ZAP!

So last night Pat and I went to Petco and bought one of those anti-bark collars for Chewie, ya know, the ones that shocks the dog when they bark. Well... Chewie barks, it shocks him and he continues to bark through the damn shocks! He's not barking as much, but the little ass doesn't get the clue! Hopefully he'll learn after a while... BARK+COLLAR= ZAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For those of you who don't know Chewie, just understand that he HATES our landlord whom lives upstairs and will bark, snarl and actully snap at him. It gets very old when the dog does this every single time Bruce goes in and out of his door (which is multiple times a day). He also barks out of control at anyone who comes to our door and isn't very nice to people at times. We're trying to break him of this habit before Joey comes. Locking him up doesn't work, yelling, screaming, nothing works! So we're trying this. Pat and I aren't trying to be mean to the little guy, he just needs to learn to stop barking like he does. He's a little yapper!

HELP!

Edit: I read a little more into the collar... if he barks continously, the shock gets stronger. Well, he just had a really loud, long barking episode at Bruce and needless to say, it got him! He hasn't barked since :) I'll update soon!

RAINY DAY

I hate rainy days! I really need to get out of the house and get stuff done but it's raining and it's too cold out. Oh well, anyways, I've been calling around today trying to find a pediatrician for Joey. I just need to call a couple back since I called when the offices were closed for lunch.

My newest craving! CELERY!! Don't know why, but I've just been craving it! I ate a whole thing of celery the other day. I've never really been a big celery eater and now it's like all I can think of. Does celery even have any nutritional value?

Wow, I was just reading this online pregnancy guide... right now Joey weighs approx. 3-4 pounds! Only 2 more months to go! I still can't believe how close I am to having this little guy! So little time, so much to do!

Opps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That would be soooooo embarrassing!

Anyways, I had a nice weekend. Friday night, Patrick and I went to TGI Friday's. I didn't think I was ever going to stop eating! Saturday was our birthing class, aka Lamaze class. Pat and I couldn't help but laughing at times. We did learn a lot of helpful information, I don't want to call it good info cause for me, it's going to be PAINFUL, but that's ok. Joey will be worth it! Then we went over to Pat's parents house for dinner. Sunday, I did absolutly nothing! I felt sick most of the day until the middle of the afternoon, but then I still didn't feel right. I probley did too much on Saturday. Oh well.

I guess I better get some stuff done today. I need to call and order oil to heat the house with (buh-bye $400), and do laundry.

I went to the doctor yesterday and from what the doctor could tell by feeling my tummy, she said that Joey is right on track size wise and she guesses that he'll be around 6-7 lbs. Anyways, things are going great... I've been working on Joey's nursery. I got the crib set up with all the bedding in it (it looks so cute!!) and my rocking chair in there too. Now I just need his changing table/ dresser, then the room should almost be complete! This Saturday, Patrick and I have our childbirthing class... I can't wait to see how Pat does!

I'm starting to get homesick again, the worst part is... the doctors don't want me traveling anymore! I miss my family and friends back in Ohio so bad right now and it sucks since the next time I'll be able to travel is after I have Joey and he's able to travel which could take a couple months. I can't ride in a car for 12 hours and I can't fly due to the cabin pressure! I've never felt so stuck before! Not to mention so lonely... don't get me wrong, Patrick's family is awesome, but I need my family and friends too. At least my parents, Carrie, and brother will come up here when Joey is born (10 weeks to go!).

Ok, well I better get working on laundry and whatever else I can find to clean!

MIDNIGHT CRAVING!

OK, so it's not midnight, it's 11:15 and I'm starving! So far, in the past 20 minutes, I've eaten a bowl of strawberries, a granola bar, a pouch of fruit snacks, and a glass of orange juice... the bad part is... I'M STILL HUNGRY!!! 10 more weeks of these cravings and I'll be huge! The only thing left in the pantry is oreos and once I start with them, I won't stop so I better not start! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a new little feature here on my blog... I've started counting down the days till my due date (believe me, you would too!), so I found an online pregnancy countdown thingy. Unfortunatly, I can't figure out how to get it to the top of my blog so at the bottom of this page you will see my countdown. Hell, I'm proud I figured out that much! I'll update soon!

My parents had my dog, Peanut put to sleep this morning. I grew up with that dog, we've had her since I was 10 years old. The past couple months, she started getting sicker and sicker and finally stopped eating. My parents decided it was best to put her down.

Nutty was with me through good times and bad. She actully helped to pull me through some rather tough times. I am going to miss her terribly.

RIP Peanut- My Nutty Buddy

The Down Syndrome Creed

"WONDER" by Natalie Merchant

My face may be different, but my feelings the same.

I laugh, I cry, I take pride in my gains.

I was sent here among you to teach you to love.

As God in the heavens looks down from above.

To Him I'm no different, His love knows no bounds.

It's those here among you, in cities and towns,

that judge me by standards that man has imparted.

But the family He's chosen will help me get started.

For I'm one of His children, so special and few,

that came here to learn the same lessons as you.

That love is acceptance, it must come from the heart.

We all have the same purpose, though not from the start.

The Lord gave me my life to live and embrace.

And I'll do it as you do, just at my own pace.

-------------------

Remember we ALL have the same purpose.

Just because one has a disability or looks

different in some way, we are all God's children.

Remember this next time you see some one who's a little different!

BUTT PASTE!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, this is a real product! I recieved it at my baby shower (it's used for diaper rash- what a great name!), I just laugh everytime I see the name of it. Anyways, last night Christopher and the twins came over. My rocking chair and ottoman was delievered and needed to be assembled so I called my very handy brother in law to help. He also put together Joey's highchair for us. Well I better get back to cleaning, we're going to try to have the nursery put together by next week (as long as it doesn't rain or snow long enough for us to take the extra mattress & boxspring over to my in-laws for storage).

Last night Patrick and I were laying in bed and he out of nowhere asks me, "what do you think Joey will be like?". I had no clue how to answer, I don't know if he meant his down syndrome or just as a baby. I answered as a baby, I said, "a happy baby". I started to choke back tears, it hit me then and there that I'm going to be a mom in less than 3 months! I'm not upset about him having down syndrome or even nervous about the DS, I'm just nervous about being a mom. I've had this life growing in me for over 6 months now. It's really starting to hit me that my life is never going to be the same... it's going to be better. Patrick once asked me what I wanted to do or be after we got married, the only thing I could truely think of was a mom. I've always wanted to be like my mom and just stay home and raise my children. Now my wish is coming true! I have so many different emotions and feelings going through my body right now- happy, scared, nervous, excited... I could go on and on.

There are so many more things I need to do to prepare for Joey's arrival. Set up our birthing classes, get a tour of Yale's Maternity Center, take pre-baptism classes at church, find a pediatrican that has experience with Down Syndrome, and my favorite... fix up his nursery!!!!!!!! At times I feel so over whelmed not knowing if I'm missing something that I need to do. I've even gone as far as looking online for a list to look off of for stuff to pack when I go to the hospital!

I better go before I drive myself even more crazy thinking of all the things I still need to prepare for, time to do laundry!

I found this on a joke website and had to post it, enjoy!

24 Fun Things To Do In An Elevator...

1. Grimace painfully while smacking your forehead and muttering: "Shut up, dammit, all of you just shut UP!"
2. Whistle the first seven notes of "It's a Small World" incessantly.
3. Crack open your briefcase or purse, and while peering inside ask: "Got enough air in there?"
4. Offer name tags to everyone getting on the elevator. Wear yours upside-down.
5. Stand silent and motionless in the corner, facing the wall, without getting off.
6. When arriving at your floor, grunt and strain to yank the doors open, then act embarrassed when they open by themselves.
7. Greet everyone getting on the elevator with a warm handshake and ask them to call you Admiral.
8. On the highest floor, hold the door open and demand that it stay open until you hear the penny you dropped down the shaft go "plink" at the bottom.
9. Stare, grinning, at another passenger for a while, and then announce: "I've got new socks on!"
10. When at least 8 people have boarded, moan from the back: "Oh, no, not now, damn motion sickness!"
11. Meow occasionally.
12. Holler "Chutes away!" whenever the elevator descends.
13. Walk on with a cooler that says "human head" on the side.
14. Stare at another passenger for a while, then announce "You're one of THEM!" and move to the far corner of the elevator.
15. Wear a puppet on your hand and talk to other passengers "through" it.
16. When the elevator is silent, look around and ask "is that your beeper?"
17. Say "Ding!" at each floor.
18. Say "I wonder what all these do" and push the red buttons.
19. Listen to the elevator walls with a stethoscope.
20. Draw a little square on the floor with chalk and announce to the other passengers that this is your "personal space."
21. Announce in a demonic voice: "I must find a more suitable host body."
22. Make explosion noises when anyone presses a button.
23. Wear "X-Ray Specs" and leer suggestively at other passengers.
24. Stop at every floor, run off the elevator, then run back on.

You Should Get a JD (Juris Doctor)

You're logical, driven, and ruthless.You'd make a mighty fine lawyer.

What Advanced Degree Should You Get?

I find that so funny... I married a lawyer! And I find myself so far from wanting to be one!

Wow, I'm offically 6 months pregnant and in my third trimester! Less than 3 months to go!!!!!! Ahhhhhhhh!!! I'm so nervous! I'm going to be a mom and my life is going to change so much! Joey has obvisously changed positions in my tummy. Before, I felt most of his kicks below my belly button and now it's all above my belly button. Also, my tummy moves around so much now. You can actully see him move around. Before you could see it, but he moves so much more now that he's turned.

Anyways, we had one heck of a snow storm yesterday. I find it so funny that they name the big snow storms up here. This was the second one of the season, "Winter Storm Beverly". I just find that weird.

I have to agree with Josh... I think the Bengals will go to the Super Bowl. Gotta have faith.... it's been way too long since they've had the chance and they kick ass this year. It would be awesome if it was the Bengals vs. the NY Giants (Pat's favorite team). Both teams have had great seasons. Monday night was awesome when OSU beat Notre Dame. Notre Dame is not only Pat's favorite team, but also his father's. So I had my minute of glory when OSU won. It felt great!!!!!!!!!!!!

A day late but Happy New Year!!! We had such a busy weekend! It was a great time. Friday, Pat's friends from law school, Greg & Erica called us. They were in Boston with his sister and were coming down to Connecticut to go to the casino, so we met them there Friday night. We had dinner then played the slot machines. Of corse we lost, but it was still fun.

Saturday, Pat and I cleaned all day. His family came over that night to exchange gifts and to watch the ball drop. I think the funniest gift of all was the gift that Steph and Christopher gave Patrick. It was this old, ripped up T-Shirt of his that I couldn't stand! I tried throwing it away but he wouldn't let me, well, they took it and framed it along with a picture they found of him wearing it years ago. It was great!

Yesterday, we were lazy and didn't do much of anything. Went to church and that was about it. I didn't feel too good, so I slept a lot. Oh, I made chicken and noodles... it was pretty good.

Ok, I guess that's about it for now!