It's A. . .

Mystery. . . still. We went in for the second sonogram today--to check on the spine (and hopefully find out the gender). This time it looked a lot more like a girl--there was a brief glimps at what could have been genitals, but whether or not they were separated. . . well, it beats me, and it beats the technician too. She tried really hard to figure it out for us--and she wasn't training anyone this time. Robert still thinks it's a boy. I would like a girl. I'm going to say it's a girl. . . the technician said, "I'm leaning towards girl." And it kind of freaks me out a little to think that I'm growing boy parts inside of me--so. . . it's a girl. It can be whatever it is supposed to be when it comes out, but right now. . . GIRL.

Fantasy

I've noticed that a lot of my posts are pretty depressing lately. (Seriously, go to some of my first posts--I don't even sound like the same person!--Sad, really.) I'm not incredibly sure how to get my old self back right now, so I'm gonna fake it. . .

Sometimes when I had a hard day when I was a teen I would write out better scenarios for myself in my journal--and sometimes they would sorta come true (for example--I wrote one about marrying Robert). Here's hoping this one comes true. . .

*My goodness, it's taking me a long time to come up with one--ummmm, okay, here goes*

Nana is potty trained. Enoch is done teething. We're on our way to Utah to drop the kids off at Grandma's for a week. While we're gone, the bedroom carpets and kitchen floor are being replaced. . . we shouldn't smell too much glue by the time we get back.

After spending a day with the family and getting some quality family pictures (our first professional ones EVER [unless you count homecoming, and my sister-in-law that did a great job on our wedding day--but those are just of Robert and me], Robert and I head off to Disneyland (obviously I'm not pregnant--and I can definitely fit into my jeans again). We spend all day riding all the rides, park hopping, trying out a bunch of the fun places to eat, and holding hands in line. And in the Haunted mansion (I do NOT look up in the first room--that part is just too much for me) we get to sit close to eachother. The ride also gets stuck in front of the singing busts for a minute, and we get to see the whole thing (I love those guys). We get great pictures of us on the roller coaster and with Pluto and Mickey and Goofy (I have a great camera). It's just a lot of fun. We stay for the fireworks, and reluctantly go home.
At night we watch some of our favorite Disney movies that we can't with the kids (like Pirates, and Narnia). Our hotel is amazing. It's really high and the view of the park is utterly breathtaking. Robert surprizes me with two chocolate truffles (the same kind we had on our honeymoon), and a bouquet of white roses. Then I drift off to sleep in the clean white linens so I'll be rested for the next day.
We head over to Universal Studios--take the tour and go on all of the classic rides. We eat at Hard Rock Cafe (Robert's never been--I think). Another day we go to the beach. (Apparently, I've found a swimsuit by then.)
Then we fly off to NYC. We see a Broadway play. We go to the top of the Empire State Building. We go shopping in ridiculously expensive boutiques, and we even try on rings at Christie's and Tiffany's and maybe some other places (of course, they all cost more than 30$, so no diamond for me. . . yet). I finally get to see if Grimauldi's Pizza lives up to it's reputation, and take a tour of the Statue of Liberty. We fill the day with all sorts of fun things, and get to talk to eachother all day. We fly home--Grandma and Grandpa are coming for a visit--so they bring the kids in a few days (not that I would EVER actually ask them to do that! lol). We get some time to work on a few things at home (I finish my independent study classes!) And. . . we're refreshed and ready to take on anything. . . almost.

Okay, now that I've wasted Enoch's naptime daydreaming. . . I should probably get some work done.

Some More Great Business Ideas:

So far I'm having a lot of fun with Alt-erior Design. I think it has a lot of potential. I don't get many comments, but I've already gotten quite a few emails (apparently I come up under the google search "painted brick"). I'm thinking maybe I have a knack for this new product stuff (or at least reinventing the wheel). What else has been running through my mind lately. . .

Maternity Depends


The duo-itor/keyboard (still working on the name). . . Now you and yours can work together without buying two computers (did I mention that it stinks that Robert's laptop broke--right when I decide to start an online businessy bloggy thing)


The Critter Crib (A crib that is more entertaining--resembles a hamster habitat--complete with wheel and feeder bottle)

And speaking of critters. . . Groundhog Taming Camp (Can't get rid of your groundhogs--*embrace them! Groundhogs could make great pets--ours is named King George.)

*We do not recommend that you actually embrace them.

I'm Laughing on the Inside. . .

Or rather. . . he, she, it is.

So. . . I finally was able to schedule an ultrasound--then I had to reschedule for a week later so Robert could be there. . . I'm almost 24 weeks. It has been hard to wait so long.

We took the kids so they could see the baby, and so they could be there when we found out if they were having a brother or a sister.

So the answer to the poll is. . . It's not Both--It's NEITHER!--(uncooperative/modest/sleeping may also be used).

Fortunately, he, she, it did not let the technician see the spine well enough either--so we get to go back in two more weeks (so long?)--and see if the baby will show something.

I think we might have gone during naptime--no matter how much the technician bounced that proby-thingy into my bladder, the baby WOULD NOT move. At first I was a little worried that it wasn't alive, that is until I saw it had a good heartbeat. Odd, because it likes to kick me quite a lot otherwise.

Anyways--here's the pic we got. (I think UVRMC has higher technology). Does it look like a boy or a girl to you?

Poll

Okay, I don't know how to do one of those official polls, but I'm curious. . . What do you all think I'm having? Girl, Boy, Both? Let me know. With my other two kids I KNEW, before they were born even, what they would be. . . this one? Ummm. . . not so much. I've gotten mixed signals. We find out on Tuesday for sure (unless the technician gets mixed signals too ;D)

Get the word out

Alterior Design

I'm trying to break into the blogging world (the bigger one). I really like image editing and decorating, and I am trying to combine the two on my blog. If I'm successful enough, one day I might be able to cover the cost of diapers. (Finding a place to put them all is another story :D). I need followers and commentators and people to get the word out for me. I will love you FOREVER if you do this for me!

Also. . . I need to build up a portfolio. Is there anyone out there that wants a FREE virtual makeover? Just send me a few pictures of the outside or inside of your house, and tell me what you would like to accomplish with that space, what colors you like, maybe a picture of a space that inspires you.

Okay, I'm really excited!

CPCC

Cuddle Prevention Committee Chairperson

Robert has given me a new title. Poor guy. When I'm pregnant I can't stand people touching me. It used to make me really sick--now I just altogether avoid it. Occasionally, I'll hold my babies on my lap or give them a hug--but any long-term closeness (*shudder). Maybe it's my ever-growing, uncomfortable body--or maybe it's my heightened sense of smell (when I'm pregnant Joanna and Robert kinda smell weird--at least Enoch doesn't). . . I'm not sure.

I feel bad for Robert. He has to gargle with mouthwash for a good 30 seconds, then make sure his lips are completely dry before I can let him peck me on the mouth goodnight. Very annoying. And he pretty much sleeps on the very edge of his side of the bed--because there is a strict no-touching policy (I am SO warm at night). I'm pretty sure one night I'll sneeze in his direction and blow him right onto the floor.

Well. . . I'm like 21 1/2 weeks along. We're over half way there. It will be better soon. Hang in there, Sweetie.

I Told You He Likes the Toilet. . .

Here Am I

Eating a fruit tart (compliments of Angalee's most perfect recipe), enjoying the quiet in the house (feeling much less stressed about church tomorrow than I was before I found out Robert would skip out of the end of his meeting in a ward an hour and a half away for me so he can take Enoch during primary :D--let's just hope I'm able to make it through sacrament without him this time. . . lol), Joanna let me brush her hair--and she just pooped in the potty!!! I can't get her to go pee pee, but apparently pooping is her specialty (isn't that backwards?). She was so proud of herself. I'm proud of her too. Let's see if we can keep this up.

What is Robert doing? He's out getting gas for his trip tomorrow and stopping by the home improvement store to get shelves for the closet and 2x4's for framing the basement (which he was dying to do today, but I was mean and wouldn't let him start a big project right now ;D ). Can somebody stop this man?

I've definitely stopped for the evening. . . my accomplishments today:

Cleaned out both cars. Wow. Warmer weather (and the fact that Robert gives people rides once in awhile--like the missionaries, where one actually sits in the back--EEK) finally motivated me. . . and the cars sure needed it.

Did practically all the laundry in the house--including all the towels (they all needed it) and at least 4 blankets and some jackets. I think I did six or seven loads yesterday and today. And they're all folded!

The house is vaccumed (I even moved furniture), the dishes are done, the counters/shelves/closets/floors are all cleared. . . I still have tons to do (clear cupboards, food storage, tub, desk (embarrassing), mop floors, put AWAY clothes :D (I'll do this tonight--they're covering my bed, so I have to), and independent study (the whole reason I got so much done is because I didn't want to do my assignments--or do the bulletin--I'll do the bulletin tonight too).

Oh, I also reorganized the toy chest. We're only missing two block letters, one leapfrog shopping cart item, the letter "U" for the fridge phonics thingy, one puzzle peice (the fish), and a basketload of play dishes. Where do these things go? I cleaned out containers, under beds, in closets. . . the CAR. . . they should be here somewhere. . .

Oh, that reminds me. . . a few days ago Robert finally found my debit card--apparently he was using it as a bookmark in some medical book he hasn't touched for awhile. Go figure.

Good News

I promised my next post would be positive, didn't I? I suspected things had been hard for so long that they would have to be better soon :D

Good things today:

I have been able to breathe through my nose again for most of the day, and Nana didn't snore last night, so her cold must be leaving as well.

I got to eat a key-lime pie yogurt. I LOVE yogurt. We haven't been able to go grocery shopping for maybe two months (as in I've sent Robert out for the basics, but not much else). It's so nice to have a fresh stock.

Last night one of the cashiers at CVS wouldn't let me return a DVD, because she questioned my integrity (thought I was trying to return it for more money than I paid. What?!! I had the receipt). I was pretty shaken up, but today I talked with a manager and she returned it, no problem--and I was able to use up all of my ecb's on all of the things I wanted/needed to get :D

Nana, me and Enoch all took a nap today. . . at the same time!

Robert is gone for the evening again--this time he's going out with the missionaries after school and choir. That boy sure likes to keep busy. . . but I think we're gonna be able to handle it a lot better tonight (not like last night when he went to the gym). I'm gonna make dinner while the kids are still asleep, and we'll all have a movie night.

The house is rELaTivEly clean--I'm about to clean it some more right now.

Well. . . maybe that's not the MOST positive post ever, but I really am happy right now, and that's a huge improvement :D

Wow, I'm Emotional

Well, I tried to call my mom to complain to her, but it was kind of hard to say anything--she was really excited about geneaology, and I had to go take care of the mess the kids were making before she finished telling me about her stuff. So. . . I'll just complain here :D You guys are used to it, right?

I'll spare you Saturday. This will already be too long.

I woke up feeling pretty sick at 3ish am Sunday morning. I gargled with generic listerine, went back to bed, and felt a little better. We have really late church, so I took my time to get ready. I scanned and printed some pictures from the friend for Nana to color, got the kids dressed, and Robert got together a diaper bag. The kids were also feeling ill, but I had responsibilities for primary, and Robert had to play the organ, so we decided that Robert would take them home after sacrament and I would stay for primary and another meeting.

That was the plan.

We took two cars up, and got there 20 minutes early. I was glad to see that the Hunters had already started setting up chairs and were finishing up. I went to the bathroom to try and pull myself together and put something on under my eyes to hide how tired I looked. Just as I was finishing, Enoch decided to climb in the sink and turn the water on himself. His pants were soaked. It looked like he had had the worst imaginable accident. Ughhh. . . well, I took off his pants and left his only-half-soaked tights on (yes, we put our little boy in tights--his dress pants are so thin).

We made our way to the front pew. Nana and I sat down, but Enoch wanted to help the priesthood put out the sacrament--and he screamed each time I picked him up. What?!! He's never done that so much in public before. I went up on the stand to tell Robert we would be in the back. . . but we were only there long enough for wonderful Jolyne to offer Enoch some "maroon" leggings (THANK YOU, JOLYNE). Enoch continued to scream, and we continued to find less conspicuous places to sit. We ended up in the RS room, where Enoch took off the "newsletter" folder, losing a thumbtack (yup, that was us). I got down on my hands and knees (which is getting harder to do every day) to look for the other thumbtack while both of my children escaped the room and started running and squealing all down the halls. I think that's when I lost it. I never did find the thumbtack--I hope it didn't hurt anybody.

It took me awhile to get both of the kids together again, but when I did, all I could do is tell them we were leaving. (We never even had time to get the crayons out.) I put on their coats and gathered all of our things (actually Robert found some of the toys we left later, so not ALL of our things) and started heading out the door. That's when Robert caught me. He convinced me to stay. (He's amazing, and can get so much more done than I can--I think he thinks I should be able to do as much as him--and I should, but I don't). Anyways, he said he'd take care of the kids (they both needed diapers right then. . . that's right. . . I couldn't believe it either). He left Nana with me, and I sat in the dark RS room as she ran out into the sunny foyer to do a little dance. I was too frustrated to care. I was just trying not to cry (darn hormones).

Well, my godsend came in. Lacey was heading toward the mother's room and could tell I wasn't doing so well. She sat by me and told me that she would be able to handle primary, so I could go on home. I really hope she was okay by herself. I feel bad that I had to go. Robert came back with Enoch, and I did go home--with the kids. I'm not sure I was stable enough to drive, but we made it safely home--with Nana crying the whole way for Daddy and for juice (I kept giving her juice on the ride home from the temple Sat, but there wasn't any left). I put a chicken in to roast (I didn't worry about spices, so it was a little bland), monkeyed with the winkflash pictures for the ward valentine dance (you can too--we finally got them up), got Nana some juice (She was really cute--she kept bringing me two cups to fill, one for her and one for me--then she'd get two more. . . of course it wasn't as cute when I found out that she was taking them out of the sink instead of out of the dishwasher like I'd thought), called my mom (as I mentioned), and found the kids swimming in a pile of chocolate syrup on the kitchen floor, and drinking a cup full of the same. They were so cute, especially Eenie with his chocolate goatee, that I ran and got the camera. I was still on the phone with my mom through all of this (she probably would have let me go earlier if she knew what the kids were doing), so I couldn't handle the camera as well. It fell on the floor and broke. That's right. . . that's the second camera in less than a quarter--at least this one was only 60$. The words from the phone at that moment, 'The blessings that have come to our family as a result of doing this geneaology. . . ' That's when I had to say goodbye. I put the kids in the bath and started washing the chocolate out when Daddy came home. He asked me what I was doing when the kids got into the chocolate, and I lost it again. He finished dinner and helped get the kids out of the tub. I spent the rest of the evening getting stains out and fixing the camera (I think I fixed it--we'll see). I hope I never have to lose it so much in one day again--my eyes hurt, and it doesn't help my runny nose.

Okay.

I promise my next post will be a happy post.