So it's nearing the end of the year. Our precious baby boy will soon be here and Christmas is less than five days away. Oh my goodness....Where has the year gone!?! I figured I'd close out the year (because let's be honest, I doubt I'll have time to write another blog before the end of 2007!) with a final blog of madness, that is my life!
THINGS TO BE HAPPY ABOUT:
1) I'm INCREDIBLY thankful that I've found a good nail place close to our house (Q Nails), a FABULOUS tanning salon only minutes from us (Studio Tan), and the most outstanding pedicurist right in the comfort of my own home (AARON SCUDDER!!!).
2) Only DAYS away from delivering our second child. ANDERSON LEE SCUDDER! (That's right, he'll have Aaron's last name before we're married. Poor Lilly and I aren't Scudders yet! Or is that such a bad thing!? SCUDDER!?!)
3) No more noodle-making for at least four more months....After Christmas, I figure the only time I'd have to POSSIBLY make them again is for Easter...and even that's highly doubtful!
4) I'm only weeks away from fitting back into my REGULAR clothes! Although I've HIGHLY enjoyed lounging around in sweatpants and jammie pants, the time has come for me to squeeze my fatness back into jeans and sweaters for the remainder of the winter months! And oddly enough, I'm surprisingly excited about it!
5) Less than ten days until I can have something other than a non-alcoholic beverage! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRING ON THE BLACK CHERRY VODKA! (Sounds trashy, I know, but I'm EXCITED to have a drink, damn it!)
6) I'm not Jamie-Lynn Spears....or her boyfriend!
7) Watermelon Arctic Rush from Dairy Queen. I wonder if I'll still be as addicted to them once I'm not a fat cow anymore!!?
8) Lilly has easily made the transition from her baby crib to her big-girl-bed! After only two "sleeping on the floor" incidents, she seems to understand that her crib isn't coming back and that this little bed is where she is to lay her head each night! A-DORABLE if I might say so!
Overall, I have to just say that Aaron and I are in a great place in our lives. We have the perfect little family. It's insane that it'll soon be completed by our little man! It's such a comforting thing to hear the love of your life comment that his life is just beginning and he couldn't be happier about it! Sometimes I wonder how I got so lucky! He's quite the catch, if I might say so! I have the best daughter a person could ever ask for...and although she's developing quite the little 'tude, I have to say that I mostly enjoy it...because it only signifies that she's growing up into a mini version of her mother! LOL! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
MERRY CHRISTMAS ALL! And have a SAFE and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
Is it Too Much, Too Soon?
I can't help but wonder if we're pushing Lilly to be a big girl, too soon. With the new baby coming anyday now (okay, 24 days still, but I'm hopeful!), it seems like we're rushing Lilly into new milestones in order to prepare our lives for a newborn again.
For example, tonight is Lilly's first night in her "big girl bed"...and while I am the one who has been bugging Aaron to get the bed, I sit here now wondering if she's really ready. She never once tried to climb out of her crib. She's never ONCE slept anywhere in our house other than her OWN BED (crib). From the first day she came home from the hospital, Lilly has taken her naps and has slept at night IN HER OWN BED. She has always had a very strict bedtime routine, which she has always embraced easily. We never have to fight Lilly to go to bed ....until tonight!!! And although her first night in her big girl bed has been smooth sailing (so far)...I still wonder if she's TRULY ready.
She went to bed at her normal bedtime, 7pm. She slipped out of bed before I even got to her door!!! I sat next to her bed and "explained" what was going on. "This is your big girl bed. You're a big girl Lills! No more baby bed! It's for baby Anderson!"....Followed by me nearly sprinting out the room before she could follow me! After nearly twenty minutes of crying at her door (her, not me!), I heard her breathing heavily through the door...I peaked in to find her asleep near the door. I put her in her bed, and she's been sleeping there since.
I know that every child has to grow up and move onto new things....But I just hate the thought that my baby girl isn't really my BABY anymore. There's a NEW baby coming, making Lilly the big girl. I just fear that we've rushed into this second baby, and that we didn't give Lilly enough alone time with us. I know that we're both excited about baby Anderson, but I can't help but feel sorry for Lilly. I just PRAY that she never feels neglected or ignored! I talked to Aaron about it and he assures me that she'll always be our little "Lills" and that we have nothing to worry about. I'm excited to embark on the path of being a mommy to a new baby again, but I just worry about my little Lills.
For example, tonight is Lilly's first night in her "big girl bed"...and while I am the one who has been bugging Aaron to get the bed, I sit here now wondering if she's really ready. She never once tried to climb out of her crib. She's never ONCE slept anywhere in our house other than her OWN BED (crib). From the first day she came home from the hospital, Lilly has taken her naps and has slept at night IN HER OWN BED. She has always had a very strict bedtime routine, which she has always embraced easily. We never have to fight Lilly to go to bed ....until tonight!!! And although her first night in her big girl bed has been smooth sailing (so far)...I still wonder if she's TRULY ready.
She went to bed at her normal bedtime, 7pm. She slipped out of bed before I even got to her door!!! I sat next to her bed and "explained" what was going on. "This is your big girl bed. You're a big girl Lills! No more baby bed! It's for baby Anderson!"....Followed by me nearly sprinting out the room before she could follow me! After nearly twenty minutes of crying at her door (her, not me!), I heard her breathing heavily through the door...I peaked in to find her asleep near the door. I put her in her bed, and she's been sleeping there since.
I know that every child has to grow up and move onto new things....But I just hate the thought that my baby girl isn't really my BABY anymore. There's a NEW baby coming, making Lilly the big girl. I just fear that we've rushed into this second baby, and that we didn't give Lilly enough alone time with us. I know that we're both excited about baby Anderson, but I can't help but feel sorry for Lilly. I just PRAY that she never feels neglected or ignored! I talked to Aaron about it and he assures me that she'll always be our little "Lills" and that we have nothing to worry about. I'm excited to embark on the path of being a mommy to a new baby again, but I just worry about my little Lills.
Friday, November 2, 2007
You should know...
I've found my calling. That's right. I, Gretchen Hahn, have a place in this world. As if motherhood wasn't enough, I recently found deep in my soul that I AM A PROFESSIONAL NOODLE MAKER! YUH HUH!
Noodles in our family date back to the early 1800's...or whenever Mildred Anglin first discovered her talent as a professional noodle maker. Mildred Anglin, my great grandma, was known as "Noodle Grandma" for as long as I can remember. A gorgeous little lady, Noodle Grandma never really HID the recipe of her noodles, probably knowing that no one, even with the recipe in hand, could ever truly replicate her homemade creation. UNTIL....I tried! HAHAHAHAHA!
You should know I can't cook a damn thing! After my "incident" with an unfortunate quart of Kool-Aid (hey, who knew powdered sugar wasn't the EXACT same thing as regular sugar?!), I vowed to never attempt anything homemade. But after becoming engaged and pregnant with my second child, I decided that if I was truly going to be a "housewife"...or domestic engineer, as I like to call myself, that I needed to at least TRY to bake or cook SOMETHING. I want people to be like "Oh, I hope Gretchen makes her famous (fill in the blank) tonight!".....AND PEOPLE, I THINK I'VE DONE IT! I made two batches of noodles Monday and Tuesday nights. On Wednesday, Aaron, Lilly, Adam, Miranda, Mom and I tried them out...and they were GOOD! After a few MINOR tweeks, I feel confident in saying that I am going to be known as "Noodle Gretchen"....THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! I said it! NOODLE GRETCHEN!!!!!!!!!
Noodles in our family date back to the early 1800's...or whenever Mildred Anglin first discovered her talent as a professional noodle maker. Mildred Anglin, my great grandma, was known as "Noodle Grandma" for as long as I can remember. A gorgeous little lady, Noodle Grandma never really HID the recipe of her noodles, probably knowing that no one, even with the recipe in hand, could ever truly replicate her homemade creation. UNTIL....I tried! HAHAHAHAHA!
You should know I can't cook a damn thing! After my "incident" with an unfortunate quart of Kool-Aid (hey, who knew powdered sugar wasn't the EXACT same thing as regular sugar?!), I vowed to never attempt anything homemade. But after becoming engaged and pregnant with my second child, I decided that if I was truly going to be a "housewife"...or domestic engineer, as I like to call myself, that I needed to at least TRY to bake or cook SOMETHING. I want people to be like "Oh, I hope Gretchen makes her famous (fill in the blank) tonight!".....AND PEOPLE, I THINK I'VE DONE IT! I made two batches of noodles Monday and Tuesday nights. On Wednesday, Aaron, Lilly, Adam, Miranda, Mom and I tried them out...and they were GOOD! After a few MINOR tweeks, I feel confident in saying that I am going to be known as "Noodle Gretchen"....THAT'S RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!! I said it! NOODLE GRETCHEN!!!!!!!!!
Friday, October 19, 2007
Pregnancy Woes
Just a word to the wise...these are things you DON'T say to a pregnant girl. I'd suggest, in fact, that you stear clear of anything even remotely CLOSE to these following statements:
1. "Wow, you're really getting big!"
Yeah, NO SHIT! You try carrying around a 6 or 7 lb. load and see how hot YOU look. Asshole.
2. "You can really tell in your face!"
As opposed to my ass? Yeah, since I can't cover my face like I can my stomach I thought I'd request all the extra weight to go to my face so that everyone would notice the twelve pounds I've gained in the last week. Dickhead!
3. "He'll come when he's ready."
OH SO HELP ME GOD....If I hear that ONE more time. He's not even BORN yet, how the hell does HE know when she's suppose to come out? It's not like he just pulls a string and ZIP, down he goes! C'mon!
4. "How are you feeling?"
Are you freakin' KIDDING me? How does it LOOK like I'm feeling. I can't stand longer than two minutes without my fat legs hurting, I can't sit for longer than three minutes without my BACK hurting, and I can only lay on my LEFT side...So if you wanna know the truth, I feel like punching this shit out of you...then perhaps the swelling in my hand might be accounted for!
1. "Wow, you're really getting big!"
Yeah, NO SHIT! You try carrying around a 6 or 7 lb. load and see how hot YOU look. Asshole.
2. "You can really tell in your face!"
As opposed to my ass? Yeah, since I can't cover my face like I can my stomach I thought I'd request all the extra weight to go to my face so that everyone would notice the twelve pounds I've gained in the last week. Dickhead!
3. "He'll come when he's ready."
OH SO HELP ME GOD....If I hear that ONE more time. He's not even BORN yet, how the hell does HE know when she's suppose to come out? It's not like he just pulls a string and ZIP, down he goes! C'mon!
4. "How are you feeling?"
Are you freakin' KIDDING me? How does it LOOK like I'm feeling. I can't stand longer than two minutes without my fat legs hurting, I can't sit for longer than three minutes without my BACK hurting, and I can only lay on my LEFT side...So if you wanna know the truth, I feel like punching this shit out of you...then perhaps the swelling in my hand might be accounted for!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Another mess of randomness!
A blog is not intended as an outlet to degrade your children. Sure, we all have our moments of temporary insanity where we feel the need to lash out at people, and figure the best way to do so is by writing a blog, however, as a PARENT, perhaps you could find a BETTER way to complain about how horrible your children are towards you. If you don't like how things are between you and your children, then try to change it rather than bitch constantly about how USED you feel.
With that said....
1.) Had a fabulous lunch yesterday catching up with old friends. It's wonderful to meet up monthly and talk about how amazing it is being a parent, yet still throwing in old memories from middle school!
2.) Brother is a selfish brat. I want an iPhone too! Must be nice to have such a wonderful boyfriend who'd do anything for you....Oh wait, I have one of those, but he wouldn't waste money on an iPhone for me! BOO TO YOU!
3.) Weird weekend. Hormones were WACKED out Saturday. Mom and I went shopping for WAY too long with the little tyke. Mom's Christmas shopping, however, is that much closer to being completed--- WOOT WOOT MAMA!
4.) Need to be more like Mom....start Christmas shopping before the masses get even MORE insane.
5.) Looking forward to Halloween this year, oddly enough. Typically hate the "holiday" but just found out that Chloe and Lilly are BOTH going to be skunks...ADORABLE! Can't wait to take a million pictures of the little ladies!
6.) I miss Tiffany! :(
7.) Randomness of this blog is annoying me. Signing off now! Toodles!
With that said....
1.) Had a fabulous lunch yesterday catching up with old friends. It's wonderful to meet up monthly and talk about how amazing it is being a parent, yet still throwing in old memories from middle school!
2.) Brother is a selfish brat. I want an iPhone too! Must be nice to have such a wonderful boyfriend who'd do anything for you....Oh wait, I have one of those, but he wouldn't waste money on an iPhone for me! BOO TO YOU!
3.) Weird weekend. Hormones were WACKED out Saturday. Mom and I went shopping for WAY too long with the little tyke. Mom's Christmas shopping, however, is that much closer to being completed--- WOOT WOOT MAMA!
4.) Need to be more like Mom....start Christmas shopping before the masses get even MORE insane.
5.) Looking forward to Halloween this year, oddly enough. Typically hate the "holiday" but just found out that Chloe and Lilly are BOTH going to be skunks...ADORABLE! Can't wait to take a million pictures of the little ladies!
6.) I miss Tiffany! :(
7.) Randomness of this blog is annoying me. Signing off now! Toodles!
Friday, September 21, 2007
We're ENGAGED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Incredible. It's the only word to describe how I feel right now. We had been planning this trip to Chicago for the past two months or so. The plan was to go to Six Flags, but we found out two days before we left that the park was closed for the season (other than on the weekends). Plan B: Brookfield Zoo. Okay! Sounds good to me!
The trip began as any other road trip...scurrying around at the last minute to pack things that Lilly would need, stopping at the bank and the gas station on our way out of town...then a quick stop in Wabash to get my mom and my sister. We were finally on our way to the windy city around 11:30 Wednesday morning. Upon arriving at my brother's house, we planned out what our little vacation would consist of. Adam suggested that we go to the lake at some point. Although I wasn't overly thrilled at the thought of walking my big ole' pregnant ass around the Montrose Harbor for an hour, I agreed and suggested that perhaps we go before dinner so that we could get Lills to bed at a decent hour.
The evening was beautiful. The lake was calm, bright, and set an overall romantic mood. My brothers were busy entertaining Lilly and pushing her in the stroller. Aaron and I strolled hand-in-hand along the harbor, while my mom and Miranda followed closely behind. Everything was just perfect! We made our way closer to the lake, where I begged Aaron to go as close as we could to the edge of the water without actually going in! Everyone else stayed behind on the steps that overlooked the lake. The senery was gorgeous...the skyline in the distance, the water peaceful, the day turning to evening, and the sky a gorgeous blue. Nothing could make the evening better....UNTIL........
Aaron turns me around so that I'm facing him. He gets down on one knee and I about PASS OUT when I hear him say "I love you. I'll always love you. Will you be with me forever and marry me?"
Here's where the romance goes OUT the window......
My response: "SHUT UP! ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!? SHUT UP!"...Followed by me pushing him!
"Is that a yes!?!"
"OF COURSE! YES! OH MY GOSH! SHUT UP!"
Aaron pulled out my DREAM ring and placed it perfectly on my left ring finger, which was shaking uncontrollably!
He stood up and hugged me, and I cried my eyes out!
It's official! I'm the luckiest girl in the universe. I have the most incredible family, the most amazing daughter, and now the most WONDERFUL fiance'! I HAD NO IDEA HE WAS PLANNING ALL OF THIS! He's AMAZING!
INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***And a VERY special thanks to my mom, Adam, and Gary for helping Aaron pull off such a perfect proposal! I love you all very much! ***
The trip began as any other road trip...scurrying around at the last minute to pack things that Lilly would need, stopping at the bank and the gas station on our way out of town...then a quick stop in Wabash to get my mom and my sister. We were finally on our way to the windy city around 11:30 Wednesday morning. Upon arriving at my brother's house, we planned out what our little vacation would consist of. Adam suggested that we go to the lake at some point. Although I wasn't overly thrilled at the thought of walking my big ole' pregnant ass around the Montrose Harbor for an hour, I agreed and suggested that perhaps we go before dinner so that we could get Lills to bed at a decent hour.
The evening was beautiful. The lake was calm, bright, and set an overall romantic mood. My brothers were busy entertaining Lilly and pushing her in the stroller. Aaron and I strolled hand-in-hand along the harbor, while my mom and Miranda followed closely behind. Everything was just perfect! We made our way closer to the lake, where I begged Aaron to go as close as we could to the edge of the water without actually going in! Everyone else stayed behind on the steps that overlooked the lake. The senery was gorgeous...the skyline in the distance, the water peaceful, the day turning to evening, and the sky a gorgeous blue. Nothing could make the evening better....UNTIL........
Aaron turns me around so that I'm facing him. He gets down on one knee and I about PASS OUT when I hear him say "I love you. I'll always love you. Will you be with me forever and marry me?"
Here's where the romance goes OUT the window......
My response: "SHUT UP! ARE YOU FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!? SHUT UP!"...Followed by me pushing him!
"Is that a yes!?!"
"OF COURSE! YES! OH MY GOSH! SHUT UP!"
Aaron pulled out my DREAM ring and placed it perfectly on my left ring finger, which was shaking uncontrollably!
He stood up and hugged me, and I cried my eyes out!
It's official! I'm the luckiest girl in the universe. I have the most incredible family, the most amazing daughter, and now the most WONDERFUL fiance'! I HAD NO IDEA HE WAS PLANNING ALL OF THIS! He's AMAZING!
INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
***And a VERY special thanks to my mom, Adam, and Gary for helping Aaron pull off such a perfect proposal! I love you all very much! ***
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Oops, she did it again.....(It was too easy!)
Britney, Britney, Britney. Where do we even begin with you!? Well, by now, we've all seen the pathetic performance (and I use that term loosely)that our once-pop-princess performed at the VMA's last night. You have to understand, I am probably the easiest critic of Britney's, since I DO own a shirt that reads "Britney is Queen", however last night the mother-of-two (and again, I use the term MOTHER loosely), completely let us all down. Right from her beginning pose, which exposed the mess of extensions from the back, took a role in the demise of her comeback performance. We all knew not to expect to hear Britney's REAL voice, but rather the usual lip syncing perfomance that we're so used to seeing. The problem, however, was that Britney apparently didn't KNOW the words to her own song...or perhaps was too lethargic to truly lip the lyrics. And let's not even TALK about her "dancing".....Or shall we? I understand that Britney has had two kids. And please, the girl looks good for popping two kids outta her little body, BUT, if she wanted to dance like she used to, then perhaps covering her mom-body up would have been a better route. Instead, Britney tried to outdo her own previous VMA performances, and shock the crowd by displaying her scarcely-toned body for the world to see. The problem: We've all already seen enough of Britney's body to shock us for a lifetime. We didn't need a barely-there outfit to astound us. In fact, what may have shocked the VMA crowd a little more was seeing Britney COVERED up....and perhaps that's what she should have done. Strap yourself into a tight little girdle (is that what they're called?!) to hold everything nice and close to your bones, cover it up with some flashy material, and shake your body 'till you just can't shake it no' mo'! Sorry....I got a little Diddy on you all!
So perhaps this comeback that us loyal Britney fans were hoping for, just isn't in the cards. Poor Britney. Well, look at it this way...maybe now she'll try the MOM thing on for size! Hopefully!?
So perhaps this comeback that us loyal Britney fans were hoping for, just isn't in the cards. Poor Britney. Well, look at it this way...maybe now she'll try the MOM thing on for size! Hopefully!?
Young Love....I miss it!
Damn Newport Harbor! MTV's newest version of Laguna Beach has got me thinking...I miss the young puppy love that comes with being in high school! hahahaha! I know that people are going to think I'm insane for saying that, but think back to how FUN it was to be flirty and to LONG for that ONE guy. It was annoying at the time, sure...but looking back now, ugh! I'd do anything for the simplicity in those relationships! Now it's all about bills, kids, marriage (not in that order, usually!), and just the day-to-day realities of adulthood! Ugh! I'm sitting here, watching the newest episode of Newport Harbor (it's commercial, I'm not missing anything!) and literally smiling because the relationships, however cheesy, are innocent and so silly! I think I'm going to break up with Aaron tonight and then try to get him back in the morning...maybe then I'll feel like I'm in high school again! LOL!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
It's a Boy...still!
Well, we had our "official" ultrasound today and yes, it's still a boy! It's not that I'm not HAPPY that we're having a boy--- I am....but more for Aaron! I know it sounds horrible of me to say that, but let's be honest, Gretchen's not much for subtlety. But seriously, I AM getting more excited about having a boy. It's just definitely going to be a change from my precious angel baby girl! Everything about a girl is so delicate and dainty (okay well Lilly's not exactly dainty, but...) and then there's a BOY. All I can think about is MUD when I think about a boy! Hahahahhaa!
AND this damn name thing! See, once I found out Lilly was a girl, we had her named picked out a week or two later! We've know this baby is a boy since the end of July and we've YET to agree on a name...WAIT, let me first say, we DID have a name, Anderson Reid, but Sunday I was told that SOMEONE didn't like that name....AARON! UGH! I could have knocked him out! I will say though, that I'd like to somehow incorporate either Aaron's name or middle name into the baby's name. I think that since Lilly is named after the women in MY family, that we should be fair and do the same for our boy! We've thought about Brody Aaron, but...again who knows! I'm sure Aaron will change his dang mind again! UGH! MEN!
I'm attaching a picture of our little alien baby! His nose looks JUST like Lilly's did at this stage! Poor things are gonna have MY nose! EW!
AND this damn name thing! See, once I found out Lilly was a girl, we had her named picked out a week or two later! We've know this baby is a boy since the end of July and we've YET to agree on a name...WAIT, let me first say, we DID have a name, Anderson Reid, but Sunday I was told that SOMEONE didn't like that name....AARON! UGH! I could have knocked him out! I will say though, that I'd like to somehow incorporate either Aaron's name or middle name into the baby's name. I think that since Lilly is named after the women in MY family, that we should be fair and do the same for our boy! We've thought about Brody Aaron, but...again who knows! I'm sure Aaron will change his dang mind again! UGH! MEN!
I'm attaching a picture of our little alien baby! His nose looks JUST like Lilly's did at this stage! Poor things are gonna have MY nose! EW!
Friday, August 24, 2007
The distorted views of "family"...
After spending time with Aaron's family this week in Iowa, I was reminded of something... I should first say that I am, in no way, saying anything BAD about Aaron's family, but there were things I observed that I can't help but blog about.
I guess it all boils down to the fact that you don't really appreciate your family enough until you spend time with a family completely different from your own. My family is a VERY close-knit union. My mom is by far one of my best friends, as is my brother. I talk to my mom, my brother, and my sister at LEAST once a day...and truth be told, I actually talk to my mom probably 94385948 times a day! (If my kids EVER call me as much as my brother and I call my mom I'll shoot myself! hahahaha!) I guess that the relationship I have with my family could be considered an abnormality to some, but to me, my mom is basically all I've ever been able to count on in my life, especially as stability is concerned. (Sure we've had our issues, but what mother/daughter hasn't?) My point is that when you look at the makeup of someone else's family, especially the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with, you just wonder if they're missing out on the bond that families SHOULD have with each other.
Example 1: Aaron and his mom talk...rarely, but more now than before. And of course, I wasn't around to see how Aaron grew up, but from what I hear from him, Aaron never really had a strong MATERNAL influence in his life. And I guess I noticed that, when the first time I met his mom, the first comments about her ONLY grandchild (my Lilly) was "Oh look, I've still got it. I can hold my wine and a baby at the same time." And although she may have been joking, I found it incredible tacky and almost insulting. Again, I'm not talking badly about Aaron's mom, but it's hard for me to understand how someone can come into town, (since she lives in MN and only makes it to IN probably four times a year, sometimes more), and not WANT to see her only grandchild, but yet has ample time to gamble and drink while in town. I guess it's just such a clash with what I'm used to with MY mom, who goes INSANE if she can't see Lilly EVERY week.
Example 2: While in Iowa this past week, Aaron's uncle arranged for two of his aunts and uncles, along with his grandparents, to come over for dinner so that they could all see Lilly, since they haven't seen her since she was three months old....although, I should mention that I have emailed pictures to those relative whose email address I have (even though I've NEVER heard a response from ANY of them). I'm not saying that Aaron and I EXPECTED any attention from the family, we're pretty used to the fact that people want to see LILLY, and we're okay with that....BUT, I was a little taken back by the fact that NO ONE in his family has a CLUE what Aaron and I are up to in our lives. No one knows what Aaron does for a living, no one knows what I do, no one knows ANYTHING about Lilly (such as her middle name, her bday, etc...)...and no one really took the time to find out.
The thing that REALLY bugs me is that Matt (Aaron's brother) warned me that there MAY be a conversation as to why Lilly doesn't have the Scudder name. (Apparently, "Grandpa" mentioned to Aaron's MOM that it was WRONG that I didn't give Lilly the Scudder name...and instead of saying anything to AARON, she told Matt, whatever!). Of course, "Grandpa" is a little "out there" in his older days and tends to fly off the handle about ANYTHING at ANYTIME! I must admit that I was a LITTLE frightened, due to my emotional state (pregnant, duh!) that I'd break down or LASH out, neither of which I wanted to do in front of Aaron's family!!!!! Although we avoided the topic of the last name, it DID get me thinking later that night....
When has ANY of Aaron's family (with the exception of his sister, whom we talk to often..and adore) called HIM to see how HE is? When have ANY of them (again, with the exception of his sister) called to see how LILLY is doing? I sent EVERY SINGLE one of them an invitation to her first birthday, knowing of course they wouldn't make the drive to IN, understandably, but NEVER heard back from ANY of them saying that they couldn't make it...or even a BIRTHDAY CARD IN THE MAIL FOR LILLY! It just BLOWS me away that these people have the nerve to comment AT ALL about Lilly's last name, the fact that I'm not working, the fact that Aaron's working at a bar, etc....I HONESTLY felt like crying for the fact that Aaron's family is NOT at all what family SHOULD be. The only person, I feel, who even gives a damn about him is his sister. I'm not saying that my family is perfect, Lord knows we're far from it, but the thing about my family is that we're THERE for each other. We KNOW what the other is doing, and we CARE to keep up with each other. I know that NO MATTER WHAT I can count on my mom and dad, my brothers and sister...even my grandparents and my aunts and uncles.
Although my family relationships may be odd to some, I know that my kids will ALWAYS feel the same way I do about family. It's the most important aspect of my life. I can't imagine my definition of family being anything but what it is now. And although perhaps intimidating at first, I think that Aaron now sees WHY my family is as close as we are....and he has accepted that this is how our children will be raised. The kids will see their grandma and grandpas and uncles and aunts as much as they can....and hopefully it'll be as normal to them as it has been for me. I love that it's now AARON asking if we can go to Chicago to see my brothers, or to Wabash on Sundays to see my mom and my sister. I love that he now knows what family life is supposed to be like.
I guess it all boils down to the fact that you don't really appreciate your family enough until you spend time with a family completely different from your own. My family is a VERY close-knit union. My mom is by far one of my best friends, as is my brother. I talk to my mom, my brother, and my sister at LEAST once a day...and truth be told, I actually talk to my mom probably 94385948 times a day! (If my kids EVER call me as much as my brother and I call my mom I'll shoot myself! hahahaha!) I guess that the relationship I have with my family could be considered an abnormality to some, but to me, my mom is basically all I've ever been able to count on in my life, especially as stability is concerned. (Sure we've had our issues, but what mother/daughter hasn't?) My point is that when you look at the makeup of someone else's family, especially the person you plan to spend the rest of your life with, you just wonder if they're missing out on the bond that families SHOULD have with each other.
Example 1: Aaron and his mom talk...rarely, but more now than before. And of course, I wasn't around to see how Aaron grew up, but from what I hear from him, Aaron never really had a strong MATERNAL influence in his life. And I guess I noticed that, when the first time I met his mom, the first comments about her ONLY grandchild (my Lilly) was "Oh look, I've still got it. I can hold my wine and a baby at the same time." And although she may have been joking, I found it incredible tacky and almost insulting. Again, I'm not talking badly about Aaron's mom, but it's hard for me to understand how someone can come into town, (since she lives in MN and only makes it to IN probably four times a year, sometimes more), and not WANT to see her only grandchild, but yet has ample time to gamble and drink while in town. I guess it's just such a clash with what I'm used to with MY mom, who goes INSANE if she can't see Lilly EVERY week.
Example 2: While in Iowa this past week, Aaron's uncle arranged for two of his aunts and uncles, along with his grandparents, to come over for dinner so that they could all see Lilly, since they haven't seen her since she was three months old....although, I should mention that I have emailed pictures to those relative whose email address I have (even though I've NEVER heard a response from ANY of them). I'm not saying that Aaron and I EXPECTED any attention from the family, we're pretty used to the fact that people want to see LILLY, and we're okay with that....BUT, I was a little taken back by the fact that NO ONE in his family has a CLUE what Aaron and I are up to in our lives. No one knows what Aaron does for a living, no one knows what I do, no one knows ANYTHING about Lilly (such as her middle name, her bday, etc...)...and no one really took the time to find out.
The thing that REALLY bugs me is that Matt (Aaron's brother) warned me that there MAY be a conversation as to why Lilly doesn't have the Scudder name. (Apparently, "Grandpa" mentioned to Aaron's MOM that it was WRONG that I didn't give Lilly the Scudder name...and instead of saying anything to AARON, she told Matt, whatever!). Of course, "Grandpa" is a little "out there" in his older days and tends to fly off the handle about ANYTHING at ANYTIME! I must admit that I was a LITTLE frightened, due to my emotional state (pregnant, duh!) that I'd break down or LASH out, neither of which I wanted to do in front of Aaron's family!!!!! Although we avoided the topic of the last name, it DID get me thinking later that night....
When has ANY of Aaron's family (with the exception of his sister, whom we talk to often..and adore) called HIM to see how HE is? When have ANY of them (again, with the exception of his sister) called to see how LILLY is doing? I sent EVERY SINGLE one of them an invitation to her first birthday, knowing of course they wouldn't make the drive to IN, understandably, but NEVER heard back from ANY of them saying that they couldn't make it...or even a BIRTHDAY CARD IN THE MAIL FOR LILLY! It just BLOWS me away that these people have the nerve to comment AT ALL about Lilly's last name, the fact that I'm not working, the fact that Aaron's working at a bar, etc....I HONESTLY felt like crying for the fact that Aaron's family is NOT at all what family SHOULD be. The only person, I feel, who even gives a damn about him is his sister. I'm not saying that my family is perfect, Lord knows we're far from it, but the thing about my family is that we're THERE for each other. We KNOW what the other is doing, and we CARE to keep up with each other. I know that NO MATTER WHAT I can count on my mom and dad, my brothers and sister...even my grandparents and my aunts and uncles.
Although my family relationships may be odd to some, I know that my kids will ALWAYS feel the same way I do about family. It's the most important aspect of my life. I can't imagine my definition of family being anything but what it is now. And although perhaps intimidating at first, I think that Aaron now sees WHY my family is as close as we are....and he has accepted that this is how our children will be raised. The kids will see their grandma and grandpas and uncles and aunts as much as they can....and hopefully it'll be as normal to them as it has been for me. I love that it's now AARON asking if we can go to Chicago to see my brothers, or to Wabash on Sundays to see my mom and my sister. I love that he now knows what family life is supposed to be like.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Randomness...Such a Mess of Thoughts!
1) I'm sure I'm seeing the beginning stages of arthritis in my right hand due to constant texting. I'm such a compulsive texter that my right forearm seriously starts to BURN by the end of the day. Thought to self: I should learn to text with my left hand.
2.) I'm almost embarassed that I used to be such a huge Britney fan...going so far as to have an old friend in high school MAKE me a shirt which read "Britney is Queen"....(Thanks Steven!) I almost feel guilty for saying this, but perhaps Baby Daddy SHOULD have sole custody. Poor Jayden and Sean Preston....they don't stand a chance in this cruel cruel world.
3.) All this hype about High School Musical 2 got me in the mood for a musical....so I attempted to watch "West Side Story" this morning, but after the first 10 minutes of complete silence, other than snapping, I was forced to change it back to Regis and Kelly. Hey, I tried. I love musicals, but this was just a bad day for it, I suppose.
4.) Speaking of HSM2...My sister is hoarding her copy of HSM and won't let me borrow it. UGH! How am I ever going to be able to include myself in conversations of HSM2 if I can't first see the FIRST one?! (Katie, I'm talking about having conversations with YOU about HSM2!!!!). And about this High School Musical stuff....Is Zac Efron REALLY that hot? I mean, I've seen him, but to ME he looks like a 14 year old kid! LOL! When I first got a text from one of my brothers professing his crush for the young lad, I had to see what all the talk was about....sure, he's cute...and by cute I mean, "awwww I wanna pinch your cute cheeks"....but I do NOT find him HOT as everyone says he is! (Sorry Katie!)
5.) Here's the thing....You're not the PREGNANT one....I AM! If you ask me what we're naming our son, and you HATE it, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!! I'm not asking you to LIE to us and tell us you LOVE it...and I don't want to hear about YOUR suggestions on a name. Aaron and I have decided to name our son Anderson Reid. We MAY or may NOT call him Andy, but if we choose to do so, I don't want to hear a comment from ANY of you about how much you hate that name, GOT IT!!!!!!!!!
6.) This whole RAIN thing.....Yeah, I'm over it. I'm not a farmer, I'm over eating sweet corn for the summer....so I could HONESTLY care less about NEEDING the rain. It does horrible things to my STRAIGHTENED hair! UGH!
7.) I miss some of my old friends. I've been talking to a couple old friends I went to high school with a little more often. It just seems that when you mature, and everyone gets in serious relationships or starts having kids, there is that bond again. I'm glad that even though it's been MANY years since we hung out as FRIENDS, we can still get together and have something to talk about for three hours! Fun!
...more later maybe...The Hills is on! LOL! Don't judge me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2.) I'm almost embarassed that I used to be such a huge Britney fan...going so far as to have an old friend in high school MAKE me a shirt which read "Britney is Queen"....(Thanks Steven!) I almost feel guilty for saying this, but perhaps Baby Daddy SHOULD have sole custody. Poor Jayden and Sean Preston....they don't stand a chance in this cruel cruel world.
3.) All this hype about High School Musical 2 got me in the mood for a musical....so I attempted to watch "West Side Story" this morning, but after the first 10 minutes of complete silence, other than snapping, I was forced to change it back to Regis and Kelly. Hey, I tried. I love musicals, but this was just a bad day for it, I suppose.
4.) Speaking of HSM2...My sister is hoarding her copy of HSM and won't let me borrow it. UGH! How am I ever going to be able to include myself in conversations of HSM2 if I can't first see the FIRST one?! (Katie, I'm talking about having conversations with YOU about HSM2!!!!). And about this High School Musical stuff....Is Zac Efron REALLY that hot? I mean, I've seen him, but to ME he looks like a 14 year old kid! LOL! When I first got a text from one of my brothers professing his crush for the young lad, I had to see what all the talk was about....sure, he's cute...and by cute I mean, "awwww I wanna pinch your cute cheeks"....but I do NOT find him HOT as everyone says he is! (Sorry Katie!)
5.) Here's the thing....You're not the PREGNANT one....I AM! If you ask me what we're naming our son, and you HATE it, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF!!! I'm not asking you to LIE to us and tell us you LOVE it...and I don't want to hear about YOUR suggestions on a name. Aaron and I have decided to name our son Anderson Reid. We MAY or may NOT call him Andy, but if we choose to do so, I don't want to hear a comment from ANY of you about how much you hate that name, GOT IT!!!!!!!!!
6.) This whole RAIN thing.....Yeah, I'm over it. I'm not a farmer, I'm over eating sweet corn for the summer....so I could HONESTLY care less about NEEDING the rain. It does horrible things to my STRAIGHTENED hair! UGH!
7.) I miss some of my old friends. I've been talking to a couple old friends I went to high school with a little more often. It just seems that when you mature, and everyone gets in serious relationships or starts having kids, there is that bond again. I'm glad that even though it's been MANY years since we hung out as FRIENDS, we can still get together and have something to talk about for three hours! Fun!
...more later maybe...The Hills is on! LOL! Don't judge me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
I'm weird....I've just discovered....
Aaron has a set schedule. It's always the same. Or it rarely changes. Which means, I have the same routine everyday too. With a small child, it's best that way. But routines bore me. And the same routine, everday, realllllly bores me. Ugh.
So my brother, bored out of his gourd as well, suggested tonight that Lilly and I should go stay with him for a couple days. Sure, sounds like a good idea. He needs me to finish the scrapbook that I started for them last year...you know, add the millions of pictures they have from the thousands of vacations they've gone on this year (I'm not bitter, not a bit). UGH!
Only one problem. I'm weird. Basically, ever since I had Lilly, I've been weird about staying at places other than my own house. Not only does packing (and unpacking) for a 15 month old STINK, but then making sure I have everything that I need and WANT for a three day get-away just adds to the drama of packing. It bugs me.
Then I realized, I HATE showering at other people's house. Even my mom's house...the CLEANEST shower in the UNIVERSE...just bugs me. My hair is use to MY water and my own products, which yes, I could pack for the trip, but then again, that's just ONE MORE THING to worry about. Are they going to spill on the designated outfits I've assigned for each day? What if my shampoo spills all over my straight iron? I'd really be screwed. SEE, it's ALL these things that go into "going away" that just stunt my departure.
In conclusion....I think I'll become a hermit. Thank God winter is near, giving me yet another excuse to be the homebody that I long to be. Call me pathetic, it's okay. I'm going with the excuse that I just love my family and my home THAT much that I never want to leave!!!!!!
So my brother, bored out of his gourd as well, suggested tonight that Lilly and I should go stay with him for a couple days. Sure, sounds like a good idea. He needs me to finish the scrapbook that I started for them last year...you know, add the millions of pictures they have from the thousands of vacations they've gone on this year (I'm not bitter, not a bit). UGH!
Only one problem. I'm weird. Basically, ever since I had Lilly, I've been weird about staying at places other than my own house. Not only does packing (and unpacking) for a 15 month old STINK, but then making sure I have everything that I need and WANT for a three day get-away just adds to the drama of packing. It bugs me.
Then I realized, I HATE showering at other people's house. Even my mom's house...the CLEANEST shower in the UNIVERSE...just bugs me. My hair is use to MY water and my own products, which yes, I could pack for the trip, but then again, that's just ONE MORE THING to worry about. Are they going to spill on the designated outfits I've assigned for each day? What if my shampoo spills all over my straight iron? I'd really be screwed. SEE, it's ALL these things that go into "going away" that just stunt my departure.
In conclusion....I think I'll become a hermit. Thank God winter is near, giving me yet another excuse to be the homebody that I long to be. Call me pathetic, it's okay. I'm going with the excuse that I just love my family and my home THAT much that I never want to leave!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
The Best Birthday Ever!
I don't mean to brag but....I may be the BEST damn birthday surpriser EVER! So yesterday was Aaron's 24th birthday (youngin', huh?!). I knew I didn't have TONS of money to spend, but I also knew I wanted this to be a VERY special birthday as he typically has to work on his birthday! I knew the BEST way to surprise him would be to somehow incorporate Lilly into the plans.
SO, Saturday night, my sister and I worked into the wee hours of the night trying to compile a second scrapbook of pictures of Lilly and Aaron. I had made him one last year for Christmas and he LOVED it, so I knew this would be a FABULOUS idea...and a way to keep up on all of Lilly's milestones thus far!
ALSO on Saturday, I had an ultrasound done to find out the sex of the baby. Aaron had NO idea I was going to get an ultrasound, and I KNEW it would be freakin' HARD for me to keep it from him! I found out that we're having a BOY!!! Aaron would be on complete emotional overload, between the scrapbook and the news we were having a BOY!
Tuesday night was finally here. We took Lilly to Mandi's house around 6:30 and were on our way to dinner....SUSHI! I HATE sushi, but Aaron LOVES it and he hadn't had it for a LOOONG time since I hate it! He was super excited to eat at one of his old favorite sushi bars. During dinner, I gave him the scrapbook, which, of course, he LOVED.
As dinner finished, Aaron mentioned that he'd like to go to Jag's (his old job) for a quick birthday drink. I knew I couldn't keep the next surprise a secret much longer, so I asked if we could go back to Mandi's first to check up on Lilly. I called Mandi and told her we were on our way so that she could "prepare" Lilly for our arrival!!!!!!
When we walked into Mandi's there were about eight other people there all waiting for the next event....Out walks Lilly from Mandi's room, wearing a blue t-shirt that read "It's a BOY!" and carrying a balloon bouquet of five blue and green balloons! Aaron looked at Lilly, looked at me, looked back at Lilly....SOOOO CONFUSED! "WHAT? HUH?!" I told him that I went Saturday to have an ultrasound and found that we're having a BOY! Aaron seriously smiled bigger than I'd ever seen! He even let out a little scream of excitement! Lilly was PERFECT, smiling, happy... She knew she was doing SOMETHING that was making Daddy so happy...even though she had NO idea why! (Later in life she'll look back and regret all the hoop-la that she participated in welcoming her little brother to the world!)
Overall, the night, although exhausting to plan and keep a secret, was a HUGE success! Aaron keeps commenting on how fabulous his birthday was! Gosh, am I good or am I good?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!
SO, Saturday night, my sister and I worked into the wee hours of the night trying to compile a second scrapbook of pictures of Lilly and Aaron. I had made him one last year for Christmas and he LOVED it, so I knew this would be a FABULOUS idea...and a way to keep up on all of Lilly's milestones thus far!
ALSO on Saturday, I had an ultrasound done to find out the sex of the baby. Aaron had NO idea I was going to get an ultrasound, and I KNEW it would be freakin' HARD for me to keep it from him! I found out that we're having a BOY!!! Aaron would be on complete emotional overload, between the scrapbook and the news we were having a BOY!
Tuesday night was finally here. We took Lilly to Mandi's house around 6:30 and were on our way to dinner....SUSHI! I HATE sushi, but Aaron LOVES it and he hadn't had it for a LOOONG time since I hate it! He was super excited to eat at one of his old favorite sushi bars. During dinner, I gave him the scrapbook, which, of course, he LOVED.
As dinner finished, Aaron mentioned that he'd like to go to Jag's (his old job) for a quick birthday drink. I knew I couldn't keep the next surprise a secret much longer, so I asked if we could go back to Mandi's first to check up on Lilly. I called Mandi and told her we were on our way so that she could "prepare" Lilly for our arrival!!!!!!
When we walked into Mandi's there were about eight other people there all waiting for the next event....Out walks Lilly from Mandi's room, wearing a blue t-shirt that read "It's a BOY!" and carrying a balloon bouquet of five blue and green balloons! Aaron looked at Lilly, looked at me, looked back at Lilly....SOOOO CONFUSED! "WHAT? HUH?!" I told him that I went Saturday to have an ultrasound and found that we're having a BOY! Aaron seriously smiled bigger than I'd ever seen! He even let out a little scream of excitement! Lilly was PERFECT, smiling, happy... She knew she was doing SOMETHING that was making Daddy so happy...even though she had NO idea why! (Later in life she'll look back and regret all the hoop-la that she participated in welcoming her little brother to the world!)
Overall, the night, although exhausting to plan and keep a secret, was a HUGE success! Aaron keeps commenting on how fabulous his birthday was! Gosh, am I good or am I good?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, July 2, 2007
Letting go....
We all have a past. I know this. There are a LOT of things from my past that I'd just rather forget...few things I'd take back, but MANY that I'd like to forget. Our pasts make us who we are. I know that I'm a better person than I was in the past, and I'd like to think that I've LEARNED from the past....but that's ME. What about other people? What if the people we love keep reliving the past? What if they always WISH to relive the past? Is that something to be concerned about?
Recently, I've learned a lot about myself, and myself in a relationship. I've found insecurities that I never knew existed. I've also learned that no matter someone's past, you HAVE to look towards the future or you'll kill yourself worrying about what MIGHT happen. People can always GO BACK, but there's nothing you can do to stop them.
I guess at some point in life, we just have to grow up and realize that the past is the past. The only thing we can do is look forward to the future and hope that it all works out how it's supposed to.
Recently, I've learned a lot about myself, and myself in a relationship. I've found insecurities that I never knew existed. I've also learned that no matter someone's past, you HAVE to look towards the future or you'll kill yourself worrying about what MIGHT happen. People can always GO BACK, but there's nothing you can do to stop them.
I guess at some point in life, we just have to grow up and realize that the past is the past. The only thing we can do is look forward to the future and hope that it all works out how it's supposed to.
Saturday, June 9, 2007
So happy in love..
As any woman, I have many complaints about the man in my life...the way he eats, swallows, snores, etc! Those minor annoyances aside though, I have to say that I'm a pretty lucky gal. Aaron and I have been through a LOT. We've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly...times twelve! Being that we're still both very young and unsettled in our lives (career-wise, financially, etc...) I'd have to say that we've come a long way in the past year, since Lilly was born. I have absolutely no regrets in our life together. I'm so excited that we're pregnant and that we're going to add to our precious little family!
It's just that sometimes I really take Aaron for granted. He does anything and everything for me...for us. He takes care of us financially, emotionally, physically, etc. He puts up with my often-bratty-moments and can look back and laugh at how crazy I am (a lot!)!!! He works late every night, and still has the energy to wake up the next morning to make me breakfast or to go to the park with Lilly and I. He's the type of guy who understands that sometimes I just need to be alone. Aaron's the type of person to wake up every morning with the thought that it's a new day and thinks about how he can make today even better than yesterday...and usually succeeds in doing so.
I guess I just never really take the time to think about how wonderful I have it with Aaron. I don't acknowledge the wonderful things he does, all he puts up with, the time he has for us, and how much he helps me with EVERYTHING. I'm so lucky and I'm so grateful to have someone like Aaron in my life!
So, what I'm trying to say is that I just MAY be the luckiest girl in the world to have someone like Aaron....no matter our past, no matter how much I bitch about him...he's pretty fabulous and I'm SOOO happy to have him in my life!
******WARNING: The mushy-ness of this blog may be hormone-induced, but nonetheless, honest and real!********
It's just that sometimes I really take Aaron for granted. He does anything and everything for me...for us. He takes care of us financially, emotionally, physically, etc. He puts up with my often-bratty-moments and can look back and laugh at how crazy I am (a lot!)!!! He works late every night, and still has the energy to wake up the next morning to make me breakfast or to go to the park with Lilly and I. He's the type of guy who understands that sometimes I just need to be alone. Aaron's the type of person to wake up every morning with the thought that it's a new day and thinks about how he can make today even better than yesterday...and usually succeeds in doing so.
I guess I just never really take the time to think about how wonderful I have it with Aaron. I don't acknowledge the wonderful things he does, all he puts up with, the time he has for us, and how much he helps me with EVERYTHING. I'm so lucky and I'm so grateful to have someone like Aaron in my life!
So, what I'm trying to say is that I just MAY be the luckiest girl in the world to have someone like Aaron....no matter our past, no matter how much I bitch about him...he's pretty fabulous and I'm SOOO happy to have him in my life!
******WARNING: The mushy-ness of this blog may be hormone-induced, but nonetheless, honest and real!********
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Limited Options
Today is a day that I could classify as one of the most frustrating and disappointing days of my life! Today I realized that the downfalls (or perhaps landslides) of our government are now DIRECTLY affecting my life. Being as I work from home, and Aaron and I aren't married yet (yes, that's right Mom, there's still hope!), I don't have insurance that will cover my pregnancy costs.
Lilly and I are on a short-term plan until the end of July, when again we will have to pay nearly $700 to insure ourselves for another six months. I know the importance of being covered, but our short-term plan covers only major medical, so as of now, it's done nothing to necessarily benefit us, other than giving us the peace of mind that we ARE insured. It doesn't cover the cost of Lilly's $95 wellness checks or anything preventative of mine. This hasn't been an issue though, until I realized that pregnancy could not be covered by nearly ANY insurance company in this glorious country in which we reside. However, every insurance agent that I spoke with, during my four hour online and phone search, suggested that I look into state aid...a.k.a Medicaid.
Now, I have NO problem with people getting on "Hoosier Healthwise" if they TRULY need it. I wouldn't say Aaron and I fall into that catagory at all, but apparently, our only two options are to either pay for the entire pregnancy, delivery, and hospital stay out-of-pocket (totalling over $4000), or to get on Medicaid (completely free). Call it pride, call it snobby, call it what you will, but I was NOT raised to take advantage of government assistance...and I feel that's what we'd be doing especially under the circumstances in which we live.
It just SHOCKED me to learn that we LITERALLY have NO other options than the two mentioned above. It's sad that two people who WANT to do the "right" thing cannot do so while being insured by any other "company" other than the government. It's a sad and frustrating day in our house!!!
Lilly and I are on a short-term plan until the end of July, when again we will have to pay nearly $700 to insure ourselves for another six months. I know the importance of being covered, but our short-term plan covers only major medical, so as of now, it's done nothing to necessarily benefit us, other than giving us the peace of mind that we ARE insured. It doesn't cover the cost of Lilly's $95 wellness checks or anything preventative of mine. This hasn't been an issue though, until I realized that pregnancy could not be covered by nearly ANY insurance company in this glorious country in which we reside. However, every insurance agent that I spoke with, during my four hour online and phone search, suggested that I look into state aid...a.k.a Medicaid.
Now, I have NO problem with people getting on "Hoosier Healthwise" if they TRULY need it. I wouldn't say Aaron and I fall into that catagory at all, but apparently, our only two options are to either pay for the entire pregnancy, delivery, and hospital stay out-of-pocket (totalling over $4000), or to get on Medicaid (completely free). Call it pride, call it snobby, call it what you will, but I was NOT raised to take advantage of government assistance...and I feel that's what we'd be doing especially under the circumstances in which we live.
It just SHOCKED me to learn that we LITERALLY have NO other options than the two mentioned above. It's sad that two people who WANT to do the "right" thing cannot do so while being insured by any other "company" other than the government. It's a sad and frustrating day in our house!!!
Friday, May 25, 2007
To wed or not to wed...There is NO question!
So as many of you know by now, Aaron and I are expecting our second child. And we're very excited, I must add! But of course, the first question out of EVERYONE'S mouth is "Sooo when are you getting married?!" and my response is "HUH? Why would we get married?" The stunned, hurt, shocked, judging glare that stares back at me is priceless, and unanimous across the board! Whatever!
Here's my problem. I've NEVER been the type of girl to think I NEED to get married. I've never had dreams of the white flowing dress and thousands of strategically placed putrid flowers. Sure, I've caught myself having delusional thoughts of my FABULOUS engagement ring, going so far as to even email the exact one I want to Aaron! But the ring aside, I can't really imagine my life changing THAT much by changing my last name and making our relationship "official"....
Official to whom? The church? Do you know that stastics show that Christians have been divorced and REMARRIED more than any other group of faith? The same group who has banned same-sex marriages because it's against God's will...rrrright! Let me take my marriage advice from THOSE people. C'mon! (And I agree with Brad Pitt's stand on same-sex marriage... I'll get married when my brother can marry whomever he wants to!)
Official to my family? Sure, my parents and grandparents are from a different era and therefore have different beliefs. However, statistics also show that my parents' age group has a higher divorce rate than any other age group.
And even though a select group of people are waiting to get married until a later age, they are NOT necessarily waiting to have children. And for good reasons....Who has the energy or the aspiration to chase around two small children when you're in your thirties?
I'm not trying to justify my reasons for having another child, that's not necessary. I'm simply announcing that I have NO intentions of getting married just because we're pregnant again. I like the way things operate at our house now! I like that I still have my individuality and he still has his. I like that I still have the same last name as my mom, brother, sister, and dad. Maybe I'll never let go of that! Bottom line people, stop asking us if we're getting married now or assuming that we NEED to get married now! It's not gonna happen!
****By the way, I got my highly informative statistics from http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm****
Here's my problem. I've NEVER been the type of girl to think I NEED to get married. I've never had dreams of the white flowing dress and thousands of strategically placed putrid flowers. Sure, I've caught myself having delusional thoughts of my FABULOUS engagement ring, going so far as to even email the exact one I want to Aaron! But the ring aside, I can't really imagine my life changing THAT much by changing my last name and making our relationship "official"....
Official to whom? The church? Do you know that stastics show that Christians have been divorced and REMARRIED more than any other group of faith? The same group who has banned same-sex marriages because it's against God's will...rrrright! Let me take my marriage advice from THOSE people. C'mon! (And I agree with Brad Pitt's stand on same-sex marriage... I'll get married when my brother can marry whomever he wants to!)
Official to my family? Sure, my parents and grandparents are from a different era and therefore have different beliefs. However, statistics also show that my parents' age group has a higher divorce rate than any other age group.
And even though a select group of people are waiting to get married until a later age, they are NOT necessarily waiting to have children. And for good reasons....Who has the energy or the aspiration to chase around two small children when you're in your thirties?
I'm not trying to justify my reasons for having another child, that's not necessary. I'm simply announcing that I have NO intentions of getting married just because we're pregnant again. I like the way things operate at our house now! I like that I still have my individuality and he still has his. I like that I still have the same last name as my mom, brother, sister, and dad. Maybe I'll never let go of that! Bottom line people, stop asking us if we're getting married now or assuming that we NEED to get married now! It's not gonna happen!
****By the way, I got my highly informative statistics from http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm****
Thursday, May 17, 2007
A day of rest....huh?
It was brought to my attention today at 6am that my "JOB" is to be a stay-at-home mom and that therefore, I don't GET days off. The ONE day I asked to sleep in I was told that it's my JOB to wake up EVERYDAY with my daughter. Now, typically I have NO problem getting up early, feeding my little tyke, and continuing on with the day's events, however today was quite an exception. You see, Aaron has today off (along with at least one other day this week) and he got home from work at 8:30 last night. And not only did he go to bed at the same time I did last night, he also took a nap yesterday afternoon before his four hour shift at work. HHHHMMM? Maybe it's not the fact that I couldn't sleep in, because honestly, my idea of sleeping in these days is waking up at 7:30 instead of 6:30! But the issue I had this morning was that I was TOLD that stay-at-home Moms don't GET a day off! A DAY OFF? HUH!? I was asking for an extra HOUR of sleep! Are you kidding me?
I'm not complaining about my "duties" as a stay-at-home mom. I LOVE that I have the option to stay home. I'd probably DIE if I had to leave my little sugar at a daycare all day! I just have a BIG issue with someone telling me that since he works 30 hours a week that I NEVER get to sleep in an extra hour when he's PERFECTLY capable of getting up. It goes back to my year-long complaint that DADS just AREN'T MOMS! GGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
So my question to you faithful readers is: SHOULD stay-at-home Moms have a day of rest?
I'm not complaining about my "duties" as a stay-at-home mom. I LOVE that I have the option to stay home. I'd probably DIE if I had to leave my little sugar at a daycare all day! I just have a BIG issue with someone telling me that since he works 30 hours a week that I NEVER get to sleep in an extra hour when he's PERFECTLY capable of getting up. It goes back to my year-long complaint that DADS just AREN'T MOMS! GGGGGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
So my question to you faithful readers is: SHOULD stay-at-home Moms have a day of rest?
Monday, May 14, 2007
Weekly Annoyances (3)
Let's just dive right into the maddness of what these past couple weeks have been...
The following are my recent annoyances:
1) People asking me "when are you gonna write a new blog"...WHEN I'm READY, damn it!
2) Girls lying about being knocked up...just admit it, damn...you think you're the ONLY one?
3) The theme to "Cops" being Aaron's ringtone on his cell...fitting yes, but unnecessary and quite disturbing.
4) The Bachelor not starting until 9:31 because of freakin' Dancing With The Stars...ugh! We've already seen Heather Mills fall due to her fake leg...what more do we need to see? Ew, that was mean!
5) Having only ONE vehicle, due to Aaron's recent crash, and having to tote him around EVERYWHERE!!! (Although I'm VERY grateful he's safe!)
6) Gas prices...$3.19...are you KIDDING me?
7) Lilly CONSTANTLY screaming "DUCK" everytime she sees ANYTHING flying in the sky! As cute as it sounds, imagine waking up at 6:45, not only to twelve geese outside your bedroom window, but to your daughter yelping "DUCK MAMA, DUCK. MAMA MAMA MAMA, DUCK!" through the monitor...and then expecting you to take her outside to feed them the last of your loaf of bread!
8) Black coffee table and end tables that need countless hours of dusting frequently throughout the day.
9) Student Loan payments!
10) Iowa....don't ask!
11) Your soon-to-be-year-old daughter only walking in the EVENINGS right before bed....odd, I agree...but it's "her thing".....
The following are my recent annoyances:
1) People asking me "when are you gonna write a new blog"...WHEN I'm READY, damn it!
2) Girls lying about being knocked up...just admit it, damn...you think you're the ONLY one?
3) The theme to "Cops" being Aaron's ringtone on his cell...fitting yes, but unnecessary and quite disturbing.
4) The Bachelor not starting until 9:31 because of freakin' Dancing With The Stars...ugh! We've already seen Heather Mills fall due to her fake leg...what more do we need to see? Ew, that was mean!
5) Having only ONE vehicle, due to Aaron's recent crash, and having to tote him around EVERYWHERE!!! (Although I'm VERY grateful he's safe!)
6) Gas prices...$3.19...are you KIDDING me?
7) Lilly CONSTANTLY screaming "DUCK" everytime she sees ANYTHING flying in the sky! As cute as it sounds, imagine waking up at 6:45, not only to twelve geese outside your bedroom window, but to your daughter yelping "DUCK MAMA, DUCK. MAMA MAMA MAMA, DUCK!" through the monitor...and then expecting you to take her outside to feed them the last of your loaf of bread!
8) Black coffee table and end tables that need countless hours of dusting frequently throughout the day.
9) Student Loan payments!
10) Iowa....don't ask!
11) Your soon-to-be-year-old daughter only walking in the EVENINGS right before bed....odd, I agree...but it's "her thing".....
Saturday, April 21, 2007
"Say Duck!"
If you're a new mother you are COMPLETELY going to understand my frustrations on this topic....Why is it that EVERY new mom and dad HAS to compare his/her child to YOUR child? I'm sorry, but this is ONE thing I swore I'd never do. I had my daughter around the same time as TWO of my cousins on my dad's side and similar times as my uncle and aunt on my mom's side, (follow that?).
My uncle and his wife chose to wait until they were in their mid/late 30's until they had a child. Aaron and I obviously are ten years younger than them and aren't married (yet!). But for SOME reason, it has been a constant comparison from the day I found out I was pregnant up to this very day! They live out of state so we rarely get the girls together, who, by the way, are four and half months different in age (my daughter being younger!). So this past Friday we got together for dinner. It was the first time we've all been together since their daughter's first birthday, which was in January.
Aaron decided to stay home because he cannot STAND the way we are treated when we're around them. Sure, we're young and we PROBABLY should have waited....but we didn't and the reality is that we have a GORGEOUS little daughter and we wouldn't do ANYTHING to change it...no matter how young or broke or unmarried (hahaha!) we are! They walk in the door and the FIRST thing I hear is "OH MY GOSH, LOOK HOW BIG SHE IS!" Yes, my daughter IS in the 60th percentile for weight....SO!??!?! She's healthy!!! I looked over at my mom after hearing this and gave her "THE" look....She just laughed, knowing what was about to come of the dinner conversation.
We took our seats at the designated table and I heard, "Gretchen, does she eat food? What do you feed her? Is she still eating baby food?" UGH! "Yes, she eats about five things of baby food a day." Knowing this was going to be the "WRONG" thing to do, I just sat back and prepared myself for the lecture..."OH REALLY? THAT MUCH? Gracie doesn't eat any baby food anymore. She hates the texture. I think it's the texture. She'll eat my granola bar and my apples, but not baby food." That's nice, I wanted to say. "I give her a lot of yogurt. Have you tried giving her yogurt?" Seriously. This lady! Then I heard, "Can she drink out of a cup yet?" "A sippy cup you mean? Yeah, she does that." "OH NO! I mean a REAL cup. Can't she drink out of a REAL cup yet? That's Gracie's big thing. She's been doing that for awhile. She was probably Lilly's age or younger. I'm sure Lilly should be doing that." LADY! UGH! Let it go, Gretch! Let it go!
My mom probably has bruises on her shin from all the under-the-table kicking I did to her throughout the duration of the dinner. Trying to keep the conversation AWAY from the girls I tried talking to my uncle about different things...however EVERYTHING kept going back to what Gracie was doing that Lilly wasn't....You know, I can take a LOT of bragging from parents, but THIS was annoying. I wanted to blurt out "MY CHILD HAS BEEN CRAWLING SINCE SHE WAS FIVE MONTHS OLD. YOUR CHILD DIDN'T START CRAWLING UNTIL AFTER HER FIRST BIRTHDAY! MY CHILD WAS LITERALLY CRAWLING CIRCLES AROUND YOUR BABY AT HER FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY! MY CHILD HAS BEEN SPEAKING FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT WORDS FOR MONTHS. I'VE YET TO HEAR YOUR DAUGHTER BLURT A SOUND FROM HER PRECIOUS LITTLE MOUTH! MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN STANDING AND WALKING AROUND THINGS SINCE SHE WAS SEVEN MONTHS OLD AND YOUR DAUGHTER HASN'T EVEN FIGURED OUT HOW TO STAND UP WITH HELP. AND BY THE WAY, FOR HAVING A LOT OF MONEY, YOU DON'T DRESS YOUR DAUGHTER THAT WELL!" But I didn't, for fear my mom would KILL me.
It's just annoying. I mentioned to my uncle that Lilly just learned a new word, DUCK! What do I hear, "OH WE KNOW DUCK. SAY DUCK GRACIE, DUCK. DUCK. DUCK." By the confused look on Gracie's face she hadn't even HEARD the word, let alone said it!
I just don't understand why EVERYTHING has to be such a competition. Your child is over FOUR months OLDER than my daughter. I don't CARE what your daughter is doing---even if it's something MY daughter's NOT doing. She'll do it-- probably in four months, like she SHOULD be doing it. I promised myself a LONG time ago that I wouldn't be "that" mom....If there's something she SHOULD be doing that she's NOT, I'll admit it. If there's something she's doing that seems "early" for her age, I'll keep it to myself and NOT go about the town ranting and raving about how damn brilliant my child is! C'mon people! They're KIDS. They're going to do things at DIFFERENT times.
Like Aaron tells me though...this isn't about the girls. This is about parenting. They're older than we are and sometimes I think we're doing things just as well, if not better, than they are. We don't have nearly the money (and therefore the resources) that they have, but Lilly is developing just fine.
It's times like these I just look at the people around me (Aaron, my mom, my brothers, my sister, etc...) and can't help but feel completely blessed for the love and support Lilly and I get.
My uncle and his wife chose to wait until they were in their mid/late 30's until they had a child. Aaron and I obviously are ten years younger than them and aren't married (yet!). But for SOME reason, it has been a constant comparison from the day I found out I was pregnant up to this very day! They live out of state so we rarely get the girls together, who, by the way, are four and half months different in age (my daughter being younger!). So this past Friday we got together for dinner. It was the first time we've all been together since their daughter's first birthday, which was in January.
Aaron decided to stay home because he cannot STAND the way we are treated when we're around them. Sure, we're young and we PROBABLY should have waited....but we didn't and the reality is that we have a GORGEOUS little daughter and we wouldn't do ANYTHING to change it...no matter how young or broke or unmarried (hahaha!) we are! They walk in the door and the FIRST thing I hear is "OH MY GOSH, LOOK HOW BIG SHE IS!" Yes, my daughter IS in the 60th percentile for weight....SO!??!?! She's healthy!!! I looked over at my mom after hearing this and gave her "THE" look....She just laughed, knowing what was about to come of the dinner conversation.
We took our seats at the designated table and I heard, "Gretchen, does she eat food? What do you feed her? Is she still eating baby food?" UGH! "Yes, she eats about five things of baby food a day." Knowing this was going to be the "WRONG" thing to do, I just sat back and prepared myself for the lecture..."OH REALLY? THAT MUCH? Gracie doesn't eat any baby food anymore. She hates the texture. I think it's the texture. She'll eat my granola bar and my apples, but not baby food." That's nice, I wanted to say. "I give her a lot of yogurt. Have you tried giving her yogurt?" Seriously. This lady! Then I heard, "Can she drink out of a cup yet?" "A sippy cup you mean? Yeah, she does that." "OH NO! I mean a REAL cup. Can't she drink out of a REAL cup yet? That's Gracie's big thing. She's been doing that for awhile. She was probably Lilly's age or younger. I'm sure Lilly should be doing that." LADY! UGH! Let it go, Gretch! Let it go!
My mom probably has bruises on her shin from all the under-the-table kicking I did to her throughout the duration of the dinner. Trying to keep the conversation AWAY from the girls I tried talking to my uncle about different things...however EVERYTHING kept going back to what Gracie was doing that Lilly wasn't....You know, I can take a LOT of bragging from parents, but THIS was annoying. I wanted to blurt out "MY CHILD HAS BEEN CRAWLING SINCE SHE WAS FIVE MONTHS OLD. YOUR CHILD DIDN'T START CRAWLING UNTIL AFTER HER FIRST BIRTHDAY! MY CHILD WAS LITERALLY CRAWLING CIRCLES AROUND YOUR BABY AT HER FIRST BIRTHDAY PARTY! MY CHILD HAS BEEN SPEAKING FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT WORDS FOR MONTHS. I'VE YET TO HEAR YOUR DAUGHTER BLURT A SOUND FROM HER PRECIOUS LITTLE MOUTH! MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN STANDING AND WALKING AROUND THINGS SINCE SHE WAS SEVEN MONTHS OLD AND YOUR DAUGHTER HASN'T EVEN FIGURED OUT HOW TO STAND UP WITH HELP. AND BY THE WAY, FOR HAVING A LOT OF MONEY, YOU DON'T DRESS YOUR DAUGHTER THAT WELL!" But I didn't, for fear my mom would KILL me.
It's just annoying. I mentioned to my uncle that Lilly just learned a new word, DUCK! What do I hear, "OH WE KNOW DUCK. SAY DUCK GRACIE, DUCK. DUCK. DUCK." By the confused look on Gracie's face she hadn't even HEARD the word, let alone said it!
I just don't understand why EVERYTHING has to be such a competition. Your child is over FOUR months OLDER than my daughter. I don't CARE what your daughter is doing---even if it's something MY daughter's NOT doing. She'll do it-- probably in four months, like she SHOULD be doing it. I promised myself a LONG time ago that I wouldn't be "that" mom....If there's something she SHOULD be doing that she's NOT, I'll admit it. If there's something she's doing that seems "early" for her age, I'll keep it to myself and NOT go about the town ranting and raving about how damn brilliant my child is! C'mon people! They're KIDS. They're going to do things at DIFFERENT times.
Like Aaron tells me though...this isn't about the girls. This is about parenting. They're older than we are and sometimes I think we're doing things just as well, if not better, than they are. We don't have nearly the money (and therefore the resources) that they have, but Lilly is developing just fine.
It's times like these I just look at the people around me (Aaron, my mom, my brothers, my sister, etc...) and can't help but feel completely blessed for the love and support Lilly and I get.
Reality of Today's World...scary
I spent Friday night with my family back home and it was there that I realized that I have some hard ass family members who, in my opinion, lack a heart! My lovely Uncle Phil is the TOUGHEST critic you'll ever meet in your lifetime. He loves his family, but beyond that, don't expect a loving embrace!
We somehow got on the topic of the recent events at Virginia Tech. Sure, I'm female and perhaps as a mother I have sympathetic feelings that some men may not understand...I say this only because I've recently heard Aaron complain about the constant coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre on MSNBC and Headline News, but SOMEWHERE in your being you HAVE to have compassion for these people and the friends and family of those who have lost someone in this tragedy.
My uncle, however, is not one of these people. He can't understand why the Kalamazoo campus is holding prayer vigils....or why people in California, Michigan, New Hampshire, Indiana, etc are upset about this horrific event. My response to him was, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" I kept asking him "what if it was YOUR child who got hurt," or "what if it was the campus where YOUR child attended?"...."Would you care THEN?"....And of course he said he would, but I guess it just got me thinking.....What have I done? Why would I bring a child into THIS world? Into THIS mess? Into THIS chaos? What right do I have to bring an innocent, unharmed human being into THIS kind of life and tragedy?
It doesn't matter WHAT Aaron or I do to TRY to protect our daughter for what is the reality of this world....danger is EVERYWHERE. It's in the small rural areas, it's in the large metropolis areas, it's EVERYWHERE. There is NO safe place anymore. And it's so sad to admit that, but it's so true.
Do I plan on smothering my daughter and holding her hostage in my house, of course not. But it DOES make me think twice about allowing her to do the simple things that I, as a young child, was allowed to do. Sure, I have plenty of time to worry about her growing into a teenager and such, but I think back to how things were even four years ago and wonder what the next four or eight years hold for this world. It's a scary scary thought...but again...this is the reality of today's world.
We somehow got on the topic of the recent events at Virginia Tech. Sure, I'm female and perhaps as a mother I have sympathetic feelings that some men may not understand...I say this only because I've recently heard Aaron complain about the constant coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre on MSNBC and Headline News, but SOMEWHERE in your being you HAVE to have compassion for these people and the friends and family of those who have lost someone in this tragedy.
My uncle, however, is not one of these people. He can't understand why the Kalamazoo campus is holding prayer vigils....or why people in California, Michigan, New Hampshire, Indiana, etc are upset about this horrific event. My response to him was, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" I kept asking him "what if it was YOUR child who got hurt," or "what if it was the campus where YOUR child attended?"...."Would you care THEN?"....And of course he said he would, but I guess it just got me thinking.....What have I done? Why would I bring a child into THIS world? Into THIS mess? Into THIS chaos? What right do I have to bring an innocent, unharmed human being into THIS kind of life and tragedy?
It doesn't matter WHAT Aaron or I do to TRY to protect our daughter for what is the reality of this world....danger is EVERYWHERE. It's in the small rural areas, it's in the large metropolis areas, it's EVERYWHERE. There is NO safe place anymore. And it's so sad to admit that, but it's so true.
Do I plan on smothering my daughter and holding her hostage in my house, of course not. But it DOES make me think twice about allowing her to do the simple things that I, as a young child, was allowed to do. Sure, I have plenty of time to worry about her growing into a teenager and such, but I think back to how things were even four years ago and wonder what the next four or eight years hold for this world. It's a scary scary thought...but again...this is the reality of today's world.
Friday, April 6, 2007
Weekly Annoyances (2)
I'm trying to vent my weekly annoyances the best way that I know how, which is by writing and hoping that you all will read and agree with me about them! So, this week they are:
1) American Idol. I can't even say anything more about it, other than GO GINA, SELL THE HELL OUTTA YOUR ALBUM THAT WE ALL KNOW YOU WILL MAKE!
2) Snow. Seriously, in April.
3) Friends who keep putting in their two cents about your relationship even when they know you're not going to listen to their advice. Sure, friends are suppose to be honest with you, but they're also suppose to know when you've heard enough.
4) Cheating husbands. I went out Tuesday afternoon to have a few cocktails, only to be hit on by a MARRIED MAN. SCUM BAG. Honestly. EW!
5) IHOP. I don't understand the fixation people, drunk people especially, have with that damn place. It's sticky. The eggs are runny. And more than HALF the staff is missing three or more of their front teeth. Ew.
6) Teething babies! We've been using the "teething" excuse long enough I think. Lilly's top two teeth STILL aren't in, although she STILL seems to have traces of Lucifer in her eyes. Perhaps our little darling is, in fact, just spoiled rotten.
7) Gas prices. $2.85. What the hell? I'd walk, but it's too damn cold....and in reality, even if it was warm, I still wouldn't walk! What am I talking about?!
8) Grey's Anatomy reruns. Why is it that just because it's "Spring Break" time, the rest of the working world has to miss out on NEW episodes of Grey's while the little school-aged kids and their parents can go to Orlando? BULLSHIT!
Until next week....
1) American Idol. I can't even say anything more about it, other than GO GINA, SELL THE HELL OUTTA YOUR ALBUM THAT WE ALL KNOW YOU WILL MAKE!
2) Snow. Seriously, in April.
3) Friends who keep putting in their two cents about your relationship even when they know you're not going to listen to their advice. Sure, friends are suppose to be honest with you, but they're also suppose to know when you've heard enough.
4) Cheating husbands. I went out Tuesday afternoon to have a few cocktails, only to be hit on by a MARRIED MAN. SCUM BAG. Honestly. EW!
5) IHOP. I don't understand the fixation people, drunk people especially, have with that damn place. It's sticky. The eggs are runny. And more than HALF the staff is missing three or more of their front teeth. Ew.
6) Teething babies! We've been using the "teething" excuse long enough I think. Lilly's top two teeth STILL aren't in, although she STILL seems to have traces of Lucifer in her eyes. Perhaps our little darling is, in fact, just spoiled rotten.
7) Gas prices. $2.85. What the hell? I'd walk, but it's too damn cold....and in reality, even if it was warm, I still wouldn't walk! What am I talking about?!
8) Grey's Anatomy reruns. Why is it that just because it's "Spring Break" time, the rest of the working world has to miss out on NEW episodes of Grey's while the little school-aged kids and their parents can go to Orlando? BULLSHIT!
Until next week....
Getting through it...
I'm not sure that it's entirely MY place to write this blog, but...I'm going to! Recently I found out that a not-so-close friend of mine is going through a tough time in her life. She feels as though she's all alone and that she's going through something that maybe wasn't supposed to "happen" to her. I am positive that I'm correct in saying that we've ALL felt this way at one time or another in our lives. For me, it was when I found out that I was expecting a child! Oh LORD did I feel like I was going through the most foreign experience that a person could ever go through! Of course I KNEW people who were pregnant or who had babies, but NOT ME! This was NOT going to "happen" to ME, I thought!
My only words of advice to this "friend" are these: First off, you're NOT alone. You have a WORLD of support. There are TONS of people, close to you or not, who believe in you and your ability to get through this. You will make the best decision for YOU and your life...because you have your faith in God. Secondly, read the book "The Purpose Driven Life."
I found this quote the DAY I found out I was pregnant. I had been reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life," even though I wasn't exactly living the life that I "should" have been living. But how ironic that the DAY I found out I was pregnant I would read these following words:
"While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but they are not unplanned by God. God's purpose took into account human error, and even sin. God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. He has a reason for EVERYTHING He creates."
You WILL make it through this. And you will make the right decision. You will grow to LOVE your decision, and through it all you will have people to love and support you...
My only words of advice to this "friend" are these: First off, you're NOT alone. You have a WORLD of support. There are TONS of people, close to you or not, who believe in you and your ability to get through this. You will make the best decision for YOU and your life...because you have your faith in God. Secondly, read the book "The Purpose Driven Life."
I found this quote the DAY I found out I was pregnant. I had been reading the book "The Purpose Driven Life," even though I wasn't exactly living the life that I "should" have been living. But how ironic that the DAY I found out I was pregnant I would read these following words:
"While there are illegitimate parents, there are no illegitimate children. Many children are unplanned by their parents, but they are not unplanned by God. God's purpose took into account human error, and even sin. God never does anything accidentally, and He never makes mistakes. He has a reason for EVERYTHING He creates."
You WILL make it through this. And you will make the right decision. You will grow to LOVE your decision, and through it all you will have people to love and support you...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Lazy Sunday, such a great day!
Today was sunny. It was a perfectly heated 68 degrees. Lilly slept in...until 7:30am. My hair straightened easily and quickly. My skinny jeans fit. Aaron is alive (don't ask). My phone is fully charged. I decided that I'm oddly addicted to the song "Green Tambourine" by The Turtles (thank you Mother!). One day closer to Kendall being born! Adam and Gary safetly made it to their destination to begin their cruise. Aaron's avocados are ripe, finally. My Hamburger Helper pan is clean (LOL!). I got caught up on Real World. Lilly is walking more. I had Taco Bell for lunch...it had been awhile! Jill and Dean got engaged! It's April Fool's Day and no one played any evil pranks on me! I talked to my Dad and he's coming here tomorrow!
Shopping with the Skanks
Oh did we have an experience today. Good God. Let me first start by saying that I, in no way, think I'm better than the next person....oh wait, yes I do, but it's because of situations like today.
Picture this: My well-dressed princess of a daughter and I were shopping at Baby Gap today, when all of a sudden we became bombarded by this missing tooth, shaply lady pushing a stroller (an ugly stroller at that) with a not-so-cute little passenger. The repugnantly dressed lady and her hideously dressed toddler pushed their way in front of Lilly and I to get to the most unattractive items that Baby Gap had to offer. Oh, but that's not all. This creature of a mother had the nerve to tell ME that there were more SALE items on the other side and that Baby Gap didn't usually have many cute things for babies, but that I should try The Children's Place. WAS SHE KIDDING ME? Am I on Candid Camera? Did this lady just tell ME, the mom with the gorgeous bright-eyed stylish baby to go look at another store? No she di'ennnnnt! (Picture me snapping my fingers while saying di'ennnnt in my most practiced Shaniqua voice!) Could she not tell that my daughter was already dressed in Baby Gap gear and that I clearly knew what I was doing? Perhaps she should take a look at MY child to get a better grasp on what was acceptable for small children to be wearing. UGH! I'm use to getting judged (because I look young and lack the left-hand ring) by the soccer-mom type but this is a first for me...getting judged by the trashiest of white trash...
With this said, I stand firm in my belief that children, no matter what their God-given physical traits may be, look better when dressed well...meaning that there's still hope for the daughter of this cow-of-a-lady! Enough said...
Picture this: My well-dressed princess of a daughter and I were shopping at Baby Gap today, when all of a sudden we became bombarded by this missing tooth, shaply lady pushing a stroller (an ugly stroller at that) with a not-so-cute little passenger. The repugnantly dressed lady and her hideously dressed toddler pushed their way in front of Lilly and I to get to the most unattractive items that Baby Gap had to offer. Oh, but that's not all. This creature of a mother had the nerve to tell ME that there were more SALE items on the other side and that Baby Gap didn't usually have many cute things for babies, but that I should try The Children's Place. WAS SHE KIDDING ME? Am I on Candid Camera? Did this lady just tell ME, the mom with the gorgeous bright-eyed stylish baby to go look at another store? No she di'ennnnnt! (Picture me snapping my fingers while saying di'ennnnt in my most practiced Shaniqua voice!) Could she not tell that my daughter was already dressed in Baby Gap gear and that I clearly knew what I was doing? Perhaps she should take a look at MY child to get a better grasp on what was acceptable for small children to be wearing. UGH! I'm use to getting judged (because I look young and lack the left-hand ring) by the soccer-mom type but this is a first for me...getting judged by the trashiest of white trash...
With this said, I stand firm in my belief that children, no matter what their God-given physical traits may be, look better when dressed well...meaning that there's still hope for the daughter of this cow-of-a-lady! Enough said...
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Life's not fair, I get that, but STILL....
I know the old saying, "life's not fair"....I've heard it loud and clear however, tonight's events have gone far beyond unfair. American Idol. Yes, I'm blogging about American Idol, judge me, whatever.
I'm not going to lie when I say that I teared up when I heard the news that CHRIS was going home tonight. Seriously? No, did I just hear that correctly? CHRIS? What is WRONG with people? Tell me that watching his "journey" clips didn't make you tear up. And then hugging every contestant at the very end of his song. Seriously. Touching, touching! I sit here listening to The Police song now, wishing that I too had received a hug from the lovely Chris Sligh. Life's just NOT fair, is it Chris? Boo.
And as much as I ADORE Ryan Seacrest (and by adore I mean OBSESSIVELY dream of he and I's life together as man and wife) I found it a little disturbing that he came out in a mock Sambalaya wig. Putting all that focus on the little non-singer only gives him MORE attention. C'mon Ryan. Get your head outta your ass. Don't worry folks, I'll take it up with him when he gets home (and by home I mean in my head as I'm laying down to sleep).
Alright, until next week my fellow American Idol critics.
Hahn, OUT.
I'm not going to lie when I say that I teared up when I heard the news that CHRIS was going home tonight. Seriously? No, did I just hear that correctly? CHRIS? What is WRONG with people? Tell me that watching his "journey" clips didn't make you tear up. And then hugging every contestant at the very end of his song. Seriously. Touching, touching! I sit here listening to The Police song now, wishing that I too had received a hug from the lovely Chris Sligh. Life's just NOT fair, is it Chris? Boo.
And as much as I ADORE Ryan Seacrest (and by adore I mean OBSESSIVELY dream of he and I's life together as man and wife) I found it a little disturbing that he came out in a mock Sambalaya wig. Putting all that focus on the little non-singer only gives him MORE attention. C'mon Ryan. Get your head outta your ass. Don't worry folks, I'll take it up with him when he gets home (and by home I mean in my head as I'm laying down to sleep).
Alright, until next week my fellow American Idol critics.
Hahn, OUT.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Weekly Annoyances
Rather than take out my pet peeves on the loved ones around me, I decided that perhaps it'd be best if I just wrote about them! UGH!
1) American Idol. Seriously. Sanjuicy needs to go, as does Bald Ugly Ear boy. I swear on everything holy that if this season turns out even remotely close to last season I will STOP watching it...although I'm pretty sure I swore it off after LAST year...but after seeing my boyfriends Blake and Chris I changed my mind. YUM! I KNOW that it's "up to you America" to decide who is the next American Idol, but I can't help but wonder if America is turning the votes just for dramatics. It's kinda like prom queen in high school. There's always ONE really weird girl who gets nominated. You KNOW people just did it to be funny. I however, do not find this humorous!
2) Foot prints on freshly vaccumed carpet. Yes, that's right. Another trait I've inherited from my mom. There's nothing more I hate than seeing foot prints on my carpet after I've just made perfectly straight lines with the vaccum. Seriously. I remember having to JUMP from my door to my bed when I was younger because my mom had just vaccumed. Would it be too much to ask for everyone to stay in the tiled kitchen for a couple hours so that I can enjoy the cleanliness of my carpets?
3) Rain
4) Temper Tantrums. My little angel baby just had her first REAL tantrum, I'm pretty sure. Her back arched so high I was sure her little spine was going to snap. Her face turned a bright crimson and her nails dug into my wrists. The temporary insanity that overtook her lasted only a short time, but I'll be honest. I was scared of her.
There you have it folks. Gretchens' weekly annoyance list!
1) American Idol. Seriously. Sanjuicy needs to go, as does Bald Ugly Ear boy. I swear on everything holy that if this season turns out even remotely close to last season I will STOP watching it...although I'm pretty sure I swore it off after LAST year...but after seeing my boyfriends Blake and Chris I changed my mind. YUM! I KNOW that it's "up to you America" to decide who is the next American Idol, but I can't help but wonder if America is turning the votes just for dramatics. It's kinda like prom queen in high school. There's always ONE really weird girl who gets nominated. You KNOW people just did it to be funny. I however, do not find this humorous!
2) Foot prints on freshly vaccumed carpet. Yes, that's right. Another trait I've inherited from my mom. There's nothing more I hate than seeing foot prints on my carpet after I've just made perfectly straight lines with the vaccum. Seriously. I remember having to JUMP from my door to my bed when I was younger because my mom had just vaccumed. Would it be too much to ask for everyone to stay in the tiled kitchen for a couple hours so that I can enjoy the cleanliness of my carpets?
3) Rain
4) Temper Tantrums. My little angel baby just had her first REAL tantrum, I'm pretty sure. Her back arched so high I was sure her little spine was going to snap. Her face turned a bright crimson and her nails dug into my wrists. The temporary insanity that overtook her lasted only a short time, but I'll be honest. I was scared of her.
There you have it folks. Gretchens' weekly annoyance list!
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