Sweet Caroline

Sunday, April 27, was Caroline's 6th birthday. I did not get to post a tribute to my sweet girl that day so I am going to make a list of TEN GREAT THINGS ABOUT CAROLINE (in no particular order):

1. She taught me almost everything I know about being a mom.
2. Caroline is a lot of FUN! She is always willing to try something new.
3. Her enthusiasm about everything in life.
4. Her imagination.
5. Caroline is one tough cookie. She stands up for herself and doesn't put up with crap from other people.
6. She is brave and not afraid to perform in front of a crowd.
7. She has an excellent sense of humor.
8. She is always ready to make a new friend.
9. She has a really good heart.
10. She rocks!!!

I could go on and on and on but I will sum it up by saying>>>>I LOVE YOU CAROLINE!!! I am so proud of you and you are growing into such a neat little person. You are my heart!!

Love,
Mommy

Why Liz is My Friend

I am really loving Liz right now. She is paying $25 to come with me to a stupid Junior League luncheon that she doesn't even have to go to so I don't have to go alone. That is a GOOD FRIEND.
Other nice things about Liz:
1. She always smells nice, like a mixture of cigarettes and perfume. Or Nivea. Do you even use Nivea any more Liz?
2. She always sends me flowers in the hospital when I have a baby.
3. When you go out with Liz, you know there will be a good story to tell the next day.
4. She comes to lots of activities for my kids, like dance recitals and school Christmas parties and Gumbo lunches. I hope to do the same for her twins one day soon.

The list could go on and on.....
So even though she made me pee in a hole in her backyard in elementary school and she once persuaded me to get naked and climb in a maid's cart which she pushed up against our counselor's door at Camp Gulf Park, I LOVE LIZ!
Here's to 25 years and counting of friendship and love! I wanted to post a picture but this stupid computer won't let me.

Penelope Ann Miller

Annie's blog inspired me to search out a picture of P.A.M. because she mentioned being told she looks like Sarah Jessica Parker (which she does not, but whatever). Have you ever been told that you resemble a celebrity? In college, I dated a young man who always said he thought I look like Penelope Ann Miller (he is/was a big fan of Carlito's Way). I disagree with this comparison, but it is better than being told that I resemble Blossom, which has happened before. I would be very delighted if someone told me that I resemble Michelle Pfeiffer, but we all know how much I am in love with her! If I was a lesbian, I would totally hit on M.P.
People used to think Knarf looked like Doogie Howser when we were in high school.... I can kind of see that. I feel that Archibald, when not in his ostrich costume, resembles the Lorax or perhaps the Grumpy Old Troll from Dora the Explorer. Or maybe even Brad Pitt! My friend Jaime kind of looks like Katie Holmes. And Lance always thought that J-Ro looks like Rebecca Demornay.
Of course, Lance himself looks like Paul Simon. Or Steve from Blue's Clues. But I digress....

Wow! 3 weeks already

Three weeks ago today, I was in a delivery room, probably watching E! and drifting in and out of sleep. I can't believe it has already been 3 weeks. Actually, yes I can.
This week has been very long and hard. On Saturday night, Jason and I actually made it out on the town and to 2 parties! The first was for the N. twins very first birthday. Those N. twins are some cute little devils, I must say. I am so glad they are here and growing up, considering that when I first met them they were in NICU. I wish I saw them more often but hopefully that will change. After we wished them a Happy Birthday, we headed over to the Beef's 35th birthday Karaoke shindig and I must say, that was a lot of fun! Jason sang "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys" and I did a duet with ML to "What a Girl Wants." We also got to see some friends that we don't get to see very often, which was really nice. But then the cell phone rang and it was Kiki reporting that C was running a temp. of 101.5! She said don't rush home, but then I spoke to C, who sounded very pitiful that I decided we should leave. But not before butchering a Dionne Warwick song and finishing my beer.
Caroline continued to run fever on Sunday so she stayed home on Monday and went to visit Dr. Traci. Turns out she has/had a sinus and ear infection and very red throat. She was home for 3 days this week! Let me just say that Baby E is becoming more alert during the daytime hours and 3 kids at home = not a lot of fun, especially if 2 of them are bored and fight all the time. I can't count how many times we have watched Alvin and the Chipmunks and Enchanted this week. Or how many times C and W have been sent to their rooms. Thankfully, today C is back in action and at school. They had a field trip to the zoo today and I am glad she did not have to miss that. And I am proud to report that today was my first day to drive C to school and we made it there on time!!! But SS called and offered to bring her home, which I am totally taking her up on!
In other news, I am tired. And a bit cranky. My house is a colossal mess and I am too ADD to clean it. I really need to go to Target but am wary of bringing both E and W. Perhaps I will go tomorrow when W is at school. Perhaps not. I'll let you know how it goes.

Early Morning Randomness

1. Baby Emily slept pretty good last night, for which I am very thankful.
2. Today is the last day that SS is going to transport C to and from school and that makes me a little sad. But I have to get back into business at some point!
3. I would probably die if I did not have coffee these days.
4. I am very much looking forward to the E! True Hollywood Story about the Kardashians that premieres tonight.
5. I am also very excited about the newest episode of the Ultimate Coyote Search that is coming on tonight.
6. Will I ever be able to quit wearing maternity pants? I know has only been 2 weeks and I should be patient.
7. I am purchasing a new stroller soon and I am very happy about that.
8. Emily's bellybutton stump came off last night THANK GOD!!!!
9. I really need to start reading more. I can do this while I am feeding E.
10. Even though I was shocked and not very thrilled when I found out I was pregnant last summer, I am really glad that we have 3 kids. I think if we had not had another one, I would never have felt 100% "finished" and now I do.
11. I am also very happy that the reproductive chapter of my life is over.
12. I will probably never wear shorts again. At least not this summer!!!!

A Busy Day

Today was my first day back behind the wheel after the birth of Baby Emily. We both had to go to the doctor today, which I think we mentioned before.
My 2 week check up with Dr. K was rather uneventful and I will see him again at my 6 week check up. I am going to have to have my damn hernia repaired again and that is going to suck. It is not so much having the surgery that is going to be a pain in the ass, it is going to be arranging childcare, not being able to lift things afterwards, etc. But such is life.
Emily's check up with Dr. Traci was more eventful. She pooped twice and spit up all over the examining table. She really spits up a lot and I hope to God this does not mean she is going to have reflux. It does not seem to bother her at all though. She also has a horrible rash that honestly just popped up today and I got lots of samples of cream to put on it. Her bellybutton stump looks awful but Dr. T assured me it is not infected. The good news is her jaundice is gone and she is back up to her birth weight, which was not the case last week and why we had to come back this week. She has been sleeping horribly and I am exhausted. I think she has been sleeping too much during the day. She was awake a lot more today and I am hoping and praying she sleeps well tonight.
We are looking forward to the N twins first birthday party this weekend and of course, the Beef's sake, sushi and karaoke party on Saturday night. I wonder what I should sing? I doubt they will have the classic song "Nobody" on the list. The Exhilirated Sausages did a wonderful cover of that song in the late 80's.
I think that is all I have to report. Must go help C with her homework now.

YAAAAAWWWWWNNNNN!!!!

I am one tired chick today. Baby Emily was up A LOT last night. I am trying to get her to sleep in her cradle instead of her carrier and she seems to prefer the carrier. Hmph. She really is cute though. Having a newborn is hard. I forgot exactly how hard! But so worth it. She is a doll! Warning: you are probably going to get very sick of reading on here how cute & enchanting my baby and older children are but hell, it is MY blog so if you don't like it, don't read it.
E will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. We have 2 dr's appts. One for me with Dr. K and one for Emily with Dr. Traci. I am very bravely going to strike out on my own tomorrow. I am ready. I can do it!!
I would like to say thanks to SS, who has been driving C to and from school all week. What a help she has been!
I bought tickets for High School Musical on Ice yesterday. Apparently they have been on sale for a year. Who knew? At least we got tickets. Very crappy seats. The good news is the tickets were only $15 each. The bad news is that I think I bought them for the same day as C's dance recital, which starts at 1:00. HSM on Ice begins at 3:00. Hmmm. I totally forgot about the recital. Oh well, it is all at the River Center so we can just rush over after she performs.
I am so excited about C's 6th birthday party. It is a Hannah Montana party and some ladies are going to bring costumes and wigs and microphones. The girls will have their make up and nails done and have a fashion show. For party favors, I ordered some cute little purses with nail polish, lip gloss, body glitter and stick on earrings inside. Fun fun fun!
Off to clean my bedroom and do laundry....

Hello, it's me......

Wow, where do I start? A lot has happened in a week!
I am overjoyed to report that Emily Katherine is home and happy and healthy. She is absolutely precious and resembles a small kitten or mouse. She is very sweet and doesn't fuss much, just when she is hungry or having her diaper changed.
My delivery was pretty uneventful... got to the hospital late of course and checked on in. Dr. K came by and checked me and said that the baby had moved up and he could not even feel my cervix to see if I was dilated any more or not. Started pitocin, started contracting, got my epidural. Checked and I was at a 5. Watched TV (E! of course) and napped a bit, felt some pressure. Called the nurse, I was at a 9. Got ready for delivery, Dr. K came back, pushed her out at 2:23 pm. This labor was a bit longer than my others because she was turned sideways. But it was pretty painless, which was most important.
And she was so big!!! Wow, 9 lbs. and 4.4 oz. I guess this is payback because I weighed 9lbs. 5 oz. at birth. She looks a lot like Caroline did as a newborn. I don't really see any William in her.
As soon as I was all stitched up, the medical staff cleared out and left us alone with her. And I immediately burst into tears of thankfulness that I have been blessed, yet again, with another beautiful and HEALTHY child. It was just all overwhelming. I will admit now that I was terrified during my entire pregnancy that something would happen and Emily would not make it into the world. I guess because I have heard some sad stories about moms losing babies at full term. This has happened to 2 people that I know in real life and it just really scared me.
When Dr. Traci came to examine Emily later that evening, she detected a heart murmur. She said not to panic because it was most likely something to do with some valve that often does not close until after the baby is born. I was not that worried because the same thing happened with my friend K's baby, but Jason was very worried. She said she was going to come back the next morning and listen to Emily's heart and see if the valve had closed. Well, when she came back it had not closed. Dr. Traci happens to be married to a pediatric cardiologist and she told him to come over and listen to Emily. Before he came, they did an EKG and said it looked normal but they had to let Dr. Traci's husband look at it. He came by later and said it was indeed normal and listened to her and said Dr. traci was right! It was just a valve that had not closed yet and all was well with Emily. Thank the Lord! Then he said although it was very nice to meet us all, he hoped he NEVER has to see us again. He is a really nice man. The next day, Dr. Patterson came by to discharge us and he listened and said he could not find the murmur at all and the valve was officially closed. What a relief!
Well, that is the birth story and pretty much sums up the hospital stay. I hear Emily snarfling around like she wants to eat so I will write more later.

One More Day

Today is the last day before our new family member arrives. I am very ready for her to come into the world. I can't even sleep anymore because I am so uncomfortable. I can't wait to check into the hospital, they treat you so good there!
I am happy to report that Kiki is on the mend. The children are going to spend the night at Uncle Neal and Ya Ya's house tonight. I do not have to drive myself to the hospital after all. Tonight we are going to go out for a family dinner and then drop C and W off. They are excited to sleep in sleeping bags. Uncle Neal took the day off work tomorrow and they are going to take W to his Easter program at school. Tomorrow is C's last day of school before Spring Break.
Speaking of school programs, last night was Caroline's school musical. It was pretty painful. We had to sit in the very last row and William was very tired and pretty much whined the whole time. He sobbed and said " I want my sister! Take me to my sister!" We had to get up and walk around for a while. My ankles were so swollen after that!
Well, I am spending the day doing last minute things around the house and getting it the way I want it when we get home. I also need to pack the kids bags. Have Happy Easter and I will post all about the big day as soon as I can!

Small Vent, Weekend Update

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I hope everyone is wearing green today. I am wearing a green shirt and so is William. Caroline had to wear her uniform to school but she wore a large green bow in her hair. I am not sure if Jason is wearing green because I was asleep when he left. I doubt it though.

Here is my small vent: I know it is not my mother's fault that she is sick but it sure as hell is crappy timing. I wish I had more helpful family members and 2 parents and in-laws like normal people do. Kiki was supposed to have the kids stay with her while I have the baby but she has been sick since Friday and today is Monday and she still sounds awful and is running fever. So now I have to drive myself to the hospital on Thursday morning. How depressing is that? I mean, I guess it is not that big of deal because it is not like I will be in active labor but still. I have to be there at 6:45 am. Jason is going to have to drop the kids off at my brother's house and then come meet me at the hospital. It will all be fine. Then I guess he will not be able to spend the night with me but since I am not having a c-section that shouldn't matter either. Poor Kiki is not going to get to meet her granddaughter for a while because I don't want her germs around my newborn. However, $100 says Kiki makes a recovery in time to go to the country club Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday. That is my vent. I am a tough chick, I can handle it.
We had a very good weekend. I can't remember what we did on Friday night but Saturday we went and had breakfast and saw the Easter Bunny and then saw Horton Hears A Who. It was cute. I was a little sad to miss all the parade festivities but I could not handle a parade at 39 weeks pregnant. Saturday afternoon, Jason took the kids to play golf and eat dinner and I watched a lot of TV. Very nice and relaxing. On Sunday afternoon, Jason took William to see Sesame Street Live and Caroline and I went to the mall and bought some shoes. Then I fulfilled her lifelong dream and let her get a makeover from Club Libby Lu. She was ecstatic. We met up with the boys for an early dinner of Mexican food and then came home and hung out. Very nice.

He bugs me so much

I can't really express how much Michael McDonald bothers me. His voice, his beard, everything. I have such a strong dislike for him, it kind of concerns me.

She will be here on Thursday

I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait.

Mother and Son

Today Weebs and I have a full agenda. First, we are going to purchase some new shoes. For him, not me. My feet are too swollen for new shoes right now. It is really gross. Then we are going to purchase a carseat for our new baby. I guess I need to hurry up and do that if I plan on bringing Baby Emily home from the hospital with me. After we buy the carseat, we will go to W's class Easter party. Then we are going to come home and hang out for a while and it will be time to pick up Caroline from school. The kids both have dentist appts. this afternoon. They love going to the dentist. We will probably pick up something yummy for dinner because the dentist appt. is kind of late.
Tomorrow I have an appt. with Dr. K and we will probably discuss induction. Which will probably happen next week. And then Liz and I are going to try and eat gumbo for the last time until next year. I have a strong feeling I am going to end up seeing Horton Hears A Who this weekend.

Randomness

1. I am so ecstatic that 101 Dalmatians came out on DVD. I absolutely loved this movie as a child and am so glad I can share it with my kids. Caroline watched it last night and was telling me this morning how much she loved it and is planning on watching it again today after school.
2. My friend Ashley is having a baby today and I am so very happy for her. This is her fourth child, but her first biological child.
3. I love our new chair. Last night, I sat in it and read my new issue of Glamour that came in the mail and also watched the 3rd installment of one of my favorite reality shows: Ultimate Coyote Search. This season almost slipped under my nose and I would have been terribly sad if I had missed it.

Zzzzzzzzzzzz!

I always dislike it when the time changes. It takes me a while to adjust. The kids are tired too. I know Caroline has got to be exhausted after a full day at school and William walked in the door and took off to his room, saying "Bye, Mama. I am going to take a nap." as soon as he got home from school.
You know what I hate? When you buy a present for somebody and then you find something else that they would like better and it is too late. Today I bought a birthday present for Jason's nephew, Kevin, who is turning 8 on Thursday. I don't know a whole lot (really anything) about 8 year old boys so I just picked some random thing that looked kind of cool. And then after I already paid for it, I was walking around the store while the lady was gift wrapping it. I saw a track the weather kit that Kevin would probably really like (according to his dad, he is obsessed with the weather) but by then the other gift was already wrapped and it was too late! Oh well. We owe him a Christmas present so maybe I will just give it to him another time.
Um... um.... what else. I am stuck at 2 cm and probably going to have the baby next Wednesday or Thursday. And I am tired, tired, tired. Damn Time Change!

The Birds Are Building Nests

I think the image above is 80% disturbing and 20% cute.
I woke up this morning with an unusual spring in my step and cooked breakfast for the whole family. Part of the reason for this was due to the fact that I ate the last of the Life cereal last night for dinner and I knew Carolina would not have anything to eat this morning. So I got my buns out of bed and prepared eggs, bacon and biscuits for my fam. They all enjoyed it very much and I really need to do it more often.
Lately, Jason has been able to get up and have breakfast with the kids before heading off to work and he has also been coming home for lunch every day. Sometimes he brings me home a yummy treat and sometimes he does not. It is always nice to see him in the middle of the day, especially yesterday when I had a very important website to show him that could not possibly wait until after 5:30 pm. He will not be working in the main office forever, but I am really enjoying the time with him while it lasts. I like JDC a lot. He's good people.
This week has been kind of S ~L~O~W and there are, of course, no new babies yet. Tomorrow I go to my weekly appt. with Dr. K and we will probably set up my induction. I am actually very okay with not having the baby within the next two weeks because they are going to FLY by! There are Easter egg hunts and class parties and Junior League meetings and Children's Council meetings and school musicals and Easter pageants and dentist appointments and Gumbo lunches to attend. Lots and lots of things to keep me busy and it will just be easier if the baby can hold off a while. But we shall see what happens.
Tomorrow I am having lunch with E and K, my high school friends, and I am very excited about this. For now, I must go fold laundry and clean the kitchen. Adios!

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down

I freaking hate Mondays. Grrr. They should be taken off the calendar.
Today I have to do one of my most hated things: clean the house. I HATE to clean the house. It is not even 9:30 am and I am, of course, already sweaty and surly. At least my throat infection is gone and I feel somewhat human again.
This week should be quite pleasant though. Not a whole lot to do, just getting my hair cut tomorrow and Friday I am supposed to eat lunch with E and K, my friends from high school. I also have a dr's appointment on Friday.
Speaking of the doctor, I went on Friday and I am now dilated 2 cm. Dr. K told me that if I have not birthed this child in the next 2 weeks, he will induce me at 39 weeks. So I am thinking maybe March 20? Aunt Liz devoutly hopes the baby will be born this Friday, which is her birthday. Jason seems to think the baby is going to come on Wednesday. He says he has a gut feeling. We will see if he is correct. In the meantime, I am trying to get organized in case she DOES come out of the blue. I did eat a lot of jalapenos at my nephew's christening party yesterday in hopes to induce labor. It did not work, obviously. I was a little scared that my water would break while up at the Baptismal font yesterday at church, but thankfully that did not happen either. Actually, next week is a very busy week for me so perhaps waiting until March 20th is a good idea after all.
We had a good weekend, overall, even though Jason slept a lot. He is still having a lot of sinus headache issues. On Friday night, we had a delightful dinner at the new Chimes and then came home. Caroline and I snuggled on the couch and watched Freaky Friday on TV, the remake with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. It really is pretty good although the original with Jodie Foster is my fave. Friday during the day was actually very fun because Liz and I ate Gumbo with Caroline at school. This made Caroline feel very important. I hope we are able to do it again before the Lenten season ends. I figure that between the 2 of us, Aunt Liz and I have 5 children so we will have many, many opportunities for Friday gumbo in years to come.
On Saturday, Caroline got her hair cut by a new and exciting stylist. You see, our old stylist Miss Rebecca, disappeared in to thin air (actually, Maryliz saw her at the nail salon recently and she is selling gym memberships now) so we had to try someone new. I am now going to Catharine D., who I must say is fan-freaking-tastic, but I needed someone new for C. We went to a new woman who lacked a personality but made up for it with her hairstyling skills because C's hair looks super cute! Then we went home and I had a mild breakdown because J was STILL ASLEEP. He got up and helped me get the kids ready to go eat our usual Saturday afternoon lunch with Kiki and Gigi and then later he took them (C and W, not Kiki and Gigi) to throw a frisbee, so he redeemed himself. Sunday was my nephew's Baptism and it was a lovely day. The children all hunted Easter eggs at the after party and this thrilled them to no end. Then we came home and did normal Sunday afternoon things, like laundry and math homework. Dazzling.
Well, I must stop procrastinating now and get to the housework. Yuck. Vomit.

The Heat Is On

Why oh why am I so freaking HOT?? Oh yeah, I am 9 months pregnant. But seriously, it didn't even get out of the 50's today and I was one hot mama. I wish I could spend the remainder of my pregnancy in my underwear. How am I going to handle menopause?
My husband has had a terrible sinus type migraine for the past 2 days. Oh ick. This is seriously interfering with my nesting.
OKay, my kids are spazzing out and I need to go feed them. Will write mo later.

Too Tired to Post Much

Yuck. I am so tired today, I don't know what to do with myself. I did go to my aunt's house this morning and she is giving me a couch and a chair and it was much more attractive than I expected and in perfect condition so I am very happy about that!
We had a pretty enjoyable weekend, nothing too exciting happened except eating lunch at Dearman's and meeting Maryliz and Madeleine at the park. Jason is sick (yes, again) and was WAY overdramatic about it all weekend.
I did have some contractions over the weekend but nothing alarming and they have since stopped.
I watched a bit of the Oscars but got bored and switched to the Girls Next Door. Then I got sleepy and went to sleep.
I am really just too tired to post anymore.

Oh.My.Goodness

Today has been a good day.
Most importantly, William does not have pneumonia. Only bronchitis. He is feeling a lot better and still coughing a bit, but not nearly as bad or as often.
And guess what? I. AM. DILATED. Only 1 cm, but this is so exciting because I have never, ever been dilated before. Dr. K said he could feel the baby's head and everything! Quite a bit of progress from last week, huh?