Mrs. Miscellaneous~ Plan? What plan?

SInce it's been a while continued....

2010-09-02T19:13:00.000-04:00

For some reason blogger wouldn't let me add more photos to the post....

Our neighbor's house was still under construction...

Anyway, we moved in got settled, and I started to get bigger...

And bigger.....

And bigger....

As busy as the summer was, we did have some good times....

And I got bored again, and cut the hair again, lol...

Something very different and edgy. I luvs it!

The Mister and I hit up a wedding. I danced so hard I thought my belly would fall off, lol!

And here's one more belly shot for good measure....

Since it's been a while....

2010-09-02T18:50:00.001-04:00

Here's a few pics from this spring and summer!

I went from natural hair to relaxed hair:

I started to show....

Easter is always a big deal in the Jamaican culture. Look @ all these Red Snapper!
There were tons more to fry, this was only a peek!

It was time to move into our new house...

Guess Who?

2010-09-02T15:10:00.000-04:00

Oh my goodness, could it really be? Yes, I'm still alive and well! I've been a horrible, horrible blogger... I have no excuse other than this past 9 months has been HECTIC! I'd never really taken the time to imagine what my next pregnancy would be like, but on the other hand, I never expected it to be this busy. When we began the journey of foster care, we decided that it was something that we would be doing for a long time. That being said, we knew that we couldn't put our dreams of expanding our family on hold for all the years that we planned to give to foster care.

What I didn't see coming was how much work it really is. It took us a while to adjust, and we did so well. It didn't take as long as we thought. We waited a while before we began trying for a baby. When I became pregnant, I figured it was no biggie and we'd all just roll with the punches. And we did. The first trimester was rough because I was tired and sick all the time and didn't really feel like going around explaining to everybody at Children's services and my agency why I was not able to complete my reports as quickly and thoroughly as before. I didn't feel like telling the kids until it was visibly obvious. Therefore garnered no sympathy or consideration from them at all.... I felt alone. My husband couldn't relate to how I felt, and there was nothing he could do about it. At times he wasn't as helpful as I'd hoped, and looking back I can't even blame him. After all, I wasn't huge and uncomfortable yet. I was still a skinny little stick, laid up on the sofa looking miserable and forsaken. I grew depressed.

Well the second trimester rolled around and I started to feel much better. It really was such a relief from the constant fatigue. But then, it was summer. We had just moved, and had received 2 new kids from CAS. That was a huge adjustment as well. It's hard to explain just how much paperwork, driving, and programming is involved in getting a new intake. My hubby works and so it was pretty much all in my lap. So, my entire summer was martyred/ dedicated to progress reports, ministry inspections, annual dentals, eye, and physical exams for 3 teenage boys. Some of my children have home visits and some don't. So, any hopes of taking a babymoon went out the window. Gone, like a fart in the wind. All summer, there was at least one teenage boy attached to my hip..... If I wanted to go and get a moment to myself, I had to arrange for a relief worker. I got depressed about that too. I mean, I love my job, I love what I do. But I had zero balance this summer, and I dreaded the thought of what my life would be like with all these kids depending on me, plus a brand new baby. All I wanted was a little break before the baby came. I mean, obviously I expected that once baby arrived, my life/ play balance would come to a screeching halt. So mentally I was prepared for that. But man, I was really hoping to have some time of just Jay and I before it all came down on me.... Oh well... too late now to cry over it, just giving you guys a sneek peek into what was swirling around in my head all summer.

So here we are, thousands of kilometers later (all the driving and schlepping of kids to appointments and ministry required programming, plus my own kids to summer camp), and I'm nearing the finish line of this pregnancy. It just dawned on me this week that I've been pregnant for whole year so far! I'm really looking forward to the kids going back to school, and as much I'd love for baby to come now, I'm secretly hoping he holds out till all the kids are in school.... So at least I can get a few days of having the house to just me, myself, and I before he makes his very demanding entrance into our already hectic world. The kids are all done their summer programs now, so while the driving has slowed down drastically, they all seem to be looking to me to entertain them. Their bored, and as you all know, with boys boredom= hunger. So trying to keep the food lasting from one grocery day to the next is a challenge. I find myself policing the fridge just to keep us from going from feast today to famine tomorrow....

Yep, so here I am, 37 weeks, just about had it with the aches and pains and swelling, and the kids looking at me to put on some sort of puppet show for them with my big ole preggosaur self..... On one hand dying for baby to get here, but on the other hand, hoping he doesn't come so early that the kids will still be buzzing around the house all day looking at me with boredom in their eyes and assaulting the fridge every five minutes.... I think I'd go postal. Jay is taking some time off when baby gets here and I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to it! He seems to think it will be a piece of cake. I chose not to argue with him on that one and decided that he will soon enough see for himself, lol!

Well, that was a long one! And a long overdue one at that. It may actually be more of a rant that anything, but I always said I'd be an honest blogger (hahaha, me a blogger! If you call that 8 month hiatus blogging.... okay) and I'd never try and only post the sugary sweet posts. I keeps it real. And this summer was exhausting. I'm looking forward to Jay taking over the ship and me milking the new mom thing like a California cow. I'm looking forward to taking time for me again, and being able to sit down and get my thoughts out of my head. Will it be impossible with a baby? Some would say so, but after the summer that I just had, I vow to start doing ME and MAKING time for balance. I think it's healthy, and needed for both baby and I. Heck! I've already started. I went and got me a funky new hair cut that I really love, and started going for pedicures more often. I went out and bought myself some new eyeshadow last week, and a few tops for when I get back to my normal size! I've been warning these folks around here about how things will change when baby gets here, and they seem to think I'm just blowing smoke out my azz... I'll let them keep thinking that....

:) :) :)

2010-03-03T16:30:00.000-05:00

I don't know what's bigger: My belly or my arse!

Anyway, before my camera connector cord decides to take another vacay, I decided I'd better upload a pic before I get as big as a cow and forget my *somewha* slender days, lol!

The ultrasound was great. The SCH is shrinking and I've resumed exercising, but I'm limited to prenatal yoga and swimming. Bugaboo wouldn't stay still during the u/s so it made it tricky for the tech to get some good pics, but that meant I got to stare at him/ her on the screen a whole lot longer. That was good for me because I forgot to go to the bank machine earlier to draw cash for the pic, and I wasn't gonna use my debit card in the hospital... Anyway I measured 11 weeks in Monday, which is what I was expecting, and the hearbeat was nice and strong@ 160 bmp!

I can't wait to see him/her again!

Only 5 Weeks Left!!!

2010-03-01T10:58:00.000-05:00

... Until we get the keys to our home. And there's still sooooo much to do. I guess I need to really haul azz and get packing hunh. I do NOT want to be scrambling at the last minute. It's been a pain in neck to de-clutter thanks to the herds of people prancing in and out to view the property. I told you guys the landlord listed the property on Feb. 25th right? Yeah, so it's been a revolving door since then.

There are so many things I'm really looking forward to in the new home that I don't know where to begin! What I look forward to the most (at this moment anyway) is having my own bathroom sink!!! Toothpaste splatters all over the sink and mirror will be a mere memory (or nightmare for that matter, lol)! No longer will I have to walk by a smelly media room to get to my bedroom! The boys can stink up the basement all they want, and I don't have to see or smell the testosterone unless I *choose* to go downstairs. Then, of course, I can put on my hazmat suit and do my deep deodorizing *when* I want to! Hopefully it won't get to that point though. Mr. Miscellaneous will have all access to media controlled from *our* bedroom and nothing will turn on until it passes the Mrs. Miscellaneous sniff test, lol. But it's nice to know that if I just don't feel up to the crap, I can just shut the door and never have to hear Call of Dut.y Modern W.ar.fare ever again if I don't want to!!! My kitchen, oh how I can't wait to start cooking in thee. My family room, yep, MY family room, oh how I can't wait to taze someone for trying to cross the picket line when I tell these people to leave the heck alone, can't these people see that I'm watching my "stories"!?! (I know that was a terrible run on sentence, but I needed for you to get the picture, lol) Mr.Miscellaneous' dominoe crew can ring the SIDE doorbell and I won't even have to flinch 'cause I know the front doorbell from *that* doorbell, lol! They'll have their own lottrine to use and won't have a reason to come and be all up in our living quarters and heck, I won't have to trip over a mountain of shoes just to make it out my front door!

Lemme stop. There's so much I look forward to. Let's just say that this place has it's wonderful memories for us, but it's become painfully obvious that we've outgrown this space, and none too soon! There's so much I have all planned out it my head as to how I will reign as Queen over this new home with ease, due it's amazing layout. But alas, that would just be tooooo easy wouldn't it. This next 5 weeks of packing and pre-delivery inspection should be fun. I'll do my best to update as I'm *sure* there will be lots of stories to tell!'

Oh, and on a preggo note, I go for an ultrasound today... At the hospital. This OB doesn't have the facilities in his office. So I'm not sure how chatty my tech will be. They're usually pretty mum at the hospital, but my name won't me Mrs.Miscellaneous if I don't pry *some* info out of him/her. I'll be back with an update on how that went later. Have a Marvelous Monday, eh?

Gold Canada, Our Home and Native Land!!!

2010-02-28T19:28:00.001-05:00

Need I say more?!?!

Okay I will, THE MOST Gold medals in Winter Olympic HISTORY! Do we know how to host a party, or what?

Perfect Timing

2010-02-23T07:57:00.000-05:00

I'm just here thinking about how perfect God's timing is! We're renting the house that we're in currently. We were planning on giving our 60 days notice on March 1 as per our rental agreement. We've been at this place since November of '08 and the Landlord was originally trying to sell the place when we got it, but it wasn't selling so he decided to rent it to us instead. He offered to sell it to us, but we had already bought our new house and waiting for it to be built. He didn't know this, we just told him, "no not at this time, thank you". Long story short, he called us yesterday and told us the house is going up on the market as of Feb.25!!!

Big Whoop, right? Wrong! Back in October when he asked us for a second time if we were interested in buying the house, he could have *easily* said to "heck with it" and put it on the market then. Heck, he could have put it on the market *ANY* time he wanted to! We'd have had to uproot ourselves, our foster kids, and go and rent somewhere else, and hope and pray they'd give us a lease for only 6 months! We get the keys to our new home on April 8th. We have the rest of the month to move. Even if the place we're renting sells the first day it goes on the market, the Landlord *still* has to give us 60 days to vacate! Isn't God's timing perfect? If the house were to sell Feb. 26th, we'd have until APril 26th to clear out! I'm so amazed at how it all played out and can't imagine what would have happened if we'd taken a later closing on the new house, or if this guy listed his house in the months before... All I can say is Thank You Lord for being perfect!I

Randoms and a Long Overdue Update!

2010-02-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

Gosh, it's been crazy busy. So what's been going on in my world? I know my life seems really, really boring seeing as I'm hardly ever on here telling you about it! But au contraire dear friends, au contraire.... It seems it's been so busy (plus being preggo) by the time the day is done, I'm passed out on the sofa and need to be carried upstairs to bed half the time.... So, I never really have time to write...

We move into our new house in April, and we've been hunting for new stuff to fill it up. How is it that I managed to forget just how much work packing and preparing for a move can be??? So whenever I'm not in a preggo coma, I try to de-clutter at least one room or area of our current place. Each day I start a little bit, then have to abandon ship because I just don't have the "umph" to get 'er done... In addition to de-cluttering and pre-packing, we've been out shopping for appliances and furniture. When we sold the Marina (our last house) we sold the appliances with it. This house is bigger and has more finished space in the basement, so now we have to buy more furniture. Mind you, in the last house we never did get around to buying formal living and dining room furnitre, so it's not like we have even a few pieces to work with for those areas in the new house. Our current family room furnishings will be going downstairs to the rec-room/ basement family room ( a separate area just for me and the hubster to chill out) The games room needs a few bean bag chairs, and a new TV stand. And let's not forget we'll need to furnish the upstairs family room to replace the ones that are going downstairs. I fell in love with the way they furnished it at the model home and have my heart set on a sectional. So far we have the family room, living and dining room taken care of, as well as the appliances. We have to get the shutter company in to measure the windows, and we're still shopping for drapery that will go along the windows that we chose to leave un-shuttered (is that even a word?)...

Anyhoo, between all of that, still having tons of reports to do where fostering is concerned, as well as driving to and fro to all the various appointments and programs that the kids are enrolled in, I've been a neglegent blogger. Trust me guys, the intention is there, but the energy just isn't

Preggo-wise, everything seems to be going well. The bleeding scare I had turned out to be a small subchorionic hematoma, and it's either absorbed by now or has finished bleeding out. Last check super baby was just growing away and heart was beating steadily and strong. I can totally feel a difference in the constant fatigue weakness since around 9 weeks, which they say is normal since your hcg drops and levels out around this time... My (.)(.) however have a different story to tell. They are huge, hurt a lot, and are hot to the touch. I don't have another u/s until March 1st and it's the wait is killing what little frazzled nerves I have left. After my last ultrasound on Jan. 29th, I was told by the early pregnancy clinic at the hospital to get another follow up u/s in two weeks with my family doctor since I didn't have an OB yet. Well my family doc couldn't get me an u/s with his lab within that time and gave me a referral to an OB out here in my hood. Well by the time I got an appointment with him, it was three weeks... Then he told me that he wanted to scan me at 10 ish weeks anyway so "why do one this week and have to do one next week anyway" I tried to protest, but I just couldn't bring myself to argue the matter, I was just too dang tired. So yeah, one more week of waiting torture. I know the symptoms tend to taper off a little bit around this time, but I'm still little nervous.... It was around this time that I learned of my missed miscarriage the last time around. I'm praying, and keeping faith that everything is just fine and that in the fall, my favorite season of all, I'll be holding my precious baby, the best birthday gift ever! It's hard, but I guess the only way to keep myself from worrying, is to stay busy.....

Yeah, stay busy, *exactly* what I really wanna be doing.... Lol!

Keep your friends close?

2010-01-24T18:30:00.004-05:00

Some strange happenings have been going on around our house. So strange that if I didn't know better, I'd say we have ghosts..... Here's the 411. Last week, one of our kids DVD's went missing. The week before last it was some household garbage bags. A few months ago, it was bars of bath soap and toilet paper. This week it was my dishtowel!!!! Yep, you heard right: MY DISH.TOWEL! Who DOES that??? I've done my own investigating around the house and have come to the conclusion that it's not the kids.

So here's what I'm thinking. Mr. Miscellaneous has a hobby. His friends who share in his hobby come over from time to time to "play". These are all folks that we would consider good friends. Like, good enough friends that their wives and kids come over sometimes and it becomes a dinner/ get-together, and the boys descend into the man-cave, and the wymen folk chatter upstairs while our kids play together. I mean these guys are the ones who treat me like their little sister, all protective and stuff when we run into each other in the community... I've ruled out all of MY friends because I haven't had them over in forever. When we get together it's OUT of the house (no way am I trying to stay in the house if I don't have to be), and nothing has EVER gone missing when I do have them over. Catch my drift? So yeah, before I go throwing out accusations all willy nilly, I made sure to search my house properly for the missing items. Needless to say that my house has been spotless for nearly 3 weeks in a row, cause you know how it is when you start lookin' fer somethin.... Next thing you know it's a deep Spring Cleaning!

So, errrrm you could say I'm pretty cheesed. Now all I'm gonna say is this: We're supposed to be friends man! I don't know WHO exactly it is, but *somebody* who comes up into my house is leaving with more than they came in with. Now I know times are hard, but hey, if things are *that* bad, and we're friends, can't you just *ask* for help? Let's not forget that when you do come, you're coming with a family of five who are hungry and often without warning! Hell, if I'm gonna be a gracious hostess, at least let myself or the Mister know you're bringing your clan! Humph!

Annnnyway, I brought Mr. Miscellaneous up to speed on the ghostly disappearances of our basic necessities and he's decided not to host "the games" at our house for a while to see if things stop magically walking out the front door. I have my suspicions, and let's just say I'm some kinda mad (and hurt) about the whole thing...

How would YOU handle this? Would you bait the suspect so you can catch 'em red handed, therefore being justified in banning them from your home forever and ever, Amen? Or would you just assume that whoever it is must be pretty desperate and write it off as charity?

Paranoid Much?

2010-01-11T22:14:00.000-05:00

Who knew relaxing and taking it easy would require such efforts!?! I told myself I wouldn't stress, and that I'd put my feet up and really make menfolk ~~earn their keep~~ spoil me rotten this time around. And so far, so good... So what's the problem? I'm afraid I managed to convince myself that I wouldn't have even one shadow of doubt about this pregnancy. I've since been brought back down to earth and reminded that I am human, and I will worry. So just how does a woman who believes God and the Bible flex those faith muscles, when the last time she was this confident it didn't end well? Well since I don't have the answer, (and I don't think I'll be getting any visits from "ghosts of pregnancies past" revealing all pregnancy survival secrets) I think I'm gonna have to just do this the way any woman pregnant after a loss would: One day at a time, one foot in front of the other. I may even have to stay off Mr.Google and the internet some days.... The docs say to wait until you're "emotionally ready" to try again.... Someone needs to CC them on the memo: You Never TRULY get over it.... Yes, it gets better with time, you begin to function again in a world that goes 'round with or without you, but I don't think you ever *really* "move on"...

So, yeah, it comes somewhat naturally to worry when preggo after a loss..... In the meantime, I plan to be extra selfish when it comes to my "me time" and totally spoil myself rotten. I plan to read more, resume chrocheting, and sleeeeeeep, sleep, sleep! I plan to not be afraid of how monstrous I appear when barking at the people I live with to pick up their dang shoes from the middle of the foyer (Grrrr), lol. I usually only have to make a scene once up in this joint, lol! Oh, and yeah, take advantage of the Mister's work benefits and get that pregnancy massage I never got to get last time, humph!

And last but not least, pray, pray, pray, and thank Him, thank Him, thank Him for this blessing.... Not that I didn't do that the last time, but hey! Maybe this time, it'll stick.

Looking good so far>>>

2010-01-10T17:32:00.000-05:00

........

And one more for good measure.....

So, Mr. Miscellaneous and I are cautiously excited about it, but praying with all sincerity for a healthy pregnancy.... I never wanted nor missed a baby this much before our loss.

I'm due for my physical in the next week anyway, so I'll be going in to get betas hopefully within the week!

*everything crossed and knees bruised for this one to stick*

Oh, and if you're on my FB, this is NOT FB news, mmmmmkay? Thanks in advance. Oh and Nikki, if you're reading this you're the *only* fam that will hear of this before Mr.M & I are ready to spill the beans. So feel special, very very special, lol!

Looks like I'll be having virgin drinks on our anniversary..... :s

Back on the Horse

2010-01-05T16:58:00.000-05:00

Mr. Miscellaneous and I have been at it again..... Did I wait three "normal" cycles? Nerp. But the Red Army did march through town twice since J.J left us, and that was enough for us.

Test and pic to follow tomorrow.

Da da da dummmmmmm.........

Bad Blogger

2009-12-29T12:06:00.000-05:00

Yep, that would be me. I'm sure that I could provide a million reasons as to why I've been MIA. In fact, if I had been writing about these adventures as they occurred, hell, I might even have a real blog hunh? But au contraire my friends. I haven't even had time to pick my nose. The most I get around to doing online these days is checking my facebook, and most of the time that's from my blackberry.

Anyway, I'll give you a brief summary.

I can't recall whether I've ever come outright and said it on the blog, but I'm a foster parent. Oh, and did I tell y'all that I already have 3 kids? Ah hunh. Yep. Okay, back to the foster kids. So yeah, we recently welcomed a new boy into our home, and boy oh boy do we have our hands full!!!

Let's just say that with each new intake appointment and reassessment we attend with him, we're finding a pandoras box of issues that the previous doctor/ psych missed :s Not fun... I mean, we know it's a part of the gig and he needs these things to be done, but geeesh! Whycome the previous parties involved in his care missed all'o'dis???

So yeah, between preparing the discharge reports and wrapping up the files for the one that's leaving us, and getting this new boy settled, and oh yeah, Christmas.... Well, yeah, I'm just about wasted away.

Oh, and did I tell you my mom's nurse quit? And did I tell you my mom lives 45 minutes to 1 hour drive away? And did I tell you that I've basically assumed the role of her nurse, in addition to running her errands and her shopping, while trying to keep my household together???

Somebody please... Throw me a lifeline...

Who? Me?

2009-11-27T18:19:00.000-05:00

Wowzers! I've been nominated for the Kreativ Blogger award by Nikki at Natural Endless Beauty. This was such a treat to discover after such a long day out in the trenches. I feel humbled an honored to be nominated as there are so many bloggers that I admire out there who keep it real, and unique at the same time.

I nominate:

Darcel at The Mahogany Way
Lisa at Stories of a Travelling Diva
Quiskaeya
Keep It Kinky
Erica B's DIY Style

Again, this was a total surprise, but it was indeedy a pleasant one :) This blog is in it's infant stages so comments and feedback are welcome ALWAYS.

(I just got a new foster intake so I can't stay long, but I'll be back soon with some updates)

:)

Happy Thanksgiving to my American Friends!

2009-11-24T21:45:00.001-05:00

Greetings friends! So tomorrow's your turkey day and I trust that you've been planning for weeks! I know that especially in these tough economic times we've all been extra conscious of our Blessings and have held fast to the hope they bring like never before.

I just wanted to wish you all Love and Blessings as you take time out to be with family and friends, and reflect on what you are Thankful for.

In sifting through my images for this post, I found this really grainy pic. It's not the size I wanted, and I'm too tired to search for more. But as I examined this cutesy image even closer, I realized just how Perfect it is for how I've been feeling these past few days.

Take a look at it. What do YOU see? I see two children looking to reap and enjoy the harvest of your labors and sacrifices, as would be expected at Harvest time, right? Right. I'm sure they're thankful, and see the harvest for it's blessings as they should. I mean, it didn't have to rain just right, and there didn't have to be the best amount of sun, so it's a great blessing that there's a harvest in the first place right? I'm sure they took inventory and counted their ~~harvest~~ blessings. Look a little closer. See that pleasant surprise? A cute and lovable little kitten!

*The moral of the story? It's one thing to be thankful for the sum total of all that you have; but when you look closer and count our blessings, God always has a surprise for you that you wouldn't have seen if we didn't take the time to look a little closer*

Lol!

2009-11-24T20:53:00.000-05:00

..... He was adamant that he wanted to pick out his own outfit that morning! So? How did he do?

We lost the baby.....

2009-11-11T08:13:00.000-05:00

The past two weeks have been heavy. I'm drained physically. Emotionally, my days are up and down. I had some really really low days. I wrote a huge post, and have been trying to paste it to blogger for days. Ah well... I'm headed out to do my Wednesday shopping, so I'll be back later with a proper post.

Oh, and if you're praying people, please say a quick little prayer for Mr.Miscellaneous and I. It's still pretty raw at times, and some days I feel like I could very well lose my mind....

Be back later, thanks for your patience....

Test

2009-11-08T21:42:00.002-05:00

Lately I haven't been able to post to my blog... I'm testing....

Have you seen my childhood?

2009-10-25T21:47:00.003-04:00

*Chuckling to myself as I realize this is all came to me while ironing my husband's shirts for the week*

......Listening to my son sing in the shower, I was tempted for just a second to go in there and ask him to stop, 'cause u'know, boys "aren't supposed to do that kind of thing"..... Then I remembered: I used to sing in the shower and take my sweet ole time. I'd use my bathrobe and towel as props to enter a new imaginary world each and every night. I'd talk to myself in the mirror, and pretend I was a global journalist interviewing a new spectacular and exciting person each night. My parents would hush me up and tell me to hurry. I was forced to think about WHY I took forever in the shower. And I remembered: it was the only safe place where I couldn't hear the screaming nor see the tears. The harsh realities of life were very apparent to me from an early age.... I smiled to myself looking back on the adventures I'd been on, and the fun I'd had at bath time. It seems like a lifetime ago. I tried to put a finger on when exactly I stopped singing and playing in the shower, and I couldn't point it out. Time just crept up on me so suddenly, and here I am, an adult with a husband, children, a mortgage, and tears and troubles of my own.

Suddenly I was brought back to present day as the song grew louder. My son was just in there singing his little heart out.... I didn't stop him. And I didn't rush him either.

I know that soon enough in the blink of an eye he'll be "all growed up", and the hardships of life will come... And from time to time they will steal his song away.... He's only a kid for such a short time. I want him to sing, and laugh, and play as much as he possibly can now, while he's young, while he's free, while he still believes...... So that when the winds of life blow, he remembers how to sing, and laugh, and play.....

Miscellaneous-ness.....

2009-10-23T22:45:00.000-04:00

We shared the news with my step daughters today. Initially we were saying that we wanted to wait, but it's getting really hard to hide. My bulge is very evident this time around. My boobs still hurt, not as bad as before, but I still can't sleep on my tummy because of.... Been feeling a lot of stretching and pulling. I'm loving milk with this pregnancy. DH is beside himself with excitement. I go for my first real midwife appointment on Nov 4th. Last one was just orientation with the clinic.

In everyday life, I've been spending more time with my mom. She was in a bad car accident in August and she needs the help, but more than that, I'm finding out what a comedian she really is. Marriage is truly a blessing. It's amazing how when you just put things in God's hands He surprises you in ways you couldn't imagine! I'd been asking Mr. Miscellaneous why he stopped praying with me, and knew something was going on with him, but didn't want to push. I left it alone, and when I LEAST expected it, VOILA! He opened up to me and I learned alot about the man I married. Things I don't even think he knew. It just came out. Kinda like a good regurgitation (Sorry for the weird analogy, but it's all I got right now, lol). It all came up, he felt better, and so did I. The kids are giddy about the baby, and it will be interesting to see how DH's ex steps up her game in her imaginary competition with us, now that she will hear about the baby... It's just sad that she doesn't realize we're not competing with anybody, just living our life.....

My sister, bless her heart, needs to step up and take care of her kid.... It's bad enough my mom had to step in and take over due to the terrible circumstances at the time. The alternative at the time was, was, well let's just say it wasn't an option.... That was 3 years ago. Things have changed. There's no threat to his well being now, nor hers..... Mom is simply not capable of offering the kind of parenting, guidance, reinforcement, supervision and counsel that a teenaged boy needs. She just can't.... So what does dear sis do? Move into a one bedroom so that there's no place for nephew to sleep when he comes on weekends.... Wait a second, I forgot, he doesn't go on weekends anymore.....

Well hey, at least big sis get's to reclaim her youth and tra-la-la from night-club to night-club supporting her bf's up and coming music career and self produced album. Isn't life grand??? You know I have to be reeeeeeeeeaaaaally pissed to come out and air the dirty laundry like this, but I'm not saying anything to you all that I haven't already said to the parties who ought to be taking a greater stake in their children's lives.

I'm sorry, but I have to stop here. I'm too pissed to type any more...

I need to take a chill pill then make a few phone calls.

I'll be back.

Randoms and checking in....

2009-10-20T19:21:00.000-04:00

This is what I look like most days lately.....

*Morning sickness has been kicking my butt.

*And on the days when it's not, I like to play dress up, and look like this:

Aside from the fact that they feel like they're on fire, I like my new boobs :)

Mr.Miscellaneous and I went on a date two weeks ago. Sadly, it was the first date we'd been on in months.... We've reaffirmed that we'll be doing date night twice a month.

I just realized I haven't shared my beautiful daughters with you, shame on me!

*Beautiful Princess #1:

*Beautiful Princess #2:

.......

I've been hanging with my mom a lot more lately, and I never knew she was so funny! Who knew?

Someone shared an opportunity with me that sounds solid. I'm afraid it sounds too good to be true.

I'm craving a big ole hamburger right now, and I think Imma go get me one!

I find that I'm looking younger and younger each day, wooot wooot!

I think Mr.Miscellaneous and I make a hot couple.

My kids are smart. Thank you Lord. Please let it stick with them through the teenage years!

It drives me nuts when people curse their "frenemies" on facebook. If you dislike this person soooo much, then WHY pray-tell are they on your friends list? Ugh. I think I may need to clean up my friends list. I'm embarrased to put it on display that I "know" folks who do that crap....

I've been trying to type this post for nearly an hour. Mr. Miscellaneous keeps bothering me. The kids keep bothering me. The phone keeps ringing....

I think I'm gonna disappear and go get that burger....

Be back later!

Just. Too. Damn. Funny!

2009-10-06T12:01:00.002-04:00

Okay so I'm kinda late....

2009-10-05T20:36:00.000-04:00

But not my much. I promised to post some belly pics on Fridays, and said that I'd do one for my 6 week mark. Turns out the midwife and the ultrasound tech both are measuring me ahead of my calculations based on my LMP. The midwife is using the wheel and the fact that I typically have a 21 day cycle, saying that I'd O'd sooner than I thought I did. The ultrasound tech measures me a whole week ahead! EGADS! How that's even possible, Ionno, cause umm Mr. Miscellaneous and I only BD like twice for the month of August. Shameful, yes I know. But hey, August was a busy month for us.

Anyhoo, here I am at just under 6 weeks:

And here I am at 6+5 (7+ weeks according to the 'experts')

Okay, so that was kinda blurry (yukky camera)... Let's try that again, shall we?

Ahhh, much better ;)

So there you have it. I know it doesn't seem like much, but I feel like a cow. I feel like a floatation device at the community pool. Alot more ~~than me feeling like a blimp~~ has been happening in the Miscellaneous household, but I'm just too darn sleepy to post much of it. Bear with us, and don't be afraid to comment! If I know you're out there reading, I might share more of the fun with you!

Is it Thursday already?

2009-10-01T20:17:00.000-04:00

Dang! Like, dude, where did the week go? Between the doctor's appointments, my date with Glee, window shopping, and all that sleeping, I must have missed the memo!

Then it dawned on me that Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away! (In Canada anyway)....

*Random insert: Russell from survivor needs meds, lol*

Anyway, where was I? Yeah, so Thanksgiving is right around the corner and this year, Mrs. Miscellaneous is on strike! I hosted soooo many BBQ's and Dominoe events for Mr. Miscellaneous that I think I'm done for the year. I told Mr. M that he can forget about Christmas too. Hell, who wants to slave away over a hot oven with a big ole belly and swole ankles anyway? Hmph, not this Mrs. Miscellaneous, lol!

So this year, the Miscellaneous crew is gonna roll like all the people who trampled all up and thru my house this summer. We're gonna and come bringing gifts & wine, eat, laugh, be merry, and roll the heck up outta ~~someone else's~~ that joint :D Mrs. Miscellaneous is done for the year! Besides, we did the last 2 Christmases and Thanksgivings, so I think we earned it.... I mean I... I earned it. Mr. Miscellaneous' contribution? Inviting all those people, lol!

I somehow get the feeling that the do-fer in me will manage to find myself with sleeves rolled up, washing dishes with the hostess..... But hey, it's a sickness, I can't help it....

From: Dear Son To: Blogland

2009-09-28T18:56:00.001-04:00

(This post, with the exception of what's in the parentheses, will be written by my 8 year old son. He has asked countless times just what it is that I am always doing on my computer, lol! Sometimes he's perched up beside me on the couch, and will see a pic of himself, or a pic of me, and ask, "Mommy, how did I get on the internet?" I've explained the concept of a blog to him, and now he would like to send you all a message! I think I've opened a can of worms, lol!)

Hello everybody, my name is Nathan and I'm really excited to talk to all of you out there on the internet! I like the colour orange. My favorite thing to do is play games on the computer. I have two sisters, and they are cute and fun to play with. I go to french immersion school. I can't wait until Christmas. Please be nice and send me a comment, it will make me feel happy about doing a blog on my mommy's website!

Okay, that's all I have to say for now because I need to go and brush my teeth, but maybe mommy will let me come back to her blog next time.

Bye Bye from Nathan.

Touch the Rainbow!

2009-09-22T21:22:00.000-04:00

Here's one of my favorite commercials right now. I laugh every time I see it. Enjoy:

Belly Pic Friday!

2009-09-18T21:17:00.002-04:00

Each Friday (or every other Friday) I'll be posting a pic of the progression on my "bump". Right now, there's really not much that you can see unless I show you my va-jay-jay, which I'm not prepared to do. So, for comparison purposes only (believe, me I'm not purposing to bore you to tears) I'll start with pics I took last week compared to this week.

Mrs. Miscellaneous about a week before getting KU:

Mrs. Miscellaneous at 12 DPO (feeling mightly bloated, like beached whale bloated):

Mrs. Miscellaneous at 4 weeks and 2 days:

You can see here that it's mainly just "bloat", and the excess skin that never did go away when I lost all that weight.

Front view:

Note how the waistline is disappearing already :(

Stay tuned... I might wait until 6 weeks to do another BPF (belly pic friday).

The VCUG

2009-09-18T20:23:00.001-04:00

Ok, so they gave him numbing gel. It worked for like 2 seconds. Nate screamed, and screamed, and cried, and jerked, and twisted. He bawled and begged, "Mommy make it stop, Mommy it hurts, Mommy help me".......

I hushed him and hugged him, kissed him and stroked him... I held his hand and told him what a wonderful job he was doing. I told him to breathe in and out slowly and deeply, I wiped his tears.

Somehow, it didn't seem to take the pain away. I felt so helpless. Doing the things a Mommy should to comfort her child didn't seem to be taking the pain away..... I just kept telling myself that being there, and doing those things magically lessened the pain, and that had I not been doing what I was supposed to do, it would probably hurt a gazillion times more.

I told my champion how proud of him I was. I told him that he was brave. I dried his tears and wheeled him down to diagnostic imaging and x-ray. They made us wait. With a tube stuck up his pee-pee, pressing on his bladder, making him feel the urge to push.... All the while pleading with him not to push, otherwise we'd have to endure that entire nightmare all over again.

I went back to the window where the triage lady was clicking away WAY too fast to be doing ~~anything other than playing solitaire~~ productive and told her that she needed to call upstairs to Nephrology and ask them WHY we were told that we would be seen IMMEDIATLEY, and WHY they called downstairs to ensure that our imaging room would be ready and waiting BEFORE they began inserting an 12 inch tube up an 8 year old's penis.

I got GULLY. Gracefully Gully, might I add. My Momma taught me how to cuss without using a single expletive. That's the worst kind, cause ain't nuttin anyone can say to you when you're done, but "uhh, um, okay, I'll get right on that for you m'aam"

We were seen IMMEDIATELY after I got gully.

I had to ask the dude 3 times for a lead apron. I told him I was expecting, and he said, "yeah, in a minute"..... He had on a lead apron.... Dude forgot about my lead apron, again.

I got gully, again.

I got my lead apron, IMMEDIATELY after I got gully for the second time in the same department.

I watched them fill his bladder with radioactive dye.... He got to see it all on the monitor, and found it "cool how my bladder swells up so fast like that".... They took all the snapshots they needed. As soon as he saw that it was at capacity, he needed to pee, lol! For a moment he was distracted.... That gave me comfort. They took the tube out, and let him go, and it was done. Just like that.

I wheeled him out of there before someone else said something stupid to me, and I lost the few ounces of grace that I had left, cause 3 times???? Well, lets just say this: morning sickness, smelling that hospital smell, and these numb-nuts treating me like I was a walk-in patient with no set appointment, when I hadn't eaten anything yet for the day, with my nipples feeling like someone was holding a blow-torch to them..... Yeah, Mrs.Miscellaneous Higgins woulda been on the evening news....

We bought ice cream, slushies, dollar store goodies, and ordered his favorite movie. We curled up on the couch together, and chilled.... My prince came and hugged me and told me I was the "bestest Mommy he ever had." "Ever had?" I said, with my head cocked to the side... "He looked at me, cocked his head back, and laughed at me.... For like 5 minutes.

Then, it wasn't so bad of a day after all.

Sorry folks....

2009-09-15T18:41:00.001-04:00

It's been a hectic week. I've been bad to blogland, I know. I promised y'all I'd share my test results with you, and I will...... In just a few seconds... But first, I just wanna say that if you're out there, and you're reading, and you are on my facebook, this is blogland news, NOT facebook news. Not everyone on my FB knows I blog, and for darn good reason too. *If you stick with me, you'll get to "meet" some of the colorful characters in my family..... From time to time, I will blog things that their thin skin cannot handle... Besides, sometimes you just don't want ALL family all up and through ya bidness, ya feel me?

Okay, enough beating around the bush.....

Ok, ok, just one more thing.... When I got my results, I hesitated blogging it for like a teeny tiny split second, but then I remembered that I had already opened my big mouth and it would be ~~evil~~ bad blogging etiquette to leave all 5 of my readers hanging.

Drumroll please......

I did get my bloodwork back today, and my betas (from 9 DPO) were 26. Not being satisfied, and wanting something to put in my journal, I ran to my Dollar store stash. I had one extra one that I must have hid from myself.

So that's it folks, I'm KTFU!..... And then it hit me.... OMG, my firm booty, and tight abs! Dear Lord, please don't let me turn into a house! I'm gonna have to take up yoga or something, anything! I WILL be upping my visits to the pool!

BTW, I'm taking donations for *sticky dust*

Not liking what I'm hearing....

2009-09-11T12:12:00.001-04:00

Baby boy's left kidney is not working properly..... Pediatric Nephrologist Dr. P is not liking what she sees. In fact, she doesn't take to ordering pediatric VCUG's unless there is "significant reason for concern".... Now, those words coming from one of THE TOP pediatric specialsts in Ontario, who moonlights at Toronto Sick Kids Hospital, AND is the number one recommended specialist in the Nephrology community, well you can see where I'm going.

I'm scared for my boy. He's been healthy, and other than these nasty re-occurring UTI's still is a very healthy boy. I'm trying to mask how concerned I am for his sake. All he needs is to see me break down into tears for the second time today and he's done.

So all of next week, I have to try and convince an 8 and a half year old, that Drs. sticking a rubber tube up his pee-pee is not such a bad thing....

I shall be stocking up on his favorite flavor of ice cream, freezie-pops, and maybe even whip out the plastic for a trip to Toys'R'Us in prep for next Friday. Dad's work schedule allows for him to be there, so that's good. He's afraid to cry in front of Dad. I, on the other hand, am not.

Whatever dust and prayers you can offer would be appreciated :)

What are your tips and tricks for keeping your kids positive when they're fearful of medical procedures?

In other news.....

2009-09-10T20:38:00.002-04:00

The house is coming along quite nicely..... I just can't wait until the doors and windows go in. I hear their coming in tomorrow. My favorite feature on the backside of the house? French Garden doors instead of sliding doors! Oh, and you see that big beautiful bay window set-up going on up there? Yep! That's all MY doing. *Mrs. Miscellaneous takes a bow* The builder wanted to give us the two side windows, and instead of the big one in the middle, they wanted to give us a fireplace and a transom. Now, I know that most would think I was crazy for passing up a fireplace, but vampire I am NOT. A girl neeeeeeds her sunlight in order to ~~not kill anybody~~ function. The room is massive. We already have an electric fireplace. The room is massive. Did I say that already? Oh, okay, sorry. I've already picked out a cozy nook, should we decide to put the fireplace in the master bedroom.

My other favorite features? Ensuites in every room! Sunken library! Tons of natural light! Windows over the kitchen sink: something about gazing into space while washing the dishes just makes the time pass so fast... No, wait, maybe it's watching your clueless neighbor pick his nose on his back deck while he gazes off into space..... Yeah, wondering how far or how long he will dig will surely pass the time.... Can you tell I have a vivid memory? Maybe I just miss windows since this pit-stop house we're in now has none.

I just wish my neighbors would stalk their house as much we did, so I can meet them, and find out if they are indeed the nose-picking-on-back-deck type... Or if they're just normal.

Like us :)

Should you trust a dollar store HPT?

2009-09-10T19:22:00.000-04:00

Well, it was negative. I decided not to use any of the remaining 4 tests. If I got back another BFN, I might actually start to believe it.... Being that I know that I'm still a good 6 days away from the Red Army, and it was a cheapo dollar store test, I'm REALLY hoping that's the reason for the BFN.

Either way, I need to do some follow up blood-work from my pre-con check-up, so I made Dr. Mac check for HCG.

Now, I can either call in tomorrow, or pop in directly... I have to go back for just one final ultrasound tomorrow (whole nudder story)....

Okay, ok, well basically I had a follicular cyst that had ruptured and caused me to ~~want to stab myself~~ double over in pain in the pelvic area... Anyhoo, Dr. Mac had been monitoring them for a while via U/S and finds that they are rupturing when I ovulate. So at least I know I'm OVing *insert relieved brow wiping emoticon here*....

Okay, so back on today's business. So I can either call, or go in directly, and let Debbie see the look on my face when I get the news... . Considering I cannot lie or hide anything to save my life, I'm not sure I can face her... At least if I'm on the phone and the news isn't what I wanna hear, I can hide behind the phone... Not that that would exaclty help, like I said, I just can't fake much.

Well, that's it for now.. This seems to be the front page story of my life right now, so you shall be hearing much about it for a while.....

On a good note, my boobs are on fire, which is not a typical pms symptom for me.... I rarely get that.... We shall see. No more agonizing for tonight, I have all morning to do that.

Oh, and please don't lurk! Comment! Lemme know who's out there, and what you have to say :)

Okay, so you promise not to laugh???

2009-09-09T21:59:00.002-04:00

I totally couldn't handle the wait anymore. Currently, Mr. Miscellaneous is laughing is arse off at me and calling me a punk.

I'm only 8 DPO and ran out to Dollarama and grabbed myself 5 hpt.... Lord know's I'd been trying to stay away from that store for the entire week. Ever since I was grabbing a few last minute stuff for Mr.M's "goodbye summer" cookout, and I saw that kit right next to my favorite cotton face pad, I knew I was in trouble.... I mean, c'mon!!! The ability to end the mental agony of wondering, all for just ONE buck?

So anyhooo, this kit says that first morning pee is not needed for its 99.9% accurate results. What it DIDN'T say was, "99.9% accurate as many as 8 days out till your next visit from AF cause you can't wait till you at least miss your period before you start to POAS"

I've heard that under these conditions it will very likely yield a BFN. I already have an appointment with Dr. Mac in the a.m anyway. He shall be drawing blood, so I'll know for sure in a few days anyway....

I shall be taking test one of four now....

I shall be updating you in a few minutes.

I feel sick., Ugh.

The definition of insanity?

2009-09-08T14:56:00.002-04:00

Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results....

Mr. Miscellaneous and I however are of the sane variety, in that although we've been doing the same thing over and over, this time we're actually doing it differently. We expect fantastically, wonderific, different results.

Yep, flirting with insanity, Mr. & Mrs. Miscellaneous are trying for another baby. Dug.gars, Oct.omom, and Gos.elins, beware. Stealth like competition in the west end of the GTA is looming underfoot!

Well see, it all started like this......

Once upon a time in a far eastern part of the GTA, Ms. Miscellaneous lived with her 20 month old toddler. Lets call him Nate. You see, Ms. Miscellaneous was a single mother. She was very happy to dine on grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner, and happily wash up the ONE saucer, and the ONE bowl that she had soiled in such an arduous feast prep. Ms. Miscellaneous was NOT looking for someone, as she was content with her baby, and gearing up to go back to college.

One fine day while taking a ~~loooooong-ass, hot, sweaty, stank-ass~~ trip using the city's fine public transportation all the way down to the heart of Toronto where her campus was, she happened upon a young man who didn't seem to be barking and snapping at the innocent riders of the train, although he proudly brandished the same ~~ugly~~ handsome uniform as the rest of the transit workers. Ms. Miscellaneous was of course lost, ('cause she gets like that sometimes in strange places) approached the young man and asked for directions..... Of course the ~~smooth talking~~ genteel young man did assist Ms. M with directions to her destination, and managed slip his email address on the back of the map that he drew his directions on.

Well folks as they say, the rest is history..... Only one teeeeeny tiny detail I forgot to add. Mr. Miscellaneous was also packing kids, and so now, we're a party of 5 on most days.

So here we are; having just barely survived two houses, the blending of 3 kids, and a wedding, and biting off just a little bit more....

Why? Because we've learned through the ups and downs ( with which you will become all too acquainted) that two mouths can chew a whole lot more than just one. No seriously? There's really no way of explaining it. Although our lives have never gone according to plan, we've always come out on top, and by the grace of God manage to learn that sometimes our way isn't always the best way. We have found that in waiting for the "perfect" timing for the things that matter most in life, we might let our lives pass us by. Hell, if we had stuck to that theory in the hopes of having the perfect wedding, we'd still be just ~~living in sin~~ another young common-law couple, co-habitatating and causing ~~all those old dead people~~ our great grand parents to be rolling over in their graves.....

Stick with us.... The fun is just beginning!