Controlling My Offspring

I don't know if it is baby related, mood related, or related to the flea powder & bleach I tried to not inhale. All I know is I feel BAD. I'm sneezy and nauseous. My tummy hurts and I have no appetite. My tea tastes funny. My back hurts. My throat hurts - and my nose does too.
On my to-do list from earlier, I still have some things left:
Wash laundry - kids/my clothes
Feeding Kids:
Snacks - Chester's puffcorn
Dinner - spaghetti
Working on cloth wipes
Cutting out new squares
Sewing old squares
Scanning - Go, Glow, Grow
Doing surveys
Reading books to kids - 11 are due back 9-2
Eating (tuna salad, spaghetti, fruit)
Plus I've added some more stuff I need to do:
Playground - kids need outside play
Stake up last tomato plant
Hand prints - let the twins paint hand prints on my tummy & photograph
Empty small camera
Fold clean sheets/towels
Let bleached toys air dry
Clean up 1/4 of my bedroom pile (at least)
I just don't have the energy to get up and cook for myself. I don't even feel like moving out of this chair right now. The kids may actually HAVE to push me on the swing later.
I have 24 days till I am due.
Tonight I'll get to watch another agonizingly painful episode of Jon & Kate Plus 8; after that I get to see a ROCKING new episode of Ultimate Cake Off - Pirates. I'll catch-up on the Weeds season finale tomorrow morning. Then, tomorrow night I'll get to see my Duggars!
I'm going to have to go get food...I think Subway will be my best bet. I can spend $5.50 and get a foot long sub. Of course, I'll have to get a drink too...so there's another $1.50. Oh well, you only live once, and this baby needs nutrition!

On today's list:
Wash laundry:
Comforter
Towels
Kids/my clothes
Feeding Kids :
Breakfast - sausage & cheese biscuits with banana
Lunch - roast, carrots, green beans, pasta salad
Snacks - Chester's puffcorn
Dinner - spaghetti
Working on cloth wipes
Cutting out new squares
Sewing old squares
Getting cokes - hubby left me $5
Making decaf sweet tea(cold-brew)- first I have to clean my jug, then find sugar
Scanning - Go, Glow, Grow
Moving files - from kids comp to my comp
Entering sweeps
Doing surveys
Check the mail
Reading books to kids - 11 are due back 9-2
Eating (tuna salad, spaghetti, fruit)
Putting flea powder on *some* of the carpet - it has to sit for 1-24 hours
Vacuuming up the flea powder
Bleaching old bath toys - 3/4 cup bleach:16 cups water for 5 minutes

It appears I will have to separate the twins today. J has really been defiant - he's been hurting T, going into her room, throwing her stuff, and generally not following rules. He is in "Jedi" mode and has been acting like a jerk since hubby made him a "light saber" the other day. Normally I see a lot of emotional issues with T, but the past 3 days have been full of J breaking down, not so much T.
It is becoming obvious that each of these kids needs more "alone" time with and without a parent. I'm going to have to hang out with one twin while the other plays independently (which usually means video games). T likes doing art projects and getting her nails painted. J likes reading and helping. And all I seem to want to do is complain and bite my nails - gotta work on that.
I'm really in limbo with my mood today. Though I'm not feeling great, I am TRYING to stay positive and make progress. I would really LOVE to clean enough for hubby to notice when he gets home. I feel like he did a TON of work with little reward yesterday. The least I can do is try to make other aspects of this house livable. I took a Tylenol to curb the achiness I feel and to prevent any further pain from creeping in (hopefully).
I've got J cleaning his room properly - everything in its place. And T is exercising and dancing to a show on Nick Jr. They have each played a math game this morning on their PC - separately. I'm discouraging Xbox as much as possible - Wii too. I feel they can earn those games after they do normal kid stuff (coloring, playing with toys, picking up after themselves, learning).
I'm trying to work out a plan of attack by time schedule for today...though I know it will change:
12:00 - spread flea killing powder on my bedroom hallway & sweep it in
12:15 - fix sweet tea, go get cokes, check mail, playground?
12:45 - dry comforter & make/feed kid's lunch
1:15 - vacuum flea powder out of my bedroom
1:30 - my lunch
Now T is happily coloring in her Hello Kitty coloring book, and J is playing Arthur Kindergarten on the kid PC. There is the mail man - brb. Okie-dokie, the mail has been checked; I also checked my tomato plants while I was out front. I still need to stake up the middle plant and add dirt to all three. But the good news is I have one bloom on two different plants...we may see 2 whole tomatoes this year!
Tea jug - leaks - and I'm too dumb to check it for leaks before I fill it - so there goes that! I had to empty a milk jug and wash it; I refilled the milk jug with what was left of the tea, and I'll add sugar in a few minutes...ugh what a mess. On top of that, I opened the freezer and an entire box of dog treats fell off the fridge and covered the kitchen floor - sometimes I think hubby's mom is booby-trapping me.

Here is a recap of Sunday. Hubby slept till noon. The kids (especially J) were very rowdy for the second day in a row. We met the older sister and nephew of the girl down the street. We had a huge spaghetti and bread dinner and ALL of us cleaned our plates (except hubby). And the big news of the day - are you ready for this - hubby (reluctantly and angrily) moved the desk and computer OUT of my bedroom and into the living room! I got a great night of sleep!
I can totally see how advantageous it will be to have the computer out in open space with the rest of the family. I think it will work wonders for the home school effort. Honestly, I think time on the computer will be better spent now. Hubby only stayed up playing games until 2am (normally it is 3am-4am) his initial thoughts were that it is boring/lonely playing alone in the living room. Also, the kids never got out of bed last night - it may be coincidence - maybe not.
So today while hubby works 10am-8pm I'll be trying to clean up the gaping hole in our bedroom where our desk once was. It looks like a bomb went off in there, but I'm sure I can improve it. We still need to rearrange our bedroom and setup a crib before baby comes, but we'll get there soon enough.

Gas consumed me again last night - preventing ANY hope of sound sleep. I thought I was giving birth - the gas was THAT bad. All the farts in the world didn't seem to help, but now (after 3 big poops) I'm feeling a little better. Too bad my mood has not improved. I'm in a very matter-of-fact, harsh mood. My temper - let's just say I've got a short fuse today. I'm not sure if I can put up with everyone's crap today. It feels like a day where I will scream over the toilets not being flushed...every. single. time. And I can sense a great deal of future resentment will appear around noon when hubby is still sleeping; after yesterday, I feel some of that resentment already.
It will probably rain ALL day; the sun will likely NOT come out. Gloom and doom. Stuck inside all day, we will be forced to deal with each other. And despite my efforts, the desk did NOT get moved last night. I've measured out a spot which requires us to move the entertainment center down 8 inches...I just feel like I'm doing it alone. Honestly, most of my day is spent "alone" in my duties. I don't feel like I'm respected for what I do, but if I stop doing what I do I get looked at with disrespect. Funny how that works. It's funny too that a person can dedicate hours upon hours in the middle of the night to one's favorite video game; however, that same person cannot/will not dedicate half that amount of time to one's children. After all, one sleeps for 5-6 hours after one's kids get up, and one's kids go to bed 7-8 hours after that.
I wonder how one will change after the baby comes. One will be getting an earful if one doesn't help out. I can take a lot, but I can dish out more!
Time to get ff this computer and try to make the best of a crappy day. I'll do my best to cheer up before I come back to the blog. I'll try to think happy thoughts: I'll have a new baby soon (about 3.5 weeks - give or take), my grandmother will be back from Maine in the next couple of days, and there is food in the house.

It is nearly 5:30, and BOY am I tired! I can't stop yawning. My feet feel swollen. My lower half is "locked up" tight. Seriously, it feels like I can barely walk - the muscles from my lower back and tummy are stiff all the way to my knees. My waddle is taking on new characteristics. And I'm having unusually placed leg cramps (like the inner thigh). I hope I can sleep better tonight than last night; apparently gas had me all uncomfortable last night, but I didn't know I had gas till I farted a BUNCH this morning.
You know, I'm really considering a bath tonight. I could follow it up with soothing muscle tingly lotion. You never can tell when your last bath will be. I've still got to eat dinner, put the twins to bed, and tidy up some things before I can consider relaxation. Then I'll have to clean the tub - oh what joy!
Hubby should get home late tonight, and he may still want to move this desk. I assured him I would re-measure our options so he can just listen to me, decide where to put it, and actually DO IT.
Also, I finished scanning the cursive workbook. I am now beginning to scan our last Planet Earth coloring & activity workbook (Cool Creatures, I think).

Progress:
I fixed my boppy last night! It doesn't look great, but it doesn't have a gaping hole anymore.
As soon as I got up this morning I went on a coke run (and got myself a mountain dew to wake up).
After I got home I scanned and stuffed my medicaid paperwork, and I put it in the mail with a stamp on it. Yeah, for the first time in 3 or 4 years I got the medicaid paperwork out of here on time!
Now I'm back to scanning the cursive writing workbook(halfway done); after this one I may scan a planet earth coloring and activity book - not sure yet.
I moved those pillows to the donation bag in the van - I'll take them by to donate tonight.
I'm also trying to get this one shelf emptied so I can clean my desk off onto the shelf. I'd like to get this done before hubby wakes up, so that maybe he will be inspired by my progress and want to help me. - Update - shelf has been emptied AND filled with the little stuff off of our desk.
I emptied the specialty stuff from the dryer.
The kids have had breakfast.
I still need to empty the trash, and throw out the small collection of 4 pizza boxes and 3 coke bottles.

Last night I got hubby to figure out the stupid hospital virtual tour; he had to download and install stuff to get it to work. So now, I can browse the virtual tour whenever I'm ready. Thanks hubby!
I bought some curved needles from Michael's (with a 40% off coupon), and I intend to try one out tonight on my boppy. To prepare all I'll need is the boppy, the needles, scissors, and yellow thread. I can sew it while in bed before I fall asleep tonight.
I've completed scanning our state tax info from 2007 & 2008. I also mailed the taxes off...big check mark on THAT item on the to-do list. I also am prepared to finish and mail the Medicaid renewal tonight for the twins. Progress is good!
I finished scanning the Addition Facts to 18 workbook, and I am now scanning a Cursive Writing workbook for Grade 2-3. I'm a little torn on when to try cursive; the ABeka folks start in Kindergarten, but other cirriculums wait until Grade 2. I guess I'll let the kids try at their own paces.
As of last night J is a level 9 on Wizard101, and he beat Lego Star Wars on Xbox two days ago. T has been focusing on JumpStart First Grade (on PC) - there is a city design portion that she really loves.
When I was a kid my grandmother would send me postcards every summer when she visited Maine; now she sends them to my kids. The twins got a postcard from her yesterday (at least the 4th one this summer) and for the first time I just handed it to them instead of reading it to them. J read it out loud, and the only 2 words J didn't know were "Maine" and "Hope."
My mom and I were discussing the "hospital bag" for the second time around in childbirth yesterday. She really only took basics with my little brother - I can agree that there is SO little I will need AT the hospital. The hospital provides pads, diapers, wipes, disposable panties, baby stuff, and even baby clothes to an extent. So, I'm going to pack a bag soon, and here is what I'm thinking of packing: Toiletries (mainly deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush), My jeans to go home in (I'm STILL wearing these size 7, beat-up jeans that I wore since before becoming pregnant), a shirt to go home in, some sort of night gown/sleepwear, lots of socks (I have a foot thing), Ipod w/headphones, my cameras & tripod, a fold-up/fold-out bag (to carry all the crap that I will acquire during my stay), a backdrop for the hospital photo, and a photo/carry-home outfit for the baby.
I'm needing to write a list of loose ends that need to be tied up in these last few weeks with no newborn. I'm really hoping to get caught up on all tasks requiring thought (paperwork) BEFORE the baby comes and turns me into a zombie. I can imagine the agony of trying to do taxes or budget with only 2 hours of sleep...makes me glad I didn't finish college.
On the subject of rearranging and preparing for a baby, we are at least TALKING about it. I think I'm going to clear off as much of the little stuff on our desk as possible tonight - it will serve as a hint to hubby and a first step to getting this thing OUT of my bedroom. Let's face it, if I don't get the ball rolling, it may rust in place!
I've been checking out this website (I'm a beta-tester) that is helping me organize my thoughts for home school. It is called Lesson Pathways, and it lets me assign students different pathways at different levels. It definitely has a hiccup or two, but overall it is an awesome helpful concept and tool. So far I've picked the first 25 weeks of math for the twins; after that, we'll have around 11 weeks of Grade 1 math. Each kid may go at a different pace - we'll see. I really would like to make a placement test for the twins, just to get an idea of what they know; for example, they can count 1-10 & 16-20, but they are a little off on 11-15. They both understand the concept of "more" but I never mentioned "less" being the opposite of more - my bad.
I'm over halfway done with the dishes. I just started a load of "specialty" laundry; this load consists of Velcro-free hats, jackets, coats, bags, and dressy shirts. Hopefully I can get to a load of towels/sheets/blankets tonight, but I'll be happy just to get the specialty stuff done. I've found some decorative pillows for donation - that thins out the other specialty laundry quite a bit.
No Lowe's, Home Depot, or Michael's projects are going on this weekend. There is a grand opening of the Lego store; they are giving out a R2-D2 Duplo block per person that buys something.

Leave house to get gas at 8:15
Drop kids off at parents at 8:45
Dr at 9:15
Pickup twins at parents house
Winn Dixie to get hubby's mom's prescriptions, creamer, and butter
DONE
The doctor said my baby boy is head down with a good heart rate of 154 BPM. My blood pressure was 98/54 and I DID gain weight. I am not dilated yet, and the doctor expects no change in the coming week. I go back next Thursday at 10:30; hopefully hubby will watch the kids next time. My parent's said the twins were good. I'm shocked.

I'm going to run 2 lists below. As I complete items from the to-do list, I'll move them to the accomplished list. Hopefully this will keep me on track today.

Today's plans:
Add contacts to my new phone
Scan & stuff taxes
Photograph wipes progress
Mark & cut more cloth wipes
Setup voicemail on new phone
Fold towels
Emptied big camera
Have twins organize underwear
Read a book or two with/to the twins
Wash a load of "specialty" items (bags, hats, etc)
Shower
Seriously consider how to rearrange the bedroom
Seriously consider how to rearrange the living room and dining room
Tackle the HS colored tubs


Today's accomplishments:
Sweepstakes are entered
Scanned another Addition & Subtraction (Grade 1-2) workbook
Dryer emptied & refilled
Washer emptied & refilled
Breakfast fed to kids
Watered tomato plants
Mailed Netflix movies
Have kids make beds and clean rooms
Charged small camera
Charged big camera
Emptied small camera

For being broke with no gas, I feel great! We went to visit my parents earlier, and we never stopped to get gas. We'll need to get some the next time we leave, but oh well. My parents gave me a new LG Xenon cell phone...it is cute and much smaller than I expected. I need to charge it tonight and activate it. My mom and brother got to see my belly "move" as the baby kicked; T and my brother both felt him kick. I ate a bowl of chili, and the twins ate tons of food, I'm sure. We had a nice visit...really nice. My mom showed me a bunch of old family papers. We all checked our weight; I am 169.5, J is 45, and T is 47.5 - we all gained weight. When we were working the twins never teetered over 43 pounds for J and 45 pounds for T, but ever since we stopped working, they have packed on the pounds. Me too for that matter...I've gained 3.5 pounds since I stopped working.
We took tricycles to storage and got some stuff out to donate. The Star Wars book went back to the library, and I deposited a check for hubby's mom at the bank.
I've got the washer and dryer going; the dishes are running in the dishwasher. I took out a bag of trash. The twins are watching a Disney Princess Friendship movie and getting along nicely.
Tonight is Hell's Kitchen & the Duggar's. I still haven't watched all of last week's Hell's Kitchen, so I better hurry up! I've got chick peas on my menu for tonight...maybe some cereal too.

Hubby works 10a-8p.
Me and the twins are going to visit my parents in T'ville. I forgot they had an anniversary 2 days ago - we need to congratulate them. I get to weigh while I'm at their house; I'm hoping I'm about 170 at the most & 167 at the least. I'd like to weigh the twins too...they seem to be gaining weight, finally.
We will also go by storage and the library while we are in town. And the bank for hubby's mom. We could go to the river or a playground, though it will be as high as 88 degrees today.
I've got plenty to do at home today too; laundry and dishes really need to be caught up. I keep forgetting to finish scanning and stuffing the taxes to mail. I finished scanning that workbook, and now I need to copy of all those scans before starting again on the next workbook.
I have 30 days till I'm due. So, at the most 37 days till I have a baby. That sure is soon. I can't wait! I just really need to get this place cleaned up. Maybe I can drop off those tricycles and some tubs today when we go to storage. Also we have a bag of bigger girl clothes than T needs, but we may need to just put those in the top of her closet instead of storage. I can grab some stuff OUT of storage too...if the spiders don't get me. Then later or tomorrow we can go drop off that stuff for donation.

BUT it can pay my bills. My bank account appears to be overdrawn from a mistake a fast food joint made the other day; they charged me for someone else's meal, then refunded it, then charged me for mine...but the refund didn't show up yet. Hubby gave me $20 to get cokes and detergent, but he needed the change. Well, I did what I was told, and he got back $3 change; however, I forgot to use my $3 off coupon, so I'm feeling like an idiot. I could have used that $3 to get gas to go visit my parents today. Ugh. Now I have no gas AND no money.
My options are limited. I know hubby has an old bank account that he hasn't touched in months with $4 left in it; I could find his checks and write one to myself for that amount. That won't fix the overdraft fee, but it will make me feel a little better. I don't have more than $2 rolled change, if that. And I HAVE to get gas to make it to my parent's house and back, so I'm going to have to borrow the kids' money (tooth fairy and birthday) which is SO not right.
I have to be able to afford gas and parking Thursday at the doctor's office. Hopefully hubby can come up with some cash quickly.

Scanning success - I finished scanning the Cars Reading workbook; I am 25% finished scanning Disney Grade 1 Addition & Subtraction. After this I'll be going for another math workbook of some sort.
Kids have had B & L, and I've had a hot dog. I've got an appetite now, so I should jump on the chance to eat; should I eat the chick peas or cheese ravioli? Good taste vs. higher calorie. We have a winner - leftover french fries & cheese ravioli.
I am getting excited for Thursday's doctor's appointment. I am eager to find out if I am dilated or effaced; I'm eager to know if the baby is head down yet. I am curious to see if I have gained several pounds, because I have been eating pretty well; also, I am curious to see if I am still measuring big.

We just got back from running errands. We were halfway to the library before J informed me he left one of the due books at home; we didn't have enough gas to get back home and then to the library. Instead we finished reading Are You My Mother? and took back the books we had with us.
Next the kids begged to go to the track - yes, the walking track. 4 laps is a mile, and they said they wanted to do 5 laps. T always runs twice as fast for three times as long as me and J. He and I made it about a lap and a half, while T went at least 2 and a half laps before we could stop her. When we left I noticed copious amounts of peanut shells on the sidewalk, so I told J to go a different way - he did. Unfortunately, the one tiny speck of peanut shell that was on the path he took ended up under his hand. Luckily I saw it happen and we rinsed it off immediately with water. Then I hit it with a disinfecting wipe - really burning the eczema. He was worried the whole way home about it...he ran in the house and we scrubbed and scrubbed it with soap - especially under his nails. I also covered his hand in Vaseline and put his glove on; I doubt any residual peanut protein can get through all that into his nose or mouth. I do plan on giving him his antihistamine before dinner to stop his itching and combat any reactive issues in his body.
The twins are really getting into Star Wars because of their video game. Right now they are watching the pod race scene in The Phantom Menace; I think it is SO cool that J can read most of the subtitles!
I'm planning on getting these kids fed and in bed before 8, so I can get a shower by 8:30. Hubby doesn't know what time he gets off work, so I'd like to be out of the shower by 8:30 just in case. I do want to finish scanning the current workbook, and I want to move all those scans to my computer (currently on the kids machine). I also need to sort those scans by workbook and rename them.

Hubby and I spent lots of time outside with the twins yesterday. T and I played soccer until she got worn out. They went to the gas station with hubby to add air to their bike tires, and they rode bikes in the yard some.
Last night I finished scanning Grade 2 Time & Money AND Cars Math. I started on the Cars Reading workbook, and I am currently 25% finished scanning it.
Hubby's mom made dinner last night - BBQ Chicken, beans, scalloped potatoes, biscuits, and corn on the cob. The corn really worked out T's loose tooth! She said she would wait until today to pull it, but she couldn't leave it alone. So at 9:15pm - past bedtime of course - while J was sleeping, T came to me asking about blood. She had blood on her fingertips, face, and pajamas. I felt her tooth, and decided it HAD to come out. She and I wiggled and twisted and soaked up blood. I made the final twisty tug and showed her the tooth. We got the bleeding to stop, and she put her tooth in her tooth fairy pillow. The tooth fairy came at some point; luckily the tooth fairy had been saving a $1 bill for the last week in anticipation of that moment.
The twins each got baths and video game time last night; J is a level 7 on Wizard101 - he really loves that game. I changed their sheets; of course, T got a little blood on her comforter from that tooth.
Both twins slept through the night with no mention of a night-light (I officially plugged the empty outlet last night). They slept ALL night - I was able to see T find her money in the tooth fairy pillow this morning - she's happy.
I had to put J in 2 gloves after eczema treatment last night, but he seems to like it. He just takes off one glove to pee when he wakes up. His eczema is really getting rough. I wish there was a pill he could take to improve it. We have to give him his antihistamine to keep him from itching, but we can only give him so much in a day.
So I'm broke - no money - and no laundry detergent. So, I don't get to do any laundry today. I am not complaining! I've got other things to do. Hubby works at 4pm today, and we have several books due back at the library. I just hope we have enough gas to get there and back.

We went to the playground before hubby got up, smashed our glass, played on the swings and slide, read Star Wars: The Queen's Diary, and met a cool guy and his dog. It was only 74 outside...felt SO darn good! The high today should only be 80, and that is amazing.
Hubby had to run errands in the van, so I'm at home with the twins getting little things done. I'm finishing scanning the Time & Money workbook, and plan to do the Cars Math workbook next. The twins are playing Lego Star Wars on Xbox; the fetus is squirming around in my abdomen.
I feel like I need to release physical tension. My back is hurting - I just took some Tylenol and ate a Vienna sausage sandwich just in case my body needed a boost or protein, fat, and carbs. I had to lay down for a few minutes - it is amazing what a little rest can do. I'm thinking about meditating tonight to soft music.

The weather is nice, but I need more sleep. Today has a lot of potential to be fun; the kids are excited because hubby is off work today and tomorrow. I'm hoping he'll crawl out of bed before noon.
I need to go get cokes. The glass should be dry & ready to smash to bits after breakfast. We can easily paint our lockers today. We could also do hand prints on my belly. I plan on scanning the Time & Money workbook and cleaning up in the dining room a bit.
I know I say this all the time, but I sure wish we could rearrange today! I have plenty I can do if I don't get tired or frustrated too soon. I can bag up donation items, bag up tricycles for storage, and move around the little junk in our dining room. I'd like to figure out where to put the movie rack and get all those movies off our dining room table in case we have a family dinner tonight. We've all been very strapped for cash, so I'm not expecting any major dinner. In fact, I'm not really sure how we'll make it all week on the food we have - lots of bread and rice. We'll probably exhaust the odds & ends in the fridge - pickles, leftovers, cheese.
I need to get my butt moving. I'm off to get dressed and start this day! Staying positive is a must. Don't worry - be happy!

Scanning "Cells" book - done.
Scanning Time & Money Grade 2 workbook - only done the cover.
Music - Journey, Foo Fighters, Marvin Gaye, The Four Tops, The Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, Bill Haley.
Sewing Kit Search - ruled out luggage, headboard, tub in LR on dresser, toolboxes, wooden box, & top of middle white cabinet.
Small Camera - emptied
Kid's Dinner & Dessert - cooked, fed, & eaten.
Glass for our project - rinsed in hot water, covered in Comet with bleach, rinsed in hot water, lightly tossed and touched by kid hands, soaked in hot water & Comet with bleach, lightly scrubbed, rinsed with hot water, & set out to dry.
Kids Currently - asleep with no mention of a night-light (2nd night in a row with no mention)!

We went to the river where we planned to do our glass project, but some guys were hiding in the bushes obviously being naughty, and I decided we'd read a book out of sight then take 4 books back to the library. After that we came home, and now we're getting ready to clean our glass here.
I finished scanning Grade 1 Spelling and have started scanning that "Cells" book. I do need to focus some attention to organizing my scanned files - and renaming them. I have a million files labeled "SCANXXXX" or "FILEXXXX" instead of named by workbook. Also, I often scan a page multiple times for the best result - and all those duplicates can add up! I really need to look through and sort my 13,000 educational files into subject or grade or something.
At the moment I am feeling like getting something done - I hope it lasts! I get so distracted and start biting my nails at times like these. I hate that!
I'm off to fold towels and washcloths, unload the van, grab the camera, and grab the good scissors. Little things.

Went to Lowe's to build; the kids did great. We took our time, and J read the instructions to us (for the most part). We skipped Books-A-Million because it was late when we left Lowe's. Instead we went glass hunting at the park.
Next up is the glass project. We need to clean our glass then bash it up into smaller pieces and let it dry to put in jars. Nothing like destruction to make a person happy. We may go down by the river to do this. It is only 82 outside - with an equal heat index - really cool for this time of year.
I think I'll carry my flannel shirt to cut in the van just in case we stop at the playground. If we can get by the library before 4pm, we can drop off books. I'd like to stop by a Dollar Tree store to look at workbooks and arts & crafts/school supplies. I guess I should go buy a curved needle set too.

Last night I looked in the cabinet for my sewing kit and it wasn't there. I'm stumped. I have no clue where it is. I'm considering going to the store to buy some curved needles instead of look any further around here. I made the pile bigger trying to get into the cabinet, so now it will take much more work to organize - fun.
I opted for a shower last night - no bath for me. I also got some laundry done. I only had 23 pages left to scan in Grade 1 Spelling when I went to bed, and I've already scanned some more in today.
I will be able to finish our state taxes (2007 & 2008) today; I need hubby to sign them, I need to scan in the signed copies, I need to find a second envelope, and I need to attach the W-2's. If we are lucky, we'll be getting a tad bit of money back when we need it (after the baby arrives). Even if it just pays my lab bills or buys diapers - it's a help.
I found another flannel shirt last night, though it isn't as thick as the first one. I can still do single layer wipes out of it, they just won't be AS pretty as the originals. I have taken the before photo and started marking the wipes on the shirt; it appears I can make another 16 wipes from this shirt. That puts me up to 3 dozen, and that is all I wanted.
I'm on the verge of finishing laundry - the last load is in the dryer, and I'm out of detergent. I finally got our Disney throw washed - I want to hide it so no kids mess it up - it's so pretty.
As soon as the kids get their room clean, they can have breakfast; after that they can get dressed and we will head out to Lowe's. Hubby requested I wake him up before we leave, but he is not planning on going with us. He had a hard time falling asleep last night; in fact, he didn't sleep until 4am.
It is a beautiful and sunny day - we're going to stay as positive as we can. Wish us luck!

I am SO tired. All I want to do is lay down - standing and sitting aren't feeling so good. I feel crappy enough to take a bath later, but if this lightning and thunder doesn't let up, I'll have to skip the bath and postpone the shower. If I do get a bath, I'm taking the MP3 player for Bob Marley or oldies or soul or something calming. Life is better with music.
I feel like I have not gotten much done today. I'm only 50% done scanning Grade 1 Spelling. I still haven't started the laundry since hubby finished his. Heck, I haven't even fed the twins dinner yet. Luckily they are watching Zathura and in no rush to go to bed.
I really need to find a movie that interests me - I see much time spent in bed in the near future, and cable just doesn't cut it! I also HAVE to find that sewing kit with my curved needles. I can totally sew MOST of my projects while sitting in bed. I think that sewing kit is in this cabinet in my bedroom...I have to move the pile in front of the cabinet to get to it.
Tomorrow is Saturday, the weather should be nice, hubby works at 2, and here is what I want to do with my day:
Glass Hunt & Trash pick-up (9am)
Lowe's Build and Grow School Bus (10am)
Books-a-Million Storytime (11am)
Library (?)

Pillowcases are folded.
Comforter is folded.
Kids have had the first 2 meals of the day and a snack.
I'm cooking mac & cheese...I already ate a hot dog.
Hubby is doing his laundry; I'll do more when he is done.
Hubby and I watched The Soloist earlier - good movie.
I'm drinking a frozen bottle of water and planning to eat some canned pears later.

I got super-itchy last night and took some Benadryl. It knocked me out really well and stopped the itching. However, I woke up with a gigantic headache...like ALL the snot in my head is dried up and caked to the walls of my sinuses. My ears even hurt! I only had one time all night where my legs almost cramped - so that's pretty good.
Despite the gloomy weather, I charged up the Jeep batteries; hubby doesn't leave for work until 3:15pm so why not be prepared. Usually they play outside even when it is wet, as long as it is not raining or lightning. It appears the rain will start up again around 2pm, which is fine because hubby takes his shower at 2:15.
I got 25% of Grade 1 Spelling scanned in last night - as predicted. Today I'll finish scanning the other 75%, and I hope to start the "Cells" book too. There is something VERY rewarding about the scanning process - I love to archive - I'm like a data hoarder.
I finished cutting out my cloth wipes last night, and I accidentally cut right into the last one just a little. So I have 19 good wipes and 1 hacked wipe that I can repair or trash. The next step is to sew up all the edges to prevent fraying. Then they can go in the baby clothes wash pile with the cloth diapers. I'm planning on searching my closet and fabric collections today for more soft flannel material to create more wipes. Most people online recommend having 2-3 dozen cloth wipes on hand, so I need about 16 more.
Today's menu for the kids is: B - Toast, Banana, Grapes, & Cherry Tomatoes (T only); L - Hot Dogs & Rice or Mashed Potatoes or Pasta Salad; D - Mexican Ziti. Today's menu for me: Vienna sausage sandwich, hot dogs, chick peas, & whatever else I can find.
I forgot to mention the nightlight conquest! For the past 3 nights I've tried to get the twins to sleep without a night light; reasons include they don't sleep as soundly as they should, and the blue glow stimulates J's sleepwalking. I really need these big kids to sleep through the night EVERY night now that a baby is coming. So the first and second nights they got up as usual and hubby put the night light back in; they got almost half a night's sleep without the light. The second night was the hardest because they gave me a hard time when I put them to bed; they had lots of monsters and bad guys questions, but I comforted them. Then last night they each got up (I know T got up - not sure about J), but never asked for the light back. So, hubby never put it back in there. In other words, last night they slept with NO night light! I love saving electricity!
So today I want to get some things done:
Scanning workbooks
Laundry - mine & the twins - I need to see if hubby wants to do his today too
Dishes (I got halfway done last night)
Folding clean towels & sheets
Putting away folded clothes & towels
Entering sweeps
Filling out surveys
Transferring google calendars between accounts
Taking photos
Emptying my cameras
Charging the big camera
Reading more books to the twins
Staying Positive!

It's those little things that sit around forever and drive me nuts...like the 2 blocks in my room next to the 4 Lincoln logs. I am finally putting that stuff where it belongs. I also started the laundry and emptied the trash.
J tried the first page of the Grade 1 Spelling workbook with success; I think we should do some other workbooks first - I like to work in order, and he needs more practice reading instructions. So far I've got the first 8 pages scanned in; I think I can be 25% done tonight, if the power doesn't go out. The storm is getting rough and our power usually goes out with this much wind and lightning.
And wow - I just got a headache from nowhere! I'm sleepy too. Really sleepy. I'm eating hot peppers to stay awake. Baby is squirming - he must not like the peppers. I need to get up and move around some. I could stand to fix myself a small portion of spaghetti for dinner. I definitely need to eat my banana to attempt to prevent leg cramps - though, I know it won't work. Let's face it, I drink too much coke and not enough water. I need to clean my tea jug and make some sweet tea tonight...tea is better than coke, right?

We made it to the playground before any rain. I sat in the van cutting fabric (I got 8 wipes cut out) and writing notes; it was breezy and shady in the van where I also enjoyed some oldies music with my blue strawberry icee and Chester's puffcorn. The twins played for a while, then they went on a "glass hunt" to collect little bits of broken glass for a jar at home. We read 2 of our books, and we made it to the dollar store (I got a measuring tape). We looked in the hobby shop since it is going out of business, but as I expected - it is still too expensive. We skipped the library - I'll be in T'ville on Saturday for Lowe's and Books-a-Million, so library and storage can wait until then.
We got home and checked the mail. The twins finished the last of the pizza for lunch...followed by fruity snacks for dessert. Then it was back to the Xbox - sigh.
My appetite is gone, but I know I need to eat either a sandwich or mac & cheese. Most days I can stuff down a tuna salad sandwich or Vienna sausage sandwich ANYTIME. I'll try that momentarily. *Update - I ate 1.5 tuna salad sandwiches.
I'm just not feeling good right now. Maybe I have overdone it today - I don't see how. I feel like I need to lay down, but I don't want to waste a good day. We still have books to read, a glass project to finish, and a belly to put hand prints on (and take pictures of). I've also got 6 more wipes to mark out and cut. I need to put that new measuring tape to good use before I lay down too - and start a load in the washer - and empty the trash.
*Measuring Update...I measured out a "room" in our living room - 6'x8' which sounds smaller than it is. It would be a fine office or nursery; it would even serve as a bedroom for T if need be...though I'd want to add 1 foot to both length and width for extra walking space. The length of the wall needed in the office (if we went that route) is 11' 5" putting the potential dimensions of that room at 11'5" x 5'3". With a crib coming in around 4'7" that could be the perfect nursery; T's bed would fit if up against the wall and little/no other furniture present. It could serve as an office, but our desk is 5'3" - that's cutting it too close, unless we change desks.
I bought a Grade 1 Spelling workbook today; now I have 64 more pages to scan into the computer. I can dig it! We also got our free "Cells, Genes, and Protein Machines" Coloring/Story Books from the National Cancer Institute today; though we have 4 copies, I'm still scanning one in for good measure.

Need to get: 1 Apple, Measuring Tape, Dove for Sensitive Skin(Publix?), Hand Soap, free & clear laundry detergent, Mr. Clean (Publix?).
Today's books to read and take back to the library: The Biggest Shadow In The Zoo, Curious George Goes To School, Kung Fu Panda - Meet The Masters, My Hippie Grandmother, The Lunch Bunch, The Day Nobody Shared, & The Adventures of Snail at School.
Other points of personal focus today: Disposable wipes(finish marking and cutting), Finding the small sewing kit, Organizing the clutter in the living room, Organizing the clutter in my bedroom, Paperwork and listing loose ends, Picking an official school start date (August 31?).
It should begin to rain by 3pm, so we need to get moving soon. Maybe leave at 11am and come home a little late for lunch. I'm carrying snacks...we'll stop at a playground too.

Hubby remembered to take the trash to the road last night; I carried the trash I bagged out to him, just to make it easier. I still need to empty the kitchen trash, but the can outside is full, so I'll worry about it later.
Today's food plan for the twins is Cinnamon Toast Crunch for breakfast, Pizza (The Meats) for lunch, and Mexican Ziti for dinner. Butter cookies and fruit snacks will serve as snacks.
Today's food plan for me is the leftover half of a chicken salad sandwich, tuna salad on wheat bread (that hubby's mom bought for me), mac and cheese, hot dogs, and bananas. I've been eating a banana before bed every night, but it doesn't stop the leg cramps while I'm sleeping. These leg cramps alternate between calf and thigh - the pain is unique.
Today seems like a potentially pleasant and calm day. We will likely make a run to T'ville to visit the library and maybe storage. I'd like to use my $3 off $15 at Walgreen's today on detergent and pop tarts.
I am due in 35 days. I have 39 days worth of disposable diapers and maybe 10 days of disposable wipes. We will be getting a car seat in September - thank you grandmother! I have an old manual breast pump and 3 bottles. I still need to procure some Drop-Ins liners for 2 of those bottles, but I have a $1 off coupon to help me. This situation feels much less scary than last time. I'm very excited to meet the new kid - and hopeful he'll be healthy.
I began work on cloth wipes from a flannel shirt last night. If all goes well, I'll be able to get 20 wipes out of that 1 shirt. I'm trying to take pictures as I go...post them when I'm done. The hardest part will be clearing off a space to setup the sewing machine, and sewing the edges of the wipes.

checked the mail.
cleaned the wipes container.
taken before photos of the areas of my bedroom that need the most help.
taken before photos of the areas of the living room that need the most help.
folded AND put away most sheets.
found important papers.
taken a before photo of flannel shirt to seam-rip tonight.
begun to seam-rip that shirt - one sleeve is off, collar is off, and pocket is off.
totally de-buttoned that shirt.
listened to John Mayer.
eaten a baked potato.
watered the front porch plants.
emptied the dryer and folded those clothes.
emptied the washer and dried that comforter & sheet.
folded J's comforter.
filled the washer with sheets & towels & washed them.
thrown away all the pizza boxes (14) and emptied as much trash as I could fit in the bag.
been feeling some strange pains in a strange place.
been pleasantly surprised the hubby called to talk to the kids.
grown tired.

J is now playing Lego Star Wars on the Xbox and T went to watch after 20 minutes of Barbie.com. I'm feeling oddly good despite the clouds. I tried some Honey BBQ Boneless Wings from Wendy's - they were great with my chocolate Frosty.
I've folded lots of towels and washcloths today, and I've put away the folded kids clothes. I charged the little camera so I can do my before photos to "show and tell." I'm getting together some clothes for donation - some of this stuff will never get worn! And for the torn up jersey and flannel - I think I'll sew up some reusable wipes - I know that sounds gross, but I LOVE to save money and help the environment! I'm thinking 7" square should do the trick - yes 8" square is standard, but I think I could save the extra 1" around all edges and it would eventually add up to a whole extra wipe out of the fabric.
I've lined up credit card payments through the middle of next month - as long as I have money in the bank at the right times, all will be well there. I wish I had some extra income - like an Etsy or Cafepress shop. I do surveys, but that is minimal money for sure. Oh well - we will get by, just like we always do!

I've got an new idea for holding myself accountable - photographic evidence! I'm going to go around taking pictures of some areas of the house that need organization, and after I clean/organize them, I'll take after photos. I'll post them on the blog as evidence that I am making progress.
I've got some areas in mind...honestly I want to go one shelf at a time on the bookshelves. It may take a while to get everything sorted, but I'm excited to get the ball rolling! Hubby works 10am-8pm today, and it has been raining - that sounds like the perfect cleaning day to me :)

Happy...staying positive...streaming Magic 96.5 as I type...Rod Stewart..."Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?" T is wiggling her tooth while watching J play Curious George on Xbox. I'm about to take a big stack of folded clothes to their room - after this contraction. "I Wear My Sunglasses At Night" is on now. I am SO taking the Ipod to the hospital when I deliver.
Today we may go to the library, but I'm not sure. I'll see what is due soon (update - books due back 8-24, 8-27, & 9-2). I don't know what else we will do other than playground if not wet - front yard jeeps and sidewalk chalk. I need to take advantage of the little bit of appetite I have and get a high calorie piece of fast food. I've already eaten half a chicken salad sandwich today - that's good compared to normal. Perhaps we could run out to Babies R Us to check prices on clearance goods. Ooh - I'm gonna get a measuring tape! And maybe a mop. You see every mop I buy gets confiscated by hubby's mom for kitchen use & her bathroom(including dog pee). Unfortunately my son is allergic to dogs and their urine, so I can't mop my bathroom with the mops I buy. This happens everytime. I have to hide my cleaning supplies - it's kind of ridiculous! I really want things to call my own...I feel like I don't have much other than family. It shouldn't matter, but when I spend MY money on a material good for me and my family, and then someone else misuses it, I get upset.
I think it would be best to wait till tomorrow for the library - that way we can read the books today while we're out at the playground. We'll get the measuring tape today, but save other shopping for tomorrow. J is driving me nuts to find our Incredibles game for Xbox, and T wants to play on Barbie.com. They are such addicts. Oh well, off to seize the day!

To make life happier:
Wonders of pregnancy
Twins' smiles
The cute notes the kids write to me and hubby and hubby's mom
That 10 minute shower last night
Beatles, John Mayer, & Sublime
Spider Solitaire
Sleeping on clean sheets last night
Actually getting some sleep
To do:
Put the Lowe's badges & Home Depot pins together
Find the small sewing kit
Put bookmarks together
Wash/Dry/Fold sheets/comforter
Clean comforter bag for full change of sheets
Disinfect old bath toys
Put away fabric
Find paperwork for taxes, medicaid, etc
Dust discs
Pay insurance
Find the missing car keys Hubby had my keys
Bag up the butter cookies

Hubby did the dishes, played with the twins outside, reprimanded J for getting on the kitchen counters, and made me a glass of juice (he says I need the hydration and nutrients). He also apologized for not getting more done around the house today.
I watched Weeds and did laundry. I'm preparing for a fun afternoon with the twins, if the weather holds out. Even if it rains we can read books together. I'm going to have to go to bed early, which seems nearly impossible with the kids going to bed at 7, my shower at 7:30, my TV show at 8, and hubby getting home around 9:30-10. It would be a blessing to get an hour nap before hubby gets home!
T's 2nd tooth is getting pretty loose; her 1st adult tooth is sprouted and moving up daily. J's teeth still aren't wiggling, but his 1st adult tooth has broken the surface behind his baby teeth. The tooth fairy should expect to pay up very soon to T...2-3 days...maybe this weekend. I have encouraged her to stop wiggling it for the day - we wouldn't want to lose it in our sleep! I'll tell you, I really want to keep track of this next baby's tooth order and timing. My records got jumbled with the twins due to the rapid amounts of development in 2 kids at once. That first year a TON of things happen that mommies want to document; it's hard to do with twins and a sleep deprived mom.
J is begging to play Wizard101; now that he's a level 5 things are really picking up - lots of quests! T wants to play on barbie.com - she is a level 3 on Wizard101, so I may get her to play that instead. I'm off to do chores and let the wizards dominate my computer!

I fed the kids breakfast, got them dressed, started the washer, got cokes, emptied the movie rack, moved the movie rack, and have calmed down a little. I've eaten some mac & cheese, and I woke hubby up when asked - though he just went back to sleep. "Sorry I'm so sleepy," he said. I whispered to myself, "You don't KNOW sleepy!"
This day feels like it will go nowhere. Maybe after hubby goes to work I can accomplish something. Really though, by the time he goes to work (4pm) I will be SO tired and having SO many contractions, that I doubt I'll be able to accomplish much. There are little things I can do - bag up stuff for donation, fold clothes, put clothes away, etc.

...though disappointment abounds.
I tried to sleep between 10pm and 8am, but never once did I make it a full hour without waking up. After hubby pitching a fit about the computer and his game giving him trouble, it became harder to sleep. No offense to him, but when I'm trying to sleep and he's throwing and banging things out of frustration(or cursing the computer), it is impossible to stay asleep or happy. I felt he was being overly selfish, and I don't appreciate it. In fact I want that computer OUT of my bedroom today. I do not want another night of the light in my bedroom being on till 2 or 3am - it is just not working for me. Seriously, I feel like his game playing and staying up late is more important than me(the pregnant mama) getting sleep. I HAVE to get up in the MORNING and take care of the TWINS. I don't get the luxury of sleeping till noon. And the less sleep I get, the worse I treat my kids the next day. Still though, I don't think he notices or cares.
Time to change the subject. I want to be happy today. I really do. I've got a lot of things I WANT to do, but I need to focus on the home before I can do these things. Perhaps if I go out to the living room and start moving things around myself, it will get the ball rolling with hubby helping? It is raining and gloomy. The kids are acting wild. The Internet is not working like it should. My tummy hurts - hunger I believe.
Here is what I need hubby to do today: 1)Move the desk to the living room, 2)Move the computer to the living room, 3)Get the crib out of the attic, 4)Get his clothes out of the dryer & fold them, 5)Empty the trash, 6)Dishes, 7)Throw out the remaining 13 pizza boxes
Here is what I need to do today: 1)Feed the kids 3 times, 2)Tend to the children's needs, 3)Vacuum where furniture is moved from and to, 4)Deposit hubby's money to my bank account so I can pay insurance, 5) Wash/Dry/Fold the dirty comforter, 6)Wash the comforter bag to put it away in, 7)Find a measuring tape, 8)Measure the "pseudo-wall" & the spot the desk should go in the living room, 9)Research car seats for my grandmother, 9)Go buy cokes, 10)Shower, 11)Eat!

I'm craving - Mac & Cheese & Tuna Salad
Towels - washed and drying
Kids' Lunches - being eaten
Hubby - running errands
Weather - only about 81 outside - it is hotter in Maine - haha

Hubby is off work all day; I don't think much will be getting done around here, unless I do it myself. Things that need to be done today are: dishes, trash, laundry, kids outside time, check mail, work on tomato plants, and possibly rearrange something.
I really want to find a measuring tape and measure out the "pseudo-room" in our office. My daughter needs her own room, like, yesterday! There is too much sexual curiosity between them being in the same room, and it is ticking me off. She is the only girl, and she deserves her own girly space. J can share the nursery with baby brother...eventually.
My guts feel horrible today. I've got major gas. I'm also VERY hungry - too hungry to eat even. Today better get better!

How can I calmly handle kids who like to hit each other? She kicked him in the guts with both feet and he screamed like he was dying (maybe he is); but, of course, she was just hitting him back (like her father said to do) because he hit her in the privates. I'm ready to go knock them both out! It is ridiculous! I refuse to let them have any fun if they can't follow rule #1 - KEEP YOUR HANDS AND FEET TO YOURSELVES!!! At this point, I feel like not feeding them either. Perhaps it makes me a bad mother. Perhaps I am...I just can't see rewarding bad behavior.

All those tubs are gone to storage and out of our living room! We have already rearranged a couple of things, and we both feel progress has been made. Of course, I'd like to make some more good progress tonight; maybe I should focus on my junk in the bedroom and stop worrying about the living room! Hubby really helped out at storage (he did ALL the work) by moving some stuff out of a corner & filling it with tubs properly ordered. He opened an empty unit nearby and gave the kids their OLD tricycles to roll around on...it worked SO well! Also he and I agreed on some things that can be donated that we'll never use again - toys that can't be sold due to wear - by anyone EXCEPT a thrift store. So, maybe, someday, we'll get that stuff out of there.
The kids are getting good outside time with their dad...better hurry before Tropical Storm Claudette rolls in. I suspect this week will be pretty gloomy in general; gloomy and wet. Maybe we need a rainy few days to focus on housework. Hubby is off work tomorrow, so the kids may stay up late tonight...we'll see.

I need to boost my spirits - perhaps I'm being too selfish by letting life get me down. After all, it isn't all about me. I need to focus more on others - mainly family.
Here are some good things that happened at the home school party last night:

• I got my Books-a-Million Educator's discount card.
• I found out that Saturday mornings at 11am Books-a-Million has story time; this is perfect for when we finish our Lowe's, Home Depot, and Michael's projects - they are all within a couple blocks of each other.
• I spoke to a karate instructor; he was a good talker, and I feel safe letting one or both of my kids get involved in his establishment. He has a tree-nut allergy, so he is understanding of my worries.
• I spoke to a local girl scouts representative who assured me it isn't too expensive, and they even offer "scholarships" to help pay certain fees. Girl scouts start at 5; cub scouts start at 6.

And to stay positive today, I need some "good" thoughts. It could always be worse. My children are healthy and smart. I'm still feeling kicking from a fetus who seems to like music - my kind of guy. I am NOT on bed rest. We have a roof over our heads. My van is running fine. My husband still has a job. Some of the bills are paid. I finished scanning in that workbook last night. I took a load of stuff we didn't need anymore to Hannah Home last night.

I had really hoped I'd be "better" today. So far though, I'm still in a bad mood. I didn't get enough sleep, my tummy hurts, and the weather is gloomy. The kids are being overly noisy - mainly J. I'm not feeling very social, so talking to hubby's mom isn't going to be easy. It seems I'm always in a bad mood when she is up and happy; she can't bring me up, but I can sure bring her down - I don't want to do that.
Today I want these pizza boxes out of my room...all 14 of them. I also want to do SOMETHING about this house - take stuff to storage, rearrange, or SOMETHING! It is Sunday and that means NO laundry. I can still fold and put away pre-existing clothes, towels, and sheets - just no washing and drying today.

I feel so hurt and broken. I feel inadequate as a mother; I just can't handle my daughter. She doesn't listen to me (or anyone else unless they are trying to get her into trouble). She plays rough with the boys, cracks open her head, then I get called over the microphone. She broke SO many rules & never came to me when I asked her to. I swear I can't take her anywhere without her attitude changing - she does this to me every time! I must have really been a bad kid or something - apparently my karma is NOT good. I'm so sick of being embarrassed! Everyone looks at me like I'm the "bad" mom that can't control her kids. All these moms look at my girl like she is the bad influence - and she is.

Yesterday hubby did dishes, trash, AC filter, and his own laundry - what a huge help that was! He also fed and watered the dogs, and he got them to go outside. He told me yesterday that today before he goes to work, we can go by storage. I'm not getting my hopes up though because he usually is only awake and home for 2-3 hours on Saturday before work.
Up doing things by 8 - I'm scanning the last half of the Grade 2 Math workbook, I'm emptying my cameras and sorting the pictures, I'm doing laundry, and I'm copying files from one computer to another.
I'm trying to figure out my day based on time blocks; of course, any of this can change, and it usually does.
9:00-9:30 Kids Breakfast & mommy laundry
9:30-10:00 Kids get dressed and clean rooms; mommy gets dressed and loads the van
10:00 Wake up hubby and make sure he doesn't want to go to Michael's; see if he still wants to do storage today
10:15-11:30 Michael's Pencil Tin Project
11:30 Take stuff by Hannah Home/Salvation Army/Thrift Store
12:00 Kids lunch; wake up hubby again if he's asleep
1:00-1:30 Hubby leaves for work
????? 4 hours of fun and/or cleaning ?????
5:30 Kids dinner
6:15 Leave for Back To NO School Party
6:30-8:00? Party
8:30 Kids in bed at home
8:30-10:00 Me time
10:00-10:30 Hubby gets home; I lay down for bed

Good things for me to keep in mind...
I have access to a good computer, printer, and scanner; I have Internet and power.
I have found my blank CSEF and filled out the school portion minus signature.
I have a ton of resources downloaded for educating at home at different age/grade levels.
I have plenty of art supplies, school supplies, musical supplies, play-doh, etc.
I have plenty of time with my children to teach them!
This baby is kicking me lots, especially during music; that is reassuring.

I didn't get much sleep last night - but it was good sleep. The kids stayed in their beds sleeping ALL night. So far this morning, I am far less achy and having fewer contractions. I'm hoping that will continue throughout the day.
Friday's to-do's:
Laundry - towels, kids, mine, hubby's
Dishes - sink is full again
Feeding the kids three times
Checking the mail
Calling back Haley
Getting the twins help me de-clutter my room some (they will earn a prize for this).
Reading to/with the kids
Downloading freebies
Entering sweeps
Using my temporary free access to worldvitalrecords.com to keep going on that family tree tangent
Getting the twins outside - hubby works 4p-10p, so the kids will have him take them out later
Watering the tomatoes
Adding dirt to the tomatoes
Staking up that last tomato plant
Scanning in worksheets and workbooks
Pulling files off the kids computer to my computer
Renaming those files
Deciding which worksheets to print
Creating/finding a plain Church School Enrollment Form - I'm going to declare my home my church - I think
Saturday's to-do's:
Michael's Arts & Crafts Project in the morning
Back to No School Party in the early evening
Hubby works 2p-10p
Sunday's to-do's:
Not much
No laundry
Hubby is off work

The doctor said since I'm 34 weeks, they won't stop labor if it happens naturally; yeah, I'd still be early, but they won't stop it. I gained back that pound that I lost; my blood pressure was great (100/50). I'm still measuring a week big; his heart rate is still great. The doctor said she will let me go one week past the due date at most; also, she is willing to induce at 39 weeks.
Hubby made me a tuna salad sandwich & sweet tea. Gotta love it. Sometimes he does the best stuff!
I watered the plants, picked up the prescription, checked the mail, took out the trash, got gas, fed the kids, took them to visit my parents, thanked my parents profusely upon picking the kids back up, picked up cokes, and , of course, went to the doctor. I'm feeling some "low blows" from this baby. I need sleep.

Today I need to:

Leave at 1-1:15 to get gas in the van
Pick up a prescription - J's Singulair
Eat
Drop the twins off at my parents at 2-2:15
Be at the doctor by 2:45
Run by hubby's work after the doctor for a free sweet tea
Pick the kids up from my parents
Take the twins by a playground
De-wrinkle & fold the clothes in the dryer
Wash & dry a load of towels/sheets
Work on the family tree (I'm off on a tangent on Webtree.com)
Stake up the last tomato plant
Add dirt to the three big tomato plants

I did not sleep well last night - despite the Benadryl. The twins kept getting up; the baby kept kicking. I couldn't get comfortable. Hubby was noisy in his sleep - he whimpers and moans; the (bright and loud) computer restarted too. I got up to pee in the middle of the night, and I ran into our bathroom counter's corner - crotch first. And my phone was ringing at 7:38 while I was trying to shoo J back to bed. Crazy dreams all night too. Let's hope today is better than overnight!

This afternoon I actually got some stuff accomplished!

• J read those books to me.
• We visited my parents.
• My brother FINALLY felt the baby kick.
• We took 11 tubs to storage.
• We returned 7 library books and a DVD.
• We got everything on our list (and nothing more) from Dollar Tree.
• We picked up the prescription that was ready (we'll have to go back tomorrow for the other).
• I moved the three big tomato plants to their new spot in the yard, and I staked up two of them.
• I got the dishes done.

Last night's results - I got my shower, ate my coconut M&M's (yum!), watched my shows, took a Tylenol, took some Benadryl, ate some pizza, and de-cluttered a little. I got 4 straight hours of sleep; it was the first time since I quit Benadryl. I woke up with no neck pain - how cool is that!
Pregnancy - I'm having lots of contractions, my breasts are changing (again), I have NO room to digest food, I've got heartburn and little appetite, I'm very uncomfortable, I'm happy though. I'll be 34 weeks tomorrow; I go to the doctor tomorrow afternoon. 43 days left.
Scanning - I've gotten 50% through with scanning the Grade 2 Reading workbook; I'll be done by the end of the day - for sure. Then I've got some random educational magazine pages to scan before I start the next workbook.
Bills - My health insurance was due 11 days ago; I paid $20 of $155 today. Hopefully Friday hubby will give me some money towards my insurance. It is taking a while to get the hang of this not working thing. At least I still have 9 days before credit card payments must be made.
Reading - Books for today - Captain Cat, Roar, What's Inside?, and Pip and Kip. I've read them all to T, and J can read them to me later (before we go to the library).
Library - We are returning 6 books and a DVD; I renewed all our other books due later this week, so we still have time to read, and we won't have to go to T'ville again till next week.
Storage - I can fit 8 big tubs and 3 small tubs in the van under its current configuration; I moved the bikes, but was too lazy to tuck the seat into the trunk. I'm taking girl's shoes/socks, bigger boys shoes, winter and post-pregnancy clothes of mine, Boys 4T clothes, Boys 3T clothes, Boys 2T-3t clothes, Boys 24month/2T clothes, Boys 18month clothes, and 3 small tubs of books. Talk about weighing down my van!
Trying to stay positive should be easy today - as long as the weather cooperates! Hubby's mom is going to grill pork chops for dinner (weather permitting) and cook some sweet potatoes as well. Hubby brought home some dry pasta last night - close to 6 pounds of it! So food will be even easier to stretch!

Reading - I read Cinderella and The Poky Little Puppy (65th Anniversary edition) to the twins after thunder called them off the playground this afternoon.
Me - I got some food - it wasn't as good as I expected. The Dr. Pepper was not so bad, though. I'm hoping the thunderstorm will pass before 7pm so I can get a shower...I'm too scared to shower when there is lightning. I bought some coconut M & M's to try, but I can only eat them over a garbage can or in the shower (processed with peanuts - can kill my son).
Clutter - What a pain in the butt! I'll tackle the clutter after a good Tylenol and more Dr. Pepper. I think I need to start small...really small. I need to move the disposable forks from the busted box to a Ziploc bag. I need to find a place for the Yellow Pages (as if we ever use them). The Magic Eraser needs to be put with the cleaning supplies. It's the little things that kill!
Wipes - I am thinking about making my own baby wipes. I've got everything I need already. First step will be grabbing a roll of paper towels and ripping them apart to stack (I think this will be an easy way to pass commercial time tonight during my shows). Then with a CLEAN pair of scissors I need to cut them in half. Then I need to fold and stack them. I can wait a while before mixing the "wet solution" together; I'll do that when it is closer to time to use the wipes (besides, I need to find a formula I really like before I go mixing stuff together).
Computer - I entered all my sweeps, but I still need to do my freebies for the day. I also need to enter some coke rewards points. I could easily scan in 20 pages of workbooks tonight...now which one to pick?

Wednesday's plans:
Go to T'ville to:

• Visit my parents
• Drop tubs off at storage (my brother might help me)
• Return books and DVD to the library
• Go to one of the playgrounds (first day of school for that district, so few kids at the playground)
• Go to Dollar Tree for Piggy Banks & an 11"x14" frame (if they have one)

Home:

• Read books to the twins
• Scan a workbook
• Shower
• Stake up the tomato plants
• Let the twins put paint hand prints on my tummy & photograph

Hubby thought he had to work 10a-8p today, so I was going to really stay busy ALL day. After he got to work he found out he really needed to be there at 4p-8p. He grabbed some leftover milk from the restaurant and was home by 10:45. The kids watched/helped him play Wizard 101 (yes my husband made his own character for a kids game) for at least an hour, and I went to Walgreen's for coke and Milo's sweet tea. Then the twins and hubby went outside to play with bubbles, jeeps, discs, and balls.
Laundry - towels washed & in dryer.
Hanging - echinoderms are hung, cnidarians are hung, mollusks are hung.
Vacuuming - my bedroom is done, the twins room is done in major traffic areas, the living room is partially done (too many toys to pick up).
Nap - I got a 45 minute nap before hubby went back to work.
Storage - is out for the day. I started thinking, I have to go into the city where storage is tomorrow to visit my parents and drop off a library DVD - so why waste the gas today when I'm just going back tomorrow. I DO plan to at least load some tubs into the van tonight after it cools off (heat index will be 105 degrees this afternoon).
Dollar Store - I need to take the kids to buy piggy banks with their own money...this can totally wait till tomorrow when we go into the city for everything else.
Tomatoes - I got hubby to retrieve the cages for me from the back yard. I think I know where I'm going to put them...I'm keeping them potted if possible. I still need to pull them out of their current location, move the pots, add extra dirt, add fertilizer, water, and stake them up into the cages. This will likely drag on into tomorrow with rain and heat being contributing factors.
Me - I was doing good emotionally until the twins started acting up at lunch - they don't do that when we are home alone, but with hubby here they act horrible. Luckily he handled the discipline during my nap. My mood still sucks - I need a pick me up. Perhaps eating again will help. I'm off to check the radar to see if we can go to the playground - keeping my fingers crossed (I'd love to be swinging).

Last night hubby and I watched "I Love You, Man" - it was good. It is now Tuesday and I need to get busy working on this house. It may start to rain around 2pm, so I need to get outside early.
Dishes - By this afternoon the sink will be full...I need to get the dishes done before hubby's mom gets home after work.
Laundry - Hubby's clothes are in the dryer; I need to wash towels/sheets/comforter.
Scanning - I scanned in Grade 1 Reading & Grade 1 Math, but I need to scan in the Grade 2 Reading & Grade 2 Math.
Printing - I need to print some home school workbook pages to prep for the twins.
Finding - no joke, I've got to find my curved needles! I need to tear my bedroom apart and re-organize things. Most of my clutter has homes (tubs) that it never makes it into...time to put the clutter in its place.
Storage - NOTHING got taken to storage yesterday. I'm going to attempt to take at least 6 lighter weight tubs to storage today.
Living room - NOTHING got done toward the re-organization of the living room yesterday either; now, I feel, I must take things into my own hands and move what I can. I'm sure my back will be aching tomorrow from moving furniture and tubs, but it has to get done - we're running out of time - lets face it - I could have this kid ANY time in the next 45 days.
Discipline - I woke up to the twins jumping on T's bed - they got XBox and Barbie.com privileges removed for the day. I am hoping that will calm them down...I don't want to have to take away Wii and Wizard 101 too.
Reading - We've got plenty of library books to catch-up on...I'd like to read at least 5 books today.
Hanging - I need to finish hanging ocean life in the twins room; also I need to hang the skip counting chart & the pledge of allegiance (if I can find enough sticky/ticky-tac).
Tomatoes - I need to stake up or cage our tomatoes today, move them to a more permanent location, and fertilize them.
Playing - I need to play "Yahtzee, Jr" & "Money! Money!" today, by J's request; also T wants to do a project (perhaps we'll paint the lockers we never finished).
Pictures - I must empty the cameras today! I've got about 5 days of photos backed up on the big camera that need to be put into their proper place.
List - I need to start a grocery list - we always need something we don't have.
Me time - I want to watch Weeds, Hell's Kitchen, and 18 Kids and Counting tonight. I also want a good shower and some Tylenol for my neck and back. I've been doing okay without Benadryl until last night - I was itchy all over, but I think it is from flea bites.

We have enough food at the moment to tentatively pick what the kids will eat the rest of the week. Here is what I am thinking:

Tuesday:

• Breakfast - Fruit Cocktail & Toast w/Applesauce
• Lunch - Baked Ziti
• Dinner - Carrots, Green Beans, Corn, Vienna Sausages

Wednesday:

• Breakfast - Toast & Banana
• Lunch - Hot Dogs & French Fries
• Dinner - Chicken & Rice

Thursday:

• Breakfast - Cereal & Banana
• Lunch - Ham & Cheese Sandwiches
• Dinner - Chicken & Rice

Friday:

• Breakfast - Toast & Fruit
• Lunch - Salisbury Steak & Rice
• Dinner - Hot Dogs & Tater Tots

And for me? Fruit Bars, Cheese Ravioli, Tilapia, Vienna Sausage Sandwiches, Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Tropical Sherbet, Hot Dogs, Chick Peas, Kidney Beans, etc.

The kids slept till 8, but I was up at 7:25. I had promised J one full hour of Wizard 101 with the headphones on, so he did that on my computer while T played JumpStart Artist on her computer. I, meanwhile, finally sorted all the baby socks and shoes into girl and boy tubs. Now I have 2 more tubs ready for storage.
Today hubby is off...all day. We are hoping to make it to storage to drop off some tubs; we are also hoping to re-arrange and clean some around the house. The twins are planning on dragging hubby outside...so far the weather looks good...any rain should be after 4pm. Both hubby and I need to do laundry; I've already thrown in a load of towels. I've entered my sweepstakes, checked my email, and downloaded today's educational freebies. My free 11"x14" print of the twins at Disney came in the mail today - as well as a notice about the grand opening of a LEGO store at a nearby mall.
I have a cousin (Jae) graduating from Auburn University today! I believe she is getting a degree in Biomedical Science or something like that. I've heard her next venture will be a quick round of nursing school. I couldn't be more proud of her! She is the first of us Alabama cousins to get her college degree; I dropped out, and my cousin Johnny (who is only 6 months older than me) has recently gone back to college in Tennessee. Jae's three siblings are also attending Auburn and should graduate in the years to come. I, on the other hand, am the only one making babies. My motto is "I make babies so you don't have to." LOL. Though I think life is fine without a degree...and I think college degrees will mean less and less as EVERYONE seems to have one...I'll still probably go back one day. Hubby suggested I could go to college "with" our kids. We'll see what happens with the economy, family, etc...I've got my entire life to go back to school.
I forgot to mention it the other day, so I'll do it now. On the way home from Lowe's Build & Grow Workshop last Saturday my girl T expressed concern over the fact that our workshop projects are made of wood. She says she doesn't want to build them anymore if it is contributing to squirrels losing their homes. She says Mother Nature is disappointed with tree cutters. She wants me to contact Lowe's for an explanation of how/where they get the wood for the projects. Who new she'd be an environmentalist by 5!

I put away those folded clothes. I listened to some music, though it's taking blues to move me. I got my food. The twins got playground time. We went to my parent's house and visited. The twins got to ride my dad's "tractor" with him. We returned our money DVD and a book to the library. The twins and hubby played in the yard (with lots of bug spray on). Hubby's mom made us chicken & dumplings for dinner. Each twin got a bath; I medicated J's eczema & moisturized him. I read J a Kung Fu Panda book, and we looked through his My World book so he could see Madagascar, China, and the US. Overall, it was a good day.

1. I must let in some natural light.
2. I must not dwell on the negative.
3. I must hear some happy music.
4. I must eat something before noon.
5. I must get my kids outside to burn off energy.
6. I must finish scanning that workbook.
7. I must put some folded clothes away.

Tentative plans for the day are: Turn on music, put away folded clothes, get kids dressed, and load the van; leave at noon or later to go to playground, parent's house, storage, library (opens at 1pm), and either down by the river or hiking. Then we'll come home, eat dinner, take baths, and go to bed.

I woke up on the wrong side of the bed; actually, twice - 1:30am because I got slammed into by hubby just after he dropped T who wouldn't go back to her room to sleep - he got her wound up - with little regard for the sleeping pregnant woman on the same bed. Then at almost 8:00 I was woken by screams of "he pinched me, wahhhhhh!" It's hard not to be crabby in this situation. I really wish I could just go sleep somewhere else - like my own place. Really, after 5 and a half years of marriage, plus another 4 years living together before marriage, doesn't it seems fair that we get our own place...an apartment or something. I just don't need to live with anymore people than I have to - and nothing against hubby's mom - I shouldn't have to live with her and her dogs. My son who is allergic to dogs shouldn't HAVE to live here either. And then there is the whole "I don't have my own kitchen" thing that drives me nuts. I don't feel like I can really get into being a stay-at-home mom in someone else kitchen, with someone else's kitchen stuff, and someone else's food. I can't just go in there and start a major cooking project because the dogs and mother-in-law are always coming in there. It's not a clean/sanitary kitchen like I would keep, and I just can't handle it. I'm probably a germaphobe and freak, but I don't care. I am an adult woman with children to feed, and I deserve better! I actually cleaned the twins old baby bottles in our bathroom sink when they were babies - because, after all, it was cleaner than the kitchen! Glad to vent - again, I have no problem with how other people run their homes, I just think I need and deserve my own. I never thought I'd be 28, married to a 31 year old, mother to school-age kids, pregnant, and still living with a roommate.

So, I need to make today happy. I don't know how...I really don't. But I'll have to try. Music makes me happy. Clean places make me happy. Nature, breezes, sun, fresh air - all that makes me happy. Taking pictures and editing them makes me happy.
Looks like we'll be leaving the house to get into something today! Perhaps visiting my parents briefly...maybe going by storage and taking tubs (to feel accomplished). Maybe we could return a library book or 2 and stop by a playground.

The kids are cleaning up their rooms; they also need to clean the living room - crayons are everywhere! They've had breakfast...I haven't. I DID fold the laundry today; I have also scanned in the first 13 pages of the Grade 1 Reading workbook I got yesterday. Next up - waking the husband so he can get to work by 11; normally he is off on Sunday, but he is using today to go clean the exhaust hood at work while the ovens are off. He WILL be off tomorrow; we plan to go to storage and discuss the re-arranging that needs to be done around here (getting our computer and desk out of our bedroom and making room for baby).

And my neck - it still hurts. I'm still off the Benadryl, though I have needed it for itchiness and sleep. I've been getting plenty of showers - which is a first since the twins were born. My face is breaking out less, and my hair is looking decent. I'm still not over my record weight in this pregnancy (166.5), but I'm trying to pack in calories to maintain that weight. My feet are swelling a little now.

My cousin Johnny got married in April, and his wife's family had a reception/shower last night to celebrate the occasion. I took my kids. My father and brother rode together to get there, but my dad needed to get home so I took my brother home later. I also saw my aunt, uncle, and grandfather; my grandmother's close friend Rhoda also showed up. We stayed for two and a half hours, then went to visit my mom for another 30-45 minutes. In other words, my kids stayed up till 10pm when we got home.
I was an emotional wreck when I finally got home last night; in fact I think I was having an anxiety attack upon rethinking the night. I cried for at least a half hour over the overwhelmingness of it all. My main concerns were J's allergies; it was the first time he ever admitted how bad he felt that he couldn't do or eat what everyone else (even his sister) could. T ran around NOT listening to anyone (especially me) and eating all the peanuts & eggs she could get her hands on; she ate 4-6 chocolate covered strawberries and plenty of cake.
It is Saturday. We built powerboats at Lowe's and made a run to the dollar store. My goal was to spend $3 and get soap, toothpaste, and shampoo. I got those things plus a book J was driving me nuts to get (The World which is a book about continents, countries, and cultures); I also picked up workbooks for Grade 1 Math, Grade 2 Math, Grade 1 Reading, and Grade 2 Reading. Oh, and they both begged me for the US map to hang on their wall - it actually had Birmingham labeled on it. So, I still got out of there for under $10.
I am torn on what to do tonight:

1. Be totally mindful of myself and growing fetus - burn a good DVD, eat, and go to bed.
2. Be totally mindful of my need to clean this place before my fetus is born - hard work & not fun, but rewarding when I finally DO go to bed.
3. Get off my butt and work - laundry, dishes, bedroom organization, scan in new workbooks - ugh.

I feel so "full" - like I need to fart/poop, but can't. I noticed gigantic veins in the upper part of my abdomen yesterday - and I noticed the bump is larger - like my belly button is facing down more than out. This morning it was extra hard to get up off the ground at Lowe's after we built our project. I have 47 days left till this kid is due - now it's getting close - I can almost smell that "new baby" smell.

T ran the gamut of emotions yesterday over her loose tooth. The dentist told her to wiggle it, and she did for hours. Eventually she had made enough progress that I told her to twist it. She did.

This is going to get expensive fast! And I feel like my baby went off to college or something...I just want to cry!