So...

I'm still pregnant but I got some good news yesterday at my doctor's appointment. I am/was 4 cm dilated and 50% effaced. Now she said that my cervix is currently shaped like a donut and at the end of the cervix I am 4cm but up by Camden's head I am only 1 cm dilated...but with a good contraction or my water breaking I would be a full 4 cm in no time flat.

So I went to Walmart after my appointment and got a few last minute things and then came home and picked up D from the babysitters. Then nothing really exciting started happening until around 6:30ish...I started getting some contractions and they were starting to get uncomfortable and I was pacing and trying not to think about them. Bob was in St. Jo yesterday at this point and not scheduled to return for another 2 and a half hours...so I was trying to stay calm. I ended up calling the hospital around 7 to see what I should do and they suggested sitting down, drinking water and relaxing for another half hour to see if the contractions would slow down or go away, but said since I was alone that I could come in for peace of mind if I wished.

Well, I decided to stay home and relax b/c I really didn't want to have to drag my neighbors out to drive me if I could avoid it and wait for Bob. So relaxing did the trick b/c I am obviously still here...lol! Slept horrible b/c I had to get up to pee so much and then I would constantly think about it...so I am tired today also. I have had a few contractions this morning but nothing unbearable. So anyway, that's my story and I am not sure what today will bring...Bob is going to Jeff City for another appointment so who knows...he leaves Sedalia around 1pm for that appointment so I figure around 2pm is when I will go into labor when he is the furthest away! Grrrrr!

Anyway...how is your day going?

I felt the need...

to revise my list to make it more "happy" in nature. So here are a few of my favorite things:

• My son saying "MOMMY!" when I open his bedroom door in the morning, which is always followed by a genuine hug
• A cool, crisp fall day when the leaves have begun to change color and fall
• Funny movies that aren't as "well known" to the public
• A good stand up comedian!
• Live theatre...plays that is!
• Quoting movies that I know will make the other person laugh out loud
• A new episode of Grey's Anatomy or Men In Tree's
• Knowing that I will not have to pay for a wedding!
• The thrill of a roller coaster
• A good hair day
• Pedicures
• A good latte
• The first day of the year when you can open all your windows in your house!
• A good book
• Dark chocolate
• Lemon cake or pie
• My family
• My Parents As Teachers lady
• My friends
• Olive Garden Breadsticks and Salad
• The "House Dressing" for salad at Pizza Shoppe
• The Holiday Season
• Christmas Lights
• England
• Traveling to a new place
• Walking into your house after you have JUST cleaned everything and everything is in its place and smells good!
• The smell of my son after he has had a bath and is doused in lotion
• Those rare moments when my son actually wants to cuddle for longer than 30 seconds!
• Playing "Why & Because" with the Becker clan!
• A good weiner roast that follows with awesome smore's and good conversation
• My sons smile
• My husband's breath after he drinks a beer...(don't ask! haha!)
• The smell of fresh cut grass on a cool morning
• When the perfect song comes on the radio at just the right time and you know all the words to it!
• Going on dates with my hubby
• A comfy pair of pants
• Scrapbooking!
• Finishing a scrapbook!
• Photos
• Organization
• Hearing the story of the infamous "Becker Bomb" hehe
• A good YouTube video (if you want to laugh your butt off, search for "Benny Lava")
• Laughing
• Working in the garage or outside with my dad
• Crawling into bed onto clean, crisp sheets
• Reading updated blogs and comments
• Feeling important
• Weekends that Bob has off!
• Solitaire
• Chocolate Milk
• A good walk after a heavy meal
• The day my mom gave me the "sex talk"...a little too late! LOL!
• A good craft festival
• My Aunt Linda's cookies!
• Quirky Art
• My heated seats in my car & the compass
• http://pandora.com/
• Email
• Musicals
• A movie you can watch over and over again and never tire of it
• Having a cousin who is a pediatrician and being able to ask her those questions that concern you about your child without having to go sit in a waiting room for another doctor to say the same thing! *muah* Thanks lady!
• Being married for 8 years and still feeling the same way about him now as I did then
• Massages at a spa
• Sitting next to Aunt Judy at a family event and getting "petted"....I LOVE THAT! Her hands are magic!
• Christmas in the Park
• Scrabble
• The zoo
• An Everything Bagel from Einstein Bros. Bagels with garden veggie cream cheese
• An unexpected sale on an item you were already going to purchase!

And now you know some of my favorite things! I'm sure there are MANY more, but I have to go to the doctor and hopefully find out I am progressing! :-) Wish me luck! Heart!

Updated Guesses cont...

January 15th-Gloria 11pm, McKinley 6:45am
January 18th-Melodie 12:31amJanuary 20th-Judy 6:45am
January 21st-Ruthie 11:21pm & David 12 noon, Eddie Andersen 9:30pm
January 23rd-Mendy 11am & Elizabeth Plummer 3pm
January 24th-Tabitha Wagoner 7:32am & Grandma Camden 1:00pm (Had to laugh at her though...she said it would probably be this date b/c she has a dentist appointment that my mom has to take her to and things always happen when there is something else scheduled...hehe!)
January 25th-Linda Andersen 9:30pm

Sorry, you are all out of the running...(which makes ME more sad, trust me! LOL!)******************************************************************
Still in the race:

January 26th-Me 3:30am & Jim Scott 8:30am
January 28th-Jim Plummer 2:30pm, Patty Ryan 6:53am-11:57am
January 29th-Bob 4:45pm, Amanda Plummer 2:54pm
January 30th-Pam Plummer 7:30am, Patti Plummer 2:51am
January 31st-Amanda C. 6:27pm, Christy 4:30pm, Ryan Wagoner 6:30pm, Grandpa Paul Long 12:10am, Grandma Mary Plummer 2:16pm, Brad Barnes 9:35pm, Debbie Barnes 6am, Susan Plummer 8:59pm, Kim Grooms 2:56pm, Quentin 3am
February 1st-Ashley Henton 3pm, Jessica Lala 8:30pm, Monty Lala 12 noon, Grandpa Sam Stenzel 9am, Grandma Jo Lawson, 10am, Jeff 2:45am, Bill Plummer 11:01am
February 2nd-Dave Plummer 10:30am, Ruthie 10:30am
February 3rd-Grandma Pat Stenzel 3am, Stacy 2pm, Grandma Loree Long 3:30am, Marianne 6pm
February 4th-Michelle Hedman 5:22am
February 5th-Austin Wilhite 3:30pm, Grandpa Bill Plummer 1:30am, Crystal Wood 2am
February 6th-Lyndie Wilhite 6:32am
February 7th-Marilyn Chandler 4:40am

Things you may not know...

I obsess about my weight everyday...not because I am pregnant either! I love it when I have a good hair day and feel it necessary to compliment it with a nice outfit and make up, even if I am not going anywhere.

I have a small obsession with "air quotes." When getting ready for a big night out, I love to put on my Color Me Badd cassette tape (that's right...old school) and JAM OUT! I think I am a good dancer. I also think I am funny.

I am always worried about what others think of me. I have become a hermit since living in MO. I secretly envy some of my neighbors. I am constantly worried about money.

I miss my carefree days of our D.I.N.K. (Dual Income No Kids) life. I miss my job at UOP, it made me feel important. I miss my pre-pregnancy body.

I like to brag about my successful family members in a sly way, it makes me feel important that I am related to them.

I love being a mom but hate the constant 24/7 demands sometimes. I secretly love it when Decovin calls me "mommy" really loudly in public.

I love being in control but hate the responsibility it usually brings. I let my son watch way too much TV b/c I am too lazy to come up with activities here at home and/or take him somewhere (b/c I am a hermit).

I'm scared to death of Bob getting out of the NAVY for fear of the "unknown" for our future.

I like to complain about being pregnant because I think somewhere deep down it will make me go into labor sooner. And I am real scared to poop on the delivery table!

And now you know...how depressing my life really is...haha!

Sick and still pregnant.

A few days ago, my body decided to let in a cold! Bummer...I'm all stopped up and can't breathe properly and I feel miserable...and still pregnant.

Oh and now Decovin has decided to participate in said cold and has a fever to boot...oy! He is more clingy when he is sick (which generally excites me) but my belly is so large now that picking him up and holding him is a feat and he likes to waller (sp?) all over me which is no good...so this time is not so fun. At least he is still sleeping at night with no problems (knock on wood)...

Hopefully this is all over soon. :-)

Updated Guesses...

January 15th-Gloria 11pm, McKinley 6:45am
January 18th-Melodie 12:31am
January 20th-Judy 6:45am
January 21st-Ruthie 11:21pm & David 12 noon, Eddie Andersen 9:30pm

Sorry, you are all out of the running...(which makes ME more sad, trust me! LOL!)

******************************************************************
Still in the race:

January 23rd-Mendy 11am & Elizabeth Plummer 3pm
January 24th-Tabitha Wagoner 7:32am & Grandma Camden 1:00pm (Had to laugh at her though...she said it would probably be this date b/c she has a dentist appointment that my mom has to take her to and things always happen when there is something else scheduled...hehe!)
January 25th-Linda Andersen 9:30pm
January 26th-Me 3:30am & Jim Scott 8:30am
January 28th-Jim Plummer 2:30pm, Patty Ryan 6:53am-11:57am
January 29th-Bob 4:45pm, Amanda Plummer 2:54pm
January 30th-Pam Plummer 7:30am, Patti Plummer 2:51am
January 31st-Amanda C. 6:27pm, Christy 4:30pm, Ryan Wagoner 6:30pm, Grandpa Paul Long 12:10am, Grandma Mary Plummer 2:16pm, Brad Barnes 9:35pm, Debbie Barnes 6am, Susan Plummer 8:59pm, Kim Grooms 2:56pm, Quentin 3am
February 1st-Ashley Henton 3pm, Jessica Lala 8:30pm, Monty Lala 12 noon, Grandpa Sam Stenzel 9am, Grandma Jo Lawson, 10am, Jeff 2:45am, Bill Plummer 11:01am
February 2nd-Dave Plummer 10:30am, Ruthie 10:30am
February 3rd-Grandma Pat Stenzel 3am, Stacy 2pm, Grandma Loree Long 3:30am, Marianne 6pm
February 4th-Michelle Hedman 5:22am
February 5th-Austin Wilhite 3:30pm, Grandpa Bill Plummer 1:30am, Crystal Wood 2am
February 6th-Lyndie Wilhite 6:32am
February 7th-Marilyn Chandler 4:40am

1682 Diapers!

That's right...check it out!

We got 616 Size 1 diapers, 512 size 2 diapers, 392 size 3 diapers, 102 size 4 diapers and 60 size 5 diapers! WOWZAH!

I'm still pregnant...

Went to the doctor today...I had to see one of my doctor's associates as my doc was out of the office. She politely gave me the option of her doing an exam or not...she said some people don't like to bare all to a stranger...I told her that once you have a kid all modesty gets thrown out the window and that I would like to know if I am progressing at all.

She could at least feel his head this week and my cervix is softening but I am not dialating or anything...at least it was better than last week! :-) Yay!

My baby is Two!

When I went to get D out of bed this morning (I heard him playing with some toys, etc) I opened the door and he was still laying in bed under the covers...but I could see his eyes were open. I whispered: "Hi!" and he whispered back: "Hi!" It was so cute! Then I said "Happy Birthday bug, you're two now!" To which he replied: "I two!" :-) He is just a bundle of cuteness I tell ya!

I can't believe my baby is 2 years old now! Where did the time go? It seems like only yesterday I was changing his diaper and cleaning up after him after he ate...oh wait a minute...that WAS yesterday and today and tomorrow! LOL! Seriously though, he has gotten so big and I can't even believe that two years ago I was in the hospital in labor with him. What a memory.

Anyway, having a small get together with the immediate family at Mimi's Cafe for dinner and dessert...should be fun!

I am so bored!!!

Ok people, entertain me! PLEASE! I can't do anything but get on the computer lately so I crave new news! New comments, anything! Hook a big fat pregnant lady up! please, with a cherry on top! I am so bored! Oh and did I mention that I am STILL pregnant? Love you all.

Success!

We are binky-free folks! It really only took the one night of suffering and the next day nap-time drama for it to all be over with! :-) He no longer asks for it and goes right to sleep without it! :-) He also took a nap binky free today for the first time also! YAY! Hopefully he doesn't want it back when he sees Camden with one! We will keep our fingers crossed that we got rid of it soon enough...we have been playing up the "BIG BOY!" a lot! So...maybe!

******************************************************

Yesterday we went up to Jeff & Marianne's and hung out all day. Decovin had a great time playing with the girls and their "new" toys! They have a great play room so they were up there most of the day! :-) We went out to lunch with mom, dad, Christy and my Aunt Mendy & Uncle Jim and then for dinner we got take-out from an Indian restaurant and KFC. :-) It was a fun day and it was good to see J & M...especially since we hadn't seen them since before their big trip to Malaysia! The girls are still having trouble adjusting to this time zone apparently so they have had some long nights. :-(

*******************************************************

Oh and um, I'm still pregnant...in case you were wondering. *sigh*

I'm a sitting duck...quack!

So I went to the doctor today and I am not having Camden anytime soon...*sigh* She couldn't even feel for his head he is so up in there! So, I wait.

A night without the binky...

Oh boy! So we have been trying different ways with Decovin to give up his beloved binky at nap/bedtime. So we decided first we would try cold turkey...we did this 3 nights in a row with no luck as he just stayed up and stayed up and refused to sleep! So then I did some research on the net and got some suggestion to poke holes in his binky slowly over time until it no longer can create that suction for him...well, I must have been using too small of a needle b/c he kept using it like it was no big deal and we had at least 12-15 holes in it! So then last night Bob took scissors to it and created a HOLE and he didn't like that at all...he actually threw the binky onto the bed. So then it was like going cold turkey again anyway...so we decided to let this one run through and ignore his cries (b/c he wasn't blood curdling crying ever, just whiny and bummed crying)...so finally around 10:45ish, after having to tell him to get back into bed several times and having to remove the lamp from his room that he kept turning on after we would shut the door, he finally wore himself out and fell asleep. Now he did wake up again at 3 something in the morning and we had to tell him to go back to sleep and he did the whining/whimpering thing for about half an hour and I finally decided to give him a sippy cup of water...that did the trick for about 2 and a half hours when he decided he was awake at 5:30 am and let himself out of his room and came crying to us in our room...so we thought we would see if he would just sleep with us...ha! All he did was whisper in my ear for 20 minutes: "Mom (then a tap on my arm repeatedly until I answered), Mom" So we put him back in his room with the sippy cup of water again and that did the trick...it is now 9am and he is still asleep, I actually might have to wake him up in order to get him fed and to the babysitter's on time before my doc appointment. Now I am only concerned with nap time. Wish me luck! It really could have been a lot worse...the point is, he went a whole night without his binky! WHOO HOO!

Decovin to the Dentist...

So I had set up an appointment for Decovin to visit his first pediatric dentist for the 15th. Well, the lady from the dentist office called today to say that she couldn't find Decovin on our insurance (I had looked it up online and it said that he would be covered automatically as long as he was on Bob's DEERS form-a military form) so when I called United Concordia today they said that they are automatically enrolled after the age of 4...so if you wish to add them before that you have to enroll them manually...(that would have nice if they would have mentioned that online!!).

So he is enrolled and now has to wait until after Feb. 1 to go to the dentist...oy! So, hopefully I will be able to take him on the 12th of Feb or at least Bob! We shall see.

***********************************************************

On a different note, Decovin now knows his name and when you ask him what his name is, he says: "I ah-token" Close enough...we did give him a hard name to learn after all! :-)

I am also referred to as "mom" now, not mama or mommy, but "mom." It is really funny when he says it though...

Neti Pot...

http://www.sinucleanse.com/why_video.htm

So, I saw this on the news yesterday (well, a different brand but same thing essentially) and decided I must try this! I am ALWAYS having sinus issues, etc...plus it is safe for pregnant women b/c there is NO medicine actually entering your system...it is strictly CLEANING out your nose.

Ok, so it seems a little unorthodox (and gross), but hey, I'm all about trying something if it seems to work! So I have used it two days in a row so far and I like the way it feels after I get done...like instant relief! Now, granted, I go back to be snotty soon after, but I attribute this to still being sick and to still being pregnant (your body produces more blood therefore more sinus flow, blah blah blah)...anyway...I think it really helps...you should all try it! It's easy to use and pretty mess-free...just need a sink & some water! :-)

Happy nose cleaning!

Guesses So Far...

January 15th-Gloria 11pm, McKinley 6:45am
January 18th-Melodie 12:31am
January 20th-Judy 6:45am
January 21st-Ruthie 11:21pm & David 12 noon, Eddie Andersen 9:30pm
January 23rd-Mendy 11am & Elizabeth Plummer 3pm
January 24th-Tabitha Wagoner 7:32am & Grandma Camden 1:00pm (Had to laugh at her though...she said it would probably be this date b/c she has a dentist appointment that my mom has to take her to and things always happen when there is something else scheduled...hehe!)
January 25th-Linda Andersen 9:30pm
January 26th-Me 3:30am & Jim Scott 8:30am
January 28th-Jim Plummer 2:30pm, Patty Ryan 6:53am-11:57am
January 29th-Bob 4:45pm, Amanda Plummer 2:54pm
January 30th-Pam Plummer 7:30am, Patti Plummer 2:51am
January 31st-Amanda C. 6:27pm, Christy 4:30pm, Ryan Wagoner 6:30pm, Grandpa Paul Long 12:10am, Grandma Mary Plummer 2:16pm, Brad Barnes 9:35pm, Debbie Barnes 6am, Susan Plummer 8:59pm, Kim Grooms 2:56pm, Quentin 3am
February 1st-Ashley Henton 3pm, Jessica Lala 8:30pm, Monty Lala 12 noon, Grandpa Sam Stenzel 9am, Grandma Jo Lawson, 10am, Jeff 2:45am, Bill Plummer 11:01am
February 2nd-Dave Plummer 10:30am
February 3rd-Grandma Pat Stenzel 3am, Stacy 2pm, Grandma Loree Long 3:30am, Marianne 6pm
February 5th-Austin Wilhite 3:30pm, Grandpa Bill Plummer 1:30am, Crystal Wood 2am
February 6th-Lyndie Wilhite 6:32am
February 7th-Marilyn Chandler 4:40am

The Countdown begins...

So I would like to take a poll and see when people think Camden will make his debut. Please post a comment with date and time and I will keep it handy to see who was the closest when it actually happens.

My guess: January 26 at 3:30am

Doctor's Visit...

Big news: Camden has turned! YAY! Hopefully he stays down there and we will have a normal delivery! :-)

The doctor said I could take Claritan D and/or Robitussin DM...so hopefully I will sleep better tonight! Phew! Oh and I bought Bob some Breathe Right strips so we will see if this helps his snoring so that I can fall asleep faster after getting up and going to the bathroom every 2-3 hours! ;-) He's such a sport for giving it a whirl for me!

I start going to the doc's every week from here on out...I had a sudden urge to "get ready" today and packed a bag for me and Camden and Decovin (in case we have to ship him to the neighbors for an overnight). I also feel the need to "nest"...my house is filthy but I can't really DO anything about most of it b/c of my pain in my upper left abdomen region...did I mention I went to the ER on Christmas Eve because of that? No biggy, no idea what it is, my doc wasn't concerned either so I guess it is just another joyful bliss of pregnancy! So yeah, no heavy lifting or bending, etc...so I guess my house will have to stay somewhat dirty...at least it is picked up! :-)

New Year

So I get a call from Amanda around 3:30 on New Year's Eve and she says to me: "Whatcha doin?"...I say, "nothin' much, you?" To which she replies: "Pulling into your driveway!" YAY! Company for the New Year countdown!

So she settles in and we chat and play with Decovin for a bit then we decide we are going to need some snacks for the event...so we head to Walmart and get stuff for Rotel some beer for the two non-preggers of the bunch and some brownie mix...I already had some cheese and sausage cut up at home for additional snackage...oh and we bought some frozen pizza's too...it was a fun night and didn't even do anything that exciting...watched Dick Clark count us down to the New Year and we were very freaked out by his stroke affects on his speech...poor guy...should just give it up and let Ryan Seacrest do it all! Oh well...anyway...

We stayed up until 2am watching the bands perform and then we all decided we were tired and headed off to bed. Amanda hung out with us until around 4ish the next day and then she headed home. It was fun! I love it when she comes to visit!

Oh and I am still fighting off this stupid cold...I have started coughing now...lovely. I go to the doc tomorrow...I will see what she says and hope it is not "Take some Tylenol and drink plenty of water"...There has to be something I can take other than Tylenol darn it!

Anyway, love you all!

Laugh Out Loud Moment #526...

So yesterday morning I got up with Decovin and Bob stayed in bed...The usual routine followed: Breakfast, TV, Toys, etc...

When he got tired of what was on the tube (apparently) he decided to run back to his room (I thought). I hear a door knob and think..."Hmmmm...he must have either opened his closet door, or the bathroom door or closed his bedroom door...either way, I better go check"

I look in his room (the door was open) and he is not visible, I open the bathroom door and he is not in there, there is no way he could be in the office or our bedroom as we put those door knob protector thingy's on them so into the living room I go to double check I just missed him...nada...back to his bedroom and open the closet...not there...so then I start thinking...Bob is trying to play a joke on me and quietly opened our door and snagged D into our room with him while I frantically start to look for him...so I open the door and Bob is still in bed and he lifts up groggily as I say, "Is he in here with you?" to which I get a reply of "No" in a much tired voice...OH NO! I am convinced Decovin is stuck somewhere and won't answer me! I'm hollering his name and trying to stay calm at the same time...finally Bob comes out of the bedroom to start trying to help me find him and just as he comes out of the room we hear the hall closet door open and Decovin saying "BOOO!" Bob fell to the floor laughing and I bent over laughing (as falling is not a good idea at this late stage in pregnancy)...Oh how clever they are!


***************************

On a separate note, I haven't posted in awhile because I have been at my in-laws who still have dial up. We got home on the 27th around 5ish and then that evening I started to feel like I was getting a sore throat...woke up the next morning and it was on like Donkey Kong...sore throat was then followed by mass headache and achy muscles, etc...the rest of the day I was miserable and the sleeping through the night last night was even worse...had uncontrollable shivers then I would start sweating...AWESOME! Still have a sore throat and achiness today but I have stopped the shivering and sweating...hopefully I will be able to actually sleep tonight...oh and I can't take anything other than tylenol (which does nothing for me)...so lovely to be pregnant and sick! YES! I go to the doc on the 3rd for my next check-up. I will let you know what she says of my progress...:-) Hopefully Camden has turned, but I don't think so.

OY!

So I went to the doc yesterday for my "2 week" check-up even though it has only been a week...had to move it up due to the holidays and me not being here and all...anyway...

I am doing fine but Camden is still breech...so I started asking questions:

Question #1: If he doesn't turn (which she says they can turn right up to the last minute), but if he DOESN'T turn what then?
Answer: C-Section

Question #2: So how long of a recovery time are we looking at if I have to have a C-Section?
Answer: 6 weeks, no lifting of anything over 10lbs...no laundry, no vacuuming...etc...There have been some theories (or something worded like this) to women who "plan" a c-section vs. an emergency c-section as far as recovering more quickly than those who labor all day and then have to have one...

Question #3: So, what you are saying is if Camden hasn't turned by week 39 I should go ahead a schedule a c-section?
Answer: Yes, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

Question #4: How many people are allowed in the room for a c-section?
Answer: One, unless I have to be put completely under then no one.

So there you have it...a fun day at the doctor's...*sigh*

TURN CAMDEN, TURN!!! (P.S. Mom, if Camden doesn't turn, can you stay with me during my 6 week recovery? I know that is a lot to ask but I won't be able to be at home alone with a toddler and an infant and not be able to lift 10 pounds!)

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Doctor Visit...

Went to the doc's office today and found out that Camden is sitting breech...*sigh*...she said not to worry yet and to go home and sit with my butt in the air for at least 5 minutes a day to help him move out of my pelvic region and move around!

Oh dear, if I have to have a C-section, I don't know what I will do! OUCH!

Keep me in your thoughts and hope that he turns around in time for a seamless delivery!

Oh and Decovin has been running a fever off and on for the past 30 hours or so and he can't seem to shake it...we will give him Tylenol and it will go down for 8 hours or so but then keeps coming back...he acts lethargic during the high part of his temp and then back to normal when it is down...he is still eating and drinking too...so maybe it is just more teeth coming in??? Who knows...

Bday weekend!

Thank you all for the Birthday greetings! I ended up going to KC for the weekend as my baby shower was supposed to be on Saturday but got cancelled due to weather...but on Friday, my mother-in-law took me out to lunch and then we did a bit of christmas shopping and then she made dinner for us (my choice)...I was craving BELT sandwiches so that is what we had! :-) They were yummy! Oh and she baked me a lemon cake! IT WAS SOOO DELICIOUS! It was a good Bday! ;-)

Saturday, I got up really early to watch the weather to see if it would be safe enough to drive up to Jeff's for the breakfast with Santa. I looked out the window at and saw everyone on highway 10 zooming by so I figured it wouldn't be too bad. Made it up there and back with no problems and Decovin and the girls got to see Santa and we got a detailed tour of the Harley Davidson plant. Which was really cool by-the-way. The rest of the day we vegged out and I helped my mother-in-law bake some goodies for her work and for the fam. I love making baked goods! Sunday was about a repeat b/c I was supposed to go to another baby shower but decided against it as the weather hadn't really improved...plus the directions to the house I was supposed to go to said that the road was really hilly and curvaceous...so I opted out after reading that...hehe!

We headed home after the Chiefs lost and had no problem what-so-ever getting home...the highways are nice and clean...we had to drive a wee bit slower once we got to Warrensburg b/c the side roads were not nearly as nice...but again, no big deal. Our driveway is a solid sheet of ice though...that's fun isn't it?

I have a doctor's appointment today and I will have to take Decovin with me as he has been running a fever for the past day so I can't leave him with my neighbor cuz he might make the other kiddos sick...hopefully he won't be too much of a handful for me there...

How was everyone else's weekends?

Christmas In The Park

So last night Bob took me to Longview Lake in Lee's Summit to see the Christmas in the Park lights that they do every year! It is my favorite thing to do at Christmas time and we have kind of made it a tradition to go on or near my bday every year since I was a teen...so this year was especially exciting b/c Decovin can actually REACT to light displays, etc. We met up with my parents and sister and drove through with Decovin on my lap (we were going seriously 5 mph or less the entire time...fyi). Oh he shouted with glee every few seconds with "SEE!!, SEE!!" Then he would see an image he would recognize and say "DUCK! Quack, Quack!"...or "Bear, ROARRRR"...the moving lights were so exciting for him and he kept saying "gen, gen" (aka: again) so we drove around it twice just for him...he had so much fun!

Then we went to On The Border for a bday dinner and they sang Happy Birthday to me and we all got sopapilla's (sp?) for dessert...YUM-O! Thanks again mom and dad for dinner! :-) It was a really fun night, but I am tired today and Decovin must be too b/c he is testing every last patience I have today...man they are good at that aren't they?! I'm trying to take deep relaxing breaths, but those only work temporarily...he is down for a nap now so maybe I can gather my thoughts better now...It doesn't help that I have sinus yuck going on along with Decovin having the same thing and I feel about as big as a whale and can't get up and down very fast now! 8 more weeks, 8 more weeks...I can do it!

Thanksgiving Success!

The "original" Camden cousins! We did a re-make of a picture taken years ago...Ruthie, if you have it, can you scan it and send it? If you have the capabilities that is. :-) Thanks!

Well, Thanksgiving was a total success thanks to Aunt Ruthie! She hosted a beautiful day for all of us! It was so fun to ALL be together again! Can't remember the last time that actually happened...seriously...does anyone remember?

Anyway, a good time was had by all and I think everyone would agree! The food was delicious and the dessert was even better! ;-) Thanks again Aunt Ruthie! :-)

The following morning was my first experience with the "Black Friday" shopping and I must say it too was quite the success. Amanda and I started our morning at Walmart (hit the doors about 5:15am) and we found everything we went in to find! YAY! Then we met up with our tag team in Overland Park for some more super savings at Target! We split ways at this point and Christy and I hit one more Walmart before heading home for our second Thanksgiving meal with my dad's side of the family. It was also a success with lots of food and yummy desserts.

We then had my family's Christmas early due to my brother and his family heading to Malaysia for the holidays and Bob & I will be with his family then also...soooo...this was the only weekend we could ALL be together before everyone left. It was fun and the kids really made out...it was really funny to see the three of them together because one would open a gift and then it was the new "hot item" for the moment and they ALL wanted it, what ever it was and then it would move on to the next toy and so on and so forth...this made for a lot of "sharing" explanations...haha! Anyway, it was fun and we all had a good time. I hope you enjoy the pictures I sent, if you didn't get them yet (after Noon on 11/26/07), email me and I will forward them your way...Hope everyone had a Happy Turkey Day!

Update...

Remember when we used to all post all the time and comment all the time? What happened there? Hmmmm....*sniff*

So nothing extremely new to report other than Decovin is finally back to his full self along with his appetite. We went to the base on Thursday and got our flu shots, he wasn't too happy about that...but he got over it pretty fast...I didn't even feel mine until way later in the day and my arm just ached a bit. Other than that...good.

So after a week of being essentially cooped up in the house while D was recovering, I was itchin' to get out on Saturday...see Speechie/Christy's blog for further details on our little outing...:-) It was delicious and wonderful. Nuff, said.

Amanda met up with us after lunch and we made a trip out to Legend's so I could pick up a gift certificate at Cabella's for a family member on Bob's side. :-) Then we just drove around for a bit and then decided to head home...it was fun to see Amanda but I know she was TIRED...she had just gotten off of a 30 hour work shift...she is CRAZY, but she wanted to see us...how sweet! :-) Her company was much appreciated! :-)

Oh and I got Decovin's hair cut at this place that just opened up near Amanda's house called Sports Clips...it was actually a very good hair cut...probably my favorite so far...she cut it really really short on the back to hide his hurricane's (Katrina & Rita)...and it makes him look like a little boy instead of a baby...*sniff, sniff* He's growing up!

Getting excited about Thanksgiving...can't wait! :-) Oh and don't forget to keep checking out Camden's ticker...it changes every Sunday...new funny saying's every week. hehe!

*sigh*

So I have been busy this week. This past weekend was a nice weekend...for the most part...

Friday night Bob returned home from South Carolina (he had some Nuke thing he had to be there for) and we had dinner with Jeff & Marianne and the girls. Then we drove home and had a BUSY Saturday full of deep cleaning! Bob did most of it, bless his heart! We were prepping for my Pampered Chef party on Sunday. Well, in the middle of the night I heard Decovin cough funny and then again and I woke Bob up to go and check on him. He hollars at me that he has thrown up! GREAT! So we, I mean Bob, (b/c this made me gag and almost throw up just from the smell...heheh) cleaned him all up and changed his bed clothes and his clothes, etc...then he throws up again...luckily we made the sink that time! So Bob decides to stay up with him for a little bit to see how he does...they plop in front of the TV at 1:30am and I gave Bob a "puke bucket" just in case...well he ended up dry heaving two or three times before Bob finally put him back to bed. Then he woke up a couple more times in the night dry heaving again! (Poor guy!)...well he slept from 5am until 9am and he acted fine and back to normal. So Bob got up with him and fed him waffle and milk...milk was a bad idea! LOL! That came right back up an hour later. But that was the last time he threw up (knock on wood) and has just been really picky about eating since then. He never got a fever and never really acted different so we didn't drug him up or take him to the doc...although Dr. Camden gave us some advise on the side. *wink* Love ya cuz!

So since then, I haven't really gone anywhere...we ended up having the Pampered Chef show and it was an ok turn out...I would have liked to have seen some of my neighbors show up...but alas, I am still an outcast apparently! Whatever, I'm not bitter.

I'm really looking forward to Thanksgiving! It will be much fun! I hope the weather stays nice...I have heard some rather disturbing predictions about that day though...but weather is always 50/50 anyway! :-) See you all soon!

I feel busy...yet....

So this past weekend was busy...I got to my in-laws house on Friday evening and helped with last minute preparation of Tabitha's baby shower and then on Saturday we ran errands ALL day in preparation for the shower...then Sunday we actually HAD the shower and it was a success...she got stocked up on diapers and clothes and bottles! Over 1100 diapers!

Then, we decided to stay in DeSoto b/c Bob had a physical on Monday in Ft. Leavenworth and I ended up meeting Jeff & Bob for lunch in Zona Rosa area and did some Christmas shopping. Then Tuesday morning we left at the butt crack of dawn to take Bob to the airport as he had a meeting of some sort in South Carolina with all the Nuclear Engineer Recruiters...He won't return until Friday evening. Jeff will pick him up! :-) I ended up driving down to LaCygne Tuesday morning after I dropped off Bob b/c I didn't realize until Christy told me on Monday that Bunco was Wednesday...YIKES! So I am still in LaCygne and have decided to stay until Friday b/c I am going to Tabitha's sonogram Friday afternoon. I will drive home after that is over. *sigh*

But it is not over yet...Tuesday afternoon I went back to the city with Dad and Mom for Dad as he had a doc. appt. in Paola and then he wanted to return some stuff at Harbor Freight Tools and then he wanted to try to find a sander at Sears...Sears didn't have it so we ended up going to Lowe's off State Line Rd. and he found it there...:) Then on Wednesday I ended up driving G'ma up to her audiologist appointment to get her new hearing aids fitted. She is going to need two now. And it is going to be expensive...:-(

Today I have to take my mom to her eye doctor appt. in Paola...I'm already tired of driving and being on the go...*sigh*

So there ya go...busy, yet I still feel like I have done nothing...I'm just physically tired and I have been fighting this cold for over a week and a half now! :-( I am still all stopped up and have an annoying cough to go with it, plus I sound like a man. AWESOME. Anyway...I'll stop rambling now...

Basement, Pumpkin Patches, & New rooms!

So Bob had a 3 day weekend!!! And we spent it at home! Can you believe it? We got SO much done around the house that it isn't even funny! Bob completely cleaned up the basement and organized it, while I went through all the old baby clothes and pulled the appropriate sizes out for Camden. Bob cleaned out the office closet and we are using that room for the baby since we aren't going to be here too terribly long after he is born. So, the closet is getting full of newborn clothes and D's room has changed too...read on for further details!

So Sunday Bob & I decide to take Decovin to a pumpkin patch so that he could pick out a pumpkin...figured it would be a fun family affair...WRONG! We get to the nearest pumpkin patch in our area and it was so small that the pumpkins had already been picked through and nothing was left...then we tried to find the second one but they don't have signs posted ANYWHERE!!! What is up with that?!? Those were the ONLY two w/in reasonable driving distance and nothing...so we went to Walmart and picked out a pumpkin...whoopie...Oh well...at least the picture turned out cute:

Then on Sunday, Bob & I decided it was time to move Decovin to a "big boy bed"...so Bob finally had time to take apart the crib & bed and swap them. He slept really well, for his first night, we thought. We had a hard time getting him to GO to sleep but he finally got tired enough a little after 9pm that he crashed. Around 1am he woke up but only because he couldn't breathe...poor guy has a little cold & cough and so that scared him a bit to wake up not being able to breathe properly...so Bob gave him some nose drops and laid with him for a bit and he fell back asleep and slept until 8:30am! We thought he did really well for his first night in a new bed and having a cold. :-) I was so proud of him. We are keeping the door shut b/c he is a "wanderer" and too curious to not leave it shut. We still close the gate at the top of the stairs also. Decovin in his new bed:

Oh and how did he get this cold you ask? Yeah, I'm a bad mom...Friday it was SOOO nice outside that I turned off the heat and opened some windows...then at night I shut the windows but forgot to turn back on the heat...so D woke up at 6am with a runny nose and frozen toes...poor baby! I felt awful...well now he has an added cough since this morning...but I am hoping he bounces back soon...he is still acting like his normal happy self so I am not concerned yet. :-)

Tonight we are going to the Parents As Teachers "Boo-Bash" that they are throwing. We will dress Decovin up and he will get to "trick-or-treat" and do some activities, etc. I'm looking forward to it...hope D has fun too! :-) Well, that is all for now folks!

My blender has never seen so much use...

So Aunt Ruthie came and stayed with me last week and I drove her down to LaCygne for an extended weekend break...well, why she stayed with me she opened me up to the world of the homemade "Moo-Latte" sensation! She showed me how to make them at home and now I can't get enough of them...we returned home on Tuesday and I have since made 4 of them! If you are calculating, yes, that means I had TWO IN ONE DAY!!! What did you do to me Ruthie?! LOL! These things are FABULOUS! Thanks for sharing the wealth!

*******************************

Also, I don't know if I mentioned it before but I did switch my doctor and I have my first appointment with her today. YAY! Oh and I don't know if I mentioned this either but when I got the sonogram done they measured Camden to be large and said that his due date based on his current size would be January 23rd...this really isn't saying much...but ya know...

********************************

Oh and Decovin did his first movie quote yesterday in the bathtub. He was playing with his shark and did the infamous: "Duh-dum, Duh-dum, Duh-dum...roooaaarrr"...It was REALLY funny!

The official word...

We have decided to name baby #2: Camden David Plummer...

For those of you who read this and don't know my family...Camden is my mother's maiden name and David is my dad's first name. :-) I just found out last night that my great-great grandfather on my mother's side was named Rezin (pronounced: Ree-zen) and I was wondering what the consensus is on adding it to the name? I haven't told Bob about it yet so he may nix it all together but I was thinking Camden Rezin David Plummer??? What do you think?? Please comment. I just like weird names and since it is still a family name thought it was even cooler. I'm not sure if I like it enough or not but thought I would throw it out there. Let me know. :-)

IT'S A BOY!!

It's official...we have seen the third leg!

Tricare...need I say more?

So I decided, after most people agreed that I should switch doctors, to call Tricare and find out what I needed to do. So they tell me to contact my PCM (Primary Care Manager) on base and have them submit a new written authorization in order to make the switch...Sooooo...I call the base and I am literally on hold for over half an hour...literally...before someone answers and takes my info and then states "they will have a nurse call me back"...so after 4:30 hits and no phone call back I assume I got pushed off the stack...I figured I would just try again today...well, I had a hair appointment this morning and then when I got back it was time for lunch and then the phone rings and it is a nurse from the base calling and saying that Tricare will authorize one switch w/o written authorization....??? HUH?! I just called Tricare and they told me otherwise...so they transfer me to the base Tricare Office where I talk to someone and they say that I do indeed need a written authorization from my PCM...so she transfers me back where I am on hold for about 10 minutes this time and the same routine happens...Have to wait for a nurse to call me back...**sigh** I love Tricare.

Dr. Visit...

So I went to the doctor's office...well, to see a midwife anyway and they measured me and listened to the heartbeat and everything was dandy...So I asked the Midwife about the possibility of getting a sonogram and she said with Tricare they won't cover it...So I step up the game with: "Well, we got one with our last pregnancy due to down syndrome being in the family, etc..." So then this gets the questions started and she said..."well, I don't know if they will cover it just b/c down's is in the family (then she stops and looks at my chart)...but I see here that she had a heart defect?, Is that correct? Because if it is, then Tricare would probably cover it for that"...So what do you know, I will get a sonogram after all. October 10th. Whoo hoo!

I am not really fond of this place that I have been going...the staff is not really friendly (well, the desk people) and the nurses don't seem "well trained" they all walk around like dumb blondes who can't figure out why hot dogs are neither hot nor a dog...and the midwives seem to hurry you in and out like cattle...I don't feel like they ever really answer any of my questions and if I am sick, they aren't a family practice so they won't do anything about it...which sucks b/c Tricare and the base assume that the OBGYN will take care of everything during your pregnancy and frown upon you coming the base for such silly things as a cold...lovely.

When I was pregnant with Decovin I was seen by a Family Practice doctor and she took care of everything...although she was nothing to "WOW!" about, she was still thorough...so here is my question...should I request to get my old doctor back even though I am half-way through my pregnancy? Or just deal with my midwives???

On a separate note: Decovin is mimicking LIKE CRAZY! He is saying 2 word sentences now like: "moe pwease" (aka more please) and "mama moe" (aka Mommy more) and "Here go" ( I say: "here you go" when I give him his toothbrush and he just mimcks me...really cute!) and cracks us up all the time. His new favorite thing right now is to open a door and say: "Heh-whoa" (aka Hello) We are working on the "L" sound...whattaya gonna do? LOL! I also will ask him where his baby is and he will sometimes come pat my stomach and try to lift my shirt...I will also show him babies on TV and tell him he will have one of those soon...he always says: "Bayyy" for baby...we don't always get that second "b" on there...I don't think he really knows that a baby is coming but we are trying to get him to understand. It will be interesting to see him interact with the new baby.

Speaking of babies...my sister-in-law, Tabitha, found out they are having a girl...so she is really hoping I have a girl too so they can grow up together and be playmates. :-) We'll find out for sure on the 10th!

Well, that is all I have for now...so glad to see most of you posting again!

How well do you know me?

http://www.chatterbean.com/uquiz/myquiz200783015235472.php

So...

According to the Chinese Calendar I am having a girl...I used this method last time I was pregnant and it predicted a boy correctly...so maybe? I mean this pregnancy is a cake-walk compared to D's...who knows???

I don't know if I will be getting a sonogram as Tricare sucks and won't pay for it unless it is a "medical necessity"...so we shall see if I can convince my Midwife that I NEED one...I'll keep ya posted.

AC...

So our air conditioner was DEFINITELY broke...something about a defective coil and leaking refrigerant...anyway what it meant was very expensive labor but the part was covered under our "limited warranty"...we paid the first guy $111 just to toy around for 2 hours then he referred me to the original installer who came out and fixed it and tinkered around for another 2 hours...he said they would "send me a bill"...I'm not bitter or anything but COME ON! They charge you ridiculous amounts of money for labor! OY! Oh and he came out on a Friday evening around 6:45 and had the audacity to say to me: "Tell me you appreciate me coming out on a Friday night working late?"..."I was like...um, why? Do you want a medal?!" LOSER! Ok, so I didn't say that but I sure wanted to! JERK! I didn't ask them to send somebody out then...we could have waited until Monday...whatever! Anyway it is fixed and I am going to be contacting the company in regards to their "extended warranty" as we were not offered the proper paperwork when we moved in. The installers gave us the paperwork for a "TRANE" air conditioner when they actually installed an "ARCOAIR" unit. LOSERS! We shall see...

Tonight was fun, I was asked to sub in our little sub-divisions bunco group...I ended up getting half of my money back for "last bunco" of the evening...so not too bad. They play completely different than my bunco group and they aren't nearly as fun as my bunco group, but it is still a blast!

Now I have heartburn...lovely!

Since the puke...

Decovin has been totally normal...well as normal as a Plummer can be! ha! He went through a 3 day stint of being Mr. Crabapple b/c he was cutting his top i-teeth...poor guy...that was not fun! But they are now through and he is doing fine.



The Parent's As Teachers lady stopped in yesterday for a visit. She said that Decovin's vocabulary was excellent for his age and that a lot of 2 year olds don't have as many words as he does! She also said that the fact you can UNDERSTAND what he is saying for the most part is pretty amazing also. She gave me some suggestions of what to work on next with him, i.e. colors and how to teach him the colors and animal sounds. We started working on colors recently but she suggested we do it in "groupings" so for example we should start with things like "Decovin, lets put all the (insert color) toys in here..." and then when he has that down to start next with things like "Decovin, can you show me the (insert color) ball..." and then after he has those both completely down then we can start asking the infamous "What color is this (insert object)?", etc. I thought that was a very good idea.



He also warms up to almost anybody in a matter of seconds and it was no time before he was wanting to sit on her lap and just wanted her attention and her attention only...he actually tried to push me away! *sniff* He is becoming VERY independent! OY already!

So over the weekend Bob's old stomping ground had their annual "DeSoto Days" festival for their sesquicentennial, 150 years in case you were wondering, and apparently the Plummer family is one of the original families from that area so they invited the family to be in the parade...so here we are, all the cousins on the float...Bob drove and Decovin rode up front with him.

It was fun, and relatively nice out that day...could have been worse, like 105 out or something!!! Thank goodness it wasn't...we ate a lot of "fair food" and had a good time!

Oh and our air conditioner might be broke...we aren't sure and if it is, it is completely our fault for absentmindedly forgetting to change the filter out every month! OY! So it froze up the other day and thank goodness the weather has been mild otherwise I might be shacking up with someone else right now! LOL! :-) We are managing currently but I am still not convinced it is fixed...we shall see.

Cheers.

Blah Blah Puke!

****This blog is not for the faint of heart!****

So early last week Decovin started showing signs of "cuddly-ness", which if any of you know Decovin know this is not normal for him! LOL! He is very much ON THE GO and can't sit still and doesn't like to be held! So, anyway, he started hugging regularly and he will pat you on the back when he does it now too...it is really super cute...

So as I was saying, early last week he was doing it MORE than normal...constantly wanting to be held and snuggling up to me, etc. Bob was home and he thought it was a bit odd also...well anyway, I chalked it up to teething as I told Bob that he felt like he had a slight fever...so I turn him around to face me and he bury's his face in my chest...then he looks up at me with those sad puppy dog eyes as if to say: "Mom, I don't feel good" when BLEH! It happened...he puked ALL over me! To top things off, he had had raisins earlier in the day and so you can imagine what those looked like all puffy and soggy! I'm gagging just thinking about it! Ok...

So Bob takes Decovin straight to the tub where Decovin returns immediately to his normal self acting all goofy and splashing in the water and having a great time! Me, on the other hand, I was in the other bathroom removing the vomit covered clothes and getting ready to hop in the shower when the smell of it all consumes me and I lose my cookies too! I love being pregnant!

**********************************************************

I am still doing Occupational Therapy once a week with a girl also named Jennifer who is also married to a Robert...fun huh? Anyway, I really like her and she makes me feel so much better! It is the best 45 minutes of my week! Anyway...that is about all that is going on here...Hope to hear from you all soon! I miss our comments to one another...keep 'em comin'!

**********************************************************

And just for fun!

Let's see...where to begin...

Since I last posted...I suppose a few things have happened...

Mom retired. Had a party. It was fun. Had bunco. Had a party. It was also fun. Went to St. Louis with my friend Abbi and her two kids for two days and that was not so much fun. This might take a while...so sit back and relax and get ready for a read...

So we head out on Tuesday the 14th at 8am and all was well...then Decovin was acting all crabby and not like himself in a car...I assumed he was teething as he has been gnawing on his fingers like crazy...then I realize...I FORGOT HIS DIAPER BAG...with all his diapers, medicine, etc...so we made a quick stop in Columbia for diapers, wipes, tylenol, and orajel. All was well. Then we stopped right outside of St. Louis and had lunch with one of Abbi's old friends for lunch. Then we headed to our hotel where they wouldn't let us check in just yet so we decided to head to the Arch for our first visit. I decide not to go up the arch as I was feeling a bit nauseous all day and since D was running a fever (due to teething, I can only assume???) I figure it was much better for us to stay on solid ground. So Abbi and her kiddo's go up...it takes about an hour round trip for their tour so D and I strolled through the museum a few times and hung out. They returned then we take the long trek back to the car in the five million degree heat to head back to the hotel. We check in and get unpacked and then head across the street to St. Louis Bread Co. for dinner. Then back to the hotel for some swimming for the kids in the kiddie pool. I fear, now looking back, that this was a bad idea...you see the next morning I woke up with a feeling of a bladder infection coming on...GREAT! We were all set to head out to the zoo when I decide on a last minute decision that I should go to the ER and get some meds so I am not in more sever pain later...plus infections while pregnant=BAD! So D & I drive Abbi and the kids to the zoo and drop them off and we head back to the hospital like 1/2 a mile away and park our butts for 3 hours while we wait for the lab results to confirm what I already knew...then we headed back to the zoo to pick up Abbi & the kids as they were ready after only being there for 2 hours due to the high heat! So we headed back to the hotel and then decided that we should go do SOMETHING since the day was such a bummer...so we then decided to go to Union Station where we watched the fudge makers make some yummy peanut butter fudge and sing us a song or two! It was fun and the kids liked it alot. Then we decided to get some grub at Houlihans attached to the mall...the meal was delicious. Then it was back to the hotel. Oh, I forgot to mention that during the day Abbi's youngest started to run a fever and was miserable all day...then at 11:30pm...her son woke up with a raging fever also...so we decided it was best to leave St. Louis in the morning and skip Grant's Farm. So that was our trip, in a nutshell...not that exciting for D & I...as we spent it in the ER...fun vacation eh?! Anyway...I am feeling much better, no big deal, they gave me some antibiotics and I will have to have a check up with my Midwife this week...fun, fun. Maybe our next trip we will try to do in the Spring or Fall! HAHA!

My niece, McKendra, turned one today and they had a party yesterday for her. There was at least 50 people there! It was insane! But it was a lot of fun and that girl got some gifts...let me tell ya! :-) She devoured her cake too...went gung ho and I think if mom and dad wouldn't have stopped her she would have eaten the whole thing!! It was too cute! :-)

Then today, we headed to Bob's aunt's house for a bbq for his Grandma who turned 71 yesterday. It was fun to see everyone! And the food was AWESOME! :-)

Now we are home and Decovin is seeming to have a rough time with his molars! He is having a hard time sleeping and keeps waking up, which is very UNLIKE him...so hopefully after a dose of tylenol he will go to sleep soon. Poor guy. I think I am off to bed as I am EXHAUSTED and feel as though I may be coming down with a lovely cold myself...joy, joy. Well, sorry for the long blog...I will try to keep posting more often so I don't have to say so much in one of these!

Well, I'm finished. (updated)

I finally read the 7th and final book of Harry Potter...why did it take me so long you ask? Well, I chose to re-read all the previous books first (again) to update myself on the full story before I read it. I am glad I did but it seemed like forever to get it done! Bob let me read ALL day yesterday to get it done...I got all but 100 pages read and finished it off this morning. I literally have been reading for like 18 hours! It was a good book though. It turned out nothing like I thought but nothing shocked me either if that makes sense. Anyway...now, alas, it is the ending of the Harry Potter Era...*sigh* I can't deny that I am a bit saddened by this...I really wanted to find out the end yet I didn't want it to stop...but all good things come to an end...it's over.

Nothing new really to report since last I wrote, Decovin has had his 18 month pictures taken and you can view them at: www.thesmilestation.com and put my name: Jennifer Plummer in as the guest and use the access code: LTTT0626100594TAR

They came out really good. I didn't order all of the poses but I did get a few. They are waiting for me to pick them up at Target but I have to drive 40 minutes one way to retrieve them...so I will wait until Wednesday when I head to LaCygne to pick them up. Well, ta ta for now. Leave a comment every once in awhile...lets me know you are all still there! :-)

Oh and did I mention what Decovin did last week?! Bob was giving D a bath and I was happily reading Harry Potter in the bedroom when I hear through the walls..."CRAP! JENNNNNNNNNN!!! I NEED YOUR HELP!!!!" So I go running in there and lo and behold, Decovin, for the first time ever, believe it or not, pooped in the tub! So I had to fish out the lovely floaties and drain the tub and take out the toys and bleach everything down all the while D is sitting in the sink naked waiting for me to be done so he could finish his bath! Lovely! Gotta love it...knew it would happen eventually!

I'm broken!

So I went to the Occupational Therapist yesterday...*sigh* and it is official...I'm broken! She said that my hip is out of place and it is likely it was out of place all along but since I got pregnant and all the hormones were being released it caused them to move about at will and cause great pain. So...I have a list of exercises I am to do 2X a day and I have to visit the OT twice a week. Lovely!

I panicked at first about the 2 times a week b/c "what will I do with D?"! I can't take him with me...not while I am trying to do exercises, etc...so I finally asked my neighbor, who watches lots of kids randomly, and she said she would be delighted to take him in! YEAH! And for only $5/hour! WHOO HOO! Seeing as how I should only be gone for about an hour to an hour and a half, no big deal! Deep breath in and...RELEASE! So there ya have it folks!

Oh, I am taking D to get his 18 mos. pics taken tomorrow and then Christy and I are going to take him to WonderScope (http://www.wonderscope.org/). It's a children's museum geared for one and older. So excited...should be fun. Anyway...that is all I have to say for now. Hope to hear from some of you soon! Ciao bella!

Just For Fun!

Create Your Own PaloozaHead - Visit Lollapalooza.com

My baby isn't a baby anymore...*sniff*

So today during lunch as I sit and watch my big boy eat with his big boy spoon and feed himself I had to sit back and sigh. He isn't a baby anymore...no longer in need of my help 24/7...yes, I still need to provide things but he can do it on his own. Where does the time go? So crazy...we are also about to transition Decovin into a big boy bed in a new room as we are going to keep his room the nursery for the new baby. Hopefully he will adjust quickly. We will probably start this transition in the next week or so. I'm a little nervous but excited all at the same time.

Also, Bob has been working in our back yard and is using our left over bricks that were once our wall (that fell 3 times) and "outlining" the back of our house and filling in the gap with wood chips...so far it looks great...I will have pics soon. :-)

Rockin' Good time!

So my friend Crystal came by on Wednesday for a couple of days and we had a BLAST! We cooked, we chatted, we played with D, we hung out, we relaxed, but most of all, we caught up! We don't get to see each other that often so when we do, it is major "catch up" time and it is so much fun!

Decovin has started changing again...he is now really "playing" with his toys, I guess he always played well with his toys and knew what the basics were/did...i.e. balls, etc. But this week he started to really try to fine tune his gross motor skills by learning to use his Little Tykes Tool set that Aunt Christy got him for Christmas. He figured out, with Auntie Crystal's help, how to put the screw driver into the screws and how to hammer his nails in. It was so amazing watching him really concentrating on how to do this. He successfully twisted the screws a few times and nailed in the nails a gazillion times! It's just crazy how they change.

His new trick: I went the bathroom and left him in the living room to watch Noggin and when I returned I found Decovin sitting on the open window ledge in between our kitchen and living room. One foot on the sink, one on the couch straddeling the sill. Of course I panic b/c now I know I can't leave knives in the sink now at all! GREAT, one more thing to worry about! Oy vay! Why does he have to be such a curious monkey?! :-)

Anyway, that's all I've got for today.

Ohhhhhhhhhhh K--LAHOMA!

So I went with the fam last night to see Oklahoma at the New Dinner Theatre in KC. What a great show and good food! With the help of Christy and her ant (yes, there was an ant in her soda) we all received our dessert and beverages free! (Well, Melodie, Christy and I that is...Mom and Dad were sitting at a different table). It was funny, and gross but mostly funny...at least she didn't drink him down! LOL!

Also, Decovin had his 18 month check up yesterday! He is getting so big...well, sort of. He is now 32 inches and 23lbs 13oz and has a 19 inch noggin. All and all he is below average on all of them if I remember correctly. His weight is in the 25th percentile...I remember that. So he got skinny as he got older. Wish that would happen to me! ha! He also had to get two shots, Hep A and DTaP...he cried but then stopped as soon as it was over and was happy as a lark.

So that is all the news I have for you currently. Oh my friend Crystal will be stopping by this week for an overnighter. Should be super fun! Can't wait to see her. Did I mention that she is getting married next June?! I was asked to be in her wedding...at least I won't be pregnant! :-)WHOO HOO! :-)

I know, I know...

Sorry, I haven't blogged in FOREVER! But I have a valid excuse. I have had company in my computer room for 2 solid weeks leaving me little time to doddle on the computer at leisure. Christy visited us for a week and then Quentin took over for an additional week. It has been really nice to have people around but I am glad to get my somewhat quiet house back! :-)

I really did have a nice time. Christy and Quentin were HUGE helps and I will miss that the most! Especially when it comes to dirty diaper time! I have had the hardest time with my gag reflex this time around and those diapers Decovin provides are quite hard to handle at times!

Speaking of my gag reflex, I was hoping to skim by this pregnancy with a "puke-free" first trimester, but alas, no such luck came my way! LOL! I lost my cookies last Tuesday at random! Oh well, maybe that will be it! I am 11 weeks now so maybe I will be done with the gags in a week or so! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I went to the doctor last Wednesday to hear the heartbeat but since I was just barely over 10 weeks along at that point the Midwife said they may not hear it. And she tried for 5 minutes to to find it but couldn't so to be "better safe than sorry" she did a quick sonogram to find the baby and we could see the heartbeat on the screen with a tiny flicker and then the baby bounced up in my belly! It was really cool to see! Never gets boring those sonograms! Obviously, it is still to early to tell the sex of the baby but I am posting the picture for you all to see. You can see the head on the right. Quentin was with me and thought this was really cool also! :-) The Midwife said it is the size of a peanut right now. So COOL!

So anyway, what else has happened since I last posted. Oh for 4th of July we headed up to Jeff & Marianne's for a wet barbeque thanks to the rain but it was really yummy and the kids love to play together. Decovin thought he was on cloud 9 with all the "new" toys to play with! Didn't know where to go to first! LOL! On our drive back from their house we saw several different fireworks displays going on to our East, North and South and I am sure the West but we weren't heading that direction! :-)

Then that weekend following, Bob, Decovin, Quentin, & Bob's entire immediate family went to the Lake of the Ozarks to his g'parent's cabin for a short stay. We swam a LOT and even went shopping at the outlet stores in Osage Beach. It was really a fun time! Especially the swimming part! Decovin didn't care too much for his life jacket but he still had fun splashing everyone! :-)

Well, that about sum's up what has been happening. Sorry it has been so long! I will try not to be so long between posts! Oh and I go to the doctor again on the 1st of August because the Midwife wanted to HEAR the heartbeat and not just see it. Oh and I have an appointment with an Occupation Therapist for my back as it has been giving me quite a bit of grief for some reason! So wish me luck!

Oh and if you haven't already, GO AND SEE HARRY POTTER! So good!

Cuddle Time.

So today Decovin got up a smidge earlier than normal and I had to get up with him b/c Bob had to leave early today to head to Wichita. As the morning progressed Decovin had made me a nice present in his diaper, per usual, and so I decided that it was time for a bath...random as we usually do them at night but he was dirty from the day before and we just were lazy and didn't give him a bath last night...so I stuck in the tub and he played and when I asked him to grab the ___insert bath toy here_____i.e. duck, turtle, frog, etc he grabbed the right one everytime. It was so cute.

Got him out and lathered him up with the smelly stuff and we headed into the living room for some unusual cuddle time. Most of you know that Decovin doesn't cuddle much, he is ON THE GO all the time and so when you get a cuddle in, you cherish it! So today he was zonked and I noticed that while we were watching TLC that he started to nod off IN MY ARMS!!! He hasn't done this since he was an infant! I didn't want to put him down it was so precious! But alas, all things come to an end....at least I can document it! :-)

Sick Sucks!

So this past week Decovin and I both have been ill. Symptoms include: Itchy watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and overall acheyness.

Decovin hasn't been sleeping well due to the cold and has gotten me up SEVERAL times in the night these past few days. So I haven't gotten much sleep and I can't really take anything to relieve my symptoms and so that makes me a bear. Lovely.

I've been at mom & dad's this week b/c I had bunco and b/c Bob was working alot, so it was nice to have help with D during the day. I was supposed to go to a petting zoo with my friend, Abby and her kids but since I feel like poo we cancelled...I didn't want to expose her kids to us either...so another time I suppose.

Anyway...that's all I have to say this week. :-)

News.

Ok, sorry it has been FOREVER since I posted last, but this will be a fun filled blog...I promise.

So since I last blogged, Bob, Decovin & I went down to Arkansas to visit my Aunt Mendy and Uncle Jim for a quick get-away vacation of sorts. It was about a 5 1/2 hour trip and Decovin did swimmingly! He slept then he would jabber and play with his toys and then we would stop at a gas station and find a grassy area for him to run around it for 10 minutes then back in the car and he was such a good boy. We actually didn't even have to turn on the DVD player until 45 minutes outside of Ft. Smith and we only did this b/c we were so close that we didn't want to stop! :-) He was super duper!

We swam, ate, vegged, saw the Fort, swam some more, ate some more and vegged some more.
They had toys for Decovin to play with, including a ball pit and golf clubs that he seemed to really enjoy! It was a very relaxing vacation! (Thanks Mendy & Jim!)

Christy has been spending the week with us, she drove Decovin and I home on Sunday as I was not feeling well that day and she will take us all back to LaCygne Friday as I have my 10 year high school reunion on Saturday. Should be fun.

Today I had a lady from the Parents As Teachers program come to the house to evaluate Decovin. She said he was on target and gave me some good pointers for the "no-no" stage of his current little life. *wink* She also said that they offer play dates once a week starting in the fall and they also throw a few big shin-digs during the year for everyone that is involved in the program. Sounds like fun! She was SUPER nice and Decovin loved her toys she brought...of course!

Oh and did I mention that I wasn't feeling well b/c I am pregnant again?! :-)

I have a monkey!

So long to the days of, "Oh, he can't reach that, we can leave that there!" That's right, Decovin not only can climb up onto the couch, he can now climb up on the coffee table and kitchen chairs...everything is fair game now!

Yesterday, I was in the computer room checking my email, like I do, when all of a sudden I hear Gwen Stefani BLARING in the living room...I run in there and Decovin is sitting on top of the coffee table next to the stereo where he had switched it from TV to RADIO...he was very pleased with himself and bouncing up and down to the music...

*sigh* He's growing up too fast!

Another cute sidenote, Decovin has also figured out how to ride his Power Wheels that we got for him. He will crawl on the 4-wheeler and/or the go kart and he knows he has to push the button down and hold it in order for it to go...as for steering...well, that is talent that he has yet to master...one day he will avoid the walls! :-)

***********************************************************************

This past weekend was super fun! Amanda, as you all know, graduated from Des Moines University and is now officially: Dr. Amanda D. Camden, D.O.
Sounds so fancy! We are all so proud of her and still can't believe we have a doctor in the family! So cool!

Amanda invited me to go to one of her banquets the night before the graduation and so we got all dolled up and went to it first and then later we met up with some of her other friends at a martini bar called "The Lift" in downtown area. It was super fun and I was so glad she invited me. Plus, who doesn't love a good martini?! ;-)

Saturday was the graduation and it was only 2 hours long...I thought that was pretty good for a bunch of doctor's graduating! We all cheered her on when she walked across the stage....take a look for yourself:



It was a good time! Congrats again Doc!

Other than that, not much else is happening...we leave Friday for our mini-vacation to Arkansas to visit my Aunt Mendy and Uncle Jim for a few days and to go camping one night at Mount Magazine State Park...should be interesting anyway! :-) It will be D's first time camping...(which is why we are only going one night...lol!) I will be sure to let you know how things went!

JP OUT!

Rearranging...

So I decided I needed to clean my living room out of toys and utilize D's bedroom. So I put his dresser in his closet and moved his crib a bit and took the chair out into the living room. It is so weird to have all that space in the living room again! :-)

He has also graduated to a booster chair full time now. No more high chair. He is such a big boy now.

He was zonked and I had to take a picture of his sleeping cuteness. :-)

Yard...

Or shall I say something resembling of a muddy swamp! I hate when you just have seed down and then water it...you have to walk through mud to move sprinklers and the hoses are then covered in mud and get all over you & your clothes and let's not even mention my flip flops! I'm already tired of watering this swamp and wish we had a rock garden, for our ENTIRE YARD! Oy! Anyway, I am hoping we see some grass sprouting soon. If not, I am NOT paying for the seeding they did...haha! I'm actually already cotemplating calling them regarding the top soil they neglected to put in our back yard. It's sad really. Oh well, it is done and I am just glad we don't have to think about the wall anymore...it's fixed.

Decovin is amazing us everyday with his new tricks. First it was climbing up on the couch and next it was knowing how to change the channel and laughing when daddy would go running in there to change the channel back so there wasn't LOUD FUZZ happening. Daddy wasn't as amused. I also had a neighbor offer to sell us her Power Wheels that her boys are too big for now...she had two...one 4-wheeler and a go-kart. Easy push of a button and off they go! The only problem was, she was selling them together b/c she only has one power extension plug to charge them...so we took them both for $50...:-) The go-kart looks brand new! LOVE IT! Decovin tried it out today and thought it was fun! We should get some good use out of those!

Other news, I have been holding off telling everyone but most everyone knows by now. I started Weight Watchers on the 17th of April and since then, I have lost 9.6lbs. I am very excited about this and hope to get back into all of my pre-pregnancy clothes soon! Bob has been a great support and that helps A LOT! So, there it is.

That's all I have so far. I'm headed to Amanda's tonight for a sleep-over in her new townhouse...Wine will be involved! :-) Cheers!

Uh-Oh!

No longer can we leave things on the back of the couch and think Decovin won't get them...that's right...he has learned to climb up on the couch! Yesterday, Bob told me that he left the room for a minute and when he came back in the living room, Decovin was on the couch playing with the remotes...then today, I am in the computer room and I come out to check on him and "poof" he is on the couch playing with the remotes again! So, I haven't actually "SEEN" him climb the couch, but he has done it twice now! Our lives just keep getting crazier and I LOVE it! WAY TO GO DECOVIN!

Just like daddy!

Decovin is just like Daddy (can you see Bob in the background?):




Decovin watched Bob intensely and then he would mimic him using his "bubble mower" that g'ma and pappy plummer got him. It was SOOOO cute!

Decovin trys to dress just like daddy too:

So I have been looking all over KC for a gently used Little Tikes playgroundish thing at garage sales and on Craigslist.com and was having NO luck. So yesterday, we met mom & dad in the city for lunch...dad's outage at the power plant is finally over...and then we headed to Toys R Us...we found one that was in our price range and tried to get it in our trunk...well, it would have worked but it would have been a long drive home and a little nerve racking...so dad offered to put it in their mini-van and drive it to us...they unloaded it and stayed long enough for a piece of diet-pop cake and then they were off...dad still had some mowing to do before dark.

Bob started mowing and I attempted to start putting together the playground thing...well, it said you needed two people and they weren't kidding...so bob stopped long enough to help put the rest of it together and then Decovin got to play on his new toy! Check it out:

What's up?

I have noticed we are all "slacking" in the blogging department, ok, so maybe just a few of us are slacking...*ahem* Amanda! LOL! j/k! I know you are pretending to be a teacher now, but ftl! Fill us in on the mishaps of school life from the teacher's perspective! There HAVE to be stories there! *wink*

Nothing new here, had a Pampered Chef party last weekend, it went really well, if anyone wants to order anything, let me know before Wednesday!

New video of D for ya...I'm sure you will all enjoy it, if you haven't already seen it!


Good times!

Love to everyone!

Scrappy!

My weekend was fun-filled! Friday afternoon, Mandy arrived and we decided we wanted grilled salmon and asparagus...I had the salmon, but not the asparagus...so we headed to WalMart in the rain to get the remaining ingredients we needed and decided it was not that big of a deal to grill in the rain.

We got back and started preparing our dinner...marinating the salmon and asparagus in EVOO, garlic & onions....YUM-O! Then Mandy made a homemade vinaigrette (sp?) which was delicious on our spinach greens, strawberries, onions, & avocados! :-)

I continued to grill in the pouring rain and just as I finished and turned off the grill...it started to SNOW!! BIG, FAT flakes of snow that were SUPER wet and slushy! It must have gotten at least an inch or two but melted completely by the next afternoon...

Saturday morning we left Warrensburg around 10ish to head to Blue Springs for a Scrap-athon with some of Judy's friends from church. It was lots of fun and I got 3 more layouts done! I am almost done with Decovin's first year! LOL!

Sunday was a lazy day...Bob got up with Decovin and I slept until 10am!!! I must have been TIRED!!! I NEVER sleep that late! Then we got ready and headed to Wal-Mart so Bob could spend the rest of his Christmas money on a basketball goal. He spent the rest of the day putting that together and I started to get things ready for my sister-in-law's garage sale...and ended up playing two rounds of H-O-R-S-E where I won the first game and Bob won the second game. All the while Decovin was playing "Ready-Set-Doh!"...His version of "go" with a tennis ball. :-) It is really cute.

Oh and I noticed today while tickling D that he has a molar tooth coming in...I saw and felt it...I guess he is skipping the "fang" teeth for now...haha!

There's a gloom about...

So today I attended one of my high school class-mates' funeral. The weirdest thing is, this will be our 10 year reunion this year and at our 5 year reunion we mourned the loss of another classmate. Both were killed in freak accidents. I hope this doesn't become a trend. So today was a "mini" reunion for all the wrong reasons. :-( It was nice to see some of my friends from the past.

I hate death though, when someone I know passes on, I tend to obsess about it for a few weeks...I will have random dreams about it, them, or me...and they aren't pretty usually. It especially freaks me out when people I know that are MY age die. That just makes it more real and scary...because you never know...I try to stay positive and not worry about tomorrow, but it is scary, the unknown, the "ever after", the one thing science can't explain to give details about.

Anyway...it was a sad day and I felt really bad for his family. He really was a nice guy...the one from high school that didn't care if he was "cool" or not...reputation didn't matter to him. So R.I.P. Jacob Neal...i'm sure you will be missed.


(P.S. Sorry about the depressing post)

Repeat Offender...

So apparently the babysitter left some fun stories out of her evening with Decovin, Katrina & McKendra...



I guess right after we all left to go to the B-day party, the babysitter said that McKendra started to fuss, so she was trying to comfort her when she hears "splash, splash, splash"...she investigates and finds Decovin is toilet dunking again! I guess he has a thing for water, he doesn't care where it's located! So she puts McKendra in the crib while she washed up Decovin and then Katrina comes barreling in the bathroom stating she has to go! Well the babysitter has to help her up on the toilet...while she is doing this...she hears: "cling, clank, clank, cling"...after Katrina is finished she find Decovin in the room where the crib is with McKendra in it and he is taking his bottle of milk and dragging it across the rungs jail cell style! Oh MY WORD! My son is a handful...haha! Had to share.


**************************************************************************

So we finally bought a GRILL! YES! Check it out:

This baby runs on gas! Oh yeah! LOL!

Isn't it pretty?! I just HAD to use it last night too...so I marinated some chicken tenders and some hamburgers and they were DELICIOUS! YUM-O! Weather permitting, I will be back out there again tonight grilling up some steaks! YES! :-)

*********************************************************************

Here is a fun video for you...Great Aunt Ruthie taught him this trick! :-)

Toilet dunk

Funny...i'm in the computer room when I hear bob yell: "Is Decovin in there with you?" To which I reply: "no"...then he says...."Did you go the bathroom just a minute ago?"..."no"..."well, I think your son just flushed the toilet" (because it was running)...I say: "Did he stick his hands in the toilet?"...bob further inspects and we see glossy hands! EWWWWW! "WASH 'EM, WASH 'EM!" I yell!

Toilet dunking apparently is fun for one year olds! Gross!