There's no place like home!

And it's not Kansas I am referring to! I HATE tornado weather! It scares me to pieces! I have serious anxiety, panic, heart, and whatever other kind of attacks you can have. I used to love thunder storms. I remember watching the lightning with my dad from our living room window when I was young. I also remember how much I loved the thunder storms in Utah when I was at BYU. For some reason, my favorite was listening to the soundtrack from "Last of the Mohicans" during a thunderstorm in Provo. Loved it! I would even open the windows sometimes to listen to the rain. My innocent thunderstorm loving days are over!

Ever since we lived in Indiana, and now Kansas, I cannot enjoy a thunderstorm without an intense fear that there will be a tornado. I am constantly terrified! I can't sleep at all during a storm now. It is 11:40 p.m. currently, and everyone else in my house is asleep except for me. It is hailing right now...big hail too!
It is so loud! It sounds like someone is dumping huge bags of marbles on my house.I hate it! Wow! It's soooo loud! I just went upstairs to check on the kids, and Logan was wide awake. I took him in my room and put him in bed with Tony for now. I think the sever storms are supposed to be over soon, but it will be raining with thinder and lightning all night. Just no more hail, and no tornados...so they say. It's just so darn loud! I am not going to get any sleep tonight.

The crazy thing is that this afternoon was sooo beautiful...it was 71 degrees! We totally went for a walk and played outside. And now this. I think it is supposed to be 38 degrees tomorrow. Crazy. Give me my warm, sunny San Diego any day! There's no place like that home!

Ramblings on my week so far

Just a few thoughts about my week....

My baby girl is awesome! She consistently goes about 6-7 hours between feedings at night. It makes such a difference to be able to be a bit more rested. Last night I fed her at 9:30, and she didn't wake up until almost 5 a.m.! I have gotten into the habit of waking up around 4-ish, and it almost makes me worried when she has't woken up yet. This time around I am not as paranoid as I was with Logan, and I just enjoy my sleep while I can! She is a big girl, and I know she isn't starving, so it doesn't worry me that she sleeps so well at night at this early of an age. She will be 1 month (4 weeks) old on Friday. I can't believe how fast time flies!

I have started using a website called menus4moms. I have already made 3 meals this week from it, and it has been great! The meals are good, and easy to make. They are also usually something that I will eat too...nothing weird or strange sounding. I love that it has the grocery list, and all the menus as well. I feel like this could be a huge time-saver for me. I love to look through recipes, but I have a really hard time narrowing it down, and choosing side dishes as well. I am hoping this will help me save money at the store, and help me prepare more well-rounded meals as well.

So, the other day Logan went to mutual with Tony. They went to the mall for a mall scavenger hunt. I had an enrichment board meeting, so I took Avery with me to that. One of the boys gave Logan a little red plastic duck. Well, Logan has named his duck Chuppy. I have no idea where he came up with that name, but it is funny. So, last night at dinner, Tony was holding Avery to keep her from fussing. He was talking to her and asking her if she was chubby, and if she had chubby cheeks. Tony asked Logan if Avery was chubby. Apparently Logan had a different idea. He said, "Chuppy? Is she a duck?" It was hilarious. Of course we all laughed about that one.He is a funny kid these days. His latest thing has been to throw things down the basement stairs,usually via the cat door, but sometimes he opens the door to throw things down. The past few days he has taken off one sock to throw down the stairs. Only one sock...not both. I have no idea...whatever floats his boat I guess.Who knows what goes on in the mind of a 2 1/2 year old?

We have Avery's blessing planned for the 25th of March. Both my parents and Tony's parents are planning on coming. My sister wants to come as well, so we will see if she is able to. It will be nice to have company again. I love to have people around to talk to. It gets a bit lonely during the day with just me and the kids, and no family to visit with. Again, I have to comment on how much I don't enjoy being so far from family.

I guess that's all for now!

First Day at Church

Today was Avery's first day at church! It was so fun to dress her all cute in her little dress, and her cute headband. She had tights on too...but they were so baggy, it was cute! Of course I had to take her picture in her church clothes. She is just too cute! It is fun to have a girl to dress up! We love her!

Poll: Strollers

So, I really need to get a double stroller. With Spring right around the corner, I am getting the itch to go for walks. Of course I will have to do this with 2 kids, so I really need to get myself some kid transportation. I am in a bind because I am not sure the best route to go in the double stroller department. I am hoping to get some input from moms of several kids, and even anyone else who has an opinion!

#1. option. The standard front/ back type double stroller. My thoughts on this are that it is narrow enough to maneuver in the stores, and both seats recline, for napping purposes.

#2. option.The sit and stand stroller. We have tried it out in the store and Logan really enjoyed sitting on the platform. The only drawbacks, are that the normal stroller seat doesn't recline except like an inch, and if Logan gets tired, he can't lay down to nap. But I have heard great reviews for this version.

#3 option. The side by side. I am not leaning towards this one at all, but would still like input. I just know it can be difficult to maneuver in the mall stores, and I don't know if I want Logan to be able to easily access the baby that way.

I would love everyone's advice, since I am having a really hard time making a decision!
* Just a note to add that the links I provided aren't necessarily the brands I am leaning towards. Just examples!

I miss my mom

This picture is of Grandma, Logan, and Avery. I think it is cute that it looks like Avery is smiling! I wonder who she is looking at?

So, today was the first official day without my mom here to help me. Since it is Sunday, I was going to stay home from church again, and let Tony take Logan so I could have a few hours alone with just the baby. Well, that plan backfired when Logan threw up this morning. So, we all stayed home. I was able to have a nap this morning, and then this afternoon, Tony, Logan and Avery all took naps and I just enjoyed the quiet. Logan felt better after he puked, so I am glad it wasn't anything more serious. But I sure am glad that it happened today when Tony was home to help take care of him and clean him up! Tomorrow will be the real test.

On another note...last night Tony and I watched "The Illusionist". I thought it was a really good movie! It didn't need the love scene to be portrayed that way, but otherwise it was a very intriguing movie. I almost want to watch it again now that I have seen it once, but we had to return it already. Anyway...I think it was based on a book, or something, so it might be interesting to read.

I miss my mom already. She was great to have to help with the kids, and it was nice to have the company on a 24/7 basis. I don't know what I will miss the most...the help, or the conversation. Both I am sure, but it is hard to be all alone in the boonies of America. I wish I was closer to family. I hate being the only ones so far away.

To the doctor we go...

So, in the past two weeks since baby Avery was born, we have been to the doctor 4 times. The first time was last Wednesday when I had to take her to have her weight checked. Then, I made an appointment for Monday the 12th for Logan to see the doctor because he had been limping for the past two weeks and it seemed like it was getting worse. We had no idea why he was limping, and he never complained about anything hurting. So, Monday we went to the doctor for Logan, and she couldn't see anything obvious, so she sent us to get an x-ray. Logan was so good for the x-ray. He held so still, and didn't fuss at all. The bummer was that I told him he could see a picture of his bones, and then the lady wouldn't show them to him. She said she had already given them to the radiologist to look at, and couldn't get them back. So I was bummed for him. He didn't seem to care, so that was good. He got chicken, french fries and chocolate milk so he was happy. Well, the x-ray was normal, so that was a relief, but still no answers to why he was limping. I didn't notice him limping today, so maybe all is well. Weird.

So, yesterday I had to go to the doctor for my incision to be checked. And then today Avery had her two week appointment. Whew! I made her 2 month appointment, and I have my 6 week appointment scheduled, so hopefully we won't have any more doctor visits until then. Craziness! The good thing is that Avery now weighs 9 lbs. 6 oz. And they say she now is 22 inches long. I am not sure she has really grown 1 1/2 inches in two weeks. Is the way they measure really that accurate? I am not so sure.

I feel very lucky that Avery has been such a great sleeper! In fact, last night I fed her around 9:30 p.m., and I had to wake her up a little before 5 a.m. this morning to nurse again because I was about to explode! She didn't fall asleep until after midnight, but she still went that long between feedings! I told her doctor, and she said that was fine since she is eating so well, and gaining weight. As long as she doesn't go that long during the day, it is great. I am not complaining one bit about being able to get some sleep.It is fabulous! Anyway...she is growing great. She is in the 90% for her weight, 95% for length, and 75% for her head. Logan was this way too...he started off big, and grew quite fast, but then tapered off. He is almost 3, but 3T clothes are still too big for him, and he only wears a size 6 shoe. So...I am sure that will be the case with Avery too.

I have a lot to say about Logan, but that will be a blog for another day.

More pictures and updates

This was Avery's first outing. I know the picture is a bit blurry.We went to the doctor to get her weighed. She had lost a bit of weight in the hospital, so they wanted to check her weight a few days later to see if she was gaining some back. She was! She is a good eater! I love this little outfit she is wearing!




Grandma took this picture of Avery when she was laying on the table at the doctor's office. She just looked so cute and big in her cute little outfit. It's one of the only things she has to wear that isn't pink.


Grandma made a little curl on the top of her head after her first bath at home. She is just too cute for words!


We always have to take pictures of Avery when she is in her little bouncy seat. Here is just another one!

I have decided that it is way easier to take care of a newborn baby the second time around. The hard part this time is dealing with the 2 year old! He has his moments where he loves baby Avery and wants to hold her and kiss her. And then, he is trying to feed her weird things, and give her drinks of water, etc. He is also starting to act out in weird ways. For example...I was feeding the baby last night, and Logan came up to me and hit me right in the middle of the forehead. I was like..."what was that for?" He just looked at me and smiled really big, like he was just wanting a reaction from me. Good grief! I am very lucky that so far sweet little Avery has been such a good baby. I have also had my mom here to help, so I am in for it when she leaves. I don't want her to go!

I have also noticed how much faster I am recovering this time after the c-section. I have been feeling pretty good, and almost don't notice that I just had surgery. I haven't taken pain meds since Sunday, and my incision is healing really well. With Logan, my incision got infected, so this time it is nice to not have to worry about that. I think I was also able to be up and moving around a lot easier and faster this time than with Logan. Maybe it is because I knew what to expect? I don't know.

For Valentine's Day today, I hadn't obviously been able to get any little gifts for Logan. I had my 2 week appointment with my doctor to check my incision, and since I was at the hospital, I decided I would check out the hospital gift shop. I bought Logan a little stuffed puppy. When I brought it home for him and gave it to him, he was soooo happy! It was the cutest thing ever! He kept giving me hugs and saying that the new puppy made Logan happy. It made me happy too. I guess I did win points in the mom department for that. Logan also helped me make cookies. That was fun. Overall, I think he had a Happy Valentine's Day.

More pictures soon to come....

Sweet Baby

More pictures of my sweet baby. Just had to be a proud mom and show her off! I hope you don't get tired of seeing her little face on my blog! I love her! She will be 1 week old tomorrow! Time flies!

Today...

Well, my sweet little one who wasn't so little at birth, lost quite a bit of weight before we left the hospital. She went from 8 lbs. 15 oz. to 8 lbs. 2.8 oz. I had to take her to the doctor today just to have her weighed. Amazingly enough, she was back up to 8 lbs. 10 oz! She must be getting plenty of food these days. She gained over 7 ozs. in under 2 days. Good girl!

About our first outing. I definitely need to start getting ready about an hour before we need to leave the house...at least! I guess as long as I am ready, and Logan is ready, then it is o.k. if I have to spend extra time getting Avery fed, diapered, changed, etc. And another interesting observation. I can tell the big difference between the first baby and the second. With Logan I had the diaper bag packed with every possible item that might be needed. Today I left the house with nothing.It was my mom's insight to grab a few diapers and throw them in my purse, but no wipes, or extra clothes or anything. Hmmm...slight brain loss from the wonderful pain meds I am on? Or is it truly just a second, and subsequent child thing? Wow this is fun! I have two kids. I am a real mom now!

Avery Noelle Black has arrived!

I have no idea what will happen with these pictures. I am feeling a bit computer challenged right now.

Well, our sweet little baby girl has finally arrived. It sure was rough getting her here, but I suppose it is worth it in the end. We love her so much, and she is so cute and sweet.

Now for the story. I woke up at around 3:45 a.m. on Thursday February 1st (which was my actual due date) with contractions. This was new to me since my water broke first with Logan and I didn't really start having contractions until I was at the hospital. We dropped Logan off at my friend Hillary's house around 6:45 a.m. and headed to the hospital. My contractions were 5 minutes apart. When they checked me I was still only dilated to a 1, and only about 30% effaced. Very frustrating. At around 1 or so they broke my water and hooked me up to pitocin. By 3 p.m., I was dilated to a 3 and thinned out more. I was able to get an epidural at this time too. From there on I continued to progress about a cm an hour for several hours. I was very excited when I actually passed a 6! I got stuck at a 6 with Logan, so it was very exciting to venture into uncharted territory.Well, I reached an 8...and that was very exciting! However, things went downhill from there. I stayed at an 8 for about 4 hours, and the last time they checked me, at about 12:15, I had actually gone back to a 7. I cried when I realized I wasn't going to be able to have a VBAC, and that c-sections are my only option now. I was so hopeful! Things were going so well, and I knew I had so many people praying for me, and cheering me on. I just knew for sure I was going to be able to do it...especially after getting to an 8! I was so disappointed and let down. I am crying even now as I am typing this because I am still so disappointed. It's hard to know that for every other child we want to have, i have to go through this experience. It isn't pleasant, and it will take a lot of preparation to be ready to go through this again.

Anyway...back into familiar territory. I had the c-section (which is another story for another day) and baby Avery Noelle was delivered at 1:14 a.m. on Friday February 2. I missed her due date by just a few hours. The doctors and nurses all had to comment (and it sounded like surprise) about what a big girl she was! A whopping 8 pounds 15 oz.! She beat her big brother Logan by 3 ounces. He was 8 lbs. 12 oz. She was 20 1/2 inches long, and apparently had a head circumference of 15 cm. That's my birthing problem right there. A small pelvis, meets a big head equals no exit. She has light hair...more strawberry blond than anything, but definitely more like my hair color. She has a sweet little face, with delicate little features.

The whole day after she was born I was sick and nauseous again. I couldn't hardly move my eyes without the room spinning. It wasn't until about 5 in the evening that I started to feel pretty normal and could actually talk and not puke.

I stayed in the hospital until Monday morning, Feb.5th. I got home around 1 in the afternoon. My mom is here to help take care of all if us, so I am very grateful for that. Already my hormones have caused a few emotional breakdowns. I am having a hard time getting comfy...I need the hospital bed that I can push the buttons to move me up and down. That's the hardest part for me.

I will try and post more pictures later. For now...go to the hospital website to see her pictures. Here is the link:

http://www.growingfamily.com/webnursery/babypage_view.asp?URLID=3C4X4F5J1H

* We chose to name her Avery because it is my mom's maiden name. I picked Noelle for a middle name because I liked it and it sounded pretty with Avery. And most importantly, it felt like it was the right name for her!

Today is the day!

Well, I thought I would post one last post. It looks like I could very well have a due date baby. I have been having contractions for the past 2 hours, so I am guessing I will be heading for the hospital pretty soon. I need to go finish getting ready. I don't want to be having this baby at home! Wish me luck! And let's hope it does come today....

I am still here...anxiously waiting

I thought I would post so you all know I HAVEN"T had the baby yet. I am still just dinking around, waiting for something to happen. Yesterday, I didn't feel like doing anything. I took Logan over to a friend's house to play, and for me to get out of the house to socialize as well. You don't feel as guilty about not getting anything done if you aren't home. Today I felt like I better get a few more things done so I really feel ready for the baby when it is time.

I felt quite productive today. I folded a load of whites, and washed some colors, and two loads of towels. I am just waiting for the last load of towels to finish drying so I can put them away. I will need to wash a load of Logan's clothes, with a few more baby things thrown in. I have to wait for Logan to wake up first though. Once that is done, the laundry will all be up to date.

I also put the pack and play together, and got that ready. It is in our room, and will take the place of a bassinet since we don't have one. I umloaded the dishwasher, and got some dishes loaded. I made a batch of brownies (Marisa' recipe) because you know how much of a priority that is! I then layed by Logan until he fell asleep for his nap. I decided lately that Iwould rather get a bit of rest in myself by doing that than having to chase him and put him back in bed about 50 times over an hour or more. He fell asleep after about 30-40 minutes of me laying by him.

Since my laundry was done, Icould finally jump in the shower since I had some clean clothes. Nice that it was after 3 in the afternoon, but whatever. You do what you gotta do. And it snowed today, so I wasn't going anywhere anyway...why bother getting ready?

I cleaned my room, and I think that all those random things are done so Idon't have to worry about them if the baby were to come now. So I don't have any food, and I really should go to the store, but I don't want to go anywhere.

Instead of nesting, I have had the urge to bake. Hence the brownies today. Since Heather's post on her blog about homemade bread, I have been really wanting to give it a try. I have only made bread in the breadmaker. I need two more loaf pans however, and I am almost out of flour, so I need that too. I also am having this insane urge to make some freezer jam. I have never made this before either. I would get the huge bag of frozen strawberries from Sam's Club, and use that. But I also need some containers, and the pectin, etc. So, overall I am in a dilemma since I don't want to go to the store. Hmmm...what's a pregnant girlwith an urge to do?

My mom flies in tomorrow afternoon. So, acording to her I will go into labor after she gets here. Maybe I will have my hospital bag in the car, and then I can just go straight to the hospital after we get her from the airport. If only things like this could be planned so easily.

Again, I need prayers that I will go into labor on my own, and that I will be able to have a successful VBAC. That's all I ask for...and a healthy baby girl. I will keep you all updated! Maybe the next time I post, I will have a picture of a new baby to post as well!

3 days and counting

So, I have three days to go until my due date. I need everyone's prayers that I will go into labor on my own before next Monday. I have another scheduled dr. appointment next Monday, and it will be then if we decide to induce via pitocin, or schedule a c-section. I would rather not have to do either, so please pray for me!

The ideal situation would be for the baby to come after Thursday when my mom is here. That way, I won't have to stress about what to do with Logan. Tony will be able to have the week-end off from work, so he won't have to take off too much time, and my mom will be here to help! I do NOT want to be at church next Sunday.And my doctor is on call this week-end, so it would b perfect. That's my plan, anyway. We will see if the baby cooperates.

I don't have anything else to blog about today, so I will sign off for now.

It's just a little Crazy!

Ok. I know many of you who read my blog know this story, but I thought today would be a good day for me to formally document it. I hope those involved don't mind if I name names. I just have to avoid confusion.

This is a story of three Lafayette girls. Kerry, Gigi, and Jill. Back in 2003, we all discovered that we were expecting our first babies. And we all happened to be due around the same time. Jill and I were due on May 15th, and Gigi was due on May 22nd, 2004. We all found out that we were also having boys. So, needless to say we felt like we were in this together! We took our childbirth classes together, and Gigi and I both even took our 3 hour long glucose test together. Gigi and I also had the same name picked out for our babies. It was fun to share. Well, Gigi and Jill happened to both have their baby boy's on the same day...May 7th. I unfortunately was 5 days late, and had my Logan on May 20th. Nevertheless, we all had our boys, and it was fun to have that bond.

Fast forward to the spring of 2006. Jill had moved away to Washington, and was already expecting her second baby in the summer...July or August. Gigi and I had been walking at the park to try and get ourselves in shape. It was during this walking buiness, that Gigi discovered that she was expecting again. No more than a week later, I discovered the same thing. I was due February 1, 2007, and Gigi was due around the 28th of January. Only about 4 days apart this time. So imagine our excitement when we found out that we were both expecting girls! And Jill had a baby girl as well.

Jill, had a very interesting story about the birth of her little girl. I don't know all the details, but all I do know is that it happened very fast, and she had the baby at home. Crazy!

Fast forward to last night. I decided to email Gigi to see how things are going, seeing as our due dates are fast approaching. Well, she had been having some contractions, so I was anxious this morning to see if anything came of it. I called her around 9:30 her time to see if she was still home. She was, and was just getting ready to take a shower since her contractions were getting closer together.We chatted a few minutes, and then I let her go so she could get ready to go to the hospital. About 3 hours later I get a phone call from Gigi. Guess what she had to tell me? She had her baby girl...at home! Crazy! Only about 45 minutes to an hour after I talked to her! Crazy! So, Gigi and Jill once again had a similar birth experience. I guess I am glad i didn't have my baby the same day as them, or else I would be worried that i too would end up in their birth at home club. Yikes!

My guess is that I will have my baby 10 days apart from Gigi like last time, so I am guessing I will be 3 days late. Feb. 4th, Superbowl Sunday. We shall see!

Did I say crazy? I have been shaking my head all day and laughing, and saying to myself "that's crazy." Crazy.

His head is gone, and other random thoughts on my day

Well, I looked out the window and what did I see? The snowman's head is in a pile on the street. It is gone...and I didn't do it this time! It's melting! So now I don't feel quite so bad when I see the snowman and his ski-wonkus head. And hear the sweet little voice from the back of the van say " watch out for the snowman mommy".

I had a significantly better day today than I did yesterday. I am still sick, but we got out of the house today, and Logan and I both got some socializing in, and we all know how much better we all feel after that! It makes such a huge difference in Logan's attitude for the rest of the day if he gets to play with other kids. And it makes a huge difference in MY day if I get to socialize as well, so all around it is a very good thing. I even got Logan to take a nap today. I didn't nap, but I was able to get a few little things done with the peace and quiet, so I enjoyed that a lot.

Now, lately I haven't had much of an appetite. I attributed it to the fact that my stomach has been squished, therefore no room for lots of food. Today on the other hand, I have been eating like a horse! I have been so proud that I haven't gained any weight the past 3 weeks, but I might have made up for it today. Is this any indication of being close to labor? I thought you were supposed to clean out your system before labor, not filling it up. Anyway...just an interesting observation.

My thought on American Idol: What is up with that chick who got so upset because she tried out knowing she can't sing, and that she is tone deaf, but honestly thinking she could be the next American Idol that CAN"T sing? Seriously can't get over the people on this show. Where do they come from? I wonder if they hire "actors" to be that wacky just to make the show more interesting to watch. What do you think? I am in awe of this show. I can't believe I have been missing out all these years. No more, my friend...no more. I am on the bandwagon for good.

My due date is in a week from tomorrow. I am really not anticipating that I will have the baby early, but considering I am in desperate need for new glasses, and I made an eye appointment for next Tuesday (the 30th) I will probably go into labor by then. We will see. I shouldn't have put this off, but it just kept falling to the bottom of my list, and getting forgotten. Yikes! I still haven't packed my hospital bag either. I better do that, and pack a bag for Logan in case he needs to go somewhere. A month ago I was feeling completely stressed and like I needed to hurry and get everything ready. Now with a week to go, I feel no rush. Good thing? Or not? I actually think that my brain has temporarily left the building. I hope it comes back soon.

On a sad note...my sister's husband made her delete her blog. He doesn't understand. Hopefully she will start one again soon.

Bad days must be contagious

So Heather...your bad day from yesterday must have been contagious, because I had an awful day today. I have had that song running through my head all night.

It didn't start off too terribly. I am still sick, so I wasn't feeling 100%, but I was functional. After a slightly slow morning, we went to the store to get a few items (one of them being a birthday gift for Tony) and by the time we got home it was lunchtime. I was sooooo tired by this point. I just wanted to go to bed. We had lunch, and then I tried to put Logan down for a nap. It was an awful battle again today, and it ended up with him not napping at all, and therefore neither did I. I was soooo upset at him that I didn't want to be around him. After making him stay in his room until 4 p.m. (I had to physically hold the doorknob so he couldn't open his door) I told him to go downstairs. He did, and I went in my stamp room to try to calm down and just cried. After a while I heard him playing downstairs and being so cute. But then he came back up and started getting into all my stuff, and making me more upset and aggravated again. And of course of all days, Tony was later getting home than usual. Iam not giving every detail of this awful afternoon, so you will just have to believe me when I say it was truly awful. The mean mommy came out, and my throat hurt after all the yelling I did. Which doesn't have any effect on the kid at all, so I should remember that next time. And the worst part is, when I put him in his bed and I am crying and telling him that mommy is sad because she is sick, and he gives me a kiss to make it better. How am I supposed to stay mad at that sweet little thing? The fact that he can have me yelling at him one second, and then he is so concerned about me that he gives me a kiss right after I have been yelling at him. He is just so sweet and forgiving, and it makes me feel so awful. But by golly, I was exhausted out of my mind, and sick on top of it, and 9 months prego on top of that...what's a girl to do? How on earth am I going to do this with two? Is it too late to change my mind at this point? No, I would never change my mind, but it is making me seriously wonder about my future sanity.

I am ready to hit the hay now. Just had to thank Heather for passing on the grief. I hope no one else catches it.

Happy Birthday Tony!

Today was Tony's 32nd birthday. I can't believe he's so old! I guess I will be turning 30 in a few months, so I am getting old too. Yikes!

I feel bad though, because all my intentions to make Tony have a good birthday fell through. I am still feeling crummy today so I wasn't even able to get him his birthday presents. After my doctor appointment this morning, Logan and I decided to go to Cookies by Design and get a Happy Birthday cookie on a stick with a balloon to take to Tony at work. We then met Tony at work to have lunch and Logan gave "Daddy" his Happy Birthday cookie. Logan was really wanting the balloon for himself. Tony didn't want anyone in his office to know it was his birthday, so he made us bring his cookie and balloon home instead of taking it back to his desk. What a party pooper.

When we got home, it was nap time. It did take Logan a little while to go to sleep, but he stayed in his bed this time and actually napped.That was good for me, but I had a hard time getting to sleep between not being able to breathe, and not being able to get comfortable. Overall, it was pretty miserable. Tony got home around 4:30, and I felt awful because I hadn't picked up the house, or wrapped the one present I did have for Tony. I was also going to make an apple pie, and put up a Happy Birthday sign. That didn't happen.Tony said he didn't care. He doesn't usually care about much hoopla for his birthday, but I do. I think birthdays are special, and I enjoy having a fuss made for me for mine, so I guess I want to do the same for him.

We did end up going out to dinner to Texas Roadhouse to celebrate. Logan had a blast eating peanuts...shells and all. We then came home and opened Tony's two gifts. One was from my mom, and the other was from me. He was pretty happy with just those. I think tomorrow will be Tony's birthday part 2. I will get a few other gifts I wanted to get for him, and make him his birthday pie. I just hope I feel well enough to carry out my plans. I just want him to have a good birthday.

But on a good note...I convinced my sister to start a blog! Yippee! I am getting people on the blog train! Check out her blog...her name is Kristy (see link under my links)! Leave her good comments on her fabulous first post. I am sure you will all enjoy it! Now it's time for this sick mama to go to bed!

I forgot to add that I am a snowman killer. Our neighbors built a snowman in the middle of the cul-de-sac yesterday. I backed out of my driveway this morning and ran into the snowman, beheading it. How awful am I? I got out of the car and did my best to put his head back on. It was o.k., but not quite the same. Logan was saying "Mommy, you ran into the snowman?" Yes I did. I am a horrible, awful person. I killed the snowman.

Sick and sleeping Sunday

Well, I felt totally awful today. I was up late last night for who knows why, and I didn't get out of bed this morning until almost 11 a.m. I ate some cereal, checked out a few things online, and then went back to bed at about noon. Tony and Logan got home from church around 2:30, so I got up to see them. I made myself an orange julius since I hadn't drank anything at all yet. I am not a big fan of drinking orange juice, so I have been making orange julius's instead. Yummy, and very refreshing. I drank two tall glasses of orange julius, and a few frozen waffles and went back to bed around 4 p.m. I left Tony in charge of Logan today obviously. He didn't put Logan down for a nap after church, thinking he would let him stay up and then put him to bed early. Tony dozed in the recliner while Logan as playing. I came down around 6:15 p.m. and Tony was watching t.v. and Logan was asleep on the floor. Here are some more pictures of my sleeping boy. I know some moms are used to their kids falling asleep anywhere, but Logan doesn't EVER do this. It has only been lately, so of course I think it is hilarious and have to take pictures and document it.

I just had to put all the pictures this time. I love that sleeping face close-up! The funniest part about this is that the light is on, and Tony is watching t.v., and now I am here typing, and Tony and I are talking, and he is still out! It is 6:45 now. We aren't sure what to do. I guess if we could manage it, we could put him to bed for the night. I don't want him to sleep in his church clothes though. He is so cute. He hasn't budged from this position.

I will share my orange julius recipe with all of you, so you too can enjoy orange juice my way.

Orange Julius

1/2 can frozen orange juice concentrate (or about 6 oz.)

1 cup milk

1 cup water

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

15-20 ice cubes (start with 15, and add more to desired slushiness)

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend. Drink up!

Logan's napping place

So, the past few days I have had a struggle getting Logan to take a nap. He will get in his bed, and get all cuddly in his blankets, and close his eyes like he is ready to sleep, but then proceed to get up and come out of his room about 50 times. I keep making him get back in bed, and then pretty soon he is out again. Well, the other day after about 1 1/2 hours of this, I finally told him that he needed to at least stay in his room even he wasn't going to sleep. I took a nap, and when I woke up, it was awfully quiet in his room, so I went to check on him. He wasn't in his bed...and after looking around I saw him asleep in his rocking chair. He was sitting up, with his head down on his chest, fast asleep. I didn't get the camera that time unfortunately. Tony had just gotten home from work, so I had him come put Logan in his bed. It was pretty funny.

So, yesterday we go through the same ordeal. I am getting a cold, and I really needed some rest, so I again told Logan that even if he wasn't going to sleep, he needed to stay in his room for quiet time.Well, after the phone and doorbell kept disturbing my attempts at a nap, I decided to forget it. It was quiet again In Logan's room, so I peeked in again. The picture above is what I found. I did get the camera this time! And then I picked him up and put him in his bed for the rest of his nap. Maybe from now on I should just start him off napping in the chair instead of his bed. But then...we were going to move the chair out of his room for the baby, so I don't know what we will do then. Silly kid!

Picture catch up

The only pictures I could get of Logan on Christmas morning were these. He got this train table and train set from Santa, and once he saw it, he didn't leave it ALL day! Not to open other presents,eat, sleep, or anything! He loved it!

Here is Logan on Christmas Eve modeling his fine new Christmas outfit from Grandma Karen. Isn't he handsome? He loved checking himself out in the mirror in these duds. He couldn't wipe the grin off his face.

Here is Logan in his Christmas penguin "kajammies" trying out the "Dorothy" shoes. There's no place like home...there's no place like home!"

I wishI had more Christmas pictures. I was having so much fun watching Logan enjoy Christmas this year, that I kept forgetting to take pictures. We did have a really nice Christmas...even though it was just the three of us.