Done?

Yes, Christmas is finally over! I know, I'm such a Grinch! Jacob had a lot of fun and now my entire house is covered in trains and tracks and little balls out of his Diego ball pit! We have to go to the local Wal-Mart and buy storage bins. That was the only plans we had for yesterday, but when I woke up I quickly realized that no Wal-Mart trip would be ensuing. I was sick in bed all day. Not sure what I was sick from. No one else is sick, thank God! Perhaps I was just overly exerted from the holidays. Who knows. But, it's over now. So, today is Wal-Mart. Kind of excited to buy storage bins. I am kind of a storage bin junky. They can be used for everything! I have been trying to organize these toys in my head and think of which toys I want to put together and what size bins I will need. But I'm just not sure how to organize these trains! We have three different kinds of sets. Obviously each type goes in different bins, but do I want the trains to be in the same bins as the tracks? Or do I want to get smaller bins and separate the trains from the tracks, six bins total? Ooh, it's kind of exciting! I don't have control over much in my life, but I do get to decide how and when my house is going to be organized! Now I don't completely understand the entire concept of anorexia, but they usually say it has more to do with control than actually eating food. So, we should just buy all these people storage bins and tell them to go to town and see if their eating habits get any better! Hey, it's worth a shot, right?

What's Left?

Today I just want to talk about how great consignment shops are. There is a local consignment shop here in town that I am so in love with! I always liked it well enough, but I went there yesterday and all the winter clothes were 75% off! I got Jacob some snow pants, a shirt, and some Buzz Light year jammies. Emrick got a whole handful of sleepers and two spring outfits and I got myself a pair of black comfy pants all for $18. I'm not even kidding. So now I can't wait to go to some of the other local consignment shops to see what they have for me. Maybe I can find a baby swing and a walker before Emrick is born. If I don't find a swing, we are just going to buy one. But since it's pretty well written in stone that this is it for us, I don't really want to spend the money to buy brand new things that are expensive and will just end up in a consignment shop when I'm done with them! It just doesn't make sense to me. And you know me, Mrs.Realistic. So, if there wasn't crazy ice and snow happening outside, I would totally be scouring around town trying to find new consignment shops that I have yet to find! I looked in the phone book and it says there are quite a few around here! Yay for lightly used second hand children's items! Wish me luck everyone!

Christmas Morning-

Daddy and Jacob playing a game that Santa left at our house last night!

Jacob opening his surprises from Santa Claus!

More opening...

This is what Santa left last night! What a lucky kid we have! He must have been really good this year to get so many surprises for Christmas!

This is what happened on our car ride home from Grandpa Oldenburger's house last night. How cute is that?

A Job In The Making

I have a friend who is a nurse in the ICU at Allen hospital. She has to work on Christmas Day but she doesn't mind. She loves her job. It's what she trained for all those years and to actually be able to work her knowledge is empowering to her. This is a great attitude! I have no aspirations. I used to. I wanted to work with kids. I wanted to teach valuable lessons while having fun. I always figured I would have kids, when I found the right guy. Enter Burger. And a short while later, Jacob. We decided that I would stay home and teach our own kids before entering the world. The problem is, I love this so much I might just stay here forever. The world can teach it's own kids! I know we need nurses and teachers and professional people, and I might join them some day. But for now, I am handing over my 'get-a-job' card and hibernating in my house with my babies.

Weekend Fun

These were our weekend activities. Burger and Jacob painted a wooden airplane together, Jacob strung beads on pipe cleaners, and Jacob played with a medicine dropper in cups of water. Very educational is what we are at this house. Or else just extremely bored. It's your call.

The conversational stylings of a two-year old boy

Jacob: Mom, you buy me a buffalo for Christmas?
Me: No, I'm not buying you a buffalo!
Jacob: Oh, I have an idea! Maybe Grandpa buy me a buffalo!
Me: Well, you'll have to ask him...
Jacob: Santa's bringing me cars for Christmas.
Me: If you're lucky, kiddo.

This conversation was had moments after waking yesterday morning. I'm not sure how he even knows about buffalo or if he even knows what it is. But, he wants one. My son is just like his dad. Totally random and adorable.

Because He's Cute. And He's Mine!

At the Point

There is a point in every woman's pregnancy where she is no longer held accountable for her moods. No matter how easy the pregnancy has been, there comes a time when your 60 year old co-worker asks what you think of her Madonna-esque gold sparkly leg warmers that you just don't care to be nice any more. This point comes especially early for me, I think, since I tend to be a bit judgemental to begin with. Most people who know me at all, know that if they ask my opinion they will receive just that. Most people learn quickly not to ask unless they really care to know. I have issues with people doing things when they are old enough to know better. People who never use their turning signals while driving, people talking on their cell phones during meetings (or movies or family gatherings or anytime really. I don't really like cell phones) people who take their kids to day care on their day off. The list could go on for days. Stupidity seems to be the norm these days and that drives me crazy. I swear people are just getting less and less smart. What kind of world is this going to be when my kids are big enough to have kids? The thought terrifies me. I think the problem is people no longer feel like they have to own their actions. Nothing is ever our own fault, it's always some one else's. The guy on TV, the guy on the radio, the other kids your kid goes to school with, your parents, who ever is close enough to point at really. I am judgemental. This is just one of the many qualities I posses and the one that probably escalates to out-of-control proportions when I am eight months pregnant. Get used to it. Maybe if you weren't so stupid, I wouldn't have to be so judgemental. Also, it runs in my family... My dad is like this all the time.

How Real Could This Be?

So last night I had a dream. In my dream was a baby in an exersaucer and my sweet sweet Jacob playing crayons on the floor. I was doing dishes in the kitchen and Sid the Science Kid was on the TV. Everyone was happy and busy and minding their own business. It was like a flash dream. You know the kind. Where it starts and then you realize with a vengeance that you have to pee so bad that if you don't get up right this second you'll have a really embarrassing explanation to the hubby as to why he needs to get up at 3 o'clock in the morning and help you change the bed sheets. But for that couple of seconds I saw what my life could very well be like with two babies instead of just one. I'm pretty sure that it won't be happy, fluffy pink cotton candy all the time but at least I got to have a nice view of what the 'good' days might look like. No matter how few or far between they might be.

Serious Post Ahead:

We got Jacob's new car seat on Saturday! He was really excited to use it and he loves the cup holder! It's the Graco Nautilus from Target. I just want to take this time (precious blog space, I know!) to talk a little bit about car seats and car seat safety! Jacob is creeping up on 40 pounds which was the weight limit on his old car seat. From there kids usually get a booster seat that uses the cars regular seat belt, but Burger and I felt that he is much too young for a booster seat. So, the search began for a car seat that would hold him in a five-point harness for longer than 40 pounds. There are few out there, but that fact is changing quickly as more and more people are choosing to practice extended rear-facing and five-point harnessing! Most are spendy Britax brand car seats but Graco came out with the Nautilus last spring. Just in time! I have also heard good things about Sunshine Kids brand car seats. But, you should always read the instruction manuals that come with your car seats to see what the safety limits on it are. Generally infant carrier seats hold up to 22 pounds and 29 inches. They are rear facing only. Convertible car seats will go rear facing usually up to 35 pounds and forward facing up to 40 pounds. Remember to keep your child rear facing until they are at least 12 months old AND weigh at least 20 pounds! When the top of your child's ear is parallel with the top of the seat that means the child is too tall to fit in that car seat and it's time to buy a bigger one! The car seat we just bought has an extending headrest that you can move up and down according to your child's height! Very cool! When Jacob reaches 65 pounds (the limit on the five point harness) or when we decide he's ready to ride in a booster instead of a five point harness all we have to do is take the straps out of the seat and we have ourselves a high back booster! The booster part of the seat holds up to 100 pounds so this is the last car seat or booster we should have to buy Jacob! When Emrick grows out of her carrier infant seat we have a The First Years brand True Fit convertible car seat picked out! It will hold her rear facing up to 35 pounds and forward facing in a five point harness until 65 pounds if we choose to keep her in a five point harness that long! Then we will have to buy her a booster seat, but that's so many years away that I'm not really concerned about it right now! Go out and check your child's car seat right now! Also, car seats now have expiration dates on them to ensure their safety. So, be sure to check that also! If you don't use the LATCH system for your seats (LATCH is only rated to hold car seats holding up to 48 pounds) be sure that the seat belt is tight and the seat can't wiggle more than an inch at the base. Remember, a car seat does little good if it's not buckled into the car properly. I know, I am a car seat Nazi but a child's safety is priceless. Sorry this post was long and boring, but hopefully everyone learned a little something!

'Tis the Season

We went and saw Santa last night. Jacob got candy canes and we ate Christmas cookies and looked at all the decorations! The season is really starting to seep into me! It was three years ago on Christmas Day that Burger and I found out we were pregnant with Jacob. I can remember that day so vividly. But the thing that sticks out in my mind the most is how excited we both were and how in love with burger I was. I am so much more in love with him every day as we grow and build our family together. Burger and I work hard together to make sure we are both happy and that our kids are being raised in a safe environment so we can all grow and learn together. It's really easy to pass judgement on others and the way they choose to build their families. It's especially hard for me to remember that these people's decisions and happiness will not directly effect the happiness of my own family. Sometimes I just need to take a step back and remember how lucky I am to be doing this with someone I love. How we both have the same visions and can share and enjoy our lives together. We are truly blessed as a family.

Random

Just a list of totally random things that are today:
1.) We are out of Kleenex Brand Facial Tissues
2.) We are almost out of Kool-Aid packets for my water
3.) We bought lots of milk yesterday
4.) Burger made peanut butter blossoms last night
5.) Jacob colored crayon on his Aquadoodle yesterday and got in trouble
6.) I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast just now
7.) Today is my last day of work before the weekend
8.) I washed dishes and laundry yesterday
9.) We are going to see Santa and Mrs.Claus tonight (that's the plan anyways)
10.) There are only 2 weeks left before Christmas Day

Halfway Done!

This week is half over, and that makes me smile! I work today and tomorrow and then not again until Monday! Yay! The cable guy came yesterday and everything works fine! The doctor never called about my glucose test, so if we can get through the rest of the week without hearing from them, it's good news! I forgot to mention that I start seeing my midwives every two weeks now, which means we are getting to close to being finished! Jacob is well, however, he didn't sleep much last night. Almost every single dish in my kitchen is dirty so that is definitely on the To-Do list today. Actually, that's the whole list. So it shouldn't be too hard to get it done. We'll see. I'm off to work now, have a great day!

Oh, The Weather Outside is Frightful...

But, I don't have a fire. And, it's going to keep snowing regardless if I give it permission or not, unfortunately... On a different note, I took my glucose test yesterday and am hoping to not hear anything back from them! Jacob's blue and silver hair washed out perfectly fine! Gymnastics was cancelled for today, but I still have to go to work which is a bummer. The cable guy is supposed to be coming today, but I have a feeling that he will be cancelling on account of the weather. Double bummer. Other than that, we are just having a regular day. I might find something to bake when we get home from work, just to keep myself occupied. Hope everyone enjoys the snowy (crappy) weather today!

Hairstyles

This is Jacob's new haircut! They spray color in the kids' hair before they leave and Jacob was really excited! Most of it rubbed off in his hat on the way home, but there's still plenty of blue in there! Hopefully it washes out easily enough!

Productive

Saturday morning has proven to be quite productive today. Jacob woke up and is ready to go, I have done 2 loads of laundry already and got the scalloped potatoes and ham ready and in the crock pot, so dinner is done! I have some stuff to take back to K-Mart today and Jacob needs a haircut. I don't want to go outside because it's COLD and snowy out there, so I am putting off any chores that would include going outside, even if it's just outside to the car. I will eventually have to go outside, I know, but I am just trying to put it off until it's absolutely necessary. Burger made chocolate chip cookies last night and they are amazing! We also made Rice Crispy treats, but those aren't the best! So, today is laundry, dishes, and general picking up of the house. Burger doesn't work tomorrow and the house will be trashed again by this time tomorrow morning, so I'm not sure why I even waste my time...

Almost Done...

I am happy to report that today is Thursday and this week is almost over. Not that next week is anything to look forward to. On Monday I have my glucose test, which could be interesting since I'm not sure I eat anything with any nutritional value anymore. So, wish me luck to not have gestational diabetes. Burger is working all day this Saturday, so it's going to be another long and boring weekend for Jacob and me. I don't have to go to work any more this week, which is exciting. But when I don't go to work, I don't have anything better to do! But, on a different note, Jacob had become very descriptive in his speech. Many things are, "The best in the world" and he will make animal sounds and say "Jacob is a monkey!" or whatever sound he makes! He is very much fun to talk to, but also tiring. I will keep you posted on how my sanity is hanging in there...

Funny Boy

Jacob is eating "Bes cookie a whole world." He makes me smile! We had a nice day today. After work we just came home and have been doing housework. Not a lot has gotten done, but it's been nice to just be home! The cleaning will get done eventually!

Christmas Tree Fun

We put up our Christmas tree this evening! Jacob helped decorate it with candy canes. These are the kind of candy canes that we don't eat. Tomorrow (or sometime this week) we will finish decorating the tree by having Jacob make ornaments and hanging them on the tree. It should be fun. We had a pretty eventful day today. After work we ate lunch then went to the allergist. Grandma Hild came with us, which was really good! Jacob is allergic to cats. Not anything else, just cats. Very allergic to cats. I was surprised to hear this, but I'm not sure why. But I asked about his dairy problems and they said that dairy is probably a trigger for his eczema, but not an actual allergy. Eczema and allergies are two separate things. So, that's kind of fun! Tomorrow should be a simpler day. We have work, then home to do housework!

Updates

All is well on the home front. We had a nice relaxing weekend. Well, Jacob and I had a nice relaxing weekend, Burger worked all day Friday and Saturday. Jacob and I went shopping on Saturday with a friend and had a great time. Almost done with Christmas shopping! Yesterday Burger finally got a day off. We stayed at home and relaxed. We ate donuts and read the newspaper. Then we went to Thanksgiving dinner at my grandma's house. Got lots of leftover turkey and ham and mashed potatoes! Today is Jacob's appointment with the allergist, I will let you know how that goes! Have a great Monday everyone and don't forget to shop your local cyber-Monday deals online!