February Abbi-isms

(Once again, I need to be better at keeping track of these!!)

While sitting on her stool, looking at her Barbie wallet...
Abbi:  Once upon a time...
me:  What are you doing Abbi?
Abbi:  Teaching puppy to read!

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Every morning after she eats breakfast, I'll let Abbi sit on my bed and watch a cartoon.  I asked her what she wanted to watch, and she wouldn't answer me.  So I told her what was on and what we had recorded.  She just said "I just can't decide!"

Abbi - February 2011

Wow - I didn't do all that well for February - only 4 pictures??  I need to get it together!

I'm in trouble - Abbi has figured out how to get the cabinet doors open, and she loves to get the cereal out.  Looks like we need some child proof locks for the doors!

What a pretty girl!!

Enjoying time with dadda

I had a doctor's appointment, and we were driving past the temple.  As we drove past, I pulled over to let her see, and she said that she wanted to go inside.  I told her that she couldn't go inside, and she wasn't very happy.  She just kept crying that she wanted to go inside the temple!  I hope she keeps feeling that way as she gets older!

37 Weeks 2 Days

My doctor is out of the office on Friday, so not quite a week since my last appointment on this update!!

I've been telling my body not to go into labor this week because my parents are on vacation, and I guess my body was listening!  I was still dialated to a 2 and 70% effaced.  The good news is that my blood pressure was back to normal.  Everything else looked good.  Both the doctor and I decided that next week would be a good week for a baby!!

I'm going to try doing some visualization and meditating to see if I can get my body to cooperate and bring this baby to me next week.  I keep thinking Wednesday would be a fun day - just because then his birthday would be 3/2/11.  But if it doesn't happen on Wednesday, the doctor is going to strip my membranes on Thursday, so hopefully he'll be here Thursday night or Friday.  Yes, I'm very uncomfortable and ready to not be pregnant anymore, but I'm also eager to meet this little guy!  We still don't have a name picked out, although I have a feeling when he gets here, I'll get my choice!  Hopefully we'll know by the end of next week!

Book #12 - On Becoming Babywise

On Becoming Babywise
Gary Ezzo

Blurb:    Scientists can put a man on the moon but they can not answer the most basic question of early parenting: how to have a happy and contented baby who sleeps continually through the night like the rest of the family and a mother who is not in a perpetual state of exhaustion. Now, moms and dads need look no further than On Becoming Babywise. Babywise is an exciting infant management plan that successfully and naturally helps infants synchronize their feeding, waketime and nighttime sleep cycles. Find out what four million grateful parents worldwide have already learned. Discover the positive prescription for curing sleepless nights and fussy babies. Recommended by doctors across the country.  (From Goodreads)

Length: Short -  pages

Notes:  I think this is the first non- fiction book I have read since starting these reviews!!  But with the birth of my boy only days or weeks away, I knew I needed to get with it!  With Abbi, my biggest problem - since birth - was her dependence.  Both needing to be held constantly and not sleeping on her own.  In fact, we didn't get the whole sleeping thing down until right before she turned 2!  I wanted to do better this time around, especially since having 2 kids will be twice as hard.  So many people have recommended this book to me, and it totally makes sense to me.  I'm planning on implementing the practices in this book, so only time will tell if it is successful for me or not. 

Recommend: yes

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Book #11 - Pollyanna

Pollyanna
Eleanor Porter


Blurb:  When orphaned 11-year-old Pollyanna comes to live with austere and wealthy Aunt Polly, her philosophy of gladness brings happiness to her aunt and other members of the community, somewhat to their surprise.  (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence:  "Miss Polly Harrington entered her kitchen a little hurriedly this June morning."

Length: Short - 192 pages

Notes:  Pollyanna is one of my all-time favorite movies.  I've seen it dozens of times.  And I love it more every time I see it.  Which is why I wanted to read this book.  Well, maybe I've seen the movie too many times, because honestly - I liked the movie better.  I was actually surprised at how many differences there were between the movie and the book - although that is usually how it goes.  I'm sure I would have loved this book if I hadn't seen the movie before, though, so I can't really judge.  It still was a cute book and a good story!

Random quote:  "Oh, but Aunt Polly, Aunt Polly, you haven't left me any time at all just to- to live."

Recommend: yes

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Girls Night Out/Baby Shower

I'm the luckiest girl!  I know I've said it before, but I have the best family.  We had been talking about doing a Girls Night Out before I had my baby, but we hadn't really made any plans.  Well, this was supposed to be a surprise, and the surprise part kind of got ruined, but I still got spoiled for a night!!

We started off with pedicures - which I love - especially right before I'm about to have a baby.

I even got an extra scrub treatment, then a mud that made my legs feel amazing...

and then a parafin wax treatment on my feet!  I felt truly pampered!

I was going to try out blue, since I'm having a boy and all, but I still ended up with pink.  I guess I'm a creature of habit!

Then we went down to Tami's house for tons of amazing food. 

And the company was perfect, too!

And I was a happy camper to see cupcakes from my favorite - Dear Lizzy.

And then - lucky me! - I got spoiled with gifts.  I haven't needed much, but my wonderful sisters, sister in law and mother pretty much crossed everything that was left off of my list!

And here I am in all of my large glory.  You can definitely tell I'm at the end of my pregnancy.  And another reason to be excited to have this guy - to get rid of my double chin!

It was a great night that ended with watching You Again (which was cheesy, but entertaining!)  I didn't get home until around 1am - I haven't been out that late  in a long time!  But what a fun night!

36 Weeks 4 Days

I've been reading back over the last month/weeks before Abbi was born, and realizing that I kept much better record with her!  Which is good, because there are many things about those last weeks of her pregnancy that I don't remember!  So, I need to be better at least writing up my dr. appointment days with this little guy!

Today marks 36 weeks 4 days.  My blood pressure was a little bit better than last week, but still a little high.  I'm dialated to a 2 and 70% effaced.  Progress, although I don't think he's ready to come quite yet!  I'm still having tons of contractions - some of which are getting painful, but nothing consistent at all.  It almost worries me that I'll go into labor and not even know it!  I'm starting to swell some - the carpal tunnel is coming back into my wrists, but it's usually only bad in the mornings.  Besides that, I'm just beat and ready to meet this little guy!

So Many to Read...

Most of the time, I have 6+ books on request at the library. I'm usually reading one of those books once it comes off of hold. But every once in awhile, I'll have nothing to read and none of the books I've requested off of hold, so I'll get to search from my "to-read" list of books that are just at the library. I'll usually make a list and choose 3 or 4 at a time. I don't know what came over me, but I came home with 7 books today!  I don't know how I think I'm going to read 7 books in 3 weeks, but we'll see what happens!  Now, it's just a dilemma of trying to decide what order to read them in...

Book #10 - The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
C.S. Lewis

Blurb:  When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy took their first steps into the world behind the magic wardrobe, little do they realise what adventures are about to unfold. And as the story of Narnia begins to unfold, so to does a classic tale that has enchanted readers of all ages for over half a century.  (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence:  "Once there were four children whose names were Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy."

Length: Short - 189 pages

Notes:  I almost feel like a cheater - reading this book for my challenge for 2011.  But...  I didn't have a book to read, and I own this book.  The reason I feel like a cheater?  I think I have read it before, but just didn't realize it.  Or maybe I started it once upon a time...I don't know.  But a lot of it was really familiar to me!  Regardless, it was a great book.  I know there is all kinds of symbolism through it - some of which I caught, and I'm sure most of which I missed.  I'd like to do some deeper studying sometime just about the symbolism.  But even without taking it to that deeper level, it's an entertaining book!

Random quote:  "Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia. But don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it. And don't talk too much about it even among yourselves. And don't mention it to anyone else unless you find that they've had adventures of the same sort themselves. What's that? How will you know? Oh, you'll know all right. Odd things, they say-even their looks-will let the secret out. Keep your eyes open. Bless me, what do they teach them at these schools."

Recommend: yes

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Book #9 - Fire Study

Fire Study
Maria V. Snyder


Blurb: When word that Yelena is a Soulfinder—able to capture and release souls—spreads like wildfire, people grow uneasy. Already Yelena's unusual abilities and past have set her apart. As the Council debates Yelena's fate, she receives a disturbing message: a plot is rising against her homeland, led by a murderous sorcerer she has defeated before....

Honor sets Yelena on a path that will test the limits of her skills, and the hope of reuniting with her beloved spurs her onward. Her journey is fraught with allies, enemies, lovers and would-be assassins, each of questionable loyalty. Yelena will have but one chance to prove herself—and save the land she holds dear. (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence:  " 'That's pathetic, Yelena,' Dax complained."

Length: Medium - 441 pages

Notes: The third, and I'm assuming last, in the Poison Study series - I still think I liked the first book - Poison Study - the best, although this one was pretty good.  The thing I liked a lot about this book is that it kept you wanting to read the whole way through.  There wasn't really one main climax to the book, but the action was equally dispersed through the book.  The ending was unexpected for me, too, which I always enjoy.  I can see how the author would be able to write further books in the series, but the ending was final enough for the end of a trilogy.

Random quote:  "There's always another storm. It's the way the world works. Snowstorms, rainstorms, windstorms, sandstorms, and firestorms. Some are fierce and others are small. You have to deal with each one separately, but you need to keep an eye on whats brewing for tomorrow."

Recommend: yes

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35 Weeks 4 Days

I can't believe I'm already almost 36 weeks pregnant, and this is the first real belly shot I've taken! I'm slacking, I know. I did so good with Abbi, but with this little guy, this is the first update I've even written in weeks!

Truth be told - this pregnancy is kicking my butt.  I don't know if it's because I have a toddler that I'm chasing after, or if it's because it's just been harder, but I have to admit that I'm so ready for this little guy to come.  I know one big difference - and it's my fault - is that I worked out my whole pregnancy with Abbi - right up until the end, but it's been a totally different story with this pregnancy.  And I think that's the biggest reason behind my lack of energy this time around.

Besides the lack of energy, I can't wait to have my normal/crazy hormones back instead of these crazy/crazy hormones.  I would have thought that hormones would be crazier when you are pregnant with a girl, but it's definitely been crazier this time around.  I will be on top of the world one minute, and then the next minute, all I want to do is crawl in bed and go to sleep.  But I'm glad that I at least realize that it's the hormones talking, and hopefully things will go back to normal after he's been here for a little while.

I'm just now starting to swell.  I'm so glad it hasn't been as bad as it was with Abbi!!  And I developed this pain on my side several weeks ago.  The doctor thinks it's a strained muscle, which I think I got when I had a cough that seriously lasted over a month.  All of that coughing and weekend stomach muscles equals a serious pain in my side.  That, combined with some recent back pain, has put me with a heating pad for a few hours every day.

I had my 36 week check up today - I am dialated to a 1 and 50% effaced.  I have to admit that I was surprised that I wasn't further along - mostly because I've been having tons of contractions.  I've been having the Braxton Hicks contractions forever, but recently, they've started to really feel like real contractions.  The pain is setting in, although they aren't constant or regular at all.

At the doctor, my blood pressure was a little bit high.  I don't remember the top number, but the bottom number was at 90 when the nurse took it, then the doctor re-took it and it was at 88.  Not terribly high, but I think he was a little alarmed because 2 weeks before I had a little bit of protein in my urine.  So, he said he'd check it again at my appointment next week, and if it gets better, I should be able to go into labor on my own.  If it stays the same, they'll induce no later than 39 weeks, and if it gets worse, they'll induce at 37 weeks.  So we'll see what happens at my appointment next Friday!  In one way, I'm so ready to not be pregnant anymore, but I get really worried about any sort of complications if he has to come 3 weeks early.  So it's turned into a catch 22, because I'm sort of stressed out about the blood pressure, but I know I need to relax and not stress out so that it will go down!  But it looks like he'll be here within the next 4 weeks - which is exciting as well!!

Once There Was a Snowman

Abbi has been asking for weeks now to build a snowman.  Unfortunately, there just hasn't been snow, or one of us has been sick.  So when we had a little bit of snow, Abbi took advantage and built herself a snowman!  As much as I am ready for Spring, I'm hoping - for Abbi's sake - that we get one more good snowstorm so she can have a real snowman!

Book #8 - Linger

Linger
Maggie Stiefvater

Blurb:  In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabel, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.  (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence:  "This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl that was becoming one."

Length: Medium - 360 pages

Notes:  This is the second in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series.  I liked the first book, and I liked this second book.  The biggest complaint is the same with both of them.  This is the first YA book I've read this year, yet it talked the most about sex.  Go figure.  Nothing graphic, but these are high school students.  Call me crazy, but if Abbi was a teenager, I wouldn't want her reading a book that even suggests to pre-marital sex - especially while still in high school.  But besides that, I actually really enjoyed this book.  I totally didn't predict the ending, although looking back afterwards, I felt like I really should have seen what was going to happen.  Maybe I'll blame it on pregnancy brain!!  The end of this book is totally left open for the next book in the series, that doesn't come out until July.  I really should start waiting to read these series books until the whole series is out!!

Random quote:  "This is a love story. I never knew there were so many kinds of love or that love could make people do so many different things. I never knew there were so many ways to say good-bye."

Recommend: yes

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You Capture - Red

It's been awhile since I've participated in You Capture, but with Red Velvet Week going on at my food blog, I thought I just had to participate in this one!!

Book #7 - Room

 Room
Emma Donoghue


Blurb:  To five-year-old Jack, Room is the entire world. It is where he was born and grew up; it's where he lives with his Ma as they learn and read and eat and sleep and play. At night, his Ma shuts him safely in the wardrobe, where he is meant to be asleep when Old Nick visits.

Room is home to Jack, but to Ma, it is the prison where Old Nick has held her captive for seven years. Through determination, ingenuity, and fierce motherly love, Ma has created a life for Jack. But she knows it's not enough...not for her or for him. She devises a bold escape plan, one that relies on her young son's bravery and a lot of luck. What she does not realize is just how unprepared she is for the plan to actually work.

Told entirely in the language of the energetic, pragmatic five-year-old Jack, ROOM is a celebration of resilience and the limitless bond between parent and child, a brilliantly executed novel about what it means to journey from one world to another.   (From Goodreads)

Opening Sentence:  "Today I'm five."

Length: Medium - 321 pages

Notes: What a thought provoking book!!  I knew this one was going to be deep when I first read what it was about.  I have to admit that it was hard to read at times, having a child of my own and wondering what I would have done in this situation.  And this book was so much more than I expected.  Without giving anything away, before I read it, I thought it was just about their time in the "Room"  but it goes beyond that and how hard it would be heal from such an ordeal.  The second half of the book was so unexpected for me and was really thought provoking.  But it was disturbing at times, too - the subject matter is not light subject matter.  It was handled well, since the whole book is through the eyes of a 5-year old.  But the story wouldn't be the same or even as believable without the disturbing parts there as well.

Random quote:  "In the world I notice persons are nearly always stressed and have no time...I don't know how persons with jobs do the jobs and all the living as well...I guess the time gets spread very thin like butter all over the world, the roads and houses and playgrounds and stores, so there's only a little smear of time on each place, then everyone has to hurry on to the next bit."

Recommend: yes

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