The Joys of Owning a Home

Our kitchen has a new addition.  We bought a new fridge last week.  A couple weeks ago, I noticed that there was a wet spot on the floor in front of the fridge.  I assumed that I had spilled some water (completely NOT like me, right?!?) when I was taking out or putting in the Brita pitcher.  After a couple of days, the wet spot was still there.  Brian and his dad pulled out the fridge and discovered that it was 26 years old.  Apparently this is an eternity for a fridge.  Rather than drop possibly a few hundred dollars into an ancient fridge, we decided to bite the bullet and buy a new one.  Here's what we got....

I swore I would never get another side by side, but the desire to not have a dwarfed looking fridge in our rather large, predetermined opening won out.  Plus, I wanted the cubic footage.  It actually holds quite a bit more in the fridge part than our old one, so I'm pleased.  The "useable" space is awesome!  Brian's quite excited about the stainless steel.  (Ok, to be honest, he's pretty darn excited about the whole thing!)  I probably would have said no to stainless steel, except that with the rebate, it was cheaper than the black option.  Go figure!! 

Now Brian says we need the kitchen to match.....a girl can only dream!!  :) 

Another week, more adventures!

This has been quite the week.  Brian resumed work on the 3 season room.  He spent Sunday-Thursday working on it with various helpers.  I'm really glad it's done, but man, did it exhaust me!  I felt like a single mom....working all day, coming home and picking up Curtis, making dinner, cleaning up after dinner, (all while chasing after a very active 14 month old) and then trying to have some quality time with the little guy.  Of course, he just wanted to be out with his daddy.  The weather was awful, though, and it was just too cold for him.  The whole time the guys were working I was trying to play the distraction game.  I think I lost more than I won!!  By the time I put Curtis to bed at 8 or so, then spent some more time picking up and doing laundry (still jealous of my sister's machine), I was pooped!!  My grad class stuff just didn't get done during the week.  It did make me appreciate Brian's help more.  The room is just about finished.  There's a little more touch up painting that needs done and then it just needs reassembled.  Eventually this weather has to warm up so we can use it!! 

Brian has many strengths, but planning ahead is not always one of them.  On Tuesday morning, we took the car to work, as always.  However, he forgot that he needed to stop at Menards to pick up some really long pieces of wood.  The result?  Opening the back windows, sliding them in and through to the front seat.  Where did that leave me??  Wedged in the backseat between two car seats.  The space for my butt was about 2 inches smaller than the width of my hips/butt.  A seatbelt was impossible to use (I absolutely HATED that), but I decided that even in an accident, I was wedged down so tightly that I couldn't go anywhere.  It was so bad I lost circulation in my butt halfway home!!  I think pictures are in order,,,,, 

Wednesday morning Curtis woke up screaming.  Normally I have to bribe him to wake up by promising to take him to Rachel's house!!  I took his temp, and it was 101.  Brian stayed home with him.  I really wish I could have, but my 8 sick days must be conserved for maternity leave!  The little guy is so independent and hates to be cuddled....unless he's sick.  I hate seeing him sick, but the silver lining is I get cuddle time!!  After a visit to the doctor, we found out he has ANOTHER ear infection.  Ugh.  I'm so sick of those already!  Round 3 of antibiotics.  Luckily he's so awesome about taking them.  Thursday, I was in the kitchen measuring it out while he was playing in the other room.  I said, "Curtis, come take your medicine" and right away he toddled out and opened his mouth.  He always seems to want more!  We must have had the ones that don't have an awful taste.  This one is causing the diarrhea I'd heard about, though.  He had cheese this morning with his breakfast in an attempt to counteract this problem!!  On a positive note, he's feeling much better.  He already seems back to his normal self. 

I'm always amazed at how he plays.  He never stops moving.  He loves crawling under our dining room table and under the chairs.  He must think it's a jungle gym!  He was just squealing and laughing and smiling as I was playing peek a boo and making faces at him.  What fun!!!  I love Saturday mornings when you can hang out in PJs and just have fun! 

The jabbering continues.  He's saying "Wow" and "Wa" a lot more and he's working on the B sound.  Otherwise no major developments.  I have decided he's definitely his daddy's son, because he sure can snore!!  One funny moment of the week was one night after supper, he opened his mouth and this huge burp came out.  We both had a good laugh about that! 

We had spaghetti one night this week. 

Who wants to take a bath? 

I've probably wasted enough time now blogging when I should be doing many other more productive things (showering, cleaning, dishes, and homework all come to mind).  Off to be semi-productive until Curtis wakes up from his nap! 

Home Cooked Meal

Dad called this morning and invited us over for dinner (or supper, if you prefer).  They made ham and scalloped potatoes, and it was delicious!  I love having home cooked meals that I don't have to cook!!  Laura and Brad and the boys were over too.  I love watching Curtis "interact" with them.  They all did pretty well today.  It's so much better now that Evan and Curtis are older...and Evan isn't trying to use Curtis as a step stool anymore!  :)  :)  Don't worry Laura...I know he wasn't trying to be mean when he did it! 

The only other interesting thing happening is Curtis is figuring out the W sound.  A couple of days ago he was looking out the window, then turned to me and said, "WOW!"  It was such perfect timing.  Watching him say it (or sometimes "Wa") is so funny.  You can see the concentration on his face as he forms his mouth and then says it.  I love it!! 

Off to enjoy the last hour or so of break before crashing for the night.  Here's to hoping I can get my two kiddos (ok, one kid and one adult) up and out the door on time tomorrow! 

Spring Break

What a week!  Wait, was it actually a week?  It seemed to just fly by.  My to-do list still has so many items unchecked.  Oh well.  I'll get there eventually!  I definitely enjoyed sleeping in this week.  I know how spoiled I am to be able to do that.  Curtis is just like his daddy when it comes to sleep.  I just hope #2 cooperates too, although I'm not holding my breath on that one!! 


Curtis and I both had doctor's appointments on Monday.  I'm doing well with the pregnancy.  Yay!!  Curtis didn't have as good of a report.  His ear infection hasn't cleared up completely.  I'm hoping a little more time will do the trick.  There was mention of going to a specialist if it didn't want to go away on its own.  I'm really hoping we can avoid that!! 


I had an eye doctor's appointment this week too.  Apparently my left eye is improving.  AND even better news is that they might be coming out with stronger contacts in a few months.  I see 20/20 out of them now, but Dr. Bostelman said that I'd see things even clearer if they do actually make the stronger lens for me astigmatism.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed!   


The stuff from my 31 party came yesterday.  I'm very excited.  I'm contemplating becoming a consultant in August (the soonest they'll take new people), but I haven't decided yet.  I think I would really enjoy it, but I don't want to become a bother to my family/friends.  Something to think about......


Speaking of 31, I delivered my sister's stuff to her while she was gone.  I was quite perplexed when I walked in because the washer was going, and I knew she hadn't been home.  I was thinking that her husband must be awesome and have come home from work to start a load.  NOPE!!!  Her washer has a setting where it will start a load in 8 hours, so when you come home from work, it's ready for the dryer.  How freaking awesome is that?!?!?  She was telling me that some washers have even more advanced settings for starting loads.  I'm definitely behind the times with my old standard washer.  Oh well, it makes the clothes clean and it's paid for!  :) 


I hope my sister doesn't have nosy neighbors.  If they do, I hope they weren't watching as I carried an armload of maternity clothes out of her house.  Tomorrow I'll have to try on and see what fits! 


Hopefully all of you survived April Fool's Day without being tricked too much! 

Extreme Couponing

So a few weeks ago, Brian watched this Extreme Couponing show and challenged me to see how much I could save.  I like a good challenge, so I accepted.  I've been clipping coupons and watching the ads, and this morning, I sat down and mapped out what to buy at 3 different stores in Defiance.  After my trip to Walgreens, I spent approximately $100, but saved $100.  I was pretty impressed!  I only bought what was on sale for a good price (none of this 25 cents off a $20 item "sale").  Some of the items we bought ahead and won't have to buy for another 6 months or more!  Even though Dad works there, I never realized how good of sales they have.  I'm sure, like all other stores, many of the other items were overpriced, but I stuck to my list....something I have trouble doing at the grocery store.  I need more DISCIPLINE!  I had hoped to stop at the other two stores, but with Curtis and trying to get over to see Grandma, and then get back to celebrate Grandma T's birthday, there just wasn't time.  I'll have to stop when I pass through on Friday and see how much more I can save! 

Baby Update

Ok, I'm definitely feeling pregnant now.  I think I "popped" in the last week.  My students were asking me if I was going to play in the staff vs students basketball game on Friday.  My response... "I could BE the basketball!"  Then some of them told me that they forgot I was pregnant.  I wanted to say, "Really???  Did you think I just ate a lot in the last 6 months??"  That stayed an inner thought (until here), of course. 

The heartburn has started again.  I was really, really hoping it would stay away this time, but no such luck.  Ah, I guess I'm just going to be getting a lot of extra calcium from the antacids!! 

Loving the movement and kicking though.  A couple of weeks ago Brian was finally able to feel it too.  Such a unique feeling....I absolutely love it! 

Tomorrow's my 4 week check-up.  I'm curious to see how much I've grown since the last check-up.  Plus, hearing the heartbeat is SSSOOOO amazing!  :)