for Mary last time, so I'm willing to try again. Tomorrow is a full moon and so mom and dad say it will happen tomorrow. Mary says Tuesday Wednesday and Linda says the 19th. SO, we shall see. NOW!!!

Having fun with Christmas

This year, due to baby #2 coming, I'm not doing the whole tree and all the Christmas decorations. We decided to just put a few out to make it some what looking like we care. SO, Sunday Kevin went up in the attic and pulled out some simple stuff to put on the Mantle. It looks cute and Mary likes it. We have about 6 dancing toys and she likes to make all those work. She gets to enjoy trees at other people's houses. Next year we'll make a big deal out of it. I just know that I would be the one to have to take it all down while dealing with Mary and a newborn. It was NOT going to happen. So this works out just fine.

Kevin go this stocking last year full of stuff from a client. Mary fits in it just perfectly.

This was Mary shopping today with mom. We found this dress for Christmas. Had to try it on her and then she would not take it off. She we had to put her up to the register to scan the dress. It went great with her black leggings. Then we had to go to Payless to find shoes to match. Well, we found shoes to match, but not the ones in the picture. These were pink princess boots with big pink balls on them. It made for a great outfit. I had to take a picture of it. She was in heaven though. We ended up with some other boots that are brown with Dora on them. She would NOT take those off to pay for them wither. So, once again, up to the register to scan them. THEN she had to continue to wear them. Another great outfit. haha I know we all wore interesting things as kids. It's a part of life. Does not bother me one bit. Let her imagination and creativity flow! It's when she gets to be a teenager that mommy will have a bigger say in things.

Holiday Fun With Good Friends

Last night we had our annual Christmas dinner with my high school friends. It's hard to get all of us together, but when we do it's a great time. Everyone is scattered from Santa Clarita, down in LA, or Riverside. But we all meet up in Pasadena for dinner and whatever else comes about. We took over the table at the restaurant for almost three hours and never stopped talking. Last year we took our picture with Santa in the sleigh, but by the time we got kicked out of the restaurant Santa was gone. So, we took it in front of the tree instead. Looking at the picture now, I see that I am the focus of the picture being the big pregnant woman in the middle. Should have thought that one through before. Oh well, you can't miss me. hehe

week 37 and one day check up

Today was my 37 week and one day check up. I met with a new doctor today and this is the best I've felt after any apt I've had this pregnancy. He was so nice and actually talked to me and answered my questions. What a concept. I asked him about my due date and why and when they change it. He explained that, at first, they go by your last period. Which that would make my due date December 11th. Then when you have your first ultrasound at 10 weeks they read that and make adjustments, it needed. Well mine read that the baby was small and changed my due date by two weeks. If it was only a change by a week they would not have adjusted the date, but it was by two weeks, so they changed the date to the 24th. So, they go by that date for the whole pregnancy. I had him check the ultrasound I had later on and he said it changed it to the 20th, but they are still going by the 24th. So, we shall see.
I'm going on the 11th, which is next week. I think I"m going to be closer to that then the 24th. But what do I know, I'm only the pregnant one. I was right on with Mary, so I think I'm going to be right on with this one. Dad says it's going to be the 12th. That's great, it's next Friday. I can do that. My next doc apt is that day and I hope I don't make it due to being in deliver. Let's all keep our fingers crossed for me and think positive for next Friday. Please, I need all the helpful thoughts I can. I so want to live my life normally again, bend over, sleep, have some wine, the usual stuff.
By the way, we did decide on a name, I think, so hopefully that will give her the incentive to come out to the world. And, no, you don't get to know until she is here. = )

Movie Time

Today mom and I took Mary to see Madagascar. This was our first movie experience with her. She has been before to see a movie with Tracie, but I have not braved it yet. She did great. The movie was at 12:25, which is right about her nap time. So, I was a little scared. We got there and she was all excited. Sat in her own chair with her popcorn mom brought. She gave me a goofy smile for the picture. There were too many previews so by the time the movie came on she was already getting kinda antsy. She had Pinto, her bear, and so then she started to put her head down and want to sleep. So, mom took her and put her in her lap. She watched the movie and was good. Then she saw me and wanted to come sit in my lap. So she sat with me for a bit, then she wanted down. She was getting a little bored, understandable. By then it was almost the end of the movie and they started playing music and she was then a dancing girl. Her and Pinto were rocking out. Then the movie was over and we left. She made it the whole movie w/out needing to go potty, which was good. I figured she'd pass out in the car before we got out of the parking lot, but she didn't. She made it almost all the way home. But she was passed out when I took her out of the car. Layed her down about 2:30 and it's 4:445 now and she's still asleep. Poor thing is wore out. But gives me time to make dinner.

SO, in the end, movies are good with her. There are some other cute ones out and more coming out, so we'll have to take her again. OR grandma will. She was pretty excited to be taking her 'granddaughter' to the movies for the first time. Cute. = )

SO Much To Be Thankful For

This is my little model. You put the camera up to her and she strikes a pose.

We spent this Thanksgiving at my mom's with our friends Leslie and her two boys Trevor and Derek. They are our extended family. Waldie, Leslie's husband, was sick with a cold and so he stayed home. We had a great time. We ate, they drank wine, and acted silly. As you can see, I'm ready to pop.

This is Mary with Trevor. She had a great time with the boys. Trevor was her favorite. It was pretty darn cute how she'd follow him around and only want to sit with him. She knows what boys she likes already.

I had to put this picture up, it's just so darn cute. She has such big eyes, mommy's pretty eyes. I think I"m going to be in trouble in about 13 years.

36 Weeks and Time to Count Down

So, I'm 36 weeks now, in my ninth month. The countdown can officially begin. If you countdown to December 24th, it is 26 days. I'm counting on sooner. Since my original due date was the 11th, I"m going closer to that. I have lotsa predictions from people, so ew shall see who knows best.
This kid has gotten huge and taken over my body. She will move into places that are just down right wrong and I can't move. The doctor yesterday told me that she's going to be at least 8 pounds. Well I figure that since Mary was 8. pounds even. The one dream I've had about her, when I saw her for the first time she was one plump turkey. A white plump turkey, but round.
I had my apt yesterday and she said everything is all good. Well, all they really do is check her heart beat and say they'll see me in a week. That's not really worth the $40 co-pay. UGH! Everyone wants an updated due date, but if there's no reason for it, they are not going to change it. So, it's all about the waiting game. Me and waiting don't get along so well. I"m an impatient person and want to know when things are going to happen and how they will happen. OH well.
Anyway, hopefully it will be soon and we can then decide on a name. We have a pool of names, but not one we can really decide on. I kinda want to see her first and then make up my mind. We were set on Mary only due to the circumstance. So, keep posted. = )

Early Family Thanksgiving

My grandparents live in Arizona and decided to come out for the weekend to visit and see Mary. It's always nice to see them. Grandma is 86 and Granpa is 89 and they are still driving around the country.
They arrived on Saturday. The three of us went to church with the family that night and then back to mom's for dinner. Sunday was our Thanksgiving feast with Aunt JoAnn and Uncle Glenn and Amy. We had a really nice time together. Mary enjoyed all the attention, of course. She's such a little ham for it. We pigged out, of course, but what else are you supposed to do. And we're still supposed to do it again on Thursday for real Thanksgiving.
Some cute pictures were taken, but they are on mom's camera. SO, I"ll put some on when I've got them.

I Stayed Awake!!

Friday was a full on girls day. PART ONE - Mary and I started by going out to Simi Valley to hang with our shopping girls. We met up with mom at 9:15 to drive down at the same time. We arrived at Corner Bakery at the mall about 10. I realized on the way down I had not eaten anything all morning. I was too busy getting ready and making sure I had all I needed for Mary and making Kevin a lunch that I never ate anything for myself. So I was starving. I scarfed down a bowl of oatmeal as us girls gabbed for a bit. Then it was off to start shopping.
I had discovered on our last girls trip about the cool shipping carts/cars to keep her entertained and the train ride. well it's been a month since we've been and this time around the cool car was not going to work this time. She is too independent now and wants to walk with us. UGH, fine! Between all of us we were able to keep her outa trouble. She was a very good girl, surprisingly. I will have to give myself a pat on the back for raising her right, somehow. She did pretty good listening as long as she was able to do things. So, I spent the $5 on the cool stroller to push around everyone shopping bags. haha Next time I bring the regular stroller for that.
Aunt Amy did grace us with her presence by lunch and Mary wanted her to ride the train with her. So, Aunt Amy did.
We had lunch and finally left for home for nap about 2. She slept on the way home. I took her out hoping she'd continue sleeping in her room. She doesn't transfer as well as she used to. Well, she did kinda wake up. I put her in her room and she luckily went back to sleep. THANK GOSH! I needed a nap too.

PART TWO - Now it was time for mommy to have some girl time w/out Mary. I was going to go meet Corie and a couple of her friends for dinner and to go see Twilight, the new movie. The three of them have read the series of books. Me, I got through page 100 of the first of four books. I'm not a big reader and with Mary I'm not a reader at all. No time to read, except if it's a book about Clifford or Curious George.
So, I already had a long day. I tried to nap, but was not having any luck. So, I was going on what energy I had. The movie did not start until 10:30. No one really had any hope for me to stay awake. Well, I was going to prove them wrong. I think the fact that I was going out and doing something w/out mary gave me some extra energy. I made it through dinner and then we had to stand in line for an hour to get into the movie. That was rough on me and my belly, but I did it.
So, we finally get into the movie and sit down. It was packed with a wide variety of ages. Of course the teenagers, but we were not the oldest ones there. There were some there with gray hair. haha The movie starts and I remember the first bit that I read and I'm getting into it. I'm awake and doing good. Then it starts to get slow and my eyes start to get heavy. I was forcing myself to keep them open. I'm pretty sure I did. Then I had to pee. I notice that NO ONE has gone to pee in this theater. WEll, miss prego has to. So I go real quick and come back. Then it was not too much longer after taht the movie was over. We get out and I look at my watch and it's almost 1. I DID IT!!! I'm pooped, but I did it! I finally get home and lay my head on my pillow at 1:16. What a day of fun!

almost ready

This weekend we spent both Saturday and Sunday trying to get thing more in order for the new baby girl. We cleaned out furniture, closets, and anything to make room. Then mom and dad brought over furniture and took some home. So now Mary's room is already set up for both kids, once the new one is sleeping through the night. The other room is now the office/guest room/baby room. Once they are in the same room then that room will e the office/guest room/play room. Then we took all the baby clothes for the first year out of the attic and any other baby items. Now all that is in the office for me to go through, sort, wash, and put away. Mary has sure enjoyed playing with all the baby stuff. She wants to sit in all the toys, cribs, or whatever else she thinks she can get into. I just have to show her it's for her sister and place her doll in it.
It's only two weeks until December and time is getting close to the big day. I have to get my butt in gear to be ready. So much to do with so little no Mary time to get it done. haha She wants to help, god bless her, but really she doesn't.

A Light Came on and she then slept

Mary must be afraid of the dark. This weekend she spent the night at my mom's and even in daylight for her nap she had to sleep with the big light on in the room. All night long she had to have the light on. She never asks for the light at home, so would never think of doing that. She has a night light, but I guess that is not enough.
SO last night I put her to bed at home and she did not ask for the light on, so I did not put it on. Well, 4am, I see it is on. SO, she must have gotten up to put it on at some point. Ok, that's fine. Whatever floats your boat girl.
THEN about 5:45 I turn on the monitor to see what she is doing and she's NOT in her bed. It's quiet though. I can kinda see her in the corner of the monitor on the floor doing something. So, I go to see what's going on. I had a laundry basket full of stuff at the foot of her bed and she was busy playing with all of it. A happy camper and being quiet. Ok, if that's what it takes to keep her quiet and in her room, whatever.
So, this is a new thing we are trying. Light on and we are all good, we hope.

8 month check up

Today was my 8 month check up. All's good. Baby Girl has a strong heart beat and taking up room. I'm stoked I've only gained 13 pounds in 8 months!! We'll see what the next 4-6 weeks brings me with Thanksgiving and cookies and pie and life in general. BUT, it's still good in all. So I go back in two more weeks and then I go every week until I pop. The countdown really begins now. I better get my butt in gear and get ready for her.

Girls Just Want To Have Fun too

Last night Mary and I went down to Kevin's parents house for some girl fun. Kevin's sisters, Linda and Margeaux, and Margeaux's tow girls, met us there for an evening of fun with his mom. Since the boys were away we needed to get some fun in too. We all were there about 4. Mary was very excited to see her cousins. We hung out, ate some dinner, and watched a little tv. Then Linda pulled out her Mamma Mia CD and they all started to dance. Well, Mary loves to dance, so she was in heaven.

A Clean Surprise

Today Mary was taking a bath and I heard the door bell ring. Well, I know you're not supposed to leave your child alone in the bath, but I know Mary is good. So I ran down the stairs to answer the door. It was Anna our new cleaning lady. I forgot we had scheduled her to come this weekend. Well, you're here, start cleaning!!
So I let her in and run back upstairs to Mary. She's fine, playing away. Anna starts her cleaning downstairs and Mary and I stay upstairs. Then when she was done there we switched places. So nice to have a clean house again. Kevin goes off to Laughlin to have some fun and I'm stuck at home with Mary, so this is the least I can get for that. Mary and I have been having fun, but not have someone here to help me is tough.
So, anyway, I have a clean house and Kevin gets to come home to a clean house, other than the dirty messy one it was before. BUT, Mary will still make it messy between now and when he gets home. She has no problem doing that. Oh well, at least I have a clean floor, kitchen, and bathrooms.
Thank you Anna!!

I may/may not survive

Kevin went off to Laughlin yesterday with his dad and brother for the weekend. They were taking him on a belated birthday trip. His dad used to do this with his brothers and dad each year. So, they are trying to do something like that.
SO, I'm left alone with Mary until Sunday. I'm not sure how this will go. Thankfully I have my parents to help me out, but the at home part is not easy. I usually have Kevin here part of the time to relieve me of Mary. With the time change and her waking up early and not being on a great schedule, it's tough on me. Last night she was asking for her pj's at 8 and then asking for bed right after. I said she had to stay up a bit longer and she was not going to have it. She then kept on me. Ok, fine, go to bed. Then she was up at a quarter to 5. Well, I was not going to have it. So I let her lay there and roll around. She did go back down for another half hour. Ok, fine, I'll get up. I'm awake now anyhow. It's pitch dark out and I want to lay down, but what does she care.
Ok, so off to a new day. The sun is finally out. She is already eating mac n cheese trying to get candy. Uh, no candy for you little girl. We'll see what else the day brings us. Hopefully a good nap, for both of us.

Big Girl Bed

We decided it was time to try to transition Mary to a big girl bed before we start to move furniture around for the new little one. I found a toddler bed on Craig's List for $40. What a deal!! It came with the mattress and everything. Perfect! Kevin picked it up after work last week. He put it together on Monday. Mary was at grandma's that night so when she came home she saw her new bed and was all excited.

This time change has really ruined her all around. I know we have internal clocks, but hers is all screwed up and it's screwing me up. The morning of the change we were down at Sal's and she was up at 5am on the dot. The next morning she was up at 5am again. Monday night she went to mom's and so Tuesday she was up at 4:45. Today, Wednesday, she was up at 4:30. Each night we got her to go to bed about normal time, if not just a tad bit early. I hope this changes soon, real soon. I cannot live waking up at that time each day. I know I will have to once the new one comes, but really, not now!

Anyway, back to the new bed. She slept great in it last night. She did lay down and was happy. I think being super tired helped her not want to get out and play. When she woke up at 4:30 she just sat up and called out my name and did not try to crawl out. Kevin went in to tell her to lay back down and then she crawled out. She was happy to take her nap in it today and stay as well. She's still down at the moment, so we'll see what she does when she wakes up. But it's been a good transition. She is even happy about giving up her crib for her sister. Well, that's waht she says now. We shall see what happens when she is actually here and using the crib.

Halloween Fun 2008

This Halloween we went down to Sal and Steph's in San Diego, well Escondido. Sal is Kevin's best friend. We left about noon on Friday to get there in time to trick or treat. We made great time and go there about 2:30. This is Mary and Sal when we got there. We had stopped to drop off some work for Kevin at another office and he took her in to show her off to all the girls. She was given a sucker for Halloween. We told her that she was not able to eat it until we got to Sal's. When we pulled into the driveway Mary said, really loud, "SAL! SUCKER!!" Yes, she was not really excited to see Sal, she just wanted to have her sucker. So, here she is eating her sucker with uncle Sal. And as you can see, Sal has his sucker too, beer. haha

Sal's brother and his kids came over along with their neighbors and their two kids. All the kids were around Mary's age within 2 years or so. It was great. Mary was having so much fun. They were all boys and she loves boys. Below is Gabriel as Merlin and Vincent as a skeleton. Vincent is only 9 days younger than Mary and Gabriel's birthday is December 21st. Their age difference will be the same as Mary and her sister.

We headed out to go trick or treating about 7. Mary got the hang of it right away. Trick or treat she'd say. They would give her a candy and then she would go to grab another and say "one daddy". haha, how could you resist that. We went around the block and then headed home. That was all us parents could take. Mary had to be walking around holding one of the boys hands and dragging them from house to house. It was cute.

Kevin wore my costume since I forgot his Homer outfit. He was not unhappy I forgot it. In this picture he is showing off his full size candy bar he got for being in a cool costume. Did he share it withe anyone? NO!

This was Mary at the end of the night walking back to the house. She was a little pooped. She was one tired doggie. But she had fun.

Oh Sh!$, that's a fire

So, last night Kevin and I were sitting on the couch watching TV when we heard a helicopter flying overhead. In our neighborhood that's not too uncommon since we have hoodlums and a prison near by. BUT, this one you could tell was low and close. It shook the windows. So, Kevin being the little boy inside, ran out front to see what was going on. I heard him say something and then call for me. So, I get up and go out to see what he's talking about. I go to the end of the driveway and look down the street and there it was. Behind the park the ridge line on the hill was on fire. OH CRAP! It's dark, luckily no wind, and there is a fire CLOSE to us.
What to do, What to do???? So I call mom an dad. I called to warn them that we may be coming over if we get kicked out. Dad said that if the helicopters are already there and the wind was still we should be fine. Ok, he's the fireman, he should know. But they say they will leave the doors unlocked in case.
We keep hearing the helicopters and we go outside to look. I never actually saw it, but Kevin got to see a water dropping by one of them. SO, w/in an hour they had it out and we were all good. It was just not a comfortable feeling to walk outside and see a hill on fire near you. Thank god for the quick response from the fireman.

Party Times Are Changing

Saturday was the Halloween costume party at mom and dad's. It is the second annual party. The party started at 7. People slowly started to arrive, but not as many as usual. The normal party crowd is gettin' golder. Not moving as fast and do not really want to dress up. Mom has found some newbies who came and were a great addition. But, it wasn't quite the same as old time 'Kormann' parties. It took until most had left and the original partiers to start the dancing and being goofy. So, times are a changing. I guess Amy, Matt, Kevin, and I are going to have to keep the tradition alive. Mary definitely has the Kormann party gene in her. She was so happy to have the people around and she was shaking her booty on her own. She made it until about 9 or so, which is a good hour past her bed time. I've got my hands full.

But, even thought I could not have some drinks, it was a good time. It was fun to see some people I only see at these parties. Some who have not been around for 14 years. Crazy. SO, since I could not drink I pigged out on the food. Yummy food. Guess I'll find out what that did to me tomorrow at my doc apt. Oh well, it was worth it.

I was a woopie cushion from Walmart. It was the only thing I could find to fit me and my belly. But it was comfy and no one really knew I was prego. Kevin was Homer, of course. We are not really creative.

I don't know if you can tell who this is with Mary. He really pulled this off. This is dad as a gang banger. He had the Dickies hanging low showing his boxers with the pulled up white tube socks. It was great. Mom was the sexy cop who would arrest him for being a bad boy.

Pirates were the big thing this year. This is Bob and Georgi. He had a talking parrot with him.

This was Waldie and Leslie as 50's people. They were showing off their dance moves on the floor.

Below is Corie showing off what she is supposed to be. She was one of the women from the war time going off to work.

Pumpkin Fun

Today Mary and I had a morning together with pumpkins. We went to our closest pumpkin patch to visit all the pumpkins. Mary got dressed in her poodle costume and went wondering around the patch. We were the only ones there. No one in our valley does anything early, and we got there at 11. So, she was amazed at all the pumpkins and sizes. She really wanted to look att he small ones though.

This was her first favorite one she found. She picked it up right away and carried it around for a bit. Then we were off to new and better pumpkins.

'Nice Pumpkin' She pets it like it is the dogie and not her. HAHA

Then we found the box of really small pumpkins and other small vegetables. She liked this yellow thing and had to show it to me. Then she saw this pumpkin. "THIS ONE MOMMY" is what she said as she pointed to it. Well, how could I resist that. Yes, we bought it.
Here it is in our wagon. Mary had to go get us a wagon and then climb into it. Then I had to give her a ride. A bumpy ride in a wagon with her pumpkin was the best.


Here is our carved pumpkin. She was very interested in what Mommy was doing to the pumpkin. When we were done she said 'ARMS'. SO, I went to the yard and found to sticks to poke into it. I can't get the sticks in, so I will have Kevin or Papa poke them in later. We plan on taking this to the Halloween party at mom's tonight to light up and show off. She is going to love it and want to go out and see it all night long. Pretty darn cute. Her first Halloween where she can understand things. Christmas is going to be so much fun!!

awwwww clean

Three weeks ago I went away for the weekend and left Kevin home alone. I left him a list of simple house chores to do to help me with my house cleaning. WELL, needless to say, they did not all get done. He did come to realize that in order for this house to be clean while I'm pregnant that we may need a little help. So, today I finally got some help. He found a local house cleaner to come in and do some work. Of course, she's Hispanic. Where we live, that's what we'll find. BUT, she did a super job.
Mary and I left the house about 9:00 this morning when she arrived. We went and spent the morning at mom's house. They are in Havasu for the weekend so we had an empty house to go to. We figured we all didn't need to be hovering around her while she was trying to work. Heck, that's what doesn't help me when I have to do it. She started upstairs. Kevin said she was up there for like two hours and then worked downstairs for another hour or so. She even swept the garage. It is so nice to have a clean house and I didn't have to do it. I want to go shower in my clean shower, but I don't want to ruin it. She charged $75, which isn't bad for how long and how much she did. But Kevin said we can really only afford that once a month. Well, next month come fast cause this house won't stay clean long. I think I'm going to have to start selling more things on craigs list so I can afford a house cleaner more often than once a month.

Camping Weekend

Mary is the queen of the hill here. SOOO happy to be camping at the beach.

Well we had a great time. It was fun camping with new friends and doing something different than our usual routine. Everyone we camped with all live in our little town of Val Verde. They all had kids who wanted to play with Mary. It was nice to meet others in our valley that are nice and like to do what we do. A couple of them knew each other from their church and the others were friends or neighbors. They were a lot calmer than camping with our usual group, which was a nice change. No one really drank. Kevin brought out wine and slowly someone would want a taste. Kevin wanted to go to the brewery, of course, and no one really was interested in going with us. That's ok, we went anyway. But it was a nice calm weekend.

Mary is making a sand angel here.

We arrived about 4:30 on Friday. The wind was CRAZY, but we didn't let it stop us too much. There were four other couples and a total of 9 kids, including Mary. Having the kids around to play with Mary was GREAT! She was the youngest with the next youngest was 4. They all loved Mary and were happy to play with her. Well, she is mature for her age. = )

The funny thing was that WE were like the cooler people in the group, for once. WE had the motorhome. Not a fancy motorhome, but a motorhome at all. One other couple had a trailer, but it wasn't as cool as the motorhome. One family was in a tent trailer and the other two couples were in tents. The wind was about the blow everyone out to sea, but we were cozy in our motorhome. It was pretty cool for once to be that person. THEN they have all camped there before but I guess have never really walked around town. Well, we all went to dinner the first night and we took them out to a pizza place. We were walking through town and they were all amazed at what was there and how cute it was. We pointed out all the good spots to go to and so on. We were so the know it alls. Pretty cool.

Mary was in heaven playing with all the kids. All she wanted was her friends. It was SOO nice to let her play and know she was ok. I still had to keep an eye on her, but I knew she was happy and content to do what she was doing. I did not have to entertain her for once. I was actually able to relax for once and not have to worry about her too much. We will definitely have to keep these friends. Actually there was a girl who was 13 who babysits for the other families. Mary loved her and she loved Mary. SO, we may have found a local babysitter. That would be wonderful. Give nana and papa a break.
Mary was too busy playing with her friends that she didn't really want to take naps. Well, I wasn't going to have that. She would be a little stinker near the end of the day. SO, she eventually took her nap and then played more. She went to bed later than usual each night, but she was busy playing and wearing herself down. So when she did go to bed, she was OUT. There are train tracks right next tot he campground and the 7:00 train would wake her up. She would sit straight up and say "choo choo" and then she would say "friends! Outside!" It was cute.
This was Mary at 7:00 Sunday night at home. She was so exhausted from the weekend she needed to catch up on her sleep. She never falls asleep in the living room, but today there was no stopping her.

New Friends

We have made new friends, Kevin and I. Most people say they met their date or significant other off the internet, well we met our new friends off the internet too. I had posted our entertainment center on Craigs list and it sold. I ended up selling it to someone who actually lives in our little town of Val Verde. They live not too far away from us. So they come to pick up the unit and when they come to the door the wife recognizes me. We had taken the mom and tots swim class together this summer. So, we already kinda knew each other and her youngest was about the age of Mary.
So they come in and look at the unit and the kids are playing. They have three kids. The oldest is maybe 7, but they all got along great right away. They decide to take the unit and will come pick it up later in the week. We just all seemed to hit it off and were talking like we already knew each other.
We talk back and forth on email to arrange picking up the unit. The husband comes and gets it on Sunday. Half the unit fits in his van and Kevin puts the rest in the Durango and follows him back to their house to unload it. He notices they have a pop up trailer in the driveway. They like to camp. Then he sees he has a fireman's sticker on his car. His father in law is a fireman. OK, these are our kinda people. So, Kevin is thinking how can I not sound queer and ask this guy to be our friend??? haha. Well, I email Stephanie and she writes back they thought the same thing and now we're going camping with them this weekend at the beach. THey happened to have an extra spot we could take. It was meant to be. The beach is going to be a little cool this weekend, but it's ok. We'll deal. We need to use our motorhome more than three times a year.
So, since we've never hung out with these people before we're not sure what we're into. We have our little routine and such with mom and dad and their friends for camping, but who knows what this will be like. I'm sure it'll be fun, but a new experience. Good thing I can't drink yet. I wouldn't want to make a fool of myself the first time. Kevin on the other hand I will have to keep an eye on.
So, I will report back with all the fun details!

Scary Monsters

Mary has started this thing about being scared of monsters. Not sure where she got it from. so, she has started waking us up at 5:30, 4:50, and today at 6:00. Calling out for me. She's loud too.
Yesterday Kevin went in to get her and the first things he says is "light on". Well it's dark still at4:50 in the morning, even at 6 now. He did not turn on the light. So, picture this........she's scared of monsters and Kevin goes in, won't turn on the light, and picks her up and he has no shirt on and he's a hairy guy. Mary gets scared more and I hear her say "shirt on please, shirt on please". Made me laugh down the hall. Poor girl.
So I got her a night light to scare the monsters away. So today she made it until 6, which is ok with me. It's the 5 o'clock hour that gets me.
We think it is half due to monsters and the other half that she needs to pee. She is doing so great with her potty training that she wakes up dry 90% of the time at night. So, we calm her down from monsters and then we go pee. When she woke up at 4:50 we put her back down and after going to the potty and she sleep for another hour.
SO, this is a new fun thing. It's kind preparing me for feedings again. She's not quite ready to go potty on her own since she can't pull her panties up and down yet. Soon I hope. AND she's still in her crib so she can't get out on her own to pee. She loves her crib, so why take her out of it yet. I will need it in about 5 months, but that gives me time to transition her. I'm just not ready to give her the freedom to roam in and out of bed yet.

Craigs List Pro

I've become a Craigs List seller. It's so easy. A month ago, or so I posted and sold our elliptical machine and now I just sold our entertainment center unit. It's great to get things outa the house that are in the way and get them to people who can use them.
I actually bought something on there too. I found a baby walker for $10. All the latest baby walkers are huge and don't fold. I found an old fashion sytle one that will work great in our little house. It has a hole, but fixable and doesn't make it look trashed. SO, now the new baby has a walker for down the road.
So, if you need to sell something, Craigs List is the way to go. Or give it to me and I"ll do it for ya. I only charge a small selling fee. = ) Hey, a stay at home mom needs to make some sorta living. Mommy/wife doesn't pay much money.

Mary is getting a little SISTER

Yes, we are having another girl. I wasn't convinced at first, but each time the ultrasound girl looked, it was more clear. So, another girl it is. We are telling the sex this time and keeping the name a surprise. We don't have a name yet, but when we figure one out it will be a secret. = ) Poor Kevin is going to be surrounded by girls. Oh well!

A Night of Laughs

Last night/afternoon we used our auction item from the MS dinner. We, Kevin's sister and brother in law and us, all got to go see Jay Leno and go to dinner at a nice restaurant. We had VIP tickets. It was pretty cool. We got to park in the NBC lot and just walk into the show and sit in saved seats for us. They were not the best seats, but they were cool. The cameras were in the way to really see the guests or Jay, but we were there.

Jay is a really cool guy. He came out before the show in jeans and a button up shirt and talked to the crowd for a bit. Then 5 minutes later he was in a suit and we were taping the show. When the show was over we got to go down and take a picture with him and shake hands. It was quick but cool. Then we got a tour of backstage of the building. We saw dressing rooms and the studio for Access Hollywood, which used to be the old Johnny Carson studio. There is a star on the floor where Johnny's desk would sit. Then we were escorted outside where Jay came out again and would take pictures before he left the studio. So, of course I had to do one again. He gave me a strong hug when we took our picture. Pretty nice. Kevin had to take one with a MADD magazine. If you get a picture of a 'star' with a MADD magazine and send it in you get a free 3 year subscription. Pretty cool. How often do you get a chance to do that!
Then Jay got in his car and drove home. They say he drives a different car, of his 100's, to work each day. This was his car of the day. This one is a 1954 Dodge Coronet Suburban

Then we were off to dinner, I was starving. Along with the VIP tickets the package came with a certificate for Morton's Steakhouse. It was just down the block from the studio. YUMMY. We had a really nice dinner. I think I put the baby in a food coma, until I gave it the YUMMY chocolate dessert. It was to die for.

P.S.............I know this is the same shirt I wore in the last entry. It seems to be one of the only ones that still kinda fits me. I need to go shopping for some new clothes, bigger ones. I'm growing FAST.