I had to open my big fat mouth

Melissa: I have to go potty.
Me: ::Looks at time...9:30...thinks she better go to sleep soon:: Okay baby, lets go, but you need to squeeze it all out because its sleepy time.
Melissa: Okay mommy.
Me: Alright, we have to go back to sleep now.
Melissa: Ni-Night.
Me: ::Goes back to watching Mythbusters with DH::

20 minutes later.....
Melissa: I have to go potty.
Me: ::AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!:: No, sweetie, you need to go back to sleep. You already went pee pee, and squeezed it out.
Melissa: Nnnnnoooooooo! I need to go potty!!!!! ::start meltdown::
Me: NEIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Neil: You need to lay back down and go to sleep.
Melissa: ::Screaming::
Me: Forget it, lets go.

Note to self. Do not let your child drink a half a cup of Sonny's sweet tea before you come home and go to bed.
On the other hand, she did very well going potty. She asked at the restaurant (she was already wet though), and then went when we got home, and then before her bath, and then twice after she went to bed (wet again though, but just a little).

Potty Training / Potty Learning / Massive Headache!

How long has Melissa been learning to use the potty? I can't even remember now. A year? I'm really really really really really hoping that she learns before the baby comes. We have totally given up on cloth while she's awake, because I can't stomach the poopies, even with the diaper sprayer. She is only wearing cloth at night. She can pee on the potty, but wont go every time, so we're still using up diapers and pull ups. I guess we need to try and push her a little more. We've been pretty relaxed about it. Maybe, set the timer every 30 minutes, plus her candy? I even tried to bribe her with money, since she has been wanting some to put in her wallet. She can't possibly continue this forever, but it feels like forever when you're doing it.

24 Weeks, and a big update!

Here I am! The whale. I know I look like crap, but what can I say? I'm fat and tired. I moved a bunch of furniture and Neil likes to take goofy pictures of me. He seriously took like 8 pics, and there were 2 that I didn't have a funny face, or was mid sentence with my mouth wide open or eyes closed.

The new schedule with work is kicking my butt. Working 9 - 7 now, instead of 12:30 - 9! Good to have some time in the evenings, but it is seriously hard to get up at 7/8 am when you're used to stayin up till midnight + and not getting up till after 10. I have yet to figure out what time I need to be in bed. Plus Melissa has really embraced this new schedule, and is up at the butt crack of dawn every day. We've I have taken advantage of it on Saturday to get up early and hit the yard sales and try and find that elusive Canning Pot that I want. Yes I know its a long shot, but we have found a load of cheap toys that Melissa loves! And now, I have more things that I can put into our yard sale.

Since I posted all the Easter pics on my facebook pages, I will post this one here of Melissa. She is getting so big, and sleeping in her big girl bed. I totally redid her bedroom yesterday, and moved almost everything around. Trying to squeeze her toddler sized (for now) bed and the crib in there with all the other things that you need for a toddler and an infant is going to be tough. Neil has to pull the bookcase out, since we have the shelves up in the living room with all the books on them. I am starting to go through some clothes and put them in the other dresser for the baby. I have some major nesting going on here! I'm driving him crazy, because I keep having projects that I have to get done NOW.

I've got the composter totally full, and have peas and beans growing in the garage. They're getting waaaaay to big, and need to be planted outside ASAP, but the garden has to be tilled. Well, we had to eradicate the fire ants first, nasty buggers. We treated the entire lawn last weekend, and it should be ready to go this weekend. I don't think the compost will be ready by then though. :( Plus we have to put up our shade fabric so the stuff doesn't fry in the FL sun. I'm thinking about doing one of those upside down tomato plants too. Anyone try those planters, and know if they work? I'm skeptical.

Well, I guess that's it for now! I'll go back to being kicked.

Babysteals.com How do I love thee?

Okay, so everyone is always looking to get something that they love for less! One deal per day on awesome stuff! My most recent steal was on a set of 3 babylegs leg warmers for the new baby. I can't wait to use them! They're so incredibly cute. I made a pair for Melissa ages ago, but they are just womens socks. These are awesome!! They were great quality (of course) and the shipping was, to my surprise, appropriate to the method, and packaging! Hard to find these days. I try and check the steals daily, but I have the worst memory!

You'll want to bookmark this site, and become a fan on facebook!

http://www.babysteals.com/ and be at your computer at 9 am MST. You can also sign up for the email alerts, or click on the link to the left. <------------- That's over there. I know, I had to think about it for a second too. ;) Here's a linky for you here too!

Is the sickness easing up yet?

I have been so bad with posting, but I have figured out how to post my blogs to my facebook notes! Yay me!

I've just been so sick, that I haven't felt like doing anything. I was diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum (for full explanation see here: http://www.helpher.org/hyperemesis-gravidarum/ )

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) is a severe form of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. It is generally described as unrelenting, excessive pregnancy-related nausea and/or vomiting that prevents adequate intake of food and fluids. If severe and/or inadequately treated, it is typically associated with:
loss of greater than 5% of pre-pregnancy body weight (usually over 10%)
dehydration and production of ketones
nutritional deficiencies
metabolic imbalances
difficulty with daily activities
HG usually extends beyond the first trimester and may resolve by 21 weeks; however, it can last the entire pregnancy in less than half of these women. Complications of vomiting (e.g. gastric ulcers, esophageal bleeding, malnutrition, etc.) may also contribute to and worsen ongoing nausea.

I have lost around 15 pounds since getting pregnant, and am still taking the meds now at 20 weeks. I'm hoping for that resolution by 21 weeks that the site claims. I forgot to take my meds yesterday, and I paid for it. Yesterday wasn't bad, but this morning was rough. So, its still daily meds for me. Baby is getting along well. I had my level 2 ultrasound on Monday, and we're waiting for all the results on that. Baby was difficult, and did not want to move at all. That, and we got some of the crummiest pics ever of the baby.

So, it's official.

Melissa's going to be a big sister! I'm 10 weeks pregnant now, and due on August 15.

I was really hoping to have a VBAC, but my doctor doesn't perform them. I have called all the doctors in a 25 mile radius, and can't find anyone to perform one. I did find some good news at this site though. http://www.ican-online.org/ I hope it can help me.

Christmas Is Coming

And I'm finished making my cards!!! These are just a few of my favorites. I made 60 cards this year! Wow!

The Cutest Little Cowgirl!

How cute are these?

A Letter to Orville Redenbacher / Con Agra Foods

So, I just got an air popcorn popper, because it was so much cheaper to buy popping corn than microwave, not to mention healthier. Anyway, I bought some Orville Redenbacher popping corn to use in it. I was so displeased that I had to write to Con Agra. Here's my letter:

I recently purchased Oville Redenbacher's Original Gourmet Popping Corn to use in my hot air popcorn popper. I was very disappointed with the results. Of the recommended 1/2 cup of kernels that I put in the popping chamber, only half popped. I tried several different methods to get them to pop more efficiently, such as: heating up the popper prior to adding the kernels, using less and more than the recommended amounts, heating the kernels slightly in the butter cup. The issue seems to be with this particular brand of popcorn kernels, as the other brands that I have all pop fine. The Orville Redenbacher's seems to pop so violently that they ricochet the majority of the other unpopped kernels out with them. Please advise if there is a better method of popping this in the air popper. I await your response.

On the upside, I did purchase some really nice blue popping corn that popped up so nicely! I made up two batches of Harvest popcorn. It's really delicious. Try it out!

Harvest Popcorn
1/3 cup melted butter
1 tsp dill weed
1 tsp lemon pepper marinade (I used dry)
1 1/2 tsp worchestershire sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 quarts popped popcorn

Combine first 7 ingredients, and mix well. Pour over popcorn, and mix well. Bake at 350° or until lightly browned, stirring once, if desired.

So, I'm a total slacker

I know that I haven't been blogging. Or posting on the forum. Or doing much other than work. I'm a slacker. I did manage to do some baking today though, so we now have some blueberry banana muffins, pizza dough, and fresh crackers! I will get back on, and posting soon!