Inventive Tuesday

So one of the discussions at Easter dinner was shark tank of sorts.  -- Inventive Ideas.







So my mother in law - wants to start coat checks at the mall, or shopping destinations.
             Those at the table didn't give it much hope.






My husband wants Maternity shirts with no strings to tie, or that somehow tie themselves.
  (I guess I've asked him a few times to tie my shirt )


Hubby also wants add/extender on baby clothes -- says babies go thru clothes way too quickly and need some way to extend their life.






What's your inventive idea for today?

Quick takes- Monday

Just a few of the random things, from the past weekend.

We have our own lake.

Our Lake leads to this ( sump pump ) being over worked and overflowing into our basement ( at this point in picture we spent 3 hours cleaning up ).  New sump pump installed - Old one still works -- just clogged from hard water -- so the float won't go up and down - triggering it to go on .

Easter Sunday - Playing T-Ball  --working on technique. ( 6 yr old )

Easter Sunday --Playing T-Ball working on technique (4 yr old )

The bleachers of the t-ball game -- but B had to tell me something ...very animated.

Project arrived for Lizards room

Clothes packed up and ready for a little boy .

24.3

How far along?  24 Weeks 3 days

Clothing? All Maternity -- Have worn some spring tops that I was given. still afraid to wear short sleeved shirts, because of weekly blood draws have lovely marks on my arms. which last about 2 weeks.

Stretch marks? Yes. 

Sleep? Not enough this week, Stayed up late to watch some new TV episodes this week.

Best moment of this week? Viability !!!!

Worst moment of this week? finding out that I have to go on insulin ( low dose) for gestational diabetes. Dealing with the diabetes education department at the hospital has been  a treat ( NOT ).  My doctor asked that I go "learn" how to give the injection, but I have to get the insulin first. No sooner had I left the hospital grounds and diabetes ed, is calling me to book my appointment. since I was driving I didn't answer, and per doctor instructions I didn't have my insulin yet, so I didn't call her back. The following day, she called AGAIN, while I was in a meeting, so I couldn't answer. She in turn, starts calling my "emergency" contact list( on my hospital profile ) 1st being my husband -- who freaked out when they called, cuz he saw the hospital name and thought I was in the hospital. I sat on it for a day, before I called the nurse in the MFM who referred us over there, and expressed my disgust, and frustration, with diabetes ed ( again ) I said by no means should they be calling emergency contacts to book an appointment. She explained -that her dept receives people by referral also, and they are not allowed to contact the people til the patient contacts them. She said it should be the same over there. I said -- by no means is that happening. Felt good to get it off my chest -- simmering down on making a HIPPA violation complaint. Can keep on the backburner for a bit.

Miss anything? sleeping on my back.

Movement? Lizard goes crazy all day long. 

Symptoms? dry skin --

Food cravings? not really into food this week. Only eating cuz I have to.

Gender? Girl

Labor Signs? none

Belly button in or out?  in

Mood?  tired.

Milestones? Viability

Looking forward to? starting to clean and decorate Lizards room.

.

This week's pregnancy-small-talk-gems (aka things other people say to pregnant ladies without thinking):   I had a couple of people out of the blue, ask- are you pregnant - then say,, I know I shouldn't have said that, I should keep  my mouth shut, but just wondering.

23 Weeks

Go visit Mama Holi  and find out about her pregnancy -- her Due Date is before my technical due date..  I have a feeling we'll have little's about the same time.  --I'm borrowing all her questions, to give you an update on how things are going with Lizard.






How far along?  23 Weeks 3 days

Clothing? All Maternity -- was given some "spring& summer" clothes to look thru, from the traveling maternity wardrobe from work. Problem is, most are way out of date, because most of the ladies in the office, are approaching mid-life. I didn't take a lot, and gave the rest to a younger generation preggo lady and told her to share with her group of friends. She was excited because -- clothes be so expensive.

Stretch marks? Yes.  ( not happy about this )

Sleep? depending on how much water I drink, I'm up 2-3 times a night.  The stinger is the last one is usually about 45 minutes before my alarm goes off ( and no - I don't stay up, because I see the minutes counting down on the clock )

Best moment of this week? Telling our parents about Lizard  --yeah I know we tell super late.

Worst moment of this week? Realizing I'm wearing maternity clothes that I wore at 37 weeks last time. I didn't get big.. Posterior placenta making a huge difference in my belly size.

Miss anything? A cold drink for St. Patty's day.

Movement? Lizard goes crazy at night when we lay down to go to sleep, one night I was up for 2 hours. She also doesn't care for the chair at work - or the sitting position.

Symptoms? Still have this nagging cough( side effect of antibiotics)

Food cravings? Sweet-anything, Carbs, frozen cokes ( we bought a Coca Cola shaved ice machine for the house) --not as good as the convenience store version, but in a pinch works.

Gender? Girl

Labor Signs? none - the occasional Braxton hicks  but nothing to call the doctor on.

Belly button in or out?  in

Mood?  good.

Milestones? so close to viability

Looking forward to? 24 week appointment on Tuesday 3/15 !!!! OB & MFM and St. Patrick's parties.

This week's pregnancy-small-talk-gems (aka things other people say to pregnant ladies without thinking):   No comments from the peanut gallery.

In other pregnancy news, I was shocked to find out, that I was given a promotion this week at work, in the form of some bigger accounts $$$ responsibility. Knowing I could be gone in 30-60-90 days, and the "men" trust me to have these accounts.

So our plans once Lizard is born -- 6 weeks paid leave -- and 6 more weeks at home - now the question becomes -- Will I be off- no pay -- or working from home that last 6 weeks. I'm making the offer to work at home.-- but we'll see what they decide -- their is really no one to take on my work while I'm out.   I can honestly say I don't know that I'm cut out to be a SAHM. I also carry the insurance for our house. We'll see how the negotiation plays out .  We will see how the new boss, does with being flexible on my schedule when I have to start every other day NST's in a couple of weeks.

Minnesota residents -- Prayers and if you can attend.

From the Star Legacy Foundation -- which assists families of Stillbirths.




*************************************************************
URGENT NOTICE for Minnesota residents! We need your help!




A hearing with the MN Senate Tax Committee has been scheduled for Wednesday morning, March 16th relative to a bill our legislative team has worked very hard to get introduced this session. This bill would provide a $2000 tax credit to stillbirth families in the year of their loss. Minnesota would be the 5th state in the nation to pass this bill.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!! We need a good strong showing at this hearing so... we hope you will plan to join us. We are allowed only three testimonies so your roll will just to be show up and show your support with your presence. Those testifying for this bill will reference the collection of families present. So we need parents, grandparents, extended families, friends, co-workers, neighbors and more - anyone who has been touched by stillbirth.

We need you to register in advance to attend - please copy this url into your browser (http://tinyurl.com/je2zdjo) and complete the registration. You will be sent an email with full details and instructions.


For those of you who do not live in MN but have contacted us for help in getting this (and other) legislation going in your state - we are planning a conference call to discuss this in the very near future - stay tuned!!






++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Having just finished my taxes  in preparation to head to the CPA next week, I can tell you how frustrating it is to have big hospital bills leading up to birth, and then birth, and being allowed zero-write off, because my son, did not take a breath outside of the womb.   $2000 may not sound like a lot, but it is something. Please keep this hearing in your prayers.

Crafting

I don't consider myself a super crafty person, but every now and then like to dabble in some fun stuff

So I recently did a St. Peg doll swap. Here is my finished product before they got shipped . (St. Andrew)

So while I was working on them, I was intermingling my time with taxes.  Just completed taxes this past weekend, and I am ready to go to the CPA next week.

So next project up is part of the shower gift for my SIL (party this weekend) the one I'm not so thrilled to go to, but going.  I'll put on my happy face. 

Painted the edges 

Some decorative paper modge podge it to the wood letter 

Add a little flower

I still have to add the ribbon to hang it with. 

It will go in the basket we made as their gift-- u have to come up with some tag -- that I want to put breakfast in bed on it. 

Got them waffle maker , champagne flutes, tray, champagne, syrups, coffee, waffle mix, and some mixing tools. I still need to wrap it in cellophane. 

Next project.......

And then......

Decor for lizards room -- plus getting all the stuff out (again) .

In un craft news - a girl who used to be in my youth group ( mindful that she's a married adult ) I did youth group a LONG- time ago.  Is pregnant -- due right around the time I am. I gave her a bunch of maternity clothes this past week, and found out she's having a boy.  So the pile of boys clothes I have been having a hard time parting with -- will have a little boy -- I will get to see often wearing them.  I was going to drop them off at the pregnancy center several weeks ago, but didn't get around to it. I'm glad she'll be able to use the stuff. 

Lizard is not getting anything super girly for the room. Walls will stay green. Except for that breathable crib bumper - I got a white dust ruffle and it has  green sheet on the crib. Not sure if I should keep the city -rug- for cars and trains. I really like this super fuzzy rug at one of the big box stores.  There is a moms-to-mom sale this weekend, that I will hit up and try to get a few things (clothes wise) -- but not super over the top extravagant. There were a couple of outfits that we kept from the boys -- that are somewhat gender neutral - and some that are just pajamas that I don't care if she wears them to bed.

I ordered an unfinished wood cross that will have her initial in the center. When it comes I need to figure out what colors to paint it, and maybe some modge podge paper on it.

I've seen these hanging banners -- ( at Hobby Lobby ) I might dabble at making our own, since I don't like the color scheme on theirs.  

  So what's your vote -- Green- Pink  --- Green-purple ---- Green-White -- Green-Yellow   --- Green-Peach      --Crib & Changing table are dark wood.

+++ Prayers for a fellow blogger +++

Good Morning,


Can you lend a prayer or two for fellow blogger


Dwija at houseunseen




Via her Instagram -- she is 32 weeks, she was admitted to the hospital ( indefinite stay ) her water broke yesterday.  She was given a steroid shot tp help her little girls lungs and is on magnesium drip to help babies brain.






I don't want to say it scares me a little because in 10 or so short weeks, I will be getting a steroid shot to mature my little girls lungs. 


I can also relate to the water breaking and the complications (  infections ) it can raise for mom.






Please storm heaven for Dwija and her little girl. 

Song # 2 that gets me.

This song reminds me of all the things my dad doesn't get to experience with us.


If you have the chance, watch the video. It'll explain it a lot better. The backstory behind the song/video, Cole's dad passed away in 2013 at the age of 65.  Cole has 2 brothers ( the guys at the house ). He's sad his dad is missing his rise to fame. I can't wait for the CD to come out.  ( May 2016)




You should Be Here - By Cole Swindell








It's perfect outside its like God let me dial up the weather
Got the whole crew here, I ain't seen some of them in forever.
It's one of those never forget it, better stop and take it in kinda scenes.
Everything's just right yeah except for one thing.


You should be here, standing with your arm around me here.
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer, saying cheers, hey y'all it's sure been a good year.


It's one of those moments, that's got your name written all over it.
And you know that if I had just one wish it'd be that you didn't have to miss this
You should be here.


You'd be taking way too many pictures on your phone.
Showing them off to everybody that you know back home.
And even some you don't yeah
They say now you're in a better place
And I would be too if I could see your face.


You should be here, standing with your arm around me here.
Cutting up, cracking a cold beer, saying cheers, hey y'all it's sure been a good year.
It's one of those moments, that's got your name written all over it.


And you know that if I had just one wish it'd be that you didn't have to miss this.
Aw you should be here.
You'd be loving this, you'd be freaking out, you'd be smiling, yeah
I know you'd be all about what's going on right here right now.


God I wish somehow you could be here.
Oh you should be here.
Yeah this is one of those moments that's got your name written all over it
And you know that if I have just one with it'd be that you didn't have to miss this.
Aw you should be here.
You should be here.