Lately I've learned that . . .

Magazines are best kept out of reach of the pack n' play.

Even some good treats take convincing to try.

Dry erase marker comes off the wall with the dry erase marker spray (more effectively than hairspray, rubbing alcohol, and a few other attempted remedies), thankfully!

And, sometimes when you tell a kid to smile it's just awkwardly funny.

Maybe this one is a girl . . .

????

I've pretty much been struggling since June--lots and lots of headaches, and well, an upset stomach for weeks now. Last pregnancy it just wasn't this bad. I know I had my moments, but it just wasn't this bad.

Food never sounds good, I just have to eat sometimes or I feel worse. I've discovered the comfort of shaved ice with juice concentrate as a topping in the past few days and that's been a treat I treasure.

I'm 12 or 13 weeks along, so at least I know the discomfort will surely end in February (within a week of Guy's second birthday-Feb 7), and that I get one more live in camera subject out of the deal. :)

And really, I AM excited--it'd be fun to have another boy so he can pal around with Guy, and the fact that we have all boy stuff already makes that idea very appealing, as well. If it's a girl, I'll be excited to do ribbons and bows, and all the lacy stuff I've really never even looked at much in stores. I'll even pull my sewing machine out for that stuff, and I'd love it.

Rob's a great dad, and Guy will be a loving older brother--he's already baby hungry, for months, he's been holding out his arms, trying to hold every baby that he sees, and if he sees a crying baby, it's worse--tears stream down his cheeks as he reaches for him/her, he wants to help so badly.

I know in some ways, the discomfort will get worse (as I get bigger)--I just hope the morning sickness (that has lasted all day for me) stops soon. Regardless, I am grateful--it's an amazing blessing that we get to increase our family with another one of God's children, and being the woman that gets to carry the child is a pretty special experience, too.

I certainly feel tremendously blessed.

Happy Birthday Rob!

July flew, and if August has a chance, I kind of hope it will, too.

Rob's been working hard for our little family every day, and he never seems to get rest. Monday through Friday he has his "real" job, the one with benefits that covers all our expenses. Tuesday through Thursday he also works through the evening, until 10:30 pm most nights. Then, he's doing the work that he likes better--seeing clients as he fills the role of counselor to those with marriage problems, substance abuse and pornography addictions, as well as other issues. He enjoys that, helping people one on one and seeing them make changes for the good. It's a good thing, too, that the second job is earning him hours towards his LCSW.

When he's home, he spends a lot of time helping out with Guy. This morning, for example, he got Guy up, fed him, and didn't wake me up until he had to leave for work. I still feel bad that his birthday morning started like that.

We were able to meet up for lunch and give him the first of a few gifts, though.

Always up for a good deal (remember the donuts?), Rob's goal is to get as many birthday freebies as he can this week. A lot of restaurants share offers like that, so we'll start redeeming them tonight, for dinner. Easy enough for me, yea. :)