2010 Top Ten

So maybe it's a little cliche to do a "Top 10" for the year on New Year's Eve, but I hope to have this blog to look back at parts of my life and hope whatever I've written brings back memories or lessons learned I have most-likely forgotten years from now.....So in no particular order....

10. I got to spend 7 months as a full time stay at home mom for the first time ever! It was so fun and rewarding and oh, how I miss being with my kids all day. We went to the zoo, Kings Island, parks, pools, and more - but even lazy days at home were wonderful. I can't wait to be back with them again this spring.

9. Prayer....I learned not to pray to ask God to change His ways, but for Him to change my ways to His. This past year I, along with hundreds - no, thousands - of people all over the world begged God to heal our friend Mary Ann. She passed away in May leaving a huge hole in the lives of those I love - and left me questioning the purpose of asking God for anything if He's going to do what He wants anyway. But prayer is not about getting what we want, is it? It's about learning who God is and making Him part of our lives. I know she is missed everyday, but would want those missing her to keep prayer at the forefront or their lives....

8. "Taming the Spirited Child" - a book my mother-in-law gave me as I found myself a little desparate to reign in my sweet Julia girl. She is so much like me and going head to head with her was going nowhere. If your kid is strong-willed, check it out.

7. Jason and I celebrated our 10 year anniversary. I cannot believe we've been married that long. He remains my best friend and love of my life.

6. On a lighter note....We decided we had had enough of our horrible, drywall eating, knappy dog Spanky and sent his furry behind to the pound. You can judge me all you want, but getting rid of him ranks not only in the top ten of my year, but the top ten of my life!

5. In May, we took a trip to Destin, Fl. It was a perfect get away for the 4 of us. Julia and Josh are both fishes - loving the water. We had fun combing the beach for crabs and jellyfish (no, we didn't touch them!).

4. Little House on the Prairie with Julia....We probably have every episode DVR'd and I absolutely love how much she loves it. During Joshua's nap, we'd be on the couch giggling as Laura pushed Nellie down the hill in her wheel chair or as Mrs. Oleson walked around at night in her green face cream. Great memories....

3. Potty-training Josh. I hate changing diapers - and not having a pay check I hated buying them. So soon after his 2nd birthday, we hopped on the "Stay dry" wagon with some-what easy success considering he's a boy. I'm so happy it's over!

2. Going back to work...Hmmmm...While I miss my children desparately, I have to admit my job is fun and the people I work with are great. If I have to have to work, this is totally the place I want to be!

1. I know I've devoted many a post to our baby on the way - but what can top adding a new little guy to the family?

Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

If You Really Knew Me...

...You'd know that about 5 minutes after I posted my last post I called my friend Lee at a local women's center to schedule a 3D/4D ultrasound and find out if I have a Miss Baby or Mr. Baby....Why I thought I had a prayer to make to 40 weeks I do not know....Where is my self-awareness? Gone, I guess.

We had the ultrasound last Wednesday, but waited until Christmas to tell everyone the fun news....

We had just finished opening presents at my parent's house when I pulled out a surprise present for Julia telling her that Mommy and Daddy got a new picture of the baby and the present inside would tell her if it was a baby boy or a baby girl.

She popped off the top of the gold star box and pulled out....

a LITTLE BROTHER bib!

Everyone cheered/high-fived, etc. It was fun :)

So I'm having a little remorse proclaiming my Team Pink-ness, but you need to know my pinkness came from wanting a sister for Julia and definitely not from not wanting another sweet baby boy. We are truly very excited to add another little man to our family. Julia remains the princess on the pedestal and my dad will need to get two carts when golfing in about 10 years or so...No, those boys can walk...It's good excercise....

Anywho, now we have moved on the what are we going to name this little guy...I'm open to suggestions as long as your open to "Hellz no" being my reply if appropriate. Seriously, we struggling with this one! Thankfully, we have some time.....

3rd Time's a .......Hmmmm?

So if you haven't heard (or read previous post) - Yes! We are having another baby! We've known for some time now, so the reality is gradually sinking in...despite my countless blood draws, 2 extra dr. appts., 3 ultrasounds, constant nausea, random barfing, bedtime at 8:30pm and general crankiness with the world.

Aside from that, we are just so excited! Julia is certain it is a girl to be named Charlotte (after Charlotte's Web) or Sophia (after idk) - but she informed me sweetly that if God gives us another boy that it'd be ok. Joshua is completely and understandably oblivious on how his world is about to get rocked, though I am confident that he, being the lover-boy he is, is going to be a great big bro.

I hate to admit it, but I'm totally on Team Pink! Joshua is the sweetest, most wonderful little boy God ever created (I'm biased, I know) - but he has a built in older bro in the form of his fun cousin Owen, and a built in BFF in the form of his little cousin (who is about as sweet as himself) Griffin. Three grandsons on my side also gives my dad a perfect 4-some to take golfing.

This leaves Julia - the lone princess - which does have some perks, but growing up with 3 sisters, I am a firm believer that every girl needs a sister. She does have wonderful cousins on Jason's side who live out of the area, which makes holidays and get togethers so fun, but oh how I would love for her to have a sister to grow up with!

So this brings me to the issue of "Do we find out???"

We have all the boy things we need and all the girl things we need, so preparation is minimal. No need to read up on taking care of circumcisions or girlie parts. We have the basics covered. I've heard from those who waited that it is one of life's greatest surprises - which I agree, but isn't it a fun surprise at 20 weeks, too?

I'm about 80% sure we will find out, but as this is most-likely (or as Jason would say "definitely") our last baby, I can't help but imagine the excitement in the delivery room waiting to find out if it's a boy or a girl (ie Rehearsal Dinner or Wedding :)

Thankfully, we have a little bit of time before deciding to or not to....I'll keep you posted....

Julia Punk'd Josh

So, there's a little practical joke war going on at my office...Somebody taped my cube....Somebody put toner all over one of my co-worker's phone so he ended up with black stuff all over the side of his head (hilarious, hilarious, hilarious) and so on...

I made the mistake of telling Julia....who decided these were great ideas...

Last night, I was telling her stories in her bed while Jason was helping Josh brush his teeth.

From her room, I heard the water running and Josh gagging, spitting, whimpering, and Jason asking him if he's ok over and over again.

I sat up and asked Jason what was going on...and then Julia looked up at me smiling, "Mom, I did something funny."

"What?"

"I put soap all over Joshy's toothbrush," her eyes shining. "Wasn't that a good one?"

I hopped out of her bed just in time to see Josh throw up in the hallway. It was pitiful. His eyes were red as he kept spitting. Jason ran down stairs to get him water.

The soap dispenser said call poison control so I did. Julia was at my side begging me to tell the lady that it was an accident...She really did feel bad not knowing that it would make him sick...

Thankfully, Josh is fine. Hand soap just gives you a tummy ache at most....He fell asleep shortly after with no other issues.

So whatever riff raff shananigans happen at my office will be kept mum at my house from now on...Thank God she doesn't know what toner is!