Keep the Good News Coming...

Disney announced Wednesday that the Pixar sequel Cars 2 will race into theaters a year earlier than planned. Originally slated for release during the summer 2012, the pic will instead bow in the summer of 2011.

Summer 2011. Less than 3 years away. So, like, double my lifetime. Crap. That seems like a long time.

Cars 2 should carry my obsession through elementary school. I'm pretty sure Mom is hoping for a Cars 3 and Cars 4, too, so that I'll be well distracted from noticing girls until after high school. You don't think such an extended Cars obsession could hamper my ability to talk to girls, do you? Wow. It's all part of a master plan. Does Mom have stock in Pixar?

On a lighter note

You know you have gestational diabetes when…

…you don’t lick your fingers after helping your son with his honey bun because you don’t want to waste a carb serving.

…you have to stop yourself from eating the stale graham crackers that have been left on the table all day long.

…you test your friends’ blood sugar for fun – and it’s still lower than yours after they’ve enjoyed some nutella and cookies.

…you try to eat your sugar-free jello without your son noticing so that you don’t have to share.

…you question your husbands love for you when he eats within 2 hours of a meal or sits down with a pile of pixie sticks.

…you often say, “That looks good. I’ll eat some next year.”

…you consider cherry tomatoes "the new grape.”

…you let go of your frugal ways and buy 6 packs of low carb bagels for $5 a pop so you can at least have ½ a bagel for a snack.

...you can't read a book about Cookie Monster being in a bakery without getting a brief stabbing pain in your chest.

Three Looks Good on Me!

I turned 3 almost 3 weeks ago. It was quite an event. G-daddy, G-mommy, PapPap, Grammie, Uncle Jeff and Aunt Liz all came into town to celebrate with me. Nini, Cody, Claire, Art and Catherine came over as well. Even Shawn and Shannon stopped by. The abundance of playmates was AWESOME!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, but must add three notes:

First, I gotta give props to Grammie and PapPap for wearing yellow shirts at my party! I can dig it!


Second, what is up with Claire making out with my Baby Josh doll? Is that what girls do? Claire, babe, I don't know what kind of parties you've been going to!

Third, one of my gifts - really a gift to all mankind - is that Mom finally donated the "Project Exploration" shirt that she is wearing in the picture below. She's had that thing since elementary school. That's just not cool "old school."

I loved having everyone around for my birthday. That was hands down the best gift of all!

My personal stylist

Josh's interest in my attire is curious, at the very least. Today, after getting dressed, I walked into the living room and the following conversation ensued.

J: That’s NOT fine Mom!

M: What’s not fine?

J: Your clothes.

M: Why?

J: Because I want you to wear yellow.

M: I don’t have any yellow clothes.

J: Yes, you do. You have a yellow shirt in your closet. It is yellow with clown hands on it.

For the record, the shirt that I had on had yellow on it but was unsatisfactory because it was not entirely yellow. I didn't change my clothes and everyone survived.

THAT kid

Do you remember that kid in elementary school who would turn his eyelids inside out and drink milk through his nose? Yea, sad, I think that may be Josh. He's already pulling his eyelids away from his eyes and asking, "Can you do this?" Boys are so weird. Hopefully he and his brother will understand each other when I cannot.

Josh's Little Brother

Affectionately referred to as "Octane Gain" by Josh. We're likely to settle on a different name when it comes time to fill out the birth certificate.

Oops!...I did it again!

We've long suspected that I would develop gestational diabetes with this pregnancy as I did when I was pregnant with Josh. A small part of me hoped that I may escape the diagnosis, but a much larger part of me has been on the look out for it to onset. Diana gave me a heads up that I should start checking my blood sugars as soon as 20 weeks along, so I borrowed Marti's glucose meter and started right at 20 weeks. All good. Wow! I decided to take a break from testing. My fingers hurt.

I resumed testing at 22 weeks and the results were entirely different. In retrospect, the second half of week 21 did exhibit signs of diabetes. Last weekend, after lunch at Firehouse subs (a.k.a a carb crazy lunch) I checked my blood sugar - game on! I immediately started to follow my diabetic food plan from 3 years ago and within a couple of days felt a lot better. Thankfully my blood sugar is currently controlled by diet alone. I had an OB appointment today, so last night, to ensure that I really am diabetic, I performed my "Wendy's #1 Combo Meal" test. I blew that one out of the park! My blood sugar was 171 two hours after the meal (the goal is to be less than 120). I spent the next 30 minutes walking laps around the house to lower my blood sugar before bedtime.

Since I masterfully proved my diabetic status, my OB is allowing me to skip the glucose test and is accepting the diagnosis of gestational diabetes without further testing. Although I'll miss that last sweet drink in the lab, I am thankful that I can avoid a long lab visit with Josh and will not have to work at bringing my blood sugar down after the test. Honestly, the way that I feel when my blood sugar is too high is motivation enough to stick to the diet. Of course, that doesn't stop me from planning my post-delivery feast. With Josh it was a 14 inch Delaware sub. We'll be in a different hospital with different restaurants nearby this time so I'll have to find something else. I could always repeat the "Wendy's #1 Combo Meal" test. Yummy!

Today, as I thought about the next 18-20 weeks of low-carbing it up, I thought about my pregnancy with Josh. I entered a contest with Dryer's Ice Cream and won enough ice cream for a 100 person block party. In the summer of 2005, 8 months pregnant, I served ice cream in our driveway to our neighbors. It was so funny because I couldn't eat a spoon full of it due to the diabetes and my milk allergy. I wonder what ironic circumstances we will experience this go round. Back to my carrot sticks....

Even better than new potties!

I (mom) have battled (no overstatement there) Iritis for 8.5 years. In short, iritis is the inflammation of the iris, which is the colored part of your eye that is a muscle that dilates the pupil and is attached to the lens. It causes terrible pain and sensitivity to light, in addition to a host of other potential problems. Then again, the treatment has its own issues. Moving on to the point here , today at my check-up, for the first time in who knows how long, my eyes were FREE of inflammation. Not one cell of inflammation lingering. Nope. None. Zip. Zero.

Wow! This has happened less than a handful of times since the iritis onset in 2000. I may flare again tomorrow or in 6 months, but right now, I'm free and clear! Though my current daily treatment will not change, if all continues well, I have been released from the doctor until November! (Typically, I see him monthly, if not weekly.) This is a blessing to be celebrated. Probably even a bit bigger than the new toilets.

Toilet Timeline

Our master bath toilet has required Brian to creatively repair it numerous times. Today, the insides collapsed. Here's the amazing tale of God's provision.

1:30pm: I call Brian asking for advice on the toilet. Something snapped, it wouldn't stop running, and the tank was nearly overflowing.

1:50pm: Brian comes home to take a look at the toilet and pronounces it DOA. We could get it fixed for $75 with our home warranty, but replacing the dingy 23+ year old toilet seemed like a better use of money. Let's review what the city has to offer.

2:00pm: I call the city to ensure their free toilet program is still in effect, the 7-10 day turn around on receiving the toilets is accurate, and review the procedure for procuring our new water efficient potties. The city says we can come down and get vouchers and pick up our toilets immediately - no 7-10 day wait!

2:20pm: Josh and I are on our way downtown with our free toilet application in hand.

3:00pm: We have our free toilet vouchers (and free parking downtown).

3:30pm: Our free toilets are loaded into our car.

3:45pm: On the way home I called the plumber recommended by the toilet supplier for a price quote. Less than I expected and he can stop by on his way home to Round Rock tonight.

5:10pm: The plumber arrives. He's personable, clean, and reveals no crack.

6:45pm: Two new toilets and shut off values installed. Old toilets hauled off.

Seriously, are you blown away? Five hours! God definitely cares about the details of our lives. Even more, the city will reimburse us for part (more than half) of the installation so we'll end up paying $100 for 2 new 1.28 gallon per flush toilets INSTALLED! And we're gunna save money on our water bill. I love the city's conservation and efficiency programs! This pregnant mom says thank God for our new potties!

Kickin' It in Cali

Catching some rays at the beach.


Racing Dale v.s. Dale Jr. at Uncle TJ & Aunt Dawn's


Helping Bob in his workshop.


Loving every minute with PapPap, Grammie, and my cousins.



Tommy and I have been racing buddies all week long!

Hoedown

Super Big Boy

On Wednesday, Josh and I joined some friends for a dip in Hamilton Pool. Josh enjoyed splashing around in the shallow parts of the pool, however, my proudest moments were in the getting to the pool and back to the car. There is a 1/4 mile hike from the parking lot down into the canyon to get to the pool. The trail only allows foot traffic. I suspected that I would end up carrying Josh for most of the hike since it is rough terrain and he isn't much for "danger." I even brought the sling just in case. Josh surprised me though. I threw out the "you're a big boy" card and he took it. He hiked all but maybe 10 feet (which was a very steep section going in) of the half mile trek. He even fell three times, scraped his knees, and got back up. We weren't going quickly by any means, but he took one of my hands, and one step at a time, and he made it. It was so not a Josh thing to do. It was scary and dangerous and uncomfortable. I'm so proud of him. He even wants to go back! He is becoming a super big boy.

The Princess Diaries

Mom: OK Josh, let me get dressed and we'll go run our errands.

(Returns in T-shirt and shorts)

Josh: Uhhhh, no. You should wear a pretty dress.

Mom: OK. How about I wear the dress I wore yesterday? (not really asking, telling)

Josh: No, you should wear a pretty dress. (Burn!) I want you to wear the one with flowers on it.

Mom: Well, that dress is for when the baby is bigger and my stomach is bigger. It's too big for me now. (Pulls out another dress.) How about this one?

Josh: Sure. (Pronounced thure).

(Mom puts on new dress.)

Josh: Now you should twirl around.

(Mom twirls.)

Josh: That's a really pretty dress. Dresses are for princesses too!

Mom: Am I a princess?

{interjection -- Dad has not yet explained to Josh that there is only one correct answer to that question}

Josh: No, you're a mom. {also known as the wrong answer}


Josh: Princesses only twirl, they don't walk. Can you twirl again?

(Mom twirls again.)

Josh: Your dress sure gets big. It might not fit through the door.

Mom: Let's just go.

{Dad: Princess.... maybe not... Honored Queen.... YES INDEED!!!}

I Was Expecting Lumps of Coal....

Conversation in the car today:

Josh: At Christmas time I will get 3 surprises.

Mom: OK.

J: At Christmas time when the baby comes I will get 3 surprises: a Lightning TV, a Mater watch, and a Lightning lamp.

M: So you want a Lightning TV, a Mater watch, and a Lightning lamp with a light bulb for your Christmas surprises?

J: Yes, a Lightning TV, a Mater watch, and a Lightning lamp with a light bulb.

M: Why do you get 3 surprises?

J: Because I will be 3 at Christmas.

M: Will you get 4 surprises when you are 4?

J: Yes.

M: So how many surprises do I get?

J: (Pause)…Why did that bird poop on our car?

Josh is interesting

This morning Josh and I went to an OB appointment. The exam room that we were in didn’t have an ultrasound machine. Josh noticed and asked, “where is the baby TV?”

After the OB appointment Josh and I went to a store. He LOVES to try on shoes when there are some in his size. We seriously spend 10-20 minutes trying on shoes whenever we enter a store that has kids shoes. His sensible side shows when he refuses to buy any shoes “because I already have shoes. I’ll get those when my shoes get smaller.” He doesn’t want to try on sandals, only tennis shoes or croc type shoes. Today I asked him if he wanted to try on some small flip flops and he said, “no, flip flops make me nervous.”

He likes me! He really likes me!

OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so every day when Mom and I go to the mailbox I ask her, "Mom, did Lightning McQueen send me a letter?" Mom always says no -- which is pretty much the answer I expect, but you never know. It can't hurt to ask right?

Well oh-my-freaking-gosh, you'll never guess what happened today. Today we went to the mailbox and....wait for it... Lightning had sent me a letter!

He said he heard I was a big fan and sent me a book with stickers and puzzles and pictures and all kinds of stuff about him.

Apparently, Radiator Springs is located in Oklahoma according to the postmark. Hmmm. Maybe we can visit him next time we go to see G-Daddy.

I am one proud happy boy.

Esa es una puerta amarilla

Let's see. Now that our house is gradually turning green, and we have this nice new deck that is almost done, how will my friends (lady-friends, that is) be able to find my house? Especially those who haven't been here in a long time (rhymes with Brickpea).

I could point them to the fancy new numbers that Dad put on the house.


But then again, right now, you can't really see them at night. Dad says that he'll fix that at some point, but I know that's a pet peeve for some people - that they can't see the house number easily at night (cough... Ella's dad... cough, cough). And I'm not sure all the ladies know their digits well enough to be able to rely on that.

What else... what else.... Maybe I can get the door painted a color that everyone would immediately recognize and associate the house with me! But what color? Hmmm.... let me think.... wait, it's coming to me.... here we go. .....

YELLOW!!!

And not just any yellow - eye scorching oh my gosh is that a yellow door yellow.

Dad thinks his retinas will recover from the painting sometime in 2013

They Presented Unto Him Gifts

Today while playing with our three wise men figurines and a baby Jesus from the inside of our Russian nesting dolls, Josh pretended that the wise men gave gifts to Jesus. The first offered the Holy Child a boat, the second offered chocolate milk, and the third offered white milk. Josh's baby Jesus was pleased.

Duck and Cover

That's G-Daddy chillin' on the deck, for those of you who don't know.

Dad is In-Stain

Nearly 400 square feet of sealed/stained cedar goodness.








Tim will be back on Monday to finish it off and start on the covered part off the back door. Dad will be back at work on Monday....glad that he's back at work.

Fun with Stain and Light

Crap

Close.













But no cigar.














Which is a shame, because Dad said he could probably light a cigar by just holding it in the sun. Current heat index - 101 degrees. It's possible that Tim and Dad actually have enough wood left to finish, but hid it behind the shed so they could stop before they burst into flames.

The stained part is what Tim did yesterday, and he and Dad put some sealer on when Dad come home in case it rained. Dad helped Tim out today doing the rest. More pictures later after Dad seals the rest of what is done.

Rain Delay

The rain is delaying progress on the deck, but I don't mind. Looks like we should have sunny skies later in the week.

Casa Verde's Deck - Day 4

We're four days in now. Tim has been working alone the past two days so progress is somewhat slower - not that we are in a hurry. You can see some more boards out there. The board at the 45 degree angle is where the deck boards will meet. The boards will go out from the back door and turn at that midsection so that they remain parallel to the house.

The picture doesn't show the nine concrete deck blocks that Tim buried in the yard. Each super heavy block took about an hour to set in the ground - dig hole, put in block, check level, take out block, move dirt around, put in block, check level, repeat until level, pound the dirt back in tight around it. Nine blocks, nine hours, nine more reasons why Mom is glad Dad isn't building the deck!

Tim will press on tomorrow. I'm fairly certain he is a super hero.

Casa Verde's Deck - Day 2

Tim and Tom put in another hard day's work. They drilled and secured some boards into the slab this morning. It was VERY loud - inside and out. I spent a good chunk of the morning holding Mom's hands over my ears and threw in the occasional screaming episode. No one enjoyed themselves. Eventually, Mom decided that we needed to run to HEB to stock up on the soymilk/free toilet paper promotion that ended today.

Thankfully, the afternoon was much quieter. It is easy to get an idea of the size of the deck now that the basic framing is up.

You walk out the back door...


...and then turn the corner...


and then it ends right before you get to my window.


Tomorrow should be more framing, setting deck blocks, and moving the gutter. Stay tuned.

A Better One of the Front

Not quite epic, but getting there (and lot cheaper).

Casa Verde's Deck - Day 1

Last year prior to moving into our house Dad shaved several years off of his life by fixing up the interior of our house. Mom suggested that 2008 be the year of the exterior. Dad shrugged, saw his life pass before his eyes, and agreed. Today, was day 1 of the new deck. Fortunately, Dad is not building the deck, he is merely financing it. He and Mom decided they could pay someone to build the deck or Dad could build it and all the money saved could go toward marriage counseling. They chose the former and our deck is being built by our friend Tim, who happens to be our friend's brother and who also built decks for two other friends. He's awesome.

It was a short working day today, but the backyard already looks really different. Tim says the deck should be built by early next week, weather permitting. Did someone say party?

Oh, and did you notice that the house is now green. Well, parts of it are. Dad and I - mostly Dad - have been painting it on the weekends. G-daddy helped one weekend too. The house is green for G-daddy with white trim for G-mommy. I'm trying to talk Dad and Mom into painting the doors yellow for Josh.

I'll keep you posted.

Like father, like son.

Check out the matching "in the zone" TV stares! Look at the shapes of their mouths. It is crazy!

Happy Birthday Nini!

Happy Birthday Nini! I love you!

Josh is a sweet boy

When we were pregnant earlier this year, Josh took to having a sibling like white on rice. Although at first he said he'd prefer a sister, he quickly changed his mind and consistently said he preferred "a brother named Wyatt." He's a man of details.

Helping him process his emotions when we miscarried was one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever done. I was so humbled, begging for God's wisdom. We had several conversations that ended in Josh crying and saying, "but I want him, I love him, I miss him." Fortunately, God is faithful to produce good. Josh continues to mention "baby Wyatt" frequently but last week his conversations changed to focusing on having a baby brother. Present tense, actively having a brother. Josh amazes me.

Here's our conversation from yesterday. We were talking about going over to a friend's house to play and he asked if our friend was a brother or a sister.

M: She is a sister.

J: Josh has a brother.

M: Really?

J: Baby Wyatt is Josh's brother.

M: Where is he?

J: Back there. (Pointing away)

M: Baby Wyatt is in heaven with God and all the angels, right?

J: Yes

M: One day we will see him.

J: Right now.

M: No, when we get old.

J: And you will hold baby Wyatt.

M: Yes, we will hold baby Wyatt. That makes me happy.

J: That makes Josh happy.

M: You will be happy when you hold baby Wyatt?

J: No. You hold him.

M: You can hold him, too.

J: No. You holding baby Wyatt makes Josh happy.