This time...

You know, labor just doesn't freak me out this time.

A huge part of my anxiety issues are simply about the unknown. My labor with Abby was sort of the perfect set up for this labor because I FELT the pain and I had the epidural... so I feel totally happy to go into this whole adventure again (with the exception, as I mentioned, of the sadistic centimeter checking - which really I blame Aaron for... he's on their side... just kidding, just kidding don't call the hospital and fire the epidural pusher the night I go into labor big brother old pal of mine).

Whereas if I had done it without the drug and decided, okay, that was fun, but not for me, I would be anxious for this birth because I hadn't experienced the epidural before.

So, basically, at this point I'm just done being pregnant (yes, I know I was done three months ago) but now I can be done without guilt... but I'm not going to go insane - no stair walking to force the issue... not until we're closer to the real 40 weeks anyway... But, it's just - the first time being pregnant the birth process is a tad inconceivable but not quite (in my mind anyway) as inconceivable as having an actual person in baby form become a part of our family, of becoming a mother myself. SO the birth was just more relevant or something. I was concerned about embarrassing myself or making bad decisions or just all sorts of things whereas I couldn't even really fathom the baby part.

This time, birth is just the somewhat annoying, somewhat wonderous adventure to get passed in order to get hold of the baby.

To this day the best way I've heard it discussed is by Jen G as she heard it from her midwife mother in law which was, in essence: How you cope in life is how you cope in labor. The birth process is just like any other hurdle or pain you deal with in life. How you cope with everything else is basically how you cope during birth.

I think this is why I held a certain romantic view of natural childbirth all my life. Because for my mom there was something very meaningful, very powerful, very proud about giving birth the way they wanted to (at the time she had to fight for natural). To this day, when she talks about it she gets very glowy and proud to have really gone through a painful achievement of sorts (she equates it to running a marathon - which I think is brilliant... it's not about right or wrong it's more about if you're INTO that sort of challenge. I.E. if you are, then natural childbirth just might be for you). Point being, I'm very much like my mom... well... somewhat...so I sort of just assumed I'd feel the same way about it.

I did not however. *Smirk* So, for me, Bradley was a bad idea because I don't verbalize and vent when in distress, I retreat into myself completely. So when I was in pain that is what I did and my body didn't progress even though the pain had progressed until the drug allowed me (blissfully) to relax... well for a few seconds before the pressure started of course ;).

I'm sure Lamaze would be more up my ally - breathing and concentrating - all very inner focused, all very much more me. But I have simply found that just like I would never... ever...ever be interested in running a marathon, I just don't have the interest to achieve this goal naturally. I don't begrudge anyone any decision about it - except I do think it wise to take some class on the subject so you don't go through the process and not have information that you didn't know was important to you but actually ended up being important to you and you had no power in the making it happen or not happen because you had no knowledge of it. If that made sense.

Ahhhh sigh, of course, coming to this very tidy idea is going to be all well and good unless the epi guy isn't out somewhere changing a tire or on strike or they run out of opiates or we get stuck in a snowstorm on the way to the hospital or ...

*sigh*

Attention Doctors and Nurses of the World

Just in case you were unaware... when you do that thing where you check how dilated a pregnant woman is...

It really really really ... hurts... or is REALLY weirdly uncomfortable... I'm not sure I can describe the sensation.

I do not plan on going through many labor pains this time - at least not in the traditional natural sense. I plan on waiting a decent time to go to the hospital and then asking oh so politely for the epidural when I get there.

Today was the second week the Doc checked my dilation. And it make me realize rather poignantly that the pain of contractions... that I could, if I wanted to, deal with. The awful weird pain of being checked however is something I do not ever want to deal with while in labor again. Okay, I suppose the FIRST few minutes when I get there they have to check before they give me the drug, but that's it I tell you - I want no other memory of it. I hate it. And it adds injury to injury when it's done during the pain of contractions.

Phooey. I don't like it. I remember the rather rude awakening that this is not the movies when the triage nurse checked when I got to the hospital with Abby. At that point I was already having fairly strong contractions (nothing of course to what they became but still) and I looked over at Steve like... "No, she did not!" But perhaps it was just that nurse - she's not in the labor wing... but no... And if for no other reason I am going to get the epidural just to spite... I mean just to not have to feel that three times during labor!

I am, just so you all know, an unexciting 2cm dilated at this point. What is the opposite of "nothing to shake a stick at"? because actually... it is nothing... so go ahead and shake a stick... whatever that does for ya.

A New Blog

I am toying with the idea of having a blog especially for the kids as many of you do and let my own ramblings and whinings stay on Burnt Fudge. Of course this makes checking both doubly as hard for those of you who don't spend your time with bated breath that I will post... or perhaps it will be doubly easy rather if you really just want to see the kids... then just bookmark/rss feed there! And I'm not promising I won't ramble and whine there too, but it will be mostly about mommyhood if I do... maybe... I dunno.

www.abigailandjack.blogspot.com

I will add a link on this page as well to make it easy.

Go there now for video of Abby's ballet open house.

For those of you who need help keeping up with blogs etc, see James' post on Google reader... here: http://tvjames.blogspot.com/2007/11/still-not-using-google-reader.html

Nesting and Roosting

I have my WHOLE family under my roof. Now that feels like luxury.

Steve's project was a total and resounding hit. He did not meet nor become BFF with the president of Italy however (you can't have it all).

He hasn't slept much in four days but he's still pretty cute.

Abby ran out to him to greet him and told me, "I missed Steve SO much. I really really like him." then she hugged him and said, "I missed you. And... and... I miss Auntie."

Thank you everyone for helping with Operation Turkey. I really really appreciate it.

More pics from Thanksgiving... well... more pics of the cousins from Thanksgiving (taken by my photography partner Sarah):

Accomplishment List and Wish List

ACCOMPLISHMENT LIST

Of course, the accomplishments were made 99.9% by my mom while I watched on from the couch:
clean garage
cleaned car
Organize, move toys to toy closet
Get Toy closet doors off
Move upstairs bed/furniture downstairs
Move downstairs bed upstairs
Paint Dresser rainbow for Abby's room
Paint extra Dresser black or Jack's room
Get/order new knobs for said dresser
Move flower chair to Abby's room
Move around Abby's room
Organize toys in Abby's room
Move Steve's clothes from big dresser back to ours
Move my clothes... somewhere
All laundry
Organize shoes from new toy closet into laundry room
Clean laundry room
Get rid of food we won't use
Trim Trees
Hang English wooden thingees
Paint bin drawers for Jack's room
Get new bedding for twin bed
organize Jack's clothes
Put away Jack's clothes
Found Breast Pump
Gramma's Christmas shopping
Our Christmas shopping
Poppa's Christmas shopping
Doctor's Appt
Put together stroller (Sarah & Tim did that one)
Put together Pack n' Play
Check on in-laws house
Check on Auntie Samantha's Cable
Sort/Organize baskets downstairs
Organize hall closet


WISH LIST:


Not for Christmas... If I had a chunk of money, what are the things I'd want to spend it on?

House:
Backyard
Plumbing.
Couch Downstairs/chair?
Get real walls downstairs.
Rip out bbqpit, sink, shelves downstairs.
New stairs or just iron hand rails.
Bay window renovation.
Baseboards.
Finish windows, outlets, lights in kitchen.
Carpet Downstairs or get rid of stone replace tile.
Front yard/area
Lighting outside
Sun porch chair/electricity?
Back door finish
Tub back up problem
Tub leak
Shower leak
Rug for downstairs and/or Jack's room
Rain gutter renovation
Roof

Car

Adrea:
Super cool camera
Super cool lens... SET
Super cool flash
Super cool Clothes
Super cool Shoes
Smaller laptop
Bunch of 7x7 perfect fit paper
Almost all new dishes
Super cool jewelry
Hair "done" every two weeks

Abby's Operation Turkey

The Point of Operation Turkey

http://www.thisishampshire.net/news/hampshirenews/display.var.1856876.0.queen_victoria_cruise_ship_to_be_handed_over.php

http://www.shippingtimes.co.uk/item951_queen_victoria.htm

Last Frontier?

Okay, the joke is going to be on me if this baby goes all the way to 40 weeks (Lord help me), but I have the strangest aversion to putting together the "Call List".

Julie mentioned it a few days ago and so I've been meaning to put it together and have all sorts of groups in my mind - like who really needs to be called during labor vs. emailed that labor has started while most just need to be called when baby is born or... emailed when baby is born.

Perhaps it proves I'm not officially nesting yet and when I have the urge to do that... then we're on our way... which, now that I've suggested that possibility I promise will not be until Monday night!

Cuddles...

Well, I expect to get some cuddles today from my little girl. I've missed her quite a bit. And I've figured out with the time difference that Steve is taking off from his first return leg home our time Sunday midnight.

Two more days. No whammies, no whammies, no whammies...

While they've been gone, my mom and I (mostly my mom) have been busy making changes around here. Of course I didn't take any before pictures because I'm always so discouraged and disbelieving that there will be after pictures before we start a project, I never want to stop and take a picture.

SO, those of you that have been around the house and have seen our huge mistake of a dresser, my mom and I have converted that to a rainbow fun dresser for Abby's room, brought up the floral chair I had embarrassingly covered since I realized the day it was delivered... Oh, that floral really looks... floral doesn't it? and moved things around.














In Jack's temporary room we brought the daybed up from downstairs, my mom painted an old Ikea dresser and our old little bin thingee, set up the pack n' play and changed bedding on that twin bed (and brought the rocker in from Abby's room).

Downstairs, my mom had Robert and my Dad take off the huge broken closet doors from the end of the hall closet and we're making that into a toy closet. The toy room is now going to be a nice guest room which will conveniently hide a place to keep my books. The guest bed from upstairs now takes up most of that room down there and Steve's clothes will most likely end up down there.

I'm sorting my clothes and being generally easily discouraged. ;) Not realllllllly, we got news this weekend that we'll definitely be able to afford a new couch once we find one we want- that is hugely exciting. And all the changes we have made with the house have all worked out a lot better than I expected.

Hammerheads Review

My sweetie Abby did great!! Ha! However, wow did they slice it down to nothing. The personalities on the show are so much funner than how the show ends up edited... they're missing something somewhere in post. There were several Abby things they missed too that were great. Oh well. Their show ;).

10:30 am may find a re-run if you missed the early show! HGTV

Anxiety: The Next Generation

Sorry, sorry for the vague sad post - just didn't want to incriminate anyone since the whole thing is shady on fault. I had a chance to talk to Steve after that and it was incredibly nice and diffusing to have him to talk to since I hadn't obviously been able to previously.

There was a series of communication flubs that ended up affecting Abby in Coronado and it was just hard on momma's heart not to be there. Very Thankfully, Auntie Samantha was Abby's advocate and cuddle monkey, so all was well resolved (everyone was working to resolve for Abby's best, don't get me wrong - it's just that Auntie is tasked to be specifically her voice).

Anyway, Abby had stomach problems all Thursday and one session, while she sat on the potty, leaning against Auntie Samantha, Abby said, "I think my body is telling me to relax."

And, though the stomach issues may have had nothing whatever to do with the general drama, it's also possible my little one was showing the signs of stress. BUT Auntie was comforting and diligent and cuddling and loving and relaxing so all is well today.

Not "Fully" Dropped

Ahh, my doctor. I want to make it very clear that I adore my OB. He's great. He's hilarious. I like his attitude and his general philosophies and all that.

He does, however, have a way of keeping me on my toes. At the appointment today he said nonchalantly, "Yup, he's [the baby] not fully dropped, but it could happen anytime. You're good to go."

My mom and I choke and splutter about waiting til Monday and he agrees, "My guess? I think you've still got one - two weeks," we smile, he shrugs, "But babies - they have a tendency to do things their own way."

Great.

Expectation

Abby has been working very hard to be patient to go to Coronado, but the morning of, a mere four hours before she could be on her way, her patience quotient was at an end.

We did make it to the school Stone Soup Party (and yes this is my daughter having meatball and vegetable soup)



and managed some fun before leaving and counting the seconds until Grandpa and Zoozy pulled up to the driveway. Abby then buckled herself into her seat, waved a cheery goodbye to me and tried not to look too overtly annoyed that it was taking over a minute for Grandpa to pack the trunk.

Keep your paws off Muno!

Anyone shopping for Micaiah - don't get him Muno!

Define... Nesting...

I just want to find a place for every little thing, book, toy, gadget, piece of paper that has hence found no place. That's perfectly normal...

...

LESS than a week. No problems.

Abby spent Monday decorating t-shirts with Becky. I realized half-way through the project that I had neglected to take into account one important part of Abby's personality: Her dirtiness aversion. Therefore she let Becky stain her hands into odd colors for the sake of the tie dye - happily running and splashing in the clean water around Becky in circles... and of course directing Becky in the ins and outs of tie dye and SpongeBob.

Now school is a completely different kettle of fish. If other kids are involved in the mess making, Abby could not be happier covered in mud and paint, her face splattered and her hands orange. It's just, I suppose, that if the adults are already going to be 'in it' so to speak, and there are no other kids around... Abby figures she'll leave well enough alone. She becomes a stellar cheerleader though!

Today Abby spent quality play time with Claire and Pearl. I have been told that they had an inconceivable amount of fun. We're off to see Micaiah here in a second and then hopefully we'll catch Auntie and then we're on the fast track to Wednesday!

Get a HUGE shovel...

Abby is very excited about her Thanksgiving adventure to Coronado. She called me into her room at bedtime tonight with "I need you for something!"

I go in and she says, "I had a very good idea. We could get a HUGE shovel with a really long leg and scoop up the condo and bring it closer."

Exhausted...

I cannot describe what a total kick it is to see my daughter (people-loving, adventure-needing, anywhere-but-home-girl) being so totally exhausted at the end of the day that, though slightly hyper on a fun-high, she doesn't even have the energy to try and extend bedtime.

Operation Turkey has been a resounding success so far. Friday brought Poppa as per their usual adventure with a finish at Gramma's. Saturday started off with new silly playmates (i.e. My mom's old roommate and her husband visiting) and ended with the normal church and family dinner extravaganza (with a little extra Auntie thrown in for fun).

Today, Abby had breakfast with Dave and Kirsten (in which I hear she ordered the pancakes but preferred to eat all of Kirsten's french toast instead). They went to the flower market where Abby chose some rainbow-esque flowers. Then it was off to a Banning adventure with MarySue and Kirsten and apparently some other mini-adventures along the way. THEN (because Zoozy is a bit of a soft-hearted grandma) it was off to Target for puzzle shopping.

Abby, Samantha and I then built the puzzles, and played Princess 'Memory' in which Abby really did beat us. I mean she took some liberties with her turn - but she really did beat us fair and square in the simple mission of remembering where the other match was.

We brought dinner over to Zoozy & Grandpa's house and the day was done.

And I had *so* much of the day that I actually very slowly and un-stressfully got the upstairs ready for Gladys on Tuesday (I'll gently tackle the downstairs tomorrow)... with little naps along the way.

Monday brings school and fun with Becky
Tuesday brings school and fun with Claire and Pearl
Wednesday brings school, the school Stone Soup Party, and the eagerly awaited Coronado Adventure!!!

My daughter, in short, is one happy, hyper, chickie.

No Soul Photography

Samantha's photos with a little help from RAW
(*no soul reference because Samantha has no soul, it is the only answer for why she would have no heart for Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or anything else people with souls tend to like. She does have a heart though... just no soul... but she's okay with it, really)

Fall... and Operation Turkery: Underway

Abby is off with Kirsten & Dave to breakfast, the flower market, and an adventure with Zoozy.
I am resting.
My house is a mess.

Next shift: Auntie Samantha... doesn't she look up for it?

Out, Damn Itch

Abby had a rough night at Gramma's with itches which meant she was beat this afternoon. It also meant her hours with Daddy before his trip were rather peaceful and cuddly.



Tonight she's been up for an hour and a half with different itchy extremities. I went in there for the fourth time (for the last arm) and I said sadly,
"Honey, you've just got to try to stop itching."
She answered, rather sleepily, "No, no, I'm just trying patting gently."

We've got to start the lotion + Benedryl again... this is just too depressing.

Final Tally

Not to belabor the point (i.e. gloat), now that I am sleeping regularly and have finished the scrapbook projects I was in the middle of when my sleeping drought ended, I thought I'd take a final look at what I accomplished in my two months without sleep:

Cruise album : complete
10 year marriage album : complete up til 8.5 years
Abby's Baby album : remastered and complete
Jack's Baby album : current ;)
Trips (CTx2, Englandx2) : complete
2001 - 2003 : revised complete
2003 - 2005 : revised complete
2005 - current: revised current
Artsy album : began - need perfect fit paper
Non-digital favorites : scanned

If I run into sleeping trouble again I would:

Do a Christmas album
Get the perfect fit paper for the Artsy album

Nester, no Nesting!

I don't think anyone that reads this blog is familiar with Dora, the Explorer, but in it there is a character "Swiper" the fox who comes around every episode and steals something unless Dora (and the kids at home) can say "Swiper! No Swiping!" in time.

I've got the urge, man, I've got the urge to nest and all that comes into my mind is, "No Nesting!" but in the "Swiper, no Swiping" tone.

I went into a store to Christmas shop today and all I wanted to was to buy clothes that would work directly postpartum.

I walked into my garage to see the pregnancy clothes bins and wanted to start putting my pregnancy clothes away.

I want to pack my hospital bag.

Steve gets on a plane tomorrow. I am not allowed to nest. "Nester, no Nesting!"

On a serious note... we went to dinner last night and I asked if he wanted me to do anything for him while he was gone household-wise and he said, "Just don't have the baby." *sigh* The ONE time he's sentimental and I have virtually no control over the outcome. He then reassured me and told me not to feel bad if it happened.

But it won't. Technically that would be a MONTH early which is just way too early for me. So, it's all good. 11 days... I can wait 11 days.

Isn't there some physics issue?

With two bodies inhabiting the same space and yet not working toward the same goals? I'm trying to walk you see while Jack is apparently trying to... dig for pirate treasure?

Highlight of the day

Trying to get a dog, an 8 month old, a reindeer headband and a santa hat to cooperate all in ONE picture. Or rather... watching a very good-natured Beth try to keep a stern "stay" face for Butch while simultaneously trying to make Josh smile at me while laying on the ground so that their eye level would be right... *snicker* That brings me joy to think about for some reason.

Maternity Amnesia?

I do not remember the last month being quite so uncomfortable. I've gained less weight, so it can't be that. True that I am "running" after Abby (not quite as literally as Hazel was today - thanks Haze!), but not really... she's really quite self-reliant and last time I had to be up and in the office every morning early and in the office all day - that seems like a much more difficult feat.

Those of you who don't like whiners - look away now.

I am *so* physically uncomfortable right now. I would say almost back to first trimester unhappiness. Mentally and emotionally I am definitely marginally better especially since we're so close to the finish line.

I have to go back on my own words in one respect and say it is SUCH a relief though that the restless leg stuff has almost disappeared - leaving my scrapbook efforts a mere night's work incomplete and possibly continuing to be.

I'm hoping that this total discomfort is more fleeting and due to my abysmal food choices Monday. Pre-today there was plenty of discomfort (some of cute baby Jack's movements seriously hurt... not like labor but like I have a miniature human messing with my organs - is it possible that he is actually grabbing my bladder and squeezing? It may be a teddybear type cuddling...) but there was a good portion of the day that I could sort of not pay attention to being pregnant... Sure, it's not so easy walking down stairs when you can't see your feet, but generally I was mobile. Today I just felt like I was hit by a ton of... pillows (not quite bricks - but something muffling and heavy).

Steve basically took over. And he tells me Hazel did some serious 'tag' duty at the office - which makes me want to cry I am so thankful Abby has had fun while mom is a lump. I'm also back to being emotional. The phone looks like a great big daunting nausea maker again.

Two more weeks though. At least, two that I care about. I am aware it may be three or four, but two more weeks is all I have to "worry" about. I think that part of the difficulty I'm experiencing today is not just that this whole moving around thing is awful, I felt sick, I felt tired all that - but also that it's up to me to take care of myself - to STOP so as to not tempt my body to start the process too early from stress.

SO, though I wouldn't say I'm surrendering to anxiety about Steve's trip because I really feel I've got a handle on that. Two weeks is nothing (another topic altogether). I would say that there is a definite stress about being careful not to be stressed. I think before my little anxiety awareness it would be much more pronounced - it would take on more of an anger, more of emotional response. As is, I feel as if I feel that I need to slow down and I do it. There is a bit of guilt if Abby is home, but I don't sit there and get anxious, I sit and relax.

I definitely felt like calling my mom today and throwing in the towel... or just escaping altogether to Camarillo where my dad would give me foot rubs and my mom would be guilted into making me burnt fudge.

I was ready to call in MarySue but, there is a part of me that is trying so hard to conserve my resources. Sarah suggests I have trouble asking for help (dangerous of her because now, of course, I feel quite safe asking her for help - especially as she's one of the only stay at home people I know). I feel like I don't have enough trouble asking for help and I have to be careful to temper myself because I think I have the capability of just letting everybody run themselves ragged for me. That is usually where my reticence comes in asking for help. I.E. I'm not sitting there thinking 'I should be able to do this one my own', I'm sitting there thinking, 'If I can just get through this on my own I can ask so and so to do that when I really really need it.' Steve finds this frustrating.

(*too much information alert*) And I think my birthing bones are separating. Because I'm sore.

So... as I was saying. Two more weeks... possibly. This is emotionally overwhelming. Both with joy and just the awesome oddness of it all. A new person. A new family. ACK!

I'm going to go read some Garfield. He puts everything into perspective... i.e. it's all about the food and the sleep.

Edited to add: Gratefully I think it was fleeting - feel as 'normal' as possible today. Whoo hoo. No more bad food days that's for darn sure - not worth the suffering.

Weasley Clock...

Click on the title to get the link.

Found this thru TLC of course. I think it's GREAT, especially the being able to send a note. Even the Weasleys could probably have appreciated that addition.

Introducing...

Abby's Christmas Dress:




* I love this curtsy she has to do for ballet. For weeks she would lose her balance, but now she's really got the hang of it.

The Shower of Adrea

My friends and family threw an absolutely fantastic Baby Shower for me and Jack today. I was so surprised at just how fun and simple and nice a shower can be. I had time to talk with everyone who wasn't of course busy scurrying around making me comfortable, I sat with the year old babies (there were several), had a sister-in-law running around taking pictures - the generosity was just ridiculous (in the nice way)... I feel complete and total calm that all the important things are purchased.

But I have to say, amidst the love and generosity, amidst the irreplaceable homemade and from the heart gifts (Jen knitted [everyone was jealous], my mom and Zoozy quilted, Sarah sewed and painted signs) there was one thing that touched me beyond all else... and I simply can't keep the truth in any longer...

*Pictured below: Samantha and Megan telling me not to say what I'm about to say


The food... it was mine!!! All mine!!!!! Yummmmmmmmmmm. Thank you everyone!!!!!

Maternity...

I went to Julie West Photography for super artsy maternity photos... Highly recommend her - as a great person to work with as well as an artsy photographer.

Time Traffic...

Ahhh, how time flies when you... don't think it will.

Planned on a rather leisurely ride to Laguna Niguel Friday lunchish - thought we'd have plenty of time to relax and pal around before we had to show up for the rehearsal... thought it would be almost a mini-vacation where we could see Jen and Josh when Jen wasn't busy with wedding stuff, thought we'd just yeah... no... traffic was our main enemy I suppose... but just all in all time did not seem to work the way I had planned it to.

Oh well, I got *one* good picture... but I didn't try the wedding day - I was just helping Steve with his videoing gift.

333 of My favorite things...

Hmm. Well, Sarah just wrote her 100th Blog post (congrats Sarah) in which she considered listing 100 of her favorite things. I thought that was a neat challenge... I am ALMOST sure I can do 100, but can I do 333 which is my blog post number?

1. Burnt Fudge
2. Abby's giggle when Steve is tickling her
3. Steve's giggle during a movie
4. Steve's helpless giggle while being tickled (different)
5. Listening to Abby read a book to herself in bed
6. Listening to Abby make up songs about every mundane thing that she does
7. Taking artsy photos
8. Having people like artsy photos
9. Providing artsy photos for people
10. Arranging photos in scrapbooks
11. Looking at scrapbooks
12. Looking back at pictures, videos, mementos
13. Cookie batter
14. Brownie batter
15. Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake
16. Turtle Cookies
17. Deep Chocolate Cake
18. Carnation Instant Breakfast
19. Cheerios
20. Chicken Fajitas (homemade)
21. Fried Rice from El Torito
22. Salsa from El Torito
23. Cindy's Salsa
24. Abby's voice
    
25. Abby saying 'I love you too!'
    
26. Abby praying
27. Steve praying
28. Steve's voice
29. Steve chatting (cracks me up - I think it's literally cute I think because it happens so seldom it's like a treat)
30. Steve getting deeply Biblical
31. Steve getting indignant
32. Aaron telling stories (especially when he was tempted to cross the street without permission)
33. Memories of telling stories around Thanksgiving table
34. Finding out who everyone's Secret Santa is
35. Getting my hair done/looking nice
36. BUYING clothes for me
37. buying clothes for Abby
38. Harry Potter!
39. Pern
    
40. Lord of the Rings
    
41. Dexter
42. Coupling (UK)
43. Psych (well, the pairing - not sure if the show itself would be a favorite worthy without it)
44. Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe
45. Vicky Bliss and everything Elizabeth Peters
46. Bet Me and Getting Rid of Bradley
47. The Dueling Blog Jenny and Bob did
48. Blogging
49. Analyzing friends and family with my dad
50. Sharing credit for amazing art with my mom
51. FIREFLY
52. Serenity
53. Round Table Pizza
54. Moonlit Sonata
55. The feeling while playing a piano song well
56. Being in a really great choir
    
57. Watching Abby play with friends
58. Watching Abby in ballet
59. Return to Me ensemble
60. Having Steve feel Jack move in my belly
61. Listening to Steve talk about Abby
62. Pride and Prejudice 2005
63. Rummikub
64. ScrUNO
65. The Condo in Coronado
66. Rain on the roof
67. The smell of rain/especially on asphalt
68. Walking in Montecito
69. Looking up Love Signs with Linda Goodman
70. The house after Gladys has cleaned
71. Napping without limit
72. Sleeping in without consequence
73. Cuddling with Abby in the morning
74. The sound when I am downstairs of Abby's not so gentle feet going pitter patter overhead
75. The look of joy on Abby's face when she's with kids
76. Dishing with Hazel
77. Watching Samantha be wrapped around Abby's finger
78. Kittens
79. Jack the cat
80. Memories of walking with my mom and Thor in the early morning in Newbury Park
81. Memory of my mom showing me she had done the unthinkable - thrown caution to the wind and picked up a kitten on my parents morning bike ride
82. Staring at the Christmas tree
83. Completing a task
84. Reading a book
85. Mary Stewart
86. Barbara Michaels
87. Cliffs at Night
88. Chocolate Sauce
89. Extremely soft powdered doughnuts
90. Extremely salty shelled peanuts
91. An Interesting or Emotional Oprah show
92. A Beat-down type Dr. Phil show
93. Planet Earth
94. HD television (not the channel)
95. The Lion King (Stage)
96. Les Miserables
97. Phantom of the Opera (Michael Crawford)
98. Getting a massage
99. Going to the spa
100. Sitting in a spa
101. Getting my nails done
102. Making a good joke
103. Ticking off things from a list
104. Motowi tileworks
105. Sid Dickens tiles
106. All those frilly plates at Anthropologie
107. All those expensive clothes at Anthropologie
108. Chipwiches
109. Dove Ice Cream Bars
110. Oreos with Milk
111. Milk
112. Knudson Chocolate Milk
113. The Newbury Park Doughnut shop mini-doughnuts (white with sprinkles)
114. Chocolate Fudge Shake from 31 Flavors
115. Having no credit card debt
116. Feeling like I've made a good decision
117. My bed
118. My linens
119. Getting mail
120. Getting email messages
121. Drawing
122. Painting
123. Lino-cut making
124. Etching
125. Dreaming (good ones)
126. Shredded Chedder Cheese
127. well groomed eyebrows
128. The Closer
129. Futurama
130. Home Videos (tv show)
131. Scarecrow & Mrs. King
132. Star Wars
133. Mr. Nubling's Class
134. Eddie Izzard
135. Memories of getting junk food from Vons in college in the middle of the night
136. Rusty's Pizza in Montecito
137. Walking the grounds of Westmont
138. Memories of cuddling with Steve in the early days
139. Having epiphanies
140. Taking a shower
141. X-files
142. Apples
143. Spying on classmates on Myspace
144. Writing
145. Hot Fudge Cake from Bob's Big Boy
146. Bloopers from TV or movies
147. Purple
148. Blue
149. Abby's first bedroom wall
150. Being barefoot
151. Memories of camping at the beach - hearing the waves at night
152. Mom's wheatgerm pancakes
153. Burnt bacon with pancakes
154. Quizno's hot sandwich
155. Coco's old herb butter with French bread
156. The video of Wesley and Abby giggling uncontrollably
157. Julia's dimples
158. The story of drunk Shannon and Dave to the rescue (pre-wedding)
159. Garfield
160. BC Comics
161. Superhero movies
162. The music from superhero movies
163. The Incredibles
164. Finding Nemo
165. Sleeping Beauty
166. The Emperor's New Groove
167. The wind
168. Baby kicking/moving (also rather uncomfortable)
169. Red
170. Impressing someone
171. Islands Fruit Punch
172. Corn
173. Flowers (before they die)
174. Bookworm
175. Text Twist
176. Pinball (windows)
177. Minesweeper
178. New sheets
179. My laptop
180. Yoga/Pilates
181. The feeling of the drug releasing a headache
182. Celtic designs
183. English Accents
184. Irish Accents
185. Scottish Accents
186. Wales
187. Museums
188. Catch me if you Can
189. The Office (UK)
190. The Office (USA) mostly for Jim and Pam
191. James Bond
192. Olive Garden Spinach Dip
193. Olive Garden Breadstix and Salad
194. Macaroni Grill bowtie pasta thing
195. Watching the History Channel
196. The crack of my back from a chiropractor
197. Milky Ways
198. Three Musketeers without the chocolate
199. Bagels with Cream cheese
200. Those cream cheese and turkey wrap things
201. Mijares Chicken Burrito
202. Domenico's Pizza
203. CPK roasted garlic chicken pizza
204. CPK herb onion bread
205. Silence
     
206. Violin
207. George Winston
208. Hallelujah (songs)
209. Christmas music
210. Boyband music
211. Murder by Death (movie)
212. Noises Off
213. Newsradio
214. The Carol Burnett Show
215. 30 Rock
216. Mystery Science Theatre
217. The Muppets
218. Wendy's fries
219. Nancy Drew
220. Romance Scully/Mulder style
221. Monk
222. Getting truly engrossed in a book
223. Knowing that Steve loves Harry Potter
224. Staring at a campfire
225. Being bundled up in the cold
226. Getting presents
227. Jewelry
228. Stars
229. Cafe Bizou Steak
230. French fries soaked in steak juice (eww that sounds gross)
231. Framing pictures in a cool way
232. Vases
233. Candles
234. Sunbeams when it's cold
235. Water
236. Dancing
237. Strictly Ballroom
238. Figuring out a problem
     
239. Pilgrim's Progress
240. Sunsets
241. Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
242. Matrix
243. Fresh Churros from Disneyland
244. See's Milk Patties
245. Knowing everything about Art History (as I once did whilst studying for the AP Art History test)
     
246. E.T.
247. Pirates of the Caribbean
248. Signs (movie)
249. Apollo 13
     
250. Stitch (as a character)
251. The Departed (except for you know what)
252. The Hunt for Red October (music and movie)
253. Patriot Games (book only)
254. The Prince of Egypt
     
255. Airplane!
256. Monty Python
257. The Iron Giant
258. Newborn stretches
259. Newborn complete sleep
260. Baby pouts
261. When a discipline works
262. Abby's peace in sleep
263. Steve's sleepy grouchy face
264. Fresh Tortillas from the California Adventure Tortilla factory
265. Lightning
     
266. Nature Shows/Sunrise Earth
267. Harmonizing
268. Cool bags/boxes
269. Miniature things
270. Warm Fuzzy Soft Socks
271. Pastries by Nancy cake
272. Having heat and A/C
273. Our Mantle
274. Our Living Room
275. Falling asleep when I'm really really exhausted
276. Seeing how complex and perfect God's involvement in my life is
277. Primrose/Flaxseed Oil (completely manages my complexion after years and years and years of trouble)
278. The quiet right after a party when there is still a couple people left
279. Spanx
280. Artsy Photography books (Andy Goldsworthy)
     
281. Reubens
282. Michaelangelo
283. Rodin
284. Norman Rockwell
285. Giving a great gift
286. Ansel Adams (the dramatic ones)
287. Wallace and Grommit
288. Simon and Garfunkel
289. The Internet
290. Fancy Barbies
291. Mozart Requiem
     
292. Following Peacocks
293. Ravioli
294. Seeing the re-release of Star Wars at the Arlington
     
295. Throwing Pots in Pottery class
296. Documentaries
297. Stuffed animals
298. Cool artsy faucets
299. GPS
300. Warm, fresh turkey for Thanksgiving
301. Falling asleep on the couch (with Steve when we were dating)
     
302. Bazooka bubblegum
303. Taco Bell/Del Taco (depending on pregnancy)
304. Wrinkle in Time etc...
305. The fields of England
306. Sculpture
307. Nadia the mini-series
308. GE Soft Light for the living areas (so nice)
     
309. Long Lasting lights for halls and closets (just so nice not to have to replace constantly)
310. Christmas Ornament
311. Chandeliers
312. Crystals
     
313. Seashells
314. Laughing in Mr. Pardee's class
315. Dolphins
316. Planning out the Calender
     
317. A little opera
318. New Linens (not fresh sheets as much as whole new look)
319. Vanilla soft serve with cone
     
320. Quilts and blankets
     
321. Steve and my tattoos
322. Lotion
323. Packing in advance
324. Nightmare Before Christmas
325. Popcorn
326. Maternity underwear
327. Comfy Deep Couches
328. Comfy Deep Carpet
329. The way Abby says she wants an "Orange Bling Machine"
     
330. Surround sound
331. Being on time
332. Martinelli's NON-sparkling Apple Juice
333. Wide Angle lens
     

Okay, so, granted, without food or movies this would be a much smaller list ;)

Daddy's Girl?

Or rather like Girl's Daddy...

Today we stopped by the office on the way home for a quick rest stop and Abby was giving Steve a hug goodbye - well she didn't realize it was a goodbye hug until I said it mid-hug and she grabbed onto his hair and said, "Ooooh, but I want to take him home." Sorta like a puppy... It was cute.

Allowances and Requirements

I went to the little meeting with the mentor lady at Abby's school today and had a huge realization. I wanted to clarify with her this whole concept that on the one hand with kids up til 5 or so, ignored behavior is abandoned behavior... so when Abby is in some way acting up, it's best not to have a big reaction. Don't use a lot of words and don't react any stronger than anything else.

But on the other hand she has also always said the one behavior she won't tolerate is defiant behavior. Well... sheesh, isn't most of the behavior I'm seeing defiant in some way? The visiting school psychologist even used the example of a three year old saying 'NO!' and the mom in that case shouldn't try to reason or argue with the child but completely ignore that because it's inappropriate and makes no difference - the mom is in charge end of story. But isn't that defiant? So I had her clarify that a little and what we ended up talking about is how - ESPECIALLY with especially good kids, but really with all kids, they are so totally wound up after being in a structured environment - even one with two recesses and etc etc because they want so dearly to be accepted by the teachers and the other kids and it's all so totally stressful on them that that is often why they get home and just need to tear something apart.

So she actually suggested giving them things to tear apart if you can't take a lap around a field or whatever. A wet rag or old shirt or something. A bath was also an option on the opposite end, all suggestions aimed at helping these guys relax.

Well *BING**Bing*BING* Tuesday Abby was insanely unmanageable and I could not figure out why. She had been at school WITH Daddy until noon and then Lunch Bunch (smaller group of kids) until two and I was just sure she had had plenty of interaction, plenty of running around, plenty of everything... so I had scaled that day to be much more about sitting around the house. But now I'm realizing that was a LONG wonderful day of school, but it was still not her territory, still a structured environment and that was why she really needed to just RUN herself silly afterwards. *sigh*

Oh and the flip side from Miss Pat is that when you make these allowances on a regular basis, and really work with your child on that, then it is perfectly reasonable to require unfairly good behavior at a restaurant or event. I am going to make a little 'going to dinner bag' that I only let Abby play with at restaurants. I've obviously tried that before but I've never taken it back after the restaurant, so it gets stale and I was thinking, well I can't just buy her behavior. BUT this is much more reasonable - makes it special and Miss Pat did suggest having something new in there every time but it certainly doesn't have to be big. Abby would respond really well to that I think.


SO now all I have to do is REMEMBER this. The image going through my head right now is when my munchkin is at that point of total internal combustion but she does have a pretty good control meter she kind of puts her hand to her forehead and takes a clump of hair like, "I'm losing it here people!" and my first reaction is NOT to clap my hands and say let's go run somewhere. And I want that to be my first reaction. So... right... brain... keep this!

Hey Look, I've been Counseled...

So I did a very little therapy this last month. I had a specific goal in mind: gain tools to make post partum time less difficult. Something my brother said made the light go in on my head that maybe all the overwhelmed-ness after Abby was born could have been anxiety related as well as hormonal. This gave me renewed hope that maybe somebody could give me tools for handling the anxiety portion in the short amount of time before baby's arrival.

Didn't connect amazingly with the guy but felt like he was on the ball; He suggested I had a mild anxiety disorder, gave me some guidance, tuned me in to realize some things I'd forgotten and had me check in in two weeks. Having a defined thing (right or wrong - but I think right) to hang my foibles on was actually very comforting, very centering. Though possibly being too reliant on anxiety as a cause for every stubbed toe, it basically wiped out the need to be anxious... having a name for it made me feel like anytime I was anxious I could decide that whatever I was anxious about didn't need to be causing me anxiety - this was just this whole anxiety thing again and I naturally focused on that and lost the edge of the anxiety. SO, after having a rather less illuminating session in which I considered making up things to be worried about, when he gave me the heave ho ("check in if things aren't going the way you want after the baby is born") I felt fine with that.

I'm not necessarily "done" with therapy - it was fun even though I didn't love the guy, but this was perfect timing-wise. This way I can really get a grip on whether or not the reduction of anxiety needs someone to see me in order to maintain it - gives me time to ruminate on the whole thing and all that. It also gives me the opportunity to look for someone else after the baby if I want without having to break it off so to speak.

ANYWAY this blog is about what happened today. Today we were scheduled for a big day. School, then playdate with Wesley and Julia, then Ballet. Well, Wesley and Julia couldn't make it so we had a much less big day and I ended up napping while Abby played house (she was the Momma, I was the kid who had to sleep because I was getting grouchy, and Ariel was the baby). I woke up at 3:12 remembering ballet (which starts at 3:15). I asked Abby quickly if she wanted to go even though we were going to be late and she did. We got her dressed and were on our way by 3:20. She still needed her hair up but I had gotten her dressed and even found her shoes which were at the bottom of a pile of stuff I had cleaned out from the car.

This is the IDEAL trigger for my anxiety. I mean, I sometimes feel anxiety getting her there and ready when I know I am going to be twenty minutes early! (It's hard to get those tights on you know! and then there is the added anxiety about being too early) So add to that I'm late and still not out of the woods because I've got to get her hair up in a BUN (teacher will not let kids in if their hair CAN go in a bun, it MUST go in a bun) before sending her in to class. OH! And I had to go pee something fierce.

About two thirds of the way there (and the road wasn't clear, two schools had just let out on my route) I realized my heart wasn't racing, I wasn't frowning, my stomach wasn't clenching, I wasn't shaking or anything. I was perfectly calm. HA! Eerie.

With a pat on my own back I determined I would continue to be: Got Abby's hair into a bun that lasted at least fifteen minutes of class (her bangs were in her face the whole time Gramma and Poppa would have been struggling with their own anxiety!), led her to the door, reassured her when she had a moment of panic to be walking in late and that was it. She walked straight in, said sorry to the teacher and joined in.

AND it was a really nice class because there were two little boys so the teacher totally had them do a little routine - it was super cute.

I didn't have a stitch in my side or a stress headache or anything. Nifty.

Victory Dance & Serial Killers

I have ordered my Secret Santa gift for my... Secret Santa. And I am pleased with myself. Mwah ha ha ha. Now I just have to wait two months without telling anyone... anything. Except, I'll tell you this much. My Secret Santa's last name is the same as my own.


SHHHH!!! Don't tell anyone!!!


In other news, my new character crush is Dexter from Showtime's "Dexter." He's a serial killer - but a friendly good one. As per usual Steve does not mind as he generally approves of my character crushes... because secretly he knows, if he had the capability to be attracted to them, he would be.


In still other news - TUMS works. Who'd have thunk it.

*Cringe* This is *so* not Original of me...

Okay, don't tar and feather me for being a total Oprah geek but Oprah did a special on big youtube hits and because I am not super-uber-cool-up-on-things I have never heard of any of them.

BUT this guy caught me because it is so Cinderella... which I know is so cliche and so I dunno - predictable and saccharine of me to love... but I do! And I'm like a year behind the times to know about it and all you experienced bloggers out there are SO cringing that I'm linking to this... but ha! You're too afraid to say anything because I'm pregnant so I win. (Watch out Dad, this will make you cry - could have been you on the piano if it weren't for that darn stage fright!)



I was so waiting for the punchline - like it was a recording or what have you - but no, guy won this UK reality show and really has this voice and Cowell really signed him up for a CD "One Chance" after the show.

I came back to the computer to watch the whole little youtube video of this first round and realized I was really really emotional and not sure why and I think it's because this made me happy for this bloke.

The Sky is Falling

Whelp, couldn't get much truer than this. The neighbors found someone to cut down the dying two story high vine looking thing that separates our yards the same morning the city is trimming the palm trees the same day Larry the Gardener is here the same day the cleaning ladies are here. I can't get in my driveway because the city chipper is literally blocking me out - as they are similarly blocking my poor cleaning ladies in. I'm not worrying about it though - everyone is an adult and they will all figure it out... presumably.

Meanwhile Steve is working at Abby's pre-school today in an effort to help baby not to drop. Can't wait to hear back on how it goes and what he thinks... Wish I could get a picture of him sat next to Abby on those little toddler size chairs during snack time.

I had stress dreams about it all night. I dreamed first that we lived much farther away and that Grandpa wanted to take us to breakfast before school but we had to leave by the time we found the place and Steve left earlier to get to right classroom (i.e. so he was working with Abby's class and not one of the others) but when I got there he wasn't there and the only assignment left was the 'dirt' assignment (which was a part of the school I'd never seen before). It was the back area and they had mounds of...you guessed it: dirt. Some with snakes living in them, others with like vegetable experiments.

Anyway I walked around wondering what in the heck had happened to Steve, annoyed that we were an hour early and yet all the other working parents had already showed up to take the assignment I had wanted for Steve. Turns out (remember this is still my dream) that Steve had been driving around to all the grocery stores looking for mini-cupcakes because we'd had some sort of misunderstanding (dream Steve was WAY off base as the cupcake portion of the dream materialized way after the last time I'd seen him) about snack etc. And... luckily thats about when I woke up.

Don't Drop the Baby

Baby hasn't dropped - doc suggests 3-4 weeks. That works just fine. That's also just about all we learned in our appointment. Besides the fact that I will be going to purchase TUMS for acid issues as I am allowed to.

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Took some Christmas photos for Beth and Robert today because November gets so busy... and we didn't want to wait and end up not having time if the baby came. Plus, I needed Steve's help and after this weekend that option was no longer going to be available.

Now, I would love to share some of them, but as these will probably end up as Christmas cards from Beth & Robert I don't want to spoil them... So... I thought I'd make it really small and count on the honor of those who read this who may get a Christmas card from Beth and Robert *NOT* to click on the photo to make it bigger, k?

Scout's honor?

Awwh, who are you kidding?

I can't trust you!

Okay, I picked one that wasn't one of Beth's favorites therefore unlikely to be used...


Anyway, as usual Steve was the star in composition and even actual photography. This seems unfair. I am supposed to be the artsy one. Oh well, I'm over it.

Still, even amidst my bitterness, I'm always impressed with his design talents. SO what I learned from him today: Don't forget the fantasticness of zoom and take the time to check your composition. I am usually preoccupied with getting people out and finished (anxious in other words - bad... going to work on that) and basically just trusting that I'll get enough good pictures to work with. But even though there was a baby involved, Steve still took the time to test a few different compositions - not all of them worked, but a few really did and were really different.

Course one thing I think I still have on him? Hyper feminine paranoia. In other words, I don't think he can appreciate that a woman is not going to pick a picture in which her arm looks big no matter how perfect the composition, color, or smile.

Okay, well November SECOND sounds SO good...

So I failed at making today better.

On my way to small group I noticed the defroster wasn't doing much then... odd how there was this vaporous steam like substance rising up from my car... it couldn't possibly be. Oh look, the little needle is on H... and oh look I'm in the inside lane of two freeway only turn lanes. Gotta get on the freeway as I call Steve and tell him with no where near hysterical laughing (I swear, no one had to slap me) that yes, on this very same day our OTHER car was in trouble.

I find my way to a gas station, calling my bro and dad who both suggest we not burn our faces off. Wait for Steve. And enjoy the irony of the day.

Jiffy Lube happens to still be open across the street so we hop over there and get all the fluids done. It seems to do the trick until Steve starts experimenting with the air/heat/defrost system. Then the needle freaks out again. SO at least we know he can get it to the dealer without overheating as long as he doesn't use any of the air system in the morning.

So, a little autopsy on the day. We did fairly well. We weren't annoyed at the world or each other all day long. The most anxious I got was driving to the gas station (I have overheated one car to death in my life and was hoping not to do it again) and then at the end trying to get the stupid seat belt to buckle in the borrowed Q over Abby's old car seat. I lost it a little there, but hey, it has been a LONG day. Steve is back out for the fifth time or so today - at least I am home. Free to drown my sorrows in Oreos an milk. Which is what I plan on doing right....



now.

November sounds SO good

One more month. Probably a bit more. But I don't mind that part yet. As long as November 26 (i.e. Steve's return) comes and passes without incident, I won't be complaining about the last weeks. Well... I mean... you know... I might... but... right... nevermind.

The truth of the matter is that my little anxiety problem is telling me that I can't relax until November 26. BUT I do not buy into that, so I will attempt to ignore and taunt said voice ;). Just kidding. Seriously though, my challenge until then will be to fight the urge to feel this way and to relax. Obviously such an attitude will only help my cause. SO. No worries. I have a whole month to relax, enjoy one-child-peace, appreciate not being a milk maid for another month and just think of all the random little tasks I can do while Steve is gone! It's all very exciting... in a very serene sort of way of course.

In other news, I have definitely officially transitioned from cute second trimester pregnant to 'Holy Cow - whatever you do don't sneeze' pregnant. The pregnancy has finally reached my face (I see it in pictures and I'm still not complaining as the pregnancy reached my face last time at month 4!) and has gotten to the point that if I catch a passing glimpse of my belly/butt profile as I walk passed a window I think, "That doesn't even look real."

Hooray for November!

"I'm going to Miss Everything"

My day. Steve's day. Abby's day. Did not start well.

I had to work and bring snack to the school today so I wanted to get up early. So when the first alarm went off and held it in my hand so that I could silence it at the first snooze. One problem: it's kinetic so it never went off again. I woke up about five minutes before I should be off to the school toting Abby and snack. This was not possible so I asked Steve to take over the Abby portion of the morning and we'd switch cars there (Steve didn't have the carseat in his car).

So, fairly proud of myself for my quickness I start off in Steve's car. I get about a block and a half to a stop sign when, no matter how much gas I applied it acted as if it wasn't getting any. Cars start queuing up behind me despite my hazards, I realize, in my haste, I had grabbed my purse from my car but not my cell phone. So I am not too worried about walking back to the house - I hadn't gotten too far, but I was not near the curb - sorta half in the middle of the street. Finally a nice man helped me get it close to a curb even though it was a red curb - it would have to do.

THEN luckily Claire's dad just happened to drive by (on his way back from help another pre-school family who'd locked their keys in their car...) so he actually drove me back to my house and waited in case I needed a ride to school. I interrupted Steve just as he was about to feed Abby breakfast, told him the situation and grabbed Abby and some shoes and headed out the door to have Adam drive us to school.

Abby is *very* confused and would really just like to go back and get her pancakes.

We get to school, Abby is quickly distracted by "Meggie" and she has a great day at school. I wait patiently for outside time to end before trying to get in touch with Steve and figure out what has happened. It takes a while. I sweep the perimeter of the play yard and start feeling some strain on my belly so down I sit.

I finally get in touch with Steve who has been waiting for the tow truck for two hours and yelling at the guy from Jiffy Lube (JL broke his car last week during a routine check and kept it to fix it but it has been acting weird since). Miss Janet sends me home and gets Abby out of class at the same time. Abby is very *very* confused and sad as now she's going to 'miss everything' (She does love school and kids but I wonder if this sadness/comment was also due to the fact that, though the kids aren't really punished if they can't control themselves in class, they are sent outside with a parent until they can control themselves. And when that happens I think the teacher usually says, 'you're going to miss such and such, so I hope you can come back before it's over.' So I wonder if she almost felt like she was being deprived). Luckily the parent driving *me* home was willing to drive Abby home at the end of school so we sent her back into the class and sent me home.

Steve's car is now at the dealership... we are *not* going to invest much into fixing that car. So we'll see how we do for a while with one car and one borrowed MarySue car.

Oh well, we have the rest of the day to make it better.

Halloween Part Two - A Cat, A Cow, and some Candy

Well, I didn't have a camera to capture the Ballet Cat. Abby's ballet teacher dressed all the kids as cats - ears, tail and face makeup which took vaseline to get off. But it was OH so cute. One of the parents snapped a picture so we'll see if it turns out.

Abby was a cow for the trick or treating festivities on pre-school row. She was overjoyed - friends and candy and running all mixed together was overwhelming. As she ran from house to house (usually happily chasing the tails of the older kids) she would sing "Happy Halloween, Trick or Treat - we're trick or treating!" About two and a half blocks later the kids were pretty much done which worked out fine for us.

We finished the night back at Tim & Sarah's where we unwound and watched Micaiah attempt to break out of the house with Samantha's car keys.