Weight Gain and Pregnancy

Entering the third trimester and I've only gained six pounds. Looking at pictures of me, you would think that I'm off my rocker, for nobody could have gained so little and still be this big. Well, thanks to a newly developed thyroid issue since I've been pregnant, plus the pills that I am taking, six pounds isn't making the doctor very thrilled.

What do I think? Psh... six pounds and only three months to go... I'm fine with that. Yes, the baby is measuring right on and, as far as can be discerned without ultrasound, he is healthy and active.

I'll stop there on the thyroid/pregnancy issue because if I say anymore about it, I'll only confuse myself. I still have very little idea what's going on with my body, as sad as that sounds.

Blessings in Disguise

During the past week, our managing position has required a little more work than usual. We've had three tenants move out, and because of our picky-ness when it comes to cleaning, we've been cleaning a lot lately.

Throughout this process, I have repeatedly told myself that I prayed for patience and this is what I received. So, all this cleaning and trying to have good thoughts toward the old tenants is really a blessing, right?

Another blessing--a more tangible one--came three days ago. With tenants moving out around the same time, the dumpster was piled high with boxes and bags surrounding it. Upon closer inspection of the dumpster, we realized that some of the things that the tenants had labeled as "trash" were super duper treasures to us! Nice, new-looking pots and pans, good books, expensive knives, a vacuum that works better than ours, stools for our bar, dryer sheets, laundry detergent, drain cleaner, an expensive space heater, and an unwrapped Ghiradelli baking chocolate bar (I had to have that one) are just a few of the treasures we found. Call us nasty, but after a good washing, these things saved us some moolah!

Painless Recap

I'll make it as painless as possible. Why should you, dear reader, have to suffer from my procrastination when it comes to blog updates? I've simply included below a list of what has happened over the past three months:

~We're expecting another boy in August. Parker and his little playmate will be 22 months apart. We're rather excited for our arrival!
~Cam and I left Parker with Allen and Jeannie for five days and went to San Francisco to "conduct research" for my novel. We experienced Alcatraz, Angel Island, Chinatown, biking in Golden Gate Park, and really good food. 'Twas a fantastic getaway, just the two of us. The three of us (Parker, Cam, and I) did really well for how long we were separated. Thank you, Allen and Jeannie for taking care of our li'l guy!

Ha! I guess that's it. Yeah, not much going on with us lately. Cam's contract was renewed for next year--we're SO grateful he doesn't have to go through the application and interviewing process again. And I'm continuing God's work as a stay-at-home mom (ha, ha) with an occasional Slumber Party here and there, which gives me a reason to put on lots of makeup and wear fancy clothes.

*Blogs are for pictures. I'll get some on ASAP.

Just Bored...

You really don't have to read this. No, really. If I were you, I would honestly just hit the back button or type another address in the address bar. Seriously. This is just a finger exercise. No joke.
If you're still reading, I will warn you again that this is not something you need to read. Waste of time. No, like a bigger waste of time than what you were doing before.
Alright, don't say I didn't warn you if you made it this far.
Um... right now, Cam's watching the Jazz game. It's 9:16 P.M. It's fine he's watching the game, really. I enjoy a game every now and again. I just have to be doing something else while watching it, moving somehow. I guess now it's just my fingers that are moving, and that suits me fine. I'm probably just in that exhausted state where anything goes.
You still reading? Do you believe me now? You really should leave. I might end soon, so if you want to finish... no, you better not. Hit the back button and go do something productive, 'kay? Are you on Pinterest? You could go look through that. Or look through Facebook. Ugh... those two words make me sick right now. I sometimes wonder what other things people would do if there were no such thing as Pinterest or Facebook. What did they do before? Something to think about, eh? Something for me to think about, anyway...
Oh, and for you! Because you're still here reading this... this waste of time. Well, uh... thanks? Can you tell how bored I am? I just need something for my fingers to do. It's actually quite fun. Well, good night, and thanks for reading. Now, go do something productive. :)

This holiday with family was spectacular! Things that stand out include:

~enjoying Devin and Jessica's company in the car for 22+ hours as we traveled to and from Washington, and having our little "blowing-a-tire" adventure
~having Braden jump into bed with Cameron and me Christmas Eve morning just to laugh and talk with us (he's 18!)
~having Parker "ooh" at all of his presents and show his excitement--even if he was opening a simple pair of pants. What 15 month old gets excited about pants?
~watching Parker finally learn to stand up on his own
~being very impressed to find out that Parker is an excellent traveler and teether (he got two new teeth over the holiday, and we didn't even know it until we got home)
~being thankful that Parker slept through the night in every new place he stayed
~ringing in the new year with the Henrie family
~announcing to our family that baby #2 will be here in August... thought I'd throw that in there for kicks... :)

All the awesomeness of the break took a toll on little Parkster, though. The late nights finally caught up with him and the little boy who is usually up by 7:30 or so each morning slept until 10:20 the day we got home. He's so glad to be home even though he loved being with family. He might not admit it, but we know he had fun.

Thanks, fam, (Henrie and Flory side) for the great time!

P.S. Yeah, you'd think we'd have tons of pictures, but, alas, both of our cameras died and we had neither charger nor battery. :(

On the Rise!

I took Parker to the Health Department yesterday just so they could do a follow up on his weight gain. In October, they told me that if he didn't gain 8 oz. by December, they would have to worry. Needless to say, I took him thinking that he hadn't gained at all.
However, I was pleasantly surprised when the digital scale numbers flickered number after number--I say "flickered" because Parker was a wreck right as he touched the scale, crying and reaching for Mom. Anyway, the numbers that kept changing were the ounces, of course, and the "pound" number stayed the same... it was a 19! Which means he is out of the 18s, and he's gained a whole pound or more! Yeah, buddy!
This whole Parker-weight-gain thing is probably more for family who don't see him very often, and just so they know what's going on... actually I don't even know if they read it. :) So this is probably just for record keeping sake, and an activity for my fingers to do. Whatever it is, I'm glad our little boy is growing!

Family Photo Shoot

Thanks to John and Cori Beenfield for doing such an awesome job! The rest of the photo shoot can be found at jaybird-photo.blogspot.com

Uh... Decmber Fools...?

Okay, so we're utterly confused, but very grateful at the moment. Parker's doctor called yesterday to inform us that while Parker's blood work was higher than it should be for celiac levels (or whatever), they are only barely higher. So... we'll go back in 3 months to see if he's gained any weight. If not, he'll get a biopsy that will truly determine what is wrong.
In the meantime, no gluten free stuff--thank heavens! It's pricy!