Pregnancy and Chemistry (it's not what you think)

I had a baby doctor appointment yesterday...I am past the mark where they will stop labor if it begins, so, hallelujah! When this little guy comes, he comes!  I'm hoping to hold out for at least another week or 2 tho- my first was a preemie- born at 35 weeks-  and I don't want to do that again.  He didn't nurse well, and I wound up getting chronic mastitis until I finally gave it up and moved him to formula.  Nope, I'd rather be big and hot....(yeah, I'm so freakin' hot, let me tell you) for a couple more weeks than do that again.

And so, this is the last stretch of my last pregnancy.  After this I. Am. Done.  Like signed the form for sterilization yesterday done.  And it's bittersweet. I wish I could have more kids, but unfortunately I have this terrible pregnancy disorder called "extreme hyperemesis". The truth is, if I ever had to do this again, I would be devastated. I'm nauseous every waking moment for 9 months.  It never goes away until I have the baby. I had a standing prescription for IVs at the local e.r. all winter, and by spring I was throwing up blood (having damaged my insides) and having teeth literally crumble in my mouth from all the acid.  It's baaaaad, bad stuff this hyperemesis.  I can't do it again.  I can't believe I did it 3 times!  And, I tell myself that if God wanted me to have more children, he would have given me easier pregnancies; so I just need to be grateful for what I've got, and move on.

 Never.....

 again!


Moving on...I want to go back to school and get a degree in nursing.  Am I crazy? Yes.  But you already knew that.  But I'm nervous.  Will I be able to balance family with schooling?  Can we afford it?  What if I'm so out of it I can't pass my classes?


There are really 2 things I fear the most- biology and chemistry.  Those two are the scary classes; they freak me out.  I took chemistry in high school.  It was the only class I ever cheated in, and I would have failed if I hadn't. All I remember from it is something vague about a periodic table and how the boys who sat behind me kept bringing scraps from lunch to grow in their desk.  Some of that mold was unearthly.  


Anyway, I'm facing my fears.  I've found these videos by Khan Academy on You Tube and they make chemistry- well- almost easy.  And so far it's just basic (uh-huh, that's where geniuses like me need to start) but I really understand it.  I spent the afternoon learning about Stoichiometry, and I understand it.  I'm in awe.  If you ever have kids who need tutoring in chemistry, go to You Tube and look this guy up, he's so easy to understand.  If you miss some thing, you can go back, if you need a minute to write notes, you can pause it- and it's broken up into short 10-15 minute segments.   

Stoichiometry. Awesome. 

I'm a pregnant nerd.

(Late) Sunday Snapshot

Nathaniel becomes initiated into the world of pyrotechnics.

July 4th, 2009

(He spent today at the Wild Animal Kingdom in San Diego with his cousins.  Wish I felt good enough to be there....miss you, buddy).

I Miss My Boy. Already.

Nathaniel is on his way to California with my parents today.

They are going to San Diego for Michael's baptism.  Michael is Nathaniel's very favorite cousin- the fun never stops when they are together.

Nathaniel and Michael kickin' it at Disneyland.

I miss him already.  He will be gone until next Thursday- almost a week.  This will be the longest we have ever been apart, and he's almost 8!  In fact we let him have his birthday present early for the trip.  And, can I just say, if any of your kids are asking for a DS like Nathaniel, eBay is the way to go.  We bought him a brand new DS Lite from Hong Kong- it was loaded with 60 'E' (suitable for everyone) games- for $108 including shipping.  And the games are awesome- 3 different Mario Bros, Lego Star Wars, Lego Indiana Jones, Bolt, Wall.e, Classic Atari, Pokemon, etc, etc.  He is in little boy game playing heaven. 

He gave us 'permission' to go the library without him this week.  I'm so glad he has a love for books.  Right now we are reading 'The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' at bedtime.  Nathaniel and London both beg for "just one more chapter" whenever we reach the end of the previous one.  I love that. 

Am I way too attached to my kids?  I just love them so much- and they grow up so very quickly, I hate to miss any moment of their lives.  

Nathaniel has determined he is going to live with us forever.  I'm cool with that.  We have a walk-out basement; we just need to put a kitchen down there if we ever get around to finishing it.  

London gets to be the only child this week. It may be awhile before this happens again, so we'll be making the most of it.

The only person she has to share the computer with is...me. We'll be going from blogging to Barbie.com and Starfall.  After violin practice and chores are done, of course.  Because I'm also the kind of Mom who loves her kids enough to make them do hard work and learn new things.

  They'll love me back for it someday, right? 

Post-it note Tuesday

It's post-it note Tuesday with Supah.

CLICK HERE to link up and play.

Even when times are tough, remember this-

Yes they are.

Getting to Know You and Sunday Snapshot

Getting to know you Sunday- inspired by LAURA the Purse Blogger- CLICK HERE to link up.

1.If you had 5000.00 to spend on plastic surgery what would you have done? 
I'd throw in another $5000 and get my nose, boobs, and any sign of aging done.  If I'm going under, I might as well come out as close to perfection as possible.

 
2. Do you watch Soap operas and if so what is your favorite and why? 
I hate Soap operas.  I watch a lot of news, though. And I still miss Lost.

3. Favorite clothing brand? 
I'm not picky when I'm expecting.  Anything comfortable that covers my belly.
 

4. An afternoon shopping spree at your favorite store or maid service for a year?
 I'd take the shopping spree.  I don't like other people cleaning my house- even if they're hired to do it.
 
5. would you ever vajazzle? 
What's vajazzle?  I might if it's fun. Is it anything like Bejeweled?...Hahaha...ok I looked it up and- probably not.  I'm pretty enough down there, thankyouverymuch.


6. Favorite Disney Princess?
Belle.  She's got it all.

 
7. Last movie that made you bawl your eyes out?
I cry at almost every movie.  Toy Story 3 (we saw it at the drive-in this week) and Extraordinary Measures- both great films.

8. Have you ever broken any bones and if so what?

Yes- my left arm and a cracked rib.  The rib literally hurt every time I laughed. Oh, and I broke my toe just walking too close to my dresser- my husband totally thought I was being a baby about it so I went in and had an x-ray done just to prove it really was broken.  The doctors  couldn't do anything about it- they just taped it and gave me an ugly blue shoe I never wore- but I was happy to be right.

Sunday Snapshot

A year ago our foster daughter Dulce married Luis- the love of her life.  Congratulations on your 1st anniversary.  I'm so proud of both of you!

June 2009

Friday Confessional

Friday Confessional with Glamazon.  Woo-hoo!  CLICK HERE to link up.

I confess:

My children were talking about that 'one time we asked Mom to do it again' today.  They were laughing about embarrassing me.  I am not ashamed of my beautiful children, but that time....well, here's the story....

So we were on our way to California, and we stopped at a gas station.  I took the 2 kids in to the restroom with me so we could all do our business.  I am a super paranoid Mom- I have a hard time letting my kids out of sight in public places so we all herded into the same stall (and not only out of paranoia- they sometimes need help- you Mommies know how it is).  So they do their thing and as it's my turn, I hear a couple of old ladies enter- they are chatting.  

It's a 3 stall bathroom with great acoustics.  The air falls silent.  One of the ladies lets. it. rip.

My kids both gasp and look at me.

"What was that, Mom?" asks London (very loudly).

"Nothing," I whisper, and put a finger over my lips.

"Was that you, Mom?!" Nathaniel questions at 100,000 decibals.

I shake my head and mouth the word "No!"

"That was YOU?!" London exclaims.

I am bright red at this point, and so embarrassed I can't even move.

The old lady let's it go again.  Louder and longer this time.

My kids bust out laughing.

"Do it again, Mom!" London says.

"Yeah, do it again!" 

"It's. Not. Me." I whisper.  "Be. Quiet." 

"Come on!  Do it again!" 

More sounds erupt from the next stall.

More laughter explodes from ours.

"I knew it was you Mom.  Do it again!"

One of the old ladies starts laughing at this point.

I'm just thinking 'Why me?'

I flush, get myself modest, and rush London and Nathaniel through the fastest hand washing of their lives before sprinting out of there.


We had a talk about bathroom manners in the car when they finally stopped  giggling.  


It's a good thing they are cute, that's all I'm saying.  And, really, it wasn't me.

Sunday Snapshot

London's 'Strawberry Shortcake Splashin' Petal Pool'.

She bought it with her own money, and refers to it by nothing but it's full name.

June 2010