Adventures In Breeding

Potty Training Boot Camp

2011-02-23T19:41:00.000-08:00

While this isn't exactly a cutesy post like last time, or probably anything that Darcy would like being repeated about her when she's say, 15, I feel like I have to document our foray into potty training. We might have another kid someday and have to do this again. Plus I am kind of amazed by the method we've used and how it has been going. So gear yourselves up, its time for Potty Training Boot Camp!

We switched D into Pull ups a few months ago, hoping that she'd catch on to potty training without the drastic methods we saw online. Surely she'd pick it up quickly, right? Apparently, not so much. After a couple times using the potty, she quickly lost interest and showed us no desire to stop going in her PullUps. I've heard this now lots of places, the diapers and PullUps are so absorbant that they don't care if they are wet. After a few months of this, and paying for the I-can't-believe-anything-costs-more-than-diapers training pants, we decided to go with the go-for-broke weekend method, which is detailed in several different places online. I also wanted to try this method because Darcy has two working parents, and doing the potty training slowly over time just wasn't going to work out without a solid foundation set before she had to go back to daycare. Here are a few sites we looked at for advice:

http://www.revolutionhealth.com/healthy-living/parenting/toddler/potty-training/potty-training-plan-weekend
http://www.1st-babies.com/potty_training/How_to_Potty_Train_in_One_Weekend.shtml

To get prepared for our weekend adventure, I stocked up on stickers in multiple sizes, printed potty charts (freebies all over the web or make one in powerpoint like I did), new little girl underpants, carpet cleaner, and I even bought a new SpotBot, which we've used for years to clean up after Logan's little carpet bombs. We cleared the schedule of things to do and focused entirely on potty training - no groceries, no trips to the mall, no anything outside of hanging out at home and having fun with the potty. We used the timer function on Tony's ipod to play a fun little chime every 30 minutes or so. Then we ran to the potty - "potty break, potty break!" I also made sure there was a pile of favorite books and some new little cheap toys - happy meal freebies, little dollar store junk - in the bathroom next to the potties. We would provide lots of water and juice and some salty snacks to keep her drinking. For now, we would allow PullUps for naptime and bedtime and eventually for car rides when we started venturing out again. Results were mixed to start, and we had to change up a couple strategies here and there, but here's our day by day review of the process so far.

Day 1: Saturday
On Saturday morning, I told Darcy it was potty time and there was a present for her in the bathroom. She immediately ran and sat on the potty to get her present, although didn't do anything while sitting other than demand her present. :) Her "present" was a new pair of Yo Gabba undies, which she immediately wanted to put on. While we put them on, I told her what they were and that there were "no more PullUps!" which we turned into a fun chant. I also showed her the charts and yay fun when she used the potty, she got a little sticker! I saved the small stars and smiley stickers for just sitting, but when she actually did something on the potty, I had big stickers ready to give out. Of course we also completely freaked out and lost our mind when she actually DID something in the potty - singing, dancing, cheering, hugging - it was the marti gras of potty celebrations.
We went about our day indoors as usual, except for multiple towels covering every piece of furniture I cared about, and no TV because it was too distracting - she just zones out like her daddy. :) After just a few hours, we had one successful #1 in the potty, and multiple accidents down her leg. We ran through 5 or 6 pairs of undies by naptime so I decided that maybe bare bottomed was better - I'd still have carpet to clean, but less laundry. Potty break time was starting to wear on everyone, Darcy was starting to refuse to go, and the times she would sit for a while, nothing would happen. Until maybe 5 minutes after she got up, when she'd go again. I changed up the timing on the ipod - setting for 35 minutes after her last pee, and if she couldn't go then, we'd try again in 5-10 min intervals until she could go. We tried withholding things like TV shows to use as rewards, but it just led to tantrums and started looking more like a power struggle. We were spending a lot of time cramped up in the bathrooms with not much to look at or do, even as I rotated through books and toys.
By end of day Saturday, I was starting to worry if we'd be back in PullUps by Sunday night in preparation for daycare on Monday. :(

Day 2: Sunday
The morning on Sunday started much like Saturday, continuing with the bare bottom treatment. By mid morning, she had used the potty once and had several accidents. But at least she had started to notice that something was going on - we would hear her say "oops" or "uhoh" as she had her accident and try to rush her over to the potty to at least get one drop in the potty. I had to take a deep breath and call that progress. After thinking through the no TV policy, I realized that it was truly a distraction, but it might serve to help us. So I moved the potties out into the living room downstairs and bonus room upstairs and we put on a movie. This time, the timer worked very well, when it went off, as long as she could stay in the room, she hopped up and watched TV from her potty. By naptime, she had used the potty 7 times and only had 3-4 accidents, mostly from before the TV watching started. Post naptime, there were no more #1 accidents that evening! I started to think this might actually work. And Darcy was so proud of herself as we freaked out over every tiny little drop. By bedtime, she was saying "Mommy Daddy look at me!" and "I use the potty". We called a whole bunch of family members so she could brag to them as well.

Day 3 & on:
Daycare! Here's what I sent to Daycare, and here are the results!

To all Darcy’s teachers –
This weekend, Darcy started a diaper-free potty training program at home. She’s been doing really well with it at home this weekend and we hope you can help us continue it at school. Here’s the basics of what we are doing.
1. No diapers or pull ups while Darcy is awake (OK to use a Pull-up at naptime). In fact, while at home, we have Darcy wearing nothing from the waist down. Since we realize that isn’t possible at daycare, we have decided to put her in loose fitting clothes with nothing underneath to get in the way. We will make sure to provide lots of changes in case of accidents. She still may need some help to pull down her pants while she gets used to this. Please let us know if you think dresses and underpants would work better.
2. Please remind her every 30-40 minutes to use the potty. We’ve been using a timer, which seems to work better than us just telling her, but please try to remind her in some way on a regular schedule. If you need me to provide a timer, I can. She should also be reminded to go 10-15 minutes after eating or drinking and immediately before going outside to play.
3. Please use the phrase “OK, its time for a potty break now, lets go!” (said with lots of enthusiasm). If she is asked if she needs the potty or if she has had an accident, she will say “no” automatically, it is better to make it into something fun and hurry her over to the potty before she thinks there is a choice involved. If she refuses, don’t force her, but you may want to try again within 5-10 minutes or risk an accident.
4. If she doesn’t do anything on the potty, please give her praise for trying and say we’ll try again later. Please don’t scold or judge if she doesn’t use the potty or when there are accidents. A encouraging message “its OK, potty training is hard, we’ll try again next time, I know you can do it, etc.” seems to be the best approach for her. We will provide lots of extra clothes and please tell us if we need to provide more.
5. When she actually does use the potty, please give her lots of praise and hugs, we’re so proud of you, cheering, etc. At home, she gets to put a sticker on her potty chart and then gets a sticker to carry around, put on her shirt, whatever. I’ve sent some stickers and the chart, please use them and let me know if I need to provide more.
Our hopes are that by providing this in writing we can help make the process easier for you and help give Darcy some consistent training. Because I know that your classroom is very busy and you have lots of children to care for, I understand if you cannot follow this plan exactly. However, if you feel like you have to make major changes to the plan to accommodate your class, I would appreciate you letting us know so that we can make sure to talk it over and come up with a good compromise and keep Darcy on a consistent plan.
Thanks so much and please call us at any time with your questions or concerns. We’d love to hear how Darcy is doing in your classroom, any notes you can make on her daily form would be wonderful.
Sincerely,
Bridget & Tony Meadows

Monday - Two #1 in the potty at school. Darcy went through every piece of clothing we sent and was sent home in a PullUp because there was nothing else left! Once home and bare bottomed, there were no more accidents.
Tuesday - EIGHT #1 and one #2 in the potty! 3 accidents, one was because she wasn't quite done and finished up just a few minutes after a successful trip. She asked her Daddy to help her use the potty during drop off and was starting to tell the teachers she needed to go before the accident and not after.
Wednesday - ELEVEN #1 in the potty and only one accident!! The accident was because she was trying to use the potty but some of it got on her clothes. This morning, before heading to daycare, she said "Momma, I have to use the potty!"

So we just finished up Day 5 and I am soooo glad we have stuck with it and didn't buckle to using Pullups during that first rough 36 hours. We still have to tackle the car trips, naptime, and bedtime, but I think that will come in time. Right now, I'm so very proud of my little pee-er that I can hardly help but do a big celebrating dance every time she uses the potty. Not having to buy diapers and PullUps will be sooo wonderful. And I think watching her be so proud of herself is a great reward that I wasn't even expecting.

random smattering of funny

2011-01-24T18:41:00.000-08:00

Darcy's highlight reel -

Darcy loves snow to look at. When it gets on her gloves and her boots, she is not happy. "I wan wipe it off!!"

Darcy is taking a bath and the running water has made me do my own little potty dance. So I sit to take care of business...
Darcy: "What chu doing Momma?"
Me: "I'm using the potty."
Darcy: "Ohhhh. (shouts) Good Job Momma!"

After spending Christmas with my big rowdy family, having many dinners, parties, and toasts...
Darcy: "I want Cheeros Daddy".
Tony: "You want Cheerios?"
Darcy: (picks up her cup) "No, I want CHEERS Daddy!"
We now must clink glasses with her cup whenever she asks.

I'm at a work dinner late, and Tony is putting Darcy to bed.
Tony: "OK, time to say night night to Momma and Logan" (part of the routine even when one of us is away)
Darcy: "Night night Logan. (top of her lungs screaming) NIGHT NIGHT MOMMA! I SEE YOU MORROW!"

Sitting at a meal, Darcy hands me something...
Darcy: "I share with Momma"
Me: "Thank you Darcy, that is so nice"
Darcy: "You're welcome sweetie!"

Watching Bolt in the car, holding her animal blankie/lovee (as always), during a scene where Bolt is running away...
Darcy: "Comeere Bolt, Comeeeere! I haf loveeeee!"

Tony getting Darcy dressed for the morning, fighting to put on socks...
Tony: "I'm gonna get those toes!!"
Darcy: "No Daddy, don get toes!"
Tony" "Why not? Why can't I get your toes?"
Darcy: (thinks a minute...) "Iss a secret."

Bossing around the babysitter

2010-12-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

Darcy stayed home a few nights ago with a new babysitter Paige, the teenage daughter of one of my coworkers. Paige said that Darcy was very sweet all night, was a good eater, the only thing she wouldn't do was brush her teeth (pretty typical night in our book).

The next day at work, Paige's mom tells me the full story of bedtime. Apparently, once Darcy was all ready for bed, Paige went to pick her up and lay her down in bed. Darcy whirled around, put one finger up, and said "NO". She then pushed Paige backwards out of her bedroom, went back inside, and closed the door shut behind her. Paige just sort of stood in the hall for a while, waiting to see what she did next. After a few minutes, she cracked the door to take a look. Miss Darcy had turned off her light, climbed into her bed, and sort of pulled up her blankets, and was fast asleep on the pillow. I don't know what's funnier to me, that D put herself to bed, or that Paige was so surprised by it that she didn't want to mention it to us!

trying to catch up

2010-11-07T19:30:00.000-08:00

OK blog-o-sphere, I am trying to come back after over a year of non-blogging. Blame Facebook, their picture uploader is WAY easier. But they don't allow enough characters for all of D's fun stories, so I am back. I'm thinking I can try to post an update at least once a month or so.

Darcy is TWO which is sort of unbelievable to me, and yet its true. Lots more hair, lots more fun, and lots more attitude. And just when I think I have the most brilliant serious child ever, she makes me laugh so hard with something sooo silly.

I'm cooking this past week (nothing elaborate, I can tell you) and Darcy has wedged herself between me and the stove, where I am handling something hot. I holler for Tony to come get her out of the way, and as he's directing her away he asks her "Darcy, what are you doing?" I hear her say, "help me" and reaches up her hand. I tell him to help her up and walk her back to the living room. When he tries, she says "no, don't want it" which is her favorite phrase lately. He says "you don't want help?" and she says "no, I help-eeng" and reaches up her hand again to point at me. "Ohhhh, you want to help Mommy?" I ask, and she replies "I help-eeng Mommy cook-eeng!" How can you say no to that?? For the record, I have never once suggested she help me in the kitchen, I am kind of famous for kicking people out of my kitchen altogether for getting in my way, so understand I am really relaxing my kitchen quirks here!

So I give her a plastic bowl and wooden spoon and ask her to stir it up for me. She goes to town, stirring with all her might. She takes the bowl over to Daddy to show him her good work, and he asks "ooh what are you making?" Without a second of hesitation, she says "Pancakes Daddy!" - as if what else could she possible BE making? Tony asks "what else can you make with that bowl?" and again, without hesitation, she throws down the spoon, puts the bowl on her head and triumphantly says "a hat!" That kid cracks me up.

blogging by archdiva: Monday Pounce: SweetMarch

2009-08-24T07:32:00.000-07:00

blogging by archdiva: Monday Pounce: SweetMarch

I had to share for those of you who read my blog. My dear sister Meghan has a shop on Etsy.com for her beautiful hand-made dolls, and recently it was featured by another blogger as an "undiscovered shop" that she loved! This is very cool, I hope you will read about Meghan's shop and think of her the next time you need a unique and creative gift for a young girl in your life!

More pics of Darcy soon!!

First visit to the ER

2009-07-20T05:23:00.000-07:00

Sigh - well it had to happen someday I suppose. Darcy had her first visit to the ER this past weekend. At my work picnic, I had her in and out of her big stroller several times, the stroller I don't use as much. I put her back in, fastened the straps (incorrectly as it turns out), and got moving again down the sidewalk. We stopped to talk to a couple people, she got herself scootched around, the straps detatched, and when we took off again, WHOOPS - she slid right out feet first and then toppled over onto her little face. It was awful to watch. After a little while it was apparent she was really hurt, not just scared or mad. So we headed over to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital ER, where we were actually seen very quickly for an ER on a Saturday. Several hours and Xrays later, she was diagnosed with a distal femur fracture (thighbone broken near the knee) and splinted with plaster and an ace bandage. So we got very lucky that she wasn't hurt more seriously and that she didn't need a much more serious cast. Had she already been walking or crawling well on her own, she would need a "hip spika" cast, which is immobile from the waist down - not even able to sit up - and both legs would be casted. The pitiful girl is doing well and we are off late this morning to talk to the director of daycare and see if they feel comfortable taking care of her or if I need to take some time off. She was remarkably happy yesterday for someone with a broken leg, so I am thinking that she will bounce back quickly!! Followup is in a couple weeks and I am hopeful that we will continue to splint and not cast or need surgery.

Mom and baby - not sure who feels worse here

Darcy was just happy she finally got to eat something - she couldn't eat in case surgery or sedation was necessary. This girl doesn't miss meals!!

Getting comfy the next morning

The leg didn't stop her from scootching up to the top of the crib - she started the night with her head on the orange and pink cloth that's now under her feet.

Next day - happy little monkey girl! She is my hero.

Catching Up

2009-07-13T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sadly I am way way behind, over a month since last posting. Many firsts, including more sitting up, rolling around, laughing, and words. Dada, Mama, Baba, and plenty of other gibberish is starting to come together to mean something more now. Darcy raises her arms and gives "spirit fingers" when she wants to be picked up. She "raspberries" her Daddy and they spittle back and forth at each other. She really really laughs when something amuses her, and she is beyond in love with Logan. He is starting to come around to her too, as she eats and drops more tasty food. Speaking of, she is really getting into the grown up food now, with such varied tastes as pancakes, yogurt, cheese slices, pot roast, mac and cheese, and applesauce, yum! We've been to the Top Dog competition to benefit Brown Dog Foundation (Logan raised $930!), we've been to Hilton Head, SC (I'll get to those pics in a separate post), we've hung around the house. She's grown out of her carseat and into bigger clothes - 12 month size already?!

Partying like a rock star and trashing her crib.

Waking up - looking guilty already?

In her ridiculously huge new car seat box.

I think I'll fit!!

Darcy stealing Logan's lighting

Logan sussing out the competition (he and this big guy were neck and neck!)

Let's see, how much food can I jam in my mouth?

Ah, about a fistful.

Someone call Alcoholic Beverage Control

Daddy's feet are hilarious.

More laughs

Raspberries!

Shoes & Sitting Up

2009-05-29T19:43:00.001-07:00

These are some more random pics, we are trying to be better about taking them and posting them a little more regularly. Darcy is starting to feed herself a little, graham crackers and puffed cereal. She also loves to sit on her mat and empty the toy box, pull apart anything she can get her hands on. That has started to include Logan, who used to shy away but is now getting all the fun scraps of graham cracker and puffed cereal that hits the floor. He is quite happy to trade the fur pulling for the tasty morsels off her hands and face. Saves us the bathtime.

I found my feet! I've been looking for these...

Chillin in my sneaks - first pair of real shoes

She is too cute in this outfit, the shoes make it for me

Checking out the sheepie rug

Getting a glimpse of her new buddy Logan

Logan getting a taste of what Darcy ate for dinner - she is cracking up here.

YUM, BABY!!

Playing with rings once Logan finished cleaning her face

Another fun toy - stacking cups with a twist...

They make a very good hat for improptu meetings of the Shriners

She loves hats

We played peek a boo in the cups until it was sleepy time.

8 month update

2009-05-23T19:41:00.000-07:00

I have been seriously slacking on the photo front (as so many of you lovelies have been letting me know). Blame it all on Facebook, it's easier to add pics there. Anyway, here are some random shots that should get us caught up. Darcy is 8 months old now, hard to believe. She sits up, she says Dada and Mama, she reaches to be picked up, she laughs when you laugh, and she eats like a champ. In fact, she bangs on the tray if you don't get the next bite to her mouth fast enough. We're working on a sippy cup, but so far its just a leaky toy to her! The highlights here involve lots of laughing, drooling, funny outfits, and her bed time parties (becoming legendary) when we find her in the morning surrounded by the formerly neat components of her crib.

Trashing her room like a rock star on a bender

Teething = droooooly face

Daddy is so silly.

I love this hat.

See??

This is the end of our horsey riding song, where she breaks into a laugh just as my thigh muscles turn to complete jello.

Whatchu talkin bout face.

Dad is totally a geek. I'm just a geekling.

BLUUUUUE eyes!

She blows raspberries and bubbles too - ptttthbbbbt!!!!

Seriously. She has NO off button. I'm considering contacting the manufacturer.

Something here was hilarious, don't remember what.

MORE FOOD NOW.

Sweet when Sleeping

Daddy's shirt says "My Kid Totally Rocks"

Top Dog Competition

2009-04-14T18:40:00.000-07:00

VOTE FOR LOGAN - TOP DOG IN 2009!!

http://www.browndogfoundation.org/logan

Coming from humble beginnings, Logan was adopted from a rescue group by Bridget and Tony Meadows in the fall of 2003. He was immediately adored by his new family, and extended family and friends. His sweet disposition, hilarious fits of energy, and toothy grin made him a star wherever he went.

After Bridget began working for a petfood company in 2005, Logan reaped all the benefits. Soon after Bridget's promotion and move to Nashville in 2006, Logan became a fixture at the corporate office. His natural charisma and classic doggy smile won him even more fans. He has been featured in several profiles on Bridget's company, including office artwork, local print and TV news, and a nationwide coupon ad campaign.

For 5 years, he was their only baby. Then in 2008, he was joined in the household by Darcy, his new baby sister. While Bridget and Tony have adjusted well to parenthood, they suspect Logan is still suffering from a mild case of post-partum blues.

To steal back the spotlight from baby Darcy, Logan is now leveraging his celebrity for charity by competing for the Title of TOP DOG 2009 for Brown Dog Foundation! Their mission is to provide owners in temporary financial crisis an alternative to euthanasia when their pet faces a treatable life-threatening condition in order to restore the quality of life for pet and owner.

Please help Logan grab the crown and the title of TOP DOG by voting now!

http://www.browndogfoundation.org/logan

Our goal is 1000 votes! Please help today if you can!

Become a fan on Facebook!

Spring Gardening

2009-04-05T15:11:00.001-07:00

Hanging out in the grass while Mom and Dad dig

Swear I didn't plan the monkey overload - we just have a lot of monkey stuff

Our pretty new flowers

Logan keeping an eye on the neighborhood

Auntie Meghan made our super comfy quilt - sock monkeys on pogo sticks anyone?

She surprised us big time with her sudden balance while sitting up! I think she might even have surprised herself.

Randomness

2009-04-05T14:57:00.001-07:00

I'm a little behind after the wedding-palooza, so here's some random catching up photos.

First hockey game - Go Preds!

This is her bad-ass hockey face. Or possibly a cough.

(Please note the awesome girly skull barrette, she's such a tough chick)

Darcy thinks this onsie (and Daddy) are hilarious. Mommy, not so much.

Sweet potatoes are seriously yummy. And staining.

Logan is Darcy's favorite!!

Yay for doggie kisses!

We did try the hairbow Grandma, but no smiles here!! She likes her badass barrette better.

Auntie Meghan's Wedding Weekend

2009-03-19T18:35:00.000-07:00

The big event was this past weekend and Darcy met lots of family and friends there. First we went to the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner. We didn't have to worry too much about how we would eat and drink and give speeches with the baby, she was whisked away from us very early in the night by several lovely baby-lovin folks.

Hanging out with Alina, friend of the orphans (no, seriously, thats her job)

Our little family

Asleep with Mary Ann & Dick Pieratt (you made the blog guys!!)

The next day, we scoped out the hotel before it was time to boogie down! We had to show Darcy the Crystal Room and all the fun places from when we got married. Once the wedding got going, we met up with the sitter (hooray!) and had a nice parent's night out.

Meeting Esme, Meghan's (and our!) wedding coordinator

BEWARE - she doesn't tell any of her brides that marriage can sometimes lead to babies. Whoops.

Smooches from Daddy make Darcy laugh

Darcy Jean loves Great Grandma Jean

Taking a nap while the girls get ready for the main event

The beautiful Auntie Meghan with Grandpa & Grandma The slacker siblings (aka Uncle Danny Bob and Mommy)

Having fun after the ceremony
The non-matching black cocktail bridesmaid dresses were a big hit

Before we left, we hit the big Homestead breakfast (almost worth the price of the room on its own!) and said goodbye to all the relatives we haven't seen in forever and plenty we'll hopefully see very soon!

Having a breakfast cuddle with Auntie Lynn (you made the blog too!!)
Saying goodbye to Kiwi cousin Kirk
Tired tired girl!!

On our way out of VA, we saw some of our Wescott buds for a few hours at the airport and got to get the kiddies to meet up. I was sad we couldn't stay longer, and then all our flights went nutty. So we DID get to stay a little longer (thanks Deana!) although UGH it was a long Monday after our 5:40am flight back to Nashville. Abigail was very excited about the baby, but then she was worried we were going to leave, she was very sweet and funny.

Saying hello

Darcy wanted to pull one of those pigtails soooo badly

This game was a big hit, they kept checking each other out while in the air

"OK, I wanna hold the baby" - Darcy looks nervous...

"OK, tired of baby now" - at least Darcy laughs when dropped from seated position!!

Bored waiting on the plane, we decided to play dress up with new headbands and take pictures

Obviously it was way more fun than it sounds!

Solid Foods

2009-03-05T18:26:00.000-08:00

I had planned to wait until Darcy was 6 months old to do the solid foods thing, but she has been really interested in what we are eating and drinking the last few weeks. The doc gave us the go ahead at 4 months old, so we thought we'd give it a shot, see if she was interested.

Here's the pic of her NOT enjoying it on day 1.

Here's the baby barracuda attacking the cereal on day 4. Hilarious.

5 months old!

2009-02-24T17:52:00.000-08:00

5 months old as of Sunday, 2/22

Playing in the floor with Daddy

Look to the left...

Look to the right...

...and over I go!!!

She might have needed just a teeny tiny push to get all the way over, but she's about 90% there all on her own! Pretty scary, means I need to start cleaning up the house soon. Meh!!

Check out the proud tummy in this one -

Meghan's bridal shower

2009-02-20T19:59:00.001-08:00

Just a couple random shots of the gal at her Auntie Meghan's bridal shower a couple weekends ago.

Video Updates

2009-02-20T16:23:00.000-08:00

There have been lots of germs going around our house lately, so I've been slacking in the picture department. I will catch up soon hopefully. Here's some videos instead. Tilt your head to the left for the first one!!

OK, so clearly I need to remember that I can't take video with the camera turned sideways!! But it's still too funny. Here's another random cute moment (caught by Tony while I babbled on the phone - not realizing he was recording!):

Logan steals his thunder back!

2009-01-25T12:49:00.000-08:00

...I quote directly from Logan:

"Stupid baby. When was SHE ever in the national paper? Eh? EH?!?"

Like Father, Like Daugher

2009-01-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

Proud Pop Tony and Dark Daughter Darcy playing Mercenaries 2

Until they get their vengeance they will never end this mayhem!

Check out that thumbstick action!

The Mom Song

2009-01-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

I am so in love with this - this woman rules.

http://blogs.northlandchurch.net/2008/08/11/the-mom-song/

Peek-A-Boo video!

2009-01-06T19:18:00.000-08:00

Where's Darcy?!?

Back to work...sigh....

2009-01-05T19:22:00.000-08:00

Today marked a sad day - heading back to work. Don't get me wrong, I actually really like my job. And I didn't turn into a weepy mess leaving Darcy at "pre-school" (ie - daycare) for the day. She seems to have a good time, she's tired at the end of the day, and I get (pay for) a break from being a full time mommy. And let me tell you, Mars pays a lot better than Darcy for my time spent working.

Aside: I think having a job outside of the mom gig definitely makes me more appreciative of my time with Darcy - quality rather than quantity? And I don't start saying at 4pm, "where is your father already?!" when she gets fussy. Instead, I now get to say, "oh boy, only 30 minutes to get back to my sweet girl!" No judging or mommy war stuff here, that's just how it is for ME. Everyone's choices are valid, let's not fight amongst ourselves, all that PC crap, blah blah blah.

ANYWAY, the sad part of the day was all the crap stuff you feel when you've been off work for a while. Times almost 4 months. That's as bad as going back to school after summer vacation. The getting up early, the rush to get dressed and out the door, the rotten commute, finding a parking space, the lame meetings and phone calls, you know, the actual WORK? - bleech. Won't someone please realize that I am clearly a genius and need to be paid mucho dinero just for my very thoughts?! I could effortlessly wax brilliant on almost any topic from the comfort of my favorite armchair, wearing my red pajamas and eating Oreos. And of course, as Darcy begins to use real words, she could join me from her smaller armchair. She is clearly a brilliant girl - Darcy Jean-ious as we are beginning to call her. (We're not a bit biased either.) She has hour-long philosophical discussions with her bumblebee friends, it is truly staggering how much she gets across with just a well placed "oooo-OOO-oo" or a perfectly timed drool. Together, we would be unstoppable. No, no.... we SHALL be unstoppable.

For a reasonable commission, you can hire us both, we're great for parties. Prices start at $1K per hour, contact us anytime for more details.

Please, do it soon, before I have to go back to work again tomorrow.

Darcy's First Christmas

2008-12-25T14:44:00.000-08:00

Dressing for Christmas eve (too many outfits for just one day)!

"Oh my, don't I look cute?"

Waiting for Santa Claus

Christmas morning!!

Me and Darcy in our Christmas headgear

Tony borrowing the baby's hat

A serious pile of presents for someone so little!

Logan comes in for a holiday smooch/sniff/snort

"seriously guys, do I have to wear this hat all day?"

Darcy's beach drum set

She was actually really into the stuff we showed her...

...until she had enough!

Snugglin with my girl

My girl snugglin with her girl

Awesome tummy time mat with a lazy susan thing - look at the pretty baby in the mirror!

Watch me spin!!!

We had a very nice Christmas this morning, Darcy slept from about 10pm to about 630am, ate, and then went back to sleep. While she was taking her morning nap, we opened our Christmas presents and made coffee and cinnamon buns, yum! Once she got up, we busted into her presents. She was actually pretty interested in them, I was kind of surprised. But clearly she got the right stuff to be so interactive with it all!! She spent a good part of the day with Daddy, watching his new DVDs and taking good Christmas naps.

Cutie in her swing

2008-12-17T17:41:00.000-08:00

First day of "school"

2008-12-17T17:39:00.000-08:00

Darcy got to go to her daycare early last week, because I had a big "end of year what's going on" meeting at work to attend. I think she had a great day.

On her way to her first day of "school" - they don't call it a daycare anymore!

Daddy coming to pick Darcy up

Worn out girl!

First Snow!

2008-12-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

Now this is an unusual sight for Tennessee in December - a real snowfall. On Thursday night, the drizzle turned to freezing rain, then suddenly, there was an inch of snow on the ground, trees, everything. I took as many pictures as I could during the early evening when it started, and then caught some the next morning as it started to melt. I'd say we ended up with almost 2 inches of good wintery stuff. No fun for driving, but it was sooo beautiful. Almost like an early white Christmas.

Logan is NOT a fan of the snow - "let me back inside!!!"

Darcy inside looking at the Christmas tree, Tony wasn't home yet. See the snow on the picnic table outside?

Tony arrived and we bundled her up to go out in her first snow!

She was more fascinated with being outside at night than with the snow I think!

It is definitely too late to bring my herb garden inside, don't you think?

Early the next morning

Visit to Santa

2008-12-10T21:01:00.001-08:00

Darcy enjoyed meeting Santa and letting him know that she has been a very good girl and she would like a Red Rider BB gun with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time for Christmas. He told her she'd shoot her eye out.

She was a little sleepy while we were getting her set up, but still pretty happy. Then the genius helper elf BLEW in her face - are there any babies out there who would smile at that?!? Seriously, I can't believe that they were making the older kids use peppermint hand sanitizer before they could climb onto Santa's lap, but they blow their Food Court scented breath at a baby's face? It certainly wouldn't make me smile (it's flu season, people!!) but Darcy definitely doesn't like the old "blow-in-my-face" trick, it makes her scream bloody murder. So things went downhill rapidly from there. We got some cute pics of her in her snowman dress though, before the face-melting screaming started.

Santa assures me that he will bring me a good night's sleep. We'll see if that fat old elf lives up to his word.

Decorating the House

2008-12-10T20:42:00.000-08:00

This year, Darcy helped me with the annual "drag out the Christmas junk and swear you aren't going to put up as much stuff as last year and end up putting out even more" decorating party. I swear, every year, I say I'm just pulling down the tree and ornaments, and I end up dragging down everything and pulling it all out with non-Grinchy glee worthy of all the Whos down in Whoville. But it was worth it, I love our little nativity scene, the wreaths, the stockings, the whole bit. And, I LOVE the pre-lit tree I splurged on last year. Soooo easy to put up. It made me much more willing to drag out the rest of the stuff. The inside of our house just screams holiday, I love it. Here are the action shots.

She was a big fan of the headgear portion of the event - don't worry, Santa will be starting a trust to pay for her future therapy bills.

Baby's first (sleepy) Christmas

Oops! At least she's happy I woke her.

Please notice the little girl reindeer top, we dress for decorating here.

In full Christmas spirit

Logan dresses for decorating too

She was really interested in the tree once we had it lit - I got lots of coos and fun talky noises out of her.

The finished, but messy, Christmas room - bring on the presents!

Winter is Here

2008-12-02T14:32:00.000-08:00

It's been chilly in Nashville recently, flurries and blowing winds. Of course, I LOVE it, love winter, love cold, love snow. Bring it on. Hate summer sun and heat, yuck. Given that my daughter has my same pale complexion, I'm guessing she's going to be a winter lover too. She will if we have anything to do with it at least! We are just too pale for the beach. Next year, hopefully we'll have her out on the ski slopes, although she'll still be too young to do anything but tromp around and maybe stand between our legs for a few feet of skiing on the bunny trail. It's so much easier to learn when you are little, I was the oldest of my siblings to learn and I think I was all of six years old. My brother learned even younger than that, and you'd think he was born skiing, it's as easy as walking to him. Actually, if you've ever seen him walk, he looks much more graceful on skis! (Sorry Dan!)

So for our grocery trip today, I got her all set up in her first winter parka and stylishly warm pink leather & sheepskin boots from NZ. She was quite happy being out in the weather, cooing and laughing. It was very warming to see. I carried her around the store and through the parking lot in the baby bjorn, her little arms and legs sticking out waving around at everyone. At one point, all I could think of was the movie A Christmas Story - "I can't put my arms down!!" It actually made the shopping pretty easy, I had 2 free hands and a bunch of people coming over to look at the baby and help me fill & empty the cart.

Winter Car Nap - there is nothing better!

Snuggly Warm & Cozy

Let It Snow!!

Thanksgiving in Charlotte

2008-12-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

My dad loves this painting, he requested this shot of Grandma Maeve & Darcy

And then Grandpa Ian got in on the snuggle action
Baby's First Thanksgiving
In her special turkey ensemble from Auntie Meghan & NZ sheepskin booties

With Maeve's friend from work, Pat

More turkey please!!

What do you mean, it's all gone?!?

A turkey nap with Daddy

A football nap with Grandma Maeve (go Hokies!)

Going to visit Daddy

2008-12-02T14:24:00.000-08:00

Now that Darcy has had her 2 month old vaccinations, her pediatrician gave us permission to go see her Daddy at work. Since he works at a doctor's office at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, there are lots of nasty bugs around so we had to wait to visit. Everyone there was very excited to finally meet her, and we made sure to dress to impress!

Wait, I don't want to go to the hospital!

Oh, it's DAD'S hospital?

Yay! I can't wait to see Dad's hospital!

Being shown off in the hall

Hanging out with the cool techs

Four Generations

2008-11-18T07:45:00.000-08:00

During my trip to Charlotte a few weeks ago, we (Darcy, me, Grandma Maeve, and Great-Grandma Jean) took the opportunity to get some professional pictures taken. Here they are - Darcy was pretty sleepy and seriously grumpy once we woke her, but I think the group shots are really nice. For better pics of Darcy, check out Mandy's camera work in my last post!

Pretty Girl!

2008-11-16T13:29:00.000-08:00

We had a coworker of Tony's over last weekend who was dying to babysit. We took the opportunity to go out for lunch and do some much needed shopping, both for Christmas and my shrinking self (thank god for the calories nursing burns!). It is much easier to try on clothes without a baby along. While Mandy was looking after Darcy, she snapped these awesome shots. I now officially want her camera for Christmas.

Mom gets a break - if only for a moment...

2008-11-07T12:52:00.000-08:00

Darcy's first bottle - thanks Daddy!

Her new favorite toy - Kick & Play chair - my arms thank the toy company!

Click to see me smile!!

Halloween

2008-10-31T10:59:00.001-07:00

We got such great Halloween stuff from several people, it ended up being quite a fashion show!

Witchy Woman

With Daddy, the hockey player

A hint of a smile from our little Punkin

Outfit from her cousins Madison & Faith

(she lasted all of about 5 minutes before she spit up all over it!)

Road Trip to Charlotte

2008-10-31T10:47:00.001-07:00

Packing to go - Logan likes to help

Logan offered to let Darcy ride him all the way to Charlotte!

Meeting Great Grandma Jean

Darcy was more impressed than she seems here

Saturday football watching

Mommy's little Hokie

Meeting Auntie Meghan and soon-to-be Uncle Chad

Meggie tells Darcy about shopping

Look what we found in the pumpkin patch!!

I swear, I take 30 pictures and this is the best one...

(it's not easy propping up a baby on pumpkins, you know.)

Darcy's new puppy toy from Grandma MaeMae

Reading her new monkey book

Enjoying her first real bath?

Logan missed Darcy so much he jumped in the car when we got home

and of course, Daddy missed her too.

Darcy and I had a lovely time visiting Charlotte and some family last week. Darcy Jean got to meet Great Grandma Jean for the first time, and also Auntie Meghan and Uncle-Elect Chad. It was Darcy's first real road trip, and she did pretty well. I went in the middle of the week, (what else am I doing - not working!?!) so Tony stayed in Nashville to work. He'll come with us over Thanksgiving.

Grandma Maeve & Great Grandma Jean got to see what fun it is to put Darcy to bed at night. (Hint - not very!) But Grandma Maeve came up with a dare-I-say-it brilliant(!) routine that includes a screamingly fun and relaxing bath, pjs, a nice long feeding, and falling asleep with barely a peep. I don't think the bath is really relaxing her, given the sheer volume of her screams, but maybe it's wearing her out enough that she gives up and falls asleep. I have never seen a baby fight sleep so much. But regardless, it has been working this whole week - asleep around 9 or 10, and not a sound until 3 or 4. That's pretty good for a 5 week old I think - 5 or 6 hours straight. We'll take it at this point.

Cute in Green...

2008-10-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

So I don't know what it was about today, maybe the sweet green outfit, but she was just so cute and so awake and making such funny faces, I must have snapped about 50 pictures. Here are the highlights. :)

Super cute - kickin' it on the changing table

AGH! Mom, you are TOO close!Looking worried on the couch...
And now, my impression of a drunken hobo...And finally, a smile - captured via cell phone!

Miracle at 3 weeks

2008-10-14T10:23:00.000-07:00

Our darling Darcy is 3 weeks old, as of yesterday. She celebrated this milestone by having a looong day of eating, crying, diapering, repeat. NO NAPS for this child, nuh uh, not on her 3 week birthday! I thought I would lose my mind. She was so fussy and upset all day, then into the evening; I must have fed her every hour and a half, it was amazing. It took me walking & rocking & singing to her from 10 to midnight just to get her to shut her eyes. I crashed into bed just after midnight and sighed, thinking of the 3am wakeup that would be coming along all too soon. Then, lo and behold, a miracle. I wake up at SIX am when Tony gets up for work, and I hear quiet peaceful breathing from Darcy's room on the monitor. I shut my eyes again, just for a minute, and wake back up at SEVEN am. SEVEN hours of relatively uninterrupted sleep. bliss. At that point, she was making some pre-wakeup noises, so I went in and woke her up, just to make sure all was well. Apparently she was just sleepy after her party-time Monday. I got her up and she went back into her normal eat-awake-sleep-cry cycle of roughly 3 hours. I don't expect a repeat performance this evening, no no, we are not that lucky. But what a good girl she is to give me a one-night break just as I am about to totally lose it.

Here's some more video I took of her this weekend, at her Auntie Meghan's request. She is smiling more now, although I can never seem to catch it on film. But her little goat-y grunting noises come through pretty well.

6 random things

2008-10-11T15:23:00.000-07:00

My lovely sister Meghan has asked me for 6 random things about me. As our family in general is pretty random, I thought I'd take her up on it once I learned how to link something. :) Hopefully when you click on her name there, you'll get to her blog and her answers. She's set the bar pretty high for entertaining answers, but I'll do my best. I'm just going to list 6 of my strongly held "truths" - ie, 6 of my opinions that should be passed as law. If only I ran the world...

1. Clowns. Are. Evil. Seriously. No redeeming qualities there whatsoever, their freak show hearts just pump pure concentrated liquid evil. They eat children who wander too far from their parents in the park. I am not alone in this one, so if you are one of the people who thinks they are sweet and fun and harmless, enjoy your delusions while you still can. The be-wigged freakos are on their way over to steal your soul!

2. Everyone should be required to learn to drive a car with manual transmission - as part of driver's education to get a license. Seriously people, it's not that hard. You don't have to buy a stick shift, or even like it, but you need to know how to do it. They still make cars with manual transmissions, and yes, some of us even prefer our cars that way. (It saves money and drives better!) You never know when your pregnant friend is going to need you to drive her to the hospital, or when some hook-handed psycho is chasing you slasher-movie style, and the only car available is a manual. It's just something you need to know, deal with it. And while we are on the subject, if you are going to drive a giant vehicle (SUV, extended-cab pickup, Hummer, etc), you should have to take a special test to prove you are capable of maneuvering the humongous thing. If you can't park like a normal human being, it's a sub-compact for you. Let me just restructure the whole DMV licensing/driver's ed/car purchasing system, I promise you I can make the roads safer for everyone.

3. Don't buy clothes that have words across the ass. Especially don't buy them for your daughters. If you are one of Hugh Hefner's bunnies, you are exempt, because your butt probably would look cute with the word "angel" or "juicy" written across it. Go for it, girl, you've only got a few years in that mansion before your tushie starts saggin' and you'll be back to parking cars at wrestling shows. If you are anyone else, just say no. Or at least find the pants that tell the truth: "flabby" or "desperate". Cause no one can read the words anyway while your butt cheeks are bouncing through the Walmart.

4. I don't like spicy food or scary movies. They sort of fall under the same category for me - why would I pay good money for something to hurt/scare me? I want to enjoy my food/entertainment, not survive it. Quit trying to get me to try that jalapeno or go to that haunted house - it's not gonna happen.

5. Cheese is the perfect food. Anyone who knows me has heard this before - it is just so versatile. There is a type of cheese that will complement ANY other food out there. I defy you to come up with a food that could not be made better or complimented by the addition of some kind of cheese. There are obvious examples, like broccoli with cheddar sauce, or ham with Swiss. But there are so many less obvious - breakfast cereal? - bagel & cream cheese. Steaks? Just crumble up a little bleu cheese... mmmmm, the options are ENDLESS. God save me if I ever become lactose intolerant.

6. And I can't think of a 6th opinion right now (amazing, huh?) so I will just list out some of the crazy places I have worked: a paper mill, a primate research lab (monkeys!!!), a food science lab (microbiology & sensory testing - not on the same stuff!!), a pork processing plant (sausages, lunch meat, bacon, mmmm), a dog food plant (not so mmm), and about a billion retail jobs - bridal registries, kitchen stores, delis, and I was even a Pampered Chef consultant for a couple years.

There you go! So I'm supposed to tap 6 people now, but I only follow 5 blogs. My sister is one of them, and she tapped 2 of the other ones I know! So, that only leaves me 2 blogs left to tag. Kristie and Josephine, it's up to you. :)

The directions are:
1. Link to the person who tagged you
2. Post the rules on your blog entry
3. Write six random things about yourself
4. Pass it on
5. Alert the bloggers you've chosen
6. Tell me when you're done, because I wanna read 'em!

More pics

2008-10-10T18:11:00.000-07:00

When Tummy Time Goes Wrong

Nappin with Dad
Bedtime = Party Time for Darcy

This is what no sleep looks like...

2008-10-09T19:53:00.000-07:00

Feed me before I eat you!! Seriously dude, I'm hungry. See how serious I am about it??
OK, you asked for it... here it comes....
SQUASHED TOMATO FACE!!! Oooh I am mad...

Teaching Darcy how to play hockey on Xbox

No More Pictures, Please!!

Finally... pictures!

2008-09-29T15:17:00.000-07:00

Waiting for surgery

Just after delivery

Daddy & Darcy hang out

A very sick momma finally meets her girl

Gramma Maeve (MaeMae)

Steve (Poppy)

and Laura (Gammy)

Her little squished face has already changed so much - Day 1:

On day 4

On day 6

Daddy & Darcy

This baby is making me sleepy!!

Daddy and Darcy on our last night in the hospital (may take a while to load)

Her first official photo (portrait studio in the hospital - brilliant!)

First day home - Logan meets Darcy

and really likes her!!
"Dude" becomes "Dad"

Sweet sleepy girl

Logan opens his "big brother" care package from Aunt Rhonda

Logan trying to see Darcy in the crib - she was crying

Hanging out in the cradle
Loves her hands in her face

Grouchy face

Sweet & Sleepy

Grampa Ian arrives on the scene

Darcy snuggling on the sheepskins

As proud Kiwi grampa looks on

Checking out herself at her first doctor's visit

One week old today!

She Is Here!!

2008-09-25T19:01:00.000-07:00

Darcy Jean Meadows
born 1:02pm, Monday, September 22
7 lbs, 1/2 oz.
18 1/2 inches long

Pictures once we get out of the hospital and back home to reliable internet!! Our C-section went fine and was definitely necessary, as my gestational hypertension was upgraded (or downgraded, depending on your view!!) to preeclampsia on Monday about 1 hour before the surgery. Very dangerous for mom & baby, so c-section went ahead as planned and I spent 24 hours afterwards on a very nasty concoction known as magnesium sulfate to prevent any seizures brought on by the preeclampsia. Works great in that respect, but makes you feel absolutely terrible in the process, and you cannot get up or be disconnected from any of the machines. Big Yuck.

But it is now Thursday night, and we are scheduled to take this little bundle of baby love home tomorrow. Thanks for all the thoughts & well wishes from our friends & family - lots of pictures to be posted very soon!!

Bedrest isn't pretty - but at least I have company

2008-09-19T06:18:00.000-07:00

The Crafty Side of Nesting...

2008-09-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

When I first started getting the urge to make up the baby's room, it was back while we were under construction - new shower and torn up closet/desk area. I would pace the house in the evenings, looking for something I could do to get ready for the baby's arrival. I decided a big craft project, like a large cross stitch sampler, could keep me busy enough until we could get into the room and paint, assemble furniture, get organized, etc. Who knew, I might even finish it before the baby arrived! So I worked on it for a few weeks, while watching TV, or just hanging out on the weekends, and suddenly, it was done - a sweet fairy tale "Once Upon a Time" ABC sampler. I had it framed (before I went on rest) the last time that Jo-Ann had a framing sale, and I think it has turned out beautifully, it is just so cute.

So, when I dropped that off for framing, I thought I'd pick up a slightly smaller project, just a little bib that Bunny will use when she's a little older. That way, if I didn't finish that, at least she wouldn't need it right away. And I've loved the "I heart Veggies" pattern for a while, I have made it before for several friends. Seemingly after no time at all, it was done too! I actually finished it on my day in the hospital last week, Tony brought it in for me and less than an hour later, it was done. Only time will tell if our Bunny really will love veggies...

Now that I'm on bed rest, the irony is not lost on me - I finished 2 cross stitch projects, one quite large, when I was perfectly capable of cleaning my house, doing my laundry, walking the dog, etc. Now that all I can do is lay around, I'm out of projects?!?! Thankfully the ABC pattern came in a book with some other designs as well, and I have enough material in house to start on my 3rd project, which will be a name sign for her door. Of course, we won't fully commit to the name until we see her, but we definitely have our favorite choice lined up, and now, partially stitched up. And at this point, just having something to do with myself is therapeutic enough, even if we change her name at the last minute! No pictures of that one yet, but it is coming along very quickly, I'm confident I'll have it done before next week, barring any unfortunate early hospital admissions.

Speaking of which, my last appointment with the doctor was on Friday, and all was well, although I still had some moderately high blood pressure, even medicated it was 145/98. They put me on the monitors for a non-stress test and the baby looks fine as usual, I even had 2 contractions while I was being monitored. I didn't notice them, but hey, that works for me. I go back Tuesday for a biophysical profile (BPP) ultrasound of the baby - checking her functions, size, etc. They did this in the hospital last week too and she was perfect. My final appointment will be on Friday for another non-stress test - a short session of monitoring my bp and the baby's heart rate. Then next week, we have the baby! Of course, if anything is trending badly this week at the doc's, we'll have the baby sooner, but the longer she can stay in the ol' oven, the better for all.

The bedrest is boring me, but it's not too bad other than being boring. And the flat hair on the one side of my head - no pictures, please! :) If I cheat and get up to do something for more than just a couple minutes, I can feel the difference as my feet start to swell and my head starts feeling light, so clearly there is a good reason for all of this. Tony has been astounded by how "productive" he has been the last few days - running errands, taking the dog to the groomer, doing laundry, cooking dinner, cleaning the kitchen. He's very capable, but I think it has surprised even him to see how much it is to do by yourself. I guess it's good practice for after the baby arrives, even though we'll have much help from both sets of grandparents at first. I am glad for the help, especially since a C-section is a very real possibility at this point. But that is ok with me, whatever gets our Bunny here to us quickly & safely is what I want.

from football to bedrest...

2008-09-11T14:31:00.000-07:00

After our long weekend in Charlotte, we had the opportunity to go to the Thursday night Vanderbilt game against South Carolina - Tony won tickets through work. It was kind of misting rain, and definitely crowded on the bleacher seating (yuck) so we only stayed through the first half. But it was a good game and Vandy pulled out a big win. Lots of football in a week!

On Monday, I headed in to the doc for my latest checkup. I am already 1cm dialated, although I know I could walk around like that for weeks and weeks. Unfortunately, I won't be walking much at all. Turns out my blood pressure alarmed them (170/110!!) so they had me lay down and retook it a few times. It only went down to about 140/98, so they had me go straight home and rest for the rest of the day. I went back in on Tuesday, and it was up again at 160/100. That landed me in the maternity ward of the hospital for 24 hours of observation & tests. No fun at all. I did get to see a lot more of our Bunny, as they checked her heart rate and did an extra ultrasound - she is perfect, just the right size, right position, heart rate, everything working just right. Thankfully, all the testing they did on me came out relatively normal, no preeclampsia yet, just hypertension. So I was sent home with a prescription for blood pressure meds and bedrest.

By my doc's calculations, I am in the middle of the 35th week. So the plan is for frequent checks, bedrest, and an eventual induction once we get into the 37th week. So the bad news is that I will be very bored for the next week or two. The good news is that we will get to meet our little peanut sooner rather than later. At 37 weeks, she will be considered full term and will most likely not need any interventions or treatments that will keep her from going home with us. I will have to be medically induced, unless by some miracle I go into spontaneous labor in the next couple of weeks. That may mean a c-section or just a chemically induced regular delivery, we are still being given the choice. I'm gathering some info in my brain as we get closer to the time that we have to make the decision. As we get there, something may change that makes the decision the doctor's business - so I'm not getting too tied to either option just yet.

In other maternity news, I have a fantastic skin condition called PUPPPs. Stands for Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP), also known as polymorphic eruption of pregnancy (PEP). Isn't that an outstanding name? Well, it is a "harmless" pregnancy rash that starts in and around stretch marks on your belly and travels to your legs and arms. And by "harmless", clearly they mean "burns and itches like a travelling pack of ravenous fire ants!" On my next visit, I am going to see what I can get for it, because it is most certainly travelling around my stomach and arms. The bedrest is actually really nice in this case, because it was getting difficult to work being so itchy in work clothes, at least at home I can hang out in soft pjs.

So, by all means, if anyone out there wants to share your pregnancy stories, or labor stories, or just tell me about the insane woman you ran into at the grocery store, whatever - I will be up for some entertainment in the short term! I am working from home on my laptop to tie up my loose ends, but that will only keep me busy during the day. At least I will be able to update my blog, and be certain I will do so!!

Labor Day in Charlotte - football @ 36 weeks

2008-09-03T19:58:00.001-07:00

We travelled to Charlotte over Labor Day weekend for a number of reasons - 3 day weekend, a Viginia Tech football game, and to visit family. My brother Daniel is heading off to the Peace Corps in Cameroon in mid-September, so getting a chance to see him before he left was a big deal. The VT game was supposed to be the highlight of the weekend, but it turned out to be the sweaty, delirious, letdown of the season, as East Carolina University made the Hokies look downright sorry, beating us 27-22. The heat made it almost surreal, mid-90s on a very sunny Saturday afternoon, and really took the Hokie faithful out of the game by the 3rd quarter. I think even Bunny got a little cooked through my tummy! We made it through the game without any sunburn, but after the game I swelled up like a pufferfish for the rest of the weekend! Swollen hands, feet, and face can be seen in the later pictures. You'd think VT could have stepped it up since I was battling the elements and my giant belly to come root for them. Alas, it was not to be so. At least we got the chance to get our family together, eat, drink (ginger ale for me), bicker, and give Danny Bob a good American sendoff.

Baby shower at work

2008-09-03T19:44:00.001-07:00

A very sweet coworker of mine decided to throw us a co-ed shower at my office last week. It was a very nice after-work party, with the best part being that Tony got to come and open some presents too! We got some more nice things for the baby, lots of diapers and bathing stuff, cute clothes, etc. But nothing could top the highlight of the party - cigars for the "guys". I don't know if Tony could decide if he liked his pink bubble gum cigars or Logan's bones better!! Logan is quite the hero at my office, so of course they had to include him in the gift giving - he's the "big brother!" I think he was quite impressed with the "doggie stogies" when I brought them home to him.

The nursery is done!!

2008-08-10T14:18:00.001-07:00

I have a couple pictures left to hang, my mom has curtains to deliver, but overall, the nursery is DONE. If Miss Bunny were to suddenly decide to appear tomorrow, we would be ready, at least in the room department!!

Tony's parents came to visit us last weekend, and we opened up the Nashville sweatshop - big time. Tony & his dad assembled the crib, painted the glider and bookcase white, and built a window seat from a dresser hutch. Meanwhile, Tony's mom got busy recovering the glider and making a cushion for the window seat in pink dotty fabric. She also made some roman shades for the other side of the door to the guest room. I went crazy organizing clothes, linens, diapers, toys, and just generally giving things a home. Hopefully Bunny will like it as much as we do!!

Painting the nursery

2008-08-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

While I was up in Virginia, Tony was very busy getting the baby's room ready for painting. He got all the fixtures down, holes filled, and the entire surface primed with the stinky primer during the weekend while I was gone. Not sure how much of a help Logan was, but he was definitely interested in the plastic sheeting and all the painting gear!

Once I got back, we picked right up with a light blue base coat. I picked the perfect shirt for painting, it was like being a weatherman in front of the digital screen! We taped off some wide vertical stripes, and added a brighter, shiny finished, sky blue. It looks really great, we are quite proud of ourselves. We don't paint very much, in fact, this is the only room in this house we have painted so far! We managed to paint one room in VA and never did get around to any painting in AL! But, I figure we won't have many nurseries to paint in our lifetime, so we might as well do it up right.

Baby Shower in Roanoke

2008-08-10T13:37:00.000-07:00

Finally, I have some pictures of the wonderful baby shower my sister put on for me in Roanoke, VA a couple weekends ago. Thankfully I had some company on the long trip between TN and VA, Mandy & James met up with me in Knoxville and shared the ride. On Sunday, we had lunch at the Hotel Roanoke, some baby cake, and opened a pile of presents for the new "Bunny" Meadows. The tables were decorated with pink candles and brown bears - so sweet! The young girls made "hospital" name bracelets out of beads for all the guests, and Meghan had everyone busy filling out a page for a keepsake book. Everything was beautiful and it was wonderful to get to see so many people from Virginia again - I hadn't seen some of them in over a year! I even had some family from Ohio make the trip - my Aunt Jenny, her daughters Kelly, Molly, and Megan, and my Gramma Jean. It's just not a party without those wild women along!
My sister was also kind enough to give me a momma-to-be a tiara to wear. Tiaras are very big in my family! There was so much loot to haul back to Tennessee, we had to load up my mother-in-law's car so she could bring the rest when they visited us the following week. Bunny is definitely going to be one well outfitted baby!

Some progress

2008-07-23T10:07:00.000-07:00

It seems we are moving faster and faster towards the end of this pregnancy, and yet somehow it is dragging along. It is very hot (97 yesterday) and I am starting to feel fairly uncomfortable both in the heat and if I sit or lay down the wrong way. Tony's job in the morning is always to wake me up when he gets out of the shower. His new secondary responsibility is to help me flop over into a position where I can use his arms to pull myself up and out of our bed. It's a pillowy cushy bed, and it is sooooo comfy for sleeping, but it does seem to have a magnetic pull that refuses to let me go once I'm in it! Beached whale jokes are only so funny at 6am...

I am torn between enjoying the moment and the relative ease of carrying around a baby without worrying about car seats or diaper bags and wanting to get the show on the road and meet this little chica already. I am right around 30 weeks, give or take, and am now seeing the doc every 2 weeks instead of 4. We have signed up for the birthing classes and hospital tour in August so we know where to go and what to do on the big day, we're also set up to take a breastfeeding class not long after that. Bunny's room is kinda sorta coming along. We have some baby gear but nowhere to put it yet! The water leak on the wall is almost fixed, hopefully when I come home today all the drywall dust will be cleaned up and the plastic will be taken away. We found a very nice, very cheap, very quick little Asian guy to fix the roof and gutters and dry wall all together. So far it's been 3 days and it is almost done, all by himself alone. I did have to laugh when I saw the roof repair estimate involved "replasing 3 cingos". Somehow when he says "shingles" it does sound like cingos!! Hilarious.

This weekend, I'm heading up to Virginia for a baby shower my sis is throwing me. Sort of random to have it there, but I have a lot of friends still living there and it is sort of a central meeting place for myself, my mom, Tony's mom, my sis, and even some of my Ohio family. So it should be a good time. While I'm gone, Tony is going to work on getting the baby's room primed so it won't stink like crazy while I'm in the house - the primer is apparently the worst when it comes to fumes. After that, we still need to paint and get a crib. I think almost everything else is pretty much on track for about 10 weeks left. Let's hope she keeps hanging out happily and doesn't rush anything! I had my first contraction the other day, and I've come to one conclusion - Dr. Braxton Hicks was a moron - painless my ass!!!

Construction is done! ...sort of.

2008-07-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

So what's the phrase? Out of the frying pan & into the fire? When it rains, it pours? That's probably the best one to describe our current house situation. Our planned construction is complete, and on Saturday we wrote the final check (ouch) and set out to enjoy our newly remodeled areas.

We have a fantastic new shower and office space, and were able to start moving everything out of the soon-to-be baby room on Sunday. We started looking around at the room, doing fun things like measuring windows for curtains and suddenly one of us said, "wait, what is THAT?"

THAT was a large wet spot on the upper corner of the wall in the not-soon-enough-to-be baby room. The old paint is peeling and the dry wall is squishy. Hooray for unexpected home repairs - right after expected home costs have cleaned you out!! Rrrg.

We have a couple folks already giving us estimates this week, one being the contractor we thought we had just finished with. Apparently we have unbalanced gutters (water pools at the one end) combined with a few loose areas between the roof shingles and siding. Add a few serious rains (like we've had lately) and voila - you've got squishy walls! Whatever it ends up being, we'll suck it up and pay. Bunny needs a bedroom durnit, and I am going to paint some walls!!

Sigh... I love home ownership.

Bunny Videos

2008-07-01T16:34:00.000-07:00

1 - Heart

2 - Hands & Feet

3 - Thumbsucker or PacMan?

These are huge and I don't know if they will take forever to load, but just be patient. They also run all of about 2 seconds, so don't be surprised by how quick they go by!!

Famous Baby??

2008-07-01T16:07:00.000-07:00

We got to go in and play around on Tony's work equipment this past weekend because his department is redoing their website. He and another coworker are both expectant papas, so they were asked to get some nice fetal heart pictures to put on the redesigned site. So our little Bunny has a 50/50 chance of making it on the site. The other couple won't have their baby until November, so our pictures were a little farther along, perhaps they will be the ones used. If so, I will post the link here so that you can check it out.

I didn't have Tony send me any of the heart pictures because, let's face it, most of us wouldn't know what the heck we were looking at. But Tony assures me that her heart looks great and she is still a girl and still has 10 fingers & 10 toes, so we hit the high points! What we did get is nice profile shots of our little one sucking her thumb madly. Every so often, she would pop her hand out, punch me, and then open wide looking for her fist again. It was pretty funny, except for maybe a couple of the harder punches - oof. If you look close at the second picture, she is doing her best Pac-Man mouth trying to find that fist again - Tony swore she was sticking out her tongue after each punch!

And at the very bottom, I have a fab coworker who let me know she and the neighborhood kids would be doing some tie-dye crafts this past weekend, and she would throw some onesies in the mix for me. I'm thinking - kids dying onsies? Ok, those will be good onsies for sick days, for when she learns to eat solids, makes mud pies, that kind of thing. Imagine my surprise to get these awesome onesies delivered to me!! I let her know she should be running a sweatshop out of her back yard and selling these at some hippie festival for $20 a pop.

It's all coming together...sob!!!

2008-07-01T15:54:00.000-07:00

Home improvements continue to be improved! We are definitely in the final stages of the money pit project. "How much longer before this is all done? Two weeks." Aghh! But the built in desk and shower both look really good, and soon we will start clearing the office stuff out onto those shelves to make way for the baby stuff.

Shower Progress!

2008-06-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

Ah the blog is taking on such a home remodeling flair! Oh well, it's hot and I miss my bathroom shower, so I am very excited to post pictures that look like this!!

I came home yesterday to find workers diligently finishing up the tile mounting and today we have grout and finished edges all around - very exciting. The stone is a much prettier color in real life, sort of a pale silvery gray, but it is photographing kind of brown. It looks really nice with the silver fixtures. And all we need is the shower fixtures and technically it will be useable again. Not sure how long until the door gets in, but I am super excited to see it coming together. (Especially since the built in desk nook is going nowhere fast and I am really wanting to get the baby room emptied out - rrrrg!) Gonna focus on this victory instead!

Baby things are still going well, had an appointment this week where the little booger was hiding from the doc while she was trying to check her heart rate - almost 10 minutes until we could find her, little twerp. The whole time we knew all was well, since she was so squirmy I could feel her every second, but just wouldn't sit still. Seems like we might have a Gerald McBoing-Boing on our hands (a nickname my mom used for bouncy babies). She's growing well and not making me too uncomfortable yet, although meals have gotten much smaller as it gets more crowded in there. Pretty soon we have to start filling out paperwork and signing up for things like hospital registration and birthing classes and daycares. Sigh, all I want to think about right now is what shade of paint I like best!!

Making Room for Baby

2008-06-10T15:47:00.001-07:00

So, it's about time to get serious about making a good home for baby, somewhere for just her stuff, where she can sleep and play and just grow up in her own room. Yay, fun! Only, this child has US for parents, and our house is FULL - how did we get so much stuff?? So the office is going to become the baby room, but right now it is full with the computer desk and a bookcase worth of my crafty supplies:

Call the contractors! There is a small walk-in closet in our bonus room where the big TV is (aka "the Man Cave") and yesterday, the front of it was ripped off to start making a little office alcove area. There's going to be a built-in desk with lots of smart shelving to store a bunch of crafty stuff, far above where little hands can reach. It will be painted another color to help it stand out a little and be left open as a computer nook into the rest of the big room. I didn't think to get a picture BEFORE they ripped off the door, but here it is on day 2. I'm sort of amazed by how nice it looks already and how CLEAN they are keeping the work area. I expected to walk back in and have the house destroyed ala the Money Pit movie. Of course, when I asked how long the project would take, I was told "two weeks". Yikes.

In addition, our master shower had a crack in the fiberglass insert and we were worried we'd start getting leaks through to the floor underneath. Plus, I hate that shower, it had a gross plasticky door with a weird hinge that was impossible to clean. Yuck. So hey, since we had to replace the insert to repair the crack, why not upgrade while we're under construction? Again, here's the shower on day 2, I didn't get the true before picture. But it's been seen a million times, yuck white plastic insert, mottled plastic shower door.

Thankfully, now that we see there aren't any major repairs needed under the shower, we can go ahead with our plan to tile the area and add a nice clear glass door, one of the pretty frameless ones that just sort of looks suspended. I'm excited to see this one finished too, mostly because I claim temporary insanity that I would allow someone to take my shower when it's 90+ outside!! Thankfully, the shower down the hall is standing in well for now. Hopefully the baby won't mind that we've spent our refund this year on construction instead of saving it for all her baby gear! Of course, if we had followed the registry "guidelines" for new parents that we were handed at Baby's R Us and Target, we would have registered for even more stuff - it is crazy all the gadgets that are out there to alternately make your life easier and clutter up your house! How did any of us born in the 70's ever survive? Concrete playgrounds and getting tossed around the back of a station wagon - now that makes for tough kids! We're survivors! :)

Mother's Day - Belated on the Blog only!!

2008-06-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

So it's well into June, but I finally remembered to take a picture of this cute Vermont Teddy Bear that my sweet hubby sent me back on Mother's Day. Bearfoot and Pregnant - see her cute swollen tummy and pickles & ice cream? She arrived in a very fun box with holes cut in it. And once I'm not pregnant anymore, the little one can love on the bear, she is very sweet soft and sturdy enough for some rough kid love! It was a very nice surprise on my first Mother's Day.

Summer in Nashville

2008-06-08T14:50:00.001-07:00

And it is crazy hot. We went to a picnic with some folks from Tony's work today, and it was a sticky 95 degrees. Yuck. Logan was very happy to see us when we got home, but he wasn't so sure once he got outside and felt the heat for himself! The heat also has our yard looking semi-tropical, straight out of Jurassic Park or something. At least the tadpoles in the pond are eating most of the biting bugs, otherwise I'd never be able to venture outside. The bebe is still growing well, stretching out her momma's skin and kicking like mad. Her new nickname is Bunny, partially because of the kicking, but mostly because let's be honest, naming a child Bunny Meadows would be hilariously wrong. It is limiting when picking out names to have a last name like Meadows - all names flora & fauna are out, as well as seasons. We're doing ok coming up with possibilities though - but we're still not sharing!

The big scan - lots o pictures

2008-05-28T18:48:00.000-07:00

Back last week, we had our big scan that showed our little girl to us. Here are the many pics. Ultrasounds are kinda creepy when you don't really know what you're looking at - hopefully we are not having an alien baby!! Anyway, we have a cute profile, a creepy alien face, a close up on the smoocher, and verification that yup, that's girl stuff down there!

Time to buy some pink stuff....

2008-05-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!

The "girls" have it - 17 of the votes were right on the money, the other 15 were just wrong. :) After our ultrasound, we went to a Kid 2 Kid consignment store in the nice area of town where I work and picked out a couple girly things for cheap. It was very fun. I'm planning on going to register soon, now that we know what kinds of things to pick out. We won't go crazy with the pink princess-y crapola, but some pink here and there will be nice. Most of the organizational things I have bought so far are blue, just because I think of blue as unisex, so they should be really pretty with some other colors mixed in.

Tony is excited too, although a little nervous about being a daddy to a daughter. The nurses didn't help much by going on and on about how expensive we girls can be. I shushed them all - told Tony we could marry her off to a sultan or something.

Last Call for Voting...

2008-05-19T07:35:00.000-07:00

Well the voting should be drawing to a close soon. As of this morning, girl has pulled slightly ahead with 16 votes to boy's 15 votes. My big ultrasound is this Wednesday, May 21, so get your votes in by then! HOPEFULLY, baby will be in a cooperative mood and show us the goods. We'll see who is right and who is wrong then... I must admit I have my suspicions... hmmmmmm!?! Make your vote count while it's still uncertain!

Guess the Gender!

2008-05-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

OK, everyone is getting just as anxious as we are about what we are having. So I'm giving you a chance to tell me what you think. Is Brony a BOY or a GIRL?? Make sure to vote! We'll see who comes out ahead, hopefully very very soon!!!

More fun stuff @ 19 weeks

2008-05-06T19:49:00.000-07:00

We have the coolest friends. Thank you Deana for the uber-fun tee shirt, my baby bump totally rocks (even if the setting on my camera sucks!)!!

And thank you Mandy & James for outfitting our baby in completely inappropriate slogan-wear. And I was worried Brony wouldn't have clothes that were smart alec-y enough for us!! Silly, silly me.

And because I need to post something nice after those crazy onesies, here's me at 19 weeks in another fun maternity clothing buy. I am actually finding some good clothes, although I'm sure in about 4 months I will be sick to freaking death of them.

18 weeks - it's a.....baby!

2008-04-29T08:35:00.001-07:00

This past weekend, we snuck up to Tony's lab and played with an ultrasound machine. I figured we might be able to see what we're having by now, is the stem on the apple and all that. Brony was actually fairly cooperative with us, rear end up in the air, although we were still not able to tell. If you were a fly on the wall, you would have heard this: "I think the apple has a stem - no wait.. is that a finger? No wait, now I can't see it. AGH, hold still already baby!!!" Boo hiss. We did get some very fun pictures though, and were able to check for fingers, toes, and a good heart. The babe is still measuring smaller than what I thought (18 weeks vs. 16w5d), but oh well, catching up I guess from the last US that was 2 full weeks behind. I'm still not changing my week count darnit! :) The best thing Brony can do for Mommy is to keep growing and prove her right! :) No pressure, baby!

We will have the official 20 week scan in a few weeks, hopefully it will show us something. The quick check at the doc's this week was hilarious - baby was practically sitting with his/her arms and feet crossed indian-style as if to say "nope, you're not seeing it today!"

Anyway, here are the lovely US pics, actually looking like a baby finally. The feet picture is my favorite, because the baby was laying with feet crossed at the ankles, which was exactly how I was laying on the table while Tony scanned me. Very cute. Tony likes the hand picture, which was taken right after Brony pushed up on the spot where Tony was scanning, as if to say, "Geez, take a picture Dad, it'll last longer!!" And to finish up, we have a full profile shot of a very cute little face.

17 weeks - more shopping

2008-04-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

We visited my parents in Charlotte recently, to welcome them back from their latest trip to New Zealand. Of course, they brought back lots of NZ swag for the newest kiwi and even found the time to make a new Barfo Bear! (Long story, one day I'll get around to telling it). Anyway, Barfo and his cradle buddies are anxiously awaiting their new pal. I am a little worried that in a few more months, there will be no room for baby in that cradle!!

On our trip, we also took the time to go shopping for maternity clothes (hurrah for new grammas!). This is me, looking very silly, modeling one of my new tops for my photographer hubby. Cell phone cameras and fluorescent kitchen lighting make for such a lovely picture.

16 weeks & Stanley Cup Playoffs

2008-04-23T07:26:00.001-07:00

Sadly, the Nashville Predators are no longer in the Stanley Cup playoffs. We went to game 4 in Nashville, and screamed our heads off watching our Preds kick the holy crap out of the Detroit Red Wings and won the game 3-2, tying the series at 2-2. (They lost this weekend in game 6 to finish the series 2 games to Detroits' 4.) We both had lost our voices by the end of the 1st period, waved our rally towels around until we practically dislocated our arms, and decided that if the Preds went all the way, we would have the baby name all picked out. Hmm, on second thought, maybe it's not such a bad thing they were eliminated.

15 weeks

2008-04-07T19:07:00.001-07:00

My friend Wendy took this picture in the gardens of Carton Plantation, which is a big Civil War plantation & cemetary in Franklin, TN (outside of Nashville). Wendy is my old college roommate and the mother of 2 awesome children, including my goddaughter Olivia. So she was all too happy to capture the rapidly growing bump!
The day before, we took Tony along with us to the Hermitage, which is another big plantation outside of Nashville, this one belonging to Andrew Jackson. We snapped some more pictures there - it was a gorgeous weekend!!

Presents are Fun

2008-04-02T06:36:00.000-07:00

Brony's beautiful cradle, crafted by "Poppy" Meadows. Playing the part of Brony this evening is the sheep with a kiwi understudy. "Gammy" Meadows knitted the little stuffed kiwibird, it is so frikkin cute I carried it around the house for hours. They visited us over Easter weekend and brought the cradle over. While they were in town, Laura and I headed to the fabric store to find some gender neutral fabrics for the sheets and bumper. We picked mostly classic baby stuff, pooh bear and little sheepies, since we will probably keep the cradle in the living room and have a traditional crib upstairs.

Speaking of upstairs, this is the inspiration for the baby's room. My sister found me this outstanding picture called "escape from New Zealand". It is so cute, we loved it and it will work for a boy or a girl. The room will be blue with white & pink fabrics for a girl, or white & red fabrics for a boy. This picture is tiny, but I am going to frame it up in a large frame and really make it a focal point. We also have small sheepskin rugs that will be in the room - a must for any baby with Kiwi roots!

And firmly placed in the category of "first inappropriate baby gift" comes this hilarious addition from our friends Brian & Alli. We're thinking maybe we'll put the baby in this for his/her first trip to church.

13 weeks

2008-03-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

First pic of the bump...pregnant or just pudgy? Can't wait to show a little more and have it be obviously pregnant and NOT "wow, did she eat too much pizza this weekend or what?!?" Anyone know where I can get a "I'm not fat, I'm pregnant" t-shirt?

9 weeks pregnant

2008-03-29T11:05:00.000-07:00

Our first doctor's appointment and sonogram was back in February. Here's Brony's first picture:

Yeah, I couldn't tell what I was looking at either. The black kidney bean taking up most of the pic is the amniotic sac that Brony will eventually fill. Brony is the small gray tadpole in the left side of the black kidney bean. The doc takes certain measurements from the ultrasound and judges the due date on those - and Brony was apparently kinda little in the picture. We were dated at 7 weeks and given a due date of October 9. Since we kinda knew what we were up to back around conception (!!!), and when we got our positive pg test, we're deciding Brony is just a slow grower. By our calculations, our date is Sept 26 and that made me 9 weeks in this picture. All the closer to getting to 2nd trimester and out of the morning sickness.

The Official Blog Naming Contest

2008-03-29T10:18:00.000-07:00

My first post on my new blog can be about nothing other than the difficulty in naming a blog! How do you go about picking a name that covers the topic you want to discuss, without backing yourself into a corner where you can't discuss anything else?! My only conclusion was to put it to the masses - and so I launched an email to my most creative friends to help me come up with ideas. I was completely blown away by the responses, and so I felt I must post all the fantastic submissions! To protect the guilty, I will NOT be naming names of those responsible for the slightly less family-friendly submissions, but I laughed at them all the same!! Hope you enjoy them too.

Breeder's Lament
The Meadows of Swodaem
Bronys & Tidgets
Breeding - it's not for sissies
Half Kiwi
Drop the Sprog
The Sprog Blog
Waiting for Brony
My Life is a Country Song (The Husband, the kid, the dog, and me)
My Ever-Expanding Life
Viva Nash-Vegas!!!
Coming Down the Mountain
The Chronicles of the Meadibalds/Archidows
Barefoot & Pregnant
Knocked up and knocked out
All Daddy wanted was a B.J.
Token Grandchild
Buy Me Something: the Beginning
My grandparents are all suckers
The sex was free, now everything else is going to cost us
Bringing up Brony
Shocking but True
This pregnancy is making Bridget lazy
Puppies, pucks, and a pooch..
From paper mills to Music City..
Once upon a time a drummer, a diva, and a sexy black K 9..
One time at band camp...
One in the oven with Chef Tony (this is a food network special just waitingto happen)
Logan's got a new Chew Toy
Bridget & Tony's Tennessee Lovechild
Tony has been to McDonalds 8 times this week
I can't see my toes, but neither can half of the Deep South
Stealing Meghan's Thunder
This One Time At Band Camp...and other adventures in baby making and taming tigers
The Tonies and the B's
B's B-b's
I'm multiplyin...it's electrifyin
Move over butter, there's something better
Alcohol deprived and soon to be sleep deprived
My Lovely Lady Lump
Elastic Waistbands
You know how they tell you not to swallow the watermelon seeds?
Your face is gonna get stuck like that...and other parenthood tales
All because of the O face
Logan's Worst Nightmare
I'm huge, rub my feet
If mama ain't happy...you know the drill...
Move over Angelina, there's a new baby bump in town
Compliments of a mid-winter blackout
Well, there was nothing else on TV that night
My kid's in the womb and still smarter than your honor student
Gettin' huge and lovin' it
Eggs + tony = baby
we f*cked and this is what happened
$ex causes babies
I'm a virgin, call the church
Get in my Belly
On the 9th month of cravings... (my true love gave to me)
My true love gave to me
If the first time we meet, I'm screaming, don't be alarmed
Please be kind when you exit (HEEHEE!!)
I gave up alcohol for THIS?
Morning Sickness Rocks
At least i'm not having my period
No, I'm not Catholic (maybe reserve that blog name for baby #4)
Knocked up, but not knocked down
Preheat at 450 degrees
How many buns are in this sucker?
Mama-sita
Proof of 3% (condoms supposedly work 97% of the time...ok..in bad taste...)
I don't do diapers, but my husband will
Save me a Margarita
Temporary DD
He was on top
Tony was a Tiger
Tony's Babies
The dog just wasn't cudddly enough
The Business of Being Knocked Up
Hell yes I'm gonna want an epidural
Epidural, my new best friend
If it's a girl, we're naming her Elvis
If it's a boy, we're naming him Sue
I hope it's a boy so we can dress him in pink
I hope it's a girl so we can dress her in blue
Brony only cries when being held by Republicans
Bun in the Oven
Finally Breeding
Taking the Plunge
Baby Makes 3
Pickles & Ice Cream