on your marks...

the past week or so, everyday has felt like some horrible race.  one where there are a billion things to do while balancing a ming vase on my head.  a race against time, and a race of endurance.  and always, at the end of the day, i am beat.  exhausted.  my back hurts, my guts are being pummeled from the inside, and the last thing i want to do is get up, from the bed, to pee (because i always have to pee).  but the worst part is knowing that tomorrow, i have to wake up and race all over again.  i have to do more of the same, and i will have the same pains and owies. tomorrow i will be at 36 weeks.  so i don't have much more of the marathon of being pregnant...  soon i will begin the marathon of being a mother of four.

35 weeks

now is the time of little sleep.  that is what they should call the end of pregnancy... little sleep.  i catch small naps here and there throughout the day, and i sleep for a couple of hours at a time at night, but the long stretches of sleep that i crave are no where to be found.  i am sure that the fact that i haven't been doing much isn't helping.  i would really like to be up and about scrubbing and cleaning, and getting ready the house for baby, and husband, but it worries me that i might go into labor and i don't have my mom here.  of course there are some pretty awesome people that i KNOW would watch my kids, but i would still have a worry in my brain... and worrying about anything while laboring to have a baby is not the way to go.  for me, there is usually more puke involved, and a harder time overall.  so i will take the little sleeps that i can, and i will rest and watch Downton Abbey.  i will knit, and read books, and i will play with my kids, and wait for my mom to get here.  and when she does, there will be little that can stop me and my scrubbing brushes, or nap times...

What do you think?

guesses for a boy!

2/4
2/5
2/6 ~ Kristi R.
2/7
2/8
2/9
2/10 ~ Miranda H.
2/11 ~ Jill D.
2/12
2/13 ~ Annick L.
2/14
2/15
2/16
2/17
2/18
2/19 ~ Just Me.
2/20
2/21
2/22
2/23
2/24
2/25
2/26
2/27
2/28
2/29

and guesses for a girl!

2/4

2/5

2/6

2/7

2/8

2/9

2/10

2/11

2/12

2/13

2/14 ~ Miranda H.

2/15

2/16

2/17

2/18

2/19

2/20 ~ Amie M.

2/21

2/22

2/23

2/24

2/25

2/26

2/27

2/28

2/29

some news and a contest!

everything is as fine as fine can be!  i am currently 33 weeks pregnant, and uncomfortable and huge.  we are in the tail end of the Hubs deployment and we are all getting pretty sick of each other.  this is the time where i wonder if Han got any rest when he was in carbonite, i could use a solid break.  like the kind i am taking today!  i have made it my goal to lay down, and drink water, and hang out ALL DAY!  i will feed the kids and maybe vacuum, but that is it.  the poor nights' sleep i have been getting and the lack of eating food that doesn't want to kill me (aka heartburn from hell) hasn't really left me feeling well.  i am not in labor, but i am braxton hicks-y.  and i don't need to go preterm, so i am resting.  and napping.  and wearing clothes that are comfortable, and putting lotion on my hands...

on to more fun things...

a contest!
last time i had a baby i tried to do a contest, and i don't think i really did anything with it, so this time, i would like to include an actual prize!  all you have to do is let me know what day you think the Dragon Ball will be arriving, and if it is a boy or a girl!  winner will receive a hot water bottle and cozy (just like the one that is thwarting my own sciatica and keeping my feet warm!), and a hat donated to the NICU in their name...  if no one guesses the correct date/gender, the prize will go to the person with the correct gender and the closest date.  guesses are first come first serve, with a limit of 4 guesses (since it is my 4th baby).  Dates are open from 2/4 (when i have back up from my mom) until 2/29.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!

Uberlist 2012!!!

BRING IT 2012!  I am ready for you and the uncertainty you are threatening me with.  You don't know who you are dealing with...  obviously 2010, and 2011 didn't tell you!  well, let me tell you!  YOUR ASS IS GRASS AND I AM A LAWNMOWER!  and not a push one either!  i am a RIDING lawn mower with dual drink holders! because i am going to be comfortable while i kick your ass!  WOOT!

CRAFTY

1.  Find "Knitter's Almanac".

2.  52 weeks = 52 projects

3.  Pack up yarn

4.  Modified February Baby Sweater

5.  Sew a Drindl

6.  Sew summer dresses for girls

7.  Make reusable veg bags.

8.  Weave in the ends of the DA!

9.  Lace!

10.  Hot water bottle cozy

11.  Make a Christmas stocking for the baby.

12.  Flannel Jammies for the girls.

13.  Sew knitting project bags.

14.  Sock in purse... always.

15.  Try colorwork

16.  Design some cute tops

17.  Finish secret books.

18.  Find Postal scale.

19.  Arrange knitting/craft books... again.

FAMILY

20.  Have a Baby

21.  Potty train Kitty

22.  No more pull-ups, part 2.

23.  Family photo

24.  Go out with JUST PAT!

25.  Plant a garden

26.  Watch the Olympics with the kids.

27.  Liz to ride a 2 wheeler

28.  Jake to ride a 2 wheeler

29.  Take a famliy vacation

30.  Disneyland!

31.  Take Liz to see the Hobbit.

32.  Go to the beach more.

33.  Go to the library more

34.  Take kids out, one on one.

35.  Take kids camping.

SCHOOL

36.  Find Curriculum for Homeschooling

37.  Swimming lessons for kids

38.  Dance or music classes for kids

39.  Get cracking on Liz's penpals

40.  Storage for school supplies, or Homeschooling.

HOME = GET IT DONE!

41.  Move

42.  "New Address" cards

43.  Get rid of stuff while packing and unpacking.

44.  Get my awesome 3PO/R2/Mt. Fuji picture framed and hung.

45.  Put Christmas away by 1/20

46.  Clean out shed.

47.  Clean out side drawers

48.  Clean out under bed

49.  Clean off the top of the dresser

50.  Throw out old make up/nail polish

51.  Put all of Liz's teeth in the same place.

52.  Fill out all my calendars

53. Clean out under bathroom sinks.

54.  Chuck old tupperware

55.  Scrub the master bathroom before Pat comes home...

56.  Just get rid of it - boxes, jars, bags, etc.

57.  Donate old glasses and cell phones.

58.  Like goes with like (lightbulbs, mail, magazines, blankets)

59.  Enter points as i get them.

60.  Send books and mags to Tony

61.   Send away VHS

MONEY

62.  Cut back cable

63.  Cut back phone

64.  Store old bills by 1/15

65.  Shred oooooooold bills by 1/31

66.  Track grocery savings

67.  Start savings for Dragon Ball

68.  Turn in pig/Cheesechan!

69.  Save $250 for super vacation!

70.  Update Super Vacation at least 3xS

ME!

71.  Read 5 books.

72.  End 2012 @ 135 lbs

73.  Run a 5K

74.  Have lunch with my Mom

75.  Update my vaccinations.

76.  Watch less crap T.V. (you should do this too, Kristi!)

77.  Listen to more of MY music (the punk rock, and VGS)

78.  Eat a steak with my friends.

79.  Get my eyes checked ~ May

80.  Visit Dr. Kanda

81.  Take up dance again

82.  Let people help me.

83.  Figure out where my memory went!

84.  NEW JEANS!

85.  Swim more

86.  Drink more water (blech!)

87.  Take more "me" time.

88.  Update Ravelry

89.  Update Flickr

BUY SOME STUFF

90.  A new bed for me and Pat

91.  Buy diapers/nursing gear by 1/31.

92.  Prepare for Nursing by buying dark beers.

93.  bed for Kitty

94.  Drawers for Kitty

95.  Drawers for Dragon Ball

96.  Get Liz her own jewelry box

FOOD

97.  Make PW cinnamon rolls

98.  Perfect a fried rice recipe.

99.  Eat food in the freezer

100.  Eat more Sonic ice.

101.  BBQ more

102.  More fresh (farmer's market) fruits/veg

103.  Teach Pat to cook rice/sopa

104.  New coffee pot?

CAR

105.  Get Pat's car an oil change

106.  Get my car an oil change

107.  Wash Pat's car 2xs

108.  Wash my car 6xs

109.  Figure out baby/Kitty bag

110.  Potty in car

111.  Clean baby car seat

112.  Arrange car seats by 1/31

NERRRRRDS!

yesterday Liz went back to school after the Christmas holiday.  she was excited to be back, and wore her new shirt that has an Ewok on it, and says "Return of the Jedi" in pink, with a bit of glitter.  when she came home, i told her that we had missed her being around all day, and that i hoped she had a good day at school.  it took a while, but she told me that one of her 'friends' had made her feel bad and told her that "Star Wars is for nerds."
thats when i told her, "It is."
she was kind of shocked.  as was i.  i didn't think the whole Nerd/Cool Kid think would rear its ugly head in 2nd grade!
so, i tried to make her feel better, by letting her know about all the Rad Stuff nerds get.
"Nerds get Star Wars, and Star Trek.  Nerds get Legos.  Nerds get Math and Chemistry and Science.  Nerds get Dr. Who, and robots.  Nerds get Science Fiction and Comic Books."
then she asked, "Who gets 'Back to the Future'?"
"Nerds," i said.
"YES!" she said and then she dropped it.

i am happy to say that this morning, she went to school wearing her Dr. Who Cyberman shirt.  i know it won't be the end of it.  she has already told me that some of the girls make fun of her for liking video games and Pokemon, and for not wearing enough pink.  she has told me of the cliques that have started to form, and about some kids that HAVE to wear things with rainbows to be cool.  i just tell her, "if you like it, then its fine.  I am a nerd.  Your Dad is a nerd.  Your Grandma is a nerd, and so is you Grandpa.  we love you, and thats all that matters."  and really, if she came to me tomorrow, and said that she likes baby dolls, and princesses, and pink sparkle tutus, i would do my best in supporting her decisions, but truth be know, i am over the moon that her favorite book is about the periodic table of elements, and that she is looking forward to getting one on Physics.
i love my nerd.

2011... the aftermath!

well... i didn't get as much done from my list as i wanted to, but i did quite a few, so here is a recap...

Crafty  ~6/22

1.      52 weeks = 52 projects.  ~i am quite sure this was done, as i knit quite a few square for Pine Ridge, and made a bunch of scrubbies for my mom.  2012 will be better documented..

2.       COLD SHEEP!

3.    Build a light box for photos.

4.     Sew some cute dresses.

5.     toe up socks.  ~tried desperately, but i hated them.  HATED. THEM.

6.     Red herring socks.

7.     HPKCHC

8.   Spin more.

9.    Sew with Liz.

10.   Hats for Pat. 

11.   Update Ravelry.

12.   Squares for pineridge.

13.   Finish that blasted Owls sweater.  ~going to count this even though i Frogged it...

14.   Organize my knitting books.

15.   Organize my knitting needles.

16.   Organize my stash.

17.   Finish sewing the flannel blanket.

18.   Make the baby summer dresses.

19.   Make Liz some summer dresses

20.   Make Halloween costumes early!

21.   Make reusable grocery bags.

22.   Make reusable fruits bags.

Cleaning Up.  14/15

23.   Get rid of books

24.   Wash the car 6 times

25.   Get the car serviced

26.   Purge closet.

27.   Purge drawers.

28.   Clear out the pantry.

29.   Fix the recycle bin.  ~after i fixed it it busted more, so i requested a new one!

30.   Clean up the back yard.  ~could use another raking and a mow, but i am super pregnant.

31.   Clean out the toy room closet.

32.   Clean the carpets.  ~needs more cleaning... apparently we are pigs.

33.   Wash the dishes before going to bed.

34.   Store old bills.

35.   Shred really old bills.

36.   Put away Christmas by 1/10/2011

37.   Get my ring properly cleaned.  ~had this done, but the lady only had one arm, so she wasn't able to scrub the gunk out... i have to get one of those cleaning kits...

$$ y’all  ~4/7

38.   Pay down the bills  ~by the end of the 2012 we should be 100% debt free... no car payment, nothing!

39.   Save $500 for super vacay.  ~i am committed to having a good time with my girlfriends...

40.   Save $500 for savings.

41.   Consolidate savings.

42.   Use more coupons.

43.   Keep track of money saved, using coupons.

44.   Save $100 for Japanese knitting books.

Don’t be a Hermit.  7/10

45.   Have an awesome summer

46.   Write/talk to my eldest brother more

47.    Get people to visit me.  ~my mom came for a visit... it was lovely!

48.   Visit my Mom.

49.   Have lunch with my Mom.

50.   Have lunch with my brothers and sister  ~nani didn't go, but i got to hang out with my Bros!

51.   Talk to my sister on the phone more.

52.   Talk to Ginni on the phone more

53.   Update the girlies on the super vacay 3 times.

54.   Have a party with Kristi!  ~we had a lovely get together in the park with a ton of people that i haven't seen in YEARS!  

My Kiddos  ~7.5/16

55.   Get Jake a proper haircut, and keep it up.

56.   Get Liz to rider her two wheeler.

57.   Take more walks with the kids.

58.   Get the kids swimming lessons.

59.   Get a family portrait.

60.   Get Babychan a portrait.

61.   Get Jake a portrait.

62.   Take the kids to the community pool.

63.   Keep up on taking the kids to the doctors and getting shots. 

64.   Get rid of pull ups.  ~this is almost done... i will give it a 0.5

65.   Read Narnia to Liz.

66.   Get Babychan to not freak out when I put her in the play pen.  ~two words... TV Babysitter.

67.   Hug my kids more.

68.   Nap more, with Babychan, and Jake.

69.   Keep all 17, 584 nails in the house short.

70.   Be outside more.

Check Myself before I Wreck Myself.  ~5/12

71.   End 2011 less than 135 lbs.  ~not feasible since i am 8 months pregnant!

72.   Work out more.

73.   Start roller skating.

74.   Drink more water.

75.   Go veg for one week to clean guts.

76.   Run a 5K

77.   Wii Fit once a week.

78.   Visit Dr.  Kanda.

79.   Get a proper Doctor’s visit, complete with tests and the like.  ~OB visits count... right?

80.   See a dermatologist, possibly get mapped.

81.   Take care of my feet.

82.   Take Sadie for walks.

Online shizzle  ~2/6

83.   Upload to Flickr more often.

84.   Back up my photos.

85.   Post Uberlist by 1/7/2011.

86.   Update Uberlist monthly.

87.  WIP Wednesday.  ~i tried...

88.   FO Friday.  ~really i did...

Gotta get some stuff too…  ~9/11

89.   Get Babychan a set of drawers.

90.   Order Babychan’s baby photos.

91.   Get a new helmet.

92.   Buy some pants that fit.

93.   Get new Teflon pans.

94.   Keep my hair cute.

95.   Buy Marisa a graduation present.  ~personalized Sharpies, YO!

96.   Look into a new vacuum.

97.   Diamonds?!?  ~Pat took care of this...  

98.   Buy LUSH shampoo.

99.   A new bed?

Just for fun.  ~4/5

100.    Finish Donkey Kong.

101.     Watch all the “Rocky” movies.

102.      Watch all the “Conan” movies.

103.      Finish the LOTR movies.

104.       Read 3 books.

Good things to eat.  ~3/7
105.    Make a cake from scratch.

106.      Eat more pancakes.

107.      Donate to the food bank 3 times. 

108.       Eat more 7-11 nachos.

109.       Make PW cinnamon rolls. 

110.        Make a pie.

111.        Make jam at my Mom’s house.

Alternates.  ~4/6
112.    Watch and/or read the news more.

113.      Go to Las Vegas with my Mom.

114.    Go to Disneyland.

115.   Service the old Singer  ~i count this as done, since i just about had a stroke trying to get the guys to understand what exactly i wanted, and they kept the machine for almost a month, and did nothing to it.  i will have it serviced next place we live.  

116.  fix mr Monkeychan  ~i know what the dad in "a Christmas Story" felt like when his lamp broke...  but i was able to fix my monkey!

117.  watch all the Bourne movies

65.5 out of 111... it says that i am "Andrea".  i tried pretty hard to keep this list achievable...  i mean, i didn't do everything, but i did a lot.  i hope 2012 will be just as productive...