Tuesday, October 28, 2008

"The Cradle"

Ever since I can remember, well, ever since my in-laws have felt comfortable talking about kids with me, I have heard about “The Cradle”. It was bought when my husband was on the way, (or maybe given, I don’t remember…that’s my brain shrinking you hear) and since then, has been used by almost every kid born on the planet. OK, so maybe that is a slight exaggeration…I believe my child will be the 14th, and it’s been to at least 4 different states, 5 if Illinois is on the list. So you can imagine that I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But I have good reason!!!!

You see, my husband was a bit notorious as a child. (I didn’t start hearing these stories until after I got pregnant, I am sure there is a conspiracy there, seeing as how up until 7 months ago, my husband and his brothers were GREAT, angels, boys of course, but not hardly any trouble at all.) Ever since then, I get to hear the weird things that they did…especially my Workaholic.

When he was a day old, he got himself stuck in the crib in the nursery. You know, those see through type ones that are just big enough for a newborn? Yeah…he twisted himself sideways and got jammed…and then promptly got pissed. I am fairly certain the nurses stood over him and laughed before taking a picture and then helping him out. (at least that’s what I would have done!)

My MIL claims that he was only a couple of weeks old the first time that he rolled over, and then by the time he was nine months old, he was, literally, flipping out of his crib. But the flipping was after he would stand in his crib, grip the rails, (when he wasn’t chewing on them) and shake. And shake. And shake. He would shake the crib so hard that it dented the wall. And then the crib had to be reinforced before his younger brother could be put in it.

When he was about 2, his brother was crying, and so my oh-so-helpful husband decided to get the poor little guy from his cradle and hold him by his head (as in, head, not shoulders or neck even) as he carried him down the hall to his mother. “Mom, I got da baby!” When he was 10, the phone rang as his mom was getting ready to give his youngest brother his first bath, and by the time she was done talking, the newborn baby was clean and dry and ready for bed. (at least he was a useful older brother).

I always pictured this cradle as just sitting in the attic above my in-laws garage, put together, gathering dust and peeling paint. And my MIL has been saying for months now to go get it, and I keep telling my husband to go get it, and we were there the other day and he went and got it. And it was in a box! Carefully packaged!!, with blankets and such, in a box that would still be fit for shipping to some state across the country, like it has a few times. (well...until Workaholic got his hands on it, now I would recommend a new box)

And when he put it together, (which he realized he had done before), it looked like this…

Isn't it adorable? Isn't it nice?? Doesn't it not look like it's been used by 13 kids??? I was so surprised, given my husband's history with...well, destroying anything he touches, at how nice this cradle is. I know, I know, the kids only use it for a few months at the most before going into a real crib, and really, how much damage can newborns do? But these are not your typical newborns.

And if my kids comes out with red hair, and especially if it's a girl, please say a little extra prayer for me. Because I'll be in for one heckofa ride...

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Pain in My Ass

I was not a very adventurous kid…meaning I wasn’t the kid who was doing flips off of the high dive at the local community pool or jumped off a cliff with my bike. I’ve never broken a bone, or had stitches, or even had to go to the hospital for anything. I’m guessing that the reason for this is because I was (am) afraid of pain. I don’t like to hurt. It’s not comfortable, and if it can be avoided, then why not? This could also be the reason why I’m not into working out, and it’s beyond me why people would do things like run marathons. Because at some point, there is pain involved. So that is why the last 24 hours have been hard on me.

Let me explain. This kid is already getting on my nerves. It’s a pain in my ass, literally. OK…more specifically, I think that it is hanging out on my sciatic nerve.

With my cold and this weird tooth pain I’ve been having, now I have to deal with not being able to walk sometimes. Stairs? A challenge. Putting lotion on my legs? Made me cry this morning. My knees have buckled, turning over in bed is a serious debate in my head over whether it’s worth it. And there is nothing that can be done. And it’s possible that this will last for three. more. months.

When I got the flu around 14 weeks, I was afraid that it wasn’t the flu, that it was morning sickness kicking in late, and that I would be sick for the next 6 months with projectile vomiting and constant, non-stop nausea. (and yes, I know that the definition of constant is non-stop…but I wanted to make sure that you knew exactly what I meant). Turns out it was just the flu, and within a couple of weeks I felt relatively normal again.


So I am hoping that this ass pain is going to be the same. I just can’t do it for the next 3 months. I know that childbirth is terrible pain, and so obviously I’ll have to deal with that when the time comes. But until then? I guess maybe it’ll make me tougher, as my husband says. It’s hard to imagine getting used to the sharp, stabbing pains that are in my ass. Although I have gotten used to the dull ache that’s been there for about a month or so. So who knows? Maybe I’ll just deal with it and move on. But for today, I’d really like to just curl up in a ball and cry. Wait, can’t do that. Maybe tomorrow…

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

So Sorry!!



I’m sorry, I’m sorry. If anyone is even attempting to read this anymore…I know it has been entirely too long since I posted. But I took a 4 day weekend and then got sick, and then got really sick, and have been super busy at work and crabby and actually got an e-mail from someone that said, “Seriously is this all calleds for?” (and yes, he really wrote calleds) Really??? Again, I am doing your job for you and you don’t understand why I am crabby? Anyway….

My four day weekend was exhausting, which is probably why I feel like my lungs are going to come out my nose any minute now. I drove down to Jasper to meet up with my four college friends. Here is a picture of us in front of the famous Schnitzelbank Restaurant. It’s German. And authentic. I had fried chicken. (which I am fairly certain they may not serve in Germany) We asked the guy who took the picture to get the sign in the picture, but as you can see, he wasn’t very good at following directions. Oh well, other than the Cocktails sign…it’s a good photo of the 5 of us.


A little baby shower was held as well…because I’m 7 months along now and my friend Sheila is 14 weeks. Can you believe that someone I went to college with made this cake??



I shouldn’t be surprised, seeing as how she made my wedding cake too…but it is awesome that she can do that and it’s delicious too!!!! And the Purdue cookies were made as well, which are cookies that my friend’s mom made every time she came up to visit her daughter. No one can duplicate them, and whenever I see her, there are always Purdue cookies baked. Who knew that sugar cookies with icing could be so amazing?? My own husband knows better than to touch the baggie that I bring home without permission of exactly how many he is allowed to have and which color icing. (not more than 2!!)
We had a grand ol' time...and now I am just trying to get caught up with minivan shopping (eeks!!) and Purdue games and doctor's appointments and...oh yeah, this damn cold!!! I promise to try to post better and more often...

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Work Work Work

Do you ever have those weekends where you look back and are amazed at how productive other people were, but you totally weren’t? I got to take at least 2 naps, and washed some sheets, but that was nothing compared to what my husband and his brothers and dad (and friends) did.

Let me explain, the downside of having a wonderful place to go and hang in the summertime is that in the spring and the fall, there are things that need to be done to keep the place usable. A couple of pictures for you…the list of what was actually done is too long and boring to put here.


My Boilers take on the Nittany Lions this weekend...BOILER UP!!!!!