Heather's blog

2 bdrm, 1 bath......2 adults, 2 babes

Right next to the master bedroom, you will find Thomas'  bedroom.  It's bright blue and has a piano in it too.

With the coming of the new little one in October, I need to make some space for her.  We only have 2 bedrooms upstairs, and 1 downstairs....that is unfinished.  Before we leave here, I hope to have it finished.

So my plans for the current room go as follows:
1. Bring in Thomas' big boy bed.  It's a Thomas the Train bed.  I also have to get him used to the bed before she gets here :).  That should be interesting.
2. Rearrange the furniture so it all fits.
3. Repaint the bright blue stuff so it is green and yellow.....a little more gender neutral since they will be sharing.
4. Make space in Thomas' dresser for her stuff.  He has 9 drawers and he doesn't use them all as it is.....she should need about 3 I think??
5. Move Thomas' night stand into the closet.  It's a night stand with shelves, and it is currently holding all of his blankets.  I think it would obviously free up more space for "their" things if it's elsewhere.
6. Organize the "stuff" that isn't put away.  I have things sitting on top of the piano, and a bunch of picture frames I need to hang up.  There is no reason for it all to stay in his room to make it look cluttered.

So that's the tentative plan.  I can really see that the nesting is kicking into full gear, one of the great benefits of pregnancy. 

Lol....maybe I'll start today.  After Thomas' nap probably.

Boys are such.....boys

Oh Thomas, how sweet an innocent you are.  This is another summer of "firsts".  New accomplishments that we weren't ready for last year.  This year though, he's game for quite a few.

Playing with neighbors.  We have a neighborhood full of boys, ranging from 18 mo -18.  Honestly, I think we have 11 boys and 2 girls.  The four families that hang out right now, there are 6 boys and 2 girls.  So, Thomas definitely have a change for buddies.  I get the biggest kick out of how they play.  They wrestle, get dirty, and play swords.  Well, not quite swords, more like "light sabers".  The best part is when Thomas really gets into it.  He has his light saber out and he has one leg in front of the other at a slight bend.  It's like a fight position.  Where did he learn that?  It must have been his boy instincts.  He is the youngest boy, but he isn't the smallest, so he manages.

Ice cream cones.  Thomas has always been a fan of ice cream.  I don't know many kids that aren't?  Recently, we made a trip to Sonic and I thought I would try something other than a dish.  I did have to teach him to not bite the ice cream.  It's adorable when he licks it too.  It's a dramatic extension of his tongue as he swipes it into his mouth.  

Going to the pool.  I tried this last summer, but it didn't work well.  This time it's much easier.  He is a little timid, but each time we go he becomes more and more curious and brave.  I need to get him into lessons too.

Independence.  This is a constant first for him.  It seems like yesterday he needed me for everything.  I still get to kiss his boo-boo's, and feed him dinner....but he likes to explore on his own.  He makes sure that I'm near, but has so many things to do without my help.

And with that, I have an added excitement for our second baby girl.  As difficult as those first months are, they the times that you never forget.   

Sugar and spice, and everything nice

Great news!  The McKenzie's will be adding a baby girl to the family in October.  Finally, some estrogen in this house.  I'm looking forward to it :).  Maybe a little nervous....like that matters though.  I was nervous with Thomas coming.  I had no how to deal with a penis.  But, the motherly instinct kicks in, and you're fine.  I'm sure it will be the same with a little lady.

I'm a little tired today.  Just pooped out I think.  Some days I am bursting with so much energy, I don't know what to do with myself.  The nesting kicks in, and it's organization city.  Other days, are a bit of struggle.  It's 2 pm right now.  When I finish this blog, I'm going to have to kick it into high gear for about an hour.  Clean house, get dinner ready, fold laundry.  Not too much to do, but enough to not want to do it! 

Tomorrow is a big day.  We're having a garage sale and I want to make sure that we do a good job at it.  That reminds me, I need to get change before tomorrow.

I need to start a count down until October 24th.  I think it will act as motivation for me.  I am 20 wks along and I am already tired of being pregnant.  Does that make sense?  It isn't the fact that I don't want to be pregnant, and not bring a life into this world.  That isn't the case at all.  I just don't want my body to feel this way.  I feel like a total chubby tubbie.  I pee several time throughout the night, so sleep isn't alway pleasant.  I love sleeping on my stomach and that is pretty much out of the question.  And, you know I just can't do what I used too.  I can't do a workout the way I want, and I sure as hell can't lift things that I could before I was pregnant.  So, it's kind of a catch 22 because I want October to hurry up and get here....but then, I also need this time to prepare.  Lol, I might as well quit complaining because it isn't doing any good.

Oh well.

So, does anyone have any awesome girl names??

Jon and Kate

Did you watch the season premier of Jon and Kate + 8 last night?  Well, if you missed it, you can always catch it by watching TLC....it's on a lot.

If you watch Jon and Kate though, it was an odd episode.  So much tension, and almost like this cloud of what is about to come.  Scary.  I on one hand have quite a bit to add about what I saw.  It's a show that Micheal and I can watch together and "discuss".  We like it :).

This is the true downfall to Reality TV....It's like America finds someone they love to watch through reality tv.  A family, a singer, actor, and then the watch them crumble before their eyes. And can't take their eyes away as they crumble.

Jon and Kate are a prime example.  Think about it.  After having all 8 children, there was no way for Kate to work.  She (or Jon) had to stay at home with the kids.  So that leaves one person to work and make money for the family.  Then, as they were approached to do the show, it must have been a life saver.  Who can honestly live on an IT's income?  It would have been hard.  So they did the show, and we (America) loved it.  They were perfect.  Okay, not perfect, but we loved their flaws and appreciated the fact that they were "normal".  Plus, they made money doing the show.  They have a new home, they've been on trips, received numerous gifts.....they can take care of their kids and give them what they need. 

Now, there are rumors flying and issues occurring, causing some ruffles in the marriage....but the show must go on.  Well, what's more important, the show or the marriage and the kids?

You know what I think?  Oh, I'm sure you really want to know too right???? Hehehe.  Marriage is not perfect.  It's hard, and it takes work.  Giving up isn't an option.  So, living your life (and problems) out in the public eye, can be made so much more worse.  Screw TLC and their contract.  End the show and get your ass into counseling and work on it together.  Marriage deals with every emotion...the high and low.  Anger and love, hatred and joy, fear and anxiety, excitement and....well, you get the point.  When everyone is watching you go through something difficult, don't you think it would become that much harder to get through it?

Jon and Kate, you can do it.  I have faith that all things can be overcomed together and with love....sprinkle in some humility and forgiveness and you have a recipe for "making it".  Just remember to count your blessings, one by one.  It's never as bad as you think it is. 

 

I'm done, my rant is over.

The Today Show

Three days a week I personal train pretty early in the mornings.  Usually when I get home, I start my day.  It's best to do that rather than go back to bed....as tempting as that is.  I've learned that the morning times are my own private time.  Take it or leave it, right?  Since I stay at home, I try not to watch TV.    If it's cartoons, maybe....I won't watch those, but Thomas is more than welcome too.  So I have been a stay at home mom for over a year.  On occasion, maybe once/twice a week, I'll start the morning with the Today Show.  I always have to turn it off. 

Why?

Ughhh....They really irritate me.  It's like they are really searching for the "breaking" news story.  Or they always turn it into something negative.  Well, let me tell you something Today Show.  You are a morning show.  Unfortunately, you aren't CNN.  I don't like those shows either.  I'm sure that some people swear by the Today Show, but I think I would just prefer to have it off.  I like Ann Curry though.  She's alright. 

Sorry, I'm not trying to sound negative either.  I've just switched to Good Morning America, if I'm going to watch anything.  It's just a bit more low key.

 

Silly people :).

Divorce

I'm a true product of divorce.  My parents separated when I was 12 and divorced sometime after that.  I don't remember exactly when.  My dad remarried once...for a few months.  It was stupid.  She had 4 kids, and her husband had died a year earlier.  She even went to high school with my mom.  Weird.  My mom remarried as well and is still married to him.  I think that's odd too.
Now, when I say I am a true product of divorce, I say it with the confidence that children of divorce rarely turn out okay, no matter how "well the handle the situation".  There are just things that happen.  It's like saying someone is perfectly fine if their father was never in the home, or a parent died at the age of 9.  You know they really aren't okay.  How could they be?  They had a traumatic experience in their life and they are different because of it.  Same thing with divorce.
For a really really long time, I thought that I was okay.  No I'm not a train wreck now, but I have really learned a lot about myself.  I am okay....and not that I wasn't okay then, but the whole learning about myself really opened me up to so many things.  Before Micheal and I got married we starting going to see a family counselor, and we have continued it since then.  It's also how Micheal found out about the master's program he is about to enter (yes he made it in - whoohoo!!).
A lot of children that have divorced parents have similar issues.  Obvious relationship issues, trust and maybe abandonment.  But, within the relationships there are common actions and things that occur......I really find it intriguing.  It has really made me look at relationships differently.  In a good way.

Now, I write about this for a reason.  Duh, right?  I have a friend who is about to get a divorce from her husband.  I don't know when, or even if it will happen.  I hope/pray that they logically and lovingly work it out.  I am an advocate of marriage for life....but what do you do when one person really gives up and won't change?  My friend has really gotten screwed.  He has practically abandoned her and their 3 kids.  Yeah, they went to therapy, but he gave up on it.....and you know, I do think that marriage is for life, but you can't force someone.  They must be married willingly in order for it to work so you can grow and change.
I just sympathize for her.  Damn.  She almost feels forced in to doing it.  It's too hard to explain, but she is.  Then, there are her kids.  I can only tell people my experiences from my parents divorce.  I can't explain to them what kind of damage will almost completely occur the their precious babes.  So, I feel so bad for the children and really keep praying and hoping that they can work it out together.  But, you go back to the issue that you can't be married to someone who isn't willing to change and grow together.  So, when you're with someone who doesn't want to try, and the divorce is inevitable, what do you do about the children???????  It's about the kids....all about them, once you have them. 
So, my prayers are with my friend right now.  May God's will be done ultimately.  But I have hopes for my own selfish thoughts for them too :).

 

Our home

I absolutely love my neighborhood.  Kids play outside, my neighbors are my friends, and we (parents and kids) are somewhat close in age to each other so we just mesh well.  Micheal and I have been at our current residence for almost 2 1/2 years.  Before that, I would have to move either yearly, or bi-yearly because of school or my lease.  Now that we "own" a home, it's nice to know that we can do what we want here (as far as decorating goes), and I don't have to worry about fixing it when I leave.

Our home has come such a long ways too.  When I first moved here, every wall was white, and had some ugly (really ugly) wall paper in a few rooms.  It's painted now, the fixtures have been updated, and the furniture works well.  We are hopefully going to put in new floors in a few weeks which will really help too :)!  It's fun to know that I don't have a year to decorate, then I will need to leave.  It's been a gradual change that I have enjoyed.  We will probably be here for a few more years....so by the time we leave and need something bigger, I'm sure it will be just the way I want it.

My neighbors are great too.  There are four families that have kids that play together outside....8 kids right now (9 w/ babe #2).  We have girls night out once a month and it's perfect.  We may go out to dinner or over to someones house.  But we do it in the evening when the kids are down, and we just hang out.  We're somewhat different but so alike in the fact that family comes first, and often we just need some time to vent to someone (hence the outings).  I would assume that the husbands will do something along the same lines eventually; a fishing trip or something.  Who knows?

I wonder if Thomas will remember this house?  I remember my first house, and I still drive by it every once in a while to check it out.  Fond memories....good times. 

Masters

Micheal is currently attending an interview today from 9 a.m. to noon.  This is a very special interview too.  He is looking to go back to school to get his Masters in Family Counseling.  It's a two year program and he would be great at it.

So, this morning, he was a little nervous...I was nervous for him too!  But, it's an interview, and he's great at those.  Very charming and very articulate - so I have full faith that he won't have a problem.  Obviously this is a great way to get him out of the job he currently does.  It isn't a bad job, but it also isn't something he plans on doing forever.  Plus, he is looking for the job, that isn't a job, you know?  Who wants to go to work everyday?  I would much rather go to work, but enjoy it so much that it couldn't possibly be actual work.  He's going for that.

So, it's noon right now.  He should be done and heading hope to have lunch with us and let us know what happened.

Holy Mother protect him!!

precious babe

 

Today is h-o-t-t.  Yes!!!  I think that summer is finally on it's way.  I have every intention of flashin' my preggo bod at the pool too.  Okay, I'm not going to wear a bikini or anything, but T-man and I are going to go swimming as often as we can.  Yesterday it got up to 94 degrees...Thomas and I were playing and I was just sweating outside....loved it.

Anyway, I wanted to post a few pics of Thomas.  We were playing on the computer and found the camera.  Enjoy

 

 

Can you pull on your ear and stick out your tongue?

The camera is actually at the top of the screen, but he could see himself when he looked down. 

 

 

What is that mom?

 

Very curious.

 

 

You know your getting old when.....

Teenagers completely piss you off.  I just saw my cousins facebook and she posted pictures of her and her friends smoking weed.  Seriously...I should tell her mother.

Facial piercing are no longer attractive.  I still like some....but now, it's like you aren't unique unless your lip, eye brow and bridge of your nose is pierced.

You start really thinking and planning for retirement.  What?!  Did I just recently enter the workforce....and left it too. 

The real world/road world challenges are just a bunch of old people you used to watch that are trying to earn a buck.

MTV has completely lost it's appeal.

You can't judge someone's age, especially teens.  They all look 12 to me now.

You enjoy playing at the park.  Does that mean I'm getting younger and not older?

My sister tells me I listen to the "older" music station.

Gardening sounds fun.

 

I know, I'm only 26.  I'm not old.  But, sometimes I feel like it's quickly approaching.  And, that isn't too bad.  Getting older means a lot of great new adventures for myself and my family.  But, sometimes I will catch myself trying to give MTV another shot....then I realize that it just isn't worth it.