Goals

I have thought about some goals I want to achieve in the near future.

By December 29th, I want to loose at least 8 more pounds. That will take me back to my pre-pregnancy weight. In the books I have read, it is a 9 month up and a 9 month down rule of thumb. Obviously 9 months on the upward scale while you are pregnant and that by the time the baby is about 9 months old, you should have been able to ween those nasty pregnancy pounds. Well, I want to aim for Alyssa's 9 month birthday, which will be December 29th!

By the end of January 2005 we need to get a new car. This isn't exactly a goal, as much is something we need to do. We currently lease a car that we have paid more into than we bargained for. I can't wait to give that damn car back. I hate to pay for things that are even going to be mine in the long run. What a young, stupid mistake we made. (Don't get me wrong, leasing is great for some people, but not for us)! I suppose the goal would be to have some kind of down payment.

By the end of February 2005, I want to get that huge ugly tree down in the back yard. It takes up so much room and in order to get the garage we need, it must be taken down!

By April/May 2005, I want to have the cement laid for the garage. I want some lumber to be purchased to start the garage. I want some kind of commitment that we are going to get the damn garage!!

By July 2005, I want to have lost 48 pounds. (This is including the 8 before December). I know that this is a big number to ask for in only 9 month time period. I want to be prepared for when I get pregnant again and gain another 40+ pounds. I have a much longer road than those 48 pounds, but it is always good to achieve smaller goals before setting yourself up for too big of a goal.

Excited

Over the weekend Gary helped his parents put up a new fence. He has done a lot of physical labor over his parents house since they have the mentality that they can ALWAYS do it themselves!

Gary asked his dad since he has helped him do so many projects over the years if he would be willing to come to our house and help build a garage. His dad said yes!!

I am so excited because I didn't want to have any more kids until we built a garage. We have three bedrooms, but one is packed full of things that would belong in a garage, and didn't fit into our tiny shed. I worried where Alyssa's outdoor toys would be stored in the future!

The first thing we need to do is get a huge (and I mean huge) tree taken down in our backyard. It is going to be very expensive. We have priced it to get it taken down a couple times, but never did anything because of the cost. It is so hard to spend thousands of dollars to have nothing to show for it when it is done! But, if it means that we are able to get a garage next spring, then I am all for taking that sucker down!!

Plus the added benefit of the tree being gone is a LOT less leaves to rake up in the fall. We still have to do that this year and time is running out. Every year we have lived here, we missed the last yard waste pickup and end up being stuck with 20 bags of leaves sitting next to our shed. I vowed to not miss the pick up this year and we are getting close, with no work done yet!

If everything works as planned (which it never does, but is fun to dream), we will have a garage by next summer and we can try to have a baby at that time too! It will be perfect because then my kids will be about 2 years apart (of course that is if everything works to plan, which as I said doesn't happen)!

Fighter

Why does my daughter continue to fight going to sleep? She didn't have a very long nap and now she is crying to keep herself awake.

I don't understand this concept since I value my sleep and would never compromise any of it, especially to scream my head off for an hour!

I don't see the point. I wish I could get into her head to see the logic in this.

I know all kids do this, but I just don't get it! I am trying really hard to not go and get her. I know she is at a phase in her life where she will know if every time she screams, I go and pick her up. It is a really hard thing to do though!

Boo at the Zoo

Last night we took our darling Alyssa (who turned into a pumpkin) to the zoo. They have a special presentation called "Boo at the Zoo". You are supposed to dress your little ones up in their Halloween costumes and walk around. They have little shows and stands set up decorated for Halloween. The zoo did a really nice job of putting it together. You don't get to see the animals much because they have to put some away because of the weather and also it gets dark here pretty quick, so by 7:00 you couldn't see too far in front of you anyway! Alyssa brought some of her friends and her cousin too with her. Everyone had a blast. It will be more fun when she can understand more of what is going on!

For me, I only wanted to dress my little girl up and show her off, which is exactly what I did.

People keep asking Gary and myself if we are going to take Alyssa out trick-or-treating to get candy. Are you serious??? She will only be 7 months old! She can't eat candy. If I need candy so bad, I will go to the store and buy myself some. If anything I will walk her around to show her off. No need to pay me with candy. I think the candy should be saved for the kids who can actually say "Trick or Treat".

What I have been up to...

Tuesday was my dad's birthday. Today my sister and I took my dad and my stepmom to dinner. First Gary and I stopped at the local Walmart to try to hurry and find something for my dad's birthday present. I know, very thoughtful, huh!?!

Well, we ended up leaving Walmart spending $70.00 and got my dad two birthday cards. One from Gary and myself and one from Alyssa. How does this happen??

We did buy stuff we needed. Gary bought stuff to fix the toilet in our bathroom. It has only been broken since about the time Alyssa was born, which was about 6 1/2 months ago!! Then we bought a new faucet for the kitchen because it is leaking water. This has probably been leaking water since I was pregnant!! (I hope you get the picture, my husband is a procrastinator). Now that the goods are purchased, hopefully my stuff will get fixed sometime in the near future!

Ok, ok, we bought a DVD too. I swear we are addicted to buying DVDs as if it were crack!

Yesterday, my friend who is due to have a baby in December and her husband were over last night. I actually got to feel her baby kicking. It made me have one of those "aww, I miss being pregnant" feelings. Then, I read Christina's blog today and quickly remembered the not so fun times too! It is still a bit too early for me.

Shower Success

Yesterday's baby shower went wonderfully! The party room turned out so well. I really had such a good time planning this shower. I love to plan parties and even though I get extremely stressed out, I love the turn out after it is all done! Besides my wedding, this was the biggest party I have ever planned. My friend got everything she could need, and this baby girl is going to be the best dressed baby for the first three months!

Now on to my next friends shower, which is next month. She actually gave me the invitation list at the shower on Sunday. From one shower to the next.

I wanted to get Alyssa's six month pictures done today. Gary and I ended up being lazy after such a hectic weekend, we couldn't get our butts in gear. Now I am off to my Jazzercise class. Hopefully I can stay awake through the whole thing. I am still tired from the weekend.

It's Really Late

Today was a pretty good sweetest day. Gary gave me two DVDs (Raising Helen & Laws of Attraction) and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup (which are my favorite).

Gary was so sweet. He also bought Alyssa something for being his little sweetheart! He bought her a stuffed animal teething rattle toy and a cute little outfit he picked out all by himself. That really melted my heart. He definitely earned the brownie points today.

Todays Bummer: No chocolate covered strawberries. :(

We got a lot done for the shower this evening. We made fruit salad, brownies and I went to get some signs, decorations and a pin for the "mom to be". Tomorrow we have to be at the community center at 9:00 in the morning. That means dressed and ready, Alyssa dressed and ready and about a whole table full of stuff that needs to be packed into a car tomorrow morning. That means I will be waking up about 5:00 in the morning. I better go and get some sleep! Tomorrow will be a llllooonnngggg day!

Sweetest Day

Today is "Sweetest Day". I think that Ohio and only one other place in the world celebrate this day. It is similar to Valentines Day. I think that Ohio made it up so that the card, candy, and flower companies could make some extra money. I guess Valentines Day wasn't enough!

I fall a victim to this stupid day. I can't help but pick up a card for my husband. And of course, I pick out a little gift. Because, if by some chance he also remembers this day, I will feel horrible if I didn't get him something too.

He does know for sure this year. I have reminded him that chocolate covered strawberries by Malley's are only sold 3 times a year and this is one of those times. He must know that it is one of those days where he must buy me something. And now, since March, I fall into each of those 3 categories (Mother's Day, Valentine's Day and Sweetest Day). Yet one more positive thing about being a mom!

The best and worst thing about chocolate covered strawberries is that they are only good for 2 days. The box comes with 12 in it. I get to eat about 8 chocolate covered strawberries within 2 days. It is great!! (I do share with the hubby, although I could eat all 12)! But once they are gone, they are gone and you can't buy them again until that next big day!

I will be spending the rest of my day finishing up preparing for my friends baby shower. I have already baked cookies and made my bean dip. Later I will be going over her sisters house to finish helping with the rest of the food. I have also put together all the party favors and game gifts today. It is definitely a lot of work to plan a shower. I need to re-thank everyone who helped with mine!!

Finally...

Alyssa finally went to sleep, after screaming for over two hours!!!

I think she caught my cold and she can't breathe out of her little nose. Which, poses a problem, because this little girl relies on her pacifier to get her to the slumberland. So she was so tired, but couldn't get herself to sleep. I tried to rock, stand, sit, walk. Nothing worked.

She finally fell asleep with me holding her upright (which was probably the only way she could breathe). I just hope that she will sleep through the night.

I am glad we have to go back to the doctors tomorrow for her follow-up appointment for the UTI, and I can ask the doctor to look at her to make sure nothing else is wrong beyond a stuffy nose cold.

Something To Do

A Fun Questionnaire - This is what you do when there isn't anything else to do!!

I found this on another blog site and thought it would be fun to do. Feel free to copy this and do this on your own blogsite and leave me a comment so I can look at yours!

1. What's your middle name: Marie
2. What color pants are you wearing right now? Black
3. What are you listening to right now: Rolie Polie Olie and Alyssa "talking"
4. What was the last thing you ate: Soup and Grilled Cheese
5. If you were a crayon what color would you be: Purple
6. How is the weather right now: 52 degrees
7. Last person you talked to on the phone: my friend, Dawn
8. First thing you notice about the opposite sex: Their eyes.
9. How are you today? kinda blah....I have a bit of a cold
10. Favorite Drink: Diet Pepsi
11. Favorite sport: Basketball
12. Hair Color: Brown
13. Eye Color: Blue
14. Do you wear contacts: Yes, can't leave without them!
15. Siblings: 2 younger sisters (22 & 12). 2 Step-Brothers (23 & 21)
16. Favorite Month?: May
17. Favorite Food(s): Chicken & Pizza
18. Last movie you watched: The Rundown
19. Favorite Day of the Year: December 25th. (I can't wait for it this year!!)
20. Summer or Winter: Summer
21. Hugs or Kisses: Hugs & Kisses (I am greedy)
22. Chocolate or Vanilla: Vanilla
23. Living Arrangements: With Hubby, Daughter, 2 cats (Noah & Casper), & fish
24. What books are you reading? Mr. Maybe by Jane Green
25. What's on your mouse pad: Nothing - Plain Blue
26. Favorite Board Game: Monopoly is always an old time fav
27. What did you do last night? Nothing. I was playing on the computer.
28. Favorite Smells: Strawberries.
29. Can you touch your nose with your tongue: Yes (very talented)
30. What inspires you? Gary, Alyssa & my mom.
31. What is the best vacation you have ever had? Oure honeymoon vacation - A cruise to the Caribbean and 2 days in Disneyworld. (That was almost 3 years ago).

Have A Great Day!!

Things Happen For A Reason

My roommate from college called me the other day. We actually grew up together. We have known each other since 8th grade. On my voice mail she is telling me that she found this picture of us from college. It was in a home-made frame that said "Friends Forever". She said she stared at this picture for over 10 minutes thinking about how life was so much easier back then. Back when we didn't have to think about jobs, or money, or real life stuff to deal with. We didn't have to think of anything because if we wanted to buy something, we used our "Buck-ID". (Yes, an Ohio State alumni....well can you be considered an alumni if you don't graduate)?

I didn't stay in college very long. It wasn't my choice. It was the colleges choice to kick me out. After two quarters of very below average grades, they didn't want me anymore. I fought to stay, but they still didn't think my mind was there. Maybe they were right!

After being a built-in baby sitter for my youngest sister. Restricted from going out without a 3 year old attached to my leg. I had some fun away at college. Too much fun! I loved the no curfews and the parties until dawn. I also loved that you didn't need a note from your parents to stay home from school that day. My roommate also did not do well the first quarters at OSU. She also fought to stay a student. She won, they let her have one more chance. I packed my bags pissed off at Brutus the Buckeye, thinking life was so unfair.

Things happen for a reason.....

I came back to my little city. I went back to work for the grocery store that I worked at while in high school. I met someone who is now a great friend. She introduced me to Gary, and life from there on is history. I wonder from time to time, what if I would have stayed? What if I would have graduated? Would I have this wonderful family now? Would I have ever met one of my best friends? Would I have ever met Gary?

My roommate graduated. She got married and divorced in the same year. She lives back in this little city again and she got laid off from her job a few months ago. I wonder who's life is truly unfair now!

Not Much Going On

I don't have much to write about.

Alyssa is feeling much better. Her temperature has remained normal. She is on antibiotics. It is so great to have her back to normal.

I went yesterday to shop for my friend's baby shower. I went overboard, as I usually do when buying gifts.

We bowled last night. We are in a bowling leauge. I suck, as usual.

This morning I am going to Jazzercise. I am taking Alyssa with me, since Gary is at work. She loves it there. She just sits in her carseat and listens to music. She loves the music, most of the time it puts her to sleep halfway through.

Have a great day!

Update

Today, Alyssa's temperature is back to normal. We still have to give her motrin every 8 hours to make sure that it doesn't creep back up on us. She got two more shots of antibiotics today.

This poor girl has had way too many shots in the past week.

We are supposed to give her antibiotics orally for the next 8 days. Then on the 9th day, we need to go back to the doctors for another catheter so they can check her urine and make sure everything is OK.

After that test is done, they want her to go downtown to the Babies & Childrens Hospital to have an ultrasound and a couple other tests done to make sure all of her "insides" are working properly. The doc said it was a only a preventive measure, but it still scares the hell out of me.

I can't believe the first time our little girl gets sick, we are in the doctors office three days in a row and we have all these tests done. It just doesn't seem right. Kids get sick all of the time, right?!? I just hope that this is the end of her feeling like shit and there isn't anything else wrong.

102.1

That was Alyssa's temperature, two days ago.

We called the doctor at about 4:30 telling them about this. Being she is only 6 months old, the doctor wants to see her. We go there of course worried to death because this is the first fever. The first illness, beside one itty bitty cold.

They check ears, mouth, lungs....nothing. The doctor says they have to do a catheter to get a urine sample to check for a urinary tract infection. What?!? A catheter. I immediately start crying. Gary had to hold her arms and comfort her because I was in the corner crying for my daughter. They give her motrin and tell me they will call me this morning.

The next morning (yesterday), while at work, I get a phone call from the nurse telling me that the doctor thinks Alyssa's urine is questionable and wants her to come back in to get a shot of antibiotics. What to they mean her urine is questionable? They set up an appointment at 3:30.

At 3:30 I am the doctor's office with a warm Alyssa. They take her temperature again, and now it has rocketed up to 104.5! Now the doctor is even more concerned and wants to take blood from Alyssa. This time I didn't have Gary there with me to be near her, so I had to do it. I cried, she screamed. The doctor had a hard time finding Alyssa's vein, so it took a while to finally get some blood. Poor Alyssa is in hyperventalation-screaming mode. I am still crying behind her trying to comfort her.

The doctor then gave her a shot of antibiotics. Alyssa screamed with real tears for the whole 2 hours we were there. That is right, TWO hours! I couldn't do anything to calm her down.

Well, the doctor said she has a slight urinary tract infection, but they want me to take the blood and the urine to the hospital to have some more tests run. Since it was now almost 5:30, I called Gary and had him meet me at the hospital, so I didn't have to take poor Alyssa inside.

My instructions from the doctor is to give her medicine every 4 hours. Wake her up to give her medicine in the middle of the night. It actually ended up being no problem, since little miss Alyssa decided to wake up every hour! Thank goodness I didn't have to work today.

We have another appointment this morning at 11:00 for another shot of antibiotics. We should be able to get the results of her bloodwork and urine this morning. This has been a horrible past couple of days. Finally this morning, Alyssa is starting to act like her normal self. I missed her terribly!

Here comes the cuteness...

I was playing around with downloading pictures. This one is from almost two months ago. I have to get some new pictures scanned on to the computer. But anyway, here she is!

Double Coupons

I am a coupon queen! Last week I got the weekly sales ad from the local grocery store, and prepared for the entire week of the items I was going to buy and the coupons I would use. Normally I do watch the sales and use coupons, but this week I took my time, using each day to see if I was low on any of the items you don't normally buy and then I would look for a coupon.

My friends laugh at me. They think I am insane. Sometimes I think I am insane! But this insane person just saved $38.00 with her coupons yesterday. Not to mention saving $57.00 with the "BONUSCARD". I also had formula checks that saved me money too. I saved over $100.00 in my grocery bill yesterday. I am very impressed with myself.

My mom is also proud of me. She is too a coupon queen. (Maybe I should be the princess then....hmmmm). She loves that her money saving skills have rubbed off on me. And I used to think she was insane. I guess that means her insaneness has rubbed off on me.

BUT...if it can save you over $100.00, who cares if you are insane!

6 Month Checkup

Alyssa had her 6 month checkup on Friday. Everything is great! Alyssa is very healthy. The doctor said for me to stop worrying about when she reaches all of her "milestones". I knew she was going to say that to me and I should have bit my tongue on that subject, but I would have kicked myself if I didn't ask.

I like to say that maybe it is a mothers instinct, but before the doctors visit, I guessed she would weigh 17 pounds and 6 ounces. She actually weighed 17 pounds and 7 ounces (75th percentile). Only one ounce off. I am pretty excited that I was so close in my guess. The silliest things excite me. She is also 27 inches long. (90th percentile).

Poor Alyssa had to get four shots this time. An extra one to prevent the flu. She does well. She cries while she is getting them, but once I pick her up, she is OK. A true champ! I don't do so well with the needles.

The doctor said that Alyssa can start eating the Stage 2 foods. She also said that I can start to try to give Alyssa the sippy cup. We tried that on Friday and she had a great time with it! We had to take out the spillproof thingy inside the cup, but after that she was having fun because she actually getting a little in her mouth, (and of course, a lot all over her).

Her next appointment isn't until she is 9 months old. I thought that two months was a long time in between visits, and now I have to wait three!

Irrational Fears

I thought that this might be normal! I mean what normal person doesn't think of the bad end of the spectrum from time to time? Then again, what is defined as normal? A friend pointed out to me that this is a bit obsessive compulsive. Now I don't think about this kind of stuff everyday, but from time to time, these snowball in my head.

So, I am driving in the car with Alyssa, and flash before my eyes, I think to myself:

We haven't gotten new tires yet.
What if I crash because my tires are old?
What if Alyssa doesn't survive?
What if I go into a super depression because of it?
What if my husband divorces me because I am no longer a good wife?
What if I end up alone?
Where will I live?
Will I get over not being with Gary?
Will I be able to survive?
Would I need to be hospitalized for loosing my daughter and my husband?

And a minute later, there are tears in my eyes and I am trying to desperately think of some good and happy thoughts so that this irrational fear will leave my mind.

Do I need to get this checked out? I really didn't think that it was a huge problem! From this post, it probably doesn't seem like it, but I am a optimistic person. I always try to look for the good in situations and in people. My biggest problem is I over-analyze situations and people. And that is a whole other story for another day.