Oh Evan, night time is for sleeping.

Evan woke us up at 2:00 am last night.  He wanted to "talk".  I got up with him so Joe wouldn't have to.  He kept me up for about an hour and a half.

The funny thing is, I was mad because Evan woke me up from a dream where I was about to win an award on the Food Network, because I created the world's best pasta sauce recipe.  I had to find out what was in the recipe so I could make it in real life.  I tried so hard not to wake up.

When I got out of bed, I stepped on Evan's rattle, hurting my foot.  Then, because it was dark, I tripped over the vacuum cleaner!  I screamed so loud I probably woke up neighbors.

What a night!  Oh Evan, don't you know, night time is for sleeping?  

Who says SAHM's watch soap operas all day?

Not much soap opera watching for me. However, I do watch Barefoot Contessa while I'm feeding Evan.

Today I: 

• Cleaned the toilets.
  
• Baked a two layer rainbow sprinkle cake with orange flavored frosting dusted with orange zest.
  
• Tended to the constant demands of a teething 4 month old.
  
• Cleaned up after Trevor's mess with the Bath & Body Works Wallflower. 1
  
• Did the dishes twice
• Changed the nastiest of all diapers in the history of babies. 2

1 Long Story. Let's just say he was curious of how it worked and decided to investigate, which lead to potpourri being smeared all over our walls.

2 He had what looked like camouflage colored mud smeared up his back. It took 12 wipes to clean it up.

The Curse of a Powerful Voice

You've probably heard me complain about Evan's scream. I've even said that his scream ruined it for me having another baby. Yes, I admit it. I said that.
I also said in the middle of the night, "That's it! I can't take it anymore! Stop screaming!" And when people look at him and say, "Oh what a cute baby." I say, "Yeah, but he screams a lot."

Today, while I was making his bottle, his pacifier fell out of his mouth. I looked over at him, went to put it back in and before I could, "WAAAA!" It sent shivers down my spine it was so unnecessarily loud. It was the type of scream you'd use if you slammed your finger in a drawer.

It was like my life flashed before my eyes, I remembered people telling me to stop screaming, hushing me and telling me that my voice is too loud. Oh my god, did he get this from me?
Indeed. He inherited that scream from me. My voice has always been a sensitive subject. I've blogged about hurt feelings regarding my voice a time or two before. In fact, it was the subject of my very first blog many years ago. Here's an excerpt...

I speak in a matter that is comfortable and natural to me. I am a woman with her own insecurities, the last thing I need is someone telling me, a grown woman, to "use her inside voice".

I am quite aware that my voice carries long distances and has a high pitch. I have absolutely no reason to have to "control" my voice. It's mine, god gave it to me and if you are dissatisfied with it, fine. But it is simply mean and rude to bring it to my attention, especially when I'm in the middle of speaking a sentence or relaying information, especially in front of other people.

Sometimes I think that the type of people that do this to me are jealous of the fact my voice commands attention. Without ever trying I "over power" my superiors with less strength than a whisper.

I am not sorry that you find the way I speak irritating.

I will continue to be myself, like it or not... Thank you.

That expert was from a blog I wrote back in 2005 because my boss embarrassed me in front of customers when she told me to use my "inside voice" while I was taking an order. She took me to the side to let me know that the sound of my voice grated on her nerves and to be careful not to talk to loud when she's around. It hurt my feelings pretty bad.

I've since worked on using a fake inside voice, but sometimes when I get excited my natural voice comes back and I get hushed like I'm a little kid. It makes me mad, even still.
My darling son inherited my curse. The curse of a powerful voice. Knowing that makes me forgive him, he can't help it. Now I just need to teach him how to use his voice for good, instead of evil.

What's My Favorite Thing?

Why, taking pictures of my baby, of course!

Above: My chubby Boy

Above: My 2 Favorite Bald Guys

Above: Naked As a Jay Bird

Joe's Dopplegänger

Evan's cry is different than Trevor's. Trevor had a sweet little cry. "Mmmm-wah. Mmmm-wah." He sounded like a kitty. Evan has a piggy snort and a loud scream-like cry. It's like, "Eh, Eh, WAAAAAA!!! Snort! Snort! WAAAA!"

It's difficult in the middle of the night to have a baby screaming at you, as any parent would agree. I'm looking forward to the next stage of Evan's life, the discovery stage. I'm a little afraid of what he'll sound like when he's teething though.

<-- Isn't he cute? I think he's Joe's dopplegänger. Evan doesn't look like me much at all, (other than the fact that he's Caucasian.) Luckily, he looks like Joe or I'd think there was a mix up at the hospital. It's OK though, that's my baby and I love him. And besides, I already have one mini-me, Trevor.

Evan Joseph

My little bundle came 3 weeks early.

Evan was born November 14 2008

He looks just like his daddy.

6lbs 13oz

19 inches

Things I Look Forward To

I have so many things I want to do once this baby is born. Last night, in my sleep, I woke up in pain every time I needed to roll over to the other side. I want my body back. I want my normal life back.
This is a list of things I'm looking forward to after Evan's birth:

• Losing weight. I like to be around 115 pounds. I think I look good when my ribs are well defined and my cheek bones are pronounced.

• Being able to eat or drink what ever I want. If I want coffee, I get coffee. If I want wine, I get wine.

• Going for walks with Evan and Trevor. Maybe getting a dog and taking him with us.
  

• Getting my teeth fixed. I'm getting myself used to the idea I'm going to look funny for a little while, but once they're fixed, I'll be so happy.

• Getting a job and making some friends.

• Last but not least, Sex. Gonna have lots of sex :)
  

Update: Twin Babies

This just in: Not twins!
One very healthy baby boy!
I'm relieved and disappointed at the same time.
It's a strange feeling.

I got to see some more of what Evan looks like, even in utero he's very handsome. I'm happy he's only one baby. This way I can give him all the love and attention he needs. I was really hoping they would move my due date up a week. I'm tired of being pregnant.

Twin Babies

I'm a little nervous.
I'm a little excited.
We'll find out in an hour and a half!
Other boy names I like: (just in case)
Oliver
Travis
Ian
Eli

Evan and ???

So Evan looks like twins again.
He even sounds like twins, the doctor says.
I have another ultrasound on Monday.
Joe says it would be awesome if we had twins.
I'm slightly scared at the thought.

If it is twins. I think I like the name Reid for a boy, I doubt it's a girl. Actually, I doubt it's twins at all. I think my doctor likes messing with me. I bet it's just one big baby boy inside.

We signed the papers on the house last night and wrote the first check to the contractor for the excavating. My dad, bless his heart, will do the electrical. We're on track for late November/Early December. :)

Strange thing... The lady who's selling us our house confided in me that she has a yeast infection. Is that the type of thing you share with people or does this officially make her and I friends?

Pregnancy Pain Update

The pain I'm experiencing is either gas, which I suspected, or round ligament pain. Joe recommends that I eat more fiber. He thinks it's constipation gas and says I don't go enough. Pregnancy is gross. I've had pretty diabolical gas for the last couple of days. Thankfully, Joe doesn't seem to mind the smell. He actually seems to enjoy it, which is weird.

Evan's measuring bigger than 30 weeks so I get another ultrasound. His head is snugly nestled under my left set of ribs so I'm going to have Joe try to turn him into the proper position. It's very disturbing to feel the baby kick low into your body. Very unnatural.

Something occurred to me this morning. What happens to Trevor if I die in surgery? I need to make a legal document saying I do not want him with my mother. I'd like it best if Joe and Lance collaboratively raise Trevor. Joe will eventually get remarried, then Trevor will have a mother. But until then, I think Paula and John have a more structured environment for Trevor than anyone in my family, (besides Scott) and I think it would be best if Trevor lives with his brother. I should discuss this with them before it's too late, 63 days until Evan's here. :)

Evan's Birthday

I signed off on my cesarean yesterday at the doctors. It's official, Evan will be born November 28th!

Oh Baby!

Evan will be here earlier than I had expected.

I am electing to have a cesarean. My reason? I found out there is a very small possibility I could rupture my uterus when pushing. It is a very small chance, but if it did happen, It would be catastrophic. So I'm not going to risk it.

Evan will be here on November 28th! (The day after Thanksgiving)

Heavy Babies & Sugar Plum Fairies

♫ "When I wake in the morning love..
And the sunlight hurts my eyes..
And something without warning love..
Bears heavy on my mind.."


This baby's starting to weigh me down. I read he weighs over 2 pounds, though it feels like 10.
I go to sleep early, wake up late. Eat a lot. Life is good. (one would think)
I'm tired all the time. I'm tired of being tired. :( Hurry up and finish cooking baby, I'm ready for you. :)

On a cute note, Trevor is going to start Karate next week! I'm so excited for him. He can do Karate or Gymnastics. Joe, (who I trust to make the manly decisions) says gymnastics is girlie. He says, "what if Trevor found out he's really good at gymnastics and starts prancing around the house like a sugar plum fairy?"

What would I do without Joe? Trevor's so lucky to have him, too.

I love how Joe kisses me every morning before work! I remember this morning it startled me, but I was so excited once I woke up enough to see it was my honey.

It's been a long time...

Timbaland : ♫
It's been a long time
I shouldn't a left you
Without a dope beat to step to...


Can you believe it's already September? I can't.

Journal update:

Joe Christopher proposed to me this July; I said yes of course; It's a half Karat Tiffany; We're madly in love.

My Sweetie knocked me up on March 8th of this year; It's a boy; His name is Evan Joseph; I hope he looks exactly like Joe; Evan's due date is December 2 2008.

We are moving to Placerville; It's so beautiful up there; I'm truly the luckiest girl in the world; we picked out a great home.

My little Trevor is in 1st grade; He loves to read; he has an impressive imagination and has learned how to put it to good use where he lives as a mountain child, (which I now affectionately refer to him as.)

I have been ready for a long time to build a future with someone. I have the best family and am finally, genuinely happy.