Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Christmas all over again


Today we received a package in the mail from Grandma Karen and Grandpa Larry. It was FILLED (and I mean filled) with new clothes for Gav! Seven new pairs of pajamas, a few new outfits, new washcloths and a big boy bath towel! Oh and a super cute new bib. It was like Christmas again a month later. Thanks mom and dad! Oh, and I knew how to use the special key that was in the mailbox. I didn't make a fool out of myself again....

Not much else going on this week. I've been busy working on the two final papers for my classes. I submitted one today for my ethics classes. I wrote about the ethical obligation psychologists have to warn/protect their clients and third parties. Very exciting stuff. Now I need to finish up the other paper. 25 pages of just text is required. I am writing a short novel and I am also certain that the professor will not read everyone's paper. Oh, well...it keeps me up to date with the latest research.

And my random thought of the day: Vernor's ginger ale. Ever had it? You must try it if you have not. My father-in-law got me hooked on it. He grew up in Michigan where the tasty ginger soda was born. It is a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. Here is a picture of Grandpa Walt with Gavin.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Not so with it.....

I've said many times that my brain has not been the same since pregnancy and child birth. I feel like I just can't get things together, like I am always a step behind. Case in point. (Where does "case in point" come from anyway? It sounds so funny if you say it a couple times.) Case in point: yesterday I took Gavin and Sasha for our daily walk to get the mail. When I opened our mailbox, there was a key chain marked with an "E" with a big key attached to it. I thought, "hmmm...I guess the mailman accidentally left his key in our box". I left it there figuring he would get it when he returned. Today when I got the mail, he was just getting ready to leave. I approached him and said, "Hi Mr. Mailman" (which sounded SO stupid, but I am so used to saying WORDS all day long to Gavin in an effort to identify things). Anyway, I asked him if he found the key he mistakingly left in our mailbox yesterday. He didn't respond at first and instead looked confused. I explained that there was a key left in my mailbox and that I just left it there in hopes that he would find it today. He asked, "what does it look like?" I went to the mailbox, got out the key and smugly handed it to him. He started laughing. Like really laughing. Now I was confused. He stopped laughing and said that the key in the mailbox meant that I was sent a package and I needed the key to access it. All of a sudden it all made sense. Everyday I walk to get the mail I notice several larger mailboxes that people sometimes open. The letter "E" on my key chain corresponded with the big mailbox marked "E". I felt so stupid as I realized all this. I opened up the mailbox and had THREE packages. How exciting!! When you live far away from friends and family you LOVE getting mail. One package was sent from Courtney, another from my parents, and one from Buy.com. Courtney sent us a box filled with Christmas gifts from my relatives. My mom and dad sent some requested items, including the flashlight that dad stole from us at Christmas! And, the book I ordered John arrived!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Untitled

Okay, seriously, we cannot get over this flu virus thingy. Apparently this sickness lasts for weeks and there is nothing we can do it about. Of course we are trying to rest, drink fluids, and eat well, but enough is enough. I've talked to people all over the country who are battling this thing.

Went to Walgreens yesterday to pick up pictures I had ordered online. The girl could not find my pictures even though they were marked as "printed" in the computer. She offered to print them again and give me a 50% discount. Sounded good to me, so Gav and I did some shopping and minutes later the pics were reprinted. While driving home I wondered what would happen with my pictures if they were found. I realized that I had printed more than 100 pictures and it kind of freaked me out to think that they could end up in the wrong hands. I hate to be paranoid, but I thought about the pictures of Gavin taking a bath. I've encountered so many sickos in the world of mental health that I know they are out there! Hopefully some lazy employee just messed up and never printed the pictures so there was only one copy all along.

Speaking of pictures, I got out the digital frame that Eric and Sarah got us. It is so cool. I uploaded pictures to it today and it plays a slide show. I got all teary looking at pictures of the day that Gavin was born. Where does the time go? He was so little! It seems like just yesterday......okay, I am sounding really old. Time to sign off.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Thanks dad!


After reading my blog, my dad sent me a link to an article on hgtv with the following message attached:

Heidi/monk, If you go to the above site you will find alternative uses for hair conditioner. My suggestion is for you to even the shampoo and conditioner by pouring the x-tra cond. into a separate bottle. This way your sense of equality/balance as well as guilt over waste can be assuaged.

I had to laugh at that. My mom told me that when I was little, around the age of 2, she could not figure out where the lids to her tupperware were disappearing to. I loved opening all the kitchen cabinets and taking out all of the contents and then "reorganizing" it all. One day my grandma was visiting and said, "Karen, I think I know where all the lids to your containers have gone." Apparently I would sit on the floor and throw all the lids in the garbage. It seems that my OCD started at a very young age.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

One, two, buckle my shoe...

You all know that I am a little on the OCD side....okay, maybe a lot on the OCD side. I tend to be super organized and I despise clutter. Of course my need to keep things in "order" is just a manifestation of anxiety, but, I know this and knowing is half the battle, right? This intro serves the purpose of segueing into my dilemma of the day. When my parents were visiting, my dad realized that he forgot his shampoo at home. During a shopping trip to Sam's, we found a good price on a "set" of shampoo and conditioner. My parents said they would buy it, my dad would use the shampoo during his stay, and then they leave it for me to use. Although this is a very nice gesture, I had issues with how it would pan out. When I purchase shampoo and conditioner, I begin using both bottles at the same time. There is no other way to do it. So, do you see the problem with starting out with a shampoo bottle that is not as full as the corresponding bottle of conditioner? If I end up using the shampoo before the conditioner is gone, I just throw the rest of the conditioner away and start with two new, full bottles. So...I've thought about my options. I could try to figure out how much shampoo is gone out of the bottle and try to squirt out that much of the conditioner. Or, I could give the bottle of shampoo to someone else and try to find another bottle in the store that is the same size.
I have the same issue with body wash and body lotion. At Christmas I received a bottle of body wash, but no corresponding lotion. Don't people know what stress this causes me? I have to try to find an unscented lotion close to the size of the body wash bottle to make this work. Am I completely insane, or does anyone else relate to me even a little bit?

Monday, January 14, 2008

Sick.

This is John's last week of his pediatric rotation. I am SO GLAD! We have all been sick for weeks! Kids are big sickies. John says they cry, scream, and fight like hell when they are examined, so I am sure the germs fly through the air like crazy. They also are not always too good at covering their mouths when they sneeze and cough, and do not wash their hands very often. I will be relieved when he shifts to his psych rotation next week.

Gavin's other top front tooth is coming in. He now has four visible teeth. He is having a blast trying to pull himself up to standing on anything he can get his hands on. Our little baby is growing too fast! He is not too interested in baby food anymore. He wants what mommy and daddy have. So, we are incorporating "mashed" foods into his diet and he seems thrilled.

When my mom and dad were here, they made such yummy meals. I've been savoring my homemade chicken salad and olive nut spread, but it looks like I'm on my own again with regard to food preparation. Not sure why, but anytime I don't feel good I want tombstone pizzas. Comfort food, I suppose? When I was little my dad worked night shifts for awhile. One of my favorite memories is him coming home early in the morning, like around 6AM after working all night and would sometimes make a tombstone pizza. I would wake up early and sit at the table with him and we would eat pizza together.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Random Thoughts

I am so flighty today. I guess the mania has set back in following a week of that dreaded flu illness.

First I would like to send a SHOUT OUT to my cousin Becky- not Becky Cousin, although i think Becky Cousin is cool too. And Jill. Becky and Jill were so much fun at Court's bachelorette party. I sometimes wish I lived closer to these girls so that when I DID go out to party, it would be a guaranteed good time. But my "cousin" Becky is hilarious- one of those people who makes you laugh simply by her facial expressions and humor in any given situation. We have become closer in the past few years and I am blessed to have her as one of my gal-friends. As I get older I realize that it is harder to meet new girlfriends. In high school and college it was easy. I guess that since I'm not currently in the working world, my new contacts are somewhat limited. Anyway, Becky, you rock....even though you are now a myspace nerd and play wii more than your kids do. HA HA HA

I love Western french dressing. It has to be the Western kind- no other substitutes will work. I could drink this stuff right out of the bottle (I pretty much do). My father-in-law introduced me to this "heaven in a bottle" and I have been hooked since. Now, don't get me wrong....I'm still a Hidden Valley Ranch girl from time to time, but the Western definitely has my vote. It has the perfect blend of flavors.

Chocolate poptarts. I can't get enough of 'em lately. I am SO not pregnant, but for some reason I crave pop tarts (chocolate only) all times of the day. I have been planning my meals around the need for chocolate pop tarts. I went through a phase awhile back where I ate pop tarts every morning for weeks. And, I wonder why I have a hard time keeping the weight off my butt?????

Okay, and seriously, how does anyone expect me to watch the Cardinals play without Edmonds in the outfield? And the drama at the plate? It just isn't going to be the same.

And, THANKS A LOT Ms. Melon, AKA "Zoe"......I had nightmares thanks to the conversation we had about that web site the other day. I should not read about those kinds of sad stories. I do miss you though Melon. I think that I never want to have another job where you are not my co-worker. You made work so much fun.

Okay, that is all the racing thoughts I have for now. Happy Friday.

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

Happy 2008!


I rang in the New Year with a trip to the emergency room. Hello 2008! On New Year's Day I began to feel nauseated and very ill, with lots of lower stomach cramps. Nothing seemed to alleviate the pain, so the ER seemed like my only option. Thank GOD my parents were here to watch the little guy so that John could go with me. Thanks to his good connections we did not wait long and the morphine was flowing through the IVHap before I knew it. After a pelvic exam and CT scan, I was relieved to find out that my appendix would be staying put and instead my aches were due to an ovarian cyst. After a long night we were sent home with pain medication and anti-nausea meds. I spent a few days in bed, then saw the gyno on Monday for follow-up. The plan is to do another ultrasound in a few weeks to monitor my new little uterine friend. On top of everything I had the flu with a pounding headache that would not go away for days. No wonder the first week of the new year is a blur!!! I think I am back among the land of the living again, so time to resume school work and mommy fun.

Thursday, January 03, 2008

Merry Christmas!


It is hard to believe that Christmas is over. The holiday passed by so fast! It was nice having so much of our family here to celebrate together, especially since it was Gavin's first Christmas. He was totally spoiled, of course, with gifts. He loves his new toys and looks super cute in his new big boy outfits. John's family rented a really nice house in the Disney area. It had a heated pool and a lot of space. It was fun having Gav in the pool again and he went under water for the first time! My parents are here for a little bit longer. I realize even more how much I miss them once we are all together. Hope everyone had a nice, relaxing Christmas.