DeCluttering....

I had grand plans for the day. I was going to clean out the office and start moving stuff around for when the baby comes.

And here it is, 7:30 PM and I've not gotten hardly anything done at all.

I did find a good sale at oldnavy.com and got a ton of maternity clothes for cheap with a 20% off code and a free shipping code. I spent most of my birthday money and I just hope that the stuff that I bought fits!

Then I actually spent several hours posting ads on Craigslist, trying to declutter some things and also make some money before the Monkey is born. I hope and pray that the economy brings out people looking for some great deals and that the holiday season brings out people looking for gifts...

I picked up some overtime tomorrow, so no decluttering. It will have to wait until Wednesday.

How does this make sense?

Last night, the only Level 1 Trauma Center in our area went on total diversion. Meaning they weren't accepting any new patients, INCLUDING the patients that fit the Level 1 Trauma criteria.

I guess I just don't understand how this can happen. I thought that part of receiving the designation meant that they couldn't divert Level 1 Trauma patients or refuse to accept them. Apparently, I was wrong since they were on diversion for several hours. The only people this hurts are those who desperately need the services of the Trauma Center.

What's the point in having a specialty center like a Level 1 Trauma Center if they aren't even going to take Level 1 Trauma patients?

For a good time...

Check out your local Craig's List personal ads...specifically the Missed Connections section.

I've spent all morning looking at them and get the biggest kick out of them, specifically the men to men ones (even though I'm neither). I've found a few of my coworkers that are being sought. And seen some pretty desperate people's posts--some who clearly have no idea how to form a complete and intelligent thought.

Go look, you'll love it and you know it.

Black Friday Shopping

Was a decent success this year. I didn't really have a ton of money to be stimulating the economy with and I didn't REALLY need anything. But somehow, I managed to spend a few hundred dollars and got a ton of stuff.

I found a ton of adorable infant outfits that were super cheap. I got some sleep sacks, some sleepers, a "baby's first christmas" outfit, a few toys, and a couple odds and ends. I'll probably wind up returning most of them, but it was nice to daydream for a few minutes...

I found a few good things at Electronic Express but had the most terrible experience with their employees and managers. I did get what I came for after a significant amount of hassle, but I will never return there again.

At Joann's, I bought some fleece and flannel for baby blanket projects for the monkey. I also got some scrapbook supplies to begin a book for the baby.

All in all, I had a pretty good day. I was up at 3 am and got home a little bit before noon. I'm now ready for a nap. Tomorrow's shift will come too soon and I will be too grumpy to be around if I don't get a bit of rest.

If you braved the crowds today, I hope that you got what you were looking for and made it home safely. If you plan to go out tomorrow, please be nice to everyone, especially the retail employees.

The "last"...

This is the last Thanksgiving without the monkey. A few weeks ago, N and I celebrated our last birthdays without the monkey. Next month will be our last Christmas and New Year's Eve without the monkey. On one hand it's a little sad. Kinda like a rite of passage. But instead of moping and being upset or anything about it, we're exactly the opposite. Next Thanksgiving, there will be a family of 3 around the table (albeit the third member will only be about 6 months old...), plus the extended family will be coming out of the woodwork, I'm sure.

Seems that events are marked this year by being the "last" one...Then right away, we say with a big grin, "But next year the baby will be here!"

The bigger and more pregnant I get, the more excited we both get. Part of us are still kinda dumbfounded. Well, I am at least. I shouldn't speak for N. Some days it's almost hard to believe. But then something happens and I remember what a miracle this little one is and how much more vibrant and wonderful life will be next year once Monkey is born.

Happy Thanksgiving!

My Dad

Tonight, my father did an amazing thing for me.

This won't make much sense to those who don't know about the kind of relationship that my Dad and I have. But right now, I needed him. And he came through for me. Without question or hesitation.

I hope some day that my child knows that her parents will ALWAYS be 2 people in this world that she can count on. As long as we are alive and breathing...We will sacrifice to make sure that she has what she needs.

That's what being a parent is all about.

And though my Dad doesn't follow this blog (hell, he probably doesn't even know it exists), THANK YOU DAD...From the bottom of my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving...

We still have a baby!

We had a baby doctor appointment today.

I will never tire of hearing the sweet sound of my child's heartbeat. At 155 beats/minute, it was strong and loud. The nurse says she's thinking a boy...She's about the only one who is. N told me today that the heartbeat sounds like a barking dog *rolls eyes*.

I didn't gain much weight, which is ALWAYS something to celebrate! You can sort of see my belly pooching out now, even more so if I'm wearing tighter fitting clothes.

We're getting ready for the holidays around here. I did some cooking today, I have my regular 24 hour shift tomorrow so I will be getting a late start on the Turkey Day cooking when I get off. Fortunately, I'm only cooking for N and I. You'd never know that by the amount of food I'm planning on cooking though. I think that we'll still have leftovers at Christmas.

The big ultrasound will be Jan 6th. I'm looking forward to seeing the child that N and I created, although I am content to wait patiently until then. The holidays will distract me, I hope.