Emotional

I am starting to get emotional. OK, so I have been emotional for a while. What I mean is I am starting to get emotional in a different way lately. I am starting to really dread the end of this pregnancy. I don't dread the end of the hip pain, or the indigestion, or the other discomforts of pregnancy. In my last two pregnancies by the time I got to about 25 weeks I was so ready to be done with the pregnancy that I could hardly stand it. This one is different. I can not wait to see Chase and see if he looks like Austin and Brodie. To see the resemblances between him and his daddy and to count all his toes and fingers. I can not wait to nurse him and hold him late at night when it is just the two of us. I even can not wait to see how Austin and Brodie are with the baby. Austin has always been a good big brother and I have no doubt that Brodie will be as well. However, I am starting to feel like this is my last go round with the whole pregnant thing. Some of the folks around us are saying that they believe we will have one more. Maybe we will. We are not ruling it out just yet. With that said, every time I hear Chase's heartbeat or see him on the Ultrasound picture I get a little choked up. I feel that this is my last one. Time has passed me so quickly with Austin and Brodie. And it seems to be already with Chase. I am never going to experience the first movements of a baby again. Chase will be the last baby that I get up and nurse in the middle of the night. The last baby that tickles my side while he nurses. The last one to light up with I walk into a room and reach out for me. I guess with all the excitement of Chase's arrival I am grieving the time that has already past with Austin and Brodie. I am already grieving the time that has yet to pass with Chase. Don't get me wrong. I love watching the boys grow up. I love that I am a soccer mom and get to go to cheer my son on. I love that Brodie has become such a comedian and is getting so independent. I love to watch all of it. The pregnancy is just making me think back on times when they were smaller. The nights in California when I was all alone, no family, no friends. Austin would wake up and I of course would go running. I would lay in the spare bed in his nursery and nurse him until we both fell asleep. He would tickle my side with his fingers while nursing. Times when Brodie was a newborn and would look into my eyes while sitting on my knees. He always had the sly grin he still has. He would sit there for hours and never complain or whimper. He loved to cuddle in the mornings.

Maybe these are the reasons why now when my boys wake up in the middle of the night I still want to rock and love on them. When they cry out I still want to run to them. I suspect I will always have these feelings, but this pregnancy is intensifying them. This is why I am trying to appreciate and cherish every kick to the ribs, every night I can't sleep, even the hip pain. It will all be gone too quickly and in the blink of an eye all three of my boys will be teenagers. Perhaps this post rambled on...I am tempted to go back and read it. But, I am going to post it as is. I want to be able to look back on it in a few months when I am complaining that the baby has not been born yet and remind myself to hold on to the moments that I am having RIGHT NOW.

Letter from my son

Sometimes it is the littlest things that make Mommies smile the biggest :-) In case you can't tell, the picture is of Austin and me. I am the Queen and he is a Prince, hence the crown. He gave me a rockin' 80's style ponytail...love it!

Site update

As you can see, I updated my site. Gave it a facelift. To tell you the truth I am not loving it, but it will do for now. I really want something girly...keeping with the girly theme of the week. I don't really have the patience to fiddle with it as much as I need to. So, we will go with this for the time being. Hope everyone has a wonderful Friday!

All you parents should go to this site....great info and advice from other parents. Not to mention a ton of laughs. Parental Hacks

V day cell phone

Look what my hubby got me for Valentine's day. I saw the pink Razr cell phone on TV a few weeks ago and casually mentioned how cool I thought it was and that I might like to have one. Jason took notes. For the record, Jason is the gadget guy around here. He likes cell phones and such. This is the first phone I have WANTED enough to say something about. I should ask for stuff more often :-) Isn't it cute??? I even got a cute hot pink carrying case. I used to not be this big of a girly girl. But when you have all boys in your house I think your estrogen jumps.

Cloe the devil

I have a total Love/Hate relationship with our cat Cloe (the light colored one in the picture). For those of you that read who do not know me in real life, let me catch you up. I love all animals, but I am a dog person. Period....it is just the way I am. I have always liked dogs more. I have no use for cats in my life for the most part. I was always allergic to them and I took that as God's way of saying, "They are evil stay away". Now, Jason and I started dating. He has these two cats, Cloe and Callie (who we call Mama). Now for the most part of our dating Mama Callie would have nothing to do with me or the kids. She is just a much more timid, keep to herself kind of cat. So we have never had a problem. THEN THERE IS CLOE!!! When we started dating Cloe also stayed away from us. Then when she was around she was constantly pissy. Now, Jason loves his cats, so I tolerated them. I would never ask him to give them up unless it was medically necessary or one of them hurt my kids. Once Jason and I got married, my allergies started to go away. God was obviously saying, "Well these cats are ok because your husband loves them." miraculously, they both started to love me. Cloe was no longer pissy all the time and Mama would nap with me, etc. So life with the cats has been fine. Jason has had to adapt to the fact that I see no distinction in how you treat cats and how you treat dogs. They are all animals, they are under the humans. PERIOD. He is over it. There are very few rules...no getting on counters in the kitchen, no getting on the kitchen table, and no getting on my pillow. The cats have complied. Well, they WERE complying. Cloe has in the last month decided to test her role in this house. It started slowly...getting on the table etc. Now it has gone to stalking the dogs and hissing at them when all they are doing is sleeping on THEIR bed. Now she will get in my lap at night, lay down and purr and then when I touch her bite the crap out of me. THIS DOES NOT FLY WITH ME! I would not allow a dog to act this way and I will not allow the cat to. Jason of course defends the cats saying that I should just let them be. Well, when she gets in my lap it is really not my choice then. So Cloe ran out in the backyard today and I went to retrieve her. She bit me and tried to get me with her back claws (she has no front claws). When I got in the house I *gently* put her down. This has got to stop. The spray bottle is back out and the war is on. This is my house and it will remain that way. Poor Jason! Thank goodness I still love and adore Mama Kitty. She is a sweetheart. Her daughter is the devil.

Eyebrows

This is a picture of me if I do not get my eyebrows waxed VERY soon. OYE! It is just one of those things that as a mom is a real luxury. Wait, having hair yanked from my body, a luxury? Well, you know what I mean. It is a time issue. I am REALLY bad about putting myself last. I have gotten better about it in the recent past, but I am still not close to there. There are many things I want to do. Get a pedicure, get my nails put back on again, have a girly night out, get my makeup done....just tons of things. But, alas, I can't even muster up the time to get my eyebrows waxed. Maybe tomorrow....I have been saying that for a month.

Ultrasound 28 weeks

I will have a full post later today. I just wanted to post some of the latest ultrasound pictures. What a Valentine's present for me!!!! Love seeing him. Everyone meet Chase! Yup that is the name we FINALLY decided on. It was no where on our original list. Jason came home one night and mentioned it and I sat on it a few days. It has stuck. It is the only one I feel fits. Anyway, I am off to lay down for a bit. Will be back later today with more details of the doctor visit.

Edited later in the day:

So we got great news at the doctor today. My placenta is now 1.9 cm away from the cervical os, instead of covering it. This is awesome news as this takes a lot of danger out of this pregnancy. They are still calling this a low lying placenta, but the perinatoligist said that we are no longer in danger of placenta acreta and the risk of bleeding is back down to extremely little. Once I talk with my regular OB on Thursday I will know if we are going to try for vaginal birth. I hope so. I don't mind having a C section (I had one with my oldest son), but would rather avoid it if possible. Given of course that I was not putting myself or Chase at risk. Chase is measuring perfect for May 10 due date and is 2.5 lbs. His little cheeks are looking more filled out. I got the best Valentine's present of all getting to see his face today. In other good news, I am now off pelvic rest....and well, let's just say. "Happy Valentine's Day Jason and LaShawn" hehe. Thank you all who ask and pray about us. We love you.

You know the phrase, "It's all fun and games until someone gets hurt"? That phrase is about to be proven true in my living room. All I know is my three boys (Austin, Brodie and hubby) are wrestling and there is lots of laughing and yelling. Goofy boys.

Name

WE HAVE A NAME!!!

Jason and I finally picked out a name for our little "munchkin". I feel awful that it took me this long. I was quick with both Austin and Brodie. This one was just harder for me. So yay, we have a name!!!! Oh, you want to know what it is? Too bad. HA! I will announce it tomorrow along with new ultrasound pictures hopefully. Ain't I a tease? hehe

Ick

Well, folks...more proof that this sick thing just won't quit. I hauled my butt into the Urgent care tonight at 7:30 and was told, "You have a severe sinus infection AND bronchitis. If you had not come in you could have gotten pneumonia. If that would have happened being pregnant you would have bought yourself a ticket to the hospital." So LaShawn is on antibiotics now as well as a slew of other things. I am going to have to change the name of this blog to "The Infirmary"

My parents are coming to town this weekend. And while I hate that I don't feel good...what else can be better than my MOMMY coming while I am sick? I miss my mommy :-)

I have a had a few emails...we got back Feb. 14th for our next ultrasound. Will update as soon as we know something.

No Class

THIS is further proof that some people have NO class whatsoever. Time and place people!

Sick

And then there was one....

This cold bug refuses to leave us alone. First Brodie, over two weeks ago, caught the bug. Then Mommy got it (Mommy is still fighting the remnants of it). Then Brodie got it again, resulting in a massive ear infection (he had bubbles on his ear drum..OUCH!) last week. Now, Austin is down with it. He hacked his poor little head off all night long last night. We have vaporizers going and prescription decongestants. Hopefully by keeping him home today and giving him breathing treatments every few hours we can knock it loose. This bug just loves us. So far Jason is the only one to ward this thing off. Jason rarely gets sick...something tells me he may not continue with his lucky streak.

Belly shot

Awful picture...but this is for Shana. See my butt sticks out....be thankful yours doesn't. Here is what LaShawn looks like at 26 1/2 weeks pregnant. I am very swollen now at night. Not fun!

Birthday and Belly

So we had a busy week. Wednesday was Austin's birthday. Jason took the boys out to dinner that night for "Guy's Night". I had to teach at church, so it worked out. Friday night Austin got to have his very first sleepover. His friend, Collin, from school and from soccer came over and spent the night. We went to Chuck E. Cheese and did all that. Then it was home for popcorn and movies. They had a good time. It is amazing the things you realize about your own child when you get someone else around. Let's just say, I am thankful my children are the way they are. Other than that, we had a pretty relaxed weekend. We actually made it to church today. It is the first time in 3 weeks that no one was sick. I would post more, but sleep is calling as I have slept like crap for many days now. The pictures are from our night as well as from the boys helping me make the cake....or helping me eat the batter. One of the two!

Our internet has been on the fritz the last few days...so forgive my silence. I have had lots going on to talk about. I promise to post this weekend about all the goings on around the Williams house. Austin turned 6 years old on Wednesday and he is having a friend over tonight for his very first sleepover. I am sure I will have lots to say when I get back to posting.

This is an actual conversation that I just had with Austin, the kid cracks me up:

Austin: MOM, I got an idea!

Mom: That is dangerous

A: No, seriously. I could get some drums and practice at home and I could be in a band.

M: A band huh? Like a rock band or a polka band?

A: What is polka?

M: Polka sucks, forget I said that.

A: I wish I could play drums AND the guitar at the same time.

M: We would be rich if you could.

A: What should I wear in my band?

M: Clothes I hope.

A: Yeah, like should I wear my rock and roll t-shirt...you know the black one that is all (insert Austin's badass rocker face here). Or should I wear black BANDIT clothes? (Brodie and Austin are obsessed with the word bandit right now)

M: Personally, I like bandit clothes. It is unexpected...no one else is doing it.

A: Yeah and Brodie could play in the band too.

M: Sounds like you got this figured out.

A: Yep, I'm just smartMom.

M: I never doubted you for a minute.

A: I would need to learn how to drive.

M: Drive? Why?

A: Cause I would need to drive to my shows. Rock stars moms don't take them to the shows.

M: What if I want to come?

A: Jason can bring you.

M: Jason could manage you guys

A: Jason is going to play in the band too, Mom. ( you know he wanted to say DUH)

M: *silent stare*

A: Spongebob was in a rock band once.

M: I think that was marching band.

A: Yeah, but they rocked the bubble bowl.

M: That they did. You going to rock the bubble bowl?

A: I can't live underwater

M: You could get a helmet like Sandy.

A: YEAH! I'm going outside to play band with Brodie now.

And now all I hear is some very crazy sounding "musical" sounds coming from the backyard.

He kills me! Sometimes he can be just a pain in the rear and then other times he cracks me up!

NyQuil

Oh, how I miss the days when I would gag down some NyQuil and drift off to sleep (you should always take NyQuil while LYING in bed...that stuff is potent). I am a firm believer in this nasty licorice medicine. Wherever you take it, there you sleep. Cold? Take NyQuil. Flu? Take NyQuil. Malaria? Take NyQuil. Insomnia? NYQUIL! I have been sick for 7 days now. When I say I have a cold, it doesn't quite convey how sick I have been. To be sick while pregnant SUCKS in and of itself. I am limited on what medicines I can take. Even the ones I can take I am cautioned against using "too often". Even if I were not pregnant and in such a dilemma THIS cold would have dropped me. I don't recall having a cold quite this bad in recent years. I am still sick, though the mere fact that I am sitting upright typing is a clear indication of the fact that I am on the upswing (I hope). When I cough it sounds like a seal barking. When I talk it sounds like I have smoked a pack a day since I was in diapers. When I sneeze....well let's just say it is not a pleasant sound. Jason was wonderful, he took off in the afternoons to get Austin from school, made dinner for them, even found time to finish painting the dining room and entry way today. All this while still working more than 40 hours and taking classes. My dilemma was with Brodie during the day. Luckily, Brodie can entertain himself 90% of the time. We went to bible study Tuesday JUST so he could play. I sat in the back and tried not to breathe too near anyone else. My lovely Aunt Kristin was kind enough on Friday to bring me medicine (approved by my doctor), magazines to keep me sane and lunch for Brodie. Such a life saver as Jason had a meeting he could not get out of. My whole week was spent hold up in my house. I did make good use of the time. I found a way to end the drought. Between the vaporizer and the humidifier we had the humidity up to almost 80% in the living room (our big clock has a gauge). Crank those puppies up a little more and I think we could have made rain. I did venture out of the house for a bit yesterday to go to Walmart. Exciting stuff I know. I am just one of those people that would rather do the grocery shopping myself. So against Jason's insisting I went. I should have listened to him. It took everything I had to get checked out and get back home. It rained all morning so by the time I got to the store EVERYONE, their mama, and their aunties were there. It was insanity on top of me just not being physically up to it. Now that it is obvious I am pregnant I also get stopped a few times each trip by "well-meaning" people going over the contents of my cart. Luckily all I had to do this time was cough and they all scattered. If there was an isle that had people parked all over the place and no one could get through...COUGH...instanly clear. Kind of like Bruce Almighty.

So, thank you to everyone that has checked on me this week (especially Kree). I am alive and still kicking...as is the munchkin. The cold didn't seem to slow him down too much. Hopefully I will be back to my old self in the next few days. Stay well....

Kanye west

OK, so I admit, Kanye West's Song "Gold Digga" actually was catchy and I found myself singing it in my car and making a fool of myself. That won't be happening again. This cover further proves that this man needs some serious help. Of course we all know his infamous, "Bush doesn't care about black people" statement after Hurricane Katrina. Yes, because Bush is single handedly responsible for everything bad that happens...grrrr. Now he has decided to portray himself in a Christ like way, while not showing ANY Christ like characteristics. Yes, it is his right to do so. This is a free country. And it is also my right to call him a dangerous role model for a lot of youth....and someone that will no longer get airplay on my radio.

new saying

There is a lengthy post Iw ould like to share about bible study today, BUT my head hurts too bad to write it just now. There was, however, something so profound. We were talking about our tendancies as women to lean on our friends and family in times of crisis first and foremost. She said her mother always had this saying and I thought it was so good I wanted to share:

Run to the THRONE, not the phone.

I will be back soon with more on this week's study as I thought it was really wonderful!

6 months

Six Months ago...right about now ( 4pm)...Jason and I were married. In a way it does not seem like that long ago. However, SO much has happened in those six months. It has been an awesome six months. To finally feel like I am where I am supposed to be. To be sharing these expierences with someone so amazing. There are many of you doing math in your head right now.

"LaShawn is entering her 7 month of pregnancy, how can they have only been married 6 months?"

Let me help you here. They count the first month of pregnancy starting BEFORE you actually concieve. Based on SCIENCETIFIC evidence, I conceived this child on or around August 18th. Everyone let out the collective sigh of relief now.

These six months have been great and they will only get better. I love you Jason!

Sick

Well, whatever Brodie has...now Mommy has. It seems Jason and Austin were little sniffly and such this morning, but they have not really come down with it. Austin is off to school and Jason to work. Brodie and I will probably camp out at home today. I can't tell if it is a cold or what. All I know is, my head hurts, my back hurts, my throat hurts (drainage), my nose is stuffy and running at the same time, and I am coughing. FUN TIMES! I am off to make hot tea and lay down. Hope you are all having a much better day than me.

Barney

As some of you know my parents' dog Molly Marie (top picture with her pretty bow) passed away this last summer. We had her for 12 years if my thinking is correct. She was definitely a member of the family. Well, today my mom got her early birthday present...Everyone meet Barney (bottom picture). He, like Molly, is a Yorkie. HOW CUTE IS THAT FACE?!?!?!? I am utterly jealous. I have two dogs, you say? Yes, I know, but I could always go for another. I am very glad my mom got Barney. I think she was lonely without Molly, even if she was a pain in the butt sometimes. Mom, I can't wait to come and squeeze him. You MUST bring him with you when you come Spring Break...MUST no negotiating.

Bowling Party

Austin had a birthday party to attend today for one of the kids in his class, Alex. It was at the bowling alley and it was a ZOO! All the kids had a really good time though. There were 20 kids. There are only 22 kids in his whole class so it was a great turn out. Also turns out that Austin is a pretty good little bowler (with the gutters blocked, but still). Out of his group of four he bowled the highest scores both games. He even managed several spares. He had a really good time. Brodie on the other hand has begun getting sick. Yesterday his nose starting running like crazy and today it is down in his chest (very asthma-y sounding). When we got home from the party he ran to the bathroom cause he said he had to GO...well he didn't quite make it...as soon as his pants came down so did some other lovely stuff. So we had to clean him up and give him a bath. Poor dude :-( Hopefully he will be better tomorrow. Hate to miss church again, but I won't send him like that.

Friday we had our regular OB checkup. She pretty much just reiterated what the High Risk Doctor told me. Pelvic rest and we will wait and see what the 28 week ultrasound showed. Otherwise everything was good. I am finally gaining some weight, which normally would not be good, but given that I am 24 weeks along, it is time. That is about all we have going on. Jason worked on his car most of the day and in between we watched the car auctions on Speed. The boys are crashed out watching a movie and Jason is off to pick up some Pei Wei for us (the boys ate at the bowling alley). Eventful Saturday I tell ya. Once the kids are in bed it is Nip/Tuck Season One time. We didn't start watching it on TV until halfway through season 2 so we are renting and watching all the first ones Good stuff!

I had to post this picture of the dogs. I love my dogs insanely. This is them, SO content on their new bed.

I know I have not been posting much. I am much like Shana in that it has just been a tiring week. Bible Study and Bootcamp at church are both back up in full swing. I am really excited about the bible study. We are doing Beth Moore's (of course) "Jesus the One and Only". It is one of the two Beth Moore studies that I have been dying to do. So yay. I wish I could say that there has been something exciting going on, but really there isn't. I have been a bear to live with lately. My hormones are raging out of control and this whole pelvic rest thing is driving me batty. But, whatever is best for the babe. Jason has, in his usual fashion, been fantastic about everything. He takes everything I say with a grain of salt knowing that most likely it is "Pregnant Shawnee" talking and not ME! I love feeling the baby move and all of that, but this pregnancy has not been kind to me emotionally or physically. Sleep is definitely a commodity around here. The cats are fed up with me moving around so much and have begun sleeping elsewhere (which I have to say does not hurt my feelings AT ALL). That is about all for here. I promise I will be back in the next day or so with more upbeat and positive things. There is a lot going on right now that is great, maybe if I sleep some I will get back to remembering it all.

OH I did hook up online with my VERY best friend from Junior High, Jessi. VERY exciting! OK, so that is all.

Good night all....have a good sleep!

Pelvic Rest

Just FYI, and probably too much information but it is my blog and I will vent as I see fit:

PELVIC REST IS THE PITS!!

TriQuint Party

Last night was Jason's party for work at Southfork Ranch. They have an annual party to celebrate the year before. It was nice because I actually got to dress up. It is not very often as a stay at home mom that I get to do that. We had a really good time. I was able to meet some of the people that Jason works with. Jason's company is not the kind of place I can just stop by anytime and say hi. They work on a lot of top secret government contracts and it is a secure building. However, the CEO and others did a presentation and I got a much better idea of what Jason's company does. Very cool I must say. Jason's cousin's husband (sound anymore redneck?) is also and employee at the company. He is a pretty important guy turns out. I enjoyed seeing his wife again. She is such a sweet person. I was really tired when we got home. Pregnancy has made sleep an elusive thing and I was looking forward to crawling into bed. With the boys gone to my aunt's house I got to sleep in until 9:30. THAT IS INSANE! It was great. Hope you all had a great weekend!

Home

Home
Originally uploaded by LaShawn Williams.

Cloe (one of our cats) was very happy that Mommy and Daddy were home.

LaShawn Tired

LaShawn Tired
Originally uploaded by LaShawn Williams.

The wide eyed look is merely because I was so tired I could barely stand.

Spilled Beer

Spilled Beer
Originally uploaded by LaShawn Williams.

Jason spilled his beer all over himself before dinner was even served. Luckily he wore dark pants and it dried quickly.

LaShawn

LaShawn
Originally uploaded by LaShawn Williams.

This was me leaving Southfork. I am definitely looking pregnant these days.

Bad Hair Day

This is what Brodie looks like EVERY morning. The child has crazy hair. We never knew it before because we have buzz cut his hair since he was 9 months old. I finally found some gel that does a relatively good job of taming it at least for an hour or two. It is just crazy. He has decided that he is a porcupine and he WILL poke ya. Too cute!

TP part 2

Thanks to Beckie (whom you should all go visit, she is fab)...I now have proof as to WHY it matters which way you put the toilet paper on the roll. Thank you Beckie :-)

Essential Life Lesson #1: Over is Right, Under is Wrong

Software

I got a new toy yesterday. I got new Digital imaging software. I have been playing every since I got it. I even made a really cool music video thingy with pictures from our wedding, honeymoon and us with the boys. It makes me cry to watch (hormones). I am a dork, things like this excite me. I don't need much in life :-) Hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday!

Ultrasound

In the interest of time...and that I need a nap....I am just going to copy and paste my email I sent out to everyone here about the ultrasound. Only for you guys I will spell check...don't ask me what the freak I was thinking not spell checking a letter I typed at lightning speed...ugh

Jason and I went today for another ultrasound. At the 19 week ultrasound just before Christmas, the little munchkin was not being cooperative enough for the doctor's taste. Today's ultrasound went much better. "Munchkin" was AGAIN confirmed to be a boy and quite the active bub. He is measuring perfectly and is already 1.25lbs. The exciting part of the ultrasound was that we got 3D pictures. This has been all Jason has wanted the whole pregnancy so far. He was so excited. "Munchkin" looks great. No worries where he is concerned. As some of you know, at the 19 week Ultrasound the doctor saw that I had a low lying placenta, but did not seem overly worried at the time. This time he did not like what he saw. He did a transvaginal ultrasound to be able to get a better look at the placenta. Turns out it is lower than we thought. I was diagnosed with placenta previa. This is where the placenta is partially or totally covering the opening of the cervix. With my history (C-section and a D&C) I am at a higher risk for this turning into a placenta acreta, which is not a fun thing. However, the doctor is not too concerned about that due to the placement of the placenta on the back wall of my uterus. Basically, it is a wait and see game. Right now I am on "pelvic rest" (no intercourse, no strenuous exersice, no heavy lifting or housecleaning). No decisions as far as delivery will be made until 28 weeks. I will go then for another ultrasound to see if the placenta has moved up. There is a pretty good chance that it could move up, but they want to play it safe and wait and see. If it does NOT move up then I will definitely have a C-section and if I do start to bleed could be put on bedrest. We will know more mid-February. Until then we will continue to pray that the baby stay healthy and that the placenta will MOVE UP!!! I have attached some 3D ultrasound pics of the baby. They are of his profile and his hands.

Rachel Ray

What do a 3 year old and an almost 6 year old like to watch on TV? Spongebob? Sure that is alright. Spiderman? Well, yeah if they have to. But, what do MY two kids really get mesmorized by? 30 Minute Meals (one of my fav shows). They pick it over cartoons anytime it is on. Love that my boys want to learn to cook. My mom is a fabulous cook and in turn I love to cook. Hopefully it is a trait that my future daughters-on-law will appreciate.

Austin

This child, my oldest, will be 6 in 23 days. Did you hear me people? My baby, whom I birthed, will be S-I-X years old in less than a month. I need to go lay down....the thought just drained me. By the way, Austin was playing cool guy in this picture. He is a ham.

toilet paper

When putting toilet paper on the roll...remember people, OVER not UNDER~

It's the small things that count sometimes.

New year's Resolution

New Year's Resolutions are a funny thing to me. I have always held that they are just a way of setting ourselves up for failure; Much in the vain of, "I'll start that diet Monday". However, I know that for some people it is just a way of setting goals for themselves. Jason says, "You should constantly be setting goals for yourself. It shouldn't be a once a year thing." I do absolutely agree. I have been asked what my resolutions are. To be honest I don't know. In the past I have had all the same ones as most people: Get more organized (shut up Mom and Kree), workout more, get hold of the emotional eating complex...etc. I just don't feel like they ever motivate me to change anything. There is no accountability and really there is not real "want to" there when I set them merely because it is January 1.

That being said, I do have some things I would like to accomplish this year. First, of course, is to have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby. This pregnancy has really kicked my butt and I know that it will be a challenge to not retreat into my bag of Doritos and such. Hey, emotional eating is what I do. I am not proud of it and it has caused me lots of issues in the past. So that is my goal.

Jason made the comment today that he can see a difference in me from when we met. In his words I am a lot more self confident and happy. He also thinks I look more attractive (he was quick to add...you were hot before) and he wants me to keep taking care of myself the way I have been. So that is my other goal...to continue to take care of me. Let's face it Jason helps with this. He spoils me....he helps SO much with the boys....he is just awesome even when I am aggravated at him (hormones). The stress level for me has gone down so much since being with him and that is why I suddenly (without other changes) started losing weight. I weigh less right now, at almost 6 months pregnant, than I did at our wedding. How crazy is that?

So here is to a happy healthy New Year for us all.

black eyed peas

Random Thought of the Day:

For the past two years I have not had black eyed peas on New Year's Day. If my child is born with a leg growing out of his forehead we know why.

$15

This is a note of apology to my mom...and really to all parents out there:

Mom,

I am sorry for every time growing up that I asked for something and following it up with, "But it only costs $15". That crap adds up fast and most likely it was just crap I was asking for in the first place.

Love, Shawnee

PS. I am also terribly sorry (again) for ages 12-14!

Ignore your kids?

Is it wrong that I am totally ignoring the yells and fighting coming from the backyard??? Now, before some insane woman that has no children (or someone who thinks they do cause they "babysit") gets on my case. I am not REALLY ignoring them. I check out of the window to make sure no blood is drawn and all limbs are still attached to the proper body areas. But, I refuse to keep repeating myself to them today about playing nice. For the record, we go through a "re-conditioning" stage every time they stay elsewhere for an extended period of time. Re-Conditioning is not always pleasant, but it is a necessity.

Christmas

OK, now for my proper Christmas Post!

The boys went back to Lubbock early with my mom to give them some more time with family there. My parents left right after Christmas for the Coast (they have a boat down there) and wanted a few more days with the boys. Jason and I exchanged gifts early while we were still at home. Jason (as you know from earlier posts) got me a gorgeous ring. I got him some new clothes. He has tons of work clothes and was in dire need of some everyday clothes. Christmas Eve we spent the day with Jason's family. His brother Brian and his wife, Kristi were in from Houston. This will likely be the last Christmas they come to Lubbock to enjoy for a while. Brian graduates med school in May and will start his residency after that and they don't usually get holidays off or ever get to sleep from what I hear. Anyway, Christmas Eve morning we opened presents with Jason's parents, Brian and Kristi and the four of us. The boys loved having Aunt Kristi and Uncle Brian around. Austin and Brodie made out like bandits of course. Me being pregnant all I really wanted was pretty, smelly stuff. I got lots of yummy lotions, a fluffy soft new robe and the perfume I wanted from Victoria's Secret from Lesa and Terry. I also got a gorgeous silver candle abra from Brian and Kristi that will look great in our dining room. Jason got just what he wanted as well, GIFT CARDS! He also got a Texas Tech clock for his office. We had lunch with all of Jason's family that afternoon and then went to the Christmas Eve candlelight service at Nana and Papa's church. It is always very pretty. We were kinda bummed about missing the Christmas services at our own church here, but we look forward to catching them in years to come. Then we went to Nana and Papa's house for sandwiches and more gifts. Brodie was feeling REALLY bad that night. He fell asleep on Kristi in church. We had to stop by and get him some Motrin. No fun! Then we headed out to my parents' house for bed. Both boys got BIG doses of meds and they were off to sleep. Then Jason had to play Santa and put together scooters. Austin had written a letter to Santa AND told Santa both at the mall AND on the phone that he wanted a "push scooter". Kinda nice now that they are at the age that you can ask them what they want and they WILL tell you. However, I dread the day when they tell us they want A CAR or something else of that nature. *sigh* Christmas morning (after a LONG night of coughing and fevers and Mommy ending up in the room with them) the boys were VERY excited to see that Santa ate all his cookies and drank his milk and that he had left them SCOOTERS! Then Big Mama and Aunt Kristin came out and we all had Mimosas (non-alcoholic for the pregger girl). Mimosas on Christmas morning is a tradition....it is a must. Surprisingly non-alcoholic champagne is not all that bad. Then we snacked around while Dad got the smoker ready. Another tradition is smoked Prime Rib. YUMMERS! The boys played out in the barn, riding their scooters and four wheelers (they are both SO good on the four wheelers that it scares Mom a bit). Big Daddy and Uncle Christian came out around lunch time. Lyndon and Mandy and of course, baby Cason came out around 2. Then it was time to eat. Very yummy grub as always. Then we had presents. This year we decided to stop all the insanity of Christmas and we only got gifts for the kids. Our parents still bought for us (Jason got a TON of tools and a toolbox and I got a gorgeous watch) but it was nice to cut down on all the gifts that distract from Christmas at times. The boys again made out like bandits. Cason had his first Christmas and got lots of cool stuff too. Including a giraffe pillow that he really loved. Cason and Aunt LaShawn took a nap in the chair later in the day. You know I just HATED doing that (year right!). All in all it was a great day. The next day we went back over to Lesa and Terry's and then Jason and I left for home on Tuesday to get all moved. what fun times that was (ugh). We decided to not go out New Year's Eve. First off I am pregnant so clubs and such are out of the question with so much smoke and all. Secondly, Jason's company is having a big party at Southfork Ranch in a few weeks so I can get dressed up then. We settled on Studio Movie Grill. We went and saw Narnia and enjoyed some pretty yummy food. The boys got home yesterday and are currently enjoying their new room, as you can see from the picture. The house is still not totally put together and we have lots of painting to do in the coming weeks. But we are still happy to be moved in!

Cotton B owl

Don't forget to watch Tech in the Cotton Bowl today. Fox @ 10am. :-)

*Added Tuesday 01/03/06*

How typical was that for Tech...UGH!

New year

First off HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! I hope that the new year is so far treating you all well.
It is 1:00 in the afternoon and I am still in my pj's. Yup, Jason and I have been so productive today. We have been so busy this week getting moved in that we didn't really get to enjoy Jason being off work. So this morning we didn't even think about getting out of bed until 9:30 (that is INSANELY late for us). Jason cooked sausage and biscuits for breakfast. We have since been lazing around watching I Love the 90's and Meet the Barkers on VH1 and MTV. Now people that is what I call relaxed to the point of just not caring. We turned in the keys to the apartment yesterday. I have an amazing urge to go flip off the apartments. Don't know why. Jason and I have vowed that we will never again live in an apartment. NO NO NO! All the animals are getting all settled in. As you can see from the photo the dogs are FINALLY home with us. YAY! Yes that is Jason in my "wings" having the dogs chase him. They were not too sure about it. They are loving their backyard and are already very protective of it. MoJo sat under the tree for an hour last night staring at a squirrel. He desperately wanted to eat it. They are in heaven.
I still need to do a Christmas post, but I am so not caring today. I will post a few pictures for now. We had a great Christmas all in all. The boys were pretty sick, but are better now. They will be coming home tomorrow. They stayed in Lubbock for the week while we moved in.
Well, folks we are off to Home Depot and such places to shop for patio furniture. IKEA has already been invaded by us on Friday. Bought some new lamps for the bedroom and some shelves for our bathroom.
Have a great New Year!

Santa also brough Power Rangers and Scooby Doo Umbrellas. The boys are always wanting an umbrella...so they got it.

The boys were present opening machines!!!

Santa brought SPIDERMAN SCOOTERS! Poor babies they were really not feeling good Christmas morning. They had both been running temps and coughing ALL night long.

As you can see...Brodie got a four wheeler too!!!

Back

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was great (other than the boys being sick). I will give a full update with pictures soon. For the next few days I may be MIA as we are moving into the house. Will post again ASAP once things settle a little.

Update

I am such a bad blog mommy. Sorry for the lack of updates. My mom was here early in the week and then we were just enjoying some Kid-Free time!
The biggest news right now is that we found out on Tuesday that we are expecting ANOTHER little boy! We are thrilled and he looks good and healthy. I will have another scan Jan 10th and will know more then.
We are getting ready to leave for Lubbock for Christmas. The boys went back with my mom on Wednesday. We will be there until early next week and then we will be busy bees moving into our new house. Jason and I exchanged our gifts last night. I will post a picture of what he got me. IT IS FREAKING GORGEOUS!!!!! Such a wonderful hubby!
Merry Christmas to you all and have a WONDERFUL time with your families!

Ring

Merry Christmas to me from my hubby. I said, "Holy Sh@*" when I opened it!!!!

Hush

This was taken from this website....thought it was great!

One night a family with multiple children was noisily chattering away at the dinner table when the youngest, a four-year-old, stood up on his chair and shouted, "Pass the butter!" His parents sat in stunned silence for a moment and then sent the young, ill-mannered child to his room. The father of the family later told his noisy bunch that he had sound recorded the evening meal. On playback a quiet voice was heard asking, "Please pass the butter." A few moments later the voice called out a little louder, "Could someone PLEASE pass the butter." A few moments later there was the thundering shout everyone remembered from the meal, "Pass the butter!" Often it isn't that God didn't tell us something, it is that we weren't listening. Maybe there was too much noise and activity to recognize the still small voice of God speaking to our hearts. The story of the angelic visit to the Bethlehem Shepherds bids us consider why they were chosen to hear the announcement of the Savior's birth. Could it be at least in part that they would listen? The shepherds led a quiet life; being around sheep required peaceful conduct. The shepherd's lives were not cluttered with "a thousand things to do." They were hushed enough to hear the angels and hushed enough to visit a newborn baby. Are you? Can you hear the Lord's voice over the noise of this Christmas? Take some time to hush your heart, turn off the TV and radio, go to a quiet place and listen for the Lord's voice.

Sound of Music

The Sound of Music is on TV right now. I LOVE this movie. Whenever I was younger and my dad would go out of town, my mom and I would watch this and Grease. I loved watching them with her. Off to watch my movie now!

Puppet Show

Don't really have much to say today. I am in a really sh*$@y mood so I will refrain from a proper post until I have gotten my hormones in control. I just wanted to say I took Brodie to the puppet show at the mall today. Collin Creek Mall over near us is doing this on Friday, Saturday and Sundays during the holidays. It was really cute and Brodie loved it. Pardon the "icky"-ness of the pictures, I took them with my phone.

Santa part 2

I just had to post another picture of the boys with Santa. Here they were telling Santa what they want for Christmas while I waited for them to finish up. They were so cute!

Aunt Kree

There is a reason that my family says that my Aunt Kristin (Kree) and I can't be taken anywhere together. We proved that point very well yesterday.

Kree and I usually get together once or twice a week and hang out. We usually go somewhere like the mall and let Brodie run loose and then have lunch together. Yesterday after we had gone to lunch (at Blue Goose...super yummy) we were driving back to the mall to pick up my car. I was telling Kree a very funny story. I wish I could share that story here, but I can't. Not only that, but I doubt it would translate as funny in type as in person. So as I am telling her the story, or trying to anyway, we both start laughing so much that we can't breathe. There are times when Kree laughs so hard she gags. Yes, people I do get my weirdness from somewhere. So Kree starts gagging....so of course, LaShawn and her weak gag reflex start up as well. We make it to the mall parking lot and then Kree has to stop and open the door. Oh yes, up came her taco and enchiladas from lunch. I tried to keep my ears plugged and I keep gagging. I throw up a tiny bit but it never actually makes it all the way out. Yes, isn't this a pretty story? So we calm down and I get in my car, get Brodie in and then we take off. I got stopped by a train and decided to find a mint in my car and as I am putting it in my mouth I can taste the "almost" throw up and have to pull over again. Yup, there went my enchiladas. The thing is....all the time through the throwing up...WE WERE STILL LAUGHING!!!! Oh we are sick twisted people. When I told Jason, he just said, "Oh, Ya'll are just weird". Yes, baby, yes we are!

Kree aren't you glad I shared???

Sleep Issues

Ok, so I have finally gotten over (MOST) of the nausea in this pregnancy. Now I have entered the realm of sleep issues. I can not get comfortable. The upside of this is that the baby seems like to move a lot in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. So it is funny to have no other distractions (other than the occasional snore from Jason) and be able to just giggle and poke the baby. It still would be nice to sleep well. It is about time to invest in some more pillows to get comfortable. *sigh* One week from tomorrow we get to see the munchkin on the sonogram....CAN'T WAIT!

Santa

We went and saw Santa today. The mall was INSANE, but we made it up to Santa without incident. The boys were so excited and both told him exactly what they wanted. This was a bit different than last year. Last year Brodie would not get near Santa...he made Austin get between him and Santa for the picture and would NOT tell him what he wanted. Finally grew out of it!!! Austin was so happy that the REAL Santa was there instead of one of the fake ones. He says it must be the real Santa cause his beard was real.

Cold Day

Austin's school was closed today due to weather, so we have been hold up at home. Brodie is about to go stir crazy, as am I. We will probably brave the cold and head out in a little while to the store. Otherwise it looks as though we will be staying home for most of the day. The wind chill was 2 degrees when I got up this morning and the roads were icy, so I am glad that the schools decided to remain closed. However, it is hard for the boys to stay home all day (Day #2 at home for Brodie) as they get bored quickly inside. They will live, as will I. I have a ton of packing and stuff to do, just don't know where to begin. I will probably be heading back to Lubbock a bit earlier than Jason for Christmas. Big Daddy (my grandfather) is having major surgery on the 22nd and I would like to be there. So right now we are just trying to get everything ready for the move to the house and figure out just how we are going to get it all done. *sigh* Incoherent post I know. It is the cabin fever setting in. My stomach is not behaving today either, so I am off to make some butter noodles and see if that helps. Stay warm everyone!

Christmas List

Austin was busy at work this evening...writing his Christmas list for Santa. He wrote one for Brodie too since Brodie can't write. Such a good brother.

Christmas crazy

This is precisely why I get so frustrated during Christmas.....

Weekend Wrapup

We had a quiet yet great weekend. Saturday morning I got up and cooked breakfast for all of us. Jason and the boys then went to Home Depot to the Kids Workshop and to refrigerator shop. Along with other manly things I am sure. I went to Sam's and did our shopping in the meantime. We then went downtown and took some pictures for our Christmas cards. Then we had dinner at Carraba's. It was very yummy and I had the leftovers for lunch today. We went to church this morning. Our church looks so gorgeous decorated for Christmas. I will have to get a picture of it. It was breathtaking. Then we came home and had a nap. Exciting stuff there I tell ya. As I type this the dryer is going and the boys are outside playing. It is REALLY cold here today, but they needed to get out. Jason is braving the cold with them since I am still fighting off a sinus infection/cold. The munchkin has been moving more today...well I can feel him/her more today anyway. We have our ultrasound on Dec. 20th. I am hoping I can start say HER or HE soon. Hope you all had a great weekend.

The OB and the Cold

Sorry for the lack of posts. I have been battling a cold since we got back from Lubbock. Speaking of Lubbock, check out the pretty sunset that Jason got a picture of while we were at my parents house out in the country. To see pictures of the trip..go here

I had my regular OB appointment yesterday. She immediately noticed that I had a cold and told me to go home and go to bed. Otherwise, the appointment went great. The baby's heartrate is 150 and very strong. Little Munchkin kept trying to move away from the Doppler. My uterus is the size that it should be, so all looks good. I will be having my next ultrasound the week before Christmas it looks like. Don't have an exact date, but we know it will be that week. I just hope that Munchkin is cooperative and let's us sneak a peak to see if we need to buy pink or blue. That would be a nice Christmas present for me. Our lives right now consist of getting ready to move after Christmas. Fun times. We are so excited to get into our house and to bring the dogs and to start painting and making the house our own. Hope everyone had a great holiday and are not battling colds like the boys and I are.