Friday, October 28, 2011

Things I know...(part 4)

-We have exactly 15 stairs in our house. And I know this because I cheer myself on after tackling each one of those bad boys.

-Mopac LOVES sleeping/laying on my tummy.

-Rib pain is the most uncomfortable part of pregnancy.

-Walking and chatting has become more like gasping and gesturing.

-Hot chocolate should only be made with milk and not water. Bonus: extra calcium

-I have a new found respect for momma elephants. Bless them and their 22 month gestation period.

-I'm getting big...like really big. I'm pretty sure my baby is going to come out 3 feet long.

-Third trimester fatigue feels like first trimester fatigue...expect the blogging to greatly reduce:( I come home, cook dinner, shower, drink hot chocolate with MILK, and fall asleep.

-The baby is getting bigger because each movement is stronger and more powerful. I absolutely love this part! I will miss feeling the baby because I get a kick out of counting those sweet kicks. The guideline for me is 8 movements within an hour period. Tonight we had a new record, 8 movements in 2 minutes. I'm growing such an all-star!

Another Soup Recipe

Smoky Tomato and Couscous Soup Recipe - Every Day with Rachael Ray

A norther blows in, and soup is on my stove top.

I love this recipe. It was my second time to make it, and it's so easy.

I omit the ham because I'm not a huge fan of pork. I mean I like bacon and pepperoni because it doesn't taste too porkish. Weird, I know. But I hate ham, pork chops/tenderloin, etc. It's too much. It all started with my love for Wilbur in 4th grade. I think I just pretend bacon and pepperoni are not from pigs.

I also was lazy this time and didn't blend the cilantro and sour cream. I didn't want to have to wash the blender. Just dollop and sprinkle or omit.

Happy Soup Weather!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Looking forward to...

-writing the best post ever about the best baby shower ever! This past weekend, some lovelies in my life threw a Dr. Seuss baby shower in honor of our little one. I have to think this post out, and I don't want to feel rushed. Plus, I have some pretty stinkin' cute pictures to upload as well. Stay tuned.

-Randy taking his test on Friday! You have no idea how exciting this is for my little family. Even Mopac is feeling the pressure. She is desperately missing her play time with her daddy. Their game of "chasing each other around the house" has been on a drastic decline.

- Tomorrow's last childbirth class. We're discussing newborn care! I'm pumped. It's a reward for having to watch the videos.

(P.S. You're probably wondering if I'm going to post about the labor and delivery/cesarean classes. Well, to be brief, I'm not. It is something that they make expectant mothers watch to scare them. And to ensure their hubbies will take them to Sonic after class to get an Orange Cream Slush.)

-Thanksgiving Break! I definitely have hit that fall wall! What do normal people do when they can't look forward to school holidays? I'm so excited about my entire week off!

-Speaking of Thanksgiving, looking forward to fried turkey, cornbread dressing, and pecan pie. My ribs hurt just thinking about it.

-Holding my sweet baby! It's starting to become more of a reality. There's a baby coming soon. Our baby, a baby to love and adore and spoil rotten. I can't wait to meet this blessing. I can't wait to hold it and give it tons of kisses. I can't wait to be a mom! A teacher at work sent me a quote the other day at work, and I couldn't help but get all giddy.

"Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body." ~Elizabeth Stone

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Hubby Love

Last night Randy came home with a joke to make my day a little better. I know I could definitely use a joke after a Monday.


"What do you call a one-eye deer?"

The answer...


"I have no i-deer."

It's the little things. :)

Lately, I've been reflecting back over the pregnancy. I've been working on the baby book, can you tell? And I'm just really looking forward to seeing Randy become a dad.

I know, I know it's a much better read when I'm poking fun of his last antics, but seriously, maybe it's all the hormones, but I have to have a hubby brag post. If you don't like sappy, stop reading now.

I am so proud that he is going to be the father of our child.

He has been so involved throughout this whole process. He drove me to Houston to see my endocrinologist several times. He's attended ALL my appointments even when I tell him it's just going to be a blood draw. He has rescheduled meetings and appointments to attend things for the baby. He has sat through a breast feeding class (with a straight face) and 3 child birth classes so far. He helps me remember details and facts from appointments. He takes me to Sonic when I have an orange cream slush craving. He prays for the baby with me. (Although one prayer he actually had a request that certain male anatomical parts were present and developing. Seriously?!)

We were watching the UT football game on Saturday afternoon, and he made the comment that he can't wait until we have our little row of kids lined up sitting on the floor with their UT game day gear on cheering on the Longhorns.

Did you catch that too? He said "row." As in that means more than 2! Row means several. One at a time, one at a time Rands. Apparently all that pain that was alluded to during our labor childbirth class didn't affect HIM. He just gets to pat my shoulders and coach me on breathing. So, the "row" definitely sounds doable :/ and completely unscary at this point.

I love his excitement, and I'm so thankful to have him by my side through all of this.
I have never been so in love!

I'm beyond excited to see what God has in store for us.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Buffet Rules

Mr. Gatti's pizza is amazing!

I love living in Austin just so I can have access to my favorite pizza.

Today after church we went to GattiTown for lunch.

We had a coupon.

Buffets need to have patrons sign an agreement upon entering. People have no manners. It's just downright disgusting. Someone almost ruined my Gatti blissfulness today.

First off, you need a plan to navigate the area. It's too crowded to not know where you're going or what you want. It's pizza, pick a line and get moving. I hate when browsers just stand in the middle of the chaos. Get your food or get out of the way. People are hungry, and we don't have time for you to fan yourself with your plate smack down in the middle of everything. It's called, "You're in the way."


Well, I always tackle the salad bar first. No chaos here. The madness is at the pizza line.

After my salad, I usually get some spaghetti and one slice of pizza as a sampler slice.

I'm still feeling pretty calm at this point.

When I eat at Mr. Gatti's, I must have three slices of pizza.

These are my favorites for various reasons...
1) Hamburger (It's by far Gatti's best topping!)
2) Pepperoni and Jalapenos (I'm married to Randy, and he's a one topping kinda guy. Reason= $$$, it's like a dollar more.)
3) Hawaiian (I love Canadian bacon and pineapple, and I never get to have it. There are two reasons, A) it exceeds the one topping limit and B) Randy hates Canadian bacon. I know, I know, this is as befuddling as him hating Cool Whip.)

So, I'm standing in line, and I have accomplished favorite pizza slice number 1 and 2. I have my eye on slice #3. Yes, there's a Hawaiian pizza out. I'm standing in line waiting my turn. (This is another thing people don't know how to do.)

There are two people in front of me. I'm bound to get a slice of heaven.

Okay, the girl took 2 slices. Fair enough. I'll give her two. The slices are small. Besides, there's only one more person in front of me, and there are 4 slices. Even if he wants to be a pig and get three, I'll still get that last one.

The anticipation was mounting as she handed the spatula off. (Another rule broken. Just put it down. I really don't want to touch your germy hand and the germy spatula. One germy thing prior to my lunch is all I need.)

I had that ebay feeling in my stomach. You know when you're about to win but still nervous someone will swoop in with one minute left to outbid you.

Well this guy totally swept in. He took ALL FOUR SLICES!!!

Are you kidding me?

Seriously?

Does he not know they have a salad bar and spaghetti line too that's equally as delicious?

More nerve wracking is the fact that I was so ticked off. It's pizza for crying out loud, but I felt like I had been cheated. Why am I so dramatic all of a sudden?

Pregnancy does that to you. Simple things get easily blown out of proportion.

I already had the other two slices that I like so much. But, it's the principle. Did he not see me standing behind him?

Just turn around and look me in the eye you big pig!

Oh yah, and guess where his eye was drawn to first? That's right, my big, round, pregnant tummy!

Yah, now you feel bad. I'm with child and you totally robbed my child of that nutritious pineapple.

Why am I still so mad?

He gave me the "Oops, my bad" look, and I gave him the "Now my baby hates you" look.

Lucky for him, the employee swapped out the empty, YES EMPTY, tray with a piping, fresh Hawaiian pizza.

Don't mind if I do. The pregnant and over dramatic lady still wins.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

expiration date

I got really excited today at the grocery store. Items are starting to have expiration dates with the month of December listed.

This totally made me giddy! I've been waiting for December for a long time. It's exciting to see it near enough to have unspoiled food.

That means baby is coming!!!!

Monday, October 10, 2011

The PE

I cringed when I wrote this blog title.

The PE is equivalent to hell.

It stands for the Professional Engineering exam.

And I hate it.

Randy is taking this exam on October 28th (approx. 3 more weeks of hell)! You can't take this exam until you have 5 years of work experience. Just long enough for you to forget everything you learned in college.

After passing this test (fingers crossed), Randy will earn his seal for drawings and plans. This will allow for people to sue him if he screws anything up.

This test has become his life. Everything and I mean everything has taken the back burner for this test. I could be bleeding to death downstairs, and if I called out for help, he would probably respond from his studying station upstairs with, "Penny, just apply a compress. I'm studying."

He is the most dedicated and hard headed person I know, which is a strength and weakness. I'm getting a little jealous of this test. He studies ALL weekend long. I bet he averages 20 hours a week studying.

Truth be told, I miss my husband. I'm pretty much ignored and all my "the nursery needs to be done" requests.

I haven't eaten dinner yet because on Monday nights he studies until 8pm. Meaning, he works from 8-5, then stays at work to study with a colleague for 3 more hours.

Take.a.freaking.break!

I'm not starving because I stopped at Target on the way home to return something. And I was lured to the food court. That fresh popcorn was calling my name. And you can't just have popcorn. So I got a would-have-been small icee. But, no the lady ringing me up replied with, "No you don't want a small, it's cheaper to get a combo and that comes with a medium icee."

I really wanted to say, "No, it's fine, charge me 20 more cents. It's better that I don't consume those extra 4-6 oz. of sugary syrup." I really only wanted a couple of sips.

But, I just smiled and politely said thank you. And then drank the whole darn thing.

But I didn't eat the whole bag of popcorn. For some reason, I think it would have been better to eat all of the popcorn than drink the Icee. And it was really sweet. Usually I can only drink about half because it's soooo sweet before I give it to Mr. Cavity, but I kept gulping. Looking back, it was a disappointing choice and now my stomach kinda hurts. Bad choice. I'm going to blame it on Randy's test.


I need to think of really fun things to do with Randy after his test. This is my new mission!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Childbirth Classes

We have successfully finished class #1 without passing out or throwing up.

Go us!

I did however laugh too much.

Randy cannot, cannot, cannot be serious. He just can't. I think however, this week will be different. We will be discussing the actual labor and delivery process. There's even a video. I think I should pack a orange juice in my purse for when he passes out.

His reaction to last week's class, "That was a breeze. Plus I like sitting in the back because I really couldn't see all the posters and handouts she was pointing to."

My favorite part, where I got the look from the instructor, was during the breathing exercises. She did what I used to do in my classroom. She stood right next to us. Proximity is better than disciplining. I so knew her trick. It's the "I'm standing by you because you're misbehaving."

The task was to practice all these different breathing exercises and relaxation techniques. People were stressing.

Students in the class, "Is this correct? Am I doing this right?"

Randy to me: "For crying out loud, how hard is this?"

Randy was supposed to count out these pelvic tilts. I got on the floor, and I had to do 10 of them. Couldn't they call these exercises something else?

I started and apparently Coach Randy didn't think they were quality tilts.

He says, loudly I might add, "Nope, that one didn't count. Do it again!"

Is he for real? I started chuckling at this point.

R: "Penny, we're not halfway doing these. Start over."

Starting to really laugh.

R: "We'll do two sets if we need to. I'm not laughing. Nope, do it again. You didn't do that one correctly either."

Meanwhile, other husbands in the room are rubbing their wives' feet, cheering them on, and patting them on the back. I was on number 5 AGAIN!

And then the instructor came by us.
Way to get me in trouble Randy. Wait until this week buster. We're sitting in the front row for the video. She told us to don't forget our popcorn. I think we're her favorite couple!

And we started off so well. We were certainly the star pupils during the introductions. We were the only couple who didn't know the gender of our baby. We were nearly applauded when I said we're going to be surprised. So many people gave us the "congrats" and "Good for you!" looks! This was probably overshadowed by my uncontrollable laughter during the pelvic tilts. Just when we were going to be the teacher's pet.

Knocking things out

Whoa, I was busy and super productive this weekend.

It feels so good to get things crossed off my list.

Not to brag, but check out what I accomplished.

-Picked out fabric for window treatment.
-Picked out fabric for crib skirt (Hello, Hancock Fabrics!)
-Researched (some more) our pediatrician and made a prenatal appointment to meet Little Lueders' future doctor and tour the practice.
-Registered at the hospital.
-Picked a hospital tour date.
-Picked out paint and painted changing table/dresser (Thanks Kara and Randy!)
-Bought Dr. Seuss drawer pulls!
-Have a contact for a private insurance policy. This is Randy's job, he's going to contact and compare a private policy versus adding LL as a dependent on our current insurance plans. This of course will happen after that test I loathe so much!)
-Finalized some nursery ideas.
-Attended our breastfeeding class (Thank goodness Randy behaved!)
-Making closer progress in finalizing our daycare provider.

Whoa! I knew you'd be impressed.

I can't wait to debut our nursery. I can barely stand it. It's going to be amazing!

Pictures after...umm Randy's test. My dad and awesome electrician uncle are coming up in two weeks to complete some projects that involve but are not limited to installing a ceiling fan in both spare rooms, redoing the wiring, hanging the closet door in the nursery, and among many other things:) They don't have a test to study for, so I have a daddy-to-do list:)

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Differing opinions

Oh I really want to see "Footloose." The preview just came on tv and before I could say, "hey lets go see that this weekend," Randy responded with, "well doesn't that look like a big, fat terd." I guess I'll be red boxing that one.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Behind...

I'm so behind. My things to do before Little Lueders arrives is growing by the minute.

Oh my goodness, I am stressed.

This week I did manage to blog twice, call my endocrinologist regarding my latest blood draw (My thyroid loves Little Lueders too and is cooperating-very good news!), and shop etsy/amazon/ebay for drawer pulls.

That's it, three things.

I still have to research insurance options for LL, finalize and tour our daycare lady's house, research and "interview" our pediatrician, the nursery (which has about 14 gazillion things to do), come up with a birth plan (no idea what this means, but everyone keeps telling me I need one. Doesn't the baby determine this? I will want drugs. I'm pretty sure that's all I need to know. Please don't scare me and comment regarding this item:), tour the hospital, pick out fabric for crib skirt and window treatment, Craigs list a rocking chair and paint it, pick out paint colors for soon to be purchased rocking chair, refinish and paint the changing table/dresser.

Did I mention that we still don't have a name?

Oh my goodness the list just goes on and on.

There is a bunch of stuff I'm supposed to be doing, but I'm not. Where is Type A Penny?

Why do I need to "Interview" our pediatrician? I mean I got two recommendations from friends who know tons of people who use this practice and love it! I have a teacher who I work with who knows one of the doctors and is a personal friend. If I can't get in with him, she's going to put in a call for me. I'm not sure why I need to meet him prior. I trust him. Want to know how? He has the letters MD behind his name, and my list is just too long as it is. Plus I have about 10 people telling me how wonderful he is. I think we're good here.

Want to know what Randy is stressed about?

His lost red skittle in my car. That and his upcoming PE exam.

I hate both of the above!

Candy Man

Randy took my car to work because he had to drive out to some projects. He came home today with a large Vanilla Dr. Pepper and a king size bag of skittles.

Then he wonders why he has so many cavities each time he visits the dentist.

And I wonder how he's so thin.

Randy: "Man I dropped a skittle in your car today, and I couldn't find it."

Penny: "Randy!!!" (with a groan, because now it will melt and stain my carpet)

Randy: "I know I was bummed too. It was a red one."

No worries, he promised to vacuum my car out for me. I guarantee you if he finds it before the nozzle, he'll suck that skittle up himself.

Monday, October 3, 2011

New Post and blissy things!

Okay, okay, I've been slacking.

Sorry guys!
This post will be a motley of things. I have lots to make up for!

Here's what I'm excited about currently...

-Tomorrow is the last day of sixth grade guidance. Sheesh! After tomorrow my colleague and I have given this presentation 16 different times. I'm tired of saying the same things over and over and over and over. Plus, it wears me out physically. At the end of the day, my corn bag and I have a date.

-My corn bag! It's this fantastic heating pad that you microwave. The corn kernels are in this nifty cloth bag. It kinda molds to your back. It's heavenly!

-This clip...
Saturday Night Live - Taste Test - Video - http://www.nbc.com

Hilarious! I loved "Bridesmaids" because of this woman! My favorite part is when she starts chanting HVR!

-The carrot cake in my fridge. My sister-in-law made the best carrot cake I've ever eaten for a family birthday celebration. And because she loves me, she let me take some home. Score!

-Tomorrow I start my third trimester:) Two-thirds done! Whoo! I can so do 12 more weeks!

-We also start our child birth classes tomorrow night. I will have tons of blogging material after this. Randy thinks he'll be the star pupil! Don't worry, I'll take great notes.

-And here it is people, my favorite gift from my parents:)



Isn't it fabulous? My mom's wording was, "He's so cute, I just want to give him a hug. But it's made out of wood."

This is going to be proudly hanging on the wall of our Seuss nursery. I can't wait to show you more. But we still have along way to go. We need to get busy!