35 years old.

That feels like a lot of years.

As I wobbled around the mall today with my new pedicure, I felt every year lived. There is a reason they describe pregnant women 35 and older as "advanced maternal age". It's because they are too old to be doing this!

Anyway, I don't have anything huge and reflective to say on the occasion of my 35th. It's been a long year with Annie's hair loss and a new job and a sick (but welcomed) pregnancy. I will be ready for February to bring our sweet Amelia, for exercise and general well being, for friends back in our home, and newborn cuddles all around. Until then, we'll hunker down and endure the cold, grey January days that await us. There is much to be thankful for on this eve of the New Year, and I rejoice in that, however advanced and maternal I may be:)

I am most grateful for Annie this night and the fact that she is healthy and sleeping for now!

And I am also thankful that I enjoyed a delicious pub meal for lunch, and my pancreas didn't fire me. Take that, gestational diabetes.

checking in.

Hope you guys had a Merry Christmas out there. I am jealous of all the white snow that many of you had!

Ours was low key this year. Annie succumbed to another virus on Christmas Eve, followed by nights of not sleeping, and a diagnosis of "an ear full of fluid" today. ugh. This month of sickness has wiped me out physically and emotionally, as I waddle around, stirring up Braxton Hicks contractions and eating sugar free strawberry jello. jealous?

So, December ended up being a bit overwhelming with little nourishment for my heart. I missed every Sunday of Advent, and the Christmas Eve Service, which I was really looking forward to. I know this is part of the package- parenting and raising the little ones- but sometimes you feel like your little one is getting picked on way too much. But then she's on her way to a three hour nap (like right now) and you think you might actually be able to have a coherent thought again. The sun may shine again. You might actually be able to unwind with a glass of wine again one day, and enjoy a big ass brownie.

Thankfully, Josh took Annie to the Dr. today. It would have been my 4th time in a month (and she goes next week for her 2 year check-up, so at least we have next week covered should something else come our way)- but I just didn't have the emotional stamina to walk into that office again. I felt like we needed new questions, anyway, and Josh is good and covering the bases in that regard. Our biggest one, of course, is when do we call it quits with these ear infections. She said 4-6, and then we get an ENT consult. I hope she doesn't get anymore, but I will not hesitate one iota to have tubes placed. We need a sleeping Annie before Amelia arrives.

With all that said, we are blessed, and even in our fatigue, I know this. A little beaten down, but not defeated.

And now we look ahead to a new Year- a big year for our family! Hope the nesting kicks in soon....

hey yall

it's christmas, yes?

I work tonight and it's cooollllddd here. I just can't seem to get into the Christmas jive yet.

maybe tomorrow. when I have awoken from my work coma.

and we dress annie in a sweet red dress and sing carols at church.

and the fire roars. and we put Annie's presents together.

today. it's all work. clean house, finish stockings, deliver a few gifts. laundry.

and nap, of course.

here's to Christmas Eve! get here soon!!!!

birthday letter

icing on the cake

well, as if we were not sick enough, Annie got coxsackie virus over the weekend (hand, foot, mouth)- blisters all down her little throat. Let me just tell you- it was a real treat!

She seems to be on the mend, and Josh's mom, who was originally coming to town to make candy with me and attend my baby shower, ended up taking care of Annie so we could regain some of our sanity.

We seem to be slowly on the mend.

Sweet Annie's birthday was yesterday. We kept it low key. a little cupcake and some toys. She was happy.

Hopefully future blog posts will be more festive, joyful, and merry....

and so it goes....

the week just kept getting more interesting.

double ear infections for annie.

I finally got what she got, and my ears don't feel so hot either.

oh, I failed my 3 hour glucose test.

yeah, so I met with my "diabetic counselor" yesterday, and I gave up my love for orange juice for the next 9 weeks. (which, by the way, my "counselor" thinks this may have been the culprit. I have been drinking LOTS of orange juice. the entire pregnancy. Its been one of my only cravings....

anyway, the good news is that all of my blood sugars have been normal since I started checking them yesterday- so if I lay off the juices I should be ok. and of course, sweets and coke and that kind of thing- which is always a challenge around the holidays. Thankfully, I don't care too much about all that right now, so it shouldn't be an issue...

hopefully we'll spend the weekend getting well.

we sure do need to feel well around here.... it's Christmas, for the love!

cold and grey

is it gray or grey? I always forget.

well, winter is here. I knew it would be. I just don't like it. unless it's snowing, and I'm in Colorado. on vacation. with unlimited amounts of warm, fashionable gear.

but I'm in tulsa, with 2 pairs of maternity jeans.

I took the horrid 3 hour glucose test today. It was as awful as I remembered.

And then I woke up with something that feels in between a cold and the flu.

Needless to say, I am not working tonight.

Alas, tomorrow is a new day. Annie has school, and I plan to get caught up on something, unless of course this cold/potential fluish thing decides to take up residence.

in good news. Annie's sleeping habits are turning a corner. She has consistently slept past 6 am since last weekend! Her naps have been stellar, too.

makin' progress....