28 weeks

3rd Trimester!!! Wow time has flown by. Nursery is getting close to looking like a little girls room. Walls are painted, dresser is assembled, waiting for part for crib then we can do it (sending us a new side piece as ours had gash in it. My cousin Sherrie has offered to host the baby shower for us, but not sure when yet. We are signed up for all of our classes through the hospital and the tour comes first on Jan 30th. We are chugging along but I still feel like I have a ton to do but really don't. Haven't washed any of the clothing, bedding, etc yet, think I will wait till after the shower and see what all we get. Did the glucose test last Tuesday and as far as I know I passed. Bi weekly appts start at 30 weeks, hard to believe!

Here is my ever growing bump....

25 weeks 2 days

Been slacking off but trying to get ahead of things with the holidays. We got one wall primed and hope to convince Neil to start the other three this weekend since college football is pretty much done till the bowls start. Almost to double digits! Not much else has changed other than my bump getting bigger, she definitely is a squirmer but not complaining at all. I love it!

Christmas is coming too fast this year, only buying for the kids, my parents, his mom, and the Hobbs family. They will be a family of 5 no later than Wednesday morning too. I am being a bum this year and not putting the tree up, too much effort on my part for just the 2 of us but will do it next year of course. I find myself cleaning at odd times but still slack somewhat. Hoping the nesting phase kicks in soon! Our office building christmas party is today. We go from floor to floor for different food categories and try to be social with everyone. We usually have one of the best food floors too. Our office party is next Friday at the Cherry Valley Lodge. Should be a good time!

From the bump: 6 months/weeks 25-28 

Your Baby: Month 6



Let your spouse put an ear to your belly -- he might be able to pick up baby's heartbeat (no stethoscope required). Inside the womb, the formation of tiny capillaries is giving baby a healthy pink glow. Baby's also soaking up your antibodies, getting the immune system ready for life outside the womb. Eyes are forming, and baby will soon perfect the blink -- perfect for batting those freshly grown lashes.

22 weeks 2 days

Spent about 2 hours at Babies R Us on Wednesday playing with car seats, strollers, diaper bags and started a registry. Hope to get the Target one started within the next week too. While over on 256 I stopped at Panera for lunch and was in heaven. Brought home some Asiago cheese bread, cookie for Neil and cinnamon roll for me....lunch was tasty too. Picking up the crib, mattress, and dresser sometime this weekend. Sanded the walls, need to get tape on trim and we should be ready to prime. Would like to have the room painted by the new year but we'll see.
Here are two pictures from Tuesday of the ever growing bump

      

From the bump: Fruit will stay the same for the next few weeks.

Your Baby: Month 5

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.



21 weeks 1 day

Nothing too new to report for this week. She is still moving a lot, some kicks/jabs are stronger than others but love feeling each one. Got an email today that our crib, mattress, and dresser are ready for pickup so hope to do that in the next week or so. Going to our first Blue Jackets game this season tomorrow night courtesy of Kevin. He won the tickets but not going due to Brittany having the chance of going into labor any time now. So far they are 9-5 for the season and they are playing the Colorado Avalanche tomorrow night. I think I am more excited for dinner which will most likely be Ted's Montana Grill or Gordon Biersch. Excited for game too but these days food takes presidence.

From the bump:

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion, and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, if baby is a girl, her womb is now stocked up with her lifetime supply of six million eggs (the number will drop to around one million by birth).

20 weeks 2 days

TGIF!! For some reason this week seems long yet fast, I can't explain it. Anyways we made some progress on the nursery: ordered the crib, mattress, dresser, and curtains from WalMart as they had the best prices compared to Target and Babies R Us. Everything should be here sometime after the 15th. Hoping to get the paint picked out this weekend. We know the colors we want just have to get the card but won't get the paint till I can talk with him mom and see when she is available to help. We do need to sand a few spots and tape off the trim, then we should be ready. I did get the pack and play out the other night to make sure I knew how to set it up. Took me a few tries on the railings....but I have never used one before.

She is really moving now and even got Neil to feel her for the first time last Saturday. I can't imagine how its going to feel as she gets bigger! It almost tickles at times. Here are 2 pictures from Wednesday, officially half baked!

          

From the bump:                                 

Your Baby: Week 20

Baby's digestive system is busy creating meconium (a tarry black substance made of swallowed amniotic fluid, digestive secretion and dead cells), which will fill the first diaper after birth. And, speaking of the diaper situation... baby's genitals are now fully formed!





19 weeks 2 days

ITS A GIRL!!!!!!!!

Our anatomy scan was Monday, our moms came with us and they really enjoyed looking at the screen and trying to figure out what everything was. Her head was down in my pelvis so no good face/profile shots but having another ultrasound at my next appt the week of Thanksgiving. Once I have those I will post some pictures. Both of us thought it was a boy and I was calling him he so now I have to make sure I say "she". No names picked out, still looking. All the ones I did like are way too popular now. Also need to figure out color scheme for her room. I have an idea in my head but going to go and get a few things to show Neil so he can see what I am talking about. My only requirement is no pink walls, not our style.

Today is Neil's last day on the Work Force Managment team. He starts his new position back in claims on Monday. Other than that, nothing else is going on.

From the bump:

Baby's now the size of a mango!


Vernix caseosa, a greasy white substance made of lanugo, oil, and dead skin cells (yum) now coats baby's skin, shielding it from the amniotic fluid. (Picture yourself after a nine-month bath, and the need for protection makes sense.) You might get to see the vernix at birth, especially if baby is premature.

Those nasty leg cramps are probably making it tough to get comfortable. One way to ease the pain: Extend your leg and flex your ankle and toes toward your knees. Or enlist your partner for a calf (and back!) massage. Good news: Your now-bulging belly should get you a little more compassion from everyone around you.

17 weeks 6 days

Not much new to talk about this week. Feeling more movement everyday, waiting for it to be hard enough for Neil to feel. Next Monday we will hopefully (fingers crossed) be able to find out if we are having a boy or girl. Our moms are going with us and I am meeting with the midwife after the ultrasound so Neil will finally be able to meet her. Went through my winter clothes trying to find some things that I will still be able to wear for a month or two. Have 6-10 that I think I can squeeze a few wearings out of before I get too big. We went walking/hiking at Black Hand Gorge this past Saturday and it was the perfect day to do it and it smelled great. Love the smell of fall leaves. Hopefully we will have 1-2 more nice weekends before it gets too cold and crappy out.

Neil is in Murfreesboro today and tomorrow for work. I was going to go with him as I have vacation time to kill before the end of the year but for 2 days the 250+ airfare was not worth it. Would like to visit the area since that is one place that he could end up in.

Your Baby: Week 17



Baby's skeleton is hardening, changing from rubbery cartilage to bone, and fat is finally accumulating around it. The umbilical cord is getting thicker and stronger, and those little fingers and toes are now topped by one-of-a-kind prints.

16 weeks 6 days

Decided to start using the due date that my midwife is using so that bumps things up 2 days, 3/23/2010. I know its not much now but it will be when I am ready to deliver. Things are the same as last week, now almost positive I am feeling the little one even though its still a little early. Its not digestion or gas. Sapphire ring is getting a little tight some days so may not be able to wear it too much longer, same goes for engagement ring. Wedding band is a size bigger so that should last longer.

From the bump:

 Watch what you say...tiny bones forming in baby's ears mean she can now pick up your voice. A few more minuscule changes: Eyebrows, lashes, and hair are starting to fill in, and taste buds are forming.

15 weeks 5 days

Nothing too new to talk about. Belly is growing, swear I have felt a few flutters but not 100% sure. We got a pack n play, high chair and changing table from a friend of a friend for $35. Still able to fit into most of my regular clothes but using the belly band most days. If I didn't have to sit all day I would probably be okay without it. Will merge over into all maternity here soon I expect. Took a belly shot for the March 2011 hump day bump day weekly post so here you go (don't mind the cat tail growing out of my back).

Your Baby: Week 15

Continuing the march towards normal proportions, baby's legs now outmeasure the arms. And, finally, all four limbs have functional joints. Your fetus is squirming and wiggling like crazy down in the womb, though you probably still can't feel the movements.

14 weeks 3 days

Had an appointment with the midwife on Friday and everything looked great. Little one was being a booger and we had to find the heartbeat via ultrasound. Of the split second that the tech was finding the heart I could see the spine and the legs clear as day. S/he was facing my back so that is why she was having issues with the doppler. Heartrate was 138. We go October 25 for the anatomy scan and hopefully we can find out the gender.

Neil is moving to back to claims starting November 1, he needs to get bodily injury experience in order for them to consider him for a management position or so he has been told in every interview for a manager/supervisor role. We knew this would happen eventually and I really hope he likes it. He has many friends in "CRT" so I think he will do just fine.

Your Baby: Week 14


Your adorable little fetus is busy with thumb sucking, toe wiggling, and (not so cute but equally amazing) making urine and breathing amniotic fluid as the liver, kidneys and spleen continue to develop. Lanugo (thin, downy hair) is growing all over the body for warmth.

13 weeks/2nd Trimester

Haven't been in the mood to do much of anything this week. Monday was Neil's daughters 10th birthday which is always depressing. We are ending the week on a good note though, going to the Midland tonight for a concert, Toad the Wet Sprocket. I pulled my neck yesterday and still in a lot of pain. 2 tylenol every 4 hours sucks. I need something stronger but don't want to chance anything with the little one. Sleeping is not easy as I can't get up once I am down. Slept in bed for a while last night elevated on pillows but it still took me 5-10 minutes to get out of bed for a potty break. Moved down to the couch but then I was wide awake and I could not get comfortable at all. I will probably sleep down there again tonight.


Neil signed up to take his CPCU 540 again in December. Really hope he passes it this time so he can continue with the others. Other than that his life right now is football!

  Your Baby: Week 13


Your fetus is forming teeth and vocal cords... savor this, their non-functional phase. Baby is approaching normal proportions, with a head now only one third the size of the body. Intestines are in the process of moving from the umbilical cord to baby's tummy. (Much more convenient.)

11 weeks 4 days

How far along are you? 11 weeks 4 days



How big is baby? keylime?


Maternity clothes? not yet but probably will start looking at pants soon


Weight - Loss or Gain? think I am back to even from start


Stretch marks? no new ones yet


Sleep: nights are rough, lots of tossing and turning


Best moment this week: announced on FB this weekend


Any Movement? nope


Food Cravings? buffalo dip, cheese


Food Aversions? plain meat


Belly Button in or out? in


What do you miss: nothing yet


What are you looking forward to: hearing the heartbeat again, 9/24


What was the BEST part of this week? nothing really special


What was the WORST part of this week? heartburn kicked in but I think its more what I ate then anything


Weekly Wisdom: m/s does get better


Milestones: almost out of 1st trimester

Baby's now the size of a lime!


Your fetus currently enjoys a 1:1 ratio between body and head, and has skin so transparent that blood vessels show right through it. But fingers and toes are no longer webbed, and hair follicles, tooth buds, and nail beds are forming -- setting up a significantly more attractive

10 weeks 3 days

How far along are you? 10 weeks 3 days


How big is baby? prune


Maternity clothes? not yet, belly band on some days


Weight - Loss or Gain? back up 2-3 but down 1 overall


Stretch marks? not from pregnancy


Sleep: nights have been rough, cant stay asleep

Best moment this week: a smidge more energy

Any Movement?: not yet

Food Cravings?: pizza/ mac and cheese

Food Aversions?: meat if plain, okay if buried in something

Belly Button in or out? in


What do you miss: energy to run

What are you looking forward to: telling some friends

What was the BEST part of this week? not sure yet


What was the WORST part of this week? not sure yet either

Weekly Wisdom: try not to do too much and get worn out


Milestones: double digits this past friday




Baby's now the size of a prune!


With bones and cartilage starting to form and vital organs beginning to function, baby is making major progress. Body length will almost double in the next three weeks, and arm joints are now working. (Soon, legs will start working too.)






Nothing too new to report, morning sickness seems to be easing up some but still have to snack. I get really tired after I eat and have been trying not to nap after dinner but its really hard. No baby bump yet, here is a picture from 9/1/2010.

9 weeks 3 days

I am being lazy as its a little after 9am on Monday morning and I already want to crawl back into bed. stomach is not well and I think I slept wrong as my neck and shoulders are sore/tight.


How far along are you? 9 weeks 3 days

How big is baby? 1 1/2 inches I think
Maternity clothes? not yet but have used the belly band
Weight - Loss or Gain? kind of vary between 2-4 lbs down
Stretch marks? not from pg
Sleep: ugh, not going well, fall asleep okay but can't stay asleep
Any Movement?: too early
Food Cravings?: carbs are easy to eat but not craving them
Food Aversions?: meat
Belly Button in or out? in
What do you miss: not being tired all the time
What are you looking forward to: getting to the 2nd trimester
What was the BEST part of this week? met the midwife and liked her?
What was the WORST part of this week? feeling sick all the time
Weekly Wisdom: snacks (again)
Milestones: just another week down

Baby's now the size of a green olive!


Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like...well...a baby!

8 weeks and some change

I'm a little slow this week, its been rough. All I want to do is sleep and eat. My first appointment with the midwife Loretta is Friday. Not sure what all she will do but I will be 9 weeks that day unless she changes it. Hope to start doing the survey on here weekly that we do on thenest.com GP message board along with how big the baby is courtesy of thebump.com.

Baby's now the size of a raspberry!


Baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs, and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

7 weeks and first ultrasound

Had my first ultrasound on Tuesday and it was Amazing!!! We got to see and hear the heartbeat and couldn't believe how real it makes it all feel. Told some more family and work. Will slowly tell more as we go. Still have some good and bad days as far as food. Can't eat most meats right now and snacks are key.

  

From the bump: Your Baby Week 7

Baby's brain -- both hemispheres! -- is growing fast, generating about 100 new cells every minute. Arms and legs are emerging as joints start to form, and a permanent set of kidneys (baby's third!) is now in place.

6 weeks and some change

Nothing much to tell other than I feel crappy all the time. Tired and queasy, snacking does help a lot but I seem to be always needing something to tide me over. Heading up to Canton on Sunday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame game between the Bengals and Cowboys. This was Neil's birthday present. Staying the night Sunday and coming home Monday. Ultrasound is Tuesday.

From the bump.com

Baby is now the size of a sweet pea!
Growing like crazy, baby is starting to sprout eyes, ears, nose, cheeks, and chin. Those little hands and feet -- still webbed like paddles -- might wiggle by week's end, the heart is beating (almost twice as fast as yours!), and blood is starting to circulate.

Pregnant!!!!

We are finally able to say that we are expecting!! Yes this is a picture of my test. Only 5+ weeks but still pregnant. We have told our parents and Neil's grandparents, aunt and uncle. I plan to tell the rest of my immediate family later this week or early next. Beyond that only my 2 closest friends know. I go for my first ultrasound August 10th. I had a real bad headache for like 2+days but that is now gone. no other symptoms yet but its still early. I will try to include weekly posts of how big the baby is and bump pictures of myself. May have Neil take them so they are not so close. I have included one tonight that will count as my starting point.

From thebump.com:
Baby's now the size of an appleseed!


Your embryo, which doesn't look like much more than a tadpole right now, is actually starting to form major organs (heart, kidney, liver, stomach) and systems (nervous, circulatory, digestive). Baby's presence in your uterus triggers production of HCG (the hormone detected by pregnancy tests), which triggers the production of other hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which triggers all those great symptoms you've probably been noticing
 

TTC update

So after a year+ of trying to get pregnant I contacted my doctor and she started her testing. I had blood work done and Neil did a semen analysis. His results were good and all of mine were within the normal ranges with some being borderline abnormal. So......I am going to be starting Clomid on day 5 of my next cycle. Already have the pills and waiting for AF to show. Dr Y also wants us to do a post coital test this coming cycle and a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) for next the cycle after next. The HSG checks to make sure my fallopian tubes are not blocked. Right now I am taking a semi break from charting as with the move and trying to adjust to a new house my sleep pattern has been a little off. Will start again next cycle. Hoping the clomid work for us. I do have a little bit of comfort seeing as that drug is what got me here almost 30 years ago. After many years of trying for my parents my mom took and here I came! We are doing the clomid for 3 cycles then will proceed from there. We don't have the finances to do IVF and really don't want to put myself through all of that. As much as I want to carry my own child I think I would be leaning towards adoption at that point. I know other do IVF and I am very supportive of their decisions, but I don't think its for us. IUI may be an option but don't know where it stands money wise. Once I start the clomid I will update with side effects as it can be a little hairy for some. I do plan to take it at night as recommended by my fellow GP nesties.

Moving Day!!

Moving day is tomorrow!!!! Couldn't be more excited. Living in the rental for the last 3 months has not been the best but its what we could do on short notice and have from month to month. We have had the dogs to the new house twice now and they LOVE the back yard and just tear through it like they are wild. We bought a used riding mower; broke it in last night, great investment. Haven't touched the pool or landscaping yet, there are weeds all over the flowerbeds. Its driving me crazy but just have not had the time at all. Luckily we know some of our neighbors so that is another huge plus to moving. The bike path is super close and I have already mapped my new route that I plan to use. Its just shy of 4 miles but hope to add to that once I get used to it. We have definitely moved up from our first house but that was the intention all along. Start small and work our way up.

Went to my lady doctor wednesday and she ordered blood work for me and s/a for Neil. I will most likely be dx with PCOS and hopefully nothing is wrong with him. I did ask about his previous child but she said things can change for the males too with age. So he is doing his part next week. Not looking forward to taking clomid but I will if it will give us a chance at becoming pregnant. Its how I was conceived so its good to know that the drug is still around after all these years. I go back July 12.

I have an interview on Monday with the Franklin County Sheriff. Its for an Identification Technician. Basically I believe the duties include processing fingerprints, photos, and personal information for arrestees. Also process fingerprints for background checks and gun permits. Its second shift but its worth it to me. Its a little pay increase but I think the gas will eat it. Wish me luck!!

Homeowners

A lot has happened since the last post and its all positive. After looking hard core for another house as good as or better than Myrtle we came across only 2 and made an offer on one of them that was literally around the corner. It fell through so we went back and decided to try again with Myrtle and in our offer we asked for the appraisal to be done first and if it appraised at their counter offer amount, we would buy it at that. Well it appraised $6,000 over that so we were shocked considering the current market situation. Needless to say everything from there on went smoothly and we actually got the keys last night to our new house!! We met the sellers there and went over a few things and hope to start prepping for painting tonight or Wednesday. There is only one bedroom and an accent wall that needs to be done then I can move onto cleaning before we get our stuff out of storage. There is not hardly anything else we have to do to move in and I love that. Gotta work on weeding the landscaping and opening the pool but those things can wait. We are also going to have tons of fruit: peaches, apples, and cherries. Better learn how to can/preserve them plus I will give them away to friends and family.

We went on vacation with our friends, Kevin and Brittany and some of his family to the Outer Banks and had a great time. It was our first time there, had a nice house on the beach and look forward to going back. We did get to spend time in the ocean even if it was a little cold. We got boogie boards and on our last full day there Neil got slammed into the ground by a huge wave and hurt his shoulder pretty good. He is at the dr today to see about therapy/MRI. We had it xrayed down there and nothing is broken but even after 2 weeks he is in a fair amount of pain. He said it was the hardest hit he has ever taken even after being a linemen in high school. So yeah moving is not going to go as easily as it did before since he did a lot of the heavy lifting.

Needless to say we will be very busy over the next several weeks but its a good busy.

Offer update

Well the wind has been blown out of our sails. Our offer on Myrtle was not even close to their counter offer. They are not in the position to sell is what is boils down to. Our realtor thinks it wouldn't appraise for what the counter was and not even sure it would for $10,000 less than that which was our offer. We really liked that house and it was move in ready, would only repaint 1 wall and 1 room to start but the room could have waited. The living room had a bright orangey wall but the rest was neutral. I am trying to keep positive in the process and have the attitude that it was not meant to be and we will find something just as nice or better.

Moving day is next Friday. We have already taken a lot of boxes to his moms garage and I am going tonight after a meeting to buy a lock for the storage unit that we are getting. Hope to get more moved Saturday while its nice so only the big stuff and the things we are taking to the rental for next Friday. The rental has all new carpet on the first floor so it should be fairly nice to move into for a month or 2 till we find a house.

Off topic.....so far I am 3 for 3 in the basketball playoffs. I know its early but its a good start.

New house.....maybe

I think we are going to put an offer in on this house
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/496-Myrtle-Ave_Newark_OH_43055_1115612543
The pictures are not the best but mine are still on the camera and I thought having the link would be enough. We really like it and its off one of the main drags in Newark, but far enough away that its quiet. If they like our offer we may ask them to take down the pool. We are torn on this, we had one at the house we just sold, but hardly ever used it and finally tore it down. Even if I do get pregnant soon its going to be several years before the child would even benefit from it. Yes we have our friends kids and my 2nd cousin but is that enough to justify the cost of water and chemicals....to me, no. Once we hear back I will update.

SOLD!!!

Closing is set for March 12! The buyers offered us $500 more towards the purchase and they are buying the pool table and accessories for $500. Our realtor is not taking commission on the sale of our house either. That was very generous of Jeff and hope to repay him some if not all in the future, but I need to discuss that with Neil. Since we have to be out of the house 14 days after closing; March 26....packing has begun. Need to call and see how much a storage unit costs among all the other phone calls I need to make. We are going to be staying in a house that my church just bought on the corner of Day and Main, but the rent they are going to charge is outrageous. I'm not happy about it but Neil doesn't want to stay with my parents or his mom till we find the house we are going to buy. Its hard to find a short term rental when you have 2 dogs and a cat. It sucks but what can we do. Now we just need to find a house that we both love and want to live in for 10+ years and we will be set. Since its now March we are hoping that more houses will be put on the market and give us a few more options to choose from. We have 4 that we really like but not one that we love. Wish us luck!

Selling update

Well we got an offer February 14th and we accepted. Since then we have been through the inspection/appraisal process and started looking for a house to buy. Well everything was going along so great then we got the bad news last night. Our house appraised for $4,500 less then the offer amount. We were going to have to pay about $3,200 at closing anyways but this new development makes it over $7,000. We are at a total loss on what to do. We don't know what the right choice is and don't know who to go to for advice that won't have a biased opinion. Our fear is losing so much on a nice house and not being able to make it up on the buying end. I was prepared to pay some money out at closing but not that much. I know some people are having to pay a lot more than that at closing but I am assuming these people are in danger of losing their houses and have no choice but to sell to avoid foreclosure. We are not in any danger what so ever, I even put 140 extra on the principle every month. My husband wants to walk away and just stay put for now....but how long till the market improves and we can sell it for what we think its worth and not be dragged down by the foreclosures in the area. My concern is what if this is the best it will be for several years to come and we wait and lose just as much down the road. Do we jump ship now and take the loss hoping that we can get a good deal on the house we buy. We don't have to move, we are choosing to. He had said at one time that he didn't want to have kids in the house we are in because its too small. I tend to disagree but I see his point too. I don't want to put off kids just because of where we live. Plus he pointed out that I'm not pregnant yet even after being birth control free for over year but its not like we aren't trying. I'd love to be pregnant at this very moment, of course that is not the case, but am hopeful that it will happen soon (go to the doctor 3/31, will be discussing such issues then). I wish there was an easier way to make the decision and had more time to think. Do we stay put or lose the money and equity that we had built for the hopes that we made the right choice in selling at such a low amount. Need a sign or something please!!!

February 2010

I was hoping that this would become my pregnancy journal but no such luck as of yet. Although I have lost 10 pounds and hope to continue that until I get those 2 pink lines. The holidays were uneventful, but very nice. We spent New Years with Kevin, Brittany, Joe and his friend playing cards and eating. We have planned a vacation to the Outer Banks with Kevin and Brittany in May. I am very excited to be going away for awhile. I may talk to Neil's sister as we get closer and see if we can stop in her area on our way home for a visit. At least we keep in touch via facebook but it would be great if we could spend more time together in the same state. I don't know what its like to have a sibling and even though they didn't grow up together they need to keep that bond in tact since their dad doesn't seem to remember that he has 2 children and several grandkids. Sadly some people would say the same about Neil, but trust me he does remember that he has a daughter. He would rather that relationship suffer than deal with her mother. I don't agree but I do what I can to support my husband in that aspect.

Selling the house has not gone as we had hoped for, we really would like to get a bigger place and I would rather move now then when I am knocked up! We have about 2 months left on our contract and I have no idea what to do when late March rolls around. I like our realtor but he hasn't bothered to contact us since the first weekend in December. I understand that nothing is really moving right now except for foreclosures/short sales but a phone call once a month would be nice. I guess this gives me more time to get rid of stuff and pay more on the loan. Once the weather breaks we are going to finish painting the exterior of the house. We did the front last fall and it looks much nicer even doing the same color. Also we need a new back door and the trim in the kitchen needs to be redone. I hope to move some bigger things out to the garage now that it is cleaned out to give more space in the house and make it seem larger. Our house has a lot of nooks and crannies that I can store stuff in and I am grateful for that. Since the garage will never be used for anything more than storage, I should store more things out there! We should invest in a better lock and paint the garage too while we are at it. Now if we could get Paris (dog) to stop digging in the yard and the grass to grow where the pool was we will be set.

Until next time..........