A picture!

That's right everyone, I found a picture on this laptop to post.  It's the most recent picture I could find, but it was taken back in June at Jase's swimming lessons.  Chuck was going to show me how to upload new pictures last night, but I sighed and said, "I'm just too tired- looking at the computer makes me nauseous."  Yes, I'm such a baby.

Actually, looking at this picture makes me a little nauseous, as well.  No one wants to wear a bathing suit postpartum/already partum again.  (I do realize partum is not a word on it's own, but it seemed fitting given the context.)

Instead of learning how to upload pictures, I sat and watched, "Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition".  During the show, a dear friend of mine called so I went up stairs and began sorting through all the clothes that don't fit me while we chatted.  There are piles and piles of too-small clothes on our guest bed.  I can't decided if I should donate them all, or save them.  I would greatly value anyone's input who has been in this scenario.

We don't have much space at our house- and certainly don't have room for piles and piles of clothes that don't fit me.  There are piles of clothes that I haven't worn in two years because of being pregnant two summers in a row.  I daresay, I doubt they will ever fit me again, and if they do they'll be out of style by the time I can squeeze back in.  It makes me feel really, really sad to get rid of clothes.  I have emotional attachment to my clothes because a lot of them are left over from the summer we got married- including our honeymoon.  People, I am currently 30 pounds heavier now than I was on our honeymoon.  Granted when we got married I was the skinniest I've ever been, or ever will be- and right now I'm pregnant, and will get much heavier.  Ha!  I just hate the thought of getting rid of perfectly good clothes.  Like a lot of clothes.

But if there's anything I've taken from watching, "What Not to Wear" over the years, never keep clothes you HOPE to squeeze back into.  Keep clothes in your closet you can wear now, and feel good in.  Also, people wear 20% of their clothes 40% of the time- or something like that.  It's hard to let go of an era of clothes- and think about all that money going down the drain.  Especially when we aren't exactly in a place where I can just go out and buy new clothes whenever I want.

I wish I could find a girl who is around the size I was so I could give her the clothes- I would be excited to do that.  I did look up donation places around here, but nothing struck me.  Besides, who's to say anyone out there would actually like my clothes? Haha!  If you're reading this, and know a girl who could really use a lot of clothes, please let me know.  (tops: size small, some medium; bottoms: size 6-8; dresses: size small, some medium)    

Rain Rain Stay!

I just love rainy days!  Especially today because I've had a lingering headache.  Since it's not sunny, I was able to sleep better during Jase and I's morning nap (usually the sun shines brightly in our room). Even when I'm feeling well, I love rainy days!  I think it makes me feel relieved that I have an excuse not to go out and do anything.  We pretty much stay inside almost every day.  I don't have the energy to run around town at all, and it's so hot and humid I can hardly stand it.  Even taking Jovie out feels unbearable, and I'm only outside for a few minutes.  I've hit 17 weeks today, so maybe some super-Mama-energy will hit me soon.  Thankfully, Jase is amazing at playing by himself.  I'm able to get stuff done in the kitchen where I can keep an eye on him, and he just plays his little heart out.  It makes me happy to watch and hear him playing- I can see his little imagination at work already.  

Since I've had this headache, the OB nurse suggested taking Tylenol, drinking some caffeine, and resting.  (Resting?! Ha!)  I decided to make a little party out of it by baking banana bread to go with my cup of coffee and Tylenol.  I'm thoroughly enjoying both while watching Law and Order.  I'm a little stuck on the show at the moment.  What better way to rest while Jase naps?

I am loving the 11 month phase!  It seems each week, sometimes each day, Jase is learning something new.  We've been trying to teach him sign language for a few weeks now, and in the last couple of days he has actually signed, "more"!  I get really excited when he does it.  I don't know why I feel so shocked when he learns something new.  It's just amazing to me to watch his development.  I'm so proud of our little guy.

Chuck is going to teach me how to get pictures off my camera, onto his laptop, and posted to my blog.  We'll see when we get around to that, but I realize non-picture posts are a little dull.  Stay tuned.  

Prince George

Happy Birthday Prince George!  It's fun having Jase born so close to the little Prince's birthday.  We know he will be in the media for his whole life, and I'll always think about the summer our little guys were born.  I would also like to point out Princess Kate and I share the exact same birthday, including the year.  I'm sure we could be such good friends, haha!  My friend who lives in England says Americans get way more excited about the royal family than they do.

One of these days I will figure out how to get pictures from our camera onto Chuck's computer.  My poor computer is aging, and as it happens with old age, slowness has ensued.  I love that old, faithful laptop though.  Dear friends gave it to me brand new about 9 years ago, I think!  It's the only laptop I've ever had.  I've been really grateful for it all these years.  Anyway, because it takes about 20 minutes for the internet to load, I have been reduced to using Chuck's Mac, and I don't really understand it.  I very much miss posting pictures.

Well Chuck and I have started house hunting.  It's a long story, but mortgages are cheaper than rent, and we desperately need our monthly payments to go down.  I spent yesterday afternoon with the realtor looking at houses, and was able to cross three off our list.  Tonight she will take Chuck and I back to a house we like, and also show us a new one.  I know I say this about anything I do these days, but house hunting is exhausting.  Besides that, I find it fun looking around people's houses.  There was one particularly expensive house at the top of our budget (because of the school district) but it was pretty gross.  I could tell two teenaged boys lived there, and the mother had many, many hair pieces hanging in her bathroom.  Creepy.  I would think that would be something to keep hidden as I find hair off the head to be a little frightening.

In other news, Jase is sick AGAIN.  I can't believe how often he gets sick.  We all had bad colds for a week and a half, have been better for about a week and a half, and now Jase is sick again.  I really appreciate the people who take care of him in the nursery, but it seems 80% of the time he goes he gets sick.  He was awake off and on all night long- I think because he can't breath.  By 5:45am, I told Chuck, "He's been awake all night!  I don't think I've slept yet!"  To which he replied, "Shut the monitor off", and he took over from there.  I still feel like I could sleep for hours.  It's so crazy to me that even when Jase has been at his most sick, he still crawls around, and plays his heart out as if he feels perfectly fine!

One final story for the day.  The other evening Jase and I were playing on the floor.  He was across the room from me, but I still said, "Kisses for Mama!".  He got a big smile on his face, and crawled straight over to me, mouth wide open!  I could have cried!  Later when Chuck came in the room Jase did it again!  We were both cracking up!  Chuck has now taken to saying, "Kisses for Papa!" and Jase will kiss him, too.  It's one of my most favorite ways to connect.  =)

Baby Einstein

This is gonna have to be short and sweet, because as usual, I am nauseous.  Thankfully everything I have eaten today has stayed down so far, but that could change at any second.  Scrolling around on the computer, reading emails, or watching a show makes me feel even worse.  Not that I have much time for that anyway- my wild, wild baby keeps me running.  He's into EVERY thing.  I'm trying to distract him with a Baby Einstein video, but that lasted about 20 seconds.  I have probably told him, "No no" about 50 times in the last 10 minutes.  I kid you not.  He doesn't seem to be getting it either.  I'm exhausted.  He is SUCH a boy and I'm so entertained by him.

For instance, I just moved him into his jumper swing and he is jumping up and down while swinging in a wide circle.  He has the biggest grin on his face and he just makes me crack up laughing.  What a joy!  I had been telling Chuck that Jase will kiss me when I say, "Kisses for Mama!"  Of course whenever I say, "Watch this!" Jase gives me the brush off.  But last night, Chuck FINALLY got to see Jase kiss me on command.  It melted my heart.  I tell you what, Jase is crazy about his Papa.  I feel like the most boring, lame Mama whenever Chuck is around.  Those two are so wild together, and that's fine with me.

I've been working on a special surprise for Chuck's birthday (tomorrow).  I'm pretty excited!  He could care less about his birthday, but I think I get more excited for his bday than my own.

In other news, it looks like we're going to have to move homes AGAIN.  This will be 4 homes in 3 years.  I think I will probably have a nervous break down.  I told Chuck if we move into another rental I'm not even going to unpack- I'll just leave it all in boxes because inevitably we'll have to move again.  Oh how I despise packing and unpacking.  Especially while chasing a 10 month old, and throwing up in between boxes.

Here's hoping for a long afternoon nap time!