An apple a day

Keeps the Doctor Away

In memory of Michigan, my home state,

the place I still regard as "home", we planted an apple tree.

ap-ple (ap.el) 1. a tree, Pyrus malus, of temperate regions, having fragrant pink or white flowers and edible fruit.  (American Heritage Dictionary) 

Did you know that Michigan produces 18,100,000 bushels of apples per year? 
And, Michigan ranks third in USA production? 

You cannot take that away from us, you government officials who are driving Michigan into the ground!!

Sprinklers v. Sprinkler systems

Sprinklers:  fun for kids of all ages!

Sprinkler systems:  fun for grass of all ages!

Dear Readers,

There was a Mommy who got knocked up and

SOBER she became-oh

*S*O*B*E*R*

*S*O*B*E*R*

*S*O*B*E*R*

and *L*A*M*E*-oh was her name-oh!

Is it merely a coincidence, or is it irony, that SOBER contains the acronym S.O.B.? 

For example, "S.O.B.-er, I forgot where I placed my wine glass?"

Dear Readers,

{aka Dear Mom and Dad,}

I apologize for my recent hormonal/emotional/thoughtful/insightful/nice blogs.  It is so "CHICKEN SOUPY FOR THE SAPPY".  It is so unlike me.  It is so unmedicated.  I believe it is menopausal and I see my life flashing before my eyes.  I never dreamed I would be "middle-aged". 

I am totally mellowing out with age. 

And I can prove it:  Daughter #1 arrived into toddler-hood with her first word being SHIT.  It is documented in her babybook as "sit".  "Your first word, 'sit'.  You loved giving commands to your dog, Fluffy."  {now, only IF we had a dog!} 

Daughter #2 arrived into toddler-hood with her first word being BUBBLES.  And it is documented in her babybook accurately as "bubbles".  {now, we will just believe that it was for her love of taking bubble baths or blowing bubbles outside.  However, I believe it had to do with the hops and ale carbonation that she found so appealing in bottles, cans and glasses throughout her days.}

We will anxiously await Daughter #3's first word!

When I lost the use of my two fingers, I was asked to write a meaningful story to be published in "Chicken Soup for the Soul" ... only two bad for me, losing two fingers did not push me over the edge into sentimental sap-ville.  The editors changed my story.  The editors changed my life. 

Just being pregnant pushes me over into craps-ville.  Hmmm... Is there a "Chicken Soup for the Hormonal Soul"??

Love,

~ m

ladybugs and luck?

Today, I found a ladybug.  She flew upward. 
So, I believe I have seven more years of GOOD LUCK! 
Thank you, ladybug! 
Actually, I seriously doubt it is seven years of good luck
(isn't that some other superstition?),
but good luck for the rest of the day -- I will take it. 
Good luck for the rest of the hour, I will still take it. 

(Because we all know that if the ladybug flies downward, it is bad luck. 
And I surely do not want any of that luck.)

bluebonnets are from heaven!

Sorry, but I just had to post more bluebonnet photos.  In just eight short days, the bluebonnet beginnings from last week are now in full bloom!   The bluebonnets from last week were lovely... but this week, they are lovelier.  I am in awe!

6:43 AM

"YES, I know how to operate those silly child-proof latches!  Mom, Dad!  The latches do NOT work!  I know it is a bit early this morning.  But I am trying to find the waffle mix, I am hungry!  Oh, AND I was just trying to help.  xoxo"

the "Queen of Clean"

I love these books!  The Queen of Clean, aka Linda Cobb, has some great ideas and tips for cleaning almost anything.  The Baking Soda book by Vicki Lansky is also great!

Recently, I used a Queen of Clean tip because my fairly new shower door was showing signs of SOAP SCUM.  The dreaded scum.  The difficult to remove scum.  You can only keep a glass shower door scum-free for so long; even with daily cleaning and squeegeeing.  I tried every product available in the household cleaner aisle.  Expensive, inexpensive, good quality, bad quality, indifferent.  I spent three hours trying different cleaners.  Darling husband had read on the internet to use "oven cleaner" to remove soap scum.  Being almost 6 months pregnant, I didn't want to be around those harsh fumes.  And I knew that darling husband was probably not going to help me experiment. 

So, I referred to the Queen.  She said to use "mineral oil aka baby oil".  How can oil clean soap scum?

You know what, I tried it.  It's a MIRACLE!  And it WORKS!  I have the most beautiful glass shower doors in Texas, I'm sure! (... until the next shower!)

Friday, I'm in Love. {the Cure}

I don't care if Monday's blue

Tuesday's gray and Wednesday too

Thursday I don't care about you

It's Friday, I'm in love ...

On weekends, our family tries to put the haste of the week behind us.  We linger over breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.  We lounge in our pajamas - a bit longer than necessary.  We may even have a "during-the-week-time-forbidden" snack mid-morning, like homemade chocolate chip muffins. 

Fortunately, I stay home so my entire week is, more or less, a weekend.  Monday to Sunday.  Weekly.   I bask in the warmth of little daughter's laughter, her curiosity, her penchant for busy-ness.  I welcome oldest daughter's arrival home from school.  I am conscious of the "little things".  We go outside for bubbles, or chalk, or a brisk early swim, or a walk to look at blooming flowers (before the tedious homework begins).

But on Friday, when everyone returns home for two entire days - we are in love.  In love with our time together.  In love with our interaction.  In love with "family time".  In love, perhaps, with having no plans except the spontaneous ones. 

Although, there are moments... you know the kind of moments... where you want to leave the house (alone) and return hours later.  Or Monday morning. 

So,I turn my head and delusionally deny the imperfection.  For these are the weekends my children will recall with happiness of their childhood memories. 

It's Friday, I'm in Love!

Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary - How does your garden grow?

With silver bells and cockle shells.

And pretty maids all in a row.

The garden has been planted:

okra

 (it's a southern slimy vegetable thing)

jalapenos

bell peppers

banana peppers

roma tomatoes

eggplant

cucumbers

The trees are blooming:

fig

peach

apple

The vines are growing:

grapes

I.LOVE.SPRING.TIME!

bubbles, bubbles, bubbles

Afternoons spent blowing bubbles. 

Blowing lots of bubbles.

it's soccer season. again.

A wonderful Saturday afternoon spent at the soccer fields. 

The festivities of soccer are compounded by the cheers from the fans (aka parents). 

The blow of the ref's whistle to indicate "water break". 

The highlight of the game:  post-game snacks!

But, I'm not crazy ... I'm just a little unwell (matchbox 20)

Sitting here at twenty two plus weeks pregnant at a maternally advanced age (according to the doctors), I was diagnosed with PLACENTA PREVIA at week sixteen. {yes, I am 22+ weeks pregnant in this pic.}

I have had six weeks to make myself completely and totally insane.  I have read as much as I can about this placenta problem.  However, none of it is comforting.  Nor is it mind-easing. 

It is mind-numbing.  Insanity-driving.  Nerve-wracking.  Chaos-ridding. 

I was given the "What to Expect..." for "Placenta Previa".  Not for "When you're Expecting". 

I have been given a rather sketchy timeline of what is to come.  I am looking at about four more weeks of freedom.  Four more weeks to get everything accomplished.  Four more weeks to place my ducks in a row. 

For after four weeks, it is 100% bedrest.  With two children.  one husband.  two furry pets.  no family within a 1500 mile radius.

We are hoping the baby makes it to week 35.  For anything earlier, NICU.  Perhaps, NICU at week 35.  This situation is beyond my control.  Beyond my grasp.  Beyond my "planning".  Beyond my "schedule".   A C-section is planned.  My first.  A blood transfusion/blood drive organization is being set-up. 

So, with every new and waking day, I say a prayer.  A prayer for the baby's safety.  For my safety. 

I have been given the doctor stats: 

1.  Worst case scenario:  I hemorrage to death. 
Not a very comforting thought.  But it is one I must be aware of .  And I am wondering IF I should make provisions for in the event of my death.  However morbid that seems, it is a possibility.  IF I write a living will and make arrangements, THEN if the worst happens -- everyone will say "she knew it was coming because everything is in order".  But IF I don't prepare anything, THEN maybe it won't happen.  You know, the Murphy's Law thing!

2.  I need a hysterectomy post delivery.
At my age, it doesn't register as a worst scenario.  Although, I would like another baby.  :+)

3.  I am hospital-bound with bedrest for the next 15 weeks. 

4.  I am hospital-bound with bedrest for a mere 6 weeks.

5.  C-section. 

6.  NICU

7.  maybe I am one of the fortunate stats that don't require anything but an early delivery at week 36. 

8.  this Placenta Previa, total and complete, clears up before my next ultrasound in three weeks.  Fat chance but not impossible. 

There are so many IFs. 
There are not enough FACTS.
It is driving me CRAZY.

Anyone out there with Placenta Previa???

furry friends are the best

i love to watch our furry friends sleep.

i love to hear them purrrrrrrrrr.

i love to feel their softness.

i love their company.

Favors created in celebration of

"IT's A GIRL"! 

The girls went back to school today, on this post-sugar-high kindof day. 

And, post-I-know-it's-a-girl-baby kindof day.

The suspense is over.

The wait is finished. 

One month of not knowing.

The girls were armed with favors for their classmates. 

Baby girl #3 is due this summer and the girls will be home. 

Daddy will be taking favors to work. 

So, the girls took their favors early!!

Hippity, Hoppity, Easter's on its way!

The Easter Bunny planned a special Scavenger Hunt that led my two little bunnies around the house in search of clues to determine new baby #3's gender.  It was such an exciting morning!  The girls ran around looking for the eggs in numerical order.  They opened the eggs and read the slips of paper to determine where the next egg was hiding!  2010 is definitely a MEMORABLE EASTER !!


Hippity, Hoppity, a Baby’s on its way!
1. What will baby drink?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
2. What will baby drink from?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
3. What will you place around baby’s neck to keep baby clean?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
4. What will be put in baby’s mouth to keep baby quiet?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
5. Where will we hold baby and do “baby rock”?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
6. What will we put on baby’s bottom to catch the “blow outs”?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
7. Where will we put all of baby’s DIRTY clothes?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
8. Where will we play with baby?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
9. Where will Mommy and Daddy go to take a rest?

Hippity, Hoppity, A Baby’s on its way!
10. IS BABY #3 a BOY or a GIRL?
** Open the basket for your ANSWER!

hanamatsuri: flower festivals in springtime

No fooling, it is April Fool's Day, without the jokes.

... and yes, to all those who have sent questioning emails... "I am Pregnant"!

It is not an April Fool's joke.  In fact, it is NOT really funny! 

I don't know anyone who enjoys being constantly ILL.  (I cannot use the word "sick" because in Turkish, it has a whole new and different meaning!)

I am down ten pounds.  Which is not entirely all bad news.  Considering I only gain about ten or twelve pounds with each pregnancy.  So, I actually deliver at my pre-pregnancy and pre-illness state.  So, for this blessing, I will not complain. 

I am pregnant with baby GIRL #3. 

I am slowly coming out of denial.  The baby room (for the past seven years) is pale blue, green and yellow.  The baby items are of neutral coloring.  Blue bedding.  White blankets.  Green clothing.  Yellow accessories. 
I have been "expecting" a boy for seven years.  And surely, it is not happening this year. 

I believe it has something to do with the fact that I announced on the second date with my "now" husband, "You are going to have ALL girls"!  On the first date I announced, "I have NO concept of money".  And he married me anyway!  I love my husband! 

Biggest sister and Big sister are preparing for little sister-to-be.  It is a joyous time of year. 

So, on this April Fool's, I give THANKS to my little girls and my darling husband.