And Still....

I get a cute call from our Compassionate Service leader yesterday, "So, what kind of baby did you have? The boy kind or the girl kind?" "I didn't." "Oh, I thought you did." "Not yet." "Ok,...Well...do you need anything?" "Since the baby hasn't come AND my mom is here...then no."

I felt worse for her since that has got to be the worst when you are comp service leader.

The midwives gave me a LOVELY sheet of about 20 things to do to induce labor. In fact, at WHOLE FOODS where I was going for some herbal stuff, 2 of the employees were like, "Hey, can I see that sheet?"

We are going down the list:


*LOOOONNNGG walks

*Blue AND black cohosh

*Castor oil (which we will do again tommorow)

*ACUPUNTURE - which I have to say was pretty cool - I have gone twice (I actually got some GREAT contractions during my 25 minute sessions. They put needles 3 fingerwidths above the ankle bone,between the webbed part of the thumb and pointer finger, and the tailbone area - with electric stimulation. I didn't hurt at all - but the areas are a little sore afterwards- like muscle soreness)

S**

Eggplant Parmesan (Yes, that WAS on my sheet!)

Mezclan lettuce with Balsamic vinegrette (Suprisingly this was ALSO on my sheet)

Acupressure (same points as acupunture)

Evening Primrose Oil

Bumpy roads (NOT on the sheet, but suggested by MANY people)

Going over Railroad tracks (not on my sheet, but not hard to do around here!)

N***** S***********

Stripping of membranes - twice (Wasn't that bad)

Spicy food (not on the official list)

Fresh Pineapple (shish ka bobs for dinner tonite baby!)

Blessing of Comfort (baby will come in "due time" were the exact words during the blessing....) (not on the list - but MUCH appreciated!)



Yeah....you can see we have our bases WELL covered - and for being 2 days overdue I guess thats not too bad to have covered ALL of those.

So is any of it working ? - You could say definitely YES. I was barely a 1 and not effaced- now 50% effaced and dialated to a 3.5 - lots of contractions...just not TRUE labor.

I am beginning to doubt my ability to actually KNOW if its true labor since I have been SO sure about 7 times now, to the hospital once, and baby still in tow.

So for now - I must ignore all the questions, my dad whining to my mom to come back home and telling me to WALK MORE (there is only so long you can WALK AND WALK) and that feeling of waking up in the morning thinking - Ok...still nothing!

Worst case scenario they will break my water on Monday and hope for labor to kick in on its own (which has not happened with my other two kids). Cross your fingers for me!

ADVENTURES IN WAITING

Yeah, so basically I can’t eat scrambled eggs again….probably EVER!

One of my favorite snacks is making an egg and putting in cheese and sun dried tomatoes.

Not Anymore.

Yesterday was “Castor Oil Day.” Yep – you guessed it. I scrambled the egg up with the 2 oz of castor oil and then made the egg (by a book’s suggestion I have). It didn’t even taste gross, its just that I mentally KNEW it was in there.

Then I had it later with Mango Passion fruit juice – that was the weirdest glass of juice I EVER had. WHEW!

The contractions were coming on big time. By the time Brian and I had our date night – we went on a LOOOONNNNNGGGG walk – I did not want to talk through the contractions. And during KING KONG the contractions were getting strong. SO we dropped the kids off and went to the hospital.

As I entered TRIAGE I had to squelch up my face and close my eyes during the contractions and squeek out“Yes, its spelled W-A-Y-N-E…no not VONNIE, it Bonnie, with a “B.”

The contractions were 2 ½ to 3 minutes apart. Dialated…to a 3, and only 50% effaced. But to stay in the Alternative Birthing Room (which is my plan) I have to be at a 4. Still much better than a couple days ago – barely a 1 and not at all effaced. So, amidst the crazy contractions, which were pretty strong – we were instructed to walk (jump and stomp)around the huge maternity floor for 1 HOUR…this was at midnight.

I asked if I had to wear the gown – YES – but they would double gown me so they didn’t see any “Butt.” (THANK YOU)

After 1 hour of lots of jumping – (Yes, I felt a little strange jumping around in a hospital gown as we walked by the staff several times...especially DURING a contraction when I had to close my eyes WHILE jumping…trying to help things along) …STILL no change.

We were told to go home and given a prescription (I am NOT kidding here) for S** (its a G rated blog here people). It was actually on a PX pad, and underlined MANY times. Also they said to try and get some rest since we would probably be back sooner than later.

So we got home at 3 AM – EXHAUSTED. Well, at least I know the castor oil gets things rolling…I just can’t bring myself to do it again. The next order from the midwife after the “Px” given, is black cohosh drops. I CAN’T WAIT!

weird moment

So I hear a knock on the door at 3:00 P.M. It was some guy with a memo board in his hand. He looks at me and asks in a business-like way,

"Hi, is your Mom or Dad home?"

I looked at him from my 9 month pregnant body and just stared. I really was caught quite speechless...especially in my CONDITION....

Finally I mustered, "I AM the Mom."

He looks again at me...rather sheepishly I might add... and says very quickly, "I'm sorry, you just look so young."

It was weird, but as he was asking me about our gas bill and what we pay, I actually FELT like a little kid. But more than that I felt like, "OK...did he just TOTALLY miss by extremely large belly...or did he think...well...?"

On the other hand - to be 30 and 9 months pregnant with #3 - in a way I had to take that and SORT of take it as a compliment. I just never expected that comment...being so VERY PREGNANT!

BRING IT ON!!

So, it seems that upon my last checkup, this baby would not come out on her own accord until October or some absurdity.

So, I am going to “fun” route of trying all those things women try to ENCOURAGE some action – Midwife recommended.

Let’s see – Evening Primrose Oil – always fun. I had to tell the pharmacist (because the head manager at Walgreen’s couldn’t find it) in front of a large line of people what it is for and he could help me find it. Excuse me, but REALLY – have they no imagination when a very pregnant women comes looking for a supplement?!? I used the vary vague description of “Prepares the body for labor.” And thought to myself, “Why am I explaining this to a Pharmacist?”

And there are the pulse points – little toe, behind the heel (none of which are withing optimal reaching ability for me at this point) so I chose the one between the thumb and pointer finger – where they web.

Lots of walking….lots of “other” things….

And of course, Tyler has taken to pushing hard on the belly (well, hard for a 2 year old) and making exhaustion sounding exertion noises and telling me, “Mommy, the baby won’t come out. Its TOO HARD!” It was sure nice of him to try though!

In a couple of days if…nothing…sigh…then I guess we’ll do the favorite Castor Oil route. YEAH!

OUR BALLERINA

Brooke just had her 1st official ballet/tap recital. She was front and center and had that "shuffle step" reigned and harnassed like it could not go anywhere but where she told it.

She was awesome and did a great job!

ALL DONE!!

PHEW!!

I am finally all done planting the garden! My goal was to get it done before the baby comes - MISSION ACHIEVED!!

What is on our garden menu this year?

(Can you tell I get bored with the same old same old?)

Romanesco (green geometrically pleasing cauliflower)
Cheddar Cauliflower
Red green onions
Purple Carrots
Ultra Sweet Orange Variety Carrot
White with pink bellies radishes
Spinach bushes (you have to put them in a cage)
Cucumbers - they will be climbing our chain link fence
Zuchinni - gold, light green, and dark green varieties
Tomatoes - heirloom - one called "sugary" - got the highest mark in the sweetness scall - Brecht
Leeks
Green Beans - two kinds
Sugar Snap Peas
Multicolored Swiss Chard
Summer and Spring Lettuce - Spicy AND non-Spicey
Purple, Orange, Yellow, Red and Green Bell Peppers
Strawberries
Rubarb
Raspberries
Herbs: Chocolate Mint, Oregano, Lemon Balm, Chives, Sweet Basil, Thai Basil, Rosemary, Cilantro, Thyme
Acorn Squash
Spaghetti Squash
Eggplant - Lavendar, Whopper, and Fairy Tale (white) varieties

PHEW! I think that's it. I doesn't ever seem like its that much - but when I see it all typed out I think "Man, thats not too shabby!"

THE BEST TANK TOPS

So I must post about these - I have worn under everything them my entire pregnancy - and I wear them under everything when I am not pregnant. They are the BEST tank tops EVER! When you bend over, they cling to you, so no one see nothing. They go down far enough, they are high enough, and they don't roll up on you. And they smooth everything out, if you know what I mean.

http://www.themodbod.com

For pregnancy clothes they are especially helpful because they expand with the belly. So when you would normally see stomach or gs toward the end of pg when that shirt gets a little "smaller" these cover the tracks.

When you bend over - no more seeing more than you care too.

Great for working out too!

So I had to spend some of our tax return (a very small chunk) to replace the ones I have literally worn out during pregnancy. I personally like these the best - called
"Camisole"

and "Camisole with lace"

as well as the

"perfect tank."

I noticed last night when I was joyfully spending some tax return money they have a buy two, get the third free.
LOVE THOSE MORMON COMPANIES!!

THE PREGNANCY QUESTIONS.

Pregnancy updates

So about this time (2 weeks to go) everyone starts asking all the questions

What are you going to name the baby? ITS NOT HALLE

Boy or Girl? GIRL

Are you getting an epidural? NO

Baby measuring big or small? SMALL- NORMAL…but I feel HUGE

Do you deliver early? I HAVE ONLY DELIVERD RIGHT ON TIME

Any complications? JUST THE ONE MENTIONED SEVERAL POSTS AGO

Are you all ready? YEP – as of today – I finished sewing the last of the bedding – the ruffle skirt. I finished the bumpers last week. We washed all the carseat covers, swing covers, cleaned out the carseat and swing and other things we saw. We are just delaying putting up the cradle…for space reasons. I just need to pack that overnight bag...

How are you delivering? EVER HEAR OF A WATER BIRTH?

Where are you delivering? A HOSPITAL WITH AN ALTERNATIVE BIRTH CENTER ROOM

Who will deliver the baby? A MIDWIFE

Are you ready? FINALLY YES

Are you excited? YES- I AM NOW

Is the baby in a good position? YES – HEAD DOWN

Are you nervous about no drugs – YOU COULD DEFINITELY SAY THAT!

Who is watching the kids? WHEN WE GO TO THE HOSPITAL, WE WILL CALL MY MOM AND SHE WILL DRIVE 4 HOURS TO GET HERE. HOPEFULLY IT WON’T BE THIS WEEKEND SINCE MY YOUNGEST SIS HAS PROM. IN THE MEANTIME MY SISTER AND BRO N LAW WILL WATCH THEM.

What is the exact due date? May 14^th or 15^th

I think those are all the conceivable questions I have been asked. I feel that I am good to go!

MONSON MATCH UP MAD DASH AND MUNCHIES

So, this past week was fun – so GLAD its over.

I was in charge of the activity for Primary the past two time (we usually rotate as a presidency) since the counselor that WAS in charge moved very suddenly. I have to say the name of the activity was very cute

MONSON MATCH UP MAD DASH AND MUNCHIES.

I challenge anyone to say that 3 times fast.

It was an activity centered on Monson’s life – to get to know him. WE did relay races that represented his life – missionary clothing, scouting clothing, and newspapers (as he worked with Deseret Newspaper for years). We did a memory game with all the new apostles, and had the kids color a 6 page picture biography with fun tidbits about his life.

AND we only had healthy food, since the majority of apostles (at least this was true as of the Nauvoo Temple Dedication, which I found out from the caterer) are on VERY strict diets. Many of them are on “no salt, no sugar” orders. So we had strawberries, apples, cheese, crackers, and cinnamon bagels (not TOTALLy healthy on the last one, but, ya know)

I must admit, I was a little surprised that being 9 mo. Pregnant I was left ALONE to set up ABOUT 85 CHAIRS, AND 7 TABLES, AND 2 LARGE CHALKBOARDS, AND TAPE ARROWS AND NUMBERS ON THE GROUND. At one point I think I even shoved a table over in frustration (ahh….the joys of pregnancy irritation!) to which point I help arrived.

FINALLY A BLOG TO BE PROUD OF

So how do you dig the NEW LOOK?

Thanks Aimee for the heads up on the cute blog background link. Several of my friends have gone the "cute blog" route and I was finally ready to take on the challenge.

Here is shout out for the link:

http://cutestblogontheblock.blogspot.com/

It was free :)


I think I will adjust this every season - just for kicks and giggles.

MY DECISION

So due some very recent complications with this pregnancy (I have never had ANY complication was any of my previous pregnancies nor this one until 2 weeks ago) I have decided to do the cardinal sin. I switched Doctors totally at 36 ½ weeks pregnant.

I have something called Symphysis Pubic Dysfunction. This means that the actual pubic bone has separated – and it is very painful. I noticed it of all things after chopping down Ivy in our Garden. That was the pinpoint day. Basically you try not to do anything with your legs other than keep them together. Climbing Stairs is horrible, the typical birth position is very horrible – it means it can make the condition worse and you can have it way postpartum. You are not supposed to have an epidural (I REALLY enjoyed those for Brooke and Tyler) because then you can’t feel your bodies threshold of pain to prevent a further separation of the pubic bone called a pubic bone diastasis…AND you are typically in a position for labor with an epidural that WILL make the position worse with an epidural. A regular OB GYN will generally say “go on bedrest, take IB Profin, good luck” but that is not the best approach - if you can even call it an approach.

Chiropractors who are trained in something called the Webster Technique generally have great success with this. Also, giving birth on all fours is the ideal position you want. SO I decided to go with pretty much the ONLY midwives in the entire CHicagoland area. Sadly – there are VERY LIMITED choices in terms of alternative birth styles, methods, and midwives. In fact, the midwives here told us Chicago is very behind with these things so much that they are behind Nebraska in limited options and methods. You wouldn’t think that being such a big city – but there you go. It takes me at least 1 hour to get to the practice.

I feel guilty actually switching docs this late in the game…but my sister keeps telling me I can’t feel guilty about that. They got paid on all my visits etc – they just don’t offer what I need at this point…nor does the hospital I would have gone to.

My cousin made it to Hollywood in American Idol - where was I?!?!

So my cousin Shawn - Spanish Fork, UT - made it to Hollywood Week in American Idol and I had NO idea. I watched very spottily during the beginning of this season...so maybe that is part of it. I actually found out via an email from BYU about the comings and goings and saw Shawn doing a concert there and talking about his American Idol experience. Here he tells some highlight happenings! Go Shawn!!

Georgia Brown Rare High Notes

This video is CRAZY. I was trying to google to find Mariah Carey's vocal range last night and came across this video (motivation from American Idol). UM- HELLO!!!! This is just insane. Its been reported from the Guiness Book of World Records her range is G2 to G10(measured in MegaHertz since its inaudible to the human ear).

SECRET RANTINGS!!

So maybe its that I am 8 months pregnant, or maybe its because I just lost my 2^nd counselor in Primary (who failed to plan the Quarterly Activity in 2 weeks and didn’t let me know she MOVED…I found out last week during General Conf.) or maybe its because our building had NO HEAT today, which made it 45 degrees in the building (we all wore coats to sacrament and classes) or maybe its because Brooke was following me trotting like HORSE during primary while all the other kids were being (semi) reverant, but I LOST MY TEMPER (a little) during closing exercises.

I had just stepped on Brooke’s shoe, because she was acting like a silent horse following me around, and she burst out crying as I was doing closing announcement, AS a cute 7 year old boy came up to the front and started taking flyers out of my hand, AS about 3 other kids barked out questions in very loud voices.

No, no fireworks or colorful display of words, but I did say with clenched teeth, “DON’T ASK ME ANYMORE QUESTIONS...and go SIT DOWN!”

As we did VIP, I purposefully whispered softer than normal (a tactic that makes the primary kids HUSHED with anticipation as to WHO it will be) but I must admit - it was softer than most human ears could perceive – and I was NOT SORRY that I was making them STRAIN to hear every utterance.

I just have to tell myself that if I happen to get secret delight in making them ooze with curiosity, that it is no crime. And when I come close to losing it in those WEAK moments, when I am otherwise a very kind understanding figure (at least I tell myself that) then I just remember a precious story as I sat in primary several years ago as a teacher.

The Primary Pres. Then had herself lost it a little and yelled, “EVERYONE…JUST…BE QUIET!!!! JUST BE QUIET!!!”

A 7 year old boy’s eye’s got as wide as saucers and he looked very VERY concerned as he VERY SINCERELY asked, “…or what? WE’LL EXPLODE?!?!?”

Its in moments such as these that I think to myself, “If only I could elicit SUCH a question!!!”

SOME FAVORITE QUOTES FROM TONITES "THE OFFICE "

Ok - that was definitely the most uncomfortable dinner party ever. That break definitely did the writers good. Here are some of my favorite moments:

"Do you have any idea the toll on the body it takes to have THREE vasectomies?"-Michael

"I can’t prove it, but I think Jan is trying to poison me." -Michael

Michael: "Clue: Rhymes with Parnold Portzenager…. Governor of Caleefornia…. The Terminator….

Angela: Can you be more clear? We NEED better clues."

Jim: "You’re Dwight’s babysitter? I just have SO many questions. Can I get your email address?"

Babysitter: "Email?"

Jim: "Nevermind."

I also savored the moment when Jan put on the CD and Andy chimed in with a "La La" while everyone else looked very uncomfortable.

There were MANY more - these are just the few I thought of while brushing my teeth and laughing!!

NEW YORK PICS

Tami teaching the Lose your Mummy Tummy Seminar.

TAmi and I in front of the Manhattan Temple.

Tami and I with her old mission comp and her
roommate. They treated us to dinner.

This is the real Statue of Liberty, right?
We saw Legally Blonde and Curtains.
Legally Blonde was much more exciting, but if you have seen the movie, even the PUNCHLINES are the same (they would just say "tangerine" instead of "orange" and "Beyonce" instead of "Cameron Diaz" for example) Good music though.

A little inside Joke from Freshman year at BYU. Sarah, do you recognize what we are doing???


Melissa is was so good to see you! She lives
about a block away from Times Square. She is
busy being an actress and a yoga instructor for
people like Uma Thurman and Mary Louise Parker!
She was one of the infamous Sexy Six group we
formed as freshman! It had been 7 years since we had
seen each other. I love catching up with great friends!







Standing in line to TRY to win tickets to Wicked in the Lottery they do every night



Meeting up with friends from BYU - Jake and Cami Turpin. They happened to be seeing Wicked the same night we waited in line. And of course we PLANNED to bump into each other. It had been like 7 years. Cami and I are due within a few days of each other. It was so fun to see you guys!



Hanging out at Wicked.






We mostly taught Maternal fitness classes - we saw LOTS and LOTS of pregnant ladies - so Tami and I fit right in. She is due in July, I am due May 14th.

Teaching at the studio while under "jury"


















With Julie - the founder of the Tupler Technique.
Meeting her was MUCH more palatable than the
training was. The day we came in Dr. OZ had
contacted her about being on his Radio Show.
For all my preggo friends, her book "Maternal
Fitness" is the BEST book to read while pregnant
to prepare for labor, close your diastasis which
makes pushing more effective, and learn how to
retain muscle memory to get into your body faster
after labor.

TO LAUGH ABOUT

I was awakened by the cutest little scene this morning:

Tyler comes in at 7:30 to wake me up and says “Mommy, my toast is ready.”

As I came to my senses I thought – how is his toast ready if I am in bed.

I came into the kitchen to see that Brooke had found our toaster in a bottom cabinet, lifted the 10 lb appliance to the counter pulled up a kitchen table chair to the counter and plugged the toaster in. Whereby she fetched the bread out of the fridge and retrieved two slices – one for her and one for Tyler. She climbed up the chair again and put them in, and pressed the level and toasted them until the perfect browness. She took them out of the toaster and put them on a large plate she retrieved from a high cupboard. She also got out two small kids plates – one for her and one for Tyler. After they were on the big plate, she put each piece of toast on the kids plate.

I asked her, “Did you make toast for you and Tyler?”

She replied very perkily and extremely proud, “YES, I CAN DO THINGS BY MYSELF NOW!!” Then she thought about a millisecond and said, “I AM GOING TO MAKE MY BED NOW BY MYSELF.” And she left her uneaten piece of toast and skipped off to her room to make her bed.

I just marveled about how cute the whole thing was.

Just a day before, we had gone over to Grandma and Grandpa Wayne’s house to meet and walk over to get Dairy Queen with Brooke and Tyler's 3 cousins that live a few blocks away. Granma and Grandpa had offered to get something for each of the kids under $2. After we did that the kids and their 2 cousins were playing with the large dollhouse Grandpa had cleaned off and fixed up and had then glued together all the furniture. He had spend a lot of time getting everything ready for the kids to enjoy.

After playing for a few minutes Brooke looked very concerned and said to Grandpa, “But Grandpa, where is the front door?”

He replied, “Oh, I have been putting things together and spending all this time cleaning it…Grandpa has been busy.”

That did not satisfy her, “But Grandpa, where is the front door?”

Again, he went into the long winded explanation of, “Grandpa has been busy cleaning everything and gluing the furniture together and I have taken all this time to get everything done. Grandpa has been trying hard!”

“Well,” Brooke says with certainty, “TRY HARDER!”

From the mouth of babes!

GOING TO....NY

I am getting ready to go to New York with my Sister on Tuesday to complete our training with Julie Tupler - with the Tupler technique. There are some challenges being faced right now in terms of the training and some other issues. I am a little apprehensive about some things that have arisen with this program and its facets. The material is brilliant...the training needs to be tweaked. So... wish me luck! I will need lots of prayers!

Susie, I mean Sister Barrowes (another of my sisters) - we hope we can at least WAVE to you somewhere now that you are serving there in NY!

BABYSITTING CO OP

Brian and I were finding that we were literally never having date nights. Sometimes I would just burst saying "I have GOT to be taken out on a date -its an EMERGENCY!!" I would start to totally lose any sense of being a wife - and just got into the mom mode - where you mismatch all day, don't brush your teeth until noon, and don't really do your hair. SICKENING! I could feel things going downhill.

Then a girl in our ward suggested we do a babysitting co-op. We have 4 families - and each family has 1 week of the month to watch EVERYONE'S kids. We have 9 kids on that day. (The babies under 1 do not come - they stay with mom and dad). It is sure awful on the day you have to watch the kids, but it sure pays off to have THREE DAY NIGHTS during the month where you don't have to worry about lining up a babysitter, paying them, giving instructions, or feeling like its too much hassel to plan everything and then not doing it. We have set times 6 to 10 pm every Saturday night.

We have also found that pizzas from Aldi - the 89 cent ones - are perfect for this crowd. We go through two of them. Pretzels and popcorn are also a must.

Well, this past Saturday was our 3rd night, and it was hilarious because the kids all started dropping like flies because they were tired starting at 8:30. We had 2 kids per bunk with the bunk beds, plus a pack and play, we had kids sleeping in the living room, one on our bed, and one resting in the family room. All but 3 were asleep when the parents came! Brian and I looked at each other and agreed that this was our easiest one yet.

And then on those three weeks in a row - our goal is to do a NEW restaurant for one of the nights, a movie for one of the nights, and our "walking date" for one of the nights - where we just walk and talk and wander downtown homewood - maybe getting coldstone or some chocolates or walking to the videostore and getting something.

This CO-OP is REALLY good for me - gives me something to look forward to during the monotony of changing diapers, making food, doing dishes, and doing time outs!

THERE IS A WINNER

So for financial curiosity during 2007-2008, I have tried out the various VARIATION TYPES similar to Airborne.

I have tried Walborne, as well as one called Best Defense.

For whatever reasons, the other versions do not work on me. Everytime I do airborne, that achy feeling, and sore throat thing GO AWAY within 24 to 48 hours of initially taking the airborne (and taking it every 3 hours from the onset). When I do the alternate versions, the cold/flu things are slower to come on, but then they come on with a vengeance.

So, I guess that is that. It has been a year long experience trying different versions out – and the outcome is that AIRBORNE is the winner.

And since each container is $6.99, and I go through the whole thing in a couple of days – its like paying $6.99 NOT to be sick. AND IT IS SOOOOOOOO WORTH IT! I REALLY REALLY hate being sick. If one of us is sick in the Wayne household, we all end up passing it back and forth to each other over and over.

So, thank goodness for Airborne – YES!!!

UH OH....does this sound like.....

So Brian, for this baby, REALLY likes the name Hallie. I like it too – its growing on me.

Everyone we have mentioned the name too says they also really like the name...

Here is the KICKER…

If you say the name 3 times to yourself with the last name “WAYNE” does it sound like….well….a different word…?

Without really coming outright and SAYING what we are fearing that it sounds like…we are wondering if its really obvious to anyone else. If NOT, then we may fell good to go ahead with the name…

So say “HALLIE WAYNE” to yourself, and tell us…if it sounds like…anything IN PARTICULAR to you.... (we are trying not to influence the outcome of this semi-survery!)

enough is enough

I am getting extremely anxious for warm weather. In Chicago here it s still only in the 20s with wind chill in the single digits. We have had one of the snowiest winters on record – seriously snowing every other day for 3 months straight. I LOVE the snow, but enough it enough. The side effect is that Chicago is the most pot holeish city – they are filling 1500 pot holes (large ones that make your tires flat) per DAY vs. the normal 300 in the winter per day. I have gotten very good at maneuvering the car around these things - but I am a little tired of it, I have to say.

BRING ON THE WARM WEATHER!!!

For us pregnant people

So, since it seems all of a sudden that many of my blogging friends are pregnant, I have to post my find. Now, this may be common knowledge to many, but I guess I have not clued into the whole thing.

In part of my training, we have tons of articles we have to read and research and do summaries on. Well the cool part about it for me, is that they are all pregnancy related. And since I am 7 months pregnant - I am really interested in the contents of all the articles. So really, that part doesn't feel like work at all...

So for my preggo friends - here is the summary on Red Raspberry leaf tea and a couple of other natural approaches:

HELPFUL HERBS DURING PREGNANCY:

Red Raspberry leaf tea is the most widely used, and safest of all uterine/pregnancy tonic herbs. It contains fragrine, an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. It also has a rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E, and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. IT also contains

vitamins A and B complex and many mineral, including phosphorus and potassium.

There are many benefits of drinking Red Raspberry: preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage – it tones the uterus as well.

Easing of morning sickness – many woman attest to its gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy. It reduces pain during labor and after birth – tones the muscles used during labor and delivery – it eliminates many reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It provides a safe and speedy parturition – it works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It allows the contracting uterus to work more effectively and so may make the birth easier and faster.

It assists in production of plentiful breast milk – the high mineral content assists in milk production. One should being drinking one cup daily early in pg. Work up to two to three cups a day and then in the last 3 – 4 weeks, drink 4 cups daily.

Yellow dock root provides an excellent, fully absorbable source of iron.

Chamomile is very soothing and often sleep-inducing safe tea during pregnancy.

Comfrey tea is exceedingly helpful for healing wounds to heal up an episiotomy or other tears. Make a tea from 3 tsp of comfrey leaf and 1 cup on hot water – simmered for 20 min. After straining and cooling the tea, a soft cloth can be dipped into warm tea and applied to the wound area to promote healing.

Julie Tupler, who I am training with for the Tupler Techniqur, told me she recommends the brand Alvita to their clients. I didn't do anything with these herbal teas for my first two. Just curious if any of my veteran baby having friends had any experience with these?

up by the bootstraps

Thanks to my fellow bloggers and friends that have really called me on my relative blog death as of late. I have REALLY got to pick myself up by the bootstraps and blog again. I really do LOVE to blog -and Janet Shumway suggested taking all the blog entries and put them in a book with www.pixela.com and www.blurb.com - which I think is totally brilliant.

So - just a quick rundown (aka excuse) for why my blogging abilities have severely dwindled. I am hoping to become more regular through March and back to normal blogging in April.

I have been training FULL time with Julie Tupler's home study training program. www.maternalfitness.com
It is an "8 week program" that no one has ever completed in less than 3 or 4 months...because it is SO labor intensive. It is seriously more labor intensive than ANY BYU class I have ever taken. And she is like the professor of NO deviance. Nothing is open to interpretation - so everything MUST be done her way - the wording of each exercise, the explanation, the filming of the videos, the essay intensive homework, etc. AND since I am now like 7 months pregnant - and 6 weeks into the course - I must have everything TOTALLY done so I can be in New York to train personally with her. I have had my plan ticket and reservations since before I began the course, since I knew it was end of March or NOTHING. I will be 8 months pregnant by then, and I cannot wait until the baby is born - I laugh just THINKING about it. There is no way! So, I am lets say REALLY busting my rear end to get myself into full throttle to get everything done.

BREATHE (I remind myself)

I must say I am proud of myself. Coupled with the fact that the writer's strike has left the TV a bunch of reality shows, along with the many hours of studying, I have whittled my "must see" TV shows to essentially one - LOST. So it is really refreshing how much time that really does free up. Although - Brian and I really do miss "The Office"!

OH - and while I am thinking about it - we are having a GIRL! We were TOTALLY convinced it was a boy - but I am excited to have a girl again. These three kids will all be in ONE 10 X 9 room. We invested in some TALL furniture (no place to go but up) to be able to fit the bunk beds, and a crib, and space for all the kids clothes. Talk about a challenge - but I really like that kind of challenge (as long as we have an IKEA that is relatively close!)

Brooke has named the new baby "Blueberry Surprise" after one of the ponies on Strawberry shortcake - so lamentably that is what we refer to the baby as. AND - I will mention Brooke just turned 5 on Sunday. HOW CAN THIS BE!!! DENIAL BY MOM!!! It just seems like ages 0 - 5 were pretty slow - and now it will be like fastforward to college. I really hope it goes slower than that...but I am starting to wonder. Just like - how can I be 30!?!?! Internally I feel 22 or 23.

So yes - I know this is a random post. Darcie - your comment was hilarious - I had a good chuckle about it. AND I have really been missing reading everyone's posts - so I am putting some time aside to make that a priority. It is such a fun and MUCH NEEDED outlet!

Prank Call from "Governor Schwarzenegger"

HUGE LAUGH EVERY TIME

I don't know WHAT it is about this clip, but I have gotten SO many good laughs from just this one little practical joke. I was in the shower laughing and laughing and Brooke knocked on the door and asked, "Mommy, why are you laughing?" Well - you will just have to see it !

THIS IS TOO FUNNY!

NAIL BITER

Well, we are celebrating here with BLUEBERRY GRAPEFRUIT SORBET (it wasn’t our BEST sorbet, by the way) for the MITT ROMNEY MI victory!!!!!

We feel like we had a very small hand in it, too.

Between giving the kids dinner, getting ready to teach our Mommy Tummy Class, and changing a very FOUL diaper – leakage everywhere (thanks my man Tyler) I was able to help out a little.

I participated in the Call At Home Program for the Romney Campaign. Its pretty cool - the computer calls you ( so you don’t use any long distance) and then they call the person, and you get a weird beep to signal that they have said hello. If everything goes well, you have a person’s name in front of you, the address, and a script.

This is a rundown of how it went down:

1) A crusty sounding old lady answered the phone. I asked for Melvin. She told me he was “gone” but the way she said it, I knew she meant “dead.” So not knowing quite the proper procedure, I pressed on. In the middle of the script (which is very short) she interrupted very abrasively and said, “ I voted by absentee ballot.” “ I said, “ Great! Who did you vote for?” “NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS.” She replied roughly. So I said , “….Ok Have a great day.” I marked the call as “person at home.”

2) The lady answered and let me go through the script and then politely said, “Thank you.” It was a little weird at the same time….

3) Billy answered, which is who I called to ask for. I went into the script, “I am voting for Governor Romney because of the tax…” “HE isn’t the MICHIGAN Governor?!?!” I said, “No, it is the title they call him by because he was Governor of Massachusetts.” “OH, Ok…” I went on, and when I was done, he said, “Well, What’s in it for Me?” I said, “Hopefully a better economy for MI.” “Uh huh….” Then I said, “ok, well have a great day.” Again, kinda weird to know how to exactly end after that – and they tell you to keep all the calls short.

4) Something is messed up with our wireless router, so when the next call went through, neither the script nor the person’s name showed up on my computer screen. But the person was on the line waiting for me to talk. So I tried to remember what I needed to say, but without their name or the exact script in front of my, I totally bombed. I sounded like a TERRIBLE amateur. SO, thankfully in some ways, they hung up. It was awkward.

So with those and a few more calls under my belt I sort of contributed. Even though I saw the stats on the monitor saying there were 15000 calls more to make. I made a Very VERY tiny dent J

So – Go Mitt! I am seeing a 10 pt. lead behind McCain with 40% of the precincts reporting!

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/candidates/#893

Obsessed!

Well, maybe not really obsessed - but we here at the Wayne household (primarily me - Brian vicariously through me) are very obsessed with the political vibe right now. We are team Mitt people and we are finding out just how many of our friends are as well. In fact, with receiving Christmas cards alone, we have found out that one of our good friends is lawyer for the campaign, and one of our Wyview friends, Marielle and Chad Taylor, have an awesome website that they emailed me last night. They have done lots of things for the campaign and do major blogging for him.

And with NH primaries coming up, its gonna get interesting. Also, with an INDIRECT endorsement today on Rush Limbaugh, it will throw some logs onto the fire.

If you watched the debate last night on FOX NEWS - Romney blew everyone away, after a Saturday night pitt bull attack on Mitt Romney by Huckabee and McCain. They withdrew the fangs for the 2nd debate, but the damage on their part was done. It made Romney look like the only one that was a grown-up, and not a 3rd grade bully on the playground.

Its gonna be good - we find out tomorrow!!

The 12 days of Christmas mishap

So every year Brian and I do the 12 days of Christmas for each other. We start – today – Dec 13^th – and we end on Christmas Day. Brian has stated many times that he wants 180 different ties – one for each day of the school year - so doesn’t have to repeat any days.

And we are not talking Boring hum drum ties here – we are talking about a Where’s Waldo tie, or Napoleon Dynamite tie that says “Vote for Pedro” or Mona Lisa wearing a Santa Hat – you get the pictures. The students LOVE that Brian wears these ties – it s gives them the impression that he is “Cool”, or as “One of them” as he can be.

So, this year I have been planning for months now - to do the 12 ties of Christmas. I have been collecting them from the summer whenever I see a really cool tie. He gets 1 cool tie a day for the 12 days. Last night Brooke cut out all the wrapping paper by herself – pretty good for 4 – and would give me the pieces in which to wrap the ties. Tyler tried to cut some out – but he pretty much just obliterated the paper he touched – a good try for being 2. Anyway, we heard Brian coming home from his late Master’s class and we had two ties to go. “Quick Brooke, cut me out two pieces of paper so Daddy doesn’t see what these are! We can cover them up!” So we worked quickly and had them covered with wrapping paper at least as Brian walked in.

Cute Brooke greets him with, “Hi Daddy, we wrapped a whole bunch of ties for you, and I am getting a my little pony for Christmas!” Well, that let the cat out of the bag a bit. At least he won’t know WHAT ties, right?

FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES!!

ONE CRAZY NIGHT

This is going to sound really crazy, but we apparently are one of those people that stay up ALL NIGHT LONG at a store to get the really good deals for the day after Thanksgiving in 19 degree weather.

This year we got in line at 6:10 PM Thanksgiving night. Note that says PM and not AM. In line is Brian, our friend Jeremy, Bro-n-law Kevin, me, and my sister Sarah.

So why do we do it? It basically gives us a $700 dollar Christmas for free – or at least that was the sum total THIS year. Last year it only gave us a $200 dollar Christmas for free.

The key for us, is BEST BUY ANYDAY over Circuit City. But here is what we do - at #28 in line this year, #29, #30, #31 consecutively in line this year, we got the laptops that were going at ridiculously low prices and sell them on Ebay or Craigs List. This year personally I found out the hard way that Ebay really SUCKS when it comes to selling computers. The first 3 winners on the laptops we sold were all FRADULENT - they were people in Bosnia, UK, and GREECE that had taken over someone else’s account and bid it up and changed the address on the account. They would usually have specific instructions like “Please send TODAY.” Anyway, I got lucky that I wasn’t SUPER on the ball with mailing them out, because I got the alerts before even packaging them up.

So I have to say, Craigs List is definitely the way to go! Brian met a buyer at the United Center – and all went well. I still get nervous about that a little – meeting a stranger – but better in a well lit public place than at our house in my opinion.

SO, HERE IS THE CRAZY STORY:

We arrive at 6:10 PM. After a delicious meal (thanksgiving leftovers and hickory farms) on our utility table, 2 kerosene lanterns, 5 lawn chairs, several card games, a laptop, and 4 sleeping bags, we sat and talked for a good 7 + hours. At 1:30 AM while standing in line, a cop got out of the car and told us that if we had to leave the line to go to the bathroom, we had to ask him. Then he would time us for 15 minutes. If we took longer, then we were out of line.

Well, cute Brian just happened to be gone for a bathroom brake when the cop showed up. We told him we had someone who was in line and was at the bathroom. The cop said he would give him 15 minutes and then tough. So, since Brian had already been gone 30 minutes I was getting a little nervous, given his history of falling asleep in any circumstances. So my brother in law Kevin whispers quietly and urgently, “Call Him.” I knew for proximity’s sake he was either at my in laws house or our house.

So I called each place like 10 times – left 3 crazy messages on my in laws answering machine sounding something like this: “Brian, if you are asleep please wake up. The police are here and they say you need to be here right now. Brian are you there? I am going to keep saying your name in case you are asleep but hearing this message. Brian….Please wake up!!.” Yeah, my in laws just got back into town today from a 3 week vacation and they are REALLY going to wonder about those messages!?!

So, no luck. 25 minutes go by. The cop doesn’t notice…or at least he isn’t saying anything. Meanwhile, people are asking permission to use the bathroom reminiscent of the kindergarten days. I start panicking a little – what if he is asleep for the night and doesn’t wake up? That pretty much deteriorates significantly our plan. If he takes much longer, then our plan is nil! So as I have been doing the past 25 minutes, I call our house again.

“HEELLLLLOOO?” I hear the slow slurred answer. “Brian,” I whispered loudly “You need to get over here right away or you won’t have a place in line. The police are here monitoring who’s in line!” “Oh…..I keetaa summon thereta time.” “Brian, WAKE UP!” I whispered, “You need to come right now! Are you awake?” “Yeah…I’ll be there, “ He said thickly and slowly. I tried calling several times after he hung up just in case. I thought, “Well, he is either on his way, or he fell back into a deep sleep.”

Thank goodness we see him 12 minutes later, and the cop didn’t say anything. Brian says brightly, “Yeah, I thought I would just rest a minute on the couch after I went to the bathroom, and I guess I fell asleep.”

And let me tell you being 4 months pregnant at the time did not help any bladder situations – I had to literally go every hour almost. I just got annoyed with myself near the end and held it – I think the decision came fairly easily when after 3:00 am when they handed out the vouchers, they told us if anyone got out of line at this point – to the back. And, it was starting to get crazy. The policeman hid out in his car looking through the ad (Gee, thanks!) and people started putting away – in our case – our large card table, our banquet of food, our 5 lawn chairs, our 2 kerosene heaters, our 4 sleeping bags, and homework in Brian’s case. Then the line got very tight.

Well, after that long wait, we had another very long wait in the laptop line (we got 4 – 3 to sell, and one to keep) – and then we hit 2 more stores, kohls and target – all by 7:15 a.m. WE were DONE Christmas Shopping in one fell swoop. Then our drowsiness set in and we went home and crawled into bed for a full 2 hours and 45 minutes while my parents watched the kids.

Ahhh, there is nothing quite like black Friday!

the REAL hot chocolate

One lonely Friday Night with our husbands gone, Tami, my sistah, and I decided to make REAL hot chocolate while we watched Santa Claus 2. No SWISS MISS mystery powder, no ALDI brand hot chocolate - REAL STUFF.

So we take BIG CHUNKS of premium Dark Chocolate and smash it into smaller chunks and add it to the milk in the CHOCOMOTION.

THAT'S IT!!!!- the chocomotion did its thing of swirling it around and it make the FROTHIEST, CHOCOLATIEST, YUMMIEST hot chocolate EVER!!!!

Then we add a dollop of WHIP CREAM - and HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!

TOTALLY BRILLIANT

Today Mitt Romney gave an AMAZING Speech on Faith in America.

I actually cried when he started talking about Sam Adams. I thought it was brilliant and transcendant.

To those nuts out there that think he should have addressed DOCTRINAL FACETS - I say - HELLO!?!?!
Did you not hear anything the man said?!?! "No candidate should be the spokesperson for his or her religion. " Guilani doesn't have to answer if he is in "full communion" with his church, Huckabee doesn't have to answer about "wives being submissive to their husbands" creed - yet Romney has been attacked
AD NAUSEUM - RELENTLESSLY!!!!!
With that note, here is the speech:

To hear the speech,here is the link:

THIS IS HILARIOUS!!!!!!

Brian and I have a funny message for you. We just made a total elves out of ourselves!!. Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1122490285

This post is dedicated to one of our favorite movies, "Elf"

Time Management

HELP!
I need some serious time management suggestions. I am totally wearing myself out! I am like the only blogging mom who did not YET post Halloween pictures of my kids. What KIND of mom am I?

Why did Brian and I decide to rip out our family room floor tonite and put wood down Saturday when he has only been home 2 waking hours since Sunday - and I am overwhelmed with...life!?!?!

Are we insane? (We DID manage to watch the office tonite though - a very different flavor than usual...)

How do all of you "Do it all" moms do it all?