Rachel the Brave

Rachel had her 2 year old check-up today. Her past few visits have been fairly stressful. I tried to prepare her a couple of days before. I told her that her doctor would look in ears and mouth. They would see how much she weighs and measure her.

Of course, all those preparations went out the window when we got to the room. Rachel wiggled and lashed while the nurse checked her temperature (in her ear). She didn't want to be touched with the stethoscope. She just didn't want to participate. This was not as fun as Barney made it out to be.

However, when she had to have her finger pricked she did not shed a tear or even flinch. She just watched the whole process as the nurse squeezed blood from her little finger. The nurse and I found this particularly funny. I think she found the whole thing fascinating (I know I do). I'm sure she thought, "They didn't do THAT on Barney!"

Baby Update

I really think this baby has a personal vendetta against me. I told Tim, yesterday, that I think this baby "hates me." I think it's my hormones. Don't ya think?

I don't really get depressed after the baby comes. I have way too much to keep my mind busy. Plus, I have a sweet little baby. I get down in the first trimester. I think I'm going to die from exhaustion. I'm the only one to ever have morning sickness. My prenatal vitamins are out to get me.

This down feeling has been spilling into my second trimester. I feel hungry ALL the time. My vitamins are still out to get me. I just know it. Saturday night, I almost passed out in the check-out line at Wal-Mart. I had to sit down on the floor in the front of the store. I was okay after I pulled my sweater off but it was an upsetting experience.

However, today, I had a check-up! It took all of 30 minutes (I think that's a record). My blood pressure was good (108/66, I think). I've gained three pounds. It took a while to find the heart beat with the Doppler. I did feel the baby flutter for the first time. I think it was the help of my doctor pressing down on my uterus with the Doppler scanner. Finally,after the baby would hold still, he found a strong heart beat. All 160 beats per minute. He joked that it was a girl....no need for an ultrasound next month. (HA HA, we'll see!) Also, I mentioned my little passing out spell. He told me to watch my sugar intake and to be sure to eat frequently.

So, that brings us to the important date! March 25th we will find out if we're having a little boy or a little girl. I'm really excited to find out. I can't wait to see Rachel's reaction to seeing the baby on the ultrasound.

So what do you guys think this baby will be?

DailyLit

I came across an article the other day about cool websites that aren't widely known. On that list was DailyLit. This is a super easy way to read a "book" for those of us who don't always have time to sit and read for hours. Or for those, like me, who physically cannot sit and read for hours. I just fall asleep. Here's how you do it...

1.) You head to their website.
2.) Choose from their selection. You can choose a "modern" book but they cost money. However, the classics (Wuthering Heights, Pride and Prejudice, etc.,etc.) are FREE because they are public domain.
3.)Click the book you've chosen.
4.)Subscribe. You can either get it by e-mail or by RSS. I've tried both and they seem equally easy to use. You get the book in little bits so you can read as much or as little that you want. You get to receive installments daily, weekly, or on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays. Select the time you want the installment. And then subscribe! It's that easy.

Another cool thing is that you can cancel easily and receive the next installment easily (especially, if you're really enjoying the book). It's all in your e-mail or RSS feed.

I'm enjoying Jane Eyre right now. It all just comes to me and I didn't have to leave my house or spend money. Yay!

TGIF

Did you guys catch this over at Amy's Humble Musings?? Hilarious!

That Christian family with all the kids....

Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl!

Easy Fajitas

I really love fajitas. I don't necessarily enjoy standing over a stove to prepare them. I know they aren't THAT hard to make but Everyday Food magazine has made it even easier. Here's the recipe from March 2008 edition:

Fast Chicken Fajitas
Serves 4

1 1/2 lbs chicken cutlets
2 TB vegetable oil
1 tea chili powder
coarse salt and ground pepper
3 bell peppers, thinly sliced
1 medium red onion, halved & thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
8 flour tortillas (6-inch)
fresh cilantro leaves, for serving
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream, for serving
lime wedges, for serving

1. Heat broiler, with rack set 4 inches from heat. Arrange chicken on a rimmed baking sheet lined w/ foil; rub w/ 1 TB oil. Sprinkle w/ chili powder, and season with salt and pepper. Broil, w/out turning, until chicken is opaque throughout, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from oven, set aside.

2. On another rimmed backing sheet lined with foil, toss peppers, onion, garlic, and remaining tablespoon oil; season w/ salt and pepper. Broil, tossing occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender and slightly charred, 6 to 8 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, thinly slice chicken crosswise. Stack and wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel; microwave on high until warm, about 1 minute. Transfer chicken and pepper mixture to a platter, and serve with tortillas, cilantro, sour cream, and lime wedges.

I may make this for dinner tonight. I think the baby is craving Mexican. YUM! :)

More Party Pics!

These photos are courtesy of my Mom...Enjoy!

Ummm...this is crazy

I just have 2 questions about this article:

Twister victims to receive FEMA trailers

1. Why in the world would someone who just lost their home from a tornado want a trailer?

2. Didn't they just find that some of these FEMA trailers were bad news?

Call me crazy, but I think FEMA should just stop.

Happy "early" Birthday, Rachel!!

We celebrated Rachel's birthday today. We had a great time! I'm a little pooped but it was worth the fun Rachel had. Here are some pics of her party:






By the way, we did have people at her party. I just didn't get any with my camera. :)

Rachel thought it would be funny to steal a cupcake off the table. This is the sugar rush fun that followed her 3rd cupcake.

Some very sad news

Today, the Hudgins' household had to put to rest (flush down the toilet) our beloved fish, Mr. Fish. I am, as Peach from Finding Nemo puts it, a "fish killer."

Tuesday, in my whirlwind of activity, cleaned the poor fish's tank. I thought I was doing the fish some good. He was swimming in his own...well, you know. Come to find out, you have to dechlorinate the water before you reintroduce a fish into it's home. I was unaware of this important step and basically killed our only pet. Poor Mr. Fish.

I think we'll sing this at his memorial service. It is one of my favorites.

Three Little Fishies

Down in the meadow in a little bitty pool
Swan two little fishies & a mama fishie too.
"Swim," said the mama fishie, "Swim if you can."
And they swam & they swam all over the dam.

(chorus)
Boop Boop Dittem Dattem What-tem Chu!
Boop Boop Dittem Dattem What-tem Chu!
Boop Boop Dittem Dattem What-tem Chu!
And they swam & they swam all over the dam.

"Stop," said the mama fishie, "Or you will get lost."
The 3 little fishies didn't want to be bossed.
The 3 little fishies went off on a spree.
They sway & they swam right out to the sea.

chorus

"Whee!" yelled the little fishies, "Here's a lot of fun,
We'll swim in the sea till the day is done."
They swam & they swam, it was a lark,
Till all of a sudden they saw a shark!

chorus

"Help!" cried the little fishies, "Gee, look at all the whales!"
And quick as they could, they turned on their tails.
And back to the pool in the meadow they swam,
And they swam & they swam back over the dam.

May Mr. Fish rest in fishy peace.

Now, I must go eat 37 peanut M&M's and watch LOST.

Veggie Tales

Lately, I've been craving Ranch dip and veggies. Rachel and I love to eat them together. However, Rachel takes a bite out of a carrot and then hands it to me. She does the same with broccoli except she spits it out. Afterwards, I get to take a picture like this:



Here's a little lesson in Rachel's vegetable pronunciation:

Brocky=Broccoli
Terrots=Carrots
Brocky Fower=Cauliflower

Ripping our hair out

As Rachel approaches her birthday, I've realized the seriousness of the age 2. I've been thinking lately that bi-polar disease may have first been observed in a two year old.

Today, Rachel went from a sobbing inconsolable maniac to a sweet laughing little girl. The sweet times certainly make the manic parts a little easier. Especially, when Rachel says things like, "Thank you, Daddy" and gives Tim raspberries on his tummy or gives the baby a kiss.

However, there are always the well-meaning people that tell you that the "Terrible Twos" actually last until age 5. I usually respond, "So you mean, I have a lot to look forward to."

Tim and I are definitely having some frustrating moments. It's really amazing how different Rachel can be.