House Progress

Today they dug and poured the footings at the house. We went out after work and took a few pictures. It was pretty dark, so they aren't great...but you can see a little. I'll try to post them tonight if I get time before I get too sleepy (which might not happen now that I think about it).

So exciting...actually seeing progress!

soliciting advice

Tonight we're having a slumber party. Carlee's cousin Jenna is spending the night. They're so funny....wearing their princess nightgowns and giggling. I love it!

I think I need some potty training advice if anyone has some to share. It's a little hard b/c during the week I'm only with her for about three hours at night , and she usually doesn't have to "go". We're using skittles as a reward and she loves herself some skittles. Last night she sat on the potty for about 20 minutes trying to go...she wanted skittles so bad. She read her books and sang to herself. I offered a couple of times to let her try later and she said "no, i gotta get skittles". I stood by the door and listened to her say "come on pee pee", in her growl-voice. Funny stuff. She never could go. I wanted so bad to give her skittles for trying so hard, but daddy said no...they're reserved only for pee pee in the potty. I thought it would damage her spirit, but she was OK with it. I'm not sure how good of an idea it is to give candy as a reward - but until something better comes along, I guess I'll keep trying it. Hopefully by the time Eli gets here I'll only have to buy ONE size diapers.

Dirt, the potty and kicks

They did it! Dirt has actually started moving around. YEA! I haven't seen it yet, but I talked to my sister this morning and she could see them working outside her window. It looked like the dirt work was done she thought. Exciting!!

And, more exciting news is that Carlee used the potty at school today 2 times! We've started working with her at home but haven't been extremely hard core. She was very proud of herself...and she liked the skittles they gave her as a result. Hey...I would potty on demand for some skittles some days.

Eli is kicking like crazy these days. Usually at night. During the day he's pretty laid back. Just hanging out listening to me type away on the computer I guess. Somehow he knows when it's time for me to go to sleep and gives me a few swift kicks in the bladder. He was breech when I had the ultrasound, but I feel like maybe he's moved around b/c of where the kicks (or could be punches I guess) are now. Still, he's much less active than Carlee was. I remember laying the remote control on my belly and she would kick so hard sometimes that it would fall off. Of course, I was probably a lot further along than I am now (4 months left by the way)...it's hard to put the timing all in perspective.

I guess I better watch a little American Idol. My guilty pleasure right now.

And the building begins...

They are officially going to start on the house beginning of next week! YEA!!

We went out today, met with the builder and they staked it all off. Even though they just walked around with a huge measuring tape type thing and hammered stakes in the ground, it was exciting.

So, now I'm in the normal Becky mode of thinking about it constantly. Dreaming about paint colors, tile and hardwood colors, how I want the kitchen cabinets to look...and on and on and on. It's taken so long to get to this point that I had quit thinking about it. I love thinking about it!

Chris and I were talking on the way to work yesterday morning and we decided that there has to be a reason for the timing on this. I really, really wanted to start in November - now it's almost February. But, we decided that if we did everything in our power to get it going, and it still didn't get going, then there has to be a reason. I don't know if that's the case, but at least for now it makes me feel better!

I'll post pictures of the progress!!

Love That!

On Monday as I was walking out of the building at work I had a thought...I really love my job. There aren't many people who really, really like what they do, and get paid well to do it. I am blessed.

Of course, ideally, I would stay home with my kids. But, if you're going to work away from the home, I think it's wonderful to enjoy what you are doing. Don't get me wrong...there are days when I get stressed out and feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. But, those are few and far between.

When I told Chris this, he said "me too". I love that!

Diaper Smoke

So, Sunday afternoon Carlee and I are sitting on the floor in the living room when Carlee starts jumping up and down squeeling...here's the conversation that followed:

Carlee: Mommyyyyy, there's smoke in my diaper, there's smoke in my diaper.
Me: There's WHAT in your diaper?
Carlee: There's SMOKE in my diaper. I need loshee, I need loshee (lotion - which is what she calls diaper rash cream)

So, we go in her bedroom, and she lays on the bed to get her diaper changed.

Me: Is there poop in your diaper?
Carlee: No, there's SMOKE in my diaper. I don't want to get smoke on my big girl bed.

I change her diaper...nothing. The only thing I can think of is that she equates smoke with burning???

Later that night, I was sitting in the chair and our conversation continued:
Carlee: Jenna smokes in her diaper.
Me: Really?
Carlee: Yes.
Me: How did you get smoke in your diaper?
Carlee: (In her serious tone) I tooted.

Hummm...

I didn't do it...not because I chickened out - we just ran out of time and Carlee fell asleep in the car. I'm still thinking about it....

Hair Cut

I'm thinking about getting Carlee's hair cut short today...I woke up thinking about it. I think that a lot, but get there and chicken out. We'll see...

OK, so I'm a little impulsive. I started looking at bedding tonight...and wouldn't you know I found something on eBay that I love, bid the lowest I would pay for baby bedding - and won it. I got an amazingly great deal!

Here it is...

It comes with the quilt, bumper pad, skirt, diaper holder, toy holder, throw pillow and 2 valances. OK, I'll tell...$62.00. It's new, so hopefully the quality is as good as they say it is. The seller had great reviews so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

So, I'll just look at it as marking one thing off my list. Now maybe paint colors will be easy. (that's how I'll explain my late night impluse buy to Chris at least).

It's a boy!!

The ultrasound was today. And after about 15 minutes of poking and prodding and rolling back and forth from my left side to my right we were finally able to see the boy parts! I have to say, I was a little surprised. I kind of felt like girl. I think I'm still a bit in shock - almost like I felt when I found out I was pregnant originally. Chris, my mom and Kerry came with me and got to see. Very cool.

When I went to pick Carlee up I told her she was going to have a little brother. She ignored me at first...just wanted me to hold her. So I did. Then in the car, I asked her what she wanted to call her little brother and she said "girl". I don't think she is upset becuase she's getting a boy...she just names eveyrthing "girl". If I ask her a baby doll's name, she says "girl". If I ask her her stuffed monkey's name she says "monkey". Not very creative. Jenna (my niece) is quite the opposite. She has dolls named all kinds of things - Donna is my favorite. She wanted to call our baby Kelly. She's the only one truly disappointed we're getting a boy.

So...I think I've talked Chris into Eli Christopher. He's not 100% sold on it - but it's hard to get him 100% sold on anything. He can't pick shoes, clothes, paint colors, decorations, presents etc. etc. etc. becuse he's always looking for something to "blow his socks off". I told him tonight that considering his "blow his socks off" criteria, I'm surprised he picked me! He wasn't sure about Carlee either, but now he can't imagine her being anything but Carlee...so I think he'll be fine.

Here are his "stats" from today's appointment:
weighed 15 oz.
heartbeat 158
becuase of his size, they estimated the due date at 5/24. The actual due date is 5/26.

Sunday Stuff

Chris and I went out on a "date" last night - celebrating his birthday a little late. So, he got to pick where we ate and what movie we saw. Pizza Parlor (I think he must like the "romantic" lighting) and Charlie Wilson's War. He actually wanted to see I Am Legend - but he knows I can't handle movies like that, so he settled for the other. What a good man.

I was feeling a little bad yesterday...it got a little worse last night and this morning I've got the full-blown I-think-my-head-is-going-to-explode thing going on. I'm too much of a chicken to take any medicine unless I talk to the Dr. so we stopped by the store on the way home last night and bought Vick's chest rub. I put it on thick when I got home. Added to the romance. To my mom, Vick's is the cure for everything - and what Vick's won't cure, camphophanique will (I'm certain I didn't spell that right). So, Carlee and Chris went to church and I'm sitting around sipping hot apple cider trying to feel better.

I started looking back at pictures of Carlee when she was a baby - it's sad that I can't remember much of what it was like. People always used to comment on how chubby she was. I would always smile and laugh - all the time thinking, "Shut it. My baby's not chubby". I think I changed my mind...

These pictures make me smile. I loved this stage...can't wait to experience it with the new baby too.

My civic duty

It looks like I'm going to get a chance to perform a little civic duty...I was chosen for Jury Duty. So, yesterday I went to orientation - with what seemed like about 300 other people, all crammed into a court room. I thought about trying to get out of it becuase it really doesn't fit into my schedule right now. The term is for 4 months - January through April. I go on maternity leave in May (I think) so I've got a lot to do at work between now and then. But, when you've got a civic duty to do, work doesn't matter. I did find out that Arkansas law used to be that you served a 6 month term and could be on a jury up to 26 days (I think that's right). As of January 1, the law changed and now it's a 4 month term with a maximum of 10 days. Not too bad. Maybe I'll get something interesting and at least learn a few things.

There were some interesting people at orientation. They make you fill out a little "information" card and the last question is "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" I tried to sneak a peak at the guy sitting next to me's card becuase I had a feeling he may have answered yes...

This has nothing to do with jury duty...but check out this youtube video when you get a chance. It made me laugh out loud.

Happy New Year!

We're all finally well and life as we knew it before all the sickness is back to normal.

At 11:40 p.m. I told Chris Happy New Year, closed my eyes and was asleep within 5 minutes...I just can't do it anymore.

I'm not good at New Years resolutions, but I tought I'd at least write down a few "goals" for the year.

1. Read more books...I usually spend the evenings after Carlee goes to bed flipping through TV channels. I'm going to substitute that time with a good book. Hoping it will make me a little smarter and a little more interesting!
2. Be less self-centered...I've noticed more and more lately that I don't invest in people's lives. I talk about myself, and what's going on in my life a lot, but I fail to take part in other people's lives. I have a friend from Tulsa (who lives in Brussels now) who is a great example of this. The day I got the phone call that my mom and dad were in an accident, my dad didn't make it and my mom was in serious condition, I was sitting in the hospital in a bit of a daze (exhausted from having had a crazy, break-down moment), waiting for my mom to come out of surgery. My phone rang and I heard Janet's voice on the other end. I can still picture where I was sitting although I don't remember much of what she said, or any of what I said...what I do remember is that with tears in her voice she said " I'm so sorry" and that she loved me. It took a lot of courage for her to call. I don't know that I would in a situation like that - because I wouldn't know what to say. But she did...and somehow that call carried me through the night. It can be very powerful when we think of other people more than ourselves. (thank you Janet)
3. Pray every day...I don't do this - and nothing is more important. Period.

That should do it.