Six Years of Wedded-ness

Yesterday, D and I celebrated six years of marriage. Every year, we take it very seriously to hunt down a gift that follows the rules for the traditional anniversary gift. I don't know why we went down that path - maybe it's because we crave instilling traditions in our lives, because we don't really have any larger family traditions. Anyhow, we started it out that way with our first anniversary, and we've kept to it each year.

For six years, the traditional gift is candy. Okay, this was a bit of a bummer, because any other year, that would be a great gift. But for me this year, well ... candy is just not a luxury item. So, I tried to think of a creative way to make a bigger gift out of candy. My lovely sister offered to make her babysitting services available that day, so it hit me. D and I rarely get to go to the movies. One of the things D loves the most about the movies is the concession stand. What do they sell at the concession stand? Candy! It was perfect. I was able to keep it a surprise until Saturday and he was completely shocked.

We decided to catch an afternoon movie, mainly because Sunday's are the day for preparing for re-entry into work mode on Mondays and I'm pretty tired by the evening. So, we went out for lunch and then went to see The Blind Side. It was a great movie, and we both laughed and teared up as appropriately as we could. But the most touching moment of the whole date was something my husband said to me on the way home.

"Don't you think it's just great that at the time we are reflecting what we are most thankful for, we celebrate our wedding anniversary?" Okay, D is a spectacular husband on most fronts, but this sentimental expression took me a little off-guard (other than me pointing out that we chose when we got married.) So, yes at this time of year when reflecting what I am most thankful for, it is a great and caring husband and fantastic son, with son number two joining us early next year!

Where Did November Go?

Okay, I have to apologize for the delinquency in my blog posts for the month of November. It was a bit of a crazy month in all and I can't believe it escaped so quickly past my finger tips.

With less than eight weeks until our family grows by one, I think reality has truly finally hit us that we have a lot to do. Of course, the room is already set up, but I need to go through all of K's packed away clothes to see what baby may be able to re-purpose. Good thing that babies don't care much about their clothing that we can get away with reusing most stuff. (However, I am learning three-year-olds have very strong opinions on their clothing.) Closets are organized (woohoo!!) and we've started our gift-purchasing for the Christmas exchanges.

It's different this year, with D being at home, he's a lot more involved in the little intricacies around the holidays. For example, the advent calendar. Now, typically, I take this on and fill it with delectable treats for the three of us. With my gestational diabetes, I was counting myself out on the treats this year (but let me tell you, I am relishing having pie for dessert every night - that was the best suggestion the dietitian gave me, yet!) So, I was just planning on filling it with treats for the two men in my life. But D decided he wanted to help ... and pick out some of the advent goodies. He went a little overboard, and now K will be surprised with a mixture of sweets or toys (small enough to fit in the advent calendar, but big enough not to be concerned that they will be lost in the carpet.) It was kind of fun to watch my husband take this on as a personal mission and I think he is going to savor each night when K opens a door to take out his surprise. I think that's the best part. We both know that K will provide so much excitement when he sees what is in each door.

That's the great thing about kids, they truly appreciate little things and make them out to be bigger than life.

Nesting?

With less than ten weeks to go before our family grows a little bigger, it's finally hit me that we have some serious things to get in order. The biggest item, putting in a new closet organization system for our three-year-old. One, because I want the dresser for the nursery and two, to give him a little more room in his bedroom.

So, it's really all about trusting my gut. I did the research and suggested we go with the simple expandable closet organizer things you can get at Home Depot or Lowe's. They're not cheap, but they are a lot more reasonable than, say, California Closets. He's just got a reach-in closet, so our options are some what limited to begin with. D instead insists we go with a more extravagant (read more expensive) system from Ikea (yes, Ikea's solution was more expensive than Lowe's). So, I agreed to give it a try. Alas, it doesn't fit in the closet. After much sweat (D's, not mine) and trying to get it to fit, it's worthless, you cannot use the drawers. The closet is too odd shaped to accommodate the cookie-cutter, non-adjustable closet solution. Fortunately, we have a few other closets, where I think it could work and I won't feel like we completely wasted our money.

So, now it's back to my solution idea. I'd really like to get the closet thing done before December. I'll keep you posted if we make it there.

Where Did the Cuddly Elephant Go?

Ah, tomorrow is Halloween. It's a festive occasion I have mixed feelings about. I like the whole dressing up and being someone you're not bit. And, frankly, who can deny that the candy assortment is tops. (With the exception of Easter, because jelly beans are my favorite.) I've even enjoyed the mess in carving pumpkins with K. But this year was a turning point for Halloween in our household.

First, the costume situation. I admit, dressing my son up in cute animal costumes has probably been more to my pleasure than his. He was an absolutely adorable elephant one year, and a super cute turtle last year. I had a feeling this year he would want more of a say in his costume. He is three after all, and they have very strong opinions! Well ... after much hunting for the costume of his choice ... he ended up deciding he wanted to be a ninja. A three-year-old ninja. Alas, I am not even sure what to think about it. Yes, due to us being lax parents and letting him watch the Nickelodeon cartoon "The Avatar" he can emulate perfect martial arts moves. (And I'm not kidding, he is spot on, it's kind of scary.) So, I wasn't completely surprised with the whole ninja decision ... but it was just proof that he's one step closer to not being a baby anymore.

Next, the pumpkin. We purchased a pumpkin last week ... but before we got to carving it, it started to rot. This was more annoying than anything. So, last night we went out in search of getting a replacement pumpkin to carve. Well, of course, Target has these plastic jack-o-lanterns on display. What does K say? "Mommy, I want to get one that's already carved." Of course, D got a big smile on his face, because he didn't want to carve pumpkins in the first place. (He despised the mess, and accurately is aware he'd be the one to clean it up off the floor since I can hardly bend over at this point of pregnancy.) I sadly conceded to the plastic jack-o-lanterns. They don't make much sense, but I guess it shows that we can be a little festive. Of course, if someone comes and tries to steal them to throw them, they'll be a little disappointed, too.

So, tomorrow's the big night. We're taking K to an event at the zoo, where he can trick-or-treat safely and we don't have to worry about too many crowds. (It's for members only, so at least we know there will be some limits to the number of people allowed in.) I hope everyone has a splendid Halloween!

The Bloody Glucose Test

Friday I had my one hour glucose test. Now, since I had gestational diabetes during my first pregnancy, the chances of me having it this time are pretty high. So, I figured the news wouldn't be great. So, to try to save myself the pain and trials of even having to sit through the three-hour test, I asked my doc if I failed the one hour, could we just skip it and go right to the regime.
She told me if I failed it significantly. But if I was borderline, she wanted me to go through the three-hour test because, well, maybe I didn't have it.

So, a few hours later, I get the call... I failed ... but was on the borderline. But they do things a little different 4 years later. Before I take the three-hour, I am being sent a two-day diet plan I have to follow. This will be interesting. I haven't received it yet, so I am not sure if it's a true ... here are the meals, or if it's more breakfast -1 carb choice, lunch - 3 carb choices and dinner - 4 carb choices. It will be interesting, that's for sure.

Of course, with my first pregnancy, I was completely diet-controlled. So that will be my goal again. Testing your blood four times a day is bad enough, I really don't want to have to give myself shots of insulin. Of course, it means that during the worst time of year (the holidays!) I am going to have to watch how I eat so closely... no gorging this Thanksgiving or Christmas. But it's worth it. I watch K and he is truly a great joy, so I know that baby dos, will be just as much a joy.