I gained weight

The other day I was watching tv with my husband and when we watch it together I respectfully try to watch something we both enjoy. I just don't get why he can't sit through hours of HGTV or "Birth Stories" but we seem to both enjoy the pawn shows. This day we were watching Pawn Stars. What a great show. We love the characters and have learned a few interesting facts throughout.



They look so big, grizzly and intimidating in this picture. But once you watch the show they are all like teddy bears. They are on my list of people I would love to hang out with.

After the show was over the first episode of a brand new show staring Larry the cable guy was premiering. We thought why not give it a try. We enjoy his comedy and kids movies. Well the show was horrible. I doubt we will ever watch it again. But where I am trying to go with all this is in the show he went to visit the Emily Post house, she is notable for etiquette in America.



A beautiful house where he was supposed to lean manner and proper dinner etiquette. A failed attempt. Not even comical. But how many other people fail etiquette daily? I believe most. Our society has lost so much in the way of manners. Myself included there are many areas I need to improve upon.

At the doctors office in a place I routinely find any lack of etiquette. You are all ready feeling vulnerable and where on earth did a good bedside manner go? If you have a great doctor you are lucky. If you are like me I pretty much see who is available to fit my time so there is not a strong relationship with any of them. But it is not just the doctors who need to tender and caring their support staff is crucial and often the worst.

Receptionist who still can't pronounce your name right even after 5 years of going there. All staff members who are hanging in the back slightly visible watching utube on there cell phones as you have been waiting 10 minutes to just check in. We have all had some sort of story encounter. Then the nurses too. I have had the best sweetest nurses in the world, just have loved them. Since you spend so much time with them they should be that way. They should be your comfy pillow, long time friend, a warm cup of coffee.

Yesterday I did not have one of those nurses. I had a nurse with no etiquette and such a poor bedside manner.



FYI be careful when you google bad nurse in google images ALL SORTS of things came up. And a disclaimer all of the pictures on this post were pulled of there from one source or another.

It started with that old statement most people hate hearing, let's get your weight.



I have mixed feeling about this to begin with. On one hand I hate gaining weight and it is hard to watch your self gain extra chins. On the other hand I know I will and need to gain weight for a healthy baby so why not enjoy putting on a few extra pounds. After all I will lose it when all is said and done anyway. At least some, or most, maybe even more?

So I climbed on the scale not really caring but the number kept going up. It passed the unrealistic number I wanted to stay at in my head, but I passed that months ago. Then it passed 10 pounds over that making me realize how unrealistic it was, and it kept going. Micro seconds felt like forever. Was this scale ever going to stop?

Finally it did. At a number that was high but I was not worried about. A number that justified the empty box of Health Bar ice cream in my freezer. Then my glorious nurse crudely blurted out "You have gained 32 pounds since you became pregnant." Shocked not by the number but by the condescending judgmental tone of her voice.



It weighed on me my whole visit. (haha) I left feeling fat. (I am not fishing for compliments here please don't think that. I don't think I have any problems with weight even with my 32 pound gain.) I just could not believe her. She was a new nurse there. It made me wonder where she came from and why was she not at where she used to be.

The whole situation kept running through my mind all the way from the office to Cracker Barrel where I joyfully and deliciously rounded that number up to 35 pounds gained. So there mean nurse. And with a month to go there no stopping me. Who knows where I will end up. Maybe I will double down and add 64 pounds. All I know is I have a lot of birthdays coming up in March and there will be a lot of delicious, yummy, decadent, doubled layered, lots of icing oh so good cakes. And I plan to enjoy them all.

What am I reading now?

2 great books. Last month I ordered 2 books from amazon The 7 habits of happy kids and The leader in me, both by the Covey family.



My sons' school is using these books as a foundation for there education this year and I assume from now on. Therefore I wanted to read it for myself to see what they are being taught and how to reinforce it at the house.

Both books play off each other. In fact there is a whole series of these book. They are from the 7 Habits line. You can find one for teens, adults and families (which I am ordering next). Maybe soon they will write one for babies. The 7 habits of sleeping, non fussy, content and on their way to being potty trained babies. Just a suggestion Mr. Covey.

The leader in me is about a method of teaching. I have not got to far but have liked what I have read thus far. Basically it says the leaders of yesterday used to be the smartest people who knew the most facts. Today with the changing world and the internet at everyone's fingertips this is no longer true. Any monkey who can google can pull up facts that used to be secrets of the trade. Just because Larry the cable guy can pull up on his phone how to preform open heart surgery does not mean he can or should do it. The easy of information has left employers looking for new leaders. Not necessarily people who are book smart but people who are inspiring, dynamic and are leaders.

Many schools teach towards tests. Producing good test takers who can be terrible decision makers. Our local public school falls into that category too. In the lower elementary grades all they teach to the kids are math and reading. They teach the children math to pass tests that Pennsylvania gives the schools with the highest scores more money. The math on these test is odd. A common remark I hear from other parents is they have no idea what type of math this is but it does not matter to what they will be doing in real life.

I could not believe this. Only math and reading to me is crazy. Great the children would be able to count but could not even point out Pennsylvania on a map. One of the many reasons my kids do not go there.

Now the book does not say that test are not important but that as a result of the change in teaching method test scores for the school have actually gone up and sustained those scores. The book has so far talked about how well behaved, happy and positive traits these schools are turning out in their students, teacher and parents. I can't wait to continue further reading.

The second book The 7 habits of happy kids, I am loving too.



It has big beautiful pictures and lovable charters that make my boys want to read it. The stories are engaging and each one focuses on a different habit that is important for success.



My boy and I have so far rad the first three stories which are grouped together under a category "start with you". The 3 habits they have learned are
1. Be Proactive - You are in charge
2. Begin with the End in Mind - Have a Plan
3. Put first things First - Work first, Then Play



Both boys sit down with me and listen to the stories. My 5 year old who will be 6 in a couple of weeks has a hard time with applying the lessons. He enjoys the story but when it is over on the last page there are reinforcement questions he is lost. On the other hand my 7 and a half year old easily answers them and is able to apply theses habbits to life all ready!



Number 3 has been a life changer for us. When they are not doing what I wish they would or procrastinating I say to him Gregory first things first and he will go do what he knows is most important and needing to be done.

I am very happy the children are in a school that cares about them and is teaching them to be self productive little leaders. These books seem to provide a great way to fully prepare children to be competitive in a new society where you need more than just book smarts to get ahead. I will let you in on the more I learn as I read further.

33 weeks pregnant

Exhaustion has hit me. It is hard when you can't get the rest you need either. Since Thursday things have been tough. I have been physically and emotionally drained.



I made it to my 33rd week! I am feeling it. It is about this time that "the glow" has turned into a grin and bear it. And over a month to go. Luckily time goes by fast and the pain and discomfort will be replaced by a soft, sweet, darling baby. Exhaustion will still be there but I will have a least one little one to share it with.

Time to start slowing down my routine and start getting things ready. I even more so appreciate the moms of MANY during this time. How do they do it? My body is getting ready I sure can feel that. My body is getting huge and I am not always aware of that. I still turn to my side in a hall to let people by. Not thinking how much bigger that way is. I am more of a roadblock, hult! But the end is near and I need to get ready and prepared so I can slow down and start taking it day by day.

Project 365 week 5

January 29
Cousins reading together. But in the craziness of leaving we also left the books somewhere.



January 30
My favorite niece came and spent the weekend with us.



January 31
Made it to week 32!



February 1
The boys had snow day. They have not made it to a full week of school in 2011 because of this weather!



February 2
Groundhog Day and he did not see his shadow! Bring on spring!



February 3
Watching the children swim and sharing a laugh with a friend.



February 4
A mother commented to me he seems so laid back and wonderful. Anything but. He is my hardest and I love him every minute of it.

Icefest 2011

This past weekend was Icesfest an event I look forward to each year. An event that helps break up winter. An event that is ALWAYS cold, very very cold. It happens towards the end of the month every January. As soon as the new year hits I know Icefest is the first event we like to celebrate. It is a great family time not only does my family go but my parents, brother and niece come from over an hour away.

We spend weeks talking it up to ourselves. We don't deny that it will be cold. We try to prepare. We bring blankets, dress in layers, we look like little Eskimos by the time we are done. After that we still only make it to the outside events there for an hour or so. We are just not cold weather people.

My husband had to work the late night shift the night preceding Icefest. He got home as we were darting out the door to basketball. He had planned on sleeping and then going with us to our favorite part of Icefest the chili cook off. It is the best. There is some really good chili there. Nothing better to warm you from the inside out before you go outside and look at the sculptures.

After watching my superstar shoot hoops we went back home through the snow falling to pick up his dad and head off.



By this time Jay had only been sleeping for 2 hours I was unsure how this would go. I tried to wake the sleeping bear and he did not want to get up. I understood and realized this year would not be one we went to the chili cook off. I was disappointed but I was okay with it. I can make a great pot of chili anytime here. Plus this will save money. I figured I would feed my four here and then take them out to the festival. They were excited to go and I still wanted to give them that.

After lunch we bundled up and headed out with the snow falling to Icefest. Yea! They were so excited. When we got there what was the first thing my crazy neice did? She licked a statue! OMG my silly little girl. Figures after all you are my brothers daughter. It still makes me chuckle.



They looked at many beautifully carved statues. With out licking anymore. But it did not stop them from sitting on them.





They climbed up into the thrown to get that yearly picture.



I remember when they were so tiny we had to hold them in there so they would not fall out. Now Danica had to sit on the boys lap and they still barely fit.

There favorite part was the 40' ice slide. They each wized down it so fast.


Gregory


Danica


Evan

After that is when the cold feeling hit. And they were now hungry too.



After a phone call from Evan to his dad telling him "happy Icefest day" it warmed his Daddy's heart and he came over to join us at Texas Lunch to warm up.



We got out of the cold and warmed up with hot chocolate.



Aw caught being sweet.

We stayed a while, long enough for a game of where's your nose.



Same pace I left it last time crazy dad.



Whew well another year of Icefest behind us. Another great time, another cold time.

No sweets for my Valentine

I had one day put these special I love you treats in my kids lunch boxes. When they came home my oldest told me "Mom don't ever give me those again. They are so girly."

Okay my big love. More for us.

Car Seat Safety

I would like to say thank you to all who pointed out to me how my son was strapped in his car seat wrong. I am not mad or offended by your comments at all but am touched you care. It was something I did not even notice. I will now double check and make sure the strap positions are right.

Any day could be a potential accident but especially on theses recent days of icy roads and low viability you need to be more diligent about the safety of your children. I could never imagine the phone call that says your child has been in an accident. I certainly would not want to be in a cause in preventable injuries to my child in an accident.

So thank you to all of you who cared so much for Smiley and the great suggestions.

Here is a close up of the picture that caused the concern.



It can be a little hard to see the black seat belt in his fluffy coat so in this picture I highlighted it bright orange to show better where it laid.



My husband asked me why would I even post a picture like that. I would because I over looked it. I overlooked it as I left him like that on our car trip home. But rather than not posting a picture because of my mistake I am re-posting it as hopefully a help in what should be done. You never know who you reach when you write something or comment on something :)