I recently had an interesting experience.  I initially met my son's friend's mother on the phone then met her in person today and got totally different impressions.  I don't think this has ever happened before.  Sure, some people have seemed a little different in person or I envisioned them looking a little different.  This woman seems very ditzy on the phone and not at all in person. This lead me to wonder what kind of impression I give on the phone.  Do I sound like...

Is she gorgeous or am I just biased?   I'm in love with my little girl.  Her smile is infectious.  That is the face I wake up to in the morning, how could I not wake up happy? She will be 5 months old on the 5th.  Almost a half year has gone by since she entered our lives.  In some ways it seems like she's been here forever and in others, well, it just doesn't seem like it could be 5 months.  She seems bigger, cuter and more fun every day. I hope her smi...

Talking to a 6yr old is always an adventure.  My 6yr old, Ryan, got home from school and was in a very chipper mood.  He told me his teacher was sick and one of his best friends is now on Club Penguin.  For some reason these things made him very happy. Here comes the question I was expecting..."Can I have a cookie?"  Followed by a statement I wasn't expecting at all..."I didn't eat any boogers today."  Wow!  Didn't see that one coming!

Part of the reason I feel I am done having babies is the broken sleep.  It really takes its toll after a couple of months.  If I get a couple of 3hr+ stretches, I'm fine functionally but it is still nothing like getting 6hrs or more of straight sleep. Anyone who has the urge to tell me how to train my baby to sleep through the night or brag about how theirs slept through the night at 3wks, please don't.  We have chosen our method of sleep adjustment with our babies and it worke...

Here's our darling 4 month old, Ashley Grace, sitting on Santa's lap for the first time.  Big brother Alex helped coax the laugh.

Here is the beautiful birth announcement my sister did for me.

Thursday 11/2 I got news that has changed my world.  My best friend since the 4th grade found out she has colon cancer and that it has already spread to her liver.  I was in total shock and disbelief when she told me. She is my age, her children are my childrens' ages; she can't have a life threatening disease!  I can't lose a friend that has been there pretty much my entire life.  She is such a big part of who I am today.  This can't be happening to her! Of course...

Has anyone else out there been plagued with itty bitty fruit flies?  If so, how do you get rid of them?  They are everywhere in my house and are annoying the heck out of me! I don't know if they came in with my apples, bananas or tomatos.  It doesn't matter now.  I realized the were attracted to and drowning in a glass of wine that had been left out so I have placed it away from the kitchen hoping to kill a bunch of them.  It's a start.  They seem to be everywher...

Hi All!  Just so you know, I'm still around.  I just rarely have both hands free long enough to do anything other than the absolutely neccessary stuff like cooking, cleaning, etc. Our baby girl is 7 weeks old now.  She is growing like crazy and is starting to goo and gah and smile.  Her nighttime sleep habits are still pretty random.  She is alert more during the day now so I'm hoping that will translate to more sleep at night. The start of the new school year alon...

Well I just got back from spending 11AM Friday-3PM today at the hospital.  No, I didn't have the baby.  I spent that time being "observed". I went to my OB checkup Friday morning and my BP was 162/92.  I have a track record of preeclampsia with my first and high BP with my second so the doctor sent me to the hospital for a non stress test.  I figured they would monitor me for an hour or so and send me home...wrong. I guess my consistently elivated BP along with headache...

I've been having my 7yr old niece over to play with my boys a couple times a week for the Summer.  During one of her last visits she asked "Aunt Debbie, how did you get pregnant?"  I told her that was a question that she really should ask her mommy.  I really didn't feel it was my place to field that one!  Of course Alex, my 9yr old, chimes in "It has to do with eggs and sperm."  I told him that was really as far as the conversation should go. Today I took my boys sho...

Today I thought I was just going out for lunch for my birthday.  I got to the restaurant and all of the ladies from Stardock were there.  I thought "What a nice birthday surprise!".  I didn't even notice the pile of presents I sat right next to until I saw a little mint bag in front of me that read "Ashley Grace Wardell".  These wonderful ladies gave me a baby shower! I was totally and completely surprised and delighted.  They all picked out such sweet, pretty and use...

One of my requests for my birthday this year was a massage chair.  Yesterday it arrived.  Oh how I love that chair! It is in the bedroom right by my side of the bed.  You can watch TV or listen to music while enjoying it.  I gave both a try yesterday.  When it first arrived I got in it for about 20 mins.  My sons of course were begging me most of that time for a try.  That 20 mins gave me such a boost in energy! It is amazing how much lower back pain can ...

Did I NEED pretty painted toes?  No.  Did I need a foot, leg and back massage?  Hell yeah.  And I got it today for a mere well spent $30.  I have a wonderful nail place near me that takes you on a walk in basis.  If I had to make an appointment, it would have never happened.  My boys got hot running around and riding bikes outside so I made a deal with them.  They needed to be good and patient while I got a pedicure and I would in turn take them next d...

I have about 5 weeks left of pregnancy and I already feel maxed out.  The way the baby is situated right now, straight up and down, I feel literally full of baby.  I feel like she has been kicking stuff that's in my stomach back into my throat. I used to joke with my husband that things that grossed me out "made me throw up a little bit in my mouth".  It's no joke now.  I have to take Tums even when I eat Cheerios! People keep saying I don't look "that pregnant" meaning...