I’m one of those women who were really driven nuts by a certain popular “expecting” book - the book would be going along all positive - then BAM - something negative. The problem wasn’t that the book was reporting potential issues with pregnancy - but the way it was reporting them was so unsupportive. The book would report that “this may or may not happen” or “some women experience this and some don’t” - great, I get it. But all their “factual” information was “ehh .. maybe” and not only was it annoying - it made me a little crazy with worry.

Cue “The Joy of Pregnancy” written by Tori Kropp, RN! This book is amazing, reassuring, and is an incredibly easy read. Tori teaches her readers to slow down, stop worrying and enjoy the pregnancy! The book goes over what is and isn’t safe during pregnancy (including Europe vs. United States!) and includes a question and answer section. There is even a large section for “Dad’s” right in the middle of the book! Each month and trimester is discussed including what might happen each month and tips for getting ready and staying healthy. The book talks about what to expect during labor and how to prepare for it (without scaring the hell out of the expectant mommy!) and also brings up different birth options. It even diagrams “effacement” and tries to let the reader know (in non-doctor terms) what things mean.

Here is a little blurb about Tori from Amazon.com:

Known as “the Dear Abby of pregnancy,” Tori has been interviewed on national television and radio and in national print publications, including CNN, The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Washington Times, Atlanta Journal Constitution and Chicago Sun-Times. She lives in Marin County, California, with her family.

The Joy of Pregnancy is a PHENOMINAL book - surely to replace the “other” popular book that most women purchase during pregnancy. I recommend this book if you are planning to get pregnant or expecting already.

Xander and I met up with a couple friends at the waterpark today. I was content to just sit with my uber-prego friend and bask in the … cloudyness? … but later on when the sun actually came out and the prego went to the bathroom I began to “catch” her daughter (under 2) as she went down the slide (her daddy was at the top). Well, Caitie was not wanting to go down the slide by herself, so a little bit later I was wading through the kiddy pool and she grabbed my finger (tight!) and walked with me up the steps to a slide. Little bean wanted me to go down with her - and since she’s such a darn cutie I did. First time getting wet that day … at least it had finally warmed up! We went down a few times and I followed her sister down another slide. I sorta miss playing … I should do it more often.

My husband HATES the Nick Jr. show “Max and Ruby” - I think it’s because the sister is such a bitch bossy butt to her baby brother and my hubby has flashbacks. Not that his sister is a bitch bossy butt or anything - she’s just an older sister. My sister is the same way.

Anyway, as much as Ruby is a snotty bossy older sister to Max it always ends up with Max being super sweet to his sister. Just now in the episode that my son (well, we) are watching Ruby is trying with all her might to win a stuffed panda from the fair. She can’t and she gives Max the last ticket for the fair so he can buy something. Max ends up playing a game and winning a stuffed panda for his sister. Another episode I’ve seen was Max trying to get the prize out of a cereal box and Ruby reminding him that he needs to EAT the cereal first. All the while Ruby is collecting “charms” for a charm bracelet - she has one for her friend, one that reminds her of her lost tooth, etc, etc. Max finally gets into the cereal and gets the prize - a rocket ship keychain or charm. Of course, he gives it to Ruby.

It sometimes turns out to be a sweet show

Do your kids do this? Torture each other and boss each other around only to turn around and do something selfless and sweet? Please do share!

I found this recipe online and I can’t for the LIFE of me re-find it to quote where I got it from. But, it was good and fast (less than 20 minutes) and super easy. I spent $5.99 on a small jar of sun dried tomatoes and then a couple days later found the same size jar, different brand for $3.50 - so, keep that in mind when you shop. Otherwise, the meal is very inexpensive also! Here is the recipe:

The Stuff
6oz Penne Pasta
1lb Chicken, cut into small chunks and seasoned w/salt and pepper
1/2c. sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil), drain into bowl and slice
2T. oil from tomatoes
4 green onions, chopped
1 small jar Marinated Artichoke Hearts (I didn’t use these)
2T. fresh basil

The Directions
Cook and drain pasta. Saute chicken until just brown (I used a combo of a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of the tomato olive oil), stir in tomatoes and onions (1-2 minutes). Stir in artichokes. Mix in pasta and remaining oil - cook through. Serves 4.

I talked about my lack of sleep on my other blog earlier today. I’m still feeling the effects of no sleep - then oversleeping, my eyeballs hurt and my stomach does also. As a matter of fact, so does my jaw … I guess I’m just a mess today. I did a half-assed meal plan at least - and actually cooked dinner tonight! Proud of me? I am. Tonight I plan on hitting the sack early with the aide of some light sleeping pills. Hubby goes back to work tomorrow and I’ve got a household to run; physically I’m feeling better (from the miscarriage) but I think mentally I am still numb. Comfortably numb as I’ve been referring to it.

I want to play some Sims2, but my eyes hurt. I have a feeling it’s miscarriage fallout since my eyes always get wonky while I’m pregnant (well, they did last time I was pregnant) so maybe they are changing again. I have some blurred vision and it’s hard to focus after awhile.

Anyway, he’s part of my meal plan for the week:

• Monday - Grilled cheese and soup for hubby and I, leftover taco for Xander.
• Tuesday - Tacos (make the full 3lbs of chopped meat) and corn.
• Wednesday - Pasta w/meat sauce (the other half of the cooked meat from Tuesday)
• Thursday - um
• Friday - um
• Saturday - um
• Sunday - um

I think I will try and utilize the crock pot this week; not sure what I will make yet though - maybe I will pick up some chicken tomorrow. I need milk also … I’m trying to cook with what I have this week to save some money. We’ve gone out to eat two days in a row (Cici’s Pizza for $15 and Moe’s for $18).

I need some Motrin …

Thanks to my parents visiting this past week due to my surgery; my house is CLEAN! (For which I will be eternally grateful!) Well, at least the downstairs is clean … the loft however is another story. That’s a project for a later time though, it’s just too darn hot up there for me to worry about. SO, due to the fact that I have a great starting point, I’m going to start writing up the Daily Routine’s and Chore Charts that got Xander (3 year old) and I through our last long (7 month) deployment.

I’ve written up a Responsibility chart for Xander and will be making up a “Chore” chart for him also (things like, make bed(s), wipe table, pick up toys, feed animals, etc.) and will be posting both charts next to our giant calendar in the kitchen. He’s old enough now to take on some responsibility of his own.

The reason why I’ve linked up the “Monthly Organizing Roundup” is that this month she is focusing on the Playroom - which in our house NEEDS HELP! It’s got a built in closet shelf unit and the bed has built in drawers (yet, one is broken and on hubby’s “honey do” list) and still the room is always in disarray. So, I’ve been clicking on the links of people who have organized their playrooms and am saving ideas as I go!

I picked up a copy of the book “How to Survive in the Real World” by Hundreds of Heads recently and have been reading it this past week. I love “advice” type books and this one is the epitome of an advice book – with the opinions of “hundreds of people!” It really turned out to be a great book. The topics covered include; what’s an “adult,” how to get a job (and schmooze!), how to party like an “adult” and even love and romance. I was laughing half the time while reading because the advice given is just so TRUE! One quote that I really loved was about being an adult, it was “Adult like means paying for everything yourself, not being able to blame others for your mistakes, gaining weight and having to move heavy objects on your own” – that quote cracked me up simply because it’s so TRUE! You are truly on your own (unless you are like me and Mom and Dad are still there for you – which is wonderful in emergencies!).

This book is geared towards those who have graduated college and are entering the “real world” – but I am in the real world and didn’t finish collage and got a great kick out of it. I think this book would make an excellent “grad” gift (be it for a high school or college grad)! Pair it up with Dr. Seuss’ “Oh the Places You’ll Go” and a great cookbook for collage kids and you’ll have an awesome gift!

You can purchase the book from the Hundreds of Heads website or Amazon.

(This is being cross-posted to a couple of my blogs …)

At 8 weeks 7 days my baby’s heart stopped. I’ve yet to “pass” anything though, so now starts the waiting game. I’m waiting for my parents to drive up in a couple days, waiting for my husband to fly back from the middle east (in at minimum 4 days), waiting for … some sign I guess. Other than just an empty sac and a tiny, tiny peanut with no beating heart.

I’m okay, more okay than I thought I would. I went through all the emotions of grief yesterday in a span of 6 hours - so I might just be exhausted. My friends and family are here for me (in fact, one friend brought over chocolate for me) and I love them for it. We’ll try again for another baby when we get the “okay” from the doctor.

I’ve written a letter to “the baby” and it will go on his/her scrapbook page. Yes, I’m scrapping this … of COURSE I’m scrapping this. I prayed last night and read some Bible verses on “grief” and I feel at peace right now.

I’m making this for a Summer Solstice dessert pot-luck tonight! It sounds delish and I hope it goes over well!

Grasshopper Cake
Ingredients:
1 Box White Cake Mix
1 jar chocolate icing or a jar of Hot Fudge (ice cream) Topping
Creme de Menthe
Creme de Cocoa (optional)
Tub of Coolwhip or 1 pint of Heavy Whipping Cream

Directions:
Make cake as directed on box - but pull out 3 tablespoons of liquid and substitute 3 tablespoons of Creme de Menthe. Put in 3 drops of green food coloring if you’d like the cake a little darker green. You can also put in a tablespoon of Creme de Cocoa. Bake. Let cool.

Warm up the fudge/icing and pour over the cake.

Mix up the whipped cream if you like it “homemade” (I put the recipe below). Pour whipped cream over the top of the cake. Add some chocolate shavings if you’d like!

Homemade Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar, or to taste
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Add the cream, and whip quickly with a wire whisk until the cream is slightly thickened. Now add the sugar and any flavorings. Continue to whip until cream forms soft peaks. Don’t whip beyond the soft-peak stage, because the cream will get stiff and curdle. Whipped cream made with good-quality cream should last for 24-hours.

I’m seriously having SO much fun shopping online for baby stuff! I’m nearly 12 weeks along now, so I feel better about pricing things such as strollers and bedroom stuff. But, I’m not forgetting my awesome BIG BROTHER TO BE, Xander! I’ve already picked him up a “Big Brother” tshirt from Huddy Buddy, a great website featuring shirts for your little ones (and really tiny little ones!). The shirts come in lots of sizes from 3/6 up to size 8 – in onesie form, tshirts and even long sleeve tshirts.

The Big Brother tshirt (long sleeve) that I got for my kiddo can also come with the “Little Brother/Sister” onesie for the new baby! I only got the “Big Brother” one for now and plan on getting the smaller onesie once I find out if the new baby is a boy or a girl! They also have a “middle kid” shirt in pink or blue if you decide to add another kid! In fact, I have a good friend who is having her third baby girl in October – maybe a set of shirts would be a nice gift!

Huddy Buddy shirts are QUALITY shirts – this isn’t a shop that gets their stuff from some random online printer; the shirts are well made and really (really!) cute! You can find sibling tees (boys, girls, twins, etc.) and even a shirt that I REALLY like that says “I like my milk fresh from the source” – yeah! You will also find a “Potty Trained” shirt to celebrate that certain milestone! Seriously, check out the website – super cute stuff, and even photos of cute kids modeling!