cheese toast, my enemy

I still have indigestion from the cheese toast I ate this morning at 8:00. Quite frankly, I do not like it one bit.

an off Saturday that really wasn't so off

Today was mine and WP's first Saturday off in a few weeks together. Unfortunately (and somewhat fortunately, I guess) we spent our whole day on the road and in a first time homebuyers class that is necessary to take in order for us to use the type loan we're using. We left our house at 6:30 this morning and arrived at our class over 30 minutes late in Bay St. Louis because we weren't certain where the building was. The class ended at 1:15 and we got home around 4, I think. We were both so tired we fell asleep watching football...then Archer got home. ;o) No more nice Saturday napping! Anyway, the good side of all that is that we got our certificate necessary to go ahead with our loan process. YAY! The loan application will be sent to the mortgage company Tuesday. Fingers crossed and prayers sent up...we may soon be homeowners!
VERY EXCITING!

Tears

I have seriously teared up 2 times today, and actually cried once. Archer said, "Mommy, does it hurt? Are you sad?" I just had to sit there and let him hug my neck while I gathered myself. I am emotional, sensitive, and overwhelmed. Today is the day that we are to sign the agreement on the house. I am so lost and unaware of everything. I try to be on top of all this information and in control. But I am out of control. This seller is in control. We want this house so bad. I am not scared of the monthly payment for all the years to come. I am scared of the process. My realtor talked "down" to me earlier and hurt my feelings. I am a very inquisitive person and have been my entire life. I asked a few questions and she called me hesistant and threatened to show the house to someone else. Why be rude? She knows I am scared and worried and completely overwhelmed. It's so unfortunate that she's the realtor and the owner of the home because it's buyer vs. seller in every conversation we have. I would rather post a question to my realtor who then can deal with the seller or seller's realtor.
DEEEEEP BREATH.....

ball of nerves

Me. I am a ball of nerves at this very moment. WP and I have decided to move onto the next step in our lives and attempt to buy a house. We are property virgins (aside from our vehicles and the trailer). He went to the bank last week and got the paperwork for a mortgage loan. We found a house in town (Waynesboro) that was 3 bedroom, 2 bath, very nice, pool, fenced yard, the whole nine yards. They were asking 30k more than what we wanted to spend. Mind you, we aren't sure how much we're approved for. We are just looking at our income and guessing. I'm sure there's a better way of approaching this house hunting situation. Anyway, a coworker of his who had a contract drawn up on a house in Clara (where we currently reside). WP and the coworker began talking and WP informed the fellow that we liked the house in Clara. His coworker said he really didn't want to live in Clara, but would rather live in town. That conversation happened yesterday. I got an email from the real estate agent this AM saying that the house in Clara is back on the market. WP's coworker cancelled his contract on the house in Clara this morning. I called the bank and set up an appointment for a preapproval mortgage amount and I will be leaving to meet the bank lady in one hour. I went and looked inside the house in Clara an hour ago. It's perfectly small for a nice family of 4. It has everything we need, but nothing more. The real estate agent said she's showing it to 2 more couples within the next 24 hours. I feel like I must make a bid on the house immediately or I'm going to lose it. If I lose that house I will lose my mind! I have gone by that house and looked through the windows (rather longingly) at least 6 times since I found it a month ago. Pathetic.
WP is supposed to be going to Laurel tonight for a 9th grade football game. I don't think it's required because he coaches JV and Varsity so maybe he can go look at the inside of the house this evening. Please keep us in your prayers. May the Lord's will be done. Seems too good to be true. I was devastated when I found out his coworker had signed a contract on this house a few weeks ago because I was in love with it.
DEEEEP BREATH...

clever

I love the conversations I have with Archer. This morning I made pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. I had finished everything on my plate and this is the conversation that followed:
Archer: You ate all yours. Eat some more.
Me: I don't know if I want anymore.
Archer: Oh, your full.

;o)
simplicity is so much.

copy cat!

So, I've been battling some sinus crap/sore throat for over a week now. I wanted to blog but don't want to think much. So I'm going to ING:

-ING:
Reading: Hypnobirthing: The Mongon Method (why can't I figure out how to underline titles on here?). I have slacked off on reading it some. Will soon start Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth.
Drinking: lots of water and drinks like Sunkist and Peach Sunkist.
Listening: at the moment I'm listening to the theme song to "Franklin"...Hey, It's Franklin coming to my house...!
Feeling: sick and tired of this sinus/sore throat crud.
Watching: Man Vs. Food, Property Virgins, House Hunters, MadMen...and anxiously awaiting Grey's Anatomy's new season
Snacking: Peanut Butter M&M's (usually in conjunction with a bag of chips...shame)
Humming: Franklin theme song
Wearing: My trusty old shorts that fit with a ponytail holder over the button and old sun dresses.
Cooking: Cheese pizza for lunch
Paying: all my bills and for little upgrades here and there in the house. The nesting instinct has taken over.
Dreaming: Last week I dreamed that Britney Spears and I had a photo shoot with live snakes. I took the snakes home in a bag and they got out in my house.
Smelling: Nothing since my sinuses have clotted off.
Loving: The new sensations of Adalia letting me know she's there with those little kicks.
Anticipating: My 3rd weekend off in a row AND getting preapproved for a loan on a house.

how dare you?

My allergies and sinuses have taken the best of me. I am going down quickly. If I can just get supper on the table then I am laying down.

house hunting and baby clothes

These are the two things weighing heavy on my mind. WP and I have thrown around the idea of buying a house for some time now. Now that he has a full time job and we are soon to have another addition to the household, we have decided now is the time to look. The house we had looked at in Clara that I fell in love with sold for $17,000 less than it's initial asking price. The inspector rated it 2nd on his list of houses he's ever inspected. It would've been a wonderful home for us, but apparently wasn't the right one. We have contacted the local realtor and plan on going to see what we can be preapproved for within the week. I would like to go tomorrow but probably will wait until Tuesday. WP doesn't have his check stub in yet but should get it Monday morning. Onto a lighter note...
I have began my quest for the cutest baby girl clothes ever! I have spend a whopping $17 on little Miss Adalia so far. She has 1 newborn onesie, 2 3-6 month onesies, 2 pair of 3-6 month shorts, a 3-6 month dress, and a 9 month dress. I can't wait to hit all the sales racks in every store I can find. I really hope to get her entire wardrobe off sales racks. I was so fortunate to have people give me hand-me-downs with Archer. I have a friend who said she's got some baby girl clothes I can have too. I can't wait to start washing in Dreft and smelling up the house like baby again!
I'm still reading my Hypnobirthing book and practicing relaxation techniques. I am really hoping for a wonderful labor and delivery. I refuse to say that is the ONLY way I will deliver, though. I do not want to be so worked up over it that I become distraught if it doesn't work out as planned. As long as my baby girl is born healthy I will be fine as wine!
Back to chores and cooking spaghetti for lunch for an under the weather 2 year old!

oh, baby

Yesterday I went shopping with Holli to

scatter brained...

I have no intentions of writing in an organized fashion. I want to bullet a few things and show a few pics (if I remember):

• I got up and cleaned this morning. I was out of bed at 8 and by 10 the dishes were washed, floor vacuumed, kitchen swept and mopped, and boxes are in the process of burning.
• Mom's 50th bday gift arrived. I'm thrilled. Can't wait to give it to her.
• I have a hair appt at 1 today. I'm taking Archer with me. Probably going to prove to be a mistake and I will probably never do that again.
• Archer saw that forest fire commercial with Bambi on it and continuously said, "I wanna watch deer." until I finally obliged and put Bambi in the DVD player. If I would've known he would've sat through a movie like this then I would've used this strategy months ago.
• Wayne County's first football game is tonight. WP will make his coaching debut. I'm so proud. We will be at that game rain or shine. As long as there is no lightening, we will be there. Archer has a little football jersey now that says "LOFTON" on the back and has the numbers 00 on it.
• I was 18 weeks pregnant yesterday. As of last night I began feeling HER move.
• By the way, did I mention that I was having a baby girl???? We're tickled pink! I had secretly already bought 2 little girl sun dresses at Walmart off the $1 rack. I didn't tell WP that until he got to see that it was a girl. Honestly, I had been praying for a little girl from before the moment of conception. The good Lord knew I needed to spend a paycheck or two on bows and panty hose.
• I want to go see my brother tomorrow but I don't think it's feasible. He has been at this prison for months now and I haven't seen him since May, when he was still in Vicksburg jail. I am off this weekend but I have plans tonight then Sunday afternoon I have to be at a baby shower I'm hosting. It would take me 3 hours to get to Dustin to see him for a while on Saturday. Maybe my next off weekend.
• I'm thinking about petitioning Brittany White out of Atlanta and back to MS. I feel like if I get enough people to sign then she'll HAVE to come back. She won't have a choice. I am NOT being irrational. (yes you are.) No I'm not! ahem...
• I need a flat iron but am too frugal to pay all that money for a good one. Anyone have a worn out good one that they want to sale to me for discounted price? I'll be glad to give you 50 bucks...but no more.

Ok, I guess I need to begin devising a plan to keep Archer entertained, situated, and out of the way during my hair appointment. Is it legal to duct tape your child to a chair for 20 minutes? No harm done other than the whole false imprisonment issue.

shameful supper

I had planned on cooking breakfast for supper tonight. I was going to go all out...pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, etc.. the whole nine yards. Well while I grocery shopped I ran across something. It became a craving and is now becoming dinner for my family. Prepare yourself:

We are having Spam sandwiches with chips and dip for supper. Ah... that's a secret I shouldn't have told. In my defense, it IS turkey spam.
Don't be jealous. We're gonna have turkey Spam sandwiches with toasted bread, olive oil mayo, lettuce, and tomato. Served with a side of a pickle (the kind you get a McAlisters) and some bean salso dip with tortilla chips.

My mouth is watering. Must run so I can stuff my face. It's good for the growing baby. (Excuses, excuses)

deep breathing

I am having to restrain myself to pulling the shower head out of the wall this morning. I got up and immediately cleaned my bathroom. I was so proud to have that daunting task completed so early in the day. Then IT happened! My shower head will not quit pouring out water. We've had this problem before and WP said it's because I tighten the knobs too tight. So for about 30 minutes I turned the shower on and sloooooowly turned it back off trying to find that exact spot to make the leaking stop. I cannot do it...and I am mad about it. I had to lay a towel on the floor to catch all the extra splashes and shut the door so I can't hear it running. That has tested my sanity much too early today.

Funday Sunday

Funday Sunday wasn't so fun afterall. This has been a rough weekend at work. I feel like I've ran a marathon (over the course of 3 days). These 36 work hours were...woo...bad is an understatement... maybe just horrid. I thank the good Lord that they are OVER! I love my job. I love being a nurse. I love my patients-okay not ALL of them but most. I love the majority of my coworkers. So what else could I ask of a job? Maybe good management. Yes, good management would be nice and seems like it'd be necessary. Necessary, it is not...obviously. I am not sure what is going to come of my working after baby number 2 gets here. WP and I would like for me to go PRN and work probably 2 days a week (12 hour shifts). When you are PRN you have a say over which shifts you can work. With WP coaching now our schedules conflict unbelievably. I do not trust the babysitter that keeps Archer to keep a newborn. I hated the way she tended to him when he was an infant. WP wants me to stay home with the kids. I love my job and want to work, but will willingly work a couple days a week vs a full time schedule. There is actually good money in PRN work. I can work less hours and make the same. The downfall to PRN work is there are no guaranteed hours, unfortunately.

Anyway, must find a hair dresser tomorrow to fix this awful haircut I paid for last week. Ish...

Haircut

My grandmother and my mother both say "I don't like my hair" at least as much as their other favorite phrases. It can't be cut, colored, or styled in a way that they like it. So what does a stylist do with that? I, on the other hand, am really easy to please when it comes to my hair. I generally sit down in the chair and say, "I don't really care what you do with it. Give me something cute...something that you think will look good." Today I walked into the Belk salon and told the girl exactly what I wanted instead of my usual. I said, "I want shoulder length hair with layers at the bottom and I want swooping bangs." The girl then asked, "Do you want your bangs straight across or swooping." I reiterated that I want them to swoop. An HOUR later I walked out of the salon with shoulder-length hair minus any layers and straight bangs on the right side of my forehead. I was really specific. Maybe that's why Mom and Honey never like their hair cuts. I probably won't ever be specific again if I can't get what I want in the first place. Anyway... I do like the length and it looks great straightened. Unfortunately, I do not have a straightener so this one-length cut will probably be atrocious at work in the morning. ;o)

Anyway.. I do like it now. I will go get layers put in later.

HYPNOBIRTHING!!!!!!!

I am SO VERY excited!! I ordered a book from Amazon called Hypnobirthing: The Mongan Method. I read a good bit of this book when I was pregnant with Archer in hopes of having an all natural childbirth. But somewhere between nursing school and then battling preeclampsia, I lost the knowledge I had learned from the book. I am very excited about rereading the book and giving natural childbirth a valiant effort! I've also ordered another book that I look forward to reading. It should arrive tomorrow or Thursday. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! (I can't express in words just how excited I am about this book!)

I had another ultrasound yesterday...looks like a girl still! Ultrasound technician said to come back in a week and a half to be sure. I am loving the free ultrasounds... and hope there's no negative side effects to having multiple ultrasounds.

Onto something other than pregnancy...ha. Wp and I have decided to stay in our TINY trailer as long as possible to save money for a house. I think we are going to go ahead and invest in some new furniture, though. We have been functioning with this ancient stove for several years now. It is a four-eye stove. One large eye and 3 small eyes. Only 2 eyes work, both are small. So we use an electric skillet for anything that we would use the large eye for. Ish... what a pain! I'm trying to downsize and space save. Our trailer is 14x60, 2 bedroom and 1 bathroom. The 1 bathroom only has a shower stall, no bath tub. But it's paid for. That's really the only up side. But that up side is a BIG one!

Wish me luck on all.....

continual dilemma

As you may know, I have been having an internal argument about whether I should go with a midwife in Waynesboro or stay with the Dr I have been seeing since the beginning of my pregnancy. I long for a 100% unmedicated natural birth. My Mother has volunteered to read books and play the role of substitute-doula if I would surrender to having my baby at the hospital in Hattiesburg with a functional NICU (just in case, of course). I am a creature of habit and thrive on routine. The process of transferring care stresses me out ever so slightly. I am dreadfully fearful that if I have my child under the care of the Dr that I will be pushed into medications when I am most vulnerable. You might would say I am overreacting, but I think this is rational behavior. This is weighing so heavy on my mind that I actually dreamed the entire night a few nights ago about labor and delivery.

I am not scared of a natural birth. I want to embrace it. I want to be able to feel the endorphin-rush during those last stages of labor. I want to know that my baby is being born into a natural, calm environment-totally free of medication. I know that I am strong enough to do this but I also know that if I am confined to a bed and expected to breathe through contractions while tied down and lying on my back that in a moment of weakness someone is going to adamantly try to convince me to take pain relief medications.

Unfortunately, birthing centers do not cater to women who want natural childbirth. Hospitals are understaffed and medical personnel has more patients than 1. Therefore, they are unable to stay with you and coach you through the process. I want a quiet, serene environment. I want an uninterrupted space where I can freely do as I need to work through my contractions and help my child into its journey into the world.

Boy or girl?!?!

A friend at work did an ultrasound on me today. I was able to see the head, beating heart, spine, 2 legs and feets, an arm (it was hiding the other one), and a glimpse at what appeared to be little boy parts....and then a glimpse of what appeared to be little girl parts. HAHA! So it's either a boy or girl! SURPRISE!!!! I am no ultrasound technician and neither was the NURSE who was doing my ultrasound so it's still a surprise. It was great to see those skinny long legs stretching and kicking. That little baby did not want to be disturbed but it was awesome to watch it move and flip. Those little feet were my main attraction. I wish WP could've been there to see but he wasn't.
Ah.. the perks of working at the hospital!

doctors, doctors, and maybe doulas!

Update on WP:
We finally got in to see a gastroenterologist yesterday. He is thinking that the surgeon who performed WP's EGD and colonoscopy overlooked an ulcer. WP had lab work yesterday which showed that he's still anemic but not enough so to need any iron tablets. He is going on 3 separate days in August to have further testing done. The 1st test he's going to have will be a Meckel's Scan which will detect whether or not he has a Meckel's Diverticulum which is something that is present at birth and can cause significant blood loss. This scan is an xray and noninvasive. The following week he will be having a repeat EGD, which is the scope of the upper GI system that will show from mouth to stomach. The week after that he will be having a repeat colonoscopy, which is the scope of the lower GI system that goes from rectum to top of large intestine. He will have to do that awful clear liquid diet and colon prep again for the last procedure. If all of this is inconclusive then he will do the capsule camera. That is a camera in the form of a pill that records the entire GI tract as it travels from mouth to rectum...sorry if this is too much info. Nurses never have too much info! Ha! The capsule camera will show the small intestine which is not able to be seen on the upper GI scope or the lower GI scope.

On a lighter note, WP is interviewing with the head football coach/athletic director of Wayne County High School tomorrow morning @ 9:00. Prayers requested! This would be an awesome place for him to start his coaching career. Coach Boyles is known nationally for his talent and WP would love nothing better than to learn from the best of the best. School starts next Thursday here so this will be very last minute. If he gets this job we can stay in our paid-for trailer and save money to buy a house when we're ready.

Update on my Dr appointment:
I went for my 15 week checkup today. I heard that precious heartbeat again. It clocked in at 150 beats a minute. The Dr said the baby is growing fantastically when he examined my belly. I have lost 2 more pounds but he was not concerned. My dehydrated is resolved, thank goodness. He thinks my headaches may be stemming from caffeine withdrawals, even though I gave the caffeine up before I had a positive pregnancy test. I think it's hormones! I go back in 6 weeks for an ultrasound. I am currently trying to contact the radiology program at Jones County Junior College for a free ultrasound performed by the radiology students. I know several people who have gone between 14 and 16 weeks of pregnancy and found out the baby's sex. I'm ready to know! I need to hit these back to school sales for baby clothes!

Doulas:
A friend of mine referred me to a doula she knows. A doula is kind of like a labor coach. People who use doulas have a much lower need for pain medication because the doula is there to help them use different approaches to the pain. I've emailed the lady but am unsure of whether I actually want to hire her or not. We'll see...

Off to work tomorrow and for the rest of the weekend. boo.

Gluttony

I am hurting now. Boy I tell ya what! When my appetite came back, it came back with a fierce face. WP and I FINALLY were able to get our lunch and a movie date in today. We went to eat hot wings (a favorite) and saw The Ugly Truth with Katherine Heigl. I ate 9 hot wings, 3 or 4 pieces of celery, 2 southwestern eggrolls, a few fries, and about 1/2 of my drink. THENNNNNN we went to the movies and I just had to have popcorn and whoppers. I ate the popcorn and whoppers nonstop- I should add this: immediately after leaving Buffalo Wild Wings- for about 20 minutes. I didn't touch them the rest of the movie or ride home. It has now been about 3 hours since I have put ANYTHING in my mouth other than water and I am still miserably full. Where was this full feeling when I was eating all the popcorn and whoppers?
Oh the misery....

looking back

A few short weeks from now will be the 6 year mark that Brittany and I moved into our dorm together at Jones. What a momentous moment. I didn't know at the time how my life was about to change. How I wish I would've laid back and soaked up those days rather than rushing them. The day I changed from a live at home 18 year old to a 18 year old college student who was 2 hours from home stands out so clearly in my mind.
Mom rode with me in my blue car and Mr. Rick drove the truck. We were loaded down with clothes, shoes, books, back packs, food, plastic bowls, a mini fridge, comforter sets, lamps, plastic storage bins, my laptop, and of course Pooh Bear. We rode through rain the whole way there and stopped in Laurel to eat at Church's chicken. We were lost. I am so unbelievably familiar with that area now. When I pass through those streets I think back on how unfamiliar the area was.
We walked through the double glass doors at the front of Smith Hall and received the key to my room. I searched quickly at the name of my roommate and suite mates. I had requested that my lifetime friend, Brittany White, be my roommate. I was so nervous that something was going to get mixed up and I was going to be stuck with someone who I didn't know and didn't like. There was her name right there next to mine. I sighed a big breath of relief and went on into the room. Brittany arrived shortly thereafter with Mrs. Pam and Mr. John. Mrs. Pam and Mr. John have watched me grow up from kindergarten to college.
Brittany and I unpacked all our stuff, excitedly. Our Moms laughed and joked while trying to hide the tears they wiped from knowing that their baby girls were not babies anymore...and not leaving with them that day.
After our parents left we arranged the rearranged our rooms. We met our suite mates in passing that day. Brittany and I took her car and rode around campus and around the tiny town of Ellisville. Life was changing all around us.
We met so many people that year. We grew as friends and as individuals. The memories from that short year will last a lifetime. Looking back though, I wonder why we were in such a rush to leave. Midnight curfew for college students stinks. Room checks to make sure you cleaned your room made college life seem more like boarding school. But it wasn't as bad as we wanted it to seem at the time. About 2 weeks before that school year ended I moved out of the dorm and into an apartment in Laurel. I quickly acquired bills and a need for a steady job and paycheck.
I look back often at this time in my life and am so thankful for the opportunity I had. I kept my best friend of a lifetime through trials and tribulations, I found my husband, and I found the grown-up version of me attempting to peep through the child in me. I can't help but occasionally close my eyes and dream of that time in my life and wish I could go back for just a day or two.

tomorrow tomorrow, I love you, tomorrow!

I go into work at 6:30 in the morning and will be there until about 7:30 tomorrow night. Then I am beach bound with WP and Archer!!

a day away..

Today Wp, Archer, and I went to Hattiesburg and spent the entire day. We used to do that much more frequently. Quite frankly, I haven't left the house more than 4 times on my off days in the past 3 months. I have been so blasted tired that I couldn't bare to leave. My house is lacking in the clean department also. I usually vacuum, sweep, and do laundry everyday or every other day. Laundry has sat in baskets until noone had anything to wear. Dishes have sat in the sink (ick) until the sink was overflowing. And I have walked over dust, dirt, and crumbs for probably as much as a week at a time. That all sounds awfully disgusting. I'm hoping that has passed. We are leaving for the beach Thursday and I have to work all day Wednesday. So tomorrow is the day! I have to go from one end of the trailer to the other tomorrow.....or at least try. I imagine I'll get the kitchen, bathroom, and living room done. Laundry is included in that, also. My poor bedroom and Archer's bedroom get the shaft every time. Our little sleeping nests are so dusty that none of us ought to be able to breathe. I'm usually a really good housewife and I am looking forward to my nesting phase to kick it. I need to clean this filthy place ASAP!

Definitely looking forward to several days on the beach. Man, time away from Waynesboro seems like a slice of heaven! I'm really bummed that WP can't stay the whole time though. He's got to drive back to Hattiesburg either Friday night or early early Saturday morning. He's taking his teaching license exam in science Saturday morning. Archer and I will be gone from Thursday morning until Sunday. We're staying at my Aunt Susan's condo in Orange Beach so it'll be easy on my checking account ;o). Aunt Susan, Keith, Mamaw, Daddy, Stacy, Jake, Liz, WP, Archer, and myself will be there. I'm actually worried that it will be quite overwhelming, but am still looking forward to it.

I hope that I can control my hormonal rages when aggravated because I know it's coming. I'm a realist, what can I say!?

Gone to bed now... WP has already gone in there without me!

canoe and camp, please.

I had a scrolling newsflash across my brain yesterday afternoon at some point. It read, "TAKE A CANOE TRIP IN TN WITH WP!!!" So I have been searching relentlessly for a place to take WP on a canoe and a little cabin for a few days for his graduation trip. He has never been to the Smokey Mountains and that's just a shame! It's beautiful there. Although, he's never been there he's under the impression that he doesn't enjoy the mountains. I have been there and know for a fact that he'd love it.

Any suggestions would be fabtabulous!

Thanks!

Home again, home again, jiggity jig!

Well after a very nerve-wrecking, tiresome week at the hospital we are back home. WP has been complaining of stomach pain for a month or so. Tuesday afternoon he began passing blood in his stool in copious amounts. I took him to the hospital. He lost about 3 pints of blood from Tuesday night until Wednesday night. The bleeding stopped spontaneously. He had an EGD Wednesday morning to see if he had a bleeding ulcer. It came back perfectly normal. Wednesday after his test he began doing a 2 day prep for a colonoscopy. He had his colonoscopy this morning and it came back normal as well. So at this point we know that he was bleeding so severely from somewhere in his GI tract that he lost 3 pints of blood but have no idea what the culprit is. The surgeon told us that he thinks it is probably a Meckel's Diverticulum or a liolypoma (?- or something similar). Meckel's diverticuli is present at birth but usually not found until adulthood. The other one is a small benign tumor that bleeds like crazy on occasion then stops spontaneously and is very rare. Both of those abnormalities would be located in the small bowel which cannot be seen on an EGD or colonoscopy. Our family Dr is supposed to be contacting a GI specialist in Laurel, MS on Monday and making us an appointment. I believe the next test they're wanting to run is one where WP has to swallow a small camera. The small camera will record what it sees in the entire GI system- mouth to rectum.
I am requesting prayers on his behalf. Anytime you are in a situation that leads to excessive blood loss there is a chance for it to be life threatening.

On a lighter note, Archer is precious as always. ;o) I kept hearing him holler, "A! A! A! A!" from his room. After he said it about 20 times I went to see what he was hollering "A" about. He was standing in the middle of his room pointing up to the wall where I have individual letters of his name cut out in wood, painted, and hanging on his wall. They have been there since he was born. I guess he is just now noticing them. When he was very young - 6 weeks or so- he would lie on his changing table after bath time and just giggle so hard looking at those letters.

I'm exhausted so I'm going to just go sit in my recliner and do nothing.

Haley from Mexico

For supper tonight I'm attempting burritos and mexican rice. Wish me luck!!

poor pitiful me..

I. MISS. MY. FELLAS!! I want them to come home. I don't mean I want them to come home tomorrow night like they're planning. I mean I want them home NOW. I feel like Verucca on Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when I say that.

I listened to the baby's fetal heart tones at work today. ;o) What a beautiful sound. I cannot wait until I can feel it move. That's such a great feeling. So far I have been feeling pretty good. Those 1st trimester symptoms are slowly waning. With Archer I was such a comfortable, happy pregnant woman once I hit that second trimester.

I am really beginning to worry and even maybe have some guilt, though. I spend A LOT of time with Archer. We read books all day long. At bed time I rock him and love on him either until he falls asleep or until I'm ready to go to bed. If I get ready to go to bed before he falls asleep then I take him to his bed and I sing a set of songs that I have been singing him since the day he was born. I sing You are my sunshine, twinkle twinkle little star, Amazing Grace, Seek Ye First, and the Butterbean song. I just can't stand the thought of him thinking that I don't have time for him anymore. I don't want him to be starving for attention. Will I have enough arms, lap space, and energy for a newborn and a very loving 2 year old? I know I will have enough love to go around, I don't question that at all. I am worried. I know these worries are going to turn into pure fear once my due date begins to rapidly approach.

I am also really hoping to have the chance of a completely natural delivery with this one. I wanted that so badly with Archer but my high blood pressure didn't allow it. My Dr has informed me that since I had a reaction from the epidural with Archer that I will not be able to receive one with this one. I never wanted an epidural with Archer to begin with. Once the Magnesium AND Pitocin infusions began I was out of sorts. I basically lost control at about 6 cm and begged for something for the pain. I really would love to experience a birth with NO drugs. We'll see how all that goes. Hopefully I'm still about 28-29 weeks away from that!

Back to work at 6:30 AM then when I get off my fellas will be here to greet me. YESSSS!

Where, Oh Where, Could Sarah Palin Go?

So I open my Yahoo account to check my emails and on the worldy news there is an article titled, "Sarah Palin resigns". What? Seriously? I can't imagine how hard it must be to run a state and have 4 (or 5) kids, not to mention a 14 month old! I can't help but wonder where she's going to go and what she's going to do. I guess her not being voted in as Vice President was a blessing in disguise. Maybe it is all a little too much for her at this time. I bet this has been plaguing her for a while. I could be wrong, and I probably am wrong. But for all of you who didn't know... Sarah Palin has resigned her position as Governor of Alaska.

WP and Archer left today for their 4th of July weekend away from home. WP is on the reservoir in Jackson with some friends and Archer is at Momma's. I called Momma when I left work to check in on my little precious one. My Mother's brainwashing him has begun! ;o) Here's what was said:
Meme: What does the cow say?
Archer: Mooooooooooooo
Meme: What does the dog say?
Archer: arf arf arf
Meme: What does Meme say?
Archer: I love you, Archer!
HAHA!
Dern, why didn't I think of that?

The house is quiet tonight. Wait a minute, actually the house is not quiet at all. I'm washing clothes and my washer is off balance so at this very moment my washer is probably walking down my hallway. From the sounds of it, it is MARCHING down the hallway with an entire army! But other than the washer, fan, and air conditioner the house is quiet. I miss my fellas. I hope they have a good time, though.

Off to sit on the washer- or unplug it.

from friend to foe...

A very dear friend of my belly's has become my new archnemesis as of about one hour ago. I was very hungry and I longed for a chili dog, as I have many days before. I swung into a fast food chain on my 1 hour drive back home from the Dr's office. I ate half of the chili dog and immediately began to curse my long long friend. I quickly chewed 2 piece of chalk--oops, what I meant to say was--I quickly chewed 2 Rolaids for immediate relief of this impending indigestion that haunts my dreams every night. Still hungry, I ate the other half of the chili dog. I am now suffering from serious indigestion which also leads to nausea and bloating. My day was lovely and dandy until the chili dog showed it's ugly ugly face. Friends? NO! Enemies? DEFINITELY!

On a lighter note, I had my appointment this morning. It was a very quick visit. I am 11 weeks pregnant today. I heard that precious heartbeat with a heart rate of about 160. The only downside I had was that I am dehydrated. I had a feeling of that already, though. I told WP sometime in the past week that I felt dehydrated. My Dr recommended I carry a very large, insulated, ice water filled jug with me at all times. That I will do- Dr's orders afterall!

Archer is at daycare and WP is on his way home from Meridian. As soon as he steps foot through the door I have a nice honeydo list for him. He's leaving town all weekend. Archer will be at my Momma's all weekend. And I will be at Wayne General working ;o( bah-humbug! So house must be cleaned today!

Toodles!

second time around..

Yes I know that I have written on here once today but I'm off work and just feel like yapping. I went to my in-law's house this evening for the first time since we celebrated Christmas with them. Cannot believe it has been that long. We had a nice, delicious, very fatty dinner that consisted of twice fried bbq chicken, some delicious boiled potatoes that had an entire stick of butter cooked in, and a couple pieces of cornbread (one for me, one for my little bun-HA), all swished down with a big gulpin' glass of sweet tea. I rarely eat so poorly but man I enjoyed every second of it tonight.. that is until my food wouldn't digest properly and the entire ride home I felt like I had eaten a big 10 lb. boulder. Haha, I guess if you become a glutten you will get punished!

Anyhoo, reason for the little trip out to the in-law's was because of my FIL. My FIL is in his mid-60's (or so) and has several health problems but gets around just fine and still works the same blue collar job. In May he was in a 4-wheeler wreck and had some damage to his neck. He was sent to Jxn, MS where he received therapy. My MIL informed me tonight that he is not doing well and need to have neck surgery. There is an issue somewhere between the neurosurgeon and cardiologist about whether he can actually undergo the surgery or not. The fella is in severe pain at all times. My MIL said that if they decide he cannot undergo the surgery then he will be referred to a pain management specialist.. which means large large large amounts of strong narcotics (usually). My FIL has made the comment that he does not expect to live to see this upcoming Christmas. I do not know any details of his condition or why he feels this way. He had planned on buying Archer a John Deere tractor for Christmas but since he doesn't think he'll be living he bought it for him yesterday and gave it to him today.

Somber, huh?

Keep him your prayers please. His name is Harold. The whole environment was sad today just because I knew why Archer was getting the gifts. This is a very independant man who asked WP to ride to Meridian with him tomorrow just because. That proves to me that something is just not right. He is not the type of man to tell his business, though, so I am feeling that there are some underlying/unsaid issues at hand.

My date with my hubby for tomorrow has been cancelled due to him going with Harold to run some errands tomorrow. I will be driving to Hattiesburg alone (or with Archer) for my Dr's appointment. WP went to every appointment I had when pregnant with Archer except my first and my last. I hate he's going to miss out tomorrow but he's needed elsewhere. ;o(

So long............

goooood moooorrrnnniiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng!

Poor Archer. He has been in time out twice and had once long crying fit...all before 10 AM. This past weekend was spent at my Dad's house in Vicksburg. For all who do not know, I have a little brother who is almost 10. He is an only child and acts just like the stereotypical only child. He aggravates and tests. He was saying, "NAH" and "NO" to Archer all weekend trying to play with/aggravate him. Archer came back home telling his Daddy and I "no". That mess doesn't fly around this household! It is taking some serious straightening out on our parts and driving me crazy in the meantime. It doesn't seem to bother me as badly as it bothers WP. WP is that "rules with the iron fist" type of parent. That "my way or no way" parent. I want a well-behaved, disciplined child also. But I also want to be laid back and let him be a kid. If he's not hurting anything then let him use his imagination.

Speaking of imagintion...That child should be on "kids say the darndest things"! He is a silly billy boy! Yesterday when I got home from work I told him to give me sugar on my cheek. He did. Then he turned my face and said, "Sugar other cheek, Mommy!" Then he proceeded to kiss my other cheek. And this went on for about 5 kisses. He'll disappear into his room to play then emerge with one rubber boot on, a basketball net on his head as a "hat", and his daddy's belt wrapped around his waist. He will play in that attire until it all falls off. At this very moment WP is napping on the couch. I looked into the living room and here is what I see: Archer lying on the floor on his pillow, covered by his blanket. His hands are over his head just like his Daddy is laying on the couch. Underneath his little hand I see a large smile as he is pretending to be like his Daddy. Precious moments like this make my life wonderful.

I don't know how much 2 year olds are supposed to actually talk but I can't help but think that mine talks more than most his age. He has a full vocabulary and speaks in sentences. The little mockingbird doesn't miss a thing, either. I have been able to hold conversations with him for several months.

Anyway, can't wait to see how he's going to be with his new sibling! (Can't wait to see how I'm gonna be with a 2 year old and a newborn) Very exciting!!!!

Archer says he's gotta poopoo.. BYE!

one day on, two days off

Home sweet home. I had a nice long 4 day weekend spent with family. Then I proceeded to carry my hindparts to Wayne General Hospital this AM for a 12 hour shift. And noooowwwwww... I can rest for 48 hours until I start my 3 day work weekend on Friday morning at 7 AM.

I go back to the OB for an appointment Thursday at 11:10 for my check up. I will be 11 weeks pregnant on Thursday. My wittle growing baby is now a fetus, no longer an embryo. I feel like my belly starting bulging quickly at about 8 weeks until last week and now it seems like it has stopped growing. I hope I'm just being paranoid because my appointment is upcoming. When I go Thursday the Dr should be able to hear the little baby's heartbeat with a doppler over the belly. I'm very excited.

After my appointment, WP and I are going to grab lunch and maybe a movie if there is time. ;o) It's been a long time since we've seen a movie. The first several years of our relationship was spent in the movie theatre so it will be nice for a change.

Anyway, much rock Archer now!

a new beginning..

I have attempted the world of blogging a couple of times it seems. These were back in my early early college days.. prior to me having anything going on in my life that my poor family would be interested in reading about. But I feel that now circumstances are quite different and the family might actually be interested in my life that seems so far away from home.

So let's just catch up real quick... I'm living on the MS/AL line, at least 2 hours and 15 minutes from my closest family member (except Will, but might as well still be that far from him because I only see him when we're in Vicksburg at the same time-he lives 45 minutes from me). Archer turned 2 on May 7th and I am currently 10 weeks and 4 days pregnant with baby number 2.

I go back to the Dr Thursday for a baby/mommy checkup. I am hoping for good news. I feel like everything is going ok with the pregnancy because I am still feeling slightly uck. The extreme exhaustion has slacked off to just daily fatigue. The 400 degree fire in my GI tract, known as indigestion, has eased significantly. The nausea is occasional now. My biggest feat is making certain that this belly of mine doesn't get empty. When it's empty I'm sickly.

More good news is that WP graduates on August 8th from William Carey University in Hattiesburg with his B.S. degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. I am one proud woman! He will be only the 2nd person in his family to ever have received a college degree. The job hunt has been very hard for him. It is stress and anxiety-inducing for all of us, him in particular. He has had several strong leads towards jobs but the state is lolly-gagging on setting a budget, therefore noone is hiring yet. He goes for an interview next week for a job at Camp Shelby doing something military related. That's not what we are shooting for but something is better than nothing.

Well guys, the stomach is getting empty and sickly. MUST. FIND. FOOD!