Saturday, December 31, 2005
A Big, Juicy Van
I feel that I need to start this post with a Seinfeld reference:
Kramer: "All right! OK! Right, here we go. Yeah. OK, so... 'For sale. A big, juicy van.' And, ooh, you gotta put down, 'interesting trades considered.'"
Jerry: "I don't want to trade."
Kramer: "No, you don't have to. It's all about tickling their buying bone."
So, what is it about having a person growing inside you that all of a sudden makes a minivan far more appealing than that Porsche you always wanted back in college? The thrill of zipping around in a fast little car becomes replaced with the idea of convenience and practicality. All you start to think about is how to fit all of your stuff in your vehicle. Although, I do have to say, I've always kind of liked big cars. When I drove my station wagon back in college, I was always so excited about how much would fit in it. With the seats folded down, I even fit a small loveseat in it once.
Anyway, all of this brings me to our new minivan. This will be the first brand new car I've ever had, and I am soooooo excited about it! As far as vans go, it is a really cool van. It is a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. It has a red exterior and the interior is a color they call dark khaki, but it really looks more like a silvery gray color. I love it. I told Austin how excited I was and he said, "you know, it is still a van." Yes, but it is a nice van.
Kramer: "All right! OK! Right, here we go. Yeah. OK, so... 'For sale. A big, juicy van.' And, ooh, you gotta put down, 'interesting trades considered.'"
Jerry: "I don't want to trade."
Kramer: "No, you don't have to. It's all about tickling their buying bone."
So, what is it about having a person growing inside you that all of a sudden makes a minivan far more appealing than that Porsche you always wanted back in college? The thrill of zipping around in a fast little car becomes replaced with the idea of convenience and practicality. All you start to think about is how to fit all of your stuff in your vehicle. Although, I do have to say, I've always kind of liked big cars. When I drove my station wagon back in college, I was always so excited about how much would fit in it. With the seats folded down, I even fit a small loveseat in it once.
Anyway, all of this brings me to our new minivan. This will be the first brand new car I've ever had, and I am soooooo excited about it! As far as vans go, it is a really cool van. It is a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country. It has a red exterior and the interior is a color they call dark khaki, but it really looks more like a silvery gray color. I love it. I told Austin how excited I was and he said, "you know, it is still a van." Yes, but it is a nice van.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Thursday, December 22, 2005
Tuesday, December 20, 2005
Pregnancy Journal - Week 29 (I think it is month 7)
Okay. I'll do this journal a little differently because I just feel like rambling. I liked the doctor I saw today. There aren't many in the "group" that I like, so I'm sure one of the others will deliver Owen. Oh well. By the way, he weighs 3 pounds 12 ounces already. That's a lot. That's the 97th percentile. In the books I'm reading it says the baby should be about 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 pounds right now. So, he's gonna be big. But that is to be expected. After all, I weighed 10 pounds 3 ounces when I was born and Austin weighed 9 pounds 8 1/2 ounces when he was born.
There was one slightly weird thing on the ultrasound. Apparently the umbilical cord, which is normally made up of one vein and two arteries, only has one artery and one vein. The doctor was extremely reassuring though. While in some cases it occurs along with some abnormalities, Owen is probably fine since all of my other tests and ultrasounds look good. So, a little nerve-wracking, but I think he'll be okay.
I certainly am feeling him move a lot more. He went kind of crazy during Harry Potter. I don't know if he liked it or hated it, but it sure made him move a lot. He was the same way listening to some bass-heavy Radiohead on the way back from Callaway Gardens.
I am definitely feeling pregnant (well, I am in my third trimester now). I get aches and pains more frequently and bending, squatting, and other activities are getting more awkward and difficult. I am fatter now and the stretch marks look rather lovely. My belly feels itchy, but really things aren't so bad right now. And I know it will get worse, so I don't want to hear it from you moms out there. I know these last couple of months are going to be rough.
Anyway, I finally registered for childbirth classes and called some pediatricians. As you can see from the previous pictures, we've done a lot of work to get the nursery started. My biggest goal before the baby comes is to get my office into a workable, organized condition. It is almost unbearable right now.
Oh, and my vent for the day is about the lady who decided to bring her kids to the OB/GYN office, completely ignoring the sign outside that says "DO NOT BRING SICK CHILDREN INTO THIS OFFICE." One of her kids kept sneezing and coughing like crazy. The mom didn't even tell him to cover his mouth. Austin and I moved across the office to get away from them, but really that is soooooo rude!!!
And, lastly, I just want to thank all of the friends and family that are planning my baby showers in January and February. I am so excited about them! First, I'm still looking forward to Christmas (although I could use a few more days to prepare for it!), but this year, instead of that after Christmas lull that usually hits after the new year, I'll have my baby showers and the baby to look forward to. I still have to get my work situation handled, but things seem to be slowing down a little bit... I think. So, anyway, I don't know if anyone made it this far in the post, but if you did, thanks for reading.
There was one slightly weird thing on the ultrasound. Apparently the umbilical cord, which is normally made up of one vein and two arteries, only has one artery and one vein. The doctor was extremely reassuring though. While in some cases it occurs along with some abnormalities, Owen is probably fine since all of my other tests and ultrasounds look good. So, a little nerve-wracking, but I think he'll be okay.
I certainly am feeling him move a lot more. He went kind of crazy during Harry Potter. I don't know if he liked it or hated it, but it sure made him move a lot. He was the same way listening to some bass-heavy Radiohead on the way back from Callaway Gardens.
I am definitely feeling pregnant (well, I am in my third trimester now). I get aches and pains more frequently and bending, squatting, and other activities are getting more awkward and difficult. I am fatter now and the stretch marks look rather lovely. My belly feels itchy, but really things aren't so bad right now. And I know it will get worse, so I don't want to hear it from you moms out there. I know these last couple of months are going to be rough.
Anyway, I finally registered for childbirth classes and called some pediatricians. As you can see from the previous pictures, we've done a lot of work to get the nursery started. My biggest goal before the baby comes is to get my office into a workable, organized condition. It is almost unbearable right now.
Oh, and my vent for the day is about the lady who decided to bring her kids to the OB/GYN office, completely ignoring the sign outside that says "DO NOT BRING SICK CHILDREN INTO THIS OFFICE." One of her kids kept sneezing and coughing like crazy. The mom didn't even tell him to cover his mouth. Austin and I moved across the office to get away from them, but really that is soooooo rude!!!
And, lastly, I just want to thank all of the friends and family that are planning my baby showers in January and February. I am so excited about them! First, I'm still looking forward to Christmas (although I could use a few more days to prepare for it!), but this year, instead of that after Christmas lull that usually hits after the new year, I'll have my baby showers and the baby to look forward to. I still have to get my work situation handled, but things seem to be slowing down a little bit... I think. So, anyway, I don't know if anyone made it this far in the post, but if you did, thanks for reading.
Monday, December 19, 2005
Sunday, December 18, 2005
Wow!
I think this could be one of the strangest holiday light displays I've ever seen. It is right up there with the Christmas Elvis house.
Friday, December 16, 2005
Just in Case
For some reason, my email doesn't seem to be sending from Entourage. I am receiving email fine, but if I don't reply or send you an email and you are expecting a reply, just realize I can't. I have my cell phone on if anyone needs to get in touch with me.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
Another blog to check out
Here is the link to Jason Crosby's photo blog. He and Lucy just got engaged - read about it in the post with the photo of the Christmas tree!
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
A couple of recipes
As requested, here are two recipes that have proven to be really popular lately (and both are really easy)...
Pineapple Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans of pineapple chunks - drained (I actually use about 3 or 4 20 oz. cans because they include so much juice)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup sugar
6 tbsp flour (I add some extra if the mixture looks too watery)
1 stick melted margarine
1 cup of Ritz Cracker crumbs (I don't actually measure. I just usually use about 1 1/2 to 2 tubes of crackers for a 9 x 13 dish. Just make sure that the pineapple mixture is covered)
Mix cheese & pineapple. Add flour & sugar. Stir into casserole dish. Top w/ crumbs and pour the margarine on top. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Sausage Balls
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups of bisquick
8 oz grated cheddar cheese
1 lb sausage (mild)
1/2 cup water
Mush together, roll into balls, Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (if frozen, add 15 minutes). To keep warm, heat the serving dish in the oven for part of the time.
Pineapple Casserole
INGREDIENTS:
2 cans of pineapple chunks - drained (I actually use about 3 or 4 20 oz. cans because they include so much juice)
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1 cup sugar
6 tbsp flour (I add some extra if the mixture looks too watery)
1 stick melted margarine
1 cup of Ritz Cracker crumbs (I don't actually measure. I just usually use about 1 1/2 to 2 tubes of crackers for a 9 x 13 dish. Just make sure that the pineapple mixture is covered)
Mix cheese & pineapple. Add flour & sugar. Stir into casserole dish. Top w/ crumbs and pour the margarine on top. Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
Sausage Balls
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups of bisquick
8 oz grated cheddar cheese
1 lb sausage (mild)
1/2 cup water
Mush together, roll into balls, Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. (if frozen, add 15 minutes). To keep warm, heat the serving dish in the oven for part of the time.
Monday, December 12, 2005
Here's a really quick update
Things are going well. The holidays are super busy, as usual. I'm hurrying to get caught up and finish up with Christmas shopping. I also have a ton of work to get done, but other than that things are running along fairly smoothly. I took a break yesterday to get the nursery painted. I didn't do as much, but my mom, dad and Austin were very hard workers. The only painting left to do in there is a few little touch ups and a coat on the trim. The crib, changing table and toy box should be here on Saturday. After that I need to get a new comforter for the guest bed in that room and curtains or something for that window. Then wall decorations. I also need to sign up for childbirth classes and get a pediatrician... anyway, just rambling. So, here's a photo I forgot to post from the Christmas parade on the third (I should have some pictures from this past weekend to post today or tomorrow).
Friday, December 09, 2005
Holly and the boys
Becca got to experience Holly's weirdness firsthand when she watched her during our vacation. For one thing, Holly fears most men. She is one of the most neurotic dogs alive. She was terrified of Jake. Becca said that at night Holly would curl up with her in the living room. She would start to fall asleep but would jerk herself awake to make sure to keep an eye on Jake.
Ethan thought Holly was funny and enjoyed playing with her, but Wyatt really had fun with Holly. Whenever Rebecca set Wyatt on the floor, Holly would lick all over his face and his hands and Wyatt would laugh like crazy. The weirdest thing was when Becca put Wyatt down to change his diaper, Holly would try to squat on his head. The only other time she ever does that is if Austin is holding one of her toys and won't let her have it. She will turn around and back up, straddling his arm. I don't know what that's about, but it sure is weird.
Ethan thought Holly was funny and enjoyed playing with her, but Wyatt really had fun with Holly. Whenever Rebecca set Wyatt on the floor, Holly would lick all over his face and his hands and Wyatt would laugh like crazy. The weirdest thing was when Becca put Wyatt down to change his diaper, Holly would try to squat on his head. The only other time she ever does that is if Austin is holding one of her toys and won't let her have it. She will turn around and back up, straddling his arm. I don't know what that's about, but it sure is weird.
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Back from Callaway Gardens
I hate to announce that I'm back. It was so nice to get away and not worry about work for a few days. Of course, that meant that this morning it took about an hour and a half to go through and answer the 72 emails that were waiting for me in my inbox. And then it took another hour or so to get these pictures posted, but hopefully, you will all appreciate my hard work. :-) Oh, and I want to again tell Becca and her family how grateful I am to them for taking care of Holly while we were gone. I think this separation was far less traumatic for her than when we have to board her.
Now, keep in mind, I was having to take these pictures of the lights in the freezing cold from a moving trolley, so yes, a lot of them are blurry.
Now, keep in mind, I was having to take these pictures of the lights in the freezing cold from a moving trolley, so yes, a lot of them are blurry.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Thursday, December 01, 2005
