This Month's Book

This month our book club read A Death in the Family by James Agee. It won the Pulitzer Prize in 1958. Deservedly so, I think. It's a quick read, but one that really sticks with you and makes you think. Its about a young family where the husband is tragically killed in car accident and then the difficult days that follow his death. I thought Agee's writing was very moving and accurate in showing how young children must view death and how it confuses them. I also thought he did a great job writing from the wife's point of view.

I need to pick a book for our club to read next. Any suggestions of good reads? Just not southern lit this time please. That was our last theme, and I think we're all ready to move onto something fresh and different.

This and That

I finally got around to downloading some pictures off the camera from this month. So, here's a little bit of what's been going on with us this January. (Besides being freakishly COLD!)

Owen got a new booster car seat. We shelled out the major bucks and got a Britax because his last seat was a Britax and we loved it. This one is not so great. Maybe I'll get used to to it, but it's much harder to buckle him because the straps are always twisting and are hard to keep straight.

We took our kitty Annabelle to the vet for her annual shots. Owen had fun "comforting" the kitty ("It'll be okay, kitty. You just get a shot and then we'll come home, okay?")

Buck bought a Nintendo Gamecube, and Owen and he have enjoyed gaming together.

This weekend we visited my brother Greg's family in Knoxville. Here's Owen with Kaeley at the Children's Museum. Can you tell how excited Owen is? He refused to nap at all on Saturday because he loved playing with his cousins so much.

Ella and Jennifer at the museum

A rare moment when Owen actually sat down for a few seconds!

Surprise Ultrasound

Yes, I'm still alive. Just been busy and uninspired with blogging lately. I promise to do better! Had a doctor's appointment today where I got to have an ultrasound, yay! My doctor's office normally allows only 1 u/s at around 2o weeks, but I got one today because they couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler.  Of course, this was also very scary too.  I had to spend 20 minutes alone in the exam room praying and worrying while the ultrasound tech lady finished her lunch and got the equipment ready. But, at last, I got to see my baby kicking and squirming on the screen! That was such a relief.

According the ultrasound measurements, I'm measuring about a week ahead of where I thought. So, now I'm 13 weeks instead of 12, and they moved my due date to July 29, which means I'll have a scheduled c-section around July 22. One trimester down, two more to go!

Back in the Groove

Things are returning to normal around here, after it seems sickness has been following us around for weeks! Thursday night was the worst with Owen throwing up practically every hour from 6 pm to midnight. We kept letting him have sips of juice thinking we shouldn't let him get dehydrated but he just kept throwing it back up. So, we called the doctor on call and she wisely told us to wait 2 hours and let his stomach settle and then let him have only 1 oz of Gatorade. After we did that (although it's very hard to tell a sick child he can't have his juice!), then he finally started getting better. He was puny on Friday but never got sick again.

Saturday night we were all feeling stir-crazy so we headed out to Millers for dinner. It was a rainy drive there, but the food and music was great! It was therapeutic to just "get out" and feel normal again. 

Today Owen & I had appointments with the eye doctor. I have horrible vision, so I just wanted to get him checked as a precaution. They said he did super for his age. He's showing some signs of near-sightedness but nothing that needs correcting now. He'll get checked again at age 5 and will probably need glasses at some point. If he's like me, it'll be 2nd grade. Too bad he didn't inherit his daddy's perfect vision! By the way, if you need an eye doctor in the Manchester area, I highly recommend Jeremy Anderson at Manchester Eye Care. I was very impressed with how he dealt with Owen.  Anyway, hope everyone else out there is staying well and had a great weekend.

Stomach Bug Round 2

Just when you think you're safe........Owen is now sick. He's thrown up twice since supper. Once all over me and the couch and then once all over Buck. So, we're doing laundry and preparing for a long night ahead.

10-Week Mark

Lots has been going on with our family this week, so it's been hard to find quiet time to blog. I'm at 10 weeks into my pregnancy this week. Had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday where my doctor confirmed she thought I was about 9-10 weeks along. Tried to hear the heartbeat but couldn't get it yet, so I go back in 2 weeks and we'll try again. They also drew blood and will run a bunch of tests. Plus my doc referred me to a nutritionist and wants me to go on the gestational diabetes diet. Since I'm starting out this pregnancy overweight (30 pounds heavier than I was when I got pregnant with Owen, yikes!), she wants to make sure I don't put on too much more weight as the pregnancy goes along. So, pray that I will be successful with this diet. I know I need to eat healthier but it's just one of those things I've neglected since I've become a mom.

Owen started back to school this week and has been doing great! He hasn't cried at all and has been excited about seeing his teachers and friends again. He even plays "teacher" to me at home and teaches me songs and the pledge.

Hmm, I think that's about it. Seems like we're all about appointments lately. Doctor's appointments for me, took Annabelle our kitty to the vet for her annual shots yesterday, and then next week Owen and I are going to the eye doctor.

Stomach Bug

I'm on the mend from a nasty stomach virus. It hit me suddenly yesterday morning. Owen had just been dropped off at Pop & Gran's for the day because Buck & I were planning on going to lunch and a movie. Well, sigh, that didn't work out. I started out just feeling sort of weak and just passed it off as a pregnancy side effect. Then I started having terrible stomach cramps up high in my abdomen and around my back. So, after lunch, we decided we'd better just head home and do the movie another time. That was a good decision because then I started throwing up. I'll spare you all the sordid details, but let's say it wasn't pretty and I lost like 4 pounds in 24 hours.

Thank goodness I'm feeling better today and that Owen was able to spend some fun time at the grandparents while I was dealing with this. Buck's going to pick him up this afternoon and bring him home. I've sprayed Lysol around the house and washed clothes/bedding like crazy, and I pray no one else will catch this germ from me.