Love is a battlefield!

Sam and I were in Sammy's room spending time with him before bed. I was on the couch and Sam was laying on the floor, tickling my feet. Let me just say that I have told Sam that I am too old to be tickled! I am 30 for crying out loud! He continues to tickle me constantly and some times to the point I pee my pants a little. Ridiculous!

Me: Seriously babe, you better stop!
Sam: Or what?
Me: Or I am gonna smack you in the face!
Sam: (Scoffs) Babe, you aren't going to smack nobody's nothing.
Me: Oh yes I will!!

He tickles my feet again and I dive off the couch towards him. I am giving him the beating of his life when in self defense he picks up Sammy's Giraffe and hits me in the head.

CRACK! The metal windup part is what hits my head. It hurt soooo bad! I touched it and then saw blood on my fingers. I pounded him again a few times for making me bleed and ran to the bathroom. I was crying! LOL It really hurt! I get there and there is blood trickling down in two fat streaks from my hairline to my eyebrows. Seeing it makes me wanna barf so I look down. Then I sit down on the tub, still crying by the way! Then I start seeing pink. Blood had gotten into my eye! GAG! I wanted to throw up so bad.

Sam came in and his doctor instincts kicked in I guess because he ran and got his medical bag. He was doing all sorts of stuff to my head but I was trying not to hurl all over the bathroom. After the bleeding stopped we put Sammy into bed and went back to our room. I went to his desk to see why he wasn't talking to me. He looked up at me with those big brown eyes weld up with tears and he said, "I'm just sad that I hurt you." LOLOLOLOL Bless his tender heart he felt so bad! I tried to make jokes and he kept telling me to stop. I didn't even get a chance to milk it! He asked me if I wanted him to put a few stitches in it. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!? HEEEEECK NO!!! You've lost your mind!!" After my dramatic reaction he finally laughed about it.

Even though it was definitely in my top five most painful accidents of my life I am fine. To prove there was no hard feelings I brought Sam a big glass of ice cold water...which I dumped on his head while he was in the shower. (Insert evil laugh here)

Tagged

I love these things!

1. If you have pets, do you see them as merely animals, or are they members of your family?

Well I am married to a Veterinarian but even before that pets are part of the family! I love my Mickey-do-da so much. He lives with Erica but we have had him since I was 17. Sam and I have the Flojo! She has been a little jealous of Sammy getting most of her attention but we love her.


2. If you can have a dream to come true, what would it be?

Well, like I told my friend BreAnn. My dream come true would be a calorie reversal! So I could grab a King Sized Reese Cups and watch all the salad eaters swell up! LOL On a serious note, my dream come true would be to run a marathon. Some day!!


3. What is the one thing most hated by you?

I really can't stand people who are rude, mean, or try to make others feel stupid. I think I hate it so bad because I used to be all three of these things. Now that I am older I just want everyone to be nice to everyone else. Sounds cheesy I guess.

4. what would you do with a billion dollars?

-Give Erica 100 million.
-Pay off all my families debt and make sure my Dad and Sam's parents could retire.
-Set up college and mission funds for Sammy and all my neices and nephews.
-Buy Sam an animal hospital with any and all equipment he wants.
-Buy season tickets to the Tarheel games.
-Buy a house in North Carolina, Utah, and Louisiana
-Donate to some charities and causes (SIDS, Depression)
-Hire a private Spanish tutor!
(I could go on LOL)

5. What helps to pull you out of a bad mood?

I can usually talk myself out of a bad mood. I am usually happy. A funny movie or laughing with my sister.

6. Which is more blessed, loving someone or being loved by someone?

Odd question. :)

7. What is your bedtime routine?

Make morning sippy cup for Sammy, take Flojo out, go into Sammy's room and make sure he is still breathing, brush teeth, read scriptures, pray, and argue with Sam about who steals whos pillow.

8. If you are currently in a relationship, how did you meet your partner?

We met on LDSsingles.com not findahunk.com as he likes to tell people. :) We talked for about 2 months then went on our first date. Engaged three months later and married three months after that.

9. If you could watch a creative person in the act of the creative process, who would it be?

Johnny Depp, if that counts. I was a theater major so at one time I loved being in plays and he is one of the best actors out there.

10. What kinds of books do you read?

I read all Nicholas Sparks books. They are all set in NC and he describes my home state perfectly! I also love books about communication and strengthening relationships. Also, quote books!

11. How would you see yourself in ten years time?

Hopefully with one or two more kids. Fluent in Spanish and Sign Lanuage. Having a job as an interpreter (For sign language). In shape enough to run a marathon!

12. What’s your fear?

Something happening to Sammy, Sam, or Erica. I have been really lucky and nothing really bad has happened to me. They are the three closest people to me. If I lost one of them...I wouldn't be completely myself anymore.

13. Would you give up all junk food for the rest of your life for the opportunity to visit outer space?

No way! I am too scared to leave the country much less the planet! You go ahead Bre, take lots of pictures! LOL

14. Would you rather be single and rich or married, but poor?

I'm really not good at being poor but I could not live without Sam so I'd take the second one.

15. What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?

Check my phone, ugh I hate that that is true.

16. If you could change one thing about your spouse/partner what would it be?

I would make him communicate the way I do so we could understand each other always. LOL

17. If you could pick a new name for yourself, what would it be?

I love my name and wouldn't change it!

18. Would you forgive and forget no matter how horrible a thing that special someone has done?

I absolutely would forgive but depending on how horrible it was it might take a while. I would definitely try to forget but that is hard for anyone I think.

19. If you could only eat one thing for the next 6 months, what would it be?

Chicken! I love it. :)

I will tag....Erica, Meghan, Jess, Lynds (They are my friends that actually blog) but anyone else feel free. It is always fun to learn more about people

Six Flags

Six Flags Magic Mountain had a Mormon Family Fun day this past Saturday. It was announced at church and since the tickets were over half off we decided to go. Sam's sister and her husband went with us. We should have known that on a discount day that was also a Saturday that it would be packed. We were there from 10am to 8pm and rode a total of seven rides! Each ride had about an hour wait. We rode five roller coasters and two water rides.

X2 was five dimensional so we were spinning every directions and at one point went through two huge flames! It was pretty awesome and the scariest coaster I've ever been on!

Then Tatsu...the whole ride was upside down and backwards. Everything was strapped down all the way to our ankles! It was the closest to death I have ever come! In the beginning some thing was wrong so we kept getting lifted upside down then right side up again. Being upside down for that long made me really sick! When we were done everyone was chanting, "One more time" to which I screamed, "Let me off!" I thought I was going to puke!

Terminator Salvation was an old school coaster that didn't have a loop. It was scary because it was made of wood and rickety. Plus, we saw a live mouse in the scenery during the wait so I was concerned about the upkeep.

Riddler's Revenge was one that you are standing. It was ok but it really tossed your head back and forth which made me have a head ache.

Goliath has the biggest hill I have ever seen! It was fast and my favorite! I love a roller coaster that is fast and doesn't make me sick!

Roarin Rapids is one of my fav water rides. I usually don't get too wet and it is totally unpredictable. Some seats get soaked and some only splashed. I picked the wrong seat. Sam and I got so soaked that everyone else was laughing at us. The water in inside the boat was almost up to our knees! My brother in law was laughing so hard that it made me laugh so hard I may have peed a little! :)

Tidal Wave was the big boat that just goes down a big drop. You really don't get wet unless you stand on the bridge after...which I did because I was already wet so why not.

I didn't get many chances to take pictures since we were in line most of the day. I would have bought one of the shots from the rides but I seriously looked like I was in pain for each one of them. Sam and I decided we absolutely have to go on diets before we ever go back. The two of us riding together was so funny. Amusment parks are a great place to people watch. Wow, I felt like I was in the world's largest trailor park! Some of the gems I saw made me laugh and other's embarrassed me. I always get slightly emabarrassed when I see other chumby people wearing stuff they should not. I did laugh at a fat guy wearing a shirt that said "Gordos do it better." The muffin tops were in abundance! I saw a chick in heels that I wanted to punch! I saw pretty feet, ugly feet, and gross feet! I had a lot of fun and it was really nice to spend the day with Sam. If I am being honest though I just wanted the day to be over because I missed Sammy so much it was ridiculous!

Random thoughts keeping me awake

Sam is snoring so loud I can't believe he hasn't woke himself up!

I wish I had worked harder on my mission. I wonder where Sam and I will go when we serve a mission together.

Man, I need to stop slacking and get back on my diet.

I wonder what it is like at my old job. As soon as all our kids are in school I am getting some kind of job! I can't take being home every day. Maybe I will go to school. I will be like 35 then...but who cares.

I really want to read those two books I just bought.

I am going to stop buying stuff we don't need and use the money I save to get my nails done.

I hope Sammy likes the classes I am signing us up for. I hope he makes friends...I hope I make some friends too.

I wonder if the Beehives are getting anything out of my lessons.

Why does Flojo have to lay by me when she is a thousand degrees?

Do I really have the patience to teach Sammy sign language?

The kitchen is a mess.

I wish I could go back and do everything all over again with what I know now. That's life I guess. School for sure though, why was I so rebellious?

I truly believe that Kathy is trying to sabotage my relationship with my Dad and his relationship with Sammy. I wish I could like her, it would be so much easier.

I wonder who will win Hell's Kitchen, So You Think You Can Dance, Last Comic Standing, and Big Brother.

I wonder if America would like me if I was on a reality show...I'm funny right? Pssh, heck yes I'm funny!

Seriously, why can't I sleep?

I can't believe I had two dreams about poop last night. Don't laugh Jean, keep it together!

What was that noise?!?!

What would I do if someone broke in here? I am definitely getting a gun and I am going to learn to shoot! Gotta keep it locked up so there is no accidents.

I wonder if our nieces and nephews know that we love them. I hope Carolina liked her birthday present.

I am going to be consistent with my discipline. It will be hard but I have to! I can do this!! I wish Sammy didn't have those break my heart big brown eyes! Be tough! I have to! I don't want Sammy to be a brat like some kids I know.

Will I have a girl next? I want a girl so bad! I've dreamed about a girl. I feel there is a daughter out there for me.

Why am I so exhausted all the time? I definitely need to start taking my vitamins again. I don't eat anything healthy! Need to start waking again but it is so hot!!

I really need to start doing my Rosetta Stone again. Man, I wish I had taken Spanish in high school. I wish I could take a class now...I would hate being away from Sammy.

Sam seriously falls asleep in less than 30 seconds. I can't imagine 12 hour work days, poor guy.

I wish I could always control my temper.

In a few minutes I will flip my pillow and it will be cool and that'll help me sleep.

I'd listen to my sleep machine app but my ears are sore from the headphones.


These are just the few that I could remember. Sam and I went to bed around 10:30. I started watching cartoons on his iPod and playing games on mine. I do this every night and it usually takes me about an hour to fall asleep. I fell asleep but around 12:30 Sammy woke up. I gave him a bottle and changed him then put him back in his crib. It took less than five minutes but when I got back in bed I was wide awake! It is now 3:58am. If I am lucky Sammy will sleep until 8. Tomorrow is going to be awful! At least I can nap but of course if I nap too long then I will have this same problem tomorrow night. I hope everyone out there is having sweet dreams.

Motivation Roller Coaster

I have been on millions of diets. I am one of those, "I'll start again on Monday" people. Back in March I had a break through and I started walking every single day and counting my calories. I was on the top of a huge hill in my motivation roller coaster. I lost ten pounds that month! Since then it has been a steady downhill slide.

I had a dream that I was a runner! I was on a shady path and there was a breeze. It felt amazing! I started doing the couch to 5K plan and I was pumped. Everything was going great and each time I completed a day I felt so proud. Last week, which was week 3, my knees started to be a little sore. Now it hurts to squat or crawl on the floor. I squatted down to get something out of a low cabinet and I could not get back up! Sammy has a play fort and I like to get down there and crawl and play around with him. Now it really hurts to do this.

Today reality smacked me in the face, my weight is keeping me from doing the things I want to do. I hate that! I am not going to be able to continue to run with my knees hurting like this. I am going to go to the doctor and get an exercise plan that will work for me. My motivation roller coaster has come to a complete stop. I am really discouraged!

Blah!

The good, the bad, and the uglies of me!

Every June I start to evaluate myself as a person. I do this with each new year but I do it again in June. On June 2, 1996 I was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. So every fast Sunday in June I bare my testimony as kind of a State of the Union between Heavenly Father and I. This year I wanted to write them down to get it all out. I don't intend to say most of this in my testimony just a little word vomit.

I wanted to talk a litte about what my "Natural Man" is like. I am very prideful! That is not me being humble about it either, I truly am prideful! My "Natural Man" is always right and knows it! I can be mean and even at times cruel. I am very quick whitted so I am great at arguing, and excellent at lying. I never forgive, I never forget, and I never apologize because I am never wrong. I also have a super hot temper as a result of the Rajin Cajun blood that runs through my veins. Yep, no patience whatsoever! These are not all of my natural man qualities but the most obvious ones.

At the same time I am none of those things, or I decided a long time ago that I didn't want to be.

A combination of my membership in the church, serving a mission, living and learning has changed me. That and a conscience that I developed somewhere along the way. I started trying to be better and when you think you are perfect changing can be a hard task. I learned to apologize which was a huge step because from the deepest depths of my soul I hated admitting I was wrong. Now if I am wrong I just want to admit it and apologize. It always makes me feel better to do so and even though it is always initially tough, because I still hate it, I am getting better at it every day. I can forgive and I can forget the wrongs done to me, and if I ever have trouble I remind myself of my not so perfectness to get over that bit of pride that is stopping me.

These weaknesses of mine are still so hard for me but Heavenly Father really helps me every day. I know that He is making me stronger even though I feel so incredibly weak. I have been battling my natural man for some time now and there are days when I want to give up and more often than not I stumble. I say within my heart, Jean, you are justified in being mad or not forgiving because you are right. I shutter to think of the cruel insults I can hurl at people in my mind. My ultimate goal is to be strong enough to apologize without having to swallow a gut wrenching urge to blurt out that I am right. I want to learn to forgive and forget without judging and without having to remind myself that I make mistakes too. I want to forgive because it is the right thing to do. I want to be able to control my temper and learn to communicate well. I want to be honest but always kind even in my thoughts of others. Of course, I need to stop being such a gossip too but I have enough I am trying to tackle at the moment.

I have so far to go but I really have come a long way. Wait...am I being prideful again? Hmm. I just say that because even though I still fall short daily I am actively working on it and repenting like crazy!!

Anyway, I wanted to say that I owe everything I am to Heavenly Father. He is changing me every day and it hurts something fierce!! I am grateful for the still small voice that whispers to me hundreds of times a day. "Jean, you need to stay calm. You are being impatient." "Think of what your actions are saying about you." "It doesn't matter that you are right, apologize and end this argument because you love him."-LOL Oh I do love my husband. "That person is a child of God." "What you are thinking right now is very cruel." "Stand up for what is right." Millions of thoughts race through my head when the good in me is battling the bad. I once said that I was 50% good and 50% bad and I could go either way at any moment. That is a true statement! I don't know how Heavenly Father with his billions of children spends all day working on me but I know he is always there!

There is a great comfort in knowing that Christ knows every thing about me and still loves me. He is a friend that I cannot lie to even when I lie to myself. He never turns His back on me and He never leads me a stray. I know He lives. He knows my name. I know he died for me. I know He is involved and aware of even the smallest details of my life. I know that in spite of my many, and I do mean many, faults I know that if I were face to face with him today that He would look on me with love in His eyes. I know that he has forgiven me and continues to do so. He and I have no secrets and I cherish my relationship with Him and my Father in Heaven.

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. Ether 12:27

That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do. Not that the task has changed but our ability to do the task is increased. Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Two years

This is Sam and I on November 17th, 2007...the day we met. I was so nervous this day and really didn't think any thing would come from this. As a matter of fact the next day I text my friend Carrie how much I liked him, scale of 1 to 10, and I said 4! Sam and I had been doing the whole email/chat thing online for a few months before, as Sam says, I finally started paying attention to him. Now we were finally going on our first date. Our second date was at a dentist office when he held my hand through an emergency root canal. Honestly, I didn't want it to work out. He had a major strike against him, he lived in California. I am not like most people I guess because I have never had even the slightest desire to even visit the state of California let alone live here. It is one of my top three states I would never want to live, the other two being New York and Florida. Some of you are thinking I am nuts right now, like my friend Jess who loves NY and my step sister Natascha who loves FL!

Three months later we were engaged and three months after that we were married. It is always tough for me to learn to live with another person and this time a boy. Learning how to live together and communicate. We only dated for six months and were only in person together 3 times before we got married. We communicate in totally different ways. Also, I consider myself a difficult person to be around so I try to tone down the drama that is me. LOL Anyway, there are those silly things you don't think about before your married like how we fold our shirts differently. I am not saying that we are pros at being married now at the two year mark. We still work at it every day. Even when he makes me so mad I could spit fire I know in my heart there is no one else I would want driving me as crazy mad as he does. :) Most of our days we are just like two kids playing house. He is so much fun and makes me so happy that I forget that I am a grown up. I love it! I love him! It has been a blast!



This is us today on our two year anniversary. Sam thought it would be nice for us to get out of town. I consider this our first family vacation! We drove six hours north to Monterey, California to go to the aquarium. I really had no idea how much fun it would be. The aquarium was amazing! The ocean was so beautiful! The day was just absolutely perfect. After the aquarium we went down to the beach and walked around this little town. They had so many little shops and I found two great lighthouses to add to my collection. We even went to this mirror maze that was a lot of fun. Then our last stop was the Dennis the Menace playground. I know that Sam and I had more fun than Sammy did and the other adults started following our example. After we went down the slides we saw other parents start to do it. They knew they wanted to anyway.





Now I look to my left and my little Sammy is all tuckered out in his pack-n-play and to my right big Sammy has fallen asleep watching Animal Planet. Like I said, it was a perfect day. :)

Battle of the Bottle

As you can see from the picture we have several bottles. When I clean them I line them up in the same order each time. The bottles each have a matching nipple. Sam has this habit of taking a bottle from one side of the racks and a nipple from the completely opposite side.

Sam says, "It doesn't matter babe, they are all the same."

I say, "Yes it does! It helps me when I look at them to know they are all there or which one is missing. You're fired babe!"

I know this is a silly thing to be irritated about but I think Sam is secretly trying to drive me crazy! LOL

Randomness

Sam-"Babe, why do you eat half the hot pocket with a fork and then the rest with your hand?"

Me-Out loud..."Because a whole hot pocket is just not manageable." In my head..."Because I'm just crazy like that, I do what I want!"

Sam-"That just doesn't make sense."

Me-"Whatever babe, you do a lot of things that don't make sense!"

Sam-"Oh yeah, like what?"

Me-"Umm, lots of things!"

Sam-"Yeah keep trying to come up with something."

We both laugh.

Jean-0 Sam-1

Facts in Fours

Thanks for tagging me Lacey, I love these things. LOL

4 shows I like to watch:

1. The Office
2. House
3. How I Met Your Mother
4. Biggest Loser

4 things I`m passionate about:

1. Politics...I avoid talking about it because I get so worked up.
2. Becoming a better person...since I have such a long way to go!
3. Religion...it is why I do everything I do, or why I do most things and repent of the others.
4. Working on relationships. ie With my husband, my sister, and friends.

4 phrases I say a lot:

1. Hey girl, what's goin on wid it? (To Erica)
2. Your face! (To Sam)
3. Hey baby, what's the fuss about? (To Sammy)
4. I love you. (To Erica, Sam, and Sammy)

4 things I have learned from the past:

1. All of us are made up of a bunch of different personality qwerks that make us either more or less annoying to each other. (I forget who said this)
2. No one can make you feel inferior without your permission. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
3. When you are trying to be a better person the Lord will bless you with happiness and strength to battle your own weaknesses.
4. The is a great healing power in apologizing for your mistakes and in forgiving others!

4 places I would like to go:

1. Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
2. Chapel Hill, North Carolina
3. Sulphur, Louisiana
4. The cemetery where my ancestors (Istre) are buried in France.

4 things I did yesterday:

1. Rode my bike
2. Went grocery shopping
3. Checked the celeb gossip sites
4. Played with Sammy

4 things I'm looking forward to:

1. Seeing Erica in May
2. Seeing Sammy grow up
3. Learning Spanish
4. Going to Louisiana for the family reunion

4 things I love about winter:

1. Hoodies
2. Hot Coco
3. Bonfires
4. Christmas

4 things on my wish list:

1. Tarheel Season Tickets
2. Rascal Flatts Concert
3. An iPhone or Blackberry
4. iTunes gift cards!!

4 friends to tag:

1. Lyndsay
2. April
3. Jess
4. Carrie

Viva Las Vegas!

There are times when Sam gets really frustrated with the big corporate company he works for. All I can say is they sure know how to treat their doctors! I remember before Sam graduated some big wig from Banfield headquarters took us to dinner along with the others who were going to start at Banfield after graduating. We went to the nicest restaurant I have ever been to and the big wig knew my name when he stood up to greet me. I was really impressed. This past weekend they paid for us to take a family trip to Vegas!





Banfield has an Education Symposium a couple of times a year so that all doctors can attend. This one was in Vegas so Sam asked Sammy and I to come along. They set them up in a super nice hotel and feed them catered meals three times a day. They have lectures, town hall meetings, prizes, free products, and even have labs set up to practice surgeries. Sam did the optometry and dentistry ones.





They had all kinds of activities for the families to do. They took a Hoover Dam tour. Toured the chocolate factory. (Banfield is owned by Mars Candy) They also had a tour of the Botanical Gardens and Mandalay Bay Shark exhibit. I really wanted to go but I was nervous to do something like that alone with Sammy so we just hung out at the hotel while Sam was busy and enjoyed the cable tv.




We met up for lunch and dinner. There was always so much food! Lucky for me and my diet there wasn't much I would actually eat. However...there was usually a pretty good dessert and because Mars Candy owns Banfield there was free candy. I didn't go overboard but I definitely ate more than I wanted to.

Sam saw several of his classmates and they were really nice. The conversations were always flowing even though I would get a little lost when they'd start geeking out about the labs. One girl asked me if I was getting grossed out after someone said, "Make sure you get one that is pretty warm. So and so could barely cut hers it was still so frozen." They were talking about practicing surgeries on cadavers during dinner. I was enjoying my potato too much to let it bother me.

When Sam is at home he is goofy and playful. Sometimes I forget how smart he is, how hard he studied to become a doctor, and how much he loves to learn. When I hear him talk to other doctors I quickly remember. There was usually a general session at the end of breakfast and lunch that the families were welcome to stay for. There were words up on that screen that I couldn't even sound out! It was crazy but when I would see Sam listening so intently I was really proud of him. He cares about animals and wants them to have the best quality of life possible. There were times when the "at home" Sam would pop back up. During the town hall meeting the microphone was in front of our table. When someone came to ask a question our table was put on the big screen. Sam put bunny ears on the speaker, made faces, and even pretended he was discussing something very seriously. LOL He looked like a muppet!!

I am really glad we got to go because I would have really missed him. He said he enjoyed it more with us there because he doesn't go out to drink like his colleagues do. We survived our first trip with Sammy. It was tough! I packed all his toys but we didn't bring a stroller...we should have but it wouldn't have fit in the car. I hated changing him in gas stations because they are so filthy! It was fun being together and seeing Sam so excited to learn. Good times!

It's just like riding a bike...Fat Girl Triumphs

Two weeks ago I had one of those life changing moments. Those moments that need to happen before you can actually stick to a diet or reach a goal. I set some small goals. I wanted to count my calories and walk at least 3 times a week. Since that day I have walked every day and stayed under the calories I set for myself. I have also been doing The Biggest Loser workout dvds. My scale is driving me nuts. I lost a pound, gained three, lost three, lost two, gained two, and then lost three. There are days I want to hurl it out the window. Today when I put on my belt I comfortably pulled it to the pre-pregnancy notch so that was a highlight!

I really wanted to get a bike because I always loved riding a bike when I was younger. Sam said I should get myself one but we really didn't have a way to get it home. I got sick of waiting and told him to drop me off and I would ride it home. He scoffed at my plan. He didn't think I would make it and if I did it would take me three hours. Still I was determined! He asked how long it had been since I had rode a bike. It has been over ten years but you know the saying, "It's just like riding a bike." You never forget...right?

Sort of...

I got on the bike as Sam drove away and struggled as my legs were trying to remember how to get going. It was because of this awkwardness that I decided to walk it when I had to cross at an intersection. I am sure the drivers were thinking, "Hey fatty, it goes a lot faster if you ride the bike!" I was not about to wobble in front of all of them. Even though I can laugh at myself and love making others laugh. This laugh could also involve an injury so I opted against it.

Five minutes into the ride I was going slightly uphill I thought Sam may have been right. I huffed and I puffed and I kept going. 25 minutes and 7 miles later I knocked on the door. Sam was shocked! He couldn't believe I made it and did it so quickly. I am sure for smaller folks that ride would have been no sweat...for me it was a big deal. I felt so good that I took it for another ride on the bike path at the park. That didn't last long because bicycle seats aren't too friendly to a person with a voluminous tush such as I. I am already sore and I am sure it'll feel worse tomorrow.

When I got home for the second time the Mace I ordered had arrived. I am armed and dangerous! Hell on wheels! Watch out psychos that hang out at the park to scare me the Ragin Cajun in on patrol! Keeping the parks safe for her fellow ladies!

Tagged

What was I doing 10 years ago:
February 2000. I was in school at UNCP. My roommate was my dear friend Amanda.

Five snacks I enjoy:
1. Wheat Thins with squeeze cheese
2. Nachos
3. Monkey Munch
4. Chilli Cheese Fries
5. Warm chocolate cookies

In the real world: (Not sure what this means)
1. Figuring out how to be a Mom
2. Missing my sister
3. Homesick for the South
4. Walking and counting my calories...on a diet.
5. Trying to learn Spanish

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
1. Pay for all my siblings education and families debt.
2. Buy all my family their own house in Utah and furnish them.
3. Set up a trust for Sammy and our neices and nephew. Mission and college funds!
4. Build an amazing clinic where Sam could practice with all his favorite medical equipement.
5. Take Erica to every place she has ever wanted to go!

Five jobs I've had:
1. Taco Bell
2. Winn Dixie
3. Total Billings
4. MyFamily (TGN)
5. Acension Management

Three of my habits:
1. Gossip. (Working on that)
2. Facebook (Keeping in touch)
3. TV

Five places I've lived:
1. Sulphur, Louisiana
2. Fayetteville, North Carolina
3. Salt Lake City, UT
4. Hope Mills, North Carolina
5. Rancho Cucamonga, California

What do you want others to get from your blog: A good laugh now and then.

Now I'm passing this tag along to:
If you are like me and like filling these things out, go for it! Tag - you're it!

Jeanie Versus Exercise

The last time I got super pumped about exercising I waged a battle with the beast my husband calls "Bowflex." Here's a link to the blog if you'd like to remember when I bravely fought but ultimately lost that battle.

Evil, thy name is Bowflex!

Yesterday I decided I was tired of sitting around waiting for the right time to start exercising. I put the leash on Flojo and turned up my "Get Psyched" mix and was out the door. Sam was home with Sammy so I went to check out the two parks near our complex. Both had walking trails and one had a two lane bike path. Awesome! I was stoked!

Woke up this morning and was still determined to do this so I fed and changed Sammy. I got dressed. Put Sammy in the stroller and Flojo on the leash and headed out. The sun was out but it wasn't hot and the "Get Psyched" mix was helping me walk at a fast pace. I thought to myself that I should text Sam and let him know which park I was going to...to be safe. Then I scolded myself for reading too many abduction stories and making myself paranoid. I text Sam and a friend who is being my diet buddy just to say I was starting my walk. I walked to the park that was next to the Elementary school cause for some reason I thought it might be safer. Maybe I would see other Moms there. Once I got there I located the walking path and pulled one earphone out since I noticed Sammy was no longer asleep. I am walking along and I see a few picnic tables on the left of the trail. There was a man with a bookbag and notebook sitting there. Once I got closer he said, "Hey puppy." I looked at him and said, "Hello." I kept walking when I heard him shout, "HEY!" He said something else but it didn't completely register. I stopped and leaned towards him and pulled out my other earphone. Looking me straight in the eyes he said, "You might die today." I asked, "What?" Again he said but louder, "You might die today!"

I looked ahead to the path...it was sort of woodsy. I voice in my head said, "Turn around immediately and go home." I turned around and walked as fast as I could away from the man. As soon as I was back in the main park area I called Sam at work. I was bawling. It really freaked me out! Now that I am at home and have calmed down I feel better but everytime someone walks past the window I get a little scared. I called the police and they got a description so they could go and check out the park. The dispatcher sounded so serious and wanted to send an officer to meet me but I was already almost home. She said, "If you see him again anywhere or you ever feel uneasy call 911 right away."

That is what I get for trying to exercise. Geez! It may be safer to just stay fat! The plan now is to go get some pepperspray and buy a bike. I really wish I knew self defense or how to fight so if someone tried something I could beat the crap out of him! I am a long way from a healthy weight but if I ever get there I am going to take a kickboxing class or something. LOL

One Month

This month has been one exhausting blurr. I didn't think it would be this difficult. I was always told you sleep when the baby does and newborns sleep for most of the day so I had no idea I would still be so tired. I really can't sleep everytime he does. I can only sleep until around 11am but he doesn't sleep much past 5am. In the afternoon is when he starts to settle down but by that time I cannot go back to sleep. Everything is piling up on me! Bills, laundry, and housework. It is driving me crazy. Even with all the "help" I have I cannot stay on top of things. I have found with few exceptions that when people say they want to help what they mean is they want to take your baby and do the only thing you want to do. They want to feed him, and change him, and hold him and they want you to go away. Taking care of him is the only thing I want to do so it has been a little frustrating.

Sammy has officially met all his grandparents and all of his cousins. He has met all of his aunts and all of his uncles except Nano who is on a mission. Sam's brother who lives in Utah and his family were here for Thanksgiving. My Dad and Kathy came for the first week of December. Kathy actually made all the meals and did the dishes. That was really nice. It was so good to see my Dad and it warmed my heart to see him with Sammy. Then I had Erica here for almost two weeks! She did whatever I asked. If I wanted her to feed him, she did. If I wanted her to just make the bottle so I could feed him, she did. Sammy would always just stare at her and smile. It was so tender. Then my Mom, Ray, Natascha, and Rusty came for Christmas. That was a bit stressful because my Mom would get offended or be sarcastic when I would give her instructions for Sammy. Erica left this morning and Sam has his two days off. After that I will be on my own. I have no idea how I am going to get my wife stuff done when I am so tired.



On Christmas day Sammy was one month old. Our pediatrician, whom we love, said, "At about six weeks they turn into humans and you figure you might as well keep em." He is so funny and is such a great doctor! He is retirement age and only practices because he wants to. Like I said, we love him! He talks medical talk since he knows Sam understands so I always feel like I really know what is going on. He was really supportive when I was trying to breastfeed and understanding when everything I tried to increase my milk supply didn't work. We have called twice with concerns and he has seen us within half an hour of our call. His office is two blocks from our appartment so that is great! His one month check up went well. Sammy lost 11oz within the first week because of not getting enough to eat. The doctor put him on formula for premature babies and infants of low birth weight because it has extra calories. He now weighs 8lbs 4oz. He has chubby cheeks and his legs aren't so bony. This is a picture of him getting his Hep B shot. I wasn't holding him because the nurse told me to lay him down. When she gave him the shot his eyes got big and his arms and legs all went flailing! It scared him so bad the poor little guy.



He is starting to focus and follow things with his eyes. When I talk and smile he is starting to smile back. He sometimes laughs while he is a sleep and it is the cutest thing. I haven't learned all of his cues but sometimes I guess right the first time and that feels good. I think I have his "I'm starving cry" down pat. That cry and the needing to be changed cry are so similar. I love his other cry. The cry I hear most is for his physical needs, hungry, wet, or tired. I love the cry when he just wants to be held. It let's me know there is really a soul or a person there not just a pooping, eating, energy sucking machine. :)

Redneck Roots

My Dad called his brother to let the family know that Sammy had finally come. He called my Uncle Earl. He told him that we had named him Samuel James. My Uncle had a little too much to drink that day and said, "Samuel Adams...I know that." My Dad knew he was too drunk to argue so he decided to call him in a few days and make sure he got the name right. He spoke to his other brother on Sunday and found out my Uncle Earl had already spread the word. My Uncle Jason said, "So the baby's name is not Samuel Adams??" LOL So embarrasing but all I can do is laugh.

A Baby Story...the details

When I was in college I lived in the dorms of Belk Hall. Meghan was on the same floor as me. She watched TLC's A Baby Story every chance she got! lol Thus my title and here we go!

Tuesday, November 24, still no baby. I had a doctor appointment at 8:50am. I was going to go in there...scream...cry...who are we kidding I was gonna do both until someone agreed to induce me! I told my doctor how awful I felt and expressed my desire to be induced as soon as possible. He agreed to Friday November 26th. I was thrilled! So I had to have an ultrasound and a NST then the nurse would set everything up. Ultrasound showed that my fluid was a 7.7 but she said they were looking for it to be between 8 and 25. While I am waiting for the NST the doctor comes up to me. "Elizabeth, we want you to head over to the hospital." WHAT?! He began again, "Yes, go home and get your bag and go to the Hospital. They are expecting you." He repeated himself but it was like he wasn't speaking English. I was reaching for my phone so I could catch Sam before he started his surgeries. The doctor explained that my fluids were too low and he wanted to monitor me over night and induce me early Wednesday morning.

I called Sam and in as calm a voice as I could muster I said, "Sweetheart, the doctor wants me to go to the hospital." He sounded like someone had smacked him in the face! After I explained that I was not in labor we agreed to meet at the apartment and head over together. When Sam got home he ran around in a panic asking me a zillion question even though I had already explained that I had packed my bag weeks ago and wasn't forgetting anything. At last we were ready...well after Sam jumped out of the already moving car to double check that he had locked the door we were ready. When I got to the hospital they were expecting me but didn't know why. The doctor that was there was the one that did not want to induce me so I thought she was going to send me home. They gave me another ultrasound, this time the fluid levels read at a 5. So they gave me some medicine to start dialation and mild contractions. They were mild too, Sam and I watched TV and were very excited to watch the contractions on the monitor. "Ooh, that was a big one!" (Little did I know that it was NOT a big one!) After 10 hours they checked me. I had not dialated at all, not even a little. They would have to start again. I started to cry and my whole body ached! I had never had cramps for that long without taking medicine to stop the pain. They gave me another and said they'd check it in 8 hours. It fell out after 5 and they checked but there still wasn't the slightest change. They decided to give me the whopper drugs! These contractions felt like I had been kicked in the stomach. The nurse told me to take deep slow breaths but the pain was so bad I felt like I could not breath! After a few hours on that medcine they checked me and yet again...no change. I was too drained to even cry. I was immediately falling asleep after each contraction only to be ripped from sleep a minute later. The contractions were back to back. They had given me something to take the edge off of it but I finally heard those glorious words...epidural! The anesthesiologist came in and Sam held me while I got it because I had two contractions while he was giving it to me and wasn't supposed to move.

After it kicked in everyone around me started moving fast and talking even faster. The baby's heart rate and my heart rate both dropped after the epidural and before I could even ask I was being wheeled in for a c section. Everyone was in such a rush that it made me ask if I was going to be ok. As soon as I spoke someone would get calm and reassure me but with everyone else scrambling around them I didn't know what to think. I kept asking for Sam and they told me he was changing. When he got to my side he looked upset. I asked if he was ok and he shook his head no. I saw a couple of tears so I knew he was worried. "Ok we have a hand." Then I heard him cry which made me cry. Finally, he was here. It was the sweetest sound I have ever heard.

I wish I could say that everything was perfect from then on...it wasn't! I held Sammy for less than a minute and they took him. I told Sam to stay with him. So my baby and my husband were both gone. I was all alone. Then they moved me into a dark room where I sat for two hours. It was depressing. When I finally got back to my room I was so angry. Three different nurses were talking to me but none telling me what I wanted to hear. I just kept asking, "Where is my husband?! Can someone bring me my baby?!" Three hours after he was born sammy was finally in my arms. I only know of one friend that had a c section and I don't know how it compares to a normal delivery but I hated it. I could barely move. I couldn't get up on my own and couldn't even change Sammy's diapers for the first day. I just sat there as everyone walked around happy and pain free. It was really hard for me. They usually release you 3 days after a c section. The first thing I told my doctor was I wanted to go home. I got to go home a day earlier than usual. Now I am happy! Now I can change his diapers and now I can give him a bath. Every nurse and family member has an opinion but now that we are home I can do things the way I want. So I know I look like total crap because I sure as heck felt that way but this is our first picture together.

Dear Sammy

Dear Sammy,

I want to meet you already! I feel like I have been waiting forever! I asked Heavenly Father to please bring you to us safely as soon as you were ready. Are you as excited to meet us as we are to meet you? It isn't just your Daddy and I that are excited to meet you. All your Grandparents are calling non stop to see if you are on your way. Your Auntie Erica and I talk about you everyday. Your cousin Gracie points to my tummy and says, "Primo Pammy," which is cousin Sammy in Spanish but she isn't too good with her s sounds yet. Today the doctor put the monitor on my tummy and said, "Would you listen to that, it is just perfect!" He was talking about your heartbeat. I smiled so big my cheeks hurt for almost an hour afterwards. He doesn't want me to rush you because he said he wants everything to be safe and easy on you when you come. So no more pressure from me, I promise. Just know that as soon as you are ready, your Daddy and I will be here waiting.

Love, Mommy

Final Inning!

Well, I never thought November would get here! Here it is the last week of October. I am 36 weeks pregnant and ready for to meet this little guy. I have the car seat installed, the hospital bag packed, and his room is all ready for him to come home. My insurance problems have basically been a nightmare so here I am at nine months switching to a new doctor who cannot see me until November 3rd. I haven't been to the doctor in 3 weeks but I am keeping track of all the times I feel the baby move. According to my book he should be turned by now and in position. I really want to go to the doctor just to make sure that he is ready to come or to figure out what can be done to get him ready. I hope y'all will keep me in your prayers during these last few weeks. I hope all my questions haven't driven you guys too crazy. Hopefully, one day I will have someone asking me so I can return the favor. Sam and I are so excited and nervous. Everyone asks us if we are ready and I guess we are as ready as you can be when you are on your first. Sam is terrified one of the nurses will run in during surgery and tell him I am in labor and he will mess up while he is trying to finish. I am hoping I go into labor while he is home. Anyway, I will keep you posted!

Winds of change...

"Well we're movin on up,To the east side.To a deluxe apartment in the sky.Movin on up,To the east side.We finally got a piece of the pie." Ha! Well, we finally found a new place to live. We are moving to Rancho Cucamonga on October 10th. We are not looking forward to packing, unpacking, or living within close proximity of others. What we are happy about is leaving behind this house, buying new furniture, and setting up the baby's room. Tomorrow I start packing, slowly but still hoping to get it all done in these next two weeks. Any tips or advice is welcome!

As for me, I am 32 weeks and so ready for this pregnancy to be over. Sam asked me if I wanted a side shot after we took the picture above. "Uhh, no thanks!" I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am tired but unable to sleep. I worry if I think the baby is moving too much and I worry when I notice he hasn't moved in awhile. I try not to get my hopes up that he will come early but that is not working too well. I think or day dream about him all day long. I wonder what I need to do to be a good Mom. Make myself notes of questions to ask and things I need to buy. I am hot all the time! I sleep with at least one fan on and I am flipping the covers on and off all night. I don't sleep well when I am hot but I also don't sleep well when I am uncovered. I avoid anything sad because when I start crying I cannot seem to stop. I am not working and am usually super bored during the day.

I read Twilight and soon I will read New Moon. I also have some Nicholas Sparks books that I can read. I really did like Twilight. All the people I talked to love this book and I have even met a few who really hate it. I found myself so excited to see what he'd say to her next that I would start skipping things. I could have sat and read it straight through but I spaced it out over three days because I didn't want to finish. LOL I just loved the tenderness of Bella and Edward's love story. Of course it made me think of all my favorite moments with Sam. It is an amazing thing to be in love. I am not sure if we are still considered newlyweds but I still want to be around Sam all the time. When I am not with him, I am thinking about him. I even got a new favorite moment from reading the book. Towards the end when Bella writes Edward the letter I started to cry. Sam came in from the other room concerned and asked me why I was crying. Those of you who know me can be a witness that I am very tender hearted. I cry all the time for happiness, sadness, and even anger or frustration. Anyway, just like my Dad or Erica, Sam always listens to why I am crying even if he thinks it is silly and gives me a hug. Sam usually gives a very dramatic, "Aww, my poor baby," that makes me laugh. Anyway, like a typical girl I love a good love story!

So we are moving and the baby is coming in a few weeks. I have all the crazy emotions like when I got married, you know when your life is about to change forever.