Ready or Not - 2 Kids, Here We Come!

At this time of year, I am (obviously) always feeling extra thankful for my blessings.  This year I have been feeling especially grateful for my little family.  These boys are my world!

And of course, I haven't forgotten this little lady in my belly.  She has become part of my world too.... and Michael's.... and Matthew's.... although Matthew doesn't know it yet.  ;-)  

31 weeks!  And see my new iPhone?  Yep, love it.  Thanks Santa for coming early this year!

Have I mentioned that I'm excited to meet her?  Only 1000 times?  Well, I AM!  But with all that excitement comes a whole lot of nervousness too.  It's funny - while I feel like this time I will be able to appreciate those early days even more because I understand how fast they zoom by, I am also more scared because I know how hard they can be.  With all the fun and excitement and happiness comes a lot of exhaustion and stress.  While I am a firm believer that the good heavily outweighs the bad, I am scared of my biggest unknown - what life is going to be like with two kids.

I have seen countless women with more than one kid and they seem to be Supermom about it, but whoa, it is definitely weighing heavily on my mind that I won't be able to devote all my time and energy to just Matthew anymore.  Perhaps this is a good thing - despite our best efforts, Matthew has developed a small case of the Only Child Syndrome,  ;-)  but still.  It's scary for me to think of how I'm supposed to be a good mom to TWO kids - especially in those early days.  Any and all advice is appreciated!

As for a pregnancy update, I am actually feeling really, really good.  My SPD has been way more under control this time around and that has made a huge difference.  I am beyond grateful that I can still chase Matthew around, even if I am getting slower by the second!  I am appreciating my mobility now because I can tell that it won't be long before it becomes more limited.  My stomach seems to bother me a lot, but it isn't anything too terrible and if that's my only big complaint at this point, then I have it pretty dang good.  Braxton Hicks are rare.  I have no idea what heartburn even feels like.  My biggest craving at the moment is pastries.  Ugh!  Please don't even say "donut" or "cream cheese croissant" around me, or I just might lose control and eat a dozen of them.  :-/  Baby Girl has mostly stayed away from my ribs (what an angel!) but I'm sure as she gets bigger and chunkier she'll run out of room ... and I'll get those little feet in my ribs soon enough.  ;-)  She gets the hiccups ALL THE TIME, just like her big brother did.  She also likes to dance.... on my bladder.  When Michael puts his hand on my belly, it usually calms her down.  Daddy's girl already!

I am SO excited for the holidays!  And it's crazy to think that when they're all done, this baby will make her appearance within a  few weeks!  Woohoo!  Maybe she'll even be a really, really good sleeper and and never fuss.  It's possible, right!?  RIGHT!?  Ha, okay, I know better.  But regardless, I am thrilled for her to get here and come play with all of us!  She is already so, so loved!

Rantings Of My "Crazy" Libertarian Husband

The elections are over.  Obama is the president for another 4 years.  Time to make the best of it, let it go, and move on, I know.  However, I don't think that it's wrong to voice your opinions, try to learn more about political matters, and educate others on things that they may not know much about.  (As long as it is done in the right way).  Debate can be a good thing.  It can also get ugly.  Michael has been struggling on Facebook the last few days because he has seen some really, really dumb posts.  (Haven't we all?)  While he can have a good, healthy debate, he has a hard time when people say things that are just plain ridiculous and don't know how to actually argue in a good way.  I keep having to tell him to just not read them so that he doesn't get too worked up about it and say something to them he'll regret.  So, I'm letting him vent here.  Of course you probably won't agree with everything he says, (not even I do.... though we definitely agree on the big issues) but he's down for a debate with anyone if you're interested.  ;-)  Just make sure you know what you're talking about!

If any of these seriously offend you, just stop reading.  We don't want to make enemies - we just want to let Michael get some things off his chest without targeting a specific person. Be warned, he is quite extreme in many of his opinions. 

I also just realized that this is Michael's first time writing on this blog.  Hmmm... maybe one day I'll be able to convince him to write again - perhaps about something more upbeat.  ;-)

I have recently been on my soap box in my home and on Facebook, ranting about the different things that perplex or anger me to do with the current state of the USA.  My wife has petitioned me to put it down to writing.  This would be a serious undertaking that would be more novel length-ed than a blog post.  Quickly, I just want to address a few of my biggest pet peeves regarding Americans and their view on politics.

  

1. The idea that America is going to be fine no matter what happens.

     -This is a fallacy for a number of reasons.  This mindset is actually a big part of the problem.  We think that we are invincible and that everyone owes us something because we are better.  We feel like we deserve everything because we have been privileged for so long.  People have forgotten the sacrifices and policies that brought about this life of privilege and now feel as if they deserve it.  We are bankrupt as a country and we are not going to be okay with the status quo.  There needs to be big changes in mindset and practices of the American people or we will lose the privileges that take work to earn and keep.

2. The focus on social issues as a means for selecting a candidate.

    -Our economy is held up by credit.  When our creditors come looking for what they are owed we are in trouble.  Either we are going to be looking at hyper-inflation of epic proportions or we are going to be looking at no one being willing to sell us goods because we defaulted on our loans.  Our national debt with contingent liabilities has a burden of about 150k on every citizen.  There is no way we can pay this and if something isn't done we will be wishing we had the quality of life of people in Mexico.  But many people go to the polls to vote for Obama because he supports gay marriage or because of his stance on abortion...seriously?!  Those things don't matter if you can't eat!  I'm not saying that social issues should be ignored, but they are not what is the most important thing right now, and NOT what you should have used to select the president.

3. We are entitled.

     -Entitlements are absolutely ridiculous.  We used to oppose communist ideals with vigor.  Now we feel like it is the responsibility of our country to take care of us.  It is no longer "ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."  It is all about "what can my country do for me?"  This country doesn't owe you anything.  I don't owe you anything.  Nobody owes you anything.  And nobody owes me anything.  Being born in this country does not give you the right to have everything everyone else has.  When people say that other people should have healthcare I ask "Why?"  Nobody really answers the question.  "Because it is the right thing to do." , "Why?"  "Because people shouldn't suffer." , "Why?"  "Because ...."  Fill in the blank with whatever you want.  Nobody is willing to say the real reason - "Because I feel like I deserve what everyone else has, so the government needs to make it fair for me."  This mindset that people innately deserve something other than opportunity is insidious.  Not only does it take from the opportunity of others, but if everyone had that mindset, nothing would happen.  In a world where I deserve to get "mine" and not have to make the same sacrifices as others to get it I stop making sacrifices, but when I do that, so does my neighbor because he has no reason to do more for the same amount so he does less.  Then we all end up doing nothing and get angry when everyone else refuses to work for us.  Don't believe me?  See what happens when food stamps are released late http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ufk7IXdxc-c&feature=related .   You don't deserve anything you didn't work for.  NOTHING!  And that includes a prosperous America.  Also, I am not saying that people who have more shouldn't give to people who have less.  They should!  But to be forced to give it is wrong.

4. Regulations are good and that is how we fix problems

    -You vote every time you go to the store.  You vote every time you go to work.  You vote everywhere you go.  If you don't like the way somebody does something, don't patron that establishment.  Women's employment issues was a big topic in the election and many women chose to vote for Obama.  This, to me, is ridiculous. If you don't like how much your employer is paying you, get another job.  If you don't like the employment practices of a company, don't use that companies products.  If you don't like how a company treats the environment, don't use their products.  People want there to be equal pay and hiring practices.  If you want that, go and work for a company that will compensate you that way.  If you are worth that much money to your company they will pay you that much money.  If you are not, they won't.  If they are prejudiced, go work somewhere else.  If nobody else will hire you, create your own job.  Nobody owes you a job and nobody owes you a certain level of pay or a safe environment to work in.  If you don't like it, don't work there.  I repeat, nobody owes you anything and you do not deserve anything that you do not work for.  Regulations are bad.  They make it more expensive to comply and decrease jobs.  They lend towards the egoistic entitlement philosophy of many Americans.  Regulations create far more problems than they could ever "solve."  

I could go on for weeks, but these are some of the things that have been getting me fired up lately.  We need to abandon this entitled, "we are better than everyone else" mentality.  I am so tired of this.  Also, I don't like Abraham Lincoln and think the wrong side won the Civil War but that is a different topic for a different day.  And no, that doesn't mean I am pro-slavery, I just happen to be pro the Constitution.

October Festivities

I love October.  Cooler weather, the start of a string of super fun holidays, and lots of activities going on.  This last Saturday we had a super fun and busy day and even though we all ended the day exhausted both physically and mentally, it was more than worth it for the memories!

Last year, our pumpkin carving involved putting Matthew INTO a pumpkin.  My sister helped me majorly Photoshop the picture to make it look like Matthew was actually tolerating it, but the actual pictures made me and Michael look like the worst parents that ever lived....

Good picture:

Bad parents pictures:

This year, pumpkin carving was a MUCH better experience for Matthew.  Pumpkin guts = unbelievably amazing to a  1-year old.  Definitely kept him entertained for a while.  We'd take the insides out of the pumpkin, and he'd play with them and then put them back in.  :-)

 Not really sure how that got there... 

And then we headed to the Arizona State Fair!  Apparently, it's a pretty big deal here.  Michael grew up going and was like a little kid on Christmas as we were getting ready to go.  It didn't disappoint!  Just walking into the fair made me happy.  And it was HUGE!  Definitely the biggest and nicest fair I've ever been to.  We got really good deals for admission, but we forked over the money for some ridiculously overpriced (but delicious!) fair food.  We bought a humongous turkey leg, a funnel cake, (1000 calories per bite?  Oh well!  It's the Fair!) and a giant strawberry lemonade.  We checked out the petting zoo (Matthew's favorite) watched a pig race, wandered, and Michael even played a game and won Matthew a stuffed penguin.  Aww.  :-)  Oh, and of course we had to check out the Coliseum, which is where the Phoenix Suns first played.  

After a veeeery quick nap back at home, we headed out to the Trunk Or Treat.  Matthew was definitely a fan of the candy, but couldn't figure out why people kept giving the candy to his bucket rather than to him.  Silly people.

 Batmobile

And then, we all crashed.  So excited for all the other fun holidays coming up!

My Little Man

I know that some things about acting "like a boy" or "like a girl" are taught by our culture, but you know what?  Matthew was meant to be a boy.  When people told me that little boys are naturally more attracted to bugs, dirt, rocks, destroying things, cars, balls, and crazy adventures, I wasn't sure I totally believed them.

I am now a total believer.  Matthew is a boy, and he acts like it.  Constantly.

When I was pregnant with Matthew and found out that he was a boy, I was excited but also a little nervous.  I was worried about being a mom to a boy.  Being a mom to a girl seemed way more natural to me -dolls and princess dresses?  Yes please.  Getting dirty and digging for worms?  Not really my thing.  Well, whether or not I felt ready, Matthew started making his transition from baby-hood to toddler-hood and out came the trains and legos.

Guess what?  Turns out that I love being a mom to a little boy!  It's exhausting (especially as I've now reached my third trimester!) and yes, kinda messy, but my goodness, I sure have a lot of fun.  Matthew is constantly on the go, always getting dirty, and narrowly missing death traps every 20 seconds, (scaring me to death) but I still find myself wishing (almost) :) every day that I could freeze time.  I sure do love my little man, and the ways that he is toughening me up.  ;-)  Don't get me wrong - I am beyond excited for the little lady coming in a few short months and the accessories, glitter, and dresses that are coming with her, but I sure do love the "boy stuff" too.

Here are a few cell phone pics (in other words, horrible quality pictures) that I've taken over the last month of a few of Matthew's favorite ways to be 100% boy.

 First he learned how to climb up onto the open dishwasher.....

And then he learned how to climb onto ... well, anything.  And he still cannot safely get down, which means leaving him alone for even 20 seconds is a big no-no right now.

He's also also constantly opening the fridge, looking for good food.  He's always down for a snack.  I'm scared of feeding him when he's a teenager.

He hates being cooped up in the house so we go to the park or for walks ALL the time.  His favorite thing is "treacherous terrain."  I guess this is pretty treacherous for a 1- year old.

When we walk to the car, he bangs on the drivers side door until I open the door and let him climb up so that he can "drive."

And then when I finally move him to his car seat, he's pretty mad.  He'll arch his back and flail and fight me until he finally loses.  He fake cries for a minute to show his displeasure.

He is also into making block towers and then immediately destroying them, playing in the dirt, making messes, wrestling, and walking on the treadmill.  (With help from me or Michael).  Oh, and although he has finally given up trying to eat rocks, I have caught him a couple times trying to eat a cigarette off the ground.  That's fun. (Not!)

Matthew is just plain awesome.  I'm so glad he gets to be the big brother of this family.

10 Things You May Or May Not Know About Michael

Happy Birthday to my twenty-something year old husband.  ;-)  Just thought I'd share some random things about Michael before I finish frosting his white cupcakes with vanilla frosting and served with vanilla ice cream.  HIS request.  Try not too get too crazy with those flavors Michael.

1.  He knows at least a little bit about everything.  Seriously.  I think it's one of the biggest reasons that he can get along with almost anyone.

2.  He thinks you only need to wash pants and shorts about once a year.  Don't worry, I steal them all the time and throw them in the washing machine, much to his disapproval.  ("My pants are tight!  You washed them!  I have to stretch them out now!")  Ha.

3.  He is allergic to anything that's alive and not human. Okay, that was a slight exaggeration.... but really, he's allergic to a lot.  He pets a dog and breaks out in hives.  He sits on grass and is unbelievably itchy.  It's pretty hilarious.  His allergies weren't always this bad though.... when he was toddler, a cat picked him (like the wands pick the wizard/witch in Harry Potter) and he got to keep her.  Her name was Mama Kitty.  ;-)  It got harder and harder for Michael to be around her as he got older.  Sadly, she died on his mission, but we wouldn't be able to have her anyway.  Michael can't touch cats at all anymore.

4.  He would choose to read nonfiction over fiction 100% of the time.

5.  His favorite TV show of all time is The Walking Dead.  (eek!)  He also loves Pawn Stars, Storage Wars, and a couple shows from HGTV.

6.  He puts mine or Matthew's name into any song that he sings.  For example, this morning he was singing, "Oh Matthew Tree Oh Matthew Tree, your leaves are ever faithful....." Or yesterday it was, "Carly Fries Honey Bunch... you know that I love you!  I can't help myself...."  

7.  He can do an amazing Sarah McLachlan impression.

8.  He's basically a Libertarian.  He definitely favors the Republican side but wishes they'd be more extreme.  :-)

9.  His first favorite food is pizza.  His second favorite food is "Taco Bell."

10.   He gets seasick on absolutely anything that involves water, and even things that don't involve water.  He gets "seasick" on the swings.  ;-)

And as a bonus - #11 -  He is the most amazing husband and father.  Me and Matthew are so, so lucky.  WE LOVE YOU!