Thursday, March 30, 2006

Shifting my position to the left.

No, I’m not talking political; I’m talking about sleep.  Studies show, when pregnant it is best to sleep on your side, preferably on your left (it improves kidney function and give better blood flow to the babies).  Well, I am a right side sleeper and I have been doing my best to sleep on my left for 4 nights now.  I wake up every day with bad back pain and lousy sleep.  I’m going to try one more night in my bed and then I am going to try the bed migration.  Victoria’s bed is firmer, Jackson’s is softer and the couch is just something I’m going to give a shot (it’s always nice when I’m sick).  I am going to skip the futon in the office, let’s be honest futon’s are not comfy to sit on.

With the potential problem I am trying to do whatever I can to help them out, even if it means lousy sleep for now.  I may just need more time to adjust (and an afternoon nap).

Monday, March 27, 2006

TTTS

Yet again, I apologize for the lack of posts.  Kelly I’m sorry I haven’t responded to your comment, when and if I get much of a chance I will.

We are still baby prepping, but that has been put on hold for some research.  I had another ultrasound on Friday.  Three weeks ago baby A & B (we haven’t decided on names, so they still get letters) were 9 oz each.  Now A is 18 oz and B is 14 oz.  A is visibly larger and has more fluid in his sack (not a good sign for either baby).  These are all signs of what may potentially be Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS).  I hadn’t been worried until I started reading up on it and now I’m a bit freaked out.  I now have ultrasounds every 2 weeks; this means I potentially have 8 more ultrasounds before they arrive (more if they increase the frequency).  They have me drinking Boost to try and slow or correct the problem, if that doesn’t solve it, they will have to do a laser surgery.  They have not “officially” diagnosed me with this, but the doctor is almost certain that this is what’s going on (we should now by the next ultrasound) and we are taking the necessary precautions.  

Please keep the crew and I in your prayers.

Monday, March 20, 2006

War

What a perspective. These statistics say a lot, at least to me.

American Deaths over the Last Three Years Put in Perspective:
Auto Accidents: 120,000
Falling Down: 45,000
Poisoning: 27,000
Drowning: 12,000
War in Iraq: 2,300

Number of Anti-War Protestors in NYC on Sunday: 200

Agree with the war or not, it hasn’t been nearly as big of a debacle as the mainstream media would like for us to believe.


It begins.

I rented Batman Begins on Thursday and Jonathan watched it that night before going to sleep, I crashed.  Well, the movie was due back today and I hadn’t found the time to watch it.  I seriously needed to clean off the desk today and as I sorted, shredded and pitched stuff I watched it on the PC.  All in all, not bad, it is one of the better movies I’ve seen lately (new movies at least).

I was hesitant about renting it, just because of the whole Katie Holmes/Tom Cruise weirdness, but I’m glad I rented it despite that.

Rain, Rain...

Can you say YIPEE, boys and girls?

We have had rain since Friday!  I’m not a huge rain person, but with the drought I welcome it with open arms.

THE BURN BAN HAS BEEN LIFTED!  You do realize what this means don’t you?  This means that my friend, the bag of charcoal and I can fire up the grill again, because charcoal grilling wasn’t allowed under the ban.

This is one happy girl ready for a steak that tastes only the way charcoal can make it taste.  Of course I still have to wait for the rain to end, but the end is in site.  YEAH!

Money

We bought a copy of MS Money 2006 Deluxe last weekend.  We have a couple of more things to input and a little more work to do on the budget.  I’ve used Money before, but this is a far cry better then what we used (and eventually stopped using) before.  Over all I say it was $20 well spent.  We are going to down load Pocket Money for the PDA.  This is going to work very well in conjunction with Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.

There are a lot of changes that just make it easier to use.  Money well spent on…Money.  It sounds funny, but it’s true.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Why?

I have a debit card for the convenience of not carrying cash or my checkbook.  Can someone explain to me why mine only works at select venues?

No, my card is not demagnetized.  It still works at pay at the pump everywhere and Wal-Mart.  Has Wal-Mart hijacked my card so it has to be typed in MOST everywhere I go?  My card is only seven months old, ridiculous.  

Haircut

Victoria took it upon herself to cut her own hair. It could have been worse. I have been wondering why her hair was laying really funny for a couple of days. I had let it air dry and I thought that must be it, until I tired to push her hair behind her ears and noticed a chunk gone (this explains the fistful of hair Jackson pulled out from under her bed yesterday). I could have given her bangs and left it at that, had she not cut just a bit too far down the side. Here are pictures of my 20 minute; mom is mad haircut. Fortunately I give a decent haircut even when I give a fast one. Had I taken about 15 minutes longer it may have looked better, but hey, I was irritated.





I know there is a little touch up that needs to be done to the left side, but it will wait until her bath tonight or in the morning. I guess she's just ready for summer now.

Life Happens

I will apologize for the lack of blog posts, but that doesn’t mean it will stop anytime soon.  It happens to all of us and right now the only thing I can say is, “LIFE HAPPENS!”  Nothing bad or amazing is occurring here, just life.

We are doing some painting and moving things around in prep for the babies (my mom came up to help-THANK YOU).  I am depriving myself of politics, the Internet, and *gasp* March Madness (I didn’t even fill out brackets).

I asked Jonathan to help me, get things done and to hold me accountable (all I want to do is sit or nap).  He made a statement that was initially an “OUCH”, but the more I think about it he’s right.  He told me to, “Work like this is your job.”  I’ve worked outside of our home, but I find it ironic how our discipline can change when we aren’t literally “punching” the clock.  As an employee I was out to please, making lists and doing my best.  My efficiency for my family is far less.  It wasn’t so bad in OKC when we had a house much the way we liked it; it was easy to maintain.  Here our house needs a lot of help to make it the home we want, which can be daunting.  

I’m working and I hope to give my family the “promotion” they deserve.  I hope you all are well and “working” to make your families life better.

*Update*

Whether you are a Christian or not, if you are a woman please read Proverbs 31.  I’ve read it many times, but I’m really taking it to heart now.  I have a long way to go before I am the kind of wife and mother I want to be for you family.

Thursday, March 09, 2006

Wow!

I am totally amazed.  Today I feel 150% better.  I still don’t feel quite 100%, but who cares.  I feel better then I did yesterday, I am actually vertical.   YIPEE!

Jackson is upset, because I won’t let him watch a “moomie” (that’s 2 year old for movie).  Yesterday I let Victoria control the TV and they watch all day and I really limit their TV time normally.  He was very upset.  I did cave and let them watch Sesame Street while I picked up in the kitchen and fixed breakfast.

Have a great day!

Wednesday, March 08, 2006

You're not dying,...

…you just can’t think of anything good to do.

Man I wish I had a copy of Ferris today. Of course I actually feel like I’m dying. Victoria had the stomach bug Saturday, Jonathan and Jackson had it Sunday and I thought I had avoided it. I had, until the Tulsa Mothers of Multiples meeting at Don Pablo’s in south Tulsa last night. I ate 2 bites of my food and got sick. I then proceeded to drive the hour home alone, while being sick once on the highway. Yipee!

I haven’t been sick since 2am, but I couldn’t sleep and I’ve had a fair fever and the aches today. The kids over all have been kind and let me just lay on the futon in the office, while they do whatever. I hope like everyone one else in my house this is over by tomorrow.

Fair warning, if this bug is going around where you live, I got word from one of the nurses at my OB’s that this strain has been nasty and is giving people seconds.

Wash you hands and be well.

This officially killed this pregnancy being the one I didn't throw up. I was so proud and at the exact halfway point (20 weeks). Bummer.

Monday, March 06, 2006

Legal Speak

I don’t mind being a little geeky.  Science and math make sense, there are rules and there is a rhyme and reason to what goes on.

Today I am helping Jonathan with some stuff on his patent that is pending right now.  I am not a legal jargon person, maybe it’s because I don’t think there is rhyme or reason (at times) and that it can be subjective.  All in all there has to be any easier way to hash out such a simple communication.  I think they just don’t want to.

Ann Dee, I must say I admire your dedication at law school.  I think I’d go crazy reading a ton of this stuff myself.

For Jonathan

Your daughter has turned architect and had this hidden in the toy box so Jackson couldn't destroy it. I thought you'd like to see it.



For those of you wondering, yes she is very pale. This is a combination of the fact that winter just ended and her color hasn't totally returned from the stomach virus she had Saturday. Yes, I drove a puking kid home in my new car, no she didn't in the car (she slept most of the way).

Sunday, March 05, 2006

Our New Baby

No, I’m not talking about preterm labor. Saturday we bought a new (used) car. We bought a 2003 Expedition; this is the newest car we have ever owned. Prior to this our newest were 1995’s (and this was after the year 2000). It’s white (not our first color choice, but you can’t be too picky). It has slightly over 54,000 miles and is in great shape with all of the maintenance records. It also has leather seats (after 2 kids this is a must for easy clean up). So far we don’t have buyers remorse.


Here’s a little more ultrasound info, for those of you who care. They were able to tell me that the twins were identical, because even though they are in separate sacks (a very good thing), the membrane between was too thin for them to be anything but identical. They also did 3D images of the babies (which I’ve never seen before) and it was like looking at them. It was neat, but a little creepy. Everything looks great, but because I am having identical twins this puts me at slightly higher risk, mainly of twin-to-twin transfusion (one getting more nutrients, blood, etc.). Thankfully it isn’t too big of a deal anymore. You can usually correct it by drinking vitamin/protein shakes, like Boost. This can usually help you avoid the laser surgery to correct it.

I started wearing maternity clothes yesterday. I have decided that they should rename them, “normal clothes that you are supposed to think look cute, while stretched over your fat stomach.” My regular medium tee’s that I had been wearing made me look less pregnant, then the maternity stuff. I’ll post something to show you my point later.

Friday, March 03, 2006

It's official...

...I am having identical twin boys. Jonathan made it back in time and we got a video.

Victoria is heart broken, she really wanted a sister.

We are also test driving a 2003 Ford Expedition over night, so we can sleep on it. We will make a decision in the morning.

Have a great weekend.

Thursday, March 02, 2006

The corprate world (caution rant to follow)...

…it truly frustrates me.  Jonathan works for what I consider to be a pretty decent company.  They aren’t fantastic, but they are better then most.

Jonathan is a Project/Design Engineer, and he is currently the head of 3 projects, one of which his boss has been kind enough to take off of his hands for a brief period.  One of the other 2 projects is our current problem; the company that has contracted Jonathan’s company to build the interiors has never built a plane before and has just received their flight certification from the FAA.  If you have never dealt with the rules and regulations regarding planes with the FAA you have no idea the extent of the compliance issues that arise.  The other company is to be supplying Jonathan with the engineering to rework and produce the parts.  

Unfortunately the other company doesn’t ensure they are following all the necessary protocols and procedures.  This puts Jonathan’s company in hold mode while the other company gets their stuff together.  Jonathan’s company isn’t able to ship parts if they don’t meet all FAA regulations and have all the paper work.  It’s simply a matter of CYA (cover your assets).

Here’s the big issue.  The other company is why the parts haven’t shipped; Jonathan’s company has let them know what they need. The other companies VP has called Jonathan’s companies President who has chewed out Jonathan’s VP for things that aren’t even their fault.

My ultrasound is tomorrow and Jonathan is gong to have to drive me to Norman tonight, drive back to work in the morning (I have a regular OB visit at 9), and then back to OKC by 2, so he can be at my ultrasound.  The reason, just in case something comes up.  There is nothing he needs to be there to work on, he’s just going to drive 2 hours each way, just in case.

Oh, one more thing Jonathan is supposed to have Friday’s off and we haven’t seen a whole Friday off in 5 weeks.

I just wish the corporate world had more respect for their employees and their time.  I’d say it isn’t fair, but we all know that life isn’t always fair.  I just wish it were more considerate.

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

88 degrees

It appears that most of the blogs I check have been light on the posts lately.  I totally understand.  It is currently 88 degrees here (of course I’m still sick and it’s hard to enjoy).  The weather is nice most places right now and if I felt better I wouldn’t be sitting here being lazy at the computer.

Enjoy the weather (if it’s nice where you are) and have a great day!

TAXES

Our taxes are done; I e-filed our federal and sent in my state. We should have our federal return by Friday. I’m glad to get OUR money back, but then again I’m also irritated.

They keep our money and don’t have to pay us interest. If I EVER borrow money I have to pay for it.

Like I said I am glad to get our money back, but it still just seems wrong they get to keep our cash interest free.

Yes, I’m a selfish capitalist.