Saturday, May 16, 2009

Let the countdown begin....

Ok-well in all honesty, *I* have been counting down the weeks since I found out that I was pregnant. But as I approach the 32 week mark this coming week, it has taken on more significant.

Did I mention it has taken me nearly 30 weeks to really accept that I am having baby #4? I think that I just got so wrapped up in day to day life, that my pregnancy kinda passed me by.

So yea, I am in countdown mode. I go to the doc on Monday, and hopefully will have a c-section date by the end of that appt. Normally, I wouldnt worry about the date, but with 3 other kids (one who is supposed to go on vacation with his father the week before I am due), husbands work schedule and the fact the my mother in law is trying to coordinate her vacation time so she can come up here and help with the other 3 kiddos, I kinda need to know when he will be here lol.

Not that I am prepared...not in the least. I have a *to do*list about 4 pages long of things that I want to get done before the baby comes...will it get done...probably not. But I am hoping to atleast get the major stuff accomplished in the short time that I have left.

I am looking forward to the arrival of baby #4. Not only because I am so over the pregnancy discomforts, because my husband and i have decided that this baby completes our family.

7 1/2 years ago, when i found out i was preggo with my first, I never wanted children. Selfish? Maybe, but I was 21 at the time...I didn't want to be tied down, I wanted my independence.

Now here I am 7 years later, the mom of an almost 7 year old, a 2 1/2 year old, a 1 1/2 yr old and 7 weeks out from the arrival of my 4th. In my eyes, my life is full. Fuller then I could have ever imagined. I mean who would have thought that the girl who didn't want children, would, 7 years later, be celebrating the arrival of her 4th?

So let the count down begin, let the madness ensue, i am ready for it. The late night feedings, the dirty diapers, all of it.

Because being a mom is the best thing in the world :-)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Weekly Writer's Workshop "Tomorrow I will do it differently, here's how..."

You can join in the fun as well. Thank you Mama's Losin' It


Tomorrow I will Do It Differently, Here's How:

I think that I have the best of intentions in life. I mean, I know what I need to do, I know what is expected of my in terms of my children, my husband and my household.

I laugh at household though. Because although I know what is expected of me, or what I expect of myself, I never, well hardly ever, follow thru.

It is not that I am lazy, because I am not. I think that I am just completely overwhelmed with the amount of things that need to be done and when they need to be done by. I say that "Today will be the day" and then before I know it half the day is gone and I have accomplished nadda.

That lack of accomplishment leads to me feeling like I am a failure. And that feeling of failure leads to me sinking into a depression. It is a vicious cycle. It is time to break that cycle.

So, Tomorrow I will Do It Differently and Here is How:

I will get up, get dressed (no wearing a ratty shirt and sweats) I will brush my hair, and put on some makeup. I will get dressed to my shoes.

I will make the bed so as not to tempt my lazy butt to crawl back in.

I will stop making excuses for things. I will just do.

I will remember that it did not get this way in one day nor will it get better in one day

I will celebrate my accomplishements, and forget my shortcomings

I will rid my house of the clutter because Clutter breeds Chaos

I will remember to do one thing just for me.

Tomorrow I will do it differently, because this way is no longer acceptable.

I want to be able to open my door at a moments notice and let someone in

I want to be able to relax at night and not look at the piles of clothing on the floor.

I want to be able to get a glass without having to dig to the bottom of a pile of dirty dishes.

Tomorrow I will do it differently!

Ch-Ch-Changes

There comes a point in every blogger's life where they realize that there is a need for change. And I, my friends, am at that point.

When I started my blog, I had big dreams. I still have those dreams, but I have learned that in order to achieve said dreams, I am going to have to make some changes.

Now, I enjoy writing. It is an outlet for me. It is my escape pod from reality. It is my sanctuary.

I have decided to take things in a different direction. New name, topics, give-aways and product reviews. New things all around in the hopes that I will be able to achieve my blogging dreams!!!

So strap in and enjoy the ride!!!

Till next time,

Melissa

2 year old + a juice glass+mommy's laptop=disaster :(

I am in mourning today. After running errands this morning with the kiddos, I came home sat down at my desk, fully prepared to put in a few hours of good hard work since I have been slacking in every dept lately...

Only to be greeted with a computer that seemed to be having a fit! If I clicked once to open a folder, 5 or 6 of them would open. So I restarted my computer...but that did no good. So I did what I have resigned myself to doing every couple of months....I launched the recovery. Not that I wanted to do it, but if I wanted to get some work done, I had to do it. So with a heavy heart, I performed a computer lobatomy on my Gateway Laptop, hoping it would come back to me whole and new again....

But it was not to be. My Gateway has gone to the computer heaven in the sky...I was confused. What happened to it that would cause it to have a massive coronary and die on the operating table?

Then it dawned on me...my 2 year old. My wonderfully, curious, 2 year old and his darn cup of juice. I KNEW letting him drink without a spillproof lid would lead to disaster, but i am all for fostering independance....

Upon further inspection, I noticed that my laptop was sticky...like juice sticky. I knew then and there, that he, intentionally or accidently, dumped his glass of juice into my dying computer.

So it is with a heavy heart that I lay my 2005 Gateway Laptop to rest. It has served me well over the last 4 years. It was a loyal companion for those sleepless nights, a strong supporter in my World of Warcraft Battles, a keeper of photos, documents and memories galore.

So now I am on the hunt for a new computer, since I know using my husbands laptop won't last to long...

Preferably one that is spill-proof

Till next time!

Melissa

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Are We There Yet?? Ramblings of a pregnant woman

Yes, I am whining. Yes, I know that when I whine I sound much like my 2 year old who whines all the darn time...but I am getting antsy darnit!!!

Are you where yet? You are probably asking. Is my where even a there?

I have, count them, roughly 7 weeks left of this pregnancy journey. And I am done...with a capital D. Seriously, I mean I love what the final product will be, but how come I cannot be like a bear, who gets knocked up, hibernates and wakes up to a baby that is months old? Hmmm....that isn't fair now is it? I mean this bear gets to miss out on morning sickness, swollen everything, needles ( I HATE needles) and most of all childbirth!!

Now, I guess I cannot complain *too* much because I am having a planned c-section, so there really won't be any labor pains persay...but I am in pain NOW.

I spend my days chasing after a one year old and a 2 year old. In between ferrying my oldest whereever he needs to go, cub scouts, soccer...whatever. I am exhausted by the end of the day. Did I mention that I am in the midst of trying to run my own business? Yea, don't ask how that is working out for me mmkay?

So the finish line is in sight, I am not sure I will make it to 38-39 weeks for my c-section as my blood pressure is doing funny things again. I see the finish line, but damn it, it is still so far away!!!

I know, I know, let the baby cook some more. Trust me, I by no means, want my baby to come too early and end up in NICU, I mean I am not that selfish...but hows about moving up the finish line a week or so?

Wait! Do I really want that? I mean I have NOTHING. Well, save for 2 packs of onsies and a really cute coming home outfit for him that my son picked out...but no diapers, no bottles, I cant decide if I am breast feeding or formula feeding...heck he doesn't even have a name yet!

Yep, I can feel the full fledged panic attack setting in. One that will inevitably cause my husband to laugh at me. He will fall asleep peacefully tonight while my mind does war with itself...again.

Science can do alot...I think men should get to have babies too

So anyways....

Really now...are we there yet?

Weekly Give-Away


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*Leave me a comment on this blog

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Thank you and good luck!!!

Wordless Wednsday~If I stay really still, they will never find me~



(Let's just say I am extremely grateful that neither I nor camera ended up in the lake trying to take a shot of this frog...)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

A proud Mama moment...



Last night was a proud mama moment for me. My oldest son, finally recieved his badges of Bobcat and Tiger Scout in Cubscouting. With him having the behavioral problems that he has, getting him to focus long enough to accomplish the requirements and required number of electives was a bit tought. But he prevailed.

Just a few short weeks ago, he crossed the blue and gold bridge to signify the begining of the Wolf Scout journey,...

He is very proud of himself for his accomplishments and he should be. These are things that he has done on his own. Cubscouts has given him something to work towards and look forward too.

I am proud of my Tiger Scout.

I cannot wait to see him proudly recieve his wolf scout badge and then start the Weeblos's journey to Boy Scouts

Saturday, May 9, 2009

New!!! Product Reviews Coming Next Week!!!

As I said before, I am revamping my blog. I have been working on new topics, giveaways and things like that, and will be unveiling them within the next couple of weeks.

Starting next week, I will be doing Product reviews here on my blog. If you have a product or service that you would like to have reviewed, please send me an email at maustin27@gmail.com

Please allow 5 days from the time I recieve your product for the review to be posted.

I look forward to working with alot of new people!!!

Till next time!!
Melissa A.

Mommy can I....

"Mommy Can I..." rings out from the kitchen. I sigh. Not again. My 2 1/2 year is undoubtly wanting candy....again. "No" I yell from the other room where I am attempting to get a rein on the unruly laundry. Luckily, my denial of candy doesn't seem to result in a meltdown. "He's finally getting it" I say to my 1 year old who is unfolding and unmatching the socks faster then I can keep up.

I am deep in thought as I sort a pile of socks. "How come we have so many socks?" I ask out loud. 5 people sure make a lot of laundry. As I sort the socks, I go thru my "to do" list for the upcoming week...Husband and the oldest are going camping for boyscouts Friday and Saturday, I mentally make a note to dig out the tents and sleeping bags.

Suddenly I look around, my son never came back in the room after asking for Candy. I call his name. Nothing. Pure terror fills my heart. Who knows what kind of trouble he has found.

Then he comes running back into the room, a scent of maple trailing him. "Hi mommy!" he says and smiles a little to wide. "Hi, what did you do?" I ask. "Dunno" he shrugs his shoulders and plops down to watch the Spongebob marathon.

I cautiously make my way to the kitchen, my nose picking up the scent of....SYRUP!!!

Tears fill my eyes, do you know how messy this is going to get? I want to call my husband and work and tell him to come home...NOW. Yes this is an emergency! I am going to loose whatever sanity I have left in a minute.

I yell to my son to "Get your Butt out here NOW!!!" He comes out and I ask him why he did that..."I want Candy" he says "This is NOT candy, and I said no candy anyways" I reply. "Mommy, didnt say no sauce..." (his word for syrup)

He's got me there. I chuckle as I haul out the mop bucket and floor cleaner. Gotta give him credit there.

For the record....syrup does NOT mop up easy

Weekend Wrap Up

What a week it has been here on the homefront. In the last 7 days, I have had to go to the doctor 4 times....Once for a regular OB checkup only to be told that I am measuring 3 weeks ahead! Once for an Ultrasound and 1hour glucose test, once for an emergency appt as I was having chest pains and shortness of breath and lastly for the 3 hour glucose test. It has been a crazy week to say the least, and because of that I have fallen wayyyy behind on things. Ugh!

Good news is that I am no more then 8 weeks away from delivering this baby. YAY!!! Although this is my last, my body is R.E.A.D.Y to be done and I am not as sentimental as I once thought...then again wait til D-Day and ask me again.

I wrote a blog not to long ago about following my passion, photography. I am hoping that next week will slow down enough that I can focus on my blog, Come As You Are Photography

I am still learning the ropes on my new editing software and am anxious to show off some work that I have done.

Beyond the insane amount of dr's visits this week, there really is not anything to report...but hopefully next week will change all that.

I hope all my readers have a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day!!

Till next time!!
Melissa A.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Writer's Workshop: Do you want another baby?

Thanks to Mama's Loosin It for this weeks prompts

As I sit down to write this, I am currently 30 weeks pregnant with my fourth kid. My 3rd boy. I am also writing this in 5 second intervals as I jump up to go get one of the kids or stop an inevitable disaster.

Ok, anyways to answer the question...No. Well,not really. I currently have 3 kids...D is 6 (will be 7 in may) A is 2 (3 in July) and M is 1 (2 in August). My younger 2 are exactly 12 months and 2 weeks apart. I plead temporary insanity. M is my only girl. There is a huge part of me that wants to have a little sister for M. I always wanted a sister growing up...( i tried to return my brother, but my mom wouldn't go for it). But then again, M is my princess, my spoiled princess at that...I wouldnt want to share that, plus with M being the only girl, her and I will have a great bond...so I hope.

As I said before, I am pregnant. 30 weeks to be exact. I am 8-9 weeks out from a c-section which will mark the end of my child bearing years. Yes, I am getting a tubal done. I am sort of sad about it. When I first got pregnant 7 years ago, I never wanted kids...then never wanted more then 2...well here we are. I am having my 4th. I love my kids. I enjoy being pregnant (to a degree, as this pregnancy has not agreed with me at all). But nonetheless, the time has come to an end.

I am sure that my husband would entertain my idea of having a 5th if I presented it to him (all the while making the plans to get a Vasectomy in secret). But I need to be done...for my own sanity.

I want to go pee alone (or atleast without a little hand reaching under the door). I want to shower without worrying that I will have an audience. I want to be able to leave the room and not worry about what my 1 and 2 year old are doing....

No babies here. As of July, this baby factory will be permantly shut down. Pink slips have been given to all the workers, and a pending eviction notice has been issued to the tenant still residing there.

No amount of T.A.R.P money or government intervention will save this factory!

Thursday's Thoughts....

Straight from my mind to you...unedited!

I love the fact I am able to be a stay at home mom, really. I love being here for my kids when they are sick or hurt, or just need an extra hug. I like being able to take them out to play on the nice days. I like being here...for the most part. Since becoming a SAH/WAHM my dear dear husband has decided that it means he no longer has to do laundry (though I prefer it if he doesnt lol) load or unload the dishwasher,vacuum, or any of the other "domestic" duties for that matter. He has also decided that it means that I am the sole person who is responsible for our finances...ummm yea ok, maybe THAT is why I have problems keeping up with the bills. He seems to think that my shoulders can hold it all, and looks at me, bewildered, when I have a moment of weakness and break down.

I understand that he works 12-13 hours a day, and thus shouldn't have to come home and do it all. But what about a little bit of help on his day off....naw...his days off are reserved for a non-stop marathon of Video games topped of with atleast 2 hours of wrestling on television

I am starting to wonder if maybe men are just hardwired to be this way. I mean it seems to be a common complaint amongst SAHM's. I mean, if a man, (my husband) can walk by an overflowing garbage can several times a day and NOT take it out, maybe it is not fair to blame them for being lazy. Maybe if it isn't half dressed, of the female persuasion or in a video game (or in my husbands case a wrestling ring) then they wont notice it?

I love my husband, really I do. He is an amazing man who allows me the freedom to pursue my dream of working at home....

But really, is it too much to ask for him to fold one load of laundry AND put it away....

At least I can take comfort when he does come home at the end of the day, in between the wrestling matches on T.V, he does remember to ask me how I am feeling....

right after he asks me to grab him a bottle of water on my way downstairs to get the 5th load of laundry....

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

So~I'm going to do it!~






After our taxes came back this year, my husband bought me a Nikon D40 digital slr camera. This is a camera that I had been drooling over for months. I had done my research, went to several different stores, considered my photography needs and then settled on the Nikon D40.

I take a TON of pictures. So I knew that despite the hefty price tag, this camera was what I needed.

After taking a bunch of photos of my kids and things like that, I got to thinking. I LOVE photograpy, and while I am still somewhat a newbie, I do a pretty darn good job!

So, I decided that I am going to start my own photography business! I am so excited! One of the things that I love about working from home is that I am free to explore my passions. Be it scrapbooking or photography. I have been soul searching for some time. I felt lost. Like I was doing the odd jobs because I HAD to, not because I wanted to. Working From Home was begining to feel more and more like a dead end 9-5 job...

But my spirit has been renewed. I am looking forward to sharing with everyone as I embark on this new journey.

Please feel free to visit my photography blog, Come As You Are Photography, and see what I have to offer. (it is a work in progress so check back often)

Thanks

Wordless Wednsday~Splish Splash We are takin a bath!~

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Last Minute Mother's Day Gifts


Don't forget your mom this mother's day! Place an order by midnight tonight and receive guaranteed delivery before Mother's Day!

Votre Vu has everything you need to make your mom feel special this Mother's Day

New customers will also receive 10% their entire order as well as a $10.00 gift card for use of future orders.

Visit my website then email your order to maustin27@gmail.com in order to recieve the 10% discount.

For your convience I can accept payment via PayPal or AlertPay.

Make this Mother's Day the most beautiful one yet!!

Talkative Tuesday 5.5.09

May is off to great start. The weather has been pretty nice, allowing me to get the kiddos outside. Of course because it is nice outside, nothing is getting done INSIDE the house.

I came to the conclusion the other day...laundry DOES breed while we sleep. I spend countless hours trudging my pregnant butt up and down the stairs, lugging basket after basket of clothes to the washer then hang them to dry (since my dryer is toast...ugh) and I still see no noticiable progress. Do you know how depressing that is? And while on the topic of laundry, why is it that my husband can wash and hang dry his OWN clothes, but I am lucky if he remembers to tell me about the load he put in the washer 3 days ago?

As I mentioned above, I am pregnant. HUGELY pregnant I might add. My doctor ordered an ultrasound the other day since I was measuring big. Turns out I am almost 3 weeks ahead of schedule. How the heck did that happen? Baby is doing good, but if the doc moves up my due date...I am in big trouble. As it stands right now I am 8-9 weeks out from a c-section. I am not ready at all...how in the heck could I get ready in 5-6 weeks? Oh yea, did I mention, my mother in law is trying to arrange to come up to visit to help with the other 3 kids when the baby comes...my house is NO where near mother in law ready :)

I am thinking about homeschooling my son next year. I am quite dissapointed in our public school system this year...but then again, if I don't have time to shower, how will I teach my son?

Have a happy and healthy Tuesday!!!

Friday, May 1, 2009

A Minor Rant: It is 4 am, Do You Know Where Your Dog is?

Well, apparently my slightly obnoxious and overly intoxicated college-aged neighbor does not.


Since 3am this morning, I have been awake. The sound of my neighbor's flip flops scuffling on the sidewalk is what woke me. (I was *trying* to sleep with the window open). My dogs began barking..again. Contemplating rolling over and nudging my husband to go deal with them, I heard it.

My drunk neighbor standing in the driveway between my townhouse and theirs, yelling. Curious, and slightly annoyed that this is the reason that I am awake before the birds, I look out the window to see what is going on.

My neighbor is standing there, yelling for his dog to "Please come back, this isn't funny anymore" and that he was getting "very worried"

Now, I am just as much a dog lover as the next, heck I have 3 labs myself, so my heart went out to him....for a minute.

At 3 am, if your dog ran off, what would you be doing? Standing in the driveway begging with it to please come home or get in your car and look?

My dogs have run off before. They figured out if they jump up and hit the garage door opener on the wall in the garage that the magical gate will open and they will be free. It has happened once or twice, with one time landing them a free ride in a cop car.

I chuckle which finally wakes up my husband who grumbles "what the heck?" I tell him the story adding that if I were their dog I would run off too...

I feel bad for the dog. We live right by train tracks, and while my dogs have had the sense to stay off them, who knows how smart this dog is and as much as I despise my neighbors, I wouldn't want the dog hurt.

As for my neighbor....well his well-being may not be so certain after tonight.

I wonder if being pregnant, having 3 kids already, and lack of sleep is a probable cause to hit someone.

I bet there isn't a jury in the Tri-State Area that would convict me. :)






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