Nothing wrong with a helping hand

I'd never eaten Hamburger Helper until I married John. I had no idea what I had been missing! Seriously! My mom was a sort of health freak growing up. Really a cafeteria health freak. She read every label to us, didn't really want to buy bread, never ever served us boxed mac and cheese (the first time I had that I borrowed a box from the lady across the street my senior year so I could taste it) and was also one of those moms that made a hamburger for you on sliced wheat bread (when we had it) when we asked for MacDonald's. BUT she ate sweets like they were going out of style and is known for her love of cheescake.

So my first experience with HH was served to me by my husband at our dining room table. I was hooked. I actually cooked it myself for the first time a few months ago. I was shocked at the pitiful size of the serving but luckily J shared his secret and that secret is what I am going to share with you. You must supplement. Meaning, add a little extra noodles to the pot. Find the kind that most closely resemble the ones in the flavor you are using and you are good to go.

I cooked it again tonight, remembering the secret. But as J stood over my shoulder and laughed at my lack of confidence while cooking the HH, I realized that cooking a meal from scratch is easier for me than following the instructions on the box. I can't explain it. But J is a whiz at it and I may just leave the HH cooking to him. and I don't mind in the least. I'd eat it every night.

Hot, Hot, Hot

I hate to keep complaining about the heat but it's really putting a crimp into our summer days. It seems like we have to go to the park earlier and earlier to get any playground time. This morning we went to Daneel Park because it's one of the shadier playgrounds but after about 35 minutes the Little Buddy took off for the car. This is the 2nd time this week he's done it. I didn't realize until we got to Whole Foods that his hair was sopping wet from the sweat. No wonder he ate the pineapple they had out. He was so hot and thirsty/hungry that he would have eaten anything. Well, atleast he knows he likes pineapple now. He basically ate his lunch at Whole Foods. I bought a thing of pineapple and watermelon, of which he ate half and then he shoveled down a cheese stick.

There was this kid at the park with whom W was very excited to play and he seemed kind of hesitant to get on the bus and drive it with him. (there are 2 steering wheels, so plenty of room for 2). I encouraged him to climb on up and play, which he finally did. Well, it pissed the kid off, he started whining and whining to his grandma who got all flustered and pulled him away. I felt sort of bad for the LB but he got over it after 2 seconds, luckily. Then his real friend arrived and he was all giddy but by then he was hot and that's when we left. Bad timing.

The cast of The Hills

My cousin, E, just shared this very exciting news with me. The cast of "The Hills" will be on the Tyra Banks show on Friday. Tyra totally bugs. Her network was the only channel we could get while evacuated in Baton Rouge after Katrina. I got to the point where I would rather not watch anything than watch her but Friday will be an exception. If you too are a fan of "The Hills" check it out. I think that it comes on WUPL my54 at 2pm. It lists 9am also but I think that's a rerun. Her website was confusing so I'm not 100% that the channel or time is correct.

100 days

okay, really it's more like 105 (I first counted while I was waiting for my grilled cheese and french fries to go and came out with 100 days. I think I was more focused on the food at the time) days until I have this baby. 105 more days until a lot of things. 105 until I can

• really whoop' it up and have all the wine I want
• sleep on my stomach
• eat super soft, stinky cheeses
• eat deli meat with no nagging worries in the back of my mind
• take a hot, hot, hot bath
• hold W comfortably on my lap again
• go for a run around the park (I'm actually looking forward to this, strange) and do heavy squats at the gym
• travel without the fear of blowing up
• have all the wine I want
• go through one day without having to take a nap
• have a big ole fat full caffeine iced coffee without the guilt
• sleep well without wearing Nasal Air Strips
• kiss my new little baby

and the list goes on....

Old McDonald

I hate to admit it but the Little Buddy got his first taste of McDonald's today. He woke up from his nap around 3:45 terribly cranky. He would not stop crying. So I told him we were going to Mimo and Papa's and he perked up immediately. I was dying for a carbonated beverage so we went to McDonald's drive through to get a Sprite and spontaneously I got him a small fry. His appetite isn't back from his bout with the stomach flu and I thought maybe he would enjoy a serving of hot, salty fries. Wouldn't eat them. On the way back from Mimo and Papa's house I reached a fry back to him and he took it, then ate it. He was hooked. He couldn't shove them in fast enough. Truly, I've never seen him so in love with a food. He wouldn't get out of the car all because I put the fries away so that I could get us out of the car and into the house. It was crazy. So I've got my son hooked on lard fried french fries. I feel horribly guilty about it. He stuffed the rest down in his highchair while I cooked dinner. None of the usual fussing to get down and I swear he had the tiniest of smiles on his face the whole time he was eating. Luckily we don't eat fast food enough that he will know to ask for it so tomorrow it's back to cheese sticks and grapes.

Many pictures to take

I've made some progress this past week, for me anyway. I bought my first piece of furniture. Everything I have believe it or not is hand me downs from my parents. I'm not complaining or saying it's horrible because it's not. I'm very lucky to have anything at all but the sideboard that I bought was my very own purchase. and I love it! and it looks great in the kitchen.

and to make me feel like I am really on a roll of accomplishment...the slipcover lady came over today to take the measurements for one chair. Wahoooo! I love the fabric. The den will be in colors that I thought I would never use but the pecky cyprus wood walls threw a kink in my all light neutral taste. So basically, I'm living on the edge. Going a little bit kooky. I can't wait until it all comes together. Once the fabric comes in for my couch it will take 2 weeks to have it upholstered. I'll definitely have to take a picture of W, J and me all stuffed into our oversized chair watching Top Chef or Sunset Tan (it's really pathetic but I love it) for 2 weeks.

The living room furniture won't be in until after my baby is born and even then it's only a couch and 2 chairs. No coffee table, lamps (which could be a problem since there aren't any overhead lights in that room), knickknacks, nothing. oh and a rug. It's slow moving but one day in 15 years, when my kids will be ready to put me in a nursing home, the house will be decorated. I'll definitely take a picture and hang it on my wall in the home.

Oh my gosh. The LB is sick. It's always so sad and pitiful and my heart breaks for him. and it's draining for me, what with all the worry. I never sleep well when he's sick like this. and I can't help but thinking how people do it with 2 kids. One gets sick, the other catches it and before you know it everyone is vomiting all over. but I don't have to worry about that until later. I just hope W is on the mend so he can enjoy his weekend.

Our car seat will never be the same. We washed the cover but I don't know what to do with the straps. The worst part of it is that all the jumbo olives and cherry tomatoes he ate the night before got caked in the grooves. That was a bitch getting that out and no matter how much I wash everything there is still that lingering stench. His love for olives has probably been squashed. I know mine has.

J was a relatively low maintenance father on Father's Day. He had a schedule all planned out. The day was to start with him getting up with the LB. He insisted. He wanted to get up and prepare breakfast and then we were going to go to church. or that's what was on the schedule. So W wakes up as usual around 6:30 and J doesn't budge. Okay, he budged, enough to reach over and put on his sleep mask, turn over and go back to sleep. So much for the schedule. My breakfast was a bowl of Heart Smart (first time having it and really enjoyed it). I can't fault him for not following the schedule. It was his prerogative. and I'm glad in a way because he always gets on me for popping things on him at the last minute. so I think he realized the power of flying by the seat of your pants. He did follow the rest of the day's schedule. Lunch followed by nap time followed by J cooking a delicious dinner. He worked hard on it all afternoon. We ate a lot. Cheese and crackers, marinated shrimp on the grill, grilled corn, tomato and Vidalia onion salad with a balsamic vinaigrette and mustard-horseradish hamburgers. Needless to say we went to bed with completely satisfied bellies.

It's a minor miracle for the nose

I'd like to share a story with you. Well, I should probably say, I'd like to share a story with you if you are pregnant or will be pregnant. I hope I don't offend anyone with TMI (too much information) but it's for your own sake. When I was pregnant with the LB I had a lot of nosebleeds. It's not unheard of for pregnant women, something about the swelling of veins etc. So now here I am pregnant again and yes, I am having the nosebleeds but in addition to that my nose is constantly stuffy. It doesn't bother me so much during the day. It's when I lay down to go to sleep at night that it becomes a problem. I have to lay in such a way that one hand is propped up against my nostril so that it widens it a bit and allows air to flow more freely. Blowing it doesn't work. So at bedtime every night I encountered this inconvenience until I found a solution. a miracle really. Breath Right Nasal Strips! It is unbelievable. The little tab you put over your nose is just firm enough that it doesn't lay totally flat. It kind of pops up on the sides while still being stuck to your nose which in turn pulls up your nostrils enough for you to be able to breathe. The first night I was in awe, truly. I even offered one to J. He declined but I felt like a new person. So if you are in the same boat I am and have not found a solution. Try it. and if you are not yet pregnant, remember this tip when you are.

The Terrible Twos?

It wasn't that long ago that I was writing about how the Little Buddy laughs at everything. His mood has changed and now he gets cross at almost everything. It changed on a dime and I am not sure why. I am betting that it's a phase and hope it ends soon. If something doesn't please him in the least bit he throws his bottle down, or starts to cry, or waves his hands in frustration (another mom thought that we taught him to sign when he responded to her question in this way) which basically means either go away or you're making me mad. I am having a tough time handling this new mood. I am not sure whether to ignore him or acknowledge his frustration. Neither response seems to work. I know sometimes it is frustration out of not using words, especially when he wants something from the kitchen, but frankly I am tired of guessing if he wants goldfish, raisins, grapes or bananas. I probably should just buck up for a few days and not respond until he talks, let the tantrums run full throttle and maybe, just maybe by the end of it he'll be talking and back to the sweet, laughing, laid back W that we all know and love. (although I will always love him no matter what).

Diddle Diddle Dumpling

The Little Buddy wanted to get on our bed. So we had to take off his shoes. Then he wanted to get down. So he climbed down. Then I heard him whining. He wanted to put his shoes back on. So I put one on and was going to put the other on but he decided he wanted to walk around with one shoe off and one shoe on (hence the title for this post). He loved it. I guess it was a new sensation. Walking around with one foot on tiptoe, the other flat. He's a funny boy.

The Little Buddy is getting funnier by the day and he believes it's so too. He laughs a lot, at me, at J, at himself, at other kids at the playground. Everything is just sooo funny. and I am laughing just as hard. His latest trick is sticking his fingers in his ears. I guess he thinks the difference between hearing with his fingers in his ears and when they are not is fascinating so I play along.
"Can you hear me?!", I ask.
"Yeah", he replies.
It is so funny. and he has a new laugh, the "I can't wait, I'm giddy" laugh. He laughs like this when he knows he's about to get a cookie or when he knows we're on our way to the park. Just so you get an idea it sounds a bit like Woody Wood Pecker. I love it.
The list is endless and I could go on forever but I excercised this morning so I have to get in bed. It's sad how tired I am now at night when I excercise, pitiful really, but I promised myself I would keep at it until atleast my 7 month or until my sciatic nerve is irritated. Whichever comes first. I am very proud of my weight progression. It's not as good as it was with William but it's right on par with where I should be so I don't feel as guilty about stuffing my face or about the extra pad on my derrier. It's just part of it and I will lose it, right?

I know everyone is dying to know when the new season of The Hills is airing this summer so I've been doing some research. I still haven't found out an exact date but I have learned a few new things besides that Heidi and Spencer are engaged.

• Heidi had new boobs put in.
• Spencer succeeded in breaking up LC's and Heidi's freindship.
  
• The Hills was consistently the most watched program from 12-24 year olds (I am not sure if this is just on MTV or what) I'm 36 and love it, so this statistic kind of makes me feel like a loser but not a big enough one to stop watching it.
• Heidi's mom says that Heidi is recording an album and has a "pretty little voice" and that Spencer is not the d--- that he is portrayed to be.

I found all this here.

By the way, I cannot find anything about Season 3 on MTV. I hope that it's not just a rumor that Season 3 is on it's way.

A Baby in the Belly
I got an email from babycenter telling me that we should let the Little Buddy know that a new baby is on the way. This would prepare him for the shock that is to come in his life. So I told him. Yesterday. I was sitting on the couch (nothing new) and he was playing, climbing up and down on me and I patted my belly and told him there was a baby in there. He looked at me like I was crazy. I'm not really sure if he's prepared. I know that me knowing hasn't prepared me in the least. I think we are all in for quite a shock and not all the warning in the world can prepare us for what awaits us in October.

May I ask who's calling?
On our way home from Uncle RaRa's house yesterday W was babbling up a storm. I was kind of in a zone because I was so tired but finally I tuned into all of his talking and wondered what he was doing. I looked in the back and he had his phone up to his ear. Whoever he was talking to was getting an earful. I think I talk on the phone too much. He's got the imitation down pat.

Whoopin' it up
We went to a party last night. It flew by. I wasn't ready to leave but I knew the babysitter was waiting and that I'd had my share of nonalcoholic Beck's so we left while the party was in full force. Everyone was whoopin' it up big time and I knew that while my night was ending their's was just beginning and boy, was I jealous. and still am. I really think that's the hardest part of being pregnant. I miss the late nights of whooping it up and I miss my wine. So to everyone out there who's not pregnant, I ask you a favor, please when you whoop it up during the next 5 months, whoop it up BIG in honor of me.