One


We are still living in Emergency Ward 9 over here. I have three sickies home with me today, and while a couple are what I would consider Only Mildly Ill, one pulled a big fake out on us.


I thought Bun was on the mend, but when we checked on him last night we discovered a scene in his crib that can only be described as The Horror! The Horror! Seriously, his pillow needed to be thrown away that's how bad it was.


I was up until two in my hazmat suit just trying to get everything clean. When I finally finished, I felt like I needed some kind of Silkwood shower.


As I transferred loads of laundry, I tried to remind myself of my thoughts about serving Christ through serving my children. I have to admit that I did feel calmer than I normally would have in that situation, but I will also admit that it's really hard for me to keep a calm and loving spirit in the freezing cold laundry room at one in the morning.


Especially when the laundry in question smells like I pulled it from some kind of retention pond on a dairy farm.


Thank God for bleach. Shudder.



Two


Can I say that not knowing this baby's gender is starting to drive me a little crazy? I'm still not going to find out, but I find that I am less patient with the not-finding-out this time around.


I'm not sure why, but I think it's because I still have a very strong girl feeling, but everyone keeps telling me that I look like I'm having a boy.


I'll be thrilled either way, but sometimes the waiting really is the hardest part.



Three


Speaking of not knowing the gender of the baby, am I the only one left in the world who hasn't found out? When did every single baby thing become color coordinated?


I was in Babies-R-Us last week to pick up a few essentials like some new burp cloths and onesies. I had a hard time finding plain white cloths and onesies; they were hidden under mounds of blue and pink.


I thought I'd pick up a pack of pacifiers as well -- although three of my four children despised them, I like to keep at least one on hand -- and even they came in blue and pink. There was one lonely little white pacifier left on the rack and I grabbed it like it was made out of gold.


I understand the desire to know the baby's gender, and I admit that I love it when other people find out and I can indulge my passion for buying cute little baby clothes, but there are still some dinosaurs like me out there who don't know.


All that being said, it would be nice to know which clothes and blankets to pull out of storage . . . .


oh, my resolve is wavering . . . .



Four



Since this is also pregnancy-related, I'll just take a moment to say this once and for all:


1. No, the doctor is NOT changing my due date, and YES I realize I am huge. Thank you for that lovely compliment.


2. Yes, I realize that the end of March is still two months away.


3. Yes, Rob and I know how I "got this way." We are obviously very talented. Jealous?


4. No, I do not know if I'm "done yet." When I hit menopause, you'll be the first person I alert, you complete and total stranger.


Excuse the crotchety tone, I'm usually not this grumpy. I'll blame it on the lack of sleep.



Five


Is it Spring yet? Just thought I'd ask . . .


Six

My mom, who lives an hour away, came over this week just to help me go grocery shopping. She even got the checkout lane with the perpetually grumpy bagger named Sunny (not even kidding).

That's a perfect example of a Corporal Work of Mercy if ever there was one.

Sometimes, it's still really nice to have your mom take care of you. Thanks, Mom.

Seven

I just discovered a bag of chocolate that I had hidden from the children (and myself) in an out of the way drawer. GLORY BE! The day may be salvaged yet.

Have a happy weekend, my friends . . .

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