Yesterday was our big 20 week sonogram. I just want to preface this by saying I am not a complainer and I consider myself to be a "the glass is half full" kind of girl. My husband and I had been looking forward to this sono for a while. This is his first time experiencing all that goes along with having a baby and to say he is excited is a HUGE understatement. He looks forward to any chance he can get to catch a glimpse of the baby. I do too, of course, but he is like a little boy on Christmas morning. : )
Long story short, our sonogram tech was very cold, impersonal and made you feel like you were imposing everytime you asked her a question. We were there for over two hours. I thought we were done after the first hour. She left the room to show the pictures to her superior and then returned saying she had to do a trans-vaginal sono because she was unable to get any pictures. Meanwhile, my husband counted over 100 pictures that were taken. I won't even go into the t-v sono other then to say that I almost jumped up off the table in pain several times. I've had them before when I had an ovarian cyst and they were never that painful.
We then switched rooms. I asked the tech if the equipment was stronger in the new room and her response was "no, we just do what we need to do to get pictures." In the new room we thankfully went back to the abdominal sonogram. This time she was able to finish up the pictures she needed. If the equipment wasn't stronger in the new room how come she was able to get pictures in that room as opposed to the first room?
We also told her that we had been told the baby was a girl but it was still a little early at the time so, if she was able to see anything, could she please let us know. When I tell you she spent less than a minute looking for the baby's gender I'm not kidding. Her answer was "the baby's legs are closed. I can't tell." And we got two bad pictures to take home to boot.
All in all, we were there for almost two and a half hours. It was the first bad experience I have ever had with a baby sonogram there. In the past, it was always the exact opposite. Friendly, personable sono techs that told you what they were going to be looking at on the screen and making a good effort to tell you the baby's gender. Jim and I were so looking forward to it and we left there in a cranky mood. I felt like I had been thru the ringer.
So now we will leave that experience behind and look forward to the 3D sono that we've booked for the end of January. The three boys will be with us and we're going to make a day of it. Don't tell but we're taking them out of school for the day. :) Thank you for listening to my complaints. I don't normally like to or feel the need to complain but I guess this time was different.
Today is a new day and I had a good nite's sleep last nite so I feel much better. Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone. I'm now off to drive son #2 to his friend's for a paintball war. Does he know that it's only 15 degrees outside?!!? : )
Many blessings ~ Wendy
12.30.2009
12.29.2009
Lots of Pictures . . .
As promised, here are the photos from our visit to the Botanical Gardens Train Show. Please keep in mind that all of these structures are made with materials that were supplied solely by Mother Nature. What a gal that Mother Nature is!! : )
On a completely different note, we go for our BIG sonogram today. I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant so we should be able to find out what we're having. I've taken one of those "pee" tests from the drug store and we had a 3D sono a couple of weeks ago and they both said that we were having a girl. We think, if Baby V cooperates today, it will be the determining factor. No matter what, pink or blue, we are over the moon. We have three sons so I have to admit that the prospect of a little girl is just a little bit exciting to me. I will certainly keep you all posted. : )
Many blessings ~ Wendy
Finally, we brought home this year's Christmas tree. We were supposed to go a week ago but my man got held up at work and then hit lots of traffic coming home from the city. Then, we were supposed to go one day this past week and the weather didn't cooperate. Right now, it's leaned up against the garage door until we're ready to place it in its stand. Hopefully, tomorrow or Wednesday. We've rearranged the living room since last year so we're going to put it in a different spot but I think it will look nice when it's up and decorated.
Every year, we purchase our tree from a local volunteer fire company. My grandfather was a member there, my father was a member there, my first husband was a member there and now son number one is a member there. They receive a huge shipment of trees the day after Thanksgiving every year and, each year, they are gorgeous. One year, we even found a bird nest in our tree. We didn't notice it was there until after we got it home and in the stand and the branches started to drop. What a wonderful surprise that was!! : )
This year, my father in law came with us for his tree. He wasn't going to put one up this year because it's been a very difficult time for him with my mother in law in a nursing home. I talked to him a little bit about it and suggested he just get a small one so that my brother in law will see it when he comes home from his group home for the holidays.
I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before but my first husband's only sibling is his brother, Thomas. Tom will be 39 in May and is mentally retarded due to a seizure disorder that began when he was very young. Since he was placed in the group home about four years ago he has flourished. He is only a mile from us and three miles from my father in law which is wonderful.
This picture of Tom was taken on Thanksgiving.
My mother in law collects angels and every year she would decorate their tree with over 100 angel ornaments. I know it's going to be difficult for my father in law but he and I both think it's best if he keeps things as close to normal as possible for Tom this Christmas. I'm glad he decided to get a tree. Son number one is helping him stand it in their house as I type this. That was something that my first husband did for them every year. Now, Connor carries on the tradition. That just brought tears to my eyes as I typed it. We will always have our old memories but it's the new ones that so many people need to focus on this time of the year. Otherwise, it becomes just too overwhelming.
Many blessings ~ Wendy
Jim walked down and picked them all up after school while I rushed to tie some balloons around and make up goodie cups that we had just purchased a few minutes before. I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of gal. Can you tell?!!? It all works out in the end and that's what matters.
Happy 8th Birthday, Brendan. I love you with all of my heart!! XOXOXOXO
Or should I say aaahhhhqua Christmas?!!?
Oh my goodness, do I love this color!!
I just love the aqua glittered butterfly and the pretty little silver bird. So pretty on this little white tree!!
Feather trees are my favorite and I decorate with several of them around the house for the holidays.
Mine are too small to hang bulbs from which is fine because the simplicity of the little trees alone is perfect to me.
I could look at these little glittered houses all day!!
I can't wait to display my collection for the holidays. I actually keep them out all year 'round. I leave them on top of my kitchen cabinets. I just can't get myself to pack them away in boxes!!
Who needs "silver bells" when you can have "aqua bells" ?!!?
Many blessings ~ Wendy
It's been a pretty quiet week around here which is why I haven't blogged much. November is the month that my first husband passed away. Tomorrow it will be five years. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday but, at the same time, a whole other life time ago. My father's anniversary was on Monday. It's been four years for him and I swear I could cry at the drop of a hat still when I think about it. We buried him on my husband's one year anniversary. In between those two sad days there is a wonderful day, though.
Our oldest son turned seventeen on Tuesday. I drove him to school on his birthday so he could sleep in a little bit. I looked at him in the car and told him that I'm too young to have a seventeen year old. Do you know what his response was? Are you ready for this one? Without missing a beat, he replied, "yeah and you're too old to have a baby." Needless to say, the melancholy feelings went right out the window and I punched him. : )
Ahhhh, the joys of Motherhood. And to think I'm gonna start all over again!!!!! : )
(My first baby. Isn't he handsome?!!?)
Many blessings ~ Wendy
How can you not help but adore pink vintage ornaments? I had several of them on my tree until last year when my tree fell over and we lost a lot of our delicate decorations. Needless to say, it was very sad. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful Estate Sale early on in the summer and found a fantastic bunch of vintage ornies. And, some of them were pink!!! : )
Hmm . . .
Many blessings ~ Wendy
We are having very high winds here today and my computer went down twice while I was trying to load the pictures. I wanted to add some witty little comments but I would've been beside myself if I lost this entry so you'll have to go without my wit today. : )
On a completely different note, we go for our BIG sonogram today. I'm almost 20 weeks pregnant so we should be able to find out what we're having. I've taken one of those "pee" tests from the drug store and we had a 3D sono a couple of weeks ago and they both said that we were having a girl. We think, if Baby V cooperates today, it will be the determining factor. No matter what, pink or blue, we are over the moon. We have three sons so I have to admit that the prospect of a little girl is just a little bit exciting to me. I will certainly keep you all posted. : )
Many blessings ~ Wendy
12.23.2009
Our Visit to the Botanical Gardens . . .
A couple of weeks ago we took a trip to the Botanical Gardens in Bronx, NY to see their annual Train Show. The weather outside was certainly frightful with a mixture of rain and large slushy snow flakes. Of course, we didn't have an umbrella with us but, thankfully, most of us had hats and hoods with the exception of my husband who I thought for sure was going to end up with pneumonia the next day!!
But we persevered and walked around to pass the time until it was our time slot to view the show.
We learned all about gingerbread and how to make it.
We even got to decorate our own cookies.
We saw some absolutely wonderful gingerbread houses on display!!
Then we ventured into the gift shop. Oh my goodness!!! I wanted one of everything!!
Finally, it was time for the train show. I must say that if you ever get chance to visit this incredible display PLEASE run there as fast as you can!!! To think that the entire show is made of natural materials such as tree bark, nuts, leaves, roots, sticks, etc., etc. just blew me away!!
I'll post the pics of the train show tomorrow. There are so many of them and I think they need their own post!! :)
I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy Hanukkah!!
Many blessings ~ Wendy
12.14.2009
Finally . . .
Finally, we brought home this year's Christmas tree. We were supposed to go a week ago but my man got held up at work and then hit lots of traffic coming home from the city. Then, we were supposed to go one day this past week and the weather didn't cooperate. Right now, it's leaned up against the garage door until we're ready to place it in its stand. Hopefully, tomorrow or Wednesday. We've rearranged the living room since last year so we're going to put it in a different spot but I think it will look nice when it's up and decorated.
Every year, we purchase our tree from a local volunteer fire company. My grandfather was a member there, my father was a member there, my first husband was a member there and now son number one is a member there. They receive a huge shipment of trees the day after Thanksgiving every year and, each year, they are gorgeous. One year, we even found a bird nest in our tree. We didn't notice it was there until after we got it home and in the stand and the branches started to drop. What a wonderful surprise that was!! : )
This year, my father in law came with us for his tree. He wasn't going to put one up this year because it's been a very difficult time for him with my mother in law in a nursing home. I talked to him a little bit about it and suggested he just get a small one so that my brother in law will see it when he comes home from his group home for the holidays.
I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before but my first husband's only sibling is his brother, Thomas. Tom will be 39 in May and is mentally retarded due to a seizure disorder that began when he was very young. Since he was placed in the group home about four years ago he has flourished. He is only a mile from us and three miles from my father in law which is wonderful.
This picture of Tom was taken on Thanksgiving.
My mother in law collects angels and every year she would decorate their tree with over 100 angel ornaments. I know it's going to be difficult for my father in law but he and I both think it's best if he keeps things as close to normal as possible for Tom this Christmas. I'm glad he decided to get a tree. Son number one is helping him stand it in their house as I type this. That was something that my first husband did for them every year. Now, Connor carries on the tradition. That just brought tears to my eyes as I typed it. We will always have our old memories but it's the new ones that so many people need to focus on this time of the year. Otherwise, it becomes just too overwhelming.
Many blessings ~ Wendy
12.13.2009
Sunday Sayings . . .
" For all the sadness of closure, there is a new and joyful unfolding
in the process of becoming. "
~ Mary Casey from the "Each Day a New Beginning Journal"
Have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday.
Many blessings ~ Wendy
in the process of becoming. "
~ Mary Casey from the "Each Day a New Beginning Journal"
Have a wonderful and peaceful Sunday.
Many blessings ~ Wendy
12.12.2009
My Baby is Eight . . .
There was another birthday in our house this week. Son number three turned eight yesterday. Hubby had to work yesterday so we celebrated his special day on Thursday. Four friends came home with Brendan after school. Four elementary age boys with lots of energy that needed to be expelled after a day of being stuck in a classroom. Need I say more? :)
Jim walked down and picked them all up after school while I rushed to tie some balloons around and make up goodie cups that we had just purchased a few minutes before. I'm a "fly by the seat of my pants" kind of gal. Can you tell?!!? It all works out in the end and that's what matters.
When everyone arrived, I gave them a few minutes to unwind and that turned into a giant pillow fight in the upstairs hallway. Of course, son number two was more than happy to join in and antagonize the rest of the kids. It was too cold for them to go outside and we have a pretty small cottage but they had loads of fun.
Next came homework and reading. I promised the parents that all the kids would get their homework done since they wouldn't be home until after 8 pm. That went a lot more smoothly then I thought it was going to.
After homework it was time for pizza and cupcakes and to sing to the birthday boy.
Brendan and his buddy, Billy.
As you can see, the cupcakes were a hit. Although I think more ended up on faces then in bellies!!
Trevor being Trevor. : )
BFF's Brendan and Tyler.
After cupcakes, Jim took the boys to the movies to see Planet 51. I cleaned up and plopped on the recliner which seems to be my favorite place to be at the end of the day. The boys all said they had a great time and Brendan was happy. My husband is an absolute angel for not minding that I didn't go to the movies with them. I love you, Honey!!
Happy 8th Birthday, Brendan. I love you with all of my heart!! XOXOXOXO
Many blessings ~ Wendy
12.05.2009
Some Random Thoughts and Photos on a Soon-to-be Snowy Afternoon . . .
We're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our first glimpse of snow this season. It's not supposed to be here until after sundown and is supposed to start as rain. We're also not supposed to get more than an inch or two but it's still so exciting nonetheless!! We have plans to go into the city tonite. There is a wonderful train show at The Botanical Gardens and my hubby, thru his job, was able to get free passes. Of course, son number one doesn't want to join us so the other two guys each get to bring along a friend. We're going into the city a little earlier to see if we can get in to see another exhibit before the train show. I don't know much about it other then it's for kids and is supposed to be interactive and has something to do with gingerbread. I will certainly take lots of pictures and share them with you all.
It's definitely the kind of day to stay in your jammies and make a pot of soup but this time of the year is all about the kiddies!! Besides, I told my husband the other day that I can't believe how lazy I have felt these last couple of weeks. I thought my energy would kick back in once I made it thru my first trimester but I'm still waiting for the surge. I'm not a big television watcher but I feel like I've been doing nothing but sit in the recliner and watch the boob tube. I haven't gone grocery shopping since Thanksgiving and my cupboards are certainly getting to the bare stage. If I hear my kids say "I need socks" one more time I'm going to scream!! I need to snap out of this. UGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
I did manage to muster up enough energy to cook dinner for fifteen on Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time. Hubby had to go to work but he got to take a big plate of food with him and a large slice of pumpkin pie that my mother made just for him. Who has it better than my man?!!? : ) I had to take pictures of our two youngest dinner/dessert guests, Jason and Antonio.
I don't know how my sister-in-law, Michelle (aka Mommy), doesn't bite him all the time!!
It's definitely the kind of day to stay in your jammies and make a pot of soup but this time of the year is all about the kiddies!! Besides, I told my husband the other day that I can't believe how lazy I have felt these last couple of weeks. I thought my energy would kick back in once I made it thru my first trimester but I'm still waiting for the surge. I'm not a big television watcher but I feel like I've been doing nothing but sit in the recliner and watch the boob tube. I haven't gone grocery shopping since Thanksgiving and my cupboards are certainly getting to the bare stage. If I hear my kids say "I need socks" one more time I'm going to scream!! I need to snap out of this. UGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
I did manage to muster up enough energy to cook dinner for fifteen on Thanksgiving. We had a wonderful time. Hubby had to go to work but he got to take a big plate of food with him and a large slice of pumpkin pie that my mother made just for him. Who has it better than my man?!!? : ) I had to take pictures of our two youngest dinner/dessert guests, Jason and Antonio.
This is my nephew, Jason. He just turned three months old and my heart melts every time I look at him. I can't believe how fast the time is going. I blogged about his birth back in September. It was a dream come true for me to be in the delivery room when he was born and something that I will never forget as long as I live!!!!!!!!!
I don't know how my sister-in-law, Michelle (aka Mommy), doesn't bite him all the time!!
And this is Antonio. He just turned five months old. He is my cousin's baby and is absolutely beautiful. He has the biggest eyes and all he does is smile. He also loves to watch football and won't take his eyes off of the television until halftime. I'm not kidding!! : )
I was also able to attend the Thanksgiving Feast at son number three's school. It was so adorable to see all of the kids in the hats that they had each made. It also happened to be pajama day so it was super cute to see all the pilgrims and Native Americans in their jammies!! They sang and ate and ate some more. That's Brendan's picture at the top of this post. I just love that shot of him. What a little hunk!! : )
Brendan and his best bud, Tye.
These are the kind of photos you cherish forever when you think about how quickly the time passes.
Happy Saturday to you all!! : )
Many Blessings ~ Wendy
11.30.2009
I'm Dreaming of an Aqua Christmas . . .
Or should I say aaahhhhqua Christmas?!!?
Oh my goodness, do I love this color!!
I just love the aqua glittered butterfly and the pretty little silver bird. So pretty on this little white tree!!
Feather trees are my favorite and I decorate with several of them around the house for the holidays.
Mine are too small to hang bulbs from which is fine because the simplicity of the little trees alone is perfect to me.
I could look at these little glittered houses all day!!
I can't wait to display my collection for the holidays. I actually keep them out all year 'round. I leave them on top of my kitchen cabinets. I just can't get myself to pack them away in boxes!!
Who needs "silver bells" when you can have "aqua bells" ?!!?
Now . . . what color to do next?
Many blessings ~ Wendy
11.29.2009
It's Good to be Back . . .
I can't believe a week has gone by without me sitting down to blog. I've been reading blogs and responding to blogs but just can't seem to get into the mind set of writing one. Do you ever feel that way? There are certain wonderful bloggers that I love that I know, no matter what, I will always find a new entry from whenever I visit them. That's probably why they have hundreds of followers. I love to see when a new "follower" has joined me. I actually let out a "YAY!!" It means that someone is interested in what I have to say. This is not why I blog though. I've always been someone who has kept journals and likes to write their feelings down on paper. I think the reason that I love blog land so much is because I feel like it's a legal way to peek in on peoples' lives. I love to see how other people live. I love to see glimpses of them gathered around the table. I love to see what they're eating. I love to see their family rituals. I love to see how people decorate their homes and the colors they choose for their walls.
One of the many reasons that I love this time of the year is because, when it's dark outside so early, you can catch these glimpses of people around their dinner table. You can see the colors on their walls. Please don't think I'm a peeping Tom. You don't have to worry about finding me outside in your bushes, I promise!! :) I always tell my sons, when I die, I'm coming back to visit all of the old homes that I've always wanted to see while alive. I will be a nice ghost, I promise. : )
I really wasn't sure what kind of a quote I wanted to share today. I perused thru some sites and then the word "Peanuts" popped into my head. So here is a quote from one of my favorite little dogs.
" My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm Happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right? "
~ Snoopy
I really wasn't sure what kind of a quote I wanted to share today. I perused thru some sites and then the word "Peanuts" popped into my head. So here is a quote from one of my favorite little dogs.
" My life has no purpose, no direction, no aim, no meaning, and yet I'm Happy. I can't figure it out. What am I doing right? "
~ Snoopy
Happy Sunday to you all, my friends. : )
Many blessings ~ Wendy
11.22.2009
Sunday Sayings . . .
" Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. "
~ John Homer Miller
Many blessings ~ Wendy
11.20.2009
Seventeen Candles . . .
It's been a pretty quiet week around here which is why I haven't blogged much. November is the month that my first husband passed away. Tomorrow it will be five years. I can't believe it. It seems like just yesterday but, at the same time, a whole other life time ago. My father's anniversary was on Monday. It's been four years for him and I swear I could cry at the drop of a hat still when I think about it. We buried him on my husband's one year anniversary. In between those two sad days there is a wonderful day, though.
Our oldest son turned seventeen on Tuesday. I drove him to school on his birthday so he could sleep in a little bit. I looked at him in the car and told him that I'm too young to have a seventeen year old. Do you know what his response was? Are you ready for this one? Without missing a beat, he replied, "yeah and you're too old to have a baby." Needless to say, the melancholy feelings went right out the window and I punched him. : )
Ahhhh, the joys of Motherhood. And to think I'm gonna start all over again!!!!! : )
(My first baby. Isn't he handsome?!!?)
Many blessings ~ Wendy
11.16.2009
I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas . . .
I recently listed the sweetest Melissa Frances pink bottle brush Christmas trees in my Etsy shop . The holidays are so not just about red and green anymore. I thought it would be fun to pick a different color each week until Christmas to see what kind of decor I can find in that particular shade. Of course, I just HAD TO start with pink!!
To be honest, I was never a really big fan of the color pink until the last couple of years. I don't even really know what made me decide to like it more than just a little. I think it may have been when I discovered blog land and all of the pink photos that people post and all of the pink goodies that people create. When I fell, I fell HARD!!
How can you not help but adore pink vintage ornaments? I had several of them on my tree until last year when my tree fell over and we lost a lot of our delicate decorations. Needless to say, it was very sad. I was lucky enough to find a wonderful Estate Sale early on in the summer and found a fantastic bunch of vintage ornies. And, some of them were pink!!! : )
I don't think I could get myself to put up a pink Christmas tree but I certainly love to look at them and love to see when other people have put them up.
Could you imagine a whole forest of these?!!?
I collect these glittery houses and keep them out all year round. I like to add one to my collection each season. I haven't looked for any yet this year. I think I'll have to make that a priority. I've found some wonderful ones in Marshall's the last couple of years. If you wait until after Christmas, they are marked down about 80 percent!!
Couldn't you just look at this picture all day?!!?
Now what color should I pick next?
Hmm . . .
Many blessings ~ Wendy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Followers
Favorite Links
My Favorite Blogs So Far . . .
- Sweet Sweet Life Blog
- Maine Momma Blog
- Dandelion Wishes
- Paper Tales - My Weblog
- Oh Merci Merci - Notes
- Everyday Beauty - Andrea Singarella
- Etsy Cottage Style Blog
- Background Fairy
- Brandy Faulkner - Brandy Wine Boutique
- Jane Says
- All in my Cottage - Marionberry Cottage
- Casa Bella Chic
- Cherished Vintage
- Can I Be Pretty in Pink Blog
- Teresa McFayden
- A Bit of Pink Heaven
- Jenny Doh
- JunqueArt Blog
- Joli Paquet
- Kitschen Pink
- Nostalgia at the Stone House
- Creative Chaos
- Lollishops
- {The Cottage Nest}
- Mary Engelbreit
- The Farm Chicks
- Shabby Chic - Rachel Ashwell
- Handmade Bits and Pieces
- Chez Fifi
- Dear Daisy Cottage
- The Comfy Place
- Soule Mama
- Sweet Eye Candy Creations
- Nie Nie Dialogues
- Craftily Ever After - Sadie Lou
- Vintage Bella Studio
- c jane enjoy it
- Pretty Petals
- Little Pink Studio
Blog Archive