**sigh**
Topic: Momma's Lover Dover
On Tuesday, my Lover boy turned three. I spent all day on the 9th and then again on the 10th, reliving what I went through to get him into this world. I'm one of those people that can remember the exact time something happened. Chris thinks I'm strange, I think I'm anally sentimental.

To top things off. . .three years ago, almost to the minute, I was being wheeled out of the hospital after feeding Cale in the NICU and I was absolutely crushed. It hadn't crossed my mind that I would leave the hospital without my baby. And it was Mother's Day. Rewind a year before that and I had graduated from college and was absolutely crushed that my dad wasn't there. And, thanks to my memory, he hasn't quite been able to live it down.

I just can't believe how much life has changed since May 12, 2001. I would have never guessed the major roller coaster yet to come.

We celebrated Cale's birthday with a family and friend party at Chuck E. Cheese. I know the adults didn't care for it, but Cale was so happy and it was HIS birthday, so it was totally worth it for us. He was just beside himself with excitement and there's nothing better than a child beaming with happiness.

Now we await the birth of Cale's baby brother (who is currently bashing about in my stomach) and I can only imagine the changes that will take place after his birth. I've tried very hard to capture each and every day/moment of Cale's life and I hope I can give that to Pruitt too. But I know how happy we'll be. . .how much joy he'll bring to our little family. Shoot, Cale wanted to let his baby brother hear daddy's phone ring and that was a priceless moment for me.

**sigh** I just wish I knew why they had to grow up so fast ya know?? Last week he was 2 and today. . .he's 3. . .and (knock on wood) has successfully been dry, including nights and naptime, since the the night of his birthday. I keep trying to see the positives and no diapers is a HUGE positive ;) but I can't believe that he's so big. He's just seeming more grown up to me. Oh but I love him. . .and his kisses. . .and his hugs. . .and his giant feet. . .and his sense of humor. . .and his singing. . .and the way his mind works. He's just truly awesome. Truly truly awesome.

UGH!!
Topic: Me!
So I start this huge long post about how I've been trying to de-stress by stressing over other things and my sister calls. I talk to her, we go over American Idol and VOILA! I've erased my entire post and it's gone. Way gone. Like, not there!! I know it was just me forgetting what I was doing, but it still ticks me off!

So the short version is, I finally decided on a theme for Mr. Pruitt's room and registered at PBK and also at BRU so that people won't have to ask what I want. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I WANT OR NEED JUST LOOK UP MY REGISTERY ON THOSE SITES. . . THIS IS THE STUFF THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR! Now I'll be hitting ebay pretty hard in order to make extra cash to buy the littler things I'm wanting. . .piece by piece by piece ;)

All you loyal blog readers out there, aren't you glad that I erased my original post? Didn't this read much faster and easier? Ehhhh hush!!! ;)

Cha ching!!
Topic: Bubba
Chris has worked at his place of employment since Nov of 1999. He's enjoyed it there despite all the icky yucky big corporate stuff that happens. While I was pregnant with Cale, Bubba got a promotion to his current position - just in time for the baby! Now here we sit expecting our second miracle(why am I still in amazement??) and guess what. . .Bubba just got a promotion!!!! YIPPEE!!!!!!

This whole process has been hanging over his head for a few weeks now. He's been on an emotional rollercoaster - such that you'd think HE was the one carrying the baby, not me! But last Friday, he walked into the house WAY early and very excitedly asked me to fix his signature (I made him a personalized signature for his email.) He'd decided he wanted it "taped" to the email instead of "paperclipped." I thought he was awfully excited about it but said I'd work on it. Then he said very nonchalantly, "And while you're there, change it to say MANAGER!" And you would have thought his face was going to explode he was smiling so big.

Now, what changes does this mean are heading our way?? Honestly. . .not that many. He's been stepping up and taking over the position for the interim period so it's not going to be a big culture shock. But what will be is the nice wad of cash they'll be attaching to his paycheck. YIPPEE SKIPPY!!!!!!!! :)

Bubba is one of those that worries about money all the time, regardless of the fact that I am in charge of paying bills and balancing the checkbook. He also loves to spend it. . .seriously. . .he is a man that can spend money on ANYTHING for ANYONE at ANY TIME!! He has a problem. He now feels we can afford the baby and is even MORE excited. Funny huh??

So a big fat CONGRATULATIONS to Bubba on his big job promotion. Love ya Bubba butt!!! Now let's go shopping!!!!!!!

Coffee talk
Topic: Weirdness
Ya know, I'm not one to like coffee. I've tried it numerous times and it just doesn't turn me on. When people hear of this they look at me like I've just hit them. Sorry folks, don't like ANYTHING that tastes like coffee. Nothing that has coffee in it even! (Why do people do that??? Start naming off stuff to see if they can catch me. It's like seafood. I don't like it!! Nope, not shrimp, not shark, not crab, not fish. NOTHING IN THE SEAFOOD CATEGORY!!!!! But I digress. . . ) One thing I DO like about coffee is the smell. I grew up in a house of coffee inhalers. In case you need a definition of a coffee inhaler, it's not a person that puts coffee beans or grinds into a bag and takes puffs from it. Oh no, a coffee inhaler is a person that will literally inhale the coffee that is too scalding hot to actually let it touch their mouths. So they inhale it straight down. This is what I lived with. To this day, my dad will literally drink cup after cup after cup after cup all day long at work (sorry dad, I did work with ya for awhile you know!! And BTW, Doesn't Uncle Rick still have your Irby cup?!?!?).

Wow, I am kind of spouting off in different directions today!

When Chris and I got married, we didn't register for a coffee pot. We did, however, receive one as a gift. We didn't use it until recently. . .because Chris has become a user. He is now an official coffee user. On Saturday mornings I can smell it through the house. It's a nice comforting memory for me :) But the real topic of this post is Starbucks. I personally don't see the love for Starbucks that others do, even Gretchen posted about it today. I've been in there one time and I drank rootbeer!! Chris absolutely LOVES his $5 cup of coffee and swears by them. So he's hooked on Starbucks also. But what's wild is they didn't really appear here in the city until about 2 years ago. Now there's one on the corner and on the opposite corner is a Target. . .with a Starbucks in it! I always saw them as the coffee house for the snobbish and jerky. I mean seriously, $5 for coffee???? But I figured they knew what they were doing, they are, afterall, a massive chain. But my opinion of those that purchase their beverages has dramatically changed.

We go to the mall to walk and people watch. Cale enjoys it and it gets us out of the house. As we sat upstairs waiting for the water show, I glanced over to these BIG HUGE HAIRY MEN, one dressed like he'd just unmounted from his horse and the other like he'd just turned off his big bulldozer on the construction site. Picturing them now?? They were two very interesting chaps, talking and sitting at their glass table. . .and my eyes wandered to their big rough dirty hands, both pairs wrapped tightly around a Starbucks cup. Luckily Cale grabbed my attention away or I would have had to pick my jaw up off the floor. I never thought that blue collar workers were Starbucks drinkers. But I'll be. . .Starbucks appeals to all sorts and apparently is also an addiction had by people in different realms.

So the moral to the story is, although I don't like what they serve, Starbucks taught me that they can unite the different cultures and ethnic groups. How many chains can say that??

The belly
Topic: Me!
I've always heard pregnant women say that ONE day they wake up and BAM (in my best Emeril impression) they have this belly. Well, that happened awhile ago for me, but SHOOT FIRE!! Have you seen this sucker lately?!?!? It's seriously MASSIVE!!!!! I mean really!! It's pretty bad when the dr goes to examine the ever growing stomach and as he's pushing trying to locate the top of my uterus says, "Whoa, you're big!" Thanks doc. That helps things a ton.

But the thing that I've never "gotten" about people is the fact that they think they can tell me what THEY think about my size. Want some examples?? Good. I have a few.

Mom ~ "Well, I guess you're starting to show."
My inner remark ~ "ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? I LOST 20LBS AND THIS IS NOT ALL FAT WOMAN! THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING HERE!!"

Another family member to remain anonymous ~ "I see you've gained all that weight back, you've blown up since I saw you last."
My inner remark ~ "CAN I SLAP YOU SILLY PLEASE??????????"

Carly ~ *muffling laughter as I unzip my jacket* "OMG. . .look at that BELLY!!!"
My inner remark ~ "Listen here you 5'1" midget. . .let's see how YOU look when you get pregnant and don't start complaining to me about how fat you look and for God's sake quit cutting your hair!!!"

Chris ~ "WHOA!! HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BELLY!!!" *now rubbing it* "Oooooooohhhh that's niiiiiiiceeeee."

Now, while we're on the topic of bellies and Chris, this man has a problem. He's one of those men that finds pregnant women VERY attractive. Granted, he's done his fair share at joking about my size and the fact that I'm backwards as far as weight gaining, but he loves the belly. He pats and rubs and pokes and pushes and talks and kisses it. Some of those things I find cool while others drive me to drink. But it is a great feeling to know that even though my stomach is GROWING out of control, this man that I call Bubba will love the belly more and more each day. That rocks.

So without further ado, here's a pic you will NOT see on my site (go there for other belly pics). This is the closest the public will see of my naked belly, but I was perplexed by its hardness and roundness. And I want to save everyone from the war scars of Cale's habitation in my stomach. Excuse the wild hair and excuse my baggy butt pants. I need ones that actually fit :) And if you look closely on the right of the pic (the actual belly part) you can see a red mark. . .that being a reminder of my lovely gallbladder that I'd like to step on for torturing me. Enjoy the view.

What I'm listening to. . . .
Topic: Weirdness
To get the full effect, imagine a totally white backdrop, see Paul Simon and Chevy Chase playing trumpets. . .feel it yet????

~~~~~~~~

**singing**Where's my wife and family? What if I die here? Who'll be my role model, now that my role model is gone. Gone.

He ducked back down the alley with some, roly poly little batfaced girl.

All along, along, there were incidents and accidents there were hints and allegations.

If you'll be my bodyguard, I can be your long lost pal. I can call you Betty and Betty when you call me you can call me Al. Call me Al.

~~~~~~~~

One of my first MTV memories ;) And I LOVE IT!!!!! I just can't help but want to stand and kick my legs out. Maybe wear an ugly Hawaiian shirt. . .anyone else?? No wonder Chris doesn't want to hang out with me! LOL

Time for annoyances again
Topic: Me!
I had a seriously awful day today and so maybe it's that, maybe it's pregnancy, or maybe it's just time for another post on things to annoy me. And people, if you've not seen the movie Ladder 49, discontinue your blog reading.

How to annoy me:

Tell me you'll do something and then don't do it: whether it be calling me back or pooping on the potty.

Don't use your blinkers.

Stand over me as I type on the computer and say, "Hey. . .since you're not doing anything. . ."

When I say, "Oh, we want to see Ladder 49 SO BADLY," you respond, "Oh, we watched that last night and it was pretty good, but it sucks that the younger guy dies at the end."

Think that every ache or slight discomfort means you're dying of some hideous disease. There are some of us that suffer from chronic pain and we'd be glad to share it with you so you WILL have some real discomfort.

Start a sentence and then stop in the dead middle of it. When I ask you to finish, claim you weren't talking to begin with.

Ask me for a list of what I want for a present and then don't buy a thing off of it.

Should I feel better now??? Because I don't yet. . .so maybe I should just go to sleep! :) Hey!! There's a smile!! ;)

He got me again
Topic: Momma's Lover Dover
I had always heard that there would be a moment in time, maybe more than one, when your child says or asks something so profound that you just stop. Well, my Lover had one of those such moments on Monday night.

I've asked him before what's in the sky and he'd tell me airplanes. Ok, he's right, there are airplanes in the sky. So when he came to me Monday, propped himself up on the side of my chair and looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes and said, "Momma, Meme's up there," I was caught off guard. (FYI, Meme was my great-grandmother who passed away in Mar of 96) I looked at him and said, "Meme's up where Lover?" Here's the way the rest of the conversation played out.

Cale ~ "Meme's up in heaven."

Me ~ "Yep, Meme's in heaven."

Cale ~ "Momma, Momma's Pa's in heaven too." (Pa being my maternal grandfather that passed in Feb 95"

Me ~ "Yes! Very good, Momma's Pa is in heaven."

Cale ~ "Momma's Pa is Oma's Pa. That's right, Oma's Pa is in heaven."

Me ~ "Yep, Momma's Pa is Oma's Pa."

Cale ~ "Momma, Grandpa's in heaven."

Me ~ *now fighting tears* "Yes Lover, Grandpa just went to heaven didn't he?"

Cale ~ "That's right. Momma misses Grandpa."

Me ~ "You're right Lover. Momma misses Grandpa a lot."

Cale ~ "Momma, Momma, Mama's in heaven. Papa's at home."

Me ~ "Yes, Mama is in heaven and Papa is at home."

Cale ~ "Momma, Momma, Momma. Where's heaven?"

Me ~ *sitting in stunned silence wondering if he'd rather talk about where babies come from* After regaining my composure - "Well Lover, it's way up high in the sky, in the clouds where we can't see, but one day we will get to."

This child then goes over to the sliding door and looks out and says, "MOMMA!! There's Meme and Poppy!!!! In heaven!!"

I never expected to have a conversation like that with a not even 3 year old. I honestly never thought he'd "get it" with the whole heaven thing. We didn't start telling him that until Mama passed in Aug. When he sees her picture he names her and tells us that she's in heaven. So when my Grandpa died in Dec, we also told him that he'd gone to heaven. We used it as a way to explain the lack of their presence at their houses, etc. I never thought he'd grasp the concept that heaven is a place, a place where people go, a place that we'll get to see later.

I'm still shocked that he does understand, however little it is, but I worry that he understands too much. I want him to stay young and innocent for as long as possible. I don't want to push him to grow up too fast. I want him to explore and do stupid stuff and be loud when he should be quiet (which he does VERY well). But I know that I'm doing the best I can do and he'll turn out just wonderfully. He's my Lover Dover after all. . .my big, huge, blonde, blue eyed, smart Lover Dover. And he steals my heart. . . . . .

Excuse me while I speak to the child
Topic: Weirdness
Hello. . .little big baby inside my HUGE stomach. Would you mind FLIPPING YOUR TINY BUTT AROUND?????? Seriously. . .I hate to keep comparing you to Cale, but he was head down at this point in his early development. I know you're in there, I know you can hear me! Why have you ignored my pleading and begging?? A bladder is not for jumping on, neither is the bed or couch, so just flip your little self head down, kick the crap out of my waist and let's call it a day. Whaddya say?? Stop it. STOP. IT. I feel you doing that. What about food. Wanna bargain with food?? How about salsa? Will that work?? Or pizza?? Or broccoli?? JUST TELL ME WHAT I MUST DO???

I guess we'll get back to this later. . .you're jumping again and the urge to pee is overwhelming. Now it's not. Now it is. Now it's not. STOP THE INSANITY!!!!!!

Ahhhh. . .discipline
Topic: Momma's Lover Dover
DISCIPLINE. It's a word that every parent knows. It's also something very hard to do. And to do it RIGHT. We try, we really do, but sometimes. . .well. . .you just get that "evil" feeling and your mouth winds up in a smirk and a chuckle comes out.

Want an example?? Well, funny you should ask because this story, the one I'm about to tell, happened this morning about 10:30am. It actually warranted a phone call to Bubba so he could enjoy it with me.

Cale has outside shoes. He has to get them on to go play in the backyard. They're water shoes, which makes them easy to clean should he make the unfortunate mistake of walking through mud or one of Skye's special prizes. Today, it was a nice chilly 39? outside and Cale comes back to my bedroom where I'm folding laundry, outside shoes in hand, leans AROUND the corner and announces, "Tale doe-ing outside Momma" and proceeds to walk down the hall. Very calmly I call his name and tell him it's too cold. No response. Again, still calm, I call his name again and tell him I want to talk to him. No response. I'm watching the security monitor on the wall to see if the number 2 starts to flash. Flashing number 2 = sliding glass door open. BAM! That dang thing starts to flash. So I walk to backdoor, I didn't even say a word and he SHRIEKS at me. I tell him if he doesn't come in he'll go to time out and I start the counting (this is our method of disciplining and it works pretty well. . .my parents were surprised!). On one, he opens the door, screams, hits me, pinches me and screams some more. That's an immediate sentence to time-out. As he's screaming down the hall, he turns to hit me again. I let him and tell him he's now going to get TWO time outs. Then, in his shrillest voice, he screams "DON'T VISIT ME!!!" and I announce (still calm which is odd) that he now gets THREE time outs.

I visit him after each two minute period to let him know he doesn't do the prior offense and that he now gets to sit there again for hitting/pinching/screaming etc.

After visiting him twice, I hear him get mad and he starts to bang his head against the wall. He does this, sits there and tries to flatten out the back of his head. It's kind of pleasing because we know we've really gotten to him. After two minutes of head banging, I get to his doorway in time for him to look at me, wrinkle up his face in sheer anger and thrust his head into the wall. This, my friends is where the evil parent kicks in. The force and vibration up the wall causes his clock to fall. . .ON HIM!!!! It was like it was a set up because he didn't see it coming, I did, but he didn't and it was a direct strike. He literally FLIPPED out and as he shook from the sudden shock of it all, I had to muffle laughter. (I did keep it muffled until he didn't know what I was laughing about, and yes, I did comfort him as he slobbered up and down my face and shirt.) It's that "You actually kind of deserved what you got" feeling. Mean huh?? But know what Chris did?? He almost peed his pants. . .right there in the middle of the floor at his work. And he also agreed, it was FUH-NNY!

It's amazing that we can get satisfaction out of things that we didn't even cause. And although it is mean, we've all been there. If you say you haven't found pleasure in something like this happening. . .well. . .you lie! LOL