I'm up for the challenge!

My friend Sarah at The Denny Daily issued this challenge to all of us: come up with a list of 100 things about yourself that people might not know. I understand that there are some of you who read this that will probably know all of these things, but there are some that won't, so this is for you! After you read my list go make your own. They are fun to do and even more fun to read someone else's. I am looking forward to reading yours (leave a comment that you did one!).

1. I am obsessed with college basketball.
2. My favorite team is the Kansas Jayhawks.
3. My freshman year in college I went to every home game.
4. Including scrimmages and exhibitions.
5. We would camp out in groups for days before the game.
6. Roy Williams would bring us donuts.
7. On senior night I was able to sit on press row right on the court.
8. One of my favorite pictures of all time is of myself and Max Falkenstein (the long time radio announcer of the Hawks) taken that night.
9. From the beginning I said I wasn't having any kids after I turned 30.
10. My third and final child is due right around my 29th birthday.
11. I am VERY happy I am having another girl.
12. My girls sometimes drive me nuts.
13. There are days I don't want to be a stay-at-home-mom anymore.
14. I am overall very grateful that I get to be a SAHM.
15. But I wish I earned my own money.
16. My husband is much better with money than I am.
17. I am a sucker for garage sales.
18. I am a pack-rat.
19. I still wear some clothes that I wore in high school ten years ago.
20. I wish I could get rid of stuff.
21. But I always think I will regret parting with it.
22. I like to have stuff "just in case".
23. This is my husbands biggest gripe about me.
24. My house is cluttered because I won't get rid of stuff.
25. I wish it wasn't.
26. I wish my house was always clean enough that I didn't mind if people just stopped by.
27. It rarely is.
28. I love my house.
29. But wish we would finish all the remodeling things we want to do.
30. And I wish it had two more bedrooms.
31. And one more bathroom.
32. And the basement was finished for a playroom.
33. And it was in a different part of town.
34. But I really do love my house!
35. I am very close with my mom.
36. We talk multiple times a day.
37. I don't know what I would do without her.
38. That is a big reason I wouldn't want to move away from Wichita.
39. I still dream about moving somewhere else.
40. I would love to live in the mountains in Colorado.
41. Or on a lake in Minnesota.
42. But I hate driving in snow and ice, so those aren't great choices.
43. I loved my wedding.
44. Even though it was about a thousand degrees out.
45. My wedding dress is still the most beautiful one I have ever seen.
46. I would change a lot of the music, however.
47. I have craved cereal throughout every pregnancy.
48. My two favorite cereals are Raisin Bran and Fruity Pebbles.
49. I am lucky enough to have two best friends.
50. I met Liz approximately 9 years ago in college.
51. We lived in an apartment together for two years.
52. I met Carisa approximately 3 years ago when she moved in across the street.
53. I talk to her almost every day.
54. I hope I am friends with both of them forever.
55. I have known Sarah (the challenger) since she was born.
56. Our parents are best friends.
57. I was always envious of her courage.
58. I loved going out to her house for parties and get-togethers.
59. I miss seeing her and her sister.
60. But I am so thankful that we have reconnected through our blogs.
61. I am addicted to Reality TV.
62. My favorites are the Amazing Race and Project Runway.
63. When we lived in Lawrence, Larry would tape the Amazing Race and we would watch it when I got home from work.
64. I worked at Dillons through college.
65. I quit when I got pregnant with Natalie and was so sick.
66. I drink way to much pop.
67. I don't drink enough water.
68. I majored in magazine journalism at KU.
69. My favorite class was called Magazine Design.
70. For my final senior project I created a music magazine called Second Time Around.
71. I wish I would have focused more on it.
72. I was preoccupied with wedding plans (I got married two weeks after graduation).
73. I know I would take college more seriously at this age then I did at 18 to 22.
74. I have my diploma hanging on the wall.
75. I love to scrapbook.
76. I think I like it so much because it reminds me of designing magazine pages.
77. Scrapbooking is my creative outlet.
78. One of my favorite outings with my girls is to the library.
79. I am currently reading a book called, "Tip Off: How the 1984 NBA Draft Changed Basketball Forever".
80. I love to read.
81. I am proud that I have also instilled that love of reading in my kids.
82. I read at least three books to Natalie every night before bed.
83. I can't wait until Vanessa will sit still enough to join us.
84. Vanessa's smile melts my heart.
85. Natalie's giggle also melts my heart.
86. I can't wait until 7 each day when Larry gets off of work.
87. I would still rather hang out with him then anyone else.
88. He knows all my deep, dark secrets.
89. He can make me laugh like no one else.
90. I feel lucky to have the in laws that I do.
91. I feel lucky to have the family I do.
92. I feel lucky to have the life that I do.
93. I have thought extensively about how I will spend the money when I win the lottery.
94. I wish we had the means to travel more.
95. I am already planning next years vacation.
96. I wish we could go to the lake this weekend.
97. I wish the weather would cool down a little.
98. I started this list last night and then had to continue it this morning.
99. I have a lot to do today.
100. I am happy.

Not blogging makes me sad.

I have been neglecting my blog lately. If I do have a few minutes (which doesn't happen that often), I just can't make myself sit down and type. There are so many other things to do, both necessary and just fun. Like this morning. Instead of just coming home after dropping Natalie off for her last day of summer school I went to a consignment sale. I didn't buy much, just a winter outfit for each girl and a cheap maternity tank top for myself, but I just kept walking around. Vanessa was in her stroller and it was so nice to be able to browse without chasing a kid, or yelling at anyone to stop right there, or putting endless things back on hangers that someone had pulled off and thrown to the floor. I just looked and then looked again. Sometimes I need time for myself even if I am not actually by myself...does that make sense?

Anyway, as I mentioned already, today was Natalie's last day in her summer class. That means one month until she starts real preschool three days a week. She is excited about that, but really wishes she could have the same teacher she has now. Miss Shannon is a college student that helps out at the Children's Day Out program that Nat attends. She is so great. When she took over the class in the middle of last year you could see the change that occurred in Natalie and her outlook at going to school. All of a sudden she wasn't just playing by herself. She was making friends and leading groups of kids in games. She was talking and singing and being the cool little girl she is at home. I credit Miss Shannon for bringing out the best in my little girl. She made her feel comfortable and self-assured. She was always telling Nat how neat of a kid she is, yet still keeping her extremely active nature in check. As a mom it is so hard sending out your little kid into the big, bad world. Miss Shannon was a great first step for me and my daughter.
For the last day I made Miss Shannon a card and Nat and I bought her a gift certificate to Bath and Body Works. I hope she knows how awesome she has been for us. I hope I always got that across to her. Teachers deserve all the respect and accolades in the world...especially the good ones!

The reluctantly proud owner of a big red minivan!

We bought a minivan. There was just no way around it. My Hyundai worked fine for two kids and all our stuff, but add another kid and more stuff and it was just going to be too small. I have to admit I was a little sad. We bought my car less than a year ago (August) and I still loved it very much. I wasn't ready to become a "minivan mom", but like I said, it was a must.

Finding a nice van for a reasonable price proved to be a job within itself. We scoured the internet, checked the classifieds, and browsed at car lots daily. Everything was either too junky, had too many miles, or was too expensive (or a combination of all three). Since we sold our other car last week we decided that this weekend would be devoted to van shopping. We started off after lunch. We drove around a bit and then decided to go to Augusta to see one we had found in the paper. We got there and looked at it and it was ok, but not great. There were some definite cosmetic issues with it among other things. I wanted some ice cream so Larry was going to turn around in a parking lot and go back to Dairy Queen. We turned in and there it was. A pretty red minivan for sale by owner. It was close to the right price, had close to the right mileage, and looked nicer than any we had looked at so far. We called the number and the guy came right down so we could look in it and Larry could take it for a test drive. It was like fate. If we hadn't gone to Augusta or if I hadn't wanted ice cream or if Larry had chosen any other parking lot to turn around in we most likely wouldn't have found this van.
We met the guy selling the van this morning at his credit union so he could pay off his lean and sign over the title. We handed over the cash and we were the owners of a bright red Pontiac Montana. I drove it home and really liked it. So did Natalie. She sat in the far back and thought it was so funny that we were so far away from each other. She also liked the personal vent blowing cold air right onto her. I was a little nervous about driving something bigger than my car, but it was surprisingly nice and easy.
So, all in all I am happy with our purchase. I feel a lot more ready to welcome a new little person into our family now that we actually have a vehicle that will fit her. This was a big step in getting prepared for Baby Girl. We have a lot more to do, of course, but this sure was a biggie. So I am now an official member of the minivan club (most of my friends are already members...my friend across the street actually has a Montana just like the one we just bought, but in gold). Next step.....soccer mom!!!

Bittersweet

We sold our Honda today. The Honda that was the first car we bought together. The Honda that brought my babies home from the hospital. The Honda that had almost 200,000 miles on it. The Honda that I loved.
It is a good thing because we are currently in the process of searching for a minivan and need some money to actually buy one. We got a little bit more than we were expecting to get, so we were happy about that. A guy from Eureka bought it and his wife is on her way into town to pick up the car and title.
It was such a good car. We didn't have to do much work on it in the years that we had it. It always got us to where we needed to go. The paint was peeling a little and there were a few little dents and dings, but overall it was still in great shape. But it was a standard and I have to tell ya, I love me an automatic now. But, anyway, I am going to miss that car. The same way I still miss my Dodge Shadow that saw me through college, meeting my future husband, and all the back and forth from Lawrence to Wichita to see said future husband. I get kind of attached to my cars if you can't tell.
I will miss you Honda, but I am so looking forward to having a whole third row of seating to haul around my gaggle of kiddos and all the stuff that comes along with them. Now, on to look for a minivan!

Little bits of weekend

--The highlight of the weekend was probably when Larry felt the baby move for the first time. Just like with the first two pregnancies, I told him the baby was moving quite a bit and he came over and put his hand on my tummy. "I can only feel you breathing." So I held my breath. I kept feeling her move around on my lower right side. I kept telling him his hand was too far left and too high. And all of a sudden she kicked (or punched) right where his hand was. We were both surprised and he said, "I felt THAT!" It was like a special little kick just for him. Already a daddy's girl!!

--The heartburn is back. I HATE heartburn. At least it is not the all the time kind...yet. Right now it is just everytime I take a bite of food or a drink it feels kind of like I might urp up flames. Fun fun. So I am back to my love affair with smooth disolve tums.

--Larry surprised us with a trip to the zoo on Sunday. He told us to get ready to go and I figured we were just going out to lunch. So when we ended up at the zoo we were all happy. Except since I didn't know that was where we were going I didn't bring the sunscreen or the camera. We kept the girls in the shade and protected from the worst of the sun. My shoulders, however, got a little burned. But that is better then the girls precious little skin. I did miss many photo ops with Daddy and the girls, but like he said, there will be other times. Yeah, I guess so.

--My sweet husband also had another surprise for me. For the longest time I have hinted and joked that I wanted a Cricut machine (it is a small computer like thing that cuts out shapes and letters for scrapbooking). I have been casually looking for good deals or sales but never really found any. They can be pretty expensive. So one night he was teasing me about it and all of a sudden he said, "Well you will get your stupid Cricut soon." WHAT?!?! He found a good deal for a new in the box machine on ebay and bought it for me. I was so surprised! It was not only sweet that he bought me a Cricut, but just how he did it...as a complete surprise! It came in the mail today and I can't wait to play with it!!

So, that's about it. It was one of those weekends that you wish would never end. I just love my family so much. We have such a good time together. Now I just can't wait until next weekend!

One of the many reasons I love having girls!

Playing dress up!!!

Dressing up is hard work...and Vanessa is D-O-N-E!

Monday: It was spaghetti night....see for yourself.....

Tuesday: Breakfast Night. Pancakes, sausage, eggs, toast, and sliced bananas

Wednesday: I am going to attempt fried chicken. This time I am going to use the recipe on the side of the Bisquick box. This meal always ends up in such a mess! I will also make a potato of some sort, green beans, and rolls. And a fruit as always!!

Thursday: Cheeseburgers, baked fries, and a fruit salad.

Friday: Find your own night!

Fast Food Connoisseur

Natalie: Hey Mom! Did you get these chicken nuggets from Wendy's?
Me: No.
Natalie: Well, they aren't from Ronald McDonald's. And their not little crowns like from Burger King.
Me: Nope.
Natalie: Where did you get them?
Me: The freezer.
....pause while she inspects the nuggets....
Natalie:Are you SURE they aren't from Wendy's? They sure look like they are from Wendy's.

Uh oh, I feel a politically fueled rant coming on....

{I realize I already posted once today, but I just can't get my kids to sit and listen to my political hissy fits anymore. So you get to! Aren't you lucky?!?!}

I just read on the AOL homepage that Steve and Barry's, the low cost clothing store, has filed for bankruptcy. Now, you may be saying, "So what", but I see it as another reason to dislike our president even more powerfully then I already do (notice I didn't say hate...I am trying to get Nat to stop saying it but it doesn't help when I am screaming "George Bush! You effing idiot! I HATE you!!).

When you examine why a low cost clothing store is going under instead of a high-end, high cost clothing store you just have to look at the economic situation of our country. My point is...the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting poorer. The wealthy people of our country still have the cash to shop on Melrose and wear their Armani to the grocery store. The less-wealthy of us don't even have the money to buy a pair of flip flops at Wal-Mart. The economy is in a recession, even though we are told it is not. We were also told Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. People, we are not always told the truth in America, no matter what they say. People can't find jobs. They are losing their houses. They can't buy gas for their cars. They are having trouble affording to feed themselves and their families. It is just so sad. And all for what? Bush's personal vendetta against Iraq and Sadam Husein?
When our president came into office he was working with a surplus of money. A SURPLUS!! We were doing well as a country. People had money to go on vacations, buy clothes, do things that may have been a little bit on the extravagant side. Our economy was strong because it was stimulating itself. When the money left one person's pocket it went into anther's. That is how things work.
Take my Dad's profession for example. A lot of what he does is "extras" that people may not need but they want. People want a nice deck on the back of their house. People want a fresh coat of paint on their walls. People want a newly remodeled kitchen. But when having to decided between those things that they want and, let's say, eating for the next month, most people will choose eating. So they don't hire my Dad. And my Dad doesn't make money. So he doesn't go to Best Buy and pick up the cd he really wants. So Best Buy doesn't make money either. It is all a giant circular pattern of economic growth.
So, now stores meant to cater to the lower income families of America are having to shut their doors. More people are losing their minimum wage jobs. They now can't pay their rent or mortgage and so they lose their homes. All the while, the stars in Hollywood are upgrading from a 15-bedroom mansion to a 20-bedroom mansion on their enormous paychecks they get from doing as important of a job as acting.
I appreciate everything our family has. We have a roof over our heads, food in our tummies, and clothes on our backs. But it scares me that there may come a time that even those things will be hard to come by in this economy. Our money goes overseas to continue fighting a "war" that we said we "won" how many years ago??? With all of the other problems in the world, and right here in our own back yard, I just can't see any justification in it. I have to tell ya, I would much rather my president be getting a blow job in the oval office then sending our country into a downward spiral of economic depression. But maybe that's just me.

What am I going to do now?

My friend is leaving me.

Ok, that's not entirely accurate. She is actually just moving from across the street to a wonderful new house. I should be completely happy for her. The house they are moving to is in a great small town with wonderful schools. There will be enough bedrooms for everyone. They are getting to remodel it exactly the way they want. It is perfect for them! And I am happy for her (and more than a little jealous!). But what am I going to do when she is not across the street anymore?
When they moved into the neighborhood a couple of years ago I was going through a very lonely point in my life. Natalie was little and I stayed home alone with her most of the time. All I wanted was a good friend that I could call as often as I needed to cry or complain or brag or just talk. I needed someone who could relate to me and knew what it was that I was going through. I needed someone close that could give me at least some kind of escape. So when I saw a young family move in to the house across the street I was optimistic.
I would consider myself pretty outgoing but also shy (does that make any sense?). So it took a lot for me to finally go over and introduce myself. I met her and her kids and liked them all right away. We began getting together to let the kids play. We would sit and talk while they ran wild. Slowly we started to talk more and more until it was to the point that if I didn't talk to her for a couple of days I would go into withdraw. We became super close. We told each other everything and I always knew I was talking to someone who wouldn't judge me. She is someone who laughs at me when I need laughed at, is sympathetic when I need it, gives me advice and makes things a little easier to deal with. I hope she feels the same way.
I talk about this like I will never see her again. I know we will still talk on the phone....maybe more! I know we will still get together and talk while the kids run wild. I know I am not actually losing my friend. But who am I going to call when I need someone to come see if my outfit makes me look ridiculous? Who else will offer to watch Natalie while Vanessa and I nap after a night of approximately two hours of sleep total (like she did yesterday)? Who is going to be right across the street when I need a friend?
I will miss you living so close Carisa....but I am so happy you found a place to raise your family that you will feel safe and happy in. But still. I will miss you.

A letter to the Goddess of Pregnancy

Dear Miss Goddess,
Hello. My name is Loni and I am sure you are familiar with my work. Actually, I am pretty sure I am a running joke in Goddess land at this point. I don't like to bitch (ok, who are we kidding here? I could go to Beijing next month and win the gold, silver, AND bronze medal in the sport of bitching). I do, however, have a few requests for you.
First, could we please put a stop to the endless puking? Pretty please? I feel I was pretty reasonable about it the first pregnancy. Sure, there was the time I cursed you for making me lose my strawberries into a plastic bag as I was driving down the street, but come on! That was a little dramatic wasn't it? I will admit that with the second pregnancy I was a little less forgiving with the situation. It was just very frustrating to have a three year old outside the bathroom door making gagging noises so everyone knew just how funny it was that mommy had to sprint to the bathroom every morning. Ha ha, what a funny, funny joke. But now, twenty-one weeks into my third pregnancy and still with the hurling?!?! I have now puked my way through two pregnancies right up to and including the actual pushing out of the babies. Can I get a break please? Just once I would like to get up out of bed, rub my ever expanding tummy, and not immediately retch like a dying animal. Just once.
My next piece of business is this "pregnancy glow" everyone talks about. I would like to know where mine might be. I do glow I guess, but it is more of a green hue then the nice, soft pink I expected. Maybe I do glow but can't see it through all this teenage-like acne I got goin' on here. I have break outs a sixteen year old would shudder at the sight of. Anyway, if you could just let me have a partial glow, or a hint of glow, anything.....I would appreciate it.
Finally, and again, I don't mean to bitch, but let's talk about these mood swings. Oh. My. God. I was flipping through the channels last week and Natalie wanted to stop at this "So You Think You Can Dance" program. I don't watch that show at all. It just doesn't capture my interest the same way, oh I don't know, watching Tori Spelling be a complete nut job on the Oxygen network does (and is it good that I see so much of myself in her?). So anyway, we were watching this couple fling their arms about and jump around the room like toddlers and I started crying. Crying full on tears. I don't even know why. I didn't find the dance all that moving, or even pretty. But there I was with tears running down onto the neck of my t-shirt. It was embarrassing even though no one actually noticed (which is another topic entirely). Why must I cry for absolutely no reason? I know, I know, the hormones and all that. But if I could just be on an even keel for a little while my life, not to mention the lives of my husband and children, would be a lot less crazy.
These are just some things to think about for the last half of my final pregnancy. I sure would like a chance to actually enjoy making a little person, like that mom on the cover of "What to Expect When You're Expecting". She looks so happy and serene with not a hint of a puke stain on her shirt or a blemish on her tear-free face. I really kind of hate that woman. Anyway, thanks for at least considering my requests. Here is to a happy pregnancy and easy delivery!!
Loni

Happy 4th!!

Hopefully you all had as nice of a 4th of July as we did. We spent the day at my parents shooting off fireworks, enjoying the perfect weather, eating all the scrumptious food, laughing, talking, and playing. The girls were SO good. They were both funny and endearing and cute. I was definitely proud to be their momma yesterday!



Natalie had a great time catching "glow flies" (lightening bugs), playing in the sand, cheering on the guys playing horseshoes, and generally running amok. Vanessa also played in the sand, tried a zillion times to sneak away with any firework she could (she never got too far), and picking up as many toys at once as she could and carrying them across the yard. What a perfect summer holiday!
Natalie showing off her patriotic tattoos

A happy baby!

"maybe he won't notice.."

helping Dad

Picking which one to shoot next

Relaxing and enjoying the show

Oooooohhhhh! Aaaaahhhhhhhh!

So......I was wrong....

It's a girl!!!

I'm having a....

you will have to stay tuned for that info. I go in at 2ish for my sonogram, so unless I have a very modest child, I will know if we are having a little Larry or another little Loni later today. If you all are taking bets I'm pretty sure it's a boy. Just let me in on some of your winnings.

Yesterday was one of those days. You know. The ones where nothing goes right. Natalie was horrible all day. Most of the time I can kind of figure out why she has bad days. It ranges from not enough sleep to being over-excited about something. But yesterday I never figured it out. It was just a bad day. I had both girls asleep by 8:45, then I cried for a while because that is what pregnant girls do (try explaining that to my husband though who was totally confused by me all night) and then I went to bed early. Today I took Natalie to school and gave myself some retail therapy! I went to Target and got some stuff we needed, some stuff we didn't (like I really need more scrapbooking stuff) and I even started some Christmas shopping. They had their Polly Pocket stuff on clearance for 50% off so I picked up a few packages to put back for Natalie. It is never to early to start Christmas shopping..especially when you will have three kids by then!

I am going to go get ready to pick up Nat and then head to the doctor. I will try to update later and let you all know what to expect in November!!!!!

Just stuff

First, thank you all for your comments about my odd neighbor situation. I feel better about my decision not to tell them now. I can only hope that the realtor did tell them about it and that it didn't change their minds. I agree with Liz that telling them straight off might have made me look like a gossip queen...which I kind of am...but they don't need to know that yet!!

In pregnancy news I feel like I'm in my first trimester all over again! Ever since my afternoon at the hospital I have thrown up every morning, I am so tired and run down, and I have to pee ALL THE TIME (that has a lot to do with the UTI though). I have felt the little goober move at least a little every day which calms my frazzled nerves a little. The medication I am on makes me feel oogie (yes, it's a word!) and there are times I just can't do much or I feel kind of faint and pukish (yes, that's a word too!). The girls have been pretty understanding overall. Last night I had the hamburger out to start the meatballs and just couldn't do it. As much as Natalie wanted spaghetti, she told me it was ok, that she would just have some chicken nuggets. She really can be a sweetie. So the girls had nuggets, bananas, and green beans for Ness, raw carrots and dip for Nat. Not the best dinner and certainly not the one I had planned, but sometimes that is just how things work out. We are going out to dinner with my mom and grandparents tonight so I am going to make the spaghetti for lunch today and the broccoli-cheese chicken tomorrow. It is all about adapting to the situation when you are a parent. I am slowly learning that still.

Quick congratulations to my friend Sam who had her baby on Saturday. His name is Aiden and he is just perfect! Natalie got to hold him yesterday and is now officially ready for a baby brother....NOW! Also, congratulations to my friend Carisa who became an aunt again this morning at 5am. The baby was kind of early and not expected to make his entrance until the end of July, but is fine except for being very small. He will have to stay at the hospital until the end of the month at least and I am sure that will be hard for all of them, but he just needs a little time to get bigger and stronger. YAY FOR BABIES!!!

.......................................
Recipe of the day(for those of you interested)

this is from the Campbell's cookbook and is so easy!
Broccoli-Cheese Chicken
1 tablespoon butter
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I cut them into strips)
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed broccoli cheese soup
2 cups fresh broccoli flowerets
1/3 cup water or milk (I use milk to make it creamier)
1/8 teaspoon pepper

-In skillet over medium-high heat, in hot butter, cook chicken 10 minutes or until browned on both sides. Remove, set aside.
-In same skillet, combine soup, broccoli, milk and pepper. Heat to boiling. Return chicken to skillet. Reduce heat to low. Cover, cook 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and broccoli is tender, stirring often.