KerryAndGabe.com

Something that made me happy this week: Going on a walk this evening before dinner with my family.

Something I’m thinking: I’m thinking about buying a double stroller. We could have both pushed strollers tonight, and that would have been fine. I’m sure there will be times where one of us will need to stroll both kids, and Maddie is still a bit too young to walk everywhere. I actually walked this evening’s walk with Cullen in the Sleep Wrap. It wasn’t too bad, but I don’t think I could walk around all day at a zoo or park like that.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping that Cullen doesn’t get sick again. His temperature is a little elevated this evening (though not a fever at this point), and he’s not quite himself.

Something happening around the house: Ugh. We’re experiencing some “fun” home ownership issues. I guess our house is starting to act its age. The water heater broke yesterday. Gabe walked out with Maddie to go grab some lunch, and he discovered that the garage was full of steaming hot water. Not good. Fortunately, we found someone to come out almost right away and they fixed it yesterday. We have been enjoying our hot water today. We also bought a new kitchen sink and faucet today and plan on having the same guys install it. Our kitchen faucet and sink are falling apart and got worse this morning with the messed up water pressure due to air in the pipes. We are thinking about getting lighting installed in our library, something that we have wanted to do since we moved into the house. What kind of library doesn’t have suitable lighting? We are debating replacing the remainder of our brass light fixtures. I’m not sure we’re ready to do all of that.

Something I’m reading: I finished Flyte! Our book club is sorting out our picks for the next 6 months, so I might have to start reading some of those if I’m ever going to finish any of them.

Something tasty I ate this week: I made my own pizza for the first time! I didn’t make Cindy’s pizza, but she inspired me to give homemade pizza a try. Yum! I will have to make Cindy’s someday. It looks very good.

Something Maddie did this week (24 months old): Poor girl got strep throat for the first time. She seems to be getting all the same kind of illnesses that I had frequently as a child. Maddie felt pretty bad, resulting in some sweet cuddles with her Daddy. I think she’s feeling more like herself now. Not feeling well did contribute to some extra toddler tantrums. She is certainly embracing being a two year old. She continues to say funny things. She often requests socks saying, “her feet are cold” (whether or not that is actually true). This week, she came up with a new one. She said, “Daddy, I need my shoes. My socks are cold.” I love the toddler logic!

Something Cullen did this week (6 weeks old): He rolled over from his front to his back this week, though clearly not intentional. He has done this a few times previously on the bed, which I thought was a little sloped so it didn’t “count.” This time he rolled over on the floor. It certainly wasn’t intentional, but he was happier afterward. Cullen smiles a little each day. He still has a little acne and a lot of cradle cap. He’s holding his head up extremely well. We estimate he’s between 11.5 and 12 pounds.

Something I struggled with this week: Broken water heater, sick child, recovering my iTunes library (the only copy of it was on our iPods and a broken hard drive), dealing with toddler tantrums, realizing that my maternity leave is half over, realizing that Cullen is no longer a newborn, accidentally not refrigerating Maddie’s antibiotic necessitating a new prescription (which is not covered by insurance, by the way), chronic lack of sleep.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I’ve been actively gathering suggestions and sending out emails for our book club. This falls under my goal of staying active in at least one book club. I’ve also done a little bit towards my MS fundraising goals and plan to focus some more efforts in that direction soon. I went back and created my 2005 photobook, so I guess that can potentially count as “create yearly photobooks for my family” since some of it has both Gabe and me. Ooh, and I see that “replace the kitchen sink” was one of my goals…we bought the sink and faucet and are replacing it very soon!

Something I learned this week: I learned that I had already scrapbooked 2005….after I finished my 2005 photobook! Hrm, oh well, the old scrapbook was heavy and bulky. The photobook version is a little different, but the important things are well represented.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: A relaxing, stress-free week???

Something random: We’re watching more reality shows than normal this season - Survivor, Amazing Race, and American Idol. We’ve really been enjoying all three! I’m not sure who we want to win Survivor, but I love the Heroes vs. Villains thing. I haven’t watched Survivor in several seasons, but I know a lot of the players this season. The cowboys on Amazing Race make us laugh. We are rooting for Crystal Bowersox on American Idol and also like several others: Alex Lambert, Andrew Garcia, Casey James, Lee Dewyze, and Lilly Scott. Lee Dewyze is probably my second favorite at the moment.

Something captured: Poor sick little girl wanted to snuggle with Daddy and read books.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Finally meeting our sweet boy.

Something I’m thinking: It’s good to be home from the hospital.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping to survive this inevitable period of sleep deprivation.

Something happening around the house: My parents have been staying with big sister Maddie while we’ve been at the hospital.

Something I’m reading: I think I read a little of Flyte before the doctor’s appointment this week.

Something tasty I ate this week: My dad’s meatloaf is always tasty and apparently the official “home from the hospital” meal (my request this time).

Something Maddie did this week: She officially became a big sister!

Something Cullen did this week: He made his debut!

Something happening with the pregnancy: Our appointment on Wednesday was somewhat eventful. Progress was to 4cm, and the doctor stated that she would be shocked if we made it to the due date. She was right!

Something I struggled with this week: Giving birth to my son without the epidural I wanted!

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Obviously, I had another child!

Something I learned this week: I learned my son’s birthday.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: I’m not looking too far ahead at this point. One day at a time.

Something random: Nothing I could write here would be terribly random - everything is revolving around the birth of our son.

Something captured: Holding my sweet baby boy moments after giving birth.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Finishing Maddie’s big girl room mural!!!

Something I’m thinking: The due date is NEXT WEEK. Yikes!

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping that Gabe and I have a great day tomorrow. Gabe has a holiday, and I’m taking vacation so that we can go to a fancy lunch and a movie while Maddie is at daycare.

Something happening around the house: We had a slumber party with Maddie’s best friend Keira and Keira’s mommy.

Something I’m reading: I read a little more of the second book in the Septimus Heap series, Flyte.

Something tasty I ate this week: Tonight, I had some peanut butter toast. YUM!

Something Maddie did this week: Gabe installed the infant car seat bases into both cars, which means that we moved the seat around in the van and installed Maddie’s car seat forward facing. So far, she hasn’t seemed to think it’s a big deal. She does talk about being able to see out the window and points out that the other car seat is “baby brother’s car seat.”

Something happening with the pregnancy: We had another appointment this week, of course. For those of you wanting stats, the answers are 2/50/-2. Of course, none of that really means anything, but I guess there’s progress. The next appointment is Wednesday afternoon.

Something I struggled with this week: Finding clothes in my wardrobe that fit.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I ordered our 2009 photobooks (2 volumes, in addition to the books that we already had for each cruise).

Something I learned this week: We learned how to install Maddie’s car seat forward facing.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Our fun day tomorrow!

Something random: Our new humidifier is awesome!!! We have had a humidifier in our room for a while, but it just isn’t big enough to handle the size of our bedroom. Our new one is designed to cover a larger space, and what a difference that makes!

Something captured: Maddie’s new big girl room (more photos to come soon). I’m so happy to finish the mural, finally!

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: I actually managed to attend my baby shower! My friend Shannon (Paolo’s mommy) had a great idea to throw us a meals shower. She and Shannon (Keira’s mommy) co-hosted the event. It was wonderful. We have many friends signed up to bring us meals after the baby arrives. I remember how helpful that was when Maddie was born, and I look forward to trying out so many new dishes.

Something I’m thinking: We’re getting closer to being “ready” for baby boy. I’ll feel more prepared once we reconfigure the seats in the van, move Maddie’s car seat (turning it forward facing), and install baby boy’s car seat bases (in both cars). Gabe hopes to do that early this week.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping to get a few more days to “get things done” before the baby gets here, though I feel confident that we can care for his basic needs upon arrival.

Something happening around the house: We had guests this weekend. My mom was in town for the shower, and my friend Catherine and her son were here for the shower and photoshoot. Catherine took photos of my belly today. I can’t wait to see how they turned out!

Something I’m reading: I finished and recommend Look Me in the Eye: My Life with Asperger’s. I started reading the second book in the Septimus Heap series, Flyte.

Something tasty I ate this week: This week, I’ll mention something tasty I drank this week…the punch at the shower was very good! I don’t usually go for the creamy punches, but this one was fabulous. I hope to get the recipe from Shannon (Keira’s mommy) and post it here.

Something Maddie did this week: We had a fairly major event (as far as Mommy is concerned) this week. Due to various circumstances, I found myself at work with the car without the car seat. Gabe was planning to get Maddie since I had plans after work. Plans changed slightly, and Shannon (Keira’s mommy) was going to meet me at my house right after work and drive me around. Since she had a car seat in her car, and it would save Gabe and extra trip, Maddie rode in Shannon’s car. Without her Mommy or Daddy. This is a big deal for me! Apparently, it was a really big deal for Maddie, too. She has been talking about it for days, “I rode in Shannon’s car and played with toys.” She has repeated this over and over. I’m glad that the drive went so well as we may need to call on Shannon to pick up or take Maddie to daycare, depending on when baby boy decides to make his appearance.

Something happening with the pregnancy: We are going to the doctor weekly. I haven’t met all the doctors in the new practice yet, so they are trying to get me in with different ones each week. This week, I met the newest doctor to the practice. She just started this week. She was very nice and thorough. She’s already one of my favorites. While she was measuring and feeling around my belly, she took a step back and asked, “How big was your first baby??” When I answered that Maddie was 8 lbs, 2 oz at birth, she said, “This baby isn’t going to be any smaller!” I figured this, but it’s another thing for the doctor to inform me of that! We’re expecting a big baby, especially as we get closer and closer to the due date. Oh, and the baby is officially “full term” (37 weeks). Two weeks, 5 days until the due date.

Something I struggled with this week: Putting on my socks and tying my shoes.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I managed to work on Volume 2 of the 2009 photobooks this week. I took a vacation day on Friday primarily to do this. I hope to take another one this week to get some more done. I also would love to finish Maddie’s mural…but I don’t know if that’s going to happen!

Something I learned this week: Maddie is cutting another tooth. So far, she has her two bottom molars and she’s cutting at least one of the top molars. The new tooth on the top makes her 11th. She may be getting both of the top ones, but she won’t let me poke around her mouth too much (and it’s too hard to see the top ones!).

Something I’m looking forward to next week: We have some dinners with friends, a slumber party, and a birthday party.

Something random: Gabe thinks I put too many marshmellows in my hot chocolate, but I think there’s no such thing as “too many marshmellows.” And hot chocolate, YUM!

Something captured: My lovely co-hosts and me at the shower yesterday.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Spending time with my sweet little girl. It’s been a good week! She has been a lot of fun to be around.

Something I’m thinking: Is today really the last day of the vacation? I’m so sad!

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping to get a few things done today. I’ve been working on photos…maybe I can get those all up-to-date on the website this week.

Something happening around the house: We had our New Year’s Eve games night. We had a lot of fun, though I’m not sure we’ll have another games night for a while…

Something I’m reading: I finished Magyk, the first book in the Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage. I started reading Look Me in the Eye which is January’s book club pick.

Something tasty I ate this week: I’ve posted two recipes that I tried out over the holiday break: Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole and Hannah’s Cheese Ball. YUM!

Something Maddie did this week: Maddie told her first joke this week. I spilled my Dr. Pepper during lunch the other day, and I was talking to Maddie as I cleaned up the mess. I said, “I spilled my Dr. Pepper everywhere! It’s on my pants, my shoes, and the floor!” Maddie said, “on your head??” and giggled about it. Too funny. Since then, she has mentioned the incident a few times. “Dr. Pepper on your head?” Yesterday, she also added with a laugh, “Goldfish on my knee!” In a side note, I love how she says “Dr. Pepper” - it sounds like “doc-tuh pep-puh.”

Something happening with the pregnancy: We had another boring appointment last week (boring is good!). The next appointment is Tuesday, and we’re now going every week. Baby boy will be full term on Friday. I can’t believe how close we’re getting now. Just a little longer baby boy…please stay in the belly just a little longer.

Something I struggled with this week: Maddie was an angel for most of the week, but she had a few rough moments with her teething. Those molars are huge! They look quite painful.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I worked on our family’s 2009 photobooks. I’ve finished Volume 1 (yes, I have to do two volumes - have you seen the number of photos that we have?). It’s my goal to finish Volume 2 before the baby arrives…otherwise, I don’t know when it will get done!

Something I learned this week: I learned that our plates have decreased in price at Replacements Ltd. Last time I checked on them, they were really expensive. Now they are just slightly expensive. Since Gabe broke a plate yesterday, I think we’ll order a few replacements. Maddie let everyone know, “Daddy broke a plate.” Over and over and over. She must have repeated it 50 times. We’ve been meaning to order replacement dishes since moving into the house since the movers broke a few.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Dare I say that I’m looking forward to the rescheduled shower???

Something random: Ooh, the premiere of Chuck is this coming weekend! Woohoo!

Something captured: Maddie on her new bike that she got for Christmas from her grandparents.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Last year, I copied Cindy and wrote my Best of 2008. I had intended to do more summary posts from 2008, but I don’t think I got around to it. So, here is my attempt at the Best of 2009!

Best Restaurant: Once again, we didn’t really eat out very much. We had an anniversary dinner at Second Empire, which was new to both of us. I ate at Poole’s Diner for brunch before my Christmas date with Audrey. Those were the two notable restaurants. Both were very good, but I think I’m actually going to make an odd choice here and not go for “tastiest” or overall great experience but make the choice based on the frequency and convenience of Ruckus Pizza. We find it easy to take Maddie and have found it to be a good place to go with family and friends. We like the pizza and garlic knots.

Best Book: This is always a difficult category for me. I don’t get the opportunity to read as often as I did before having Maddie, but I still read enough to make it a challenge to pick the “best.” Once again, I’m going to limit this to books that I read for the first time this year (My Sister’s Keeper and To Kill a Mockingbird are disqualified). I choose The Help by Kathryn Stockett. This is a book club pick for March, so I’m a little ahead in reading it. Of course, I haven’t yet read the books for January or February, so I’m not that ahead.

Best Vacation: We actually managed to take several significant trips this year that did not involve visiting family at their homes. We went to Bermuda, Cincinnati, and New England/Canada. All were wonderful trips! I’d have to pick the New England/Canada cruise as the best of the year.

Best Movie: We didn’t get to watch too many movies this year. We saw even less in 2009 as we did in 2008. One of these days, we’ll get to the theatre more often, though I have a feeling we’ll be seeing even more kids’ movies. I’d have to say the best movie that we saw this year was Pixar/Disney’s Up.

Best Reunion: While this isn’t a reunion exactly for me, it was great to finally meet Gabe’s dad, sister, and niece on our trip to Cincinnati.

Best Album: I just don’t listen to new music all that much these days. Gabe got a bunch of new albums for Christmas, but I haven’t had a chance to give them all a listen. I guess I’ll have to pick Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants (another children’s album). I haven’t had a chance to listen to it too much, but I’m hoping Maddie will like it, too!

Best Board Game: I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this category last year. We were exposed to several new games this year as we had the opportunity to play more this year. My favorite by far has to be Dominion (and associated expansions). It has great replayability, is fairly easily accessible for less serious gamers, and plays awesome with two players.

Best Video Game: This is another new category for 2009. I have to admit that I barely played any video games, but I wanted to include the category so I could plug our newly acquired New Super Mario Bros for the Wii. Fun! Maddie shows some interest in “playing the Mario,” and we hope to turn her into a mini video gamer sometime in 2010!

Best TV show: I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this one last year either. Let’s see, looking over my Fall Television Update, I think I’d have to pick either LOST, Chuck, Gossip Girl, or Dollhouse. Tough choice! Since LOST and Chuck haven’t started yet for this season, I think I’ll have to pick Dollhouse. Too bad the series only has a few more episodes. It seems like we often like shows that get canceled. Boo.

Favorite toy: Ok, this is random, but I’m trying to pick MY favorite toy of Maddie’s (not necessarily her favorite). I think I’d have to go with her new Melissa & Doug Sandwich Making Set from Christmas. The wooden pieces are cool, and I love how they stick together with velcro and are quite satisfying to cut with the “knife.” Fun toy!

Something that made me happy this week: Christmas! I loved seeing Maddie react to every little thing. She’ll probably be asking to open more presents for weeks.

Something I’m thinking: It appears to be Monday, but I just didn’t have the time to do this yesterday.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping that the baby waits until close to the due date to make his arrival.

Something happening around the house: Chaos! Toys are everywhere, and we have had guests since Christmas Day. I’m trying to decide whether to put away the Christmas decorations before the New Year’s Eve party or leave them up. I want to leave them up, but that means less gaming space…so I don’t know. I usually like to take the decorations down in the first few days of the new year.

Something I’m reading: I finished The Help. I had some time to read when I was sick earlier in the week. I started reading the first book of the Septimus Heap series, Magyk, by Angie Sage. The Help is March’s book club pick. Magyk is not, but I thought it would be a pretty easy series to read. I might read the next book club book after I finish Magyk, though I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to attend the next few book club meetings.

Something tasty I ate this week: We had LOTS of tasty things this week!!!

Something Maddie did this week: I always see quite a bit of progress in Maddie when we are with her for multiple days. She seems to be talking more than ever! She frequently speaks in complete (and correct) sentences. One day this week, she took the remote control and said, “I want to watch the game” and then “Daddy, I need to watch the basketball.” Daddy was quite proud. Considering that she watches very little (almost no) TV, we were surprised to hear her say this!

Something happening with the pregnancy: I’m noticing more Braxton Hicks contractions and wondering if I’m going to make it to the due date. Things seem a bit different this time than they were with Maddie at this stage. Time will tell. I have my 36 week appointment this week and will now be going to weekly appointments.

Something I struggled with this week: I had an ear infection on top of congestion, headache and sore throat. Ugh! It was not a fun several days, but I was thankful that I was well before Christmas Eve.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Not a whole lot aside from the usual ongoing things.

Something I learned this week: Maddie has been all about Daddy for about the past 6 months. She seems to be balancing out now and is excited about Mommy as well. It’s nice that she’s turning her attention to me again, though I wonder how it’s going to be when a lot of my attention will be going towards the new baby.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Our usual New Year’s Eve games night!

Something random: We’re enjoying the new video monitor that we gave ourselves for Christmas. We knew we would need a 2nd monitor for the new baby, and I found this video monitor on sale not too long ago.

Something captured: Maddie opening her stocking stuffed with goodies (and new buddies) from Santa. She had so much fun.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Getting cards in the mail! I love getting cards.

Something I’m thinking: Maddie is 22 months old today.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping that I feel better tomorrow. I have felt awful all day with congestion, headache, and a sore throat. Today was not a good day for any of us. Maddie didn’t nap, Gabe’s Bengals lost, and I was feeling miserable.

Something happening around the house: The cleaners came on Friday, though you wouldn’t know it by looking at the house this evening. I don’t know how we go from clean to disaster so quickly.

Something I’m reading: I started reading The Help again. I had started it before getting back to Loving Frank. The Help is our book club’s March selection, although I’m not sure I’ll be able to make it to any of the next three meetings. I still wanted to keep up with the books, if possible!

Something tasty I ate this week: I had lots of tasty treats from the goodie table at work this week. Yes, we have an entire week of grazing in our group.

Something Maddie did this week: For most of the past week, we have taken Maddie up to her room for bedtime and put her in the crib. After she arranges her “buddies” on their tummies and tells each of them “good night,” we cover her with a light blanket. Then we’ve literally been able to say, “good night” and walk out of the room. Most nights, we have not heard a peep from her after this new ritual. After nearly two years of bedtime struggles, this is amazing! Now if we can just get her to sleep through the night…although if I had to pick between the two feats, I’d pick the struggle free bedtime over sleeping through the night. We have had many, many times where it took us HOURS to get her to sleep at night. This is a welcome change.

Something happening with the pregnancy: We had another appointment this week - the 34 week appointment. Wow, time is really flying. The appointment went well. My blood pressure is fine this time (I had issues with this in the last pregnancy). I have less swelling, though I had some pretty bad swelling on both Thursday and Friday. Yesterday was better as I stayed off my feet as much as I could. Just a little over a week until my next appointment, and then we’ll be going every week or more often until the baby arrives.

Something I struggled with this week: Stupid weather canceled both my shower and maternity session. Now I just hope that they can happen in early January. We’ll see.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Nothing.

Something I learned this week: One of Maddie’s molars has broken through her gums! I’m not sure when that happened exactly, but I’m sure that she had plenty of cranky moments that can now be explained. This makes 9 teeth for Miss Maddie.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Christmas!!!

Something random: During my last pregnancy, I missed my shower due to a kidney stone. Yesterday’s shower was postponed due to the weather. I’m hoping that I can make it to the rescheduled event, though I’m not going to hold my breath just yet. Aside from it being in the middle of winter, it will be less than 3 weeks from my due date. My mom never had a baby shower. I arrived a month early on the day that she was supposed to attend her shower for me.

Something captured: Our Christmas tree!

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: Playing in the annual holiday poker tournament, even if I didn’t win. I did at least make back my buy-in in the side game.

Something I’m thinking: I tackled too much today. Pregnant Kerry gets tired a lot faster than normal Kerry.

Something I’m hoping: To finish up Christmas shopping and holiday cards in the next few days.

Something happening around the house: The smell of Ginger Snaps with white chocolate chips. I made about 10 dozen cookies today. YUM!

Something I’m reading: Finished Loving Frank about 30 minutes before book club.

Something tasty I ate this week: Goodies at a friend’s annual holiday party. So many tasty things to choose from at the party!

Something Maddie did this week: Maddie had some baking lessons today - first with muffins and then with cookies. She seemed very intrigued. When I told her that I was going to make cookies, she said, “Daddy, I need cookies.” Smart girl.

Something happening with the pregnancy: Less than 7 weeks until the due date. Still not ready.

Something I struggled with this week: The stupid garage door. Darn thing does not like to work in the cold weather. Very frustrating.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: Nothing.

Something I learned this week: I learned a little more about POTS, a condition that has affected a friend for the past couple years. I was happy to learn that the symptoms of POTS tend to improve instead of worsen over time.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: Lots of fun stuff this week, including visits from friends and family, a baby shower, dinners with friends, the neighborhood cookie exchange, my maternity photo session, our regular prenatal appointment, goodie week at work, and hopefully a visit to Santa with Maddie.

Something random: Maddie is into picking her nose this week. We ran some errands during the week, and twice while we were in Toys R Us she presented me with a booger and said, “I picked my nose.” We’re so proud.

Something captured: I captured this a while back, but I have the same plate full of the same type of cookies waiting to go to the cookie exchange tomorrow night.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey

Something that made me happy this week: My annual Christmas date with Audrey. We had a brunch at Poole’s Diner followed by an afternoon production of Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Raleigh Memorial.

Something I’m thinking: I was too tired after a long day to write the blog entry last night. My blog, my rules, and I say I can post The Sunday Somethings on Monday if I want.

Something I’m hoping: I’m hoping that Maddie’s new trend of going to bed easily is a permanent change and not just a phase. Of course, tonight would be the first night since we got back from our trip that she’s been difficult to get to bed. Other than tonight, she’s gone to bed in under 5 minutes. It’s a Christmas miracle!

Something happening around the house: We’ve been doing some organizing in our pantry. That’s right, we’re excited about using canisters.

Something I’m reading: I read a small amount of Loving Frank. Time will tell if I’m going to finish it before Wednesday’s book club.

Something tasty I ate this week: Brunch at Poole’s Diner was tasty!

Something Maddie did this week: Two of her favorite activities these days are coloring in her coloring books and pretending to put her baby doll, stuffed animals and us to bed. She lays her stuffed animals on the floor, covers them with a blanket, pats them to “sleep,” and says “night night” or “goodnight Jojo.” It’s too cute. She also tells our Christmas decorations goodnight when she goes to bed. “Goodnight snowman. Goodnight trains. Goodnight tree.”

Something happening with the pregnancy: I still have almost 2 months left in the pregnancy, and I’m a bit tired of the variations on “you’re huge” which include (but are not limited to): “Wow, you look like you’re ready to pop!” “You’re huge!” “You’re really getting big!” “When are you due, next week?” “Your due date must be soon.” Seriously, do any pregnant women appreciate comments on their size? Also, don’t try to guess a pregnant woman’s due date.

Something I struggled with this week: Maddie had her first experience with croup, which is a very scary thing for parents. We were nervous for several nights, not sure if she might go into respiratory distress. Thanks to a call to the after hours nurse and some very helpful advice from a good friend unfortunately quite experienced in croup and croup-related ER visits, we felt a little more comfortable with handling the situation. We had to take Maddie into the steamy bathroom several times. Fortunately, she never exhibited signs that caused us to panic. We were still worried about Maddie Moo. We didn’t get much sleep for several nights. Poor thing lost her voice for days and is still working on getting back to normal.

Something I’m doing towards my goals: I finally made the big yard sale donation to our 2010 MS Walk team.

Something I learned this week: We learned more than we wanted to learn about croup.

Something I’m looking forward to next week: I hesitate to say since we had to cancel several of our fun plans last week, including our games night which was going to have a very good turnout.

Something random: I enjoy reading Jorge Garcia’s blog. He’s just a regular guy blogging about his regular, everyday life. (Well, you know, for a super famous television star living in Hawaii…but other than that, he’s a regular dude.)

Something captured: Audrey and I on our annual Christmas date.

Others writing The Sunday Somethings: Audrey