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24
Jan[Flash 10 is required to watch video]Can I just brag about Miss Scratch for a sec? K, Thanks.
According to Babycenter, at 21 months 50% of kids can stack 6 blocks.
Well, Miss Scratch is 16 1/2 months…and well…take a look. That’s a lot more than 6 blocks!
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10
JanThings she says…
Lately, Miss Scratch is definitely becoming her own person. It’s so funny (and sometimes so scary) to watch. In the past few days, she has surprised both Scratch and I with things she’s said. They were things that she’s said before…but the context and timing that she used them this time really made us laugh. So I thought I’d share them with you. (They might not be as funny…or cute…if you weren’t there, but trust me on this one).
Friday Night:
The family went to dinner at Red lobster. I have one been one other time because I don’t really eat sea food, but we had gift cards and I was really interested in Miss Scratch trying fish. Don’t want her to be as picky as me, ya know.
Anyway, we were at the table eating and Miss Scratch started out with her mac and cheese and broccoli while we waited for our food to come. Scratch got Lobster and Shrimp and when he gave her a piece of shrimp, Miss Scratch said, “I like that” as she pointed to daddy’s plate. It was so cute and funny and such good timing.
Monday Night:
I have been having braxton hicks contractions quite a bit. They force me to sit down and relax…so last night Scratch cooked dinner. Ok…to be honest…Scratch cooks 90% of the time. I don’t care too. I just want to eat. lol. I’ll blame the contractions though. :D
So, he pulled out the cookbook and decided to make a pasta bake. When it was done, we all gathered round the table to eat. As I was cutting the pasta for Miss Scratch, I noticed that the it was a little “al dente”. When I went to eat it…it tasted really good, but again the noodles were a bit on the hard side. I even bit into one noodle that “cracked” like it hadn’t been cooked at all. Apparently, Scratch didn’t cook the pasta prior to baking it…which was the reason for the hardness. However, in all fairness to Scratch…the cookbook is kind of deceiving. It lists the ingredients and tells you that the recipe will take x amount of time…but doesn’t really make it clear that you have to have already prepped all the ingredients, i.e. cooking the pasta and browning the meat.
Anyway…back onto to Miss Scratch. So she was about 3-4 bites in when we realized the (very-easy to make) mistake. When I went to give her another bite…she said “else” and kept turning her head. In the past when she’s finished her food, I’ll ask if she wants to “get down” or have “something else”, so I guess that’s where she got it from…but it was hilarious to hear her say it (on her own) in response to her dinner. And if you know Miss Scratch…you know she does not generally turn down food (so far only green beans. She just doesn’t like them). lol. In fact, she went on to eat several other things last night after the pasta bake.
In the end…I though the dinner was good…even if the pasta was hard. I ate mine and finished Miss Scratch’s share. :) Thanks for cooking, Scratch! :)
-J
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6
Jan35/35
Hey all…so yeeeaahhh….Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Years, and all the Jazz. I’m a bad blogger, I s’pose. I mean I have a whole week off from work, tons to write about regarding the holidays, and yet here it is Jan. 6th and this post isn’t even about all that. lol. It gets to the point where it seems like it’s a little late to start talking about Santa and show pictures of presents and lights, ya know.
Anyway….
I am 35 weeks today and that also makes me 35 days until my due date. Yikes. I am muy uncomfortable and ready to have this little guy out. No, not mentally or even materially ready…but physically…yes sir.
Baby:
We had our last ultrasound on the 27th and I am happy to report that I will be able to give childbirth a la va-jah-jah a go. The placenta has moved and Scratch Jr is in the head down position and waiting for his time.
At that appointment, which was 10 days ago, he was estimated to weigh 5lbs3oz already…which is in the 58% for weight. His head is measuring big…like 2 weeks ahead big…but so did Miss Scratch’s and she was 5 days late and her head size is currently slightly less than average…so I’m not worried. (By the way…longest sentence ever!) His stomach size is right on track and his legs are long. The ultrasound tech estimated that he’s weigh in the 7lb range when born…but be very long. We’ll see. For those that don’t remember, Miss Scratch was 8lb13oz…so I’m not hanging my hat on a 7lb baby.
This week, Scratch Jr is the size of a honeydew melon.
By week 35, Scratch Jr’s kidneys are completely developed. His liver is also beginning to produce waste. Also, his lungs are now completely developed and producing what is called surfactant, a substance that helps in the exchange of oxygen in the lungs. In fact, a majority of his growth is already done. However, baby boy’s nervous system and immune system are still maturing.
He will still put on some more weight over the next few weeks (about 1/2oz a day…or approximately 1/2lb a week). Baby boy is adding the fat that he’ll need to regulate his body temperature. But, everything else, from his toenails to the hair on his head, is fully formed. (Which reminds me of another thing from the ultrasound. I asked about his hair. I hadn’t been feeling heartburn QUITE to the extent I did with Miss Scratch and in her ultrasound it was apparent she’d have a full head of hair. So, I asked about Scratch Jr. Apparently, he does have a little…but nothing compared to what Miss Scratch had. Which doesn’t bother me too much because a) I’d rather have a bald boy than a bald girl and b)Miss Scratch lost most of her hair in the beginning anyway.)
I am constantly feeling him move. All Over. It’s quite distracting and quite uncomfortable and yet I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
If he were born now, he’d have more than a ninety-nine percent chance of surviving.
Me:
- Belly button status: It’s flat still. On a related note, Miss Scratch’s belly button is kinda an innie/outie. I think it’s the way it is because she still has a pot belly…but I’m guessing when/if she had a baby (not for another 20-30 years), her belly button will pop out. That’s my guess.
- Baby Location: Head down and all over my tummy. I feel him on my left and right sides equally. He’s taking full advantage of the space he has in there.
- Stretch Marks: Nope. Thanks mom! (I hear this is genetic).
- Pregnancy Symptoms: Uncomfortable. Is that a symptom? Can’t sleep, heartburn, achy pelvis, sciatica pains, out of breath if I stand up (lol), etc…
- Weight Gain: Honestly, I don’t know for sure as of this point. This pregnancy I did not measure myself on my own…what’s the point? According to the doctor’s office, 10 days ago I was at a total of 32lbs weight gain…which is approx. 1lb more than I was with Miss Scratch at that same point. That said…I do feel like I look different. (Whether or not I actually do I have no idea.) I FEEL like I have gained all the weight in my belly. When I see pictures of this pregnancy and the last…I feel that my face, arms, etc…were a little wider/little chubbier than they are now. So that’s good.
-Milestones: Ready to be done. :)
Things we’re doing:
- Finished registering. Woo Woo! I’ve been buying things off my registry here and there, but in a couple weeks I should receive the completion discount and be able to wrap things up.
- Major nursery stuff is done. Furniture, sound machine, humidifier, swing, etc…just need to actually decorate it and put up shelves, curtains, etc…
- Made a mobile…looks like a 5 yr old made it…don’t care…still going up in his room.
- Bought a double stroller for a smokin’ deal off of Craigslist. Woo Woo! This will come in VERY handy on my maternity leave when I’m strutting around the zoo with Miss Scratch and Scratch Jr…thanks to my sister in law.
- Need to do 1 more mobile that I’ve been seriously procrastinating and I need to do his name in wood letters. Gahh! Forgot about that one.
- Dr’s appointment next week where I’ll have a Group B Strep test and I may get checked to see where I am regarding dilation and effacement. I hope not though….that sh*t is painful! Then I believe the appointments will be weekly after that.
- Geez…is this pregnancy flying by for anyone else?? Maybe it was the holidays, maybe it was the fact that it was a surprise and I didn’t know for several weeks that I was pregnant. Who knows!
- Which reminds me….as of next Tuesday….if Scratch Jr decides to make a debut, the Doctor is not stopping him. People!!! That’s only 4 days away!!! Guess I better go stock up on some diapers, otherwise he might end up in some that are made for 23lbers. lol.
-J
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20
Dec30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 30
A picture of yourself this day and 5 good things that happened since you started the challenge.
This is the end…phew…never thought I’d get here. I’ve been putting off this last post because posting pictures is kinda a pain in the butt. Not to mention actually remembering to take the picture. (FYI…I think the last belly pic I took was around week 24? Yikes). That said, one of my besties kindly volunteered to take picture of me and email it to me. So, this isn’t from today…but from Saturday.
Excuse the awkward face…it’s my “Angy” look. :)
Also excuse the hippo belly…I am 32 weeks preggo. lol
Anyway, on to the challenge…
5 good things that have happened since I started the challenge. I have no idea if this is supposed to be because of the challenge or just in general…I’m going with the in general thought.
1. Finished painting Scratch Jr’s nursery…and built most furniture.
2. Thanksgiving…and seeing family. :)
3. Halloween and seeing Miss Scratch “trick or treat” for the first time.
4. Hosting a fun White Elephant party…but I will gladly pass it back to the rightful owners next year.
5. We started an advent calendar, of sorts, at home this year. It’s 24 wrapped books that all have to do with Christmas or holidays or winter etc… Every night Miss Scratch gets to open 1 as a countdown til Christmas. It’s awesome to watch her get so excited. She comes home every night, demands we turn the lights on the tree and sits in front of the
bookspresents waiting for the go-ahead to pick one and open it. It’s also amazing how she’s progressed in the unwrapping dept. At first, we had to start each and every tear. Then we would start it and she would go, but when she got stuck she would ask for “hup” (help). Now she will flip it over til she finds the right place to start, she rips and tears and never asks for “hup”. It’s really cool to see her learn. I can’t wait for her excitement on Christmas morning.-J
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16
DecPrecocious, I like it.
Having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual.
That’s how I’m going to describe Miss Scratch from now on. That truly describes her and it sounds much better than…we’re going through the terrible twos at 15 months. lol
Miss Scratch had her 15 month wellness visit this week and she is doing GREAT!
She is 33.something inches tall: 98th percentile.
She is 23.6 lbs: 82nd percentile.
The doctor asked, “is she talking?” hahah…yeah she repeats anything you ask her to. She sings, counts, and demands too. “Lights!”…when she wants us to turn the Christmas tree lights on.The doctor’s comment was, “Wow…I would be happy if you said she was saying mommy and daddy.”
So, my next question went like this, “So, if she’s talking like she’s older than she is…does it make sense that she would have the attitude too?” (That’s a nice way of saying tantrums, FYI). Her answer, with a laugh, was a “Yep”. Gah!! The question I didn’t ask (which Scratch asked when I got home and recounted the story) was “Does that mean that this attitude will end sooner…or that we’ll just live with it longer?” Good question, I haven’t the answer. :(
The doctor gave her a clean bill of health in the ears department…which is good since we dealt with a lot of ear infections last winter.
She also
looked inpried open her mouth and was able to see that Miss Scratch has 2 molars that have already started breaking through and 2 more that will anytime (swollen gums). Another anomaly from my kid I tell you. A “normal” kid gets 2 top teeth (E/F)and 2 bottom teeth first (O/P). In either order…but as a set.
Then they would get G/D/N/Q. At least that’s what I thought would happen.
Not my kid though…my kid gets O and F first, then E and P, and now (I think) A/J/K/T. She definitely keeps me on my toes though.
Oh and speaking of surprising me…she has this new phobia with enclosed spaces. It’s weird. The family went to Ikea a couple weeks ago and got in the elevator. She started crying hysterically. I took her to the Dr’s with me last week…in the examining room, crying. At her appointment, in the room, again with the crying. She gets used to it after a couple minutes and stops crying. That is until someone opens and closes the door. Then we start over. So weird.
So, in the future when someone asks, “How is Miss Scratch?” I’m going to say…”She’s Precocious, thanks for asking.” It makes me and Miss Scratch sound smart. lol.
-J
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8
Dec30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 29
Who is your hero?
Ok…so again I’m a little late. Maybe I’ve been preoccupied with Christmas shopping, nursery decorating, a crazy 15 month old…or maybe I’ve been procrastinating this post.
To be honest, I have no idea who my hero is. I’m sure there are a lot though. There are the generic peeps like those protecting our country and teachers who somehow manage to make learning fun or at least enjoyable enough where kids actually retain things…not to mention having to
dealhang out with tens/hundreds/thousands of kids every day/week/month/year.On a more personal level, but still a huge group…I would say single moms are my hero. I CANNOT image what it would be like to raise a child, let alone more than one, as a single parent. No downtime and all the responsibility.
My mom was a single parent for many years and looking back I see how hard she must have worked, but I never knew. I never felt lacking in anything. She was always there. She worked full time as a waitress and I did go to daycare, but I loved it. I’m sure it was expensive, I’m sure that in the summer when I got to do all the awesome activities like rollerskating and movies, etc…it was a hard expense to afford. But I never knew. She was there for dinner every night, homework, parent teacher conferences, weekend adventures, etc..I suppose she would be one of my heroes for sure. Strong, Smart, Generous, Loving, and An Awesome Sense of Style. :) Did I mention that she’s awesome with finances and budgets? So lucky she instilled that in me.
Also, I have to mention my grandparents, who helped take care of me while my mom worked. They had other things going on with their lives, but were (and still is) there for me no matter what.So grateful for them and the love that I always felt.
My dad, who is actually my step-dad…but never made me feel any less than his bio daughter. (Even when I went into a panic attack and started crying uncontrollably at my Uncle’s wedding because I though he was “ruining” my mom by giving her alcohol. #1 I was 9 and it had been just my mom and me for 5 years. and #2 He most likely was not giving my mom alcohol…since I’m not sure if my mom ever drinks. EVER. And what’s really wrong with alcohol anyway. ;p.) Anyway…he has always been there…through good times, bad times, nightmares, homework, field days, bugs in my room, and anything else you can think of. He didn’t have to. He had his own kids…as well as my half sister (who I really “whole love”…anyone guess what movie that’s from? Anyone? Bonus points if you know) and yet I felt no different from them. He’s smart, dedicated, loving, funny, hardworking, and definitely deserves to be one of my heroes.
Alright, so I guess my heroes are those that helped raise me to be the person I am today. They weren’t perfect, but who is? I only hope that Scratch and I and our families and friends help Miss Scratch and Scratch Jr to grow into the amazing people that I know they will be.
-J
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3
Dec30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 28
What stresses you out?
Those close to me **cough cough Scratch* * would say that I stress about everything. That if I don’t have something to stress about, I’ll purposely look for something. I do not agree with this. I think “stress” has a negative connotation. I do think about things a lot, but I wouldn’t consider it in a negative way. It’s more of a positive thing, so I like to say that I obsess about a lot of things.
That said, things that stress me out are being late to things, being late on things (i.e. nursery prep), driving, and speaking in public. That’s a big one. If I know I have to do it in advance, it will wear on me until it’s over. I mean, like not eating, not sleeping, etc…It’s horrid. Oh Oh…I remembered another one. Miss Scratch being clingy for a week straight. When I’ve gotten no sleep and am supposed to be on vacation. True Story.
Things that I am currently obsessing over? Our Christmas Party, Nursery design, Christmas shopping, Home improvements, and wondering when Scratch Jr will make his appearance. Will it be late like his sister? Early? What will happen to Miss Scratch? Will we drop her at daycare? Will we have to bug someone at 2am in the morning? Stress? Not really. Obsess? Yep!
-J
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2
Dec30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 27
Photo of your city
Ok, so this is the Phoenix skyline. It’s not exactly “my city”, but nobody wants to see a picture of the Gilbert Rec Center which seems to be the only pictures I can find.
c/o wikitravel.com
-J
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2
Dec30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 26
Your Dream Wedding
(Side Note: I got through 25 days straight of posting…that’s pretty good I think. Unfortunately then I went on vacation and lost my mojo. Hopefully I’m back.)
Obviously I loved my wedding. I planned it. I put a lot of time, energy, and sweat into it. (By the way…just realized that I don’t think I’ve ever posted any pictures…that’s just crazy). That said, of course there would have been things I changed if I had all the money in the world.
My dream wedding would have still been at a golf course because I wanted lots of green. Ideally I wouldn’t have had to do any work though…cue the wedding planner. I would have loved to have the reception at a more elaborate place, as opposed to a standard Hotel Ballroom. I would likely still stick with the buffet because, well, I love food and the option for seconds is a must. I would have had the photographer there for longer. She stayed til the end of the “events”, i.e. the bouquet toss and cake, but I would have liked her to come sooner. I sorta felt rushed taking pictures before. I also had 2 photographers, but in reality I had one and a 2nd that sometimes took pictures, sometimes held up lighting. I would have much preferred two actual photographers and an assistant. Plus, a more experienced photographer would have been better too. I liked the photos that we got, don’t get me wrong…but there were some I missed (Joe’s father’s side of the family). I also would have liked to mingle more with the tables. I would have had way more flowers, a candy buffet, and a photobooth too.
That said, I really did have a great time and will always remember that amazing night.
Oh…one more thing…my dress ripped. That sucked. I probably spent about 30 minutes trying to fix the bustle. And it still wasn’t fixed. It sucked. I would have had the bustle length shorter and more ties put in…to prevent this from happening.
-J
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Nov30 Day Blog Challenge- Day 25
Something you look forward to.
(Preface: I will actually already be doing this by the time this posts. Yay for me!)
VACATION…Cali here I come.
I’m exciting to see family. Scratch’s family is so much fun and so close. It’s amazing to go visit them and every night they get together and hang out (we’re talking upwards of 15-20 people here).
I look forward to Miss Scratch seeing her grandma, grandpa, and auntie.
I look forward to the cooler weather and pulling out my boots and scarves.
I look forward to cheering on my family as they walk the 3 Day 60 Mile.
I cannot wait for any of it.
-J
